Worked an hour on seventh glaze.

Wow--a campaign parade of QC candidates for councilor positions just passed through P, Tuazon Boulevard. It was comprised of hundreds of vehicles including open trucks with loud, blaring music, drum bands, and colorfully dressed cheering squads. There was no traffic because it's Labor Day and all of them smoothly rolled by--yet, it took all of 30 minutes for all of them to pass through!

Staggered lunchtimes. 

Good morning, Cubao!

The sun is a brass band marching through the neighborhood.

Something falls from the sky.

Good night, Cubao!

Even in darkness, the auspicious direction is east.

One Message For One Of 286 Friends, One Every Night Of The Year

You with two syllables in your name: Never take things for granted. Look for the blessing in everything, as though you were unwrapping a box that contains a precious gift.

Asked David to bring some food over to M.'s cafe staff.

Night chores.

My favorite time of the day has come again: an evening shower, and then snuggling in bed with a Netflix movie.

Staggered dinnertimes.

One-hour, afternoon nap.

Angelique and Jazz arrived from their volleyball day out.

A delivery arrived.

Worked half an hour on sixth gaze.

Alkaline water delivery, 45 gallons.

Brian reported for work this afternoon and is cleaning the floors on the ground floor.

An early lunch at home alone; Angelique and Jazz are still out on their volleyball day and Aubrey asleep after her night shift.

Worked half an hour on fifth glaze.

Antique, brass Infinito belt buckle, worn at the hip like a police badge.

Good morning, Cubao!

The sun rides through the streets in a yellow caravan.

Two-hour, deep tissue massage. Ended midnight.

Good night, Cubao!

The young student of magic cleans up his study desk for the night.

One Message For One Of 283 Friends, One Every Night Of The Year

You with three syllables in your name: You tend to rush things as soon as the sun begins to set. Remain calm and centered. The onset of darkness is not a deadline.

Asked David to bring some food over to M.'s cafe staff.

Night chores.

My favorite time of the day has come again: an evening shower, and then snuggling in bed with a Netflix movie.

Jazz arrived.

Staggered dinnertimes.

Your Messenger message:

"Hi po sir Tony, I am in ____________ and this gorgeous butterfly was flying above me normally when it suddenly dropped dead on the table in front of me…it landed with a thud and I checked on it to see if it was ok.

"Do things like this mean anything? Or am I just freaked out by a normal occurence?"

My reply:

Hello _________!

Butterflies and big moths, such as the atlas moth, are usually sent by ancestors who are spirit guides as messages.

In this particular case I believe you are being called upon to take care, because someone is not wishing you well.

One-hour, late afternoon nap.

Bought a pair of magic-flute fringes from The Untamed and tied them on the straps of my medieval scrip. The scrip is made of hand-knitted leather.

Angelique came down to lunch in the dining room.

Bought two glasses jalu-jalo at the neighborhood hawker's stand for Aubrey and myself.

Worked half an hour on fourth glaze.

An early lunch at home alone; Angelique still resting upstairs and Aubrey asleep after her night shift.

Retirement is not only freedom from supervisors, it is also the opportunity to show them that you are, and have always been, ten cuts above them all.

Swung by the neighborhood grocery. Did minor groceries.

Good morning, Cubao!

The sun is a king, the moon is a queen, but both of them are single.

Tornado.

Good night, Cubao!

Friends with mutual interests chat on computers, across the seas.

One Message For One Of 281 Friends, One Every Night Of The Year

You with two syllables in your name: Beware of strangers who appear to be helpful. They are predators.

As a matter of fact, beware even of friends who appear to be helpful.

The men cleaned and serviced Aubrey's air-conditioner two hours.

Aubrey preparing for her night shift.

Dinner at home with Angelique.

Brought some food over to M.'s cafe staff.

Night chores.

My favorite time of the day has come again: an evening shower, and then snuggling in bed with a Netflix movie.

Worked half an hour on third glaze.

Angelique and Aubrey came down to lunch in the dining room.

Worked an hour on second glaze.

A delivery arrived.

Now waiting for men to arrive and service Aubrey's air-conditioner.

Dangal ng Panitikan Awarding Ceremony, April 27, 2022

My acceptance speech:

Malaking pasasalamat sa Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino, sa NCCA, at sa National Book Development Board. Gusto ko ring magpasalamat sa isang taong wala rito--ang dating Consul General na si Richard Haynes ng American Embassy. Ang mga consul kasi at political officer ng Embassy, obligadong mag-aral ng Fiipino, Pinili ni Richard Haynes na pag-aralan ang Cubao series ko at panoorin ang maiikli kong dula sa isang festival na idinaos ng University of Asia and the Pacific. Binabanggit ko ito sapagkat namangha ako na pinag-aralan ng isang banyaga ang mga aklat ko at pinanood ang maiikling dula ko--at higit niyang naintindihan ang mga iyon kaysa ng mga karaniwang Pilipino.

So here is my three-minute message:

Hindi mamamatay ang panitikang Filipino pagkat patuloy itong pinag-aaralan sa maraming bansa, at pinananabikan ng libu-libo. Unang magugunaw ang mundo bago mamatay ito. 

Ang nananatiling mga lihim lamang ay kung bakit naging manunulat ang mga manunulat, at kung bakit sila nagsusulat. 

Ito ang aking lihim--mula sa ikaapat na baytang ng mataas na paaralan. Required subject ang Pilipino noon. Inatasan kami ng guro na pumili ng ilang pahina sa panitikang Ingles at isalin ang mga ito sa Filipino. Pinili ko ang tatlong pahina ng mga taludtod mula sa _Hound of Heaven_ ni Francis Thompson.

