Aug 2 2011

Typhoon "Kabayan"

To "enjoy" a full day of  downpour my brother-in-law calls "torrential rain" when he texted a greeting; classes were suspended and public and private workers were asked to take the rest of the afternoon off. My sister called.

Some Metro Manila main streets were flooded since this morning (a car was captured on lunchtime news floating in flood waters and Marikina River had overflowed to above street level by late afternoon).

Then a 3-way business-and-pleasure Skype session with a good friend from the old campus-theater days, now based in Penang.

And Nora Aunor arrived today. For real, finally.

Nora Aunor in "Himala"

Somebody posted an hour ago:

"Si Ate Guy?" RT "Overheard: Bakit kasi pinapayagang makapasok sa (why was [it] ever allowed to enter the) Philippine Area of Responsibility!" "panalo" ("Winner!")

Funny. This is Pinoy humor that's amusing even to a "Noranian" like myself. Say what? This is the first time I have ever written that: Noranian.

It's another August 2 day today that has generated other random thoughts:

• About the alleged Election fraud hearings, etc.: If it is proven that FPJ won in 2004, what would declaring him a winner do besides correct history books? Will it invalidate all decrees, laws, contracts, etc. signed by GMA? Will it invalidate the election processes that succeeded it, like who he may have chosen fielded instead? I feel inadequate not knowing the answers, knowing that those who opened the can of worms have no idea themselves what vermi types they are.
• Have the authorities learned from real climate change — and its effects — beyond just lip service?
• Do we really need another TV game show that caters to the masses, give out houses and lots and other money prizes because there's just too much of it in the pocket? And after the winners cry tears of joy on air, are they equipped to handle the responsibilities of being real homeowners and instant millionaires?
• Cultivating a culture of mendicancy. Everyone's on it.
• Encouraging a culture of gossip through trial by publicity, disinformation, abuse of social networks, irresponsible reporting and such. Wring it on!
• A bungling rescue effort in a historic location by The Bay is nearing its 1st anniversary. It's the one that caused an erosion in leadership confidence, unfortunately. "Heads will roll" said he in the headlines. One year hence, not one has.
• The elite Philippine football team has taken attention away from honest-to-goodness sports development program/s that should have benefitted other local sports and athletes. Seriously. And the local rugby team should have been called AZPEENS instead in honor of the brown boys.
• Oh, a fugitive elected official resurfaces, then makes a subtle public entrance by riding on, literally, the bandwagon. For reference, check a Cavite event the President attended this year.
• Ad nauseum.

Our Manila-Penang Skype afternoon session was a mix of stats and data, requirements, opinions, touching base with global and national issues and such — yes — and, like a pendulum, swung from good times past to harsh realizations of the present. Has anything changed?

Sometimes, days like these makes one vulnerable because the grey, swollen skies bring with it mementos of unpreparedness and fragility (just that, minus the mori, haha).

We may need an authentic Himala without the political color. So, make it neutral tone. Or brown — it's better. (Oh, did I mention how much I love that Bernal movie? And Mario O'hara's "Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos"?)

Or perhaps something as unexpected as Oprah Winfrey springing a Charice Pempengco surprise. Come to think of it, this little girl may well be the 21st century Nora Aunor of her generation though they fulfill two different entertainment values. (Then again, there's Eugene Domingo who may aptly be the new-gen Nora. I love them who goes against the grain of industry-prescribed "beauty.")

Yet there's a lot to be thankful for in the past 365 days, and in days coming. Like that 12 year old girl named Janelia Lelis from Albay who saved the flag, solid and upright in the middle of a raging flood last week during typhoon "Juaning."

Frank Lorzano via @cesarAPOLINARIO / http://twitpic.com/5zsoil/

Or hoping that the sun will come out tomorrow.

- 02082011

weather weather II: Tropical Storm KETSANA (ONDOY/17W)

[2:30pm, Sunday, 27 Sept. 2009/a blog-in-progress]

The Philippine map is practically obliterated in this satellite image of Ondoy's wrath 26 September 2009. As such, the highest ever recorded level of rainfall in Quezon City alone, where I am, was registered at 410mm. (16.141732 in.) over a period of 10 hours, from 8am to 5pm of Saturday, exceeding the highest rainfall record of PAGASA on June 07, 1967 at 334mm. (13.15in.) in 24 hours*.

