Traffic

"Traffic.. too bad nakaka-badtrip... ". That was a line of an old TV jingle. I guess that San Miguel Beer commercial was effective since I often find myself singing to that tune in the middle of traffic.

Believe it or not, the small city of Dumaguete has its own share of traffic problems too. Yesterday morning, it took me almost 30 minutes (28 minutes to be exact) to travel from home to school, a distance of approximately 4 kilometers. The traffic jam that morning was one of the worst I've experienced in Dumaguete, considering that there was no road accident or other mishaps that could have caused the congestion. Good thing I was driving an automatic that time. Normally, at regular speed and regular traffic, it would take me about 8 minutes to cover that route. Two years ago as an undergrad, that number was around 6 minutes. This proves that (aside from me being a frustrated statistician and numbers-keeper) traffic is becoming worse in the city.

The roads are quite narrow and there aren't a lot of alternative routes to get from one point to another. And then there's the fact that there are a lot of vehicles in the city. Someone once said that Dumagueteños are very much into cars and the number of fancy cars here could rival those of the bigger cities.

Then of course there's the presence of pedicabs (a term for a motorcycle with sidecar) that infest the city. The pedicab drivers speed up, then take a sudden stop or U-turn without any regard for safety or road courtesy. It somehow boils down to the driver's discipline on the road and consideration for others. Drivers do not observe proper traffic rules. There are a lot of traffic signs that never get observed. Just try driving around Dumaguete and I'm pretty sure you'd see what I mean in a few minutes. An uncle observed before that if one knows how to drive in Dumaguete, then driving in other cities would be a piece of cake. That probably best explains how undisciplined Dumaguete drivers are.

When I drive along the National Highway from the public market to PNB, I am amused at how vehicles overtake left and right, the drivers cut in, take a sharp turn or sudden stop. That zone is what I like to call the "free-for-all freeway". Drivers do not follow a certain lane, and one time the road even clogged up to 6 vehicles each in different lanes! Even ants are more organized than this.

Then there's also the physical condition of our roads. It's good that the city has started to cement much of the roads, but there are still quite a number of sections that are really terrible. The road at Lo-oc for example, where you get to experience a "roller-coaster" ride. I believe the reason for these "wavy" roads is because of the soft soil beneath our city. That's what one of my elementary school teachers said. Because of the bad conditions of some roads, and the need to fix them often, a lot of detours and one-ways are implemented. As one classmate said, Dumaguete is a one-way city. There are lots of one way streets to help facilitate traffice and even more because of constructions going on.

These roads should be fixed first. Dumaguete's population will drastically lessen during summer and I hope construction of roads would be hastened during this time in preparation for late May when the population goes back to normal again. The Lo-oc road has been under construction for more than two years already. I noticed that the construction is on and off. It's not finished all at once. Hopefully it would be done soon. The opening of the Lo-oc road would certainly help ease traffic congestion because this is where big trucks and Ceres buses pass, instead of the other narrower roads.

Speaking of trucks, I wish there was still another alternative route that would go from Sibulan to Bacong directly. That way, vehicles that travel from north to south without the intention of being in Dumaguete, could choose this route. Many cargo trucks go from north to south or vice-versa but because there's no other way, they have to pass through Dumaguete. I know this is asking to much, but I believe this option could be studied. I once got from Bacong directly to Valencia (Palinpinon) then through the Dumaguete outskirts (Camanjac) to Pulantubig. Then there's also a route that goes from Camanjac direct to Sibulan via Barangay Magatas. Maybe somewhere along, this alternate route could be realized.

Alternate roads really help. Just recall when the Lo-oc bypass was completed. That, to me, was a very good project. In fact, it helped a lot during the Silliman University Centennial Celebration in August 2001 (by far the busiest month - not only in terms of traffic - in Dumaguete's history). The same should be done with the road that connects Aldecoa Drive (between the SU Medical Center and SU Ballfield) to E.J. Blanco Drive. It already exists but there's just this one property that blocks the path somewhere at the middle. I believe an expropriation case is already in progress but I'm not sure of its current status.