No'ng sumunod na linggo, tinawag ako ng guro sa harap ng klase at tinanong niya kung pa'no ko isinalin ang mga pahina. Inusisa niya kung saan nanggaling ang Filipino ko. Nagtanong din siya tungkol sa bokabularyong ginamit ko. Kalahating oras ako pinatayo roon. Iyon pala, hindi siya naniwala na ako ang nagsalin ng mga pahina. Ipinakita pa niya ang pagsasalin ko sa lahat ng guro sa faculty room. Lahat sila, sumang-ayon na hindi ako ang nagsalin ng mga pahina.

Sayang, wala pang Internet noon, kasi, kung mayro'n, hindi nila mahahanap ang pagsasalin ko sa anumang lugar kundi sa sarili kong social media.

Mula noon, nawalan ako ng paggalang sa mga naging guro ko. Nagpasiya akong maging manunulat noong araw ding iyon para patunayan sa kanila na mali ang kanilang paghuhusga.  Wala akong pinasasalamatang guro. Sila ang dahilan kung bakit ako naging manunulat. Kung di dahil sa kanila, malamang, bilyonaryo ako ngayon.

Sa kabila ng lahat, sa edad kong ito, patuloy akong magsusulat, pagkat, parehong naging matimbang sa akin ang panitikan ng pag-ibig at ang panitikan ng paghihiganti.

Sometimes, when a magical object such as a crystal, a wand, or a statuette breaks, it is because the energy within needs to create exits and entrances in particular areas of its choice in order to flow more freely. After you glue the pieces together the object will begin to function more effectively.

An authentic mage can be approached only on his own terms.

Good morning, Cubao!

Day fairies mend the skies with threads of golden sunshine.

Good night, Cubao!

I rest my head on no one's shoulder, but you may rest your head on mine.

One Message For One Of 275 Friends, One Every Night Of The Year

You with three syllables in your name: The secret to success as an artist is develop your own style and not emulate those of others.

I'm trying to give proper closure to this frazzling day but I still don't know how to do that. It's been seven years since I stepped out of the house to face a public audience. To be honest, I know that Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino was publishing two of my books but I didn't know that they would nominate me for a Dangal ng Panitikan award and give me only two weeks' notice to receive it. My recollection of the last few workshops I conducted in Singapore and in Bacolod City came rushing in, and I felt stressed. 

It was very nice to be dressed for an occasion again, especially with Aubrey, who chose our lunch venue and afterward one of her favorite coffee shops for coffee and dessert. I was also glad that Paul Dumol and one of his faculty members followed us to Mesa for lunch, where we had a pleasant, post-awarding-ceremonies conversation. But, I lost a painting day, and that day can never be recovered.

I do remember that I decided to go to the awarding ceremonies because one of the trophies was a bust of Balagtas, and I'd always wanted one. So, I'm reverently placing that and the heavy, brass medallion inside a glass etagere, and I'm hoping that I can finally wind down and have a good night's sleep tonight.

Tomorrow I'll just hole up in the studio area and refuse to admit anyone into our house.

Staggered dinnertimes; Angelique has online midterm exams and Aubrey preparing for her night shift.

Back from Komisyon sa Wikang Fiipino's Dangal ng Pantikian Award Ceremonies. Aubrey and Toto escorted me. A buffet lunch followed, but we went to Mesa and had lunch there instead, and then Aubrey gave me a treat at a coffee shop from her salary.

 

Having a cup of dark, Starbucks coffee in Vince's moustache cup--and the cup actually works!

Good morning, Cubao!

Sometimes, when a child wakes up from a dream, he looks around and sees that the dream has become reality.

Asked David to bring some food over to M.'s cafe staff.

Good night, Cubao!

Determiner whether anything needs to be changed in your night routine.

One Message For One Of 271 Friends, One Every Night Of The Year

You with five syllables in your name: Competition with others is seldom healthy. Simply focus on improving your own abilities.

Staggered dinnertimes.

Night chores.

My favorite time of the day has come again: an evening shower, and then snuggling in bed with a Netflix movie.

Worked half an hour on first glaze.

One-hour, mid-afternoon nap.

Vince sends me an Easter gift from the U.S. --a Dumbledore moustache cup! I MUST try this tomorrow!

It is never too late to disbelieve your religion.

Sudden gale storm in Cubao.

Stayed inside the small loggia, though. I love the trees whipping in the wind. I love the lashing rain. I love the water merrily screeching through the downspouts like children on a rollercoaster.

Lit cone incense in ceramic burners.

The goddess of the storm is my mother.

Angelique and Aubrey came down to lunch in the dining room.

Worked half an hour on fourteenth layer.

A very early lunch at home alone; Angelique studying for her online midterm exams and Aubrey asleep after her night shift.

Survival methods during the pandemic showed us that we can get things done without being physically present or even visible.

The problem is, many supervisors retain the cacique mentality from the Spanish colonial period. They feel very incompetent, very insecure, very lonely, and very alone when they are not surrounded by subordinates.

Things progress too slowly in the Philippines. I recall the time when communication stakeholders tried to fend off the arrival of mobile phones because of the changes it would bring.

No matter how urgent the need of a person, do NOT lend him or her your sewing machine and sewing equipment. ONLY YOU are supposed to handle those.

Good morning, Cubao!

The gnome vendor walks the streets selling lucky wallets.

Asked David to bring some food over to M.'s cafe staff.

Every talisman of Philippine magic corresponds to a cave in the Philippines where one mage entered and resided for a while. 

Good night, Cubao!

Night fairies strand stars into necklaces of brilliants.

