Eye Test

Went this morning to get my NZ driver's licence renewed. Mag-eexpire na kasi next month yung current licence ko. A licence in NZ is valid for 10 years, but everytime you renew, bibigyan ka muna nila ng eye-test. Yun bang sisilip ka sa parang microscope tapos sasabihin mo kung anong mga letters ang nakikita mo. "Read line 4" sabi sa akin. Binasa ko, tama naman. Tapos isang mata, line 1, then line 2, doon ako pinagpawisan ng malagkit. Bakit ganon? Hindi ko ma-recognize yung mga letters, kaya kung ano-anong letra na lang ang sinabi. "I'm sorry sir, you made lots of mistakes. You need to get a certification from an optometrist" ang sabi sa akin nung attendant.

Kailangan ko pa ngayon mag-salamin. Syete naman o. Mahal pa naman magpatingin sa opto at magpagawa ng salamin dito sa NZ. Sa Pinas na lang sana pag-uwi namin sa September. But I have no choice kasi mag-expire na next month ang licence ko. That's $50 for the optometrist and at least $200-$400 for the frames and lens, depende sa style. Compare that three years ago nung umuwi kami sa Manila, P2000 lang yung salamin ni Esmi.

Eto nga pala ang maipapayo ko sa mga kababayan nating mag-mi-migrate dito sa NZ. Bago kayo pumunta rito magpatingin na kayo sa opto at magpagawa na ng at least dalawang salamin kung kinakailangan. Ang isa pang super-mahal dito ang magpa-ayos ng ngipin. Nung bagong dating kami dito, nagpapasta ako ng tatlong ngipin. Hanep na dentista yon, siningil ako ng $1000! Kung kukwentahin mo mas makakamura pa kung umuwi ka na lang sa atin tapos doon mo paayos lahat ng ngipin mo. Kaya bago kayo pumunta rito, paayos na lahat ng teeth ninyo at kung kailangan ng pustiso, magpagawa na. Gawin na ring dalawa para may back-up.

Dilemma

You have a life-changing decision to make. You have a couple of options, both of which have advantages and disadvantages. The first option might be more practical and financially advantageous, but the second option weighs more because of emotional/sentimental reasons. But it’s hard to make a decision because it’s not possible to quantify one’s feelings and therefore you can’t assess both options objectively. It’s a dilemma, because neither option is perfect. You are confused and don’t know what to do. What's distressing about a dilemma is having to make a choice one does not want to make.

The situation could be one where you’re trying to decide on a possible commitment with someone. Or it could be a decision whether to migrate to another country or to stay put. A part of you is telling you not to leave your comfort zone. Not to change your routine. But then the other part of you seeks adventure. It’s asking “how would you know if you don’t try?”.

You’ve tried to gather all the information you can get. You’ve even solicited opinions from so called “experts” You prayed for guidance. Looked for outward signs. Even tried to extract meanings from dreams hoping to find hints. But all these only made you more perplexed.

"Maturity of mind is the capacity to endure uncertainty." - John Finley

A real test of maturity is if we can make our own decisions and are able to stick to it. As grown ups we consider ourselves adults by virtue of our age, but character-wise, we can be immature at times. We leave decisions to others. Our parents, partners, bosses, sometimes even our pets. The decision to live independently away from one’s parents for example can only be made by mature individuals. An immature person will let others decide for them. A mature person having made a decision is willing to accept all the consequences of the decision. While an immature person, when things don’t go as planned, becomes bitter and starts blaming others. “Si ano kasi… dapat kasi ganito…ganoon..” Sounds familiar? Come to think of it. Those who are bitter and regretful in life, most probabaly never stood up to make their own decisions.

The matter that I’m trying to convey here is that sometimes a dilemma is but a state of mind. It could simply be hesitation or indecision to commit to something. It’s the waiting time for someone to make the decision for oneself or an event to happen to influence one’s decision. I remember when I was a young boy who was about to attend my first boy-girl dance party at 16, I was apprehensive for days prior to the party (coz I was not a good dancer like my peers). My mind was in a state of dilemma. I did not want to go, but I was afraid of what my peers might say afterwards. I prayed to God that He make me sick on the day of the party to give me an excuse not to go. For a child, this is a classical avoidance tactic to a dilemma. Delay making a decision and hope something happens that will eliminate one option and therefore end a dilemma.

