Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Sorry, please try again

Ang dami-dami nang nanalo run sa Yaman promo ng Tide, Ariel at Safeguard. Nakakatuwa naman yung mga pinapakita nilang nanalo sa kanilang mga TVC. Puro mahihirap, taga-probinsiya o rural area, may sakit o may pinag-aaral. Bawa't isa sa kanila ay may kuwento kaya siguro pinagpalang manalo. Naisip ko tuloy, sila ba talaga ang target market ng mga produktong nabanggit o sila lang nilagay para maengganyo pa ang iba na sumali? Ganun naman talaga ang advertising eh, aspirational. Lumilikha ng hangarin o paghahangad. Yung tipong kahit wala ka nang makain, dudmihan mo damit mo lalo para makabili ka ng mas maraming Ariel. Yung tipong gusto mo rin na ikaw mayroon nang pinapakita sa commercial o maranasan kung anuman ang pakiramdam ng may buhok na mukhang na-hot oil ng todo tulad ni Kim Chui.

Ako rin naghangad na manalo sa promong ito. Noon pa man Ariel at Safeguard user na sa bahay. E ako tagabili kayo sinisiguro ko na may tatak-Yaman yung mga pakete para may tsansang manalo. Kaya ayun, bawa't bukas ko ng kahon ng Safeguarad, hinahangad kong may mga katagang: 'You won 1 million!" tulad ng sabi dun sa commercial. Pero gabundok na ang nalabhan namin sa Ariel, sangtrak na banil na ang natanggal ng Safeguard, eto lagi ang lumalabas sa pakete: Sorry, please try again.

Siguro nga ang buhay ay walang katapusang hangarin ---mapamateryal man o hindi, makatotohanan man o ilusyon lamang. Marami tayong hinahangad na minsan ay imposible nating makamtam. Mga suntok sa buwan. Mayroon din namang mga abot-kamay na lang, napupurnada pa. Mayroon namang mga tao, marami sila, na walang kasiyahan. Hindi makuntento sa kung anumang mayroon na o naabot na. Naghahangad pa ng iba kaya kadalasan ay nabibigo lamang. Wala ring katapusan ang kabiguan sa mga taong walang katapusan ang paghahangad.

Pero maaaring gawin na ang bawa't paghahangad ay pagbibigay ng pag-asa. Hindi lang naman kayamanan o pera ang pinapangarap natin, di ba? Maari ring pag-ibig, katiwayasan, kapayapaan, yung iba, world peace, yung iba masaya na sa good health. Subali't kalimitan sa hinahagad natin ay kailangan ng kaukulang pagtataya. Commitment sa iba, o kumbaga, investment. Tulad halimbawa ng pag-ibig, o di ba, mag-iinvest ka talaga? Nandun magpapa-body scrub o magpapa-Belo ka. Nandung magpapalit ka ng brand ng pabango, nandung magreregalo ka ng Ipad, nandung mag-aaral ka ng paggamit ng chopsticks. Marami kang gagawin para makamit mo lang ang hinahangad mong pag-ibig. Sasabihin mo sa sarili mo, paano ka nga naman mamahalin kung di mo mamahalin ang iyong sarili o kung di mo gagawing kaibig-ibig ang iyong pagkatao. Paano mo makakamit ang hinahagad mo kung di ka tataya o di mo susubukan, kung di mo gagawin, kung di ka kikilos.

Para lang din naman promo ng Tide, paano ka mananalo kung Surf gamit mo.

At tulad ng promo, di lahat ng investment ay panalo. Sa bawa't hangarin, may sablay, may mintis. Sa bawa't pagsubok at pagtataya, may tablado. Sa buhay, sa pag-ibig, sa lahat ng paghahangad, minsan tayo ay natatalo. Maaring tumigil ka sa sa paghahangad pero huwag na huwag kang mauubusan ng pag-asa.

Sabi nga sa pekete, 'Sorry, please try again.'

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

diary of a basketball fan 2: my love affair with the archers

I don't remember when and how it happened. All I know is despite the fact that I'm proudly Tomasino, I'm in love with the Green Archers.

This will reveal my age, my fascination with the Archers started with Dindo Pumaren and the Lago brothers. (I became a fan of Bigote, I mean Coach Franz (Sorry Odette) when he was already with Magnolia, I think.) I remember those were the years UST was unstoppable and instead of celebrating with Golden Tigers (before), I wept with Dindo. The image of him sprawled on the floor crying like a little boy is forever etched to my memory bank.

Fast forward to Renren Ritualo's time. Correct me please, but I believe his last championship game was against my alma mater, UST. It was the Archers' turn to be unstoppable and Renren was the spark plug for the team. The image of him standing on the ledge, waving and saying goodbye to everybody brought some goosebumps. If I could only hug him that time, I would.

