My Blog

Wow, It’s February and it’s an atypical Valentine’s here in Makati. Everythin’s expensive if you’re buyin stuff for the 14th, so do yourself a favor….hwag na lang tayo sumabay. I mean what’s romantic about giving stuff just when about every body else is doing the same thing? If you’re a couple, do we really need to show everyone that hey i’m getting somethin from him or hey I’m sending someone flowers? Does conforming to what has become an expensive event add to love’s quality? Hmmmmm, maybe we should ask ourselves; Are we really doing these stuff for the right reasons? Does that sound unromantic to you? Then maybe I don’t know what romantic means these days. I do know that I send flowers to my wife for no reason at all, that i wait for her to finish work at her office as often as I can, or that we have loud, crazy arguments about almost everything and wind up laughing at ourselves for being such conceited and selfish creatures. Call me unromantic, a party pooper or a kill joy…..Love is always in the air for me except on Valentine’s day……

I just read this article from Jem’s blog. It’s has some interesting ideas. Some of my friends and I usually meet up at Starbucks after watching a movie for the coffee and ambiance It allows us to talk for hours without the blaring music or alcohol in your usual bars.

The Starbucks Principle

by Nick Garcia

Haven’t you noticed how Starbucks has taken the place of Megamall,
Enchanted Kingdom, and Jollibee?  Today, Starbucks spells gimmick.
Suddenly, everyone is mad about coffee, and is willing to spend a
whopping hundred bucks for "one tall mocha frappe please!" or "I’ll
have one grande iced coffee please!"  Everyone claims it’s different,
it’s something else, it’s to die for.  Instead of catching a nice flick
at the cinema, the Filipinos’ new idea of fun is to voluntarily park
their buns at the cafe and gulp all the caffeine they can.

No one knows exactly why Starbucks has become the hot spot, when
what they serve is just foamed Blend 45 for crying out loud.  Oh, try
pointing this out to Starbucks fanatics (i.e., the likes of
teeny-boppers and kikay girls), and you can expect getting attacked on
how little you know about coffee.  Get ready with answers like "Duh!
Starbucks isn’t just coffee!  They’re ground beans and processed
chocolate and skimmed milk!  What do you know about that?"

They have a point there, though, because even in the United States,
when you talk coffee, Starbucks comes first.  Their ingredients are
never questionable, and if I’m not mistaken, Starbucks is an
established-since-year brand.  In short, Starbucks is the coffee
authority.  But it ends there.  Starbucks is coffee, period.  Certainly
not a gimmick place of some sort, not convincing enough as an
alternative for the mall.  This, I repeat, is the case in the United
States.

But Starbucks invades Manila and Here it becomes an obsession.  As
you may have already seen, the interiors of Starbucks cafes are all
designed to create a distinct ambiance.  Notice from the Italian-tiled
flooring, to the cowboy-motif wall covering, to the fancy lamps, tables
and chairs crafted like those only seen in home magazines.  Of course,
who would miss the complicated bar counter, behind which all the
grinders and blenders are displayed as if to remind you they really do
process your cappuccino.

I mean, who can resist frequenting a posh place like this?  Instead
of worrying about other important things, the typical kikay teenager
puts on her best dress, and with her kikay friends goes straight to
Starbucks where she orders "one tall caramel frappe please!"  This
takes time to prepare, which is fine.  She feels rewarded by the fact
that the ethical barista would shout her name across the room by the
time her frappe is ready.  After she claims it, she heads for the
self-service corner where she takes excessive packets of extra sugar,
extra cream, an inch thick of Starbucks tissue paper for souvenir.
Then she sits by the front window, hoping someone she knows would pass
by and see her drinking expensive coffee.  She takes remarkably small
sips in order to prolong her stay, like a real smart-ass.

During the entire process, there is the obligatory flaunting of
Nokia cellphones, the occasional eruptions of "yeah" and "sure" here
and there.  You get the impression everyone in the room is from the
conyo sector.  Pathetic as it is, the Starbucks atmosphere is so
contagious that it simply brings out the social climber in one.

You have to admit that the Philippine franchiser of Starbucks -
whoever he is - deserves credit.  He’s certainly not stupid.  He sees
through us Filipinos, and definitely knows how to flatter us.  Mr.
Starbucks is aware of the average Pinoy desire to be associated and
considered among the elite because well, in reality, the average Pinoy
is far from being that.  The average Pinoy home is less attractive than
place like Starbucks.  The average Pinoy meal is without garnishes.
The average Pinoy environment is less comforting and convenient than
the service of Starbucks.

But when in Starbucks, the average Pinoy is instantly made to feel
he’s in New York, or Las Vegas, or Paris, or anywhere else but Manila -
one probable reason why we Filipinos buy this flick.  We are total
suckers for anything that is western in concept.  But Starbucks has
gone beyond colonial mentality; it has become pure escapism.  It helps
us forget about the EDSA traffic jam, the Hostages in Mindanao, and the
decreasing popularity of Erap.  In this age of harsh realities of
poverty and chaos, anything that offers oblivion and temporary
indulgence sells fast.  No matter how costly it is.

With their little creativity in repackaging, Starbucks is no longer
just coffee.  It’s already a religion.  That we Filipinos practically
worship that green logo with the exotic lady shows where we derive our
strength to move on.  It is from the promise of Starbucks every pay day.