The thing is, you can’t be a child all your life. You have to end the dilemma YOURSELF by taking away the hesitation and making a firm decision. That’s right no one can do it for you. What you should do is to tell yourself: “I am strong. I can make my own decisions. I know God is with me every step of the way. What have I to fear?”

The actual decision made is secondary. The more important thing is that it is yourself who makes the decision, not anyone else. Although, there is no guarantee that the decision chosen leads to a better future (who can predict the future anyway?), you can at least be assured that by acting maturely you are developing a strong character. One that won't have regrets in the future, come what may.

Para sa mga machong Pinoy na nagbabalak pumunta ng NZ

Let this serve as a warning for Filipino macho men planning to move to NZ. Dapat niyong malaman na dehado po tayong mga lalaki dito sa NZ. Bakit ka nyo?

Una, hindi na tayo pwedeng mag buhay senorito dito. Walang maid kaya kailangan matuto at tumulong tayo sa mga gawaing bahay.

Pangalawa, the end na ang pagbubuhay binata mo pag dating mo dito. Kung sa Pinas, isang kalabit lang ng barkada lumalarga ka na, dito hindi na pwede yung ganoong lifestyle. Dito isang kalabit lang ni esmi, dapat ilarga mo na.

Pangatlo, kung babalewalain mo ang 1 and 2, huwag kang magtaka kung isang araw bigla kang iwanan ni esmi mo at sumama sa iba. Kung sa Pinas, malabong mangyari ito kahit anong pagbabale-wala mo sa kanya, dito sa NZ, iba ang labanan. Lamang silang mga babae sa atin.

Legal ang diborsiyo dito kaya madali kang iwanan ni esmi. Kapag naghiwalay kayo at nasa kanya ang mga bata, makakatanggap pa siya ng subsidy galing sa pamahalaan dahil single parent siya. By law, required ka rin magbigay ng child support sa iyong mga below 18 years old na mga anak. Hindi ka pwedeng tumakas sa financial obligations mo sa iyong mga bubwits.

Ito ang pamatay sa lahat kung bakit tayo dehado. Type na type ng mga puting Kiwi ang mga Pinay. Pero ang mga lalaking Pinoy, kung hindi lang talaga malaki ang iyong... kinikita, malabo kang pansinin ng mga seksing puti.

So ano ang dapat nating gawin, mga pards?

Simple lang. Palakihin ang iyong... pagmamahal sa pamilya. Iwanan ang pagbubuhay binata sa Pinas. Bigyan ng sapat na panahon, pag-aruga at malasakit ang asawa at mga anak.

Kung inspite of that iniwan ka pa rin ng esmi mo. May diprensiya ka siguro. Baka masyadong maliit ang iyong... kinikita at hindi mo ma-satisfy ang mga kapricho niya. Kung hindi naman baka talagang high maintenance siya, mahilig sa malaking... bahay, kotche, brilyantes. E pag ganon, 'yaan mo na siya. Umiyak ka na lang tapos puntahan mo ako at mag-lashengan tayo.

Got Tagged

Rhada and Bing, eto na ang mga answers ko sa tag ninyo. Sorry, ngayon ko lang nagawa.

What are the things you enjoy, even when no one around you want to go out and play?
Mag butingting ng kung ano-ano. (bahala na kayong mag-isip kung ano man yon)
Magbasa ng mga blogs
Mag-browse sa hardware or electronics shop
Manood ng pelikula o sports sa TV

What lowers your stress/blood pressure/anxiety level? Make a list, post it in your journal.
All of the above plus
Sex (Kaya pag sinabi ko kay esmi na high blood ako, gets na niya ang ibig sabihin)
Strolling sa beach or park (provided walang seksi sa paligid. Otherwise, naha-high blood ako).
Long driving (Sarap mag-drive dito sa NZ, nakakarelax. Ganda kasi ng sceneries).
Malling

In case of car collisions

Nabasa ko ang post ni Marhgil titled “Bangaan Lessons”, mga things to do kapag nabangga ang sasakyan mo. Naisip ko na okay din gumawa ng NZ version nito. From experience (dahil dalawang beses na akong na-involve sa banggaan dito), eto ang mga dapat gawin in most non-major collisions. Ibig sabihin hindi life threatening. If it's life threatening call emergecy, dial 111 from a land line or 211 from a mobile phone.

