2009 Stream of Experiences

Let me see how 2009 started.....

OK, when I dropped Hogan in the airport for his trip to Samoa end of December last year, I came across this journal that just talked about things that didn't make sense. Or maybe it did. It's just so hard to conform to what it asks you. (I'll update this blog once I get hold of the authors). I stopped doing the tasks, I think around May. It just doesn't allow you to write about your reflections alone. It asks more of your reaction to assigned tasks every 2 weeks. They went ok at first, cooking and inviting people over at your house but making them believe that you're starting up a restaurant . There's also another one wherein you'll write on a piece of paper something like, "You can feed 3 people 3 times a day for 3 days with the amount of money you'll pay in buying this coat." and then you have to put it in the pocket of a PRADA fur coat. But... as it went on, it asked me to just give a piece of paper to a stranger with my contact number and then wait for the outcome of it and then write how I'd feel about the outcome. I said to myself, "OK, this had gone far enough." Maybe I just didn't have the guts. If I am truly bored with my life, maybe I could do it.... Though the best part in that journal is you have to paste your picture every month and you get to see the change in you as the year goes by. But then... I think it's more of checking how you look like while you do the tasks. And so, I didn't finish it, to make the story short. However, here are the pictures of me the whole 12 months of 2009. You recognize the changes on your own.

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

MARCH

APRIL

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUGUST

SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER

NOVEMBER

DECEMBER

I got hooked with a lot of books and to name a few were:
TWILIGHT SAGA - saved the 4th book 'til I watched "New Moon" in the movies
WHY MEN MARRY BITCHES - this book was pretty helpful
BOOK OF REFLECTIONS - this contained a lot of good poetic realizations
NIGHTS IN RODANTHE - it was a must for me to finish the book first before the movie came out.....
Books just keep me learning.

Grand vacations and fun getaways also happened this year. I have visited Boracay once again after 8 years (I guess) and it really was pretty commercialized in a lot of areas. Quite disappointing because I was really looking forward to a quiet place to spend my vacation in. Actually, there ain't no remote spots anymore. Plus, I went there while a huge storm was racing with us towards the island. It sucked but I was with my 2 fabulous ladies and that made it alright! Working overseas really make you miss home big time and I am just thankful that I did at least visited Philippines once this year. A quick getaway to Macau.... gave birth to a Hogan and Kyte motto that goes: "Whatever happens in Macau, stays in Macau." Ahahahaha!!!!! Shen Zhen shopping with Cora and Angge.... soooo good! Sore, but I love how we got allowed to have a puff in restaus. We went to Tong Man where we saw huge lighters, had my hair dyed, had my nails done and shopped for clothes and bags.... in a very reasonable price. And of course, the last but not the least.... my 1st trip to Taiwan to see Hogan's sister, Taiwan 101 and the Queen's Head.

There were a lot that my family here in Hong Kong had experienced as well. Three friends of mine of 10 years had been blessed with kids. I got the chance to celebrate it with them. Ate Naths celebrated Zaia's 1st birthday, Ate Ayie had given birth to Ysabella and Ate Aima is expecting one. It's such an amazing moment to see your friends move on with their life and are happy about it.

ANIKA NIMEESHA ZAIA OSBUAL, named after Macau's famous Cirque de Solei show.

This little smart one just loves to dress up. Pretty obvious? Hahahaha! I am so proud of her. She just really is so behaved (with food) and her memory is outstanding. I pray for her to be as confident as her mom, as loving as her dad and as beautiful and talented as her ninang. (That's me!) Seriously, I wish I could really witness her growth. However, I don't know with how many days I am blessed to spend with this kid. So, maybe, I'll spend as much time as I can so that she wouldn't forget about me.

YZABELLA V. TIAMZON

I still remember how I struggled to come up with different words out of her name when we were having a baby shower for Ate Ayie. She's about to go to her 6th month now. This is one of the many fans we have. Another Disney baby!!!! Teehee! I pray for this girlie to be as responsible as her mom and gifted as her dad. I can't wait to see her running, playing along with the other kids. She reminds me a lof of Ate Ayie's dad. He cooks the best grilled lamb chops!

One great Christmas present for me was knowing that we are about to expect another baby on its way. Ate Aima announced on Christmas Eve that she's 2 months pregnant. Eversince, Kuya Egay and her had been just like the earth and the sky. They meet up in the horizon and all that you can think of it when you see them is a breathtaking view. I for for their little one to be as healthy and beautiful inside and out like the mom and as logical as the dad.

