28 Weeks Later, one year later

Thought of doing my take on zombie survival tips.

Hehe.. just finished wathcing 28 Weeks Later. Been meaning to watch this since it came out a year ago. I really liked the first movie, 28 Days Later.

It’s a real refreshing take on the zombie movie. No slow walking, afraid of the sunshine, slow reacting virus here. It’s chaotic, frenzied, and spastic. My kind of zombie. I wonder what the Philippine equivalent of a zombie is?

Anyway, just in case we do get a zombie outbreak, here are a few of my survival rules:

1. Lose your sense of humor. Usually, the funny guy dies the most gruesome death after making a real corny joke before opening a door.
2. Never stay with the funny guy, you’re usually next.
3. Never open closed doors. Never ever. If you’re curious about what’s on the other side, let the funny guy open it. But then again, you’re violating rule number 2.
4. Avoid groups. The odds of you dying are higher in a group. At the end of a zombie movie, there’s only two people left, max. Try and stick with that number early on.
5. If you plan to stick in one place, don’t get a wooden house. Get a house with bars and made with bricks. Remember the Three Little Pigs.
6. If you are in a group (which I told you not to be), don’t be the minority or the ethnic guy. You’re sure to be dinner. Try and stay with your own race and color and get one who would be the minority in your group. At least there’s a chance he’d croak first before you.
7. Don’t end up the guardian of a kid. Specially if there’s only 2 of you and the kid’s a girl. Just shake hands and part ways. It’s a shoo in that you would die to protect her.
8. Guns are ok. But never never carry a grenade or even reach out for one. It just means you’re setting up yourself for a “blow up the zombies with me” scene.
9. Water. Lots of water. Early on, try and get a backpack with a Camel Bak. It’s easier. Raid a 7-11. Get food. Avoid chips. It just makes you a lot more thirsty. But I just can’t avoid those pringles.. ugh.
10. Break up with your girl/guy. No serious couples ever survive a zombie attack ever.
11. Don’t ever talk during the whole outbreak or at least keep your minimum conversation to 10 words a day. The person with the least dialogue usually is the one who survives in these movies.
12. Never carry more than one gun. If you do, that means you’re slated to die. And not just die normally, you’d be in a bunker shooting a whole army of em before they all converge on you.
13. When you hear a knock on the door or a sound, just go the opposite way. Check rule number 3.
14. If you hear a cry for help, do zombie sounds so they’re sure to avoid you.
15. There is no electricity or television during an outbreak. Make sure to grab yourself a PSP and lots of batteries on the nearest vacant electronic shop. Don’t forget the game cartridges.
16. Avoid hospitals or science labs, there’s sure to be a mad scientist there trying to find a cure. 100% percent chance the zombie will escape and the scientist will die. Just wave and tell him you’re voting him in the next Nobel Prize.
17. Don’t ever ever have sex during an outbreak. Doing the tango lying down is a sure sign in the movie that at least one of em will die.
18. Don’t be the buffed guy or the hot girl in the movie. It’s for sure you’ll end up zombie bait. If you are the buff guy or hot girl, not taking your clothes off will lessen your chance of biting the dust by 50%.

If you do get bitten. You’re a goner for sure. Check out my “How to survive as a zombie” guide coming soon.

Fiesta ng Musikang Filipino: Philippine Rock and Classical Music Mash up

Philippine Rock bands Juan Dela Cruz, Sugarfree, Sinosikat, Radioactive Sago Project, The Dawn, Up Dharma Down, The Jerks and more will be performing at the Cultural Center of the Philippines together with international violinist Lucia Micarelli and the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra. It's going to be called Fiesta ng Musikang Filipino, an OPM Chronicle.

The fusion of Pinoy rock and classical music is for the benefit of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines. Not really sure what but heck, it's original Philippine music with the backing of some of the most rock on hardcore pinoy musicians around. I'm 100% sure it won't be christian music. It'll be 1000% pinoy rock music with that classical music flair.

This one will pretty much rock the music scene here in the Philippines. It's going to be on May 2-4. If interested send an SMS to Desiree at 0917-8006473, tell her you got the info from me. hehehe.

