yosi kadiri

If you are a smoker and is contemplating to quit, moving to the UK, I'm certain, will make it easier for you to kick the habit.

Above is a picture of a vending machine that sells cigarettes. At £8 a pack, that's really pricey considering there are only 16 sticks inside the pack. I'm sure it's a wee bit cheaper if you buy your fags in the supermarkets but generally speaking, it's still expensive.

There is also a smoking ban in the UK. It's illegal to smoke in all enclosed public places and enclosed work place in the country. Offenders are fined and some may be taken to court too.

I quit 6 years ago. Back then I wasn't planning on quitting. I got ill and for 2 weeks I stopped smoking. When I realised that I spent almost £120 in the 4 weeks prior to my being sick, I had to at least try and kick the habit. Surprisingly, it was quite easy. I didn't have any withdrawal symptoms and any behavioral changes.

Whilst I do advocate freedom to choose how people live their life, ever since I quit, I developed a some sort of aversion to smoking. I do think about it sometimes though. After all I loved it when I was still smoking, however, I don't think I would ever go back to it. It's bad for the health, pocket and the environment.

By the way, you can't call yourself an evironmentalist if you continue to light a cigarette and smoke like a chimney.

Be smart, quit now.

tate modern

Of all the attractions in the British Isles, Tate Modern is my favorite. The Tate Modern in London is the UK's national museum of international modern art. The galleries are housed in the former Bankside Power Station, designed and built after the Second World War.

Works of international modern and contemporary art dating from 1900 onwards make up the collection.

Because it's a huge facility, the museum is divided into several galleries on the buildings 5 floors. The Tate Collection is on display on levels three and five, whilst level four is reserved for large temporary exhibitions and a small exhibition space on level two is allotted for works of contemporary artists.

Yesterday, I visited it again after picking up my new passport at the Philippine Embassy. I only spent not more than 90 minutes because it was already late afternoon when I got there and yet I ended up with almost 300 photos. It's great that visitors are now allowed to take pictures because the last time I was there with Ketty about 4 years ago, it was still prohibited.

I have to break this entry in parts. Here's the first batch of photos.

I could live here.

But I have to do something about this wall.

Not digging the bubblegum on acid look.

And maybe change the statues at the altar.

How's this for the laundry room?

The Venus of the Rags is beautiful.

This one's titled White Spring.

Perfect in my kitchen because it reminds me of breakfast.

Speaking of breakfast, here's a Francis Bacon.

And another one of his called Triptych.

Marvel at Matisse.

In case you're wondering who he is, this is him.

White Field. Mixed media. A relief using hundreds of nails. Ingenious.

There's an exhibition about voyeurism, surveillance and the camera.

Do you agree?

Me channeling Big Brother. I'd have this framed someday.

This one's rather curious.

Of course it's not just some random cctv footage. There's a fox roaming the halls of the museum!

the cove

The Cove is an Oscar-winning documentary that depicts in painful detail the horrors of dolphin fishing in Taiji, Japan. From the outside, the town seems to be devoted to the majestic creatures swimming off it's shores. Statues are erected, boats designed to look like dolphins cruise the shore, and a whale museum is the pinnacle of the town. But the small fishing village has a big secret. Every year from September to March, fishermen motivated by the multi-million dollar dolphin trading industry gather in this cove for the hunt. Slaughter, or perhaps massacre. I don't know which word is stronger.

Do not mistake my words as those of a hardcore animal activist. I am far from it. As a carnivore, I can't imagine life without meat. Even if the only fish I eat is tuna in a can.

I can only describe what wen't on in the cove as evil, pure and simple. As men, we've learnt enough about dolphins to know that they are probably the smartest creatures on earth. One only need common sense to know that they can communicate with each other and just like us they know pain. Watching them being gored to death whilst the young are made to listen to the agonising calls of their parents is horrifying.

