Continental, Cathay, Catastrophe.

Passengers on two planes, one on its way out the US West Coast and the other flying into the East, recently went through what can only be described as the modern-day definition of "living hell". Oh, the humanity!

Globe goes Boom.

So the New People's Army just blew up another one of Globe's cell sites, this time in Iloilo for its refusal pay "revolutionary taxes" or in plain English, extortion money. "We only pay taxes to the government," its spokesman said. According to the company, its facilities all over the country have suffered more than 50 attacks from communist guerrillas over the years.

The way it's taken the heat for standing up against enemies of the state, Globe should get a citation from the government of some sort, like the corporate equivalent of the Medal of Honor. Or a tax break. Seriously now.

Meanwhile, what do the spankingly untouched facilities of Smart imply?

Maybe it's time each of us took a good look at the cell provider we're giving our business to and consider who they're doing (or refusing to do) business with.

Thomas and Friends Product Recall

Disturbing news: Certain Thomas and Friends toys contain lead and are being recalled worldwide by manufacturer RC2 Corporation.

In the Philippines, consumers are directed to contact local distributor Maxibear (owned by Sen. Pia Cayetano and husband) which has issued its own recall advice. From the product list and photos, it appears that #5 Engine James and other red-colored characters are the tainted lot.

Checked our toy bin and sure enough, #5 and his coal tender were mingling with the rest of them. Darn it, James, you were always clashing with Thomas --not just color-wise-- and now you've gone and brought lead into the house. I hear Sir Topham Hat is so pissed he's thinking of paint-scraping you alive.

It's not your set, folks.

That Sopranos ending sure wreaked havoc on the office pool.

I myself was totally blindsided, and happy to be. A neat and tidy ending all wrapped and tied up with a bow would have smacked of pandering to TV conventions and fly in the face of this series' stature as being nothing television has ever seen before and will ever see in a long time. I like this one. True to form, brave, an instant classic. Bravo!

Endtime for Tony

n
And so it's come down to this.

Today's the day folks. In a few hours, the fate of the most beloved anti-hero ever to hit the screen will be revealed. A revelation I do not want to get second-hand.

So while people in the East Coast are kicking off the first of the last Soprano parties, I'll be crawling under a rock to avoid the firestorm that's about to explode. Just crank the torrents and fold down the laptop lid until they're done, I reckon. No news, no papers, no 'net. Plug up that information funnel until I see those final final credits roll up the screen myself. See you in a couple of days.

What the 'h'...

I don't know what he's been watching on Nickelodeon, but the Little Boy has been asking about heaven lately starting with "What's heaven?". I tried my darndest to answer, which, of course, only led to more questions, like "Where's heaven?" and a few days ago, "If we ride a rocket ship to the sky, will we reach heaven?"

This morning he had a heaven whopper. I had to try my darndest not to burst into tears. "Tatay, if I die and I go to heaven, are you going to be there with me?"