Clairvoyance

Yesterday, buddy Rey and I were talking about his wife’s previous experience performing tawas on people afflicted with paranormal illnesses. I am not a believer of this alternative treatment although my kids when they were young were subjected to these rituals because my husband’s kins were believers.

Rey narrated how her wife uses the egg to determine if a person is nabati, nausog, nabalis, may sapi, etc. (Pardon me because I do not how to translate these words in English.) When a person approaches his wife or she simply sees a person seemingly ill, she will ask that person to buy an egg and after whispering litanies of a sort and the egg standing up on its own (the egg is raw), she will tell the person that she had stepped on something (or someone?) na hindi nakikita (not seen by anyone) located at a particular part of the house or garden, etc. She will then give an instruction to the afflicted or to the relatives of the afflicted on what to do, or perform rituals. One instruction was to go to the location and ask forgiveness from someone he/she doesn’t see. She can also perform a ritual of exhaling air to the person from the head down. Rey contends that those people were healed after a short time.

When asked how she knows the description of the house or the area, she said that they simply appear like she’s watching tv. These scenes suddenly flash letting her know where the location is and what (or who?) did it. Rey’s wife has the ability to see objects and events beyond normal sight like a clairvoyant.

What I am worried about is if there is a ‘spirit’ who is with my buddy’s wife. And if this is a form of sorcery, the more that I am anxious. The Lord God has a warning that says, “I will set my face against the person who turns to mediums and spiritists to prostitute himself by following them…” (Leviticus 20:6). Thank God she had long discontinued the practice. Rey said that each time she does the act, she gets sick or feels ill. Pretty scary.

Then my mind wandered to the possibility of not seeing objects or events but hearing or knowing what other people think, particularly about me. I don’t know if this is possible and can be classified as clairvoyance, too, then again it would be interesting to know. What if God gave us this choice to be able to listen or learn what other people think? Would it hurt that much if I learn that there are people who think ill about me than those who appreciate me? Would it weaken my self-esteem or contribute to the desire to better myself?

Papsie does not like the idea. He could gain enemies when that happens he told me. He would probably react in a negative way when people will think harshly after all the good things he had done for them. Oh, well, even without these supernatural ability, there exist people who repays good things with bad deeds. Their traits speak how they think. This is probably good reason enough not to ask for a supernatural ability.

Clairvoyance

Yesterday, buddy Rey and I were talking about his wife’s previous experience performing tawas on people afflicted with paranormal illnesses. I am not a believer of this alternative treatment although my kids when they were young were subjected to these rituals because my husband’s kins were believers.

Rey narrated how her wife uses the egg to determine if a person is nabati, nausog, nabalis, may sapi, etc. (Pardon me because I do not how to translate these words in English.) When a person approaches his wife or she simply sees a person seemingly ill, she will ask that person to buy an egg and after whispering litanies of a sort and the egg standing up on its own (the egg is raw), she will tell the person that she had stepped on something (or someone?) na hindi nakikita (not seen by anyone) located at a particular part of the house or garden, etc. She will then give an instruction to the afflicted or to the relatives of the afflicted on what to do, or perform rituals. One instruction was to go to the location and ask forgiveness from someone he/she doesn’t see. She can also perform a ritual of exhaling air to the person from the head down. Rey contends that those people were healed after a short time.

When asked how she knows the description of the house or the area, she said that they simply appear like she’s watching tv. These scenes suddenly flash letting her know where the location is and what (or who?) did it. Rey’s wife has the ability to see objects and events beyond normal sight like a clairvoyant.

What I am worried about is if there is a ‘spirit’ who is with my buddy’s wife. And if this is a form of sorcery, the more that I am anxious. The Lord God has a warning that says, “I will set my face against the person who turns to mediums and spiritists to prostitute himself by following them…” (Leviticus 20:6). Thank God she had long discontinued the practice. Rey said that each time she does the act, she gets sick or feels ill. Pretty scary.

Then my mind wandered to the possibility of not seeing objects or events but hearing or knowing what other people think, particularly about me. I don’t know if this is possible and can be classified as clairvoyance, too, then again it would be interesting to know. What if God gave us this choice to be able to listen or learn what other people think? Would it hurt that much if I learn that there are people who think ill about me than those who appreciate me? Would it weaken my self-esteem or contribute to the desire to better myself?

