Discomfited

A few days ago, the friend of my sister invited me to a gallery. She wanted me to see the works of a certain sector and write about its artists. Wishing to be of help and of use to society ( a case of noblesse oblige? but that sounds so haughty. whatever) I accepted the invitation even at such short notice.

She picked me up at 3 in the afternoon, hardly an auspicious time given the heat and the traffic but I tried to smile, and I think, succeeded. Then she talked about all sorts of sorry experiences she had about things borrowed and not returned, the dwindling volunteerism, how small my chair looked for me, etc. She asked if I wanted a drink as she drank from the container she brought. I demurred.

We reached our destination whose location she had described to me earlier and which I said I had never seen which made her give me a look of incredulity. Because I do reach that level of the building, I told her. Well, I realized I was not experiencing a blind spot all this time as that area had never been crossed by us. And I told her so.

When I saw the things they were selling, many of them hand painted, I asked if I could make a suggestion: to have other themes on them because they were nice, true, but would appeal to a limited market, i.e., foreigners and balikbayans or those wishing to buy pasalubong for family, friends and relatives abroad. After perhaps an hour or so, I was hoping to be offered a drink (water would have been okay), but nothing. I didn’t want to buy as the host might be offended if I did. I’m not sure. She’s not Filipino. Eventually, I made moves to go home and did. She said we should go to a town next week to see the artists. In at least three different locations so I could interview them.

I thought about it. Should I go? Am I obliged to go? I would like to help, but on my own terms. I had prepared a questionnaire which I thought should suffice — someone else can go interview them and I do the write-ups. But the host wants me to get a feel  of where these artists are coming from. They are of my ilk.

Yesterday, I wrote and told her I wasn’t inclined to go on the trip. It can be very uncomfortable in the vehicle, getting off, getting on, in this heat and traffic. Before she must have read my email, she asked if I could go on Tuesday or Thursday next week. I told her I had emailed her.

Now, almost 16 hours later, no word from her.

I guess that ends what would have been a case of leaving my comfort zone in my wish to help. I now realize that leaving my comfort zone is something I should be comfortable about, rather than pushed to do so. That way I won’t be resentful, that way I’ll be happy. Selfish? Self-absorbed?

Have I finally learned to say “No”?

Sharing a FB post: Why the media should connect the dots

Oftentimes, when I watch TV or read editorials I get turned off  by those that posture themselves to be the only ones privy to the truth, to know what is right and/or should be. It has become very rare to come across a piece such as the one below, where a person from print media fairly delineates her sector’s role. Read on and check what I mean. [I may not have enunciated my thoughts/views very clearly.]

What role should the media play in this historic impeachment trial of a chief justice?

Should it be a provocateur and spark debate and discussion, which hopefully, should be informed? Should it interpret and analyze events for the public to better understand the issues and their implications? Should it remain neutral and detached?

These questions call to mind the theories of the press, two of which are perhaps the most relevant to these questions. One is the libertarian theory and the other is the social responsibility theory.

Without having to sound esoteric, the libertarian theory essentially takes the position that every person is capable of deciding for himself what is true and what is false. Because this assumes access to information and an ability to process that information, the audience or the public are regarded as experts in their own right, completely capable of divining the truth in events.

On the other hand, the social responsibility theory goes beyond “objective” reporting and crosses over to what is referred to as “interpretive” reporting. The press assumes the role of an interpreter of facts and goes beyond a mere recitation or reporting of basic information – the who, what, where, when, why and how of an event. It does this because complexities compel journalists, whose objective is to enlighten a befuddled public, to do so.

As such, journalists make an effort to “report the truth about the fact” as the American Commission on the Freedom of the Press put it way back in the 1940s. This means explaining, analyzing, and making sense of events. It also means connecting the dots.

Collective wisdom

At a crucial moment when no less than a chief justice is under public scrutiny, and when the threat of a constitutional crisis looms each time the legislative and judicial branches of government appear to be headed for a head-on collision, the media plays a critical role.

