Anyway, the more I think about it, the more I know it was a confluence of events that led me to disgust. Mainly, the NBA broadcasts that became available on cable, which showed me how pathetic our own league was (yes, Paras, who plays center would be playing PG). Then, the MBA which died a natural death, diluted the talent pool and doubled the amount of basketball to watch. The only thing good about that was that Sev Sarmenta left the PBA.

The nail on the coffin were the Fil-Ams, who were bigger, faster, stronger but the least bit Filipino. For a while it was believable that Alvarez and De Guzman can crack the rim. Or that little Johnny can zip through a phalanx of defenders and make two points look so easy. But when we started seeing players whose names were "Taulava", "Helterbrand" and "Siegle" we stopped believing that we could be one of them, that we could be in the game. Not only were they tall, they *looked* different. They blurred the line between "imports" and the locals (Bobbie Brown was small!).

I told my mom one day, when she asked me why I stopped watching, or lost interest completely, I said: If I wanted to watch foreigners play, I'd watch the NBA.

The truth is that the league lost its most precious heroes, and had hoped the Fil-Ams would replace them. No one was or will ever be as big as Jaworski or his team, or Patrimonio, Caidic or Lastimosa. Gone are the days when a short stocky everyday player like Rudy Distrito can make it big in the league with slow motion dribble penetrations. Or a layup from a guy named "Dondon" was such a welcome site to see. The PBA, in its desire to raise the standard of its game, had sold out to bottomfeeding Fil-Ams who couldn't make it to a NCAA Third Division team but could manage to fake a Birth Certificate and dribble a ball.

I've always been a basketball fan, no question, more now since I've been commissioning a Fantasy NBA League for five years. My thoughts on the PBA being dead is made more valid now that they're apparently choosing between Jasmine Trias and Camille Velasco to "grace" this year's opening. Fitting that both are Fil-Ams and both are, like the players in the league, runners-up.

(If only U.P. can get a Magsanoc-Paras combination again, basketball in the Philippines would re-interest me.)

Posted by Bulletproofvest at 05:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (9)
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"We made a mistake in judgment, and for that I am sorry," Rather said. "It was an error that was made, however, in good faith and in the spirit of trying to carry on a CBS News tradition of investigative reporting without fear or favoritism."

True, what was an honest mistake became a hairball because CBS defended the report despite the overwhelming evidence mounting against it. I hope Kerry won't take the larger blow.

Posted by Bulletproofvest at 06:03 PM | Permalink
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Link is here via Slashdot.org.

Posted by Bulletproofvest at 08:38 AM | Permalink
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"Nobody wants taxes whether here in the Philippines or abroad, people do not really want taxes. But as they said, the only two things inevitable in this life are taxes and death," Mr. Drilon said in a television interview.

First off, I don't mind paying taxes, as long as they are based on a fair structure, and that my government (who needs it to function) will use it to better serve me. Now, obviously, there are people who dislike paying taxes so much that they end up not doing it at all, thus the tax amnesty bill.

You see, it plays out like this: if a mother tells a misbehaving child, look, I'll let this one pass and let that be a lesson to you, will that mean he'll never fool you again? Those tax forms may be so hard to work through that it's easier to just bribe my friendly neighborhood tax collector to get it over with. Change is tough, and I've had too many government officials and judges on my payroll (not to mention the lawyers). Ever heard of this one: If I didn't cheat on my taxes, I'd be out of business? Lets just wait for the next round of amnesties, shall we?

For the big time tax evaders, I say, if Martha Stewart and Al Capone can go to jail, make these people pay up and pay time. Meanwhile, let Manila reap the blessings of a Greenhills' tax-free tiangge shopping!

Posted by Bulletproofvest at 08:32 AM | Permalink
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According to Darwin Santos, a senior science research specialist in DOST and one of the three test phase beneficiaries of AVIST, the system basically depends on basic Internet connection, though it has problems passing through the firewalls of the DOST’s network though the enrollment interface was readily accessible.

Santos said that after enrolling, he was unable to connect to the AVIST training modules since their network firewall, filters and antivirus applications were blocking connection. He said that if any of these were to be disabled, the whole DOST network would become vulnerable to attacks.

The only way he was able to access AVIST was from his home PC with a prepaid Internet card. Even then, the connection was unstable.

“I wasn’t able to connect to the video files through RealPlayer, though I was sure my connection was very fast,” he said. “I couldn’t do anything even after several tries.”

Santos said that the other AVIST recipient, Meraida Reyes, also a research scientist of DOST, had the same problem.

“We already reported the problem to Felix Librero of the UP Open University and he promised to address the problem,” Santos said.

On the other hand, it seems the DOST needs a systems administrator to manage their intranet. Santos may be good at signing people up, but saying he tried several times and exclaiming that he was "sure (his) connection was very fast" doesn't sound like a tech guy to me at all.

Which begs the question: doesn't the DOST have a PR department who can step in and edit or replace this guy? At least put someone in there with some spin ("The system is currently being tested now and some technical parameters are being worked out." instead of passing the blame (yes, the blame) on to the Open University?)

