Marhaba, Gloria!

An Emarati’s warm way of saying “WELCOME” GMA.

Upon her side-trip to Dubai from Switzerland, our beloved/opposed President, reportedly, had received ample of arabic welcome remarks started at the Airport’s MARHABA section – Dubai’s unique and award-winning meet and greet service.

What about outdoor? Are the gestures of dollar-problematic OFW’s (x), Pinoy Expats would be seen the same? Hmm.., ‘course not. I’m not that misguided (pleasant term for stupid) to read your insightful minds in re: her majesty’s Burj Al Arab board and lodging issue.

Ditto, the persevering Sec-Gen of MIGRANTE UAE Chapter - a non-partisan group painstakingly formed to defend the human rights of common Juan in the region (where I am partly a part) had cc: me excerpts of his media interview in that of her Excellency's debatable visit. . Pls refer here.

Photo corteousy of www.daylight.com

For your unwarranted trivia in relevance, I’m a State U Grad here who are used to watching my fellow's heroic raising of self-budgeted placards in anarchy. My comrades, - they were busy biting bullets, yelling bright and opinionated motto in the University ground, and I was busy TOO, munching popcorns and fishballs while tracking-down my potential crushes among them, ehehe, (im nonsense I told you).

But today’s riotous state of affairs’ of government is no laughing matter. And Im sincerely sober in finding Answer to these thought-provoking Questions:

1. Will the Phils. make its way to Guinness for having an incumbent President housed in 7-star Burj? or -

2. Will PGMA take great pride in the fact that her name be A-listed in the Hotel's wall of fame alongside Hollywood celeb-icons - Campbell, Pitt, Jolie, Wood, Agassi, Beckham, Evangelista, Hezirgova (first names I with-held so dig it yourself)

3. About the newly-launched Hedging Facility, will it really help transform OFW’s into OFI’s – Overseas Filipino Investors? (Filipina Maid’s name anyway, has been elevated into Nanny, Tutor, Private Nurse (for Sheikhs).

4. In regard with wooing the wealthy Arabs/Foreigners to invest or tie-up business locally, can PGMA prove to them that: “hey, we’ve got other word-class wonders to offer beside my people's competencency in English ".

W/ lasting hopes on the President’s two (2) day meeting-agenda w/ global royalties and dignitaries in UAE's financial Town, I am one of those who are keyed-up to see her and her VIP entourage after. So I could personally utter my own “Marhaba” greetings - and ask some more other VIQ - Very Important Questions

The Weather Tag

“Ang life daw e weather, weather lang”, quoted w/ an adorable grin by ex-politician turned weather forecaster cum Iguana-lover Kim Atienza on his regular primetime show. (ugh, take-back your breath, that's long).

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True Enough.

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For the past terrible days, I’ve been raving about the beauty and madness of rain, snow and their heavenly clan so timingly I staggered upon this BlogThings site and w/ no dilly-dallying, converted or better termed: innovated, the weather-personality quiz into an unprecedented Tagging Game.

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Friendly Note: Plagiarism allowed, ONLY if w/ my due permission. joke! :)

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The Rules:

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No. 1: Find out What Type of Weather Are You

I am A Sunshine

Soothing and calm I am held up by others as ideal But too much of me, I'll get burned I am best known for: my warmth My dominant state: connecting

No. 2: Contradict/Consent the Outcome

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The adjectives I earned are enlightening; and If it's genuine, this Blogthing is weird'o!

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I believed and/or expected myself to be - a Wind (for being a hopeless romantic) - a Flood (for messing a lot) - a Thunder, or a Typhoon rather (I tantrum like the green Hulk); whilst my VOLTA fanatic mum once said to me when i was just his charming, but menacing little boy: "Stop striking like a Lightning!" her self-invented idiom of saying I should stop combatting my older bro w/ rage!. Doubt my mum we're just both kidding - I am a certified placid guy, (I swear!) better ask my father, - he would even pinpoint my migraine-prone head -and my in-born baby skin :) as the main culprit why I dislike the Sun. "Dad also seems to know best".

