A Parody - To The Right!

I've heard times ago about this song, but I've got to listen to it just now. Hahaha, I laughed my ass out upon hearing the song.

The singer's (better called dubber?) name is JJ 650. Never heard of him nor any of his songs, so I guess this is his first and independent release. I consider him an artist with a genre inline with Ne-Yo and other RNB artists, but he still has a lot of rice to eat to be at par with them.

The song's a bit offensive, with a lot of cursing on the side (b-word, s-word, geez). I filtered them out with asterisks (hmmm, wonder if Blogger could add a word filter feature).

So here it is, Beyonce's "Irreplaceable". I mean, JJ 650's "Irreplaceable" parody. :)



Click here for the YouTube link.


The lyrics:

This is from a man's point of view
Fellas sometimes we gotta tell them ladies...

To the right to the right
Aha yea get the stepping
To the right to the right
To the right to the right
Thats where I'm going in the middle of the night

In the closet that's your stuff
But trick I brought it so b**** don't touch
You talk alot of bullsh** alright
But while you walk and talk
I'ma get mine now
It's my name thats on your lass
You bald-headed rat trying to get rid of that

Back up out my face broad
I'm really not trying to talk to you
Talking about I'm never gonna find a girl like you
You must got me f***** up

You must not know about me
You must think I'm playing
I can have another you in an hour
Matter fact she's up stairs in the shower-baby

You must not know about me
You must think I'm playing
I can find another you on the corner
So don't you ever for a second get to thinking you're irreplaceable

Trick give me my phone
So I can call my chick and see if she's home
Oh sh** I forgot that she's already home
What did you think I was putting you out for?

Cause you was unreal
Kinda like the horse that is sitting on the back of your head
Baby fix them teeth
Seeing your face is so old to me

Back up out my face broad
I'm really not trying to talk to you
Telling me I'm never finding a girl like you
Boy you got me so damn twisted

You must not know about me
You must think I'm playing
I can have another you in a minute
Matter fact she'll drive up in a minute baby

You must not know about me
You must think im playing
I can have another you in an hour
So dont you ever for a second get to thinking you're irreplaceable

So since I'm not your everything
I'm not giving you anything
Nothing at all to you
Baby im not giving you nothing no way
Go ahead and shed your tears
Cause the truth of the matter is replacing you was the last tear

To the right to the right
To the right to the right

Gotta gotta go the ri-ight

To the right to the right
To the right to the right

To the right to the right
To the right to the right

To the right to the right
To the right to the right

So dont you ever for a second get to thinking
What?
Get to thinking
What?
Get to thinking your irreplaceable

You must not know about me
You must think I'm playing
I can have another you in a minute
Matter fact she'll be here in a minute baby
You must not know about me
You must think I'm playing
I can have another you in an hour
Matter fact shes up stairs in the shower ohhh

You must not know about me
You must think I'm playing
I can find another you baby
There's so many of you baby

You must not know about me (two timing)
You must think I'm playing (back stabbin', heifer-lyin')

All ways needing
I need something but the truth is
You have always been replaceable ohhh
Please see yourself out this way

The Rules on Being Human

I happen to stumble on this piece of paper while working on some papers at work. What it contained was of the apparent truth. In a nutshell, it talks about accepting our fate as the individuals born as we are, and some interesting tidbits of wisdom.

I've learned a great deal out of it, and I hope you do too. :)

Without ado...

---------
[Disclaimer: I do not claim ownership of this piece.]

The Rules for Being Human

When you were born, you didn’t come with an owner’s manual. These guidelines make life better:

-You will receive a body. You may like it or hate it, but it’s the only thing you are sure to keep for the rest of your life.

-You will learn lessons. You are enrolled in a full-time informal school called Life on the Planet Earth. Every person or incident is the Universal Teacher.

-There are no mistakes, only lessons. Growth is a process of experimentation. “Failures” are as much a part of the process as “success.”

-A lesson is repeated until learned. It is presented to you in various forms until you learn it – then you can go on to the next lesson.

