Writing Exercise: My imaginary take on the 2010 Philippine presidential race speech

The Philippine election season is nearing. Trapos (traditional politicians) will once again be in the spotlight. To be expected will be the mudslinging, character assassinations and dirty politics that follow the perverted golden rule – He who has the gold (and the guns, and goons) rules!

Enough of that! The Filipinos deserve better. In less than 400 words, write a speech announcing your own candidacy for the country’s highest post on a platform of ‘change’. Be convincing and inspirational. In short, do an Obama.

Here's the shot on my part:

The country’s boon or bane lies in your hand

Change… One word that’s abrupt, clear, yet so hard to achieve. I’m sure most of you gathered here today will agree that it is what the country needs and what better time to realize it than now!

Let me remind you that with your hand, you were given the power to direct the course of our nation- a right that’s clearly been taken for granted, maligned with apathy, greed and power today. Remember, it took decades of bloodshed and burden on our forefathers so we can enjoy what we have now. Remember, all the hardships and lives lost in the “hand me downs” of corrupt ruling- where poverty is the pestilence and money is reeled in as the cure. If you’ve sold your vote, then it’s as good as you’ve sold yourself, your children and their coming generations to the yoke.

Haven’t we learned from the pages of our nation’s history? How many more EDSA’s we’ll have to go through in order for us to see the adverse effects of our dirty politics and those deceitful in power. Given the current predicament of our country, it is not at all a reason to accept money in exchange for your “little” vote. Sure, you’ll get a fill for your empty stomach, but what is lurking behind the intention to buy your vote? ... Too hungry to even ask why?

Remember that when a corrupt mind is at work, what millions he lost now to buy your vote, he will simply regain and multiply once he’s at the seat of power!
Like a crab nibbling on the fat of the land, the more ruthless he will become with every bite, to get more from you.

I will not say more of the past administrations; you already know who’s who so I leave it up to you to do the accounting.

Open your eyes to your Television… Hear the growing number… wanton cries of the hungry and the oppressed…can these things be measured through the seam of a 1 Piso coin?

I will not promise and I cannot promise you anything, but in the premise of change I’ve climbed up on this podium to speak my mind. I come to you now not only as a candidate but also a friend who’s willing to walk with you in the path and heave my contributions to end our dire… Friends, good afternoon.

Message in a Bottle

Writing Exercise- Strictly Dialogue

This dialogue exercise evolved from a previous one by Luida. It involves writing something that is made up ENTIRELY OF DIALOGUE, but in short story form (NOT MORE than 350 words). That means, you absolutely CANNOT adapt the format of a play (e.g. JUAN: Good morning...). Also, you absolutely CANNOT use speech modifiers (e.g. ...said Juan, Juan said...).

Your piece should be made up entirely of sentences in quotation marks. And your piece must reveal something about the characters, the setting and the conflict/plot only through dialogue. A tip: One way to distinguish each character is to make them sound unique in their lines of dialogue, that way your reader won’t be confused who’s saying what.

Below is my piece, about soldiers trapped in a war.

Defeat and Malaria
(341 words)

“Get up soldier, for Christ’s sake, gather your remaining strengths and belt the enemy until the last round of your ammos!”

“I’d surely fight any day with you sarge, but this damn fever’s creeping in my gut. I’m getting weak with every passing minute, here.. aghh… Do you see my fuckin’ hands? God I’m too damn weak to even raise my rifle… slim chance support will get here. It’s all hopeless sarge, better to be holed up in this damn trench than be butchered above.”

“Do you hear yourself saying that soldier? I can shoot you here right now for uttering that… You used to be a ruthless soldier George, who’ll never think twice to fuck up fear into the enemy’s gut…. think soldier, how many battles we’ve won for home, sure as hell I am not gonna go down here without a fight!... Sam... Go up there and man the machine gun!, Damn mortar rounds are now dropping and the skinnies are inching us by the left flank…Don’t just stand there, maybe this’ll make you… I am not gonna think twice to shoot soldier, so do as you’re ordered!”

“Sarge… Aghh… Sergeant Buck! We’re all gonna die here, I’m telling ya…fighting this stupid war that’s not even ours to fight... we’ve been herded to the slaughter.”

“Get a hold of yourself soldier and fight, support’s gonna be here any minute now so we’ll have to hang on tight.”

“Really sorry sir, but ill just be here and wait for my time as with the others…We’re a brigade when we came here…now we’re reduced to a handful…The enemy was not even upon us then… Aghhh…stupid fever’s eating us one by one…”

“Goddamit soldier, don’t make me shoot you! Do as I say or ill have your head on a platter!”

“This is madness sarge…might as well shoot you to get through your fuckin’ brick head…give me a reason to shoot you… I just want to die in peace, can’t you see that? now go and leave me here to die... please…”

Message in a Bottle

Writing Exercise- Personality sketch in 200 words

Imagine a life cut short into 750-1500 words. This is a writing technique called the personality sketch, which is commonly used for feature writing in paperbacks but has gained popularity in more mainstream media such as newspapers, magazines, periodicals, etc. Here’s an example of a special section published in the New York Times featuring the lives of people who died during the September 11 terrorist attacks.

