(3) Ways

How do I love thee?
Let me count the ways.
I shall love you, in other ways, as I translate your
(1) thoughts into an admirable article – as your Writer.
(2) manuscript into publishable pages – as your Editor.
(3) rough draft into an enviable book – as your Publisher.
(4) technical into popular language – as your Rewriter.
(5) training needs into visible skills – as your Facilitator.
(6) demo needs into one-day wonders – as your Nerd; a
Computer Wizard, I can be an invisible worker for you.
(7) problems into solutions. as your Consultant.
And I shall but love thee better after edit.

(2) Windows

I love what I do. Let me tell me about
the 7 things I can do in that magical world of
Microsoft Windows & Microsoft Word -- and the
Wide Wonderful World of the Internet.

(1) Writing – I do write-ups and write-downs. Write-ups:
I do an interview and an article comes out in 24 hours. That fast. Write-downs: I read your article or manuscript and an abstract comes out in 25 minutes. That fast. (2) Editing – Edit while you wait if you like, in your office or home (if you have a computer), or right where you are (if you have a laptop). (3) Publishing – I can turn your manuscript into copies ready for distribution or sale within 3 months. (4) Translations – From rough to polished English; from Tagalog to English and vice versa; from Ilocano to English and vice versa. (5) Workshop facilitation – I can do a workshop on (a) writing, (b) editing, (c) newslettering, (d) book publishing, (e) files management. And any or all of that using the personal computer (PC). (6) One-Day Wonder – I can do a short workshop or lecture-demo on creative writing, creative editing, creative newslettering, creative book publishing, files management for 100 people – with the aid of 1 PC and 1 LCD projector. (7) Consulting – As long as it has anything to do with words and ideas and it can be typed on the computer, I can help you. Online or onsite, it's your choice. You know what? The first time we meet, no commitment necessary: Advice is free. Try me!

(1)
Who, Me?

In other words, like I'm Writer #700
(features) of the American Chronicle.

I have so far published 6 articles in the American Chronicle; no rejections, no pink slips (Click the link below to read). As a writer, I have been writing since high school, and that was 50 years ago. I'm 66 this year. Technical subject, popular subject, I've done them all, from A (Animal Husbandry) to Z (Zone Alarm). In other words, writing was my first love; it has always been. And do I revise what I write? Of course! I'm not perfect. Do you know how many times I revised this page? More than 200 times (the first 257 hits in my counter). As a translator, who is a writer in disguise, I recently translated into English (and wrote a book besides) Jose Rizal's valedictory poem which I retitled 'Adios, Patria Adorada' (Adios, Beloved Patria) - if you want a free copy, email me (see top right column for the address). I also love to translate technical papers into popular articles - there is that feeling of achievement that goes with it. It's a gift.

As a blogger, I have so many blogsites, each one an extension of myself and my many interests. Would you believe 22? Variety is the spice of life in the Internet, and in an Ilocano like me. In other words, your concern has probably already interested me greatly.

As an editor, I have been founding editor of a color magazine (Habitat, a quarterly), newsletter (Canopy, a monthly) and a technical journal in forestry (Sylvatrop, a quarterly) for the Forest Research Institute (now ERDB) of the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (now DENR). I have edited so many theses (highest grade: 1) and dissertations (highest grade: 1.25, University of the Philippines). I am currently the Editor in Chief of the Philippine Journal of Crop Science. I was the one who made that 3-year late technical peer-reviewed journal into an up-to-date publication. I also masterminded the creation and databasing of extended abstracts of this 30-year old journal, the abstracts beginning in March 1976 and ending at the current year, 2006. It's all in 1 CD, my idea. I also created the website for it: CROPScience Philippines.

As a photographer, I learned professional photography on the job for the publications I was editing. To improve my skill, I studied the works of masters (painters) like Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo and Van Gogh while I was teaching at Xavier University in Cagayan de Oro City in Mindanao, Southern Philippines. At that time, 1968, they already had an excellent library at Xavier. In other words, I'm a good student myself.

