The 1972 Great Flood of Luzon and 2012 Habagat has similar cause?

Bagyo is the common word for tropical cyclones or mainly called typhoons in the Philippines, which actually came from the name of Baguio City when the said place was stormed on 1911 recording 46 inches of rainfall for 24 hours. PAGASA (which in English means Hope) or Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration is an institution studying, monitoring, forecasting and providing data and warnings about the future and present weather, flood, sea waves, meteorological, astronomical and climatic activities, and etc. Habagat is the Filipino term for South wind, while Amihan is for North wind.

Well, we're not discussing everything about storms in this country. So, let's proceed on the main topic - the urban legends behind the 1972 and 2012 destructing rainfalls.

The 1972 Great Flood of Luzon

In 1972, time of Marcos' administration (or should I say, dictatorship), the whole Luzon sunk in flood caused by non-stop rainfall. They said, the reason was the disappearance of Sto. Niño of Tondo on July 14, 1972. The rainfall lasted after 40 days and 40 nights just like the biblical story of Noah. First Lady Imelda Marcos, hearing this as the reason, ordered to find the said image, as well as Pres. Ferdinand Marcos, her husband. They set large amount of peso as reward to whoever will find it and point out the thief who stole it.

According to Fr. Lorenzo Egos, parish priest of Tondo that time, the Sto. Niño de Tondo vanished when ... the thieves hid in the church when the doors were bolted at 8 p.m. the night before. He also told the police that he suspected peoples attending the Mass days before.

The image was described as being: two feet tall, a wooden body with ivory parts, adorned with accessories of gold and silver. To the faithful, the image was priceless, but for police purposes a P500,000 price tag was provided.

Three days after the disappearance of Sto. Niño de Tondo, the suspect was arrested. He is Reynio Rivera. The image was found separately in Balagtas Street (the wooden body dumped in a canal near Rivera?s house, the left arm, a silver scepter, a golden cross, and a bronze crown), and was sent to Malacañang Palace to put them together. By the way, the other parts were recovered from Eugenio Milan (as he bought the gold cross for only P43, and became the accessory of the crime), and some others was sold in the art gallery in Vito Cruz. Dr. Eleuterio Pascual, the owner of the gallery, presented to Mrs. Imelda Marcos the other parts.

It turned out that the said 40 days and 40 nights of non-stop rainfall was not really true. A thanksgiving was held in Palace when Pres. Marcos read the English and Tagalog version of the ephistle, while the devotees were waiting outside to escort their patron. The image was brought back in procession to Tondo on August 2, 1972. That same time, the weather improved and the flood subsided. The procession became emotional.

Well, after the said event, churches' treasures and important artifacts were brought back to the specific church were they came from.

The 2012 Habagat

Here, the reason behind the said rainfall, which lasted for almost one week non-stop of rainfall, was the disappearance of the gold-plated monstrance in St. Peter's Shrine along Commonwealth, Quezon City. It was actually stolen by someone, till now, no one who he/she was.

Monstrance is a vessel that displays the consecrated host. It is placed inside the adoration chapel where people can see it and pray silently. According to research is not only used by the Roman Catholic but also by Old Catholic and Anglican churches.

In this case, the monstrance was not brought back, however the Habagat faded deliberately. So, it was strange, and on the other hand, it was obviously not real.

PAGASA's Explanation why it happened

The reason of almost non-stop raining was the typhoons that struck the Philippines almost consecutively.

The Bagyong Edeng passed first. It landed in the Philippines.

The Bagyong Gloring next. Even though it didn't land fall in the Philippines, yet it strengthened the Habagat (Southwest Monsoon) which flowed in the country leading 214 deaths. It happened on July 17 and 21.

Then the Bagyong Huaning and Bagyong Isang.

Just recently, Habagat struck the Philippines, which was strengthened by Bagyong Gener. This typhoon was formed in southeast of Metro Manila. It sunk half of Pampanga, some cities in Metro Manila, Bulacan and other neighboring provinces of the latter.

Still, I'm wondering if the 1972 incident was true or not, but the reason might be Filipino's are searching for reason or who should be blamed of the strange happening.

Sources:
http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/columns/view/20091007-228764/Flooding-and-the-Sto-Nio-de-Tondo
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Typhoons_in_the_Philippines
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1972_Pacific_typhoon_season
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_Pacific_typhoon_season
http://watchamacallit-claa.blogspot.com/2012/07/church-burglaries-on-rise.html
[Picture from:]
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3298/3331662297_568f5ff052.jpg

Sara Email Scam Smiles

From: SARAH ACKERMAN

Subject: Re: Possible Legal Representation

Date: August 13, 2012 3:05:55 PM PDT

Reply-To: sarahackerman770@gmail.com

Dear Counsel, 

I am seeking legal representation from your law firm regarding a breach of divorce settlement agreement I had with my ex husband who now resides in your jurisdiction.