---

NOTE[1] Check in with your local Barangays or Homeowners' Associations for direct help if your area is affected.
Immediately needed: clothes, blankets, towels, ready-to-eat food.

---

This storm, at PHI Signal No. 1 yet (the lowest storm alert advisory based on wind velocity), caused all waterways and tributaries to overflow inundating all roadways in all of Metropolitan Manila's cities and municipalities, including its neighboring districts and provinces especially Rizal province of which Cainta, Marikina, San Mateo, and many low-lying municipalities remain under water as of this writing.

---

NOTE[2] Coordinate with your school org, local Barangays officials, or Homeowners' Associations for organized help to other areas affected.
Immediately needed: doctor/nurse volunteers in evacuation areas, specifically Cainta and Marikina.

---

Metro Manila has not been declared in a state of calamity due to typhoons in a long time, and the amount of rain from Ondoy was unexpected. In my community alone in Fairview, Quezon City, a hilly suburban district northeast of the City of Manila, the water in the creek 1 km. down from our residence rose to as high as 9 ft from street level. It was almost unbelievable hearing it from the local drivers of tricycles I rode in yesterday to buy food and some provisions, as Fairview itself is on a higher location compared to the rest of Quezon City.

---

NOTE[3] Many areas, specifically Cainta and Marikina are still UNDER WATER.
Be aware that donors' vehicles have to be able to navigate through flood higher than 12 in. (1 foot)

---

When I passed by the bridge over creek this morning, the place that used to be a local market (i.e. talipapa) was being manually dredged of sludge by its tenants, the informal settlers' houses around it were surrounded by sacks of wet mud and the settlers themselves cleaning what were left of their belongings. True enough, the metal grid wall support on each side of the bridge had all sorts of trash and debris stuck to each grid space reaching halfway its full height of about 20 ft.

---

NOTE[4] Ondoy is NOT YET OUT OF THE PHILIPPINE AREA OF RESPONSBILTY even if it is beyond the eastern section of the Philippines off Bataan .
Rains are expected for 2-3 more days.

---

---

NOTE[5] RED CROSS needs volunteers:

• Pasay 8542748/4343751
• LasPinas 8734873/4689688
• Pasig 6350922
• Alabang 8093132
• NHQ Manila 5245787/5270864

---

*from a televised statement of Nathaniel A. Cruz [PAGASA Officer-in-Charge Operations and Services], 12nn, 27 Sept. 09

weather weather

I am listening to all of Nature's collection of drum rolls in its arsenal right now.

~ 2:29 pm, Quezon City

Post scriptum

Really, when Nature puts on a show, everybody halts to listen, watch or do some inward reflection.

After all, what else can we do when caught in a light show in the mid-afternoon, with incessant rolling and barreling and banging of the skies above, and a burst, an unstoppable flow of the skies' mighty waters that rushes our negligence away.

And then, a deafening silence. And a sigh. And then the sound of every body's routine creeping back in, slowly breaking the hush, taking over what was, for a few minutes there, a reminder of our fragility.
~ 3:27pm

---

*cross-posted

Barong About Town (Tarantino 2)

Some people weave burlap into the fabric of our lives, and some weave gold thread. Both contribute to make the whole picture beautiful and unique. ~ Anonymous

Hollywood director Quentin Tarantino not only made waves among the locals in Manila in August, he literally waded through the flooded metro in a barong enroute to Malacanang to receive an award of recognition. In September, he wore the same to the launch of his book and film premiere of Death Proof in London.

In the recently-held Golden Globes announcement of nominees shown on television, Tarantino was again seen wearing the barong and the Pinoys took notice.


The barong, or more formally known as Barong Tagalong, has had its share of being the news topic, most recently at the 2007 APEC summit in Australia in which, according to the APEC organizing committee, they cited '"various sources of information" it compiled for their media backgrounder' when they gave out APEC-related kits and referred to the barong worn by the participating heads of state at the 1996 Summit in Subic as a 'mere peasant's shirt'.

Reuters

This factoid prompted the Philippine government to request APEC for clarification. Many stories about the barong Tagalog have been woven into its fabric of existence. One particular reference to the barong in the Americas is how the barong purportedly influenced Cuba's own guayabera. A Latino forum entry in one of its threads has this post under Where are Guayaberas from? contributed by 'C.T. Mexica':

---

GUAYABERAS

I owe my earliest memory of the guayabera to my paternal grandfather who wore them during many a humid South Texas day that he complimented with a pair of linen trousers and the customary cowboy boots.

