If you want to see samples of my comics work, head on over to CapsuleZone! If you want to see my graphic design portfolio, just go to Reno Maniquis Graphic Works! Thanks for dropping by!

Friday, June 28, 2002

Slow day at the office today. We're all just waiting 'til 6:00 comes around then we'll be heading off somewhere for "gimik."

I'm listening to John Mayer right now, my absolute favorite album at the moment. Man, this guy's good. Cool to listen to, and meaningful lyrics to boot. His CD is sold out in every music store I went to here in Manila, so I had to settle for a cassette tape.

You can check out his website at...

http://www.johnmayer.com/

My favorite song is "My Stupid Mouth." I guess most of us guys have felt this way one time or the other. Lyrics below...

MY STUPID MOUTH

My stupid mouth
Has got me in trouble
I said too much again
To a date over dinner yesterday
And I could see
She was offended
She said "well anyway..."
Just dying for a subject change

Oh, another social casualty
Score one more for me
How could I forget?
Mama said "think before speaking"
No filter in my head
Oh, what's a boy to do
I guess he better find one soon

We bit our lips
She looked out the window
Rolling tiny balls of napkin paper
I played a quick game of chess with the salt and pepper shaker
And I could see clearly
An indelible line was drawn
Between what was good, what just slipped out and what went wrong

Oh, the way she feels about me has changed
Thanks for playing, try again.
How could I forget?
Mama said "think before speaking"
No filter in my head
Oh, what's a boy to do
I guess he better find one

I'm never speaking up again
It only hurts me
I'd rather be a mystery
Than she desert me

Oh I'm never speaking up again
Starting now

One more thing
Why is it my fault?
So maybe I try too hard
But it's all because of this desire
I just wanna be liked
I just wanna be funny
Looks like the jokes on me
So call me captain backfire

Oh, the way she feels about me has changed
Thanks for playing, try again.
How could I forget?
Mama said "think before speaking"
No filter in my head
Oh, what's a boy to do
I guess he better find one

I'm never speaking up again
It only hurts me
I'd rather be a mystery
Than she desert me

Oh I'm never speaking up again
Starting now

Wednesday, June 26, 2002

Famed Pinoy cartoonist Larry Alcala passed away last Monday, June 24, 2002. The cause of death was heart failure.

He created some of the most memorable strips in Philippine history, my favorites among them are Bing, Bam, Bung, Kalabog en Bosyo, Siopawman and perhaps his most famous character, Asiong Aksaya.

But maybe the one thing he was really known for was the Slice of Life cartoons. I remember as a child going through the Sunday paper and smiling at the funny things Pinoys do. But the real challenge was in finding Mr. Alcala's face hidden somewhere in the drawing.

Thank you, Larry Alcala. Thank you for making us laugh and showing us the lighter side of life. You will be missed.



Tuesday, June 25, 2002

Sent to me by my sister, Babu. Nice thoughts on how everyone can get along in this world...

There are many things that we can do to perk up and strengthen our interpersonal relationships. Yet the most effective involves the saying of just three words. When spoken or conveyed, these statements have the power to forge new friendships, deepen old ones and restore relationships that have cooled. The following three-word phrases can enrich every relationship.

I'll be there.

If you have ever had to call a friend in the middle of the night, to take a sick child to hospital, or when your car has broke down some miles from home, you will know how good it feels to hear the phrase "I'll be there." Being there for another person is the greatest gift we can give. When we are truly present for other people,important things happen to them and us. We are renewed in love and friendship. We are restored emotionally and spiritually. Being there is at the very core of civility.

I miss you.

Perhaps more marriages could be saved and strengthened if couples simply and sincerely said to each other "I miss you." This powerful affirmation tells partners they are wanted, needed, desired and loved. Consider how ecstatic you would feel, if you received an unexpected phone call from your spouse in the middle of your workday, just to say "I miss you."

I respect you.

Respect is another way of showing love. Respect conveys the feeling that another person is a true equal. If you talk to your children as if they were adults you will strengthen the bonds and become close friends. This applies to all interpersonal relationships. Maybe you're right. This phrase is highly effective in diffusing an argument and restoring frayed emotions. The flip side to "maybe your right" is the humility of admitting, "maybe I'm wrong". Let's face it. When you have a heated argument with someone, all you do is cement the other person's point of view. They, or you, will not change their stance and you run the risk of seriously damaging the relationship between you. Saying "maybe you're right" can open the door to further exploration of the subject, in which you may then have the opportunity to get your view across in a more rational manner.

Please forgive me.

Many broken relationships could be restored and healed if people would admit their mistakes and ask for forgiveness. All of us are vulnerable to faults, foibles and failures. A man should never be ashamed to own up that he has been in the wrong, which is saying, in other words, that he is wiser today than he was yesterday.

I thank you.

Gratitude is an exquisite form of courtesy. People who enjoy the companionship of good, close friends are those who don't take daily courtesies for granted. They are quick to thank their friends for their many expressions of kindness. On the other hand, people whose circle of friends is severely constricted often do not have the attitude of gratitude.

Count on me.

A friend is one who walks in when others walk out. Loyalty is an essential ingredient for true friendship; it is the emotional glue that bonds people. Those that are rich in their relationships tend to be steady and true friends. When troubles come, a good friend is there indicating "you can count on me."

Let me help.

The best of friends see a need and try to fill it. When they spot a hurt they do what they can to heal it. Without being asked, they pitch in and help.

I understand you.

People become closer and enjoy each other more if they feel the other person accepts and understands them. Letting your spouse know in so many little ways that you understand them, is one of the most powerful tools for healing your relationship. This applies to any relationship.

Go for it.

