While we’re on the topic of what Zamboanga needs, I’d also like to point out that Zamboanga needs new restos too! Although there are a few exceptions (Mr. Bean’s at the Catribbo Complex, Patio Palmeras along Pasonanca road), most of the restos in the city are old, dilapidated, and with the worst service imaginable (with food spots like these, there’d be no need to browse through that diet pill review).

Again, take for instance Mang Inasal’s, where we had lunch yesterday (see previous post). OK, fine, it’s not actually a resto, more of a fastfood joint, but still- fastfoods are meant to be just that; fast and efficient at feeding hungry people impatient for food. Sadly, the reverse was true yesterday.

Mang Inasal’s was slow, with waiters deliberately ignoring their customers. There was a lack of everything- from water, to utensils and even paper napkins. Paper napkins! Every decent food joint should have at least a pile on each table! And pox on that unlimited rice promo! It is sooo freaking hard to get a refill and when we finally did, the rice was of poor quality- grainy with bits of pebbles and with the distinct smell of molds. What kind of service is that?

The Mang Inasal's here does NOT look like this

Needless to say, I’m not going back there ever again. And I’m sure to spread the word to other poor souls who may be fooled into thinking otherwise.

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Zamboanga badly needs new shopping centers. The city is literally growing; population-wise, the city grew from 500,000+ residents in 2001 to close to a million this year. That’s double the number of people nine years ago! No wonder the city’s streets are chaotic most of the time (pretty soon the heat, dust and sweat will give us all acne and then we’re going to need acne treatments).

Take yesterday for instance. Me and a couple of friends went off to have lunch after a grueling morning spent answering a pharmacology exam. We went to nearby Southway “Mall” for barbecue at Mang Inasal’s (a local resto that offers unlimited rice refills). When we got there, I was genuinely surprised at the throng of people milling about the sardine can- shaped “mall”.

Sardine-can is the best adjective to describe it. It is a cylindrical, narrow structure of four floors and packed with people from top to bottom. It was nauseating just being there. The smell of sweat, perfume, and food all mingled to form a pungent and unpleasant aroma that stuck to your clothes and made you feel haggard and tired.

A sweat shop made to look like a shopping center

Instead of making me feel refreshed and rested, that lunch all the more made me feel cranky, irritated, and disheveled. This city definitely needs more shopping centers. SM, Gaisano, Robinson’s; where fort art thou?

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It’s a wonderfully warm and sunny Saturday afternoon in Zamboanga. Clear, blue sky framed against vibrant verde trees swaying in a gentle breeze; sunlight streaming through the branches. You could almost call it idyllic (like those best hgh supplements).

I ought to be outside enjoying the weekend. If she were here, we’d already be on the road, following the endless curves of the concrete highway, allowing our wheels to take us where it wants to. We’d ride on ’till we found a spot where we could park and enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of the city; stopping to buy native sweets from the numerous guluccina vendors along the way. Now that was life.

Instead, here I am trapped in the four walls of a room, subjecting myself to mind-numbing bombardment of facts, figures, graphs and who-knows what. Yes, yes, I know. I should be grateful. Should not take things for granted. Should work hard so I could have the future I want.

But sometimes, sometimes, I just wish things were simpler- where nothing else mattered but just being home.

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So I’m back in the hallowed wards of Zamboanga City Medical Center making up for all those absences I’ve accrued while rotating through my internship. First stop- the home of the insane (as insane as credit cards for bad credit); Ward 9.

I had mixed feelings as I went through my 8 hour shift in this ward awhile ago. On the one hand, I was glad to see my ‘suking customers’ again; the regulars who’ve been there for years now and who entertained us on numerous occasions with their insane (literally) jokes and silly antics.

There was one patient- we call him Jerome (not his real name) who just can’t stop discussing the benefits of a capitalist economy and a socialist one (in fluent English at that!). Or Sharon and Mayet, who can’t seem to stop arguing over who’s the prettiest between them. It was heartening to have them recognize me still (despite their illnesses), with Jerome even recounting how he kept telling me that before that he wasn’t crazy and was just put there by mistake (he now admits that he may have a mental problem).

