tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28707500545793401152024-03-18T11:01:50.653+08:00the mungo conspiracyand other stories by Don DeeDon Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11297854189546818430noreply@blogger.comBlogger405125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2870750054579340115.post-44295605780112212422022-02-14T08:24:00.002+08:002022-02-14T08:27:46.737+08:00Dear Millenials<br />
There is a joke in that old classic movie “Back to the Future” that you may have missed because it did not age very well through time. Let me translate the context: Doc Brown after examining a circuit board on the DeLorean time machine commented, “No wonder it failed, Made in Japan”. He did not know that during the time of Marty Macfly, Japan was already synonymous to high quality electronics. Yes, in that short span of about 20 years, Japan emerged from being the CDR-King of cheap electronics to a global superpower.
<br />
<br />
The Philippines? We had Marcos during that same time period. Believe it or not, before Marcos, we were slightly ahead of Japan. Never mind Thailand, South Korea, or even now, Vietnam who was still fighting the Americans when Marcos was first elected. They are now exporting rice, while we are importing that basic commodity.
<br />
<br />
So if you think voting for that lazy bum who did nothing in the last 6 years except to whine and complain, is a matter of whimsical preference (choice ko naman), then do not blame our future on the cruelty of fate. Choosing a known liar, tax evader, plunderer, etc. will have consequences. We will reap what we sow.Don Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11297854189546818430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2870750054579340115.post-21360152646086029982021-02-17T08:59:00.001+08:002021-12-19T10:21:43.232+08:00Happy Anniversary SSS<p> It's almost exactly a year to the day, that I applied for a replacement SSS ID (that got stolen). ONE WHOLE YEAR and still no ID. How many years, SSS? Please let us know, how many years does it take for you guys to process an ID?</p><p>Meanwhile, every month, my salary gets deducted 2K (matched by my employer) as my SSS contribution. </p><p>This has to be a world record of sorts. I just don't know for what.</p><p><br /></p><p>(update)</p><p><br /></p><p>It is now TWO YEARS, and still no SSS ID. While our neighbors are drafting plans of sending people to the moon or even mars, the SSS can not print IDs.</p>Don Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11297854189546818430noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2870750054579340115.post-81684752030026306302017-02-21T12:30:00.005+08:002017-02-21T12:39:24.450+08:00Note to my Sea, 21 Feb 2017.<br />
To my precious Sea,<br />
<br />
You can almost read now. As a 4-year-old pre-nursery pupil, you recognize simple words. People think you might be gifted. I am almost certain you will be smarter than me -- and that is saying something. One funny thing though, you've started this habit of pretending to know how to read. And when you pretend to read a book aloud, somehow, "had a balloon," has to be there somewhere, regardless of the plot and characters.<br />
<br />
I can't wait for you to grow up... but I know I am going to miss my baby so much.<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
<br />
Daddy<br />
<br />
P.S. Went to Tita Em's shop to pick up the Peppa Pig balloon you and mommy forgot. Its lost some air, but you don't mind. You just love balloons.<br />
<br />
<br />Don Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11297854189546818430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2870750054579340115.post-4515374262108137232017-01-01T18:51:00.003+08:002017-01-01T18:55:09.699+08:00A little WB Yeats<br />
How many loved your moments of glad grace,<br />
And loved your beauty with love false or true,<br />
But one man loved the pilgrim soul in you,<br />
And loved the sorrows of your changing face<br />
<br />
(excerpt from "When You are Old" by WB Yeats)Don Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11297854189546818430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2870750054579340115.post-23484947449998407592016-12-30T03:50:00.000+08:002016-12-30T03:50:00.682+08:00Ang pasko ay sumapit<br />
And like the songs says, bagong taon ay magbagong buhay.<br />
<br />
Happy new year everyone!<br />
<br />Don Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11297854189546818430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2870750054579340115.post-619650196481899232016-12-25T07:15:00.003+08:002016-12-25T07:15:16.908+08:00Renaming hack<br />
That awkward moment when you find your fruit salad is 50% buko -- just call it buko salad, problem solved!<br />
