The best thing about waking up early, like 8am (not early for some) is that I can do a lot of stuff up until 10pm or so. Today, I went to a picnic with Church members, all Koreans, who invited me to join them for what they call “Children’s Day. We went to an island off the coast of Busan where we enjoyed biking, playing ball games and a couple of other stuff together. It was similar to what Filipinos usually do. For the first time, I felt like I was in the Philippines in a foreign land.
At around 3pm, right after packing up, my friend told me about going to a hot tub. I did not hear him well and thought that what he said was “bus stop.” Until he stopped his car to an establishment that is as common as restaurants in Korea… and then I realized, oh Jimjillbang! The last time I was nude in a public or semi-public area was during my grade six Boy Scout camp. Almost 8 years later, I found myself naked with Korean men in a public bath, popularly known as Jimjillbang. So many young Korean men were inside naked when we entered because it was a holiday. It wasn’t really a surprise but it just isn’t a Filipino custom to visit public baths. Of course I know that JimJillBang won’t work in the Philippines because of a totally different culture, not to mention that many gays would make it an excuse just to see what they want to see and not really to relax and clean their bodies.
Inside a Jimjillbang, there is a public bath area equipped with hot and cold tubs. You choose among 45, 40 or 20 degrees Celsius and then you dip yourself as long as you want. I couldn’t bear the warm or rather hot water of the hot tub so I chose the cold tub. You can hire the service of one of their staff for scrubbing, what you do is just lie down, and he’ll scrub you until all of your skin’s impurities are removed. I find it uncomfortable though. Some people were sleeping in the public bath. In the Jimjillbag area, we ate something like a “Halo Halo” while staying in a very warm place. They said Koreans are usually so busy so they don’t sweat often, especially true during winter and spring. That makes a night in a very warm, “sweat-stimulating” place like JimJillBang a big thing for busy people in this country. At 6:30pm, one of my only two professors provided us with a nice dinner treat – Samgyupsal. Samgyupsal is as simple as grilled pork, maybe.
Anyhow, nothing very important happened. I just thought of writing so I won’t forget this memorable day!
Three weeks ago, I saw three political advertisements on YouTube from two of the most obvious presidential candidates for 2010. Manny Villar’s “ITIK” and “OFW” ads and Mar Roxas “Padyak” ad are clear signs of the TRAPOS. It is very disappointing that our leading presidential contenders are using the poor to advance their political ambitions. It is very clear. Manny Villar already said he’s running. He even said if you could not raise tons of money, why even run. Mar Roxas will surely run for President as evidenced by his refusal to take part in Kaya Natin’s selection process for a single reform candidate.
Now, what do these political advertisements show? It shows the immaturity of Philippine politics. During the2008 US Presidential campaign, I noticed how Hillary, Obama and McCain tried to explain their visions and policies for America. They tried to be as creative as possible and they made use of everything at their disposal to carry out their message of change for the American voters. They drew their differences clearly for the people. They were bold and specific. Obama’s change message was victorious as he specifically pushed for his own economic blue print, policies on pulling US troops out of Iraq, and taking care of the middle class. Hillary’s health care reform agenda was specifically appealing to the voters although Hillary’s image as a political establishment became her liability. McCain’s maverick image, conservative stance on issues and his VP choice Sarah Palin gave him more than 56 million votes failing Obama to claim the “landslide victory” tag for his win. But for 2 years, I didn’t see Hillary dancing or Obama telling how he, as a Senator helped a local small business to progress or McCain doing something like doing the job of Joe the Plumber.
In the Philippines, when election season comes, you see politicians dancing or mingling with the poor instead of explaining how they are going to specifically address the problems of the nation when elected. And to think, it is not yet campaign period.
Also in YouTube, Manny Villar’s Ad about him paying the plane tickets of 7 unfortunate OFWs from Dubai was analyzed by someone wise enough to do so. It says
(Paraphrased) Now let’s do the Math. The economy fare from Dubai to Manila is around 400 Pounds, one way and even cheaper if there are promos, which are usual these days due to stiff airline competition. One-way airfare Dubai-Manila in Philippine Pesos would be 33,147.397. Villar brought home 7 unfortunate OFWs so 7 x 33,147.397 = PhP 232,031.779. It means, Manny Villar or his office spent around 250,000 pesos. Now let’s compare that to how much Villar spent for this TV ad. Primetime rate is 301,000 pesos per spot for a 30-seconder ad. Now, how many times have you seen this ad? Every time you see the ad in primetime, Villar pays 301,000 pesos. If you saw it ten times, then that’s times ten. Now think about it!