As a teacher, I am a BSA graduate major in AgEd, UP; I wasn't too proud of that. I passed the very first Civil Service Teacher's Exam in 1965, 80.6%; I was proud of that. I taught high school (UP Rural High, Pampanga National Agricultural School, Asingan High School), and I taught college (UP Los Baños, Xavier University). I wrote my own syllabi in Floriculture, Horticulture, Olericulture, Scientific Reporting.

As a copywriter, I worked for Pacifica Publicity Bureau when it was still on top (no thanks to me). My good friend Orlino 'Orli' Ochosa and I learned a lot from Nonoy Gallardo and Teddy Bernardo, thank you very much. Orli gifted me with Edward De Bono's book, Mechanism Of Mind, and that changed my mental state from critical to creative.

As a computer wizard ... Ah, here I'm a self-made man, so God is not responsible for my mistakes. I can do word processing and practical desktop publishing with Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Word mostly: brochure, newsletter, book, annual report, proposal. Today, I can make Word XP jump through hoops (not to mention Windows XP). Stylesheet? Outlining? Columns? Mixed columns? Table? Sections? Table of Contents? Just a minute. Missing files? Give me 0.28 second. It's been a trial-and-error thing, but I've been a teacher willing to teach myself. And you can learn from my mistakes: no tuition fee necessary. You didn't ask, but as a father of 13 with 1 wife, I have had quite an education! I thank God for them, for today, for the computer, for the Internet - and for my country.

24 March 2006

(4) Have you?
Find yourself here:
__/I have a manuscript for a book but no book.
__/I have had this idea for a book for like 10 years.
__/I have a beautiful proposal and but I can't write it.
__/I have the tapes of the seminar but no proceedings.
__/I am the Editor and we are behind by 3 years of issue.
__/I have dissertation I can't seem to finish.
__/I have an annual report to edit but I don't have the time.
__/I have staff who should know better.
__/I have 2 days to write my project report.
__/I have a training program and no training manual.
__/I can't translate technical to popular language.
__/Q: Who is the most important man in the company?
__/A: Everyone.
__/I have a newsletter that won't come out.
__/I have problems finding my files.
__/I have no problem with scientific names but they have.
__/I have a book of 20 chapters of 20 styles of writing.
__/I have a great opportunity to speak but not a great speech.
__/I couldn't use the computer if I had to save my life.
__/No funds (You). No proposal (Me).

25 March 2006

(5) Word
The Word According To Frank.
Rumors of war (nuclear).
Rumors of coup (unclear).
Iraq is in civil war.
The Philippines is in a war of civilians.
The disgust is with the noisy minority.
The decision is with the noised-out majority.
The noise of the people is the noise of God.
You call it People Power.

25 March 2006

(6)
Nostalgia
Yesterday, I was walking at Crossing (Los Baños) and I noticed for the first time piles of CDs labelled simply MP3, each at 60 pesos, or just a little more than 1 dollar. Now I don't wonder why I hear so many old songs -- I like that -- and even the young singers are singing oldies and goldies -- I like that even better.

27 March 2006

(7)
Don't Fight

AIDS: AIDS is not the enemy – lust is. Crime: Crime is not the enemy – the criminal is. Corruption: Corruption is not the enemy – the corruptor is. Over-population: Over-population is not the enemy – uneven distribution of wealth is.

Writer's block: Writer's block is not the enemy – a critical mind is. Poverty: Poverty is not the enemy – iniquity is. Terror: Terror is not the enemy – the terrorist is. Disease: Disease is not the enemy – deteriorating conditions are. Illiteracy: Illiteracy is not the enemy – lack of access to education is. Squatting: Squatting is not the enemy – ambition for the good life is. Persecution: Persecution is not the enemy – the persecutor is.

