Love Tweets in Mysterious Ways

I wonder, how do lovebirds fall in love?

Imagine you're a lovebird for sale. You were placed in a cage at a pet shop with nine other winged buddies. Day in and day out, you had those few square inches to spend your time and think of ways to have fun.

Then destiny came. You and one of your buddies were bought by a lovestruck human. You were placed in a new cage and then you knew that you were bound to spend the rest of your life together--in love.

You might get surprised and say "Ikaw pala..."

But perhaps some lovebirds really try to fight for love once they found destiny inside that cage. Like this lovely couple in Bioresearch.

They were just like that for those few minutes that I stood there--were they whispering soft sweet tweets to each other? I wouldn't know because I don't speak bird language. But then anyone who sees them would definitely take them both. Separation is not an option because the insensitive buyer may just waste his money when one of them dies due to the tragic fate of being paired with an insignificant other.

But then again, would they give love another chance and try to fall for the new bird?  I wouldn't know.

Lovebirds and humans are somehow alike. Aside from the fact that both species tweet, both await for their destiny and once they find it, taking it away is unthinkable. 

I'm just so happy that I already found mine in this cage we call Earth. 

Five Odd Yet Amusing Pinoy Expressions

While reading some comments on a funny video, the comment “It’s as funny as hell!” was often made. Then I started to wonder: why do we think that hell is such a funny place? 

Then I started thinking about Pinoy expressions that are kind of unusual—but so powerful that it stood the test of time. Even if many generations have passed, we still say, hear, and understand it today.

So here are five of those expressions that I hope I could find the origins of:

1. Anak ng Tokwa!

Whoever invented this expression must be a person of great influence that he/she actually made people believe that a tokwa (tofu) has a child! But wait! There’s more! That child could even be none other than YOU! (Anak KA ng Tokwa!)

Derivatives of this expression also came about, and they too have children (Anak ng Tinapay, Anak ng Pating, Anak ng Kalabasa).

2. Bahala na si Batman!

Nobody knows why. But in times of doubt, in Batman we trust.

3. Kamote!

Here’s another chosen vegetable! (A round of applause please!)

Of all vegetables, the Kamote (sweet potato) was chosen to be an expression which is often used in a bad situation. And it doesn't need an adjective—you can say it on its own!

I remember being terrified at our MAPE teacher in elementary who shouts “Kamote!” to stubborn students whenever she was angry. And there we were, frightened at the sound of the sweet potato.

And whaddyaknow? Sometimes, the kamote has a child too! (Anak ng Kamote!)

4. Leche
In Spanish, leche means milk. So this expression seems harmless since it’s just like saying “Gatas!” or “Kape!” or “Milo!” But this may also have originated from the Spanish insult “Mi Cago en La Leche” which means “I poop in milk.” Eeeeew no?

5. Mabilis pa sa Alas Kwatro

No other time in those 24 hours is faster than 4:00—not even 3:00.  

Wordplay: Day 1

I think I would be needing a codename or a "plaka" for myself soon so I won't feel out of place with my students named Tag-1, Nong-G, Dave-G, Flixy-1, Nasty-G, Little Thugz, Kian, Red and Oblax (also known as Pekeng Kalbo). 

Today's the first day of the poetry/rap class that I'm handling for the next five Saturdays for the ALS (Alternative Learning System) learners of Pasig City under the Uplift Pilipinas Movement. Their natural talent for words and rhythm is remarkable! Here's a sample of our impromptu session that we did at the Vocal Training Room of the Youth Development Center of Pasig:

Today we discussed and rapped the poems of Jose Rizal (Sa Aking mga Kababata), Ildelfonso Santos (Sa Tabi ng Dagat), and King David (Psalm 23). 

Together we will learn new words (armed with a Tagalog Thesaurus) and new ways on how to express those innermost thoughts and feelings. And if anyone knows a famous rapper who could jam with us and give tips to the students, please message me. I'm sure the students would be delighted and inspired.

Next Saturday, we will be reading/rapping our new poems. And we will plunge into another session of thoughts and dreams told in words and rhythms. 

:)

PS: Every Friday, we have poetry sessions with another batch of ALS Students in another Learning Center. And I'd like to share a poem written by Mariefhel (a 15-year-old girl who wants to be a fashion designer someday).

Bargain Shopping for the Stylish Conscience

This one is definitely a Wow-WAO (What An Offer)!

It's like ukay-ukay without that distinct pungent smell or a garage sale without a garage. They call it Segunda Mana Charity Store by Caritas Manila and the best thing about it is that you get to help poor people while shopping for fabulous items! My mom had been convincing me for weeks to check it out and finally, I did today! 

The mechanics of Segunda Mana is quite simple:

1. Rich people, garment companies, embassies, and concerned citizens donate their old, new, or surplus items.

2. You buy it at a super low price (P50-P150) *gowns cost P300

3. Proceeds fund the pro-poor programs of Caritas Manila!

It's like a cycle of good karma. REDUCE closet/warehouse clutter, REUSE clothes, RECYCLE kindness!

So I gave myself a spending ceiling of P500 and here's what I bought for only P100 each!

1. Black Cotton Eyelet Dress

Condition: New

Original Price (as stated on the tag): P4,850

Trivia: This one doesn't fit me but it's so fab I had to buy it! (Magpapapayat na lang ako)

2. White Linen Cotton Button-down Polo

Condition: Used (pero mukhang nilabhan sa Tide kasi super puti pa)

3. Black Polyester Cotton Dress

Condition: New

Original Price (as stated on the tag): P4,850

Trivia: This one is so nice but my camera phone does not give justice to this dress

4. Long Coat

Condition: Used

Trivia: Bonggang bongga sa tunay na buhay! 

5. Black Sandals

Condition: New

Trivia: It's new, it doesn't have scratches and it fits! Parang himala.

The branch I visited is located on the 3rd floor of the Victory Central Mall in Monumento, Caloocan City. But for those who find Caloocan too far (to the point na hindi mo na ma-find), they also have branches at Makati Cinema Square, Harrison Plaza, Starmall, Sta. Lucia Mall and Pandacan.

For more information, log on to www.caritasmanila.org.ph.

Why Me?

After a number of attempts to come up with a cute blog address, I finally ended up vain and conceited and named it after me.

It's like finally choosing a straight-to-the-point name for your e-mail account after you've passed through the following stages:

1. Nickname + number (e.g.: mitch16@yahoo.com)
2. Cool sounding (or so you thought) name (e.g.: email_add_ni_lucci@yahoo.com)
3. Adjective + nickname (e.g.: mightymyk@yahoo.com)
4. Joint name of you and your boyfriend + monthsary number (joannajohn_16@yahoo.com)
5. Only having a yahoo, hotmail, or eudoramail account

Then you grow up and switch to Gmail so you would appear more serious and professional. Or sometimes, you would have a secret Yahoo account to YM your friends or your secret friends.

So after all the babbling, here you go--a collection of experiences and unsolicited opinions from yours truly. :)