Malate, Pebrero 24, 2006

Mistulang purgatoryong puno ng mga kaluluwang nakakulong sa kawalan

Ngayon, ako'y narito at nag-iisang nagdiriwang
sa araw ng paggunita sa naipunlang pag-asa:
Bawat buga ng sigarilyo'y hinihikaban
Bawat hagikgik ay patagong niluluhaan
Bawat lagok ng alak ay dinuduraan
Sayaw at kantahan ay tinutulugan
Salitang Ingles ay pinagtatawanan.

Sa gitna ng usok at ingay, napapaligiran ng mga kaluluwang walang pakialam
Ako'y unti-unting pinapatay, unti-unting ikinukulong ng takot at lungkot.

Nagdeklara na si GMA ng "State of Emergency". O, tawag na tayo sa 911!!! Ay wala pala nun dito sa Pinas! Bakit kaya? Eh di ba pugad naman tayo ng lahi ng kung anu-ano lalo na ng mga Amerikano? O kung di man mga taong may iba't-ibang nasyonalidad, eh sinasabayan at sinasakyan naman natin ang kanilang kultura.

Hay, Biyernes na! Pakiramdam ko Biyernes Santo dahil una, nakaitim ako. Kaya nga medyo may kinalaman ang aking wala na namang kwentang blog entry sa aking damit ngayon. Kasi may "rockstar" o "rakstar" theme sa opisina ngayon. Pangalawa, ang paggunita sa Edsa 1. Di ba dapat pula o dilaw ang suot ko? Ano naman ang kinalaman ng itim? Natawa lang ako sa nanay ko dahil sabi niya baka madampot daw ako ng mga pulis dahil sa suot kong itim na t-shirt na maraming mukha ni Che Guevara. Baka mapagkamalan daw akong galing bundok. May tindahan ba ng t-shirt dun? Haha... Sige basahin niyo na lang ang ewan kong prosa/tula o kung ano man ang kinalabasan. Biyernes na! Gusto ko ng umuwi!!!

+++

Lamay

Sinabi nang ayokong magsuot ng itim. Bakit ba pinipilit mo ako? Bakit ko kailangan pang mag-itim? Bakit kailangan kong tumulad sa mga taong tali sa tradisyon?

Alam ko kailangan kong magbigay respeto, alam ko ayaw mong may masabi ang ibang tao. Alam ko, dahil sa paningin mo, isa na lamang akong multo. Oo, multo. O kung hindi man, yung patay na nabuhay mula sa hukay.

Sige, magtawa ka. Diyan ka naman magaling. Magpatawa, tumawa, pero di mo naranasan ang mapagtawanan. Ni hindi mo alam kung ano ang nakakatawa. Ni minsan hindi ka lumuha sa sobrang pagtawa.

Bakit kong kailangang magluksa ngayon? Magluluksa ako dahil ikaw ay namatayan? Sino ba siya? Ni hindi ko man lang nakilala. Ah, tatay mo pala.

Sabi mo noon, ang mga mahal mo ay dapat ko ring mahalin. Kapag ba sinabi kong di na kita mahal, dapat ko na rin itigil ang pagmamahal sa iba--- ang mga nagtatawanan mong kaibigan, hindi namamansing pamilya't kamag-anakan? Sana ang buhay ay parang domino. Itumba mo ang isa, sunud-sunod na. Ayaw kong lumihis. Ayaw kong may pumigil. Ayaw kong ako'y matigil.

Basta ang alam ko ayaw kong magsuot ng itim. Bakit? Hindi mo alam? Bakit pa kailangan isalin sa damit ang sakit at pait? Bakit kailangan pa ng simbolo ng hinanakit? Gusto mo malaman ang dahilan?

Halika, hubaran mo ako at iyong malalaman.

Ang buhay ay parang bato... it's hard.

Ang buhay ay parang bato... it is rock.

Life is like a rock... ito'y matigas.

