Rough Groove

Sen. Lacson exploded his bomb. Many more to come!

Just this afternoon, Senator Panfilo Lacson gave his priviledge speech at the Senate and it is about the shady deals and questionable character of convicted plunderer, former President Erap Estrada. So what’s new? Other than the old jueteng issue, Sen. Lacson mentioned Erap’s pressuring the Yuchengco patriarch, and employing tactics, for him to sell his shares in PTIC. He also mentioned about the so called Oplan Delta that was allegedly done to liquidate publicist Bubby Dacer and his driver that might implicate Erap.

As I see it, this is a good time to let people know what kind of person Erap is considering that he’s planning to run again for President. And that is direct from the mouth of Sen. Lacson who has knowledge of the ins and outs of the Erap presidency. Now, I just hope that this is not another speech that will go down as biting soundbites but a start that will lead to concrete justice. I also hope that this will not be a smokescreen for the senator who is imbroiled in the Dacer – Corbito slays.

Sayang lang, may part two pa next week. Di na lang tinapos. Tomorrow, Erap’s son, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada will give his own priviledge speech.

Movies watched: August 09

Ji jie hao (Assembly) – Feng Xiaogang, 2007 (China)
Tin shui wai dik yat yu ye (The Way We Are) – Ann Hui, 2008 (China – Hongkong)
Mua he chieu thang dung (Vertical Ray of the Sun) – Tran Anh Hung, 2000 (Vietnam)
Ran – Akira Kurosawa, 1985 (Japan)
Die blechtrommel (The Tin Drum) – volker Schlondorff, 1979 (Germany)
Paris, Je Taime (Paris, I Love You) – Various directors, 2006 (France)
Jamon jamon – Bigas Luna, 1992 (Spain)
Cinema Paradiso – Giuseppe Tornatore, 1988 (Italy)
Iklimer (Climates) – Nuri Bilge Ceylan, 2006 (Turkey)
Diarios de motocicleta (Motorcycle Diaries) – Walter Salles, 2004 (Argentina)
The Proposal – Anne Fletcher, 2009 (US)
Ghosts of Girlfriends Past – Mark Waters, 2009 (US)
G.I. Joe: Rise of the Cobra – Stephen Sommers, 2009 (US)
I Love You, Man – John Hamburg, 2009 (US)
Land of the Lost – Brad Silberling, 2009 (US)
The Priest – Antonia Bird, 1995 (US)
Fighting – Dito Montiel, 2009 (US)

My first day of paddling at the Manila Bay

Ever since I saw dragon boat racers on TV, I have always been fascinated with the intensity and well choreographed synchronicity that I told my self that I should try it for once. This morning was my first day and I was quite excited and exhilarated to finally do it.

I joined the Maharlika group as I was referred by my friend to his officemate who has been paddling since last year. I didn’t expect much but since I was the only newbie in the group, I was immediately put on water with minimal instructions as the practice went on. No complaints here even if it was very tiring and intense. Even if there’s some stench in the water or getting wet but its bearable.

Tomorrow, another practice day and looking forward to being taught the basics like correct posture, proper way to execute the paddle and breathing.

The Philippine Blog Awards 09, problems already solved?

I just submitted four of my blogs for the Philippine Blog Awards (PBA)  2009. Looking at the guidelines, there are now major changes that I think are good considering the problems that were apparent last year. I for one encountered one when they didn’t change the category of my Langyaw travel blog even if I pointed out that it should not be placed under Entertainment but should be under Travel category. They refused to “respect the one who nominated me.” That was a major flaw.

Now, its the owner of the blog who will fill out the form, a very good move. My only complaint, however, is that you can’t nominate several blogs using a single email (which is used as the login name). With four blogs under Travel (Langyaw), Photoblog (I Am a Documentary Photographer), Filipiniana (Simbahan) and Design (Binarysilver), I used four of my emails! One other change is that there are no more best single post awards, which I made it for travel. There are also special awards. This year’s PBA is also holding out separate awards for Visayas and Mindanao bloggers, a welcome development.

I’m crossing my fingers.

Movies watched: July 09

Tony Takitani – Jun Ichikawa, 2004 (Japan)
Manila - Adolfo Alix Jr. & Raya Martin, 2009 (Philippines)
Tirador (Slingshot) – Brillante Mendoza, 2007 (Philippines)
Serbis (Service) – Brillante Mendoza, 2008 (Philippines)
Le Ballon Rouge (The Red Balloon) – Albert Lamorisse, 1956 (France)
Segunda Piel (Second Skin) – Gerardo Vera, 1990 (Spain)
Ju Duo – Yang Fengliang & Zhang Yimou, 1990 (China)
Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs – Carlos Saldanha & Mike Thurmeier, 2009 (US)
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince – David Yates, 2009 (UK)