The World Has Gone Crazy.

Posted by Jeff |

[source: http://vicissitude-decidido.blogspot.com/2008/12/world-is-fucked-up.html]
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So, I just had the worst day of my life.

At around 1:30 PM today, at Valley Golf and Country Club, Antipolo City, Mayor Nasser Pangandaman, Jr., Mayor of Masiu City, Lanao del Sur, his father, Secretary Nasser Pangandaman of the Department of Agrarian Reform, and company, beat my defenseless 56-year-old dad and my 14-year-old brother to a pulp because of some stupid misunderstanding on the golf course.

This is a golf course. I have been a golfer all my life, and I have never seen anything like this. NOTHING. This is hard to comprehend. And it happened to my own father and my own brother too. Right in front of my eyes.

My brother and I were playing golf at the South Course of Valley. We were on the 3rd hole, and we see two golf carts going past us, overtaking our flight, and setting up to tee off on the next hole. My dad goes up to them and asks them why they would do that, why they would overtake us without even asking for our permission. Golf etiquette 101. One of the guys says that they're with the flight in front of us. (So what? That doesn't give them the right to just pass us WITHOUT asking.) So, we go to the 5th hole. The flight behind us catches up with us, and asks us what caused the hold up. We said that this flight just slipped in front of our flight. So we complained to the marshall. We play the 5th hole and walk towards the next hole, where there is a teehouse, and both the flights in front of us were there, talking with the marshall. The mayor of Masiu City, Lanao del Sur talks with my dad. Things get heated up. Voices were raised. But never, in my wildest dreams, did I ever imagine that someone would pull out a punch. Apparently not. He attacks my father. His flightmates, maybe 2 or 3 of them, rush to his aid and beat up my father. My 56-year-old father. My younger brother and I could not just watch. We rushed to break the fight. My younger brother pleads to the mayor to please stop it. To not hurt my dad. To just stop. His words still ring through my head..."Sorry na po, sorry na po...tama na...tama na po..." With his hands in front of his chest in a praying position. PLEADING. The mayor socks him in the face. My brother defended himself. My dad is still on the ground getting clobbered. My brother is the same way. I try to stop the fight, but all I can do is stop one person. There were 4 or 5 of them attacking now.

Someone breaks up the fight. I thought it was all over. The mayor shouts to his caddy: "Hindi nila kami kilala! Sabihin mo nga sa kanila kung sino ako!" And believe me, I had no idea who this person was. But now I know. He's the person who, with 4 other men, beat up my 56-year-old father and my 14-year-old brother. He's the person who sacks a pleading 14-year-old kid in the face. He's a person who, I am sure, is gonna rot in hell.

I lash out, but my dad held me back. I was screaming my lungs out, shouting to this mayor, telling him about what he had done. I said: "Nakakahiya kayo. Singkwenta'y sais anyos ang tatay ko. And kapatid ko kakatorse anyos. Anong ilalaban nila sayo?"

The mayor looks at my brother, point to his face, and says, "Tatandaan kita!" And he tells me that my brother has a bad attitude and that I need to watch him. WHAT THE HELL?! So, my brother's bad for defending his father?!

We leave. We walk to the clubhouse to file a complaint. My brother asks for a doctor. My dad could barely walk. Their group comes to the clubhouse, sees my brother. Once again my brother pleads, says sorry, and is crying. He was CRYING, for crissakes. But no. The relentless mayor still punches him in the face, and then sees my dad and goes after my dad again. Him and his friend pull my dad to the ground, pulls at his feet, and steps on him like he's dirt. I run to him and try to hold him back, holding him back by his shirt, while this other guy and this girl tries to stop me. She tells me to just stop it. I scream in her face "they're beating my father up and you want me to stop?!" I pull at his shirt--I don't let go. All I can see was my dad being trampled on. I didn't even see my brother getting beat up.

People pull them away. I get my dad, and I saw my brother. His right ear was bleeding. I freaked out. I told the receptionists to bring my brother to the clinic. I pull my dad away. People were separating us.

My mom and my older brother come. I tell her Bino's right ear is bleeding. They both look like they could kill. My dad holds my brother off, I hold off my mom. When I finally got my mom under control, my older brother gets away and I hold him off. Two of the mayor's bodyguards pull out guns. I embraced my brother from the back, just holding him back, crying. The receptionists came to us, crying, hugging me, my dad, and my mom, whispering to us to just leave. "Maam, umalis na po kayo, may mga baril sila...Maam...umalis na po kayo please..."

I am pretty sure the Secretary of DAR did not take part in the fight, but he just watched all this happen. He watched two of his sons, as we figured out, the other guy was his son, too, beat up my father and my 14-year-old brother. He didn't do anything to stop it. And this person is what now? A cabinet member. A politician.

