Ang Sulat ni Nanay at Tatay version 2.0

 

A few years ago, a letter/ article entitled "Ang Sulat ni Nanay at Tatay" written by Rev. Fr. Ariel F. Robles went viral through email and Friendster (since FB is not yet that big in the Philippines then) because of moving message it contains.

This year, I made my own version, a bit lighter that is, as a Tagalog piece since it's Buwan ng Wika and today is Quezon Day. Magtagalog po muna ko ngayong araw para pagpugay sa Ama ng Wika.

Below is my version of Ang Sulat ni Nanay and Tatay. Actually, I have a few more versions that I might post here in the future (Napahaba ang sulat kaya pinutol ko sawalong bahagi). I just choose this as an appetizer and if the feedback is good, you'll be seeing them in this blog.

Minamahal kong anak,

Pasensiya na kung natagalan bago ako ulit sumulat sa 'yo. Medyo mabagal nang mag-type ang tatay ngayon. Hindi bale, mabagal ka din namang magbasa diba? Nandito na kami sa probinsya para tirahan ang nabili naming bahay. Pero hindi ko maibigay sa iyo ang address dahil dinala ng dating nakatira ang number sa gate para daw hindi na sila magpapalit ng address.

Malayo sa Manila pero maganda ang lugar na ito. Dalawang beses lang umulan ngayong linggo dito, mula Lunes hanggang Miyerkules na walang tigil noong una at mula biyernes hanggang linggo naman yung pangalawa. Huwag kang mag-alala, naiangat namin lahat ng gamit mo (laptop, TV, stereo, at iba pa) sa bubong, ipasok na lang namin uli kapag tumila na ang ulan. Hanggang binti lang naman ang baha kaya ginamit ko muna yung cowboy boots mong leather sa paglusong.

Ipalam ko nga pala sa 'yo na nag-donate ako kahit limang libo para sa mga nasalanta nating kababayan noong bagyo. Tseke ang binigay ko pero hindi ko na pinirmahan dahil gusto ko na maging anonymous donor.  
Nakakainis lang ang mga paninda dito katulad nung nabili ko na shampoo, ayaw bumula. Nakasulat FOR DRY HAIR kaya hindi ko binabasa ang buhok ko pag ginagamit ko. Mamaya ay ibabalik ko sa tindahan at magrereklamo ako.

Noong isang araw naman ay hindi ako makapasok sa bahay dahil ayaw bumukas ng padlock. Nakasulat kasi ay YALE, eh aba namalat na ako sa kasisigaw ay hindi pa din bumubukas. Magrereklamo din ako sa nagbenta ng bahay, akala nila hindi ko alam na SIGAW ang tagalog ng YALE, Best in English ata ako nung grade 2.

Mayroon nga pala akong nabili na magandang jacket at tiyak na magugustuhan mo. Ipinadala ko na sa iyo via LBC. Medyo mahal nga lang ang binayaran ko dahil mabigat ang mga botones kaya ang ginawa ko ay tinanggal ko na lang ang mga botones at inilagay ko na lang sa bulsa ng jacket. Ikabit mo na lang pag dating diyan.

Ang kapatid mo palang si Jhun ay may trabaho na dito, mayroon siyang 500 na tao na under sa kanya. Nag-gugupit siya ngayon ng damo sa memorial park, okey naman ang kita above minimum ang sahod.

Nakapanganak na rin pala ang Ate Baby mo, hindi ko pa alam kung babae o lalake kaya hindi ko pa masasabi kung ikaw ay bagong uncle or auntie.

Isa pa nga pala, babalik ako diyan sa Oktubre pero naguguluhan ako. Di ba yung Victory Liner, BLTB Liner, Pascual Liner at Alfonso Liner ay mga pampasaherong bus. Yung Panty Liner, bus din ba yun? Saan ba ang terminal nila?
 
Wala na akong masyadong balita. Sumulat ka na lang ng madalas ha.


Love,

Tatay


P.S. Maglalagay sana ako ng pera kaya lang ay nadilaan at naisara ko na ang envelope. Next time na lang ha.



Image credit: americanphilosopher.com.

Growing up with Robin Williams

Image credit: fanpop.com

I was sipping coffee for breakfast when a breaking news flashed on the TV screen: Hollywood actor Robin Williams dead at 63.

I felt a jolt of hot liquid inside my throat because a hurriedly finish my cup, not minding if my tonsils will get 3^rd degree burns, so I can reach out the remote control and increase the volume of the boob tube.

While listening to the confirmation of the authorities that the great funny one was indeed dead after committing suicide inside his home in California, I shed tears not because of a sore larynx but probably the connection I had with Williams growing up watching his films.

Call me a sentimental fool or what but he and his films for me are some of the best things that Hollywood gave to the world. I can still remember in the 80’s the amazement to see Popeye (1980) in a live action film; the contagious Good Morning, Vietnam (1987) spiel of the cool DJ Adrian Cronauer; and who can forget the wisdom of professor John Keating in Dead Poets Society (1989).          