Hillary Clinton, John McCain and Barack Obama in WWE RAW

Barack Obama, Hillary Rodham Clinton and John McCain will appear on World Wrestling Entertainment's live "Monday Night Raw" (8-11 p.m. EST on cable's USA network) but instead of smacking each other down, they separately will deliver some wrestling-themed stumping in taped messages before Tuesday's Pennsylvania primary.

"Tonight, in honor of the WWE, you can call me Hillrod," Clinton says in her message. "This election is starting to feel a lot like `King of the Ring.' The only difference? The last man standing may just be a woman."

Obama borrows The Rock's famous catchphrase during his appearance.

"To the special interests who've been setting the agenda in Washington for too long and to all the forces of division and distraction that has stopped us from making progress, for the American people, I've got one question: Do you smell what Barack is cooking?" Obama says before flashing a smile.

McCain, meanwhile, looked to Hulkamania for inspiration for his message.

"Looks like Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama want to celebrate their differences in the ring," McCain says. "Well, that's fine with me, but let me tell you: If you want to be the man, you have to beat the man. Come November, it'll be game over. And whatcha gonna do when John McCain and all his McCainiacs run wild on you?"

Hehe.. seems politics and entertainment is inseparable now.

Nothing new here in the Philippines where we have Filipino actors looking to politics as their retirement home and cash kitty.

Oh, you didn't know?

Trese Soon!

By the end of the month TRESE: MURDER ON BALETE DRIVE should already be in several bookstores. (We'll be giving you a complete list as soon as they are delivered.)

This book compiles the first four cases of Trese, has an introduction from Gerry Alanguilan, an afterword from me-- where I talk about the beginnings and influences of TRESE, a bonus section in the back-- with sketches and character designs from Kajo.

Good friend Budjette (Filipino comic icon) just announced the upcoming release of Trese! It's a way past cool Philippine comic book. Now it's in book form!

Oh wait, let Budjette tell you about it.

CNN's Richard Quest arrested for drugs in New York

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A New York judge ordered CNN reporter Richard Quest to undergo six months of counseling on Friday after Quest was arrested in Central Park for possession of a controlled substance, his lawyer said.

Oooh.. Ironic that it took me awhile to get this bit of news.

I'd say that even here in the Philippines, he's a recognizable persona. It's sad to hear about this.

Wonder if how his career would be like after this?

Philippine Doctors and Nurse's inappropriate behavior protected

CEBU CITY, Philippines--A committee tasked to investigate the posting on YouTube of an unauthorized video of rectal surgery performed on a patient at the government-run Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City has recommended the filing of administrative charges against three doctors and one nurse in a decision immediately protested by the victim as a cover-up....

...The committee report did not bear anyone's signature or the hospital's logo. Paradela also refused to identify the doctors and the nurse against whom administrative charges were recommended.

Can you believe it? While a patient has been ridiculed and embarassed by the video taken during his surgery (they had to take out a perfume canister out of his rectum), the doctors, nurses, and hospital staff responsible for it is being protected by this hospital in the Philippines.

As usual, it's sad that the actions of a few morons would reflect bad on the thousands of Philippine nurses and doctors here and abroad.

Specially if these morons are even protected by the hospital they work in.

Tyson Ibele CGI Animator

Today on Boing Boing tv, we explore the work of award-winning, self-taught animator Tyson Ibele, who is based in New Zealand. In this episode, the 21-year-old artist explains that he taught himself animation during high school using free software freeware.

Wow. 21 years old and already an award winning cgi animator. Self taught to boot! The clip is real cool. Specially the tips he sprinkles the feature with. Also check out at around 2:30 of the clip where he syncs the audio of Seinfeld with his animation.

I believe a lot of Filipino animators abound already. I mean, the Philippines is one big resource already for the comic world. Can't wait to see a Filipino animator emerge as one of the world's best.

Speaking of Philippine comic artists, look out for Trese, The Graphic Novel by my good friend, Budjette! It features the first four stories of Trese with an intro by Gerry Alanguilan. It'll be out by end April so check it out!

If you're still not familiar with this wonderful Philippine comic book, go take a gander of Trese here.

Coffeespark

Coffeespark serves as a medium for people to air their problems, situations, or feelings. Either for sharing, advice, discussion or just to vent. It could be a family problem, a technical computer problem, a cheating boyfriend, work issues, girlfriend issues, or just maybe about life in general.