Because journalists have access to documents and officials elected to public office, they are in a better position to make sense of conflicting versions of the truth. Does this bestow on them the title of “expert?” Does this put them on a pedestal superior to their audience?

Admittedly, a journalist who has done extensive research, spent long hours poring over documents or interviewing insiders and people on the ground with intimate knowledge of details related to the articles of impeachment, earns a degree of expertise. After all, an academic who does the exact same thing in a particular field, is acknowledged as an expert in that field. What makes a journalist any different?

Does this give journalists the right to consider themselves superior to their audience? No, because the effort to arrive at the truth behind the allegations against, in this specific case, Chief Justice Renato Corona, is a collective one. Anyone so inclined is free to interpret, look for patterns, or even raise questions about, his Statements of Assets and Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs). This is on top of all other relevant documents made public.

Members of the media may, in fact, tap into the wisdom of crowds to come up with a more accurate assessment of Corona and the cast of characters in the impeachment trial. This includes members of the prosecution and the defense, as well as the senator-jurors.

Many times, journalists come face to face with a lethargic public, too tired or lazy to do the math, or simply apathetic. Then it becomes the role of journalists to move them to action by shaking them with solid information that will either enrage them or even inspire them.

Driven by truth

Does this give them the right to influence or direct the results of the impeachment trial? It must be remembered that the goal of every investigation, trial, and reportage is getting to the truth, if not the closest approximation of the truth. For sure, the media does not have the monopoly of truth, even as journalists constantly strive to make sense of seemingly contradicting and confusing information.

It is perfectly all right for journalists – no, it is the duty of journalists – to challenge both the defense and prosecution, raise questions, express doubts, point out gaps and inconsistencies in supposed statements of fact, and even piece together pieces of a difficult puzzle – if all these will facilitate finding the truth. Did Corona commit impeachable offenses? What are these offenses? How were they committed? What is he guilty of, if anything?

The best journalists are probably those driven by a passion for truth. They will do what it takes to uncover the truth. They will strive to be as competent, if not more competent, than the prosecution and the defense because they know this will ultimately redound to the public good.

Journalists are neither lawyers nor judges who need to maintain cold neutrality in the face of what appears to be convincing evidence. It is in their DNA to look for patterns, inconsistencies and lies, and to point those out. They are shapers of informed public discourse, if not facilitators of discussion and debate in the name of truth.

At the same time, they are mindful of the harm that unbridled passion can bring, and are keenly aware of the need to balance it with fairness and respect for individual rights.

To them, an informed public exposed to a marketplace of ideas will only be richer intellectually and be in the best position to judge whether what is being fed them is hogwash or scraps. That same public – following a working democratic system – will be the media’s ultimate check. - Rappler.com

From my Inbox: January 2012 promo of Rustan’s Fresh

Apropos of my post a few days ago, I got the following email from Rustan’s.
Apparently, it wasn’t the first prize I forgot but the 3rd: the Rimowa luggage.

Dear Valued Rustan’s Shopper, 

Start the year in a new lite with a  ”Healthy Litestyle” at Rustan’s Supermarket.  Be Fit & Fab with our lineup of exciting activities from January 20 to February 29.

Get a chance to Travelite and win a healing journey at The Farm in San Benito, a pampering retreat at Shangri-la’s Mactan Resort and Spa in Cebu, or a stylish and lightweight set of Rimowa luggage.  A minimum purchase of P500 (with any healthy participating item) entitles you to a raffle coupon.

 

Eat, drink and still shrink with the new Low Calorie and Vegan Meals from Gourmet to Go.  Indulge in an array of ready-to-eat, dietitian-certified meals with approximately 300 calories per serving.  Now available at Rustan’s Rockwell, Makati, Shangri-la Plaza and Katipunan.