We had an out of court agreement for him to pay me $578,000.00 plus legal fees. He has only paid me $78,000 ever since this agreement was reached.

So it is my belief that a Law firm like yours is needed to help me collect my due settlement from my ex-husband or litigate this matter if need be. 

I need legal advice and assistance to know the best way to handle this issue. If this is your area of practice, please contact me to provide you with further Information. 

Regards, 

Sarah Ackerman.

Jeepney Warning Stories

Jeepneys are the most popular means of public transportation in the Philippines. They were originally made from US military jeeps left over from World War II and are known for their flamboyant decoration and crowded seating. They have become a ubiquitous symbol of Philippine culture.

The word jeepney is a portmanteau of "jeep" and "Jitney".

While most are used as public utility vehicles, jeepneys used as a personal vehicle have their tailgate attached, known in the Philippines as "For family use", originating from the sign painted on them. Jeepneys are used less often for commercial or institutional use.

So, let's talk about some criminal stories dealing with this vehicle. The stories shown below are the most widely spread stories of all. Well, I doubt the credibility of these, though all of them may had happened once. But I can't find any articles in news papers or if it had been featured in television shows.

Story

[Taken from Internet:]

I want to share this story for you all to be aware while having their trip. Si Ana, Student ng PUP, ay pauwi na. Sumakay siya ng Jeep. Apat lang sila na nasa loob ng jeep; Yung driver, si Ana, isang matandang lalake at isang nursing student. Si ANA, nakaupo sa dulo ng jeep, right side, malapit sa babaan. Yung matandang lalake, nakaupo sa left side, likuran ng driver. Then yun nursing student, nakasandal sa matandang lalake, nakalaglag yun buhok sa mukha, tulog ata. Umandar na yung jeep. After 5mins. May sumakay na matandang babae. Umupo sya sa harap nung matandang lalake at nung nursing student. Umandar ulit yung jeep. Wala pang 10mins, pumara yung matandang babae, and on her way down sa jeep, pinipilit nyang bumaba si Ana. Sabi nya: “BABA!” On a not shouting but medyo galit na way. ANA: “Bakit po?” Matandang Babae: “Basta baba!” Hinahatak nya ang damit ni Ana pababa, while saying “sabing baba eh!” dahil sa takot, bumaba si Ana.. Pagkaandar ng jeep, Ana asked the old woman.. ANA: “Bakit po ba?” Matandang Babae: “Hindi mo ba napansin?” ANA: “Alin po?” Matandang Babae: “Nangingitim na ‘yung mga kuko nung babae!” ANA: “Ano po ibig nyong sabihin?” MB: “Patay na yung babae! Sinaksak ng Ice pick nun lalake!” *Kapag daw ice pick ang ginamit pangsaksak, di daw lalabas ang dugo dahil maliit lang ang ice pick, sa loob daw mamumuo yung dugo, magkakaron ng blood clot.* Hindi pa nag sink in kay Ana yung sinabi nun matandang babae, until napanood nya sa news. Swerte ni Ana dahil may malasakit yung matandang babae sa kanya, dahil diba, pwede naman umalis yun MB kahit hindi kasama si Ana. It means, di pa oras ni Ana. Ang nakakaawa is yung nursing student. Sobrang swerte ni Ana. Puzzle pa rin sa’min what’s the real story behind that. Kasi sabi daw sa news,di daw hinold up yun nursing student, kaya hindi alam ang reason kung bakit sya pinatay. ngayon si Ana, lagi daw tulala at lutang. Tahimik palagi. Sus, kahit kanino naman siguro mangyari yun magkakaganon diba? Kaya sa mga commuters dyan, be aware sa mga nakakatabi nyo sa byahe, laging mag iingat and be observant. Be Safe and Never removed your eyes from the people you saw inside any public transportation. You will never know that one of them may hurt you for no reason. Enjoy the trip and always remember to pray for your safety. (SHARE IF YOU CARE)

I want to share this story for you all to be aware while having their trip. Ana, a student of PUP (Polytechnic University of the Philippines), was about to go home. She took a jeep for a ride. They are four inside it - the driver, her, an old man, and a nursing student. She take a seat at the right side near the passage door of the vehicle. The old man seated at the left side near the driver. Then, the nursing student was leaning on the old man with her hair covering her face, as if she's asleep. The jeep was running now. Then, after 5 minutes, an old woman took a ride on it. She seated on front of the old man and the nursing student. And the jeep ran again. 10 minutes after, the old woman told the driver that she wanna go out, and on her way down the jeep, she forced Ana too to go down with her. She said on a not shouting but angry way, "Go out!". Ana: "But why?" Old woman: "Just go out!" She pulled Ana's clothes forcing her to go down while saying, "I said go out!" Because of fright, Ana followed the old woman. When the jeep leave, Ana asked her. Ana: "Why did we went down?" Old woman: "Haven't you noticed?" Ana: "The what?" Old woman: "The girl's nails were becoming black!" Ana: "What do you mean?" Old woman: "The girl was already dead. The old man stabbed her with an ice pick!" When you use ice pick to stab someone, the blood will not ooze out of the wound because the ice pick is so small. The blood will only clot in the body. Still, what the old woman had said did not sink in on Ana's mind, till she watched it on a news in TV. Ana was lucky, that the old woman has concern on her. The old woman can just go down without telling her what's happening. It only mean, it's not already Ana's time to die. But the most pitiful is the condition of the nursing student. Ana was very lucky. It's still puzzling to us what was actually the real story behind that. Because according to the news, the nursing student wasn't been robbed, thus the reason was still unknown. Now, Ana always act stupidly, and often silent. Well, whoever might experience that will eventually be like that. So, to all the commuters there, be aware who's beside you, be careful, and be observant. Be Safe and Never removed your eyes from the people you saw inside any public transportation. You will never know that one of them may hurt you for no reason. Enjoy the trip and always remember to pray for your safety. (SHARE IF YOU CARE)