Life is like a rock... ito'y mahirap.

++ Life is like a rock... it rocks.

++ Ang buhay ay parang bato... ito'y nakakabato.

+++++

Do check out my song analysis page here

HAPPY BIRTHDAY sa aking BLOG hehe

Sooner or later, they will all end up like this. Alongside the economic and political crisis we have in our country, people (musicians) are in desperation to explore and aim for an easy-pay, easy-way, lucrative job. What would it then be? Form a rock group with attitude and be saved. That's what a lot of people think.

+++

"I'd rather be hated for who I am than be loved for who I am not" - Kurt Cobain

If only I can resurrect him to harangue and bawl out the imbecilic and the doltish people of rock and droll of our times. But I guess I can't. Let them all be crucified. It's going to be Lenten season soon anyway.

+++

How I treasure the days when you adore an unknown great band, try to act cool and different because you're the only person or one of the few who knows their music and existence! Sometimes, you gotta savor the perks of learning indie. I wish pinoy indierock could last forever. But that would be pitiful for those who deservedly needs to be heard.

But there comes the risk of getting heard when you are not supposed to get heard. And that is what's happening these days. Too many bands. Too many to mention. Too many to name. Is that something good? If we are trying to build up Filipino music and most especially exalt the name of rock and roll, do we need to flock in random musicians or do we need to be limiting? Always a dilemma.

+++

Have "musicians" gotten to be courageous to emerge because they're not anymore against the flow? Is it because competition is not acknowledged in the pinoyrock industry? Yeah, I agree. "Nagtutulungan ang maliit na mundo ng mga musikero lalo na ang mga rakista." Look at the credits and shout-outs of artists in their album covers/pages, look at the names of back-up and additional music/vocals/production/engineer. "Sila-sila rin." I salute them for that. But is it time to close the doors and start to screen who's coming in and who needs to go out? I know I am being aristocratic. But we need to drain ourselves from thinking that pinoyrock is always good music. Plus, isn't rock being deliberately aristocratic these days? Sino ba yung mga nagkakaroon at napapakinggan na banda? Di ba yung mga mayayaman at yung may perang pambili ng magagarang gitara at iba pa? Sino ba yung nakakadikit sa mga sikat na musikero? Sila-sila nga rin. Literal na pamilya o di kaya'y parang Friendster.

+++

But why the need to set a standard for good music? Who needs to make a criteria? Music is art. Art is freedom of expression. Same old story, same old debate.

I just fear for pinoyrock music. It's becoming a circus. I've mentioned new bands sprouting like mushrooms. What's the point of all the rock challenge? What's the use of the garage phase of juvenile bands?

+++

Artists aim to be prolific. What is their definition of prolific? Is it to be intellectually productive or monetarily motivated? Artists and composers end up creating fragments of their masterpiece. They fall short of what they can be. On one hand, it's the pressure of living it up for the demands of big time recording companies and the thirst of people for new songs. On the other, it's their magnifying greed to just, you know, show off. Rockstars are cooool people.

+++

Control in creativity. Before labelled artists could never demand for full-creativity rights. They were confined. But now I don't think it is problem anymore. For as long as you can handle a guitar and come up with drum riffs, you can be signed-up for a label so I don't understand what's going on with those people who were supposed to invigorate essential music.

+++

Marketing of bands. 2005 until this year has been a period of bandemonium. Bands aspire to be radio-friendly to be heard in radio-friendly stations. They have to front a stereotypical rockstar hunkie to join the popularized "pogi-rock" community. Now I'm beginning to understand why the term boyband can also be applicable to rock posers. Noontime and variety shows have become their regular gig. Their albums are being re-packaged to have the "acoustic version", "sizzlin' videos", free calendar or poster and other extra whatsoever to boost up sales.  

+++

My last question would be, is it okay to tolerate mediocrity? No one will get hurt anyway. No one. Not even I. It's the times. Everyone wants to be mediocre. It's the only way to survive. Look around and you'll understand why. Consider this entry as part of it. So-so. So what. Who cares? It's just a blog entry to show off. It's just. No more, no less.