Ate Aima though and Josh had gone thru problems at home when their homes got flushed by floods in the Philippines. It was an awful moment to reminisce on.

2009 had given the whole world an awakening of how nature strikes thru calamities that happened in different parts of the world. Early this year, we experienced a global pandemic attack of Swine Flu (caused by the H1N1 Influenza Virus).

Veracruz, Mexico experienced the outbreak first.

Typhoon Morakot lashed Taiwan. That being said, it was believed that it is the one of the deadliest that ever hit Taiwan. Typhoon Ketsana gave way to huge floods had killed lots of people in the Philippines, Vietnam and Cambodia. Numerous casualties and homeless people are what it just left. Islands of Samoa, Tonga and Andaman were hit with tsunamis and so was New Zealand because of an 8.3 earthquake magnitude. Other countries that were hit by earthquakes were L'Aquila, Italy on April 6, and Sumatra with 7.6 magnitude that made a lot of thousands suffer because of losses, both of lives and houses that they once had. I thought of all of these when I watched James Cameron's "AVATAR" and the stressful "2012". It just speaks of one thing, "We really just have to act now."

Personally, I was visited by a calamity too... Frustrations, loneliness, heartaches and despair - the ones that I call the real extra challenge, had visited me with no caution.

It was very hard to get into my feet everyday. But boy was I glad that I surpassed it. I thank God for showing me the right way, for giving me the strength, the wisdom and the heart. My job, the gift of music and self rediscovery (though it needs more time still) helped me a lot. It helps when you listen to the inner you in crying out the ultimate desire of your heart. I learned the hard way to be able to speak for yourself and to be treasured for being the real me... to still be able to do what you used to do, to go and check out on friends who truly care, to find out who are there to back you up no matter what without judgements and expectations, to embrace what you're good at and to be proud of the things that you've accomplished. I took time to accept the changes that happened to me, to learn how to readjust and to discover something new. It's better to be loved of who you really are rather than be loved of who you are not.

Here are some additional pictures though of the only thing that makes me fulfilled within the day. The one thing that moves me, the one thing that allows me to step up....

DANCING...

This year had given way to a good start for my 2010:

1. my Sony Vaio got fixed up -- thanks to Aaron

2. Hogan gave me fabulous gifts:

Ipod touch!!!

Nokia 5230

My own portrait from Kuya Pro

and all expenses paid trip to Taiwan...

3. new year celebration was celebrated with good friends and sang with Sessions Band...

For 2010, work hard, party harder is still given justice. Save hardest owns the highest priority though. I plan to visit a new place this year again and plans to see my family. God be with me!

JAMES CAMERON'S Brilliant Mind

TAIWAN TRIP 2009

Oh yes!!!! The wonderful TAIPEI 101.

A sky-high tower that highlights TAIPEI, TAIWAN.

It holds good shopping centres and attractions by the bottom part.

I could compare this to Rockwell Makati except for the high exterior.

This is one of the tourist spots you shouldn't be missing

during your first visit.

All of the people know that food is cheap and great in Taiwan. Here are just sample pictures of what I've seen. Local people there that I've been with told me about "Stinky Tofu" that "not" tasting it would make your knowledge of Taiwan delicacy incomplete. I tried to but unfortunately, it was too stinky for me. Hahahaha!!!! I lost the courage to go for it. Their Milk Tea is compared to nothing. It makes my mouth water right now just with the thought of it.

Influenza H1N1 (Halloween Party)

TAKE THE TIME TO BE BEAUTIFUL....

It only takes a moment longer to do it right.
When you rush, you lose your place in your mind, your balance totters, your purpose dissipates.
Take time to see the beauty around you.
Take time to see the order, the existing plan, the architecture of the place.
Take time to see the balance, the imbalance, the light, the shade, the full places about to be emptied, the empty places about to be filled.
Take time to see the difference, the contrast, the supporters, and the antagonists.
Take time to see how you fit in.
Take time to find the right path, the course of passion, and the highest good.
Take time to find your place, and know before you do that it is always changing. Know that you have to be changing to fit in harmoniously.
Take time to know the intent of others, to understand the direction of the wind, the ebb of tides, and the emerging cloud faces.
Take time to see beauty.
Take time to know your response.
Take time to be beautiful.
The beauty that escapes you leaves a hungry soul behind.

"I appreciate the natural goodness of the human spirit. I realize how easily flowers fade. I accept that life is fleeting, and know how all of this beauty can slip away if I do not take the time to notice."

