The long lost tradition is finally revived!

Maybe most of us remembered our favorite "komiks". During my time it was the favorite past time. And we should thank also this tradition by giving us our favorite characters in most of our teleseryes and sit coms now. Maybe you are familiar with "Pedro Penduko", "Zsa zsa Zaturna", "Lastikman" and so on. These are examples of characters that came to life from "komiks". I remembered rushing to the nearest store to look for my favorite "komiks". During that time we would rent them for 2pesos or 5pesos. My favorites are "Aliwan", "Happy", "Wakasan", "Hiwaga" and others. All of a sudden, I just realized "komiks" are no longer available. But instead they tried to convert it into a "graphic novel" which is very expensive for people to buy.

A good friend, who worked in the "komiks" industry, invited me to a writer's forum. He said to me that they would revive the tradition. I went with him. There I saw Carlo J. Caparas. He was the one who is initiating this historical event. They had been having the "komiks" caravan for the revival of the tradition. Now, it is finally here, Filipinos will enjoy the entertainment and lessons in a piece of paper that once was the talk of the town. Now that Sterling will be publishing this for an affordable price, I am sure that students will be once again enjoying this literature. (I just hope that parents would be as happy as well.)

On September 14, 2007 (Friday), they will start selling five different "komiks" for everyone to enjoy. They will be selling it for only 10pesos, which is in my opinion is a fair price. So, I hope everyone will get their copy. And let us hope that this tradition will bring us more superheroes that we can truly say "Pinoy".



I also hope that I can contribute to this industry in the future. I guess I really need to practice my literary skills to be able to bring out the best in the different characters I have already in mind. Maybe my psychic skills could be put to good use by contributing to our literary heritage.

Double time

While the issue between Joey de Leon and Willie Revillame heightens, I grew interested on the topic. I search on youtube about the video clips. I saw only the videos of the reactions of both party. While watching it, my phone rang. I picked it up. To my surprise, it was the researcher of Mel and Joey. He informed me that they have a haunted house episode. They wanted me to look at the area and investigation. I said yes. Later, another researcher called me up. She is from SAPULSO (the show where I already appeared twice). They have an episode about the issue between Joey and Willie. They needed an anthropologist to discuss why filipinos are fond of game shows. I replied positively. My shoot for both shows were scheduled on the same day, August 31, 2007 (Friday).

I brought Bert with me to assist me in the investigation. We arrived at GMA7 past 7o'clock in the evening. We did the short interview for SAPULSO in their cubicle. After the interview, Archie (Segment Producer) accompanied us to the canteen. We catched up on things. We talked about things. Then he left for his editing. We ate at the canteen, waited for the crew of Mel and Joey to pick us up.


At around 10o'clock they arrived from another shoot. We proceed to Tondo. It was my first time in the area. Tales about Tondo haunted me. I was more scared of the area than the investigation itself. We were brought into an "eskinita". People were curious to see what we were doing. Bert and I proceeded with the investigation. After we uncovered the story of the hauntings, we explained to the owner about them. Then advised her what to do in the area. We then wrap it up with the mini-house blessing.


I can't count how many haunted places I've been through. Each houses, buildings is a different experience for me. Tondo is different since I am more worried about our "physical" security rather than the investigation. But as the shoot went on, I saw Tondo is also like any other areas that I've been through in Mindanao.

The owner (Ate Annie) welcomed us with warmth. I sensed for the historical background of the house while Bert chanelled the different emotions of the entities in the place. And she was thankful for the enlightenment about the issue. The staff also thanked us for the investigation. And to my surprise, Ate Tess (Segment Producer) worked with ABS-CBN before. She was part of the Teysi ng Tahanan monday edition with Madam Rosa. The show I loved to watched when I was still studying in Isulan. What a small world...





I wanted to thank those who emailed and texted me, for watching Mel and Joey (last Sunday) and SAPULSO (last Monday).

Friendship bracelets

When I was in Grade school, I saw my older brother doing some projects. I was curious. He, then, taught me how to make the Friendship Bracelet. It was not easy. I tried and tried how many times until I felt satisfied with my works. I tend to be a perfectionist at times when it comes to outputs.

As time went on, I continued to tie some more knots. I just gave out all of my projects to friends and new acquintances. It's a great gift. I experimented with colors. Then I got bored with the design... I experimented for the designs. I even visited some "trade fairs" where they sell some of the Friendship Bracelets. I buy one piece as a sample, then study it. I was able to replicate most of them. Then I started selling them. At first only friends came to order from me. Then they tell their friends, I suddenly had many clients asking about them. Sadly, I wasn't able to provide them much outputs. This is because I have a day job then. I was working as a research assistant, which is a combined office and field work. And the project takes about 1 hour to make. I can just make about 1 or 2 in the evening while I watch some television before going to sleep.

