Wednesday, November 03, 2010
Sunday, October 31, 2010
I can name that tune
The best thing about long weekends is we get to have long lunches with the whole family.
Just earlier we were having lunch and reminiscing about other mealtimes (haha, we are a really strange family). One of our favorite stories which always cracks us up even after so many years is this one, which happened when I was about 13-16 years old.
Dinnertime:
Mom (turning to my older brother): Ano na nga yun kantang mga mukhang nakalimutan ko na?
(What's that song about the faces I've forgotten?)
Older brother looks blank.
Me (from the other side of the table) starts to sing: "There are places I remember...all my life!"
My brothers and sisters still don't get how I got the right song since my mom wasn't even remembering the right lyrics. I don't know either, I think it's just evidence that I have a psychic connection with my mom! :))
Just earlier we were having lunch and reminiscing about other mealtimes (haha, we are a really strange family). One of our favorite stories which always cracks us up even after so many years is this one, which happened when I was about 13-16 years old.
Dinnertime:
Mom (turning to my older brother): Ano na nga yun kantang mga mukhang nakalimutan ko na?
(What's that song about the faces I've forgotten?)
Older brother looks blank.
Me (from the other side of the table) starts to sing: "There are places I remember...all my life!"
My brothers and sisters still don't get how I got the right song since my mom wasn't even remembering the right lyrics. I don't know either, I think it's just evidence that I have a psychic connection with my mom! :))
My 2 cents on the plagiarism issue
2 cents or 0.86 pesos
I find it strange that the SC formed the investigating body from their ranks.
The Vinuya case was decided by the Supreme Court en banc...so technically, that decision was reached in consultation with all the members of the SC...All of them are tainted by that decision. As my boss said, there are a lot of retired justices still active who could have constituted the investigating committee. How can we expect to have had a truly objective investigation if the parties who signed and concurred in the decision (and therefore, can be reasonably expected to have read, reviewed and done their own research on the topic) are the very same people who will investigate and evaluate if plagiarism had indeed been committed?
In an attempt to save one of their own, and presumably their own skins, they came out with a whopper of a decision, absolving del Castillo from any allegation of plagiarism and in the process, creating the doctrine of "intentional plagiarism" and blaming Microsoft, too. Now, they want the blood of the U.P. professors who dared to bring the issue into the light. Wheeee-hoooo!
I've heard some people making an issue about how U.P. professors are such assholes and making trouble wherever they can. I've even heard some people say it's just a manifestation of the U.P.-Ateneo rivalry...Hey, I'm from U.P. (I wasn't even aware that there's a rivalry. Are we even on enough of a similar footing to be called rivals? :-D.) This isn't an issue about U.P. or any other university. This is an issue concerning every Filipino and what we all put a lot of pride in...Filipino integrity. Eeek. And just to point out what seems to me is obvious...ok, so Del Castillo is from Ateneo and yet the Ateneo Law School has not issued any statement. I guess they prefer to stay out of the issue. That's fine. But what's really notable is that not one Ateneo alumnae has gone out and defended Del Castillo in public. Even the usually outspoken Fr. Bernas is conspicuously silent. In hindsight, this was probably the best course of action. Especially now when there is the possibility of another plagiarized decision.
I especially liked De Quiros' commentary, particularly this passage:
As for the SC, they're objecting to all the publicity because they feel that the respect that the judiciary is entitled to is being eroded. But as we all know, respect is earned. In their attempt to erase any doubt as to their "supremacy", they are considering sanctioning the U.P. professors who have been vocal (or signed the petition which the SC is saying was just a "dummy" document) about the issue. However this turns out, it looks to me that the SC has boxed itself in. Really neatly too. Now, even the plagiarized authors have expressed their support for the U.P. professors. "Damned if you do, damned if you don't" If they sanction the U.P. professors, then the professors would be martyred for the cause...the SC won't get any sympathy nor support on this one. If the SC decides to back off, then they won't exactly come out as villains, but that would still leave the plagiarism issue out in the open. Unless, they decide to issue an amended decision -- which I don't see happening, anyway.
I hope the SC has a fantastic spin doctor to get them out of this one. Or maybe, all they need is a little humility and admit they were "maybe just a little bit wrong."
I find it strange that the SC formed the investigating body from their ranks.
The Vinuya case was decided by the Supreme Court en banc...so technically, that decision was reached in consultation with all the members of the SC...All of them are tainted by that decision. As my boss said, there are a lot of retired justices still active who could have constituted the investigating committee. How can we expect to have had a truly objective investigation if the parties who signed and concurred in the decision (and therefore, can be reasonably expected to have read, reviewed and done their own research on the topic) are the very same people who will investigate and evaluate if plagiarism had indeed been committed?