Sounds like something out of a movie, doesn't it? But this is what happened. TODAY. The day after Christmas. To my family. And all I ask for is JUSTICE. The people at Valley Golf did not seem to want to help us. None of the security guards even tried to stop the fight. Right in the clubhouse. I came back after the fight was over and talked to the receptionists. They say they did not see anything. The general manager of Valley Golf would not give us the names of the men who made my brother's ear bleed. It took him an hour. Maybe even more than that. He seemed to not want to help us. Because, we were against the SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRARIAN REFORM and the MAYOR OF MASIU CITY, LANAO DEL SUR. They were all scared.

The world has gone crazy. Two politicians beat up a defenseless 56-year-old father and his 14-year-old son. At a golf course. I swear to God, I thought golfers were decent people. You would think politicians were decent people. I guess not. I guess they gang up on 56-year-old men and beat up pleading 14-year-old kids.

Please pray for my dad, my brother and for my whole family. Please pray that we get JUSTICE. Oh God, please, give these people what they deserve.

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Sad, ain't it? Politicians and cabinet members use their power in order to beat the hell out of someone.

Just a bit of advice for the brother of the poster of this experience:
USE THE CLUBS NEXT TIME. You're in a golf course, playing golf anyway.

The trickiest UEFA Champions League draw.. EVER.

Posted by Jeff |

It all happened today, the draw every football fan's waiting for.

The draw for the round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League, which has the most coveted trophy that every football club in Europe wants to display on their own trophy room.

So as I looked upon the aftermath of the draw, all I can say is... Jesus Christ. 3 Italian clubs were drawn to face 3 English clubs.

I'll try to analyze and predict the outcome of each of the draw for the round of 16.

-Chelsea vs. Juventus-

* The first of the 3 England-Italy matchups, it's Serie A's current 2nd placers Claudio Ranieri's Old Lady going head to head with EPL's own 2nd placers Luiz Scolari's Chelsea. It's time for Ranieri to come back to Stamford Bridge, because he managed Chelsea.
* I predict this to be a match-up where both Chelsea and Juve would have a hard time scoring.
* Score predictions:
-First leg(Stadio Olimpico): 2-0 in favor of Juventus.
-Second leg(Stamford Bridge): 1-0 in favor of Chelsea.
-Juventus would advance via aggregate lead, 2-1.
* Even though Chelsea deserves to go to the next round, I predict Juve would defeat them, but not without a fight from the English club.


-Villareal vs. Panathinaikos-

* One of the less talked about clubs in the Champions League, it's high-flying Villareal vs. the Greek side Panathinaikos.
* I can't comment much about this match-up because I don't know much about both clubs. :D
* Score predictions:
-First leg(Apostolos Nikolaidis): 1-0 in favor of Villareal.
-Second leg(Estadio El Madrigal): 1-0 in favor of Villareal.
-Villareal would advance via aggregate lead, 2-0.
* I do think Panathinaikos won't last long against Villareal, and if ever they do, I'm pretty sure they're getting slayed on the quarter-finals. But I still predict a smooth win for Villareal here.


-Sporting vs. Bayern Munich-

* Another one of the less talked match-ups, even though it's Bayern in here. Most probably because they're up against a less-known Sporting side from Portugal.
* You just have to wonder how Sporting's defense would stop the trio of Luca Toni, Miroslav Klose and Franck Ribery from attacking and scoring.
* Score predictions:
-First leg(Allianz Arena): 3-0 in favor of Bayern.
-Second leg(Estadio Jose Alvalade): 2-1 in favor of Bayern.
-Bayern would advance via aggregate lead, 5-1.
* A landslide match-up. I feel sorry for Sporting. :D


-Atletico Madrid vs. Porto-

* Another less talked match-up. It's gonna be the champions of Portugal, Porto, taking on Atletico.
* A tricky match-up, because both of the teams have equal strengths.
* Score predictions:
-First leg(Estadio do Dragao): 1-1 draw.
-Second leg(Vicente Calderon): 3-2 in favor of Atletico.
-Atletico would advance via aggregate lead, 4-3.
* A really tight match-up, where I predict Atletico's gonna put a last-minute show at the Calderon.


-Lyon vs. Barcelona-

* One of the easier matches to predict. Don't ask me why.
* Think of a possible way on how Lyon would stop the rampaging Leonel Messi from getting the ball. How to stop the rejuvinated Thierry Henry from scoring goals. How to steal the ball from midfield maestros Xavi and Andres Iniesta.
* Score predictions:
-First leg(Camp Nou): 3-0 in favor of Barcelona.
-Second leg(Stade Gerland): 3-0 in favor of Barcelona.
-Barcelona would advance via aggregate lead, 5-0.
* Just like Sporting, I feel sorry for Lyon for drawing a European giant at this early stage of the Champions League.


