Things I Think I Think:

1. With a growing threat of being slapped a windfall tax by lawmakers, the big three rolled backed prices by 5 pesos per liter for diesel and 2 pesos for gasoline. Hmm. Sounds like the threat worked wonders.
2. Now that gas prices has gone down, should fares go down too? Paying 8.50 for a jeepney ride isn't just fair. And shouldn't taxi flag down rates go down too? It's not just oil companies who are greedy. The transport sector, too, is greedy.
3. What kind of a name is Joc-Joc?
4. And what the hell is going on here? Why is Joc-Joc rushed to St. Luke's Medical Center because of an undisclosed medical illness when he arrived when the regular Tomas, Pedro and Juan's of the country can't get this attention from the government? If he is really sick, he should've been sent to East Avenue Medical Center or PGH.
5. Aren't the church and the state supposed to be separate? Then why is the church interfering with affairs of the state? Just wondering.
6. Melamine sure do sound like something found on your skin doesn't it?
7. Why do telenovelas, fantaseryes, and the like dominate prime time TV? Does it say something about what kind of society we have? Why can't we have more educational & informational shows? Just wondering.
8. And talking about TV programming, I can't help but notice that those EB Babes of Eat Bulaga are "well-fed". Di ba Chabs? hehe

"Like matter, I'm in a state of flux".

- Vincent the Philopher

Things I Think I Think:

1. The Apocalypse has come! With big financial institutions failing in the land of milk and honey, every doomsayer worth his weight in salt is predicting a "Great Depression 2.0". Will this financial crisis get worse or have we seen the worst? Abangan!
2. As further proof that the apocalypse has come, a black man is about to be elected president of the United States of A. Also, the four horsemen were reportedly sighted at Sta. Ana.
3. With gas prices so low, shouldn't fares too? Just wondering.
4. As mentioned above, with gas prices lower than the previous months, there's this pervasive feeling that it should be lower than current levels. A lot of people, including me, are thinking why can't the oil companies be more transparent in their pricing? Easy, they don't want us to know how they are cheating us.
5. I can understand now why there is such a thing as "road rage". As a new driver, I experience it everyday in the form of motorcycles, PUJs and PUVs izigging and zagging the streets without abandon & making the road their personal parking space as they wait for passengers. As if that's not enough, unruly pedestrians cross the road on very inopportune times. With all these a driver have to deal with, it's very easy for someone to snap (ala Rolito Go). The point is, if everybody just follow traffic rules, then everything'll be fine. But then again, this is the Philippines. We thrive when there's chaos.
6. How time flies. I can't believe it's about to be November. It seemed like May was only a couple of weeks ago. In a couple of months, we'll be celebrating the yuletide season and ushering in a new year. This early, I'm seeing some Christmas lights already. Even the air is colder now.
7. I so love statistics. Of all the math subjects in college, statistics was by far the subject I liked most. And now in grad school, I still love it. Wala lang.

Things I Think I Think:

1. Another olympics, another no gold perfomance for our country. Zilch, nada, splat, zero, none. I'm beginning to wonder if I'll ever see the Philippines win a gold medal in my lifetime.
2. The "Big Three" (Shell, Chevron & Petron), along with Meralco, Globe, and Smart should be dubbed "The Axis of Evil".
3. My Advanced Academic Writing professor, Ms. Mojica, once told us: "Graduate school is all about sleepless nights, blood, sweat, and tears". She could've not said it better.
4. With Hedging Devices as my topic for my final paper, I was enlightened as to the importance of hedging in writing. Not only in writing but also in daily conversations. All these years, I've been making "strong claims". No wonder why I have a lot of opposition. Well, it's never too late to change.
5. A few days ago, a Philippine Air Force C-130 cargo plane crashed. The reson for the mishap is still being determined. We're sad for the widowed and the PAF. They do not deserve this. They deserve better equipment. For too long, they have endured public ridicule for the numerous crashes they had. Little do the public know that they were making do with what they have-secondhand equipment from the US government. Until the powers that be addresses this, many wives will be widowed over senseless tragedies like this.
6. Psychologists claim that people who talk and act loud are really weak people. Based on experience, I tend to believe that. Most often than not, it seems that people exhibiting this behavior lack the necessary skills, knowledge or breeding. Appearing tough, they think, will cover up some insecurities they have.
7. Good managers think, talk, and act like managers. An unqualified manager may get away with it initially, but will soon be found out as a fraud.
8. It's done. After so much haggling over revenue sharing, legendary boxer "The Golden Boy" Oscar De la Hoya chose Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao to be the last opponent of his storied career sometime in December. Analysts suggest that total revenues from the fight could reach $100 millon. And with the Pacman getting a share anywhere 35-40% of the revenues, this promises to be the richest fight for him but also the richest fight in history.

