Proverbs 30:7-9 (RSV)-
"Two things I ask of thee;
deny them not to me before I die:
Remove far from me falsehood and lying;
give me neither poverty nor riches;
feed me with the food that is needful for me,
lest I be full and deny thee, and say, 'Who is the Lord?'
or lest I be poor, and steal, and profane the name of my God."
September 24, 2008
September 01, 2008
4, not 1
Because of Ely's heart attack, most of the focus has been on him. Understandable but not entirely fair because the Eraserheads is a four-man act. 4, not 1.
And so, before I shut up about the 'Heads, I just have to say that the 15-song set would not have rocked as much had not Raimund, Buddy and Marcus played their hearts out as well. They have definitely matured as instrumentalists, given the years they were together as the 'Heads and the years after when each of the 4 put up their own bands (Raimund's feat must be cited simply because he has three bands all at the same time, not one after the other). Clearly, they all worked out simply to be able to sustain the energy level needed to keep on playing, song after song--never mind that they did not even talk to each other and had even minimal eye contact.
The 'Heads sounded great not simply because Ely sang his heart out but also because Marcus, Buddy, and Raimund played their hearts out as well.
Marcus, Buddy at Raimund, maraming salamat; binigyan nyo uli kami ng ligaya, kahit na panandalian lamang. Mabuhay kayo!
Ok, I'll shut up now.
And so, before I shut up about the 'Heads, I just have to say that the 15-song set would not have rocked as much had not Raimund, Buddy and Marcus played their hearts out as well. They have definitely matured as instrumentalists, given the years they were together as the 'Heads and the years after when each of the 4 put up their own bands (Raimund's feat must be cited simply because he has three bands all at the same time, not one after the other). Clearly, they all worked out simply to be able to sustain the energy level needed to keep on playing, song after song--never mind that they did not even talk to each other and had even minimal eye contact.
The 'Heads sounded great not simply because Ely sang his heart out but also because Marcus, Buddy, and Raimund played their hearts out as well.
Marcus, Buddy at Raimund, maraming salamat; binigyan nyo uli kami ng ligaya, kahit na panandalian lamang. Mabuhay kayo!
Ok, I'll shut up now.
August 31, 2008
The Stunned Silence
I agree with Angelo in his blog post--if the news that there would be no second set had happened in any other concert with any other group, there would have been blood--literally. I agree with the respect, the love, the crowd had for the group, and for Ely.
I was so amazed at how the multitude took the news that Ely was rushed to the hospital and would not be coming back on stage that night. There was a stunned silence. No boos, no hisses, no shouts for refund, no screams of harang (fraud). Just a stunned, and later a prayerful, silence.
While the ending was anticlimactic (because there were just too many songs they had yet to play; so many personal favorites they were saving for last), it was just so rock and roll. I mentioned to someone that they could not have scripted it better--except that it wasn't scripted. In this case, life pre-empted art and added infinitely more spice.
I was so amazed at how the multitude took the news that Ely was rushed to the hospital and would not be coming back on stage that night. There was a stunned silence. No boos, no hisses, no shouts for refund, no screams of harang (fraud). Just a stunned, and later a prayerful, silence.
While the ending was anticlimactic (because there were just too many songs they had yet to play; so many personal favorites they were saving for last), it was just so rock and roll. I mentioned to someone that they could not have scripted it better--except that it wasn't scripted. In this case, life pre-empted art and added infinitely more spice.
ultraelectromagnetic-everything!!!
I was asked why I didn't write a review of the concert (what concert? where have you been hiding?). I answered, I am too much a fan to write a fair review.
But if you insist on a review, look at the title of this post.
If still not satisfied, pick up a thesaurus and go to "spectacular", "amazing", "awesome", "magnificent", "excellent" and write down all the synonyms (spaces are optional).
If you still want more, I'll use Raimund's word, "cooking!"
As a final word, Ely's-- "nakakatindig balahibo."
Now, for that UP centennial eraserheads reunion concert. . . . kulang talaga pag wala sila at bitin naman yung isa.
But if you insist on a review, look at the title of this post.
If still not satisfied, pick up a thesaurus and go to "spectacular", "amazing", "awesome", "magnificent", "excellent" and write down all the synonyms (spaces are optional).
If you still want more, I'll use Raimund's word, "cooking!"
As a final word, Ely's-- "nakakatindig balahibo."
Now, for that UP centennial eraserheads reunion concert. . . . kulang talaga pag wala sila at bitin naman yung isa.
The Green Tag
This is the tag I got that entitled me to a spot of earth--there were no seats anywhere--at the open field of The Fort, VIP section. Before my ego could inflate, I noticed that there was another section, SVIP, and because there was nothing to indicate what S meant, we speculated that it was "Special" or "Spectacular. That led us to wondering whether there was another SMVIP or "Super Mega VIP" section. I must say though that, had I paid for my ticket, it would have been worth every Peso.
August 30, 2008
Ely's unfinished symphonies
It was the one everyone was waiting for. It took ages to organize and it seemed like ages before we got in and even longer before the concert started. But when it did--with the fab four appearing seemingly from thin air--with Alapaap, the decibel level at the open field went from deafening to ear-drum shattering.
Raimund was right--the band was cooking. They sounded better than ever. Ely's voice was strong, Raimund pounded the skins and kept the beat steady;Marcus was the taciturn axeman and Buddy was the smiling rhythm keeper.
For about an hour and fifteen songs deep, it looked like this was going down in history as among the best concerts and the reunion that did not disappoint until the last song.
Going into the last few notes, it seemed something was off; then Ely sat down as the song ended. A 20-minute intermission was announced and everyone started rattling off songs they expected to be played during the second set--El Bimbo, Overdrive, Julie tearjerky, Pare Ko, Tuwing Umuulan at Kapiling Ka,among many others.
When the 20 minutes became about 30, people started getting restless and then the three appeared onstage, with a woman and several others.That's when Buddy introduced Ely's sister who broke the news-- Ely would not come out anymore, he had to be rushed to the hospital. Amidst a stunned silence,and people half hoping it was a joke, Raimund confirmed it and introduced the organizer who also confirmed it, asked for calm and order and asked for a one minute prayer in silence.
