Review: Kebos Powergarde 1000VA UPS

I've been an APC guy for many decades, since the time of Intel486 and Pentium133. But now when it's time to add-in a speaker hungry for higher wattage on a UPS, I knew it was time to check out and gamble on other brands. Im also counting on the high chance that, for a relatively simpler circuitry of a UPS, APC's competitors should have caught up somehow with APC's vaunted reliability. It shouldn't be that hard to reengineer a power device (as opposed to a driver-controlled circuitry of a say, a processor) after all. And it has been so many years since various companies from Asia launched their own companies to produce UPS's.

And so there are firms like Secure, Intex, Kebos, Ablerex, Izuki, FSP, et al to choose from. But I can't find a full review of any one except a quick one liners on forums. Intex did not last one year, Secure is unproven, etc.

Kebos and FSP, to their credit, have one liners in US forums. They must have been good enough to be picked up by US distributors.

Also, there might be a multitude of choices when you check glancingly, but as regular buyers at Gilmore knows, availability is also very important. You may be tempted by PC Option's or PC Express's long item list, but youll know eventually that not all of them are in stock. And so I saw Kebos as one readily available, at a better price, at the VA rating that I need, thats the one candidate possible to gamble on. Here's my review of it after one week's use:


Positives: 

The box is pink. It's not everyday when you see electronics boxed in pink. This in fact bore 50% on my decision to choose and gamble on Kebos. I loved their audacity to use pink. Does Kebos's market research discovered that somehow there's already so many female gaming enthusiasts who would be attracted to pink? And it was time to attract them with a UPS in a pink box? They should have made the UPS pink also, but alas audaciousness is always limited.

I dont know what the Plus means, but whether it's more reliable battery or just a higher beeping sound, it should still mean one level higher than plane Powergarde, and therefore... a cause of gladness.

The box is also fairly articulate on its labels outside, unlike the others which are screaming-made-in-china (although this Kebos is still made in China) via it's awkwardly phrased one slogan, a generic brand name, and then a slew of mis-spellings somewhere.

The build of the Kebos also seem solid enough. The metal is not of the thinny type, the painting finish okay, the spray painted labels good enough, and the plastic of the button signifying robustness enough.

One also does not need to press 5 or 8 seconds to turn off or on thing. Just one touch is ok. While accidental switching off or on is prevented by the recessed location of the switch. 

I also like the punch-moulded Kebos logo on the top, unlike the other brand that I asked to be opened--Secure--which is purely a black shoebox, not even having the sticker satying Secure anywhere on the UPS itself. That Secure UPS will become brandless once you take it out of the box. 

I peeked at the AC terminals, and the copper plates appear thick and robust enough against constant plug in and outs.  3 outlets are also enough for my need. Enough for the speaker, iMac, and router that I need to plug in. And not too many to encourage adding printers, TV, and others that may overload the thing if all these electronics are  running at the same time at peak power.  

The plug is just enough for this setup of mine. 

I tried to peak at the circuitry inside, but wasnt able to perceive anything. Apologies. 

Kebos also bothered to write and print a fairly complete and understandable manual. This useable manual is also complete with a graph. It's also not in hurry to explain. There's some sincerity to teach, thus.

Negatives

I dont like the sharp screws protruding on the bottom. Although it wont scratch your floor (since there are bumps that serves as stands, and are higher than the screws),

The UPS is continually charging even at off state. The blinking green light at off state is supposed to indicate charging state. But I left it overnight and it is still blinking the following (late) morning. Does this mean the UPS doesnt know when it is fully charged? This is bothersome. Need to buy one of those kill-a-watt watt loggers to check on actual power consumption. This thing might be making Meralco richer needlessly. 

Verdict

Got the Kebos to 2700 PhP. APC's model at the same power rating already is around 10 K PhP. 2700 PhP is a bet on Kebos Im willing to lose 

If this Powergarde Plus guards me indeed from power surges and dips, no fried electronics in its service, and battery lasted me 2 years, I'll be happy. 

Go Kebos!

Aling Lucing's Sisig

We had to drop by SM Sta Mesa to check out if the department store there have the stock of  the Merrell sandals, at the specific size, we are eyeing. 

