Electronic jeep launch!

Join us witness renewable energy come to life in the streets of Manila! You are all invited to the launch this Wednesday, July 4, 2007, from 8:30am until 10am, at the park in front of Glorietta 3 in Makati City (other landmarks include Shangrila Edsa Plaza, 6750, and Landmark).

These electric jeepneys are part of The Climate Friendly Cities Project, an innovative project that helps mitigate climate change and promote sustainable transport and waste management initiatives. The E-jeepneys run on renewable sources of energy. Its benefits include cleaner and safer transport for the riding public,increased incomes to the driver and a cleaner urban environment for all—while helping give solution to climate change. Much technical and commercial tests will follow in the next 6-9 months.

For questions or further directions to our launch in Makati, don't hesitate to give us a call at (02)4260368 local 110, or send us an email at supporterservices@ph.greenpeace.org . We know that July 4 is such a short notice, and so we will have other dates and venues where you can come and see the E-jeepneys.

Thinking Out of the Box

Literally, that is. Products have taken a whole new art form with their packaging, from innovative outer materials used, to bizarre and wonderfully delightful textures. Yet in this day and age of eco-awareness, we encourage you to re-think this design conceptualization with another factor: is it eco-friendly?

While it serves a multitude of purposes (primary cover/safety of product, marketing tool, etc.), product packaging, especially ones made of non-recyclable materials, pose a grave threat to the environment, and if not disposed properly, can do more damage that we would have thought. So what can we do?

For consumers, think out of the box. Choose products which have little or no packaging, or use recyclable packaging (tetra-paks, boxes made of cardboard/recycled paper are examples). For designers/creators, find ways to reduce plastics into your packaging (like, is there a better way to bundle items other than burning plastics!??!!!)

Give to charity. The best form of recycling is giving things, clothes, items we don't need to someone who needs it. Consider your items before you throw them away --- can they be reused by somebody? Can they be mended? Are they still able to function? If so, donate them or reuse them.

The choice to change and make a change is in our hands. As Gadhi said, "you must be the change you wish to see in the world"

Just Say NO

Just Say No to Plastic Bags
The plastic bags you bring home from the supermarket probably end up in a landfill. Every year, more than 500 billion plastic bags are distributed, and less than 3% of those bags are recycled. They are typically made of polyethylene and can take up to 1,000 years to biodegrade in landfills that emit harmful greenhouse gases. Reducing your contribution to plastic-bag pollution is as simple as using a cloth bag (or one made of biodegradable plant-based materials) instead of wasting plastic ones. For your next trip to the grocery store, BYOB.

for more ideas on how to save the planet, please go check out http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/environment/

An Open Letter to Filipinos

Dear Fellow Filipino,

Good day to all of you! Before I begin my letter... just a disclaimer, for people who know me they know that I love the Philippines very much and I am not really one who rants and complaints to high heavens about what is happening to our country and does nothing about it, in fact, I feel that at my relatively young age of 27, I have done much service to the Philippines by setting up Pathways to Higher Education which has sent more than 500 poor but deserving students to college and AHON Foundation which has already built two public elementary school libraries that have benefitted more than 3,500 students. Yet, after seeing how events in our nation have transpired the past few weeks and talking with some friends, I feel the urge to share with you my own thoughts and feelings.

Over the weekend, we saw the completion of two major political alliances for this coming Senate Elections that has just began here in the Philippines . Now we have two political forces with familiar faces nonetheless on opposite sides of the fences. On one end, you have Tito Sotto and Tessie Aquino-Oreta who were two major stalwarts of the opposition and the FPJ Campaign in 2004 hobnobbing with the woman (Pres. GMA) whom they claimed to have cheated FPJ in the last Presidential Elections.On the other side of the fence, you see Manny Villar, the former house speaker who was actually responsible for impeaching Erap now part of the United Opposition who is led by no less than... Erap himself.

Now if you don't see anything wrong with this picture then you must be one of the many Filipinos who have accepted this very sad reality that there is indeed no permanent ideals that our government leaders stand up for but rather they just go where there self-interests can best be served. It is this kind of politics why I no longer wonder why good people like Ramon Magsaysay Awardee Mayor Jesse Robredo of Naga City or outstanding Bulacan Governor Josie Dela Cruz will find it hard or worse, never be elected to national positions.

It is with these in mind that I'd like to share with you what are events this coming May elections that will make me consider leaving the Philippines :

1.) If former COMELEC Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano of Hello Garci fame wins in his bid to become Congressman of Bukidnon...seeking to replace a good man no less in incumbent Cong. Neric Acosta... We would really be the laughing stock of the whole world if we allow a man with the reputation of Garci to be one of our so called "Honorable
Gentlemen".