                                                              

 

Take part in the first-ever Fitness Walk on February 26 at the Rockwell Center.  Visit our registration booths at Rustan’s Rockwell, Makati, Shangri-la Plaza, Tomas Morato, Katipunan or San Antonio Forbes.  Participants will get a free welcome kit & free breakfast, as well as a chance to win a 12-month gym membership with personal trainer sessions at Gold’s Gym.

Choose to Live, Love and Shop only at Rustan’s Supermarket.

Your supermarket of choice, 
 
Rustan’s Fresh

Official Partners:

 

 

Niño logarta in Spoon

Such a treat to watch him in the show. He’s apparently knowledgeable and quite the teacher. Very entertaining. Not smug at all. No wonder he has had several shows on TV among them Ka-toque.

Rimless Glasses

Subtitle: That’s what you get for being forgetful/ hardheaded

In December I bought this pair of rimless glasses as my old pair’s paint was chipping off in droves. Wishing to finally try out rimless glasses I got a pair. Was repeatedly cautioned to remove it by pulling it off holding on to both sides of the frame. Kept forgetting and did it any other way but that.

Outcome, and now I realize why the caution. Picture somewhere in this post

See it?

Jollibee revisited

The other day son and I rued how we haven’t ordered from Jollibee for quite a while, so we did just that. To prove to you how long ago since, even after I gave my name and phone number, I was asked for my address so they could create a new record for me. Perhaps jollibee’s system has a shorter
memory or Domino’s has a much longer one. The latter would tell me “it’s nice to hear from you again…” does Domino’s still operate?

Back to the Bee.

The girl suggested we upgrade to large Coke Zero. Since I did that for two meals, she said we’d get two raffle coupons.

Our orders arrived- plus ONe raffle coupon only and a planner. Further, when I tried my Coke, I said “Yikes I failed to say regular for my coke, not Zero. It tastes weird.”

Son said, “There’s something wrong with their machine. There’s a different taste.”

Husband concurred after taking a sip of his Coke.

I didn’t have the energy to complain re the Coke or the raffle ticket.

The one-piece burger steak and the beef with mushrooms were so good I decided to leave a little of each for my lunch today.

Thanks for retaining the quality of your products, Bee. But do check the soft drinks formulation or machine, and do teach who’s in charge how to count/issue the right number of raffle tickets. While I didn’t finish my drink, I rationalized away the missing raffle ticket. I just need one to win the one million peso prize.

RED GARLIC AND CONTI’S IN KATIPUNAN

After getting home from Shang at 3 pm, I was not in the mood to think of what to serve for dinner. Well, I did think of kaldereta because I bought buy one, take one kaldereta meat yesterday. But that would take a while to tenderize, so I asked husband and son where they wanted to have dinner. Son said REGIS Center and then he thought that could be our Friday habit. Then he suggested, Red Garlic. I wanted that. So it was.

I called RG at around 6:45 and reserved a table for three. Aware of how difficult parking is there, I hopefully asked if that could be guaranteed. The girl who took my call assured me the guard would provide assistance.

And he did. He led us to Metrobank where parking was readily available. Hurdle, though, was how to get inside RG as the cars parked in front of it were not too far from each other, ergo not enough space for the wheelchair to get through. Especially the cars by the door. Luckily, to the side was space enough, except that there was an inverted u shaped metal brace meant to designate up to how far a car could park. My wheelchair and I had to be lifted to be able to cross that bar.

The staff of RG was welcoming, very pleasant and knowledgeable. Nice. As I had googled reviews on RG earlier, I had an idea of what to order: Angus beef short ribs – P285 only, served with garlic parsley rice. Husband ordered spaghetti with meatballs, son ordered fish and chips and devil’s sushi (no, that’s not the exact name, but you get the drift).

My order was okay, the amount of beef almost equal to the amount of shiitake mushrooms. Son’s fish and chips came with mayo that had truffle oil. Yummy. The devil’s sushi was huge and plentiful. Husband enjoyed his pasta, me not really.