Then it sank in.It was over.
The reunion no one thought would ever happen happened, but was over--in one hour. Ely would not come out for the second set. People, in silence, started shuffling out in disbelief.
While walking to the parking area, we could hear cars with speakers blaring the songs of the 'Heads,as if in tribute and thanksgiving to the band that made a great difference in pop culture and influenced a whole new generation of musicians.
Part of me was hoping it was a joke but when Buddy and Raimund confirmed it, I knew it wasn't.
As Jam said in his post, maybe it was fatigue, maybe it was emotions,maybe it was grief at the loss of a loved one(his mother passed away on Thursday),but Ely Buendia, he of the pop hooks and the astonishingly intuitive and perceptive lyrics, played his heart out tonight. And even if that heart was probably broken, it didn't show.
Many of us were screaming "group hug"to the four who were obviously not talking to each other; they did not oblige. But when the news of Ely's condition came, the remaining three took the stage as one. It was like the group hug that never was.
Ely, get well soon. If tonight has shown one thing: it is that the 'Heads still make a difference and that the four of you are loved. I know because my ears are still ringing and my hands are still sore. Get well soon, there are unfinished symphonies yet to be played.
Raimund was right--the band was cooking. They sounded better than ever. Ely's voice was strong, Raimund pounded the skins and kept the beat steady;Marcus was the taciturn axeman and Buddy was the smiling rhythm keeper.
For about an hour and fifteen songs deep, it looked like this was going down in history as among the best concerts and the reunion that did not disappoint until the last song.
Going into the last few notes, it seemed something was off; then Ely sat down as the song ended. A 20-minute intermission was announced and everyone started rattling off songs they expected to be played during the second set--El Bimbo, Overdrive, Julie tearjerky, Pare Ko, Tuwing Umuulan at Kapiling Ka,among many others.
When the 20 minutes became about 30, people started getting restless and then the three appeared onstage, with a woman and several others.That's when Buddy introduced Ely's sister who broke the news-- Ely would not come out anymore, he had to be rushed to the hospital. Amidst a stunned silence,and people half hoping it was a joke, Raimund confirmed it and introduced the organizer who also confirmed it, asked for calm and order and asked for a one minute prayer in silence.
Then it sank in.It was over.
The reunion no one thought would ever happen happened, but was over--in one hour. Ely would not come out for the second set. People, in silence, started shuffling out in disbelief.
While walking to the parking area, we could hear cars with speakers blaring the songs of the 'Heads,as if in tribute and thanksgiving to the band that made a great difference in pop culture and influenced a whole new generation of musicians.
Part of me was hoping it was a joke but when Buddy and Raimund confirmed it, I knew it wasn't.
As Jam said in his post, maybe it was fatigue, maybe it was emotions,maybe it was grief at the loss of a loved one(his mother passed away on Thursday),but Ely Buendia, he of the pop hooks and the astonishingly intuitive and perceptive lyrics, played his heart out tonight. And even if that heart was probably broken, it didn't show.
Many of us were screaming "group hug"to the four who were obviously not talking to each other; they did not oblige. But when the news of Ely's condition came, the remaining three took the stage as one. It was like the group hug that never was.
Ely, get well soon. If tonight has shown one thing: it is that the 'Heads still make a difference and that the four of you are loved. I know because my ears are still ringing and my hands are still sore. Get well soon, there are unfinished symphonies yet to be played.
August 12, 2008
new blog
I decided to make life more interesting by putting up a new blog (in addition to this one on blogspot, Vincula on multiply, The Grand Manner also on blogspot) which will be dedicated to two things I love doing--teaching and trying cases.
The new blog is called Vinculum Juris (http://legalties.blogspot.com) which can be accessed by clicking here.
Will try to make it current and interesting, within the time that work allows.
Do drop by and spread the word.
The new blog is called Vinculum Juris (http://legalties.blogspot.com) which can be accessed by clicking here.
Will try to make it current and interesting, within the time that work allows.
Do drop by and spread the word.
August 10, 2008
para kay skaterboy
maraming salamat at pinaunlakan mo ako. maraming salamat sa mga binigay mong "tips" kung ano ang daan para masakatuparan ang ating parehong minimithi--na kayo'y magsama sama uli para sa peyups. hayaan mo't pinagsisikapan kong mapaabot ang mensahe sa tatlo--sana naman ay pumayag sila.
July 27, 2008
Para sa Masa?
Para kay Marcus, Raimund, Buddy at Ely,
Hindi ninyo ako kilala at hindi tayo kailanman nagkita o pinakilala. Hayaan ninyong ako'y magpapakilala. Ako si Ted, isang masugid na tagahanga ng inyong banda. Hindi kalabisang sabihin ko dito na isa kayo sa kinikilala kong malaki ang impluwensya sa musikang pinipili kong pakinggan at sa mga Pilipinong bandang sinusundan.
Hindi pa kayo kasing sikat at kasing galing ay narinig ko na kayong tumugtog; sa mga gigs, maliit at malaki. At ako'y napahanga, unang una, sa tindi ng pag-unawa ninyo sa diwa, kaisipan at sikolohiya ng pangkaraniwang masang pilipino, at mas higit pa dito ang pangkaraniwang masang pilipinong estudyante. Maraming mas malupit tumugtog ng gitara, baho at tambol; mas maraming mas maganda ang boses. Ngunit, sadyang bukod tangi at di pangkaraniwan ang pagsasama ninyong apat dahil, unang una, sa lalim ng pagkakaibigan ninyo at, pangalawa, sa lalim at tingkad ng pag-unawa ninyo sa mga iniisip ng kapwa ninyong pilipinong estudyante at kabataan; sumunod na lamang ang pagiging bihasa sa pagkanta, pagitara, pagbaho at pagtambol.
Alam kong sasabihin ninyong hindi ninyo pinlano na maging "role model" at tingalain ng mga kabataan, at ng masang pilipinong naki kanta sa inyo mula pa noong 1989.