Prejudice: Prejudice is not the enemy – the bigot is. Criticism: Criticism is not the enemy – the critic is. Erosion: Erosion is not the enemy – the eroder is. Low wages: Low wages is not the enemy – the low wager is. Over-spending: Over-spending is not the enemy – the over-spender is. War-mongering: War-mongering is not the enemy – the warrior is. Messiah politics: Messiah politics is not the enemy – the politician is. Unemployment: Unemployment is not the enemy – lack of entrepreneurship is. Election cheating: Election cheating is not the enemy – greed is.

Crass commercialism: Crass commercialism is not the enemy – the crass commercialist is. Military adventurism: Military adventurism is not the enemy – the military adventurer is. Intellectual dishonesty: Intellectual dishonesty is not the enemy – the intellectually dishonest is. Microsoft domination: Microsoft domination is not the enemy – Microsoft is. Intellectual piracy: Intellectual piracy is not the enemy – the intellectual pirate is. Pornography: Pornography is not the enemy – the pornographer is. Religious fanaticism: Religious fanaticism is not the enemy – the religious fanatics are. Sensationalism: Sensationalism is not the enemy – the sensationalist is.

Yellow journalism: Yellow journalism is not the enemy – the yellow journalist is. Communism: Communism is not the enemy – the communist is. Abortion: Abortion is not the enemy – the pro-abortionist is. A weak economy: A weak economy is not the enemy – uneven distribution of opportunities is. Negativism: Negativism is not the enemy – the negativist is.

The pests of the crop: The pests of the crop are not the enemy – the cropper is. The barrenness of the soil: The barrenness of the soil is not the enemy – the cultivator is. The odds: The odds are not the enemy – the bettor is.

Criminality: Criminality is not the enemy – instant gratification is. Scientism: Scientism is not the enemy – the scientist who has a closed mind is. Godlessness: Godlessness is not the enemy – Man who considers himself a god is.

5 April 2006

(8) Quo Vadis, Gringo?

Coup vadis, Senator? For all your plotting, get understanding. While you're trying to evade capture by the Philippine police, don't try and evade logic.

With this, I'm challenging you to improve play in your own Game of C. For the challenge, I want you to read a book, play a game, read a paper.

Quo Vadis is a book on Christian and courtly lives written by a Polish Nobel Prize winner. It is for those who love high office but hate high crimes. It can be profitably read by anyone who loves change.

Quo Vadis is a game on political management by the Dean of computer game designers who happens to be a German. It is for those who like to be always in control. It can be delightfully played by 3 to 5 players who love company. A coup is a game. You'll love this game.

The Messiah is an online article but is really a mental game. I know because it was the one who designed it. It is for those who want to save their country from iniquity. It can be played by anyone and alone.

More.

(1) Quo Vadis is a book first published in 1896 in Poland (Amazon.com/). It is a famous novel by Henryk Sienkiewicz, a Polish writer, who won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1905. It is one of the best-selling novels of all time. But watch out: The hero of the story, Marcus, a Patrician in Nero’s court, is converted from decadence (corruption) to Christianity by a lady believer, Lygia. When Rome sinks deeper into the mud of her own immorality, in desperation and/or madness, Nero burns Rome and blames the Christians. The book describes the last days of the Roman Empire. It reminds you of the present days.

(2) Quo Vadis is a computer game devised by Reiner Knizia and published by Hans Im Gluck, for those who want always to be at the top. This is a Game of Control. You are in the Roman Senate. You have 8 Senators with you. You work out the committees; you can advance only if you control the spaces in a committee. That calls for any or all of these Cs: compromise, collaboration, charging, concord, cooperation, concurrence, contribution, collection, connection, containment. You have to cut deals with one another in order to advance. Bob Rossney (gamecabinet.com/) describes it: It's a game of being clever. You can get shut out if you are not paying attention. You can be tempted with short-term gains that force you to defer long-term ones. I say: Coup is your last gambit, not the first.

(3) The Messiah Phenomenon is an article I have written for and has just been published by the American Chronicle. I wrote it with you in mind.