Papsie does not like the idea. He could gain enemies when that happens he told me. He would probably react in a negative way when people will think harshly after all the good things he had done for them. Oh, well, even without these supernatural ability, there exist people who repays good things with bad deeds. Their traits speak how they think. This is probably good reason enough not to ask for a supernatural ability.

Morning Has Broken

Thoughts for the Day

Will You Still Give Thanks?

It is but easy to give thanks when you feel good, comfortable, healthy, or prosperous. Will you still give thanks when you wake up with a pain on your wrist or any part of your body, or with a thought where you will get money for the next meal? Will you be as alive as somebody who is about to be sentenced because of an anticipated cancer?

To celebrate?

Just the other night, I was talking to a nephew, and we were talking about fraternities. I learned that those who participate in the UP’s nude run are APO members. This nephew’s father was an APO member and he had experienced running nude inside the UP campus. I was told that last time there were also female counterparts who posed nude as protest. The discussion went to the level where I shared my sentiment that I cannot get the idea of posing nude as protest. I have this tendency to associate nudity to celebration and find it disagreeable that people will pose nude to protest. Until this morning when I surfed about nudity, I am retracting my thoughts on the issue because of this. (Warning: the site has lewd photos.) Suddenly, protesting nude made sense to me (only for the sake of comparison) than just lifting your shirt to show your boobies or your butt to everybody in a party.

What is the difference?

My daughter was in a party the other night because of a friend’s birthday. At about past 10 pm, she called up and asked if she can stay overnight. I was in my room resting from a day’s work when Papsie told me that she was on the phone. I told her plainly that I don’t like the idea and gave her instructions to talk again to Papsie where he will fetch her and what time. I left Papsie to talk to her. He was hurt when her daughter asked him “What’s the difference if she asked permission to go overnight that time or before the party?” He told her that it would be better because we can talk about it. I told him that even if she asked permission before the party, I cannot allow it. It is one of the rules in the house – they cannot stay overnight in a party. They have to abide by the rules until they can fend for themselves.

Morning Has Broken

Thoughts for the Day

Will You Still Give Thanks?

It is but easy to give thanks when you feel good, comfortable, healthy, or prosperous. Will you still give thanks when you wake up with a pain on your wrist or any part of your body, or with a thought where you will get money for the next meal? Will you be as alive as somebody who is about to be sentenced because of an anticipated cancer?

To celebrate?

Just the other night, I was talking to a nephew, and we were talking about fraternities. I learned that those who participate in the UP’s nude run are APO members. This nephew’s father was an APO member and he had experienced running nude inside the UP campus. I was told that last time there were also female counterparts who posed nude as protest. The discussion went to the level where I shared my sentiment that I cannot get the idea of posing nude as protest. I have this tendency to associate nudity to celebration and find it disagreeable that people will pose nude to protest. Until this morning when I surfed about nudity, I am retracting my thoughts on the issue because of this. (Warning: the site has lewd photos.) Suddenly, protesting nude made sense to me (only for the sake of comparison) than just lifting your shirt to show your boobies or your butt to everybody in a party.

What is the difference?

My daughter was in a party the other night because of a friend’s birthday. At about past 10 pm, she called up and asked if she can stay overnight. I was in my room resting from a day’s work when Papsie told me that she was on the phone. I told her plainly that I don’t like the idea and gave her instructions to talk again to Papsie where he will fetch her and what time. I left Papsie to talk to her. He was hurt when her daughter asked him “What’s the difference if she asked permission to go overnight that time or before the party?” He told her that it would be better because we can talk about it. I told him that even if she asked permission before the party, I cannot allow it. It is one of the rules in the house – they cannot stay overnight in a party. They have to abide by the rules until they can fend for themselves.

The Deal

Took some interesting notes from the papers (The Philippine Star) about the latest hullabaloo – The ZTE Broadband Deal:

The ZTE Deal (Broadband Setup)

Cost of the Project – 330 million dollars (16 billion pesos) which the Filipinos have to pay for 20 years.

The project is deemed useless by experts.