Choose a person that you know (or create one using your imagination) and write a glimpse of his or her life, personality, idiosyncrasies, etc. Personality sketches usually use anecdotes, direct quotations, physical description, etc., but for the purpose of this writing activity, we can be more “creative” or “imaginative.” Write as you please, and introduce us to that person in no less than 200 words. :P

Below is my piece about a local musician's alterno life.


Julian Sev

Julian was a musician by the core, living and struggling in daylight at a local fast food chain and traversing the now diminishing city bars at night.

For years the downside of the local music industry has gotten into his thoughts and that earning a lump sum from it is always impossible. Sometimes he earns and sometimes he won’t, still he shrugs off that it’s another day to live by.

A musician’s life here in Cebu is uncertain, that he knows now, for no matter how hard he tries and just how focused he is, it’s always a struggle. The next best thing he thought his band could do is to move to Manila and gamble their chances for a break there.

“He’s always spending his time with his band after work and come home drunk on late nights. He just doesn’t have time for us anymore; I think he already has forgotten his duties with our children! I heard he has a relationship with some woman he met after a gig and that he’s now into drugs. That I don’t know if I’ll believe or not. It’s his stupid belief that someday his music will get him and his band far, but the way I see it all their efforts are in vain. It may even be a miracle if we’ll have a decent meal tonight.” His wife Sheree sobs.

Before the band, Julian Sev in his mid- 20’s and a father of 2 great kids, used to be just a reminiscent young man, an engineer by profession and an idealistic family man who always maintain a balance between his hectic schedule of work and quality time. His life made a 360 degree turn when he started a band along with Ernest and Neil. They took on the local music scene thinking that they’ll get somewhere…

Message in a Bottle

The Clandestine - (Writing Exercise: Truth)

Supposing a drunk sits next to you in a bar, thinks you are his or her close friend and starts confessing “the truth.” Write about what “the truth” is in at least 200 words.

Capping my Friday night off the counter, downing 3 cold bottles of beer, I decided this is just one of those nights.

The dimly lit tavern, eyes blinking to the sound of blunt sonatas disturbed once in a while by the laughter of eager individuals relieving their troubles away with restless company.

Drinking my second bottle, I turned around to see who among the populace am I sitting with- but all I can see are silhouettes illuminated by the pale light.

Leaning over to reach for my wallet to pay the sarcastic new bartender who’s constantly eyeing me as if I will scram the minute I’ll stand.

Just then a hand patted mine. I looked up to see a stranger, who’s seemed to have gotten loaded somewhere, looking like an executive but smelling puke and with the look from his sleeves, obviously went through a beating.

Not to be rude and the affable person that I am, I begged pardon and asked who he is and motioned him to take a seat. Maybe I’ve known him from somewhere but I just couldn’t remember…with a rolling gait, he sat down.

He said in a freaky voice…"I am Randy (Hik) and you are Albert (Hik)… the awesome duo who always owns the night!” No I retorted, I’m Jovir and I don’t know you bai…you might have mistaken me for somebody else… He just smiled and pressed a finger in a hush and with a husky voice this time, spoke up “Bartender…bai, I’d like two more bottles of Red Horse kanang bugnaw kaayo” he calls him.

Turning freaky again, “Not another word from you, but did you remember our night out with Frank and Colleen? Jeez, I just don’t know how to say to her face that I'm gay! I mean just being there with the two of them, I just can’t bear looking at frank; my, the look of those muscles took me away for good. I just don’t know how to say this straight to Colleen that I just don’t love her; how with her every caress I long for Frank’s instead. This is what keeps bugging me; maybe you can help me out.

Noticing the situation and realizing evil fun with free beers. I just patted him and quipped “Ow Randy sometimes it’s just easier to let go and tell the truth. After all, it’s your life and your happiness that’s at stake here, better let it go!” all the while motioning him to go on.

“(Hik) You know what bert, I have sinned against my wife big time and I just couldn’t bear the truth of her reaction that her perfect husband is not all whom she thinks! You know what, me and Frank made it out tonight in his car. I had the time of my life when that pun of his made it through, how big as well, felt like my rear’s gonna explode and it’s still aching until now! I know you’ll drool when you’ll see it, but I’m certainly not sharing it with you!”

Nodding my head in sheer amusement with the things I heard, all the while gulping another bottle given by the bartender. I figured not to go on with the conversation so I’ll never hear more of his silly revelations but no, for he uttered further.

“How about we go to the restrooms (Hik) and I’ll let you feel the hole he’s made, I'm sure you’ll love it”

That’s it I’ve had enough…

Message in a Bottle

Writing Exercise: Creative Description (Lechon Cebu!)

Figured to share with you a recent exercise we've had in the writer pool- that's all about creative description. We were given the task to talk about our favorite dish and describe as to why we like it without using adjectives traditionally associated with food. e.g: mouth watering, luscious etc.

The challenge was to come up with a creative way of describing food in 300 words minimum with a 1 hour window. Below is what i did for my part.

Lechon Cebu. I like it because of its meticulous preparation; which is set far apart from the traditional Spanish, Cantonese, and ordinary Filipino recipes.

