The last set of pictures from the Aquino Inaugural has been uploaded! And I am proud to say that we had a picture with Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Anwar Ibrahim’s wife. Check it out!

Yo Noy! UP Diliman Wan Azizah Wan Ismail

Dare to Be, Dare to Do is the commencement speech of Prof. Maria Serena Diokno at the UP College of Science Recognition Rites, April 23, 2010. I was very lucky to hear from Prof. Diokno herself.

___________________________________________________________

Prof. Diokno

Dean Caesar Saloma, fellow faculty, the College of Science graduates of 2010, and your ever‐so‐proud parents and families, thank you for making me a part of this special occasion. Congratulations to you all and most especially to your parents!

A student once asked American inventor and architect, Professor
Buckminster Fuller, if he believed there was life in outer space. Fuller answered: “Young man, just where do you think you are?”1 Life is, in many ways, what we see it to be. I imagine that for many of you, UP was outer space in your first year. Guided by our ikot/toki, you learned to navigate your way around this space. I am sure you had out‐of‐this‐world professors, both in the good sense and bad, and experienced close encounters of different kinds. For me, your labs will always
look like outer space even if, for you, they have become (oddly enough) your temporary sanctuary and home.

So yes, life is what we see it to be and we do not all see it alike. But more important, life is what we make it to be. We have a wonderful term in history for the power to make or create; we call this power human agency—the agent as the historical actor, the mover of things, the maker of events, the decider. We are all historical agents at different stages of our lives, and the degree of agency heightens as we progress through life. Now that you are about to leave university, our ‘power’ as your professors disappears and that of your parents subsides. Soon, very soon, you will be on your own and it will be your turn to make important decisions about your lives.

Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Maria Serena Diokno, UP College of Science Recogition Rites 2010, UP Diliman

Walang Wang-wang. Walang Counterflow. Walang Tong.

Natutuwa talaga ako sa linyang ito. Sa sobrang tuwa ko, ginawa ko na itong ringtone ng cellphone ko. Simple, ngunit diretso sa punto. Napakadaling intindihin ng isang karaniwang mamamayan, ngunit nasasakop ang lahat ng nararapat tungo sa isang daang matuwid. Kaya nga, sa tuwing nakakatanggap ako ng mensahe sa aking cellphone, napapaisip ako ng malalim.

Walang Wang-wang.

Sa totoo lang, ayoko ng wang-wang. Ayoko ng mga wang-wang na gumigising sa akin tuwing umaga na akala mo’y galing sa ambulansya, bumbero o pulis. Pagtingin ko sa bintana, convoy pala. At akala ko noon, dumaan si Madame President. Hindi pala.

Ganun na lang ang pagkainis ko sa wang-wang. Kaya naman, masayang-nasaya ako na wala nang istorbong wang-wang na gigising sa akin, o sa mga kapitbahay ko. Natauhan siguro ang mga nagmamayabang na may wang-wang. Kung si Presidente nga, sumusunod sa batas, ako pa kaya?

Walang Counterflow.

Minsan, nakasakay ako sa MRT kasama ang kaibigan ko. Dahil punong-puno ang mga tren, nakatayo kami ng kaibigan ko. Paghinto sa isang istasyon, para akong isang sardinas na pinipipi sa loob ng lata. Kung minamalas, nabubunggo pa ang mga binti at braso ko. Halos mapaiyak na lang ako nang may sumiko sa aking dibdib.

Sa isa sa mga istasyon ng MRT, hindi na talaga napigilan ang di maayos na paglabas at pagpasok ng mga tao. Naiipit na ang mga nasa loob at nagsisiksikan ang mga nagpupumilit na lumabas at pumasok sa tren. Ang masaklap, may guwardya pinipilit ayusin ang paglabas at pagpasok ng mga tao. Napayakap na lang ako sa kaibigan ko para hindi kami matangay sa malaking alon ng mga tao.

Sa isang iglap, may biglang sumigaw, “OY! ANO BA! UMAYOS KAYO! MAHIYA NGA KAYO SA BALAT NINYO!”