I wanna' have a ride with your Disco stick!

Lady Gaga rocks!
The bubble costume, the piano number, it was certainly a different kind of music she's trying to come up with. Although I think she was high not to say Macau properly. I just have to share that. I like how she says this, "The trinity of my life is fashion, music and love. I would die if one of these would be out of me." because it was given justice alright in everything she did on that stage.

Pinoy crew!

PHIL-YO did it again!

Need I say more?
F-I-L-I-P-I-N-A... Mare???!!!

Hahahaha! These are the gals that made it to the top in
an all gal competition. After K-Crew, an all Filipino group of young men
got 2nd, banging the Silver medals, come these girls
proving it more!

Plus, an intro to K-Crew!

K-Crew where "K" stands for
"Kayumanggi" which denotes the true color
of Filipinos. It is the Tagalog term for the color, "BROWN".

Watch for upcoming activities by these world-class talents!

Hong Kong's 4D Multiplex Cinema Limited

June 24th, 9:40pm, we checked out Transformers in 4D!!!
From work, we headed to Hong Kong International Airport
via train and bus and purchased HK$60 tickets to experience
the smoky effects, the bubbles and the water drizzle.... cool!
But I can't find the connection of the bubbles with the movie credits!

I saw the sign!

Hailstones rain on Parañaque villages
By Niña Catherine Calleja
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 16:34:00 06/23/2009

Filed Under: Weather, Local authorities

MANILA, Philippines – Hailstones the size of corn kernels, rained briefly across two villages in Parañaque City on Tuesday afternoon, residents said.

The hailstones started falling on Marcelo village around 2:40 p.m. after lightning and thunder. It lasted for about two minutes, said Eduard Blanco, executive assistant to the Parañaque City mayor.

A janitor saw hailstones falling over the Fourth Estate village and around the Parañaque city hall in San Antonio village, for five minutes, said Lloyd Palconan, city information officer.

No one was hurt and there were no reports of damage to property because of the hailstones, Palconan said.

Jelly Gacute, a janitor, told the Philippine Daily Inquirer (parent company of INQUIRER.net) that she saw the bits of ice hitting the city hall’s window.

Gacute said people inside city hall who saw the hailstones said: “Ay, himala [It’s a miracle].”

“They thought of it as a spectacle, imagining snow in the Philippines,” she said.

“We were also afraid, we thought the strong wind could become a whirlwind,” she said.

The rain stopped but the sky remained overcast, she said.

Vacation 2009

BORACAY 2009

Hmmm.... What can I say about this? Let me start this way...

I've waited for a long time to experience Boracay after 7 years. Since it's just a boat ride away from my province, Romblon, I've went there since I was 5 years old almost every Summer. Again, that was 7 years ago. What I remember about it is that I often threw tantrums because in order to get to the beach, we had to walk a long way. But now, it's too crowded already. It had been so commercialized that my idea of unwinding wasn't that too great. It even had Starbucks!!!! Ugh! That just spoiled everything. Plus the weather wasn't cooperating at all. And what's so funny is that I was just too forsaken I guess that dark days went over me. Ugh! Womanhood!

Oh well... Not everything were bad. I was with 2 of my best girls, Ria and Val and they made sure everything was booked perfectly. I loved how they came about with good Station 1 hotel. I suggest you go for Grand Prix Boracay Hideaway. The moment we landed on Kalibo, they had the bell boy pick us up, helped us with our luggages with all his might and upon reaching the hotel, cold welcoming drinks were sitting there waiting for us. The people were warm and made sure that we were served the breakfast that we chose. Plus the ATV experience was worth it!

I had the nicest bonding time with my cousin, Alvin too. One thing that we really like talking about is LIFE... Oh how we love that topic! Hahahaha! Most especially when it comes along with a Cappuccino Venti. Thrice we hung out at Starbucks while. The first one is right after Alvin got me from the airport. We headed right away to SM Mall of Asia, and man! I missed it so bad! I just had to give myself a treat at Gram's Diner. It used to look so nice but for some reason, the food there isn't worth of the price anymore. Before, I always have a nice time there, but it suddenly turned out to be so gloomy, how the restaurant looks like. Oh well.... I want to think that it's about the weather, that it was really raining so hard. It was still nice to drop by... My stomach had no more room for Cafe Breton's finest crepes, too bad I had to pass on that. Plus it was very cold for crepes too.

