Smoking Ban in Legazpi City

There was a city ordinance declared late in my last year of high school that bans smoking in public places in the city. Legazpi City is campaigning to be a “smoke-free” city. That was a nice ordinance – I support it a full hundred percent. I hate passive smoking since it damages me more than the smoker himself. With that ordinance, passive smoking will be minimized.
I find it amusing the jeepney drivers that start to light their cigarettes when their jeepney went past the borders of Legazpi into the town of Daraga – and then throw their cigarettes when they pass the border of Daraga and Legazpi, entering Legazpi City.
I find it amusing when students go to the other side of Bicol University to smoke their cigarettes. You see, the large Bicol University main campus is in the Legazpi City-Daraga border - meaning one part of the campus is in Legazpi and one part is in Daraga.
There was once a time when there was a smoker in the public jeepney I rode. Then suddenly the driver said the smoker should extinguish his cigarette since its illegal and they might get into trouble. The smoker quickly threw his cigarette.
But there was one time a smoker was caught in the jeepney I was riding in by a cop on a motorcycle. The driver warned him too late and he was too late in throwing his cigarette, the cop already saw him. The cop made him come down the jeepney and gave him a ticket – but not before lecturing him that “smoking is illegal in public places in Legazpi, and that all Legazpenos should know the rule.” Not only that, the cop also lectured the driver that he is partly responsible for it because he did not told the smoker to throw his cigarette. After fifteen minutes, the jeepney finally was allowed to go. I admired that cop for that. But I saw him again weeks after the incident – with a comrade of his, another policeman, was smoking and he just looks on while his companion chain smokes in the middle of the city. Bummer! I cannot help it but only to smile in amusement.
I do not know if the “No Smoking” ordinance in Legazpi City will be effective. I can still see smokers smoking in public. Heck, back in high school, our principal was smoking in the front of our school – and my high school is in the Legazpi part of Bicol University. Sheesh…
I am not sure if Legazpi will really become a “smoke-free” zone. I can only hope – and wait and see.

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D-X is back at WWE!

It’s been a while since I watched WWE (like months). So I was taken aback when I looked at WWE.com and saw that the D-Generation X is back. The legendary team has returned after many years. Triple H and Shawn Michaels are now back together – after years of bitter rivalry, now they are reunited. And it’s going to be like old times. D-X will be dominating WWE. They’re just in the early stage of the reunion but they had already made many pranks, already did a lot of crotch chops and on the road to many conflicts (maybe even championships) to come.
I’m not much of a Triple H fan but I am a fan of Shawn Michaels. Triple H is back being a good guy - though he has a very effective bad guy image and more effective as a villain – but I am not complaining that he is back being a good guy and teaming up with Shawn Michaels. It’s entertaining to see them together – I admit that they are more effective as allies than enemies.
D-X is back – and WWE will be never be the same again. Oh, this is going to be great!

* * *

Now, there is Raw, Smackdown… and ECW. Raw Superstars, Smackdown Superstar and Extremists. WWE Championship, World Heavyweight Championship and ECW Championship. But all in WWE. I am not so sure why Vince McMahon decided to add another show and roster to Raw and Smackdown, but I hope will ECW will not drag Raw and Smackdown.
Anyway, the likes of Randy Orton, Kurt Angle and Big Show are on ECW. I guess it’s not going to be bad – in fact I find the addition of ECW is promising. And I hope Randy Orton will win another championship… It has bee a while. And I hope my perception of ECW looking “promising” is not wrong.
And lastly, when will The Rock return? And when he does, what roster will he be put? In Raw, Smackdown or ECW?
But I hope D-X will remain at Raw. But anywhere you will put them, they will dominate.

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CHAIN OF THOUGHTS: FROM Loving The Movies TO Surviving Accountancy

