Karyoki Balls

Some pics of my first team building with my second team in the office. We call the group "epakors", a play on the real project name. From this point forward, these guys became my good good friends on a professional and personal level. Ü

More posts with these people soon. BTW, please forgive my excessive use of hair gel. I already changed my ways. I swear. Haha. : þ

Fossils taken by RR on March 2007.

Barricade is Guarding Greenhills

Probably the All Spark is hidden behind the glass cabinets of affordable cellphones, underneath the hills of nice clothes, at the back of the racks and racks of shoes or probably inside the "branded" bags for I saw Barricade roaming around my favorite shopping area, Greenhills!

Kidding aside, cool ride San Juan Police! Kudos to your budget officers. Ü

Image taken by a certain "iamthegraymatter", from http://media.photobucket.com/image/san%20juan%20police%20car/iamthegraymatter/sjpolicearsmoving.jpg

Management Course

This one from a forwarded email. Enjoy! : þ

Management Course

A man is getting into the shower just as his wife is finishing up her shower, when the doorbell rings. The wife quickly wraps herself in a towel and runs downstairs. When she opens the door, there stands Bob, the next-door neighbor. Before she says a word, Bob says, "I'll give you $800 to drop that towel." After thinking for a moment, the woman drops her towel and stands naked in front of Bob. After a few seconds, Bob hands her $800 and leaves. The woman wraps back up in the towel and goes back upstairs. When she gets to the bathroom, her husband asks, "Who was that?" "It was Bob the next-door neighbor," she replies. "Great," the husband says, "did he say anything about the $800 he owes me?"

Moral of the story: If you share critical information pertaining to credit and risk with your shareholders in time, you may be in a position to prevent avoidable exposure.

---

A priest offered a nun a lift. She got in and crossed her legs, forcing her gown to reveal a leg. The priest nearly had an accident. After controlling the car, he stealthily slid his hand up her leg. The nun said, "Father, remember Psalm 129?" The priest removed his hand. But, changing gears, he let his hand slide up her leg again. The nun once again said, "Father, remember Psalm 129?" The priest apologized "Sorry sister but the flesh is weak." Arriving at the convent, the nun sighed heavily and went on her way. On his arrival at the church, the priest rushed to look up Psalm 129. It said, "Go forth and seek, further up, you will find glory."

Moral of the story: If you are not well-informed in your job, you might miss a great opportunity.

---

A sales rep, an admin clerk, and their manager are walking to lunch when they find an antique oil lamp. They rub it and a genie comes out. The genie says, "I'll give each of you just one wish." "Me first! Me first!" says the admin clerk. "I want to be in the Bahamas , driving a speedboat, without a care in the world." Puff! She's gone. "Me next! Me next!" says the sales rep. "I want to be in Hawaii, relaxing on the beach with my personal masseuse, an endless supply of Pina Coladas and the love of my life." Puff! He's gone. "OK, you're up," the Genie says to the manager. The manager says, "I want those two back in the office after lunch."

Moral of the story: Always let your boss have the first say.

---

An eagle was sitting on a tree resting, doing nothing. A small rabbit saw the eagle and asked him, "Can I also sit like you and do nothing?" The eagle answered, "Sure, why not." So, the rabbit sat on the ground below the eagle and rested. All of a sudden, a fox appeared, jumped on the rabbit and ate it.

Moral of the story: To be sitting and doing nothing, you must be sitting very, very high up.

---

A turkey was chatting with a bull. "I would love to be able to get to the top of that tree," sighed the turkey, "but I haven't got the energy." "Well, why don't you nibble on some of my droppings?" replied the bull. "They're packed with nutrients." The turkey pecked at a lump of dung, and found it actually gave him enough strength to reach the lowest branch of the tree. The next day, after eating some more dung, he reached the second branch. Finally after a fourth night, the turkey was proudly perched at the top of the tree. He was promptly spotted by a farmer, who shot him out of the tree.

Moral of the story: Bull crap might get you to the top, but it won't keep you there.