8 April 2006

(9) Messiah!
I challenge you to play my game. I call it Messiah! You pretend to be the Messiah of your country and you look for all the signs of a true Messiah within the article. See if you can find all 19 of them. It's the new game in town! Especially if you are from the Philippines. Click on the link below for Amerian Chronicle to read me.

8 April 2006

(10)
Genius in residence
I am a genius in residence - in Los Baños. You are your own genius in your own residence, or office or elsewhere. Now, if your genius cannot deliver, try my genius in writing, ghostwriting, editing, publishing, photography, interview, column writing, feature writing, creative writing, proposal packaging, annual report preparation, newslettering, book realization, popularization of science -- as long as it has to do with words & ideas, I can help you. Post a comment and you're really sending me an email.

9 April 2006

(11)
The Impossibles.
Tell me about the impossibles.
The article you can't write.
The book you can't organize.
The newsletter you can't finish.
The interview no one can do.
The speech you can't begin.
The rewriting you can't imagine.
The term paper you can't organize.
The proposal you can't package.
The report you can't enliven.
The files in your PC you can't find.
The photographs you can't improve.
The campaign that doesn't take off.
The biography that is in limbo.
Let me hear you say something is impossible.
So that I can tell you nothing is impossible.

9 April 2006

(12) I Will Be tHere.
Since 0500 AM (Monday, 10 April), for the last 7 hours I have been listening to only one song via the PC, to Steve Curtis Chapman's soft guitar ballad 'I Will Be Here' -- I had intended to listen to that song the whole day. Yes, it's crazy, but I've not been this enthused by a song before, and I'm 66 for crying out loud. I heard from my son Jomar that he is coming to the Philippines for an evening of non-gospel gospel music on the 7^th of May at the PICC 7-9 PM. I will be there.

To tell you the truth, I was never interested in Steve Curtis Chapman before, although I can see from the files in the family's hard disk (search by Google Desktop) that this soul singer is all over the place. Soul singer? I mean he sings with soul, into your soul. I say his music is non-gospel gospel music because he just sings what's in his heart. He doesn't preach, he doesn't teach – he just tells you what he thinks, what he feels. Look at that song:

I Will Be Here
Steve Curtis Chapman

Tomorrow morning if you wake up
and the sun does not appear
I,,, I, I will be here.
If in the dark, we lost sight of love
Hold my hand and have no fear
I will be here.

I will be here
When you feel like being quiet
When you need to speak your mind
I will listen.
And I will be here
When the laughter turns to crying
Through the winning, losing and trying
We’ll be together
I will be here.

Tomorrow morning if you wake up
And the future is unclear
I,,, I, I will be here.
Just as seasons are made for change
Our lifetimes are made for years
So I,,, I, I will be here.

I will be here
You can cry on my shoulder
When the mirror tells us we’re older
I will hold you
I will be here
To watch you grow in beauty
And tell you all the things you are to me
I,,, I, I will be here.

I will be true to the promise I have made
To you and the One who gave you to me
I will be here.

Just as seasons are made for change
Our lifetimes are made for years
I,,, I, I will be here.
We’ll be together
I will be here.

10 April 2006

(13)
Don't apologize.
When you're emailing or blogging or speaking in a forum or meeting, don't ever apologize for not knowing more than you know – the impression I get is that you haven't done your homework, and you don't want that, do you? Just go on and say what you are prepared to say – you leave me the impression that that's all you want to say at the moment. Good enough. But if you want a better impression from me, do your homework!

11 April 2006

(14) Essentialism
I just invented that term, and I'm offering it as a philosophical view of life opposite that of existentialism, which has been espoused by Jean Paul Sarte and Martin Heidegger and Albert Camus, and which declares that the universe has no meaning or purpose by itself, and it is up to anyone to create his essence and shape his destiny. I say essentialism is finding meanings in relationships.

11 April 2006

(15)
The Best & The Brightest
(revised 23 April 2006)

We Filipinos have plenty of those.