One Message For One Of 269 Friends, One Every Night Of The Year

You with two syllables in your name: Make inquiries not just with one but with three, for one of those three will not give you the right information that you need.

Dinner at home with Angelique; Aubrey preparing for her night shift.

Night chores.

My favorite time of the day has come again: an evening shower, and then snuggling in bed with a Netflix movie.

Worked half an hour on thirteenth layer.

Bought two glasses jalu-jalo for Aubrey and myself at a neighborhood hawker's stand.

A delivery arrived.

Angelique and Aubrey came down to lunch in the dining room.

Worked half an hour on twelfth layer.

Your Messenger message:

"Hi Tony,

"I just had a dream and trying to interpret but can’t seem to get a more logical interpretation. In my dream, I was driving our car with _______—my husband as passenger. We were supposed to be traversing a coastal area when a very high tidal wave swooped on us. I was so scared that I just hugged Rudy and our car was engulfed by the wave. But our car got stuck on one of the high coral cliffs and we were safe. We got of the car and safely went into a village with various people waiting for the water to subside.

"Thank you for your help. Take care always."

Reply:

Hello_____!

This was an anxiety dream. It is related to one or both of your sons. You either discovered something unusual in their objectives and lifestyle or they revealed to you something about themselves that you were completely unprepared for.

They themselves do not appear in your dream because your psyche determined that, if they did, it would be extremely painful to you.

All I can say at this point is, let your children come into your own. They have their own lives to live. They don't have to grow up the way you did--and maybe they don't really want to."

Worked half an hour on eleventh layer.

An early lunch at home alone. Angelique has online internship and Aubrey asleep after her night shift.

Good morning, Cubao!

The day rises from a night of amazing dreams.

Good night, Cubao!

We sleep to the sound of distant wolves howling in the night.

One Message For One Of 265 Friends, One Every Night Of The Year

You with two syllables in your name: Do not be self-sacrificial for those who are not members of your family.

Asked Nino to send some food over to M.'s cafe staff.

Aubrey arrived home from her sleepover.

M. and his crew arrived home from their Sunday visit to Rose and her baby in Cavite. Intense cooking preparations for Sunday evening patrons.

Dinner at home with Angelique; Aubrey preparing for her night shift.

Night chores.

My favorite part of the day has come again: an evening shower, and then snuggling in bed with a Netflix movie.

Over a period of almost three years, the pandemic transformed urban neighborhoods into rural communities.

Worked half an hour on tenth layer.

One-hour, early afternoon nap.

Angelique came down to lunch in the dining room.

Worked half an hour on ninth layer.

An early lunch at home alone; Angelique still resting upstairs and Aubrey not yet home from her sleepover.

Good morning, Cubao!

The sun is a bowl of pancake batter.

He's A Creep, But So Am I

I Blocked one of you from my personal account and two Private Groups. He showed up unannounced at my house four days in a row during Easter week, sat beside the porch waiting to have a glimpse of me, and wanting to show me his beloved passages from the oracle guidelines and magical spells I Posted, off his cell phone. His siblings drove him away from their home--I never asked him why--and he is now essentially homeless, living out of a dirty backpack, hoping I would take him in. I finally yelled at him and threatened to give him a physical beating.

I do not take in vagabonds. They disgust me.

Whenever you show up unexpectedly, expect to be met by the Evil King. It's one of my most favorite subpersonalities. 

Know this, that in order to be a successful mage you have to be very rich, or receive a hefty and steady income from your salary and later on from your retirement pension, for you are first obliged to cover your family's needs, and then your needs, and then your household bills, and then your shopping--and only afterward your magical implements and talismans.

Never buy magical implements and talismans from Divisoria, off the sidewalk, or from online con artists. Anything authentic and real is never on bargain.

If you happen to be a student of magic and your master or mentor is heavily in debt, in dire need of finances, or unable to spend any money on you, leave him immediately. You are better off on your own.  

Good night, Cubao!

The gnome children sleep early after a full day of fun activities.

One Message For One Of 264 Friends, One Every Night Of The Year

You with two syllables in your name: Do your best in everything--whether it is a work-related task, a house chore, or a personal errand.

Staggered dinnertimes.

Asked David to bring some food over to M.'s cafe staff.

Night chores.

My favorite time of the day has come again: an evening shower, and then snuggling in bed with a Netflix movie.

Worked an hour on eighth layer.

David gave Keiko Kashigawa, Yukiko Taka, and Cloudy an anti-flea shampoo and then watered the plants in the roof deck. side balcony, front balcony, and ground-floor gardens.

Angelique came down to lunch in the dining room.

Worked half an hour on seventh layer.

Worked half an hour on sixth layer.

Staggered lunchtimes.

Aubrey is off to a sleepover with a high school friend.

Good morning, Cubao!

Saturday is a rest day for gnomes.

Two-hour, deep tissue massage. Ended past midnight.

Staggered dinnertimes.

Worked half an hour on fifth layer.

One-hour, afternoon nap.

Worked half an hour on fourth layer.

Worked half an hour on third layer.

Angelique came down to lunch in the dining room.

Took an early lunch at home alone; Angelique still resting upstairs and Aubrey asleep after her night shift.

Good morning, Cubao!

Gnome children wake up to a passing, lively parade.

Good night, Cubao!

The elves and the fairies have separate containers for different treasures.

One Message For One Of 264 Friends, One Every Night Of The Year

You with three syllables in your name: Everything you want and need are available. All you need to do is source them.

Asked David to bring some food over to M.'s cafe staff.

Night chores.

My favorite time of the day has come again: an evening shower, and then snuggling in bed with a Netflix movie.

Staggered dinnertimes; Angelique has classes through 9:30 M and Aubrey preparing for her night shift.

