During a lull at work, my friend started telling me a story about a friend of hers who, one day, found herself being involved in a rally infront of Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC)-Harrison Plaza branch. The reason: unethical treatment of chickens.
Coffee almost shot out of my nose.
The group, she continues, even shoved a male member (the entire person, not just a part of him) into a makeshift cage wherein he started to pumiglas (for the lack of a proper english word at the moment) out of it to supposedly portray these "unethical treatment" which include overcrowding in pens during transport, and the way these chickens are eventually killed: dipped in boiling water.
When asked why she was doing this, and why against KFC specifically, she offered no answer.
Another day, in a fastfood joint, the same girl accosted my friend and asked her,"Do you have any idea how many cows are killed to make your burger?"
"Wala akong pakialam," countered my friend. Extremely hungry that she was, this was the last thing she'd wanna hear.
Weird things happen to normal people. Watch out, you.
Wednesday, September 29, 2004
Sunday, September 19, 2004
THREE WIGS: A REFLECTION
I never had the chance to write about my Mom yet. At least not after she has had her first chemotherapy session last July. And it's what, September? She celebrates her 56th year this coming 21st and since i've already bought her gifts last night, i would just like to FINALLY write down what I think of her, and the things she's undergoing at the moment.
You see dearest amigos y amigas, Mom has breast cancer.
*pauses for effect*
You can close your gasped mouths now less flies mistake them for potential breeding places.
You may be wondering why I can still be funny despite the gravity of my Mom's condition. The truth is, i've cried hard enough already. I've cried in the presence of the most unusual suspects, I've cried myself to sleep, even while seated on the toilet. I like crying. It unclogs my ducts of dirt.
Anyways, I've moved on. Many people always remind me to put up a brave face in her presence, to be her strenght especially in these times when she is starting to feel wary (and weary) of future chemo sessions and would like to stop at 4 (from the required 6).
It pained me to see her lose her left breast and i know, I know too well how much Mom loves herself, her hair most especially, the perfumes she uses, her pillows, her nice skirts. It pains me to come home every morning from work to see her cursing her new wig (made of human hair so you can just imagine how terribly expensive it was). Although she didn't opt to have reconstruction, we do find time get a little laugh out of her hindi pantay na breasts. Until this morning when she finally used a silicone breast, she had to make do with tissue paper and several bra pads to capture what once was.
Part of my happy mood today was because of seeing her looking happy and comfortable with herself. A little more and she can have her hair growing back in no time. But that's still 4 sessions and Ps 129,000 more from now.
I recall that fateful afternoon when she decided to undergo frozen section to find out what it is that she really has.
Note: I'm stopping here for now. Will resume this blog when I'm ready again.
You see dearest amigos y amigas, Mom has breast cancer.
*pauses for effect*
You can close your gasped mouths now less flies mistake them for potential breeding places.
You may be wondering why I can still be funny despite the gravity of my Mom's condition. The truth is, i've cried hard enough already. I've cried in the presence of the most unusual suspects, I've cried myself to sleep, even while seated on the toilet. I like crying. It unclogs my ducts of dirt.
Anyways, I've moved on. Many people always remind me to put up a brave face in her presence, to be her strenght especially in these times when she is starting to feel wary (and weary) of future chemo sessions and would like to stop at 4 (from the required 6).
It pained me to see her lose her left breast and i know, I know too well how much Mom loves herself, her hair most especially, the perfumes she uses, her pillows, her nice skirts. It pains me to come home every morning from work to see her cursing her new wig (made of human hair so you can just imagine how terribly expensive it was). Although she didn't opt to have reconstruction, we do find time get a little laugh out of her hindi pantay na breasts. Until this morning when she finally used a silicone breast, she had to make do with tissue paper and several bra pads to capture what once was.
Part of my happy mood today was because of seeing her looking happy and comfortable with herself. A little more and she can have her hair growing back in no time. But that's still 4 sessions and Ps 129,000 more from now.
I recall that fateful afternoon when she decided to undergo frozen section to find out what it is that she really has.
Note: I'm stopping here for now. Will resume this blog when I'm ready again.
Wednesday, September 15, 2004
TERREMOTO!
Was at work when it happened. 3:20AM. Was clacking away at the PC when i realized that everything was moving. Swaying was more like it. Earthquake! Na naman?! What came to mind immediately was the Mayon Volcano. It has been acting up lately, and the government has advised people to stay away from the 6-kilometer safety radius. Baka pumutok na naman ang hinayupak na 'yun, ah.
When Mount Pinatubo erupted in 1991, the tremors were felt as far as Mindanao. I was seated in the sala of a family friend's house in Cagayan de Oro when it happened.
I remember vividly during one dark night in Pampanga (made even darker by province-wide power failures), an earthquake strong enough saw people running out of their houses in the middle of the night. I was just a grade schooler then. Our entire household was herded into the azotea (uy, azotea daw o! Baka terrace lang yun!) where we were made to kneel and pray. My eyes were transfixed at a nearby electricity pole, swaying against the dark night sky.
I don't remember anymore how many earthquakes i've experienced while living in these Ring-of-fire-islands. As if the economy is not bad enough, nakikisabay pa talaga ang mga dyaskeng bulkan at lindol na 'yan.
God have mercy on us all. We can only take so much in a lifetime.
*Sighs.
When Mount Pinatubo erupted in 1991, the tremors were felt as far as Mindanao. I was seated in the sala of a family friend's house in Cagayan de Oro when it happened.
I remember vividly during one dark night in Pampanga (made even darker by province-wide power failures), an earthquake strong enough saw people running out of their houses in the middle of the night. I was just a grade schooler then. Our entire household was herded into the azotea (uy, azotea daw o! Baka terrace lang yun!) where we were made to kneel and pray. My eyes were transfixed at a nearby electricity pole, swaying against the dark night sky.
I don't remember anymore how many earthquakes i've experienced while living in these Ring-of-fire-islands. As if the economy is not bad enough, nakikisabay pa talaga ang mga dyaskeng bulkan at lindol na 'yan.
God have mercy on us all. We can only take so much in a lifetime.
*Sighs.
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