+++

New Review: Chris Cornell's Euphoria Morning (backtrack reviews)

If Monday was a tree, I would've cut its trunk off before. If it was a dog, I would've turned it into an azuscena. If it's a dream, I'd rather have killed myself a long time ago.

Don't you just hate Mondays? Okay, I won't generalize. I understand that Mondays are good for those people who get their time or work off on this day, for those who look forward to something or SOMEONE in school or workplace. But for a recluse and pessimistic person such as myself, why would I rejoice for the start of another terrifying week that usually culminates into boredom?

Monday is the only thing that spoils my weekend. Just like recently. Okay, I'll set it straight. I need sleep! I know I've been ranting about not sleeping easily but this time, I didn't get enough sleep. There's the difference! I was too preoccupied engaging in fun activities.

Speaking of fun, I had a new addition to my happy thoughts list! Jay Contreras of Kamikazee! He and his makeshift stand-up comedy during his band's 4-song performance at the Eraserfest in the UP fair last Friday. I can't stop laughing at his "hirits". Sample?

Okay. Someone from the production staff told him that people went on a riot outside the fairgrounds when they knew that the band will play next. Jay loudly said, "Yung mga nanggugulo diyan sa labas! Wag na kayong mang-gulo, mamaya na lang. Bibisitahin ko kayo diyan. Tutugtog ang Kamikazee diyan mamaya!"

And then he faced the crowd inside the fairgrounds, "Pasensya na kayo, yung mga pinsan ko kasi nanggugulo!" XD

Jay's sort of becoming a sex symbol for pinoyrock-loving Filipinos these days. His humor is maybe comparable to Chito Miranda but he is noisier, crazier and sexier. No holds barred. He speaks what's on his mind. He is like Perry Farrell + Anthony Kiedis + Scott Weiland meets Eat Bulaga's Wally & Jose. For more about the band and their new album Maharot click my review here.

Going back to not having enough sleep. I really had a busy weekend. Even if I was compelled to leave the fair because I need to work overtime on the next day (actually 9 A.M.), I still didn't maximize my 2-3 hour sleeping opportunity at home. I still tuned into 97.1 WLSFM (talking about NU-loyaltee) and waited for the band Pupil. They're the band I most looked forward to watch in the concert. And I was still crossing my fingers for a surprising reunion of the Eheads when I knew that 50 years from now, that would still be really really impossible.

So, I took a 30-minute to an hour catnap, took a bath, dressed up and went straight to work. I was supposed to have a movie date later that night but I gave up and decided to go home. When I came home, sleeping was all in vain. I still watched TV, listened to the radio, read this and that, pondered on some things and slept late again (plus, my body still aches from getting pushed here and there by the enraged crowd). I woke up 10 A.M. Sunday. My friend informed me that she already watched "Close to You" (ehem, talking about rockstar coolness). So, I hastily asked another friend (wow! I have 2 friends!) to watch the movie after lunch (since I can't in the evening because I have church service). And we did watch it! It was a tearjerker. It was a slightly serious movie compared to teeny-bopper, love-team inducing flicks of the two main actors before. But still knowing Filipino films, there are the "impossible is possible/anticipated happy-ending" scenes. Aaaah!!! And John Lloyd Cruz was another reason why I didn't sleep early again!

And now it's Monday! -_- -_- -_- I have nothing to say except I have to start my countdown to weekend again.

+++

New blog:

The Ultimate: Music First, Music Lasts, Music Always - this is for my favorite songs and my own (well, unneeded and crappy) interpretation. Sort of a song analysis for foreign songs of foreign artists. My "song-analysis" blog for OPM is coming up soon.

+++

Reviews:

Ciudad : revisited/re-reviewed
Kamikazee's Maharot

Like what they say, there's always a first time for everything...