There was much debate regarding the overpass construction at Hibbard Avenue. Personally, I was against it, but still I commend the proponent and the people behind this project for their noble intentions. Whether you like it or not, that's not important anymore since it's already nearing its completion. I believe the project's purpose is to lessen traffic congestion at that area. If that is the case, then make the overpass the only option. I've heard that crossing the street will still be allowed. That just defeats the purpose.

In my honest opinion, it worsens traffic. Let's just see about this a few months from now.

I believe decongestion would also help. I suggest moving some of the establishments somewhere in the outskirts. An example would be having city hall (and all the offices attached) transferred to Bajumpandan. If I'm not mistaken, there was already a proposal similar to this before. Some other government institutions should be moved away from the heart of the city. It would have been better if the Hall of Justice was built somewhere else.

Right now, everything seems to be congested in the downtown area. I was happy when Hypermart opened in Lower Bagacay, at least it somehow diverted some traffic out of the city proper. Hopefully also, Robinson's would open somewhere far from downtown. Let's be realistic. Our "downtown" now would not remain the same after some years. Just look at Cebu. Their "downtown" used to be at the Colon area. But it's now known as the "old city" and newer buildings were established in other areas like the reclamation area (where SM City currently is) and Ayala. That certainly helped "decongest" Cebu.

Too many stars...

For the 3rd straight year, legendary Spanish football (soccer) club Real Madrid will not be taking home any major championship trophy, after their early exit in the UEFA Champions League. I woke up at 3 this morning just to watch them draw the 2nd leg of their last-16 match against English team Arsenal 0-0. Real Madrid lost on a 1-0 aggregate score since Arsenal won the 1st leg played at Madrid two weeks ago 1-0 on a brilliant goal by captain Thierry Henry. Although it was a goal-less game, it was nonetheless exciting till the end. I was of course rooting for Real, and they had lots of chances, including two near-misses by captain Raul. I also thought Ronaldo should have been awarded a penalty in the first half after being tackled from behind by Roberto.

This only proves one thing. The better team would always emerge victors. Sure, on paper Real Madrid would seem much better, with the likes of superstars Ronaldo, Zidane, Beckham, and Raul in their squad. The club, led by president Florentino Pérez, who had recently resigned, has made a habit of buying at least one galáctico (superstar) every year. (A Galáctico is a term used to describe a world-famous soccer player who transfers to Real Madrid). To show you how much star-power its lineup has, over the past 6 years under Pérez's helm, these are some of the players acquired by the club:

2000 - Luis Figo (2001 World Player of the Year)
2001 - Zinedine Zidane (1998, 2000, 2003 World Player of the Year)
2002 - Ronaldo (1996, 1997, 2002 World Player of the Year)
2003 - David Beckham(2-time runner-up, World Player of the Year)
2004 - Michael Owen (2001 European Player of the Year)
2005 - Robinho (heralded as the next Pelé), Julio Baptista

Although this policy has certainly helped cement Real's status as perhaps the world's most prestigious and most popular club, it has so far had limited success on the pitch. If it's based on star quality, Real would certainly be the best team in the world. However, in the world of team sports, that's not always the case.

Recall a couple of years ago when the underdogs Detroit Pistons dominated the star-studded Los Angeles Lakers in the 2004 NBA Finals. The Lakers were a team of superstars - Shaquille O'neal, Kobe Bryant, Karl Malone, and Gary Payton. They were also guided by a "superstar" coach in the name of Phil Jackson, a man with 9 NBA championship rings. One more would have made it a ring for every finger.

On the other hand, the Pistons did not even have one who could be considered a superstar. Sure, they had good players like the Wallaces (Ben and Rasheed) as well as Chauncey Billups and Rip Hamilton, but none of them were big-names. What they had though was dedication to play as a team on both ends of the floor. They did not care who scored the most points or who got the biggest attention. They were clearly the better team on the court. And they surprised the Lakers and everyone else except me (I knew they were gonna win it all even before the playoffs) by winning the title in a modern day David versus Goliath story.