David watered the plants in the roof deck, side balcony, front balcony, and ground-floor gardens.

Bought a ream of ziggurats at D.'s store.

Worked half an hour on second layer.

Worked half an hour on first layer.

To harness energy into a power bundle, bind together three stones and three pieces of coral: one stone/piece of coral should be from a mountain/sea bottom in Luzon, another from a mountain/sea bottom in the Visayas, and the third from a mountain/sea bottom in Mindanao.

Worked half an hour on construction lines.

Angelique arrived home from the family dentist's. We sat with Aubrey while she took her lunch.

An early lunch at home alone; Angelique is at the family dentist's and Aubrey asleep after her night shift.

Good morning, Cubao!

The day is a yellow tea service made of bone china.

Good night, Cubao!

The month of April sails like a night canoe to the month of May.

One Message For One Of 262 Friends, One Every Night Of The Year

You with two syllables in your name: Never accuse anyone of anything unless there is hard evidence that he did it.

Asked M. to bring some food over to his cafe staff.

Night chores.

My favorite time of the day ahs come again: an evening shower, and then snuggling in bed with a Netflix movie.

Dinner at home with Angelique; Aubrey still resting before her night shift.

Nino fried pepper beef and spring rolls to add to our dinner.

One-hour, mid-afternoon nap.

Worked another half-hour on construction lines.

M. gave us a bag of Indian mango from Cavite.

Worked half an hour on construction lines.

A delivery arrived for Angelique.

Good morning, Cubao!

The birds watch the neighborhood from the parapets of the trees.

Watched Hong Kong's 1992 King of Beggars (1:40:10 )

Chan, the illiterate son of a rich general, falls in love with Yu Shueng, a beautiful courtesan who agrees to marry him if he can win a martial arts competition and become a martial arts champion second to no one on earth. He loses not only the competition but everything he has and sinks into poverty. He then meets a mysterious old beggar who endows him with unusual martial arts skills, specifically the Sleeping Arhat. He soon becomes King of the Beggar Sect, learns the 18 Dragon Stances, and foils a coup attempt against the Emperor. The movie is set in Canton during the Qing Dynasty.

I am not fond of comedies. This one, of course, was hilarious and uses the Jackie Chan template, but I was glued to it because of the props and jewelry.

Con artists are frequenting marketplaces, intending to divest the unaware of their money.

Good night, Cubao!

Fabric dividers contribute to the coziness of rooms.

One Message For One Of 262 Friends, One Every Night Of The Year

You with six syllables in your name: Devote your time to being clever on social media ONLY IF you can give your family and yourself quality time and ONLY IF you are earning money to cover your bills and your expenses.

Dinner at home with Angelique; Aubrey preparing for her night shift.

Night chores. 

My favorite time of the day has come again: an evening shower, and then snuggling in bed with a Netflix movie.

Utang na loob.

Heard on TV:

"Data britch."

"Actually I know her since we were kids."

"I'm an old man with lotch of money."

Never wish you could be young and the same forever. In your next lifetime, fate might play a trick on you and make you a bronze statue.

Worked another half-hour on construction lines.

Worked half an hour on construction lines.

Lunch at home with Angelique; Aubrey sleeping after her night shift.

A delivery arrived.

Now back from the center with Toto. Paid our water bill and bought two bottles linseed oil.

Good morning, Cubao!

The disconsolate take refuge under the shadows of clouds.

Watched all 50 episodes of China's 2019 xianxia (tales of magic set in the Han Dynasty) The Untamed, about the search of clan cultivators for the broken pieces of the Yin Iron, and later the Stygian Tiger Amulet. Wikipedia defines cultivators as xianxia protagonists "who seek to become immortal beings called xian. Along the way, they attain eternal life, supernatural powers, and incredible levels of strength." Although there are descriptions on the Internet that this movie is a BL drama, it is very much understated, and pales beside Word of Honor, which was produced three years later, in that regard. There are only a few scenes, and fleeting ones, that suggest that it is: one in Episode 13 and three in Episode 50, plus the ending. However, viewers may have missed the xianxia pun. Xiao Zhan was made to look like Chen Xiao as Yang Guo and Wang Yibo was made to look like Michelle Chen as the White Fairy in Romance of the Condor Heroes.

 The Untamed is, more than anything, really a movie about relationships and partnerships between clans. The first third is a story given to the viewer in 100%-xianxia convention, replete with magic and special effects, in clan battles against the evil Wen Shan clan; the second third is a story of in-clan conflicts featuring a series of different antagonists; and the final third is a detective story in the manner of Agatha Christie with Wei Wuxian as Hercule Poirot. Episode 31 is an especially memorable one. It stands out above the rest.  

