Funny Situations in Website Modifications

Beware, you might encounter one of them!

1. Instead of rewrites, you would receive retype jobs. And when you ask the contact if they have the actual files rather than the scanned pages, they would reply “Yes, I have the actual pages.” Hihihi

2. Forced to speak English and with sleepiness, slip-of-the-tongue happens. The ano, because kasi, naku, and ay! are some of them.

3. Advertisers sometimes could not make up their minds and ask to take down their websites, then set them live again. You can say: “Okay, expect it to be down for a moment and live again after a few minutes to a maximum of 1 hour.”

4. You make website changes in one screen and refresh the page on the other. Then it suddenly says: Site not found. Don't panic. There is still tomorrow.

5. With all vivacity, you say "I have just loaded your website. What part are we looking at for the changes?" Then he replies "We're actually looking at taking the whole thing down."

6. One day, an advertiser cannot wait for the changes to be made within hours so you assigned the job to a writer and freed yourself. But the next day, he calls again and said he’s willing to wait. This is called destiny.

Comedy Bar

Entering a comedy bar may be a unique experience for anyone. Some take it as a risk, knowing that he or she can be the center of attention. Bawal ang pikon. Here too, social realities are reflected through the performers’ spiels and jokes. The venue may be a rich resource for someone who wants to know Philippine culture.

Attention mostly centers on balikbayans whom performers aim to entertain because of their homesickness. It is also recognized that these Filipinos went abroad because they will earn double or triple. “Kung dito, kahit nagtapos ng kolehiyo, wala pa ring trabaho,” said one of the comedians.

Once when I went inside one of the comedy bars in Quezon City, three men became instant stars of the night: Clark from U.K., Paul from England, and Rey from Australia. They were favorites as the performers asked for “donations.”

We had a full night with Ate Gay, Petite, Boobay (this batch performing from 9pm-12mn), Allan K., Jose, and Wally (from 12mn-3am). For the entrance fee, I remember it was P400 at that time.

Usually, partners (or soon-to-be) also become the topic of the comedy skit. And maybe due to peculiar characteristics, age differences, or other reasons, you could hear lines such as: “Jowain mo na ‘yan! Iaangat ka sa kahirapan niyan! Mamahalin mo ba ‘yan nang walang dahilan?“

Some families also bring a number of children with them, even seated at the front row. And then we heard: “Ang daming bata! Jollibee na ba ito?” Indeed, they may be too young for their “virgin ears” to get violated.

For a number of guests, the comedy bar also gives the chance for karaoke singing onstage. Apart from singing, they can tell part of their life stories later. Young or old, anyone may participate.

One of the highlights during Jose and Wally’s portion was the impersonation of Willie Revillame by singing “Ikaw na Nga” and delivering the famous line “Bigyan mo ng jacket si nanay.”

Back then, I couldn’t help but wonder if the servers and other employees were already so used to the funny scripts, hearing them every night. There were instances when the crowd would roar in laughter and I see some of them keeping serious faces! Asking one of them to check if punch lines are often recycled, or if they are at times scripted, he said “Pinag-aaralan din lahat nila ‘yon. Mas malakas kasi yung comedy skit pag may kabatuhan ng joke. ‘Yung iba halos paulit-ulit pero halos kadalasan adlib sila kung sa tingin nila mas papatukin ng mga guest yung atake nila. O kaya naman depende siguro sa pagkakataon ‘yun. Pero kami sanay na sanay na naririnig yung mga joke nila. Kabisado na nga namin kadalasan e.” (September 19, 2011)

Maraming Nangyayari sa Gabi

I remember reading about most ethnographies being done during the day, largely because that's how people define "day" and partly due to safety reasons. People for the longest time held the notion that many interesting events transpire until shortly after the sun has set.

I have always been a nocturnal person - staying up late either net surfing, reading books, writing, or watching movies. At night, my mind just seems to be a lot more active and my eyes, clearer. I appreciate the silence... the coolness and the peace. But more night appreciation came when I started working the shift. A drastic change if you come to think of it. But it carried a number of benefits:

• Learning to value time more (spending quality time with family, being an early bird in meetings, setting priorities well, developing a greater degree of discipline)
• Being health-conscious, at the next level!
• Less sweat for working at night
• Less prepaid load consumption (They are already asleep during your waking hours!)

Apart from the context of work, I have become a full-fledged nocturnal individual while being a graduate student. Though, in a consultative meeting earlier, we agreed that our concerns are not often heard because we go to the university at night. Some wishes include:

• Extended library hours
• Extended water supply
• Tighter security, more lighting, and the responsible use of CCTV (How about designating a CCTV Chairperson based at the College of Mass Comm? Haha)

Mga Bagay na Mahirap Ipaliwanag

1. Kung bakit walang bibig si Pringles at mas marami ang bigote niya kaysa buhok.
2. Kung bakit may nalaglag na kanin sa sahig, pero nawala nung pupulutin mo na. Kaya ba ito tinawag na "mumu"?
3. Kung bakit hindi dumating ang basurero kahit schedule nila ngayon.
4. Kung bakit tinawag ni Senate President Enrile na "gentle lady" si Sen. Miriam Santiago, when she is in fact, cruel. Hehe!

Organizing Small Things

Having these little helpers allows you to:
1. Find earrings quickly and keep track of the ones you seldom use
2. Keep your lipsticks, eye shadow, blush, and hair clips orderly
3. Decide which hand accessories to wear today...at just one glance.