-If you don’t learn easy lessons, they get harder. External problems are a precise reflection of your internal state. When you clear inner obstructions, your outside world changes. Pain is how the universe gets your attention.

-You will know you’ve learned a lesson when your actions change. Wisdom is practice. A little of something is better than a lot of nothing.

-“There” is no better than “here.” When your “there” becomes a “here” you will simply obtain another “there” that again looks better than “here.”

-Others are only a mirror of you. You cannot love or hate something about another unless it reflects something you love or hate in yourself.

-Your life is up to you. Life provides the canvas; you do the painting. Take charge of your life – or someone else will.

-You always get what you want. Your subconscious rightfully determines what energies, experiences, and people you attract – therefore, the only foolproof way to know what you want is to see what you have. There are no victims, only students.

-There is no right or wrong, but there are consequences. Moralizing doesn’t help. Judgments only hold the patterns in place. Just do your best.

-Your answers lie inside you. Children need guidance from others; as we mature, we trust our hearts, where the Laws of Spirit are written. You know more than you have heard or read or been told. All you need to do is to look, listen, and trust.

-You will forget all these rules.

-You can remember them again any you wish.

Dilemma: English or No-English?

One of the reasons why I created a blog was to improve myself in written English. But I don't know. I have referred my blog for reading to my classmates, but they hate reading all-English texts. Colloquially, speaking and even reading English make their noses 'bleed.'

One drawback I find when I post is that it takes me a considerable amount of time thinking of the right English words to use. Heck, I always open Dictionary.com to look for more 'better' words than the conventional ones. I've been trying to emulate those savvy writers who use such 'unheard-of' words in a fashion.

I go all-out when writing in my mother tongue. I find it easier for me to think of anything to say, because I'm not barred with any rule. I can freely express myself with less regard on grammar and punctuation. Looking for the right words is no-bother. Yes, it's a much smooth-sailing ride.

I type considerably long posts in Cebuano first, then translate it to English days after. Typing in English impromptu limits the thoughts coming out of me, since I can't readily 'pour it out.' It's no longer surprising that the composition loses some of its thought during the transition. The dilemma of finding the right English word for the original text adds burden to my load. There are times that I feel my blog clinging more to sensationalism than being an honest work-of-thought.

One reason why I write in the universal language is to improve my use of it. But does it have to bar my thoughts of coming out? Does it have to be sensationalized?

I also want people from all walks of life to understand my blog. I want to cater to a much bigger audience, that's why I use written English. But the thought alone of my classmates not reading this, and my blog no bigger than a bit of sand in this open sea, with the 'people from all-walks-of-life' not even knowing about this, how can I serve my purpose? If there's no one to correct you about how to use the language (which is my first goal), then how will you know that you're already doing wrong? Most people fail to realize their mistakes until they're told to by others. Self-motivation is really helpful, but it feels better when you hear it from other people.

Should I break my self-imposed Golden Rule of English?

I don't want to surrender, yet. This is the biggest outlet for me to express my thoughts that the world can understand. And I want to continue my crusade. I am proud that I was able to make it through 20+ posts of all-English texts. Years ago I am even struggling to write even a paragraph in English, let alone its syntax and semantics. This is something that I've never done before. I've already made it this far. I'm not giving up that easily. Sayang ang lahat ng pinagpaguran ko.

There are times that one should learn by himself. I can't force people to read something they don't want.

I don't know. My mind can't come up with a firm decision yet. I have my inner monsters to battle. I hope to be shed some light. This is another dilemma I am again to face on my own.

But at least someone can help me out...

Giving a Shot at the Philippine Blogosphere

Yesterday, a 'stranger' saw me typing my blog post. Noticing what I'm doing, he opened up this topic of his classmate from high school having her own blog and making it to Top 100 of the Philippine blogosphere. His classmate focused on topics of interest, such as politics and the latest showbiz buzz. Hmm, sounds interesting.

Top 100. Sounds like a dream far to catch.

After googling up the 'top 100 Philippine blogs' tag, I stumbled upon this site called Ratified.org.


