Joanna: I was watching sports news kanina about cricket. Some Sri Lankan player was being interviewed. These Indians, Pakistanis and Sri Lankans speak English really well. Tuloy Tuloy. We tend to mix in Tagalog pa while they speak straight.
Rick: Well, they'll never be mistaken for coños.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
The Blair Peace Project
An Ordinary Human Being in an Extraordinary Situation
Tony Blair on the Leader as Nation Builder in a time of Globalization
by rick olivares
Tony Blair on the Leader as Nation Builder in a time of Globalization
by rick olivares
“If my friends told me that one day I’d be Prime Minister (of Great Britain and Northern Ireland), I would have laughed,” exclaimed Tony Blair in a whew-what-a-life moment.
And the now former Prime Minister of Great Britain and Northern Ireland who described himself as an ordinary human being in an extraordinary situation, had an audience of several hundred at the Irwin Theater at the Ateneo De Manila University laughing as he spiced his experiences as one of the free world’s important figures with witty one liners and humorous anecdotes.
If the picture in our minds of national leaders is of the droll, humorless, and smug type, Tony Blair was quite the charming opposite as he was candid and introspective. He gave a glimpse of a personal side that was perhaps never revealed to most of the world as a Guardian in Faith.
If Blair sounded like Robert Ludlum’s globe-trotting Jason Bourne telling his tales of standing at the banks of the Jordan River, tempting temptation at the Mount beyond Jericho, or working the dinner talk circuit during Barack Obama’s inauguration as the 44th American President, rest assured he skirted the cloak and dagger in the decision making behind the invasion of Iraq and the problems that stem from the acceptance and interpretation of different faiths. Sorry, students. Need to know basis; surely you understand?
While continuing his public service as a Quartet Representative to the Middle East, he is paid handsomely (a reported whopping $250,000 for a day’s worth – under six hours of lectures and Q&A’s) to share valued learnings. Yet suffice it to say, that even in this distant corner of the world where Britannia ruled the Philippines ever so briefly (1762-1764), even at his age, he too is taking home with him some valuable lessons that only back up his theories.
As he stood in front of the Rizal Monument in Luneta during the day before, he noted that the national hero was a profoundly educated man who made a difference. “Education is the difference in the success of countries,” he emphasized.
During a quick visit to Intramuros, he stood inside the San Agustin Church and marveled at how rich and varied our history is yet at the same time how our present problems is something most nations share.
Blair was correct in pointing out a lack of a sense of solidarity to make things work, but he omitted the sins of colonialism that exacerbated old hatreds and prejudices.
While it is always good to understand and study history, Blair presented several truths or values that form the crux of his stewardship in a time of globalization: that today’s problems require a unified response, that response should be based on concepts and ideas that is fair and just, that response should be respectful of different faiths, and that response should bind people together.
As a youngster, Blair envisioned himself to be a rock star in the mold of the Rolling Stone that gathers no moss, Mick Jagger. He sang and played guitar until a friend, who as a true friend should be, pronounced with all due honesty, that from thereon Blair should just play the guitar and leave the singing chores to him.
If you tell Tony Blair today that he could have been a rock star maybe in the vein of his current favorites U2, he’d enjoy a hearty laugh. He certainly was better off as the Prime Minister of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
And the now former Prime Minister of Great Britain and Northern Ireland who described himself as an ordinary human being in an extraordinary situation, had an audience of several hundred at the Irwin Theater at the Ateneo De Manila University laughing as he spiced his experiences as one of the free world’s important figures with witty one liners and humorous anecdotes.
If the picture in our minds of national leaders is of the droll, humorless, and smug type, Tony Blair was quite the charming opposite as he was candid and introspective. He gave a glimpse of a personal side that was perhaps never revealed to most of the world as a Guardian in Faith.
If Blair sounded like Robert Ludlum’s globe-trotting Jason Bourne telling his tales of standing at the banks of the Jordan River, tempting temptation at the Mount beyond Jericho, or working the dinner talk circuit during Barack Obama’s inauguration as the 44th American President, rest assured he skirted the cloak and dagger in the decision making behind the invasion of Iraq and the problems that stem from the acceptance and interpretation of different faiths. Sorry, students. Need to know basis; surely you understand?