In the 90’s, Williams again proved that laughter is the best medicine in his remarkable performances as Dr. Malcolm Sayer in Awakenings (1990) and real-life Dr. Hunter "Patch" Adams in Patch Adams (1998).  To some, he’ll be best remembered as the Genie in the animated film Aladdin (1992) or the android Andrew in Bicentennial Man (1999) or his Oscar-winning performance as Sean Maguire in Good Will Hunting (1997) but for me, he will always be Daniel Hillard aka Mrs. Euphegenia Doubtfire from what I considered my most favorite Robin Williams movie Mrs. Doubtfire (1993).

I was just a college freshman when I saw Robin William’s movie about a father who would do anything just to be with his kids.  Doing anything would mean disguising himself as an old lady to apply as a housekeeper to his ex-wife and three children.  With this simple premise, Mrs. Doubtfire became a box-office hit and was included in the American Film Institute’s list of 100 funniest movies of the 20^th century. Last week, I was able to see the movie again over cable TV.

Incidentally, Marsha Garces, a Filipino American philanthropist and a former movie producer became Williams real-life wife while she's working as a nanny in the 80’s. It’s no surprise that Williams starred in all the three films she produced (Mrs. Doubtfire; Patch Adams; 1999’s Jakob the Liar).

Mrs. Doubtfire is very funny but heart-warming in so many ways.  The story evolves in the life of Daniel Hillard (Williams), an out-of-work voice actor.  His wife Miranda, played by the versatile actress Sally Field, has reached the end of her patience and decided to leave his irresponsible husband.  Since Daniel has no steady job, Miranda was forced to be the main breadwinner of the family.   Miranda gets primary custody of their three children while the court granted Daniel visitation rights limited to Saturday evenings because they find him unfit to be a father (which I think is one of the greatest insults one can hurl to any man)

When Daniel founds out that Miranda was looking for a housekeeper, he moved heaven and earth just to get the job.  With the help of his brother who is a professional make-up artist, Daniel was transformed into the 60-year old widow from England Mrs. Doubtfire who got the name from the news headline "Police Doubt Fire Was Accidental". 

The moment Mrs. Doubtfire set foot to the house of Miranda and the kids, it was the beginning of mischievous adventures of the family.  To add a little more spice to Mrs. Doubtfire’s dilemma, Miranda introduces her new boyfriend (Pierce Brosnan) to the family.  At this stage, Daniel would not only fight for quality time for his children but also for the right to be the person to whom the kids will look up to.  

In the end, Mrs. Doubtfire’s true identity was discovered.  This would lead to the tear-jearker court scenes where Daniel acts as his own attorney as he confessed why he disguised as Mrs. Doubtfire.  The judge, although feeling sympathy for Daniel, finds his behavior somewhat disturbing and awarded sole custody of their children to Miranda.  Daniel's visitation rights were also further restricted as the judge only allows him to see his kids with supervision from a court liaison.  Williams is one great comedian but in this movie, he proves to everyone that he can also make us cry.  You can feel his pain as a father trapped in his worst nightmare in this sequence in the film.

But as they say, time heals all wounds.  Miranda forgave Daniel of all his wrongdoings and decided to give him what a father longs and truly deserve--- the warm hugs and kisses of his children.  The film concludes with Daniel picking up his kids while Miranda is watching a TV show featuring advices to children of divorced parents, saying that no matter what type of family living arrangement children have, love will maintain the bond.

I just feel blessed that I have a loving wife and a adorable child in my life now that I vowed not to be in the situation that I’ll be forced to wear high heels just to see my son.  Let all fathers learn from Mrs. Doubtfire.  

And as the movie world is mourning to the loss of one of the greatest funny man who was able to conquer television, theatre and the silver screen with his wit, charm and humor, let us all be forever reminded that life must go one with a famous line delivered by Mrs. Doubtfire, “But if there's love, dear, those are the ties that bind. And you'll have a family in your heart forever. All my love to you, poppet. You're going to be all right. Bye-bye.”

My Pen is Panda, what's yours?

I grew up with Pandas. 

No, I’m not Jack Black nor a zookeeper’s son.  What I’m trying to say is that I am a laking Panda ballpen and it is instrumental in my journey towards a career in writing.  Well, you can check the walls of my parent’s bedroom if you want some proof.

From elementary to college and up to now, I am one proud fan of the brand. It’s just sad that I don’t see that many Pandas today. It may not look as fancy as the other pens but what’s important is that I can write smoothly with it and it is definitely budget-friendly.  I also like its simple design and it is really light weight.  It’s no wonder why a lot of Filipinos, me included, from the last generation used the word Panda to refer to the product it is associated with -- the ballpen. “Uy, peram nga ng Panda mo” or “Ano ba tong Panda mo nagta-tae.”