Natahimik ang mga tao. Natawa ang ilan. Bakit, may nakakatawa ba? Totoo naman, hindi ba?

Walang Tong.

Nagtrabaho ako sa isang bangkong pag-aari ng gobyerno bilang isang trainee. Araw-araw, may mga tao na nagbabayad sa amin ng buwis. Sa akin iniatang ang pagtanggap ng mga papeles ng mga nagbabayad at pagbibigay sa kahera ng mga ito.

Minsan, may isang babaeng lumapit sa akin at humingi ng tulong ko dahil unang beses siyang magbabayad ng buwis. Malugod ko siyang tinulungan sa pagpuno ng mga papeles at habang siya ay nagsusulat, kinakausap niya ako. Naging masaya ang aming usapan. Napalagay naman ang loob ko sa babae. Pinuri pa nga niya ako dahil ako ay nag-aaral sa isang magandang paaralan. Ngunit nabigla na lang ako noong sinabi niyang, “Ganda, pwede mo bang iuna na sa pila yung papel ko? Wala naming makakapansin e. Wala naming nagbabantay”.

Kapag ba wala nang nagbabantay, maari nang ibaliwala ang tama upang mapagbigyan ang sariling interes?

Binigyan ako ng isip, kahihiyan at konsiyensya. Hindi ito ibinigay upang maging dekorasyon lamang. Ibinigay ito upang gamitin at pagyamanin. Alam ko ang tama at mali. Kailangan ko pa ba na sabihan ako ng Presidente ng Pilipinas na magbago na ako, na gawin ko ang tama? May kahihiyan ako. Hindi na ako kailangang ipagtulakan ng iba na simulan ang pagbabago sapagkat ako ay nag-iisip at ako ay may malasakit. Ikaw ba?

___________________________________________________________

The above text is my application essay for the position of Executive Assistant of Ms. Mai Mislang, Pres. Noynoy Aquino’s speechwriter and chief of staff.

I did a lot of scanning today, and I finally get to post some of the pictures that I should have posted a long time ago.

• Pagkilala’t Parangal sa Mga Nagsipagtapos sa Taong 2010 – UP College of Science
• The Inauguration of Benigno Aquino III – Souvenirs

Please enjoy the new pics!

Tags: Benigno Aquino III, Presidential Inauguration 2010, UP College of Science, UP Diliman

The 62nd Primetime Emmy nominations are out.  Glee scored 19 nominations, the most for any comedy contender, followed by Mad Men (Drama) by 17. Emmy champ 30 Rock is far behind with 15.

The Emmy noms give us a relatively clear overview of how the Emmy race will go when the winners are unveiled on August 29.

Outstanding Comedy Series

Glee’s lead in the nominations count is the final nail in the coffin in anyone who is trying to grab the lead. Its lead in the nominations count in the comedy category shows how voters love the show. The pleasant surprise is that it capped the nom count of defending champ, 30 Rock. It even surpassed the nom count of drama champ Mad Men. Also, the Glee tour is a big push for the Emmy buzz. The only drawback is that it is on hiatus o the final voting period but that problem can easily be resolved by Fox. At this early point in time, it’s safe to say that Glee will triumph, with 30 Rock or Modern Family as close runner-ups.

Outstanding Directing

Duh, Glee has two nods in this category, one for Pilot and the other for Wheels. It’s a shoo-in win for Glee, except that the votes will split between the two and a dark horse will emerge, probably 30 Rock. All I know is that a Directing Emmy will imply an Emmy for Outsanding Comedy Series.

Best Lead Actor

Seriously, I don’t know why Mathew Morrison is lobbied for lead when he is a supporting character. Wait, I do know why. I am not sure about Emmy rules, but I do know the SAG and the Golden Globes. In the latter two, studios submit the category in which they want the actor to be considered in. Obviously, Glee lobbied Matt to be in lead, maybe because he has a stronger performance that Cory Monteith, and in doing so, there’s a space left for Chris Colfer in supporting (who gave a really commanding performance this season, right Gleeks?). If Emmy voters can place an actor in any category they like (like the AMPAS/ Oscars), then the SAG and Golden Globes play a big role in this. If not (i.e. like the SAGs and Golden Globes), then we can’t argue with them that Matt is leading.

