Far From Neutral Notions - Philippine politics, culture and stuff

Two years ago today, I had no inkling that in less than three months, Poodle would be dead, and everything would fall apart. The last time I visited Poodle’s gravesite was on the 17th, Lola’s death anniversary. It just felt like the place to go, for some reason. Today, I needed a quick fixer-upper (I’ve been having anxiety attacks lately), so I decided to visit Cute Overload — my happy place. And I saw that hamster in the photo above. More cuteness inside. Read the rest of this entry »

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As if it was ever in doubt, the latest media frenzy over Mike Arroyo’s health finally puts to rest the issue of whether or not he is a public personality. Gripped as I was over his ordeal — yes, that’s 3 parts sarcasm right there — I can only conclude that the First Gentleman is as much a public figure as Kris Aquino ever was. And even less entertaining.

Seems he’s well on his way to a full recovery, which brings up talk of “masamang damo” but that’s just in really poor taste, isn’t it? Then again, if ever there’s a bastion of poor taste, I’m it. Kicking a man when he’s down isn’t just despicable; it’s easy. I mean, I hate to do it, he’s right there, on the ground, right beside my foot. Sometimes resisting the temptation is all I can bear.

But my, they’ve spun this one quite well, haven’t they? Ermita must be grinning from ear to ear with all the sympathy and well-wishes headed GMA’s way. Even hard-core oppositionists are “praying” for Jose Pidal’s — err Mike Arroyo’s — speedy recovery. After all, there’s nothing enlightened or praiseworthy about being an asshole, and Alan Peter and Ping can afford to be gallant.

I can’t, though. I couldn’t care less what happens to the First Gentleman, and I’d be a hypocrite if I said I wish him well. You see, several things keep coming back to me that get in the way of me going all humanitarian. Araw ng Kagitingan just came and went, albeit a victim of the long holiday apathy for some. But for me, it is a yearly reminder — righly so — of our veteran’s heroism and sacrifice. And of the shoddy way the government has treated them. I had a grandfather who died of an aneurysm. He was a veteran. So no, I can’t really sympathize with Mike Arroyo. Color me illogical, but add a dash of I-don’t-give-a-flying-shag too.

So there.

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A couple of days ago my mother had a panic attack, thanks to a friend speculating that I had diabetes. Seems he noticed that I went to the li’l boys room a bit too often, but never factored in the fact that I drink copious amounts of water (over 3L a day) and the inordinate amount of Vitamin C I intake. As a result, I am on a coke diet — despite having normal blood sugar levels. Better safe than sorry, they say. But darnit, I miss my coke fix.

Another funny thing — it’s been noted by more than a couple of people, so I guess I’d better put it to rest — I am not on hiatus. Although I’d have to admit, it’d be very Jorge, quitting after winning. But no, to clarify, I meant to blog this Holy Week, but Prison Break got in the way. I still can’t believe it lasted two seasons, much less starting on it’s third this fall. Halfway through the first season I was like, come on! Get it over with! I mean, seriously, the amount of crap the inmates have gone through is insane, to the point of inanity. Season 3’s tagline may very well be Prison Break: Murphy’s Law. That said, it’s addictive! Some things:

1. Agent Paul Kellerman reminds me of Dan Akroyd. I’m glad he had a more three-dimensional character in season 2.
2. I hate Bill Kim. What is it with Asian-American villains portrayed as being so devoid of conscience? Agent Sandoval in Earth: Final Conflict comes to mind.
3. Allan had a good laugh, noting that the internal affairs guy chasing after Mahone looks a lot like Kevin Pollack.
4. Mahone looks a lot like Clint Eastwood. And we were half expecting him to run along the presidential limo ala In the Line of Fire.
5. I’m glad C-Note got a happy ending. I do NOT want to see him in season 3, because that’d mean things went wrong. Again.
6. Speaking of C-Note, I’m still convinced he’s LL Cool J.
7. T-Bag is the kind of creepy lowlife that I can’t help but root for.
8. The Les Miserables scene with Sucre and the old man is awesome.
9. Thatcher Grey.
10. For some reason, we keep expecting a train or a bus to crash into whatever car Michael or Lincoln are in at the moment whenever there’s a lull in the action, or they’re feeling pretty good about themselves. Yes, their karma is that screwed up.
11. Does Bellick have any redeeming qualities at all?
12. I think Henry Pope would make a kick ass Jim Gordon if ever Batman: The Dark Knight Returns is translated to the big screen.
13. Speaking of Batman, Michael Scofield would make for one kick ass Dark Knight. Always three steps ahead? Check. Swagger? Check. The unwavering belief that he will always win? Check. Just add some martial arts expertise and a Bat Suit (without the Bat Nipples) and you’re good to go.
14. On that note, T-Bag would be perfect as Joker. Did you see how he looked at Suzie when she refected him again? Classic.
15. I just realized Lincoln Burrows played Dracula in Blade Trinity. Ugh.
16. Sara Tancredi is the hawtness. But maybe that’s because, after that girl Tweener did the horizontal tango with for an episode or two, she’s the only pretty girl in the whole series. Still, she bears an uncanny resemblance to Natalie Portman on certain angles.
17. There had better be no season 4.

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