The mixture of herbs and spices truly come alive the moment a Lechon Cebu is hauled from crimson burning charcoals cooked to perfection under bamboo crisscrosses, served with coconut vinegar, soy sauce and laden with blazing- hot Labuyo chillis.

The fat brown goodness holding an apple in its mouth, all crouched in a wooden tray coupled with its pungent yet pleasant whiff always never fail to lure whenever I’m in functions or in celebrations.

So enticing that it makes me automatically wanting to grab a plate and take a piece of it even in a boodle fight!

With every begotten slice- which in my case, comprise a large portion of the ever crusty skin near the mid section all the way to ribs, the sight of the brittle brown crust, syrupy and fair white meat underneath gives a flare to my eyes and rumble to my belly, giving my senses the stern announcement that another good thing (let alone the health complications and conscience breaking news which will soon follow if I ate too much) is rounding up the corner and coming their way.

The moment I take a bite, the burst of zest coming from the mixture of essences off the herbs and spices- which has now seeped through the meat after the long and rigorous cooking process truly lingers around my tongue and makes me want to take some more.

Such is the effect of Lechon Cebu for me that it has become quite my fancy even in hangouts with friends.

Conversations with Lechon Cebu and bottles of beer on the side, marks reward for camaraderie and pleasantries. With every bite and every sip, a companion for a good tete-a-tete among peers whenever, wherever.

Message in a Bottle

Writing Exercise 33: The Alternate Ending

In our last writing exercise, we were given the time to produce our very own alternate ending to Neil Gaiman's Babycakes in 150 words minimum.

Here's my very own continuation to the story.

View also Neil Gaiman reading Babycakes on Youtube

Babycakes
Neil Gaiman

A few years back all the animals went away.

We woke up one morning, and they just weren't there anymore. They didn't even leave us a note, or say good-bye. We never figured out quite where they'd gone.

We missed them.

Some of us thought that the world had ended, but it hadn't. There just weren't any more animals. No cats or rabbits, no dogs or whales, no fish in the seas, no birds in the skies.

We were all alone.

We didn't know what to do.

We wandered around lost, for a time, and then someone pointed out that just because we didn't have any animals anymore, that was no reason to change our lives. No reason to change our diets or to cease testing products that might cause us harm.

After all, there were still babies.

Babies can't talk. They can hardly move. A baby is not a rational thinking creature.

We made babies.

And we used them.

Some of them we ate. Baby flesh is tender and succulent.

We flayed their skin and decorated ourselves in it. Baby leather is soft and comfortable.

Some of them we tested.

We taped open their eyes, dripped detergents and shampoos in, a drop at a time.

We scarred them and scalded them. We burnt them. We clamped them and planted electrodes in their brains. We grafted, and we froze, and we irradiated.

The babies breathed our smoke, and the babies' veins flowed with our medicines and drugs, until they stopped breathing or until their blood ceased to flow.

It was hard, of course, but it was necessary.

No one could deny that.

With the animals gone, what else could we do?

Some people complained, of course. But then, they always do.

And everything went back to normal.

***

In time, this cannibalistic tradition, a by- product of a chaotic mind engulfed and trapped in the obsession for the rival of homo-sapiens' domination; flourished without inquiry.

As if given the power to rule over the Supreme Being’s enigmatic creations, the consumption was with cult following.

It has never come to pass, as in a conspiracy; everyone was destined to follow.

Then that fateful day did came. For in a turmoil of emotion, a youth that was tucked safely away and was forced to slumber under the bowels of our forsaken civilization, stood up.

No more did he say.

At the gathering for the fools feast, to the elders, he did point and raised the QUESTION.

In the shadows of murmurs, praises and protest, he pointed the inevitable.

And in the eyes of the gathering, at the swift hack of the executioner’s blade he was slain.

Sparkling and dripping in filth, his blood reflects an uprising against a rubbish tradition.

I was a part of that unruly crowd that night and I too felt ashamed of what i have become,

I QUESTIONED myself for every drop of innocent blood spilled...

Many years has passed since the last gathering, and everyone lived in peace; everyone figured it would end.

Then as in a swift awakening, the grey clouds of yesterday slowly melted away;

For now, our most shrewd learned to make animals out of babies...

Jasmin Uy

Message in a Bottle

Writing Exercises: Making a Super-product Flyer

In the writer's pool we had a stretch to make a flyer copy for a super product we can think of, in an hour, complete with loads of information for the product in one small piece of paper and still manage to keep it interesting to sell even if the product itself may come as boring.

Here's what i came up with...hahaha

Time Capsule Coffin ZXD

In 201 B.C. the Pharaohs of Egypt built the great pyramids to settle in when they die and to preserve their bodies,watching the eons pass by...

Well, they gave us wonders to see, but did their sarcophagi and pyramids held true to their motive?

From the makers of NASA Space capsules – Pantheon Technologies Ltd. comes the state of the art innovation of a funeral equipment that everybody most offend neglects and hates the sight of – the traditional coffin.

