Blame Climate Change

26 September 2006 - super typhoon Milenyo
27 September 2009 - tropical depression Ondoy

Two catastrophic natural disturbances three years apart.

Three quotable quotes:
1. While we were driving down from Baguio through the flooded fields of Bulacan, on the radio was a press conference by GMA and Gibo--
Gibo: Madam President, I'd like to acknowledge the donation of two rubber boats by the U.S.
GMA: Thank you U.S. for two rubber boats.
She was serious.

2. Seen on the news in the early hours of the flooding when it became apparent that this was definitely not just a tropical depression:
Reporter: Sir, why do you think this flooding is happening?
GMA Cabinet Member: Well, you know this is all the fault of climate change. So it is a good thing that our beloved president GMA is holding masses for climate change. Samahan natin siya sa pag-dadasal.

3. On Wowowee this afternoon:
Revillame: Seryoso na 'to ha, seryoso na 'to. Dapat lahat ng barangay, lahat ng bahay, meron tali (para ma tali sa poste o ano pag lumakas na yung water current).
He was serious.

I am so sad for all those who have lost their homes, their belongings, their material lives, and had to go through all the mud and sewer water. We, and most people I know, are putting together relief efforts to help people who were affected. In our street alone, there are two relief centers.

Thoughts:
1. The government should stop self-congratulating, they are so poorly prepared, and it is not over yet, with two more tropical depressions heading our way. Why do I get a feeling the hourly press conferences with GIbo are being milked as exposure for his presidential bid? We have never had anyone so visible in the hundreds of natural disasters we've had. It's not working on me though, he reminds me of a dutiful bodyguard, not a charismatic decisive president. Well his boss has the charm of a sour librarian, so bagay nga sila.

2. We should all learn from this and manage our personal waste, stop throwing our trash irresponsibly, recycle what we can, and stun gun people we see littering.

3. Stop dumping into our rivers, lakes, and waterways. All these factories that line the Pasig and it's tributaries should be assessed, fined, and monitored.

4. The people living along the esteros, haaay... what can we do if you insist on living in a cess pool?

5. Watch the government continue to blame climate change, he is neither in government nor running for office kase.

Image: IL, Boltanski at Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennial, Japan, 2009

Diamond in the Rough

I know someone who likes to embellish stories heavily, very heavily. The line between fact and fiction blurs more to the latter. Let's call her Someone # 1. And I know someone who tells it like it is, matter-of-factly to the point of pain. The first person used to be in the public relations industry. The second person is my driver D, Someone #2.

We are looking to move out of our house and into a warehouse space. A diamond in the very rough, with a little imagination and a lot of work, we can get it to be our next home. If we left the description of the place to Someone # 1, it would be: "3,000 square foot loft space, open plan, exposed beams, wall of windows with Makati view, personal elevator, lots of parking, quiet neighborhood, low prices, will not last".

Someone # 2 describes the place as: "kung mura lang ang habol, yung pera madaling ipunin; yung buhay, hindi". In other words Someone # 2 is afraid for our lives.

Well, Someone # 2 and co. scoped out the place again yesterday and put the plans in for security and all that. Plus TCB with her 3rd and 5th eye said it was fine. She said the only problem with the place is we may really be rooted to Manila for at least the next 5 years. Which was fine with me, but made R's eye twitch a little to produce a tear.

I want an indoor garden (without anay).

The Body Snatcher

This is not a post on horror movies.

I have had a walk in. I am a walking walk in. TCB says that I look different, my aura is different. 'Calm, clear, and simple' were the words she used to describe this me that returned from Japan. We were sitting in her office, R and I, and she and R were talking about me like I wasn't there. Does that mean I was stressed, murky, and complicated before? "Yes!" was TCB's answer. Yikes.

Well I am different. But I can't put my finger on it.

R can't get over how friendly I have become at work, and how concerned if people have not eaten or are not feeling well. Artist MM laughs every time she sees me because there's a smile on my face constantly or am bouncing around. Even M our girl at home talks to me now, because I say hi to her first all the time.

Little symptoms of a good disease. I hope it lasts.

TCB says that R and I are switching personalities. 'Yan ang yikes! Kawawa naman si R!!!

Retro

1. my laptop keyboard's space key moves the cursor ten to thirty spaces left or up to the previous line

2. our clothes dryer's electronic keyboard died

3. the graphic designer's computer monitor at work has shifted colors way purple

4. N's computer shut down twice yesterday

5. wrong emails have been sent out, sorry Italy

6. incomplete messages have been received leading to misunderstandings in negotiations, apologies to Panorama

The Mercury is in Rgrade.
Astrologyzone.com says that the period from 15 - 23 September is the absolute best for miscommunication and failed agreements. No sign no contracts this time.

Too many floating undecided, running out of time, but don't want to fight the planets. It should be better by the 29th.

Early Evening Conversation

I: "So why didn't it work with her?"

A: "Our circadian rhythms didn't match."

I: "That's the first time I've heard that reason. You mean like the time you woke up in the morning was different from the time she woke up?"

A: "No, no, not that way. More like, she stresses me out. When I'm stressed, I am very relaxed. When she's stressed, she's really high strung."

I: "So?"

A: "I mean, when you want something to happen, sometimes the more you want it, the more you won't be able to get it. She's like that. Basta, she stressed me out. And you don't want to be with someone who does."

I: "Well, she does have issues."

A: "And I have none. She wants to get married to a man who will be the father to her child. Relationships don't start with an endpoint in mind."

I: "That makes more sense than the circadian rhythm."


Image: IL, Pistoleto, Venice Bienale 54

The Last Three Weeks

I am back in the RP. It has been 24 days since I arrived from Tokyo. The landing and re-entry was smooth. But life in Manila never is really smooth, at best, it is manageable. Life here is so immediate, because I suppose big changes happen close to home.

In the last three weeks, I have heard of six people who I know or who are a degree away from me who have been murdered in Metro Manila. What is going on?

In the last three weeks, I have visited relatives who are very sick in hospital, and one of them passed away tonight.

In the last three weeks, we have combed through other places to live as this happy home we have needs to be turned over for major roof repair and termite control. And found nothing that comes close to this house. But have to move out soon. The adventure continues.

In the last three weeks, we have hired (and fired) graphic designers for not being on the same design wavelength.

In the last three weeks, we have counted seven pregnant friends.

It's been busy. And I haven't even started working on my Japan show.

The most common question I got in Japan from other gallerists was, "How is the global recession affecting your gallery in Manila?". The thing is, since we are always on emergency room mode in Manila, putting out 'fires' and constantly solving unforeseen problems, my answer is "we are doing ok, same as always".

After experiencing incredible control and 'no surprises' in Japan, coming back to Manila which is so damn full of unforeseen events is a daily roller coaster ride. For example, on Thursday at 4 pm, I had a big shoot to do and we were all set in the studio to receive the items, when, at 3:55, a garbage truck decides to back into the driveway, spend 30 minutes collecting garbage, blocking our entrance completely, delaying the shoot, and killing our daylight time. Top it off, we really couldn't complain, or tell them to come back another day, because they had not collected garbage in a couple of weeks, and the basura juice was getting thick.

Life here is either a circus or an emergency room, never a dull moment.





Image: 410, Frankie Callaghan (Dwelling)