Yep. It's me again plugging my other site. Really it's a nice place to go and just let out your feelings, problems, or just hang out and catch a topic someone just posted.

We believe that coffeespark will bring people together. Share their experiences. Support each other. And hopefully, help each other out.

Why not try it out? Just post anything about you. A problem, a situation, an experience you want to share. And let's see how others would react to it.

Coffeespark isn't about what's interesting out there. It's about what's going on with you.

Coffeespark. Interesting people, interesting issues.

Philippine Scientists are becoming a rare breed

...We just invested P1.5 billion [for] Pagasa (Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration). But we don’t have meteorologists and climatologists [who will handle the new Pagasa equipment after undergoing a government-financed] graduate program,” he said.

Yumul, a geologist, said the government’s mining program should also benefit the mining boom because it offers Filipino experts an opportunity to upgrade their skills using state subsidy. But universities and mining firms “could not get any people to enter the graduate program,” he said.

“Where are we going to get the warm bodies? Most of them are in the nursing profession and the maritime sector … And yet people complain na walang pera (that there is no money),” he said...

It is hard. The last three Philippine scientist I featured, live in the United States. It does seem that we need a boost to make science interesting to filipino students again.

I know, I know. It's the economy, stupid me.

How did this get past me?

A lot has been happening here in the Philippines, that I didn't know that these guys have passed on

Roy Scheider (10 Feb 2008)- Man! I just saw 2010 and was planning to watch Jaws. I think this is the first movie I saw with swearing in it. I remember it caused a bit of fuss here in the Philippines.

Brad Renfro (15 Jan 2008)- 25 years old, would you believe? He's the kid in The Client. Reason? Take a wild guess.

Evel Knievel (30 Nov 2007)- Who doesn't know Evel? Heck, I used to own those Evel Knievel motorcycle stunt toys. I remember Baldo Marro, whom I associate as being the Evel Knievel of the Philippines. That guy's one heck of a stunt artist.

Anyway, as far as I know, I haven't heard of any significant filipino who have died recently.

Daily caffeine 'protects brain'

Coffee may cut the risk of dementia by blocking the damage cholesterol can inflict on the body, research suggests.

The drink has already been linked to a lower risk of Alzheimer's Disease, and a study by a US team for the Journal of Neuroinflammation may explain why.

Except for Barako, I am not really familiar with other Philippine blends.

Hehehe.. one more reason to justify my constant craving for coffee. But then again, my filipino brain has whittled down to a stump at the end of my nervous system so guess there's nothing much to protect.

Seriously though, coffee drinking has been the major past time here in the Philippines. What with the glut of Starbucks, Seattles Best, Gloria Jean's Coffee, etc. There are even Original Philippine coffee shops like Coffee Experience, Figaro, etc. etc.

I myself am an Illy coffee person. Just got to love that brand.

Transcript of Brian Gorrell ABS-CBN News Interview (English version)

Seems, Philippine mainstream media has picked up on Brian Gorrell's predicament. This is the interview of ABS-CBN news of Brian Gorrell by Gigi Grande. I translated the transcript to english (enclosed in double asterisks "**", "**")the best I can so please pardon some errors.

TRANSCRIPT OF ABS-CBN NEWS STORY (english translation)

**An Australian is now finding out what an internet blog can do. He is seeking justice from the alleged wrong doing of his filipino ex-boyfriend**

** Exclusive by Australia Bureau Chief Gigi Grande**

**This is what Australian Brian Gorrell has sold when he decided to live in the Philippines. A 3 bedroom house at the tip of a rainforest with about 12 hectares of land for his flower business. What happened to his earnings from selling his house has been the main topic of his blog that has captivated filipinos worldwide. A blog is an online diary that can be read by anyone with internet access.**

**In Brian's blog, he narrates how he has sent 70,000 dollars to his filipino boyfriend, a known socialite and newspaper columnist. The money was for a restaurant that they will set up and also for a tour-booking company. It was too late when Brian found out that there was no restaurant and that he was just conned.**

BRIAN: “I sent this money in good faith. I sent this money for my future. For my business… that we were creating together. This is money that I need back so I can move on with my life.”