Did it go through the right procedures?

The deal at least breaks 8 laws:

1.  Build-Operate-Transfer Law

• Amsterdam Holdings, Inc. filed a proposal last December 2006 to build a broadband system on it own but DOTC did not initiate a study and sat on its papers beyond the 60-day deadline.
• Arescom Incorporated of California had filed an earlier offer a year before.
  

 2.  1995 Telecoms Development Act – ordered the government to move out of the telecom industry  and privatize its networks.

• ZTE will return the government to the telecom business in unfair competition with private firms.

3.  Procurement Reform Act – requires all public contracts go through open bidding for the best price and quality.

• Department of Justice declared the ZTE deal as a government-to-government deal that requires no bidding.

4.  Omnibus Election Code – bans government from awarding any supply or service contract during the election period in case a political party or candidate be unduly favored.

• ZTE was signed April 21, 2007 during the congressional campaign.

5.  The Anti Graft and Corrupt Practice Act – forbids government officials from receiving gifts of value (more so, if the gift is from a person or a company trying to bag a government contract).

• Comelec Chief Benjamin Abalos admitted traveling to Shenzhen four times last year.

6.  The constitutional rule of transparency in all public transactions.

• DOTC officials have refused to  give out a copy of the contract, at first saying nothing, and then claiming supposed theft of ‘only two copies’, and finally alleging confidentiality of proprietary information.

7.  The Anti-Red Tape Act – requires government agencies to produce within 10 days documents needed by taxpayers.

• For months, DOTC officials have not bothered to even reply to requests for copies of reconstituted contracts.

8.  The constitutional rule of prior Monetary Board consent to borrow for any government project.

• Only now (by Mendoza’s own admission) are they working for Board approval of a loan they signed in August covering the contract signed in April.

Bondoc, Jarius.  She came and went like ‘a thief in the night’,  

The Philippine Star,  September 17, 2007, p.15 

Need I say more?

The Deal

Took some interesting notes from the papers (The Philippine Star) about the latest hullabaloo – The ZTE Broadband Deal:

The ZTE Deal (Broadband Setup)

Cost of the Project – 330 million dollars (16 billion pesos) which the Filipinos have to pay for 20 years.

The project is deemed useless by experts.

Did it go through the right procedures?

The deal at least breaks 8 laws:

1.  Build-Operate-Transfer Law

• Amsterdam Holdings, Inc. filed a proposal last December 2006 to build a broadband system on it own but DOTC did not initiate a study and sat on its papers beyond the 60-day deadline.
• Arescom Incorporated of California had filed an earlier offer a year before.
  

 2.  1995 Telecoms Development Act – ordered the government to move out of the telecom industry  and privatize its networks.

• ZTE will return the government to the telecom business in unfair competition with private firms.

3.  Procurement Reform Act – requires all public contracts go through open bidding for the best price and quality.

• Department of Justice declared the ZTE deal as a government-to-government deal that requires no bidding.

4.  Omnibus Election Code – bans government from awarding any supply or service contract during the election period in case a political party or candidate be unduly favored.

• ZTE was signed April 21, 2007 during the congressional campaign.

5.  The Anti Graft and Corrupt Practice Act – forbids government officials from receiving gifts of value (more so, if the gift is from a person or a company trying to bag a government contract).

• Comelec Chief Benjamin Abalos admitted traveling to Shenzhen four times last year.

6.  The constitutional rule of transparency in all public transactions.

• DOTC officials have refused to  give out a copy of the contract, at first saying nothing, and then claiming supposed theft of ‘only two copies’, and finally alleging confidentiality of proprietary information.

7.  The Anti-Red Tape Act – requires government agencies to produce within 10 days documents needed by taxpayers.

• For months, DOTC officials have not bothered to even reply to requests for copies of reconstituted contracts.

8.  The constitutional rule of prior Monetary Board consent to borrow for any government project.

• Only now (by Mendoza’s own admission) are they working for Board approval of a loan they signed in August covering the contract signed in April.

Bondoc, Jarius.  She came and went like ‘a thief in the night’,  

The Philippine Star,  September 17, 2007, p.15 

Need I say more?