While continuing his public service as a Quartet Representative to the Middle East, he is paid handsomely (a reported whopping $250,000 for a day’s worth – under six hours of lectures and Q&A’s) to share valued learnings. Yet suffice it to say, that even in this distant corner of the world where Britannia ruled the Philippines ever so briefly (1762-1764), even at his age, he too is taking home with him some valuable lessons that only back up his theories.
As he stood in front of the Rizal Monument in Luneta during the day before, he noted that the national hero was a profoundly educated man who made a difference. “Education is the difference in the success of countries,” he emphasized.
During a quick visit to Intramuros, he stood inside the San Agustin Church and marveled at how rich and varied our history is yet at the same time how our present problems is something most nations share.
Blair was correct in pointing out a lack of a sense of solidarity to make things work, but he omitted the sins of colonialism that exacerbated old hatreds and prejudices.
While it is always good to understand and study history, Blair presented several truths or values that form the crux of his stewardship in a time of globalization: that today’s problems require a unified response, that response should be based on concepts and ideas that is fair and just, that response should be respectful of different faiths, and that response should bind people together.
As a youngster, Blair envisioned himself to be a rock star in the mold of the Rolling Stone that gathers no moss, Mick Jagger. He sang and played guitar until a friend, who as a true friend should be, pronounced with all due honesty, that from thereon Blair should just play the guitar and leave the singing chores to him.
If you tell Tony Blair today that he could have been a rock star maybe in the vein of his current favorites U2, he’d enjoy a hearty laugh. He certainly was better off as the Prime Minister of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Friday, March 20, 2009
Good things come to those who wait... a free caramel frap!
I got my Starbucks 2009 planner kinda late but it's not bad at all considering it came with a cool black shoulder bag, pen, and a complimentary coupon for a drink of your choice.
The two previous planners weren't much to my liking at they seemed more cutsey and like a Sanrio keepsake than planner. The new one is more functional and simple.
I have four planners this year but I only use two of them. The Nike planner I use to take down notes while the Starbucks is used as intended.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Where soul meets body
YOU HAVE TO ANSWER THE FOLLOWING USING SONGS BY ONLY ONE BAND/ARTIST.
Pick a band/artist: Death Cab For Cutie
1. Are you a male or female:
"I Was A Kaleidoscope"
2. Describe yourself:
"I Was Once A Loyal Lover"
3. How do you feel about yourself:
"We Looked Like Giants"
4. Describe your ex boyfriend/girlfriend:
"Blacking Out the Friction" or "For What Reason"
5. Describe your current boy/girl situation:
"A Movie Script Ending"
6. Describe your current location:
"No Joy In Mudville"
7. Describe where you want to be:
"Soul Meets Body"
8. Your best friend is:
"Champagne From A Paper Cup"
9. Your favorite color is:
"Technicolor Girls"
10. You know that:
"The Ice Is Getting Thinner"
11. What’s the weather like:
"No Sunlight"
12. If your life was a television show what would it be called?
"Debate Exposes Doubt"
13. What is life to you:
"The Sound of Settling"
14. What is the best advice you have to give:
"Someday You Will Be Loved"
15. If you could change your name what would you change it to:
"Talking Bird"
Monday, March 9, 2009
She's a beauty...
From left: Ewgina Hahn, second runner-up; Melody Gersbach, Bb. Pilipinas-International; Pamela Bianca Manalo, Bb. Pilipinas-Universe; Mary Ann Umali, Bb. Pilipinas-World; and Richell Angalot, first runner-up.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Where am I going?
It was a Saturday of reflection. Maybe even more accurately dealing with another bout of depression. And seeing both films one after the other by happenstance (not by design), I stayed awake and thought some. I remain in pursuit of my own happiness at this most difficult time. The bright memory of yesterday is like those old graying photographs as I am rebuilding my own.
People think it must be the coolest of lifestyles. Let me tell you that it's not as I wallow in my self-pity and unhappiness. And I remain alone in my misery. I think of what I've lost. The little victories just the everyday and mundane things. Simple things we all take for granted.
People think it must be the coolest of lifestyles. Let me tell you that it's not as I wallow in my self-pity and unhappiness. And I remain alone in my misery. I think of what I've lost. The little victories just the everyday and mundane things. Simple things we all take for granted.
I can still dream.
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