From China w/ Love (part 4) The Fall and Rise of the Emperor

Hail the Return of Conqueror! Hail the Return of Olympics! [Hail AJ's return!] :D Oh's Pardon guys, I was ejected for days. Its hard when you're a no-expert Bean Counter with reconciliation deadlines and you are being machine-gun with migraine bullets the same time. :(

Well, well, while romancing or wrestling rather, with my bloody reports and pain-in-the-head, the China-Freak in me strikes again. Where this time? Given obviously. And whether I'm sick, strong, busy as a bee or sleeping like a dog, could not forgive myself had I failed to post an entry or two about the Planet’s much-sought, much-celebrated Game-Match commenced last 8-8-8 [closing today I heared] there in China's Forbidden turned open City.

From generation to generation, we Pinoys had grown weary but not tired following with our soul and heart - on how the Super Athletes of mighty nations re-produced their usual golds and silver - expected whopping record outperforming their last. And from times of yore, we're on our usual pathetic mode to chance our very first - a bronze at least to fill the flag's consistent medal drought. Hopefully, by and thru our last Ace, the Philippine's supposed national sport, - the jaw-dropping, blood-spitting, but money-making BOXING what else? (Ask Onyok Velasco or Don Manny Pacquiao and his BodyGuard next "Dad" Ex-Mayor Atienza) - believe me, the trio knew better.

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AH, IF ONLY's:..

1. singing, dancing, acting, climbing coconut tree or teeth-peeling of buko are part of the list.

2. the Government's trusted Trapos did not pocket the funds aim to hone our athlete's skills.

3. they [our Dream-Team] were trained-rightly and ahead - not when the big day is looming. C'MON!.

Lacking of the above-mentioned, we won't be surprised had our dismayed envoys arrived home with bagful of Eggs instead of long-missed Bacon.

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The Olympic’s spectaculars is the decade's center of craze’, adulation and prying of global fans and bloggers cum Cyber-sportcasters. But hey, prior to, did we onced checked the Country's other side of the pix? Talk about P.R.C's recent turmoil bringing countless of radical pro-Tibet in Unity; with fuming placards they stormed the Capital's tourist-ridden roads in protest against the Republic's extravagant hosting of Olympics.

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Hence, at the back of Beijing Olympic's extraordinary display of cheers and smiles were metaphors of screams and cries - loud images of w/c I casually grabbed from various non-suing sources (i hope) - all begotten by this less-heared, Sichuan EarthQuake during the fatal hours of May 12, the 2nd most lethal disaster in the region after 1976 says wikipedia. In the blink of an eye, the catastrophe nearly closes the fate of China's mainland district. In a hair-strand away, hinder the world an opportunity to behold this once-in-a-millenium gathering of the Greats.

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Whilst the XXIX Olympiad were viewed as the most glitzy and grand, the May Earthquake was P.R.C's most destructive and heartbreaking perhaps. Reportedly, aftermath of tremor and the intermittent aftershocks it borne had taken multi-billion of Yuan in losses and property damages; and knocked million of lifeless/homeless denizens to the ground.

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In my 4th installment on my FCWL series, I've written this one with no pun-intended in due respect on the topic's sensitive musings. Meantime, Throw ourselves in something both gray and vivid. Dive with its striking balance of pleasure and angst. Sail alongside its contrast of ugly versus the pretty, and Jump through the thumbnail Images of the Empire's Falling and Rising.

THE GREAT TRAGEDY THAT WAS -

THE REPERCUSSION

WOUND & FEAR

SORROWS & TEARS

GLOOM & DESPAIR

HOPELESSNESS & UNCERTAINTY

REACHING & TENDING

STARTING & RE-BUILDING

Barely 3 months after, just few miles from the competing Venue, the horrors and panic it caused had seemed to trigger the best in Chinese.

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From the rubbles, their epic pride stood, their intelligence and creativity were unleashed once more as being expressed in a Herculean Olympic Project and exquisite-staging of cinematic Production - helmed by half of the world's critic as perfect, scored by the other half as as eleven out of ten. The world embraced it and so the country's pride became real, their great rewards deserved, and their honors earned. The lights goes on. Tearful eyes sparkle. Out of darkness and sadness, they are free men and women again who are ready to celebrate - despite of hurdles left and of scars that are yet to heal.

THE FESTIVAL THEREAFTER -

THE SILENCE & BEAUTY

THE FINE ART

THE SOUNDS & LIGHTS

THE PRANCING

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THE PAGEANT AND PRIDE

THE SYMBOLIC TRAINING

THE WELCOMING

THE ACTION PROPER

THE EMERGING WINNERS

The powerpoint-doctored photos of which, albeit may not reads clear to you are kudo-worthy, aren't they?

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We got no gold or silver, but the undying spirits of Filipinos like that of the Chinese has made us a True winner. In our personal lives and country's many battles, we did fought a good fight, and we will continue to do so until the finish line. We are weathered by hills of mayhem and misfortunes, yet we learnt the essence of rejoicing after every falling and weeping. Its when our Game of Gore Ends that our Glory Begins!:

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photocredits: wwwbeijingolympics2008/ChinaNews by Google

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[This site has been re-nominated for PINOY BLOG OF THE WEEK by PINOYWORLD and on its 2nd week has earned the FIRST PLACE.

