Even her current site has problems articulating exactly what it is plastic surgery is needed for:

Ideal beauty is the attractiveness that is best suited for the individual, with an emphasis that this can be accomplished based not only on what fits the meaning of being beautiful according to the current times, but also the compatibility of this style to the person's total make-up.

That said, the woman had vision (and great skin!). She knew that cosmetic procedures in the U.S. were becoming massively popular because the technology was advancing into making it both more effective AND accessible. Prices for procedures were falling and consequently the market expanded.

Her vision was to be the best in her field, technically. And she had the credentials and the gear. However, her marketing approach was different (which is why the philosophical mumbo jumbo above is really all that, philisophical mumbo jumbo): cosmetic surgery, from butts to boobjobs, is about sex. And indeed sex sells. Yes, they have patients recovering from burn injuries, but why cut yourself up if not to look more physically attractive? It's not like going to the gym to start looking good AND be healthier. Furthermore, I believe the notions of changing your physical appearance -- a higher level of vanity -- is so alien to Filipinos, who themselves are culturally not all that physically vain, that Belo needed to "popularize" the idea of doing exactly that. Compare Korean women in college -- with their fashionista packaging, their extrafolded eyelids and their wanton use of makeup -- with their Filipino counterparts and you'll see what I mean.

So, calling on Rosanna Roces (a current favorite at BV) to become her celeb endorser was sheer marketing genius. Rosanna is fun, she's provocative, she's sexy and she's "masa" (almost "jologs") that she is able to embody (pun intended) all the narcissism and vanity that surrounds cosmetic surgery and poke fun at it -- making it appear acceptable. And, more importantly, current, and as easy as smiling and twisting her hips.

Now, curiously enough, Vicki Belo has a new vision:

The future, according to Dr. Vicky, is the thread face. It involves no cutting of facial skin and its healing time is much quicker than a traditional face-lift.

"I have been doing this procedure for three years now and Americans have been doing it for three months only," she says. "That's why I was invited to speak on this Russian-invented procedure. I said that the Philippines could be the cosmetic surgery capital of the world.

Posted by Bulletproofvest at 01:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
del.icio.us Digg it Furl ma.gnolia Newsvine reddit Google StumbleUpon

Under the bill, Revilla proposed a penalty of 12 to 20 years imprisonment and a fine of at least 250,000 pesos against anyone who publishes, broadcasts, exhibits, sells, and acquires pornographic materials.

Soliciting sexual favors through email or Internet chatrooms are also punishable under the bill.

Cohorts of pornographers will also be sentenced to 12-year imprisonment and charged a 100, 000-peso fine.

Exchanging pornographic material is one discussion, but the government has no right to tell someone they can't hussy up a party in a chatroom. That'll ruin too many Friday nights.

Moral of the story is, share, don't sell.

Posted by Bulletproofvest at 09:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)
del.icio.us Digg it Furl ma.gnolia Newsvine reddit Google StumbleUpon

About eighteen months ago, I decided to do my wife a favor, and bathe our (then) two-year old. Being a toddler, she likes a LOT of toys in the bathtub, along with a metric TON of bubble bath. So many toys and bubbles, in fact, that it's hard to tell that there is actually a CHILD in the tub.

Being a helpful child, she likes to hand you things. Also, being a female child, she keeps up a steady patter of stream-of-consciousness natter in the background as she does so. Like most parents, I tuned it out and occasionally interjected a mutter of my own. Until..

Continue reading here.

Posted by Bulletproofvest at 09:29 AM | Permalink
del.icio.us Digg it Furl ma.gnolia Newsvine reddit Google StumbleUpon

I have no problems with VAT per se. Excise taxes, in the global economy, is both equitable and useful. The exemptions are in place for the "poorest of the poor". What is important to note here is that Congress, calling it a Bitter Pill Tax, did so to arrest the convulsions stemming from the huge budget deficit (which their fiscal mismanagement caused) and the low tax returns reported by the BIR (probably the most corrupt government agency). To generate 30 or 40 billion, in other words, they will simply tax you more, particularly you, the educated middle class.

Posted by Bulletproofvest at 05:50 PM | Permalink
del.icio.us Digg it Furl ma.gnolia Newsvine reddit Google StumbleUpon

And, no nurses either.

Posted by Bulletproofvest at 06:49 PM | Permalink
del.icio.us Digg it Furl ma.gnolia Newsvine reddit Google StumbleUpon

Dear Rupert,

Deal.

- Bulletproof Vest

P.S. Never fall for a married woman, even if you were drunk.

