when the Choc Nut and Christmas islander blogs within the breeze of the Gulf

Find me if you can. No, I didn't see it live.

Talk about five years in the making, Burj Khalifa (formerly known as Burj Dubai), the tallest tower in the world was officially inaugurated last night. The first time I saw this up and personal was few months ago when we checked the fireworks in the dancing fountain in Dubai Mall. It is really, really gigantic that it felt like looking up to eternity from that point. I did not get to see the launching face to face though. I hoped that they would do it during a weekend that I probably might have considered going there to be one of the many spectators, with eyes bewildered, as you can see in one of the photos. (I photographed these from the pages of one of the leading broadsheets in UAE.)

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Isa sa mga nami-miss ko sa Pilipinas ay ang pagsakay sa traysikel o traysikol (tricycle). Iba’t ibang anyo, mayroong makulay mayroong simple, mayroong normal, mayroong parang iPod sa lakas ng sounds system. Ang larawan sa taas ay natiyempuhan ko nang bumisita ako sa Pampanga noong isang taon. Sa ilang bayan sa Laguna, malalapad ang mga traysikel. Hindi siguro basehan ang lapad at timbang ng pasahero, pero dahil mas maluwang ang lansangan doon. Sa Antique naman, maliit ang traysikel pero talikuran ang istilo. Pwede pang sumakay ang apat sa likod.

Noong nagbakasyon ako sa Pilipinas, ang unang ginawa ko ay kumain ng taho na inilalako sa kalye. Sa susunod na pag uwi ko, malamang ang una kong gagawin ay kumain ng Jollibee chickenjoy at hopia na galing sa Binondo, at sumakay sa traysikel o dyipni (jeepney).

Pero hindi ako sasakay sa traysikel na may nakadikit/palamuti na letrang GMA.

(Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi)

I wrote here my hesitation to register for absentee voting, to quote:

Don’t get me wrong. I love Philippines. Not that I’m being lazy either. But there’s this initial not so optimist feel of what for? The governance that I’ve witnessed after each election is vicious. I remember one discussion with the locals here. They’re giving praises as to how educated the Filipinos they meet are, and they wonder why the househelpers and cashiers (in the malls) they meet are seemingly educated. “Most of them are college graduates. But maybe they find it necessary to leave Philippines for a while for a number of reasons. Not always the major reason, but for the better pay.” I said. “But what is your government doing? Philippines has a very good education system, you produce world class professionals, what’s wrong with your government?,” they asked. OMG, Prez GMA help! Kidding.

(The embassy is open during the weekends, Friday and Saturday, to accommodate more registration. Only those full of excuses won’t be able to register. Haha. I used to be like that.)

Believe it or not, (though my family are/used to be Marcos loyalists) Prez Cory touched me in a way that I (finally) registered for the absentee voting few days ago. Kudos to the people in Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi. They are efficient. I filled out the required form, gave a photocopy of my passport (you may provide a copy of labor card or its equivalent), signed in the signature pad, photo taken (they’re using an old Canon Powershot A300) , fingerprints scanned, briefed about the coming elections and availability of the voters ID, etc.

While waiting for my turn, I regaled myself by counting the number of desktops they have (i.e. there are seven PCs visible from the counter), looked at two Panasonic photocopiers, a no-name 14-inch television with TFC subscribtion, Prez Arroyo’s photo on the wall near the cashier, Vice-Prez De Castro’s photo near the photocopier, walls painted cream of white, at least a dozen blue monoblocks, (unintentionally) eavesdropped at other registrants’ conversations – hot topic: the lavish dinnner in the US (at this point some registrants sarcastically looked at Prez Arroyo’s photo near the cashier; hey, why is it near there? malicious question, heehee, coincidence of course), etc.

Registration is until August 30, 2009. More information here.

The only time I voted was during the 1998 presidential elections. I was too excited then, I even brought a list with me to the precint (first time kase). Who to vote for this time?

My response to your comments to this post: I hope they’re getting married for the right reason. Which led us to another thought. And what are the right reasons to tie the knot?

As long as they are marrying for their own right reason (s). So be it. But whether love comes secondary or not, I think there’s love in the air.

I’m re-reading this interview by Jessica Zafra with Senator Mar Roxas when he was still Trade Secretary. It’s one of the interesting articles comprising The Flip Reader (I got my copy from Powerbooks when I was vacationing last December; it’s a very good read). On page 126, it says:

Mar Roxas is at Segafredo Cafe in Greenbelt. The shoot is done, and we are sitting down to pasta and pizza. He’s on the phone with the ex-girlfriend who lives on our street. He says he’s friends with all his former girlfriends. “Come and join us. What are you doing? Ghost? You’re sitting at home on a Saturday night, watching Ghost? Come out, we’re having dinner.” She passes on the invitation. He puts away the cell phone and turns his attention to the spaghetti.

He shrugs. “Maybe I won’t marry at all.” Through the glass walls he observes the people walking past the restaurant. “Look at that. Young love. Walking hand in hand on a Saturday night. Don’t they know it’ll end badly?” Then the Philippines’ most eligible bachelor laughs. He waves to the waiter and orders dessert.

Now, guess what? Senator Mar Roxas and Korina Sanchez are getting married before 2009 is over.