1. Safety First. Itabi mo ang sasakyan. This may be contrary to common practice in the Philippines dahil doon hindi natin inaalis sa eksena ang mga sasakyan. Over here, you are expected to move your vehicle to safety and not obstruct the normal flow of traffic.

2. Be Cool. Katulad din ng sinabi ni Marhgil, dapat cool ka alang. First thing is to make sure everyone is okay, ikaw at ang iyong mga pasahero. Tapos lapitan mo yung driver ng kabilang sasakyan at tanungin mo “Are you okay?”. Ipakita mong concerned ka rin sa safety and well-being ng kabilang driver. This helps relieve any possible tension.

3. Get details. Kunin mo ang pangalan at contact details nung driver, ang plate number, model, color ng sasakyan at ang insurance details nila. Note down details about the incident – what your speed was, as well as that of the other car, the location (make a sketch of the street and the cars), time of day, visibility, driving conditions. Note down the demeanor of the other driver, like if he/she appears sober or not.

4. WOF. Tingnan mo kung hindi pa expired yung registration at Warrant of Fitness (WOF) nung kabilang sasakyan. Makikita mo ito sa sticker sa windshield. Kasi kung expired na ang WOF or registration niya kahit ikaw ang may kasalanan pwedeng ipaglaban ng insurance mo ang kaso.

5. Witness. Try to find a third party who witnessed the incident. Kung meron willing mag-witness, kunin mo ang contact details nila. Kung wala naman, okay lang.

6. Negotiate. You can try to negotiate with the other driver kung okay lang sa kanya na hindi na padaanin sa insurance. However, in my case, dahil di naman ako me kasalanan, I left everything with the insurance.

7. Split na. Pagkatapos ng insidente at nakuha mo na lahat ng kailangan detalye, pwede na kayong mag-split. Hindi na kailangan maghintay ng pulis.

8. Insurance report. Tumawag kaagad sa insurance company at i-report and insidente. Usually, they’ll ask you to fill up a claim form. After that they’ll give you instructions of how to get your car fixed. Follow their instructions very carfully para walang hassle sa pag-claim.

9. Fixing your car. Panelbeaters and tawag sa mga shops na nag-aayos ng mga bangga sa sasakyan. Pumili ka ng panelbeater na may Courtesy Car na tinatawag. Sasakyan ito na ipahihiram sa yo ng panelbeater habang inaayos ang nabangga mong sasakyan. Walang bayad ito.

Yon lang. Next time mag-ingat na para malayo sa aksidente.

A day at the beach and Seaworld

I'm in holiday mode today so I'll just post a couple of pictures. This one is of my nephew Robb, my daughter Fidez and wisheart Jean taken at Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast Australia this morning.



After taking pictures at the beach, we spent the whole day at Seaworld.



Hay! Masayang-masaya kami. Kaya lang nakakapagod, especially when all you eat all day is burgers and fries. It's really hard to last a day without eating rice. Mabuti na lang at nasa bahay na kami ngayon at naaamoy ko na ang lutong paksiw ni Jean. Bye, kain muna kami.

Things I ate or tried to eat when I was a kid

Napagkatuwaan ko lang ilista ang mga bagay-bagay na nung maliit ako kinain o tinikman ko at least once. Ngayong matanda na ako nais ko lang malaman kung ito bang mga ito'y normal sa mga batang lalaki? How about ang mga batang babae, normal din ba ang mga ito? Eto ang aking listahan.