Posted by Bulletproofvest at 09:34 AM | Permalink
del.icio.us Digg it Furl ma.gnolia Newsvine reddit Google StumbleUpon

All matters relating to domestic and foreign trade and private corporations; patents, copyrights, trade names and trademarks; standards, weights, measures and designs; quality control; control and stabilization of prices of commodities; consumer protection; handicraft and cottage industries; and marketing of commodities.

Shall we then argue that the local film industry is a "handicraft and cottage industry" alongside farming oyster and shiitake mushrooms? Or are they a better fit within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Education, Arts and Culture, which deals with, among others, "the preservation, enrichment and evolution of Filipino arts and culture." I must be reading this the wrong way.

Read more on the Senate here.

Posted by Bulletproofvest at 05:07 PM | Permalink
del.icio.us Digg it Furl ma.gnolia Newsvine reddit Google StumbleUpon

Here on "If You Fall" they approach a level where their spare instrumentality sounds like Shonen Knife sitting next to Prince, happily sipping earl grey tea.

Listen.

Posted by Bulletproofvest at 04:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
del.icio.us Digg it Furl ma.gnolia Newsvine reddit Google StumbleUpon

I'd like to know for one what, with the exception of the independent few, these folk have done for their country that they deserve a senate resolution, if not just for a few more actors begging to mingle with the political limelight, hoping for some rub-off for a possible run. Yes, everyone's having a hard time, but it really pays to have friends in the big house, does it?

Indeed, how many people are employed directly and indirectly by the local film industry? No more, I believe, than all those uninsured garbage collectors, who pick up our garbage everyday. Or, those journalists, writers and reporters -- true to their mandate of helping the republic government itself by watching over their elected officials -- whose numbers are being decimated by death threats or gunfire from baby armalites.

Even more infuriating is how our senate has come to create a committee on "trade and commerce, cinema affairs" (what's in a name anyway when you have a senate committee on "ethics and privileges," another on "ways and means" and another on "rules"). I guess it's a sub-committee, since T&C is a permanent committee on it's own. Still, how important is the local cinema industry anyway? Do they bring in much needed dollars, as much as, say, our mango industry whose state and importance certainly deserves senate attention? Are they so important that if they shrink to a less impressive number, the price of longganisa will rise?

My lack of sympathy is not meant to take away from Joel Lamangan's mission:

The film industry has been on a slump for several years now. Film production has declined steadily from an average of 130 full-length features films about seven years ago to only 80 in 2003 and to no more than 50 movies as of the end of November 2004.

But, let's face it. The local movie industry did it to itself, and Hollywood movies sell better than the sophomoric attempts they put out with very little pride. They poisoned their own well with brainless nude flicks, unintelligent teen bombs, rip-offs and low-budget cops and robbers productions, and actors who seem to think they can run for office, sing and dance at the same time. Their best-paying customer base, the middle class, is now far more enlightened possibly beyond the grasps of their pens and cameras. They must surely think that aging Enteng Kabisote is not Harry Potter. And if anyone out there can afford a movie at the mall, you might as well grab the bootleg and watch at home.

So now they need government protection and tax incentives, possibly more, to survive. They certainly don't need senatorial oversight, much more senator's precious speechtimes. No one batted for the local jeepney manufacturers when their industry grounded to a halt because of cheaper vehicles manufactured by multinational corporations.

Certainly, none of this really matters to the electorate, of course. They're too busy going gaga with images of Richard Gomez in the senate. That should certainly help him get a good script.

Posted by Bulletproofvest at 04:16 PM | Permalink
del.icio.us Digg it Furl ma.gnolia Newsvine reddit Google StumbleUpon

According to a government employee, the directive aims to "deliver the city from God's plagues", referring no doubt to the garbage and air pollution now stiffling the city.

Seriously, what's worse here is that it's an honest-to-goodness attempt to put the blame on the businesses, when it's their government that can't do their work.

(The) ... problem has reached gargantuan proportion, whereby crimes against persons and juvenile delinquencies are due to the rampant operation of so-called sin businesses or vice promoting entertainment centers, such as bars, liquor dispensers, nightclubs, karaoke joints, video or computer centers, billiard halls and the like," the directive said.

The seminars were meant to "gather all operators to apprise them of the gravity of the problem caused by liquor and other vices-promoting establishments," Yaranon told reporters.

Even more curious:

Asked if the order had intruded into people's right to religion, the mayor said: "No, this is for the children. There are laws protecting the children. I don't see religion entering the picture here."

For the children pala ha.

Posted by Bulletproofvest at 09:34 AM | Permalink
del.icio.us Digg it Furl ma.gnolia Newsvine reddit Google StumbleUpon

Read here.

Posted by Bulletproofvest at 04:41 PM | Permalink
del.icio.us Digg it Furl ma.gnolia Newsvine reddit Google StumbleUpon

Seven dead, 19 injured in Kalibo shooting

Seven people, including three policemen, were killed Sunday while 19 others were injured when armed men opened fire on a town fiesta in Kalibo, Aklan, police said.