There's a quote in the film that says, "If you're not an activist, you're an inactivist." I guess, it's easy and convenient for people like me to make strong pronouncements condemning acts of barbarity like this. After all, talk words are cheap. But I hope through this blog, I can spread the word and will eventually reach someone like Richard O'Barry, a former dolphin trainer who has since recanted and become the mammal's strongest ally.

To all the men and women who were involved in the making of this film, congratulations for a powerful, compelling and an absolute brilliant documentary and thank you for bringing this to our attention. I hope more people will see this film and become involved in your advocacy.

black saturday

On Saturday, 26th of September 2009, the Philippines was hit by torrential rains that resulted in massive and fatal floods. Almost 17 inches of rain fell in 12 hours on Saturday, more than the average for the entire month of September. The waters rose to more than 20ft within a few hours.

The photo was taken by my brother at the condo complex he lives in Manila. My siblings were marooned for almost 24 hours with no water and electricity; they got off easy.

I am overwhelmed with sadness when I see pictures and watch videos of the aftermath of the storm. When Ketty sent me the message last Saturday, I really didn't pay much attention to it because the Philippines get at least 20 typhoons a year and Manila isn't exactly a stranger to flooding.

No one will ever be prepared to a disaster of this magnitude. It is futile to start pointing fingers and play blaming game at this point. But it will also be foolish to forget that there was an inadequate and inept response from the government.

I am sending my prayers to those who lost anything and everything. It's hard to imagine what you must've been going through. I pray for strength to help you get back on your feet. This too shall pass.

Prayers and a few quid to spare are the best I can do for now.

If you want to help, please click here. If overseas and would also like to make a donation, online contibutions can be made through Kapuso Foundation and ABS CBN Sagip Kapamilya.

kontra mina

Below is the official letter to the Editor from Godofredo Mintu, mayor of Sablayan, which appeared in today's issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

There is no doubt that large-scale mining operations, like the one being undertaken by the Aglubang Mining Corp. in Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro, cause irreparable devastation of farm lands. This was pointed out by the regional executive director of the Department of Agriculture in a July 7, 2009 letter to Environment Secretary Jose L. Atienza Jr.: “The Municipality of Sablayan is one of our major rice- and corn-producing areas in the province and we believe that any major mining operations would greatly affect the agriculture production and endanger social economic conditions in the area. With these, we are supporting the Honorable Mayor [the undersigned] in asking your help to preempt any mining activity in the municipality.”

Recently, as a result of Typhoon Jolina’s onslaught, Sablayan experienced heavy floods, landslides, soil erosion and scouring which rendered its national highways impassable for several weeks and caused huge and serious damage to crops, livestock and property, plus “opportunity loss.” Undoubtedly, large-scale mining would deplete Sablayan’s remaining forest and vegetation cover, aggravate river and coastal deterioration and increase incidents of landslide, soil erosion and, possibly, wipe out its forest cover.

It is for this reason that all of Sablayan’s 22 barangays and its Sangguniang Bayan are opposed to Aglubang’s mining operations and they have expressed their opposition through their respective resolutions and through a municipal ordinance which bears the approval of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Occidental Mindoro.

The people of Occidental Mindoro, and more particularly of Sablayan, prayerfully appeal to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Secretary Atienza to disallow the entry of Aglubang Mining Corp. into our town, in order that our town may continue to be the food basket of Region 4 and provide our people and the rest of the country the more than 300,000 metric tons of rice it produces every year.

—GODOFREDO B. MINTU,
municipal mayor,
Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro,
mayor.mintu@gmail.com

----------------------

In support of the growing oppositon to the Mindoro Mining Project, The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines posted this position on its website:

Mining has always been repugnant to the residents of communities surrounding the mining sites. And this is true in the case of large-scale nickel- mining operation on Mindoro island which is being strongly resisted by the local folk. They fear the venture would cause environmental havoc. Indigenous peoples, farmers, fishermen, political, religious and civil society leaders in both Mindoro Occidental and Mindoro Oriental are calling for the immediate cancellation of the permit granted to the Aglubang Mining Corp. to extract nickel over an area deep in the mountains totaling 9,720 hectares.

