I'm sick and tired of the ZTE brouhaha. I think Juan dela Cruz also is --- probably dead sick and tired! What is funny is that I had been present to some of the NEDA-Investment Coordination Committee (ICC) meetings wherein this controversial project was tackled and believe me, I wish I were not there. Delving into the issue now makes me puke. I've had enough of it in the newspapers, in the office, in school and even in the FX I'm riding to and from office in NEDA. It is practically, "horribly" everywhere.

A few minutes from now, the Senate hearing --- which by the way still makes me perplexed if it could be both a question hour and a legislative inquiry --- to be attended by COMELEC Chairman Benjamin Abalos and former NEDA chief now CHED Chairman Romulo Neri will commence. The papers said they will now bring out the TRUTH.

So what truth? I'd feel better trying to define this for Mr. Abalos and Mr. Neri rather than write about the nitty-gritty of the ZTE deal. The PCIJ is there to give you a dose of it, anyway. 

The wikipedia told me that Truth extends from honesty, good faith and integrity to agreement with fact or reality. There are five theories of truth under the substantive category. As a memory aid, I collectively call them 4Cs + 1P --- correspondence, coherence, constructivist, concensus and pragmatic.

Correspondence = objective reality

Correspondence = empirical information, assertions about practical matters of society

Constructivist     = contingent on human perception, social experience

Concensus        = depends on whatever a group has agreed upon

Pragmatic         = expedient in our way of thinking

So in which theory do you think would the two chairmen base their TRUTH? Harhar.

Did you know that...

The one who knowingly profits or assists the principal to profit by the effects of ROBBERY or THEFT is NOT JUST AN ACCESSORY to the crime, but is principally liable for FENCING...

"Any person, with intent to gain, acquire and/or sell, possess, keep or in any manner deal with any article of value which he knows or should be known to him to be the proceeds of robbery or theft is considered a "FENCE."

The penalty for fencing is HIGHER than that of a mere accessory to a crime.

So, if you knew that the cellphone you bought was stolen by the seller, huh, you are a fence. Nyahaha!

This is the second time that I saw Her, also the second time that I saw her wearing green blouse and skirt. Of course, they were matched with green heel shoes. Oh, I forgot to tell you, she's wearing that big smile I could not resist looking at the prominent black round thing on her face (I wanted to cauterize it with my bare hands!). Red carpet, exacting security, hopeful speech (green=hope???) and a puppy who walked behind her but did not even deliver a single word. At least he showed "hopeful" gestures and expressions. (Wanna guess?) Clue: He's "so young and so…well behave." It's a giveaway. He's the chosen One. =)

Let us not digress. Yes, She. The One is talking inside the infamous hotel – the One always threatened with bomb. (Yes, it's near Oakwood.) I am not scared of the bomb threat. It is more frightening to hear mendacities and inanities she'd say. Yes, She. The One who unrelentingly gives "hope" to the already hopeless. The One who told everyone it's strong when it's actually weak.

Red carpet, once more after five minutes of dishonesty. Flash here, flash there. The One smiled as wide as she could. Nag-iisa ka talaga. You really are the ONE.

And I smirked and almost burped after listening to NO ONE.

After watching an oh-a-bit-dragging, jumpy and amateurish  yet informative docu film about the farthest town in my homeland (that's Bulalacao), I had the chance to watch Kubrador, a Jeffrey Jeturian film rated A by the Philippine Cinema Evaluation Board. It won the FIPRESCI (International Critics Award) in the Moscow International Film Festival 2006 and Best Film in the recently concluded Osian Cinefan Festival of Asian Cinema 2006 held in New Delhi where Gina Pareño also bagged the Best Actress title. 

As I expected, Kubrador showed the too-many-to-mention inanities of the Philippine society. There were the traces of poverty as usual. Some parts are too detailed and slow  I almost fell asleep. Thanks to Gina Pareño's excellent acting, I was "revived." Oh and credits go to cinematography. Mahirap kunan ang habulan sa bubong ng mga barong-barong, ha, in fairness.

Nonetheless, I still want you, my friends, to watch it. It's still proof of great improvement, substance-wise, in Philippine cinema.

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Thanks Aubs for inviting me to watch the Moonrise Film Fest special screening at Gateway. Therese, oh, Tits I enjoyed your company. Spoiler nga lang ang Gloria Maris sa matigas na spareribs nila. hehehe. Thanks for the Kubrador treat. haha

Wait, Majal and Mavic, my thanks for your time at Coffee Bean. I hope to see you both more often. Mavic, 'yung gimik natin sa Malate ha.    

Bonne chose que vous avez datée avec John Pratts et Luis Manzano en Espagne. hahaha  

My besti, She in Spain with Luis Manzano...hahaha