We didnt plan to have dinner at that mall, but when we passed by the food court, we saw Aling Lucing's Sisig. 

I wondered if this is by the same owners of the original Aling Lucing im Pampanga, the inventor of that killer of a dish, the bane of all batoks, the vein clogger of all beer drinkers, the undefeatable pulutan... Sisig. 

We asked the lady counter if theyre affiliated with the Pampanga carinderia, but she didnt know. And we also havent been to the original. Weve been planning to some time (and also try to hit the original Razon's in one trip), but we dont have Googlemap before, so still no cigar.

Anyway, at 98 pesos, you are given an ample serving of tasty sisig. Talampunay ordered grilled liempo with the added Sinigang option at 110 PhP. She said the liempo is unremarkable.

The sisig is really fatty, perhaps 40% fat composition as shown in this picture. At one point when a spoonful lands in your mouth, you can feel the creaminess of fat swimming in your tongue. Creamy coagulation starting to do its magic. Wow.  

Although I would choose the crunchy variant of sisig, some purists say that that is not the original sisig, but just sizzling chicharon. They have a point. 

If the indication of how genuine a sisig is in how painful your nape feels 30 minutes after eating, then this sisig is truly authentic. I had trouble driving on the way home. 

BAD CASE: Otterbox Real Tree Defender Case for iPhone 4S

The case is good, functionally:  

--not too big (still ergonomic, i would say), 

--better grip (compared to just bare iphone)

--firm close-to-precise fit (all parts).

--gives comfort in knowing that your expensive phone is protected at all times

--good camo orange (can see iphone immediately; less chance of having it misplaced)

But after just 3 months of usage, the rubber is now deformed. Material appears expanding although it is not exposed to extreme heat or sunlight (probably just the heat from a battery being charged or friction inside one's jean's pocket?).

For a 35 USD case, this is truly disappointing.

And it seems to be getting worse. I can not even close the charging port cover by this time, plus the resulting lump in the home button is truly annoying (considering that youll push the home button many times during the day).

I saw in the marking inside one of the parts that it is made in the US. Is this is a mistake in material selection by Otterbox's vaunted state-side manufacturing?

From my reading, the Defender model has been in the market for years since the early iPhone iterations. Hasnt Otterbox learned to screen for the right rubber or silicone material over the years?

I would discourage anyone from buying this case, obviously. Judging from the rate of degradation, this case will probably become unusable in 6 months. Very short useful life. Truly disappointing.

Regarding 'Give Up Tomorrow'

Saw this yesterday. Film is well-made, and it's always good to see a movie that is fighting for something. At the minimum, it's always good to witness the exposition and style and direction of attack by the filmmakers. The film is also a decent study on how Philippine Justice System is currently in disarray.

But i have misgivings:

1) In the end, this is one whole movie regarding the struggles of one person--Paco Larrañaga. There's a disclaimer near the credits saying the the focus is on Paco primarily because he represents the whole group convicted for the Chiong Murders, but why not spare 10 minutes on the other players? Perhaps a bit of time for one of the poorest in the group for greater sympathy? Or all of them are rich?

2) Devoting one documentary on one rich mestizo also brings me discomfort, when you place it side by side with say, any thing by Ditsi Carolino. Minsan Lang Sila Bata definitely deserves way more production funds, slots in our theaters, and viewers' attention than this one

3) In the streets of Cebu, Paco is known for his thuggish behavior. He has a reputation that reinforced whatever 'natural' bias (which came out the moment he was arrested) the Cebuano masses have against him. And bottomline he is now a convicted felon from RTC all the way to the Supreme Court. Anyone can read SC's decision online, one link:
http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2005/jul2005/138874_75.htm, has this passage