On the other hand it’s kind of sad that another year has gone by and they’re still institutionalized. Most of them have long since been abandoned by family and friends. And there are new ones too. Like that 14 year old girl who was raped, beaten and left for dead. Her family found her in a catatonic state, blankly staring at the wall. Now, she still still continues to stare blankly into space, has developed Pneumonia and necrotic (rotting) ulcers on her lower back where her tormentors put out their lighted cigarettes.She would need intensive rehabilitation to help her back on her feet. But sadly, the hospital does not have the capacity and the specialists needed to give the attention and care that she needs. There are just too many patients and too little resources. Government spending for the health sector still remains one of the lowest. It’s depressing, I know.

The campaign period is now drawing to a close. In 10 days, we will elect a new president, a new congress, new government officials. When you do, please spare a thought for the patients like Jerome, Sharon, and that 14 year old girl in public hospitals across the country and vote wisely.

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With the national and local elections just around the corner, various candidates running for all sorts of positions from city councilor to city mayor to the top post of President of the Republic are frantically trying to to put in last minute campaigning (becoming living promotional products).

In the Philippines, this usually involves plastering ugly posters featuring the faces of all those candidates in every available space. From walls to light posts and even esteros, these posters stare out at passing motorists with their fake grins promising an end to poverty and a change for the better. In my hometown of Zamboanga, like most of the other cities in the country, these posters are virtually everywhere transforming the city into one endless stream of trash, its roads seemingly paved out of the hollow agendas and empty promises these posters make.

But driving along the roads of my city, these unwanted barrage of garbage is the least of your worries. Since the campaign period officially started, our beloved city officials did what they do best- they started hastily breaking down roads all over the city and repairing them, in an attempt to show the public that “your taxes are working for you”, ergo, we (your government) is working for you. Ha!

I just can’t help but wonder, you, our dearly beloved local government, literally had years to fix and repair our badly potholed streets. Why wait until election time is near, to hastily fix them- all at once?? Don’t you realize that the simultaneous construction that goes on in almost all of our roads are creating a driving hazard that puts lives at risk? To drive down the streets of Zamboanga nowadays is like driving through an obstacle course- one has to constantly switch lanes in order to avoid hitting those unlighted, unreflectorized concrete and wooden barriers that are soo difficult to see especially since constant power outages ensure that the streets are almost always pitch black at night. You also have to navigate your vehicle through streets that are partially destroyed (due to the repairs going on in the other lane) and try to beat the other vehicle to that narrow stretch of passable road (yes, because of these “repairs” two way streets are now suddenly converted to one way streets but with vehicles going both to and fro, still going two-way- thus creating traffic jams which ensnare vehicles for hours).

As if this weren’t enough, the constant mutilation of our roads are creating dust clouds that sticks to your clothing and makes your hair turn white. Finally, to add insult to injury, the “completed and repaired” roads are proving to be more of a burden than a boon. They were cobbled together so hastily that they didn’t even bother to align the new section with the old ones that are still good, creating an uneven surface between sections and between lanes. For those driving motorcycles, these areas are treacherous as they could cause the wheels to slip and the driver to end up on his back in the uneven asphalt.

And they say that “our taxes are working for us”. Yeah, right.

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I know I said that I have to finish a paper tonight, but talking about that vacay I took made me remember a really funny in-an-annoying-sort-of-way thing that happened when I got back two days ago (wonder if this story could be hosted in an extenze?).

For about a month now, our island of Mindanaw has been experiencing power interruptions and failures due to the El Nino phenomenon. How so? Our island is very much dependent on hydroelectricity with the Maria Cristina falls in Central Mindanao providing a huge chunk of that power. Now that the El Nino is here, the streams and rivers have all but dried up greatly decreasing the power generated by our natural water reservoirs.

