House MD, anyone?

I miss watching House MD. This is just one of those few shows where everyone, every artist has a real character of their own. They are not just people in hospital scrubs but  are real character in the sense that they really know how to play the role, the personality, the emotions of their character.



Anyway, one of the most significant characters in the show, Dr, Cuddy, will not be a part of the next season. Cuddy is the only one who can control House, right? Who will be the next Dean of Medicine now?

If there are any House fans out there, any guesses?

Official Statement from Christopher Lao

4 August 2011

The past few days have been very disheartening for me and my family. As you know I have been a subject of a viral video that showed my helplessness during a trying moment. As it stands right now, I have several hate pages in Facebook and Twitter with hurtful and derogatory messages attacking my person. The reputation that I built the past years has been besmirched. A bad day has now turned into wounded feelings and sleepless nights for me and my family.

I have been silent the past few days as I want this to go away soon but not before saying sorry and thank you to people who matter.

I would like to apologize for my behavior that was seen on nationwide television and now on the internet. It was unfortunate that I was caught on camera immediately after an overwhelmingly stressful mishap.

I would like to again sincerely thank those who braved the flood to help a distraught stranger like me. Their selfless act reminded me of how dependable Filipinos are in times of crisis.

Lastly, I would like to thank my family, friends and all of those who showed empathy, consideration and support throughout these trying times. You have given me strength and courage to rise above and be a better person.

Sincerely yours,
Christopher Lao

***

On a not-so related note, some people like to boast about their golf trophies, Me. Lao, I think, needs more than just these kind of trophies or achievements to redeem himself from this mess.

Why did the chicken cross the road?

Have you guys heard the news about a certain guy being criticized online due to his -- in the words of Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile -- "very rare show of courage”? Ooopsss! I'm not referring to Migs Zubiri. Here's an excerpt from an online article (from Techpinas):

Christopher bravely drove his car to what appeared to be waist-high floods.* And as the laws of Physics... would have it, his sedan (which turned out to be not amphibious after all) fell victim to the waters.
But it isn't so much this misfortune that got everyone talking about Christopher. It's the things he said as soon as he got out of his flood-soaked car that made him the online-sensation he now is.
...
Apparently ... Christopher blames MMDA and everyone in sight during the incident for his mistake. He even said at one point that he 'wasn't informed' of the floods -- even if the water level was already too high not to be obvious.

Christopher Lao became a trending topic worldwide in Twitter -- surpassing yesterday's event re Migs Zubiri's resignation. Now, some people think there's something wrong with the Filipino mentality for two reasons:

1. Why do we make fun of people making mistakes? Don't we commit mistake ourselves?
2. How come we prioritize things like this one over a significant event in our national political history, that is, Migs Zubiri's resignation from the Senate?

I vehemently disagree that there's something wrong here in the first place. In my assessment, it was not the mistake of the person that infuriated the online community -- it's Mr. Lao's attitude after committing that mistake. He blamed everyone else -- the reporter, the bystanders, even the employees of the MMDA -- instead of admitting a miscalculation on his end. For some online people, the hatred is more of a defense for some hardworking and honest people in MMDA (who cannot defend themselves) that Lao has just blamed. 

And as I have said, this news is more than just a person  who "bravely drove his car to what appeared to be waist-high floods" and blamed "MMDA and everyone in sight during the incident for his mistake." If you stopped at that news, then, we should just take Zubiri's resignation from Senate simply as a way of avoiding accountability and saving his a$$. But there's so much more about the news than the actual event -- there's a lot to mention from the most basic survival principle of common sense (no other cars passing, very obvious flooded street) to core values of owning responsibility to our mistakes or being accountable to our actions. (Whether it is unethical for the media/reporter to air that is another question, of course.)

An esteemed professor said “You may be amused by the mistakes or misfortunes of others. But this does not entitle you to degrade their entire character or make conclusions about their whole person. Christopher Lao does not deserve the treatment he is getting from others on Facebook and Twitter." But I think, Mr. Lao is being victimized or bullied (online) right now not because of his mistake or misfortune, but his arrogance AFTER what happened. And as one online character posted in a news portal: "If only for that -- and his lack of personal responsibility and common sense -- he deserves all the ridicule that can be thrown at him."

