Negros in Four Days

My recent trip to the Visayas was not limited to Bacolod City. This time, I had the chance to visit Dumaguete City as well.

Bacolod City. The city of smiles was my first destination. I stayed at my usual hotel of choice, Check Inn Pensionne. It is by far the cheapest hotel I have ever stayed in. The room rates are from USD 11 - USD 45. However, they don't have free breakfast but it's okay. The hotel is just beside City Hall which also makes it very accessible. SM City Bacolod is just walking distance away. And SM City Bacolod is very near one of the famous food destinations at Bacolod, Manokan Country.

Manokan Country is a stretch of restaurants that have chicken inasal as their specialty. Chiken inasal is their style of barbecue. You can have your own choice of cuts; paa (legs and thighs), pecho (breast), pechopak (breast with wings), three pieces of wings, and the famous chicken ass. They also have heart, liver, and some oysters.

Dumaguete City. I took the bus to get to Dumaguete City. There are two options, one taking the North route and the other, the South route. There are more trips using the South route because it's faster. Still, it takes around six hours to get to Dumaguete from Bacolod by bus.

I only have one observation about the personnel of Ceres bus lines North station. The conductors, bus drivers, and dispatchers there are very rude and very unaccommodating (up yours mother effers!). Ask them a question in Tagalog, they answer in Ilonggo and leave you hanging. Ask them in English, same thing. Didn't they go to school. Or is driving school the only one they went to. I had to call up a friend just to know the bus schedule. And off to the South Station I go. The people at the South Station are way better. But enough of the complaints.

I stayed at Camila Hotel. They have pretty decent rooms (then again, I took their business class room and I didn't get to see the cheaper rooms.) Room rates are from USD 17 - USD 33. But again, no free breakfast.

Dumuguete City is sprawling with foreigners. I can compare it to Olongapo City. There are also many foreign students here (from Korea and Pakistan). Night life here happens along the Boulevard where most of the bars and restaurants are located. Lucky for me, my brief stay at Dumaguete City was also the foundation week of the famous Silliman University, one of the more famous universities in the region with its international standards. This made the city more busy with the visitors and tourists. I actually had a little difficulty booking my accommodations.

That's my brief trip around Negros in four days.

ROTC, CAT, PMT... Bull Shit

I'm now here in my room at Dumaguete City watching the news. Besides the big deal news, there was one particular news that caught my attention; to bring back ROTC back into the curriculum. What?!

In my opinion, any military-related subject that is forced upon any student is a big waste of time. As far as I'm concerned, ROTC (and CAT, PMT) is the biggest waste of tuition fee ever in the history of education; marching under the heat of the sun, getting sunburn. For what? Reserve my ass. Let those who get into the PMA do the soldier job. That's what they're there for. Not all students want to be in reserve and I'm one of them.

Too many of my Sundays have been wasted on ROTC. Instead of doing projects, studying, or having fun, I'm inside a classroom learning nothing. Learning about the parts of an obsolete plane is a waste of time. Learning about the parts of obsolete weaponry is a waste of time. Listening to dumb ass officers that can't even pronounce the word 'fuselage' properly is a waste of time (say what mr. officer, fyus-leyj?). Learning about call signs and counter signs that you can learn on the Internet and on TV is a waste of time. Learning about the names of the officers that will someday be corrupt or dead (or both) is a wast of time. To sum it up, ROTC is worthless, useless, a big waste of time. If I wanted to learn about or be a part of the military, I would have joined the PMA. But no, I do NOT want to be a part of it or be one of its dogs. No intentions at all.

Don't expect me to give my life for this country's defence. I mean it.

The Expendables

The Expendables is a movie about a team of mercenaries. I have to say, they were a level higher than the A-Team in the bad ass department.

I wasn't expecting much from the movie. I was curious because of its cast of household names in hard hitting action; Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Randy Couture, Steve Austin, Terry Crews, Mickey Rourke, Eric Roberts, with a cameo by Bruce Willis and Arnold Sczhwarzenegger. All that's missing were Steven Segal, and Jean Claude Van Damme, and maybe Vin Diesel. Jackie Chan won't fit in well in this movie. I'm not much of a the guns-a-blazing-war-type-movie but this movie was the bomb (a little archaic there). The sheer brutality of the fights made me want to finish it to the end. They showed the right way to defeat your enemy; humiliate and eliminate in the most brutal way... No mercy.