[Taken from Internet:]

Hindi ako makapaniwalang may mga tao talagang handang pumatay para lang makuha yung mga materyal na bagay na gusto nila o siguro dala na ng desperasyon kung paano makakatawid ng gutom. Kwinento sakin ‘to nung kaibigan ko kanina: Papunta sila ng kaibigan niya sa CEU kahapon para sunduin yung isa pa nilang kaibigan. Sumakay sila ng jeep sa may bandang Ortigas. Pagsakay nila, konti lang yung mga pasaherong nakasakay. Mag-jowang magkayakap, isang matandang babae, sila, tapos yung driver. Sa may bandang likod sila nakaupo. Yung mag-jowa yung nasa may bandang unahan ng jeep. Nakasandal si ate kay kuya na parang natutulog tapos si kuya nakayakap kay ate. Yung matandang babae naman nasa may bandang gitna. Inaabot na nung kaibigan ko yung bayad niya dun sa lalaki pero hindi siya pinapansin kaya yung matandang babae na lang yung nagabot ng bayad. Yung matandang babae din yung nagabot ng sukli sa kanila. Napansin na din nila nung mga oras na yun na ang sama ng tingin ng driver sa kanila. So medyo nagtataka na din sila. Mayamaya, biglang sinabi sa kanila nung matandang babae na bumaba na sila. So lalo silang naguluhan kung saan mas matatakot. Sa manong driver na masama yung tingin o sa aleng bigla na lang nagyayayang bumaba ng jeep. Hindi na din sila nagisip tapos bumaba na sila ng jeep. Pagkababa nila ng jeep, sinabi sa kanila nung matandang babae kung bakit. Buti na lang daw hindi sila nagtanong kung bakit. Sabi nung matandang babae patay na daw yung babaeng nasa jeep. Hindi daw mag-jowa yung dalawa. Kaya nakasandal si ate kay kuya tsaka nakayakap si kuya kay ate kasi may nakasaksak kay ate na ice pick. Kaya hindi din inaabot ni kuya yung bayad. Napansin din daw ni ale na medyo nangingitim na yung bandang leeg ni ate. Kaya din daw siguro masama yung tingin ni manong driver sa kanila kasi baka binabalaan na din silang bumaba. Nakakatakot lang kung iisipin mong isa ka sa mga nakasakay sa jeep na yun. Sobrang nakakatakot. Sa panahon ngayon, hindi ka na talaga makakasigurado kung sino yung mapagkakatiwalaan mo tsaka kung hanggang kelan na lang yung buhay mo. Nakakatakot na, lalo na kapag gabi. Kaya paalala lang sa mga madalas bumyahe sa gabi, mag-ingat. Hangga’t maaari, maghanap ng kasama. Tsaka wag kalimutang magdasal. Hindi mo man akalain pero malaki ang impact niyan. Ingat! -A student from AB Pol Sci. (UST)

I can't believe there are people who are ready to kill just to get material things they want, or ... because of desperation on how to overcome hunger. This story was told to me by my friend: They were on the way to CEU (Centro Escolar University) to fetch their other friend. They ride in a jeep around Ortigas. As they went inside, there were only few passengers. Lovers who happened to be embracing that time, an old woman, they, and the driver. They decided to sit at the back near the door way of the jeepney. While the lovers were sitting at the front near the driver. Ate* was leaning on to his shoulder, as if she's sleeping, while Kuya* was embracing her. And the old woman was sitting in the middle of the seat. My friend was offering our fair to the guy to give it to the driver, but he just ignore us, instead the old woman reach it for us. And it was also the old woman who reach the change of our payment. At that time, they noticed the bad stare of the driver to them. So they wonder why. A few minutes passed, the old lady told them that they should go out of the jeep now. So they became more confused on to whom they will be scared - to the driver or to the old lady who wanted us to go out. They don't put attention on thinking about it, they just followed what the old lady told them. As they were outside, the old lady told them the reason. Luckily, they didn't asked why while they're still inside. The old lady said that the girl there was already dead. The two were not lovers. The reason why Ate was leaning to Kuya, and why he embraced her is because there was an ice pick already plugged on her. That's also the reason why he didn't reach their payment. She also noticed that her neck was blackening. The same reason why the driver look very bad on them warning us to go out. It was very frightening to think if you're one of the passengers on that jeep. It was sooo scary! At this time, you're not certain who you'll gonna trust and when your life will last. It was fearful especially if it happens at night. So... To all of you who travels at night, BE CAREFUL! If possible, find someone to be with. And don't forget to pray. You'll never notice what its effect, but it has a huge impact on you. BE CAREFUL! -A student from AB Pol Sci. (UST) * Note: Ate and Kuya, even translated in English as Sister and Brother, Filipino also use it to address elder strangers - female and male respectively.