The movie is entertaining but flawed. There is the stage convention of wearing a half-mask in order to impersonate someone or conceal one's identity, hilarious at this time in history because, in the pandemic, it is all too easy to recognize a person even if he were wearing two dust masks and a face shield. Characters' reactions are hesitant, halting, and delayed, as though they were directed to linger on-camera before taking action. The flute and zither soundtrack is hauntingly composed and executed, but other, incidental music is modern, Western, and, at times, even jazzy. In an early episode Jiang Cheng's sister, Jiang Yanli, places a tureen of vegetable soup on an empty table; a shot or two later there are two bowls with soup spoons on a wooden tray beside the tureen which weren't there before. Strangely, they disappear again in a later shot. In Episode 5 a woman is selling combs at a stall hung with Ojibwe dreamcatchers; in Episode 39 there are dreamcatchers, again, at a sidewalk novelty stand. In Episode 42 Qi Pei Xin's wife commits suicide; after she is established as dead her eyelids keep fluttering in a medium two-shot. Nightless City is designed like a carnival ghost-train setting. The Dire Owl looks and flies like a falcon rather than like an owl. As in Word of Honor, when someone is playing the flute, their finger movements do not match the melody being played; even their lips look as though they aren't blowing air at all. At some point Wei Wuxian's black bamboo flute is inexplicably replaced with a brown one. In Episode 47 monks are shown digging a hole in the earth, but the hole never seems to go deeper, presumably hours later. Finally, the cosmetics department is not free of guilt. Blood is not convincing; neither are teardrops. Many of the men are too heavily powdered. Wen Chao looks and acts like Gollum from Lord of the Rings in his final scenes. Yanli has the facial expressions and mannerisms of the 1950s Jane Powell. After he becomes a puppet, Wen Ning looks like an Asian Edward Scissorhands. And Wei Wuxian's jet-black hair and dark costumes have a disturbingly severe effect on him, perhaps because of his facial shape; despite his splendid and admirable performance he looks, in three particularly bad extreme close-ups, like Michael Jackson after his final plastic surgery.  

The problem I have with xianxia is the same problem I have with the Harry Potter series: whenever characters' lives are threatened and whenever they find themselves in a bind, magic conveniently materializes and saves them from their situations. As such, magic is merely a deus-ex-machina that grants salvation--until the next, risky, situation arises.

I do love all of those fade-to-black lap dissolves; I felt that they were extremely effective. I also love the convention of delivering exposition whereby information, if not gossip, is passed on to the viewer via the casual conversations of market people, restaurant patrons, and servants. I love the way male characters, instead of saying "Yes" or other affirmative words, keep their lips sealed and simply utter, "Mm." The script has a lot of zingers in its dialogue. I adore Lan Sizhui's bitchy line, "You are not qualified to talk to me." Those candied hawthorn berries are everywhere, but I can't seem to find any in Chinatown. And I do so love those custom swords! Miniature versions of them are being sold--if they haven't completely sold out already after all these years--at  https://www.lazada.com.ph/products/mo-dao-zu-shi-cosplay-sword-props-instrument-the-untamed-essories-yaoi-lan-wangji-weapon-grandmaster-of-demonic-cultivation-i2773577271-s13361750509.html?exlaz=d_1:mm_150050845_51350205_2010350205::12:14985724524!126929349525!!!pla-325793839564!c!325793839564!13361750509!533417194&gclid=Cj0KCQjwmPSSBhCNARIsAH3cYgawxVDrfUCV5Z1UMTwALbR32wKRiY4C8j93gRJIwjonZwe2f_UhG2oaAivcEALw_wcB.

Asked David to bring some food over to M.'s cafe staff.

Good night, Cubao!

The fairies, the elves, and the gnomes are holding their monthly procession round the compound tonight.

One Message For One Of 262 Friends, One Every Night Of The Year

You with two syllables in your name: Make a list of things you usually take for granted, and reflect on each one.

Staggered dinnertimes.

Night chores.

My favorite time of the day has come again: an evening shower, and ten snuggling in bed with a Netflix movie.

Angelique and Jazz came down to lunch in the dining room; Aubrey still resting upstairs. Angelique has online internship the entire day; Jazz is working from home; and Aubrey resumes her night shift tonight.

Worked an hour on construction lines.

A cup of apple cinnamon tea inside the small loggia.

An early lunch at home alone; Angelique and Aubrey still resting upstairs.

Smoke rises from neighborhood grills as though from incense burners.

Good morning, Cubao!

Slept nine hours last night.

Dreamt of three churches in downtown Manila, including San Sebastian Church--maybe because of the painting I am currently working on?--but I was in strange company, everything seemed to be undergoing renovation, and everything didn't look like they were supposed to.

That was my Easter Sunday dream.

One Message For One Of 261 Friends, One Every Night Of The Year

You with eight syllables in your name: Always consider balance of energy: dark/light, masculine/feminine.

Good night, Cubao!

Your headboard can determine the quality of your sleep.

Night chores.

My favorite time of the day has come again: an evening shower, and then snuggling in bed with a Netflix movie.

Staggered dinnertimes.

Jazz arrived.

Worked an hour on construction lines.

We name colors because we are masters of words. But animals can only associate colors with feelings.

Two-hour, morning nap.

Staggered lunchtimes.

Good morning, Cubao!

The sky is a giant, white Easter lily.

It is 2:30 AM and I wake up from sleep because Keiko Kashigawa is barking intermittently and scuttling back and forth in the upstairs hallway. He must be chasing a house mouse in the semi-darkness. I am unable to go back to sleep, and so I fix myself a ground pork sandwich in the kitchen, annoyed that I bought a bottle of sandwich spread at the neighborhood grocery earlier, mistaking it for a bottle of mayonnaise. I down the sandwich with a glass of soda. I can hear, from where I am, an animated conversation between member's of M.'s cafe staff beyond the south walls. I think they are talking about how money should be handled. 

I sit before my painting of Saint Sebastian in progress, consider doing some more work on construction lines, then decide against it lest I paint on and on through the morning. I go out onto the small loggia and smoke a cigarette. The security staff members, two doors away, are having a lively discussion as well. The compound is unusually alive. A group of young men saunter by as though it were daytime, and there is considerable traffic on P. Tuazon Boulevard. Only the old scavenger is dead to the world--his mosquito coil has burned out completely and he is shrouded in his blanket. He reminds me of the stereotype hobos sleeping under bridges, the bridge, in this case, being our side balcony.

I suddenly remember that it is already Easter Sunday and no longer Black Saturday, and people are on their way home from vigil Masses, most of them with blessed candles and bottles of holy water. I recall all the Black Saturdays of my youth and how I spent them as though they were Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. 