I got this poem from my beautiful friend Liway Galang who had this website as her shout out. It’s spoke to me and I wanted to share it with you.

                                          Desiderata                                                                   

                                                    by Max Ehrmann

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
        and remember what peace there may be in silence.
        As far as possible, without surrender,
        be on good terms with all persons.
        Speak your truth quietly and clearly, and listen to others,
        even to the dull and ignorant;
        they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
        they are vexatious to the spirit.
        If you compare yourself with others,
        you may become vain or bitter,
        for always there will be
        greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
        Keep interested in your own career
        however humble;
        it is a real possession in the
        changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs,
        for the world is full of trickery.
        But let this not blind you
        to what virtue there is;
        many persons strive for high ideals,
        and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
        Especially do not feign affection.
        Neither be cynical about love,
        for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
        it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
        gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
        Nurture strength of spirit
        to shield you in sudden misfortune.
        But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
        Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,
        be gentle with yourself.
        You are a child of the universe
        no less than the trees and the stars;
        you have a right to be here.

And whether or not it is clear to you,
        no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
        Therefore, be at peace with God,
        whatever you conceive Him to be.
        And whatever your labors and aspirations,
        in the noisy confusion of life,
        keep peace in your soul.
        With all its sham,
        drudgery, and broken dreams,
        it is still a beautiful world.
        Be cheerful.
        Strive to be happy.

Thanks Carlos for Sharing this with us.

GEORGE CARLIN (His wife recently
died…)

Isn’t it amazing that George Carlin -
comedian of the 70’s and 80’s - could
write
something so very eloquent…and so
very
appropriate.

A Message by George Carlin:

The paradox of our time in history is
that
we have taller buildings but shorter
tempers, wider Freeways, but narrower
viewpoints. We spend more, but have
less,
we buy more, but enjoy less. We have
bigger houses and smaller families,
more
conveniences, but less time. We have
more
degrees but less sense, more
knowledge,
but less judgment, more experts, yet
more
problems, more medicine, but less
wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much,
spend
too reckl essly, laugh too little,
drive too
fast, get too angry, stay up too late,
get
up too tired, read too little, watch
TV too
much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions,
but reduced our values. We talk too
much, love too seldom, and hate too
often.

We’ve learned how to make a living,
but not a life. We’ve added years to
life not life to years. We’ve been all
the way to the moon and back, but have
trouble crossing the street to meet a
new neighbor. We conquered outer space
but not inner space. We’ve done larger
things, but not better things.

We’ve cleaned up the air, but polluted
the soul. We’ve conquered the atom,
but not our prejudice. We write more,
but learn less. We plan more, but
accomplish less. We’ve learned to
rush, but not to wait. We build mo re
computers to hold more information, to
produce more copies than ever, but we
communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and
slow digestion, big men and small
character, steep profits and shallow
relationships. These are the days of
two incomes but more divorce, fancier
houses, but broken homes. These are
days of quick trips, disposable
diapers, throwaway morality, one night
stands, overweight bodies, and pills
that do everything from cheer, to
quiet, to kill. It is a time when
there is much in the showroom window
and nothing in the stockroom. A time
when technology can bring this letter
to you, and a time when you can choose
either to share this insight, or to
just hit delete…

Remember; spend some time with your
loved ones, because they are not going
to be around forever.

Remember, say a kind word to someone
who looks up to you in awe, because
that little person soon will grow up
and leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the
one next to you, because that is the
only treasure you can give with your
heart and it doesn’t cost a cent

Remember, to say, "I love you" to your
partner and your loved ones, but most
of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace
will mend hurt when it comes from deep
inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the
moment for someday that person will
not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak!
And give time to share the precious
thoughts in your mind.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:

Life is not measured by the number of
breaths we take, but by the moments
that take our breath away.

If you don’t send this to at least 8
people….Who cares?

George Carlin

This song tells us all a question that we should answer as soon as we can. It’s been written 27 years ago by Keith Green and was introduced to me way back in college. I still sing it today to myself and to anyonw who’d care to listen….

How Can They Live Without Jesus?

How can they live without Jesus?

How can they live without God’s love?

How can they feel so at home down here,

When there’s so much more up above?

Throwing away the things that matter,

They hold onto things that don’t.

The world has gone crazy, but soon maybe,

A lot more are going to know.

For maybe they don’t understand it,

Or maybe they just haven’t heard.

Or maybe we’re not doing all we can,

Living up to His Holy Word.

Cause phonies have come and wrongs been done,

Even killing in Jesus’ name.

And if you’ve been burnt, here’s what I’ve learned,

The Lord’s not the one to blame.

For He’s not just religion with steeples and bells,

Or a sales man who will sell you the things you just want to hear.

But His love was such, that he suffered so much,

To call some of us just to follow, follow.

So many laughing at Jesus,

While the funniest thing that He’s done,

Is love this whole stubborn rebellious world,

While their hate for Him just goes on.

And love just like that will bring him back,

For the few He can call His friends.

The ones He’s found true who’ve made it through,

Enduring until the end.

The one’s He’s found true, who’ve made it through,

Enduring until the end…