Ninanais nyo man o hindi, nung nag-umpisa kayo sa UP, naging modelo kayo para sa mga kabataan na ninanais lamang tumugtog, kumanta at ipadama ang saloobin sa lingwahe na natatangi at di-mapagkailang sariling sarili. Nasa plano nyo man o hindi, tiningala kayo ng mga kabataan, mga dati'y kabataan at, oo, ng masa. Silang bumili ng inyong mga plaka, kaset, cd at tumugtog, kumanta at nakimura sa sinensor na "Pare ko."
Kung hayaan ninyo akong magyabang ng bahagya, yan naman ang galing UP. Sa bawa't gawain, nagiging bukod-tangi. At, oo, kinikilala din kayo na bukod-tanging bandang peyups na peyups.
Ngayo'y magtitipon tipon uli kayo. Sa Agosto 30 daw. Ngunit, one night only at 45 minutes lang daw. At, ang malupit, ang isponsor ninyo ay ang gumagawa ng yosi--Marlboro, Philip Morris. At eto pa ang mas malupit, bawal ang pag-iisponsor nila sa inyo. Maniwala kayo, nagtanong ako sa abogado.
Alam ko namang hindi ko papel ang pigilan kayong tanggapin ang perang ibinigay na ng Marlboro at Philip Morris. Kung ako lang ang may pera, siguro higit pa sa diumano'y 2.5 Million bawa't isa ang ibabayad ko sa inyo (huwag kayong mag-alala sa BIR, may matitinik akong mga "tax lawyers" na kakilala); pero wala akong ganyang pera at hindi ko kayang pigilan ang pagsasama sama ninyo uli dahil sa "Marlboro country."
Isa na lamang ang pakiusap ko: maaari kayang kayong magsasama uli, BAGO mag Agosto 30, sa Sunken Garden ng UP Diliman; sana'y wala nang Marlboro, Fortune, Philip Morris o kung sinomang gumagawa ng yosi ang magpakana, sana'y sa inyo na lamang ang kusa. Tutal, sentenaryo ng Peyups sa 2008 at kulang pag wala kayo. Isang gabi lang ang pakiusap.
Sana'y magsasama uli kayo at muling kantahin ang mga dati nang naging themesong ng marami; baka maaaring kantahin uli ang "Pare Ko" kahit na may kasamang pagmumura, at baka maaaring matapos sa "UP Ang Galing Mo!" at sa "UP Naming Mahal" (na sana'y walang pagmumura).
Wala kaming maaaring ibayad sa inyo kundi ang aming taos-pusong pasasalamat na minsan sa taon ng sentenaryo ng Peyups ay nagsasama muli ang pinakadakila, pinakatanyag, pinakamalupit at pinakahinahangang Eraserheads--at hindi dahil sa sigarilyo.
Maraming salamat at lubos na gumagalang,
Ted
PS. Lubhang napakaganda ng kanta ninyong "Para sa Masa". Eto ang sinabi ninyo noon, nawa'y maging totoo uli ngayon:
Para sa Masa
Ito ay para sa mga masa
Sa lahat ng nawalan ng pag-asa
Sa lahat ng aming nakasama
Sa lahat ng hirap at pagdurusa
Na-aalala niyo pa ba
Binigyan namin kayo ng ligaya
Ilang taon na rin ang lumipas
Mga kulay ng mundo ay kumupas
Marami na rin ang mga pagbabago
Di maiiwasan 'pagkat tayo ay tao lamang
Mapapatawad mo ba ako
Kung hindi ko sinunod ang gusto mo
La la la la, la la la la....
La la la la, la la la...
La la la la, la la la la....
La la la la, la la la...
Pinilit kong iahon ka
Ngunit ayaw mo namang sumama
Ito ay para sa mga masa
Sa lahat ng binaon ng sistema
Sa lahat ng aming nakabarkada
Sa lahat ng mahilig sa labsong at drama
Sa lahat ng di marunong bumasa
Sa lahat ng may problema sa skwela
Sa lahat ng fans ni Sharon Cuneta
Sa lahat ng may problema sa pera
Sa lahat ng masa (sa lahat ng masa)
Sa lahat ng masa (sa lahat ng masa)
Sa lahat ng masa (sa lahat ng masa)
Sa lahat ng masa (sa lahat ng masa)
Huwag mong hayaang ganito
Bigyan ang sarili ng respeto
La la la la, la la la la...
La la la la, la la la...
Hindi ninyo ako kilala at hindi tayo kailanman nagkita o pinakilala. Hayaan ninyong ako'y magpapakilala. Ako si Ted, isang masugid na tagahanga ng inyong banda. Hindi kalabisang sabihin ko dito na isa kayo sa kinikilala kong malaki ang impluwensya sa musikang pinipili kong pakinggan at sa mga Pilipinong bandang sinusundan.
Hindi pa kayo kasing sikat at kasing galing ay narinig ko na kayong tumugtog; sa mga gigs, maliit at malaki. At ako'y napahanga, unang una, sa tindi ng pag-unawa ninyo sa diwa, kaisipan at sikolohiya ng pangkaraniwang masang pilipino, at mas higit pa dito ang pangkaraniwang masang pilipinong estudyante. Maraming mas malupit tumugtog ng gitara, baho at tambol; mas maraming mas maganda ang boses. Ngunit, sadyang bukod tangi at di pangkaraniwan ang pagsasama ninyong apat dahil, unang una, sa lalim ng pagkakaibigan ninyo at, pangalawa, sa lalim at tingkad ng pag-unawa ninyo sa mga iniisip ng kapwa ninyong pilipinong estudyante at kabataan; sumunod na lamang ang pagiging bihasa sa pagkanta, pagitara, pagbaho at pagtambol.
Alam kong sasabihin ninyong hindi ninyo pinlano na maging "role model" at tingalain ng mga kabataan, at ng masang pilipinong naki kanta sa inyo mula pa noong 1989.