Don Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11297854189546818430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2870750054579340115.post-65129692678000933772016-10-10T18:21:00.001+08:002016-10-10T20:09:52.742+08:00The best part<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUV2z9pUbezPYGNqEfb1CEOYGiwqFrbjW1dmaydLny95ZScVmmMMoPMnpXWpRWaBkH_nJX3nrh77f1N5T81gV0vdlfGToVbuFfOpiB05rAh-JQiThxxFV2kY9Z5xamACKywY3-g-XVaDKM/s1600/seabck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUV2z9pUbezPYGNqEfb1CEOYGiwqFrbjW1dmaydLny95ZScVmmMMoPMnpXWpRWaBkH_nJX3nrh77f1N5T81gV0vdlfGToVbuFfOpiB05rAh-JQiThxxFV2kY9Z5xamACKywY3-g-XVaDKM/s320/seabck.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The 15 minutes a day that it takes for me to walk my daughter to school, that is the best part of my day. I thank the Lord for each and every day that I'm given that.</div>
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<br />Don Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11297854189546818430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2870750054579340115.post-58731722910845694752016-09-17T07:43:00.000+08:002016-09-17T07:43:01.246+08:00Consequences<br />
On the way to school this morning, my three-year-old daughter noticed her own shadow on the ground and playfully tried to outrun it. Only a three-year-old would think that was even possible.<br />
<br />
This would be funny except that, tragically, many of us adults still think we can outrun the consequences of our actions.Don Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11297854189546818430noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2870750054579340115.post-10787005699495050662016-09-15T18:27:00.001+08:002016-09-15T18:27:51.512+08:00Proper Context<br />
Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ which strengthen me," further shortened by GSW MVP Steph Curry to "I can do all things", probably so he can scribble it on his sponsored Under Armor shoe, is NOT about basketball, or athletic achievement, or even about being successful in life in general. Please do, read the entire chapter and KNOW that those words are about RESILIENCE and being content, whether in abundance or even with NOTHING.<br />
<br />Don Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11297854189546818430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2870750054579340115.post-18235747929764260972016-08-16T20:39:00.001+08:002016-08-17T11:17:18.098+08:00There was no honor<br />
in the fake medals he wore<br />
And no honor in being buried<br />
where he does not belong.Don Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11297854189546818430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2870750054579340115.post-43051613481389265072016-07-14T07:33:00.000+08:002016-08-16T20:40:35.796+08:00I turn the other cheekbecause my obedience to the Lord is not contingent upon the good behavior of people around me.<br />
<br />Don Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11297854189546818430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2870750054579340115.post-27909270930443836962016-05-16T21:36:00.001+08:002016-05-16T21:36:36.734+08:00How to explain martial law to millenials:<br />
1. Take away their cellphones and turn off internet privileges. Tell them that's martial law.<br />
<br />
2. Pag umangal (and they will) tuktukan mo sa noo. Tell them that's martial law.<br />
Don Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11297854189546818430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2870750054579340115.post-89054562496911838902016-04-30T21:33:00.001+08:002016-04-30T21:37:38.862+08:00KULELAT<br />
<br />
ang iboboto ko.<br />
<br />
Dahil sinuri ko ang aking konsensya at nalaman ko, hindi ko kayang bumoto sa sinungaling, hindi sa magnanakaw, hindi sa sira ulo, at lalong lalo na sa mamamatay tao na sinungaling at sira ulo. Kaya oo, kay Mar ako. Kulelat man, malinis naman konsensya ko.<br />
<br />
That the worst (true) negative issue/trait that is being thrown against Mar Roxas is that he is kulelat, perhaps is not an indictment of the candidate but of us, the voters.<br />
<br />
God save us all.<br />
<br />Don Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11297854189546818430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2870750054579340115.post-85368009431839220442016-04-08T08:08:00.000+08:002016-04-08T08:08:50.451+08:00Running<br />
Apparently, my daughter has found her sport, pointless running. No rules, no winners, no point -- just running. I marvel at how she seamlessly transitions from full-on strides to skippity prancing. And in the true Olympic spirit of amateurism, it is all for the pure love of the sport.<br />
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Don Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11297854189546818430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2870750054579340115.post-39012129522824042212016-04-01T07:56:00.002+08:002016-04-01T08:35:46.997+08:00In God's own time<br />
It was getting dark as Forrest Gump walked away from Jenny's grave. He had her buried beneath the tree where they played as kids, the one happy place they shared. A flock of birds had come to roost and Forrest looked over his shoulders and perhaps finally saw that Jenny can now fly far, far away.<br />