The weekly Poll is still ongoing. Our support to the new sets of nominees do counts a lot. THANKS MUCH for your continued trust and vote!

To visit the Web-site, pls click HERE)

Exodus ni Juan

My Gazillion Gratitude for the show of hands Guys!

AJ's site was pushed and espoused by you on the 2nd Place of Pinoy World's Blog of the Week contest. Your trust, loyalty & efforts are mine true blogging prize and badge. Its more than enough. 'Couldnt ask for more.

Sound conceding here, but my expat thoughts will never-ever be. I was made and live this way and will remain so. AGAIN, THANKS FOR BELIEVING, and FOR BEING AROUND.

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Among the depressing news from the Philippines that bombard regularly our foreign TV is the sights and sounds of Pinoys opting/rushing for the so-called "greener" sides. Scenario w/c made-up my this week's TGIF entry.

Nang ang tungkod ay umunat
nabiyak nagdurugong dagat
lumuwa daan ng Oportunidad
- doon sa Bayan ni Juan

Sa paliparan ng Lunsod
paang sabik nagsilusob
lalake-babae-bubot-kulubot
- siksikan! gitgitan!

Sinalamin adhikang takasan
impyernong mukha ng karukhaan
sakmalan ng dyablo sa Lipunan
- sa alab ng sumpang ito, siguro

Mag-aalsa balutan ka rin ano?
tulad nila, tulad ko?
tatalikuran din ba "Paraisong" kakaiba?
- ah!, gulapay na si Bayang Ina

Nais ka mang gapusan
matigas na iyong hakbang
wala na. hindi na. ayaw na.
- Pilipinong bago ka na.

Talino't galing, sipag mo't sining
sa luha't pawis at binhing itatanim
banyaga sa punla mo'y aangkin
- sino ba'ko para tumutol?

Ako ma'y sikmurang tinulak ng gutom
sa sulsol naanod sa pangarap nalunod
tanging naiba, lumipad akong maaga
- buo na nga iyong isip…

Sa araw ng pikitmatang pagsanib
paderan ang buto, payungan ang dibdib
aagos lahar ng pagsubok o panganib
- doblehin rin sukbit na tapang..

Latigo ng bangugot, sumpit ng lungkot
pagtulog sa pinto mo'y kakatok
tag-araw tag-ulang bubunuin,
yelo, apoy mang titiisin

DALANGIN: Humubog na Bayan lingunin,

"wag matapon sakripisyo't pagpaalipin,

pangakong biyaya, mapasamahal nawa...

DOON sa di-rin Malayang Bansa -

sa triguhan ng maubas na Lupa

na hitik sa tinik at sagana sa luha".

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And Where most of us are Heading??

THE SAD FACTS:

• POEA deployed 3,000 documented OFW a day w/c is roughly 10% percent of the country's 80 million people.
• At least, two dead remains of OFWs are repatriated daily w/ an estimate of 700 lives lost annually.
• An average of one OFW comes home with a mental disorder due to inhuman working conditions brutally inflicted by his/ her employers abroad.
• 12,276 complaints are processed yearly. Most common are maltreatment, contract violations, physical abuse, rape, and sex trafficking.

• Thousand Filipinos are languishing in jails for various offenses. Hundreds awaits execution for fabricated crimes, unfair trial or unjust punishments.
• And As we all knew,..
• In as much as job scarcity and poverty at home persisted, and Overseas income kept the Philippine economy afloat, This Exodus will continue.

-OWWA/KAKAMPI

Pinoy World's PBTW Poll

Good day... Good News...

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After earning an eye-candy token-template from Tchel, and being humbled by PR 4 rank by Google, my/our site [Arabian Josh] were selected among the haystack of Pinoy Expatriate-Bloggers worldwide as one of the privileged nominee on its first-ever PINOY BLOG OF THE WEEK Contest. The Poll is hosted by PINOY WORLD and online voting of the same begins TODAY.

Excerpt of it says "PINOYWORLD believes that a blog/site is commendable if it matters to Readers". Thus, if you trust mine rings true, (like of course, the rest of other 10 competent entrants here), you may lend us your precious time and effort to vote for our respective blogsite, for AJ's especially, hehe :D

This in part of its forthcoming 1st YEAR ANNIVERSARY Celeb' of PINOYWORLD site, wherein, the lucky champ will be awarded with a week-long stay as FEATURED BLOG OF THE WEEK, A LIFETIME LINK at the PINOY BLOGS OF THE WEEK page, and this bragging Araw Awards Seal.

Oh, I genuinely thank many-many kind people for all the unwavering supports since i committed myself to blogging (last June 07; particularly those who voted my then baby site at Talksmart's (The Composed Gentleman) week 13 poll. If you could still bear with me along, hearten me to continue writing in such a way; and wish for me another one to flaunt on my freaking sidebar, then I'll be doubly grateful!.Rest assured you of my likewise support. :) Taas Noo tayo, Pilipino!
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TO VOTE, PLS CLICK HERE

Twinkle’s Stars Shines on Me

Hi Fellow! spare your hankies now,..