The government approved in 2001 the mineral production sharing agreement of the Aglubang Mining Corp., a subsidiary of the Crew Minerals of Canada. But the Department of Environment and Natural Resources revoked the agreement as quickly as it was granted because the authorities found out that it posed a grave threat to critical watershed that would adversely affect farming, the livelihood and even health of the people.

In canceling the permit, then Environment Secretary Heherson Alvarez said that the Mindoro Nickel Project was one case where sustainability was bound to fail. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is fully aware of the situation. Her administration is committed to create wealth without sacrificing the integrity and vitality of Mindoro’s natural systems. What does it gain the nation to be short-sighted and merely think of money, when an irreparable damage to the environment will cost human lives, health and livelihood capacity of our farmers and fisherfolk, endangering the food security of our people?

But the move to shelve the nickel- mining venture turned out to be only temporary. In late 2005, the Office of the President reversed the DENR decision revoking the Aglubang’s mining permit. The Canadian firm’s president Jan Vestrun trumpeted that there was a change in attitude of the government of the Philippines towards mining, from that of tolerance to active promotion.

The government’s turnaround defies logic because the very law invoked by the project proponents—Republic Act 7942 (Philippine Mining Act of l995)—expressly provides in Section 19 thereof that among the areas closed to mining activities are watershed areas. Since the area covered by the Mindoro Nickel Project is within a protected watershed reservation, where is the justification to reverse the cancellation of the mining permit?

It is an undisputed fact that the Mindoro Nickel Project does not have an iota of social acceptability on the part of the Mindoreños. Without the consent of the people as required by law, the mining venture is deemed illegal and the mining permit issued to Aglubang Corp. is void from the start.

The public opposition is reflected in separate resolutions adopted by the municipal council of Sablayan, Mindoro Occidental and the town’s 22 barangays expressing their vigorous opposition to the mining project. In an open letter to President Arroyo and Environment Secretary Lito Atienza, Sablayan Mayor Godofredo Mintu said any major mining operations would greatly affect agriculture production and endanger social and economic conditions in Sablayan which is one of thee leading rice and corn-producing towns in Mindoro.

Recently, according to Mayor Mintu, a killer typhoon battered the province, causing heavy flooding and landslides that damaged crops and rendered the national highway impassable for several weeks. He warned that large-scale mining would deplete the town’s remaining forest and vegetation cover, aggravate river and soil siltations that would cause an an ecological disaster.

------------------

Economic progress at the expense of the displacement of indigenous peoples, food security and environmental destruction is, to put it simply, wrong. I am proud of the Provincial and Municipal governments of Occ. Mindoro and Sablayan for defending the interests of its people and its natural resources. Notwithstanding the pressure from powerful forces and resisting tempting offers (some of which from the National Government, I am certain), your efforts are truly admirable and greatly appreciated.

If you chance upon this blog, please do me a favor and spread the word. Help us save my hometown from further destruction.

requiem

Kris Aquino summed it up beautifully, "How do I find the words to say goodbye? Paano bang magpaalam na alam ng puso mo na hindi pa rin sapat ang panahong ibinahagi sa 'yo ng Diyos?"

Filipinos from the world over mourned the loss of our beloved president. And the whole world felt our grief. They offered kind words to honor Corazon Aquino's memory. These tributes have been a source of comfort and acceptance in times of our sorrow. This is specially true for me. Reading their recognition and appreciation for our Mother made me very proud I am a Filipino.