1. Papakin ang Milo. Masarap di ba? I'm sure yung iba kahit matanda na ginagawa pa rin ito.
2. Papakin ang Tang. Maasim. Di masarap. Hindi mo na uulitin.
3. Coffee ice cream. Peborit ko ito nung maliit ako. Kaya lang nagtaka ang mga magulang ko kung bakit hindi ako makatulog sa gabi. Kaya na-stop itong bisyo ko na ito.
4. Kumain ng yelo sa freezer. Nung ibawal ang pag-gawa ko ng ice cream coffee, ito na lang ang pinagtiyagaan ko.
5. Lunukin ang buto ng santol. Sabi nila tatapang ka raw kapag nagawa mo ito. Uto-uto naman ako kaya ginawa ko.
6. Kumain ng butom pakwan kasama pati balat. Hirap magbalat e.
7. Tunaw na chocolate. Ugali ko noon ang tunawin ang chocolate sa mga daliri, tapos lamutakin at isa-isa kong isusubo ang aking daliri. Tsalap, tsalap.
8. Tikman ang tumutulong sipon. Huwag ninyong sabihin hindi niyo ginawa ito ha? Hindi mo maiiwasan ito lalo na pagkatapos mong umiyak at tumutulo ang sipon mo.
9. Tikman ang kulangot. Wala, curious lang kasi akong malaman kung kalasa din ng sipon.

Kayo anong mga napag-tripan ninyo nung bata kayo?

Will be a Week of Fun!

We’re looking forward to a few days of fun this week. This Wednesday, we fly off to sunny Gold Coast Australia. As a belated birthday present to Jean, an advance happy birthday to my daughter and also to myself, we’ve decided to visit my Sister and nephew living in Gold Coast. Four days lang, actually ang stay namin doon. Balik din kami ng Auckland Saturday night. But I’m sure it will be fun. We plan to visit some of the themeparks in GoldCoast – MovieWorld and Seaworld, most probably. If we have time, we might visit some friends in Brisbane, which is about an hour away from Gold Coast.

The weather in Auckland has been quite wet and cold the past few days. It’s time to enjoy some sun and warm weather and most especially the company of love ones.

It’s amazing how flights from Auckland to OZ are quite cheap. Imagine $89 (one way)! The flight back from OZ to Auckland cost twice more expensive though. Total cost of our plane fare, including taxes is $350 per person. Not bad, considering that the plane fare to southern cities of NZ costs more. No wonder more Kiwis visit OZ than other parts of NZ. Such as myself. I haven’t visited NZ’s South Island yet. But come to think of it, I’m a Pinoy who’s never visited any place south of Batangas or north of Baguio City. A foreigner in one's own land? I'm guilty as charged.

I guess I’ll have to lie low for awhile

Got to be prepared for the backlash. Nasaktan ko kasi ang feelings ng isang hinahangan kong blogger sa isang comment na iniwan ko sa site niya. I was just making a joke and there was no malice intended when I wrote the comment, but she took exception to it and interpreted it as if I was questioning her good actions. I don’t blame her because she hardly know me.

Iba kasi kung minsan ang dating kung binabasa mo lang compared kung naririnig at nakikita mo ang taong nagsasalita. It’s very easy to be misinterpreted. Kaya lesson ito para sa akin. Not to joke too much. At dapat tandaan na iba-iba ang sensitivity level ng bawat tao. Kung minsan nga sa Esmi ko may nasasabi ako na nami-misinterpret niya at pinaguumpisahan ng tampuhan, gayong matagal na kaming magkakilala. E ano pa kaya ang ibang tao na bago mo pa lang nakilala at hindi mo pa nga na-meet in person?

I have to admit too that it’s a fault of mine. Sometimes, tactless ako when it comes to biruan. Yung akala ko na hindi naman makaka-offend, iba pala ang dating sa iba. Tapos yung mga alaskahan na normal sa aming mga kalalakihan, kakainisan naman pala ng kababaihan. People skills na hindi ko pa na-ma-master. Pero yon talaga ako e. I voice out what’s in my mind as long as I’m aware it’s not offensive. Kung may masabi man ako na offensive ang dating, hindi ko sinasadya yon.

Ang pagbibiro, walang pinagkaiba sa pag-utot. Sabi nga nung kaibigan kong aktibista, “Paano mo makikilala ang tunay na kaibigan? Kapag ikaw ay nautot at kayo ay nagtawanan, tunay siyang kaibigan.” Totoo nga naman, kasi kung hindi mo kakilala ang mga taong nasa paligid mo nang ikaw ay ma-utot, sigurado simangot na mga mukha ang makikita mo. But with your friends, farting is a laughing matter.

