Okay. I really, really, really had to write this up. Mainly, because I promised I'd post a new entry this week and I have to admit it is about time. And secondly... Well, I rather enjoyed the day. I sort of gave myself a pat on the back for making my girlfriend happy because it is also her birthday.
So, yeah... Valentine's day is just about over and I'd just like to share a few things before I go back to reality.
Earlier today, I was riding a cab to the dormitory when heavy traffic suddenly out of nowhere trapped me around near Sta. Mesa. I was like, "It's only 2 p.m. and the lovebirds are already migrating?" Well, at least I wasn't alone there as I noticed several others saying the same observation. Reminds me of a joke circulating around the internet and in text messages (guys will probably get this all too quickly). It goes like this: there will be an earthquake in great magnitude striking Manila in multiple places; epicenters include: Sta. Mesa, Pasig, Cubao, Malate... well, in almost anywhere various Motel branches are frequently found. Yeah, a bit lewd, but still funny. Other jokes goes like:
For those who are taken: HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY
For those who are single: HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY
For those who are broken-hearted: HAPPY HALLOWEEN
For those who have more than one girlfriend: HAPPY FIESTA
And recently added:
For those who are in the said epicenters mentioned in the joke before this: HAPPY NEW YEAR (Boom!)
Okay... tasteless, I know. But like I said, I just tell things as they are.
Who likes Ampalaya or Bittergourd? I do, when cooked in an omelet with onions and bell peppers for breakfast. But bitterness today goes way, way more than just leaving that unique taste in your mouth. For instance, one Facebook post goes, "This year is a leap year. After February 13, February 15 na agad." Aside from being funny, there is a hint of bitterness. Well, I could throw in a lot of those here, but I'd rather not. Because I had a really good day today and I'll make it a point not to draw too much negativity.
Interesting to note is an article in the Philippine Star, in an article written by Pepe Diokno, titled: "6 Women P-Noy Must Date." Come on! This just solidified my personal opinion that our president is living a Rock Star life. The list includes: 1. Grace Lee (the present woman linked to the Chief Executive); KC Concepcion (all right, I guess... but still... no.); 3. Anne Curtis (interesting to note is her amazing ability to cat-fight in a bikini); 4. Sara Duterte (just imagine the combination!); 5. Janice De Belen (whose cooking ability is given focus, as to why, I really do not know); and 6. Lilia Cuntapay (the veteran actress who portrays ghosts, aswangs, white ladies, and a number of horror-inspired beings in Pinoy Movies). WHAT LIST IS THIS?
I'd rather the His Excellency gets married to his JOB. If anyone can make a better list, then hit me up with their versions of 6 Women P-Noy should date and I'll post up the more interesting ones. Those with comic value will, of course, as always be given considerable weight.
Enough with that kind of talk... Moving on.
Eddie Izzard in his Dress To Kill show talked about puberty and dating. The idea of romance is lost on children, but it surfaces upon puberty. Well, we know how that felt like, haven't we all? But what really made his material funny is when he said that on that point in our lives we want to look the best for that one particular person we fancy and what do we get when we look in the mirror? PUBERTY! Acne, squeaky voices, hairs growing in funny ways... Yeah. Puberty. And with raging hormones, come raging teenagers on Valentine's Day. How sweet.
In my previous post I mentioned that we don't really need to invest a lot on this one day because mainly, we can make everyday Valentine's Day (Okay, boys... enough with the reference on motels.) Either our present society dictates this day be like this conditioned by the mythos reflected by historical figures and cultural influences, or, commercialization made it like this, since businesswise, this is a really good day for merchants, restaurants, nightlife establishments, movie houses, malls, and... all right, I'll say it - motels. You see, the feeling of Love is the strongest, addicting thing that was ever created. Just look at Paris and Helen. A war eventually brought down the whole Trojan nation but in their minds, at least it was all for love. And certain establishments are aware of that fact, and will utilize it to earn a tidy sum of profit. Not that I am not into the whole Valentine's day-giving flowers-making her fall in love again thing, because I made it clear earlier on that I rather enjoyed being a bit mushy. Even earlier in the Impeachment Trial of Chief Justice Corona, the Defense manifested after greeting Senate President Enrile happy birthday, that they all are entitled for an earlier break from the trial so that they could spend time with their loved ones. The prosecution joined the defense in their request, much to the enjoyment of all present in the Senate. All I am saying is if we really try hard enough we can make every day of our partner's time with us special.