2.) If Dancing Queen Tessie Aquino Oreta reclaims her seat at the Senate... I hope that all of us would still remember that dance that she did during the 2001 impeachment hearings after they voted to overrule the decision of then Chief Justice Davide... let us make sure that people like her never make it to the Senate again.

3.) If Richard Gomez becomes a senator... what does he know about making laws? We already have the likes of Bong Revilla and Lito Lapid in the Senate and their performance or lack of it would be reason enough not to elect another actor who has no prior experience in government to the distinguished halls of the Senate.

4.) If Gringo Honasan wins again.... have we not learned our lesson? I cannot believe that just because someone is charismatic then we will just elect him to become one of our senators despite the fact that he has time and again caused so much instability in our country... if we want a military junta similar to that of Thailand ... then lets all vote for this guy....

5.) If Manny Pacquiao becomes Congressman of General Santos City... everybody loves Manny the Boxing Champ but Manny the Lawmaker? Lets be realistic here, Manny is our Hero alright but I think it takes more than just great boxing skills and a desire to serve to be able to make appropriate laws that would help uplift the lives of the many Filipinos who live in Poverty.

6.) If Lito Lapid wins for Mayor of Makati City... I don't like Jojo Binay as well but Lito Lapid as city mayor of the country's finance and business center?!?! And do you really think he is from Makati and has good plans for the city? The Arroyos asking someone like him to run just goes to show you how much love and concern this government has for our country.

7.) If Chavit Singson becomes a Senator, Illegal Gambling = Chavit... enough said.

Now if all of these 7 things happen during this coming elections then don't be surprised if I decide to leave this country that I love dearly.

Like I said during the first part of my letter, I feel that I have done much for this country but I think it's time that Filipinos become more vigilant and critical in selecting our leaders for the sake of our future and the generations that will go beyond us. So I appeal to every Filipino who asks what can I actually do for my country... Choose and vote for the right people this coming elections, huwag na tayong magpaloko sa mga kandidatong maganda lang ang jingle o gwapo lang sa mga poster. Let us choose leaders who have a good track record for service and who are genuinely committed towards serving our country.

Manindigan naman tayong lahat para sa ating Kinabukasan at para sa Kapakanan ng ating Bayan!

Thank you very much for your time in reading this letter.

Sincerely,

Harvey S. Keh
Email: harveykeh@gmail.com

say what?

Pluggin'

SHOCKS, a horror haiku collection by Aurelio Lopez III, is out and ready to be consumed. Get a copy now.

An Inconvenient Truth

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Let's do our part. Thanks, Mr. Gore :-)

the tale of two friends

two friends of mine, both charming, both amazing in stark extremities.

One is overflowed with blessings and has become a monster in disguise --- her ego overflated, her charm exaggerated ---too much "me" has gone and exploded all over the place that to keep my sanity i had to leave and lie low from her. Sadly, she is oblivious to the effect she gives and continues to this day living in her own universe of Me.

The other one is charming, amazing, wonderful. She lost her life to love, her confidence shattered, her ego bruised by a sad, pathetic being whose words cut her deep and left her badly scarred. She continually sought to love against all odds, hopeful, yet all in vain.

Sometimes you wonder if life is truly unfair. or just plain sadistic.

I pray for my friend's eventual realization, and for my other friend's gain in confidence.

not for free

52 Questions

1. What would you say is the most profound advice you've ever been given (and did you heed it)
F*ck everybody else. You do this because you want to, as long as you don't hurt anybody.

2. Who, for you, is an idol? Why are they your idol?
Hmm. can't really say right now.

3. When, during the day, are you in your best mood, and why?
after work. stress free! and gimik nights.

4. When you wake, what do you normally think of first?
Am i late?

5. If you could choose doing the washing up or drying up, which one would it be? ( I have a dishwasher is not acceptable)
Washing up.

6. How often do you pretend you can't hear your phone ringing (mobile or land line) cos you cant be arsed to answer it?
Extremely rarely.

7. What are your favourite recipes that never go wrong and that the kids eat?
spaghetti with pesto and tuna.

8. What did you do on your 11th birthday?
I've no idea.

9. ______ is sexy But._____ is sexier.
I'd better not reply - I could get into trouble here.

10. Where would you like to live if you had to leave Belgium (and not the UK, because that's Andy's home) and why?
Hawaii.