**According to Site Meter, a web tracking tool, he received around 2 million page views on his blog since it started last March 4. Words of sympathy poured out from readers. Filipinos monitored the site because of Brian's story of his ex-boyfriend's high society friends that unfolds like a soap opera. The story includes tales of selling and using of drugs during parties.**

BRIAN: “I don’t write things on my blog that I can’t substantiate with proof. I’ve been there. I’ve been in the middle of it. I’ve been in the muck.”

**Any day, Brian will divulge on what happened to a filipino socialite who died last year**

BRIAN: “I heard first-hand from one of the people involved. I know the truth and, um, it’s a hard one.”

Brian has to turn over his house and lot to the new owners within 3 months. He will be moving to Canada. But he won't close his blog until he gets his money back**

**Blogs have been proven to be influential in Business and in politics. In showbiz, a blog can make or break an artist. No one knows if Brian will win. But if it does, it is further proof of the power of the blog.**

Gigi Grande for ABS-CBN News, Sydney, Australia.


*** English Translation, mine ***
***Anyone is free to use the translation above as long as my site (http://jobert.blogspot.com) is properly credited for it**



Original Transcript from Art, a commentator on Brian's blog:

TRANSCRIPT OF ABS-CBN NEWS INTERVIEW WITH BRIAN GORRELL (Tagalog version)

Sinusubok ngayon ng isang Australyano ang magagawa ng internet blog. Dito siya naghahanap ng hustisya sa umano’y panloloko at panghuhudhod sa kanya ng kanyang naging boyfriend na Pilipino.

Exclusive nagpapatrol Australia Bureau Chief Gigi Grande.

Ito ang ibinenta ng Australyanong si Brian Gorrell nang siya’y magpasiyang tumira sa Pilipinas. Isang three-bedroom house sa tuktok ng rainforest at mahigit 12 hektarya ng lupa para sa kanyang flower business. Kung ano ang nagyari sa perang kinita niya sa pagbenta ng bahay ay nasa sentro ng kanyang blog na sinusubaybayan ng mga Pilipino sa iba’t ibang bahagi ng mundo. Ang blog ay isang online diary na maaaring basahin ng sinumang may access sa internet.

Sa blog ni Brian, kinuwento niya kung paano niya umanong pinadala ang 70,000 dolyar sa Pilipinong boyfriend, isang kilalang socialite at kolumnista sa malaking dyaryo. Ang pera ay para sa restaurant na itatayo nila at sa isang tour-booking company. Huli na nang malaman ni Brian na walang restaurant at naloko umano siya.

BRIAN: “I sent this money in good faith. I sent this money for my future. For my business… that we were creating together. This is money that I need back so I can move on with my life.”

Ayon sa web tracking tool Site Meter, nakatanggap na ng halos dalawang milyong page views ang blog ni Brian mula nang ito ay nilikha noong March 4. Walang tigil ang buhos ng simpatiya mula sa mga mambabasa. Kung nakatutok ang mga Pinoy, ito’y dahil na rin sa malatelenobelang kwento ni Brian tungkol sa mga kaibigan ng kanyang ex-boyfriend na mga miyembro ng alta de sociedad. Kabilang dito ang umano’y pagbenta at paggamit ng droga sa mga party.

BRIAN: “I don’t write things on my blog that I can’t substantiate with proof. I’ve been there. I’ve been in the middle of it. I’ve been in the muck.”

Anumang araw ibubulgar daw ni Brian ang kanyang nalalaman tungkol sa pagkamatay ng isang Pilipinong socialite noong nakaraang taon.

BRIAN: “I heard first-hand from one of the people involved. I know the truth and, um, it’s a hard one.”

Kailangang ibigay ni Brian ang bahay at lupang ito sa mga bagong may-ari sa loob ng tatlong buwan. Lilipat siya sa Canada. Pero hindi raw niya isasara ang blog hangga’t mabawi niya ang kanyang pera.

Napatunayan na ang impluwensiya ng mga blog sa larangan ng pulitika at negosyo. Sa showbiz, ang isang blog ay maaaring magpasikat o magpabagsak ng isang artista. Wala pang nakakaalam kung magtatagumpay si Brian. Pero kung sakali, ito’y isa na namang patunay ng kapangyarihan ng mga blog.

Gigi Grande sa ABS-CBN News, Sydney, Australia.

April 2, 2008 12:15 AM