Now for the low down. Visuals. Like a said, guns-a-blazing, and explosions galore. There's a lot of gore; bodies torn in half, head and limbs cut off, not to mention a neck-breaking axe kick to the face (and I do mean neck breaking). Story. The story's pretty simple. A simple complete the mission and you're good to go. The action makes up for the simple story. Recommendations. This movie is an absolute must see for the action movie fan and the general masses. I would not recommend this for the critical movie fan though but I'm sure they would watch this for a simple review. Now for the tomato rating: I give it three tomatoes.

Metro Comic Con 2010 Day 2

The second day of the Metro Comic Con. The same booths and exhibits are still there. This time around, the open forum was with the Voice Artists (or dubbers, voice actors, voice talents, etc.)

The cosplay competition was also held on the second day. Cosplayers from all genres competed; anime, game, movie, comic book, even a group who cosplayed a Korean Girl-band.

But with all the cosplayers, I believe that little kids make the cutest cosplayers. Kawaii.

Metro Comic Con 2010 Day 1

The Metro Comic Con 2010 is an annual event that celebrates the comic book loving community. This year's event is held at SM Mega Mall Mega Trade Hall 2. I got there pretty late but usually the fun starts late so its okay.

There are of course exhibits and booths of famous, amateur, and aspiring artists. It goes without saying that there's autograph signing. It's a fine place to bag the first autograph of an up coming artist.

There was also an open forum about the work of professional and freelance comic artists and writers.

And of course, there's the ever present Cosplay. But you couldn't take pictures outside of the event hall. Well, it's not like people can't take pictures but apparently it's prohibited. The way the guards were announcing that it was prohibited was kind of rude with the megaphone. I get their point in enforcing the regulations but talking to a person or to a group up close with a megaphone just shouts, "Party Pooper."

Characters of Brain and Angst

Most of the loved characters have positive traits like honor, pride, humility, and the like. They embody what most people would like to be. However, for me, I prefer a character who uses his brain. And most of the time, these characters display a certain angst.

Here are a few of the characters that I find interesting. If you've watched the series, you know what I'm talking about.

Light Yagami / Kira - The human who picked up the Death Note that the death god, Ryuuk, dropped. Light was a very intelligent young man. Before he picked up the Death Note, he lead a very normal life; home, school, then home again. The Death Note awakened his desire to rid the world of all evil. With his use of the Death Note, the world's (especially Japan's) crime rate dropped. The world named him, Kira. His real identity, a secret. As time passed, he viewed himself as a god, able to choose who dies and who lives. But of course, no good deed goes unpunished. He is then hunted down by the Japanese police, Interpol, and FBI for many years. In the end, Ryuuk wrote Light's name on the Death Note.

Lelouch Lamperouge / Zero - He has the Geass that can order anyone to do anything; even to kill themselves. Lelouch was a very intelligent high school student. However, for the longest time, had a grudge against the Britanian Empire. When he was able to acquire his Geass and learned what it could do, he decided that it was time to take revenge. He wore a mask and called himself, Zero. With his new found power, he was able to take a ragtag band of rebels and turn them into the biggest threat of the empire. He used his Geass on almost everyone until he lost control of it. Even without the Geass, he used his charm to manipulate people and take him to his side. After some time, he was able to take over the empire and he seemingly ruled the world with an iron fist, much worse than the emperor that he overthrew. People hated him. But he planned it all. He sacrificed himself so the world may have lasting peace.

Izaya Orihara / Kanra - The information dealer of Ikebukuro. He knows almost everything in his territory from the smallest secret to the largest scandal. He has no super powers at all. However, with his intelligence, he manipulates events in the shadows as if he were the director of the lives of everyone else. People who know the name Izaya Orihara knows that he is not the man you would want to make an enemy of (at least one of the two men you wouldn't want to make an enemy of). Information is power.




Shikamaru Nara - He is a ninja of the Hidden Leaf Village and the only Genin in their batch to pass the Chuunin exam (in fact the only Genin who passed the Chuunin exam at that time since some of them are repeat takers). His is an expert in shadow manipulation techniques and an expert strategist. His mentor and leader of their team cannot beat him at board games such as Shogi or Go. He can even think of strategies in the heat of battle and they are usually very effective. However, he has an easy going nature and is very lazy. He views everything that involves physical or intellectual exertion as a drag or a bother.