Another example would be the United States' basketball Dream Team, a team composed of NBA superstars. Of course, it was not like the original Dream Team that ran away with the Olympic gold medal in the 1992 Barcelona games. The players on that team, led by Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and Larry Bird, were all superstars but they also knew how to play as a team. Perhaps, that would remain the greatest team ever assembled in the history of sports.

The most recent USA team, however, placed a very disappointing 6th in the 2002 World Championship and 3rd in the 2004 Olympics. How can a team led by Tim Duncan, Allen Iverson, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and a whole bunch of other superstars lose? You may say that the rest of the world is catching up with the United States, but the bigger reason is that you can't simply toss in the best players and assume that they'd become the best team too. You have to consider the chemistry and balance, and how they play as a unit.

Team USA has began its preparation for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. All players, regardless of their star status will have to do something new to most NBA stars: tryout for the team. Team USA director Jerry Colangelo announced the list of 23 players who will try out for the team in July. Colangelo and coach Mike Krzyzewski will pick a 15-man roster (with 12 active players). Interestingly, 2004 USA co-captain Allen Iverson was not invited.

Unlike the previous Dream Teams, the roster will not be composed of the biggest names available. They would have more role players like Bruce Bowen, Luke Ridnour, and Shane Battier, who were all invited to the tryouts.

The bottom line is that these are team sports. The better team should win. It's not the name at the back of the jersey that matters, but it's the one at the front that's important.

20 years after EDSA

Owe it to our heroes’
Ultimate sacrifices
Sweat, blood, and sorrows
Till freedom’s joy arises

Generations have come and gone
Life wasted one by one
Our fight for truth and equality
Resent for evil’s tyranny
In the end we still wonder somehow
Asking, “Where are we right now?”

Chocoholic

I love chocolates. I crave for them all the time. I love them all - from Godivas, Van Houtens, and Cadburys, to Reese's, KitKats, and even Flat Tops, Gandours and Knick Knacks. It doesn't matter if they're the cheapest ones, as long as they taste good.

Since I was younger I was always likes sweets. Although what's weird is that I don't like candies or other sweets that are not chocolate-flavored that much. It seems like my addiction zeroes in to chocolates only in whatever form - chocolate bars, ice cream, candies, milk. Heck, even my toothpaste right now is chocolate-flavored. (Thanks to Unilever executive Ernest Dale Acar for some freebies!)

When I was little, I used to go with my mom to Cang's all the time. She shopped for some stuff while I just tail her wherever she went. The important part was when we went out. We would always stop by the chocolate counter near the exit, and I would usually get a Nestlè Crunch for being obedient. That was sort of a routine already. If it wasn't blue-covered Crunch, then it would either be the red or white one (I forgot the names of these other Nestlè chocolate bars.

I also recall in elementary school when I had a pocket in my school bag that was exclusive for chocolates only. I stock my sweets, usually individual Flat Tops or Curly Tops, there and during class, I'd take some from time to time. I remember also the "buying outside" days wherein the usual snack was the choco powdered milk consumed using a straw.

Our high school canteen had Flat Tops and Curly Tops so it was no problem. However, new types of chocolates were also introduced. First, there was Stick-O. It was a barquillos-like stick with chocolate filling and stripes. Then there was Choki-choki. It was a small tube-like plastic wherein you had to bite one tip to make an opening and then suck the chocolate from the inside - much like the concept of "ice-candies." There were two ways to consume it. You could take in the chocolate while it was still firm or you could first twist it between your hands for several minutes to let it melt and then eat it.

Among my other favorites are: Cadbury Whole Nut, Cadbury Time Out, Nestlè Kitkat, and Hershey's Reese's peanut-butter cups. I also love Twix and Hershey's Barnone, although I couldn't find these anymore.