At this juncture, it bears mentioning that this case is not the first time that Larrañaga was charged with or complained of pruriently assaulting young female students in Cebu.  Months before the abduction of Marijoy and Jackie, the parents of a certain Rochelle Virtucio, complained about Larrañaga’s attempt to snatch their young daughter and drag her in a black, stylish Honda Civic.    It happened just near the gate of Rochelle’s school, thus, showing his impudence.    We quote a portion of the transcript of stenographic notes dated September 23, 1998, thus:            “ATTY. HERMOSISIMA:            Your Honor please, this is a …. Inspector Era handed to this representation a copy of a Letter dated September 25, 1996, addressed to the Student Affairs Office, University of San Carlos,P. del Rosario Street, Cebu City, and this is signed by Leo Abayan and Alexander Virtucio and noted by Mrs. Aurora Pacho, Principal, University of San Carlos, Girls High School, and for the record, I will read the content: TO WHOM THIS MAY CONCERN:             We the parents and guardians of Rochelle Virtucio, a first year high school student of your University of San Carlos-Girls High School, are writing your good office about an untoward incident involving our daughter and another student of your school.             x  x  x                                                  x    x  x             That last Monday at around 5:00 PM, Rochelle and other classmates, Michelle Amadar and Keizaneth Mondejar, while on their way to get a ride home near the school campus, a black Honda Civic with five young male teenagers including the driver, suddenly stopped beside them, and simultaneously one of them, which was later identified as FRANCISCO JUAN LARRANAGA, a BSHRM I student of your school, grabbed Rochelle by her hand to try to get Rochelle to their vehicle. She resisted and got away from him. Sensing some people were watching what they were doing, they hurriedly sped away.
            We are very concerned about Rochelle’s safety. Still now, she is suffering the shock and tension that she is not supposed to experience in her young life. It is very hard for us parents to think about what she’d been through.”[16]           The presence of such complaint in the record of this case certainly does not enhance Larrañaga’s chance of securing an acquittal.

We've all gone to high school and college and familiar with these sorts. They are bullies with a dangerous combination of arrogance and libido. Mr. Larranaga is not an angel deserving pity.

4) The film's attempt to demonstrate unbiased, balanced exposition is shorthanded, we can say not evenhanded. Again, if one reads SC's decision, there are points against Paco that should have been debunked if the filmmakers intended to build a solid case. Accusing the Chiongs of covering up for a druglord (whos the one supposed to have done the killings) doesnt hold water. Any parent will attempt to fight any mafia if it's their children who are kidnapped and raped.

5) This is petty--but Paco is one of the 'blessed' at Munti who was allowed to construct his own special room, in the ranks of Rolito Go, Jalosjos, Mayor Sanchez. His family has money and clout, this movie is probably just one more demonstration of that clout and wealth.

It's known that all docus are propaganda, Im just saying there are better advocacy deserving our indignance and whatever strong emotions.

The 5-star review from Philip Dy at clickthecity was what made me see Give Up Tomorrow. He's one of the reviewers I respect today, mainly for not being involved in mainstream (and the attendendant payola system), but I think this one doesnt deserve 5. It also doesnt deserve the 200 PhP I paid for. Im now looking for a Ditsi Carolino DVD Set to show Talampunay and keepsake for the kids. It's good to keep the activist stance, but Larranaga's plight is not deserving mass activism; has no tug of sympathy if you process it more. Just leave the fight to his family.

Magpa-sense, magpa-feel

If the award-giving bodies of this country are any good, all of them should give the best picture awaard to this movie. 

Why?

1) for sheer audacity and braveness

2) for the perfect actor in the lead role

3) all the filmmakers wanted to put in a movie about being gay (set pieces and all), theyve put them all here. this is usually a bad thing, but they handled it right. 

4) if it doesnt bring even a smile, youre stupid. 

5) has production value; sound, lighting, score are all decent. you wont see a boom mike on the top of the screen, or dubbing horribly out of sync. 

6) fantastic fantastical plot.enjoy.  

7) all the actors played it right

8) a true indie production that must be supported, in order to kill that star cinema craps fed to the public. you can see the indie spirit even in how known stars played cameo roles. (they were probably paid with lumpia, pancit luglug ng lucban, and longganisa).

9) No needless scene. No prolonged shots of a crying soap opera fool. 