11. What would be your dream job?
freelance graphic artist who's well-paid.

12. Do you keep in contact with anyone from your school days? Tell us something about your oldest and closest friends.
My friends from school. They've been there trhough the good times and bad and NEVER judge. Which is sadly, what i can't say for most people i've met after.

13. What most important ingredient would you like another person freely and naturally to offer, to help ensure that such a relationship developed?
Trust.Love.

14. What important aspect of you do you feel would contribute towards this ideal.
trust.

15. Do you feel that you have depths (of feelings, ideas, attitudes) that have not yet been shared by another person? If so, maybe explain??
yes. Don't want to explain though.

16. Where would you like to be at the moment (and for how long and why?)
In NY with lots of money to spend. I'd really like to extend my stay there the last time but i had to go somewhere else. damn.

17. What is the biggest mistake you have ever made, in the sense that it affected your life adversely?
Not having listened to my gut instinct.

18. Name 5 things that give you pleasure?
Chocolate, Sex, Alcohol, Meeting new people, Traveling.

19. What is the worst UDI (Unidentifiable Drinking Injury) you've ever had?
My legs feeling like they'r eabout to break becauuse i was too drunk to stop myself from dancing with 3 inch heels all night.

20. Do you prefer living in Belguim to living in the UK, & why?
I've never lived there. I want to though.

21. Why are you so nice as to invite a load of complete strangers to your house every summer for a BBQ?!!
BEcause i feel like it.

22. Where do you want to be in 5 years from now?
somewhere outside the country, with lotsa money and making mad love by the beach.

23. Did you regret anything so far?
Oh yes.

24. The place you wanna live if you would have tons of money.
The Carribean, or Italy, or Australia.

25. Are you still the funny, lovely person that I really liked a lot in Brussels?
I damn well hope so.

26. What thoughts predominate that mind right now?
can i go home now?

27. Lastly, what did you look for in your men and have you found it ?
a sense of humor, wicked wit and craziness. yes i did so far.

28. Why are you so evil?
Because being bad is so good. And haunty "Charlotte Yorks" are just too boring.

29. Why do your powers seem to be blunted when faced with the might of Flobster International?
hmmm.

30. How come evil is so sexy?
because it's so bad it's good.

31. What made you abandon your calling to become a monk?
no sex and bad fashion.

32. Is red wine really better for you than trappist beers?
yes. then again, i never had trappist beers. :-P

33. Why Belgium?
again, i have no idea.

34. Do you think there is a difference between you being around other people or other people being around you?
sometimes.

35. Have you ever had a simple decision in front of you and known it could change everything?
yes. the decisions we make dictate the lives we lead.

36. Do you think that the questions asked reveal more about the asker than the askee wanted?
yes!nosy, aren't ya?

37. What would you do with the perfect snowball?
throw it!

38. You're gorgeous, what's your secret?
happy thoughts and lotsa sex.

39. How many times a month do you clip your toe nails?
Who on earth asked that question ?seriously.

40. How many sugars in your coffee?
none for me.

41. You take your tea with or without milk?
depends on my mood.

42. You are generous and loyal, now that i spot it out, are you going to change anything?
no.

43. You have some parsley stuck between your teeth, are you going to remove it or enjoy walking around with it seeing people's reaction?
Remove it, dammit.

44. What do you value most in life?
trust.honesty.love

45. Do you ever have fantasies about other men during your love-making with your present partner?
sometimes. Hey Johnny Depp, where the f*ck are you?

46. What is your biggest regret?
not travelling enough. not having enough money to travel, hahaha.

47. You have a chance to commit a crime - the perfect crime, as you'll get away scot-free and no one will ever know a thing. What crime would you commit, and why?
rob a bank. or Tiffany's.

48. Donkey or worm? (think carefully before you answer this one).
Donkey. Beasts of burden and all that.

49. Belgian men - what's the reason for them?
i have no idea. Maybe to proliferate Belgium.

50. What languages do you speak?
English,Filipino and Ilonggo. Go figure.:-P

51. What countries have you visited?
US, HK, Malaysia

52. What's your favourite colour?
Probably black.

Nightmare before Christmas

Just what is it about this holiday that makes people so damn...nuts, to be more polite.

no sleep for two days, hectic work before charging to the airport two hours before my flight and i get left behind because the lines OUTSIDE the TERMINAL is really sucky. I get to the checking counter and they say it's MY FAULT!???!! WTF!???!

So now i'm spending the holidays in Manila, gratefully invited to join my friend's family for the Xmas dinner. It's a bummer, especially having to hear your mom so sad over the phone.