[Taken from Internet:]

Kanina nagkwento yung classmate ko sa nangyari sakanya kagabi. Pumunta kasi sila ng tita niya sa Junction. Pero umuna na siya ng uwi kasi may allergy siya saka papasok pa nga siya kinabukasan. Sumakay daw siya sa jeep, nung una. Dalawa lang sila. Siya saka daw isang babae. (Maganda tas maputi saka medyo mayaman tignan. bata pa daw, mga 17-19) Tapos, may sumakay daw na dalawang lalaki. Pinagitnaan yung babae na nasa harap niya. Tas ginigitgit daw, eh samantalang apat lang naman sila sa jeep. Nung medyo nakalayo na sila sa junction, Prumeno daw ng sobra yung jeep tas yung babae, imbis na patagilid, paharap daw naano. Tumama pa daw sa tuhod ng classmate ko yung ulo ng babae. Don na daw siya kinabahan. Tapos, maya maya may sumakay daw na nurse. Tapos nung magbabayad na dawyung nurse, napatingin yung nurse don sa 3 sa kabilang side. Nilapitan daw siya ng nurse tapos pinilit siyang bumaba. Sumama nalang yung classmate ko kasi daw mukhang takot na takot yung nurse. Nung pagbaba, nagtanong yung classmate ko kung bakit daw sila bumaba, ang sabi ng nurse sa classmate ko. “Hindi mo ba napansin yung babae, patay na? may icepick na nakasaksak sa tagiliran niya. Buti nalang nakita ko agad.” Hindi daw napansin ng classmate ko kasi naktingin siya sa may bintana. Buti nalang sumakay yung nursre tapos napansin agad. kung hindi, baka kung ano na nangyare sa classmate ko. Atleast safe siya, pero kawawa naman yung babae. Ingat tayong lahat!

[Taken from Internet:]

because i can write in filipino just trying my hand at some creative non-fiction in filipino. actually, the core of this is from a story i’ve been told. the details, i just filled in. **** Byahe mahaba nanaman ang pila sa sakayan. tanghaling-tapat at naluluto na ako sa ilalim ng naglalagablab na araw, ngunit tinitiis ko ‘to. kailangan ko itong gawin. kaya pumila ako. nag-abang ako. hinintay kong mapuno ang sasakyan. hindi ako komportable. sino ba naman ang magiging komportable kung higit pa sa talagang kakayanin ng jeep ang pinapasakay? siksikan nanaman. naipit ako sa gitna ng dalawang babae. sa kaliwa, pikit na ang mata. nakatulog na sa kakahintay. kahit anong tulak ko ay hindi siya magising. sana man lang ay umusog pa siya ng konti. hindi rin maayos ang upo ng katabi ko. may kausap siya sa kanyang telepono. hindi ko naman maiintindihan kung bakit kailangan niyang makipagsigawan sa nasa kabilang linya. wala akong intensyong malaman ang kanilang pinagtatalunan, at wala rin akong pakialam. sa harap ko, dalawang magkasintahan. naglalampungan sila, parang walang ibang kasabay sa jeep. sa isang dulo mayroong mag-ina. umiiyak ang bata, marahail sa pagkabalisa niya. marami pang ibang biyahero sa loob, ngunit hindi ko na sila pinansin. kanya-kanya ang bawat pasahero, pareparehong napipilitang ipabahagi ang kanilang sariling espasyo pare sa mga estrangherong walang pakialam at respeto sa personal na lugar. nilunod ko na ang sarili ko sa aking patugtugan, umaasang matapos na agad ang paghihirap na ito. traffic nanaman. may inaayos na tubo sa may kabilang kanto. hindi makausad ang ibang sasakyan. mainit ang ulo ng lahat. tiniis ko na lang ito, umaasang maaayos ito kaagad ng mga mmda, ngunit sa totoo lang, wala namang silang ginagawa para masolusyonan ang problema. hindi talaga maaasahan ang ibang tao. hindi na makapagtiis ang ibang pasahero. isa-isa silang bumaba at onti-unti lumuwag ang jeep. ewan ko ba kung bakit, mas kumportable naman sa loob ng jeep, pero pinili nilang maglakad sa ilalim ng init ng araw. bahala sila. sa wakas, umusad na ang jeep. matagal rin ang hinintay ko. kakaunti na lang kami sa loob ng jeep, yung babae sa telepono, hindi pa rin niya binababa ito, yung babaeng tulog, yung magkasintahan at yung mag-ina. tuloy-tuloy na sana ang jeep ng biglang tinigil ng driver yung sasakyan, at susunod na nangyari ay kinagulat ng lahat sa loob. bumagsak ang babaeng natutulog sa sahig ng jeep, may ice pick na nakasaksak sa likod. hindi ko maalala ang mga sususnod na nangyari. bahagya mga imahe lamang ang pumasok sa isip ko. umiiyak ang bata. humihiyaw ang babae. sinusubukang itago ng lalaki ang malamig na bangkay mula sa kanyang nobya. natataranta ang driver. tumigil ang mundo ko. walang nakakalam kung kailan pa nangyari ang pagsaksak. walang nakakilala sa babae. wala akong maisagot sa pulis sa presinto. kahit anong tanong sa akin ay wala akong masabi. hindi ko tuluyang maintindihan ang tunay na nangyari sa loob jeep na iyon. hindi ko alam kung gusto kong maintindihan. sinundo ako ng aking kaibigan mula sa presinto. walang nagsasalita sa loob ng kotse sa buong byahe. pag-uwi ay dumiretso ako sa kama. inaasahang maitutulog ko na lang ang lahat ng nangyari, umaasang paggising ay . hindi ako makatulog. **** i’m not altogether sure if i’m done with the story. i’m just checking if i still have my writing chops for the non-academics. not entirely sure if i want to pursue this or anything. – jocsbonx @ livejournal