10) the movie is pure entertainment 

Zombadings 1: Patayin sa Shokot si Remington

White Tiger at Mga Kups Julia Vargas Ave, Pasig

Inilantad nang librong White Tiger ni Aravind Adiga ang sari-saring nakakatuwa, nakakarimarim, nakakaaliw, nakakaawa, nakaka-nganga ng bibig, na paraan nang panlalamang, korupsyon, pagpapahirap, pangmamata, paniniiil, at pang-aalipin… mga sistemang bulok sa modernong India.

Halimbawa, ayon sa White Tiger, ang eskwelahan daw sa probinsya ay lupa pa ang sahig. At ang titser ay hindi nagtuturo. Ang alam lamang niya ay manghampas nang yantok sa puwit nang mga bata, at ang matulog maya’t-maya, at dumura sa dingding ng paaralan kapag nagigising. Hindi nakakarating ang mga libreng unipormeng nilaan ng gubyerno para sa mga estudyante, dahil pinitik na ang pondo para rito ng titser..

Meron ding kwento tungkol sa isang ospital na walang duktor, pero sa listahan ng attendance ay parating may duktor, kumpleto pati nars. Kasi ang logbook nang attendance ay nasa munusipyo, minamarkahan na lang duon ang logbook, nagkukuntsabahan, at naglilistahan nang attendance at parte ng kurakot ang mga ulupong. Sumusweldo ang doctor sa trabaho nya sa pampublikong ospital, pero pwede pa rin syang sumideline sa pribadong mga hospital. Duling na duling--doble ang kita, ‘ika nga,. 

Naaaliw nang husto marahil ang mga taga-kanluran sa pagbabasa ng mga ganitong anekdota. Novelty ang mga kwentong ito sa kanila, kaya pumatok ang libro. Tingin ko nga’y inilista muna nang awtor ang kung anu-anong sistema nang panggagantso na nalalaman nya nang personal at isiniksik sa isang matinding librong ito. Mahusay na naihabi ang dramas sa buhay ng bida palibot sa mga ito.

[Isang drayber ang bida na rumangya ang buhay mula sa pagkakalugmok sa pinakailalim na sistema ng korupsyon sa probinsya. Sa istruktura nang nobela kunwa’y sinusulat nya ang kwento nang buhay para ilahad sa Prime Minister ng Tsina na kasalukuyang bumibisita sa India].

Maeengganyo rin naman ang sinumang pinoy na magbabasa ng White Tiger, dahil malalaman nya na mayroon din tayo nang panraraket na tulad nang mga iniksplika sa libro. May mga matitindi rin, at may mga maliliit na makakapagpangiti sabay makakapagpailing na lamang sa ating bansa.

Halimbawa, kapag napadaan sa Julia Vargas, patulak nang Megamol, mapapansin mo na sa huling bloke bago mag-megamol mismo, magiging one way ang mismong Julia Vargas. Pag napadaan ka nang gabi rito, mamamataan mo na di nawawalan ng traffic enforcer sa mismong gitna bago maging one way ang dalawang kalsada na hinahati nang island. Pinakamababa ang tatlong magagaling na enforcers ang nakatayo, hindi nagtatrapik, hindi nagsesenyas, basta nakatayo lamang at nag-aabang. Kasi, pag natyempo ka sa pinakalabas na lane nang kalsada, at di ka lumiko sa biglang nag-one way na kabilang kalye, tiklo ka. Kikil at tatakutin ka nang inconvenience eklat sa pagtubos nang tiket. Ituturo sayo ang isang sign na di mo napansin dahil gabi. Dabest na raket. Ito marahil ang real source of income nila gabi-gabi.

Syangapala sa dulo ng WhiteTiger (dapat kunin mo ang cover ay tulad nang nasa picture sa itaas) ay meron pang reading guide. Parang eksamin ito para mas malasap pa ang mga dapat matutunan sa libro. Parang Noli at Fili. Anggaling,

Pero nabanggit na rin lang ang Noli, parang White Tiger nga rin pala itong nobelang ni Rizal sa isang banda. Nakaispat nga lamang sa mga prayle, kaya malamang boring na siya ngayon sa kabataan. Oras na siguro para gumawa tayo nang pang-kontemporaryong lipunan. Yung mga payola system eklat na naglipana sa lahat nang ahensya nang gubyerno. Ultimong mmda enforcer e pag nakadama nang konting kapangyarihan, e talaga namang pang-iiskor ang mga nasa isip. Kayang-kaya isulat yan ni Norman Wilwayco. 

