The Angriest Comedian In The Universe

This is a short review of Lewis Black’s book Nothing’s Sacred. It was first published in 2005 by Simon Spotlight Entertainment, an imprint of Simon & Schuster. The book was praised by George Carlin and Jon Stewart, two legendary humorists, so it should be good, right? Well, sort of. It depends on how exposed you are to Black’s work before you start perusing the first page.

I say this because if you’ve seen Black’s comedy specials (most of which are available for free viewing on YouTube), a lot of them are mirrors of what you’ll read in the book. Needless to say, the book would be less funny because you’ve heard a lot of the jokes before. But if you’re starting to navigate Black’s universe, then you’re in for a treat. Black is one of the funniest comedians in America, if not the world, today. Period. Nothing’s Sacred is also special in a way because Black spends a lot of the pages talking about his childhood, his first attempts with stand-up comedy, and how he got to where he is today.

I remember the time I became aware of Black’s brand of humor. It was on YouTube. I was searching for videos about evolution and somehow through YouTube’s recommendation algorithm, I came across a 10-minute video of him roasting creationists and describing them as a group that watches The Flintstones as if it’s a documentary. He delivers his jokes with a forced anger in his voice. It was unique. I haven’t seen anything like it. I was hooked. I’ve been a huge Black fan ever since.

Here’s Black being friendly and all in the book’s dedication page: “This book is dedicated to all of my friends who helped me get to where I am today. You know who you are. And when I find you, I am going to kill you.”

Mt. Pulag Is Bursting At The Seams Due To The Influx Of Climbers And Tourists

As the third highest peak in the Philippines, it's no surprise that Mt. Pulag in Benguet is one of the most visited mountains in the country. Thousands of mountaineers and tourists trek to its grassy slopes and summit every year. Without a doubt, the number of people wanting to step on the mountain is growing. The management of the Mt. Pulag National Park has regularly sent out bulletins informing those who wish to climb the mountain to make their reservations weeks or months before their ascent because the mountain is always within (if not beyond) its carrying capacity.

On any given day, there are dozens of people trudging up and down the mountain. It's not that difficult to imagine the effect of this on the environmental health of the famous peak. Even the management of the Mt. Pulag National Park are lamenting the fact that there are a lot of trekkers and organizers who are not staying in line and are not following park regulations and policies. All these problems can take their toll on the national park.

Now, professional mountain climbers are starting to bemoan the number of people being allowed to be at the peak. The Facebook page of the Pinoy Mountaineer (a popular mountaineering blog) posted a photo which was recently taken at the summit of Mt. Pulag. In it you can see a throng of people crowding a portion of the misty peak. Now, you can lodge any type of criticism towards the photo. Could be a camera trick. The photo could have been taken in a way and in the most perfect second to make the impression that there are more people on the peak than necessary. But the point is this: maybe it's time to be more strict in enforcing policies and regulations. Or better yet, revisit such policies and regulations and make amends.

Kat Velayo Greenberg said it best in a follow-up opinion piece she wrote for the Pinoy Mountaineer blog: "The Philippines really needs a National Parks Service. The DENR cannot handle the workload of maintaining our national parks on top of enforcing rules about environmental degradation and policing corporations. Many other countries have a government body that is just about maintaining the parks. It should be separate from the Department of Tourism and the DENR because it needs to focus on its own agenda: regulating the amount of traffic to our natural wonders and maintaining the health and beauty of those natural wonders."

"Hindi lang LRT/MRT ang siksikan. Pati Mt. Pulag siksikan narin."This photo at the summit of Mt. Pulag, shared to us...
Posted by Pinoy Mountaineer on Tuesday, January 26, 2016

3 Soldiers Killed In Kalinga In An Encounter Between Government Troops And NPA Rebels

Three government soldiers were killed when members of the 50th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army encountered New People's Army rebels at barangay Balantoy in Balbalan, Kalinga. The firefight occurred on Tuesday night. There were around 19 soldiers on the government side. The number of rebels they encountered is still undetermined. The rebels are believed to be members of the Kilusang Larangang  Guerilla Baggas of the Ilocos Cordillera Regional Party Committee (ICRC).