Loving The Movies

I do really enjoy watching movies. In theaters, cable, VCDs, DVDs… No matter what medium. I enjoy almost any movies, but lessons, thoughts worth pondering, great plot and story line makes me enjoy it more. My list of favorite movies is long… but it consists mostly of animation (especially Disney), comedy and action.
I cannot remember how I started to love the movies. Maybe from my father's influence since he is very fond of movies. I started to love movies since I was a child. There was even a time when I was still in elementary when my family went to the movies weekly.
I can still remember some firsts in my movie viewing experience. The first movie that made me cry was "The Land Before Time". The first movie that I watched in a movie theater without any companion was "Star Wars Episode II: The Attack Of The Clones". The first movie that I really love was "Spider-Man 2". The first movie that I watched several times was "Small Soldiers". The first romantic story that did not bore me was "Cutting Edge". Hmmm, but I cannot remember my other firsts…like my very first movie, my first movie in cable, my first movie in VHS, VCD…and such.
The last movie I watched in the cinema was Narnia, with my girlfriend (That was the second time I watched Narnia, the first time I watched it was in VCD - pirated of course J). Narnia: The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe is currently my number one most favorite movie (Spider-Man 2 used to occupy that spot). The movie contains many Christian principles and allegories. I hope the other movie versions of the other Narnia books are good, too (if there are any plans).
Well, movies are really cool and entertaining. But I watch movies not only for entertainment. But also to get lessons, ideas and thoughts from them. Movies, for me, are like extended literature. Like literature, you can get a lot of things from movies - both positive and negative. That is why there should be some responsibility while watching movies. Absorb the positive things from the movie and discard the negative ones - and don't forget to enjoy the movie.
Relax see a movie.

Spider-Man 3

I saw a trailer of the coming Spider-Man 3 and I find it interesting. After seeing the trailer, it made me excited for it to come. But I guess its still a long time before it arrives (maybe next year).
I saw that Sandman is going to be included. He has some clips in the trailer. And its obvious that Spidy's conflict with Harry Osborn will continue. (Marvel fact: Norman Osborn is Sandman's cousin - I do not know if the Sandman in the movie will be related to the Osborns). I do not know if Venum is part of the story but the black alien symbiote is going to be. It's going to be nice to see Spidy in black (I liked the black Spider-Man in the comicbook). Spider-Man 3 looks promising.
I enjoyed the previous Spider-Man movies a lot. Those movies inspired and touched me. The stories were good also. I hope Spider-Man 3 will not be an anti-climax to the two previous movies (like X-Men 3). For the time being, I will wait patiently (or unpatiently?) for it to come.

X-Men 3

I just saw X-men 3 last weekend by DVD. The DVD won’t run after my first tries to play it on our PC. But after a few more approaches, I was able to play it. I enjoyed X-Men 3, but below my expectations. It was kind of lacking - and a little frustrating. I was bit disappointed since the third movie was not as good as the first one - just a little better or a little worse than the second. It was kind of not very good ending for the Trilogy (if X-Men III: The Last Stand is really the last X-Men movie).
First, I don't like the "cure" for mutants in the story. Mutants losing power? Well, if that's the case - mutants losing their powers - Forge and his neutralizer gun should had been part of the movie. Sheesh… But I have to admit, it was a good background for the flow of the story.
Mystique out of action very early and Magneto ditching her? Come on. And worse, Cyclops was again under used in the story (like in X-Men II) - early in the movie he was killed by the Phoenix. Poor Cyclops… he was supposed to be the ever charismatic and valiant leader of the X-Men. And then the death of Professor X… another downer.
Though, Beast was cool (two thumbs up - Henry McCoy was awesome! His scenes with Logan were first-rates)… Angel was not. Angel's role in the movie was minimal. And where is Blob? (Just a cameo?) A Brotherhood with no Blob. Multiple Man in the Brotherhood? Why not let him remain in X-Factor, and I will be happy. And where was Nightcrawler? I thought he was going to remain in the team. But I have no problems with the Juggernaut in the movie. I also have no problems with Kitty Pyrde (Shadowcat) and Colossus. Lastly, it would have been nice if Gambit was there.
Honestly, I was hoping Apocalypse or Onslaught to be the main villain (and maybe the Sentinels as his minions) - with Professor X's X-Men and Magneto's Brotherhood to stop him. And then the Dark Phoenix pitches in. Wouldn't that be cool. I don't care if it did not happen that way, but they should
Well, that was that. X-Men III was like that. Though I have many complains, I cannot do anything about it. As usual, it was a Wolverine movie (but I got no problem with that). I just guess I was expecting a better X-Men III. I hope that X-Men III is not the last of the X-Men movies. It would be nice if it will be followed. I just hope I will not be disappointed with Spider-Man 3.

Flight Of The Phoenix

The day before I watched X-Men 3, I watched Flight Of The Phoenix at the Dawals'. It was after our band practice and the Wilbur decided to play Flight Of the Phoenix in their DVD player. I enjoy that movie more than I enjoyed X-Men 3.
It was a fine story - a group of people stranded in the middle of the dessert after a plane crash and very minimal chance of anyone finding them. Then they figured out that the only way to survive was to build a new plane out of the old one and fly out of the dessert. The crash survivors had very different and interesting personas. It was very entertaining to watch them in their conflict to survive. Dennis Quaid is good in his performances here like he did in "The Rookie" and "The Alamo".
I recommend this movie to all of you. Got a lot of lessons and inspiration material. I cannot tell you more details in the movie and you will appreciate it more if you watch it yourself. Flight Of The Phoenix is already an "old" movie but I really enjoyed watching it though it is not part of the "latest". Flight Of The Phoenix is certainly a first-rate for me.