I enjoyed being extra sweetie-mushy this one day (my girlfriend never expected what I had in store for her and that made me rather proud of myself). All of us, I think. And with the photoshopped pictures, custom-made videos, love quotes and memes scattered throughout social networking sites - the really romantic ones altogether with the bitter, Valentine's Day is a really good day to celebrate. And every year we do the whole thing over again on this one day.
So that's the reality of it. We can make everyday like this (if we really want to make love and not war and spread love all over like Nutella on toast), but we all do exert a little extra effort on February 14. And cheesy as it may look at, and I admit it is - I will look forward to this day in the following years to come (YES. I AM OPTIMISTIC THE WORLD WILL NOT END COME DECEMBER). And I'll try my best to cook up more interesting things since studies show that dating under unusual circumstances bring the best results. But being the lazy bastard I am known for, all I see are movie dates and long walks while chowing on local street food. Well, she's happy and so am I.
Oh, and if you're wondering why I entitled my entry like that, honestly... I do not know.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Love is fair. Love is fair. Ima bear.... Roar. (Valentine's Day Special)
It has been what? Five or so months since I last posted an entry here so I am doubly enjoying myself. Plus, this is a great distraction from the everyday hustle-bustle of law school.
This is going to be a good one. February just swung by the corner. A lot of people love this month, while more seem to dread it, and a considerable more just treat it as another month of the year. February may be the month where the end of winter and the start of summer converge and gets the weather all screwy, where students tend to laze around waiting for March to show its joyous, immaculate face saving their butts from one school year almost past. But one thing about February is a particular date - right in the middle of the month.
February 14. Valentine's Day.
Contrary to popular belief, February 14 is not only honoring one saint or martyr in particular, but rather a number of them, as numerous Christian martyrs were named Valentine. It is reported to have been the names of three Christian priests/bishops/holy men martyred around AD269-AD197. Thereafter, with the coming of the 14th century, myths regarding the supposed lone saint whom Valentine's Day is named after began to circulate. Some bordering on the mundane to the utterly romantic. My personal favorite is a story where St. Valentine opposed a Roman Governor's edict that all men remain single because of the belief that married men suck at soldiering. Valentine was put in jail, befriended the jailer's daughter and left a note - supposedly the world's first ever Valentine Card - that said sweet nothings of love unfulfilled with the end being signed, 'Your Valentine'.
Sweet.
Nevertheless, Valentine's day is widely celebrated in all cultures, countries, and demographics. Some say it is institutionalized, while others claim it is being commercialized. Regardless of which, Valentine's Day is here to stay, and is fast approaching. While others dread it, I welcome it (on one hand, it's my girlfriend's birthday, and on the other hand, it is a great opportunity to Troll the unsuspecting lovestruck), mainly because I enjoy the smell of hormones lingering in the air. Smells kinda citrus-like.
And it is so interesting to watch people run around about it, and I'm betting my inheritance that for once in your life you made a great deal of that day. You bought flowers, chocolates, scribbled a line borrowed from a song or wrote a poem on a heart-shaped card, didn't make sense when you announced your undying love, or understood half of the lyrics to a love song you serenaded with. Or rather, you received tons of flowers, almost got diabetic, sneezed on dusty stuffed animals, heard an incredibly large amount of love songs, probably got busted, dumped, or finally found that long awaited love on that day. The other side of the coin would see guys and girls staring either: longingly, or something short of indifference to those who practice the whole hearts-doves-cupids day like it's something like tradition. In a couple of days, you'll be seeing posts, memes, and a whole lot of 'Patayin si Kupido' movements for one reason or another. And more from the members of SMP. I heard they're now petitioning to make Single Awareness Day the more politically-correct term for Valentine's Day.
In the more seedier side of the cities, certain motels will start putting up Valentine's Day discounts on room rates. Sleazy, yet one way of rekindling the fire, so to speak. So far, this year, I haven't seen the usual cadre of romantic films. Seems that romantic comedies are the order for the day.
Speaking of rekindling the fire, why not celebrate it differently? I remembered that event where the Philippines attempted to beat the world record for the most number of kissing couples in one day and place. Certainly a great alternative to the usual dinner-movie-date. Just earlier I was tuned in to the Magic and Guru Shivaker was giving tips on shaking up the relationship so that it will get spiced up and not lose the flavor. You gotta love the Guru (giving love advice like a boss).