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For my TGIF entry, I am keeping aside for next week a nose-bleeding Tagalog poetry to give way, or rather, to acknowledge an artwork of a dangerously-talented friend from Bisdak Planet.

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Quite refreshing my newly-installed template, hope you enjoyed it as much as I do. So daghang Salamat to Gwapa Tchel aka Twinkletoe for this tailor-made token. Her recent homecoming from Bahrain to ‘Pinas “for good” was a blessing in disguise for AJ; had since she had ample time to de-clutter and refurbish my humble URL - the sidebar and/or page outline - before the same loses its charm and spell on you like a half-forgotten dream :D Pardon the pomp, I'm jst beyond flattered!. :D

Several of you may notice the previous icons of my freaking header were swinging from images of falcons-to-horses-to sheeps-, outdoing 'em all, camels this time. Well, it doesn’t me an I smell or work like one in this desert country that's been my 2nd home, huh'; just I deem, the beast with hunch back is a close element to illustrate the pro-expat theme of my blogsite, the Mid-East way. And for touch of modern, my text/yt-mate, cebuano maestra cum graphic designer employed the world's tallest skycraper silhouette (The Burj) in distinct angle. As for my B & W photo, forget it. I gonna request her soon to lay the magical wand on it, and make it more princely (abusuhin daw ba) he-he! :D

Dear Twinkol, Thanks again for sharing your kindness and lighting my sometimes gloomy portal. Nalipay ko nga nagkaila tayo sa masalimuot na blogosperyong ito. Remember, you and your likes are the true Stars in my blogging-life, not me. :D

Do visit her site/s. Believe me, Its worth checking out. And who knows, [someday] she’ll also become instrumental in furthering yours. if the price is right (jokies!) :D...
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In return, I gues she earn another chair award from me (freezing, this time), lol!:D. Saved by the bell, my top commentator & mother of all award, Mum Sheng, forwarded me this (THANK U ULIT MUM) - which I ff to you..and that you may ff to others, and so on, and so forth...

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oh what we guys are doing for blogging! :D CHEERS and MABUHAY TAYONG LAHAT!

Danny's Day-Out

While Commuting after a long-day is a nuisance for many, it has been my stress-buster and glee recipe. So in odd days, I ditched our police-loving “limou”, walk for a sharing transport ride to Deira’s congested Sallahudin Street, & acquaint myself easily with common Pinoys. With the Emirates' awful climate & maddening cultural scents & sounds, I tell you: my venture is not trouble-free, engaging however. As normal, I went there with a broadmind & an open hand that wills to shake with theirs, with a ready ears to eavesdrop head-shaking tales & heart to grasp mind-boggling/rib-tickling narratives in full-throttle.

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Further to becoming an on-the-spot counselor, confidant, missionary, secret-keeper & shock absorber, my “actor” role is what I enjoyed the most. In some cases, I disguises as an Indonesian, Malaysian or Thai, early-20’s, married w/d kids and akin to majority of them, - a luckless or a helpless greenhorn of this land. White-lies for [AJ's] fun are those. Mine ingredients to flavor-up my so-called "trippings" to unwind. Luckily till date, I ain't regarded as a psychotic prankster, hence a genial jester who amuse them at no cost, AND importantly, - a philanthropist of Expat’s do’s & dont’s. A number of those I rubbed elbows with are either annoying or reserved; impressive or fanciful. Neither extremes, Im always left with notable footprints.

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My “outing” with “DANNY” one summer, gave me sense of freedom from yoke of self-pity as a struggling O.F.W and our meeting’s meaning will not be short-lived. To hark-back, the Guy’s hyper, and chatty whose petite feature & pale skin mirror his days and nights of toiling. The weight of such accountability however, were overshadowed by an enthusiastic smiles and eyes. So positive, intense and alive. Oh!, a countenance I’d love to see!. Along our way, I got the gist behind the sunny spirit of his. Simple, yet Unusual. He is out to be with his circles here after month or months of work-confinement. Look as if he's treated like a robotic-Donkey. What'r more appealing is when I heeded no moans, but utterance of gratefulness for a job that sustain him and his family’s conventional dream back home. And had since free-time such as this is rare, the young man sees it as a bonus, and he is goin' to live his little-free time to the fullest.

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The thought is like a pail of ice-cubes splashed all o'er my face which exorcized me from my evil of deep slumber. It upset and it pains but it reconcile me back to the wonders of daylight. Parallel to my corporate colleagues who resent other companies & Pro’s in their privileged (2) two-days off, I protest the single day of recess seemed not enough for my budding personal & social recreations. Yet one soul here much pleased for a once in a blue-moon break from an even more physically taxing, poorly paid & less-glamorous career. HOW DISSASTISFIED MAN LIKE ME CAN BE!? Until I had a day-out with Danny I noticed, - my life’s like a glass of water served to my very front - half-full but beautiful. All I should do is to welcome its goodness and potential with pleasure. I felt filled when I did. - And HIS JOY BECAME MINE, too.

* Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our spirits blossom. ~Marcel Proust