Month: March 2008
It’s a trip that Bing and I have been planning for a long time. We actually planned to do it summer of 2007 but the plans fell through and Bing and I ended up at Putipot with Erwin. That was also one great trip but still not the same. So we kept the fire burning and now we’ve finally done it!
As usual, the hardest part is gathering up committed people interested in going. After considerable effort, we were able to gather nine: Rein, Jessie, Bing, and I together with Len, her friend Maye, Paul, Ann, and Val. But Len, Maye, and Jessie backed out close to the trip date. Good thing Roly stepped in and joined at the last minute. And so with seven people, off we went.
Crissy told me about the PNP now requiring the registration of airsoft rifles and pistols at a cost similar to that of real firearms. So now if you don’t register you can suddenly become a criminal for possession of a toy! Funny since, airguns below .22 caliber don’t even need to be registered. And to think they can’t yet resolve the proliferation of loose (unregistered) firearms that are mainly in the hand of unlawful elements. Talk about money-making schemes. The irony is that the idea was hatched by a brilliant airsoft-playing lawyer (aren’t they all?). Paintball markers aren’t yet covered. But I’m sure it’s just a matter of time before some greedy bureaucrat sees the opportunity.
Last friday, even before the Pacquiao vs Marquez fight, I was witness to a fight between two… chocolate bars. Aby mentioned that Choco Mucho is her version of the power bar. I’ve always had Cloud 9 as my version of the power bar. Always in pursuit of the truth… and something to munch on, I got a bar of each and compared. First, the tale of the tape:
| CLOUD 9 | CHOCO MUCHO | |
| Luscious Caramel, Crunchy Peanuts and Soft Nougat in Rich Chocolate | Description | Milk Chocolate Caramel Wafer Roll Cereal Crispies |
| 30g | Weight | 30g |
| 2g | Protein | 1g |
| 23g | Carbohydrates | 20g |
| 5g | Fats | 7g |
| P7 | Price | P7 |
| URC | Manufacturer | Rebisco |
And then it was the all important taste test. When the smoke cleared… and only the wrappers remained, the winner was Cloud 9 (sorry Aby :P)! Choco Mucho is bigger and crunchier but pound per pound gram per gram Cloud 9 just got more bang for the buck peso. More carbs and protein and less undesirable fats in a tastier and smaller package that allows you to cram more into your pocket. It has successfully defended its belt and shall remain my version of the power bar… for now.
Today, Manny Pacquiao fights Juan Manuel Marquez. It will be a national event… again. The whole country will come almost to a standstill as everyone watches the bout. No playing badminton. Less traffic. Less crime.
Before, I thought people were kidding when it was said that it will be a zero-crime day. But apparently the police expect the crime rate to actually dip during the fight. This phenomenon has actually been recorded during Pacquiao’s previous fights. They believe it is because even the criminally-inclined will also be watching.
Even more, the military is declaring a truce with insurgents for the duration of the bout. Some lawmakers have flown to Vegas to watch (I hope not with taxpayers’ money). Maybe even GMA and notorious hubby Mike will take the time off from scheming and watch. Indeed, it is a national event.
UPDATE: Pacquiao won. Yay! And we still got to play badminton.