^In case you can't read it (you can also click it to get a bigger view of the image): "Ratified.org measures the top 100 blogs of the Philippine blogosphere. Electro-charged by the uber-geeky Technorati data sprinkled with Feedburner stats."


"Wait a minute? Jan, are you serious? You wanna be in the Top 100? Give me a break."

Uhm, I don't know why I'm doing this. Personally, I don't think my blog would even fit for a Ratification. Barely two comments on my 20+ posts, no visitors except myself (I keep referring my blog to my friends, but it seems that they don't want to read all-English posts. :( ), topics of no relevance nor importance to any visitor, and such. I'm not a famed celebrity whose personal life is of life to others (I am reading Bianca Gonzales' blog *self-confessed fan*). Worse, when I signed up for Technorati.com, I was ranked way down the abyss. Me and my awful destiny. :(



^Sigh (you can also click it to get a bigger view of the image).


I also signed up for Feedburner.com, and I already added the widget on my blog. I doubt if anyone would like to feed from my blogpage. :(

But look at me.
This may be ironic, but I'd like to give my blog a shot. This may be cliché, but I'd try until I succeed. Well, I'm not really dreaming of reaching the stellar #1 spot, but I just want myself to be recognized as a blogger, at least in the Philippine blogosphere, not just an insignificant dot in the webspace. I'm crossing my fingers.

Pray for me. *types application to Ratified.org*


*clicks*

A New Skin for my Blog

Yeah, after weeks of using the Dots Dark blog template, now I've finally found a newer skin from an outside source, er, I mean templates available on the web, not on Blogger's available ones.



This new skin is called Colibri. Heh, I tried looking up what the word means (maybe it's a kind of flower, or a garden, or a book/movie inspired name, whatever), but Wikipedia.com said that it's about...birds. Oh well, I'm such a poor guesser (but I'm not losing hope). :)

You can download this skin (for free) at BloggerTemplates. They also offer some free widgets and more skins we can use to customize our blogs.

One thing I love about this skin is it's aesthetic value, and its serene atmosphere. And the mood of the sun shining lifts up my spirit. And I've never been to flower gardens before, so at least I have my 'own' garden at my disposal.

Well, I guess I'll be settling with this skin for a while. But I'm already looking up for newer ones (to fit my blog title :D).

A News of Good

I got a call from the Executive Director of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea (in Makati), Miss Jerry, that I am officially included for the Korean study tour. She already sent me a couple of books about Korea, and a copy of the tour's program. Sadly, I didn't bring the program as of typing time. I would've posted it in here. :)

She's also to send my passport (together with my visa), and will be getting it in a day or two.

I hurriedly went to school to inform Mr. Chiu (the one who recommended me for the tour) about the good news. At first he was dubious about the information, and even asked me (again) when the tour will be, and if I am officially a participant. I told him that there was no direct word from Miss Jerry that I am officially a part of the tour (ironic, isn't it?). I just hoped that her sending of the books and of my passport was enough averment of my inclusion. I'll be giving Miss Jerry a call for an official endorsement, and ask her a few questions.

I think he was satisfied with what I said...

He then accompanied me to the university's President, Atty. Go's office to relay to him the news too. Atty. Go is the Honorary Consulate to Korea, perhaps one of the reasons why our school was also chosen to be a part of the tour. And as far as what Miss Jerry told me is concerned, University of Cebu is the only school in Cebu to be participating the program, with others from the NCR (Ateneo, La Salle, and UP).

Just the thought of meeting the President up-close sent shivers down my spine, much more when I've actually seen him. At first he had this stern impression, and he was quiet, giving only a little of words.

He had this self-portrait hanging behind the doors. His office had a wide space, open to anyone who'd like to come to him. But surely an aura of formality enveloped the office, a distinct quality of any executive edifice.