Souji Tendou / Kamen Rider Kabuto - (As you've noticed, he's the only one who's not from the manga/anime genre. Souji's character is played by Hiro Mizushima.) The man who walks the path of heaven. The man who shall rule over everything. Since Souji was seven years old, he trained and waited for the day of his destiny. For him, he knew that he was not just destined but was born for the moment to become Kabuto. Every time he defeats an enemy, he does his signature pose; pointing towards heaven. He is also known to always quote his grandma; "Grandma said this…" People knew him as egotistic, and rude. He eliminate all that gets in his way of his goal; to protect his sister.

There are other characters that used their brains or as full of angst. However, what sets apart the ones mentioned above is their certain mix of brains and angst, which makes them stand out like a sore thumb (at least for me). Among them are Hiro Yui (Mobile Suite Gundam Wing), Tsukasa Kadoya (Kamen Rider Decade), Kurama (YuYu Hakusho), Vegeta (Dragon Ball Z), Mayuri Kurotsuchi (Bleach), and Kyoya Hibari (Katekyo Hitman, Reborn!) to name a few.

Resto by the Highway

When you travel by land, especially to a far-off destination, you take rest stops along the way. This is true when you take long bus trips (at least here in the Philippines). Here are some usual rest stops that a few bus companies frequent. All of them are just along the highway and are easy to get to. These places are of note for one reason or another.

Siesta, Tarlac City, Tarlac - With all my years of travelling, I have set foot here so many times that I've lost count. There are food stalls, a convenience store, a bakery, and a hotel at this particular rest stop. Most of the food stalls are quite like fast food chains and are priced as such. You have to be alert for the announcements for departing buses because with the sheer number of buses that come and go here, you just might miss yours. An alternative rest stop at Tarlac City is Travel Gate located at San Rafael and is also located along the highway.

Good-Ah Victory Liner Bus Stop, Sison, Pangasinan - Long ago this place was not known as Good-Ah. I don't know what it was called back then. How often have I set foot here? I do not know. Probably the same number as I've set foot on Siesta, probably more. Food here is more of the traditional Filipino snack kind. But they do have rice meals.

Partas Bus Lines' rest stop at Sison, Pangasinan - Just located a few meters away from Good-Ah, this is one of my more favorite rest stops. Why? Because as far as I'm concerned, food at their canteen is reasonably priced. They also have a gotohan outside, like Good-Ah, native delicacy shop just up front, and the hotdogs that I seem to not get enough of.

Double Happiness, Lubao, Pampanga - This place is pretty much the same as Siesta. This is just located a few kilometers away from the Genesis rest stop, the rest stop that has nothing to offer. I believe I had an entry about that particular rest stop. (Click here to read the post.) There's another Double Happiness rest stop located at San Miguel, Bulacan.

Travellers' Complex

Travelers' Complex, La Paz, Tarlac - Again, this rest stop is much like Siesta or Double Happiness (because the first time this opened, it was known as Double Happiness). It is, however, smaller. So what is special about this rest stop you might ask. It is because of its clean rest rooms. This rest stop is pretty new after all. Wait 'til gets older.

Hebabil, Somewhere around Nueva Ecija before getting to Sta. Fe (Northbound) - This is not a regular stop for buses heading up North to Cagayan Valley. It is, however, a rest stop for those who make deliveries and those on smaller vehicles because it's conveniently located in the middle of nowhere. It's not as big as the other rest stops, not as clean, and it definitely doesn't have a clean rest room. I believe I have written a blog post about this place on my old and lost blog. The one thing that's unique about this place is its menu. There are only three main ingredients; pork, bangus, and tilapia. And there are only two ways of cooking them; sinigang or fried. And you get to choose which tilapia, or bangus, or cut of pork to use. Then they cook it for you. So you have to wait for your food to get cooked.

CCQ Bus Stop

CCQ, Aritao, Nueva Viscaya - This place is similar to the Partas Bus Lines' rest stop; gotohan, reasonably priced food at the canteen, local delicacies with the addition of local handicrafts, and a pretty decent rest room.