Rakenrol Comics: The Book of Genesis Illustrated by R. Crumb (Review)

MESMERIZING drawings, discomforting panels... this book is easily a landmark of the graphic novel genre.

I first saw an excerpt from this book in The New Yorker magazine’s cartoon issue. The teaser captured cleverly the Adam and Eve episode of Genesis—which of course is the tastiest to draw and capture in comics. It is what attracted me to buy.

Of course the whole book is not as entrancing as that one episode. For example, there are boring chapters explaining lineage—man 1 and man 2 are the sons of man from his “seed” to this woman, and then Crumb did his best to draw unique faces of these persons (with distinct facial hair, headwear, accessories, etc.) to differentiate them and maintain reader interest.

But then the chapters showing the semi-savagery, primitiveness, and weirdness of this first book of the bible are depicted brilliantly. Those make the book's price worth it.

At the minimum, it will make you open that thick bible languishing at your shelf to check if the various narratives, characters, and scenes are really in there. And indeed you’ll discover that everything is in there! Incest, massacres, bludgeoning, generous amounts of sex, a selfish, “love-me, praise-me, you-are-my-servant" God (He seems to be competing with other Gods on some parts), Abraham pimping his wife, rape,... as the cover says--everything illustrated "nothing left out!"

How Crumb draws his people and frame a scene bring out that very unique appeal. It is raw talent to imagine and draw Noah, for instance, as looking like a bumbling, confused old man, and Rachel to have the nose ring, and with a face of seeming perpetual condescension. I also love how we God was depicted here as the "traditional" long beard and flowing white dress... but with a twist of a very expressive face (you'll know when he's really mad).

Definitely worth the price! Deserves a place in your bookshelf. As a coffee table book, it would entrance any guest who casually picks it up. Radical.

Review: Digital Photography Book Vol. 3

This series is truly progressing. And I think Scott as a photographer (Photographer, not as a Photoshop Wizard) has also improved tremendously since volume 1. Just one prime indication: in vol. 1 many pictures used to illustrate the tips are from istockphoto, rather than the author’s own takes. Here in volume 3, I remember only the two pages on Underwater Photography are from istock, the rest are either by Scott himself or his assistants.

The really useful tips have increased widely from Vol 1, Vol 2, to Vol 3. The chapter on Sports Photography in this book, for example, is meatier and useable. The studio shots are also more complicated and more varied. There’s even a devoted chapter for Product Photography (new chapter)   Just to cite two pages of solid tips: there is one regarding experimenting on white balance, and another on getting that starry effect from sunshine. You’ll feel the sincerity in the informal teaching. Imagine: there’s even one recommending to shoot puddles during travelling. Well that’s been a technique not straightly being said in many books on Urban Photography, but you see it indeed every now and then on portfolios of “good, creative”  travel photos. 

 The studio shots and setups are great, and the guides to getting these shots are very clear. There are even more inputs on manipulating sofboxes.   The instructions are now longer, no feeling of being rushed. The accompanying website is also very useful and on a teaching mode. Other useful bits: a clear line drawn between continuous and hot-shoe flashes, a whole chapter on lenses (not afraid to take a stand and recommend what he actually uses). I also like how Scott shows what he packs for wedding, portrait, travelling shoots.

One of the unintended consequence though: Scott’s recommendation for gears is getting more and more EXPENSIVE. From just discussing the several sizes of softbox in volume 2, we know have strip banks, grids, ring lights, beauty dish, cubelite, triflectors,… and these are just from one chapter!   I think that’s the point, however. If you are serious a photographer, your expense will also increase. You have to spend to get to the next level.

This is a very good book to complete the selection. But if you’ve started at Vol 3, best to just go back to Vol 2… then skip Volume 1. You’ll feel shortchanged by Vol 1, and most tips in there are repeated in the last two volumes. I have no idea what is left to discuss for volume 4, except perhaps even more expensive gears, more serious location shoots, more complicated “recipes."