Older Puerto Ricans refer to them as jíbaros, stateside they are sometimes referred to as the "Mexican wedding shirt," whereas throughout Latin America there known as the guayabera, and finally as the barong tagalog in the Philippines, their birthplace.

Of course, any good Cuban would seriously beg to differ. Nevertheless, the barong tagalog originated in Philippines shortly after the arrival of the Spanish. Within the Spanish colonial caste system, the barong tagalog was a symbol of Filipino servitude based upon practical Spanish fears. Concerning attire, Filipino subjects were required to wear transparent and untucked shirts, less they attempt to conceal a weapon or attempt to dress in the manner of the overseers.

The barong tagalog eventually traveled east on Spanish galleons where they were slightly modified and honed into shirts with four pockets in the Yucatan and Caribbean. Since then they have been worn by the likes of Hemingway, many a tropical debonair, countless musicians and farmers alike as well as with Cuban and Filipino diplomats.

The long history of this shirt survives in the vision and designs of Martínez Montiel, provided in large assortment cuts and colors. This guayabera shirts can be found on fridayshirts website. White is the traditional and elegant choice of both novice and aficionado. However, if you want to peacock a little and flaunt opt for one of the brighter colors, such as yellow. The beauty of the guayabera lies within its versatility. It can be worn with either trousers or jeans and whatever your choice of footwear may be. Not to mention its natural compatibility with a straw fedora. Dress accordingly.

-C.T. Mexica

Note that the entry above also refers to the oft-repeated story of the barong as the locals' (aka "subjects") attire that was supposed to show distinction among the Spanish-era social classes. This story has, indeed, done the rounds.

Back to Tarantino, he looks comfortable enough in the Filipino barong to be wearing it in functions abroad, albeit in sneakers instead of balat (leather; hide). Perhaps it was the surreal padyak (pedicab) ride he had in the streets of Manila in the middle of a tropical downpour, or the good time he reportedly had, courtesy of Pinoy hospitality, or simply that the barong, made of fine piña (pineapple fiber) or jusi (banana fiber), is a cool attire to wear or be in.

Lastly, it could also be the fact that Filipinos, one of the most talented lot anywhere, just got Tarantino right down to his sensibilities, when they 'localized' him in this classic intro short for the 2007 Cinemanila Film Fest in September:



CREDITS:
A spot from TBWA\Santiago Mangada Puno, Manila to announce the guest of honor of this year's film festival -Quentin Tarantino.
• Product : Cinemanila International Film Festival
• Agency : TBWA\Manila
• Creatives :
Melvin Mangada (Executive Creative Director)
Badong Abesamis (Creative Director)
Angge Arches/Ali Silao (Art Director)
Ryan Rubillar/Badong Abesamis (Copywriter)
Sunny Lucero (Agency Producer)
• Director(s) : Mario Cornejo
• Prod. Co. : Reality
• Country : Philippines
• Sound design : Sound Production Company
• Post-prod : Larger than Life
Tarantino photos copyrighted to Reuters, The London Traveler and the Associated Press

Classic

One of the weirdest days of the year probably. Intermitent (strong) rains, bloody traffic jams, kids being sent home wading in the flood (when they actually made it to school dry), and Quentin Tarantino taking the pedicab in Manila through flooded streets to Malacanang to receive an award. Classic.




[Almost] pulp fiction
We make do, and have fun, as he did. Wallowing, yes, but not in tears.
AP writes:

Tarantino, director of "Pulp Fiction" and the "Kill Bill" movies, wore a traditional Filipino formal shirt and sandals.

He was handed size-13 black leather shoes because sandals and rubber shoes aren't allowed inside the palace during presidential ceremonies, said a staff member of the National Commission on Culture and Arts.

Tarantino, 44, was among three Lifetime Achievement award winners in the 9th Cinemanila, a film festival featuring foreign and local movies.

He is writing a book about Philippine films, particularly the horror and action movies he saw in his youth.

The AP wire did not say that he changed into a pair of black jogging pants (it had a white leg stripe) which he wore with the barong. It did not also say that, while he had fun ("It was a lot of fun. It's the way it is, I guess. ... It was wild... No worries. I've done more serious things than that.") his companions, including Filipino director Tikoy Aguiluz, were horrified (perhaps, either at the thought of taking the pedicab TO MALACANANG, or to not take the pedicab ride too seriously).






(Photos courtesy of AP)