Raves: "Boyce Avenue"

Saturday evening and surprisingly nothing good to watch on television. So was just surfing the net and hoping that my serotonin levels dozes me off to sleep.

As I was updating my iTunes playlist, my cousin asked me if I have heard a guy's version of "Bleeding Love". I said, I'm familiar with the Leona Lewis song because my neighbor in Manila would always sing it over at the videoke everyday. So just imagine the horror I've been getting into by just unsolicitingly listening to my neighbors vocal histrionics.

Anyway, a guy doing that song? That I have yet to hear. Then he told me that this band also did acoustic versions of Alicia Keys' "No One", Jordin Sparks' "Tattoo" and Black Eyed Peas' "Where Is The Love", Goo Goo Dolls' "Iris" and One Republic's "Apologize." That really piqued my curiosity as I also love listening to acoustic songs. So I searched for Boyce Avenue over at YouTube and watched how amazing this Florida-based band is.

Boyce Avenue came together in 2000 and consists of the Manzano brothers Alejandro (lead vocals, guitar, piano), Fabian (guitar, vocals), Daniel (bass, percussion, vocals), and later Stephen Hatker joined in as drummer.

Since their performance over an audience of 350 at a Florida high school and finishing their college degrees (Fabian pursued architecture while Daniel has a Harvard Law degree), the music bug still caught up with them. In 2007, they joined and were honored in songwriting competitions and after taking yet another hiatus to write, produce and record additional singles, their debut album, "All You're Meant To Be" was released in March 25, 2008.

I have yet to listen to their album but it will soon follow through as I've been downloading Boyce Avenue's acoustic renditions such as Colbie Caillat's "Realize", Rihanna's "Umbrella", Justin Timberlake/Madonna's "4 Minutes", U2/Mary J. Blige/Beatles' "One" and "Let It Be" medley among others.

I know Filipinos will love this band as we are suckers for acoustic performances. I'm hoping that a producer will bring Boyce Avenue over to Manila for a concert soon.

But for now, I'm still having their songs from their Acoustic Sessions lined up in my iTunes and I'm not yet sleepy.

xxx

Boyce Avenue's physical album is available worldwide exclusively through www.campuscustom.com/boyceavenue, while the download versions can be found on iTunes/ Amazon.com/ Rhapsody/ Napster/ eMusic.

Visit the Boyce Avenue Official Site for more information.

"Tulo Laway" faces off with "Hopia"

Today, defending champion San Beda Red Lions tries to sustain the 3-peat championship as it faces off with the Jose Rizal University (JRU) Bombers for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) 84th season Senior Basketball crown.

As we shall witness the cheers and jeers of each teams resonating across the Big Dome, I have been wondering why we, Bedans, were always mocked as "Beda Tulo Laway" and JRU as "Hopia!!!"

"Beda Tulo Laway!"

Pinoyexchange forum members shared some insights to the taunting remark against Bedans. One explanation is that "tulo laway" (drooling) is a mockery against the Chinese people as they have been labeled as "Intsik beho, tulo laway." "Beho" which means viejo or old man who usually is a peddler or a vendor. As for the ptyalism, Chinese have been known to be industrious people who work really hard early in the morning and then take naps during midday when business is slow. As mandibles are relaxed during sleep, drool oozes out of their mouths.

As for Bedans being Chinese, San Beda isn't densely populated by Filipino-Chinese as it has been founded to be a school for Spanish mestizos because of its proximity to the old rich communities of Arlegui and of course, Malacañang. But through the years, San Beda College has evolved to cater to different Filipino ethnicities.

The forum reader surmised that the "Beda Tulo Laway" jeer was a product of the idiocity of Beda's opponents as a futile attempt to sound like Beda's Indian Yell which goes "Heyum kim kum kawa".

Another is that San Beda was an exclusive school for boys in the Mendiola Consortium having been surrounded by girls or co-ed schools like Centro Escolar University, La Consolacion College, College of the Holy Spirit and San Sebastian College. Before San Beda became co-ed recently, which I, my brothers, and Bedan batchmates didn't like the idea plus moving the elementary and high school departments to a remote place in Rizal.

Anyway when Beda was still San Beda, there was a walkway between the driveway and the Junior Football Field (where a building stands there today) where Bedans would sit around, wait for their classes or sundo, leave their things there or play at the covered basketball courts, our college kuyas would sit there and wait for the CEU and LaCo colegialas walk through to get to the school's swimming pool for their P.E. classes. San Beda used to rent out the swimming pool to other Mendiola schools which don't have the facility. I just don't know if they let other schools use the pool until today. But did they even bother to worry about what floats and what's in that pool? Hehehehe. So where were we? Oh, so we, Bedans would sit there, gawk and stare as the CEU and LaCo girls parade their way to the swimming pool from the driveway, down to the drummer boy and infront of the high school building and off to the quadrangle then to the Senior Football Field then to the pool. Just imagine the number of prying eyes of the Bedans savoring the presence of girls. Hence, "Beda tulo laway!"