The soldiers were reportedly in the midst of an operation in the area after receiving complaints from residents that communist rebels were spotted in the area. The encounter between the two forces lasted for about 45 minutes.

The soldiers who perished in the battle were identified as Corporal John Rey Dayag of Naneng, Tabuk, Private First Class Jocel Abbacan of Pasil, and Private First Class Jordan Bolar. of Isabela.

[Sources: Herald Express, Bombo Cauayan]

2-Hour Brownout To Hit Baguio City And La Trinidad On January 26 (Tuesday)

Nearly all of Baguio City and La Trinidad will have a two-hour power interruption on January 26 (Tuesday). In an advisory released by the Benguet Electric Cooperative (BENECO), Baguio City and the nearby town of La Trinidad will have a brownout from 12 noon to 2 PM. According to the electric cooperative, the power interruption will enable them to load a new 50MVA power transformer. Also affected by the scheduled power interruption are Triple B Sablan Poblacion Tuba, Badiwan Poyopoy, Bejajeng, Taloy Norte, Taloy Sur, and Tublay Proper.

Exempted areas are as follows: Upper Ambiong, Ambuklao Road portion, APTS, Sim-sim Compound, Regidor Street, Maria Basa, Liteng, Pacdal Circle, Sispno Road, Botanical Garden, Pucsusan, Tavera Street, Kneedler Street, Poblete Extension, John Hay, BCC, Country Club Village, Happy Hallow, Lamut, Marlboro Country, DZWT, GMA, RPN, DZBS, Lualhati, Felipe, Moran, Apostol, De Los Reyes, Europa, Modesta, Good Shepherd, Cuneta, Mines View Park areas, Gibraltar, Romulo Drive, Tuding Road, Outlook Drive, Mary Hurst, Lucnab, Teachers Camp to Forbes Park DS, Balangabang, DENR Compound, Villamor Street

Portion of Outlook Drive, Innsbruck, South Drive, Portion of Paterno Street, DPS Compound, Lower Cabinet Hill, Green Water, Wagner Road, Military Cut-off, Sta. Scholastica Village, Dagsian, Hillside, Gabriela Silang, Woodsgate, Camp 8, BWD Dedicated Line, Puliwes, San Vicente, Lower Balsigan, Agpaoa Road, Milo Subdivision, Woodsville Subdivision, Sarok, Kennon Road, Kalinga Pelota Court, Petersville, Amparo Heights, Lexber Heights Phase 1, Amistad, Montecello, Richgate Square Phase II, Crest Wood, Eagle Crest Phase I and II, Cuidad Grande Phase I and II, Lexber Heights Phase II, Gumamela, Bakakeng Road, New Site SLU-SVP, Forest Gold, Ramsey Pumping

Sto. Nino Subdivision, Camp 7, Kennon Road, Pias, Youngland, Mangga, Pongian, Soyuc, Ongasan, Lions Head, Kennon Road, Along Naguilian Road, Coca-Cola, Yagyagan, Lexber, Camog, Monglo, Amocao, Pedawan, Sabdang, Sablan, Palali, Sawali, La Chesa Subdivision, Blist-Getcha Subdivision, Postalville Subdivision, Genesis Subdivision, Irisan, Cypress, UP Village, Marville Subdivision, CIGI, San Miguel, NPC Subdivision, San Carlos Heights, San Luis Extension, Bermuda Subdivision, Cooyesan, Shangrila Village, San Roque

Lourdes Subdivision, Mirador Hill, Dominican Hill, Hamada Subdivision until St. Vincent DS, Asin Road, Cabluyen, KM 5 Asin Road down to Tadiangan Sectionalizer, Asin Roads, San Pascual, Tam-awan Pinsao, Longlong Road, Bato-Longlong to Talingguroy, Bombo Radio, Tacay Road, Pinsao Proper, Araneta/Rainbows End Subdivision, Fairview, Quezon Hill Junction, Quezon Hill 1st and 2nd Road, Easter Road, Manzanillo Subdivision, Richwood Subdivision, Ferguson Road, Tacay Road-Pinsao, Badihoy Street, Dangwa Road, Avelino Street, Avelino Street Extension, Rainbow Hills Subdivision, Sepic Road

For the full power interruption schedule from January 25 to 30, go here.

