After seeing various breaches of privacy happen, I've decided to go lock down my blogs. If you want to read my entries, either add me as a friend here at LJ or at Multiply. I only add people I know, so leave a comment in this entry if you want me to add you.

My copy of Trese: Mass Murders was delivered to my house yesterday. It feels good to pre-order something in the Philippines, and actually get it on time!

For those who don't know, Trese is a horror-action graphic novel series that draws heavily on Philippine myths, Manila's urban legends, and has a protagonist who seems like the lovechild of John Constantine and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I bought the first one, loved it, loaned it to my friends and family, and my sister Isab liked it so much she went on and bought book 2.

(The last time Isab bought a Pinoy comic book was in the early 90s, when we pooled our lunch money to buy Funny Komiks every Friday. Oh, those were the days...)

Mass Murders is a very welcome addition to the Trese series. Much of the book is a flashback to the life of the characters before the events of the first two books, and it provides a very welcome look at the personality, motivation, and history of Alexandra Trese, the Kambal, and other characters. It manages to answer a lot of questions about the people and the series itself, while giving us more.

(Somebody once called the failure to do the last part properly in a piece of work the JJ Abrams problem, or the Chris Carter problem: you provide too many questions and teasers while not giving your fans anything substantial. See: Lost Season 2; X-Files' last few seasons)

Each book in the series consists of self-contained stories, each revolving around a supernatural case that Trese is working on. While the first two books were highly episodic as a result, with little tying in one case to the next except for the characters, Mass Murders is very different in that there's an arc to the cases here - there's a recurring villain who ties most of the stories together, and the final part is a "finale" battle with this Big Bad. Very Buffy-ish, but I approve.

I like the fact that Mass Murders is both accessible to newbies yet very rewarding to continuity hounds like me - things that were foreshadowed in the first two books come to play in this one, and the payoff is very satisfying. I also want to see more of the characters introduced in this one, including Trese's family: her father, grandfather, and four(!) older brothers all seem pretty interesting, and I want them to come back to either help or hinder Trese's investigation. (If I could only get one back, maybe Trese's priest brother... or the one who's an akyat-bahay.) Kambal fans would also love this issue, as this installment shows the Kambal to be more than just a bunch of bored supernatural killing machines - they show a competence and intelligence in dealing with the weird that was only hinted at before.

I have a small problem distinguishing some minor characters from each other - but then the minor characters don't last long enough for this to be a problem anyway. My biggest complaint with this issue is that despite the title, we don't get a cameo from National Artist and Massacre Movie Master Carlo J. Caparas, or his muse Kris Aquino. :P

So the Philippines just got hit with a freak late September typhoon. These ones are almost always nasty. I still remember how terrifying things were when Typhoon Milenyo hit us back in 2006 in roughly the same day of the month. That was terrifying, with strong winds knocking down power lines, killing people by dropping billboards on them, and causing trees in our yard to levitate and smite things like an angry Ent.

The current typhoon, Ondoy, is a different flavor. For one thing, the winds are much weaker than they were during Milenyo. Ondoy instead brought a shit-ton of rain all over the city of Metro Manila (and the suburbs, and the provinces around it), and I can now see that heavy rains affects Manila differently than heavy winds.

During Milenyo, the whole city suffered equal amounts - almost every block had at least one house that suffered significant damage due to something massive colliding with it. It also knocked down almost all the power lines and telephone lines throughout the city.

Now, however, the damage is more concentrated... and far more awful - in the lower-lying parts of the city. And the ones near water. Most of the reports show massive damage in Marikina, which is unfortunate enough to be both a low-lying place AND dominated by a river. People are now forced to scramble to their roofs to escape the flooding there. I'm anxiously waiting for word from my friends who are living there - we last heard from them early in the afternoon Manila time, and the news then was very bad. I hope they are okay.

My own sister is stranded at a friend's house right now. Thankfully she was smart enough not to risk traveling in this weather, and stayed over there instead.

Meanwhile, the rest of the city is suffering from intermittent power outages, but the ones with power also have internet, which is why all of us are posting really concerned messages on Facebook right now. The cellphone network is crap right now, though, I presume thanks to all the concerned calls coming in.

Pasay, where I live in, is now flood-free at the moment. However, it still looks like a bomb hit it. This is the first time I've seen the gay bars and karaoke clubs on my street shut down before midnight on a weekend.

For more information about this, here are some links:
Ondoy, You Fucking Asshole - pix and video of the devastation.
A map of addresses and people needing rescue all over Metro Manila
Facebook thread for updating the above website

If you want to help out, the options are here: Help Ondoy Victims

I just had this horrible dream. It was a really vivid dream, one which really fooled me into thinking it was real. I even vaguely suspect I dreamed of that place before.