<br />Don Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11297854189546818430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2870750054579340115.post-32579814305886978262016-03-23T07:23:00.002+08:002016-03-23T09:06:34.470+08:00Starbaks<br />
I have always had this disdain for Starbucks. No, check that, not the business (because it's genius) but the fools who fall prey to the scam. Barely above minimum wage earners who spend half their day's wage on one tall Americano -- not even that good a cup of coffee. Seriously, you people heard of Dunkin Donuts? Get your coffee there.<br />
<br />
Yeah, I am that guy. I take pride in wearing torn jeans to work and making four-five times more than most of these pretentious fools, drinking their pretentious coffees. And it is not just Starbucks, it is anything and everything that I see as overspending to impress. Mac computers, iPhones, branded jeans, Nike shoes, original non-pirated DVDs.<br />
<br />
One early afternoon, as I started my day off quietly nursing my beer, I noticed the guy selling isaw and barbecue outside the OTB was wearing a long-sleeved shirt and slacks. This, of course, ticked me off.<br />
<br />
After three or so beers, whenever he delivered my order, I started calling him "manager". He didn't get it -- that I was insulting him. He would always just smile and get on with his job. But finally, when the beer was sufficient to make me mad over nothing, I had to confront him, something to the effect that the isaw business must be really that good for him to be dressed like a frickin Makati executive!<br />
<br />
"I'm sorry sir. I came from church and had no time to change. I need to sell isaw and barbecue to augment my meager income."<br />
<br />
It was Sunday. I didn't even know. All I knew was that I was going to spend the day drinking till I pass out. And I thought I was the better guy than this man who went to church then had to rush to his small business so he can feed his family.<br />
<br />
Ever felt like you wanted to flush yourself in the toilet?<br />
<br />
I apologized. Gave him a fat tip. And said a quick prayer.<br />
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<br /></div>
Don Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11297854189546818430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2870750054579340115.post-47877007887177978552016-03-21T17:23:00.000+08:002016-03-21T17:58:54.363+08:00A new life<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Yesterday, my wife and I got baptized in the name of our LORD Jesus Christ. Below is the short speech I gave in front of the church:</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">I
would like to thank everyone responsible for us being here today. My
dear sister Charo and her husband Rex who reached out to us long
before we were ready. Hindi naman sila makulit, persistent lang.</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">And
to our disciplers, Merwyn and Mitch, Ken and Mau, Ferdie and Meanne,
Dex and Jen, Paulo and Tina, Raffy and Luisa, Jed and Karen, and Arnel, who have all
been very patient with sinners like us, thank you very much.</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">We
are by no means now perfect Christians, having gone through the bible
studies all this time – we are still, admittedly, rough around the
edges. So please forgive us if we sometimes slip. We are not asking
for tolerance, only that you please be gentle with your rebuke. We
are sinners still, sadly, but we are here, submitting ourselves to
the will of the Lord.</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">It
was a very hard journey for me. Naging matigas ang puso ko. Because
for the longest time, I could not understand why God loves me. There
was no reason to. It makes no sense.</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">But
four years ago, I caught a glimpse of that reason why. God made me
realize that I was just too naive, I was only capable of love when
there was reason to, and of course, returned. The very definition of
romantic love – shallow, juvenile, superficial, reciprocal.</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">But
roughly four years ago God gave me a gift that I now realize is His
way of softening my heart – my now wife tested positive, I was
going to be a father. It was only then that I understood how love,
even when unreturned was possible. I loved my daughter, Sea, even
before she was born, even before we knew her gender, even before we
gave her a name. I loved her long before she was capable of loving me
in return.</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">It
was only then that I understood what true love is. Our father loves
us even when we are too self-centered and just incapable of loving
him back. He always has his eye on us even if we think we can away
with things, and always has our best interests in his heart, even if
we are too arrogant and too stupid to understand this to be so.</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">I
now understand how it is possible to love someone to the point of
loving them enough that you'd be willing to die for that someone.