It is now 4:30 AM and I am still at my desktop computer, amazed not only at how the world automatically attunes itself to universal occasions but also at how it goes out of its way to wake me up and nudge me into them.

I wonder if I can get myself back to sleep before sunrise. 

Good night, Cubao!

The Shaolin students take turns at dishwashing on their campsite.

Swung by the neighborhood grocery.

Dinner at home with Angelique and Aubrey. We ordered pork sinigang from Gerry's Grill to add to our dinner; it is one of my granddaughters' favorite dishes.

Asked David to bring some food over to M.'s cafe staff. M. and Brian come home from Cavite tomorrow; though I am sure it is difficult for M. to part with his newborn daughter. 

Night chores.

My favorite time of the day has come again: an evening shower, and then snuggling in bed with a Netflix movie.

Replenished our soda supply.

Worked an hour on construction lines.

Lunch at home with Angelique and Aubrey.

Princess Kendall, the cafe baby

Good morning, Cubao!

The early bird finds all the worms he needs to feed his family.

Good night, Cubao!

The males sleep in the outer areas, to protect the females and the children within.

One Message For One Of 258 Friends, One Every Night Of The Year

You with two syllables in your name: Always rest after a full meal.

Asked David to bring some food over to M.'s cafe staff.

Night chores.

My favorite time of the day has come again: an evening shower, and then snuggling in bed with a Netflix movie.

Dinner at home with Angelique and Aubrey.

Two-hour, late afternoon nap.

Angelique baked bread sticks for her lunch.

Worked an hour on construction lines.

Worked half an hour on construction lines for _Saint Sebastian_.

This painting begins today, April 15, 2022.

Sorry, no visitors allowed,

A very early lunch at home alone; Angelique still resting upstairs and Aubrey asleep after her night shift.

Good morning, Cubao!

The sky is a lychee popsicle.

Good night, Cubao!

The night gnomes make lists of everything you need.

One Message For One Of 255 Friends, One Every Night Of The Year

You with nine syllables in your name: Satisfied pets never grumble.

Nino fried calamares for us. Dinner at home with Angelique; Aubrey preparing for her night shift.

Asked David to bring some food over to M.'s cafe staff.

Night chores.

My favorite time of the day has come again: an evening shower, and then snuggling in bed with a Netflix movie.

 Allan dropped by on his road bike to pick up the books he won at the Spirit Questors Private Group online raffle. Gave him a carved, wooden box embellished with gold leaf for good measure.

I had chicken sisig and rice served for him at M.'s cafe.

Rose gives birth to a baby girl--our first cafe baby!

Marvin, Rose, and Rose's relatives are currently in Cavite and will stay there through Easter Sunday.

Angelique and Aubrey came down to lunch in the dining room.

Still waiting for the day when ALL devices will be automatically and fully protected without McAfee and other software, and I wonder whether it will happen in this lifetime.

A very early lunch at home alone.

Slept nine hours last night.

Good morning, Cubao!

A cloudy summer day is the best time for an outdoor barbecue.

Good night, Cubao!

The gnome shop sells pocket-size potion vessels.

One Message For One Of 255 Friends, One Every Night Of The Year

You with two syllables in your name: Observe the crowds, but do not mingle with them.

Dinner at home with Angelique; Aubrey preparing for her night shift.

Asked David to bring some food over to M.'s cafe staff.

Night chores.

My favorite time of the day has come again: an evening shower, and then snuggling in bed with a Netflix movie.

The best form of visita iglesia is to visit churches of different religions and different denominations, for only then would one see that God is everywhere, in particular in the seven churches mentioned in the Book of Revelation.

 Lunch at home with Angelique.

Three deliveries arrived.

Staggered lunchtimes.

Good morning, Cubao!

Summer boats float across the river of sky.

Good night, Cubao!

The travelers sleep in the inn with bolsters between them.

One Message For One Of 255 Friends, One Every Night Of The Year

You with seven syllables in your name: Do not think too highly of yourself, and only then will others think highly of you.

Angelique came down to dinner in the dining room.

Asked David to bring some food over to M.'s cafe staff.

Night chores.

My favorite time of the day has come again: an evening shower, and then snuggling in bed with a Netflix movie.

Staggered dinnertimes; Angelique has online classes through 9:30 PM and Aubrey preparing for her night shift.

Wrapped two more paintings.

April 12, 2022

Look, Dick, look!

Another piece of cradled canvas arrived, and I can start painting again.

I already have eight paintings finished for my next exhibit, and so I'm going back for a while to the paintings for Maryhill School of Theology. This surface will bear the image of Saint Sebastian.

Will commence construction lines tomorrow, though. Today was a frazzling day of deliveries.

Angelique and Aubrey came down to lunch in the dining room.

Two deliveries arrived.

Washed 26 brushes and one palette knife.

Wrapped two paintings.

Strange Tuesday.

Sat inside the small loggia with a cup of very black coffee and cigarettes. The water delivery boys from a station I don't patronize buzzed by to service some of the compound tenants. One of the boys walked up to me to tell me how fragrant the palo santo joss sticks were. He said he would come back to me and give me white sage. Apparently he travels a lot to Baguio and Tagaytay, where a shaman gives him a regular supply of white sage. Strange, because I don't know him from Adam.

Yakult delivery.

A delivery arrived for Angelique.

An early lunch at home alone; Angelique still resting upstairs and Aubrey asleep after her night shift.

Claimed the granddaughters' bed linen from the compound laundry.