But gone were those days since San Beda opened its doors to girls and had to revise some lyrics (I guess) of the Bedan Hymn, overhaul the student handbook, and create more ladies room. I remember when my mom would come fetch me and my brothers, they were only about 2 ladies room where she can go to.

Hopia!!!

On the other hand, JRU's monicker is "Hopia!" Word has it that the 80 Shaw Boulevard campus was a former hopia factory. I don't know if it's an urban legend but it has always been said about them during NCAA games. I even remember when Beda and JRU had a game in that filthy Rizal Memorial Coliseum, someone threw hopia in the court.

But things has evolved as JRU tries to change the embarassing remark of Hopia to H.O.P.I.A or Highly Outstanding People In Action.

Of Red Lions and Bombers

San Beda College "adopted the Red Lion emblem from the ancient Scottish/English heraldic symbol, the Red Lion Rampant." San Beda College which was named after the Venerable Bede of England, naturally chose the heraldic symbol of the ancient Scots/English for courage.

While Jose Rizal University adopted the Bombers nickname supposedly from the World War II bombs that were once stocked in the school during the Japanese occupation. Hence, the JRU bombers.

As the Red Lions come face to face with the Bombers at the Araneta Coliseum for Game 1, we will see who goes home with the hopia or magtutulo laway for winning the game.

"Worlds Within" on GMA 7 or ABS-CBN?

Filipino fans of Korean novelas will soon witness the team up of Hyun Bin (Kim Sam Soon, Snow Queen, A Millionaire's First Love) and Song Hye Gyo (Full House, Endless Love: Autumn in my Heart) in "Worlds Within".

The 16-part Korean drama is about "overcoming the complications that arise from unspokern barriers" as Bin portrays a fledgling director, Jeong Ji-Oh while Song also plays a director, Joo Joon-yeong.

"Worlds Within" is Hyun Bin's comeback to the small screen after 2 years. His last was the romantic comedy hit "Kim Sam Soon". On the other hand, "Worlds Within" is Song Hye Gyo's return to television after "Full House" (with Korean superstar Rain) which was released 4 years ago. Both were aired on GMA-7.

"Worlds Within" was filmed in South Korea and on location in Singapore. It will feature the sights of Sentosa island, Singapore River, and Orchard Road.

The cast had a press conference in Singapore last week and revealed the poster for the drama which will be aired in South Korea on October 27th and in other Asian countries by November 2008.

Neither GMA-7 and ABS-CBN 2 has confirmed if they bought the rights to air "Worlds Within" from KBS2.

Methink that it's good to see Song Hye Gyo and Hyun Bin back on the small tube. I guess, GMA-7 should shell out some money and buy the TV rights for this Korean drama because they've been having a disappointing program line-up lately. Thank God, that horrendously stupid Filipino version of "Ako si Kim Sam Soon" will soon end on GMA 7. While ABS-CBN has been working hard on their line up, too. Methink that ABS-CBN's "Three Daddy and One Mommy" is funny and entertaining.

Out: Friendster In: FrensZone

The Battle of Social Networking sites is on with the arrival of FrensZone.

Earn CA$H and rewards by uploading photos, videos and MP3, creating groups, blog, events, classifieds, commenting on members' profiles, announcing parties or events, rating other members' profile and photos, other members viewing your profile, other members viewing your photos, other members viewing your blog, videos and music, other members viewing your group and inviting your friends to join.

So saan ka pa? Go na.... Go!!!!!!!

Rave: Super Size Pastillas

Today, my home province of Bulacan shall attempt to hit the "Amazing Feats" Category of the prestigious Guiness Book of World Records with the longest pastillas (pastilles) in the world. This sweet-tooth event will coincide with the 430th founding anniversary of the province.

Pastillas is a delicacy which is basically made up of pure carabao's milk and sugar. This mixture is boiled until it becomes soft and white-brown and rolled under a bed of granulated white sugar. Then it is traditionally wrapped in an intricately colorful and painstakingly designed papel de hapon.

Numerous provinces and towns in the Philippines have attempted to rival yet miserably failed the pastillas made in the town of San Miguel. Since then, San Miguel has been considered the pastillas capital since they produce the best tasting pastillas. Hands down, the BEST!