Some of these stories, according to my interviewees, was first published from a university news paper. (I don't know what page in the news paper that story was - Literary or Campus News).

I noticed the similarities between those stories:

Ice Pick
The instrument used to kill the victim.

Girl
The victim is always a girl.

Well, the only thing I can say is, whether these stories really happened or not, it only mean, we should be careful, especially to those commuters who go home at night.

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeepney
http://acidpixels.com/blog/philippines/totoo-ba-eto-o-kwentong-barbero/
http://www.facebook.com/FetishisticDesire/posts/315779198491708?comment_id=2678843*
http://www.tristancafe.com/forum/222281*

* One of the sites where you can find the story.

What's in the river?

In Philippines, whenever someone was drowned in a river they often quote, there's a ghost over there., which was the cause of one's death. Some people may say, a monster dwells on it. Well, my grandma told me one reason why many people thought there's something on the river. The main reason is, the first ghost (or first individual) who died there, still haunts the place - the river.

Mga Sirena (Mermaids), mga Siyokoy (Mermans), mga Engkanto o Diwata (Fairies) and other unknown entities were the most usual cause of drownung in rivers. Even in Japan, they believe that Kappas are the reason why children disappear in rivers. They believe, those monsters snatch or kidnap children for some reason, perhaps, as food.

Back to Philippines, there are many ghost stories (or monster stories) subjecting rivers that kill people for unknown cause. I found a this story on a social networking site:

Naniniwala ba kayo sa mga ilog, sapa o break water na nangunguha ng buhay ng tao? Kamakailan, kung narinig ninyo po sa news. Ibinalitang may isang kabataan na namang nalun0d at namatay sa Bibit Falls, sa Antipolo. Yung nasabing Falls na yun, happens to be near in our place. Pero mahaba-habang akyatan at lakaran kung manggagaling pa samin. (Parang mountain-climbing lang..lol) dahil mabundok na banda ro0n. Medyo liblib at mapuno. Tanda ko di ko pa narating un nung high school kami, pero marami ak0ng classmate na madalas din dun at ung iba malapit dun mismo nakatira.. Sila naniniwalang ta0n-ta0n may kinukuha ung falls/ilog, kadalasan mga bata. May aksidenteng nalulunod at namamatay na tao sa falls na un. Eto pong ise-share ko e tungkol sa isang skulmate na sinasabing na-engkanto pagtapos nilang magpuntang magbabarkada sa falls na un. Kwento ito samin mismo ng mga kasama niya noong araw na yun bago siya nawala. Noong high school, nagulat na lang kami ng mabalitaan ung biglaang pagkamatay ng isang schoolmate namin. Weekend un, nagkayayaan silang magtotr0pa na maligo at magpicnic sa Falls. (Falls lang kasi tawag d2 samin nun) Habang andun daw sila, et0ng si Dhen (di nya po tunay na name ha) may nakitang pusang itim. Pinaglaruan at pinatay niya.. Yung ibang kaibigan niya sinuway sya pero dinedma na rin. Masaya daw sila nun habang naliligo sa falls, kumain at nagkuwentuhan. Wala naman daw kakaibang nangyari, biruan lang, usual na tawanan nilang magtotr0pa. Habang pauwi daw, tahimik na daw si Dhen. (Malayo kasi talaga ung falls na un kaya mahabang lakaran talaga bago sila makauwi) Kinakausap nila di naman daw kumikibo. Patuloy lang sa paglakad. Nakauwi na sila sa kanya-kanyang bahay tapos nung gabi din iy0n, nalaman nilang wala na ung kaibigan nila. Pagkauwi daw, nagpahinga tapos natulog lang si Dhen, di na nagising........ Pagtapos mabigla ng lahat ng kasama niyang mga tr0pa. Tinanung sila ng guardian ni Dhen anu bang nangyari? Kasama lang nila kanina......... Sinasabing, ung napatay niyang pusang itim ay isang engkanto. At ung kasama nilang umuwing Dhen ay katawan na lang ng saging.. *RIP skulmate*

