After you decide that you no longer want to see someone, scare him off with your Posts and your Messages, so that he will stay away from you voluntarily and for good.

It is my favorite turn-off technique.

Of the hundreds if not thousands of arts graduates, how many actually made it after graduation?

--How many had to go abroad in order to be branded a success?

--How many are simply bumming around while waiting for projects to arrive at their doorstep?

--How many ended up working in call centers?

--How many resorted to self-auctions, selling minor works online for a pittance to a general public?

--How many are selling plastic ware and hosting Tupperware parties to survive?

--How many became depressed and even suicidal?

It is fine to be an artist, but one also has to have a sense of economics, not only for oneself but also for one's community. After all, what kind of nation would this be if everyone were an arts graduate?

And, in the last analysis, it is real talent that counts, never the fact that one went to an academy.

When the old feel lonely, unloved, and useless, they will meddle with the affairs of the young.

Jewelry will always be loyal and faithful to their original and rightful owner.

Never lend all or parts of your collection to anyone, especially books.

A major task can get done a little at a time.

Assorted magnifying lenses are always useful.

Do not associate yourself with basically dishonest persons, They are never worth dealing with, unless you are out to teach them a lesson.

Avoid constipation. It raises your blood pressure.

It is impractical to live either too close to the sea or too close to the sky.

If a piece of jewelry consistently brings you bad luck, it is because it was stolen. With or without your knowledge.

Saint Joseph is syncretized with the god of divination, whose colors are green and yellow.

Labor Day, Feast Day of Saint Joseph the Worker in San Jose, Occridental Mindoro and Barangay Kaunlaran, Cubao,

A drum band and higantes are roaming the streets.

Yes, in the heat.

Gourd shekeres of the four goddesses

Good morning, Cubao!

"What was thrown out should remain thrown out, what was left behind should remain left behind.||

--From  the oddun for the day

Good night, Cubao!

The night will be ruled by magic.

One Message For One Of 3, 600 Friends, One Every Night Of The Year

You with five and you with six syllables in your names: Avoid vices of any kind.

Actually, when  the flesh is willing, the spirit is willing also.

Back to Black

Left to Right: Four pieces Mutya Ng Kidlat from Calabarzon, one with a wooden hilt so that it can be worn as a pendant or used as a pendulum; volcanic rocks from Mount Mayon collected while I was with Abi Valencia of Bicol University; my favorite, round tektite, one of a bagful that Tina Cuyugan gave me from her father's collection; two remaining bulalakaw from an entire bunch I used to keep; and 21 stones, three of which are shown here, from the Ayung River in Ubud, Bali. The river stones are contained in three beaded baskets made by a famous Balinese bead artist, whose name I have forgotten because I could not spell it right.

Black stones are not offensive, negative, or "evil"; on the contrary they are essentially protective and defensive in nature.

 

Good morning, Cubao!

There will always be danger in dark places.

Always turn the table on talk show hosts who impose their religious beliefs on you.

Look across the sea. Where there is no land in sight, that is forever and a day.

Seek out the advantage in every disadvantage, and you will emerge a winner.

Retirement is not only freedom from supervisors and coworkers, it is primarily freedom from atchays.

What, for you in this lifetime, is the Pearl of Great Price?

Ian gives us a bag of Sagada mild coffee from his recent trip to the north.

Good night, Cubao!

Spirit guides can feel neglected too.

One Message For One Of 3,600 Friends, One Every Night Of The Year

You with eleven syllables in your name:

"Do not abandon your protections."

--From the oddun for the day

Your Messenger message:

"Hi Sir Tony, pwedw ko po kayang gawing wallpaper sa fon ko yong Victory Talisman ninyo?pasensya na po sa abala, Salamat po."

My reply:

Hello ____!

Go ahead. Note the positive changes that will occur in your life.

Left, Ngipin Ng Kidlat from Siquijor, harvested from limestone. Limestone is indigenous to islands in the Visayas. It is found not only underwater, but also aboveground.  

Right, Pangil Ng Kidl;at from Calabarzon, a pair typically held in two hands. I brought these only once on travel and afterward never again--they show up in airport X-rays as solid, very black, and made of indeterminate material.