And besides, I had fond memories with Panda.  I lost count of how many love letters I have written using this pen… how many slam book request I have responded... how many school exams and assignments I have answered… how many stories I have drafted.

You think fun stops when it runs out of ink?  You really don’t know your Panda if you just throw it right away.  As a kid growing up in the 80’s, I have to be creative with the limited stuff around me.  Imagine there’s no cable TV, PSP, cellphones and internet.  Together with my friends, we make toys out of just about anything. 

The body or tube of Panda can be use to produce bubbles.  Just mix soap and hibiscus or gumamela flowers in water and use the tube as a bubble maker.  The tube can also produce prism or rainbow light if you place it under sunlight.  A more manly game is by using it as toy-weapon.  Place monggo seeds in the tube and with a big blow, a big “ouch” to anyone that will be hit.  (But kids, please don’t try this at home. I can attest, it hurts)  The cap and other parts of the pen can be used in shaping toy clay. 

I may have sounded like one of those hosts of Art Attack but it just shows that Panda has been more than just a pen for me and for everyone out there who are using the pen up to now.

I have received imported, branded and expensive pens in the past during different occasions. I also got free (?) pens from meeting and events held in hotels that if I compile will be sort of a collection.  I did use them of course.  But no pen can ever place the big smile I have on my face every time I use Panda.  (I can still remember how I made a big bully cry with a monggo seed.)

This is NOT a sponsored post and I was not persuaded by anyone to published this. Nagtae kasi ballpen ko kanina and naalala ko lang si Panda.  The last Panda on Earth is probably found HERE.

Guardians of the Galaxy: An Awesome Mix of Superhero Fun Stuff

I still can't get over the fun and excitement that was watching the film featuring what I consider now as one of my favorite superhero teams of all time. Aside from capturing the comic book action sequences, viewers were also transported back to their younger years. Thanks to the brilliant soundtrack of the film aka Awesome Mix Vol. 1.  

The hottest movie this week, or probably this month, is Walt Disney and Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy which debuted with a powerhouse $94 million opening weekend.

That’s the third biggest opening of the year, behind Captain America: The Winter Soldier ($95m) and Transformers: Age of Extinction ($100m).

Director James Gunn consulted with IMAX on how to make space epic for later conversion. Guardians of the Galaxy is digitally re-mastered in the IMAX format.

The film features an American pilot/outlaw hero Peter Quill who is hunted down and thrown into an inter-galactic prison after stealing a mysterious orb. In order to secure his freedom, Quill reluctantly joins forces with alien bandits Drax, Gamora, Rocket and Groot to form an alliance of misfits known as the Guardians of the Galaxy, and with the all-powerful villain Ronan hunting the orb, the fate of the universe is in their hands.

One of the lead actors of the film is Dave Batista or Batista to millions of pro wrestling fans. He is part Filipino who plays Drax the Destroyer in the film. He personally filmed an invitatation to all his kababayans.

Foretell your Monthly Electricity Bill

Do you like to see the future? Do you want to know what will surprise you next month? Are you eager to check if what you have saved is enough for you and your family?

You can definitely do it with a few clicks of your finger. Yes, you read it right. You don’t need to be abducted by aliens, fathered by a mutant, or have a Master’s degree on numerology to be a soothsayer. 

All you have to do is to download in your mobile phones or tablets the MeralcO Virtual Engine (MoVE), an iOS and Android-friendly app that allows consumers to have more power over their monthly electric bill.

Sorry if I was in a way confused fortune teller wannabes but for sure, if you’ll be cautious about your electricity consumption and learn how to conserve energy, brighter days and extra budget is within reach. And soon you’ll be rich (Love the rhyme?)   

Our friendly neighborhood Meralco developed this app to make managing consumers’ electricity spending better. One of the key features allows users to compute their power consumption based on their appliances’ cost per hour and length of use per day and week.

The MoVE app also gives users electricity-saving tips, Meralco news updates, and more. Below is the full list of features:

1.      Usage - tracks your electrical consumption in real time, by adding your appliances and switch them on and off in the app as you would use them at home.

2.      Calculator - lets you forecast the electrical consumption when buying an appliance or simply know how much an appliance costs to operate.

3.      Directory - easily find the Meralco branch or Bayad Center nearest you.

4.      Information - notifications on power interruptions, scheduled maintenance or Meralco events.

5.      Bright Ideas - helpful tips for your home on how to conserve electricity

6.      E-Bill - delivers your Meralco bill online for convenience

 

To hype up, or should I say spice up the launch of the MoVE app, Meralco introduced horoscope videos starring sexy comedienne Giselle Sanchez. She plays Madame Giselle, a fortune teller who identifies the electricity-wasting bad habits of each Zodiac sign and gives advice on how the MoVE app can help them. 

Do you want to laugh while learning about this great service, check out the videos on Meralco’s YouTube channel.