I’m not saying that this blogger is not a friend. It’s just that we have not known each other long enough to laugh at our own farts. I was irresponsible, utot ako ng utot. Kaya nga lesson ito for me. If you’re not sure with the people around you, pigilin mo na lang ang pag-utot. Or better yet, paunahin mo muna sila.

Sabi nga ni Walter Winchell, “A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out”. I think he might have said this after farting inside the lift.

Looking Forward to September

It’s official. Di na pwedeng umatras. Bayad na ang plane tickets e. Uuwi kami sa Setyembre para magbakasyon ng tatlong linggo sa atin. Huling uwi namin noon pang Dec 1999.

Si misis at ang anak ko very excited. Hindi na nga makatulog si esmi sa kaiisip kung ano ang una niyang kakainin pag dating sa atin. Nung isang gabi, gulay na mais ang binanggit niya. Nung isang beses naman sinigang na bangus sa santol o kaya bayabas. Tapos kahapon burong talangka naman. Sabi ko nga sa kanya ma-aanemic pa siya dahil sa kakulangan sa tulog. Mangga, lansones, rambutan, guyabano ang laman ng mga panaginip niya. At sa gabi kapag napapatingin ako sa kanya may kakaibang ngiti ang mukha niya kahit tulog na.

Ang anak ko naman excited na mag-shopping. Hindi na nga raw siya mag-sho-shopping dito; sa Pilipinas na lang. Opkors, di naman ako naniwala sa kanya dahil tuloy pa rin ang tingin niya ng mga damit at sapatos dito.

Ako naman, ewan ko ba, ba’t di ako gaanong excited. May konting pangamba pa nga dahil sa mga nangyayaring kaguluhan sa atin ngayon. Hindi rin ako mahilig mag-shopping. Sa pagkain naman okay lang sa akin kung meron o wala. Pero definitely kakain ako ng sari-saring Q, banana-Q, kamote-Q, at iba-ibang barbe-Q. Tapos sa Jollibee yung peborit ko yung chicken joy. Not to miss yung halo-halo at ang ube ice cream.

May pabor sana akong hihilingin sa inyong mga nasa Pinas ngayon. Paki update niyo naman ako sa mga presyo ng mga ito para hindi na ako ma-shock pag dating ko diyan. Banana-Q, Chicken Joy, Halo-halo, ice cream, mani, corn-nick, mais, pamasahe sa jeep, taxi, FX, tricycle, atbp.

Class, our subject for today is Geography

Titser: The picture below shows the map of which country?



Class: New Zealand, sir.

Titser: Correct, ang gagaling ninyong magbasa.

Alam niyo ba na ang land area ng New Zealand ay halos sinlaki ng land area ng Philippines? The land area of NZ is 103,000 square miles (270,000 sq.km). Ang sa Philippines naman ay 115,000 square miles (300 sq.km). Di ba konting difference lang?

Below are the outlines of the map of the Philippines and that of NZ. Di ba halos pareho pati hugis nila?



Kung hindi pa rin kayo convinced, eto, tingnan ninyo ang susunod na picture. Binaligtad ko lang ang mapa ng NZ tapos medyo inikot ko yung taas na portion at ni-move pataas yung isang bahagi sa kaliwa.



Titser: O di ba, Pinas na Pinas din? So class, what can you conclude about today's lesson?

Class: That you are homesick na po, sir.

Kakainis na talaga

Ang daming masamang balita galing sa bansa natin. Magulo na naman. Tapos, yesterday may mga terrorist bombings naman sa London. Kaka-depress. Para tuloy ayaw mo nang manood ng news sa TV o magbasa ng diaryo.

The violence and the carnage that happened in London is deplorable. Makes you think why people do such horrible things to other people. The news back home may not be violent, but for me it is just or even more deplorable.

I think of what's happened to London as a person who's been wounded. Nasugatan at may dugo and sugat. The wound can have an effect on the person not only physically but emotionally and psychologically as well. A wounded person may become fearful of doing any physical activity that caused the wound in the first place. The psychological effect lingers long after the wound has healed. But eventually, everything goes back to normal. The person even becomes stronger having learned ways to avoid being hurt again. As an outsider you sympathize with the person and admires him when he is able to bounce back.