Here are a few of them:

"... she was quiet but articulate; committed to non-violence; insistent that dictatorship should be replaced by democracy." -- the UK Times

" ... the first female holder of the post in the Philippines – Aquino can best be remembered for her noble fight to restore democracy and the systematic dismantling of the worst abuses of dictatorship." -- The Guardian

" ... she left a mark on the history of her troubled country, so deep and so lasting that her death will bring a surge of emotion as the heady days of the short but memorable Aquino era are reassessed." -- the Independent

" The quietly spoken lady in yellow, later described in an official biography as “homemaker, widow, reluctant candidate and elected leader of the Philippines” had come to represent oppressed people's aspirations for freedom across the globe..." -- The Financial Times

" ... went on to gain a worldwide reputation as a fighter for peace and democracy" -- BBC

" It was a fairy-tale revolution that gripped the world and Aquino was hailed as a modern-day Joan of Arc." -- Sky

" Cory Aquino rose above the bureaucratic procrastination that had always bogged it down, reminding her people that they once astonished the world with their bravery — and that they could do it again." -- Time

Corazon C. Aquino (1933-2009)

The news of her death, although expected, still brought a shock. Former president of my beloved country, Corazon C. Aquino, passed away early this morning.

A couple of my working hours were spent on the internet reading obituaries from different international news websites. I felt a deep sadness and great loss as I read tributes from around the world. To them, she was an icon. To the Filipinos, she was the symbol of hope. Her quiet grace and extraordinary courage was an inspiration for most of us.

I was too young to understand what was happening in 1986; the People Power revolution that led to the overthrow of Ferdinand Marcos and the end of his authoritarian rule. At 6 years old, I asked my tatay who the lady in yellow was when I saw a poster outside my lolo's house. Tatay replied, "she is the face of Good".

From then on, for me, Cory Aquino represented everything that is good, honest and decent in the Filipino people. Her term as president may not have lived up to the promise of her bloodless revolution but she made numerous sacrifices for the restoration of democracy in the Philippines and unending fight against tyranny.

Maraming salamat sa biyaya ng Kalayaan.

dubai

"Dubai is like an oasis. It is an illusion, not real. You think you have seen water in the distance, but you get close and you only get a mouthful of sand."

*** From the Huffington Post.

there will be blood

After more than a year, I'll be reading something other than Harry Potter. I haven't been "reading" for a while now. I know I should considering all the free time that I've been getting lately. I admit, I spend way too much time on the web and watching telly. And so before I completely run out of brain cells, it's time to feed me some food for the brain. Yesterday, I visited the local library to borrow some books. I picked up Clive Barker's Mister B. Gone and Ryu Murakami's Audition. Both of the horror genre and promise to deliver bloody (pun intended) good stories.

The plan is to read the two books in 3 weeks. Reading a chapter or two before I hit the sack and if I can, just before getting out of bed. The books should be interesting enough to keep me hooked. But with so much distractions around, even the best laid plans can go awry. So help me God.

What's your bedside reading?

no to mining

Mindoro's natural wonders are under threat from mining. I am one with my provincemates in opposing the proposed Mindoro nickel project of Intex Resources Philippines Inc. I fear the damages this development will cause to the people of Mindoro and the environment will be massive and irreversible. This is personal because my hometown is the site of the project. Experts believe it will cause destruction of critical watershed affecting the food supply and security of the island. It will also invariably evict the Mangyans from their domain. Please help not to let this happen by spreading the word. Thanks.

blackout

Lights off please.

SOLID SUMILAO FACTS distorted or evaded by desperate paid advertisements

I am posting this article, which I received via email, in solidarity with the Sumilao farmers. Who, after ending their two month journey from Bukidnon to Manila on foot, have yet to see a resolution to their struggle.

------------------------

1) Sumilao farmers are LANDLESS as defined in RA 6657 "One is
considered landless if he/she owns less than 3 hectares of
agricultural land."

a. The 66-hectare Carlos Estate was distributed to 78 farmers
belonging to the MAPALAD Multi-Purpose Cooperative who received
between .4 to .9 hectares per family.

i. This means that those who benefited in the Carlos estate ARE
STILL QUALIFIED to become beneficiaries under the agrarian reform program.

ii. The point of the agrarian reform program is to distribute
lands to help landless farmers have sustainable livelihood. This is
why the law provides that a family size farm which is around 3
hectares is necessary to fulfil the program's objective of improving
the lives of farmer-beneficiaries. To say that the Sumilao farmers
who own land sizes far less than what is provided by law are no longer
qualified beneficiaries is to violate the very spirit of the agrarian
reform law.

b. The other group that joined the Sumilao march is the San
Vicente Landless Farmers Association (SALFA) and NOBODY IN THIS
ORGANIZATION OWN ANY PARCEL OF LAND.

