Thank you 'heads fans

The Eraserheads concert went through last Saturday and was cut short since they needed to rush Ely to the hospital (hope he'd be fine by now). Nope, wasn't anywhere near the venue (sigh). That's why I'm thanking the hordes of 'heads fans for posting videos on youtube. That's the next best thing I could get for the experience.

Ebook Freebie

While waiting for my kid at school I usually find reading a pleasant and fruitful way of spending time at the waiting area. So I managed to gather this collection of more than two dozen ebooks and book summaries that I wish to share with you. Every month I'm giving away a title and you can get your copy by sending me an email: glagamayo@yahoo.com. It's totally free, don't worry. The only thing I'll be asking from you is that you post a comment here about your thoughts on the material. Happy readings.

Chugging along the railroad

I was back in Brgy. Palasan Concepcion in Sariaya, Quezon when I chanced upon grade schoolers on their way home. The cheapest and fastest way to get to where they were going home to was to ride the skates.
These makeshift trolley runs along the railroad. These are made of wooden carts running on bearings. Many are powered by a gasoline motor about less than a horsepower. As you can see, a skate doesn't leave the "station" until its overflowing with passengers.
There's a driver who collects three pesos discounted student fare and five pesos for regular passengers. For this ride, the skates will ferry their passengers for about three kilometers. In a usual run, the skates can go all the way to Lucena City.The longest run that these skates made was from Sariaya to Los Baños, Laguna when a group of foreigners tried to ride the skate up to the University of the Philippines. Care to try one yourself?

Beijing Olympics Opening

Spectacular. That's one word to describe it. The Chinese government stopped at nothing to make everything work. Every Olympic host from Athens to Sidney, each city tried to present the best opening. Who could ever forget the bow and arrow lighting of the Olympic flame during the Barcelona games, or the pageantry displayed in LA.

The Chinese tried everything in there arsenal to create the spectacular that was the opening. Here's my take on the opening:
1. Synchronization - the two thousand and eight drum beaters and the the rest of the performers were dead on their cue. The choreographers found it necessary to let everyone wear ear pieces.
2. It was an occasion to remind the world of China's contribution to civilization, from fire works to paper, to kite flying.
3. Use of China's most abundant resource: its population. Just how many performers were there? Lets you remember those old footages of mass calisthenics.

But at the background were some problems encountered mostly by the international journalists. Two Japanese journalists were literally beaten up in Tienanmen Square even if they got permission from the government to report from that location. The Chinese Olympic Committee apologized for this but it's damage already done. Before that was the issue of internet access.

There's also that issue of air pollution. Haile Gebrselassie pulled out of the marathon because of Beijing's smog. Several American athletes arrived in Beijing wearing face masks for protection. Though the government tried to alleviate the situation but its now obvious their efforts failed.

Before writing this post, Katerina Emmons of the Czech Republic won the first gold medal of the Games in the women's ten meter air rifle competition.
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I was flipping the TV remote between the Olympic opening ceremonies and CNN because about three time zones away conflict is brewing between Russia and Georgia. Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili was on CNN explaining their view of Russia's support to South Ossetian separatists was a sign of aggression and calls on the international community to be aware of the situation. At this time, the conflict have spread across Georgia up to the capital Tbilisi.

Bonifacio Shrine

There are very few monuments or historic places dedicated to Andres Bonifacio. His monument in Caloocan City had been targeted to be removed during the construction of the light rail. Fortunately it didn't happen. A little to the south, at the Balintawak interchange, a smaller monument can be found. It is so small that I never knew it was there.

Bonifacio founded and lead the Katipunan, the secret organization that revolted against Spanish rule. As the Katipunan's Supremo, he organized the different armed groups giving rise to the eight rays of the sun found in the Philippines flag. There's even a student organization, the Plebians, who holds Bonifacio in the highest regard.But as Filipinos we seem to fal short in paying homage to him.

When he was ironically tried for treason and was executed, the military detail simply left him and his brother, Procopio, where they'd fallen. Farmers too pity to bury him. almost everybody else forgot where his body was. Until Manuel Quezon went there simply as a media event. It was only Manila Mayor Villegas who erected a marker which still stands today. The efforts of Maragondon Mayor Andaman made the fitting homage to his final resting place.

Today the Bonifacio shrine is accessible from the highway going to Caylabne through Ternate. The place is great for meetings and fellowship. The memorial is nicely crafted with the statue of Bonifacio, bound but unwaiveringly defiant, as he faces the firing squad.

Visit the Bonifacio shrine at Brgy. Pinagsanjan, Mt. Hulog, Maragondon, Cavite

Pueblo por la Playa

The travel from PALCON Cooperative in Sariaya was a bit long. We entered the side roads of Pagbilao anticipating what’s in store for us. When we finally got a glimpse of Pueblo por la Playa from the distance, we all knew we’re in for a surprise.

We had to park all vehicles near the entrance, and a shuttle, more like an over stretched golf cart, took us to our villas. It took two of these shuttles to get all of us. The JICA group had their large suitcases with them.

The name of the place was indeed appropriate, there’s the beach, swimming pool, and the design of structures were distinctly Mexican. After unloading in our indigo colored villa, we were taken to the coffee shop, Oaxaca. The place was cozy, umbrella covered coffee tables are arranged overlooking the pool. Tables, chairs, and fixtures (even the floor tiles), carries a lot of Chicano symbolism. Before we had our seafood dinner, our generous host, Cong. Alcala, joined us. In the morning Toshiro took a quick dip in the pool. Obviously not satisfied with the still water, he trasnfered to the beach. Jimmy took a stroll along the shore. You can see him in on the pictures here, but only if you enlarge it. Our host joined us again during breakfast. Afterwards he started heading back home, all of sighing about not having another day in paradise.