Ninanais nyo man o hindi, nung nag-umpisa kayo sa UP, naging modelo kayo para sa mga kabataan na ninanais lamang tumugtog, kumanta at ipadama ang saloobin sa lingwahe na natatangi at di-mapagkailang sariling sarili. Nasa plano nyo man o hindi, tiningala kayo ng mga kabataan, mga dati'y kabataan at, oo, ng masa. Silang bumili ng inyong mga plaka, kaset, cd at tumugtog, kumanta at nakimura sa sinensor na "Pare ko."
Kung hayaan ninyo akong magyabang ng bahagya, yan naman ang galing UP. Sa bawa't gawain, nagiging bukod-tangi. At, oo, kinikilala din kayo na bukod-tanging bandang peyups na peyups.
Ngayo'y magtitipon tipon uli kayo. Sa Agosto 30 daw. Ngunit, one night only at 45 minutes lang daw. At, ang malupit, ang isponsor ninyo ay ang gumagawa ng yosi--Marlboro, Philip Morris. At eto pa ang mas malupit, bawal ang pag-iisponsor nila sa inyo. Maniwala kayo, nagtanong ako sa abogado.
Alam ko namang hindi ko papel ang pigilan kayong tanggapin ang perang ibinigay na ng Marlboro at Philip Morris. Kung ako lang ang may pera, siguro higit pa sa diumano'y 2.5 Million bawa't isa ang ibabayad ko sa inyo (huwag kayong mag-alala sa BIR, may matitinik akong mga "tax lawyers" na kakilala); pero wala akong ganyang pera at hindi ko kayang pigilan ang pagsasama sama ninyo uli dahil sa "Marlboro country."
Isa na lamang ang pakiusap ko: maaari kayang kayong magsasama uli, BAGO mag Agosto 30, sa Sunken Garden ng UP Diliman; sana'y wala nang Marlboro, Fortune, Philip Morris o kung sinomang gumagawa ng yosi ang magpakana, sana'y sa inyo na lamang ang kusa. Tutal, sentenaryo ng Peyups sa 2008 at kulang pag wala kayo. Isang gabi lang ang pakiusap.
Sana'y magsasama uli kayo at muling kantahin ang mga dati nang naging themesong ng marami; baka maaaring kantahin uli ang "Pare Ko" kahit na may kasamang pagmumura, at baka maaaring matapos sa "UP Ang Galing Mo!" at sa "UP Naming Mahal" (na sana'y walang pagmumura).
Wala kaming maaaring ibayad sa inyo kundi ang aming taos-pusong pasasalamat na minsan sa taon ng sentenaryo ng Peyups ay nagsasama muli ang pinakadakila, pinakatanyag, pinakamalupit at pinakahinahangang Eraserheads--at hindi dahil sa sigarilyo.
Maraming salamat at lubos na gumagalang,
Ted
PS. Lubhang napakaganda ng kanta ninyong "Para sa Masa". Eto ang sinabi ninyo noon, nawa'y maging totoo uli ngayon:
Para sa Masa
Ito ay para sa mga masa
Sa lahat ng nawalan ng pag-asa
Sa lahat ng aming nakasama
Sa lahat ng hirap at pagdurusa
Na-aalala niyo pa ba
Binigyan namin kayo ng ligaya
Ilang taon na rin ang lumipas
Mga kulay ng mundo ay kumupas
Marami na rin ang mga pagbabago
Di maiiwasan 'pagkat tayo ay tao lamang
Mapapatawad mo ba ako
Kung hindi ko sinunod ang gusto mo
La la la la, la la la la....
La la la la, la la la...
La la la la, la la la la....
La la la la, la la la...
Pinilit kong iahon ka
Ngunit ayaw mo namang sumama
Ito ay para sa mga masa
Sa lahat ng binaon ng sistema
Sa lahat ng aming nakabarkada
Sa lahat ng mahilig sa labsong at drama
Sa lahat ng di marunong bumasa
Sa lahat ng may problema sa skwela
Sa lahat ng fans ni Sharon Cuneta
Sa lahat ng may problema sa pera
Sa lahat ng masa (sa lahat ng masa)
Sa lahat ng masa (sa lahat ng masa)
Sa lahat ng masa (sa lahat ng masa)
Sa lahat ng masa (sa lahat ng masa)
Huwag mong hayaang ganito
Bigyan ang sarili ng respeto
La la la la, la la la la...
La la la la, la la la...
June 27, 2008
Bastos
You just cannot buy class.
Top Dog of the country's biggest Kennel, Prospero Nograles, may be decked out in Armani suits or what have you, shod in top leather, wearing expensive glasses, with expensive cologne oozing out of every pore, but he just has no class whatsoever.
In response to the clamor for Gloria Arroyo to cut short her U.S. trip because of the severe damage inflicted by typhoon "Frank", he is said to have texted to those who were asking that Gloria Arroyo cut her trip short because of typhoon "Frank" that Gloria's US trip had long been scheduled and that typhoon "Frank" didn't have a scheduled arrival date.
This, from the person 4th in the line of succession.
All the money in the world cannot buy him decency, cannot buy him sensitivity, cannot hide the lack of breeding and the crassness that screams out of every pore of his being.
I am saddened that he is from the city I was born in--Davao; and, for once, I am ashamed to be associated with Davao.
There is no english word to describe him. The filipino word for it, however, is the most apt: Bastos.
Ang bastos dapat binabastos din.
June 21, 2008
Reality kicks in
"The Board of Regents, at its 1233rd meeting held today, approved the appointment of Prof. Theodore O. Te as Vice President for Legal Affairs effective 23 June 2008 to serve at the pleasure of the President."
It is now official.
So, I "officially" went to the Office of Legal Services (OLS), its current name until it can be changed to Office of the Vice President for Legal Affairs (OVPLA) at the third floor of U.P. Diliman's Quezon Hall yesterday for a send off for MVFL, now dean of the law school, and a welcome for me. Flying in from an overnight trip to Cebu with barely 3 hours of sleep, attending an execom meeting at the College, teaching my evidence class and driving over to OVPLA for the reception, I was in no condition tor respond as graciously as I wanted to the kind treatment they gave me. I'm not even sure my response was comprehensible, I hope I made sense and I hope they didn't mind too much even if I didn't.