Much has been said about how the pandemic affected the poor. I have observed, however, that the greatest blows were to the middle class, many of whom have slid down to unemployment and abject poverty--yet are too proud to admit it.

Good morning, Cubao!

The sky is a blue pudding ready for serving.

Good night, Cubao!

The gnomes set the table with a variety of midnight snacks.

One Message For One Of 255 Friends, One Every Night Of The Year

You with eight syllables in your name: Be aware of who is on leave and who is on duty.

Two-hour, deep tissue massage. Ended at midnight.

Brian fried calamares for us.

Dinner at home with Angelique and Aubrey.

In the Philippine summer, Filipinos are threatened with having their water and their electricity taken away. It happens every year, and it prevents everyone from enjoying life for three months, or a quarter of the year.

Everything is blamed on Nature or on the people's usage of water and electricity. Yet, if we need more water and more electricity than usual as part of the order of the day, why can't it be provided us?

Bought a glass of jalu-jalo at the hawker's stand for Aubrey. The woman at the stand gave me a free glass of fresh coconut juice.

Bong sends me a Storm BL figurine all the way from the US of A.

Delivery of Daley Street coffee arrived. Like our Grinder's, this was made in Melbourne, Australia.

One-hour, afternoon nap.

Staggered lunchtimes.

Your Messenger message:

"sir tony i hope you're doing well. gusto ko po sanang humingi ng advice sainyo, kasi po my lover who works for the _____________ got moved to another base in a country without any family or friends. he has always been depressed and have daily anxiety but when he got to __ his mental health has gotten worst. I tried to seek Cosmic healing from warka adala but nothing has changed, now he is way worst to the point he has shut everyone out including me. his reason is he does not love himself and want his own personal space, i think his depression and anxiety has gotten worst. I do want to help him, but I don't know kung papaano pa po. ano po kaya sa palagay ninyo ang dapat kong gawin? he has tried to take his own life many times before ayoko po sanang maulit po ulit yun kaya gusto ko po siyang tulungan. maraming salamat po, pasensya na po for reaching out to you, dala lang po ng desperation to seek for help and advice. salamat po! I will attach a photo of him"

My reply:

Hello ________!

If he wants his own personal space, give it to him. The ___ _____ has competent counselors who are trained to handle cases like his. Trust him, and trust your boyfriend.

Also know that, when a person is compelled to live in a foreign country, he undergoes personality and value changes. Based on the photos you sent me, I saw that he is subconsciously questioning his gender and his preferences.

Give him some time to come into his own. If he is truly yours, he will come back to you.

Being regularly connected to Nature heals your body.

Good morning, Cubao!

Dragons of the four elements rule.

She bought a condo unit in Cubao. Then, in every party she threw for her colleagues, she vociferously complained that she was in a middle-class setting. Why didn't she buy a unit in an upper-class setting in the first place?

Now, after almost three years of the pandemic, she can barely pay her dues. 

Good night, Cubao!

The house fairies locate small incense burners in every room.

One Message For One Of 254 Friends, One Every Night Of The Year

You with five syllables in your name: Every family meal should always be something to look forward to.

Dinner at home with Angelique and Jazz; Aubrey still resting upstairs.

Asked Nino to bring some food over to M.'s cafe staff.

Nigh chores.

My favorite time of the day has come again: an evening shower, and then snuggling bed with a Netflix movie.

David watered the plants in the roof deck, side balcony, front balcony, and ground floor gardens. 

Swung by the neighborhood grocery with Aubrey, then Aubrey proceeded to a mall to buy a pair of shoes.

Lunch at home with Aubrey; Angelique and Jazz ordered take-out food and are having their lunch upstairs.

Men like riding roller coasters and other daredevil rides because, when they are doing so, they feel that they are being deliciously f***ed.

The old scavenger's nights on the platform between our two side porches are frequently fitful and disturbed. I often hear him sighing, moaning, and mumbling sadly to himself.

I have noticed, over my 71 years in this lifetime, that old men are haunted by the shortcomings, failures, transgressions, broken dreams, and losses of their youth. I believe this is the result of their religiosity.

They have yet to learn from me to be free of mind and spirit, to live life to the fullest, to have fun, to regret nothing, to feel guilty about nothing, to be ashamed of nothing, and to fear nothing, for nothing is permanent, and that includes heaven, hell, and every conceivable authority on earth. 

Unfortunately for the lower bracket labor force, I don't think Alert Level 1 solved the problem of unemployment, because, what's happening is, employers are becoming more discriminating about whom to hire, and they're hiring only those who are qualified and even overqualified. Everyone else remains unemployed.

Twiddling my thumbs. The canvas for my next painting hasn't arrived yet, and so I have no choice but to take a forced break.

Good morning, Cubao!

Multicolored helium balloons rise up and float across the sky.

Good night, Cubao!

The gnomes are setting up a night health clinic behind their bedrooms.

One Message For One Of 253 Friends, One Every Night Of The Year

You with two syllables in your name: Work for the money, but remember to have clean fun.

Dinner at home with Aubrey.

Angelique and Jazz are off to a friend's birthday party.

Brought some food over to M.'s cafe staff.

Night chores.

My favorite time of the day has come again: an evening shower, and then snuggling in bed with a Netflix movie.

Worked half an hour on third glaze.

This, eighth, panting for my next exhibit is finished (April 7 - 9, 2022).

Worked half an hour on second glaze.

Every painter is a composer of visual music. His paintings are his songs, and it behooves every viewer to know how to listen to them.

Worked half an hour on first glaze.

Staggered lunchtimes.

Good morning, Cubao!

The gnomes revisit their underground caves of treasures.

Good night, Cubao!

The gnomes light cone incense in ceramic vessels on low tables at the feet of beds.