And then we hit Tomas Morato's Starbucks the same night with my godson Joerel. Lots of catching up happened since it's been a long time that I got hold of him. Series of advices were exchanged and it's always nice to hear their stupid, funny and sensible stories all at the same time.

(to be continued...)

8th International SIVA AFI Competition Champion, Hogan Toomalatai

Congratulations Hogan!!!!!

Hogan worked hard for this and he earned the title rightfully.

On his way to this competition, Andrew Stephen Dino (Filipino),

Evi Saua and Hogan Toomalatai (Samoans),

all who constituted the Team Asia Warriors of Fire,

flew with him to Apia, Samoa to compete in the

8th International Siva Afi Competition, SAMOA.

Being aware of the Samoan culture when it comes to Siva Afi (siva=dance, afi=fire),

I learned that you have to know and understand what it's main purpose is.

According to Hogan Toomalatai,

the Senior Champion this 2009, who started dancing with the fire knife since he was 8 years old

(started competing when he was 9 -like the little girl with Hogan, she's so amazing in handling the fire-knife, a very young competitior),

it was his people's way of defending from

tyrants who were interested to conquer their land

or basically, a defensive weapon against anybody who meant harm against themselves and their families. He also repeatedly reminded me that it's not for fun, it's not something to treat as a means to get something for selfish intentions and desires and it's not something to be put in the head to think of being atop all else.

I noticed he earned a lot of scars as much as he earned success from it. It could simply tell it requires a lot of sacrifices and a lot of hardships as you train hard. Later on, it had become a sport and is now worldly known. This is one special skill that originated from Samoa and were adopted by nearby Polynesian islands.

The World Fire Knife Competition had given Hogan the 2nd place back in May, 2005 in Hawaii. He met up with competitors from Tong'a, Hawaii and Samoa.

It's an honor to have known of this kind of Sport and that we were

together when he once again stepped into becoming the reigning Champion in Samoa.

I am looking forward for him to compete worldly again but according to him,

it would require a lot of concentration, training and focus.

Apparently, that means work for me too in terms of patience and perseverance

for him to depend on upon entering the 1st week of the competition.

I believe it would be pressuring as it sounds like. Fire and knife... do I need to say more?

A lot of people want to own this talent not understanding its power and limitations.

But it's more than strength and skill.

It's a gift from God that shouldn't satisfy anything against His will.

Otherwise, it would undermine its very purpose.

This year, Hogan had unexpected moves and it seemed like a break dance attack

for me with a touch of Capoiera. He had some slips on the stage for it was drizzling on the first night but he blew off the judges with a powerful routine.

The culture is there, very good to look at with the warrior style.

A very well deserved title! Hail to the champion!

Related posts:

1. THE BUZZ - His brother joining the World Fire Knife Competition 2014

2. Samoan newspaper - featuring him winning.

3. BEST PICTURES OF 2009 - click to know why

Stitch Summer Dance Bash!!!!

Watch out this Summer '09!
A cool party will be held
in Hong Kong Disneyland's
Main Street, starred by your favorite
Disney characters, namely:
Princess Ariel,
Mr. Incredible,
Goofy, Genie
and
STITCH!!!!!

Check out the website...
http://park.hongkongdisneyland.com/hkdl/html/Summer/en_US/index.html
and local HK magazines!!!!!

Dragon Boat Festival '09

TWILIGHT SAGA

As always, my review on this.... "the book is way better than the movie"...

Some scenes were a little bit vague to understand most especially when the sense of smell is to be emphasized. That's what's amazing in reading a book, it's just so great imagining how the writer goes about how a person smells, or how the character thinks of a vision in more ways than one, and how spontaneous your mind could work.

Edward Cullen was fabulously described. It's hard to convince myself that he's one of the bad guys... LOL!

I'm on with "New Moon"... Sigh!?!







It's so nice to know how the story goes in the book before you see it turning out as a movie.

As what really moved me here is how he had a hard time explaining how the surgery went to a very old man, still in love with her dead wife... Personally, I had an awful experience witnessing how a very good doctor break down how poorly a patient's body have reacted to a particular surgery.

Let's go back to the book though.
I had high expectations with how the movie would go but the conversations weren't as convincing as how they are in the book... but that's the most substantial about this book. Diane Lane was amazing though.







Now, this is the biggest disappointment for me. Yes, it was all a nice presentation but I can't believe Dan Brown allowed them to come up with something totally different. Most of the characters were changed, they omitted the most important part and in doing so, I can't help but whisper to myself, the Catholic Church obviously didn't want that part to be revealed. That it may or may have happened!