Photo by Daniel Feliciano/The Cordilleran Sun

Kevin Belingon Of Team Lakay Unsuccessful In Bid To Capture ONE Championship Bantamweight Crown

One round. That's all that Bibiano Fernandez of Brazil needed to retain his ONE Championship bantamweight belt last Saturday night when he faced Kevin Belingon of the Philippines in the main event of ONE Championship 37: Dynasty of Champions at the Helong Stadium in Changsha, China. Belingon, who trains and fights under the Team Lakay banner, was forced to tap out with one minute remaining in the first stanza. As to the victorious Brazilian, the win marks his fourth successful defense of his crown.

When the bell rang to signal the start of the fight, the Brazilian champion threw a low kick which the Filipino challenger tried to counter with a straight power punch. Belingon missed his mark which eventually turned into a nightmare because when he over-extended with the punch, it placed him in close proximity with Fernandez. The intelligent grappler that he is, Fernandez saw his chance and he immediately went for a takedown and successfully got it.

Aside from the instance wherein Belingon momentarily got back to his feet (only to be taken down again), Fernandez dominated the contest. Fernandez smothered Belingon with a steady diet of transitions and top control. Realizing that he probably wouldn't be able to finish Belingon in the center of the ring, the champion slowly dragged the challenger towards the cage wall. It paid off very well because it offered him more control with the challenger pressed to the wall. Fernandez went for an arm-bar, turned it into a kimura, and forced Belingon to tap out. With the win, Fernandez improves to 19 wins and 3 losses while Belingon drops to 13 wins and 5 losses.

The loss once again highlights  what is widely considered as the Achilles heel of fighters coming from Team Lakay. Their wrestling and grappling skills are still not at par with the top opposition out there. They need a lot of improvement when it comes to their takedown defense. Grappling is a huge facet of mixed martial arts. Fernandez is a master of it and he trains with some of the best fighters in the planet like Demetrious Johnson who is considered by a lot of observers in the sport as the top pound for pound MMA fighter today. Beating Fernandez would be a tall order. Belingon tried and gave it his best but it's obvious that the disparity in their grappling skills was what caused him the fight.

In other news, three Cordilleran mixed martial artists will be entering the ONE Championship cage next week in the promotion's next event dubbed ONE Championship 38: Clash of Heroes. The event will be held at the Stadium Negara in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on January 29. The main event will be a tussle between Eric Kelly of Baguio City and Ev Ting of Malaysia. Two Team Lakay fighters - Eduard Folayang and Geje Eustaquio - will also be seeing action in the same event. Folayang will lock horns with Tetsuya Yamada of Japan while Eustaquio will face Saiful Merican of Malaysia.

1 Dead, 10 Injured In A Road Accident In Palina, Kibungan, Benguet

A 55-year-old elementary school teacher died while eight students and two other teachers were injured when a truck turned upside down in Palina, Kibungan, Benguet on Thursday morning (January 21). The Philippine Daily Inquirer reported that the incident occurred around 10:00 am on said date. The teacher who perished was identified as Julieta Sibayan Danio, a resident of Poblacion, Kibungan and a teacher at the Palina Elementary School.

Two other teachers were injured. They are Daniel Pascaden and Dominga Liwayan. The eight elementary students who were also injured are Kenneth Eslao, Jayther Eslao, Penny Binbinen, Clifford Bolislis, Ruben Roach, Jorvin Acosta, Justin Sacpa, and Ruel Martin. Those injured were brought to the Benguet General Hospital (BGH) for treatment.