One other thing: Scott should also be congratulated for the choice for the girl model. Very expressive, very versatile, very pretty.  :-)  

I rambled too much here. But in a nutshell Im just saying, this book is easily the best in the series... so far.

Review: Inglorious Basterds

The best movie that Ive seen on the big screen this year!

That Christoph Waltz actor nailed it! Fantastic.

Easily Tarantino's second best (behind of course Pulp Fiction).

Review: The Reader and Kate Winslet

"You don't have the power to upset me. You don't matter enough to upset me."

"What we feel isn't important. It's utterly unimportant. The only question is what we do. If people like you don't learn from what happened to people like me, then what the hell is the point of anything?"

"You don't have the power to upset me. You don't matter enough to upset me."

"What we feel isn't important. It's utterly unimportant. The only question is what we do. If people like you don't learn from what happened to people like me, then what the hell is the point of anything?"

"It doesn't matter what I feel. It doesn't matter what I think. The dead are still dead."

[This quote by the way has a parallel with what the Tom Wilkinson character said in Last Kiss...

"Stop talking about love. Every asshole in the world says he loves somebody. It means nothing. It still doesn't mean anything. What you feel only matters to you. It's what you do to the people you say you love, that's what matters. It's the only thing that counts." But I digress]

These dialogues should be enough to make you watch the movie, and savor… like that spicy seasoning.

The Reader is not a straight love story, but a brilliant movie that used an unconventional love story plot. Especially if youre allergic to love stories,  we can just say that it's a movie with a beautiful story. Period. Not having a happy ending made it even more so.

And it is Kate Winslet who carried more than 50% of this movie. It could have failed without her. Ralph Fiennes and the younger Ralph Fiennes character handled their part of the deal.

Kate Winslet is pure versatility. There is not one trademark ‘Winslet acting…’ and this is good. She plays each role differently, and as they should be played. Say compare her character here in The Reader with the one in Eternal Sunshine. A definite Wow on the absolute disparity. Can someone measure how her brows furrow less to exhibit an emotion from a braver to a weaker character? Im sure she prepares well  with a character study and all, not just getting ready for each take.

Then there is also grace and temperance. She doesn’t over-act, and it all appears effortless to her. (an equivalent for a man would be I think Robert Duvall). And most of all, I think she’s very brave in assuming unexpected, unconventional roles. I mean, if I were an actor, I'd be shaking to my deepest loins if Im asked to assume the challenges she had taken, not just because she had to be naked on some scenes, but also because anyone can easily fail miserably even in as simple as the accents of the personalities she played.

Amazing as well how she became the standard bearer of women with meat on their bones, unlike what Kate Moss and other images of bulimia propagated in the past three decades.

I don’t like Kate Winslet’s mole on her face though. But that's just stupid me, being distracted from time to time, while watching a master actress.

Review: Lastolite Ezybox Softbox

Every time I get the chance, that is every time there is someone I can haggle, I purchase goods at Amazon.com then have the items delivered at a friend's hotel, for handcarry later to here, beautiful Philippines. 

Amazon sends me email inviting me to review my purchases. Spur of the moment, I write some reviews. Here is one sample for a softbox... 

The main selling point of this softbox is in the ease of assembling and dis-. It is perfect for the travelling hobbyist. This ezybox, plus a decent reflector, two external flashes (i use another 580 EXII to trigger the one attached to the ezybox), and then somebody to hold both implements, can make perfect pictures during family vacations. The pictures you can take shall be good enough to brag. 

The package includes the shoe-slot that fits 580 EX II, all the brackets needed, and then the blue lastolite case. The entire thing will easily fit in a backpack. 

Though sime might find the light from this box a bit harsh as a fill or main light on certain conditions. To resolve, you will have to make certain adjustments on the flash's power output and get the right blend of shutter speed and aperture. These cases call for many trial-and-error shots; could test the patience of you and your subject. For me though, Im finding myself using another tri-grip diffuser to diffuse the light more (very close the person's face or the product, just out of the camera view) on most instances. I've been using mine for almost a year now. If I can do the purchase over again though, will just save and wait for the 24 x 24" size (this was out of stock the time I made my purchase).