Now you’ll never be afraid of death and look at coffins the same way again with Time Capsule Coffin ZXD complete with technological features:

• Titanium Exoskeleton for maximum protection from the elements and the wear and tear of time
  

• NBC (Nuclear, Biochemical, and Chemical) shield
• Lifetime- Environment Microchip Controller, giving you the right amount of moisture and preservative- for that fresh first day of death look
• EVAC INI- Evacuation Initiator, with all-terrain wheels and rocket boosters (Your computer guardian complete with danger sensors to automatically transfer you to another area in cases of emergency)
  
• Light Weight and No Batteries! – Time capsule coffins come with self producing power paint that will last as long your coffin does
• Comes in Custom-made Stylish Colors and Designs that will surely fit you and your lifestyle

With Time Capsule Coffin ZXD, unlike the foolish pharaohs, why would you just live for one lifetime when you can last FOREVER…

Visit our website now at: www.pantheontech.com or call our toll free hotline at: 1-800-622. Our friendly technicians will attend to your needs 24/7. Just contact us thru these details and we’ll visit, advice, and give a quote on the unit that you want, wherever you are in the World!

Pantheon Technologies Ltd.

Harnessing technology to stand the test of time

www.pantheontech.com

Writing exercises: 30-word Cinquains

I got the idea for this great writing exercise from Adria's Cinquain community project site; do check her site out at: http://incinq.blogspot.com and get in line with everybody's bigger picture of life, expressed in a few words.(as always, more power to you and thanks for the inspiration.)

I shared it among the writer pool, along with some pictures as topics, with a format of having 30 words (5 lines x 6 words on each.)

Below are what I came up for my part.

A.



B.





A. Living with hunger

I swallowed my pride in asking

The pain, deliberate hunger hid undertow

Getting weaker, death in the making,

Crawling, aching, feeling my blood flow

Hoping for pity you might bestow.

B. Toilet Blues

Gripping mayhem with hands trembling stiff

Cursing the heavens, running down fast

Holding, gastronomic gases that people sniff

In desperation, hold out the last

Letting out bowels, watching them splat.

View: http://www.yuwie.com/jovir

Source: Message in a Bottle

Tagai kog Haiku- Three senseless Haikus in the traditional format

Pole vault

Hanging in the air

A grip and a mechanism

Dash and jump to surpass the goal

Capoiera

A dancing beat flies

Lethal but fun to witness

Quick paced atmosphere

Flood

A sudden flutter

Clears the dampening bottom

I wade my guts by

View: http://www.yuwie.com/jovir

Source: Message in a Bottle

My writing exercises: Acrostics (poetry with acronyms)

What's in a name?
Well, I interpreted mine in poetic lines in our recently concluded exercises. Try yours and fire away!

The Eagle

Just as the sun rises in the east,

Over the silent hills, fertile valleys he seeks.

Vines and wires, the long miles he takes.

In search of prey, to fill his hungry heart with a feast,

Roaring courage like thunder, but swift as the wind;

A king is on the hunt again.

Master of the heavens, yet frail in manner,

An eagle is proud with no prejudice; yet a comical hunter.

To live by the claw and rule the clouds,

Over nature’s mercenaries, lay claim to their blood.

Naive yet a killer, merciless; an arrogant scream he cries,

Gone in a blink after a graceful killing; he takes to the skies.

Source: Message in a Bottle

Writing exercises: (Nano- fiction composition in 55 words)

Figured this is a great exercise. In the writer's pool we were given instructions to come up with a nano-fiction in just 55 words, titles to start and with the parts:

a. Setting
b. Character/ characters
c. Conflict
d. Resolution

1. Trouble on the mountain side

They were just miles away to reach the ground. Pete, Sam and their guides were taking a break near the crevasse, took their last look at the mysterious beauty surrounding Devil’s gate. “We’d better be off guys, before it gets dark. Sam, is that snow coming down the side?” “Nope” Sam replied “its just clouds.”

2. Christmas in the Ant Colony

Christmas, the time for feasting in the ant colony. The queen before the crowd of workers decreed that whoever will open the enormous storage bins will become her king. Five drones and two workers stepped up for the challenge. The five drones failed but the workers succeeded, thus, the two became kings, a crown each.

3. Interfering with History

The time machine swiveled. From inside, Peter and Paul stepped out cautiously to see a prehistoric world before them. “All follies and ridicules are now long gone Paul, Look at the sight! we’d better step out and explore!” “wait” Paul retorted. “Perhaps we should linger awhile inside, I hear a ferocious roar in the distance.”

Writing Exercises: (Writing a personality profile without using a single Adjective- 300 words minimum)

whew! figured I have to post this one- another exercise given by my boss and man, I sucked myself on making it! I reviewed this one before submission, but still a few words managed to get through my caffeine infested eyes. This page, became bloody red upon checking.

Me in a nutshell

I was born into this world in the year of our lord, nineteen hundred and eighty, to teachers’- Jose and Virginia Amatong. I was raised by my parents in the town of Compostela – a town situated at the northern part of the island and stands approximately 24 kilometers from the metropolitan and has been enjoying my stay in that town ever since.

I attained the levels of education in the centers of learning on that place and eventually moved to the city.