Discoveries

How interesting…

1. Give a dose of their own poison. Funny how these people react to their own ill doings clinged off at them. They are so desperate and furious to make one feel miserable but to make them feel that their actions are futile is one charming game plan. 😀
2. Silence is mostly a ‘no’. It is largely a ‘no’. Many times, it is refusal, denial, or rejection.
3. There is hope for Daryl. Actually, I have not lost hope for Daryl that one day he would find veggies palatable, too. Now, there is an alternative for his fiber intake – fruit cocktail and cream, which he voraciously eats.
4. Katherine Heigl is not Charlize Theron. Common physical attributes can confuse. But I am more a Charlize fanatic. Who is more beautiful depends on the eyes of the beholder of course.
   
5. How fascinating to play with words. Seneca has this to say – “It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare; it is because we do not dare that they are difficult.” It is in learning that we learn.
6. I can do so much with my temper. I can measure the limit. I can do something while being annoyed or angry. I CAN control it and produce better results when it dissipates.

Discoveries

How interesting…

1. Give a dose of their own poison. Funny how these people react to their own ill doings clinged off at them. They are so desperate and furious to make one feel miserable but to make them feel that their actions are futile is one charming game plan. 😀
2. Silence is mostly a ‘no’. It is largely a ‘no’. Many times, it is refusal, denial, or rejection.
3. There is hope for Daryl. Actually, I have not lost hope for Daryl that one day he would find veggies palatable, too. Now, there is an alternative for his fiber intake – fruit cocktail and cream, which he voraciously eats.
4. Katherine Heigl is not Charlize Theron. Common physical attributes can confuse. But I am more a Charlize fanatic. Who is more beautiful depends on the eyes of the beholder of course.
   
5. How fascinating to play with words. Seneca has this to say – “It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare; it is because we do not dare that they are difficult.” It is in learning that we learn.
6. I can do so much with my temper. I can measure the limit. I can do something while being annoyed or angry. I CAN control it and produce better results when it dissipates.

When I See a Semi-Kal*

(a short story)

(Sigh – talking to her cat.) “I’m okay now. At least, I saw him though he did not even take a glance.”

When I see a semi-kal*, it reminds me of you. I could not resist taking a second look to see if it was you. And it was not you. The muscular arm was not there. The lean body was not there. The dark brows was not even there. How I wished it was you. But it was not you.

Silly me. How many times do I learn that I was tricked? I was made to be a past time by someone I barely know. That I was the flavor of the moment, which he had blatantly told me, and yet I went on believing it was all for real. Does attraction really morph someone into someone who is as dumb as me? Or it isn’t an attraction but a feeling more than lust and heat?

How does someone fall to somebody who does not even give a hoot? Crazy. Yes, that is what best describes my entity. Perhaps it was all physical. Or maybe not. Maybe it is more than physical. I guess it is more like the sponge-like feeling of absorbing false emotions. Was I under the influence of alcohol that time? But the kiss was sweet. I could almost feel it until now.

Akismet must be joking. There you are, still the semi-kal* I had seen the first time, lean and muscular. Not very handsome, but handsome and confident. Just seeing you made me want to hug you and kiss you. But you did not even take a glance.

You went without a word. Not even a sign that there was a past between you and me. You stared for a moment telling me it was because he wanted a flavor for that moment, and I was there.

When I see a semi-kal*, the world take my being and crush it until I can feel no more.

*Semi-kal – a man who has a haircut that appears to be bald but retained a certain even length of 1 mm or 2mm, depending on how he wanted to have it done.

Note: Once in a while, I write stories when the creative juices are ample, inspired by the many people and experiences of everyday life. Please tell me your opinion about my writing. However adverse it may sound, it will help improve the craft (if there is one  😀 ).

When I See a Semi-Kal*

(a short story)

(Sigh – talking to her cat.) “I’m okay now. At least, I saw him though he did not even take a glance.”

When I see a semi-kal*, it reminds me of you. I could not resist taking a second look to see if it was you. And it was not you. The muscular arm was not there. The lean body was not there. The dark brows was not even there. How I wished it was you. But it was not you.