Sample pictures lit by the softbox…

Perhaps more important is to get the basic rough lighting/shadows that you want...

Then just finish it up with Photoshop...

Rebyu: Gerilya Fighter, Good Novel (akda ni Norman Wilwayco)

(sinandwich ng sedaris at rushdie para ipakita ang manipis na librong ito--na sa sobrang galing ay kayang tapusin sa isang upuan)

Simula nang mabasa ko ang maikling kwentong ito na itinuro nang isang blog, aba kaagad-agad na humanga ako kay Norman Wilwayco.

Agad kong pinuntahan ang Bookay na tindahan sa Maginhawa St. Diliman (nanduon daw ang mga libro nya) para bilhin at basahin ang kanyang mga nalimbag nang obra nya. Nabili ko ang Gerilya. Matindi ito.

(nilimbag sya gamit ang papel nang parang sa Precious Hearts romances. Ang galing. Parang personal project talaga. Walang padri-padrinong negosyante! Rakenrol!)

Mahusay si Norman. Panalo ang nobela. Maaksyon, matapang, hindi boring.

Bagamat ang mga hardliner ay pwedeng punahin ang panggigilid ng awtor, sa pagpipigil at matamlay na opinyon tungkol sa relevance ng kilusan ngayon, hindi na dapat ito gawin. Ito ang kanyang piniling tirada ng nobela, hindi na dapat pakialaman iyon. Pinili marahil ng awtor ang mabilis na daloy ngkwento at wala nang pahina pang magugugol sa pampabagal ng anumang disertasyon pa.

Bagamat sa aking pagbabasa, di ko napigilang isipin: hungkag na nga ba ang pakikipaglaban mula sa kuta sa bundok? (Tandaan: si Satur ay congressman na. Si Popoy naman ay dinedbol sa UP pagkatapos mananghalian sa mamahaling Chocolate Kiss sa loob ng UP Diliman). Hindi tinumbok ang paksang ito ng diretso, pero pinahapyawan sya nang sapat kung tutuusin. Pinahapyawan din ang iba pang mga katanungang ito:

--Kailangan pa ba ang mga kasama para maipagtanggol ang naaapi sa kanayunan? Parang ang sagot ng nobela ay: oo, kailangan pa sila laban na rin sa patuloy pananamantala ng naghaharing maylupa. Nandyan pa rin silang mga ulupong. Mga bisnesman na gahaman, isama na ang mga ulol na cafgu at sundalo.

--ang mismong conflict ba sa loob ng kilusan ay puspos na rin ng lamat (tulad ng ibang organisasyon,  parating may iringan, parating may nananamantala, maraming dudahan), kaya kailangan nang baguhin organisasyon ng pakikipaglaban???  

--o talagang sa panahon ngayon, nasubukan na ang komunismo—at hindi na sya tenable bilang purong ideyalismo, patungong minimithing utopia. Kailangan nga itong pag-usapan. 

---Sinabi senyo mabibigat ang binanatan ng nobela. Ano pang sustansya ang hahanapin mo sa isang librong napakanipis at mahigit sandaan lang ang bentahan?

Oo, may mga maliliit na pwedeng i-gripe. Katulad nang maraming typo. (Hindi kaya naasar ang mga hurado nang Palanca (na madalas may pagka-OC sa mga typo na ito?) . May mga habi ng istorya na di naibuhol sa huli. Sana rin iniba na lamang tono nang chapters nang para kay Ala, at hiwalay rin ang para kay Tony, para maarok sya nang mabilis nang masa. Pero napakaliliit ng mga angal na ito kumpara sa matinding dating at daluyong nang nobela.

May lovestory pa, may saysay, at tila may mala-Rambong eksena pa nang pagsungkit nang nakabaong bala sa katawan. Meron ding pag-ibig at trahedya ng ina, ama, at anak.

Wow. Bibihira ang ganitong babasahin. Kailangang suportahan ang librong ito. Ikalat. Basahin nang marami. Ipanregalo sa Pasko

-----
POSTSCRIPT

Hinahanap ko ang Mondomonila at Responde.'Ala na sya sa bookay ukay, ubos na raw. sinabi sa akin na magpunta sa Junkie Shop sa Cubao X. pinuntahan ko pero sarado. Gabing-gabi yata nagbubukas ang tindahang yaon.