Source:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/MY-Ghost-Story/

"When you're getting ready to launch into space, you're sitting on a big explosion waiting to happen." --RIP, Sally Ride

I don't mind the plunge. I don't mind the secret dread leading up to a plunge.

What I hate? Waiting after the plunge to see if my parachute is going to open or not.

And that's where I am with regards to the bar exam. By my calculations, I have 19 days before I figure out whether or not I shall crash into the ground or somehow float in a clumsy landing that doesn't involve me spending my 25th birthday wallowing in a pit of my own misery.

I've spent the last couple weeks on an extended vacation. First, Branson with my family. Then a cruise with my boyfriend and his family. But now, I'm stuck waiting. This means I should probably pick up some old hobbies I gave up while preparing for the bar.

Like working out.

And giving myself manis/pedis (because my tootsies are looking BAD).

And deep cleaning my house.

And preparing eleventy billion job applications, most of which I will not receive a response to, and the rest that will end up stringing my along or summarily dismissing me with a rejection letter (which is better than the aforementioned silence).

Somehow, I don't think this will make the waiting process any easier. Which might give credence to Blog Creeper's suggestion of a medically-induced coma.

Although I just may prefer a tequila-induced haze.

A True Golden Girl

While newspaper headlines are still shouting Gold Rush! and the BBC continues to play Spandau Ballet's Gold I thought I would mention one of my sporting heroes.

Lillian Board (1948 – 1970) was a British middle-distance runner and a sporting icon when I was a young man. She won an Olympic silver medal and held several track world records. She was also one of my early inspirational role models.

In the 1968 Mexico Olympics she was narrowly beaten into second place in the final of the 400m by Colette Besson of France.

At the 1969 European Championships, having won gold in the 800m, Lillian ran the anchor leg for the British 400m relay team. Once more she was pitted against Besson and found herself well behind the French girl coming out of the final bend. Nevertheless she didn't give up and crossed the line a whisker ahead of her rival. I have watched the closing stages of that race over and over again on YouTube  and every time I see the two girls coming into the final straight I still think there's no way that Lillian can win. If you have time take a look for yourself.

Sadly, just over a year later, Lillian succumbed to a virulent form of cancer and died on Boxing Day 1970, just two weeks after her twenty second birthday.

Every time my goals seem unreachable and I need motivating I think of that black and white footage. I remember watching it over forty years ago and can recall the feeling of amazement as the gap between the two runners closed in dramatic fashion.

Thank you, Lillian.

White Lady sa Muzon

I found this from a book. My first impression was, it seemed like an urban legend. I found it in a true ghost story book.