As to drinks, I also have a lot of favorites. I love the Chocolait drink (now called Chuckie's) and the counterparts from other brands. In fact, there was once wherein everytime we had a drinking (shottings) session at Escaño, I'd make sure I brought a chocodrink along with the beer and other alcoholic drinks we bought, not to mention a KitKat or Hello chocolate bar.

At home, I drink Milo and sometimes even my neice's Sustagen Kids chocodrink. I also like adding chocolate flavoring to my milk, like Brown Cow, or simply adding Koko Crunch. I also stop by Caltex often just to drink Milo Shake or Mocha Java.

When I study in Dunkin' Donuts, I have with me Hot Chocolate and all types of choco-flavored doughnuts. I prefer also Cookies & Cream-flavored polvoron from Goldilocks. I love a good chocolate cake. Sans Rival's Concorde and any Black Forest or Cookie Monster cake.

My favorite ice cream flavor is Double Dutch. As a kid, it was Chocolate Marble. I also like Cookies & Cream and Mocha Fudge. I also enjoy chocolate ice cream bars like Twin Popsies and even the local ones like Supreme.

I love chocolate cookies. I remember the chocolate-covered Cream-Os which I used to eat a lot. Then there's Chips Delight, a chocolate-chip cookie covered with chocolate strips, Oreos, and Chips Ahoy!. Last week alone, for 4 days straight, I consumed a box of Chips Ahoy! every night. I spent more than 400 bucks on sweets - kinda costly considering I should have used that 100 daily on gas. I then had to settle for the less expensive ones.

I guess you could call me a chocolate addict. It has come to a point wherein I really crave for sweets. One night, at around 2 am, I suddenly had a craving for chocolates so I had to go to Sted's St. Paul's to buy some. During the middle of class, I go out once in a while to buy chocolates at Sted's Silliman. I should probably blame Sted's.

Should I be worried? I bet my blood sugar's at a high level. Considering that my family has a history of diabetics, I guess I should be. I used to tell myself that I'm still young, but then again, I'm getting older and yet my love for chocolates has not mellowed down a bit.

In the end though, I always put it this way: It's better to be a Chocoholic than an Alcoholic.

And guess what I'm eating right now while writing this?

40 Days, 40 Nights

I’m not talking about the movie "40 Days, 40 Nights" wherein Josh Hartnett’s character gave up sex and other physical intimacies for 40 days. Instead, I’m talking about the traditional type of “sacrificing” during the Lenten season.

The Bible has mentioned a lot of characters who underwent fasting usually up to 40 days and nights such as:

Moses

And the LORD said unto Moses, Write thou these words: for after the tenor of these words I have made a covenant with thee and with Israel. And he was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights; he did neither eat bread, nor drink water. And he wrote upon the tables the words of the covenant, the ten commandments.

Exodus 34:27-28

Elijah

And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God.

1 Kings 19:8

Jesus

Then Jesus was led up into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterwards hungry

Matthew 4:1-2

Today, Ash Wednesday, March 1, 2006, I embark in a different kind of fasting. I would give up eating meat and drinking soft drinks. So far, so good. I hadn’t eaten meat all day. My fasting would end exactly 40 days from now on Palm Sunday, April 9, 2006.

Just to make it clear, the “meat” I’m referring to includes only beef and pork. I’m free to eat chicken, fish, and the others.

Good thing Tanjay Fiesta doesn't fall within the Lent season

That means skipping the “lechons” during the series of balls and graduation parties later this month, not to mention my neice’s third birthday party next week. It could also mean not eating meat when I (hopefully) go to Boracay at the end of March. That would be fine though, considering all the good sea foods available there.

As to soft drinks, that would include all Coca-Cola (Coke, Sprite, Royal, Lift) and Pepsi-Cola (Pepsi, 7-up, Mirinda, Mountain Dew) products as well as those from lesser-known names. I have tried lasting 4 months without soft drinks so I’m confident I’ll be able to make it for 40 days.