2) Tenancy is NOT a requirement to become a beneficiary under
CARP. R.A. 6657 provides: "The lands covered by the CARP shall be
distributed as much as possible to landless residents of the same
barangay, or in the absence thereof, landless residents of the same
municipality in the following order of priority: agricultural lessees
and share tenants, regular farmworkers, seasonal farmworkers, other
farmworkers, actual tillers or occupants of public lands, collectives
or cooperatives of the above beneficiaries; and others directly
working on the land.

a. Most of these farmers were already screened and named in the
title/CLOA (Certificate of Land Ownership Award) that means they were
already deemed rightful beneficiaries under the agrarian reform
program in general and in the 144 hectares in particular.

b. Even so, we are still in the pre-coverage stage and who would
become beneficiaries or the inclusion/exclusion process is still
another step after the issuance of the Notice of Coverage. The
Sumilao farmers are very much willing to undergo this process. Their
more than 10 years of faithful and peaceful cooperation with the law
should be a glaring proof of that.

3) CLEAR VIOLATIONS OF SMFI rendering current operations as ILLEGAL:

a. From the Office of the President's Order ( December 18, 2007
): "Apparently, the unilateral development of subject landholdings
into a hog farm by SMFI is NOT one of the purposes for which the
conversion order has been issued. This clearly deviates from and
constitutes a VIOLATION of the conversion order issued to the
respondent NQSRMDC."

b. SMFI claims they made consultations but the resolution
referred to by San Miguel Foods Incorporated was a bogus resolution.
No such barangay council session favourably endorsing the piggery
project happened. Assuming without conceding that the Sangguniang
Barangay unanimously approved and endorsed the project, it cannot be
denied that it remains to be in violation of the law because Local
Government Units have NO POWER OF CONVERSION under the law as that
prerogative solely belongs to the Department of Agrarian Reform.

4) 144-hectare land is CARPable:

a. Sec 4 of RA 6657 provides that "The Comprehensive Agrarian
Reform Law of 1988 shall cover, regardless of tenurial arrangement and
commodity produced, all public and private agricultural lands as
provided in proclamation no. 131 and Executive Order no. 229,
including other lands of the public domain suitable for agriculture.

b. The area is considered prime agricultural land that is
traversed by an irrigation facility. (A basis for the Order denying
the conversion from agricultural to agro-industrial issued by DAR
Secretary Ernesto Garilao on Nov. 14, 1994).

c. 144-hectare land is adjacent to the constantly quoted Carlos
Estate that was already CARPed. In fact, the 2 sections of the one
big CARPable land are just divided by barbed wires.

5) 144-hectare land is Higaonons' ANCESTRAL LAND

a. The forefathers of the Higaonon Indigenous Cultural
Communities led by tribal leaders Apo Manuagay Anlicao and Apo
Mangganiahon were the early settlers.

b. The land was considered "balaang yuta" for the Higaonons, at
the same time, the seat of the government for the tribal leaders where
the traditional "pamuhat" and "paghusay" were conducted.

6) The Sumilao farmers are the LEGAL and MORAL OWNERS of the 144
hectares:

a. This is the first and foremost reality that should not be
evaded by stating availability of other idle government lands. The
144-hectare land is their holy and ancestral land being Higaonons.
Why should they be given other lands when they are the rightful owners
of the 144-hectare land?

b. If SMFI knows that there are other lands available, why did it
have to displace indigenous peoples who are qualified to claim the 144
hectares of land?