White Lady sa Muzon Marso 12, 2006. Alas tres ng madaling arawnang bulabuginang buong Phase X sa subdivision ng Muzon, San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan. Sa bahay ng pamilya Mahilum nagpakita ang multo ng isang babae. Malapit ang bahay sa isang malawak ba palayan na sinasabing pinanggalingan ng multo. Isang linggo bago ang malagim na pangyayaring bumalot sa bahay, unti-unting nagparamdam at nagpakita ang multo sa mga miyembro ng pamilya Mahilum mula sa sampung taong gulang na bunsong anak hanggang sa padre de pamilya. Hindi maipaliwanag ng pamilya Mahilum kung sino ang multo at kung bakit sila pinagpapakitaan at tinatakot nito. Ang padre de pamilya na si Larry Mahilum ay kasalukuyang sumasailalim sa psychiatric therapy. Mula nang magpakita ang multo sa kanya, lagi na siyang tulala at hindi makausap ng maayos.Walang makapagsabi kung ano ang totoong nangyari at ang nakita ni Larry noong madaling araw na iyon. Nagising na lamang ang mga kasama niya sa bahay, maging ang mga kapitbahay, sa kanyang sigaw. Natagpuan nila si Larry sa palayan na pinagtatataga ang sarili. ANG BAHAY SA MUZON Sa Phase X, Lot X, Block XX, Site XX makikita ang isang may katamtamang laking bungalow. Pula ang bobong at krema ang pintura ng bahay. Nababakuran ang bahay ng hanggang dibdib na pader. Puro namumulaklak na halaman naman ang paligid ng bakuran. Dito nakatira ang pamilya Mahilum. Sa likod ng kanilang bahay naroon ang malawak na palayan. Bago ang insidente noong ika-12 ng Marso, laging bukas ang mga bintana at pintuan ng bahay. Pero simula nang magwala si Larry at pagtatagain ang kanyang sarili, lagi nang sarado ang mga bintana at pintuan. Laging nakakandado ang gate at laging patay ang ilaw kahit gabi. MGA PANAYAM 1.Marco Mahilum Sampung taong gulang, grade IV sa Muzon Elementary School. Payat, katamtaman ang tangkad, at may kaitiman. Sa oras ng panayam, kapansin-pansin ang puting marka ng kamay sa kanyang pisngi. May kaunting sinat at ubo. "Nag-iisa po ako noon sa bahay. Umalis po kasi sila Mama at Papa papuntang bayan. Si Ate po, umalis din, pumunta sa mga kaklase. Nasa sala po ako, naglalaro po nu'ng GI Joe na ibinigay ng ninong ko noong nakaraang Pasko. "Bigla na lang po akong gininaw. Nagtayuan po ang mga balahibo ko sa braso. Lumakas po 'yung ihip ng hangin, akala ko nga po uulan, pero pagtingin ko sa labas hindi naman. Inilipad po 'yung mga papel sa ibabaw ng mesa tapos 'yung kurtina rin po. "Pagtingin ko po sa likod ko, andun 'yung babae. Puti ang kanyang suot at mahabang-mahaba ang kanyang buhok. Duguan ang kanyang mukha, pati nga po 'yung luhang dumadaloy sa mga mata niya ay kulay pula. "Naihi po ako sa sobrang takot. Hindi po ako makagalaw at makapagsalita. Ni hindi nga po ako makasigaw. Lumulutang po ang babae. Itim na itim po ang kanyang mga paa na parang balot ng putik. "Lumapit po siya sa akin, tapos hinawakan niya ang aking pisngi. Ang lamig po ng kanyang kamay. Heto pa nga po 'yung markang kanyang kamay. Tapos, bigla na lang siyang nawala. "Umiyak po ako pagkatapos mawala ng babae. Masakit po kasi ang aking pisngi. Pagdating nila Mama, ikinuwento ko ang nangyari pero hindi sila naniwala." - end of tape - 2. Lisa Mahilum Labinwalong taong gulang, second year sa isang sa isang computer college. Nagtatrabaho nang part-time sa isang restawran bilang crew.Katamtaman ang pangangatawan. Mahaba ang buhok at bilugan ang mukha. Sa panahon ng panayam, kapansin-pansin ang pagiging magugulatin ni Lisa. Malayo ang tingin at malalim ang iniisip. "Sabado noon. Bumisita po 'yung mga pinsan ko mula Pangasinan. Mga lima po kaming nagkakatuwaan sa sala. May salu-salo po at konting inuman. "Kumuha po kami ng mga litrato gamit 'yung digital camera ni Kuya Jun-jun. 'Yung panghuli pong kuha nu'ng group picture ako ang kumuha. "Nu'ng pagtingin ko po sa camera, bigla pong may isang babae roon na naka-puti. Akala ko nga po 'yung kurtina lang 'yun. Pero nu'ng tingnan ko ulit, andun pa rin siya. Katabi niya ang mga pinsan ko. Pero 'di tulad ng mga pinsan kong nagtatawanan, ang babae ay lumuluha. Dugo ang kanyang iniluluha. May sugat siya sa noo. Matagal ko pong tinitigan ang babae sa camera. Nainip na nga po 'yung mga pinsan ko kaya inagaw na ni Ate Kristine 'yung camera para siya na lang daw ang kumuha ng litrato. "Pinapunta niya ako sa may bintana kasama ang iba pang pinsan ko para kunan ng litrato. Hindi ko masabi sa kanila na may nakita akong babae. Natakot ako. Pagpunta ko roon sa