In order to cope with the demands for power, our local electric company has been implementing rotational power outages (or black-outs as we like to call them). So on the day I arrived, our city was once again experiencing a black-out. After de-planing, we proceeded to the conveyor belt to wait for our baggage to arrive. It turns out that our airport doesn’t have any power generators in cases of a power shortage so the conveyor belt wasn’t working.

What airport authorities did still leaves me chuckling in a shocked-head-shaking kind of way.

What did they do?

They told all us passengers to proceed to the tarmac and pick our luggage straight from the baggage cab. Pandemonium then ensued as passengers shoved and pushed one another to get at their baggage.

Looking back, I couldn’t help but wonder what those two westerners who were on the same flight with me thought of our city.

Welcome to Zamboanga.

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See that green and orange Random Detoxification banner above?

That was taken approximately 6 years ago during one of our regular forays in the east coast (I miss those joyrides. It was one of those best weight loss supplements). It’s a picture of a valley surrounded by emerald hills made of neat green grass and which opens out into the azure sea beyond. The sea itself is dotted with eleven tiny islands of white sand beaches and shrubbery.

The valley of Buenavista

That valley is located in a barangay with one of the most beautiful sights in Zamboanga City. In fact, the barangay’s name is an aliteration to the view that greets its residents and visitors- Buenavista (which literally means ‘good view’ or ‘perfect view’).

Earth, sea, and sky

We’ve been to passed by Buenavista countless times. However we only get to catch a glimpse (or in the aforementioned banner’s case, an occasional photo) of that beautiful vista as tales of rebels, kidnappers and brigands abound. Case in point:

Roughly 7 years ago, when me and my partner were working with caves, we heard reports of underwater coral caves in the eleven islands (which are part of Buenavista). Being speleologists, we wanted to explore the caves there. But locals warned us that if we go, we might as well bring vinegar with us. Why? Simply because the pirates will eat us alive the moment we set foot on one of those islands. The vinegar was for their sawsawan or dipping. Of course, we didn’t go. Who in his right mind would?

Eaten alive by pirates and buried alone on an uninhabited isle? No, thank you.

As the years went by, and news of the occasional gunfight and rebel threats filtered out onto the news, we could only look in longing at the glimpses of rolling valleys, green hills, sparkling sea, and blue sky as we drove by on the bus to Dipolog and again as we went back home to Zamboanga. Never did I think that I would have the priveledge of actually setting foot on that valley. But I did. Yesterday. And the views just floored me. They were awesome. Nay, they were spectacular.

Still pretty but still wishing I had a better camera

It literally took my breath away. I even climbed to the very top of the hill in the very center of the valley floor. All around me was grass gently waving in the noon breeze and nothing but blue sky overhead and a white sand beach not that was not too far away.

In the middle of the valley

The owner of the land built his house on top of the hill. It was not a grandiose house. It was small, made of nipa, and shabby even. It did not have furnishings, or any appliances, save for a dilapidated TV. But talking to him, and imagining how he gets to wake up to the sun slowly rising over the horizon, its warm, golden light washing away the tendrils of fog that accumulates in the night (yes, he says that the valley floor fogs up at night), and sleeping with the clearest view of the moon and stars at night, I think that he is one of the luckiest men on earth. I say this out loud and in response he just looks at me, smiles and says that he cannot ask for more.

Ride it forever.

PS in case you were wondering, there is no road leading down this valley. Only a trail littered with granite rocks. I went down this valley and up that hill on my trusty Bastian. It took a lot of manuevering and almost slipping to get up there.

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My friends and I are currently scouting for a good place to hold an overnight. Over the years, it’s become our yearender routine. Take photos, sing karaoke, eat, drink, be merry, catch up on all the latest goss and have at least ONE DAY in the entire year that we are all together again, just like in high school.