In the case of what's happening in our country, I would compare it to a person who though looks normal from the outside is suffering from various maladies. Ayokong tawaging cancer dahil gusto kong isiping may pag-asa pang magamot. Sabihin na lang nating diabetic yung tao. Kailangang mag-insulin araw-araw. Tapos may mga komplikasyon pa. High-blood pressure, may sakit sa bato, sa atay, sa pancreas at may STD pa. Madali sanang gamutin ang taong ito, kaya lang matigas ang ulo niya. The person does not watch his diet. Keeps eating junk, unhealthy food. Doesn't exercise. Drinks, smokes, takes drugs and practices decadent sex. As an outsider maaawa ka ba sa kanya? Kaiinisan mo pa di ba? Dahil alam mong nasa kanya din naman ang ikagagaling niya.

Whenever I post something dreary I always want it to end in a positive note. Bagamat ngayon nahirapan ako. Kaya pasensiya na kayo kung nasira ko ang weekend ninyo. A friend told me once before: "Things will be better because there is no way but up". The problem is that was two decades ago.

Maligayang Kaarawan

Hapi bertdey to yu, hapi bertdey to yu, hapi bertdey, hapi bertdey, hapi bertdey wisheart. O yan kinantahan pa kita.

Bertdey mo na naman ngayong araw na ito. Mahigit dalawampung taon na pala tayong magkakilala. Pero parang kailan lang dahil masaya tayo at hindi ka nakakasawang kasama. Sana mas higit na marami pang bertdeys ang pagsaluhan natin in the future.

1979 nung una kitang ligawan at ako’y iyong binasted. Mabuti na lang makulit ako at niligawan kita uli after 3 years. This time, sinagot mo na ako. Hindi mo na ako pinakawalan. Hehe. Sa araw ng iyong kaarawam, corny man, pero bayaan mong ipaalala ko sa yo ang nagiisang awiting kinakanta ko nung magsyota pa lang tayo dahil ito lang ang kaya kong tipain sa gitara, ang sikat na awitin ng Tatlong Itlog. Ay Apo Hiking pala.

Show me a smile and then kiss me
Tell me you love me again
Come to my room and then lie in my bed
I love you, you know
Although sometimes it just doesn't show

Giving is my way of loving
It's the only way that I know
I've got nothing much
I've got nothin' to show
I love you, you know
Although sometimes it doesn't seem so

Love me forever
Love me all night through
Love me for a lifetime
I live my life for only you

Love me for a lifetime
I live my life for only you

Show me a smile and then kiss me
Tell me you love me again
Come to my room and then lie in my bed
I love you, you know
Although sometimes it just doesn't show

To a Special Person

Naomi tagged me to do this. Instead of completing each sentence individually, I thought I'ld combine all of them to express my inner feeling towards a special person. Thanks Nao for tagging me.

I AM a parent to a teenage daughter. Sometimes, I can’t help feeling sad that
I CRY when I see her unhappy. Because all
I WANT is for her to always feel happy. In fact, if
I HAVE a wish for her,
I WISH that she grows up contented in life. For
I HATE to see her having any regrets in life. How
I MISSed her sweet and childish ways. I remember once when she was little
I DANCEd with her, until I fell exhausted while she continued to laugh and dance. Now
I FEAR that she’s growing up too fast and slowly moving farther away from us. When
I HEAR her on the phone talking with friends,
I LOOK at her and ask her, who she’s talking to on the phone. Perhaps with a bit of jealousy, I tell her to hang up and go to sleep. How
I LOVE the moments we share together. Yet
I ACHE to think that someday she’ll have to leave us. But today
I SING and set aside my fears and worries of the future.

I NEED to be a good parent to her. Be a role model.
I MUST teach her how to be responsible and caring. Be supportive of her in every way. Always
I SEARCH ways to improve myself to become a better person and father. Because somehow,
I REGRET that I was not a perfect son when I was the same age as my daughter is now.
I WAS NOT as delightful and as obedient to my parents as my daughter is to us now. Which is the reason why
I WRITE and pour my heart away, knowing how lucky a parent I am; that
I SHOULD be thankful to God for this blessing called “daughter”. But then
I WONDER if in my daughter’s mind she too feels equally blessed for having me as a father. I don’t know for sure, so
I BLOG my feelings today in the hope that someday she’ll get the chance to read this. When she does, I hope she leaves a comment even if signed "Anonymous" 'cause she'll never be anonymous to me. Not in any way.