On the 100th year of UP, I became one of its Vice Presidents--something I never thought would ever happen.
One thing kept running through my mind yesterday, for reality, this is really surreal.
It is now official.
So, I "officially" went to the Office of Legal Services (OLS), its current name until it can be changed to Office of the Vice President for Legal Affairs (OVPLA) at the third floor of U.P. Diliman's Quezon Hall yesterday for a send off for MVFL, now dean of the law school, and a welcome for me. Flying in from an overnight trip to Cebu with barely 3 hours of sleep, attending an execom meeting at the College, teaching my evidence class and driving over to OVPLA for the reception, I was in no condition tor respond as graciously as I wanted to the kind treatment they gave me. I'm not even sure my response was comprehensible, I hope I made sense and I hope they didn't mind too much even if I didn't.
On the 100th year of UP, I became one of its Vice Presidents--something I never thought would ever happen.
One thing kept running through my mind yesterday, for reality, this is really surreal.
June 06, 2008
it is finished...
...my term as OLA director, that is.
I took over in December 2005 and officially turned the directorship over to my replacement earlier today. I had been in denial for some time that this day would come but I am no longer in denial--as the reality of moving out of room 105 is slowly sinking in, with each box of documents and personal stuff being transferred out of room 105 and to my faculty room in the second floor. No, I'm no longer in denial, but I'm officially in withdrawal.
I know I will miss being in this office especially the view from the small window behind my chair of the sunken garden where people playing football bring me back to a much simpler time; I know I will miss the interns who, semester after semester, enter OLA totally terrified and unaware of one end of the pleading from another and somehow emerge from the experience having learned a bit more than what they had bargained for; I know I will miss the four-member staff who, despite very little pay, choose to slug it out at OLA; I know I will miss correcting pleadings, scrawling my comments in green all over the freshly printed page; I know I will miss the case cons--at that nice long, newly varnished table outside the Director's office where little by little, the law becomes less and less a mystery to the interns.
I had a nice dinner (though my steak wasn't rare and there was no blood at all on the steak; it was still all good) with the last group of interns that I will officially handle, Team 4-SIP; though not all were able to join, it was still a nice way to end the summer and my term--just talking (not shop talk), laughing, and enjoying the company of people who had started the summer virtually strangers but had come out of the summer experience all the richer in friendship. Maraming salamat Migs, Bridget, Kate, Kai, Toff, Janette, Jess, Cathe (and Vince
) and Tere for the great summer.
I will move to the center of UP soon, Quezon Hall, to a 3rd floor office which gives me a peculiar view of the auditorium behind Quezon Hall and where, if I walk along the corridor, I get to see Oble in a totally different light. Perhaps, that is where I am being led to and that is why I am being led here-- to see Quezon Hall peculiarly and to see Oble in a totally different light. I know that the God who has led me here will faithfully finish His work through me and I can only pray that I prove equal to the task and to the service.
In the meantime, I will enjoy my withdrawal--before reality sinks in.
I took over in December 2005 and officially turned the directorship over to my replacement earlier today. I had been in denial for some time that this day would come but I am no longer in denial--as the reality of moving out of room 105 is slowly sinking in, with each box of documents and personal stuff being transferred out of room 105 and to my faculty room in the second floor. No, I'm no longer in denial, but I'm officially in withdrawal.
I know I will miss being in this office especially the view from the small window behind my chair of the sunken garden where people playing football bring me back to a much simpler time; I know I will miss the interns who, semester after semester, enter OLA totally terrified and unaware of one end of the pleading from another and somehow emerge from the experience having learned a bit more than what they had bargained for; I know I will miss the four-member staff who, despite very little pay, choose to slug it out at OLA; I know I will miss correcting pleadings, scrawling my comments in green all over the freshly printed page; I know I will miss the case cons--at that nice long, newly varnished table outside the Director's office where little by little, the law becomes less and less a mystery to the interns.
I had a nice dinner (though my steak wasn't rare and there was no blood at all on the steak; it was still all good) with the last group of interns that I will officially handle, Team 4-SIP; though not all were able to join, it was still a nice way to end the summer and my term--just talking (not shop talk), laughing, and enjoying the company of people who had started the summer virtually strangers but had come out of the summer experience all the richer in friendship. Maraming salamat Migs, Bridget, Kate, Kai, Toff, Janette, Jess, Cathe (and Vince
) and Tere for the great summer.I will move to the center of UP soon, Quezon Hall, to a 3rd floor office which gives me a peculiar view of the auditorium behind Quezon Hall and where, if I walk along the corridor, I get to see Oble in a totally different light. Perhaps, that is where I am being led to and that is why I am being led here-- to see Quezon Hall peculiarly and to see Oble in a totally different light. I know that the God who has led me here will faithfully finish His work through me and I can only pray that I prove equal to the task and to the service.
In the meantime, I will enjoy my withdrawal--before reality sinks in.
June 03, 2008
"i don't know what" in french
Hadn't heard this in some time but was surprised to hear this the other day in casual conversation -- "je ne sais quoi" (it sounds phonetically to the un-french like "june se kwa"). I had to stop and ask the person I was talking to, "are you french?" to which he answered, "no, but I picked that up in a book I read."
When pressed if he knew what it meant, he said (correctly, although I don't know if he knew he was correct), "I don't know." Whether or not he knew it, that was the correct meaning of the phrase. I just smiled and didn't press the issue.
It means "I don't know what" or an undefinable not necessarily absent something; in a phrase that is more familiar, it's like an "x-factor." To use a trite example, "that person has a certain je ne sais quoi." (Sounds like something the writers of "pit and pab", hosted by Tere, could pick up and work into their spiels, he he he)
It just struck me that we use so many words and cliches that we don't really know the meaning to but by oral tradition, we've become so used to them. Law students are no exception; they love to toss around huge and profound sounding terms that don't necessarily mean huge and profound things. Many times really, simple is just better.
In the meantime, could you, as a prefatory matter, indulge me by passing the certiorari to alleviate the conundrum that I am in?
