I gave him that shirt!

Forgive the bragging Ninang. But if you're nephew looked this cute, you'd be posting random pictures as well.

I swear this isn't a guy in a panda suit

For more adorable panda photos, click on "gallery" on the upper right corner.

Repulse Bay 2008

Gooooo Sarah!

I'm not a Republican or a Democrat (I'm not even American!), but I'm extending this plea to all Americans registered to vote: please vote for John McCain.

Please.

If he wins, the next four or even eight years will be so entertaining with Sarah Palin as VP. She reminds me of Alma Moreno as Mayor of Paranaque. No, wait. Vilma Santos. Yes, Governor Vilma Santos.

Imagine Ate V being a heartbeat away from being the leader of the free world?!?

It's a blessing in the skies!

(But seriously, watch Katie Couric's interview of Palin. It is breathtaking.)

O.B.F.!

I'm thrilled about Ateneo's UAAP win.

As expected, another win during a year I am unconnected with (and physically removed from) ADMU. I was a student for 8 years, faculty for two. You think we'd squeeze in a win during the DECADE I was there.

In any case, I am very happy.

Halikinu from HK.

"I never liked you and I always will"*

I'd like to think I get along with almost anyone. But there a few people I've crossed paths with whose company I do not really enjoy. Of that small group, there is a handful of people I have tried to like. And I mean *really* tried. I mean extending and accepting invitations to dinner and dimsum. I mean spending precious free time with these people I've told myself I should like -- even if I find them despicable.

Usually they're married to friends. Other times they're good friends of friends.

After years of trying I've come to realize that certain people, like certain chemicals, just don't mix. And no amount of fancy dinners or dimsum (or stirring) will help.

*Samuel Goldwyn

Self-learned lessons

Let me preface this post by saying that I wish this guy the best. I really do. This post is not meant to be sarcastic. It is an honest reaction to sloppy thinking and sloppy writing.

-0-

I received a "cold" e-mail today from someone who was looking for a job at The Firm. I do not know said someone and the only thing actually connecting me and him is the fact that we are both Philippine qualified lawyers.

He asked me for any "tips" or "suggestions" that I might give him to help him in his job search. I was afraid I'd put him off if I replied candidly to his note, so I didn't. Instead I thanked him for his interest in The Firm and referred him to The Firm's recruitment officer.

If I could though, this is what I'd tell him --

1. Don't send cold emails. The only thing worse than not looking for a job is sending cold e-mails. That actually hurts your chances. You need to approach people you have real connections with. Sharing the same colored passport with someone is not a valid connection.

However, if you *must* send a cold email, then do your research on this person and try to *make* a connection to your subject.

"My name is X, we went to the same school." or

"My name is X, I think we both know Y."

Again, the whole "we were born in the same archipelago" line does not work.

2. Research. Before you write a note to someone you know, read-up on the person's law firm. I'm not talking about breaking-out-the-microfilm research, I'm talking about going to the firm's website and browsing. Don't ask a question that can be easily answered by a five- minute tour of a website.

3. Don't ask stupid questions. This is related to point 2 above, but is meant to apply more generally. Remember when you were in high school and your history teacher said there are no such things as stupid questions? Well, your teacher was wrong. Questions reveal not what you don't know, but what you know. So ask wisely.

4. Don't use the word "clueless". You correctly described your questions to me as clueless. If you thought this was cute and self-deprecating, you are mistaken. "Clueless" is a synonym for stupid.

I feel bad putting this guy in his place, but when I applied to The Firm, I sent only one email -- a note to the recruitment officer. I didn't write anyone I knew (or didn't know) who happened to be working there. I didn't ask stupid questions, I went to the website, I did my homework.

Is that too much to ask of someone else? (See the point I made in no. 3)

Misleading rates

Don't get me wrong -- despite Cebu Pacific's misleading rates, I am still a fan of Gokongwei's budget airline.

On my last trip, both my outgoing and incoming flights were on time. My flight to HK was actually early.

What's lousy though is what I think are misleading promotions. CP claims they have a seat sale. And while the cost of the ticket is in fact cheap -- Php3,000 two-way from Manila to HK for any weekend in November, the "taxes and surcharges" component of their fees have increased significantly. I ticket advertised at Php3,000 will actually cost you nearer Php9,000. (That's 200% more than what CP claims the ticket costs.)

Now Php9,000 is still reasonable, and I think CP is doing a great job. So why don't they just say what the real price of the ticket is, instead of getting our hopes up with bogus adverts.

You can thank me later

UAAP finals are around the corner. Ateneo La Salle.

I'm in town the Sunday of Game 1, but leave shortly after the game starts.

Four weekends of September

1 - the Pogi's (yes, that's what I call them) in town. Lots of laughs, lots of duck.

2 - KL. I need to blog about the Ramadan buffet. Lots of sleep, lots of curry.

3 - Manila to celebrate Inday's birthday. Lots of paella.

4 - Campers in town. I foresee lots of late night conversations fueled by Absolut Mango.

Letter to the editor

In her blog, Jessica Zafra reproduces a quote from Washington SyCip. The quote is meant to be one of these funny jabs at lawyers. It goes -- "We have too many lawyers, we can't even export them."

It would have been almost funny if it were accurate.

From an exported lawyer to an aging accountant -- we've been exporting lawyers since the 70's. Now they don't even need expensive American masteral degrees. They're being hired for regional posts with *only* Philippine J.D.'s.

I'd post a response on her site, but I can't be bothered to log into Wordpress.

What I thought was funny was SyCip's quote being listed along with one from April Boy Regino.

Jona's Petronas

Leftovers

Some dishes are meant to be left overs.  They literally taste better the next day.  The flavors seep in, the meat softens.  

On the other hand, some dishes are meant to be consumed immediately.  In just a few minutes, they go limp, soggy.  The zing goes away and no amount of microwaving will bring it back.

Google Chrome rocks

I've started using Google's new Internet browser, Chrome.  It's wonderful -- rendering is clear, layout intuitive and super hyper fast.  Some small things still don't work (like some pop-ups on Facebook) and my office's remote access still needs to get configured on it.  There is no automatic spellcheck feature that I love (my Mother will say that I *need*) but otherwise, it is a great great start for Google.

Chrome will definitely out perform Explorer which is just too "heavy" and clunky and s   l   o   w.   Firefox is great (and it's the browser I usually use) but Chrome has some novelty and is fun to try. Actually with Chrome's layout and overall design, you'd think Google hired a disgruntled Firefox engineer to build Chrome.  

If you have a 2 minutes to download Chrome, I suggest you do.  I'm not sure if it will "change the way we surf" the way Gmail changed email, but it's pretty darned good.  

Remembering Nanay

My maternal grandmother died 16 years ago today.

I am approaching an age when she will have been more absent than present in my life.

I know it's just time passing, but I need to think about this some more.