The gunmen opened fire on a crowd of people taking part in an annual parade to celebrate the feast of the infant Jesus.

It was not clear what the motive was, but the targets apparently were provincial police chief Senior Superintendent Odilario Magayanes and Kalibo police chief Manuel Elijay and Senior Police Officer Juan Garion, who were all killed in the attack.

New People's Army guerrillas denied having a hand in the killings.

A manhunt has been launched. abs-cbnNEWS.com monitor

Meanwhile, INQ7's report was more complete, and had the entire story, quoting: "He's totally gone nuts." A rare idiomatic expression from a Western Visayas police director if you ask me.

Note also the differences in the names of those killed.

Posted by Bulletproofvest at 03:17 PM | Permalink
del.icio.us Digg it Furl ma.gnolia Newsvine reddit Google StumbleUpon

From jazz, to house, to Ibiza, here's A Man Called Adam's "Estelle" from Cafe del Mar's first volume. Vocals that remind me of Cyndi Lauper plastic-wrapped with rum and sand.

Listen here.

Posted by at 12:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
del.icio.us Digg it Furl ma.gnolia Newsvine reddit Google StumbleUpon

"While watching, they had questions, and I explained to them in a very adult manner what was happening," said Lani. "I told them their brother Jolo was now a father, but explained to them that he is not married to the baby's mother. I wanted them to learn the lesson in this."

She says that if they have a second child, it would "no longer be an [accident]"

The father had other words:

Senator Revilla said he also warned Jolo about having premarital sex.

"I asked him to refrain from having sex," said Bong. "He's still too young for that. I didn't blame Jolo for what happened. That's not my style. But I warned him that I'll wring his neck if he has another baby while he's still a minor and not prepared for it."

"Let this serve as a lesson to other kids, not only my children," Bong added. "The youth should act responsibly and not get themselves into situations like this. While having a baby is a good thing, this should happen at the right time. In Jolo's case, it's too early for him to be having a baby. But we've accepted the situation, and we're happy to be grandparents, Lani and I.

Posted by Bulletproofvest at 02:46 PM | Permalink
del.icio.us Digg it Furl ma.gnolia Newsvine reddit Google StumbleUpon

Take, for example, deer. (Warning, photographs are extremely explicit.)

Posted by Bulletproofvest at 09:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
del.icio.us Digg it Furl ma.gnolia Newsvine reddit Google StumbleUpon

But that was in a drama series, here's something a bit more real:

Her daughter, Grace Adriano, 15, gave birth yesterday at 1:30 p.m. to a seven-pound boy. He will be called Jose Gabriel (nickname: Leone).

Grace had a normal delivery according to Dr. Suyen Granados Rivera. Jolo Revilla, 16, the baby's father, had to skip school to be with Grace who was brought to the Cardinal Santos Hospital at 8 a.m. yesterday. Jolo is the second son of Sen. Bong Revilla and actress Lani Mercado.

If that doesn't "legitimize" the enterprise, the father's mom, actress Lani Mercado, videotaped the entire delivery.

(The real story here is how "Jose Gabriel" became "Leone".)

Posted by Bulletproofvest at 08:20 PM | Permalink
del.icio.us Digg it Furl ma.gnolia Newsvine reddit Google StumbleUpon

A friend of mine sent me this, as a birthday message, and because she was too cheap. I haven't read Thomas in a while, and this came at a good time.

Do not go gentle into that good night, Old age should burn and rave at close of day; Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Though wise men at their end know dark is right, Because their words had forked no lightning they Do not go gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay, Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight, And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way, Do not go gentle into that good night.

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay, Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my father, there on the sad height, Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray. Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Posted by Bulletproofvest at 01:15 PM | Permalink
del.icio.us Digg it Furl ma.gnolia Newsvine reddit Google StumbleUpon

Nick and Jessica on MTV?

Nicole and Paris on FOX?

or, Brigitte and Flavor Flav on VH1?

Posted by Bulletproofvest at 10:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)
del.icio.us Digg it Furl ma.gnolia Newsvine reddit Google StumbleUpon

And we were both convinced our kids were better off going to schools outside the U.S., where they can learn the "tough-love" lessons we did. Well, here's another kind of "love" (and yet more reason to think U.S. schools here are whacked, in the post-Columbine, NCLB era):

IPS police and Marion County child protection workers are investigating an incident involving two first-graders who officials said were caught trying to have sex Wednesday at an Eastside school.

District officials worried that the incident may have signaled that at least one of the 6-year-olds had been abused before. A child psychologist acknowledged that possibility but said the behavior simply could have been an attempt to copy something seen on a video or cable TV.

