Eventful Week

Warning: LONG POST AHEAD!

Straight to the happenings, shall we?

1. Labor Day (Tuesday)

I went to the Bacolod City Plaza to meet up with Tatay for the International Workers’ Day Commemoration. After 126 years since the Haymarket Affair of 1886, the struggle of the working class still continues. As usual, it was characterized by chanting (“Makibaka, Huwag Matakot!”), marches and rallies, placards and streamers, and speeches of representatives from the marginalized sectors. As usual, the demands of the Filipino working class are security of employment, proper wages, proper employment, respect for human rights, and other socioeconomic reforms. As usual, the entities and institutions (especially the government) tasked with the implementation of such reforms are taking slow because they have other[s']* “agenda” to prioritize. As usual, there were entertaining, enlightening, and inspiring presentations from cultural groups between every talk or speech from the representatives.

What made May Day 2012 distinct is that Rep. Neri Colmenares (of Bayan Muna Partylist) was there at Bacolod City Plaza. He gave a talk on efforts to mobilize public servants in the House of Representatives to support/uphold pro-working class propositions/policies. These pro-worker agendas include the across-the-board, across-the-nation P125 wage increase for all public workers, Php6K increase for private employees, and nationalized industrialization. He also condemned those “bureaucrats” (a.k.a. “trapos” – traditional politicians) for siding with corporations/elitists and backing up anti-worker agenda (including demolitions in urban areas, contractualization of employees, and privatization of public/government assets and properties).

There was another distinction to this year’s Mayo Uno. According to Promotion of Church People’s Response (PCPR) National Chairperson Fr. Jerry Sabado, the military visited the Bishop’s House beside the Cathedral and in front of the Bacolod City Plaza. Allegedly, they were having a meeting with Bishop Navarra and other clergy of the Diocese of Bacolod. The notion of having the military visit that particular venue when a particular commemoration was being held on that particular day smells fishy and sounds suspicious. This reminded me of the “abominations”** an enlightened friend told me about.

And as usual, we capped the commemoration with waving flags and raised fists while singing the anthem of the working class.

* other[s] – big-time transnational, foreign & local investors and corporations
** abominations – beings corrupted by alterations brought about by power

2. Visit from Girl Buddies. Again. (Wednesday)

Since the midterm exams for summer classes were coming, I needed some diversion to break the tension and ease my stressed state before I continue tending to my academic undertakings (i.e. mga tulun-an). So, I invited my two buddies without Y-chromosomes, cousin Rhofel and “Nang” Miloy at home. We had some snacks, watched some cool videos, exchanged movies and books, and, of course, had interesting conversations on stuff. Of course, like I promised, I displayed the product of my “culinary finesse” by serving them my original (I think) mango-cashew wantons***.

Also, to “motivate” them to arrive, I told them that whoever arrives late gets a penalty. Taking advantage of proximity (her house is near mine), Rhofel arrived first. Poor “Nang” Miloy had to “suffer the consequences” of being the last one to arrive: I made her eat some dastardly confectionery imported from Europe. Never really knew what it’s called, so I researched and hypothesized that the “sweet of suffering” I gave “Nang” Miloy is called licorice.

Anyway, I thank “Nang” Miloy and Rhofel for keeping this senile 20-year old freak-of-nature company. Even if I have to pull off a Bilbo-Baggins-in-Bag-End routine, their company will always be countered with my hospitality; their friendship with mine.

(Sorry for the agony of your taste buds, “Nang”.  )

*** – I derived from Alton “Mr. Good Eats” Brown’s recipe

3. Summer 2012 Midterm Exams (Thursday)

The exams I took seemed like trivia questions, like a game show… without cash prizes. (T-T)

I had all three subjects on the same day, which meant… FREE DAY ON FRIDAY! WOOHOO!!!

Just a sidenote: There are people in the exam room who are also taking the said exam. The only difference between you and them are that you studied well, you arrived early, you have your permit and blue books ready, AND YOU DON’T NEED TO CHEAT. Such people contrary to those descriptions are called SCUMBAGS. And the worst scumbags are those who “ask you a favor” IN THE EXAM ROOM WHEN YOU ARE ABOUT TO FINISH YOUR EXAM AND FINALLY DEPART TOWARDS SWEET, SWEET LIBERTY. BEWARE OF SUCH SCUMBAGS.

In the evening, Nanay, Tatay and I had a great dinner at Alice’s Recipes. Their food is awesome, especially the pancit molo and pork ribs.

4. LOTR – Battle for Middle-Earth Madness! (Thursday-Saturday)

J.R.R. Tolkien created a great legendarium. Peter Jackson et al made a great trilogy of movies (to be followed by two more). Then, Electronic Arts made a great real-time strategy game.

I actually finished the Evil campaign months ago, crushing my enemies with multitudes of Orcs, Uruk-hai, Haradrim, a dozen Trolls, a Balrog (summoned for the final blow) and other nasties under the command of Saruman, Lurtz and the Witch King. Now, I am in the midst of the Good Campaign as I lead Gondor, Rohan and the Fellowship to victories for the Free Peoples of Middle-Earth.

My tactics for conquest? Overwhelm with numbers, obtain upgrades, and beat the hell out of the Enemy with sheer force. Do summon some temporary allies when in a pinch. Create archers (and towers) for defense. Do create cavalry for patrols, reconnaissance, and hit-and-run. Do level up each battalion. And for the love of Sam Hill, GET FIRE ARROWS!

Sigh… the death screams of Uruk-Hai (when charged by Rohirrim or shot by Archers/Elves) still echo in my mind. Next weekend naman ah.

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That’s all for the meantime, folks. Good luck, godspeed, God bless!