Then came the time of BJ and Mike. BJ faced the booing crowd, yes those Ateneans who hated him so much for transferring to the fiercest rival school. BJ showed to everybody it was all worth it . Despite the chants, win or lose, it's the school we choose, BJ proved he made the better choice.

Mike, the cool cat, entered the court like how we was billed. UAAP was so out of his league. He was the best.

Both of them had un-happy endings with DLSU. I was just too happy to be with them, even in those hard times. Those endless hate emails and faxed white paper (for Mike's case, the cool cash story) won't stop me from believing that they are the good guys here. Through BJ and Mike, I met also the wonderful guys around: Mike Gavino, JayR Aqunio, Manny Ramos and even the late Migs.

Next men on line were Jun2, Mac and Joseph. I called them the party set, along with PJ and Ryan. But hey, even ballers need a break. I am glad that both Mac and Joseph have found their matches and married them. I just hope Jun2 will find his too (although I still root for Ria F). I really love Jun2, Mac and Joseph. But that will require another write-up.

Then the ever humble Jvee, rich kid but always pleasant TY, and the down-to-earth Cholo came to the picture and of course the gentle but menacing, Rico. These guys remain the same, sweet and lovable.

It's now the time of my nephews and babies: Simon, Joel, LA (sayang not playing this year), Maui and the rookies and sophies who would soon lead the Archers to great redemption.

And like a cycle, my very first Archer'crush' is coaching the Green Archers. Go Coach Dindo!

I will try to write more about this love affair next time.

Saturday, July 3, 2010

Diary of a Basketball Fan 1: The Rules

I love basketball. But I love basketball players even more. I don't know why I am so attracted with those long legs and broad shoulders. Seriously, I have immersed myself to the sport in all these years of being a great fan. Although not exactly a junkie, I have learned to appreciate all those moves and stats. I understand the game. I can say that I know the rules.

I have also set some rules (for myself) as a fan. It's necessary to keep myself grounded and know the limits and parameters. If not for these rules, I would just come home frustrated and disappointed, even the team won the game that night. If I didn't draw the line, I would be forever have this grand illusion that all basketball players know me or owe me. reality bites, I don't have the franchise, I don't own a single basketball player, even I am the greatest fan in the entire universe.


Rule no. 1 You are not the girlfriend, you're just the fan. I always remind myself that and it gives me lesser heartaches. I cannot expect a hug from the basketball player who just got out of the shower. With no pretenses, I know where I stand. Sure I will forever wait there at the South Gate of Araneta Coliseum but I don't expect that the Player would come to me and say hello. But if he did, it's heaven. If I got the hug, it's a bliss. But for me, a simple hello would be comforting already.

Rule no. 2. You're not the only fan. My edge really is I could get inside the dugout. Or at least, I can stand there and wait right at the door. But the advantage stops there. I cannot act like a primadonna and snoot over other fans. Outside the South Gate, I wait for my turn to get a glimpse of my Idol. Sure I can easily grab him away from them all, but I don't want to be lynched or be hated by the other followers and supporters. Which brings me to rule no. 3

Be Friendly. Don't hate those screaming fags, I mean, fans. Some of them get (or bluntly ask for) transpo allowance from players. Some of them would actually ask you for some merienda. For me, the set-up is perfectly fine. If the player has the budget( some of them have financiers), why not? I am friendly with other fans because it gives me the feeling of not being alone. It helps to be friendly so that you can share those high fives or those tears. It's nice to chat with them and hear their stories. We have common enemy: nope, not the fans of other players but the girlfriend. And yes these fans are very loyal not only to the players but also to the friends and families of the players. But sorry, never to the girlfriend.

Rule no. 4. Don't ask for the jersey. Every ordinary fan does that and I am not an ordinary fan. I wait for the player to make the offer or at least to promise. Now, if you would expect that those promises will be fulfilled at the end of the season, you'd only be disheartened. I am sobeyond that. I can be a fan without the jersey. But yes, I have the jersey of the some of the best UAAP players. And I didn't have to beg for them. Up to now, some players who promised to give their jerseys but didn't would tell me, huy, may utang pa ako sa'yo. I will just smile. I can live with that.

Rule no. 5. Don't come to the party or dinner if you're not invited. I am fan and not a gatecrasher. I am a follower not a stalker. I am supporter not a free rider. I can buy myself a dinner, thank you.

Rule no. 6. Don't be clingy. Most players are straight men. Some are bi, some have gay benefactors. Whatever is the orientation, I don't wrap myself around the player. I don't hug, I wait for the player to hug or to buss (some actually do).

