Kath Leomo
19 November 2009 @ 11:40 am
TYP 751, RYAN PATRICK  
DO NOT RIDE! THE DRIVER THREW COINS AT MY FACE.

I am not a firm believer of taxi cabs. If you know me in real life, you would know how much I enjoy walking. I have only met a few ones which I actually found likable. Last night was the most horrible of them.

It was around 6.30 in the evening, I was in the area of Greenhills Shopping Center on my way to Eastwood to watch my friend Anne get a tattoo for her birthday. I got on this cab (Ryan Patrick, TYP 751) and told him to bring me to Eastwood. A few minutes into the ride, he told me to add 40p on top of the fare that will drop down on his taxi meter. I had thought this was a terrible thing, but decided to stick to it because I had a long day and I was carrying something heavy. I was pissed as expected.

Along the way, he had this habit of reaching out to the bottom of the passenger seat's floor or covering his taxi meter. This raised my suspicion so I kept my eye on him.

Along C5, just past Red Ribbon (the establishment) he pressed some buttons on his meter and the meter that was flagging down turned off. I asked him what he was doing and he said that "Nasira iyong metro ko. Bigla na lang siyang namatay." (My meter broke. It suddenly died.) He asked me how much I usually pay when I go to Eastwood, and I said that I pay whatever is on the meter. He told me to just hand in 200p and that he will take me there. So I decided to just fuck it and perhaps I will just walk all the way. I asked him how much the meter said right before he started pressing it. He told me it was 67.50p. I was looking for that amount in my wallet and I couldn't find anything but 100p bills. I decided to pay him 80p because I assumed 20p bills were easier to just get and give. He gave me 1.25p as change and told me: "Sayo na iyan, ineng. Wala akong barya." I insisted that he gives me my full change. I accused him of panggagancho because of what he was doing. This was perhaps the reason why in the next few minutes, he pulled out coins in his pocket and threw them at me. "Eh wala nga akong barya e, o ayan, sa iyo na." (I said, I don't have coins. Here!) I was shocked. I went down the cab crying and carrying this huge bag with me. I started crying when my contacts fell off. Everything was blurry and I couldn't see the numbers of the cab. I was walking along C5 to Eastwood crying my guts out in my heels and swearing every single step of the way (until Shopwise.)

Pertinent things you must remember:
18 November 2009, Wednesday, around 630pm
TYP 751, RYAN PATRICK
Bagbag, Nova. QC


This morning, on my way to work I saw two RYAN PATRICK taxis. I tried my best to get their numbers but to no avail as I was not wearing contacts.

I would like to think that I am a generally nice person. I would like to believe that I am likable and sweet enough never to get that kind of treatment from anyone I know or do not know. I do not treat my friends mean. I am of the belief that nice taxi cabs must be tipped and that restaurants must be left a decent tip as well. I hold out doors for strangers. I smile at strangers, etc. etc.

My birthday is coming up, you might not be able to teach me how to ride a bike, send me stargazer lilies, or a cupcake. The least I want you to do for me is to spread this story around. If ever, give me the number of RYAN PATRICK. I can not imagine knowing someone else got coins thrown at their face.

AS FOR YOU, taxi driver who LOOKS LIKE JV Ejercito: TANGINA MO KA, MAMATAY KA DIN. (edit: I am not saying anything against the mayor. for all I know he is doing his job right now attending to incidents like this one. Said taxi driver just happens to look like the guy)
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Kath Leomo
22 September 2009 @ 10:56 am
Impenetrability  
Impenetrability is the inability of matter to occupy the same exact place at the same time. Simply put, the space one matter occupies is impermeable in a sense that if one matter has taken the space, no other matter can occupy it while another body has taken its place. Only through displacement of matter can another matter occupy the said space.

Dear fellow MRT Commuter,

This is a very simple physics concept. What I do not understand is that you, fellow commuters on the MRT train, continue to try to defy the concept.

MRT commuters are barbarians out to get the better of the next passenger. Sometimes, I find it more efficient to ride the male train and risk the possibility of feeling the next guy's hard-on than riding the female train. I find, based on experience, that female passengers can be a little more vicious and violent when partaking the daily commute.

Female MRT commuters are armed with more weapons which try to defy this simple physical concept. They are armed with big bags, scented moisturizers, and pointy heels which are concealed weapons. Big bags are used to hit the passengers, club them if they felt the need to so as to accomodate the next thin waif/oaf who are coming in late. Their scented moisturizers which some of them feel the need to apply minutes before they ride the train can be nauseating, that one whiff can disarm you and leave you light-headed. Of course, the deadliest of them all, the high heels, which these passengers use to toe and step on their fellow commuters when they do not get their way.

Don't get me wrong, I love the daily commute. It is one of the things which I look forward to after a long day of work in the office. It is just that I would want to ride the train without fearing for my life--or any defiance of the laws in Physics.
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The Night Starts Here: Philippines, Manila
Celebration Guns: The Breeders - Cannonball
 
Maintenance Hall, 4 am | Count Stars on the Ceiling
 
Kath Leomo
30 June 2009 @ 07:40 am
Commuter Woes [2]  
Riding the FX or those vans are a big part of my life. I spent a good two hours everyday inside those careening pieces of metal which traverse Mindanao Ave. Most times, I just sleep on it especially during the mornings. Days like this one, when I am wide-eyed and excited, I just sit patiently humming random songs from point A to point B.