Astoria Regency is fully booked this year, sooo sad! We tried Lantaka Hotel, but they won’t let 7 people stay in a room even if we’re willing to pay extra. They tell us we have to book TWO rooms, but that is totally pointless for a reunion. Raquel is going to inquire at Garden Orchid next, and I went and had a look at Woodland Resort earlier today.

Woodland is beautiful, and there’s a lot of photo-friendly spots. But it’s too bad, because we were told that the Department of Education is holding their Christmas party over there for three days, including the day we’re holding our get-together. I envision loads of middle-aged government employees AND their families. Crowds and strangers are not my thing.

So, I guess we will have to look elsewhere.

However, Gim and I had a blast today. Just look at all our photos!

Here is me trying to look all cute for Gim.

Then this is me gorging down all the food we ordered! A mango smoothie, a diet Coke (every little avoidance counts), and a clubhouse sandwich!

Gim raising his eyebrow at me when I told him that no, this is MY coke, that is YOUR smoothie and this is OUR sandwich. (Because I was finishing everything.)

After eating, we went on to take photos outside. Okay, the truth is, we only ate in the restaurant to avoid paying the entrance fee that was Php35 per person. So we spent more on the resto, but at least we didn’t pay for nothing! Hehehe, we are really cheapskates!!

I wanted Gimmi to take a photo of me AND the flowers. This is how I look when I’m not getting what I want. It’s my Gimmi, you fix this now na!! look. Gim tells me that’s always how I look. Hehehehe!

Me posing by the lake. I wanted lots of photos with Gim and me but he said he would take the photos, I would pose, and since there is only me and him in this trip, that people would assume he is with me, taking the photo, and that would be enough. As I get to star in all the photos, that was fine by me! Hehehe. I am so spoiled! See why I love him???

A photo by the lilies, please? - Flifli. Okidokie, bunny! - Gimmi

This photo, I know it’s not really clear a clear shot of me, but I like that I am on the bridge. That’s all!!

Now I am at the end of the bridge. Don’t pay attention to my tummy. Gim says I look pretty here so there! I will not accept any other point of view hehehe!

Trying to take a good photo but Gim is sniffing me out! What the eff, Gimmi???

Try again. But this time Gimmi is trying to lick me! Puppy, sit and behave!!

No can do, and so I say, Gim this time I will look at you so you will behave! Now I’m the one who ruins the pic. Hayyy!

Another yummy tummy pic. My camphone takes bad photos but the background is really pretty IRL.

This photo, Gim had to pee, stat! But I wanted a photo by the bougainvillea. He took the cam, shot the photo in one second, handed me back the cam, and ran away to pee behind a secluded building. I had no time to even pose appropriately, so that is my bemused look!

Soo pretty! There are horses! And you can ride for P40 an hour I think. I didn’t want to because I pitied the poor animals. They would surely balk at my sheer weight, and then where would I be! Needing more than a would-be orthopedic specialist, I think!!

Here’s Gim, back from peeing. Hee hee, doesn’t he look relieved?!?

And then we decided we would rent a banca and row away on this lake! Ohhh it was so scary just getting on it! The little canoe rocked violently to one side when I first stepped on it!! And I had my very expensive cellphone with me, which I couldn’t leave with the help because what if he ran away with it, but then again, what if I brought it and it fell??? (In the end I brought it because around these parts, I would rather take the chance that it will not fall in the boat than it will not get stolen by helpers who earn less than the minimum wage! And I wouldn’t blame them either, if they did!)

We had to don these ugly life vests filled with styro foam and I really do not think they would be any good in case we did fall in the lake! And FYI, the lake was 10 feet deep!! So, really, I would drown if I did fall!!

I sat in the back while Gimmi sat in front. For a while there, we were both paddling and going around in circles! He would paddle in the right and I would paddle in the left. He would get frustrated because he said I was doing it wrong! And I said, I don’t care, I just want to paddle!!! It’s my first time kaya!!! Here he is looking at me all frustrated and charmed by my cuteness!