Rule no. 7 Don't pick a fight. I will shout my heart out. I will yell for them to make these shots. I will curse the bad luck but never the man beside who's rooting for the other team. Be a good sport, basketball is supposed to be fun and should not be the cause of my death.

Next blog: Clingy fans and Feeling pretty girlfriends

Friday, July 2, 2010

tren: how to survive

Nakakasanayan ko na at hinahanap na ng sistema ko ang pagsakay sa tren tuwing pupunta ako ng Makati. Ayoko nang pumila ng matagal para mag-fx service. Bihira lang naman talaga ako magtaxi papunta (mas madalas pag pauwi na at najejebs). Sa lahat ng makakabasa nito, subukan niyo rin. Hindi lang laking tipid (imagine 10 pesos lang from espaƱa to makati, e dati 47 pesos ang pamasahe ko) kundi sobrang bilis din (15 to 20 mins, no traffic). Ang lakas din ng aircon compared sa mga fx at taxi. Pero yun nga lang dahil sa mass transport ito, marami talagang sumasakay. Masa man o sosyal, karpintero man o bossing, nakikinabang sa tren na ito. Ito lang yung mga dapat mong tandaan at paghandaan pagsakay sa tren:

1. Amoy Jovan. Pag papunta, asahan mo na ang sari-saring amoy ng pabango at pomada. Dito ko nga lamang nalaman na may gumagamit pa pala ng Tancho. Uso pa pala ang Jovan at mayroon pa rin palang Forest Interlude. Mayroon ding mga amoy banig pa at mayroon ding amoy tapsilog. Alam na alam mo kung anong almusal nila.

2. Tibayan ang dibdib. Literally, dibdiban ang labanan sa puwesto sa loob ng tren. Kung ayaw mo nang siksikan, sabi nga ni Manong Guard sa Sta. Mesa Station, magtaxi ka. Pero kung nagtitipid o nagmamadali ka o gusto mo lang ma-experience, be ready to be bumped. Gamitin ang pagiging quarterback o sumo wrestler. Make sure also na kaya mong tumayo nang 15 minutes habang nagpapagewang-gewang ang tren sa daang bakal.

3. Kung babae ka, dun ka. May reserved coach para sa mga babae (unfair!) kaya please lang huwag nang makipagsiksikan pa sa lugar ng mga lalaki (kami na lang makikipagkapaan sa kanila!). Ewan ko ba sa mga ibang girl, gustong-gustong pumapagitna sa mga brusko. Gustong-gustong makipagdibdiban kahit wala namang boobs! Tse. Huwag nang umasa na may magpapa-upo sayo. Hello.

4. Kumapit. Kung wala ka nang rail na makapitan, ok lang dumantay sa katabi. Make sure lang walang malisya o hindi pabigat ang iyong kapit. At huwag ding sa pantalon kumapit at baka may sumabit.

5. Wear a smile. You will never know kung sino makakasakay mo, kaya dapat easy ka lang. Wag magmasungit o magmaganda kung ayaw mong masiko. Kung manit ang ulo mo, wag dalhin dito. Magbigay ng daan sa iba at respect each other's space (gaano man ka-imaginary). Wag ka ring umere na feeling boss ka, hindi uubra dito yan kahit amoy perry ellis ka pa. Dahil pangmasa ang tren, asahan mong pantay-pantay lahat dito. Kung nababahuan ka sa katabi, think of happy thoughts na lang. Swerte-swerte lang yan.

6. Ingat sa mandurukot. Kahit saan meron. Pero wag naman ma-praning na lahat ng katabi ay tinuturing mong suspek. Ang sinasabi lang, mag-ingat. Mag-sling bag kung carry.

7. Huwag magbasa o maglaro ng PSP. Kung siksikan, huwag nang maging pasaway na para kang walang pakialam na maglalaro ng PSP at tutungkuran yung nasa harapan mo. Tsong, baka makutusan ka, di kita sagot. Kung magbabasa ka ng pocketbook o magazine o dyaryo, make sure na hindi ka sagabal sa iba. At huwag magsuplado, dahil kung magbabasa ka, asahan mong makikibasa ang katabi mo. Pahiram mo na lang yung sports page.

8. Gamitin ang phone ethics. Naku maraming ganito, kung kailan nasa loob ng tren, dun magtetext o dun tatawag. At para malaman ng lahat na may load, makikipagsigawan siya sa kausap nya sa cellphone kahit puro sige-sige, ok-ok lang naman ang sinasabi.

9. Have fun. Sa lahat ng bagay, ito ang huwag na kakalimutan. Enjoy the ride. Lalo na kung it's the start of your day. Isipin mo rin na yung kasabay mo e nagsisimula rin ang araw at hindi mo hahangarin na sirain ang araw ng isa't isa.

Sakay na!