Believe it or not, I like FX rides or commuting in general. I like long bus rides and train rides and public transportation (except for jeepneys but that's another story.) However, despite my declared love for FX rides there are, of course, exceptions and limits to my love. There are people in FX rides who irritate me to no end, I just want to smash their faces against the glass. Aside from the brutally obvious, like those who sit like they paid 10pesos more than you did, here are some of them:
  • The Lovey-dovey couples. It is not that I am disgusted at PDA, I actually enjoy it myself, it is just that there is always a time and place for everything and that there is a line between tastelessness and romance. I do not mind seeing couples holding hands or even kissing inside the commuter van, however they should keep their conversation to themselves. I don't wanna hear them go cooing at each other. "Di pa poh. Gutom na nga ako eeee." OK, bhe, san tayo kakain, bhe?" "Eeee, hold hands tayooo, bhe" "I lovez you poh talaga poh." Motherfvck, get a room! Stop stroking his goddamn legs and crotch, and you, woman, I am not interested in your man.
  • The DJ. I believe that there is only one person who should have a monopoly of the music to be played during the FX ride: the driver! No matter what he plays, you can not complain openly about it. I hate it when the driver plays weird Pinoy novelty songs, I'd hate it even more so if it is from a fellow passenger. These are those passengers who play their mp4 players so loud there is no room for you to guess what they are playing. "She moves her body like a cycloooone/ And she makes me want to do it all night looong." Keep your music to yourself, and stop polluting this sardine can with your bad heavily remixed pop R&B. Perhaps, blame it on the fact that I associate R&B with the worst kind of boys I ever dated.
  • The Vanity Advocate. The commuter van is a closed space where smells and sounds are shared by every single one of those in it. No matter how bad or good the smells and sounds are, it is inevitable to smell and hear them. There are some of those who believe that the van is an extension of their boudoir and continue their morning rituals in the said ride. Wearing lipgloss and combing their hair and even a little make-up is fine by me. However, there are those who spray perfume, put on scented lotion, powder their faces like a geisha and assume that everyone is delighted by what they put on their bodies. NO. Be considerate. I hate the smell of vanilla perfume, I do not like dusty powder in my eyes, I get icked by that perfume, if you like it do it in an open space, woman.
  • Those who came from Hell. It is understandable how, sometimes, aircon in some of those vans fail at giving the much needed refreshing burst of colder air. If you are suffering, understand that we are suffering too. So please be mindful that we all paid the same, commensurate amount of cash and DO NOT point the aircondition to just your direction. It is not my fault you do drugs, you ran around EDSA, or ate Lugaw just before you got here, learn to share. There will of course be some exceptions, however, the norm is to share.
  • The Town Drunk/Manyak. I have had my share of bad van seatmates, those who can not seem to get any or those who get their kicks rubbing their hands in unseen places. My boobs are very small, thank you. My legs are very thin, so get your goddamn hands away from me and away from your crotch. I have hit someone too many times for this, and I am not afraid to do it again. No, pretending to fall asleep on what is very little of my chest is not accidental. I do not care if you throw up outside the window or hit your head on the seats, I am not accomodating. You are not my date, my boyfriend, my friend, my brother and I do not take care of male strangers who look like they can handle themselves better than I can.
I understand that there are more of them out there. There are many more characters to hate and assasinate in my head, however these are but some I encounter on an almost daily basis. I do not advocate hate, however I advocate consideration and understanding that FX/commuter vans are public transportation.
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Celebration Guns: I Call Shotgun - Ride With Me (Nelly Cover)
 
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Kath Leomo
29 June 2009 @ 10:24 am
I have been told I am withdrawn, several times  
I feign surprise when I hear it, but hearing it too many times validates the idea to me. 

I avoid confrontation as much as possible, and flight is my default defense mechanism. I hate to talk about my feelings or a lot of things in general, only when absolutely necessary. Believe it that when I do delve in it might mean I am moving away from you. I have only successfully talked about my feelings once, but that was because I had the intention of disappearing and leaving things behind.

Today, I asked you a favor. I hate having to explain about these things or giving too much details at the risk of losing another friend's confidence.

While questions may be the a good way to come up with answers and to make sense of some things, there are just some things which has to be taken at face value, and that too many questions are not to be asked and/or warranted.

A, I am afraid I have been too open to you which is why you feel the need to be all over my face at times. When you do this, my affection erodes slowly. I feel that that the only way for me to save any love, respect and liking for you is for me to run away and never hear from you. Learn to take NO for an answer. I feel I have spoiled you with my affection which is why you act like this towards me. You push me. I always give you your way. Too many times, I tell myself I am tired of you, of this, and here I am still.
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Celebration Guns: Radiohead - Jigsaw Falling Into Place
 
 
Kath Leomo
19 June 2009 @ 11:18 am
Your website is a landscape of horrors.  
I hope you'd know this post is about you.