Pebrero 17, 2006
HiHindi ko talaga malilimutan ang araw na ito, hinding-hindi.

Hinding-hindi ko malilimutan na hindi ako prepared pumunta sa UP fair dahil sa mga indiyanera kong mga kaibigan. Mahirap talagang magkaroon ng mga med students na kaibigan T_T

Pero kahit na first time ko lang makipag "date" kasama ang mga rak en rol people sa buwan ng Pebrero; kahit na overdressed ako at walang perang pambili ng kung anik-anik na magustuhan ko; kahit na may overtime pa ako ngayong Sabado umuwi at naligo lang sa bahay at sabay deretso na sa opisina, halo-halong emosyon ang aking naranasan: tuwa, galit, inis, inip. Walang maikukumpara: masaya, maharot, bongga, madumi, mausok, magulo, maingay.

Nga pala, ang masaklap lang nangyari sa akin ay ang unti-unting panghihina ng aking pandinig at pagdurugo ng tainga, paglabo ng aking malabo ng mata, panlalambot ng aking mga tuhod, pananakit ng aking mga paa, at pagiging sabaw ng aking utak at pag-iisip.

Pero galeng! astig! saya pa rin! \m/(^o^)\m/

(from Urbandub's First of Summer)

Parked car
This night sky
Makes city lights shine like diamonds
our song plays on the radio.

Sa uulitin :p

I couldn't sleep last night. I tried my best but I couldn't. My advanced apologies if I don't or won't make any sense in this entry.

Why do people can't easily sleep? As far as how my brain tries to come up with as much answers as there are, I can only think of the ff:

1. Location. Who can sleep when one is being surrounded by buzzing mosquitoes, being bitten by bed bugs and swarming cockroaches?

2. People. Noisy people. The "bug-a-boos" who can't stop babbling about so many things. People who never run out of stories, chit-chats, gossips and random thoughts.

3. Noise. Aside from the talkative ones, loud and irritating sounds from a neighbor's videoke sessions, doggy's ill-timed yelps or just noisy music from radio or television.

4. Weather & Temperature. People who are not fortunate to have air-conditioners on summer. People whose air-conditioner untimely broke down on summer. People who suffer from the imperious and ruthless billings of Meralco. All of us who are just victims of the Filipino term, "brownout".

Addendum: Most people suffer from lack of sleep because their minds are too agitated or preoccupied. Some experience overexcitement and excessive anticipation of what lies ahead, may it be a scheduled meeting, a fun activity or any significant endeavor.

In my case last night, I choose none of the above; I had never undergone any from my given set of reasons. I just can't sleep with no reason at all. Before, I had problems with sleeping because back then, I was in a dilemma whether to keep my job or not; whether to kill myself or not haha. Moreover, I couldn't sleep whenever I am hanging on the thin thread of my memory, trying to remember a lost word/trivia/answer, may it be a name of a person, a title of a movie, a title of a song that, I know for sure, are just on the tip of my tongue. I just can't blurt them out right then and there so I torture myself through cutting off my sleeping time.

What else? I couldn't sleep before because I was worried about my exams the next day or I was too excited to buy a new CD or too keyed up to wait for my favorite song to be played on the radio.

More? I couldn't sleep unless I write down ideas for my blog, poem, story, essay, etc.; those that suddenly pop into my mind. At times, I tend to get up, grab a tissue paper and write keywords on them just to appease my mind.

But last night, last night... last night. Nada! I tried to think about sinking into the deepness of the salty blue sea, struggling from the gnarly waves until I drown myself into sleep. I even tried imitating Christopher Reeve in his movie, Village of the Damned, thinking about a brick wall so that no thoughts could penetrate my solidified mind. But still a failure!

Oh, no! What's happening? i don't know if I could survive until 11 P.M. tonight without hearing complaints and worries from my students about their teacher's attention and preparation for the lesson. Poor them!