After graduation, I immediately worked and moved from different establishments in the city to explore the other fields of writing before eventually moving to iCOMM International in order to equip my skills further in writing for the World Wide Web, marketing, and advertising.

I am one with adventurism, open-mindedness, and curiosity. I am willing to just about venture into anything that I might find to be of worth knowing.

I am an enthusiast of music- to the point where I’m singing the genre I like on stage, goldfishes, sci-fi and fantasy books, movies, arcade and PC strategy games, and I have a penchant for gardening and is slowly developing my knowledge in raising the ruminants on our farm.

In the 26 years of my existence, I am still wandering about, gathering what I could to prepare myself for married life. I have a fiancé right now and I admit that even if the thought of marrying her is on my mind I am still considering a lot of things. For one, I fear marriage without stability and I want things to go smoothly when the time has come for me to face that, without sacrificing my freedom to do the things I like.

I really enjoy the freedom that I have for now. Being a child without siblings, has taught me a lot of things- not only in the aspects of personality, my being, and all those things that can only be taught inside the four corners of a classroom, but how I look at freedom and life in a kaleidoscope of a child without siblings, left on his decisions to wander in the streets.

This is me, said in a nutshell.

The Prisoner (An office daydream)

Tonight ill climb those high walls again
Which to me, no man would dare climb
Go past the sentries, In the dead of the night.
Run past the watchdogs, with eyes red as blood.
Ravenous, with teeth razor sharp.

Step upon those thorny bushes that cut like knives
Past those gleaming searchlights.
Get a grip on those protruding white stones
Slowly and painfully inch my way to the top.

This ball and chain ill try to break away
With an iron saw in hand, coupled with a hardened gut
frail hands must cut through this cell
A small burden for a prize I had long for.

Surely they’ll hit me with what they’ve got
The cunning arts I must employ
Battle with my fears, grind my teeth
In silence, I must camouflage.

In hell’s kitchen I will burn,
To get caught or not,
The only cards I’ll play

If I’d get caught
My body, in bullet holes will be pierced
But It’s worth the gamble, for freedom I pray…

Then all of a sudden, What the heck?
The thought I must leave for another day
For I’ve just waken up from a daydream.
Wipe the drool off my chin.

I still have to work, on my PC I suppose,
Got a moments loss, into a doze
Assignments to finish, and earn my way
For the good of my wages, there are bills to pay… (JAmatong)

Message in a Bottle

Writing Exercises: A Love Letter ( A gay criminal writes to his police captor)

A letter written in perfumed stationery was posted on a local police precinct bulletin board, and reads:

Dearest SPO3 N. Santiliano,

Though this letter may come as very surprising and embarrassing to you, but please know that I’m only grabbing the last opportunity that’s left for me in this world to let you know how much I feel for you. Before ill walk the dark aisle that leads to death’s chamber tomorrow, I’ll utter for the first time the words that I feared that someday ill say. “I love you” and I guess ill carve my feelings for you on the headstone of my grave.

I remembered the first time that our paths met clearly, that it seems forever etched in my mind. It started on a typical Monday morning, when after a few shots rang out, you and your partner were abruptly chasing me on the gutters of Avenue 21 after I punched a couple of holes on that little old lady who refused to hand me her purse.

I ran as fast as I could to get away from you, but when I turned around and saw you chasing me I was stunned, it’s as if I got lost in the moment and I could not move. How I loved seeing your kinky hair that came to me like shining spirals in the pale-yellow light of the morning; and seeing the shadow of your silhouette approaching me in a fast pace; yes I couldn’t run.

How I loved the scent of your perfume and the way you grabbed me with ease and precision. The part that almost melted me into a drool was when you handcuffed me, yes our eyes met in a daze.

Since that fateful moment, I was never the same again. It melted the street-hardened heart that was in me and it seems like the everyday hardships that I had to endure in this rusted prison cell came to me like a scout on camp for an evening with marshmallows roasting on a bonfire.

Yes, I love you Nilo, even if it takes the dignity that’s in me, for you mean and will always be my world. Sadly I bid to you my heart this evening as soon as the prison chaplain arrives and let everyone be the witness of my undying love before I heed death’s calling for the wrong that I have committed.

Just grant me the very last of my wishes, and ill be the happiest one to enter the dreaded chamber come dawn’s first rays of light.

Loving you on death row,

Horacio “Boy- Bakal” Igmi

View: http://www.yuwie.com/jovir

The Loon Bohol Diarrhea Outbreak- (That pesky restroom urge)

With the recent news about an outbreak of diarrhea in the small town of Loon, Bohol (The Freeman Newspaper, Cebu 02/01/2007 / Jasmin Uy below) should teach not only the residents but us a lesson or two to keep sanitation a constant in our homes; this alarm has led to the hospitalization of hundreds of residents and claimed a couple of lives.

This just holds true to the fact (though a bit hard to admit) that with the coming of age for the Philippines, still a lot of our citizens, especially those that are living in far off countrysides, STILL DON’T HAVE TOILETS!

I find it ironic that as the country is slowly emerging in the business world and that the government sat busily promoting I.T. and exports, then news such as this comes along.