"He is our student participant for the Korean tour, and we're here to ask for your blessing." -- in thought, that was what Mr. Chiu said, though I rephrased it. Atty. Go then went to a little room behind his table, and was checking something out. It was two-$100 bills! Actually, that was what Mr. Chiu meant with 'blessing.' Atty. Go is also known for his generosity, always wanting to help. I was expecting it too, but never thought that it would be that much. With the current dollar-peso exchange rate, the amount would come out to be around P9,000.00! My, I never held such an amount before, especially for me. And no, I asked Mr. Chiu to keep the money instead of me. :)

Also as part of the program, we're also given the chance to endorse our respective schools to Korean universities we are to visit. A couple of the school's brochures are helpful. Heh, and I guess I need to prepare a speech, my testimonial about the school and its programs. I'm thinking of pointing out more on the school's ESL program, where we have a lot of Korean nationals enrolled.

And only one person is of ascendancy when it comes to the school's promotional affairs: Sir Rudy Aviles. You may ask why I introduced him in such a way. A pioneer of the Philippine Arts (especially on Theater/Performance Arts), Sir Rudy has been on minor and major arts productions in and out of the country, let alone his other achievements. And he's also the adviser of the school's Theater Workshop Company, where I was a member of two years (after I quit this year to run in our college government). I still have qualms on facing him. :(

Days soon I will be interviewed about my participation and it will be posted on the school's magazine. Having a page or two about me surely makes me jitter. I wonder if I'll be ready to answer.

I'm even tense about my participation, whether I can do everything right and never mess up. Somehow I still feel inferior, especially with the schools going also to the tour. Those three are highly celebrated schools, and are known to be the homes of the elite. I even have low faith on my English skills. :(

Can I represent the school (and the country) in the best that I could? Can I overcome my inferiority complex? Things are still to happen, be it good or bad. But I'm crossing my fingers.

Have You Ever...

Have you ever felt that the whole world seems to be on your shoulders, when everyone watches your every move, reprimands all your mistakes, like you’ve done nothing right? Did it ever come to you when the people around you just fail to understand the situation at hand, or when people stop understanding because they just ‘got tired’ of things not turning out the way they want it to be? When you’re so fed up with this entire ruckus, that instead of them helping you they push you some more, you just want to give up?

For almost two months I have not received my allowance being an on-the-job trainee of one of the printer and printer solutions mammoths. It’s already a norm here that OJTs cannot retrieve their first allowance (scheduled every fifteen days), and may instead get it on the second allowance period, maybe longer. Perhaps the reason is that they have to clinch the OJT’s settlement with the company first (which includes his/her benefits, among others), and may take long.

Well that’s fine with me.

When the second payroll period came, I tried to use the ATM card with my peers. They were able to withdraw, but not on my case. It says that "it cannot process my transaction." Oh well. I called the HRD the following day, and they told me that my name's not included on the payroll system rosters (strangely though), but that doesn't mean that my working days will be devoid. It will be counted on the third payroll period.

So I've waited for another fifteen days...

And on the afternoon of May 15, I tried using my card again. Alas, the card's not working again -- not valid, card not found in the system. Gosh. I informed the HRD once again. "Perhaps because we weren't able to give out everyone's salary today because of some uncontrolled circumstances that's why the card didn't work. How about trying it tomorrow morning, and if it still doesn't work, forward your card here and we'll have it replaced." -- that's what the HR personnel told me.

So I was hopeful that the next day I will finally receive my allowance. But to my mishap, I still got the same error message. So I hurriedly went to the HRD to have my card replaced. They told me that I can do an over-the-counter withdrawal, if confirmed that the card's not working by the bank. I need to wait for the HRD's call for the results, which may take a few days.

I went home with a heavy heart. I am just boarding at my Tita Juliana's house, and I haven't paid my dues every since I started living there. I feel hesitant eating my meals with them, that is why I intend to pass meals. However, they have not "nagged" yet about paying our debts, but do I have to wait for that time to come?

All I got when I arrived home were constant reprimands. Mom was irate at me. She's been "understanding" so much, after the first and second pay period that I didn't get my share. But now she has had enough. It's her firm decision to making me stop working. She said I "don't need" my job, so why should I suffer?

She's finding it hard to make both ends meet. She's been lending from many people for my baon, with the promise that when the money comes we'll pay for it. She's having qualms that we have not paid Tiyo Tony and Tiya Juliana yet, and sooner, the two will be babbling about our overdue bill. She has known these people to be acting as such.