Earlier this morning, I was lost in thoughts while stuck in a jeepney in the midst of a heavy and pollution-filled traffic along Ayala. Hey! I suddenly remembered Valentine's Day. Was it that my subconscious was too overpowering last night? Though I proclaim myself to be calm and carefree, my subconscious didn't agree. Underneath all happy-go-luckiness, I am actually in deep pain, in inexplicable bitterness and undesirable melancholy. Wahahaha T_T

Nonetheless, if this was all true, why did it have to happen last night? It could've been on a hassle-free day like Friday, Saturday or other days that have nothing to do with the 15th and the 30th when I need to go to work to get my salary! Aaarghh!

Is it maybe my subconscious was telling me that no matter how I tell people I hate my job, in the end, beneath it all, I love this work, too?

Yikes! I want my subconscious killed. I want it now!!! Grr! ***

more about Sleepless Nights click on the link below

Because of Sleepless Nights

I don't know if this day is worth to celebrate or not. But hey! We are human beings, we have a choice whether to celebrate Valentine's or not, whether to celebrate it romantically or in a very casual way.

Alas! Because of peer pressure and the conforming environment I live in, I still have to acknowledge this day. Plus, it's my cousin's birthday, too. I can't just shake off this date from my memory.

I was tired of greeting my students, "Happy Valentine's Day!" when I got an interesting information from them about Valentine's Day in their country, Korea.

Girls give chocolates/candies to boys. For a detailed information about this whatsoever tradition, here is an excerpt from an article I've read in the internet

Valentine's Day is on February 14 in Korea. On that day, many girls and young women give candies to their boyfriends.

There is another special day like Valentine's Day in Korea. We call that day 'White Day." White Day is on March 14. It is just the contrary of Valentine's Day. Many boys and young men give chocolates to their girl friends. Some confess their love to their girlfriends on that day, so many young women look forward to it.

Lots of shops display a variety of chocolates and candies before both Valentine's Day and White Day. Downtown is crowded with many young people who want to enjoy those days.

But young people who had no girlfriend or boyfriend didn't like those days because they spent them alone. So, they made another special day called 'Black Day' for themselves. Black Day is on April 14. On this day, they have Jajang noodles with their friends who are in the same situation. Jajang noodles are black, so that is why they call it Black Day. However, it is still not as popular as Valentine's Day and White Day.

If in our country, Designer Blooms, Flower Farm, Red Ribbon and other sweet nothing and nectar-loving shops have become a lucrative business on the month of February, it is the same in their country. But I set that aside. My point of interest arises from the fact that GIRLS give chocolates to boys FIRST. I mean the concept is fine with me until the White Day and the Black Day ensued.

I understand the empowerment of women in this generation. Girls have become aggressive, assertive, liberated but I didn't expect something like this to come from a very conservative and tradition-bound country like Korea. Just look at their soaps, women are portrayed as weak creatures who just wanted to have a man who will marry them so they will live happily ever after. Just like in fairytales, they look for their knight in shining armor to save them from poverty, melancholy or I don't know the other reasons. Other proofs? Their compulsory military training reserved for men, the laws that prohibit women to smoke in public, etc. 

Apart from that intriguing practice, why do they (men and women) have to celebrate solitude on April 14th, The Black Day? Is this some kind of self-mockery. It's like telling yourself, "You're ugly, no one likes you. You will live alone in this world." Really hilarious. Some people patch up their mistakes and try all their might to conceal imperfections and failures in life, but here goes these kind of moronic people who declare they are single. And take note: they declare it pridelessly. It's like accepting a big failure and wearing the big LOSER plate on their sleeves.

Maybe the whole point of this entry is that bitterness is killing me. Nevertheless, I'm glad someone gave me chocolates today. Wahaha, my student! Straight from the snarled-up and incompatible access to cyberspace of Daum, his email still managed to fill in my Gmail inbox. Hahaha! Chocolates, my only solace!