Make me put my foot in my mouth and explain this all to me please. Grrr. Nakakainis.

Posted by Bulletproofvest at 08:09 AM | Permalink
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A CD with my resume on it has my mugshot out there. The concept was to have the faculty goof off. Here I am, in a four panel self-portrait, trying desperately to do a Derek Zoolander Blue Steel "gaze". It actually looks more like Steven Colbert.

Posted by Bulletproofvest at 05:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
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Admit to it, folks, there's a "love song" out there that really chokes you up. You're not that cool. So here are 30, a first draft, in no particular order:

I urge you to plug in your favorite (if I missed it and if you dare).

1. "Kanlungan" Buklod

2. "Time After Time" Cyndi Lauper

3. "Sa Kanya" Ogie Alcasid

4. "66" Afghan Whigs

5. "Elsewhere" Sarah McLachlan

6. "Missin' You" John Waite

7. "Here, There and Everywhere" The Beatles

8. "For No One" The Beatles

9. "Stay" The Blue Nile

10. "No Ordinary Morning" Chicane

11. "A Letter to Elise" The Cure

12. "The Heart of the Matter" Don Henley

13. "Two Star" Everything But The Girl

14. "Shadow on a Harvest Moon" Everything But The Girl

15. "Ngayon at Kailanman" Basil Valdez

16. "Last Supper" Howard Jones

17. "I Would Die 4 U" Prince

18. "Inconsolable" Jonatha Brooke and The Story

19. "Fly Away Home" Mary Chapin Carpenter

20. "Girlfriend" Matthew Sweet

21. "Sometimes Always" The Jesus and Mary Chain

22. "Sweet Caroline" Neil Diamond

23. "Tuloy Pa Rin" Neocolours

24. "And I Love You So" Perry Como

25. "All Mixed Up" Red House Painters

26. "Kung Kailangan Mo Ako" Rey Valera

27. "To Turn You On" Roxy Music

28. "In Your Eyes" Peter Gabriel

29. "Ask" The Smiths

30. "Suddenly" Soraya

Posted by Bulletproofvest at 04:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (8)
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Three things that happened on September 11:

1. This (wished it didn't happen)

2. This (wished it didn't happen too)

3. And, whoa, this.

Posted by Bulletproofvest at 04:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)
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Meanwhile, here's a reason why Filipinos are so poor and why everyone wants to be part of the government (especially an appointee!):

Manuel Villar called Tuesday for a cap on the salaries of top officials of government-owned and -controlled corporations and govern­ment financing institu­tions after getting the list of the 100 highest-paid officials.

The list shows that the highest-paid government executive earned P9.85 million a year and the lowest, P1.375 million a year.

Villar, chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, said he wouldn’t have minded the high salary scale were it not that the GOCCs were the main cause of the fiscal crisis besetting the government.

“We should review the salary scale. Pity the low-salaried ordinary government employees who are working hard,” he said.

Of course, this doesn't include kickbacks. This, among other things, are the primary reasons why the government -- and the nation -- is in a fiscal crisis.

Posted by Bulletproofvest at 04:45 PM | Permalink
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Apparently it ended really well: The person who thought about getting viewers to vote on how it all ends -- and show two alternative endings -- is a genius. The ratings for the series had 65% of all televisions tuned in. Wow! Are they going to let us vote on John Lloyd's and Bea's ending too?

That said, I would have voted for Ara and Mary Anne. You know, some g on g action.

Posted by Bulletproofvest at 10:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
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So I brought on my OPM tunes to commemorate and reminisce. To further weaken my constitution, I delved deep into the chasm of "Mellow Tats" music and found Rey Valera, Regine's "Dadalhin" (which is heartwrenchingly beautiful), Ogie Alcasid's "Sa Kanya" (which according to him he could never write another song equal to) and Pops and Freestyle's loving cover of "Bakit Ngayon Ka Lang?".

I have some Neocolours (yes, British English) ready for tomorrow. I miss it all just a teeny tiny bit, as you can see.

Posted by Bulletproofvest at 08:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
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1. I always try to keep in touch with everyone. "Try" is the operative word here, which is why I am on Friendster.

2. I can cook and I do, but not lately though. But I can. (I also do laundry!)

3. Not a month passes by without listening to any of the following (no particular order): Everything But The Girl, Aztec Camera, Guided By Voices, New Order and Underworld.

4. I have a blog and take careful aim at the Philippine government and Ruffa Guttierez.

5. I have a sense of humor, mostly at my expense.

6. I have unusually long toes (you know what they say...).

7. I have been a hardworking and compassionate commissioner of an NBA Fantasy Basketball League for four years now and will continue to do so.

8. I love kids and old people. They crack me up.

9. I am an X Files, Star Trek (TNG, DS9 and Voyager), L&O and CSI junkie.

10. I play CounterStrike ("Fire in the hole!") and Battlefield 1942 ("Go! Go! Go!") because I understand it is one of the best ways to get eight of your best buddies together for some good clean fun at two in the morning.