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No. 3: Share a practical Weather Tip (be warm)

For Gluta-thione believers especially, Medic-experts seriously forewarns the carefree Public Not to trust the Winter Sun. The mischief of its cancer-causing UV rays during peak hours not only has tanning, but has cancer-causing upshots like what you can get in Summer Sun. (proof? : click here)

No. 4 :...and a life-giving Weather Quote (be cool)

1. "Weather forecast for tonight": DARK ~by George Carlin

2. "It is best to read the weather forecast before praying for rain". ~by Mark Twain (because i think quote no. 1 is actually a tip!)

No. 5: Tag 5 + weathered (x), I mean seasoned bloggers :

Geno, scotty'sprincess, aryo, klitorika, ging, honey and lazarus - C'mon, tell me what's your weather, Guys!..

No. 6: As the Tagging ritual's highlight, REST the participant's link here: AJ,lazarus,honey

(Happy WeekEnd, Happy Tagging!! :)

A Wet Journey

After 3 days of frantic rain pours, the low-lying areas of the Emirates came to a standstill when her overconfident roads submerged in the horrors of rainwater. The amount of this Jan 2008 rainfall has beaten the historical 1980 record according to Sir Jay Hilotin, (the City's/our thriving Kabayan Reporter).

Start scrolling down these force-majeu’re snapshots I grabbed from “who-so-ever-you-are” (thank u) of Gulf News and Xpress4me broadsheets then see for yourself how (the not-even Signal No. 1) Rains transported an extraordinary disaster in both minor and major thoroughfares. And: absolutely, in the outdoor lives of traumatized guests & residents counting of course, yours truly.

In the calming lyrics of my granny's Broadway fave', Lea Salonga (txs to U too), let us Sing children while Sailing my Journey in Arabian waters..

Half the world is sleeping,..

half the world's awake ..

half can hear their hearts beat ..

half just hear them break ..

I am but a traveler, ..

in most every way ..

Ask me what you want...to know ..
(Altogether now..)

What a journey it has been,

And the end is not in sight ..

But the stars are out tonight,

and they're bound to guide my way..

when they're shining on my life

I can see a better day

I won't let the darkness in, ..

what a journey it has been.

Following my image-drenching“exposé”, the distinguished engineers of this "wonders"-filled state would perhaps, think about digging the less-travelled pavement and set-up rows of much-needed manholes (like the one's we've got in our abandoned urban canals ) - continue...

I have been to sorrow, ..

I have been to bliss ..

where I'll be tomorrow, ..

I can only guess ..

Through the darkest desert ..

Through the deepest snow,..

Forward,

always forward, ..

..I go

what a journey ,

it

has

been.

zzzzzzzzz....(I slept good soon I reached home. But not on this villa, - this our neighbor's :)

For more Arabian floods and rain gossips, read here.

Let it Sun, Let it Sun, Let it Sun

The country’s natives, universal expats (and illegal refugees) for 6 days now, have been missing the sight and touch of the sun. Notorious for its damp, dry and fair weather, a daylong experience of cold spell (23 Fahrenheit from the normal 110), steady rainfall (drizzle actually), AND – for the first-time in history, snowfall that blanket w/ white the brown highland of Ras-al-Khaimah in the North are for that matter, abnormal in United Arab Emirates (not Saudi, peeps).

Stroll-loving individuals and families here, sun-tripping tourists in particular whose spending nerves are frequent to thoughtless shoppings, reportedly are pleading to Heaven for the return of the "King", (the Royal Sun of course). Man's great source of light and warm, beside God.

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As per winter fanatic me who'd endured fatal summerS here, the advent of this stormy times and the romantic breeze & sense of ease it brings (flu and cough w/ phlegm aside) is what can I say, a Super-dooper-Blessing. A great chance for my blog-choked brain to doze well at night, for my bellaguered nose to shun-away from (100% Pinoy in the mid-east would agree) foul-smelling mortals of the land who sweat & stink tremendously under the sun (darn!, why they seemed to avoid showers and changing costumes??).

Love me or hate me, I wish to overrule the chant of the people with the original mantra, “let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!.. :)

Photocredits: Sheik Zayed Road by jojas.com

The Prince (looking) Pauper

(Warning: This is a True Story! )

I was walking adjacent to the Clock Tower when a stranger drew near to me from behind. I thought, I’ve met the Titanic actor Billy Zane. A gorgeous-looking hunk clothed in torn European lounge coat. His pretty wristwatch matches the colour of his satin trouser, hand-held hankie & leather retro shoes. From his anxious countenance & messy-outfit, I figured-out: something’s eating this guy – & I’m right.