Man it’s 2007 and problems such these should have been long gone. I leave credits to the government because I find their information drive to be adequate but the real problem is in the people; because from what I’ve seen, even patches of small forests, beaches, and dark areas are not safe for would be- portable toilet seekers!

Just took a walk at a local beach once, I felt relaxed seeing the serene view and the calmness of the water, then all of a sudden Splat! I stepped upon a land mine (poop, I mean). There you have it; perhaps we should educate ourselves the right manners straight to our brains, because if we don’t then unhealthy events such as this pesky restroom urge will always leave us dry, once in a while.

DOH: Bacteria caused Loon diarrhea outbreak
The Freeman 02/01/2007

The presence of bacteria in the drinking water triggered the diarrhea outbreak that killed four people and hospitalized more than 400 others in Loon, Bohol, according to the Department of Health. DOH regional director Susana Madarietta said shigella flexneri, amoeba and e-coli are the kinds of bacteria that contaminated the drinking water of residents in Loon brought about by their unsanitary practices.

DOH confirmed the presence of bacteria in 12 out of the 14 rectal swabs from the diarrhea patients in the place. Test results showed that amoeba, e-coli and shigella flexneri bacteria have caused bacillary dysentery or diarrhea among the patients. Compared to amoeba, shigella flexneri spreads very easily.

The presence of the bacteria means that the water source of Loon has been contaminated. "The presence of shigella flexneri means water contamination from human feces," Madarietta said.

Loon Mayor Cesar Lopez, a doctor, said the bacteria came mostly from fecal oral root, which means that "it came from water and that it spreads through person-to-person contact." However, DOH is still awaiting the results of the water analysis from at least three water sources of Loon and two refilling stations. The water analysis is being conducted at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center.

Even if DOH officials have already pinpointed the bacteria, they will still need the results of the water analysis for comparison. Madarietta said they have already put in place a command outpost in Loon that will provide medicine, fluids and needles to the residents, adding that they are visiting every household to educate them on proper sanitation and distribute packs chlorine.

Aside from boiling the water, DOH also recommended proper hygiene such as constant hand washing as well as proper waste disposal. Lopez said the public can already get water from their water source but for safety measures, each household should also practice self-chlorination.

He said one of the major problems in the town is that some houses, especially those in the mountain barangays, do not have toilets. Because of this, residents are used to disposing of their human wastes outside their homes. The incessant rains last December until the early part of January could have caused the fecal matter to seep into the water sources.

Lopez said with this development, the local government should implement the Sanitation Code of the Philippines, explaining that under the law, each household should have its own sanitary toilet. He said since Dec. 25, there have been 408 victims of the diarrhea outbreak with two fatalities - a three-year-old girl and a 57-year-old woman. But he added that the 58-year-old woman reported as the latest fatality died of infection in the upper respiratory system.

At least 369 patients were admitted to different hospitals in Bohol. As of yesterday, some 80 patients remain at the Natalio Castillo Memorial Hospital. - Jasmin R. Uy

View: http://www.yuwie.com/jovir

Writing exercises: Mama Sita (Reflection monologue)

Mama Sita, what was once the bold, now sits sadly on her rocking chair in a state-owned nursing home and is kept alive by social welfare. There is no one left to care for her; no immediate family, no relatives- with the passing years, they all went and were laid to rest in their graves.

Now a frail old woman, her wrinkles lay witness to the passing ages; sadly sit on her rocking chair, looks before the mirror to see a sad lifeless shell looking back, and slowly tears began to fall from her eyes…

“Never in my life have I imagined that this moment will come… its 2007 and all those years that have passed before me, lay wasted. How did I let myself be fooled by my two- cent conscience to believe that a life of celibacy would do me a great favor and will make a good example for other women in my time to be free- forever free from the burden of having to care for a good for nothing man, free from the burden of having to care for his children, free from the burden of carrying his children in my womb for nine months, and most of all to preserve my chastity.

Yes, I was popular back then, for my belief has attracted the attention of everyone but at what expense? Now that I am on my 98^th year at the peak of the ladder of life, I have no one to turn to except these white walls.

There is no more turning back, I will gladly face my death and accept defeat without even tasting that organic heaven that makes up a man.

How could I have feasted my body on that sizzling organic life form, squeezed its life juices until I’ve satisfied myself and enjoyed the joyous pain. I could have borne children, which could have cared for me when I have gotten old and would have gladly passed on the genes of their bold mother to the coming generations.

I could’ve made a family, a family that’s happy and full of life, and best of all I could have shared the cradle of happiness doing those nightly rituals with a better half.

Yes I’ve been a fool all along, how I envy the other patients when their families pay them a visit but here I am, sitting like a rotten apple awaiting death for the worms in this nursing home...I have no one to turn to and perhaps one of these coming days I’ll die, but on the bright side; I have no one to pass on my guilt. (Silently sobs).”

View: http://www.yuwie.com/jovir

Writing Exercises: The Reunion and the Loss (Scriptwriting)

Character description:

Gino Carpio: A “Balikbayan” Marine engineer who has recently been home fresh from his exploits in the United States, to the small town of Moalboal. They are childhood friends with Melvin but got separated for many years after Gino’s family moved to manila for him and his siblings to study.