The pasta, sushi and fish and chips came in huge servings, unbelievably so. Total bill was less than P1200. No dessert, though, as we were full.

Note that R in Red Garlic stands for READ, and in keeping with that, it had lots of magazines and books on the shelves. Son counted 5 copies of Isaacson’s bio of Steve Jobs. Magazines all looked new, he said. We will be back, RG. Just you wait.

When we had finished dinner, I saw that the space in front of the door had no car parked. I rejoiced. Then a car came. As it was about to park, I called the waitress to ask if the car could be requested to prove enough space. The one driving the car, a young lady, did better than that. She moved out and waited for us to pass through before parking. As we thanked them, she and her companion smiled warmly at us. Thank you, both, whoever you are.

*****

As Conti’s is but a few establishments away from RG, I told husband, let’s take a look, anyway we have parking, so let’s maximize. There, another hurdle, the same hurdle. Space between cars. Could we pass through? Nearest the wall where the ramp was, was enough space, happily. And as with all Conti’s branches, personnel were warm, even the security guards, so that just so we’d not leave it empty handed, I bought a box of 8 cheese puffs @27 per. Also got a copy of their menu as Conti’s now delivers. Delivery charge is P80. That’s such great news considering how difficult it is to park along Blue Ridge and how many good choices one would miss if one couldn’t shop at Conti’s.

Shangrila Mall on a Sunday in January

We’re often late for mass in Shang, very late, shame on us, but today, we were earlier than usual. We got there by 11:05 for the 11:00 a.m. mass, unusual for us. I thought aloud, “We’re early but still late.” Then when we got to Level 2, it didn’t seem like mass had begun and I said, that’s good, we aren’t late. God’s will. Then 11:10, 11:15, still no priest. Husband said there should be no more homily. He also said if this were a class in college, we could/would have left already. We used to do that in college: when the professor hadn’t arrived 15 minutes after the scheduled time, we’d scurry away like mice. Once we went to the extent of scurrying all the way to the Magnolia ice cream parlor in Aurora Boulevard, all 30 plus of us. What a nightmare for the waiters as we paid individually.

Finally, at 11:25, a lady made an announcement over the microphone. We couldn’t get what she was saying so we went to the lay ministers afterward. They said the priest wasn’t coming. So much for our better than usual intentions to be early for mass. Sigh.

*******

As Marks & Spencer is on the same floor, we went in to check out the items on sale. Still no white pants/leggings available. But there was a rack with sale items selling as low as 70% off. Not too many choices, though. Got a blouse I had been eyeing since forever. Not discounted, shucks. A year from now it will be and I’ll be sad. But for now I’m happy because I got a size 18 and it fits well. I usually get 20 or 22. Have I grown thinner? I don’t think so, the design is the type that’s not clingy. So there. And by the way, I renewed my loyalty card for P200. Was given a choice: a pack of choco chip cookies or shortbread? Son chose the latter.

******

On to lunch at CPK on the fifth floor. The place is considerably smaller than it was in Level 2, but the list of items in its menu has grown. They have personal sizes too, which is just great. Plus the service is good. One of the girls there, Kris, was the host when my son celebrated his birthday 15 years ago in Shakey’s Katipunan. She was exceptional and it always makes us happy to see her still. She hasn’t forgotten us.

******

So many stores on the fifth floor have sales ongoing. Unfortunately, husband and son didn’t have the patience to check them out, not even Adidas. There was Tempur, selling stuff at 10% off. If you have an HSBC card you can pay for a mattress over 36 months; other cards over 3 months. Esprit has an outlet store where stuff sell at 30%-50% off. And the list goes on.

******

Went to True Value on the sixth floor in search of a water (shower) heater. We were attended to by Mike who recommended the Alpha brand. Some models were selling at 10% off, some at 5%. Mike was so patient, explaining everything he needed to, answering all our questions without a tinge of surliness. Model employee material. The one selling stuff for dogs was similarly knowledgeable and pleasant. But he didn’t have to answer as many questions as Mike. Mike told us we could pay for our purchase over 3 months.