I know this is christmas and everybody's rushing but seriously, how hard is it to prioritize passengers who need to be boarding on time? Why are there lonng lines outside the terminal when they could have easily made 5 or so lines for passengers who are travelling at around the same time interval (a line for those leaving at 5am, etc.)

What's worse is that partner airlines who occupy the same terminal seem to have mo interest in looking out for their passengers --- just because it's airport security doesn't mean it's not your business or concern, y'know! It's like you're staying in your room and therefore, anything happening outside your room is none of your concern --- for all you care, you may be getting robbed or someone's hurt :-P (and please, none of that sappy, insincere spiel you give out to passengers --- it really sucks enough that we get the bad news, it's worse when you deliver it oh-so-insincerely).

While i wish everybody the best of the holidays, i really hope this concern reaches to the people of the new Centennial terminal. Your lack of concern as well as your indifference to your customers are truly anti-holidays! Also, to those people in the checking counter of Air Phils. who refused to give a damn, well, i do hope your manners and customer service will be better someday within this century -- your counterparts in the other regions have been more helpful than you are here.

That said, merry freakin' christmas.

quickies

saw a burst of fireworks earlier. i was bathed by the earthy glow that these fireworks showered upon its viewers. A lovely display, even lovelier to stare at from the ground floor. :-) such a sight to see!

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Quick coffee and conversation with my besty and her equally lovely BF. it's really great to catch up, even for just a quick chika! Miss ya gurl! hope to hang with you soon! :-D

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Yey! Got a postie from Herbkins all the way from Aussie land! Thanks boo! Looks like you had loads of fun from the trip, and you look great! have a happy christmas!!! Miss ya here!

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Funniest vandals in UP =)

F.A. Wall:
"nobody cares"
somebody answered:
"not even the carebares?"
then another:
"not even kier?"
then:
"not even zoren?"
lastly:
"not even zorro?" <---(anlabo, pre)
all written by different people.


AS:
AS chairs:
"push button to eject seatmate"

"push button to eject urself"

“push button to kill teacher.”

"push button to eject teacher"
....reply: "it's jammed! We're doomed!"


AS cubicle:
"Donate your bulbol here.." tapos may chewing
gum
na pagdidikitan. ...

AS chair :
“you know bobo? bobo is you!”

AS 1st floor CR:
“if you forget the past, then you porget the
purious..”

AS 1st floor CR uli:
“ Im a simple gay “
tapos me sumagot
“sira! Dapat ‘Im simple and gay!’ Taga peyups ka
ba? duh! “
tapos me sumagot ulit (with matching arrow pa na
nakaturo dun sa reply)
“sira ka rin! yung simple is used as an adjective
tapos yung gay is used as a noun. kaya ok lang
yung simple gay nya!”


CHEM:
Chem chair:
“push button to spray acid on prof’s face.”

Another chem chair:
“You Boron!!!”


BIO:
Bio chair:
"Push cadaver to haunt teacher.”


FO Santos:
“SA MGA NAGTATAPON NG BASURA DITO...
bawal.”


ENG’G:
Sa Men's CR, facing the urinal:
"Hawak ko saking mga kamay ang kinabukasan
ng bayan!"
Reply:
"the future you are holding is very small."


GAB (UP Mla):
sa likod ng armchair sa isang room sa GAB:
“takas ng ward 7”

sa math building, sa likod ng isang “teacher’s
chair” sa 3rd floor:
“BABALA: asawa ni babalu”

sa math 3rd floor, sa isang upuan uli.
"you'll NEVER find what you're looking for"
May nag-reply:
"find x."

sa math 3rd floor, sa isa pang upuan uli.
nakasulat sa armchair:
“F*CK DA WORLD! “
ta's may sumagot:
“F*CK U TOO!
--WORLD—“

3rd floor math cr:
"kaibigan, pagkapatos mong umihi, paki PLUS mo
naman, hehehe."


UPIS
sa loob ng music room.
“maam _______(music prof) boses palaka! “
tas may sumagot
“nakarinig ka na ba ng boses ng palaka “
tas may sumagot uli
“weh “
tas may nag-react uli
“oo, sabi kokak!kokak!”


VINZONS:
Wall ng vinzons
"Do not steal. The government hates competition"

men's cr sa Vinzon’s:
"remember: the hands that clean this toilet are
the same hands that cook your food."

men's cr waaaay above the urinal:
"if you can reach this, the fire department wants
you!"


NIGS:
sa isang upuan:
"f*ck nigs!"
may nagreply:
"who's nigs?"