As to Matt’s chances, I don’t think anyone at this point can topple the great Alec Baldwin. He won everything (defending Emmy champ, SAG, Golden Globe) and he’s really great. A surprise win for Matt is pleasant, but undeserved.

Best Lead Actress

Read my notes above on Matt Morrison. Same thing, except Lea is a valid leading actress.

Outstanding Supporting Actress

My friend Jean (@bottledpromises/@JaneGleeFans) is asking whether Jane was nominated for an Emmy, and I said, “Dude, she’s a frontrunner for the win, of course she’ll be nommed!”. Well, it’s true, isn’t it? Jane Lynch is a shoo-in for supporting actress. She better write her speech now and ask speech making tips from Meryl Streep (I bet that speech will be awesome!). Jane steals the show each and every time and I will bet that Glee won’t be Glee without the icy, funny and mean Sue Sylvester. Her Golden Globe loss to Chloe Sevigny is a devastating scandal and we should sue the HFPA (just kidding!). But hey, Chloe isn’t contending in the Emmy race and the path is clear for La Sue.

(For those who are asking why Jane isn’t nominated for an SAG, that’s because the SAGs fot TV combined the female lead and supporting categories so it’s pretty hard for Jane to get in, considering that’s she competing against the leads as well, making it hard for a supporting actress to get in)

Outstanding Supporting Actor

Chris Colfer’s nomination is not a surprise for me. Ever since, I knew that Chris will get it, despite the Golden Globe snub (but hey, he did get a Satellite nomination). Here’s why:

1. Homo character – always an awards bait.
2. Commanding performance – there’s no question that what Chris did during the season is superb.
3. Likeable character – Kurt is a loveable character. It’s easy to sympathize with him. And he has great outfits.
4. Story arc – the creators of Glee elaborated his character during the Emmy nomination period and that won him points in the eyes for the voters.

Will Chris win? More likely than not, no. Generally, surprise nominations (though not a surprise in my opinion), don’t win, or if it does, lotsa buzz is needed. If Fox will really campaign hard for Chris, then he will have a chance.

Tags: 62nd Primetime Emmy, Chris Colfer, Glee, Jane Lynch, Lea Michele, Mathew Morrison, Ryan Murphy

Outstanding Comedy Series

• Curb Your Enthusiasm • HBO
  
• Glee • FOX
• Modern Family • ABC
  
• Nurse Jackie • Showtime
  
• The Office • NBC
  
• 30 Rock • NBC
  

Outstanding Drama Series

• Breaking Bad • AMC
• Dexter • Showtime
  
• The Good Wife • CBS
  
• Lost • ABC
  
• Mad Men • AMC
  
• True Blood • HBO

Outstanding Miniseries

• The Pacific • HBO
  
• Return To Cranford (Masterpiece) • PBS
  

Outstanding Made For Television Movie

• Endgame (Masterpiece) • PBS
  
• Georgia O’Keeffe • Lifetime
  
• Moonshot • HISTORY
  
• The Special Relationship • HBO
  
• Temple Grandin • HBO
  
• You Don’t Know Jack • HBO

Outstanding Lead Actor In A Comedy Series

• The Big Bang Theory • CBS • Jim Parsons as Sheldon Cooper
• Curb Your Enthusiasm • HBO • Larry David as Himself
• Glee • FOX • Matthew Morrison as Will Schuester
• Monk • USA • Shalhoub as Adrian Monk
• The Office • NBC • Steve Carell as Michael Scott
• 30 Rock • NBC • Alec Baldwin as Jack Donaghy

Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama Series

• Breaking Bad • AMC • Bryan Cranston as Walter White
• Dexter • Showtime • Michael C. Hall as Dexter Morgan
• Friday Night Lights • DirecTV • Kyle Chandler as Eric Taylor
• House • FOX • Hugh Laurie as Dr. Gregory House
• Lost • ABC • Matthew Fox as Jack Shephard
• Mad Men • AMC • Jon Hamm as Don Draper

Outstanding Lead Actor In A Miniseries Or A Movie

• A Dog Year • HBO • Jeff Bridges as Jon Katz
• The Prisoner • AMC • Ian McKellen as Two
• The Special Relationship • HBO • Michael Sheen as Tony Blair
• The Special Relationship • HBO • Dennis Quaid as Bill Clinton
• You Don’t Know Jack • HBO • Al Pacino as Dr. Jack Kevorkian

Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series

• Glee • FOX • Lea Michele as Rachel Berry
• The New Adventures Of Old Christine • CBS • Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Christine Campbell
• Nurse Jackie • Showtime • Edie Falco as Jackie Peyton
• Parks And Recreation • NBC • Poehler as Leslie Knope
• 30 Rock • NBC • Tina Fey as Liz Lemon
• United States Of Tara • Showtime • Toni Collette as Tara Gregson

Outstanding Lead Actress In A Drama Series

• The Closer • TNT • Kyra Sedgwick as Deputy Chief Brenda Johnson
• Damages • FX Networks • Glenn Close as Patty Hewes
• Friday Night Lights • DirecTV • Connie Britton as Tami Taylor
• The Good Wife • CBS • Julianna Margulies as Alicia Florrick
• Law & Order: Special Victims Unit • NBC • Mariska Hargitay as Det. Olivia Benson
• Mad Men • AMC • January Jones as Betty Draper

Outstanding Lead Actress In A Miniseries Or A Movie

• Capturing Mary • HBO • Maggie Smith as Mary Gilbert
• Georgia O’Keeffe • Lifetime • Allen as Georgia O’Keeffe
• Return To Cranford (Masterpiece) • PBS • Dame Judi Dench as Miss Matty
• The Special Relationship • HBO • Hope Davis as Hillary Clinton
• Temple Grandin • HBO • Claire Danes as Temple Grandin

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series

• Glee • FOX • Chris Colfer as Kurt Hummel
• How I Met Your Mother • CBS • Neil Patrick Harris as Barney Stinson
• Modern Family • ABC • Jesse Tyler Ferguson as Mitchell
• Modern Family • ABC • Eric Stonestreet as Cameron Tucker
• Modern Family • ABC • Ty Burrell as Phil Dunphy
• Two And A Half Men • CBS • Jon Cryer as Alan Harper

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Drama Series

• Breaking Bad • AMC • Aaron Paul as Jesse Pinkman
• Damages • FX Networks • Martin Short as Leonard Winstone
• Lost • ABC • Terry O’Quinn as John Locke
• Lost • ABC • Michael Emerson as Ben Linus
• Mad Men • AMC • Slattery as Roger Sterling
• Men Of A Certain Age • TNT • Andre Braugher as Owen

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Miniseries Or A Movie

• Emma (Masterpiece) • PBS • Michael Gambon as Mr. Woodhouse
• Hamlet (Great Performances) • PBS • Patrick Stewart as Ghost / Claudius
• Return To Cranford (Masterpiece) • PBS • Jonathan Pryce as Mr. Buxton
• Temple Grandin • HBO • David Strathairn as Dr. Carlock
• You Don’t Know Jack • HBO • John Goodman as Neal Nicol

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series

• Glee • FOX • Jane Lynch as Sue Sylvester
• Modern Family • ABC • Bowen as Claire Dunphy
• Modern Family • ABC • Sofia Vergara as Gloria Delgado-Pritchett
• Saturday Night Live • NBC • Kristen Wiig as Various Characters
• 30 Rock • NBC • Jane Krakowski as Jenna Maroney
• Two And A Half Men • CBS • Holland Taylor as Evelyn Harper