*******

Speaking of dogs:

This morning we woke up rather late, and would not have awakened yet but for a phone call from my sister. Soon after, HHB came in and asked if I had antibiotics. Benjamin the beagle had bitten her, she said. I was alarmed. I told her   to go to the UP infirmary pronto, but she didn’t seem anxious. She said she’d bathe me first, etc. While she was attending to me, she mentioned how at the vet’s months back, she saw the vet’s being inoculated for rabies (anti-rabies). She suggested that I find out if the vet could do it to her. I called and the vet began to ask me questions. I wanted her to talk to HHB instead and so they talked. First question: is the wound deep? Answer, no, just skin-deep. They talked for a while after which I asked to talk to the vet. She said that Benjamin will not have rabies because he hasn’t yet been bitten by a rabid dog, stays at home all the time, etc. Her advice for HHB: clean the wound well, wash it with Betadine, and apply Terramycin. Very reassuring, I can tell you.

Now why did B the B bite HHB? According to her, perhaps he was scared the other dogs would get what HHB was trying to give him: antibiotic for his allergy. They had all converged around HHB and B the B.

Husband and son believe HHB might have provoked B the B. A few days ago, HHB pulled B the B’s tail and was firmly admonished by son who saw it happen. He said that’s one of the worst things you can do to a dog. It inflicts pain, he said.

Whatever the reason was for the bite, I’m just glad it wasn’t more serious. Whew.

Rustan’s K quickly

Today was possibly one of the quickest trips to Rustan’s I’ve ever made. I didn’t have a long list of items to buy, I just wanted to check out the Casino products from France I had received a text about from Rustan’s, days back.

Casino, not the rubbing alcohol maker but the French brand, holds a special place in our lives. For almost four months two years back, son shopped in its Dijon branch. So did we in the week we visited him.

There I bought my disposable diapers, experienced my first French snub (the lady told me in English “I don’t speak English” when I asked her something), bought a small can of Coke for my sister who loves Coke – yes, it became a pasalubong for her, and a plastic container with cover in lieu of a dipper or tabo for use in bathing.

There for the first time we paid for plastic bags for our groceries or brought them to the hotel naked, with me trying hard to hold on to them while praying I wouldn’t fall off my wheelchair as I had no more hands with which to hold on to the arm rests. But I digress…

Back to Rustan’s. There were a lot of Casino products- 3 cans of pâté de foie porc at 107 pesos. Yummy. Juice drinks, cans of vegetables, chocolates, etc. I bought pâté for me, biscuits with chocolate on top for son, and muesli with fruits for husband. There was a small can of pâté de foie gras but it cost 600 plus pesos. On my birthday, I’ll get myself a can perhaps.

But aside from Casino products that sold at 10 percent off for Sapphire card holders, there were new product offerings at Rustan’s; or at least I saw them only today:

Starbucks ice cream in pints, Ben and Jerry froyo, Twix in pints. The first two cost 400 plus each, Twix cost less than 200 pesos.

Gourmet food to go was available – the healthy kind. But as I was asking questions of the one selling, someone butted in and the clerk forgot all about me. So I bought not. Servings are quite small (part of being healthy is to eat scantily? Unlike in the South Beach diet) making the dishes a tad expensive therefore. I wanted to try the kebab but it came with couscous which I don’t like. There was a salmon dish as well, a beef fish, a tofu dish, etc. Maybe next time…

Incidentally I was planning to buy from the roast duck stall outside instead, but noticed it was dark and covered with netting. It was no longer in business, sadly.

Rustan’s is still giving out planners, last day tomorrow. They have raffle tickets again, prizes promoting healthy living like a visit to the farm in San Benito, Mactan Shang, etc. Forgot what the first prize is, oddly enough.