It is said of both versions that when lightning strikes a rock or a tree, these fang-like objects can be found within.

Perhaps the most popular user of Pangil Ng Kidlat (not to be confused with the black, meteor-like Mutya Ng Kidlat) was the legendary Nardong Putik, who wielded them like wands.

Good morning, Cuhao!

Offer candy and coins at your altar to the spirit guide who opens doors.

The next time you are scheduled to come visit me, just sit in silence beside me for ten minutes.

He will choose to be born in his next lifetime as a humble fisherman. The only thing he will retain from his previous life is being gay.

Whenever he gazes at the sea, he will weep.

Good night, Cubao!

Listen to the advice of your spirit guide.

One Message For One Of 3,600 Friends, One Every Night Of The Year

You with five and you with six syllables in your names: Analyze your situation as objectively as you can. Avoid disappointments.

Victory talisman a.k.a. Espiritu Santo. This was brought to me in 2014 by an antique dealer whom I never saw again. He was foster father to a boy whose parents encouraged him to hang out in my house to study painting and hopefully get rid of his vices. 

I'm keeping this talisman in memory of JohnJohn, Lani, Teddy, Dalton, Susan, Bong, Opring, and all the pleasant times I shared with them in the antique shop I frequented in Ermita before I retired from the U.S. Embassy..

It is one of the few, Philippine talismans said to have been influenced by extraterrestrial intelligence. This is my second such talisman; the first was a gift from deceased mage Roy Alvarez, who was probably the only person I knew able to decode their inscriptions.

Good morning, Cubao!

"A woman who lies loses her man,
A man who lies loses his woman."
--From the oddun for the day

Dust, especially when it is invisible, can be deadly.

There is only one way for a man to be sexy, and that is to stop trying to be sexy.

Respect Nature. Only then will Nature respect you.

A mother cat will want only the best for her offspring.

A fresh soup during meals resets your body.

If you can't treat your employees and coworkers better, the future won't treat you better either.

Good night, Cubao!

Never let boredom overtake you, for it will only lead you to a path of destructiveness.

One Message For One Of 3,600 Friends, One Every Night Of The Year

You with five and you with six syllables in your names: Do not live beyond your means.

Your Messenger message:

"Good afternoon, Sir Tony. I hope my message find you well. I’m just wondering if there’s a talisman for public speaking or, if you happen to have one in your collection, I’d humbly appreciate very much if you’d consider me a donee.

"Have a peaceful Sunday."

My reply:

Hello ____!

One does not find a talisman, it is the talisman that finds one.

If you are able to source it in Baclaran, however, a dila ng pagi amulet can help you.

Sharlene serves us layali lubnan, a milk pudding with pistacho nuts and syrup made and sold by Gaza refugees. Her son Pio is proactively involved in helping the refugees in Batangas.

https://www.facebook.com/LittleGazasKitchenQC

Saturday, April 27, 2024

24th Bilbo Baggins afternoon with Sharlene, Criselda, and Ian

Your Messenger message:

"Good day Sir Tony. I just wanna take this time to appreciate your presence. I am ______________. I am from Cubao, and I have only read one of your books coincidentally bought it at Cubao Expo. As expected, it was Eros, Thanatos, Cubao. I have read it a couple of times and being born and raised in a family of insulares who has been here for decades I have always had an interest in the spirits and the lost souls, of Cubao. I appreciate your work so much because it gives me a sense of connection to my roots/my everyday life even an understanding to those who I cannot I understand. If ever you feel like you have to interact or discuss any topi my ears and eyes are more than open to fill any dull moment if one arises. Thank you for all you do.

"- A huge fan"

My reply:

Hello ______!

Thank tou for your kind words.

Your Messenger message:

"Good afternoon, Sir Tony. I just want to let you know that I am very grateful that you gave me the _________ talisman. I have noticed an improvement in my work in terms of the depth of my analysis and in getting heard and recognized for my contributions."

My reply:

Hello _____!

You are most welcome. I have kept that statuette for many years, and it has always suggested to me that I give it to a woman. I am glad it found a home with you.

Remember to take care in cleaning it. No detergents. It is made of wood and painted with vegetable dyes.