---

A little bird was flying south for the winter. It was so cold the bird froze and fell to the ground into a large field. While he was lying there, a cow came by and dropped some dung on him. As the frozen bird lay there in the pile of cow dung, he began to realize how warm he was. The dung was actually thawing him out! He lay there all warm and happy, and soon began to sing for joy. A passing cat heard the bird singing and came to investigate. Following the sound, the cat discovered the bird under the pile of cow dung, and promptly dug him out and ate him.

Morals of the story: Not everyone who craps on you is your enemy. Not everyone who gets you out of crap is your friend. And when you're in deep crap, it's best to keep your mouth shut.

Urbanite Run: Beyond the Numbers : þ

The race started at 8:15 PM instead of the scheduled 8:00 PM. I was near the front rows with my friends during gun start but after a couple of hundred meters, a lot of people overtook just like that. Hehe.

The track was good. Gradual angles of elevation sure is quite a challenge for noob runners like me. Ü I passed up four drinking stations because I thought I'd be overhydrated since I downed almost a bottle of Gatorade a few minutes before the race. And when I approached the fifth oasis, water never tasted that good. Ü

The only thing I didn't like about the run is that there's this long distance between two drinking stations inside Heritage Park. Everything else was great.

I got a loot bag containing drinks (Powerade and Coke Zero) and snacks (Nature Valley Granola Bars) plus a certificate for finishing the race. I clocked in at 1H:48M:46S. Not bad for someone with a hangover I suppose. Haha! : þ

Some facts:

• 46% of the total girls who participated kicked my ass in the clock board
• I outran 268 people!
• But I ate the dust of 458 people : þ
• My average speed was 8.3 KPH
• It took me an average of 7M:15S to cover a single KM
• From the 12.5 KM marker up to the finish line, I passed 5 runners!
• And 70 passed me : þ
• I was at the 7.5 KM marker when the 1st placer finished the race
• Hundreds, if not a few thousands of us runners made a lot more people smile in Hands On Manila and 57:75 Ü
• I drank two small cups of water and one bottle of Powerade throughout the race
• And a couple more of San Mig Strong Ice afterwards : þ

My official race results here: http://www.runpix.info/mnb09/00/finord.php?FO=459&FirstName=&LastName=&lan=&aset=0&dist=27&x=44&y=13

Jumper

Some people just love to jump. Hehe. : þ

• Club Manila East, Rizal (January 2008): Joy's despedida before becoming an export to SG; image from Joy's cam



• Cavinti, Laguna (October 2008): Falls sidetrip after a tree-planting event near Lake Caliraya; image courtesy of Ara Dimapilis



• Pula, Ifugao (December 2008): Three-day traverse climb from the rice terraces of Batad to the mountain slopes of Pula; pic taken by Ian Ganigan



• Baguio City (February 2009): Panagbenga trip with the gang; another shot by Ian Ganigan



• Anawangin Cove, Zambales (March 2009): My trademark shot! : þ Captured by Marin Mainit



• Anawangin Cove, Zambales (March 2009): Before going back to Pundaquit; this one from Chris Tacata



• Kabigan Falls, Ilocos Norte (April 2009): Holy week road trip to shrug off life's little upsets Ü; taken by either JC Estrada, Luke Villaruz or Bevs Garcia : þ



• Bohol Beach Club (June 2009): Five-day Cebu-Bohol trip with the gang; image by Chris Tacata



• Kawasan Falls, Cebu (June 2009): The best falls I've been to so far Ü; pic courtesy of Chris Tacata

On UFC 101

UFC 101: Declaration wrapped up with a bang for champions BJ Penn and Anderson Silva, among others. Kudos to both of them!

Lightweight champ Penn stopped the fight via a rear naked choke on Kenny Florian on the fourth round, boosting his ego once again after an epic loss to Georges St. Pierre. This credited him a UFC record as well for defending the LW crown for a number of times (I forgot how many), tied up with Jens Pulver during the latter's career in the early ages of the fight promo.

However, I find it strange the reaction of Forrest Griffin after hitting the canvas courtesy of middleweight champ Silva's "KO jab". When he fell, he raised one leg then raised one hand gesturing to the referee to stop the bout. He then stood up then ran to the locker rooms immediately with no after-fight interview. Joe Rogan must have been equally puzzled.

