RAIGE-O-LOGY

Today was a significant day for my mom as she had her scheduled interview for her US Visa application. The plan was for her to accompany Grandma on their trip back to the States. Everything was arranged accordingly. We rented a van and made our way to Manila, parking near the Museong Pambata, right next to the US Embassy. After devouring the somewhat satisfying tuna sandwiches that we had bought for lunch, we proceeded to the entrance. Mom had meticulously prepared all the necessary documents. These included grandma's medical certificates, demonstrating her need for assistance during travel, support papers from Mom's US citizen siblings, showcasing that she had a place to go and people to support her while abroad, and birth certificates of my sisters and me, indicating her intention to return to the Philippines—well, at least after she becomes a citizen herself. We had everything planned out perfectly and held high hopes for approval. As we took the brief three-minute walk to t...

Since we got cable, my viewership of local channels has significantly decreased. It's not that I'm trying to be snobbish or anything, but I find the current shows on free TV quite unappealing. I attempted to watch them for a week, but I simply couldn't bear it. The ongoing battle between the two network giants rages on, and we, the innocent bystanders, find ourselves caught in the middle of the turmoil. The unfortunate truth is that they seem to be running out of fresh ideas. Competition is not inherently bad, but competition fueled by recycled concepts is disheartening. Primetime slots are now dominated by franchised game or reality shows, dubbed Mexican and Korean soap operas, Filipino adaptations of foreign shows, movie-to-series adaptations, and "fanta-seryes" (fantasy series). I can't help but wonder if their researchers aren't doing their jobs properly or if these shows genuinely reflect what Filipinos want to see. And that is truly disheartening. Ar...

Day 1 (Aug. 5): Accelerated Chemicals As rain drizzles down, my tired eyes yearn to close and retreat into the realm of dreams. However, the pressing need to prepare for the day's activities overpowers my drowsiness. I step out of my sleep chamber, clutching a mobile communication device. My first contact is Agent Soy Bun. In a few hours, a group of eager young learners will converge upon my humble abode to have their minds refreshed and refueled. I require assistance. Agent Soy Bun apologizes for her unavailability as she is undergoing training in her new job. It may be for the best, as her presence might serve as a distraction to the male students. They need to concentrate on their studies, not their adolescent desires. After a quick glance at my phonebook, I reach out to Agent M, an expert in covalent bonding and rapid acceleration. With her extensive tutoring experience, she is a valuable ally in this chaotic time. Agent M arrives shortly after, and together we set up our equip...