In that dream, among the other things that were happening, I found out that two of my friends died. One in a violent crime, the other by methods unknown.

What was so terrible about the one who died in the violent crime was that her whole name was said out, and what happened to her repeatedly discussed in my dream both by me and other people in it. I'm sure pictures of her even showed up and were exchanged at one point.

The one by methods unknown is... weirder. I only got a first name, and it's a rather common one (at least among the people I know) and, would you believe it, but I only found out about it through a FORUM POST IN MY DREAM.

Yes, I am such a loser that I dreamed about going on one of the online forums I hang-out at, and THAT'S WHERE I FOUND OUT ONE OF MY FRIENDS DIED. IN A FUCKING FORUM POST IN MY DREAM.

To top it off, I think I have a hangover.

I had this horrible dream where I was chasing this woman, a scientist who had the ultimate weapon for winning the Zombie Wars.

Then I woke up tied to a table, where this zombie accountant was reading out a book narrating my biography while a machine was slowly cutting into my skull. The accountant was also explaining how I owed my brains to the zombies due to this contract I entered.

I woke up, and ran to the mirror to check for holes in the back of my head.

First up, my thoughts on Cory:

She may not have been the best president, but she's the best president the Philippines ever had. Her administration made a lot of decisions I disagree with, but put things into context - Marcos, and all the presidents before him, wrecked havoc on our country's economy and society. They, along with our former colonial masters, were the ones responsible for us being so dependent on exports and foreign investment, and for maintaining the feudal society that we currently still live in. She could only do so much to change things, and unlike other leaders, I can honestly say she did her best.

But don't just take my word for it, read the words of someone who was right there from the start, AND hated her guts.

"The Cory years launched a whole new regime of good programs that by quality and quantity surpasses the combined achievements of her three successors. The three post-EDSA presidents after Cory – Fidel V. Ramos, Joseph E. Estrada, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo – practically just had to breeze through the presidency all because Cory had done most of the work for them. And yet, by all accounts, they built less and destroyed more of what Cory had set out to do for the nation. And yes, they probably did more bad than all the good and not-so-good things that Cory did."

Or read Time Magazine's Woman of the Year for 1987 article about her.

Overall, I think that Cory proves that power is best in the hands of someone who doesn't want it.

Non-Cory related news.

How to save the world with Science! (and Engineering), part 1


Trent Reznor (of NIN, currently here in Manila) and his advice to musicians: Give your music away! (And how to do it)

Finally, an awesome comic you should be reading, by Filipino artist/writer Andrew Drilon: The Love Eaters

My whole street got the phone lines and DSL cut this week. My cousin working at PLDT told us that it would be "major repairs" before we get service back. I hope they refund us for the missing service or something.

I watched "Tony Takitani" based on the short story by Haruki Murakami at the Eiga-Sai Japanese film festival at the Shang. I watched it with Len, Andeng, Denice and Denice's boyfriend. Afterwards, we went out for dinner, then beer. I got horribly wasted thanks to really cheap Red Horse buckets. I'm not vomit-free in 2009 anymore. (sob)

I also woke up with a killer hangover. Made myself a bacon lunch to aid the recovery.

I'm really itching to go play Okami again. It's now my new favorite game! It's like the Legend of Zelda: the Hourglass of Time on the DS.

It seems I'll be dependent on wifi for the next few days for Internet. *shrug*

For only 5% of the world's GDP!

A very strong demonstration of why economic arguments against Global Warming... aren't valid.

I woke up Saturday morning, cooked breakfast for, well, half the people in the house, then got ready to go to Fandom Cafe to help setup for the June Open Gaming Meet/Balasa. Met up with Jon, Miao, Paolo, Nina, Vic and Nabs, and proceeded to go on a road trip from Cubao to SM Marikina.

What happened next was an epic road trip were, after Pao and Nina left in one car, the rest of us got lost. Turns out none of us had been to SM Marikina before, and we got stuck in traffic (at 10 am on a Saturday morning!) and made wrong turns and had to loop around Marikina Riverbank. Heck, I even tried to figure out a way using the map on the NWA and Marikina City website to figure out a route from our current location using Jon's wireless broadband connection on his laptop, but instead we asked directions from one of the locals instead, which was much more efficient. :P

The venue given to us was on the 1st floor, in the CyberZone area. It was actually a pretty great location - restaurants were accessible, and we didn't get mobbed. The only problem was we were located beside one of the noisiest laptop booths ever. If they only played their music a little less louder, or chose ones that weren't so annoying that would haunt you the rest of the day (we were still singing their songs 6 hours after we left SM Marikina, until somebody finally played the greatest hits of Queen to counteract. Puro earworms. Ugh.)