Now that I have more free time, I was able to make more of them. And I am very happy when I see that I already made 20 designs all in all. For over 15 years of doing it, I can say that I had mastered the art. But still I am trying my best to make more designs, to help me improve the craft.


These bracelets are handmade. I always see to it that each knot is almost perfect, not to tight, not to loose. It is a great gift for a friend. In some traditions, it is believed that when a friend ties a Friendship Bracelet in your wrist, silently make a wish. When the bracelet wears off on its own, your wish will be granted.

If you want to order some bracelet, you can contact me through 09214885093. You can choose the color combination you want (usually people wanted it to be made in their lucky color). Please allow me at least 1 day in making each bracelet.

In the past, I used to complain about not having something to do... we all do. But sometimes you just have to search within you... then you will see that 24hours is just not enough to attend to things we need to accomplish.

Camiling, Tarlac

I had a short trip at Camiling, Tarlac... It was short but memorable. We have to cut trip from Pasay to Siesta, then Siesta to Camiling. I had no enough time to look around because we were just attending a baptism of the child of one of the employees of DFA. I had a great time exploring...







Dan, the father, waited for 10 years for his baby. I was also asked by one of the guest about this type of problem. He, himself, is married for 5 years but still have no child.

One of the greatest enemy that we have nowadays is stress. There are many clients who come to me having the same problem. They can't bear a baby. Of course with the use of "divinations" we can always see if they there is a baby that will be born. Most of the clients are capable. They just need some time off. They just need to take a special magickal moment, to be with someone special...

A familiar gift

We named him "Wawa" (short for Joshua). Bert found him just wondering around. He put it in a carton and knock my door. When I opened the door, the kitten is there.

What is unusual about this cat? He had the same features of our cat who died last January, the brother of Thacky. They had the same color, size and everything... reincarnation of familiar? Maybe. But who cares, I am having a great time with this cat.

Capoeira

Last Monday, I was interviewed by the writer of Kapuso mo, Jessica Soho for their segment. I was tapped as an anthropologist to explain about the new fad for the filipino, the Capoeira, a fight-dance originated from Brazil.

Watch the episode on Saturday, August 11, 2007, 8:30PM right after Imbestigator in GMA7.

Visit their site
http://www.gmanews.tv/show/kmjs

My deepest sympathy

Just this morning, I received a text from a very dear friend bearing the news that his wife passed away. Everything went suspended, I reminisce all that happened last year. I was in great disappointment with my life. That was the time that I went with a friend to Daet, Camarines Norte. I meet his wife. I even tried to heal her that time. That time she was very thin, very sickly. I really had some great moments with her. Listening to her problems while she is sitting in the rocking chair, where she also used to sleep.

This is not the first time, I had this feeling. The first time was even worst. I was taking my pastoral exposure in the mountains of North Cotabato. I was just starting with my knowledge about healing and about magick. Secretly, people come to me (I am staying at the convent with the parish priest). They are asking for me to heal them. One patient I had was a woman in her late 30s. When I went to see her, it was I think about 8o'clock in the evening. I thought she was pregnant. But she's not. They were telling me stories and theories about what happened. I think I had learned it somewhere, the effects of "Barang sa tubig". I did what I could. To diagnos her, I use my"gifts". (I relied mostly on my psychic gifts way back then since I am still learning the craft.) I still think she is pregnant. But when I touched her belly, I couldn't sense a baby... But I sensed something moving, growing inside. It is a tumor. I did some cleansing for the woman. Then advised the husband to take her to the doctor for an operation. I couldn't heal it, with this effect. After a week, the woman died.

I felt bad about it. Yes, every person who comes to me asking for help, I tried my best to help them in any way I can. I had even sacrificed some important things in my life for a complete stranger. And the thought of losing someone who asked for your help is really a "thorn in the flesh."

Yes, I did felt bad about not healing Daisy. I had a strange feeling of loneliness, and helplessness. I had even a moment where I am actually angry at my self.

But I have to face it... Not everyone who wish what they wish would be granted. Sometimes we have to let go of things. I think that was what I was bound to do. To let Daisy go, and let Kuya Jeff live the next phase of his life.

Kuya Jeff, my condolences to the family. I know that this would be huge step for you and for the kids... But as what you and I will always understand... THE STORY GOES ON AND ON...

Daisy, whereever you are, may you find peace. May you find comfort from all the sufferings you've been through...