Bawal Ngumiti

Para sa mga magpaparenew ng NZ passports, may mga bagong alituntunin ang NZ Internal Affairs tungkol sa mga passport photos. If you don’t follow the new rules, they might return your photos and may cause a delay in the issuance of your new passports.

Precise measurements, lighting and facial expressions have been introduced so passports can be read by facial recognition technology at border controls.

Passport regimes around the world are being overhauled to combat identity fraud and meet higher standards in aviation security following terrorist attacks in America.

Among the requirements for a photograph:
* A full front close-up view of the head and shoulders with the head covering 70 to 80 per cent of the photo.

* The person must be captured from slightly above top of head and include shoulders, the head shown centred/square on, looking directly at the camera, not looking over one shoulder (portrait style) or tilted, and both edges of the face shown clearly.

* A neutral expression (not grinning, laughing or frowning) with the mouth closed.

* The eyes must be open and clearly visible.

(Source: NZ Herald)

Bawal na ang nakangiti sa picture! Katulad ng mga example na ito.

Ang Toilet

I read SassyMoon’s “Toilet Talk” entry with great interest. It wasn’t about our stinking politicians, but if it were, the title would have been just as appropriate. She was ranting about the sad state of toilets (or rest rooms as we call it) in our country. Also how people who live in developed countries take toilet paper, water and soap for granted, when back home, these amenities are luxuries to die for.

Then I was surprised to know that in some malls you have to shell out P10 to use a restroom! I remember, 10 years ago, this was an unheard of thing in Manila. Sure, I did encounter this in Baguio City once, where toilets charge 50 centavos kung ihi, piso kung dumi. Kapag nagbayad ka ng piso, bibigyan ka ng tabo. But in malls in Manila, never seen that before. Paying a fee to use a toilet? Aba, para palang takilya.

I’ll be interested to see a photo of the MMDA pink urinals Sassymoon mentioned. Hindi ko ma-visualize e. To MMDA’s credit at least they’re doing something to put a stop to Pinoy males’ practice of urinating kung saan saan. Natawa nga ako sa comment nung isang reader. “sa kunsumisyon siguro sa kanila ng MMDA chief, ginawa na lang kulay ng mga bakla ang urinal nila.”

Ang layo talaga ng agwat ng third-world at first-world. I remember when I stayed with my Japanese host in Oita, Japan back in ‘82, nalito ako sa pag-gamit ng toilet bowl nila. Hi-tech talaga. Para kang nasa cock-pit ng jet fighter.



First time kong nakakita ng toilet seat na may mga push button, noon. There is a button to raise the cover and the toilet seat. The moment you sit down, you hear flushing sounds. Sound effects lang ito para hindi marinig ang pag-iri mo. And when you’re done with your thing, you push another button for warm water to squirt on your behind. Then there is also a button for liquid soap and another button for a blow dryer para patuyuin ang wetpu mo.

So far sa Japan pa lang talaga nauuso ang mga hi-tech toilet seats na yan. Dito naman sa amin sa NZ, medyo hi-tech na rin. Sa tapat ng bahay namin, ni-renovate yung park at naglagay sila ng public toilet.


Ang galing nung toilet. When you enter the toilet, may maririnig kang "You have 10 minutes to use this toilet" at may background piano music pa. Yung toilet paper, de-push button ang dispenser. Kapag tapos ka na, itatapat mo lang ang kamay mo sa soap dispenser, tapos water, tapos hand dryer. Hindi mo na nga kailangan i-flush ang bowl kasi automatic nag-fla-flush kapag naghugas ka ng kamay. After 10 minutes kapag nasa loob ka pa may maririnig kang "Your time has expired, please leave immediately". Dapat lumabas ka na non, dahil kung hinde baka iba na marining mo "Hoy! Ano ba? Kanina ka pa diyan a. Ako naman!".