John Peli: A proud owner of a popular “sari-sari” store chain in Moalboal’s town market. He has been longing to see Gino again but lost contact with his friend. After graduating college, he has managed to put up his own business and has been prosperous ever since.

Scene 1
One early morning, as Gino was jogging off in the town plaza, he decided to go around the town’s important places and see what changes had he missed after he left it.

As breakfast time is growing near, he decided that a bowl of “Utan bisaya” would be a great alternative to his usual American diet and a healthy one too, considering the parties and beers that he has taken up since he came home the other day.

So he decided to proceed to the town market and buy the vegetables that he need to brew up a healthy bowl.

He looked around at how his town market have changed, in infrastructure- far from his childhood days wherein he’d picture out cigar smoking fat ladies just selling their goods off from blankets all laden with the fruits, vegetables, and poultry products that the town has to offer.

He was just gathering up the items on his list when he happened to spot from one of the stalls, his childhood friend and confidant, John busily attending to his customers.

He came up to him, said his greetings and teary eyed gave John a hug and a kiss, (which was their usual greeting back in their childhood days) much to the amazement of onlookers.

At first, John was astonished and was not able to recognize him right away but after seeing Gino’s eyebrow, was able to recognize him and return the greetings.

Gino started a conversation with John, and started talking- reminiscing the times that they’ve spent together.

Gino: (after staring at Melvin for a minute) Did I ever tell you about Daisy? Daisy Fuentes I mean.

John: Err, did you say anything? Ohh yeah… Daisy now I remember! Why what’s up with her?

Gino: Yup Daisy, the girl whom I used to date back in high school, man how cute she has become! Just this morning I saw her jogging in the town plaza, and I recognized her right away. Man was she hot! Looking at those curves, wonder if she’s still single though; I haven’t got the chance to come up to her as I was going the other way.

John: I see, (looking at Gino with eyebrows raised) well she’s just around. News is that she’s married with two kids and she’s working at the municipal hall. She has been here in my place a lot and what a coincidence, just the other day she was here and asked a few questions about you too.

Gino: Dude, the guy that must have got her is the luckiest, I mean just by looking at her; she hasn’t aged a bit and the way I see it, she’s so sexy that she could easily pass as single in my eyes!

John: Err, hihihi. (drawing Gino’s attention to a bunch of spring onions) these would be great for “Utan” just add in the chicken and you’re good to go!

Gino: What’s up with you? I thought I told you I wanted to buy vegetables for “Utan” not “Tinola”!

John: Err, sorry… hihihi just got carried away. Anyway, I figured you might like to buy these too just in case

Gino: hahaha, man you still haven’t changed a bit, don’t you? You always seem to be thinking of something else whenever we’re talking

John: Err, yeah so I thought so anyway…

Gino: Now getting back to where we stopped, man Daisy….she’s the best! Anyways, so who’s the lucky guy?

John: Err, yup…me.

Gino: hahaha, your joking man, really… you?

John: Yup, I’ve been looking for ways to tell you this, but after you left her, we got engaged and got married. We now have two kids.

Gino: (Staring staring silently at Melvin) wooh no way! Really?... She married you?

John: Yup, and has always been for three years now

Gino: Really can’t believe it but anyways man, but I think it’s getting late and I have to cook these. Maybe, I could visit you at your house and meet with you guys one of these days?

John: Sure no problem man, but I think any day this week would be a bad idea. We’re so busy here (mouth starts to hone up bubbles, and starts to drool; drawing Gino’s attention)…maybe next week…

Gino: Hey your mouth’s watering man! Quit the joke already…hey, you guys (to the other sales clerks) lend me some help here! there’s something wrong with Melvin… hey, you ok? (catches a collapsing John) say something dude!...here…

John: Yes, I think the zoo is a terrific idea…

Lights dim, curtains close (End of Scene 1)

Writing exercise: A Blood- stained alibi (The most absurd alibis)

A blood-stained letter found posted on the fridge:

Hi Hon,

By this time you might be packing your things, and I can understand why, and don’t worry I don’t blame you but circumstance itself for what happened.

After the incident last night and after the sheer horror of seeing how you reacted so harshly with our large chef’s knife and cut off my better half.

I will just say here my side of the story in the hope that you’d listen, and hopefully after I have recuperated from this really numbing pain here in this stupid hospital, we will be given the chance to go on with our normal lives.

Hon, after you left the house at around 7:00 pm for your usual Saturday night grocery shopping, I just was lying on our sofa watching my favorite anime show. This went on for an hour, but I got bored and hot so I figured on turning on the air conditioner but the damned thing broke! Since no one was around, the crazy idea to just lie there completely naked came in to my head. When I got bored watching I changed channels but there were no sensible shows to watch, aside from Basic Instinct which is a new thing to watch (far apart from the gospel shows in channel 36 which I watch regularly.)

Suddenly Anna, our next door neighbor and a nursing student rang on the door. I got up and put on my boxers and answered her courteously. She asked me to help her with her assignment on some healthcare and birth control topics for her midterm exams due next week and knowing that I could very well help her with her problem that’s why I let her in.