Nakita ko ang Mondomanila sa Mag:Net sa may Katipunan, aba, ang presyo, limandaang piso! Alam kaya ni Mr. Wilwayco ito? Magkano kaya ang kanyang royalty sa mga kopyang maibebenta nga nang mag:net nang limandaan ang isa (samantalang medyo lukot na ang pabalat nang mga kopya sa establisymentong ito)

Review: A Most Wanted Man (John LeCarre)

The first John LeCarre that Ive read [twas more than 10 years ago] was Our Game. His characters in this book get tremblingly jealous, nauseatingly vengeful, furiously indignant. The protagonist himself is languishing on moral dilemmas. I have read Constant Gardener, Tailor of Panama, Absolute Friends, since, Our Game remains his strongest for me... until this one.

Some people, as with Absolute Friends and Constant Gardener, would probably dislike the book for its ending. Lecarre could have wrapped it up differently by revising just the last 20 page, and the book will sell a couple of hundred thousands more, but LeCarre chooses the most plausible ending that he thinks happen today (same case for his the books I mentioned above). It's his own little way to fan the ember of activism and awareness/alertness on what's happening.

Well even if you don't like spycraft stories and the political underpinning in the book, you will still enjoy the very human characters. They are brilliantly framed, most probably rigorously pre-studied, and the drama is taut. This book is guaranteed worth your while.

To us who work 8am to 8pm, we cant really hope to finish a novel anymore in one week. Much less, expect to start it. But how LeCarre waves real breathing people will take you to finish a book once you started. The tension is always there even without the gunfights and explosions. Last 75 pages especially are fire-y, frenzy.

Review: Age of Turbulence by Alan Greenspan (Paperback, Expanded)

[picture from Amazon.com]

There's a typo on page 527! It's annoying, but everything else in the book is, to say the least, worth your while.

No one can deny that the first part, the real memoir part, is brilliant. There is no grandstanding, no self-aggrandizing, very modest. And the swipes on the personalities that he disagrees with are nothing short of perfect in rationality; and in using a relaxed tone in doing these, the personal hits appear even more effective.

The book also tries concisely to explain how FED works in the macro- and microeconomic environment. For one, you will understand why it is not possible to do that proverbial "when I become President" idea to eradicate poverty--i.e. it's impossible to just print more and more money to get your country richer and richer.

In trying to just pass by some important concepts though with just a quick footnote, the lay man may not fully get some of the `levers,' impact of controlling money supply, the give and take of increasing and decreasing reserves and interests, etc. The best place of course to learn all these is in an economics classroom with a textbook, but if you get the concept at first pass, the illustration flows perfectly into solid learning.

The writing is sometimes academic, and Greenspan loves to use "to be sure", to have transition between sentences or paragraphs. My advise is: if you don't get the thought in one pass, read the sentence/paragraph again to get full learning. (I would believe that one of the intention of the author here is to teach and let the public be aware of how, most of all, market economies work).

Greenspan's opinions on some of the contentious issues of present and future are short and just give options, but on others they are solid like there's no other choice (like in allowing immigration)--so you cant accuse the author of fedspeaking without standing for anything all the way.

Now on the most important part in this paperback edition... I think there's a sudden shift of tone, towards a bit of `fedspeak,' on the bonus chapter. I think if Mr. Greenspan has a chance, he would re-write this epilogue. It would be sour if he wrote this with a pure intention to excuse his tenure as having no influence at all to the current crisis. (Lehman did not fold yet when he wrote this update). This epilogue is more like saying nothing could have been done, except there should be more enforcement and laws on corporate governance, although he admitted in one of the public hearings already that there is a `flaw' in the system. Mr. Greenspan ought to write another book, even if just to extend this chapter. (I would also buy it).

But overall, this book should be judged on its merit and original intent, regardless whether we blame the person for this crisis or just plain hate or like his past policies on hindsight. When you read the book, everything is presented with reason and beliefs based on intelligent data and experience.

The book deserves 5 stars, no doubt.