And by the way, what will the Filipino people benefit from advertisements like those of Mar and Manny? Manny Villar wants to stress that he’s helping the poor. That means he is not sincere at all because if he is, why tell it to the world? Mar Roxas’ Padyak ad is very senseless. “Ako na! Hindi ko kayo pababayaan. Lalaban tayo!” Hello?!!!
Again, it is not yet campaign period. Those advertisements don’t teach us anything. They don’t teach us to vote the best candidates with the vision and the right policies for next year’s election. They are not giving tips on how to grow a small enterprise or on how to make good money out of Padyak. They simply want to promote themselves. It is ok if they don’t spend anything. But every time we see the ad, hundreds of thousands of pesos are spent either by their public office (using the people’s money) or by themselves (which I doubt). One prime time airing of those ads could actually feed three poor families for one whole year... imagine that! Now imagine how many times you’ve seen those ads?
Let us campaign hard enough for the failures of these two candidates. Reading the comments of YouTube users criticizing those ads is giving us HOPE that Filipinos will make a good decision next year!
DO NOT VOTE MAR ROXAS (even if he marries KORINA and they dance together to the tune of a novelty song)!
DO NOT VOTE MANNY VILLAR (even if he runs hundreds of Ads telling you that he is very helpful)!!!!
VOTE a CANDIDATE for his records and VISIONS and POLICIES for the PHILIPPINES… no other reason!
It is a very complex word yet so easy to impose. Maybe, you judge a person, a situation, a subject basing on where you are coming from, your current overpowering emotions and your belief that you are right. I am writing this because I have just been judged. Whether that judgment is premature or immature, is something I do not understand and is another story.
Let me say that I have had my own share of failed judgments in the past - premature, immature and ineffective ones that led to “disasters.” Nevertheless, those had taught me one important decision-making lesson and that is to avoid making decisions while I am being overpowered by whatever emotion. One big thing is to keep my silence and avoid any of my present raw ideas to come out through whatever channels and I find it effective in avoiding disastrous decision or judgments. One single judgment can ruin friendships forever and before you know it, not even your sincerest apology can reverse things.
Judgment is very important. Usually, many of us more often than not judge prematurely or immaturely and decide…. causing raw ideas to flow, relationships to be damaged, and irreversible situations to happen.
Perception. I have read that when you are at the height of your emotions, your perceptions are being altered making you see only the things you want to see or things that would feed you with the much needed boost or that would fuel your sense of suspicion.
10 Days before flying to China, and trekking Mongolia!
Exactly 10 days from now, I will be flying to Beijing for my first ever “real” backpacking” adventures. My backpack is ready, my body programmed for the coldest moments of my life, and my mind set for whatever to happen.
I am so excited to start this adventure, in pursuit of pleasure…! The Great Wall of China, the modernity of Beijing and the contrast that will be presented by the largest public square in the world and the Forbidden City, the legendary Trans-Siberian train, the Gobi Desert at Winter, the Red Warrior City known to travelers as UB or Ulan Bator, the Gers and the nomads of Mongolia… the snow peaked mountains, the frozen rivers, the long haired camels, and traveling alone at a freezing negative 10-40 degrees Celsius, among other amazing experiences all for 19 days during the coldest month of the year!
But 10 days before my trip, the Korean Won has weakened. It is now 1400 KW to 1 US Dollar. Bad news. I know this is not the best time for traveling but do I have a choice? Spring Semester is approaching.
For more than a year I have dreamed of making this happen… and 10 days from now, it will. I first dreamed of Thailand. But I am going farther. And I have always said I want to be a traveler… to see the world in light and in the right perspectives, to see wonders, to experience cultures, to meet people, to reflect and renew my spirit, to get out of this box, of this society, to stop conforming for while, to show myself without a package and to finally find meaning to my life and the world!
I got my Chinese Visa three weeks before my scheduled departure and two weeks after I got my AirChina ticket. Thanks to my professor who went to the consulate to pick it up.
It was 2 months ago when I started to think about going to Mongolia... passing through China. Now this is it! My Backpacking Adventures are soon to begin...
I was on my way to the bus stop this afternoon in Sasang district when I passed by this Korean guy who was offering a FREE HUG. I did not see anyone hugging him.
Some were curiously staring at him and reading the sign he was holding... others were ignoring him...