When pressed if he knew what it meant, he said (correctly, although I don't know if he knew he was correct), "I don't know." Whether or not he knew it, that was the correct meaning of the phrase. I just smiled and didn't press the issue.
It means "I don't know what" or an undefinable not necessarily absent something; in a phrase that is more familiar, it's like an "x-factor." To use a trite example, "that person has a certain je ne sais quoi." (Sounds like something the writers of "pit and pab"
It just struck me that we use so many words and cliches that we don't really know the meaning to but by oral tradition, we've become so used to them. Law students are no exception; they love to toss around huge and profound sounding terms that don't necessarily mean huge and profound things. Many times really, simple is just better.
In the meantime, could you, as a prefatory matter, indulge me by passing the certiorari to alleviate the conundrum that I am in?
May 27, 2008
Life Lessons Learned, Grandly
(A send-off to UP Law Batch 2007-2008, taught in the grand manner, and hopefully to become great lawyers and even greater Filipinos)
[NB. Supposed to come out in their Annual, Memorandum '08; first time, the OLA director's been asked to write something there.]
While I was still a student at Malcolm Hall, I heard someone say, “you don’t have to love the law to serve the people, but you do have to love the people.” That got me thinking.
[NB. Supposed to come out in their Annual, Memorandum '08; first time, the OLA director's been asked to write something there.]
While I was still a student at Malcolm Hall, I heard someone say, “you don’t have to love the law to serve the people, but you do have to love the people.” That got me thinking.
May 10, 2008
dalawang tula
nahalungkat sa baul ng ala-ala ang una,
katha ng walang magawa ang pangalawa.
ang una'y inspirasyon para sa pangalawa,
bakas sa iisang paksa.
dalawang tula, para (pa rin) sa mga nawawala.
pasensya na po at mahaba.
Ang Una...
Ang mga nawawala
Jose F. Lacaba
(mula sa Kung Baga sa Bigas, Mga Piling Tula;
U.P. Press, 2002)
Isang araw sila'y
nawala na lang at sukat.
May hindi pumasok sa opisina,
hindi sumipot sa apoyntment,
nang-indiyan ng kadeyt.
May hindi umuwi ng bahay
at hindi nakasalo
ng pamilya sa hapunan,
hindi nakasiping ng kabiyak.
Ang inihaing ulam ay ligalig,
at ang inilatag na banig
ay ayaw dalawin ng antok.
Nang hanapin sila'y
walang masabi
ang kamag-anak at kaibigan,
walang ulat ang pulisya,
walang malay ang militar.
Kung mayroon mang nakakita
nang sila'y sunggaban
ng malalaking lalaki
at isakay sa dyip o kotse,
pabulong-bulong ang saksi,
palinga-linga,
at kung pakikiusapang
tumestigo sa korte,
baka ito'y tumanggi.
Pagkaraan ng ilang araw,
o linggo, o buwan, o taon,
pagkaraan ng maraming
maghapon at magdamag,
pagkaraang ang agam-agam
ay magparoo't parito
sa mga manhid na pasilyo
at ang pag-aasam-asam
ay mapanis sa mga tanggapan,
pagkaraan ng luha't tiyaga,
ang ilan sa kanila'y
muling lumitaw.
Lumitaw sila
sa bilangguan, sa bartolina,
sa kubling bahay na imbakan
ng ungol, tili at panaghoy,
himpilan ng mga berdugong
eksperto sa sanlibo't isang
istilo ng pagpapahirap.
Lumitaw silang
bali ang buto o sira ang bait.
O kaya'y lumitaw silang
lumulutang sa mabahong ilog,
o nakahandusay sa pampang,
o umaalingasaw
sa mga libingang mababaw
na hinukay ng mga asong gala.
Lumitaw silang
may gapos ang kamay at paa
na wala nang pintig, o watak-
watak ang kamay, paa, ulo,
o tadtad ng butas ang bangkay,
likha ng bala o balaraw.
Ang iba'y hindi na lumitaw,
hindi na kailanman lumitaw,
nawala na lang at sukat,
walang labi, walang bangkay,
hindi malaman kung
buhay o patay,
hindi mapaghandugan
ng lamayan, pasiyam, luksa,
hindi maipagbabang-luksa,
hindi maipagtirik ng kandila
kung Todos los Santos.
Nakaposas pa ba sila
sa paa ng kinakalawang na kama
sa loob ng kuwartong may tanod,
busog sa bugbog,
binabagabag ng bangungot,
sumisipol kung nag-iisa
ng "Saan Ka Man Naroroon,"
iniisip kung ano ang iniisip
ng magulang at anak,
kasintahan o kabiyak?
O sila ba'y
umayaw na sa pakikibaka
at nagtaksil sa dating buhay,
at nagtatago sa takot,
o nag-asawang muli
at nangibang-bayan,
o tinamaan ng amnisya
at lalaboy-laboy sa lansangan,
o lihim na namumundok
at nag-iba ng pangalan?
O sila ba'y pinagpapasasaan na ng uod?
Nag-ugat na ba ang talahib
sa mga mata ng kanilang bungo?
Bahagi na ba sila
ng kanilang lupang tinubuan,
ang lupang kanilang ipinaglaban?
Sinusulat ko ito
para sa mga kakilalang
hanggang ngayon ay nawawala,
para kina Charlie Del Rosario
at Caloy Tayag
at Manny Yap
at Jun Flores
at Rudy Romano,
sila na kahit hindi ko
nakilala nang husto
ay alam king naglingkod
sa api at hikahos.
Buhay man sila o patay
sa aking alaala'y
mananatili silang buhay.
- oOo -
Ang pangalawa...
Ina at Anak
sa pag-alala kina Jonas, Karen, Sherlyn at
marami pang ibang nawawala ngunit
di nakakalimutan
1.
Pinuno ang parang ng katahimikan
Ng pagtatangis ng
Inang,
Naghihinagpis,
Nagsusumamo;
Tila bang panibagong Sisang
Naghahanap,
Naghahagilap;
Umaasang makita muli ang
Minamahal ngunit
Nawawalang
Anak.
2.