:p

*What was he thinking? That he has tanzanite rings or something Green Lantern-ish that can make his car float?

Migs Zubiri resigns

Mig Zubiri is reading his privilege speech at the moment. He will announce his resignation anytime now. Hayyy.

Music runs deep within our blood (hehehe)

Last week when we went to the mall, my sister lead us to a certain store. No it was not a women's singlets store, but it surprised us nonetheless. We found ourselves inside a guitar store. And she says she was not really looking for a guitar.

"The guitar called me."

My sister bought a violin a year ago, and it was my brother who got more interested -- he can now play some nice songs. :-) And now, my sister wants to buy a guitar. She says she can feel it -- that this is going to be her "thing", her calling.

Wow. Hehehe. I told her she should try Air Guitar first. But she says she really wants to reignite her passion in music (c/o Johnoy Danao). Oh well. At least I won't have a hard time looking for a gift for her come this Christmas. I will buy her this Air Guitar on sale.

Could music be OUR passion? I should rethink my ambition of being in competition with Larry Page and Sergey Brin.

I rock!

This Sunday, I will be going to the baptism ceremony of my cousin's first-born. This cousin of mine is a close friend from high school. I made his first love letter, gave him advice that resulted to him having his first girlfriend, and told him what to do so his first girlfriend will initiate the breakup (I know!). We've been through a lot of things together. Oh, we were together in our first (wannabe) rockband. He played bass and lead the vocals. I did background vocals and lead guitar. (Beat that, Mordsith! hehehe.)

He, and another cousin and friend of ours, had a bet -- whoever among the three of us will have a child last will win that bet. And the bet is that the losers will sponsor one lechon baboy (and some more) each when the winner's child gets baptized. The other cousin of ours involved in the bet already has a baby as well.

This Sunday, the three of us will have a drink -- not to plan the baby 1st birthday.* We will officially celebrate my being a winner. :-)

*sorry grammar nazis! Tawag ng pangangailangan.

What is 30% of USD 5.6 million?

I asked because that is how much I'd received soon. :-) This is the third or fourth time this year that I became (almost) a multi-millionaire. Hayyy... For your reading pleasure, fellow bloggers and accidental visitors.

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My Dearest one,

Hi, My name is Sofia Justin Yak, 23years old originated from Sudan. I decide to contact you after my prayers, I really want to have a good relationship with you. My father Dr. Justin Yak was the former Minister for SPLA Affairs and Special Adviser to President Salva Kiir of South Sudan for Decentralization. My father Dr.Justin Yak and my mother including other top Military officers and top government officials had been on board when the plane crashed on Friday May 02, 2008.

You can read more about the crash through the below site:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/ africa/7380412.stm

After the burial of my father, my uncle conspired and sold my father's properties to a Chinese Expatriate and left nothing for me. On a faithful morning, I opened my father's briefcase and found out the documents which he have deposited huge amount of money in one bank in Burkina Faso with my name as the next of kin. I traveled to Burkina Faso to withdraw the money so that I can start a better life and take care of myself. On my arrival, the Branch manager of the Bank whom I met in person told me that my father's instruction to the bank was the money be release to me only when I am married or present a trustee who will help me and invest the money overseas.

I have chosen to contact you after my prayers and I believe that you will not betray my trust. But rather take me as your own sister. Though you may wonder why I am so soon revealing myself to you without knowing you, well, I will say that my mind convinced me that you are the true person to help me. More so, I will like to disclose much to you if you can help me to relocate to your country because my uncle have threaten to assassinate me. The amount is $5.6 Million and I have confirmed from the bank in Burkina Faso. You will also help me to place the money in a more profitable business venture in your Country.

However, you will help by recommending a nice University in your country so that I can complete my studies. It is my intention to compensate you with 30% of the total money for your services and the balance shall be my capital in your establishment. As soon as I receive your interest in helping me, I will put things into action immediately. In the light of the above, I shall appreciate an urgent message indicating your ability and willingness to handle this transaction sincerely. Please do keep this only to your self. I beg you not to disclose it till i come over because I am afraid of my wicked uncle who has threatened to kill me.

Sincerely yours,
Miss Sofia Justin Yak

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Just to be safe, I guess I can ask her to buy a megameeting web conferencing software so I can be sure I'll have that 50%. Hehehe. Sineryoso? :-)