“Milenyo”: Shorty and Quicky but Deadly! Manila in a State of Calamity.

Three-day diary of power blackout:

28 September 2006:

Classes were suspended in all levels in Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Batangas and Rizal Provinces in anticipation of typhoon “Milenyo” (international name: “Xangsane”). We were suppose to pick John at Clark Airport at 4 p.m. but he had to book another flight home and arrived 9 p.m. at the NAIA instead (Thx for the pasalubongs!). I was also suppose to watch game-two of the UAAP Finals at the Araneta. Neither materialized because of Milenyo. There was power blackout, no internet, no ‘globe’ and all we had was AM Radio! Waaaaah!

Inspite of it all, I got something for the day: Milenyo’s fury! Take a look:

[Watch the same video on 'blip.tv' in my old site, HERE.]

At night, on our way to NAIA, we had quick snacks at McDonalds Macapagal Ave. and the “golden arches” signeage caught my lens – the damage was due to Milenyo. On our way home, we passed by EDSA and we saw two huge billboards (one in Magallanes, another in Estrella) that fell and caused damages to properties and life.

29 September 2006:

Classes in all levels and government offices in Metro Manila are still suspended for clearing operations. The weather is back to normal. If not for the wrath caused by the typhoon, and the power blackout(still) in 80% of Metro Manila, there was never any. I could have blogged as early as the night of the 28th, but because there was no power and internet, I waited until today. Here is a shot taken at EDSA-Annapolis at 3:00 p.m. It’s back to normal:

30 September 2006:

There is still no electric power in my area, to think that it’s in Malacanang Compound. Two days after Milenyo, many have been said about fallen billboards, rising death toll, increasing value of properties damaged. Milenyo was something foreseen, true, (applause to PAGASA, this time!) but it can never be prevented. It was nature’s force and we can’t do so much about it. Look at the brighter side. Every day after Milenyo is a brand new start. Here are images of the sunrise two days after, with a view of Pasig River and Makati Skyline taken from Nagtahan Bridge in Pandacan, Manila, between 5:30 a.m. to 5:40 a.m. For whatever its worth, I am posting the images I took here:

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Off Topic: Update on Ilocano’s at Pinoy Dream Academy

Geoff Taylor from Cagayan Valley was the second to be expelled from the Academy last Saturday. That leaves four other Ilocano’s in contention to be the first ultimate pinoy dreamer! See related story here.

Indian Yell: Bedistas’ Long Tradition

The original and raw video clip I have uploaded on youtube of the “San Beda Indian Yell” at halftime during the championship match of the NCAA is slowly picking up in hits.

I have uploaded three other edited versions of the video:
1. Edited with raw sound clip;
2. Edited with sound clip by The Dawn; and
3. Edited with sound clip by The Planets/Classical Graffiti.

I am uploading here my personal pick, the third one. Definitely not pro but hope you’ll enjoy it. Watch on:

See related stories on the San Beda Red Lions here:
1. Pusong Bedista!
2. SBC Red Lions raw video of Victory!
3. SBC Red Lions are the Champions; 28 at 82!
4. SBC Red Lions: Isa na Lang!
5. SBC Red Lions are Roaring Hot!
6. San Beda Symbols; Explained by Wikipedia

Iba ang Pusong Bedista!

From the success of the video I have uploaded on youtube, “San Beda Red Lions NCAA Champs’ Victory!”, I have uploaded another one; exactly the same clips but I have added some text clips, which I called “Iba Talaga and Pusong Bedista!”. I also added a sound clip by Johann Sebastian Bach; very amateur but I hope you’ll enjoy it!