There were definitely a lot more newbies at this game rather than before, in my perception. It was so fun teaching friends how to run some of the more complex ones. I was also really tempted to join the "Shake, Rattle & Roll"-themed New World Of Darkness RPG ran by Beej, but I opted to continue playing the board games instead.

We played "Krag-Mortha", which always results in everybody in the game ending up in sadistically uncomfortable positions around the board. However, Mark Poa's little sister ended things too early by getting too many difficult consequences landing on her in quick succession. Her tongue got really dried out by the end. XD "Betrayal at the House on the Hill" was, again, a bloody fun mess. Jme, on her first playthrough, ended up evil and killed the rest of the players. XD Sadly, the game is still in dire need of much rules tweaking, and can't be played without an arbiter who's memorized the rules backwards and forwards.

Next time, I want to play "Betrayal..." with both Mark Poa and Rej in it, just to see what would happen. Mark Poa has never lost a board game I've seen him play. Rej always ends up going evil and killing everybody. Whose power is greater? :P

After the day wrapped up, most of us who were still around headed to Fandom Cafe to unwind. We chilled out, had a couple of drinks, watched some Big Bang Theory, had a horrendous experience with McDo delivery, had a couple more drinks, started singing Queen on videoke, and played Left4Dead. Best nightcapper, ever! :D

Woke up Sunday morning... well, afternoon, with a headache, possibly from all the drinking, and parked in front of my laptop until it was time for me to head to Adam's place for our D&D session. Whoot, it's so much fun to have a level 11 wizard. And I'm almost halfway to level 12, too!

Anyway, next OGM/Balasa is gonna be tentatively on July 18. I recommend you guys go!

A joint OGM / Balasa meet will be held on June 27, Saturday, at the Groundfloor, Cyberzone, SM Marikina from 10:am til 9:00pm. For those not familiar with how to get there, you can view and download a JPG file of a map by going to: http://s180.photobucket.com/albums/x74/khbazur/?action=view&current=SMMarikinamap.jpg

The OGM is an informal gathering of tabletop games enthusiasts from various groups who try out new games and/or play favourites games, be it Boardgames, Miniature Wargames, RPGs, Card Games, or Board Wargames, with friends - new and old. While Balasa is similar to the OGM but catering to the CCG players and their communities.

We have the following house rules and expect every participant to adhere to them:

- since this will be held at a Mall, please refrain from bringing in a lot of games. We suggest 1 to 3 games per participant, maybe 4 if the games are all small.

- as much as possible, bring at least 1 gateway game, since having the event at a Mall gives us the opportunity to get walk-ins hooked to our hobby.

- there will be a baggage counter and game counter to ensure the safety of your possessions.

- there will be a board listing pending games that are waiting for players. Once a game has reached it's listed minimum no. players, the host will announce for any last minute participants before removing the game from the board - whereupon it will be played.

- all tables are considered "open tables" using the board to signify which game has priority on the next table.

- we ask that all participants please be mindful of your fellow players nearby by not being too loud when playing a game.

- only the new OGM IDs will be handed out to participants, anyone else participating that hasn't gotten a new OGM ID will be handed a label sticker to use as their ID. VJ will continue tracking attendance so that people eligible for the new OGM ID will be awarded.

- do not put food or drinks on the same table as the games. A lot of these games are not cheap, or they're already out of print, or both, so please be considerate to the owner of the game.

- if you must eat while gaming, use a nearby empty table (if available) to eat your food. If a spare table is unavailable, eat/drink in such a way that crumbs/droplets will not fall on the game pieces.

- practice "clean as you go". Make sure that the tables are devoid of wrappers/empty bottles/etc. when you vacate it, so that the next group of players won't spend time cleaning up your mess. After all, you don't want people to think you're a slob.

- there will be no Cantina, since you can find tons of food options in the Mall.

- every participant that leaves the event area will have his wrist stamped, so that they can re-enter afterwards without having to pay.

- any participant caught disrupting the event will be asked to leave the event. If the participant refuses, he will be forcibly removed from the event.