Entertainment

Got me into thinking - this generation is certainly into entertainment. Entertainment has become a very significant and put in high regard by the people. It seems that Entertainment has become a part of the basic human necessities - like food and shelter.
To prove my point - guess how much a NBA superstar, a WWE wrestler or a movie actor gets in his job?
Entertainment has a big influence nowadays. A lot of people are using entertainment as a medium - like evangelism (hey don't get me wrong - there's nothing wrong with that… I have nothing against it) and education. I have nothing against entertainment since it is not bad and I, myself, appreciates it. But it seems that people are prioritizing it above others.
Like I did - instead of studying, I decided to watch X-Men 3.

Surviving Accountancy

I am not sure if I will last in Accountancy. Though I do not hate Accountancy as my course, but I do not love it either. And I do not have a good studying habit. Like last weekend, instead of studying I watched X-Men 3.
I have to maintain a grade of 2.4 or above to remain studying Accountancy. My school has some high standards. I am not used to pressure. A month has already passed since I first stepped into college and I am missing many things from high school. But I have to move on and grow up.
I am always wondering if what did happen if I decided to go to UP and take Com Sci instead of staying in BU for Accountancy. Computers seem more interesting than Ledgers and Journals. But I am not regretting deciding to stay here. Maybe, I will learn to like Accountancy (and college) by and by.
God made me passed that exam for the most exclusive and difficult course in the best school in the region. I guess He will be the one that will allow me to continue and finish my course. If, by miracle, I will graduate in Accountancy - and no matter what success I will have in my life, I will give God the glory…

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The Heat's Hour

The Miami Heat had their first NBA Championship. Well, congratulations to them. And congratulations to Dwyane Wade for being the Finals MVP. He deserved it. But I was not rooting for the Heat in this season's NBA Finals. I was rooting for the Dallas Mavericks. My bets were on them. I really wanted the championship for the Mavs.

Gary Payton finally had his ring - after being disappointed in the 2004 NBA Finals. Alonzo Mourning was another veteran who finally got his ring. And I think Jayson Williams, James Posey and Antoine Walker (along with Payton) are really glad they were able to join the club earlier in the season and win a championship. Shaquille O'neal is happy, too…although this is his fourth championship. He promised when he joined the club last season that he will take a championship to Miami. Though, he contributed his part in the Heat's success - it was Wade who carried the Heat in the Finals.

After the Lakers lost to the Suns, I was supporting for the Mavs to win the championship. I was beginning to admire Avery Johnson's genius. And I was confident that Dirk Nowitzki could carry the Mavs. Especially with great support from Josh Howard, Jason Terry and Eric Dampier. And the bench is well stocked, too…with Jerry Stackhouse leading the bench. I was glad when the Mavs defeated the Suns in the Western Conference Finals. They were finally going to the Finals for the first time in franchise history. Great plays, player rotation and game adjustments are the weapons of Dallas in getting through the playoffs. And I believed these weapons will also let them get through the red-hot Heat. It was the first time of Dallas in the Finals. And they know it was going to be war with Miami. And the genius "Little General" Johnson is leading them to battle.

Shaq was over-confident and cocky in the Finals. He was boasting that he was dominant. And he was making fun of the opposition's center, Dampier. He said Dampier (or any other Dallas center) can't stop him. He said that Damp could only be dominant if he joined the WNBA as "Erica Dampier". It was not a nice joke but it was certainly funny (I really had a good laugh with Shaq's joke). But he was not really that dominant in the Finals. In fact, he only scored five points in Game Two…and he was really boring. I think he had bad luck in the Finals because of his bad attitude.

It was both teams' first time in the Finals. Dallas took the first two games. I was confident they would win. Dirk, Terry and Howard are great (mostly Terry). They were able to contain Shaq. Avery Johnson is a genius. What more signs do I have to see? The Mavs were sure to win. The Heat did not have anything to stop the Mavs. But I forgot two things that I only remembered when the Heat won consecutive games - Pat Riley was also a basketball genius (he's a legend in coaching) and Dwyane Wade.

Riley was cool in the Finals. He was not bothered the Mavs won the first two games. He knew they could still win. And he was right. Riley is a great coach.

