Short Circuit

Does the Libreng Sakay really help commuters in the world of ballooning gasoline prices and Covid threats?

Not so, when you see Ceres buses plying Iloilo routes servicing almost empty buses because bus conductors are looking for ID's or they are just being selective on who can ride and who can't.  I thought the whole notion of Libreng Sakay is SERVICE but what is service if only a chosen few can avail of it.

Responding to Netzens Questions

Follow-Up Question: In your entry Irony of Life what are the reasons why humans are never content with themselves or what they have?

I think one of the reasons why we are not content with ourselves is because we have the habit of comparing ourselves to others financially or professionally.  At times it even extends to something trivial, like comparing how your wife fails miserably in the face department as compared to your friend's wife.  Or his son is lording it over academically and your daughter is just average.

The evils of comparison are much more far-fetched than we usually think them to be. Comparing ourselves to others with respect to our financial, emotional, social, or intellectual condition keeps us unhappy about our own lives. We tend to rarely focus on our own unique talents and abilities, or what we already have. 

Comparing with others shifts our focus away from the positive aspects of our own life, and we tend to become disheartened, thinking about what others have that we do not.

We often forget that we also have something ... that they don't have.

Dumb Question

For those who want to lighten the mood, these funny stupid questions to ask are perfect for you. These questions will help you start a fun.

Question: Are you sleeping? 

(What do you think you pinhead.  Ask him that question again ... and you will see)

The Irony of Life

Why is it that there are some guys who love to brag about whatever LITTLE they have?

Like the little guy who counts his money for all people to see ... making them believe the money is his? 

Or the student showing how fat his wallet was ... all the while it was for his tuition fees.

Or the guy who bought a branded gadget using his Dad's credit card?

The charade ... the sham ... the pretense.  All the while he is fooling nobody but HIMSELF!

Quotable Quotes

 

Food For Thought

 

Nora Aunor: National Artist At Last

After several years of being nominated as the National Artist for Cinema, finally, Nora Aunor can have a sigh of relief, the award is now in her hands as she was given the penultimate award of recognition given to a living actress last June 10 2022.

The Superstar Nora Aunor, the little brown girl from Iriga with the golden voice despite being one of the most awarded actresses in the Philippine movies, gave President Noynoy Aquino a headache whether to confer her the award in 2014, blame it on Nora's viral drug issues when she was still in America. That drew criticism from the public as they chant: "We are looking for a National Artist here ... not a saint!"

By default, she had a repeat nomination in 2018, but the award seemed too elusive for her ... the highest recognition for Filipino artists slipped again from her hands during President Duterte's term. 

With the help of Congressman Christopher de Venecia, the year 2022 proved to be the year when she would receive the "slippery as the catfish" award. Given by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts of the Philippines and Cultural Center of the Philippines, the award needs the imprimatur of the President of the Philippines. Thank goodness, it looked like Nora's history with drugs has lost steam (she has turned a new leaf for one) and the expiration date of the said issue is long overdue.

With the drug scandal (which proved to be her Achilles heel) she could have won the award a long time ago. Meanwhile, Nora Aunor started to collect awards from international and local film festivals and when it rains ... it pours. She has by now a room full of trophies and medals of recognition. And because of this, it can't be ignored that Nora is ripe to win the National Artist recognition. It is just so unthinkable that an actress of her caliber and her awards harvested in different international festivals will lose value just because she has a history with illegal drugs.  

Nora has been lording it over in local awards derby via her films: Himala, Minsay Isang Gamugamo, Ina Ka Ng Anak Mo, Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos, Atsay, Bona, Andrea Paano Ba Ang Maging Isang Ina, Bilangin Ang Bituin Sa Langit, Minsan May Isang Ina,Bulaklak Ng City Jail, Mga Uod At Rosas, TBird At Ako, Bakit Bughaw Ang Langit making her a perennial winner/nominee.

Here are the international awards won by Nora to prove to all and sundry that she deserved the award (only her past personal life and alleged drug use delayed the conferment.)

-2017 - Hinulid - Best Actress- Filipino International Cine Festival (USA) - Won

2015 - Dementia - Best Actress -St. Tropez International Film Festival (France) - Won

-2015 - Dementia - Best Actress - Fantasporto - Oporto International Film Festival (Portugal) - Nominated

-2015 - Dementia - Best Actress - Soho International Film Festival (New York) - Nominated

-2014 - Hustisya - Best Actress- Asia Pacific Screen Awards (Australia) - Nominated

-2013 - Thy Womb- Best Actress - 3rd Sakhalin International Film Festival (Russia) - Won

-2013 - Thy Womb- Best Actress- Asian Film Awards (Hongkong) - Won

-2012 - Thy Womb- Best Actress -Asia Pacific Screen Awards (Australia) - Won 

2012- Thy Womb -Premio Della Critica Indipendiente: Bisato d'Oro for Best Actress - Won

2012 - Thy Womb- Best Actress -Asia Pacific Fim Festival (Macau) -Nominated 

2012- Thy Womb

 - Best Actress -Dubai International Film Festival - Nominated

2012- Thy Womb - Best Actress - International Film Festival of India - Nominated

2010- Ten Asian Best Actresses of the Decade - Green Planet Movie Awards (Hollywood) -Won

-2008 - Himala - Best Actress - CNN APSA Viewers Choice Award for Best Asia-Pacific Film of all Time - Won

-2004- Naglalayag - Best Actress - 31st Festival International du Film Independent de Bruxelles )Belgium) - Won

-1999 - Sidhi - Best Actress- Singapore International Film Festival - Nominated

-1997- Bakit May Kahapon Pa -Best Actress - Cairo International Film Festival - Nominated

-1997- Bakit May Kahapon Pa- Best Actress- East Asian Film and Television Award (Malaysia) - Won

1997- Bakit May Kahapon Pa- Best Actress- Singapore International Film Festival - Nominated

-1996 - The Flor Contemplacion Story- Best Actress -Fukuoka International Film Festival (Japan) - Nominated

-1995- The Flor Contemplacion Story- Best Actress -Cairo International Film Festival - Won

-1981- Bona- Premio de la Juri de la Federacion International des Cine-Clubs Certificate of Honor- Cannes Film Festival- Won