We are all unique individuals. Don't try to get your friends to conform to your ideals. Support them in pursuing their interests, no matter how weird they seem to you. Everyone has dreams, dreams that are unique to that person only. Support and encourage your friends to follow their dreams. Tell them to "go for it."

I love you.

Perhaps the most important three words that you can say. Telling someone that you truly love them satisfies person's deepest emotional needs. The need to belong, to feel appreciated and to be wanted. Your spouse, your children, your friends and you, all need to hear those three little words. "I love you."

Friday, June 21, 2002

I used to have a superpower.

I don't know why I had it. But nowadays I don't think I possess it anymore. Once upon a time, I had magnetic powers. Not the "attract-metal" kind of stuff, but rather, I had the power to attract children's eyes. Kids used to stare at me. Their eyesight would be magnetically drawn to me. I would smile at them, frown at them, make faces at them. But whatever I do, they'd just keep on staring. Nothing I do fazes them. At times I would even check if my fly was open or if there's dirt on my face or whatever. But nope. My appearance was pretty normal. It would happen in church, at the mall, wherever. I even remember one time when I was using the phone booth, a bunch of kids just stood in front of me and watched me. It was pretty unnerving.

But recently, it seems my power has faded. Kids don't look at me the way they used to. My wife, Kuki, even has a theory on how I lost my power. You see, the height of these incidents occurred when I was sporting long hair. Yeah, I admit, I used to have a ponytail. Anyway, Kuki surmised that, like Samson, I lost my power when I had a haircut. But I was quick to point out that kids were staring at me even before I had long hair. So maybe that wasn't it.

So what happened? Was it because I got married? Was it because I got older? Was it because I changed my glasses? I may never know the answer.

Is there a point to this story? Probably not.

Wednesday, June 19, 2002

This was forwarded to me by my friend, Lyli. It's very informative, and I urge every man to print it out, fold it so that it conveniently fits in your wallet, and keep it ther AT ALL TIMES. You may never know when you'll need it (and if you're married or have a girlfriend, I'm guessing yuo'll be needing it constantly)...

WORDS WOMEN USE:

FINE - This is the word we use at the end of any argument that we feel we are right about but need to shut you up. NEVER use fine to describe how a woman looks. This will cause you to have one of those arguments.

FIVE MINUTES - This is half an hour. It is equivalent to the five minutes that your football game (or basketball game, if you live in the Philippines. I prefer wrestling myself - Reno) is going to last before you take out the trash, so I feel that it's an even trade.

NOTHING - If you ask her what is wrong and she says NOTHING, this means something and you should be on your toes. NOTHING is usually used to describe the feeling a woman has of wanting to turn you inside out, upside down, and backwards. "Nothing" usually signifies an argument that last FIVE MINUTES and end with the word FINE.

GO AHEAD (with raised eyebrows) - This is a dare. One that will result in a woman getting upset over NOTHING and will end with the word FINE.

GO AHEAD (normal eyebrows) - This means "I give up" or "do what you want because I don't care." You will get a raised eyebrow "Go ahead" in just a few minutes, followed by NOTHING and FINE and she will talk to you in about FIVE MINUTES when she cools off.

LOUD SIGH - This is not actually a word, but is still often a verbal statement very misunderstood by men. A "Loud Sigh" means she thinks you are an idiot at that moment and wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you over NOTHING.

SOFT SIGH - Again, not a word, but a verbal statement. "Soft Sighs" are one of the few things that some men actually understand. She is content. Your best bet is to not move or breathe and she will stay content.

THAT'S OKAY - This is one of the most dangerous statements that a woman can say to a man. "That's Okay" means that she wants to think long and hard before paying you retributions for whatever it is that you have done. "That's Okay" is often used with the word "Fine" and used in conjunction with a raised eyebrow "Go ahead." At some point in the near future when she has plotted and planned, you are going to be in some mighty big trouble.

PLEASE DO - This is not a statement, it is an offer. A woman is giving you the chance to come up with whatever excuse or reason you have for doing whatever it is that you have done. You have a fair chance to tell the truth, so be careful and you shouldn't get a "That's Okay."

THANKS - A woman is thanking you. Do not faint; just say "you're welcome."

THANKS A LOT - This is much different from "Thanks." A woman will say, "Thanks A Lot" when she is really ticked off at you. It signifies that you have hurt her in some callous way, and will be followed by the "Loud Sigh." Be careful not to ask what is wrong after the "Loud Sigh," as she will only tell you "Nothing."

That pretty much covers everything. Remember: forewarned is forearmed.
From the forwarded e-mail dept.:

The 12 Most Frequent Statements Uttered by Yoda While Making Love
12. Ahhh! It is Yoda's little friend you seek!
11. Uurrm. Put a shield on my saber I must.
10. Feel the force!
9. Foreplay, cuddling. A Jedi craves not these things.
8. Down here I am. Find a ladder I must!
7. Do me or do me not, there is no try.
6. Early must I rise. Leave now you must!
5. You know, this would be a lot more fun without Frank Oz's hand up my ass.
4. Happens to every guy sometimes this does.
3. When 900 years old you get, Viagra you need too, hmmmm?
2. Ow, ow, OW! On my ear you are!
1. Who's your Jedi Master?! Who's your Jedi Master?!

Tuesday, June 18, 2002

My niece sent this joke via celphone... it's a very corny joke, and that's what makes it funny...

1) Ano ang sabi ng isda nung mamatay siya? Answer: "I'm Daing!"
2) Ano naman ang sabi ng isda nang hatiin siya? Answer "I'm Tuna!"

Monday, June 17, 2002

Just got a blog. Nothing comes to mind on what to say yet, really. It's a Monday here in the Philippines, and it's close to quitting time... can't wait.