I remember my Dad would drive all the way to San Miguel just to buy pastillas from his supplier. He buys it by the kilo because it is cheaper than to buy it by the box. Though bought by the kilo, the pastillas are still carefully wrapped and placed in boxes. And when he comes home, my family would immediately devour these pastillas. So when my parents migrated in the States, we almost filled up a balikbayan box with pastillas as pasalubong for my brothers, sisters and of course, for their grandchildren.

As my fellow Bulakenyos unwrap this mouth-watering 200 meter pastillas at the province's Capitol Grounds, I can just imagine the creamy goodness of The Bulacan Pastillas.

Willy Wonka at UP-PGH?

Woke up really early this morning at 4 to get ready to queue for the submission of staff nurse requirements at the Department of Nursing Research and Development (DNRD) office of the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH).


This was my second time to line up for the designated date of submission since I didn't make it to the 60 slots for applicants in March 22, 2008 because I came there late. So this morning, I got there really early. The sun hasn't come out yet as it was still dark. Time checked in: 5:15 A.M.

Following the advice of my friends, I came in straight to the PGH lobby, passed the security guards then to the second floor where the DNRD office is located without any hitch. I planned to bring my brown envelope with my requirements only but I thought I would appear conspicuous as an applicant to the prying eyes of the lobby guards so I decided to bring my bag. So when I got to the DNRD office, there were only 5 applicants. I learned that they came in from the ER of the hospital since the lobby guards were stalling applicants from coming in. So we waited for few minutes until one of the guards told us to leave the DNRD premises and go to the lobby where other applicants were waiting. But we didn't budge. We just scrammed and then returned to our posts.

At around 5:30 A.M., a couple of applicants joined us at our posts and they told us that there was a list at the lobby where applicants were asked to log in their names. But we were hesitant to go to the lobby because we may not be able to return to our posts if the list prepared by the guards will not be honored by the DNRD office. Fifteen minutes later, my former classmate and friend, J, came in and saw me. I found out that one of the applicants was one of their trainees, E. So J told us to join her at their unit if the guards continue to bother us.

So we went in to J's unit and talked with the other nurses who were curious of the growing crowd at the lobby. We told them that those people were nurse applicants, too and that there was a list floating around in the lobby for these applicants. They told us that we should remain at our posts at the DNRD office since it has been the practice that whoever is in the line gets the slot. But E was still bothered about getting our names written on the list so she got my ID and have our names listed. When E got back, she said we got numbers 66 and 67. Darn! They will only get 65 new applicants for the Nursing Proficiency Exam. But she said that there were other retakers who were listed, so we might get in.

7:35 A.M.: We went to our post at the DNRD office and saw about a dozen applicants waiting for the office to open. A few minutes later, one of the nurse officers, let's call her Nurse M blurted out and said, "Sino ba masusunod, silang nasa baba or kami dito sa office?" (Who should be the one calling the shots, those people at the lobby or us?) Nurse M. assured us that they will talk to the Nursing Service Office about the situation.

7:46 A.M.: Chief Nurse Ms. T came in to the office. A few minutes later, Nurse M went out of the DNRD office and told us that after a meeting with the Security Officers and the Chief Nurse, DNRD will have to honor the list in the lobby. Disappointed, we went down the lobby and saw Nurse R calling out the names of applicants from the list and awarding them numbers that seemed like to me, Willy Wonka's Golden Ticket. Methink, I hauled myself out of bed for nothing?

8:15 A.M.
Nurse R: Dela Cruz, Rosario
Nurse R: First time applicant or retaker?
Applicant: First time applicant
Nurse R: (Gives a piece of paper with number 46)

E told me that it was number 55 on the list.

Nurse R: Amiro, Jay
Nurse R: First time applicant or retaker?
Applicant: Retaker
Nurse R: (Hands out a piece of paper with number 5)

Nurse R: Cenon, Christopher?
Nurse R: First time applicant or retaker?

Number 57, 58, 59... on the list
Nurse R hands a piece of paper for retakers and first time applicants

Nurse R: Tan, Kristina... Tan, Kristina?
(Nobody answered...going once, going twice...)
Nurse R calls on another name.

Number 65 on the list...Yey! We're getting close, I thought
Number 66 on the list. It was E. Nurse R gave her a piece paper with number 55.


And yes, I was the next on the list and Nurse R called my name and I came forward. She asked, "First time applicant or retaker?"

"First time applicant, Ma'am," I answered. Then Nurse R gave me the "Golden Ticket" No. 56. Wohoooo!!!

So E and I hurriedly went up to the DNRD office and saw the 54 other applicants who were ready to submit their requirements. We waited in line again. Of course this is U.P. or the University of Pila (queue) after all.

10:15 A.M.: Finally, I was able to submit my requirements, paid the P150 exam fee, and got my exam permit.

I went out of the UP-PGH premises with the scorching heat of the sun and noxious pollution of Taft Avenue blowing into my face. I came out really exhausted yet happy because I got my "Golden Ticket."