I would like to apologize for being such a coward for doing this. For not braving the courage to put your name while I nitpick every single horror in that website of yours. The thing is: I would like to afford you some anonymity. Needless to say, I think I deserve flowers and a drink for doing you a favor.

(1) Just because you can make a website doesn't mean that you should start one. There are guidelines for tact, intelligence and poise which your website seem to be in short of supply of. Glitters and blinking graphics? No. Bright colors such as orange super imposed with the tackiest of graphics? Never ever. A page for your fugly photos? Holy crap, I think I just threw up in my mouth.

Have you never been taught how to be simple and learn how to hold back? Your website looks like there is a clown drunk on Tequila Sunrise who threw up all over the page. Please!

(2) Spell check, grammar check and common sense check. Unlike blogs which allow for more creative expression where people can tYpE LiKe tHiZzz if their intelligence so permits, your website is not. I understand that you have all the poetic license to write all the nonsense you feel like writing, however, there is a very distinct line between formality and shit. Yours seem to be full of the latter instead of the former.

Do you even read what you have written there? Let me start with this:
  • Your website is full of cliches. If you do not know what that means, I provided a link for you. Click it.. Oh wow, you fell in love. Oh wow, he held your hand and your eyes sparkled like the stars in the night sky. Oh wow, a girl can dream about forever and ever. What irritates me more is that your website seem to be written by highschoolers! MAN! Here I am, all this time, assuming your intelligence. At pinagmamayabang niyo pa yung talino ng sumulat nun? Na magaling siya? Na blah-blah-intelligent-barf-boring. Reading that makes me evaluate what the word INTELLIGENT means. Kasi walang kahit anong bahid ng intelligence yung website. Panay pretense intelligence lang. No wonder people hate you. Ang yabang mo kasi.
  • I assume that people in your sector are intelligent. But that? come on! I had always believed that that lawyers, teachers, doctors, engineers, along with other proffessions, are demanded common sense and a decent grasp of the English grammar. I guess I am right never to have assumed that you are intelligent in the first place.
  • What were your intentions when you wrote that piece of crap you call the ABOUTYOU section? Get people to start washing their eyes? Evaluate every single testimonial or comment they got within the last two weeks and wonder whether it will warrant such a terrible and tasteless description such as yours?
(3) Ampanget. Wala akong masabi kundi ampanget. I would like to put a screen shot of the said website, however I will refuse to. Anyone who wants to see it, send me a message or leave a comment here and I will hook you up with the link. xoxo
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Celebration Guns: The Oohlas - Lemmings Anthem
 
Maintenance Hall, 15 am | Count Stars on the Ceiling
 
Kath Leomo
05 May 2009 @ 07:41 am
Tell Me If This is Offensive  
The HR department:

Good day.

I come with several issues regarding your policy on leaving the bag by the guard every morning.

I highly think that the propensity of losing our personal effects is raised because we are forced to leave our belongings on our table. The thing is, without the stealth  provided by our bags, our personal belongings (such us our cell phones, and wallets) are left in the open thus making it easier for individuals who have plans of theft of spotting our belongings.

The thing is: I believe that the protective mechanism provided by leaving our bags by the guard guarantees no teeth in protecting us. It holds no deterrence, as anyone could easily just walk out of the building or floor carrying personal belongings under their jackets or in their pants. It maintains the same status quo of having more occasions of theft between those of us in the same floor. Even worse, because it leaves our belongings in the open making it easier for thieves to know where to look and what to take.

My point is, I bring a small bag, enough to fit my wallet, my cell phones, my ipod, and some other personal materials. I take a little offense in having to leave my small bag by the guard with nothing in it. While I leave my personal belongings in my cubicle out for future thieves to notice and lust on. One can not say that I leave my personal effects at home or in the locker as: of course, I need my wallet for the purposes of buying stuff from the pantry or wherever. I need my phones because I need to be contacted by the people at home, considering that I act as the mother of the family--my mother needs constant monitoring because she is a stroke patient. Other personal effects such as tissue paper and notebooks are but part and parcel of having to work a 7 to 4 job.

I understand that you are implementing this policy so as to protect the workers in the company. But I come here, with due respect, to tell you that your policy does not have any teeth and its deterrence factor is low as it only raises the propensity of stealing considering our personal effects are out in the open.

My bag is small. I would subject it to thorough inspection if you feel fit, so as to assure the people in the company that I am not stealing from them. I would like to keep it with me in the cubicle because I feel safer like that. And that it helps me deter future thieves, by not letting them see everything I have, unlike the policy we have implemented now.

I would like to be enlightened on the benefits of the policy. As of now, I do not see any direct benefits, except all the detriments it has. By email would do. Thank you.

Thank you and have a nice day.

Respectfully yours,
Diana Kathrina M. Leomo

Tapos lalapitan mo ako para iwan yung bag ko dun. Eh wala na ngang laman? Tanga ba kayo? Napaka dali magnakaw ng ganyan no! ^*(^())(*&()*&^*()^*YIOYY*)^
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