7) Strong support from CREDIBLE, INTELLIGENT, EXPERIENCED,
AUTHORITATIVE and HIGHLY RESPECTED individuals and institutions who
also studied the case:

a. Former DAR Secretaries and Undersecretaries. Sec. Abad even
said that "DAR should always stand beside the farmers. In the case
of Sumilao, the facts are very clear." (PDI, 12/08/07 )

b. Legal luminaries, various lawyers' groups and law schools.
Constitutionalist Fr. Joaquin Bernas, SJ said "The welfare of the
underprivileged need not be achieved the big business way. Let the
little people decide what is best for themselves and for their dignity
as human beings – especially since they have the law on their side! "
(PDI, 12/24/07)

c. Church Authorities, several Bishops, Dioceses, religious
organizations including Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan, Catholic
Educational Association of the Philippines, Association of Major
Religious Superiors of the Philippines, and countless others.
Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales emphasized the higher moral principle that
called for kindness, love, sympathy and compassion for the poor. (PDI,
12/21/07)

8) SMFI Legal Counsel is DAR's former Assistant Secretary for
Legal Affairs who knows too well that the 144-hectare land is
CARPable, that the Sumilao farmers are qualified beneficiaries and
that the Supreme Court's approval of the conversion is subject to
conditions. Furthermore, one may also simply look at the following
documents to see the truth:

a. Tax declaration clearly stating the land is AGRICULTURAL;

b. History of the title;

c. Deed of Sale .

As regards development, The Church through the Vatican's Pontifical
Council for Justice and Peace issued the official document last month
(November 23, 2007) entitled "Towards a Better Distribution of Land:
The Challenge of Agrarian Reform." Here are some salient points:

o Many developing countries have sought to modernize their
economies as quickly as possible by basing themselves for the most
part on the often unjustified belief that rapid industrialization can
bring about an improvement in general economic well-being, even if
agriculture suffers in the process.

o Imbalances in the division of land ownership and the
policies giving rise to and sustaining them are the source of serious
obstacles to economic development. Such imbalances and policies can
have economic consequences which affect the majority of the population.

o Agrarian reform is one of the most urgent reforms and
cannot be delayed. In many situations, radical and urgent changes
are therefore needed in order to restore to agriculture – and to rural
people – their just value as the basis for a healthy economy, within
the social community's development as a whole.

Furthermore, Economists from Ateneo de Manila University stated that
"In economic development, it is widely recognized that effective land
reform is a sine qua non of agricultural change and rapid economic
growth. Countries that have undertaken effective land reform not only
have had more robust agricultural growth and productivity, they also
have enjoyed a better distribution of income and lower rates of poverty. "

The effect on growth and development will be much greater if CARP was
implemented more decisively.

We end with SALFA President Napoleon Merida, Jr.'s sentiments:

"The very point of our 1,700 kilometer walk was to make our rights of
the land very compelling and difficult to ignore. We chose a very
peaceful way of asserting our rights even if it meant a big sacrifice
for us. We succeeded in gaining a recognition of our rightful claim
over the land and the injustices that we have endured over the last
decade. For once, the public, the Church and even the Office of the
President have seen our side and have recognized that the law is on
our side. Now, through their expensive full-page ad SMFI is trying to
paint a picture of itself as the savior of the farmers of Bukidnon and
that we have no right over our land. What is the price of justice
then? Is it worth P2.4B in investments? "

ny list

The only times I made a list of New Year's resolutions were in school. And it only took me a few days to break them all. If not for the extra points in English class, I wouldn't have bothered.

This year, I 've decided to make a list, not for myself but for other people instead. Here goes:

1. When inside the cinema, theatre, places of worship, etc., remember to turn that bloody cellphone off! Or if you don't want to, put it in silent mode, at least. It is rude to interrupt one's viewing experience by the blaring sound caused by your mobile phone.

2. Read a book. And if you like it, buy me a copy.

3. Pull those trousers up, nobody wants to see your butt crack.

4. Quit smoking. You know it's a bad habit.

5. Do us a favor by keeping the volume of your Ipod low. If you want to break your eardrums, suit yourself. But for world peace, spare us My Humps.