This is going to be a good one. February just swung by the corner. A lot of people love this month, while more seem to dread it, and a considerable more just treat it as another month of the year. February may be the month where the end of winter and the start of summer converge and gets the weather all screwy, where students tend to laze around waiting for March to show its joyous, immaculate face saving their butts from one school year almost past. But one thing about February is a particular date - right in the middle of the month.
February 14. Valentine's Day.
Contrary to popular belief, February 14 is not only honoring one saint or martyr in particular, but rather a number of them, as numerous Christian martyrs were named Valentine. It is reported to have been the names of three Christian priests/bishops/holy men martyred around AD269-AD197. Thereafter, with the coming of the 14th century, myths regarding the supposed lone saint whom Valentine's Day is named after began to circulate. Some bordering on the mundane to the utterly romantic. My personal favorite is a story where St. Valentine opposed a Roman Governor's edict that all men remain single because of the belief that married men suck at soldiering. Valentine was put in jail, befriended the jailer's daughter and left a note - supposedly the world's first ever Valentine Card - that said sweet nothings of love unfulfilled with the end being signed, 'Your Valentine'.
Sweet.
Nevertheless, Valentine's day is widely celebrated in all cultures, countries, and demographics. Some say it is institutionalized, while others claim it is being commercialized. Regardless of which, Valentine's Day is here to stay, and is fast approaching. While others dread it, I welcome it (on one hand, it's my girlfriend's birthday, and on the other hand, it is a great opportunity to Troll the unsuspecting lovestruck), mainly because I enjoy the smell of hormones lingering in the air. Smells kinda citrus-like.
And it is so interesting to watch people run around about it, and I'm betting my inheritance that for once in your life you made a great deal of that day. You bought flowers, chocolates, scribbled a line borrowed from a song or wrote a poem on a heart-shaped card, didn't make sense when you announced your undying love, or understood half of the lyrics to a love song you serenaded with. Or rather, you received tons of flowers, almost got diabetic, sneezed on dusty stuffed animals, heard an incredibly large amount of love songs, probably got busted, dumped, or finally found that long awaited love on that day. The other side of the coin would see guys and girls staring either: longingly, or something short of indifference to those who practice the whole hearts-doves-cupids day like it's something like tradition. In a couple of days, you'll be seeing posts, memes, and a whole lot of 'Patayin si Kupido' movements for one reason or another. And more from the members of SMP. I heard they're now petitioning to make Single Awareness Day the more politically-correct term for Valentine's Day.
In the more seedier side of the cities, certain motels will start putting up Valentine's Day discounts on room rates. Sleazy, yet one way of rekindling the fire, so to speak. So far, this year, I haven't seen the usual cadre of romantic films. Seems that romantic comedies are the order for the day.
Speaking of rekindling the fire, why not celebrate it differently? I remembered that event where the Philippines attempted to beat the world record for the most number of kissing couples in one day and place. Certainly a great alternative to the usual dinner-movie-date. Just earlier I was tuned in to the Magic and Guru Shivaker was giving tips on shaking up the relationship so that it will get spiced up and not lose the flavor. You gotta love the Guru (giving love advice like a boss).
Why do we invest so much on this ONE day? On Love? Now that would be something to talk about, granting that love can walk right up you in all forms and sizes on any day of the year. Hell, make it everyday Valentine's Day! Make love, not war everyday. There's a story about an eighty-or-so-year-old man who comes home from work with flowers every end of the week to give to her wife. Love is not about the chocolate, nor is it about how much that diamond ring costs. Love is not sweet talks and flowers, but love is forgiving and compromising (girlfriend comments: "really?"). Whatever I say here in this entry does not matter, anyway, since we all have our own conceptions on Valentine's Day and on the topic of Love.
I'm ranting again. So, there you have it. Dangwa will be flooded on that day, and I suggest getting a head start or getting something different for your significant other. Just don't make the mistake I saw one Valentine's Day. The guy arranged the flowers it looked like a Christmas wreath. Even got poinsettias for good measure. Despite the fail, it turns out his girlfriend was a big fan of Christmas so it turned out well. Everybody's fine and happy, and maybe the guy got to use his discount card... From Pizza Hut.
To close this post, I'll be leaving you with a few words.
"Never be afraid to love. To love is to live. And those who are afraid to love, are already half-dead."
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