Kodigo

Isang hapon sa library kasama ng mga kaklase, nagkagulatan nang maalalang magpapa-quiz pala ang prof bilang panimula ng balik-aral ngayong 2012. Kaya napag-usapan ang wild ideas sa pangongodigo na 'di pa namin napangahasang gawin. Narito ang ilang suhestiyon:

1. The Lucky Bracelet - Gupitin ang piraso ng hand-out na may keywords. I-roll nang mabuti para mapaikot sa wrist.
2. The Ring - Smaller version of the above. Ingat lang at baka mabati ni sir: "What a nice ring you have!"
3. The Custom-Designed Shoe - Puwedeng codes, drawings, at iba pang doodles sa suot na sapatos
4. The Mysterious Hanky - Kunwari malala na ang pagbahing at maya't mayang sisilipin kung may kasama nang dugo. Iyon pala, may binabasa lang.
5. Salamin, salamin, sabihin sa akin - Puwede ring sa eyeglasses mo o ng kaklase isulat ang mga sagot
6. As Lovely As A Tree - Umupo sa may bintana kung saan tanaw ang punong pinagpaskilan ng kodigo. Manalanging huwag humangin nang malakas. Dahil kung sakali, tiyak na "may I go out" at sa CR na ang tuloy para sa desperate measures.
7. Bending Exercise - Isingit sa laylayan ng pantalon. Kunwari may makati, para kamot ka nang kamot at silip ka rin nang silip.
8. On The Edge - Puwedeng magsingit ng keywords sa mga agwat ng mesa.
9. The Law-Abiding Citizen - Magtataka ka dahil siya lang ang naka-ID lace. May nakasulat pala sa gilid-gilid.

Pero mag-ingat din sa mga modus ng prof, gaya ng kunwaring pagbabasa ng dyaryo habang exam n'yo. I-check at baka may butas sa gitna. Ang review tip lang namin, gumawa ng mnemonics. Halimbawa, puwede ang "IMPAN" para sa levels of skill: Imitation, Manipulation, Precision, Articulation, and Naturalisation. Kaso nga lang, malaki ang tsansang hindi enumeration ang test ni sir. At baka pagkamalan ka pang adik kapag narinig ng barkada. At kaysa gumawa ng kodigo (effort pa talaga!), gamitin na lang ang oras sa pag-aaral!

Ngayon naman, kina ma'am at sir ang pokus. Paano nga ba sila nanghuhuli?

1. Sasabihin ni sir: Class, I'll just go to the restroom. Mamaya, nakasilip pala sa butas ng pader.
2. Steady lang si prof, nakatitig at 'di nagbabago ang posisyon. Tapos biglang ngingisi. Katakot!

3. Lalabas siya at biglang papasok ang janitor para magwalis o magpunas ng bintana. Kasabwat pala!

4. CCTV at iba pang maliliit na gadgets na pwede ikabit sa relo o kuwelyo para sa surveillance

5. Pagpapanggap na bumabasa siya ng palad, pero ichi-check lang pala kung may formula sa pagitan ng mga daliri

6. Paghingi ng tissue mula sa roll na dala mo, para i-check din kung may formula sa likod

7. Paglapit sa mga nagrereview ng mga sagot, para sitahin kung bakit ang taas ng pagkakahawak nila sa papel. Parang sadyang pinapasilip!

Basta 'pag mahuhuli ka na, lunukan na ng kodigo! Hahaha

The Temporariness of Things

Realizing the truth in the statement that we are only transient beings and that we cannot hold on to anything too tightly, I resolved to look back at 2011 with gratitude. The temporariness of things do not make them less valuable.

This year, I went on to take the remaining courses in our MA program. I am still happily treading the path as a student. Despite a career shift from TV to web, the big picture - that logical piece of excelling in the practice of communication - is still vivid in my head. Everything seemed to fall into place. Perfect scheduling.

In 2011, I enjoyed our class productions. My partner and I were able to come up with our ethnographic documentary on urban living, focusing on the dynamics of waiting. Together with our classmates, we were given the opportunity to show the final output to the public.

In March 2011, I took a trip to New Delhi for the India-ASEAN Business Fair and Conclave and the Delhi Dialogue. The experience had been educational, challenging, and enriching also in the sense of establishing friendships.

Locally, I also traveled a lot through our lifestyle program at PTV. Bohol, Dinagat Islands, Nueva Ecija, and Isabela served as our generous hosts.

Family life remains to be a happy one, with weekend activities, occasional weekday adventures, and the simple warmth of being together. I wouldn't trade this inspiration for anything else.

Love also taught its deepest lessons this year, with the ultimate concept of sacrifice, giving, and expanding yourself toward unfamiliar territories. For everyone, this passage remains something to ponder on: "Love is patient. Love is kind. It is not jealous or conceited or proud; love is not ill-mannered or selfish or irritable; love does not keep a record of wrongs; love is not happy with evil, but is happy with the truth. Love never gives up." (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)

People come and go, but friends don't. No matter how fast time passes by, how experiences overwhelm us, true friends remain. And this is another thing I'm thankful for as I welcome 2012.

Happy new year!

Things to Consider in Finding Your New Job

1. Commute: Duration, safety, transport cost
2. Physical work environment: Lay-out, comfort, lighting, temperature
3. Attitudes, facial expressions, and aura of current employees
4. Cost of living in the location: Dining places, material temptations in the locale (presence of malls, bars, bazaars!)
5. Stability and organizational performance
6. Will the job help in building your resume? Will the training add new elements to your skills set?
7. Compensation package and benefits
8. Is the company employee-oriented? You can gauge this through the working hours, facilities, wellness programmes, employee engagement initiatives, and other features