11. I am a Mac User with a lot of respect for Windows XP and how hard they try.

12. I appreciate the fine art of the layup and the jumpshot (which are the only two shots I have left in my body).

13. I do not have anyone in my YM ignore list.

14. I have taste.

15. I try never to forget to say "Thank you."

Posted by Bulletproofvest at 05:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
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1. I scream at the referee when he makes a bad call. On TV, how else will he hear me?

2. I find pleasure in picking my nose and wiping my boogers where people will find them years later.

3. When confronted with an open bag of bread, I toss out the twisties and simply fold over the opening before sliding the loaf back into the fridge.

4. I like being left alone some times: that's what train rides are for, I guess.

5. I am very often flatulent.

6. I like singing in falsetto, especially in the back of the car, and especially to The Police or Prince.

7. People tell me I'm competitive. I once instigated a three-day long house fight among good friends over a game of Risk.

8. When called for, I will slam on anyone who cuts a line at the ATM, the traffic light or the cashier. In such occasions, I find little restraint in using expletives or compounding words to create new ones in order to express my disgust and hopefully defame the offending individual.

9. I snore and have unusually hairy legs. This makes for an awful night for anyone next to me.

10. I am somewhat too agreeable. That annoys people who like to argue, and annoys people who feel like I know something they don't know even more.

Posted by Bulletproofvest at 07:01 PM | Permalink
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The Ombudsman’s investigation disclosed that Domingo started as a senior clerk in the bureau in 1988 and was promoted to her present position.

In the same year that she was hired, the Ombudsman said, Domingo was able to buy two cars for P366,000, when her annual income was only P29,676.

In 1996 she was able to buy a house and lot in Biñan, Laguna, worth P100,500 when her annual income was only P63,864.

Then in 1998 Domingo was able to buy a car worth P640,000 when her annual income was just P83,028.

Domingo and her husband were also able to acquire a Starex van, Pajero, Toyota Revo and an Elantra Sedan, all worth P2.378 million, which were not reflected in her 2002 statement of assets, liabilities and net worth.

Orbeta, meanwhile, was hired as a messenger in 1992, a position which he held up to the present.

Although Orbeta’s annual salary was only P71,592, he managed to buy a Honda Civic worth P395,000.

I had to check that there were no typos: P29,676 a year? That's our minimum wage is it? About P2,500 a month? Kawawa naman Pilipino. Makes you believe that if they had decent salaries, they'd probably stay straight. Or, maybe not.

Posted by Bulletproofvest at 12:53 PM | Permalink
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If there are many shirtless men roaming around in a certain community, there are also many criminals such as thieves, snatchers and robbers in that area.

Sabi mo e.

Posted by Bulletproofvest at 12:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
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Lloyd Scott donned an antique diving suit to watch Finding Nemo on an 8ft x 6ft acrylic screen in the Atlantic Tank of the London Aquarium.

Schools of mackerel floated past the screen attracted by the colours and the lights, while the more retiring rays stayed close to the bottom of the tank.

Posted by Bulletproofvest at 07:56 AM | Permalink
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But now drugstores are complaining, in fact, they're threatening:

“We have no choice but to increase the prices of medicines. We will go bankrupt and eventually close shop if the government will continue to carry out the law. We find the 20-percent discount unaffordable, unjust and unreasonable. This unfair law penalizes drugstores willing to give consumers lower prices,”

Healthcare is of course horribly tricky, and this is government passing on the cost of healthcare onto these private businesses. Indeed generics are one thing, as the article pointed out, but a discount on the branded meds really eats into your profits, especially if you start abusing your card (which is to be expected). I wonder if the drug giant Mercury Drug, who can absorb the 20% discount in their deep balance sheet, supported this bit of legislature to help them clean out the countryside of small drug stores.

Posted by Bulletproofvest at 06:32 AM | Permalink
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An unexplained radio signal from deep space could -- just might be -- contact from an alien civilization, New Scientist magazine reported on Thursday. The signal, coming from a point between the Pisces and Aries constellations, has been picked up three times by a telescope in Puerto Rico. New Scientist said the signal could be generated by a previously unknown astronomical phenomenon or even be a by-product from the telescope itself.

Posted by Bulletproofvest at 07:34 AM | Permalink
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In the resolution, the MMDA noted that billboards and advertising signs are "indiscriminately posted in public areas and distract the attention of motorists, thus causing road accidents and traffic."

...gas and electricity prices are going up.

Meanwhile, Bong Revilla Jr is upset that SM is unwilling to show "malaswa" movies (which the manager of SM Cinemas describe "where yung action is, you know, grabe talaga.") Revilla says they're "dictating" on the movie industry. SM Cinemas are the largest group of cinemas in the country. Revilla is no lawyer either -- he never even played one.

On the lighter side, Sharon and Kiko have a baby girl, huge at 8.2 lbs. Her name is Mariel Daniella Sophia. I guess that ensures that she as three times as much nicknames as the ordinary Filipina baby.

Posted by Bulletproofvest at 07:25 PM | Permalink
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