metro manila tour

I had a tour of Metro Manila this morning, with the help of Elson, the office driver. It's actually job-related but Elson and I connived to take some tour of Makati, Eastwood, Fort Boni, Edsa, Cubao and Malacanang rolled into one trip. This chance I get every month.

Makati is getting old. Only its shopping district is getting remodelled. Eastwood is like a wine. It gets better as it grows old. The achitecture of the place goes with the feel of the place. There is distinct feel of romance with the place's architectire and design. I hope the succeeding developments will abide with that.

I finally got the chance to see most of Fort Boni's street art. They are amazing! I join Daphne Osena's call to promote public art in this country. We are a country of artists. Aren't we the country of Juan Lunas and Amorsolos? Soon, I'll be back to have my pictures taken.

EDSA is still EDSA. The billboards cramp the view of the CBDs along the way. The traffic is still slow, but has improved since the previous years. Malacanang needs beautification. The landmarks within its border are decaying.

Overall, the Fort Boni is the most exciting place I visited. I have to schedule another day to cover the whole place.

Born of boredom

It's August 19, Quezon City day after the father of my city, Manuel L. Quezon (who is apart from being a statesman, is also good at women), who is also the father of our national language, Filipino. That is why August is our Buwan ng Wika/National Language Month.

Kaya naman, eto. Ang Filipino ang aking pambansang wika. Pero sa pagdaan ng panahon nag-evolve na ito. (Halata ba?) May jejemon language, may gay linggo, may inday quotes at iba pa. Naabsorb na nito ang iba pang lengguahe.

So back to English and to my point today. This note is born out of boredom. I should be studying now for my exam this Saturday but no. I read Raj's book Eleven Minutes and learn some things about love and sex. I surf the net from lunch up to now. And I am not minding the pressure of knowing that a majority of my classmates are laboring to prepare for that exam.

I am bored. I am thinking if it is just for today or of my life in general. I want an answer now, but I am too bored to even bother.

The Resurrection

Three days ago, Inna bade good bye. Maybe she gave up on me for not studying that hard for my law subjects, as hard as I used to in my MA subjects. I may be bitter that she left me after years of love-hate relationship. But I have to move on. Yesterday, I went to Shopwise Cubao and the nearby SM to scout for a new study lamp. I wanted to buy that of Raj's lamp (only in red) which could double as a side lamp. But looking at it, it is too bulky for the limited space I got in my unit. I scoured other stores and found the one in Ace Hardware. It is the smaller version of what I initially wanted. Plus it fits well in my study area. Meet Max, the resurrection of Inna. I hope to have years of fruitful study with her. Just like the way Inna and I did.

The Funeral

Last Friday the Thirteenth, my study lamp for almost eight years bade good bye and graduated a life well served. It has been with me through college, post graduate in urban planning and my first two years in law school. Aside from it being a "sulit" buy, for serving me those long years at a bargain price of P199, my study lamp is my reliable study buddy. Before your funeral, I would like to name you "Inna". Aside from being an "Ilaw ng aking tahanan", your brand actually says your a product of Tokina. Anyways. Good bye Inna. You served me well and your loyalty is unquestionable but I am sorry I need to replace you really soon.

Inna

Summer of 2003- Rainy 2010

Oathtaking

It's official. I am now a licensed environmental/urban planner.


When I took my MA four years ago, I never thought that it has a board exam. Well, my graduate course has none so knowing that my post-graduate course has makes me excited. Last June 14-15, I took the EnP board exam, with only three days of review. Yup, that's right. I only reviewed exactly three days before the exam. Taking the exam is just an afterthought after I declined joining an international convention in Korea because it will cover my first month during the first sem in law school.

After the first day of exam, I thought I am not going to pass. I failed to review a bulk of the concepts covered. I thought of not returning the next day. But I went on and thought I did well the next day. The questions are relatively easier and being a law student helped. The exam questions covered statutes on planning and some constitutional law concepts. Yesterday, I took of my oath in Club Filipino. Time to think how to maximize this profession.