6. If you can, walk. By doing so, you're hitting two birds with one stone. Not only is it friendly to the environment, it also helps keep the body fit.

7. It's bad enough that you don't shower when you come to work, but could you at least put some deodorant on. And brushing your teeth is not a bad idea, either.

8. Conserve water. Shower with a friend. If you haven't one, a pet. And if you're that lucky, with your friend who is also your pet.

9. It's 2008, open your mind to new ideas. Your beliefs shouldn't put you back in the middle ages. Reading in dim lights doesn't damage your eyes.

10. Sometime this year, pack your bags and travel to some place nice. I personally invite you (if you're not Filipino) to visit the Philippines. Despite its flaws, it's still a wonderful place to visit. And to my kababayans, re-discover our 7,107 islands. Pandan Island in Mindoro Occidental is one place to start.

Seize all the fantastic opportunities that the new year will bring. And may all of us be good. Your Merry Christmas may depend on what others do for you, but your Happy New Year depends on what you do for others.

marunong ka bang mag-basa?

Jessica Zafra said:

"This is the idea: I’m going to campaign for Reading. I’m going to devote time and energy to persuading (and if necessary, forcing) people to read books. In my personal observation, there just isn’t enough reading going on in this city. Ever sit alone in a restaurant reading a book? Before long, someone’s going to come up to you and ask who’s with you. Are you waiting for your friends? Can they sit with you until company arrives? Because surely you can’t be sitting alone, reading a book by choice. How do you explain that the book IS the company?"

Click here for more.

It's a wonderful idea to campaign for Reading. Books tell us a lot of things. The past, present and future. Here, there and way beyond. They give us answers to Who, What, When, Where, Why and How? I myself did not get into it till my 20s. And when I did, I asked myself why I haven't started earlier on. Ask my brother and two sisters, and they will tell you how I always tell them to pick up a book. They don't have to be the classics. It would be great if it was a Steinbeck or Shakespeare. But we've got different tastes, I know. So it doesn't really matter, sometimes.

To Ms. Zafra, I wish you goodluck. Who knows? Perhaps one day, we all can get them brown asses inside museums.

toilet confessions

"Yes, I am one of them. I read in the loo."

Upon hearing my revelation, my flatmates started their tirades against me. Unbelievable, disgusting, a sacrilege and unholy were some of the words they used as they persecute me for being guilty of doing something disgraceful. I should be ashamed, one of them said. For a couple of minutes, I sat still on the couch as I listen to them rattle on non-stop. Their words piercing my chest like arrows from a battalion of elves.

Before you start typing obscenities and crucify me for committing something distasteful, hear me out first. Please.

Like most of y'all, I believe reading is such a great thing. I also believe that we can only learn so much. And that most of the time, we won't come upon the truth when we don't do anything. Sometimes, we have to read those boring and dull compilations of printed pages to learn something new and discover something different.

It was The Alchemist that started it all. Paulo Coelho's fable about following your dream is as powerful as it is inspiring. I was an instant fan. And immediately after reading it, I longed for more. Soon, I met Kurt Vonnegut, Jack Kerouac, Truman Capote and many others.

I can read anywhere. Dim lights don't bother me. I finished Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince at four in the morning with very little light. As a result, I'm now wearing glasses. The poor road conditions of Mindoro did not stop me from finishing Da Vinci Code in sixteen hours as I journey from Manila to my hometown. Having said that, I don't see any reason why I can't read in the loo.

The toilet, and I can say this with utmost honesty, is one of my favorite places in the house. Other than my bedroom, it is a place where I find peace. With its immaculate white walls and gleaming tiles, I consider it a sanctuary. Shoot me for saying this, but I actually think, it was a wonderful idea reading One Hundred Years of Solitude while sitting on my throne.

Besides, how many of us can take pride in saying, we've shared a toilet with Albert Camus, F. Sionil Jose , Banana Yoshimoto, Isabel Allende and Bill Clinton?