Postcript: Immediately after the San Beda Red Lions won the NCAA Championship on 22 September 2006, I uploaded on youtube, the video I called “San Beda Red Lions NCAA 2006 Champs’ Victory”) that I have recorded from Studio 23. The purpose was to share it with (few) Bedans that I know, who did not have the luxury of time to witness the rare moments of victory. I never thought the response was so tremendous especially from the Bedan community. As of this writing, the video have already garnered four (4) honors on youtube (sports category) TODAY, (with emphasis on “today” because the turnover at youtube is very quick) is for most discussed,top-rated, most-viewed and top favorites, in less than two days after upload.

SBC Red Lions NCAA_06 Champs’ Victory Video: One good thing done for fellow Bedans!

After 20 hours of having uploaded on youtube, the video of San Beda Red Lions’ Victory at the NCAA Season 82 debuted at NUMBER 35 as the “most discussed” video for “sports”! (Postcript: after two days, it reached number 10). One of the better things I’ve done to Bedistas across the globe.

Watch it again…and again…The rawness of victory!!!

San Beda Red Lions: NCAA Champion after 28 at 82!

Making true to San Beda’s campaign “28 at 82,” the San Beda Red Lions finally bagged the championship crown after 28 years at the NCAA Season 82! That just happened about and hour ago.

(Here’s a video of the last seconds of play where PCU almost snatched the victory if the shot was a basket. God was so good that He gave the San Beda Red Lions what they have been praying for so long!)

In the first game last Monday, the Red Lions won by 14 points, however, in the second game last Wednesday, they suffered a heartbreaking loss by 22 points! In the rubber match against PCU Dolphins today at the Araneta Coliseum, in a three-to-two crowd in favor of the reds, the Red Lions sealed their first championship after 28 long years by ONLY A POINT! The game was such a cliffhanger towards the end with San Beda leading as much at 20 points in the third quarter. The Dolphins made a huge run in the fourth cutting the lead to only ONE towards the last two minutes of the game. The win is significant because the championship crown have long been overdue considering that San Beda is the only founding member of the NCAA left in the league, the others having gone to the UAAP, like Ateneo and La Salle. It is at the same time, sweet, because “Bedistas” all over the world have united once more in victory which they have missed for so long!

Watch this video of the famous “San Beda Indian Yell” at halftime where there is rare appearance of “oldies” cheerleaders strutting their good old Bedan moves with the “San Beda Little Indians:”

Big Thx to Bong Sare of Threelogy for helping me compress the “victory” video. Salamat!

Herald! The San Beda Red Lions have come! May their fellowship never cease!

Postcript: I will upload more vids of the finals on youtube within the next few days. Keep posted. Thx! All videos courtesy of Studio 23. Logo courtesy of www.sanbeda.edu.ph

San Beda Red Lions, ISA NA LANG!

I have previously posted San Beda Red Lions when they won against the Letran Knights in the eliminations because for so many years, San Beda have never beaten Letran. Then, I thought that it was already something to be proud of.

A few hours ago, the San Beda Red Lions nailed their first win in the championship round against the 2004 champion and newcomer PCU Dolphins, 71-57, at the Big Dome. According to the commentator, the crowd was “two-is-to-one” in favor of the red-clad lions. The same commentator declared that it was only his second time to witness such a huge crowd in a sports event at the big dome which made him sweat because of the heat inside, his first being the Flash Elorde fight decades ago.

Red Lions, isang na lang! All Bedans would like to see a new Champion this September 20, 2006!!! (Postcript: Unfortunately, the Red Lions lost in the second game. The last game will be played on Friday, 22 September 2006, and whoever wins will be the champion!)

Animo San Beda!!!

Postcript: Logo courtesy of www.photonski.com

Yabang Pinoy!

In recent years, Baller ID Bands have become a symbol of many things. It started with NBA players as sports apparel made by Nike, Adidas and Reebok, among others, until it became part of youth fashion. It has then evolved into campaign materials for personal and social causes until the idea came into a Filipino mind but with a twist. Instead of using rubber, the brain behind “yabang pinoy band” made use of “abacca,” a native material which is abundant in the Philippines.