If you are wondering, what's with the title? I just got this term from Ann, my kulot-salot friend. Nothing. I suddenly remembered what my blockmate back in college asked me. I didn't know that he was suffering from a break-up back then.

"What is love, Eloi-loi?" I wasn't prepared at all for an answer, so out of the blue I gave an answer, "Love? Love is war."  Heehee. Am I credible to be Madam Auring or what? :p

It will be a week now since I had my hair cut. Major hair cut. I miss my long hair. I really do. I know it's pathetic and superficial to be missing something that can go back, that can grow back, but for a very impatient person like myself, it's big deal.

I've just been pondering on what most people say about my new look. I had had a short hair before. Maybe people (my friends, err, who else?) were just confused why would I prefer to have a short hair when various hair treatments and indulgences are sprouting on this generation.

I wasn't pressured or worried that I didn't or couldn't please everyone. I don't care what other people will say. As a matter of fact, how I find their reactions funny!

*** "You just can't accept that my hair looks straighter and more beautiful" - my adorable sister  ***

Partly true, I don't want to be associated (or the right term would be, compared) with her looks hahaha...

*** "You look like Madam Auring!" 
-my friend whom I first showed my new haircut to ***

No violent reactions. Nevertheless, I don't look forward to know who will be the Archie in my life. Nyarks -_-

*** "You look younger but taller"  -Ida ***

I was teasing her about I, imitating her haircut, and she did assent that I was successful on that note. Imitating the height will always be the problem for me :p

But the ultimate comment that I got was from a Korean officemate:

*** "Oh, you cut your hair, why?" (in a very commiserating tone when I can only offer the answer: "Oh, the heat irritates me!")
"Oh, in Korea if you cut your hair, that means you broke up with your boyfriend" ***

I suddenly felt sick :-&)

On the other, that was another proof why we have in our lingo, "Ang haba ng hair mo" when for example, a man/guy/hunkie/cutie gets attracted to the opposite sex.

Another plus to the set standards of beauty since our childhood years (through the heroines and principal characters in fairytales, myths and romantic stories).

The commiseration didn't stop there.

*** "Oh, do you have a boyfriend?" ***

I wanted to give the answer, "I cut my hair so that I would never have a boyfriend"
But I couldn't. Curse the hidden truth that deep down inside, I want to have one! More many more many yikes!

+++

Related to having a short hair, our team in the office had a somewhat costume party. Our theme was about uniforms. So actually, I was desperate to win that I sacrificed my hair to look young and highschool-ish in my old and preserved highschool Bene uniform. I miss highschool!!! 

+++

I hope all the poets/writers in the world can build a bridge between the figures of speech and reality. 

Confusing?

For example, all the similes and metaphors would sensibly happen. Just like in sci-fi movies, where the characters press designated buttons to create an incredible effect.

So when I cut my hair short, it will also cut off/eliminate/shorten my problems. :D

+++

It's my friend's (Ida) last day in the office today. T_T I cut my hair so that I would look like her and now she will leave me! Huhuhuhu...
Anyway, here's a sentimental song I guess I would be singing starting tomorrow

Hintay
Sugarfree

Mabilis ang ikot ng mundo
Sa kakasabay nahihilo ako
Isang hakbang sa limang patlang
May panahon, pagkakataong

Nawawala kapag di hinawakan
Dudulas kapag di iningatan, hoy, hoy, hoy, hoy

Hintay, hintayin mo ako
Mahirap nang maiwan dito
Hintay, hintayin ako
Dahan dahan lang hoy

Mabilis ang galaw ng oras
Sa kakasabay nauubos ang lakas
Bilis na mahirap sabayan
Kung may panahon, pagkakataong...

Hindi niyo kami mabibilang
At hindi rin maikukulong
Marami kami ngunit iisa lamang
Ang aming pasyon

SInungaling naman tong kantang to! Nasan na ang Awit ng Kabataan? Ni hindi ko na marinig ang tinig ng kabataan? Asan na ang mga hinaing at sigaw, ang mga dasal at pasyon? Ano na nga ba ang silbi natin ngayon sa lipunan? May kahulugan pa ba ang kantang ito sa panahon ngayon?