Planned Games for the JUNE. OGM are:

FORMULA V 09 Season
Using the Formula D game, this will be the start of a series of 10 game sessions held from Feb. until Nov. Points are scored every session and a Driver's / Team Champion is "crowned" at the final race (the winners get a prize). The game is open for 10 player and will start at around 9pm. Look for VJ on that day if you wish to participate. For a review of the game, go to here.
Aside from the sessions / events mentioned above, the following games will be showing up on that day as well:

Bang!, (party card game for 4-7 players), Review
Cookie Fu, (collectible dice game for 2 or more players), Review

Classic Waterworks, (party cardgame for 2-4 players), Review
Family Business, (party card game for 2-6 players), Review

Give me THE Brain!, (party card game for 3-8 players), Review
Kill Dr. Lucky, (boardgame for 3-7 players), Review

King's Blood, (party card game for 2-6 players), Review
Monopoly Express, (dice game for 2-6 players), Review

Navia Dratp, (chess-like game for 2 players), Review
Risk Express, (dice game for 2-6 players), Review

Please note that all participants must pay an Entrance Fee of 50 Pesos when entering the joint OGM / Balasa event.

Things to distract you:( Cute, expensive, and awesome things behind the cut )

Talk about their book together, music, abortion, and ponies that shit diamonds.

Your result for The Social Persona Test (Version 2.5)...

The Frat Boy (NLAM)

Normal Liberal Alpha Male

( Big-ass Beer Can )

Take The Social Persona Test (Version 2.5) at HelloQuizzy

****
Wait, what? I am so not a frat boy. I mean, I intentionally avoided getting recruited into them throughout college (and high school, TBH). Okay, so I am extremely liberal in my politics and social attitudes... and I love getting drunk and partying... and I have a tendency to take over things... so otherwise I agree with the personality assessment. But I'm kinda unsure of being liberal really applies to frat boys. And I got normal only because I love getting 9-to-5 desk jobs. *shrugs*

I spent most of this summer studying French and working on various events, and one advocacy: the Philippine Book Blockade, and thankfully the campaign on that worked.

And now, the geniuses at Congress are about to pass the horrible, horrible Right of Reply Bill, HB 3306.

A quick summary of the right to reply bill:

"All persons, natural or judicial, who are accused directly or indirectly of committing, having committed, or are criticized by innuendo, suggestion or rumor for any lapse in behavior in public or private life shall have the right to reply to charges or criticisms published in newspapers, magazines, newsletters or publications circulated commercially or for free, or aired or broadcast over radio, television, websites or through any electronic device.”

So if you are a journalist who is investigating rumors that a certain congressman is corrupt, or is having sex with 5 year old girls, then your publication or TV station, or radio station, has to give that congressman the space or time to "refute" your article, for free.

I have no idea why they need this, since we already have slander AND libel laws in the Philippines, meaning if you claim in your article that, say, President GMA is a reptilian alien from the Planet Xenorfius who eats babies for breakfast without evidence to back it or a disclaimer that you are totally just making shit up, you can get sued in civil court.

And now they can apply this to blogs and texts? Correct me on my interpretation of the law, but from what I'm taking from this, if I write on my blog that I heard that a Cabinet minister's daughter ran over a beggar in her SUV in a hit and run incident, then I'm required by law to post her response denying that she ever ran over any beggars? Otherwise, they can use Philippine law to justify a request to my blog host, or to Facebook, or to Plurk or Twitter, to suspend my account?

This is bullshit, I think. What do you guys say?

I'd have to agree with this. Oh Zone of Pain, why must you exist?

Totally unproductive. But I got to watch Wolverine, and got free comics, so it all works out in the end.

Excited na ako for the Star Trek movie premiere this week! This is probably what they call the calm before the storm - I expect major exhaustion by Thursday.

Also: Nick has already blogged the shit out of our Free Comic Book Day trick-or-treating, so go to his blog na lang for more details. It even has pictures. Lots of it.

ETA: Huh. I totally failed to realize that next week? Is now.

This song is hilarious for a lot of reasons. First off, it comes from Xanadu, one of the biggest musical flops ever in a decade full of musical flops. Second, similar to "The Producers" and "The Rocky Horror Picture Show", it got remade into a Broadway musical. And could this video be any more 70s in its feel? I mean, the clothes, the decor, the flaming fireplace in the porntastic lounge...

No wonder this is currently one of my favorite songs! :P

I plan to sing this as a duet with Penny at the next Broadway-oke, if it ever pushes through.

( Lyrics and video behind the cut )

I went on Omegle to hang out, and who should I run into but the big man himself, Jesus.

( Blasphemy behind the cut )

...where the only thing that can cheer you up is Amanda Palmer singing and dancing about abortion.

( One extremely cheerful/depressing video, after the cut )