"One of them may be a victim," said Indianapolis Public Schools Superintendent Duncan Pat Pritchett. "We're waiting for the conclusion of the two investigations. At that age, that's learned behavior."

The names of the two children have not been made public. But the girl and boy, who were released to their parents, received five-day suspensions and could be booted from classes at School 69 for the rest of the year.

Posted by Bulletproofvest at 08:32 AM | Permalink
del.icio.us Digg it Furl ma.gnolia Newsvine reddit Google StumbleUpon

N.Y. Times publisher Arthur Sulzberger Jr. was quoted in the article as saying: "It gets to the issue of how comfortable are we training a generation of readers to get quality information for free. That is troubling."

Yup, if you started out giving it away for free, you'll run into that kind of trouble. And, in case you didn't know it yet, dating (not auctions or music downloads) leads in online paid-for content.

Posted by Bulletproofvest at 05:33 PM | Permalink
del.icio.us Digg it Furl ma.gnolia Newsvine reddit Google StumbleUpon

1. In-Flight Entertainment. I was told that the Cathay Pacific flights had two really good things going on in coach: a. that each passenger got his own nice index card sized monitor; and, b. that there were some really good flicks (I, Robot, among others) and some good TV shows on tap (CSI, The Office, Without a Trace). So I didn't pack a book and took only one magazine and my mp3 player on board. As luck would have it, the monitor no aisle seat 31D was broken, and I suffered through a 15 hour flight with nothing to do but listen to my tunes and desperately trying to strike up a conversation with any of the flight attendants. Everybody's telling me I should write a complaint letter; I'll post it here when it's ready.

2. My mom's jaw-dropping Christmas village collection. At around 27 houses and features, the first lay-out was really impressive, complete with trees, rolling hills, snow, a carousel, and buildings lit from within. She has shops, a police station, a town hall, two churches (yes, it's an interdenominational Christmas village), and a pharmacy *and* an apothecary She's getting 20 more houses shipped to her over 2005 and -- Mael hold on to your butt -- a four-car Bachman train set. I wish I was home helping her set it all up for Christmas 2005.

3. Seeing friends and family, especially by surprise. Christmas reunions are always fun. Getting buzzed on the cheap in an 80's bar in Ortigas is pretty good too. But running into Titus and Terry at the Shangri-la Mall unplanned is even better. We had fun talking about other people from our Comm Arts program in UPLB, including a juicy story about a former classmate who swindled millions of pesos from one of the largest banks in the country (I'd paste a link if I could find one).

4. Buying fake DVD's in Greenhills. First, a sweaty little man (the only proper description, believe me) comes up to me and asks me below his breath the three-letter question: "DVD?" Man, the experience is like buying drugs. Ever since they got tossed out of Virra Mall for, you guessed it, selling pirated DVDs, finding them and purchasing their warez has the same nervous edge as a hostage exchange. Of course, I answered yes, and he produces a sweaty little list (again, the only proper descriptIon) of titles that he had. It read like the box office, Spiderman 2, Collateral, Harry Potter and the Prisioner of Azkhaban, and titles that were obviously shot by someone with a Super-8 tucked in his armpit. I said, I'd like to see this and a few others (I said I was looking for "The West Wing") and he before I knew it, he was leading me across the mall, ducking and weaving, into the hands of more of his colleagues and asking about "The West Wing". Then, suddenly they dispersed, because out came a Videogram agent, complete with walkie talkie, pin ID and polo barong. He started asking questions to the other guys in the crowd and all I kept thinking was "Save the user, jail the pusher. Save the user, jail the pusher."

Minutes later, after the agent left, another sweaty little man returned. With his back turned to me, he handed me a sweaty little plastic bag (it came from underneath his shirt) containing the DVDs I had asked for. Cool. He told me that the penalties for being caught dealing was up to a month in prison and a Php 10,000 fine. I couldn't leave without seeing a copy of Garden State. Plus, the guy kept asking me if I wanted "Dumaguete" or "La Salle". Gee...

5. Food! Pichi-pichi, chocolate covered marshmallows, chicken ham, deep-fried white cheese and pandesal, sisig, lechon kawali, liempo barbeque, laing, lumpiang shanghai, halo-halo, Letty's buko pie, Mer-nel's chocolate cake, Cunanan ensaymada, polvoron, carioca, ube, adobo, hotdog barbeque, Lapid's chicharon (the Rolls Royce of chicharon, pare), spa-kechup, guava ice cream sandwiches at the Museum Cafe, queso de bola, sarap kumain!

Coming Soon Numbers 6-10

Posted by Bulletproofvest at 09:46 PM | Permalink
del.icio.us Digg it Furl ma.gnolia Newsvine reddit Google StumbleUpon