Your Messenger message:

"Good morning Sir Tony, i read your most recent post mentioning trespico. I have one. If I may inquire why is it a huge responsibility? Thank you so much in advance."

My reply

:

You don't just keep a talisman. You need to do the oracion and regularly anoint it with oil or what the albularyos of Siquijor call lana.

The person from whom you obtained the trespico is the person to ask, not me.

Your Messenger message:

"Good day sir Tony

" recently seen your post na talisman, ung Santissima Trinidad and I thought possibly yan po ung dinidepict na talisman sa last message ko po sayo, may similarities lng po "I read your answer naman po last time dun sa fb post na ginawa nyo. I'm just somewhat happy that my question and curiosity was answered and nagtugma pa nga sa name ko po ung talisman. "But I also understand na it doesn't mean na I need to own this talisman, maybe it's more of a symbolism or I was just too literal sa dream interpretation. Salamat po."

My reply:

Hello _____!

The talisman in your previous dream is not the same; it is a trespico/Solo Ojo talisman. not a Santissima Trinidad.

Do not go out of your way to own such a talisman. It is too huge a responsibility.

What is the point in being a hopeful, young faculty member if, years from now, you will find yourself eating a sad sandwich for lunch inside a carrel while the world passes you by?

Good morning, Cubao!

"What was lost once will be recovered, but efforts should be an integral part of the recovery."
--From the oddun for the day

Note: You must place a knife behind your door jamb.

Second version of Santissima Trinidad talisman in my collection. This is solid brass and weighs approximately a kilo.

I acquired this in 2012 via a coworker/practitioner who regularly moves in mages' circles especially during Christmas breaks, when all of them take out their talismans for swapping or for selling.

Not included in the Bilbo Baggins afternoon sessions. I'm holding on to this as a memento of the magical times I spent with my coworker, whom I never saw again since I retired in 2015.

Reverse side of the talisman depicts Sagrada Familia, making it a most potent talisman. Strangely, this is the talisman's masculine side, while the Santissima is its feminine side.

Watching One Friday Fights 60 live on One Championship Philippines.

Mahjong game night

Good night, Cubao!

"Make great strides to achieve what is needed now."
--From  the oddun for the day

One Message For One Of 3,600 Friends,, One Every Night Of The Year

You with five and you with six syllables in your names: Pave the way before proceeding.

Your Messenger message:

"Tanungin ko lang po ... kasi ngayon lang po ako nanaginip na naalala ko po ung Panaginip ko, kagabi po nanaginip po ako ng ahas na may tumuklaw sa aking right leg at hinuli ko daw po sya hawak ang Kanyang ulo na tumutulo po Ang kanyang laway saking kamay at habang hawak ko Ang kanyang ulo trinatry niya pong kagatin ung thumb ko. Ang ahas nayon ay isang cobra

"Sa dinami dami ng gabi ito lang talaga yong napagising ako sa tulog I don’t know anu ibig sabihin"

My reply:

Hello _____!

Binabagabag ka pa rin ng paglisan mo sa kampong dati mong kinabibilangan. Maaaring ibig kang ipabalik ng dati mong trainer, ngunit malinaw sa isip mo na ayaw mo nang magbalik doon at mapapawi mo ang lahat ng paninirang kaniyang gagawin laban sa iyo.

Take care always.

Your Messenger message:

"I was being asked to be a wiccan and given with it was the Black Leather Grimoire Book of Shadows....I thought it was a joke but I do not possess any precognition or premonitions although I attended some seance at the East Village Romanian gypsies....I am a theater artist and my long straight coarse hair that was maybe why they were trying to make me into a witch....but I do not have the talent nor energy for it"

My reply

Wicca is deeply connecting with Nature and harnessing her powers for the greater good of all.:

However, why do you allow others to stereotype you based on your hairstyle? All you have to do is say no.

I myself have lost interest in Wicca. It is too rustic for my taste, and I don't like handling crude implements.

My former coworker just never went on a diet and now looks either like a platypus or a waddling bowling pin.

While Neil and I were clearing out stuff in my bedroom last week, I found my old Santissima Trinidad talisman. I recall that it was sold to me at a very steep price in 2012, because it is one of only less than 40 different talismans struck by master Tomas Nazaire of Cavite, now deceased. It is a true collector's item.