Pinunit ang parang ng katahimikan
Ng pagngingitngit ng
Inang,
Nagdadalamhati’t
Nagagalit;
Tila bang panibagong Lorenang
Tumitindig at
Kumikilos;
Nananalig na makamit ang mithiing
Hustisya’t Katarungan
para sa nawawalang
Anak.
3.
Pinaligiran ang parang ng katahimikan
Ng alingawngaw ng
Inang,
Nananawaga't
Naninindigan;
Tila pang panibagong Gabrielang
Poot ay lumalagablab at
Ngayo'y lumalaban;
Nang wala na muling mga inang
Magdadalamhati’t Maghihinagpis
para sa nawawalang
Anak.
Ted
2007
katha ng walang magawa ang pangalawa.
ang una'y inspirasyon para sa pangalawa,
bakas sa iisang paksa.
dalawang tula, para (pa rin) sa mga nawawala.
pasensya na po at mahaba.
Ang Una...
Ang mga nawawala
Jose F. Lacaba
(mula sa Kung Baga sa Bigas, Mga Piling Tula;
U.P. Press, 2002)
Isang araw sila'y
nawala na lang at sukat.
May hindi pumasok sa opisina,
hindi sumipot sa apoyntment,
nang-indiyan ng kadeyt.
May hindi umuwi ng bahay
at hindi nakasalo
ng pamilya sa hapunan,
hindi nakasiping ng kabiyak.
Ang inihaing ulam ay ligalig,
at ang inilatag na banig
ay ayaw dalawin ng antok.
Nang hanapin sila'y
walang masabi
ang kamag-anak at kaibigan,
walang ulat ang pulisya,
walang malay ang militar.
Kung mayroon mang nakakita
nang sila'y sunggaban
ng malalaking lalaki
at isakay sa dyip o kotse,
pabulong-bulong ang saksi,
palinga-linga,
at kung pakikiusapang
tumestigo sa korte,
baka ito'y tumanggi.
Pagkaraan ng ilang araw,
o linggo, o buwan, o taon,
pagkaraan ng maraming
maghapon at magdamag,
pagkaraang ang agam-agam
ay magparoo't parito
sa mga manhid na pasilyo
at ang pag-aasam-asam
ay mapanis sa mga tanggapan,
pagkaraan ng luha't tiyaga,
ang ilan sa kanila'y
muling lumitaw.
Lumitaw sila
sa bilangguan, sa bartolina,
sa kubling bahay na imbakan
ng ungol, tili at panaghoy,
himpilan ng mga berdugong
eksperto sa sanlibo't isang
istilo ng pagpapahirap.
Lumitaw silang
bali ang buto o sira ang bait.
O kaya'y lumitaw silang
lumulutang sa mabahong ilog,
o nakahandusay sa pampang,
o umaalingasaw
sa mga libingang mababaw
na hinukay ng mga asong gala.
Lumitaw silang
may gapos ang kamay at paa
na wala nang pintig, o watak-
watak ang kamay, paa, ulo,
o tadtad ng butas ang bangkay,
likha ng bala o balaraw.
Ang iba'y hindi na lumitaw,
hindi na kailanman lumitaw,
nawala na lang at sukat,
walang labi, walang bangkay,
hindi malaman kung
buhay o patay,
hindi mapaghandugan
ng lamayan, pasiyam, luksa,
hindi maipagbabang-luksa,
hindi maipagtirik ng kandila
kung Todos los Santos.
Nakaposas pa ba sila
sa paa ng kinakalawang na kama
sa loob ng kuwartong may tanod,
busog sa bugbog,
binabagabag ng bangungot,
sumisipol kung nag-iisa
ng "Saan Ka Man Naroroon,"
iniisip kung ano ang iniisip
ng magulang at anak,
kasintahan o kabiyak?
O sila ba'y
umayaw na sa pakikibaka
at nagtaksil sa dating buhay,
at nagtatago sa takot,
o nag-asawang muli
at nangibang-bayan,
o tinamaan ng amnisya
at lalaboy-laboy sa lansangan,
o lihim na namumundok
at nag-iba ng pangalan?
O sila ba'y pinagpapasasaan na ng uod?
Nag-ugat na ba ang talahib
sa mga mata ng kanilang bungo?
Bahagi na ba sila
ng kanilang lupang tinubuan,
ang lupang kanilang ipinaglaban?
Sinusulat ko ito
para sa mga kakilalang
hanggang ngayon ay nawawala,
para kina Charlie Del Rosario
at Caloy Tayag
at Manny Yap
at Jun Flores
at Rudy Romano,
sila na kahit hindi ko
nakilala nang husto
ay alam king naglingkod
sa api at hikahos.
Buhay man sila o patay
sa aking alaala'y
mananatili silang buhay.
- oOo -
Ang pangalawa...
Ina at Anak
sa pag-alala kina Jonas, Karen, Sherlyn at
marami pang ibang nawawala ngunit
di nakakalimutan
1.
Pinuno ang parang ng katahimikan
Ng pagtatangis ng
Inang,
Naghihinagpis,
Nagsusumamo;
Tila bang panibagong Sisang
Naghahanap,
Naghahagilap;
Umaasang makita muli ang
Minamahal ngunit
Nawawalang
Anak.
2.
Pinunit ang parang ng katahimikan
Ng pagngingitngit ng
Inang,
Nagdadalamhati’t
Nagagalit;
Tila bang panibagong Lorenang
Tumitindig at
Kumikilos;
Nananalig na makamit ang mithiing
Hustisya’t Katarungan
para sa nawawalang
Anak.
3.
Pinaligiran ang parang ng katahimikan
Ng alingawngaw ng
Inang,
Nananawaga't
Naninindigan;
Tila pang panibagong Gabrielang
Poot ay lumalagablab at
Ngayo'y lumalaban;
Nang wala na muling mga inang
Magdadalamhati’t Maghihinagpis
para sa nawawalang
Anak.
Ted
2007
May 04, 2008
...but Samuel L. Jackson is uber, uber cool!
Now that Omar has blown the lid off the post-end credit scene of Iron Man, I can now write about it. Didn't say anything about it in the previous blog because didn't want it to be a spoiler.