Wala lang magseseryoso na naman ako sa entry ko dahil napuyat ako kagabi pagkatapos manood ng "Reporter's Notebook" tungkol sa First Quarter Storm noong Dekada '70.

"The youth is the hope of our future." Optimistic words from our national hero. Yeah! I can even chant POD's 2001 hit, "we are, we are the youth of the nation." Nationalism? What is that? 

So what now? What do youth can offer these days? What role do we play in the society? Most youth of today does not even know what's going around. Even I don't care. Even I, well, at times, am aware but it stops then and there. Oil price hikes, the charter change, the peso devaluation, graft and corruption, etc. Sympathy is not enough.

The youth people are everywhere. We don't get dismembered in the society nor we get to be outnumbered. But the more we are, the more we become useless. Sure, we are all present in the Erap ousting days and now wreaking GMA's presidency. But what are the principles we fight for? Why do we stand and raise a banner that clamors for peace when we don't even know the bedrock of democracy?

I have just noticed: too many questions in this blog entry but no answers.

I am not proud to say that I am part of that indifferent youth. But what can I do?

Take note of this: I am a part of the middle-class society who wants to possibly have some of the luxuries in life. How do I attain them? I have to study. After studying, I have to work. Work hard to have hard-earned money (?) Then I can socialize with the caffeine-philic people in Starbucks, watch a mediocre movie worth 100 bucks, buy "in" clothes, the latest model of cellphone and other technology paraphernalias. If luckily, my salary increases, do further studies, travel, make a loan and live a so-called normal life nowadays. Why do I need to join rallies? What are joining different social movements for? Why do I have to risk getting hurt or having a chance to be seen on TV news being all bruised and mobbed? I want a simple life. And by all means, that is the simplest that I want.

Nonchalant. Complacent. Conventional. These are what the youth embody. I remember it clearly from the interviews of former participants and advocates of the First Quarter Storm, the youth of today are too preoccupied. Life is much more complicated. Life offers a variety. We have cable-subscribed televisions, VCD/DVD players, much much upgraded access to music (as we perpetuate globality with our choice of songs and artists). We have malls, supermalls, megamalls and other places to bombard ourselves with the benefaction of commerce. We have PC rooms, game rooms, billiard halls, coffee shops, karaoke bars. Schools are now grounds to date and have a relationship and have become the source of vices; it is an institution not to gain knowledge but to gain friends we can add up to our Friendster accounts.

Indifference is not the result of status division in our society. There are a lot of out of school youth today. These people can either know more and know less of what's going on. But they can't do anything. I guess they are more likely problematized with adapting with society and how society can accept them rather than changing and helping the problem-filled society. For richer and poorer, there's no difference. The fate of the young people are divided into the ones who are wealthy to entertain and amuse themselves with worldly matters and the ones who are unfortunate to just content themselves with simple matters. Two worlds. But both are meaningless and unproductive.

But there are quite few people who slightly cares. Slightly. I can never say that it is a consummate concern. We have a number of protests with the youth people backing up from time to time. But this is not suffice to say that we can readily agree with Matsuo Basho's haiku about a frog who jumps into a silent pond and create ripples. Apparently, there are no ripples made. There are artists. But very few who engenders nationalism. Most artists call themselves artiste because of the knowledge they've garnered from studying art/literature/music from other nations. If there are some nationalists, they just drown and drowse themselves with the art they make. They write songs, poetry. prose; they create sculptures, paintings to anesthetize themselves.

I don't know what's the answer, what's the key or who's the savior. If the youth is typified as people who will "go with the flow", initiation is the key. I think at least someone needs to set the ball rolling. But I am not saying that is the right answer. Don't blame me! I'm just one of the preoccupied ones who doesn't have time to think well.