I used to have four Nazaires. All of his talismans are made of stainless steel, his favorite medium and, I must say, a most difficult metal to carve without acid. Alas, I sold off the other three even long before I retired from the U.S. Embassy.

This one, of course, is not for sale and will definitely not be included in the Saturday afternoon Bilbo Baggins sessions.

Shown here is the Front of the talisman,. The Back was not photographed.

Good morning, Cubao!

Bury a few coins in your front and back yards.

Good night, Cubao!

Is there a beneficent person or entity you have forgotten to thank?

One Message For One Of 3,600 Friends, One Every Night Of The Year

You with six and you with seven syllables in your names: Keep the promises you made to your spirit guides.

A parasol made of paper provides cooler shade than a nylon umbrella does.

Identify the viands that are not damaging to your health.

If a hobby is stressful rather than relaxing, give it up in favor of another.

Supervisors always fear subordinates who have a different way of seeing things.

Even as karma descends upon  them, evil people will continue to believe that there is no such thing as karma.

A good caregiver is also a living spirit guide.

At first they announce that everything is all right, is taken care of, and is well prepared for in advance--not so that you won't panic but so that their leader will believe they are doing a swell job--and then, when you least expect it, they announce that everything is on red alert.

It is diet, more than medication, that is responsible for your health.

Never go out on a date with someone you don't like.

Where there's a will, there's a wand.

Never listen to the advice of friends who really know very little about you.

They who work too hard for the money know not how to live.

Craving trotters cooked in  Chinese black vinegar.

Ice cubes always come to the rescue.

Counseling is a blatant form of brainwashing.

While Neil and I were clearing out stuff in my bedroom last week, I found my old Sigillum Salomonis talisman, the precursor/original version of what we now know as the AGLA talisman. This is made of copper. Pronouncing AGLA correctly allegedly calls an army of spirits to one's aid.

Later versions of the AGLA talisman were round. I had two of those--one made of stainless steel and the other of sterling silver--but Cherry insisted on buying them from me years ago.

This is the only AGLA talisman I now have. The mage who sold it to me in 2015 probably didn't focus on the AGLA aspect. and just said that if I kept this in my wallet I would never run out of money. I'm holding on to this rather than including it in the Bilbo Baggins Saturday afternoon sessions. 

On Google search, the talisman is described as "a common form of an amulet [sic] already in use for several hundred years. AGLA is a notariqon (kabbalistic acronym) of the biblical phrase “Ateh Gibor Le-olam Adonai (The Lord is mighty forever).”

Good morning, Cubaoi!

Offer the chained god of the sea four ripe bananas and four joss sticks your altar, for many blessings you have forgotten.

If you live near the sea, a bunch of ripe bananas offered there will be just as well.

The Wands must continue pointing to the sky.

Fire and Ice
Robert Frost

Some say the world will end in fire,

Some say in ice.

From what I’ve tasted of desire

I hold with those who favor fire.

But if it had to perish twice,

I think I know enough of hate

To say that for destruction ice

Is also great

And would suffice.

Good night, Cubao!

An evil person always creates the circumstances by which he punishes himself.

One Message For One Of 3,600 Friends, One Every Night Of The Year

You with seven syllables in your name: Be neither the person nagging nor the person being nagged.

They who play hard to get, never get gotten.

It is impossible to evangelize online, because cyberspace is inhabited by passive users whose only desire is to be entertained without having to commit themselves to anything.

When a writer feels lethargic, he switches to brilliant, red ink as a pick-me-up.

It is all right to possess many things as long as you are able to eventually outgrow them.

When you offer to take responsibility over someone who turns out to be unresponsive, drop everything and move on to something else.

Old, blank sheets of paper that show up during spring cleaning are best used for writing spells on.

Rather than strain your energy, just flop like a cat in the shade.

The day is a super de luxe grazing box

Let your body rest, but your mind should not stay idle.

Despite the intense heat, make sure you take a square meal at lunch time and at supper time.

I started being materialistic at a very young age, when I discovered the huge difference between owning beautiful things and merely looking at them.

You have at least one spirit guide who fights your battles for you.

It's wonderful how the Bilbo Baggins afternoons allow me to bond with my former students over and over again.