Silly me. How many times do I learn that I was tricked? I was made to be a past time by someone I barely know. That I was the flavor of the moment, which he had blatantly told me, and yet I went on believing it was all for real. Does attraction really morph someone into someone who is as dumb as me? Or it isn’t an attraction but a feeling more than lust and heat?

How does someone fall to somebody who does not even give a hoot? Crazy. Yes, that is what best describes my entity. Perhaps it was all physical. Or maybe not. Maybe it is more than physical. I guess it is more like the sponge-like feeling of absorbing false emotions. Was I under the influence of alcohol that time? But the kiss was sweet. I could almost feel it until now.

Akismet must be joking. There you are, still the semi-kal* I had seen the first time, lean and muscular. Not very handsome, but handsome and confident. Just seeing you made me want to hug you and kiss you. But you did not even take a glance.

You went without a word. Not even a sign that there was a past between you and me. You stared for a moment telling me it was because he wanted a flavor for that moment, and I was there.

When I see a semi-kal*, the world take my being and crush it until I can feel no more.

*Semi-kal – a man who has a haircut that appears to be bald but retained a certain even length of 1 mm or 2mm, depending on how he wanted to have it done.

Note: Once in a while, I write stories when the creative juices are ample, inspired by the many people and experiences of everyday life. Please tell me your opinion about my writing. However adverse it may sound, it will help improve the craft (if there is one  😀 ).

Random Thoughts

Live Show

As the tricycle passed by the open area in front of a manufacturing company, seen were two burly young men sparring. It was actually my first time to see two people in a match, and they were barefooted, and probably workers from that company. It was like everybody and everything around that area froze. All the drivers and their vehicles stopped to see the melee. I got excited, too, then thought that this must probably be the feeling of those near the boxing arenas where Manny Pacquiao and the other Filipino boxers do their fights.

Erap’s Conviction is Not a Deterrent

While I am not an Erap fan, I firmly believe his conviction cannot be a deterrent to those influential and powerful individuals in this country who love to do their acts of crime. As one of the guest in Palaban implied, those supporters of President Gloria who are obviously guilty must be convicted also or this historical event will become useless and will later on be forgotten. The government, I believe, has to show that they are serious in their efforts to send anyone (and I mean, anyone, even their closest relatives and friends) erring to jail.

Black, White and Grey

Asked by Malay the other day, “What motiff, Kay?” (referring to her debut). She answered, “Black, white and grey.” It is simply because of the reason that they are ‘safe’ and unique. Thinking about the conservative people and relatives, I bet they would probably think this is not a good idea. But it is high time to break the overused belief that these colors mean death. I have these wild pictures of me explaining why.

What is Pasma in English?

It’s been days that I have been dealing with this ache from my right wrist to my right shoulder. It’s almost a week already. Right now, as I am typing these words, my wrist is sending signals that the ache will be back in a few minutes. It is gone only for a little time and most of the time I have it. Suspects are karpal tunnel syndrome, fatigue, or pasma. (What is pasma in English? Can somebody tell me?) I suspect it is pasma because last Sunday, I was cooking food for lunch but forgot that I was doing it so I dipped my hands into the washing machine to load again the next pail of laundry. There, after that, in the evening, I was almost crying in pain. Pati yata utak ko pasmado na. ha ha ha 😀

Random Thoughts

Live Show

As the tricycle passed by the open area in front of a manufacturing company, seen were two burly young men sparring. It was actually my first time to see two people in a match, and they were barefooted, and probably workers from that company. It was like everybody and everything around that area froze. All the drivers and their vehicles stopped to see the melee. I got excited, too, then thought that this must probably be the feeling of those near the boxing arenas where Manny Pacquiao and the other Filipino boxers do their fights.

Erap’s Conviction is Not a Deterrent

While I am not an Erap fan, I firmly believe his conviction cannot be a deterrent to those influential and powerful individuals in this country who love to do their acts of crime. As one of the guest in Palaban implied, those supporters of President Gloria who are obviously guilty must be convicted also or this historical event will become useless and will later on be forgotten. The government, I believe, has to show that they are serious in their efforts to send anyone (and I mean, anyone, even their closest relatives and friends) erring to jail.