-Real Madrid vs. Liverpool-

* One of the better match-ups in the Champions League, former champions Liverpool were different than their English counterparts because they didn't draw an Italian team, but they were unlucky because they got drawn with Spanish giants Real Madrid. Rafa Benitez would be going back to the club where he got nurtured as a coach and player, while Real manager Juande Ramos should have an idea of how Liverpool plays, because he managed an English team before.
* This is gonna be another match-up that's tough to call. Liverpool knows how to score, but so does Real. Liverpool needs Fernando Torres to be fully fit by the time the legs are played, or else they'll have a hard time scoring. Real, on the other hand, have striker crisis with Ruud van Nistelrooy's season over, so it's Raul and Gonzalo Higuain leading Real's attack line.
* Score predictions:
-First leg(Santiago Bernabeu): 1-0 in favor of Real.
-Second leg(Anfield): 1-0 in favor of Liverpool.
-Real would advance via a penalty shootout.
* A tough, hard-tackling match, I think Real could win this one, but not until it's after extra time.


-Arsenal vs. Roma-

* Speaking without bias(because I'm an Arsenal fan :D), Arsenal were the luckiest among the 3 English sides who drew Italian clubs. Roma's offense is mainly dictated by captain Francesco Totti, and if Arsenal were lucky, Totti's injury plague might come back to haunt him in time for the match-up. To be fair with Roma, Arsenal's locker room is in total chaos, and if Arsene Wenger doesn't fix that before the legs arrive, he'll surely be having a hard time. Arsenal's backline is also leaky, so goals for Roma wouldn't be surprising.
* It's former Gunner Julio Baptista that could possibly lead Roma's attack line, with Totti the engine of it's midfield. Arsenal should be lucky if Theo Walcott's fit, because he's the wheel of the Arsenal midfield. His fascinating pace could beat any wing backs if they're not careful. Captain Francesc Fabregas would be the engine of the midfield, so his presence is a must for Arsenal.
* Score predictions:
-First leg(Stadio Olimpico): 1-0 in favor of Roma.
-Second leg(Emirates Stadium): 3-1 in favor of Arsenal.
-Arsenal would advance via aggregate lead, 3-2.
* I'm predicting this without bias, but I still think Arsenal are the better side here. Roma would be unlucky if Arsenal's passing play would be wonderfully executed. I still predict Arsenal giving Roma a hard time at the Emirates, and in the end, winning this match-up.


-Internazionale Milan vs. Manchester United-

* The icing on the cake for the round of 16, the Italian champions Inter Milan go head-to-head with the English, European and possibly World champions Manchester United. It's the good 'ol Jose Mourinho-Sir Alex Ferguson match-up once again, and comparing their head-to-head records, Jose's the better manager.
* Jose actually wished that he'll draw ManU, and his wish got granted. Fergie, on the other hand, is delighted with the fact that he'll be facing former EPL rival Jose. This match-up's one of the hardest to predict, with both Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Wayne Rooney capable of scoring goals for their respective clubs, and Julio Cesar and Edwin van der Sar capable of saving just about any shot unleashed to them.
* Score predictions:
-First leg(Old Trafford): 2-1 in favor of ManU.
-Second leg(San Siro): 2-1 in favor of Inter.
-Inter would advance via a penalty shootout.
* It's gonna be a really tough match, and I do think Inter could only edge ManU via a penalty shootout here.



Call me stupid for making Arsenal the only English club to advance, but speaking without bias, they were the luckiest team among the big 4 of England. Liverpool's the unluckiest because they drew Real, who could be rejuvinated by the time they lock horns. Chelsea and ManU, meanwhile, would really have a hard time with their respective opponents, but I could be wrong on my predictions for these 2 clubs.

Christmas Wishlist.

Posted by Jeff |

Everybody has one, right? And since there are only 20 days to go before Christmas, I'm gonna post here mine. :D

[] Nintendo Wii (Yes, I've been longing for one for about 2 years now. :D)
[] Super Smash Bros. Brawl (Well, if I'm buying a Wii, why would I not buy the best game for it?)
[] Rock Band 2{Complete bundle or even just the guitar one} (Well, Wii version would do. :D)
[] Chrono Trigger DS (Yes, the best RPG ever, and I want a legit copy of it.)
[] FIFA 09{PC version} (Since I can't afford the PS3, I'll just play the best 90mins of my life in my PC. :>)

Well, I guess that's it? Iunno, might add some later on. :D