And Dwyane Wade was unstoppable. He carried the team, and led them to win. Shaq might have been playing not the same as he was but Miami has one more superstar… Wade. And he delivered and did what he should do.

One thing that bothers me is Game Five. The Mavs can still win that one. The Dallas' loss on Game Five was stupid. That last time out was wasted. It was really stupid. But what can we do? Time can't be turned. With the Heat winning all their home games and with the momentum with them, they won Game Six at Dallas. The Heat won the championship. It was really sad for the Mavs.

Before the Finals there was a poll in NBA.com in who will win the championship. I voted Dallas in six games. But the top vote getter was Miami in six games. Many thought that the Heat would win the championship. I laughed at their predictions. But those who voted in the poll were right.

Anyway, the NBA season is over and the 2006 champions is the Miami Heat. We'll wait and see if they can win another one…or if the Dallas Mavericks will come back to the Finals and they are the ones that will win the championship. But I am Laker fan. So, I will be rooting for the Lakers next season. I believe they can win the championship next season. Mavs, Heat or Lakers - I'll just wait and see who will win next year's NBA Championship.

Till next season. I love this game!

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My Salute to the Cutting Classes Club

I believe it will be a long time before the CCC members will have a reunion with a complete attendance of members. Well, our high school life has ended and we are now all in college. We are now scattered. Most of us decided to stay and study in Bicol University. More than five members had passed the UP exam (including me) but only three decided to study there. I think three are in Aquinas University. Noel is in MAAP training to have his career in a ship… Chard is a "Green Archer"… and Dano is trying his luck to be a priest (Dano a priest?!…I still don't like the idea). Although most of us are studying in Bicol University with different courses, and we manage to have some time to hang out. But its better if we are hanging out with a complete attendance…like back in high school. *Sigh*… I am going to miss those times.

The CCC started in first year high school. It was a joke at first, since CCC means "Cutting Classes Club". I jokingly suggested it to be the name of our group, with Jeric as president because his older brother James was a legend in BU high because of his escapades. But the name stuck. It's the name of our group ever since.

With about twenty members, we became the elite. Each member is unique… with each member contributing something to the group. CCC became a collection of athletes, geniuses, jokers, hunks, hustlers, computer addicts, etc. CCC has it all… brains, charisma, looks, talents… so on.

But as the meaning of CCC suggests, cutting classes was our trade. And having fun and "trippings" were our past time. Pranks and jokes were natural with us. We have a lot of laughs in high school (especially when Chard and Uly started with their jokes and antics).

We gained our popularity because of donations (we donated some money to send our school's NSPC candidates to the NSPC at one time, and we funded for our intram's banner), troubles we got into or vandalism (I consider it advertisement) -- But it was mostly because of the troubles we got into. We manage to get out of those troubles with witty excuses and convincing speeches. And it was Josh's idea to donate for some worthy causes so that our name will be good, and not totally infamous.

CCC members may cut classes and get into trouble but are not stupid. We manage to get decent grades. We are intelligent, but are very lazy to study. And some (or most?) of us used those intelligence for foolproof plans and cheats in tests instead (Phiou is a hustler in this area).

But don't get us wrong. We are not bad boys. We are nice guys. We are not a gang of war-freaks (oh, I forgot… Noel is a "war-freak") although it seems like it, especially when are complete in attendance (people are confident in big numbers). We avoid fights… but don't mess with us. We are not bad fighters…

CCC members hate bullying. We don't tolerate it. There are no bullies in our group. We are friendly people. We are approachable. We hate bullies (bullies beware of us).

Boys will be boys. Boys are prone to getting into trouble and naughtiness…like us. But we were not all trouble. Heck, we had athletes …quiz contestants… that brought glory to the school. We help in school activities. We help others. And we are good friends.

That's why I like the CCC. And I am going to miss our escapades and the times we were together. We are going to study hard this college and avoid cutting classes (maybe except those in Engineering). I write this as a tribute to the group that I found friendship with. I say thanks to all of you guys. You were all wonderful. High school was better with the CCC to make things good and fun. My high school was better with the CCC to spend it with. The CCC may be separated now, but I believe we will be all together again one day… to cut one more class.

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PONDERING ON TECHNOLOGY

Technology certainly is popular today. Believe it or not, but it seems that one-half of the world's development in terms of technology and knowledge happen in the past century. Technology finds ways to make work easier and faster, it gives conveniences, it develops relationships and it improves certain systems. Thought it has negative effects, let us be optimistic and see its positive effects.