MAIN LIB
Sa isang lamesa ng main lib, filipiniana section:
“UP STUDENTS HAS BECOME PATETHIC"
tapos may sumagot...
"mali pang grammar at spelling mo, halatang di ka
taga UP"

KALAI:
nietzsche-"god is dead"
God- "Nietzsche is dead!"


SC:
sa labas ng PNB:
“in case of emergency break ass and push butt”

sa girls’ CR:
“Bawal ang vandal Dito!...
Mommy said: First Aid Terramycin”

sa girls’ CR uli:
“My boyfriend and I had sex and now I’m pregnant”
Reply:
“Pray to God”

Manny brings it all together....

In some churches, attendance was low because the usual parishioners had stayed home to see the fight.

Police said Metro Manila was virtually crime-free while the fight was in progress. In one area, a traffic enforcer abandoned her post so she could watch the bout in a nearby mall. (read the rest of the article here).

Good to know that Manny can actually prevent crime ;-)

CONGRATULATIONS, Manny Pacquaio! You totally rock!

drinking spree

drinking spree
Originally uploaded by wanderlust_junkie.

roughly around this time last year i was in NY checking out the sights with my friend Hazel. I still can't believe that was just a year ago, it seems like ages now that i think about it... dang, how time flies!

Anyway, this was taken while we had our 10 minute intermission --- watching The Phantom of the Opera at the Majestic was quite an experience! The red wine didn't come cheap (freakin' $10 a glass) but i guess it was pretty good :-P

The musical was well, interesting. Most parts made me want to sleep (i guess it was just because there was just too much A/C, or i was just really tired from all that walking) but those parts wherein they were singing those memorable sad songs, i was crying buckets like there was no tomorrow. LOL. Hazel was nice enough not to laugh at me when the lights hit. awwwww... miss you girl!

i miss NY.

salted Sunday Afternoon swimming party!

perils of the late night shift

Had to end my shift earlier than i anticipated last night. After a feverish day picking up some more donations, i ended late at work and severely dizzy. *sigh* that'll teach me not to stay up all day and night :-P My head was pounding, inspite the 1000mg dosage of Ponstan in my body. F*ckin A, this sucks.



i woke up in cold sweat earlier. After lunch of vegetables, i still found myself feeling queasy and light headed. Dammit, this hyperacidity will be the death of me.




After a consultation, i read up on my prescribed "bland diet". Fudge, cut down on chocolate, coffee and sweets. So much for the munchies and my favourite things... *sigh* The good news is that i can still take soy milk, which gives me a loophole for my caffeine intake. Fudge, now i'm down to just two of those a day and no more nicotine sticks (just as well, i suppose). Hmmm. I feel better yet more scared after reading all that. I wonder how long will this bland diet last or how long will i last. For now, we'll see...



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ode to friendships

Get Your Own! | View Slideshow

Bowling for Guimaras!

Bowling for Guimaras With Photo Exhibit and Petition Signing, a Fund Raising and Awareness Campaign on November 5, Star Mall Bowling Center, 1PM (Star Mall is beside MRT Shaw Station)

Bring your family and friends, and together, let us show the world that we care. Please confirm by November 4,12 noon. Please text 0921 8208013 for confirmation or for any questions.

P200.00 will get you one free game, shoe rental for the entire day, and a Remember Guimaras t-shirt - and of course, the chance to help the people of Guimaras.

Special prizes awaits the winners with the best bowler receiving a spa certificate ( 1 hour massage, unlimited use of sauna, jacuzzi, shower and steam room).

This event is organized by ADD UP! Volunteers, Inc.and supported by the Center for Environmental Awareness and Education and YPNET.

(This event is part of a series of events to spread awareness and gather support for our cause.Please watch out for other events in the future.)

ADD UP! Be Counted!

Contact Sarah Queblatin
Communications and Distributions Director
Center for Environmental Awareness and Education
3A Gilmore Heights, Granada corner Castilla Sts.,
Brgy. Valencia, Quezon City, Philippines,
landline: (+632) 721-7360
mobile : (+632) 917-8579489
fax: (632) 5333-712
email: sarah@ceae.org
http://www.ceae.org/
http://www.moonrisefilmfest.com/

blog things

You Are More Like Angelina Jolie

Bad girl with a heart of gold. You are smart, sexy, and strong willed. You aren't against stealing another girl's man... If he's better off with you!

Are You More Like Jennifer or Angelina?

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Your Reputation Is: Mystery Girl

You're the girl that everyone is trying to figure out. Men are attracted to your intriguing persona - and women want to copy it!

What's Your Reputation?