I read somewhere that he hurt his jaw, making his hearing impaired so he had to get medical attention fast.

Until that's not proven to be the real reason behind it, for the meantime, I'll just believe someone told him to "Run Forrest, Run!" : þ

Pinoy Movie Templates

I've had a good share of Pinoy movies as a kid thanks to my mashed-potato-dancing, new-wave-singing, stiff-but-shiny-clothes-wearing uncle and aunt. After they fetch me from elementary school during the early 90s, they'll ask me to do my homework while they pop tapes into their treasured Betamax. BTW, if you're not aware what a "mashed potato" dance step is, dig around for some videos. Haha.

One thing I noticed about Pinoy movies is that almost always, there's this predictable pattern. I don't know if they're basing it on a template of some sort but WTH, the same all-in-one storyboard occurs that's just so cool! : þ

On a typical Pinoy comedy old movie, the following are not missed:

• Poor guy, rich girl setup
• Pure fun and laughter at first
• A companion of the guy (preferably a bald fellow) will be hit on the head or face numerous times because of his silly antics
• Dancing while singing on the beach production number : þ
• Slow-mo scenes while the girl is running or rolling on the sand
• Then the story will transition into a love plot
• Then villains suddenly appear, triggering action scenes
• Villains could be part of a syndicate aiming for payday against the guy because of his honest acts
• Or another guy that the girl's parents want her to marry (this guy have goons around him because he's rich also)
• When trapped in a very dangerous situation, the girl magically appears with a piece of wood to knock out the villain
• Or she saves the life of the guy by firing a lucky shot then throws the gun away afterwards as if she didn't mean it
• A catchy punch line is delivered after the hero wins
• Freeze photo of the main cast while reacting to a joke, then credits roll

And for old Pinoy action flicks:

• Guy is of authority such as a policeman, from the military, or anyone that wields a gun and very good at it
• Guy wears a black leather jacket that never gets dirty or torn apart
• Girl hates the guy a lot at first
• Then the story will transition into a love plot for inconceivable reasons
• Guy decides to end the bad activities of villains, girl attempts to stop him because of the danger but supports him anyway "para ipaglaban ang nararapat"
• The hero's gun never runs out of ammo! : þ
• Unbelievable punching power and speed of the hero (i.e. KOs goons in just a couple of hits)
• Very old cars are involved in explosions
• Actually, if you spot an old car being used by goons, there's a high chance of it getting blown up later on in the movie
• Explosion scene is shown in varying angles for about three times
• Lots of talking before engaging in the final gun battle
• Final action scenes occur in abandoned warehouses
• Hero is immortal -- never dies, never gets wounded, no weaknesses whatsoever
• Police backup always arrives late
• Optional: Hero becomes a real-life politician in the next decade : þ

If this isn't art, I don't know what is. More national artists please! Ü

Running for Somebody's Life Ü

Before I hit the sack, I would like to promote this event I'm joining this coming Saturday, August 15 -- Kenny's Open 09 Urbanite Run.

This is a run-for-a-cause thing divided into three categories: 5K, 10K and 15K. Recently, running has become one of my passions, tricking me into signing in for 15K. Somebody bless me on Saturday. Hehe.

The run will be held at night in The Fort, which is an urban area. This explains the moniker "Urbanite". Witty, eh? : þ

Beneficiaries are Hands On Manila and 57:75.

More info here: http://kennys.com.ph/kour_index.php

Deception Point the Movie: Any Takers?

I'm a huge fan of books written by Dan Brown. I remember reading four of his books in just a couple of weeks back in my college days, circa 2005. And mind you, those two weeks were our final exams. Hehe.

However, I didn't follow the film The Da Vinci Code for reasons I don't know. It's not that I don't like the cinematography or the cast or any other things. Maybe because I'm just too damn lazy to watch movies back then. On the other hand, I was really excited to watch Angels and Demons when it was aired just recently. Again, for reasons I still don't know. Ü And whenever I recall scenes from the two movies (I recall scenes of The Da Vinci Code from the trailer only : þ), I always see images from my mind that were painted by his "less famous" novel, Deception Point.