She hurriedly went to Tiyo Eddie's, to borrow money for our fare to Danao. We'll go there and she won't let me work.

And speaking of babbles, Tiyo Tony and Tiya Juliana were censuring me on both sides, add up my cousins (their children) who think reprimanding me is a pushover. Worse, they want me to sue the company to the Department of Labor or if not, in one of the radio stations here.

At that moment, I was feeling my heart tightening. I was falling short of breath. It was like a young heart attack. Cardiac arrest took my father's life. God forbid! I turned a deaf ear on all of their castigation, so that I won't be feeling further pain. I went out of the house to gasp some air.

At that moment, I’ve felt that the whole world was on my shoulders, when everyone watches my every move, reprimands all my mistakes, like I’ve done nothing right. I am the worst person there is...

Haven't they thought that I accepted this fate with a little to no complaint, so why can't they? To think, I was also disappointed with the turnout, but I welcomed the challenge. I already had a plan on where to invest my money, but there's not much that I can do. I felt that time's playing with me again. Instead of these people helping me with my burden, they push my head to the sand some more. They've "gone tired" of understanding, that's why they resort to such drastic measures. Haven't they thought that they're just adding fuel to the fire? Haven't they thought that once this issue reaches the public ear, this will greatly taint my image as a student and a future workforce? I may not be able to graduate because the company dropped me off of the training, or the other companies blacklisting me. By then, I don't know what's gonna happen with my lfe. This aftermath is worse than the measly amount I will be getting...

That's why I'm very thankful for Tiyo Eddie for giving me a hand, for letting Mama understand my side. I was overjoyed when Mama held my hand and gave my comforting words. I'm glad that she accepted my fate, and the things that will happen if she let her angst get much of her. She told me to request the company to please hasten up the processing of my salary.

If not for Tiyo Eddie, I may have remained the underdog. I may have let go...

A Monumental Feat

I volunteered as a poll-watcher for yesterday’s Local and National Elections. This will be my firsthand experience on voting, I want to make my first time of vote a more memorable one. Apparently, this is also my first time volunteering for the elections. At regular times I would rather stay in my comfort zone, bumming around and checking the Internet.

I was assigned to poll-watch a precinct three-floors-and-a-few-meters away from my voting precinct. Someone was already assigned on the latter. There were also poll watchers from the opposing parties with me. Poll results are too hot to leave the rest to the poll personnel, who may already be ‘influenced’ by one candidate. In fairness to the poll people in that precinct, they were able to maintain a state of neutrality and imposed equal sanctions/rulings for everyone in the room.

I would consider the precinct one of the ‘most peaceful and orderly’. Our voters need not to fall in line (and this scheme, by the way, tends to be more insecure, since it is prone to pushing and shoving, and has a high percentage of ‘over-takers’; that’s just my observation) but instead use priority slips. The chairman needs not to repetitively ask the voters their data, since it is indicated in their priority slips. Most of all, they make sure that voters will see, by their eyes, that their ballots are put inside the ballot box, let alone the thumb marking and the indelible ink.

By 3:00PM the polls are officially closed. Time to tally the votes.

I was the one tallying the votes for the local candidates – etching lines on the tally sheet as the chairman calls the candidates’ names on the ballots. The proceedings went along smoothly, but there were still minor complications. One of which is when the number on the Election Returns and on the Tally Sheets did not match. We have to go over ALL of the counted ballots to verify. And it wasn’t easy, since we’ve already used our eyes (and energies) up too much since the start of the voting (at 7:00AM), and considering that it’s already ‘sleep time’ when we counted the votes (we finished around 10:00PM), add up the illegibility of some of the handwritings.

I thought that after the counting of the ballots, I can then go home and watch JuMong, but no. I have to stay on my post from the counting of the ballots until the ballot box is locked and delivered to the COMELEC, among with other must-sees.