Filipino saying of the week:

"Bihisan mo man ang matsing, matsing pa rin".

I have learned that...

1. One must know when to fight and when to run away.
2. Where you studied is important. Companies do look at where you studied.
3. You will care about gas prices when you become a driver.
4. One can never be too old to learn new things.
5. La Salle ain't that bad at all. In fact, it's not bad at all.
6. Respect can't be bought or demanded. It is earned.
7. Watching mindless comedies like Takeshi's Castle or Will Ferrell's movies relieve stress.
8. I don't know everything. That's why I ask questions.
9. I am the master of our household. But my wife is my commander.
10. No matter what you do, don't mess with your inlaws.
11. It doesn't rain everyday.
12. There is such a thing called "karma".
13. All men are not created equal.
14. It's hard to find true friends. So if you found one, don't lose him/her.
15. Pirated DVDs are like the original.
16. If you're in a hurry, don't take the G-Liner or RRCG.
17. Quality comes with a price.
18. You can't buy love and happiness.
19. Your needs are commensurate to your pay.
20. No matter how much food you leave on the plate, people in other parts of the globe will still go hungry.
21. It never hurts to say "I'm sorry" nor does "I love you".
22. TIme is your most valuable resource.
23. You should not argue when you're angry.
24. No matter how kind you are, you can't expect people to be the same with you.
25. People listen more to what you don't say (non-verbal cues).
26. You lose a skill/knowledge when you don't practice it (except driving & riding a bike).
27. Saving a peso a day do make a difference.
28. You'll study harder when you're paying for your tuition.
29. Vegetables are good for you.
30. Health is wealth.

Olympics and War

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Things I Think I Think (The San Beda vs Letran Edition):

1. I think San Beda's two championships and this year's if they win it all should be marked with an asterisk. They wouldn't have won them without the benefit of having an import. Thus giving them an unfair advantage over the rest of the NCAA teams who fielded true-blooded FIlipinos. Even the PBA makes it so that everyone should have an import if there'll be one.
2. Bedans should be ashamed of themselves. They couldn't win it by themselves so they got an import. How else can you explain why it took them so many decades before winning one again? So please stop acting like you own the world.
3. On the other hand, I've got nothing but praise for Coach Louie Alas. He really is Letran's ace in the hole. Talk about making do with limited resources.
4. To Mapua, this year's organizers, shame on you! Why was the game held at the cramped Cuneta Astrodome & not at the more spacious Araneta Coliseum when it's obvious that the Astrodome cannot accommodate the number of fans? Come on! This was a rivalry game that goes way, way back.Rumor has it that Mapua scheduled the game at the Astrodome on purpose.
5. I'm getting tired of watching those Little Indians at halftime. Don't you? Give us some cheerleaders already!
6. And only on the NCAA: "Pogi kami, pangit kayo!" & "Squatter!" These are cheers chanted by both Letran & San Beda. The NCAA sure do know how to cheer.
7. Round 1 goes to the Height is Might school of thought. Small Ball just got swatted into oblivion. Though the bully got smacked in the mouth. Beda's aura of invincibility is almost gone.
8. Ekwe is not the Ekwe-lizer. Ok? Get it?
9. Menor is one hell of a baller. Tough, tough guy. Very hard to stop.
10. To the Letran guards, I don't know how you do it but pressing all game long & only Jazul cramping up? These guys are one of the most fit athletes in the NCAA. What stamina.
11. Sam Beda. 'Nuff Said.

Where Na You?

Whatever happened to Jun Lozada? Where na you Jun?