Deception Point is about this treachery story involving NASA and some comet buried deep in the Arctic ice coupled with politics and having oceanographer Michael Tolland and daughter-of-a-senator Rachel Sexton as main characters. No further spoilers your honor. Haha. It's worth a read, trust me. Ü

Because of the technology involved and action scenes like that involving a whirlpool to a submarine ride to being chased by the elite Delta Force (just a few more spoilers : þ), I think this storyline deserves to be in the big screen.

Spielberg, Tarantino, Bay, any takers? Heck, I'm even calling out to Dyogi or Caparas. Haha. Just make this good novel a movie fast! : þ

Movie Review: G.I. Joe

The Baroness is blazing hot. Nuff said. : þ

Signos

These here are signs that caught my interest when I came across them. Some are annoying, some are funny. Others are blatantly weird, some are even a bit explicit. Haha. Enjoy! Ü

• Trial And Error



• Isumbong Mo Kay Tufo



• Privilaged



• Twisted



• Toxic Waste?



• No Fun Allowed



• Sexual Discrimination!



• Tinalupang Mani



• Mani Na May Balat



• Think Green



• Who's Calling Me?

• Mushy

• Welcome to You

• Wateber Drayber

• "Thank's"

• So Kind

• Strikto

• Batas

Heroes Renamed

I've been playing DOTA (Defense of the Ancients) for quite some time now, and don't ask if I'm good or not because that's not the topic here! Haha.

Back to the real deal: After extensive research, hours of sleepless nights and countless meals skipped, my co-observers and I finally reached breakthrough! That is, we decoded the sophisticated, highly confidential "naming technique" other players use to brand the characters they play!

Behold, the spoils of our thirst for ultimate knowledge! Okay, you can stop yelling now. Haha.

• Zeus - Sus Ginggino
• Nortrom - Norton
• Bone Clinkz - Bong Klingks
• Broodmother - Brudmama
• Shadow Fiend - Shadow Friend/Shadow Fred
• Sven - Seben
• Magina - Majayna
• Doom Bringer - Dong Bringer
• Abaddon - Abading
• Faceless Void - Payless Boy
• Sand King - Sangking
• Barathrum - Batrum

Seriously, no justice is achieved here. I also realized that I wasted 10 minutes of my life writing this. Haha.

Lost in Mount Maculot?

Mount Maculot
Cuenca, Batangas
685 MASL
Minor Climb
Difficulty 2/9
Trail Class 1-3

In line with my quest to document almost all of my activities here, I'll start off with my Mount Maculot climb way back in January 2007 (ancient, I agree).

Yup, I got lost in such a small mountain. Haha. We got lost because we followed the wrong trail signs left by silly pranksters. We walked for about two hours towards I don't know where, passing through peanut and veggie farms. Haha. Good thing we met village folks gathering some twigs and guided us to the right direction. After following the correct path, in less than an hour we're at the campsite. The view of Taal Lake here is really nice. Ü

How to Skimboard Like an Amateur : þ

Because I brag to my friends that I skimboard even though I'm not that good yet (I suck actually), here's a step-by-step list on how to do it so you can try for yourself. Ü

1. Wear your coolest beach garb so that after showing folks a wide array of falling and bruising yourself like you're getting paid for it, at least you'd still look nice.

2. Find a spot where the shore is flat and the water folds gently to the shoreline. The farther from crowds, the better. This would enable you to preserve your self-esteem a bit longer because you'll hear less laughter and bullying.

3. Carry the board on your side with both hands.

4. Run like crazy. The faster you run, the longer your drift would be. It's good to have motivation so that you can run faster than you really can. Think like someone you fear the most is chasing you, like the devil or something. Haha.

5. Drop the board on your side in such a way that it moves to the same direction you're going.

6. Board the board. Don't jump on it.





Pictures were taken way back in August 2008 by Chris Tacata. We went to an uncommercialized beach after traversing Mount Pico De Loro from Cavite to Batangas. Since the images show my first time skimboarding, you'll notice that I didn't pay attention to Step 1 above. Please bear with it. Haha.