bintana, biglang umihip nang malakas ang hangin. Binalutan ako ng kurtina, ang lamig-lamig ng pakiramdam ko. "Tapos, hindi ko na alam ang sumunod na nangyari. Paggising ko, umaga na, sabi nila nahimatay daw ako sa sobrang kalasingan. Pero hindi naman kasi ako uminom nang marami nu'n, kaya imposibleng lasing ako nang mga oras na 'yun." - end of tape - 3. Hermie Mahilum Apatnapung limang taong gulang. Maybahay ni Larry Mahilum at ina nina Marco at Lisa Mahilum. Paminsan-minsa'y tumatanggap ng patahi ng mga kurtina at punda. Sa oras ng panayam, balisa at hindi mapakali si Ginang Mahilum. Panay ang punas sa pawisang mukha. "Alas onse iyon. Nagsasahod ako ng tubig sa labas ng bahay kasi hindi pumasok sa loob ang tubig. Wala ring tubig kapag umaga kasi may ginagawang tubo diyan sa kanto. "Tahimik na tahimik ang paligid noon. Kahit ang palayan sa likod ay wala man lang ingay, kahit lagaslas ng mga dahon ng palay. Wala akong masyadong maaninag. Katatapos lang ng kabilugan ng buwan kaya manipis ang liwanag sa paligid. "Nakita ko mula sa palayan ang isang babae. Nakakasilaw ang puti niyang damit. Lumulutang siya sa ibabaw ng mga palay. Duguan ang kanyang mukha. Duguan ang kanyang kaliwang kamay. Puro putik ang kanyang paa. Mahabang-mahaba ang kanyang buhok. "Lumulutang siya papalapit sa akin. Nanlilisik ang kanyang mga mata. Hindi bumubuka ang kanyang bibig pero naririnig ko sa loob ng aking tenga na sumisigaw siya. Umiiyak at nagmamakaawa. Sumigawa ako ng sumigaw. Tinawag ko ang aking asawa at ang mga bata. "Paglabas nila, itinuro ko sa kanila kung saan naroon ang babae. Pero wala na siya roon. Lumabas pa kami sa kalsada para tingnan kung nasa paligid pa siya pero isang asong gala lang ang nakita namin." - end of tape - 4. Larry Mahilum Apatnapung taong gulang. Construction worker. Sa oras ng panayam, tulala at tahimik si Ginoong Mahilum. Nakabenda ang kanyang dibdib dulot ng mga sugat mula sa sariling itak. Nakabenda at sariwang-sariwa pa ang sugat sa kaliwang braso. Nataga at naputol niya ang sariling kamay. "Si Maricel iyon. Ang kanyang mga mata. Ang kanyang mga mata. Impyerno ang kanyang mga mata. Si Maricel iyon." - end of tape - SINO SI MARICEL? Tikom ang bibig ni Hermie Mahilum nang tanungin kung sino ang Maricel na tinutukoy ni Larry Mahilum. Wala raw siyang kilalang Maricel. Gayon din ang mga anak na sina Marco at Lisa. Ngunit nang ipagsiyasat, natuklasang may isang nagngangalang Maricel Sembrano na tumira sa bahay ng mga Mahilum mula Pebrero 2001 hanggang Marso 2004. 5. Esther Jalosjos Kapitbahay ng mga Mahilum. Matandang dalaga. Nagtitinda ng barbecue sa tapat ng bahay at naging malapit na kaibigan ni Maricel. "Kamag-anak nila si Maricel galing Pangasinan. Kinuha siya nila Hermie para maging katulong. Hindi ako sigurado sa kanyang edad pero malamang na disisais o disisiyete. Naalala kong nabanggit niyang baging gradweyt lang siya ng high school. "Alas kwatro pa lang ng umaga bumabangon na siya para maglaba o magsahod ng tubig. Tahimik at mahinhin, hindi siya gaanong lumalabas ng bahay. Lumalabas lang 'yan kapag wala ang pamilya. Dito siya sa akin umiistambay at nakikipagkuwentuhan. "Isang araw, bigla na lang nawala si Maricel. Pinalayas daw ni Hermie matapos matuklasang buntis. Pinabalik si Maricel sa probinsiya, ngunit isang linggo matapos siyang umalis, natagpuan ang kanyang naaagnas na bangkay sa gitna ng palayan. May natagpuang kalawanging alambre sa pagitan ng kanyang mga hita. "Nakakasuka. Itim na itik ang lupa dahil sa dugong natuyo roon. Puro uod ang mukha ni Maricel. Andami-daming langaw. "Walang makapagsabi kung sino ang may gawa nu'n. Sabi ng mga pulis na nag-imbestiga, si Maricel rin mismo ang may gawa nu'n sa kanyang sarili. Siguro nahihiya rin siya at natatakot kasi at nabuntis nang hindi pa ikinakasal. "Hindi nalaman kung sino ang ama ng ipinagbubuntis ni Maricel. Wala naman siyang kasintahan. Pero sino ba ang lalaking palagi niyang kasama sa bahay? 'Di ba si Larry lang naman?" - end of tape - Nanatiling tikom ang bibig ng pamilya Mahilum simula noon hanggang sa makalimutan na ng mga taga-Muzon ang pangyayari. Ngayon, binasag nila ang kanilang pananahimik at piniling magsalita para ipagtanggol at ipaliwanag ang kanilang sarili sa haka ng mga kapitbahay na sila'y nababaliw na. Ngayong araw, ipinasya ng mga doktor na dalhin muna sa mental hospital si Larry para suriin at bigyang lunas. Ngayong araw din ang saktong araw nang mamatay si Maricel dalawang taon na ang nakakaraan.