One Message For One Of 253 Friends, One Every Night Of The Year

You with two syllables in your name: Do not enmesh yourself in social activities. Otherwise you will be bogged down by social frustrations.

Asked David to bring some food over to M.'s cafe staff.

Night chores.

My favorite time of the day has come again: an evening shower, and then snuggling in bed with a Netflix movie.

Staggered dinnertimes; Angelique and Jazz are having dinner out and Aubrey preparing for her night shift.

Worked half an hour on second layer.

Lunch at home with Angelique; Aubrey asleep after her night shift.

A real friend is someone who defends you rather than depends on you.

Good morning, Cubao!

Like shafts from the sky, sunbeams slant down the open windows of house temples.

Good night, Cubao!

The noble warriors and their wards check in at the enchanted inn.

One Message To One Of 253 Friends, One Every Nigh Of The Year

You with seven syllables in your name: Honor the moon, and the moon will honor you.

Asked David to bring some food over to M.'s cafe staff.

Night chores.

My favorite time of the day has come again: an evening shower, and then snuggling in bed with a Netflix movie.

Dinner at home with Angelique and Aubrey.

On the other side of the island, the broadcaster is in danger of suffering a mild stroke due to too much stress. 

She will become a ghost trying hard to make herself heard from afar.

Nature is flexible, and gives way to changes. It is humans who are not, and who do not.

Worked half an hour on layering.

Angelique and Aubrey came down to lunch in the dining room.

Worked half an hour on construction lines for the eighth painting for my next exhibit.

This painting begins today, April 7, 2022.

An early lunch at home alone; Angelique resting upstairs and Aubrey asleep after her night shift.

If you are an artist, make sure that you don't grow old in poverty. If you do, everyone will see you as a pathetic has-been who grabs at every freebie in sight.

A delivery arrived.

Good morning, Cubao!

The sun takes snapshots of a beautiful day.

Your Messenger message:

"dear sir Tony. madalas po kapag ako'y nanaginip, nakakaranas po ako ng sakit. kunwari po tutuklawin ako ng ahas, mararamdaman ko po ito. pag nalulunod po, nalalasahan ko ang alat ng tubig. may lucid dreams rin po ako. ano po kaya ang sabihin ng mga ito? maraming salamat po"

My reply:

Hello _______!

There is nothing to worry about. Opening the five senses during visualization--and during lucid dreaming--is called shamanic consciousness. It is also a clear indication that, even on the astral level, the spirit is capable of utilizing the five senses they had when they were still in corporal existence--perhaps largely due to sensory and memory recall.

Good night, Cubao!

Fairy caregivers light cone incense by bedsides. 

One Message To One Of 253 Friends, One Every Night Of The Year

You with two syllables in your name: Plan a long rest during Easter week.

Angelique came down to dinner in the dining room.

Asked David to bring some food over to M.'s cafe staff.

Night chores.

My favorite time of the day has come again: an evening shower, and then snuggling in bed with a Netflix movie.

Staggered dinnertimes; Angelique has online classes through 9:30 PM and Aubrey preparing for her night shift.

Two deliveries arrived for Angelique.

Brian, Lennoel, and Jay arrived from a festivity in Nueva Ecija.

Brian is now frying a pack of spring rolls for us.

Your Messenger message:

"Sir Tony, sorry po sa abala. Madalas po may cramps attack ako sa breast, ilalim ng braso, kili kili and likod. Traumatic po ang pain, sobrang sakit. Okey po lahat ng blood test. Nagtherapy na rin po ako. Hindi makita saan galing. Inisip ko na po magpa confine para sa thorough check up. Hindi ko na po alam ang gagawin ko. Sobrang sakit po pag sumusumpong. Pain reliever lang po binibigay sa akin. Thank you po."

My reply:

Hello __________!

A. Physically, you are ailing from reversed frozen shoulder.

Do the following exercises twice a day:

1) Door Jamb: Stand under the jamb of an open door. Plant your fingers on both sides of the jamb. Tilt your body forward, your fingers on the jamb preventing you from falling.

2) Climbing Ant: Stand with your side as close to a wall as possible. With your arm and hand down your side, touch the wall with your forefinger and middle finger. Make your fingers "walk" upward for as high as you can without moving your body away from the wall.

3) Bath Towel. Hold a bath towel behind your body, your hands on both ends on the towel. Make sawing movements with your hands, first diagonally to the right and then diagonally to the left.

In addition:

--Make sure you are well-hydrated, especially at night, even if you have to go to the bathroom several times.

--Try to sleep in a fetal position.

--Whenever you have an attack, stand up immediately, bend backward, raise and rotate your arms, do side stretches, and/or stoop and reach down to your toes. You will be able to identify which movement is most effective in alleviating the pain.

--Hold on pain killers as much as possible. Taking them frequently will cause a transient ischemic attack.

B. Psychologically:

1) You are biting off more than you can chew. Sometimes all you need to do is live the life of a normal wife, without being concerned about the legacy you can leave behind.

2) Do not get involved with the problems of relatives. They are there for them, not you, to solve.

3) Compartmentalize. Leave some tasks to your husband and don't even worry about them.

Unfortunately you won't know what real heaven is until you retire and let go. I've been there and done that, and let me tell you that it is the most blissful and satisfying experience ever. 

W

My rite to Christine Bereply:

Ready to commence Painting #8 for my next exhibit.

Took an early lunch alone, then Angelique and Aubrey came down to lunch in the dining room. Aubrey now asleep after her night shift; Angelique preparing for an online exam.

Worked half an hour on glazing.

This, seventh, painting for my next exhibit is done (April 3 - 6, 2022).