go, go, go, ale, ale, ale!

I was quietly writing the previous blog when this blasted out of the speakers of the school near us:

Do you really want it?
Do you really want it?
Do you really want it?
Go, go, go, ale, ale, ale!
Go, go, go, ale, ale, ale!
Go, go, go, here we go, yeah!

I soon discovered that it was the school's foundation day. It wasn't the best song choice for background music, but I didn't really mind it. But suddenly, "clap clap clap, thank you for that great performance, students". I paused and tried to digest what I just heard. Someone, or a group actually performed to the tune of Ricky Martin's Cup of Life.

certified platinum and gold around the world, really? wow.

Imagine 30 some year old people dancing, complete with costumes and with faces displaying determination, perseverance, courage, and all that good stuff about victory. I regret not seeing the performance, it would've been hilarious, and perhaps, a little bit inspirational. Well, no, not inspirational.

I wasn't sure if what I heard and experienced was real. All I thought was, "Where am I? 1998"?

mr. fancy pants

This happened a few months ago, when Sheila, my partner, was pregnant. I was made very familiar with pregnant ladies' clothing. Her wardrobe changed from tight pants, and baby tees to maternity pants, and empire cut dresses.

I was grocery shopping, and I spotted this young man. A student from the looks of it, probably high school. What gave him away were his backpack, and his fresh pimples. He's trying to be trendy, I can tell. You will be able too, if you saw him. He was sporting a faux hawk, I think, or a hairstyle that would make you look like a hipster. He also wore an earring on one ear. Plus Ray-Bans. Yeah, cool. This is what caught my attention - he was wearing one of these:

flowers not included

I had a hard time deciding whether to laugh or be sad. I chuckled. Though I immediately felt sorry for the dude. I was certain that he had no idea if what he was wearing was appropriate, all he cared about was to look cool. Perhaps he was, to his friends who were also oblivious about it. He just went out to go ukay and thought, uy, pag ni-low waist ko to, mukhang harlem pants (these look like harlem pants), which I think are stupid, by the way.

In a related circumstance, in a prom held in a school near us, I saw a dude wearing a ladies' blazer instead of a suit. Maybe these two were buddies.

I might be missing out on a trend. Maybe I should start wearing a skirt.

t-shirt hunt

I just got hired recently. Naturally, my new employer would require me to get a police clearance certificate. There really wasn't urgency in it, but since I was going out that day, I might as well get one. Sayang ang gas (I'd save gas if I run two errands in one run), I thought.

It was particularly hot that day, so I did what any smart person would do - dress minimally. I was sporting the standard fare sando, walking shorts and flipflops, (you'll barely see me in anything else). So off I went, to ask another favor from the government, which I am never fond of. Like most people, I hate dealing with them, but that's another story.

So I was at the police station now, after dodging more "people in authority", LTO, MMDA, and the likes, who gets paid with the taxes I pay, (I was on my scooter - no license, registration, side mirrors and helmet - which, the reason behind why I don't like to comply, again, is another story).

"Punta ka munisipyo, kuha ka ng OR", (proceed to the town hall, get an OR).

Great. So I went there. Standard procedure - fill up form, stand in line, talk to grouchy government employees, pay 100 pesos, then run back to the police station, which, by the way, was pretty far if you took a walk, but fairly near if you had a vehicle, which wasn't much of a relief because the traffic there is always terrible. And I was back. Only to find out that I had to pay another 100 pesos.

This should go smoothly now, I thought. Then this happened:

"Sir, may baon ba kayong t-shirt", (Sir, did you bring a t-shirt)?

"Wala e", (No, i don't).

"Kelangan po kasi naka t-shirt" (You need to wear one).

"What's the rationale behind that rule"?

"Sabi po kasi ni Hepe samin" (The Chief requires it).

Frontliners, blind obedience, just following orders. It would be futile to reason with these people. They were looking at me with faces that read, tsk, reklamador.

"Uwi ka muna, palit ka ng T-shirt", (Go home, change into a t-shirt).

"Sandali, mag ukay lang ako", (I'll just buy one at a thrift store), with a tone suggesting that this is going to cause huge inconvenience just to fulfill a rule that doesn't seem to be based on strong reasons. I had to endure not washing the shirt before wearing it but I was too lazy and currently displeased with the situation to go home and get a t-shirt.

I rushed to one of the ukay ukays, not really minding what I'd buy, the only considerations were it must be really cheap, and it was a t-shirt. My expectations were exceeded. For a mere 30 pesos, this is a pretty awesome shirt.

the kind of cotton that hugs you. plus the bear. a screaming bear wearing a hat and a cardigan. how cool is that?