The “yabang pinoy band” it is not only a campaign to make use of “abacca” as a raw material but it is a part of a larger campaign to promote, patronize and use “Filipino” with the end purpose of being proud to be Pinoys!

I got mine a year ago and I am “yabang pinoy number 977.” I have been wearing it since then (it goes well with my barong!) and I had pleasure of explaining what it means every time someone notices it.

To know more about the yabang pinoy band, check their site at “Yabang Pinoy.”

Ipag yabang ang pagiging Pinoy!

Ilocos at Market Market!

In Market Market, there are various stalls showcasing food products of almost all regions in the Philippines, and Ilocos is not an exception.

The food stall is called “Manang Biday ti Ilocos” and it sells almost all the more popular foods of Ilocos whether processed or not. Ilocos garlic, vinegar, bagnet, chichacorn (the crispier version of the “cornic”) and even “inabel”, name it, they might just have it. It actually gave me the idea of telling somebody that I will go to Ilocos without actually being there and just buy “pasalubong” from Manang Biday huh!

There’s also another food stall of the famous Ilocos “empanada” in Market Market (Open Market Area) called “Taco Empanada.”

By the way, I almost had a bad experience taking the images here. I asked permission from the storekeepers if I can take some pictures of the store and they said, yes. After several shots, however, I noticed that one of them went away only to find out that she called the attention of a guard, maybe to tell that I was taking pictures or whatever. Taking my queue from other bloggers how difficult it is to take pictures in malls for whatever reasons the owners may have, I stopped taking pictures and went away. I said my thanks anyway.

Ilokano’s in Pinoy Dream Academy!

I have always been a viewer of Pinoy Big Brother since it started last year, even if it has evolved into what is now known as Pinoy Dream Academy. I was always amazed with the diversity of personalities confined in one house; the unfolding of different characters as days pass; and the confirmation of a time honored principle that in the end, it’s who you are that matter’s most to win.

For the first season of Pinoy Dream Academy, there are five Ilokano’s: GEOFF from Cagayan Valley;ROSITA from Isabela; IVAN and DAVEY both from Baguio City; and IYA from Pangasinan. I thought the last three are not Ilacano’s because there are other dialects spoken where they come from until I saw a (delayed) feed by Studio 23 where Ivan, Davey and Iya are speaking Ilocano. I have yet to see (or is it hear?) Geoff and Rosita speak the same dialect.

Being five of the chosen twenty finalists (Davey, however is a wild card finalist) from among thousands of Filipinos all over the world who auditioned, I have nothing but admiration for their talent and determination. I hope they hold on to their dreams while inside the academy and just in case none of them wins, they surely will come out of the Academy as celebrities!

Postcript: In the first nomination night last Saturday, Rosita was one of four nominee’s for expulsion this coming Saturday. Out of the four nominee’s, one will be saved by text votes, another will be saved by their mentors, and the last one shall be decided by the other scholars who are not nominated by voting live on Saturday.

Who, What, Where is “Pamulinawen?”

“Pamulinawen, pusok indengam man, toy umas-asog, agrayo ita sadyam…” Translation:“Pamulinawen, my love, please hearken to
Me who am sighing, who am enchanted by your graciousness” (Note: English translation lifted from Ilocos Norte Online Forum.)

Pamulinawen is one of the more popular Ilokano songs just like “Manang Biday.” I never knew that Pamulinawen existed and continues to exist except that she is now immortalized as a fountain top in what is known to be the “Pamulinawen Fountain” at the public park in front of the Provincial Capitol in Laoag City.

The fountain top is a figure of young woman holding a laden basket as is believed to be the famed Pamulinawen celebrated in a traditional Ilocano song of the same title (Ilocos Norte travel guidebook; 2005 Ed.) A closer look of the fountain would disclose that it may have been built to give glory to Ilocano harvest. Now, Pamulinawen is a festival in Laoag City celebrated every year.