I went home around 3:00AM. Come to think that Mom fetched me up, since it’s too unsafe for me to walk alone in the wee hours of the morning. A cousin, who is also a volunteer, has gone home early afternoon to do her laundry. She then informed Mom that I’ll be going home later. Unlike the politician-backed poll-watchers, we don’t have our alternates (not too many people volunteered, sadly), so we have to stay in full-shift. She was waiting for me from 8:00PM until we went home.

I wasn’t able to finish my report (I forgot the report name, but it is required of all poll watchers. Data to be furnished include security checks, time logs, decorum, etc.), since Mom wants me to go home already and to think that I still have to report to my work tomorrow (today).

The work was arduous (I was already dozing while walking back home), but it was offset by the feeling of fulfillment gushing forth. At least I have done something for the country. This is surely a monumental feat, and I’m proud of myself.

If I’ll be volunteering again next election period, well, I still have three years to decide. :)

So, Who Are You Voting For?

I myself have not accomplished my 'kodigo' yet. My list are yet half-filled, and would doubt if I start filling them up. It's just that not enough candidates have been proven worthy of my vote.

Who's worthy of my vote, you ask? I myself have not set up a clear set of standards to pick a candidate. At times I ask my elders (since they have known these candidates more than I do), check for the candidates' accomplishments, share views with my peers and co-workers, get the latest information from the media, and 'psycho' into their minds. It doesn't sound enough, I know. At least I can say to myself that I am more 'concerned' now, especially that I am a voting public.

Here are some links one may find useful in his/her choice of candidates. Yeah, this is a last-minute check, but it doesn't matter.

Useful Links:
Precinct Finder - http://www.comelec.gov.ph/localsearchsql/webforms/findprecinct.aspx
Candidate Profiles (Senatoriables) - http://www.inquirer.net/specialfeatures/eleksyon2007/profiles.php

Too bad I wasn't able to find a site featuring candidates' profiles in my city (Cebu City). :(

So, who are you voting for?

Travelling in Circles

This is more of personal opinion. I have little knowledge about how Philippine politics really works 'by the book', i.e. according to the Constitution (or whatever book of law politics is supported). The media (TV, radio, newspapers, Internet) has been a huge source of information. Information may be incoherent; that's inevitable.

Months past since COMELEC announced officially the start of the campaign. Candidates filing up for COCs (Certificate of Candidacy) and switching parties are just a few. They are yet to plan the provinces/cities they would go, support groups to tap, manpower to organize as campaign crew, etc. Things coming in free (like food) are prolific. And the rest, as they say, is history.

Tomorrow will be the Election period, and the omega of all campaign efforts. Candidates can now sit back and relax, and wait for the results to come in. At last, they have to cease their 'sick' (yes, I'm tired of hearing/seeing them) campaign jingles (hearing these send shivers down my spine, I tell you), posters/panaflexes (some are obviously against the election code) rhetorical speeches (come on, we want the talk to walk), and survey winnings (X winning here, Y winning there, Z winning nowhere LOL). Oh, and the smiles, the handshakes, the hugs, the kisses (?), sure you need to account that too. After all, having to stretch more than 17 muscles would require days of spa, and supplies of alcohol too.

While candidates are lowering their momentum, it's the people's turn now to make the effort. Some (since I don't want to generalize; what applies to some does not apply to all) people are likely susceptible to the 'highest bidder', just to provide them with a day's meal.

Then after the counting, 'some' candidates running short of votes would gradually come to court and ask for a recount. In Philippine politics, there are only two resolves between opposing forces: the other winning, and the other conned. Seldom you will find candidates 'willingly', 'wholeheartedly' accepting their defeat. Most of them refuse to do so. I'm sure one can already think of an obvious reason (I'll leave that to everyone).

After a while we will come back to the Philippine status quo. While winning candidates are snuggling their newfound seats and the 'losers' (rather, the 'conned' or 'cheated' ones) biting their fingers, they seem to ignore the clutter that they have left. Their support group, the campaign crew, the meals, and the smiles (etc.) are nowhere (highly unlikely rather) to be seen. No wonder that the COMELEC or some volunteer groups do the cleaning of posters, and at times there's no free meal. One can only sigh at the sight.

And after three years another campaign period is to set in. I would wonder not if we traverse along the same circle again.