Vittoria Vetra in the book was one big persona. But in the movie, she looked like an excess baggage. Robert Langdon, fairly played character, the carmelengo, played by Ewan McGregor was convincing enough. I always see Ewan McGregor being the most typical 2-faced type...

Overall, and like I always say....
Grab the book!!!!!! It's all better!

Happy Birthday Hogan!

happy easter!

Happy Easter!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A nice Japanese dinner...

A warm capuccino afterwards...

An overwhelming experience of love and happiness as we celebrate Easter 2009...

Nothing compares to commemorating how God loved us than being with loved ones on this blessed day...

Instant impressions.
Lasting memories.
It may be the slimmest
Digital ELPH Canon has ever created,
but the impact couldn't be bigger.
The PowerShot SD780 IS Digital ELPH captivates the senses with
bold saturated colors and a daringly original design
that matches the intensity of Canon's most innovative camera technology.
Even when picture-taking conditions seem pretty unforgiving, you've got Canon on your side.
So the shots you used to miss are the images you'll now be sharing,
and the movies you never took before will be HD unforgettable.

It comes in 4 colors, red, silver, black and gold. I chose gold.... what's yours?

HK magazine Apology

An Apology

An Apology

March 27th, 2009

The publisher and editors of HK Magazine wish to apologize unreservedly for any offense that may have been caused by Chip Tsao’s column dated March 27.

HK Magazine has long championed the rights of Filipinos working in Hong Kong. We note that Filipinos have often been unfairly treated in Hong Kong, and that they make an important contribution to this community.

As a magazine, we would never want to say anything that would negate that belief.

The column in question was satirical. One aspect of satire is that it can at times be read in different ways. In this particular case, many people have read meanings into this column that were never actually intended.

We wish to assure our readers that we have nothing but respect for Filipinos, both living in Hong Kong and abroad.

The Venetian

I applied vacation together with Hogan from March 23-27 and it was a fantastic experience with him. After 17 years, I once again took a look of how Macau had developed from how it was back then. And I really felt bad that we went there while the land was graced with rain showers and strong winds. We took the Turbo Jet going to and fro. And there was a lot of blessings in disguise that we had during this trip. The best one was when we rode the Turbo Jet. (Cheung Wan station holds the Turbo Jet pier - Cheung Wan is one station away from Central).... The economy fare costs HK$148 and we were surprised when we were priced HK$244 each when we were on our way back to Hong Kong. After staying overnight in the very wonderfully designed hotel of The Venetian, we wanted to go back home to Hong Kong as fast as we could so, upon reaching the Macau pier at 2, we decided to take the 2:15pm trip. We were surprised of the price on the way back, thinking that the increase might be due the bad weather, only to find out that it goes with a full meal... Hahahahaha!!!! That was cool.... thinking you get more than what you expected.


The Venetian is the first property to open on the Cotai Strip, the area is currently under heavy, heavy development and is likely to feature upwards of thirty casinos, entertainment complexes and hotels when completed. Openings are slated throughout 2009 and 2010. The Venetian itself is surrounded by a manmade lagoon-like lake(seen in the foreground), on which gondola rides are offered halfway round the huge complex. During the summer, the various plazas are also inhabited by various period performers, who help keep the ice-cream eating crowds entertained. The whole complex has been designed, as with its sister complex in Vegas, in the image of Venice. Tacky to some, but undoubtedly impressive, the renaissance design would be unlikely to fool Michelangelo or anybody else, but it is faithful recreation of Venice. The casino even boasts large-scale replicas of major Venice landmarks such as St Mark’s Square, Campanile Tower and the Doge’s Palace. It is perhaps the scale that is so impressive. This is no model village, and many of the streets and buildings are as big as you would find them in their home town.

Inside, the Venetian theme continues with a system of canals, which, amazingly, have been built into the second floor. Just like in their Italian namesake, the gondoliers can also sing, and several have actually been shipped in from Italy.

The casino boasts three separate canals, as well the lagoon outside, and while it may lack the pungent smell of Venice, it is about as close to the real thing as you’ll get without flying to Italy.

They haven’t stopped there, they have even attempted to recreate the Venice sky(in summer), so even if it’s raining outside, you can still stroll by the canals. The faux sky, with outside air and smells also pumped in, really is breathtaking, and it can take a few seconds to realise you haven’t stumbled outside.