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series

• Burn Notice • USA • Sharon Gless as Madeline Westen
• Damages • FX Networks • Rose Byrne as Ellen Parsons
• The Good Wife • CBS • Archie Panjabi as Kalinda Sharma
• The Good Wife • CBS • Christine Baranski as Diane Lockhart
• Mad Men • AMC • Christina Hendricks as Joan Harris
• Mad Men • AMC • Elisabeth Moss as Peggy Olson

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or Movie

• Alice • Syfy • Kathy Bates as Queen of Hearts
• Temple Grandin • HBO • Julia Ormond as Eustacia (Temple’s Mom)
• Temple Grandin • HBO • Catherine O’Hara as Aunt Ann
• You Don’t Know Jack • HBO • Brenda Vaccaro as Margo Janus
• You Don’t Know Jack • HBO • Susan Sarandon as Janet Good

Outstanding Guest Actor In A Comedy Series

• Glee • Wheels • Mike O’Malley as Burt Hummel
• Glee • Dream On • FOX • Neil Patrick Harris as Bryan Ryan
• Modern Family • Travels With Scout • Fred Willard as Frank Dunphy
• Nurse Jackie • Chicken Soup • Eli Wallach as Bernard Zimberg
• 30 Rock • Emmanuelle Goes To Dinosaur Land • NBC • Jon Hamm as Dr. Drew Baird
• 30 Rock • Into The Crevasse • NBC • Will Arnett as Devin Banks

Outstanding Guest Actor In A Drama Series

• The Closer • Make Over • TNT • Beau Bridges as Detective George Andrews
• Damages • The Next One’s Gonna Go In Your Throat • Danson as Arthur Frobisher
• Dexter • Road Kill • Showtime • John Lithgow as Arthur Mitchell
• The Good Wife • Fleas • CBS • Alan Cumming as Eli Gold
• The Good Wife • Bad • CBS • Dylan Baker as Colin Sweeney
• Mad Men • Shut The Door. Have A Seat. • AMC • Robert Morse as Bertram Cooper
• 24 • 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM • FOX • Gregory Itzin as President Charles Logan

Outstanding Guest Actress In A Comedy Series

• The Big Bang Theory • The Maternal Congruence • CBS • Christine Baranski as Beverly Hofstadter
• Desperate Housewives • The Chase • ABC • Kathryn Joosten as Karen McCluskey
• Glee • The Rhodes Not Taken • FOX • Kristin Chenoweth as April Rhodes
• Saturday Night Live • Host: Tina Fey • NBC • Tina Fey as Host
• Saturday Night Live • Host: Betty White • NBC • Betty White as Host
• 30 Rock • The Moms • NBC • Stritch as Colleen Donaghy
• Two And A Half Men • 818-JKLPUZO • CBS • Jane Lynch as Dr. Linda Freeman

Outstanding Guest Actress In A Drama Series

• Big Love • The Might And The Strong • HBO • Mary Kay Place as Adaleen Grant
• Big Love • End Of Days • HBO • Sissy Spacek as Marilyn Densham
• The Cleaner • Does Everybody Have A Drink? • A&E • Shirley Jones as Lola Zellman
• Damages • Your Secrets Are Safe • FX Networks • Lily Tomlin as Marilyn Tobin
• Law & Order: Special Victims Unit • Bedtime • NBC • Ann-Margret as Rita Wills
• Lost • The End • ABC • Elizabeth Mitchell as Juliet Burke

Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series

• Glee • Pilot – Director’s Cut • FOX • Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, Ian Brennan
• Modern Family • Pilot • ABC • Steven Levitan, Christopher Lloyd
• The Office • Niagara • NBC • Greg Daniels, Mindy Kaling
• 30 Rock • Anna Howard Shaw Day • NBC • Matt Hubbard
• 30 Rock • Lee Marvin Vs. Derek Jeter • NBC • Tina Fey, Kay Cannon

Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series

• Friday Night Lights • The Son • Rolin Jones
• The Good Wife • Pilot • Michelle King, Robert King
• Lost • The End • ABC • Damon Lindelof, Carlton Cuse
• Mad Men • Guy Walks Into An Advertising Agency • AMC • Robin Veith,  Matthew Weiner
• Mad Men • Shut The Door. Have A Seat. • AMC • Matthew Weiner, Writer, Erin Levy, Writer

Outstanding Writing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Dramatic Special

• The Pacific • Part Eight • HBO • Michelle Ashford, Robert Schenkkan
• The Pacific • Part Ten • HBO • Bruce C. McKenna, Robert Schenkkan
• The Special Relationship • HBO • Peter Morgan
• Temple Grandin • HBO • Christopher Monger, William Merritt Johnson
• You Don’t Know Jack • HBO • Adam Mazer

Outstanding Directing For A Comedy Series

• Glee • Pilot – Director’s Cut • FOX • Ryan Murphy
• Glee • Wheels • FOX • Paris Barclay
• Modern Family • Pilot • ABC • Jason Winer
• Nurse Jackie • Pilot • Showtime • Allen Coulter
• 30 Rock • I Do Do • NBC • Don Scardino

Outstanding Directing For A Drama Series

• Breaking Bad • One Minute • AMC • Michelle MacLaren
• Dexter • The Getaway • Showtime • Steve Shill
• Lost • The End • ABC • Jack Bender
• Mad Men • Guy Walks Into An Advertising Agency • AMC • Lesli Linka Glatter
• Treme • Do You Know What It Means (Pilot) • HBO • Agnieszka Holland

Outstanding Directing For A Miniseries, Movie Or A Dramatic Special

• Georgia O’Keeffe • Lifetime • Bob Balaban
• The Pacific • Part Eight • HBO • David Nutter, Jeremy Podeswa
• The Pacific • Part Nine • HBO • Tim Van Patten
• Temple Grandin • HBO • Mick Jackson
• You Don’t Know Jack • HBO • Barry Levinson

Tags: 62nd Primetime Emmy

As you know, my parents are jacks of most trades when it comes to food production. From cakes and cookies to sardines, tocinos, longganisa and other processes food. Name it, they can do it.

Last Saturday, my dad make cottage cheese from scratch, and here’s how to do it:

Ingredients

• 1 gallon of fresh milk
• 1/2 cup vinegar
• 1 tsp salt

First, slowly heat the milk to 190F (around 90C). Then, turn off the heat and slowly add the vinegar. The vinegar is a substitute for rennet, a substance in the intestine of cows, and it is responsible for the curdling of milk. The curd will become the cheese. Let the mixture cool and in a stainless bowl, put a cheesecloth on top of it and pour the mixture on it. The cheesecolth separates the whey (liquid) from the curd which will become the cheese itself. Place the curd in another bowl and put the salt to taste. You may want to increase the salt as much as you like. Voila! You may eat it right away or put it in the freezer.

Tags: Cottage Cheese

More pictures from the Aquino Inaugural have been sent to me and I have uploaded them already! Check out the new photos here.

Tags: Alex Lacson, Anthony Taberna, Benigno Aquino III, Danny Javier, Julius Babao, Jun Lozada, Karen Davila, Presidential Inauguration 2010, Risa Hontiveros, Yo Noy UPD

Streep and Thatcher

Meryl Streep is really coming out of her theatrical break. Pathe Films has told the press that 2-time Academy Award winner Meryl Streep has expressed interest in playing Margaret Thatcher, the first female Prime Minister of Britain.

The film is entitled The Iron Lady. Set to direct the film si Phyllida Lloyd, Streep’s director in the 2008 summer smash hit Mamma Mia!.

Also attached to the project is Jim Broadbent who will play Thatcher’s husband. Broadbent won a supporting actor Oscar for the film Iris.

Since the project is expected to be heavyweight, Streep is being attached to a best actress Oscar nomination, breaking her own record of 16.

Filming is set to begin at the end of the year.

Tags: Jim Broadbent, Mamma Mia!, Margaret Thatcher, Meryl Streep, Phyllida Lloyd