In an attempt to save one of their own, and presumably their own skins, they came out with a whopper of a decision, absolving del Castillo from any allegation of plagiarism and in the process, creating the doctrine of "intentional plagiarism" and blaming Microsoft, too. Now, they want the blood of the U.P. professors who dared to bring the issue into the light. Wheeee-hoooo!
I've heard some people making an issue about how U.P. professors are such assholes and making trouble wherever they can. I've even heard some people say it's just a manifestation of the U.P.-Ateneo rivalry...Hey, I'm from U.P. (I wasn't even aware that there's a rivalry. Are we even on enough of a similar footing to be called rivals? :-D.) This isn't an issue about U.P. or any other university. This is an issue concerning every Filipino and what we all put a lot of pride in...Filipino integrity. Eeek. And just to point out what seems to me is obvious...ok, so Del Castillo is from Ateneo and yet the Ateneo Law School has not issued any statement. I guess they prefer to stay out of the issue. That's fine. But what's really notable is that not one Ateneo alumnae has gone out and defended Del Castillo in public. Even the usually outspoken Fr. Bernas is conspicuously silent. In hindsight, this was probably the best course of action. Especially now when there is the possibility of another plagiarized decision.
I especially liked De Quiros' commentary, particularly this passage:
All the professors were calling for was for Del Castillo to resign or be held in contempt by the public. They weren’t calling for him to disembowel himself, though heaven knows that is what people of honor do in Japan. They weren’t calling for him to shoot himself in the head, which was what people of honor do in Europe. They weren’t calling for him to flagellate his back with thongs studded with glass shards, though heaven knows that is what people of dishonor do in this country on Good Friday. Resignation is the least of what justice calls for, resignation is the least of what a justice goes for.I should think that anyone with an ounce of delicadeza would have stepped down at the earliest hint of scandal, even more so since he holds such a position of trust and respect. He can't just shrug off the fact that plagiarism was committed. Or, if we follow the SC decision, even if there had been no intent to plagiarize, Del Castillo should have been sanctioned. He had the responsibility to make sure that what comes out of his office has been reviewed to within an inch of perfection (because nobody's perfect, I'll settle for an inch shy of perfection) before signing his name.
As for the SC, they're objecting to all the publicity because they feel that the respect that the judiciary is entitled to is being eroded. But as we all know, respect is earned. In their attempt to erase any doubt as to their "supremacy", they are considering sanctioning the U.P. professors who have been vocal (or signed the petition which the SC is saying was just a "dummy" document) about the issue. However this turns out, it looks to me that the SC has boxed itself in. Really neatly too. Now, even the plagiarized authors have expressed their support for the U.P. professors. "Damned if you do, damned if you don't" If they sanction the U.P. professors, then the professors would be martyred for the cause...the SC won't get any sympathy nor support on this one. If the SC decides to back off, then they won't exactly come out as villains, but that would still leave the plagiarism issue out in the open. Unless, they decide to issue an amended decision -- which I don't see happening, anyway.
I hope the SC has a fantastic spin doctor to get them out of this one. Or maybe, all they need is a little humility and admit they were "maybe just a little bit wrong."
Saturday, October 30, 2010
My office Top Ten
I've been in my new office for a month now. Here's a list of the things I like best!
1) Shared lunches
2) Nap time
3) Merienda time
4) Funny people
5) Casual friday
6) My boss
7)Work hours
8) Flag ceremony
9) Work load
10) Deadlines
1) Shared lunches
2) Nap time
3) Merienda time
4) Funny people
5) Casual friday
6) My boss
7)Work hours
8) Flag ceremony
9) Work load
10) Deadlines
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
hate mail
I'm just surprised how some of my so-called friends can be such users. Okay so some of it may have been my fault, letting myself be used. But I have to draw the line somewhere. Or maybe, the line has always been drawn, I just realized that you crossed it bigtime. It may have felt like we were the best of friends, but we really don't have anything in common. Just lonely people thrown together by circumstances. (Okay, again maybe some of those circumstances were also my fault.)
I don't appreciate how you slam my friends...and then when I turn around you're going around being very chummy together. How am supposed to react to this? I especially don't like hearing how you hate everything about him -- from his looks to his beliefs, and then later on ask me to invite him to join our get-togethers just because you want some body count on your pictures for FB.