We can see that the work of technology has great impact on our society. Products of technology are almost everywhere. Men have made technology a necessity. Communication has been greatly improved. You can communicate to anyone, anytime, anywhere, because of technology. Transportation has been also improved. You can travel further and faster. Nowadays, we can do work twice or thrice better with the use of machines. By the use of technology, medicine and health has been improved. We can cure sickness faster and better than a century ago. Surgery is also improved and can now do more things better and safer because of technology. And for Christians, they are thankful for technology for being a great tool in the Great Commission.

I appreciate all this technology. I am writing this essay with the help of a computer. I am thankful for the computer, as it helps you in your work, in your study, gives you entertainment and heaps more. It is a great advantage as it is more convenient than using a typewriter or by free hand. I am thankful for the fluorescent light, as it gives light even when the sun is not around. Television and radio not only brought information and current events but also entertainment. Instead of walking, I go to school riding a public jeepney. In my chores, products of technology help me a lot. I sometimes cook rice by the use of a rice cooker. When I wash my clothes, the washing machine is a great help.

God bless the greatest invention since the wheel, the Internet. It is a great tool for information, communication and interaction. Without it, you will not be able to read this blog. Without it, there will be no Youtube, Friendster, Yahoo or all our favorite websites. I can watch the Naruto episodes, or other shows or videos, in the Internet (via Youtube and other sites). If I did not catch the latest NBA game, I can find the results of it at the Internet. Or if I need a tab to learn in guitars, there are sites for it, too. I manage to keep in touch with my friends. You can do or get almost everything from the Internet. And the blessed Internet is because of technology, too.

Consider this…my best friend, Madel, and I would never have been best friends if not for technology. We met in SEP Cebu 2002 in Compostela. After that, we manage to keep in touch by cellphone and Internet. I live in Bicol, she lives in Cebu. We never really talked much back at SEP Cebu. And when she visited Bicol four years later, we only got the chance to talk in a few days. Those were the only times we talked in person. Without technology (via cellphone and Internet), we would had been not able to communicate through the years. Without technology, we would had never been close… we would had not became best friends.

And consider this… before my girlfriend became my girlfriend, we really did not talk much in person. Back in high school, when we see each other we only communicate with smiles and "hellos". We rarely talked long. It was impossible to for my classmates to notice that I like her. We were only able to talk freely in text…by cellphone. Without this, we would have never known each other well. We would have never been close. She might have not become my girlfriend.

I appreciate a lot about technology although it also has hazards and disadvantages. Radiation, pollution and heat are some of it. It also contributes to the growing laziness of humans and its dependency on machines. As my high school Physics teacher says, "Human are becoming mechanized, while machines are becoming humanized." The scenario in the Matrix movies may come true. But technology may be the one to destroy its own disadvantages.

Technology has been very significant in our lives. Our generation is already putting technology in the necessity list in a human's life, along with food, water, clothing and shelter. My friends, technology is a great gift from above. Let us all use it well.

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THE DA VINCI CRAP

I'm getting irritated with this "Da Vinci Code" controversy. It's time to say something about it.

I don't get the people who were greatly affected by the book. I read the book and I was able to determine the facts and the fiction of the book. I don’t understand why other people can't. But I understand that the fiction was cleverly mixed with the facts that the people begun to believe the fictions as facts. They believed all the fiction on the book because Dan Brown said, "all documents, rituals, structures and artworks are accurate." I guess Brown should have not said that since, not all of the "facts" are accurate. There are many flaws in Dan Brown's "facts."

There are also those who now doubt the Christian faith because of the book. Heck, the book is fiction. Why are their faith shaken? According to an article I read, saying that you lost faith in Christ because of the Da Vinci Code is like losing faith in the law of gravity because of Peter Pan (paraphrased).

I guess people should research for themselves and see that many "facts" in the book are pure fiction. I suggest you might get books, like "The Da Vinci Hoax", that exposes the irresponsible "facts" in the Da Vinci Code. And I also suggest to watch the documentary "The Da Vinci Deception".

As a literature lover, I say that the Da Vince Code is good reading. It has good mystery, suspense and plots (though it seems that Dan Brown copied it from an earlier novels by other authors like "The Da Vinci Legacy"). But as a Christian, I say that the book is harmful. Dan Brown's purpose in writing is unknown. It is wrong to write a fictitious story about a true person, especially Jesus Christ.

There is nothing wrong in reading the book. But you should be a mature reader. A good reader is open-minded but his beliefs, convictions and principles are not shaken when reading a book. Besides, being a Christian is a personal encounter and will not be destroyed just like that. If God is with us, who can be against us?

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