We beat the Americans and British in their own language in public speaking and debates.

We re-invented the cell phone into an ubiquitous, practical means of communication.

We have many very beautiful women for a small country. Some of them have won international beauty contests: Miss Universe, Miss International.

We have the greatest poem of martyrdom in the world: 'Adios, Patria Adorada' by Jose Rizal.

We are the whale shark capital of the world: visit Sorsogon or Albay.

We have the poem that created a miracle in US Congress in 1905: The Americans would not allow the eventual self-governing of the Filipinos until one of them read aloud Rizal’s 'Adios, Patria Adorada.' They could not deny his sublime thoughts, superb language, - and it was only in an English translation, not a very good one at that.

We have the First Asian Great Soul: Jose Rizal. His campaign for social change in the Philippines and in Europe using non-violent methods predated Mahatma 'Great Soul' Gandhi by 22 years!

We invented People Power, in 1986, ousting a dictator. We re-invented it in 2001, ousting a corrupt and incompetent leader. After 1986, many countries liberated themselves from tyranny using little or no bloodshed. And it would not be farfetched to say that the earthquake of People Power was what toppled the monolithic structure called the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. Remember the USSR?

We have the most beautiful volcano in the world: Mayon, in Albay. It has perfect symmetry. Mt Fuji is beautiful, but it's boring, monotonous. Mayon is captivating and often hides her face, like a beautiful woman does. Mt Fuji hardly speaks, like a woman who has nothing interesting to say. Mayon is fiery and speaks her mind, all the more becoming more interesting to pay attention to, to love.

We have the most stunning rice terraces in the world, in Ifugao Province, Northern Luzon. All rice terraces are what the Unesco says they are: 'a landscape of great beauty that expresses the harmony between humankind and the environment.' But those of the Philippines are unsurpassed for being picture-perfect. If they were a woman, what entices people is the sex appeal.

We have the strongest natural fiber in the world: abaca.

We have the most diverse tropical rainforest. Our dipterocarp trees are much sought-after in the international market, what is known as Philippine mahogany: apitong, bagtikan, tangile, guijo, yakal, lauan.

We have the mot diverse sea life in our coral reefs. The Great Barrier Reef of Australia is so-called because of its sheer size (area), but in biodiversity, it cannot compete with ours because it is in a temperate region and only the tropics can host so much diversity in plant and animal life.

We are the #1 producer of coconuts in the world.

We have some of the most beautiful species of fish in the world.

We have fireflies. Do you know what fireflies are? They are little fairies.

We have the most delicious mango in the world, because of our geographical location, because of the soil.

We are the most hospitable Asians. Fr James B Reuter calls us 'the most lovable people in the world.' We are. (2nd sentence added 1 June 2006).

We are the most peaceful Asians.

We have many delicious fruits that are inexpensive: mango, banana, durian, rambutan, lanzones, duhat, santol, starapple, tamarind, papaya, watermelon, melon, jackfruit, pomelo,

We are rich (still) in natural resources: fish & shellfish, wildlife, wild plants, gold, natural gas, edible frogs, field crabs, bamboo, countless herbs for medicinal purposes, disease-resistant plants, tourist spots, plenty of sunshine, plenty of water - many countries don't have these.

We have some of the best athletes in Asia and the world, where height is not an advantage: billiards, bowling, boxing, golf, lawn tennis, swimming, marathon, chess, karate, cycling, fencing, rowing, gymnastics etc.

We have some of the best computer programmers in the world. That explains the world-class animation we are seeing right now in our telenovelas.

We have no divorce law. Do you know what that means? Society is protecting the women from being made toys of men of pleasure.

We have a beautiful tradition of respect for the elders. That means we value experience, knowledge handed down from generation to generation.

We are the most resilient of all races in the world – how else could we survive the oil crisis repeatedly?

And what do we do to some wise guys (or gals) who would be king (or queen)? We suffer fools gladly!

15 April 2006