The Venetian is also styling itself as a shopping destination, and with over 1 million square feet of retail space, the biggest in either Macau or Hong Kong, it is certainly attractive. The shops are a high class mix of international clothing retailers and sky-high priced jewellers, all set around the winding canals. Several of the shops, as well as the wining and dining establishments, are unique to the casino in Asia.

Let’s not forget the gambling. At over 550,000 square feet this is the largest gambling floor in the world, and it’s well executed. Spacious and brightly lit, the floor is less intimidating than many in Macau, and much more similar to the sprawling complexes in Las Vegas. On the other hand, it is incredibly easy to get lost inside this behemoth.

870 gaming tables and 3400 slot machines offer ample opportunity to pour money away, yet despite its size and being open 24 hours the floor is perpetually busy, particularly the gaming tables. This buzz of people contributes to that uniquely exciting Casino atmosphere. Around the sides are numerous restaurants, often transplanted from Hong Kong, as well as several entertainment shows and cabarets – the casino has already been hosts to the Black Eyed Peas and a tennis match between Roger Federer and Pete Sampras.

-gohongkong.about.com

Modern Toilet

Had anyone of you experienced eating seated on a toilet bowl, from a toilet urinal and that the food is shaped like poop somehow? Check this out in Mong Kok people!!!! A taboo to a lot of people, this restaurant called Modern Toilet can be reached by taking the red line, go off Mong Kok station, exit E1 (towards the Lang Ham Mall) and turn right at the end of the block, and then keep right. There you'll see a mall sign leading to this cute restaurant.

War Games

Gear up, zip up but go low!
Hogan brought me to a "War-games-date".
It was all adrenalin rush.
The hardest part was fighting at night
and where the closed quarters are.

And talking about war games...
I would like to share something that I consider
as an awakening for the Philippine Government.
It was stimulating enough to think how bad Philippine economy
had become. Though I have to say that nobody can ever
make somebody feel bad because of what race runs in his/her blood.
We were all made equal by God.
Nobody is higher, nobody is lower.
Equal.

The War At Home

March 27th, 2009

The Russians sank a Hong Kong freighter last month, killing the seven Chinese seamen on board. We can live with that—Lenin and Stalin were once the ideological mentors of all Chinese people. The Japanese planted a flag on Diàoyú Island. That’s no big problem—we Hong Kong Chinese love Japanese cartoons, Hello Kitty, and shopping in Shinjuku, let alone our round-the-clock obsession with karaoke.

But hold on—even the Filipinos? Manila has just claimed sovereignty over the scattered rocks in the South China Sea called the Spratly Islands, complete with a blatant threat from its congress to send gunboats to the South China Sea to defend the islands from China if necessary. This is beyond reproach. The reason: there are more than 130,000 Filipina maids working as $3,580-a-month cheap labor in Hong Kong. As a nation of servants, you don’t flex your muscles at your master, from whom you earn most of your bread and butter.

As a patriotic Chinese man, the news has made my blood boil. I summoned Louisa, my domestic assistant who holds a degree in international politics from the University of Manila, hung a map on the wall, and gave her a harsh lecture. I sternly warned her that if she wants her wages increased next year, she had better tell every one of her compatriots in Statue Square on Sunday that the entirety of the Spratly Islands belongs to China.

Grimly, I told her that if war breaks out between the Philippines and China, I would have to end her employment and send her straight home, because I would not risk the crime of treason for sponsoring an enemy of the state by paying her to wash my toilet and clean my windows 16 hours a day. With that money, she would pay taxes to her government, and they would fund a navy to invade our motherland and deeply hurt my feelings.

Oh yes. The government of the Philippines would certainly be wrong if they think we Chinese are prepared to swallow their insult and sit back and lose a Falkland Islands War in the Far East. They may have Barack Obama and the hawkish American military behind them, but we have a hostage in each of our homes in the Mid-Levels or higher. Some of my friends told me they have already declared a state of emergency at home. Their maids have been made to shout “China, Madam/Sir” loudly whenever they hear the word “Spratly.” They say the indoctrination is working as wonderfully as when we used to shout, “Long live Chairman Mao!” at the sight of a portrait of our Great Leader during the Cultural Revolution. I’m not sure if that’s going a bit too far, at least for the time being.

Chip Tsao is a best-selling author and columnist. A former reporter for the BBC, his columns have also appeared in Apple Daily, Next Magazine and CUP Magazine, among others.

-HK-magazine.com