Then he decided he would take my photo. Now I don’t have to move a bit when I need to take his photo because I was at his back. But to take my photo he had to move sideways. And the banca would tip slightly to the side whenever he did that. Here is how I look scared shitless.

Then here is how I look while saying, Okay! Okay! We are tipped to the side but not yet capsized! Nobody move! Nobody!!!

And then here is me trying to smile and trying to forget that we are maybe going to capsize in a while if you do not sit back straight dammit Gimmi now na!!!

So he went back rowing. Oh, by the way, if you notice, I stopped rowing early on, after I had my fill of paddling. That’s when we actually started to move somewhere we actually wanted to go.

And look! The sun is so pretty, reflected in the lake! And those are new rowers who got jealous of us and decided they wanted to rent an banca too!

We went under the bridge! Pretty!!!

Another photo of me scared because Gimmi is again attempting to take a photo of me!!! (He never took a good one. I always looked the same.)

Awww we successfully passed under the bridge! And we pretended for 1.5 seconds we were in Venice. Or wherever is that famous place for romantically passing under bridges.

And then almost collided with the lilies!!! We were trying to avoid hitting the other couple on the previous picture. Do you know how hard it is to navigate with a boat??? Very hard!!!

Pretty waterlilies!! Do you know they bloom at night then close during the day??? I wonder why… Would it not be more aesthetically pleasing if it were the other way around?!?

Here is me posing with my favorite tree ever, the kalachuchi. (Because they have those huge pretty flowers.) Well, that’s what Gim tells me they are called. (Who knows with him. He often lies just to be able to give me an answer to all my endless questions.) I would have thought they would have a prettier name. Regardless, I want rows of these trees adorning my entire house and lot in the future!!!

Awww, and we had to leave at sunset… because the roads to that place are broken and many accidents have happened in the night there… So… goodbye Woodland Resort! It was a pleasure visiting!

All photos plus more down there!

[View with PicLens]

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Lantaka by the Sea

We got caught in the rain while joyriding through the streets of Zamboanga. We were about to drop by Paseo del Mar, but it was full of Sunday folks. So we decided on Lantaka by the Sea instead, even though the rates were considerably higher, the solitude and quiet would be well worth it.

And a good decision, too, since mere minutes after settling in our cozy little hut, the rain started pouring by the buckets.

We ordered Pasta Marisco (seafood pasta) to share, Choros de Chocolate (bread with chocolate) for dessert, a Cookies and Cream frappe for me, and two San Miguel Lights for him.

Spent the evening just taking photos, eating good and having fun, until the rain let up and we were able to head home.

Getting caught in the rain always leads to fun times when I’m with Gimmi.

[View with PicLens]

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What event officially starts off a coupon craze? A friend of a friend of a teacher has this story to tell.

This teacher’s friend’s friend worked as a researcher (dunno what exactly, but definitely not sampling patio furniture cushions!) in a certain municiplality in Zamboanga del Norte. As he was gathering his data, an elementary school teacher approached him with a question.

Elementary school teacher: “Doc, tinood ba nang mabuntis ang babae kung mangihi sa CR sa lalaki?” (Is it really true that women can get pregnant if they relieve themselves in the men’s comfort room?)

Astonished teacher’s friend’s friend: “Dili mader, oi!” (No, of course not!)

Elementary School Teacher: “Naa man jud ko’y studyante sa grade six nga nabuntis man. Nangihi man gud kuno sya sa CR sa lalaki! Nahitabu tu human sa concert. Wala man kuno sya’y kilalang lalaki. So tinood jud cguro!” (I have a student in grade 6 who got pregnant just by urinating in the men’s CR! It happened right after a concert. She swears she didn’t have any sexual contact. So it must be true!)

The teacher’s friend’s friend could only stare wide eyed at the teacher.

WTF are they teaching in schools today?

PS as a result of this conversation, the teacher’s friend’s friend conducted an education campaign among elementary teachers. Those who attended the seminar were given a meal coupon, officially starting a coupon craze.

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