I don't like how you hate the guys I like and asking me what I ever saw in them. I especially don't like seeing you flirt with the guys I like and when I confront you, you have the gall to say that you liked them first.
Sometimes I wonder if you're as clueless as you make it appear. Sometimes, it feels like I'm being played bigtime. Do you ever wonder why none of your relationships ever work out? I have a theory.
Do you like being my friend because I always put you in the best light possible? And that I never compete with you? Is that why you hate it when I dress up? You do realize that I am the only close woman friend you have don't you? Again, probably because I don't give you any competition.
And just so we're clear, you don't have to pretend that you actually care about how my day was. I already know that you contact me only when you need my help, so please, just get straight to the point.
Anyway, here's my theory... You're a bitch! And no amount of make-up, salon procedures, facials, whitening and slimming pills can cover it up. You may be good for a couple of dates to show-off to the guys, but you're not exactly girlfriend material. (According to _____, you're meant to be seen from afar, because when you get near, it becomes clear that you're made up to be seen from afar!)
I don't appreciate how you slam my friends...and then when I turn around you're going around being very chummy together. How am supposed to react to this? I especially don't like hearing how you hate everything about him -- from his looks to his beliefs, and then later on ask me to invite him to join our get-togethers just because you want some body count on your pictures for FB.
I don't like how you hate the guys I like and asking me what I ever saw in them. I especially don't like seeing you flirt with the guys I like and when I confront you, you have the gall to say that you liked them first.
Sometimes I wonder if you're as clueless as you make it appear. Sometimes, it feels like I'm being played bigtime. Do you ever wonder why none of your relationships ever work out? I have a theory.
Do you like being my friend because I always put you in the best light possible? And that I never compete with you? Is that why you hate it when I dress up? You do realize that I am the only close woman friend you have don't you? Again, probably because I don't give you any competition.
And just so we're clear, you don't have to pretend that you actually care about how my day was. I already know that you contact me only when you need my help, so please, just get straight to the point.
Anyway, here's my theory... You're a bitch! And no amount of make-up, salon procedures, facials, whitening and slimming pills can cover it up. You may be good for a couple of dates to show-off to the guys, but you're not exactly girlfriend material. (According to _____, you're meant to be seen from afar, because when you get near, it becomes clear that you're made up to be seen from afar!)
Monday, October 25, 2010
Day 15 - How to declutter your closet
October 23, 2010 - I had the "brilliant" idea to pull everything out from my closet and then decide what's going back in and what's to be discarded as I go along....DISASTER!!!
Joketime:
Bro: Do you know why Edward (Cullen) is so pale?
Me: Coz he's a vampire...ok ok, tell me why he's so pale?
Bro: Coz there's no sun in the closet!!!
Another one:
Bro: Did you know that Edward (Cullen) was in Narnia?
Me: Really?! I didn't know that!
Bro: Yup, he's really deep in the closet!
Anyway, at the rate I'm going, I'll probably finish my "365-day project" in 5 years.
Joketime:
Bro: Do you know why Edward (Cullen) is so pale?
Me: Coz he's a vampire...ok ok, tell me why he's so pale?
Bro: Coz there's no sun in the closet!!!
Another one:
Bro: Did you know that Edward (Cullen) was in Narnia?
Me: Really?! I didn't know that!
Bro: Yup, he's really deep in the closet!
Anyway, at the rate I'm going, I'll probably finish my "365-day project" in 5 years.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Whut?!?!?
Supreme Court threatens to sanction law faculty critics
This really sucks! Ok, I won't even attempt an in-depth discussion since this is my airhead blog (like, I have any other blog).
Admittedly, I haven't read the full decision in the admin case, so I'll do my homework first.
This really sucks! Ok, I won't even attempt an in-depth discussion since this is my airhead blog (like, I have any other blog).
Admittedly, I haven't read the full decision in the admin case, so I'll do my homework first.
Day 14 - Work spill
October 19, 2010 - Eeeep. Sorry, couldn't resist...This Supreme Court decision on refunds of input VAT (especially on the reckoning point of the 2-year period and the applicability of the 120-30 day rule) probably has tax practitioners scrambling...
Monday, October 18, 2010
Day 12 - Jollibee party!
October 17, 2010 - joint birthday celebration for my cute nephew and niece (are they my nephew and niece, if they're my cousin's children?) -- ok ok, so this is Jollibee's butt. :)
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Day 11 - If the world were upside down
October 16, 2010 - 4pm northeastern sky -- blue skies, but we're preparing for the typhoon.
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