Black, White and Grey

Asked by Malay the other day, “What motiff, Kay?” (referring to her debut). She answered, “Black, white and grey.” It is simply because of the reason that they are ‘safe’ and unique. Thinking about the conservative people and relatives, I bet they would probably think this is not a good idea. But it is high time to break the overused belief that these colors mean death. I have these wild pictures of me explaining why.

What is Pasma in English?

It’s been days that I have been dealing with this ache from my right wrist to my right shoulder. It’s almost a week already. Right now, as I am typing these words, my wrist is sending signals that the ache will be back in a few minutes. It is gone only for a little time and most of the time I have it. Suspects are karpal tunnel syndrome, fatigue, or pasma. (What is pasma in English? Can somebody tell me?) I suspect it is pasma because last Sunday, I was cooking food for lunch but forgot that I was doing it so I dipped my hands into the washing machine to load again the next pail of laundry. There, after that, in the evening, I was almost crying in pain. Pati yata utak ko pasmado na. ha ha ha 😀

Eye Candies for Eyesores

Currently, the situation and condition of a great percentage of urban communities are eyesores. What with the unsanitary conditions of side streets and side roads, wandering homeless children, shanties that sprout like mushrooms along creeks and waterways, reprobates almost in their birthdays suits, rowdy teens blooming in number day by day, and many more.

It is at times depressing to live like this. As someone who had spent all her life in an urban setting, the occasional visits to rural areas are great sources of a breather. Or are the rural areas beginning to be molded also into something as depressing as the urban scenario? Call it progress, they say.

That is why we need eye candies. Well, these are some kind of shallow breathers (for some) against those serious circumstances enumerated above. But what the heck, we need to frolic once in a while.

Just look at this picture I found in the internet of an innocent looking baby, and how it melts one’s heart just looking at her.

Also this picture of Miss World Aishwarya Rai. I got her picture here. The more you look at her, the more you wanted to stare.

I may not like violet colored food but with this beautiful flower, how can one not be relieved from stress? It is called purple gloxinia. Visit this site.

Or the ever young-looking Aga Mulach.

For most men, legs and miniskirt are sights for sore eyes.

Okay, enough of these. I am so sleepy, I have to take a nap. Now, you probably have an idea what a sleepy bored mind can create. 😀

Eye Candies for Eyesores

Currently, the situation and condition of a great percentage of urban communities are eyesores. What with the unsanitary conditions of side streets and side roads, wandering homeless children, shanties that sprout like mushrooms along creeks and waterways, reprobates almost in their birthdays suits, rowdy teens blooming in number day by day, and many more.

It is at times depressing to live like this. As someone who had spent all her life in an urban setting, the occasional visits to rural areas are great sources of a breather. Or are the rural areas beginning to be molded also into something as depressing as the urban scenario? Call it progress, they say.

That is why we need eye candies. Well, these are some kind of shallow breathers (for some) against those serious circumstances enumerated above. But what the heck, we need to frolic once in a while.

Just look at this picture I found in the internet of an innocent looking baby, and how it melts one’s heart just looking at her.

Also this picture of Miss World Aishwarya Rai. I got her picture here. The more you look at her, the more you wanted to stare.

I may not like violet colored food but with this beautiful flower, how can one not be relieved from stress? It is called purple gloxinia. Visit this site.

Or the ever young-looking Aga Mulach.

For most men, legs and miniskirt are sights for sore eyes.

Okay, enough of these. I am so sleepy, I have to take a nap. Now, you probably have an idea what a sleepy bored mind can create. 😀

At 15

Yesterday was Daryl’s bee-day!  Papsie and I prepared pancit, baked liempo, turbo chicken dipped in honey garlic, and vegetable salad.  We also had ice cream and cake! Yummy!  (All the food is his favorite except the vegetable salad.)

At 15:

• he started using his cel phone
• he seems to be enjoying high school life
• he had improved his socialization skills
• he has a size 9 1/2 feet
• he is ‘a little over than’ medium build
• he has a 36 inches waistline
• he loves to watch Jumong and has a pirated CD of it
• he had finally learned to trim his fingernails without hurting himself
• he hates students who copy
• he had finally learned to appreciate buko pie
• he still eats a little of the veggies
• he is still a young boy with a mind of a man
• he is still that kind and courteous boy

Pics! Pics! Pics!