I’m hoping also that this would perhaps help in my goal of losing weight, not exactly to trim down (and look better physically), but more importantly for health reasons.

This may not seem like a big sacrifice. But personally, it’s not that easy coz I’m a big meat-lover. Wish me all the luck!

These are some of the updates on my fasting:

Day 1

It was Ash Wednesday so meat was never served at home. I ate shrimps and fish for lunch. That afternoon, a colleague brought some layers of pizza and I had no choice but to eat the vegetarian kind. A tougher task was later that night at the 1st birthday party of my kinugus Alexa Ruperto-Arnaiz at the governor's residence. I had to skip two lechons and all the other great dishes prepared by Lindai's Catering.

Day 2

It was the despedida of my first cousin, Baging Ruperto-Godiñez, who would be returning to the US that afternoon. The party was held at Piapi and again I forced myself not to get any lechon. I ate fish and squid and just drank water.

Day 5

Good thing there were lots of seafood dishes for lunch at home. I ate fish, shrimps, squid, and a special type of Dangguit. Yummy!

Day 7

It was the 3rd birthday party of my neice Ashley Simone Ruperto-Teves or Sim for short that afternoon and again I had to skip the lechon. I had to eat chicken, spaghetti without the meatballs, and lots of dessert!

Day8

Reggae Wednesday at Hayahay with cousins and friends. I haven't gone out in a while and I crave for pepperoni pizza. But no can't do. I just ordered Lumpiang Bangus and Calamares.

Day10

Again in Hayahay, and later at El Camino. Didn't eat any food though... just a couple of beers.

Day11

Cause Party overnight "victory" party at Kho's (coincidence?) beach house in Bacong, Negros Oriental. There were two lechons and lots of yummy dishes. I ended up eating tuna spaghetti (i dunno the exact term), chicken ala king, kinilaw, and lots of brownies, choco trillion and other sweets.

Day12

It was the birthday of my friend and former IT classmate Tatchie Gabay at Forest Camp. Again I skipped the lechon and just ate chicken and the yummy cookie monster cake!

Day15

I had an exam in Constitutional Law II the next day and I hadn't studied nor read the 400+ pages assigned yet. I needed food to keep me up all night. I went to Ricky's and bought tuna, bread, lots of chocolates, Chips Ahoy, and ham spread. Yup, ham spread, I forgot it contained meat! Good thing I realized that just before I opened the bottle. Anyway, I was glad mom made Chicken Salad just for my personal consumption.

Day17

The CITCS Seniors Night was held again at Honeycomb and as I was getting my food, I never realized that what I got was actually pork. It looked a lot like fish. When I took a slice, however, I knew it was pork and I disappointedly had to give it to a companion.

Day 18

The food during dinner at home were all pork or beef, so I had to eat at Bethel. I ate Diced Fish in Sweet & Sour and consumed a good-for-two serving.

Day 22

Graduation party of my nephew, and again no lechon for me. The two kinds of chicken were good, and so was the fish. I also ate lots of dessert.

Day 26

There were 3 lechons during the annual CITCS graduates' lunch and all I ate was fish fillet. That night, my cousin, Dino Bautista who just got his Nursing degree at SU earlier, celebrated at his house and again I skipped the lechons. The same happened at the joint party of a high school classmate of mine, Christy Camacho, who finished her Management course, and the sister of my friend Gino Dionaldo, who graduated from high school.

Day 30

I failed. I folded. I caved in to the pressure. We were at Boracay and the menu for the free breakfast buffet had no seafoods - all meat. Darn it! It was free and I did not want to spend some more just to buy some other kind of food. Basically, it was a question of practicality. So I had to eat what was on the table and quit my 40-day fasting.

CONCLUSION:

It was good while it lasted. My fasting was cut short by 10 days, and yet 1 month wasn't that easy, ya know. So, I'm still proud of lasting that long without meat, softdrinks, and chips. Next year, probably chocolates!