It was too bad I didn't have my DSLR with me... so I just used my point and shoot. Hehe.
And by the way, the guy was wearing a mask because it's too cold... it's normal here wearing that thing at winter....
Beijing, Northern China, The Legendary Trans Siberian Train, Gobi Desert, Mongolia! Everything at Winter! 2 Countries, 16 Days!
I couldn't believe it until I finally saw my plane tickets in my hands...
I will be leaving Busan, Korea on February 4 via AirChina, China's biggest and only 5-star airline! Ohh ha! Returning to Busan a week before Spring Semester starts.
Thank You 2008 The Year of Meeting People from many parts of the World... The year of many travels
Went to so many beaches... Studied overseas... Met classmates from so many parts of the Wold... Met so many dynamic young persons... and so much more... my 2008 cannot be represented by words or even these pictures aren't enough.
My dear former boss Kimee’s write-ups on her blog make me want to write. The words in bold face are “copy-pasted” and the rest, of course are mine. I have been living here in Korea for more than a month already and the unpredictable, constantly changing weather here seems to describe my topsy-turvy inner feelings that seem to be on a see-saw going up and down as I do my daily routine of attending classes (which I don’t enjoy by the way), fulfilling the required hanging out at a school café where Korean students go to avail of free English conversations, and going up to our dormitory that makes everyone climb Mount Baekyang. How tiring.
For now, I am a toy in a box. And how I wish soon the good Lord can breathe me life again so I can go out and do things that are meant for me. So here is my wish list that I hope to complete before August 2009.
My short-term wishlist:
Dear Father God:
Discover. Trek Mt. Beakyang, reach its peak. Get lost in Seoul. Side trip China and see the Great Wall or ride the fast craft and island-hop in Japan. Reveal my hidden love for alcohol, drink Soju with international friends or make them fall in love with San Miguel.
Revitalize. Jim jill bang!
Sharpen. Focus.
Indulge. Walk, meditate and reflect in ancient temples.
Earn. Work and enjoy! Or make my University think about hiring me for good!
Bow down. Meditate at an ancient Gogeoryo temple, reminisce Jumong.
Aspire. Get hired, earn millions of Won or get a full Masters Degree scholarship at Yonsei.
Warm up. Spend at least half an hour at the gym daily.
Magnify. Charge all the bad experiences and dealing with annoying people to experience and learning.
Conquer. Get a chance to volunteer at a Korean refugee camp or work for an NGO.
Invest. Buy a notebook and surf all opportunities non-stop.
Love. Send my mom and grand parents a Super Jumbo Balikbayan Box full of Korean goodies from Personal Computer to Face Shop anti-wrinkle creams and lotions bargained from Nam Pu Dong and Jackets, bags and shoes and toothpastes and shampoo bottles that went on sale at E-Mart and Home Plus. I know the Korean letters will make them feel those are really from overseas.
Catch up. Learn Korean day by day and grab more Wons for an easy coping. Add more friends. One of them might become President of Korea or the richest guy in Poland.
Nurture. Learn to eat vegetables and force my tongue to crave for onions, carrots, repolyo, pechay and even green grass they serve here with soup.
Simplify. Just do what I am required to do and just treat this whole thing a holiday, only that this one lasts for one year.
Develop. Be friendly and develop people skills.
Broaden. Talk about poverty in the world and animal abuse with Koreans. Minimize questions like “What’s your major? Do you have a class later? So where do you live?” as if I’m talking to a Kindergarten.
Try. A Korean KFC or a dip in the beach, Busan style.
Befriend. The Chinese student at the 3rd floor who keeps on looking at me. I know he thinks we can get along with each other well (that is, if he’s not gay, hahaha) and be friends because we are both relatively small compared to the others (Huwaat?). The only thing maybe that makes him so hesitant to approach me is his possible inability to speak in English. But next time, at I’d say, “Hi, how are you?” If I get a smile, then he doesn’t speak English. Some Chinese students approached me last Chusok holiday to make friends.
The Korean girl named Suzzi who recently went to the Philippines and made a lot of Filipino friends. She’s beautiful and so friendly. This Friday, we’ll meet again.
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Name: Manuel Jeffrey Ordaniel Sistoso Home: Philippines About Me: Im Jepoi, a Mass Communications student (University of St. La Salle) and currently the Editor-in-Chief of TheSpectrum, the 51 Year Old Student Publication of La Salle. Know More About Jepoi