So far, the above mentioned are the rest stops that are worth stopping at or at least getting off the bus for (if you're on a bus). The other stops, since I don't recall them, are not really up to par.

Glassblowing is not a Whore's Job

A friend of mine told me that she's quite biased with my blog entries. She likes my entries funny like the 'Rubber Candy' bit. So I thought, if I observed my surroundings long enough, I might be able to see something funny and worth writing about. So I did. But to no avail. It's not everyday that a kid approaches the condom stand, grabs a pack, and asks his dad if the thing in his hand is candy.

All the observing and waiting made me feel like a stalker, a paparazzi, a traffic cam. I was waiting for disaster to happen. So I thought maybe I time would show me the right event. Instead, I searched my memory for funny events that I have hidden in the dark places of my brain. And I did.

This happened when I was in college. It was almost the end of the semester and everyone in our laboratory class were checking on our borrowed glass ware if everything was still accounted for. Unfortunately for one group, one of their glass wares was damaged. It wasn't a volume sensitive glass ware so it was still repairable. They (they were a couple of ladies by the way) went to the glass blowing shop and asked the custodian to repair it for them. It was an easy fix so the custodian told them to come back at the end of our period.

After a couple of hours, I was at the glass ware counter returning everything that was borrowed. It so happened that the glass ware counter was within earshot of the glass blowing shop. It so happened that it was also time for the two ladies to pick up their glass ware. They asked the custodian, 'Kuya, tapos na ba yun pina-blow job namin sa 'yo?" (Kuya, is the thing we asked you to blow job done?) At that moment, I contained my laughter.

The custodian answered, yes and then he gave them their glass ware. Then, they left. It was only after a few minutes that they noticed that they said something vulgar and started giggling. I'm sure the custodian noticed it as soon as the two ladies did and probably laughed away his embarrassment.

Durarara!!

I just finished watching all 24 episodes of Durarara!!.

It's a very interesting anime. Its a story of how different lives are intertwined, whether you're human or otherwise. There were quite a few characters that it took almost the first half of the series just to show the background story of each one of them. It also has a number of interesting twists. At least it got me hooked enough to marathon the whole thing.

The characters were all different; Celty (the headless rider), Mikado (founder of Dollars), Masaomi (shogun of the Yellow Bandanas), Anri (the Slasher), Izaya (information dealer), Shizou (the strongest of fighter), Simon (Russian Sushi seller), Shinra (underground doctor)... and a whole lot more.

Most of the reviews about Durarara!! around the web say that its predecessor is better, Baccano! I can't tell yet because I haven't seen it, yet.

Next up, search for Baccano!.

Blogging on the Road

There are a couple of perks of mobile blogging. First. You can blog anytime. Second. Anywhere. Your ideas turned into blog entries in an instant. No time-elapsed editions. Trust me that happens to me a lot.

Not having a mobile device for blogging is not a downside for mobile blogging. Nor having short battery life nor limited gadget features. If you don't have the hardware, Mobile blogging just doesn't exist for you.

I originally wrote this entry using my phone while on the bus earlier today. However, the publishing was interrupted by the one and only dreaded downside of mobile blogging. The ERROR screen (or any screen display that says that you have just been disconnected, had connection errors, the page you requested is unavailable, or the like). When that happens, everything that you have painstakingly typed using your cellphone keypad or that tiny QWERTY keyboard is gone for good. Unless you made use a software similar to Notepad then you're still good to go.

It goes without saying that with mobile blogging, it is best that your mobile phone (or any mobile gadget you use for blogging) be equipped with a note taking software. If not, you can always use the text feature (SMS, MMS) of your mobile phone. This would serve as your back up just in case an error in connection would occur.

If in case you still don't have any of the above mentioned, you can always use a voice recorder or good old pen and paper. Then encode your blog once you get a better signal or to an actual computer terminal. However, both of them are still prone to time-elapsed editions. At least you still have your original idea in tact.

As for this blog post, it has already endured 12 hours of time-elapsed edition with no voice recording or pen and paper. I can't even remember some of the lines I originally planned on putting in. Anyway, a post is a post is a post.

--------

N.B. Don't get me wrong. Connection errors also happen even if you're not on mobile blogging but it doesn't happen as often. Plus, there are tons of word processing software to use as back-ups.