The activities for the topics were very easy, I just explained to her about contraceptives and stuff (hence, the 3 condoms that are on top of the table which for the record, we never used.)

We were in the middle of this activity when I heard a sudden thud in the street outside. I checked the door and found a pair of handcuffs sitting on top of one of your rose pots (how it got there, I really don’t know. Perhaps our other neighbor, who’s a cop, might have dropped it there.)

I figured that he might look for it later, so I just put it on top of the living room table as well and got on with our activity with Anna.

How we ended up naked on the sofa when you came in, I’ll explain though this might come in a bit absurd. We were just about brushing things up with a recap when Anna suddenly blurted out jokingly if it would be possible for me to get naked and identify to her my hidden parts that she said a few women are able to see.

Man! I was dumbfounded, but in my playful sense got myself naked in her sight. She became red upon seeing ‘it’ and I identified to her some parts as well. After seeing her reaction, I jokingly opted that she get naked also, which to my surprise she willingly did! She asked me a few questions if her boobies were of a pleasurable sight and if her figure is fit. (Really no malice at all, that’s what we did.)

That’s the part when you came in and reacted so irrationally, but I cannot blame you after seeing such a sight, and oh one more thing before I end this letter as the pain from my wound is now unbearable, I bought for you last week, the book “How to Drive Your Lover Crazy in Bed” the book that you’ve been longing to read. I searched a couple of bookstores and luckily found one. You seem to have missed it when it’s sitting on top of the table all the time.

If you’ll be willing to listen please do me a favor and visit me here.

Loving you no less,

Honey

A Future with Robots (Article late this year)

Since my childhood years, I have always been fascinated with Robots. How I’d like to play my C3PO and R2D2 action figures and imagine them to be real - going about the crucial situations and conditions in our lives, whether it be at the battlefield acting as replacement for soldiers thereby minimizing lives lost in wars, in disasters such as fires and earthquakes, in medical emergencies acting as aide or replacement for doctors, as pets, and in our homes doing the daily chores (which I believe some of us hate).

Thanks to the advancement of 21st Century robotics, that dream seems to be slowly inching its way to reality.

Nowadays, there seems to be a growing trend towards developing more sophisticated robots that are not just mere “Toys” but can do just as much as their human counterparts or even better, robots that can do what might seem impossible for humans to do.

In this issue, we’ll take a peek at what is happening in the world of robotics, which has pit Governments, Independent Research facilities, private individuals, and Gadget companies in a blitz race to compete with one another to achieve the perfect machine, capable of making the lives of its human masters easier.

For starters, let’s have a look at the popular humanoid robots made by top Japanese firms Sony and Honda.

Qrio

Meet the playful Qrio
Sony Intelligence Dynamics Laboratories Inc. in their efforts to study how humans will react and accept partnership with robots, came up with a rather quite-small humanoid robot named Qrio. It is capable of walking uphill, singing, dancing, waving hello, wiggle its fingers and kick a ball with grace.

It has two digital cameras, one behind each eye, which helps it to map a room for future reference and recognize up to 10 different faces. This small robot can even converse in Japanese mind you!

Scientists tested Qrio by letting it participate in an experiment where it acted as playmate for toddlers at a nursery school in California.

At first the children where reluctant and did not know what to do with the robot but after a few hours of spending time together, accepted it as one of their own-even helping it get up when it falls, much to the excitement of its makers.

Scientists hoped that through this activity, they will be able to collect the necessary data that will help them alleviate errors in future experiments.

Asimo

Meet little wonder ASIMO and cousin ASIMO P3
From Honda Motor Co., comes a new small-lightweight humanoid robot named ASIMO (Short for Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility). This little astronaut, as commonly called because of its close resemblance, is capable of walking in a manner that is similar to a human being. Its hand and finger movements have also been increased, acting also similar to how a human would act!

This one is a product of Honda’s research of developing a robot that can be helpful to humans as well as providing practical use in society.

Earlier this month, did you know that for the first time in the history of the New York Stock Exchange, a robot rang the bell to start the trade! Yes believe it, it was ASIMO who rang the bell announcing the traditional start of trading, and not a famous personality or dignitary which has always been the usual custom.

These are but only a few of the advances made by today’s robotics, and the race still continues. Governments like the United States, Canada, Korea, and Japan are tapping on their military research facilities, and private firms to develop robots and unmanned vehicles that will someday replace their soldiers on the front lines, some armed and some for reconnaissance.

Someday in a not so distant future, robots will surely be working alongside us. Who knows maybe by then (God forbids, I still want to keep my job... giggles) we’ll have robots and computers in our offices that work by themselves without our aide.

View: http://www.yuwie.com/jovir

Writing Exercises: Minimalism - The Defense of the Weak

Pirates, munitions running out, sailed in retreat against stout hearts.
The battle raged, whilst no victor can be adjudged
Heaved mightily, to the last drop of blood
Weaklings, yet determined to defend their land
The townsfolk, manned the fortress guns
Fought against panic and fear
The fortress slowly crumbles
Hearts foul intent
Pirate cannons!
Boom!