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June, 2007

  1. Presscon? No, make it a bloggcon

    June 5, 2007 by ajay

    Looks like 2007 is a groundbreaking year for local bloggers as more of them (us!) are attending events previously exclusively reserved for the traditional media or the press.

    Don’t know if it’s an advantage for me since am both a mainstream writer and a blogger. I have to admit though that it feels surreal being accustomed to formal press conferences all these years, and then seeing my fellow bloggers invade the scene little by little. I know that some bloggers have made a stand and feel icky about accepting a free lunch from rah-rah publicists. Still, it appears that we will not be able to resist an invite or two, especially if it’s laid out on a buffet table filled with sinful chocolate goodies :P What is clear is that bloggers are now on the “media directory” of certain PRs. The question of whether bloggers should keep an open mind, or stick to their independence is a contentious issue that’s subject to much debate.

    In the meantime, this writer and a few probloggers had the lunch organized by web service provider Aryty to attend. Aryty (pronounced the same as “all righty”) is a service that lets residents of the US and Canada send e-load to mobile phone users in the Philippines via text or the internet. More about this in an MB article soon.

    Anyway, had to take some pictures of the event as I normally don’t see laptop-toting, WiFi induced peeps in formal presscons.

    There’s Mike Villar and his brand-new white Mac.



    Mike Villar



    Also, Jayvee Fernandez and his black Mac.



    jayvee fernandez



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  2. What makes me proud to be Filipino, and then some…

    June 4, 2007 by ajay

    Wanderer Nina has tagged me to name at least three reasons why am proud and happy to be a Filipino. Here’s why:

    1. We grin and bear it. Filipinos, particular those I’ve met in the unspoiled countryside, have an amazing capacity to tide through life’s misfortunes and just smile through it all. They might be on their last bowl of noodles but they’ll be happy to share it with you, plus a drink or two. Filipinos are very spiritual that way. Perhaps they’ve realized there’s no use sulking about their sorry state and so just sing, dance or humor the blues away.

    2. Our unsung heroes, and their ability to sacrifice. It’s not easy being away from one’s family and be a Filipino worker in a foreign land. Still, we have legions of them facing isolation and loneliness just so they can send money back home and pump up the economy.

    3. Our natural wonders. It is true. God must have been truly inspired when He worked on the canvas and made the Philippines. You just have to see it to believe it.

    And the top three things that piss me off about Filipinos right now:

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  3. Five questions from Noemi

    June 2, 2007 by ajay

    Fellow mom and blogmate Noemi over at About My Recovery sent me five questions to answer in line with a running “Interview Me” post.

    Leave me a comment if you want ME to interview YOU, or send me an email if you have more questions to ask me, as long as it’s another set of five. C’mon, don’t be shy, be ashamed, hehe Just keep this meme running until perhaps everyone has been interviewed.

    Noemi: Pick a country that best describes your personality and give the reasons for your choice.

    Corny naman kung Pilipinas ang sasabihin ko. I’d have to say Japan. It’s a mix of the traditional and the cosmopolitan, the old and the modern. I am old :D but I am very modern…. suits my personality di ba? :D

    Noemi: What is your most meaningful blog entry, and why?

    I am tempted to answer “the post on having a Brazilian wax” because it was the closest thing to writing erotica I can get and remains one of the most popularly-searched on my blog *ouch

    But seriously, my favorite is “You Make Me Believe in Christmas” which I wrote while working on the graveyard shift on December 23, 2005. Nobody should underestimate a working mother’s love for her children.

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  4. The Day-Off Chef: ‘Pata Bihon’

    June 2, 2007 by ajay

    For this month’s edition of Lasang Pinoy hosted by the fabulous Toni with a focus on vegetables, I would have wanted to feature those favorite dishes of mine cooked with coconut milk. Problem is, cooking with coconut milk remains my waterloo. Somehow, I can’t seem to perfect the recipe for guinataang langka or guinataang sitaw at kalabasa – all yummy with native fish, fried to a crunchy perfection. Between these and a gourmet meal, I’d take home-cooked/ carinderia mush anytime.

    The dish I cooked won’t qualify as a veggie dish since its star ingredient is pork hocks (pata) , but this can be transformed into vegetarian all the way with a little use of the imagination. “Pata Bihon” is something you can order on some Chinese restaurants even if it’s not listed on the menu; that’s because this is very easy to make and is guaranteed to relieve your hunger pangs/noodle cravings.

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