I found myself cornered before I said a word (I suspect I was spellbound) & there he narrated his great ordeal. Tears from his piercing brown eyes dropped swiftly to his unblemished cheek and clean-shaven moustache. Can’t help but envy his manly jaws as he boldly talk & whimper. His fretful intonation & trembling arms likewise bare his panic & urgency - (picture a horse-jockey here aiming to make it first in the finish line, too fast?, How's someone with LBM speeding up to “throne”?) .

From his loose pouch, he took-out a transparent bottle half-filled with yellowish liquid and extended it to me. Damn! A fresh urine. I staggered after tapping its heat and spot those bubbles merging intimately on the sides. Hence, his inflamed kidney must be treated at the soonest or it will surely jeopardize his existence. His appalling dilemma mounted after he was deserted high en dry by a trusted ally from their homeland P_____ (beep.beep) who swayed him there of a greener pasture here. A happy dream that was - now his most horrific nightmare, he lamented. Destitute, starving, ailing and alone, Whew! Want some more? His visit visa’s due to expire. Unwaged & penniless,- a lending-hand is all he need.

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Prior to climax of his compelling & oscar-winning scene and script(?), I twigged the gist of his ill-fated chronicle –the sole purpose why he pleaded next to me. Poignant tale. It moved & melt my, (ehem) compassionate heart. On the contrary, I speculate. I might ensued to be his next object of anxiety since my wallet is equally miserable that day, and therefore a wrong prospect - a waste of his time... and incredible buoyancy. Thought of offering him my taxi fare, but since my fast & furious driver-friend ArCy’s not around, I might beg too. and my prime worry is: gorgeous like me, whose philanthropic idiot will bequeath me with an alm? :)
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I was perplexed on what proper emotion to pay-off as he’s becoming more unrelenting (this time picture a pre-need plan Agent or a Credit Card Exec. pushing me to sign a deal). To express my “required” sympathy, I supposed to frown w/ him along , but w/ should blame his eccentric antics that caused me to LOL ( laugh-out-loud - u!:). (kala ko sa Pinas lang may ganito) I nearly alleged, “Hey, u a bozo?" If you’re sailing under the false color you’re just chasing rainbow. How about pawning your mobile? ( i was so mean); or go for a talent contest? with your guts, looks & knocks, you’ll get good bucks”. (wait. - talent scouting’s not my cup of tea). Kidding aside, I replied sorrowfully: “SORRY Mr, I just had my remittance sent”. Heeding this, his then angelic face shifted promptly to psychotic bulldog. And before he nibble me with his perfect set of pearly white teeth, (albeit, I wanted asking his brand of toothpaste) I stepped backward….and RAN like a horseless jockey.

The Lucky Tag

I received yesterday my first ever tag for 2008. Thanks joy of EverydayLife (GoodLUCK/GodBless to your Fil-Blog of the Week nomination).

The Tag Q goes: What'r my New Year GoodLuck traditions?

Mine are the typical ones. Something my Oldies copycat from the luck-loving Chinese. “Circle here en there, Circle everywhere”.. expect our erstwhile house in Pasig to be well-adorned w/ rings of round-shaped fruits, our Holy Altar, w/ loop of coins. Tho ages since (as a part of my NY tradition), I'LL BEGIN '08 W/ A CLEAN SLATE by admitting an old guilt:- u know what? - I once connived w/playmates in raiding those “for-luck O’s" from the custody of our walls & saints (the reason why they were gone-missing prior to a NY).

Plus to these must’s are the outrageous wearing of red & polka dots & leaping ala retarded Kangaroo when clock strikes 12. I still do wear red & polka, but retired from hopping immediately after my cir **cision, hahaha!

As an adult, I was strongly admonished to pay-back whatever pagkakautang or monetary arrears I had w/ someone else before the Old year goodbye for good. Sad I failed... W/ CONSISTENCY.

My previous spiritual Daddy Pastor Rene N (of WIM-Europe) passed-on to me this word of wisdom, in relevance: “there’s NO such thing as WISH & LUCK, josh. PRAYER & BLESSING, YES”.

Choice is ours.

Oh, before I forget this is a tagging game. Not yet late to share yours my dear blogkadas leah, Kris Jasper, aethen, normand, thet, maline. (You may set your own rules or check on joy's) :) Hapi NY Guys!