BUT, YES, there will be a sequel... and it has Samuel L. Jackson in it as Nick Fury of Supreme Headquarters Intelligence Espionage-Law Enforcement Division or S.H.I.E.L.D. and he ends the movie with this..."I'd like to talk to you about the Avenger initiative."
Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man, Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury, Hugh Jackman as Wolverine,Kelsey Grammer as Hank McCoy aka The Beast and, let's see...
Natalie Portman or Kiera Knightley as Wanda, The Scarlet Witch
Johnny Depp as Pietro or Quicksilver
Orlando Bloom as Hawkeye
Eric Bana as The Hulk
Brad Pitt as Captain America
As Stan "The Man" Lee would say, 'nuff said.
BUT, YES, there will be a sequel... and it has Samuel L. Jackson in it as Nick Fury of Supreme Headquarters Intelligence Espionage-Law Enforcement Division or S.H.I.E.L.D. and he ends the movie with this..."I'd like to talk to you about the Avenger initiative."
Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man, Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury, Hugh Jackman as Wolverine,Kelsey Grammer as Hank McCoy aka The Beast and, let's see...
Natalie Portman or Kiera Knightley as Wanda, The Scarlet Witch
Johnny Depp as Pietro or Quicksilver
Orlando Bloom as Hawkeye
Eric Bana as The Hulk
Brad Pitt as Captain America
As Stan "The Man" Lee would say, 'nuff said.
May 02, 2008
Robert Downey Jr. is the man...
... the Iron Man!
I succumbed to temptation yesterday and went to watch Iron Man, even though I was supposed to work (on Labor Day). . . and, in response to a question, "is it as good as people say it is?", YES!!!
I am biased because I've waited sometime for this one but it was worth the wait.
Robert Downey Jr. is really one of the BEST actors of his generation--demons and all. He is an incredible Tony Stark/Iron Man--funny, witty but also quite credible as the industrialist/weapons manufacturer who has an epiphany after being kidnapped and subjected to a front row view of what his weapons are actually doing. His transformation from Tony Stark--playboy industrialist--to Iron Man, with a an artificial heart that is more of flesh and blood than many others is quite good.
The effects are great--much, much better than than the Transformers; and the fight scenes are equally good. Of course, the proliferation of credible actors (Jeff Bridges, Gwyneth Paltrow, Terence Howard) makes the film a notch higher than your usual super hero movie.
Is it as good as they say it is? it's much, much better.
Go watch it!
PS. Now, for "The Dark Knight" and JJ Abrams "Star Trek", then I'll shut up and stop raving.
I don't believe in destiny (cable) and I hate sky(cable)
... because I don't get the NBA anymore!
It's the NBA play-offs and things are really getting exciting but because Solar sports is no longer on skycable, I don't get to watch the games anymore. With the schedule I keep, the news (late news) on GMA and CNN, BBC and the NBA on solar sports are practically the only things I get to watch. . . and because sky yanked out the NBA from its line up, I don't get to watch the NBA anymore!
Good thing, I can catch up online.
PS. Go, Celtics!
April 28, 2008
De-Equilibrized
Not sure if there is such a word but that's how I felt earlier when I was told that I had to make a decision that would change many things that I had planned in my life.
But as with most of the de-equilibrized moments in my life, I remembered Psalm 37:23-24-"The steps of the man are from the Lord, and he establishes him in whose way he delights; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord is the stay of his hand."
Its not a promise that I won't fall but that he will catch me when I do fall.
In the meantime, have to get back my equilibrium by focusing on what He wants me to do.
First things first, "fear not."
April 18, 2008
A blast from the past... for me, at least
"I read the news today, oh boy" (credit the Beatles for this line which I shamelessly rip off) and it spoke of the United States Supreme Court ruling 7-2 on the constitutionality of lethal injection as a method of execution for the first time; the landmark ruling is Baze v. Rees, involving a capital case from Kentucky. (Read the link to an AI-US blog, which also posts a link to the decision.)
What struck me wasn't that the US Supreme Court ruled but that it was ruling for the very first time on the constitutionality of lethal injection.
This brought me back to March 2, 1998, when, on behalf of probably my most well-known client, I filed a petition for prohibition, injunction and/or TRO assailing the constitutionality of Republic Act No. 8177 designating lethal injection as the mode of execution in the country; the petition docketed as G.R. No. 132601 was given due course and, on October 12, 1998, the Philippine Supreme Court ruled, for the first time and apparently nine (9) years before the United States, that lethal injection was, to rip off Chief Justice Fernando's famous double negative, "not unconstitutional."
What also strikes me about Baze is the obvious absence of unanimity; there are seven (7) separate opinions, with only two (2) Justices joining the Chief Justice Roberts in his plurality (if you could even call it that) opinion, three (3) Justices concurring only in the result and with separate opinions, and with two (2) Justices (Ginsberg and Souter) dissenting.
Unlike the Philippines, which has, at least for the moment, prohibited capital punishment, it appears that the debate in the United States has just gotten a lot more interesting.
What struck me wasn't that the US Supreme Court ruled but that it was ruling for the very first time on the constitutionality of lethal injection.
This brought me back to March 2, 1998, when, on behalf of probably my most well-known client, I filed a petition for prohibition, injunction and/or TRO assailing the constitutionality of Republic Act No. 8177 designating lethal injection as the mode of execution in the country; the petition docketed as G.R. No. 132601 was given due course and, on October 12, 1998, the Philippine Supreme Court ruled, for the first time and apparently nine (9) years before the United States, that lethal injection was, to rip off Chief Justice Fernando's famous double negative, "not unconstitutional."
What also strikes me about Baze is the obvious absence of unanimity; there are seven (7) separate opinions, with only two (2) Justices joining the Chief Justice Roberts in his plurality (if you could even call it that) opinion, three (3) Justices concurring only in the result and with separate opinions, and with two (2) Justices (Ginsberg and Souter) dissenting.
Unlike the Philippines, which has, at least for the moment, prohibited capital punishment, it appears that the debate in the United States has just gotten a lot more interesting.
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