But hey, it doesn't stop there. The saga continues as I take my exam on Thursday. Whew!

Redux: SBC vs. Letran

I woke up this morning with an SMS from my Letran batchmate and friend JP Soriano of GMA-7, "Ei, lets watch letran beda game sa sept. 10 =)"

"Oh no! Not again!" I quipped.

Almost a year ago, I came to watch the penultimate final game series between San Beda and Letran with Jaime, Carmela and JP. We watched at the patron side and witnessed how the Red Lions devoured the Letran Knights off its feet. It was such a disappointing game.

Soon as Letran's hymn was played, we held our fists high in the air and tried to sing the hymn which I forgot what the song meant because it was in Spanish. Soon after, the Letran spectators began leaving the bleachers when San Beda played that all-familiar hymn which resonated across the coliseum.

I told my friends, I just have to watch this... NO, I have to sing this!

How can I forget that Maramba-Roco composition when I've been singing it all my preschool, grade school and high school lives? The Bedan Hymn which has been embedded in my mind at the same time when I learned to memorize 'Lupang Hinirang.'

My Letran friends obliged as they knew that I was a mongrel of both schools. I couldn't resist clapping or rooting for Beda when the games were on because they knew I was a Bedista.

As we left the Big Dome, I met my batchmates and friends from San Beda and exchanged high-fives because we won. Not until my high school friend Teejay spilled that I was a "balimbing" or turncoat because I was also a Letranista. Yes, you may call me a turncoat but I've been a Bedista since birth along with my brothers and cousins.

I may have spent one of the best times of my college lives (plural form) in Letran but I won't allow my being a Bedista to be disparaged just like that.

And so, on Wednesday, I will be watching the Letran-San Beda face off once again and I will be rooting for both teams again.

Win or lose, but one thing is for sure, I'd still be going home happy.

VountFEEr Nurse

The Oxford English Dictionary definition of volunteer:


vol·un·teer
• a person who freely offers to do something
• a person who works for an organization without being paid

In the Philippines and for new Filipino nurses:

vol·un·teer
• a registered nurse who either pays a fee to a hospital ranging from P2,500 to P10,000 ($55 to $222) for a duration of 6 weeks to 6 months, or works for free in a hospital, with a promise of getting hired in the future which seldom happens.

Other terminologies used: Post-graduate courses, Advancement Program, Basic Skills Training, Competency Enhancement Training, Training Courses

RANT: A Nation of Resting Nurses

400,000 licensed nurses have no jobs in RP – PRC
By Mayen Jaymalin (Philippine Star: September 1, 2008)

Nearly half a million licensed Filipino nurses are now out of jobs.

The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) reported that the country now has an oversupply of 400,000 licensed nurses.

“Both public and private hospitals could only accommodate 60,000 positions, so right now we have an oversupply of 400,000 nurses,” said PRC Commissioner Ruth Padilla.

Padilla pointed out that the country produces 100,000 licensed nurses annually, but there are no additional positions created in both government and private hospitals nationwide.

She, however, expressed confidence that a lot of employment opportunities abroad are available for those licensed Filipino nurses who cannot find jobs in the country.

“We will not have difficulty meeting the high demand for nurses abroad because we have an oversupply. We welcome opportunities outside the country,” Padilla said.

The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) earlier reported numerous job orders for Filipino nurses overseas, particularly among highly developed countries.

POEA said the high demand for Filipino nurses is expected to continue for years because of the aging population in many highly developed countries.

But the Philippine Nursing Association (PNA) said the country now has an oversupply of nurses because of the continuing decline in the hiring of Filipino nurses overseas.

For the past years, the PNA said the demand for nurses in key destinations like the United States and the United Kingdom has declined due to US visa retrogression and the shift in UK’s policy.

Padilla, however, said the government is now negotiating for agreements that would allow the hiring of Filipino nurses in various countries.

-- xxx --

Methink, the national government should raise the budget allocation to the health sector for the upgrading of provincial or regional hospitals nationwide. This would give Filipino nurses the required training and experience for local employment and deployment abroad. They should do this instead of allocating big chunks of the trillion peso national budget to military airplanes that are "widow makers" and "flying coffins."

The Philippine Nurses Association (PNA) should also start doing its job by upholding the rights of nurses instead of collecting annual fees for a membership that doesn't benefit nurses. It should make its presence more felt than just be quasi doomsayers among unemployed nurses.

Lastly, parents and high school seniors should think twice about pursuing a degree in nursing. Not only the capital outlay of nursing education is tremendously costly but the return on investment is uncertain.

(Photo from the October 2, 2007 Oathtaking of Nurses at the Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City.)