This is not theoretical, it is not even figurative, this is literal.</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">And
so today, I take one more step towards fulfilling the sacred task my
Father has given me, to raise my child as his child. My daughter Sea
is God's proof of his love for me. And I, in return, will raise her
in a way that proves my love for him.</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Today,
the house of the Lord rejoices, for the prodigal son and daughter
have returned. </span>
</div>
<br />
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
Don Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11297854189546818430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2870750054579340115.post-88711677048858803832016-03-16T08:19:00.002+08:002016-03-16T08:19:14.326+08:00Heroes<br />
PNoy ran for president on nothing more than "anak ako ni Cory and Ninoy" and won. If the Marcos loyalists actually believe their own lies, why don't they make Bongbong run as Ferdinand Marcos Jr., and include Ferdie in his political ads? Sige nga. Magaling si Apo di ba?<br />
<br />
Don Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11297854189546818430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2870750054579340115.post-55509055692735914662016-02-10T20:34:00.000+08:002016-02-15T21:20:59.362+08:00Fair warning<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
To all my FB friends, late resolution, I will like, upvote, share, all cryptic angry FB posts I find on my newsfeed.</blockquote>
Don Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11297854189546818430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2870750054579340115.post-79439240375187116432016-01-10T20:07:00.001+08:002016-01-10T20:07:34.762+08:00 Happy 3 years my little girl<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaAknTBAeZtuc_C0WBZuX_wo1tL7FbAoCzbbaU9gIfhwFU1xshDysNvDtkL_BxY8Nm0tTkYXUiJosIeowfAbObsjCIyBLtuj2GdHTD8jTESfgPF4YCc8cWOc-bVNOrwc8oaQpJD1KMmDql/s1600/sea01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaAknTBAeZtuc_C0WBZuX_wo1tL7FbAoCzbbaU9gIfhwFU1xshDysNvDtkL_BxY8Nm0tTkYXUiJosIeowfAbObsjCIyBLtuj2GdHTD8jTESfgPF4YCc8cWOc-bVNOrwc8oaQpJD1KMmDql/s320/sea01.jpg" width="233" /></a></div>
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The journey has just begun and already I am so excited to see the kind of person you are going to be. </div>
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<br />Don Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11297854189546818430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2870750054579340115.post-90425786321729910712015-12-14T18:20:00.000+08:002015-12-14T20:04:47.531+08:00Merry Christmas<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Three years ago, Christmas dinner plan was strictly to not spend more than 500 pesos. Baby was coming, any time according to the doctor, and I thought it unconscionable to spend more on Christmas dinner when money was really tight. Buy half an Andok's lechon manok, one order of pancit, one leche flan, and call it a night. Not really that bad -- all things considering.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But surely it is not the Christmas dinner we see on TV - not the Facebook update worthy meal most people would deem acceptable for the occasion. It is Christmas -- half an Andok's lechon manok is, admittedly, kinda depressing.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But then I remembered what the occasion is all about. It is not a contest on how much money we can spend on useless shiny things to hang on our plastics trees, not even a contest on how much food we put on our tables -- it is the birthday of Jesus. How can anyone not be happy with that?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Don Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11297854189546818430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2870750054579340115.post-57833659692868324172015-10-28T18:56:00.000+08:002015-10-28T18:56:11.155+08:00 I see food<br />
Wife wanted seafood for dinner-- so I killed a can of sardines. I thought that was funny. She thinks me sleeping on the couch tonight is funny.<br />
<br />Don Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11297854189546818430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2870750054579340115.post-17514327229529541052015-10-23T17:51:00.001+08:002015-10-23T17:51:22.702+08:00The Return of the Jedi<br />
Because we were four boys and one girl, growing up, we didn't really have much in the way of entertainment money. Imagine going to elementary school and being the only kid to have missed Star Wars -- the biggest blockbuster movie of all time. And this was back when movies were the only entertainment outside of TV, and you missed it. And not just Star Wars Episode IV, but two years or so later, the Empire Strikes Back as well.<br />
<br />
So yeah, I was that weird kid who never watched Star Wars and the Empire Strikes Back for a very long time. I had to wait for VHS tapes to catch up and find out for myself what was all the fuss about -- that would be almost 10 years after the original release.<br />
<br />
So it was a real big surprise then, I remember it being a Christmas gift to us siblings, 100 peso premiere tickets for The Return of the Jedi. Back when regular movie tickets was 7.50 or something, we had 100 peso guaranteed seating for the advanced special screening of The Return of the Jedi at the Manila Film Center.<br />
<br />
Watching the new trailers of Star Wars and I am reminded of that gesture from my father. He was always big like that, very generous with surprises. And so after all the pain and suffering, Darth Vader did come through in the end<br />
<br />Don Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11297854189546818430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2870750054579340115.post-76794518564546650352015-10-20T19:00:00.002+08:002015-10-20T19:00:43.048+08:00Calamansi<br />
I should've invested in calamansi futures. There is none to be found in SM grocery. Sari-sari store is selling them for 5 pesos per 4 pcs. Your 20 pesos can now just purchase 16 calamansi -- that's 1/4 kilo just 3 days ago before typhoon Lando. How many pieces in a fourth kilo? I never bothered to count, but rough guess is twice 16 at least!<br />
<br />
Someone remind me to invest in calamansi next typhoon that comes around.<br />
Don Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11297854189546818430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2870750054579340115.post-76036711794565323672015-10-02T18:07:00.002+08:002015-10-02T18:07:55.091+08:00I'm a quitter<br />
Ever since that fateful day that that pregnancy test of my life partner came out positive, I've quit smoking -- to varying degrees of success. I've quit, but sometimes I cheat. That is, until I found the one effective way to finally quit cold turkey style. Every time I feel the urge to smoke, I've decided to substitute cigarettes with a quick prayer. Nothing elaborate, just me thanking God for my life and for giving us all oxygen. I tell you, sometimes the urge to pray is unbearable.<br />
<br />Don Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11297854189546818430noreply@blogger.com0