Bought beef caldereta cut, buy one take one kilo. Savings, happily.

Speaking of savings, Fully Booked is selling 2012 calendars at 50% off. Many kinds to choose from – Dilbert, Monet, etc. Oh, but I found that out yesterday.

Regis center revisited

Two days or so ago, cousin texted that the elevator in RC was working, finally! So husband, son and I decided to check it out tonight.

It was the first time for son and he rued how he was bound not to know anyone in the building any longer. Everyone looked young, he said. As if you’re so old, I teased. But he did bump into several people he knew: his high school Physics teacher, a really good friend, etc. Husband bumped into a colleague, me zilch.

Now for the elevators. There are two of them but there were bugs that had yet to be fixed. They refused to stop on the ground floor at first. But the one in charge before 730 pm was persistent and he managed to get hold of the technician who promptly “fetched” us. The one in charge accompanied us to the second floor. He said he was off at 730.

WE had dinner at Mom and Tina’s. Such a wide range of choices, we must return. Our orders were satisfying: shepherd’s pie, paella, skirt steak, and pork loin barbecue. Shared sans rival and toblerone cake. Yummy.

When we went to the elevators after dinner, uh-oh, no sign it was working except for the steadily lit letters, RF. Then a guy in polo barong approached us (the post 730 counterpart of the very helpful man earlier, no doubt) and said the technician was on the roof (RF) deck fixing the elevator. He kept telling us more than thrice, I think, about this. And we kept telling him please tell him we need to go down. Finally he relented and said “puntahan ko na nga”. He had a radio in his hand as well. Meanwhile, I told son to check out what were on the 3rd floor. He mentioned a nail spa, a sports place, etc. I was too stressed to remember because I was worried about not getting down via the elevator. I didn’t want to be brought down through the escalator – it’s scary. Tried going up in one before in Robinson’s and again in EDSA Shang leading to the hotel. Plus this is supposed to be verboten, a sign said so in Toison D’or in Dijon, but no such warning signs in the Philippines. Even baby strollers are not allowed in escalators in Dijon. Here strollers go up and down elevators. What if their wheels get stick? Heaven forbid.

At any rate, finally, the elevator technician came and he and the man in polo barong accompanied us down. Careful there – the floor of the elevator is slightly lower so one has to slightly lift the wheelchair to get off the elevator. But the technician was nice and apologetic, so we’re not discouraged from revisiting RC again. Maybe today. I kid.

Anyway, after the elevator trip, we visited Fully Booked. Happily, many people go to FB so I hope it doesn’t ever close. Got Time magazine, a book by Lourd de Veyra and Food magazine’s compilation of healthy recipes. After looking the recipes over, decided it will make a friend happy so she’ll be getting it on her birthday. You get the drift. Recipes in the compilation are too healthy for me.

*********

Earlier, before finally deciding on Mom and Tina, husband and I looked at the other dining options: Red Mango (dessert), Saint’s Alp (tea/drinks basically), BonChon (everyone was there, so no space for us), Brother’s Burger, Moshi-moshi. Did I miss anything? Husband also pointed out to me that we were actually very near the pedestrian overpass, so he wheeled me further so I would experience it – yippee! But we didn’t reach the portion perpendicular to Ateneo (or across Katipunan because to do so would have required going up two steps. Pity. Still, it was such a thrill to be up there almost.

By the way, the building where KFC stands is also being renovated. Wow, Katipunan, at least that portion of It, is undergoing a facelift. Exciting.

And RC is an entire commercial building, no residential portion.

C, I saw a sign that read “Jesi Mendez”! Does that mean you’ll get your haircuts in Katipunan, soon? Let’s go together. My first and only experience in its Galleria branch wasn’t too happy but that was many years ago. Still, just in case, I might need your support. Then I will say, “Thank you for being so supportive.” Hihihihi. So showbiz-sounding.

Practicing. Not.