The group were reportedly on their way to attend a Scout Jamboree in the nearby town of Bakun when the truck malfunctioned. The driver lost control of the vehicle and it flipped over. [Sources: Inquirer, Manila Bulletin]

The Ending Of The Town Explained. What's Up With The Orange?

"No matter how much you change, you still have to pay the price for the things you've done. So I got a long road. But I know I'll see you again. This side or the other." - Doug MacRay in The Town

The Town is a brilliant heist film released in 2010 and starring Ben Affleck, Rebecca Hall, Jeremy Renner, Blake Lively and Jon Hamm. Renner, in particular, was a chameleon in it.  He can be a baby-faced nobody drinking in a bar one moment and a blood-thirsty hooligan in another. His nomination by the Academy Award for his work was very well deserved.

A lot of people seem to be confused by the ending of the film. I'm surprised because the ending was very clear to me. It's not the sad ending that many viewers seem to be buying into. The ending scene showed Claire digging up in her garden a duffel bag that contained a stack of cash, a short note, and an orange. In that same scene, we can hear a voice-over of Doug narrating the contents of the note.

Here's what I took from that scene. Doug was giving Claire a choice. So it's not exactly a sad ending. Claire can choose between the money and the orange. He's basically telling Claire: "Here's some cash. You are better off with it than with me." Then Claire rummages through the bag as if she was expecting to find something else and lo and behold, there's the orange fruit. Remember that during the movie, while the two were still in speaking terms, Doug was coaxing Claire to leave Charlestown with him. Doug put the orange in there as a sign that he is still wishing to see Claire. The ball now is in Claire's court.

In the beginning of the movie, Doug also mentioned Tangerine which is a real place in Orange County, Florida. Florida was the place that Doug has been planning all along to go to once the final heist was over. So there you go. Tangerine. Orange County. Florida. That's the ending. It just wasn't shown in the final cut of the film.

Is it possible that Doug and Claire never saw each other again after the last scene in the film? Of course. The end also implied that Claire used the money to improve the dilapidated hockey rink in Charlestown. She chose the cash over the orange. But this doesn't mean she can't choose both. Come to think of it. What's stopping her from spending the money and then flying over to Florida when Doug's case goes cold? Not much unless the FBI tracks her every move for the rest of her life.

Image credit: Warner Brothers

And here's an interesting piece of trivia. The Town is an adaptation of a novel called Prince of Thieves by Chuck Hogan. However, there's a huge difference between the ending in the novel and the ending of the movie. In the novel, Doug dies in the arms of Claire. Actually, Affleck and his crew filmed this scene but when they screen-tested the two endings, test audiences preferred the ending wherein Doug survives. So that's what was shown in the final theatrical version.

And in another note, when the credits started rolling, they played the song Jolene by Ray Lamontagne which happens to be one of my favorite songs. It was the perfect song for the movie, considering the lyrics.

12-Hour Brownout To Hit Baguio City And La Trinidad On January 19 (Tuesday)

Charge your phones. Stack up on batteries. Make sure that your electric generator is in working condition. In a public advisory, the Benguet Electric Cooperative (BENECO) has announced that Baguio City, La Trinidad, and Tublay Proper will be experiencing a 12-hour power interruption on January 19 (Tuesday) from six in the morning to six in the afternoon. In the advisory, BENECO cited the energization of a new power transformer and the upgrading of electric poles as the reasons for the 12-hour power interruption.

The whole of Baguio City, La Trinidad, and Tublay Proper will be affected by the scheduled brownout except the following areas:

Upper Ambiong, Ambuklao Road portion, APTS, Sim-sim Compound, Regidor st., Maria Basa, Liteng, Pacdal Circle, Sispno Road, Botanical Garden, Pucsusan, Tavera St., Kneedler St., Poblete Extension, Johnhay, BCC, Country Club Village, Happy Hallow, Lamut, Marlboro Country, DZWT, GMA, RPN, DZBS, Lualhati, Felipe, Moran, Apostol, De Los Reyes, Europa, Modesta, Good Shepperd, Cuneta, Mines View Park areas, Gibraltar, Romulo Drive, Tuding road, Outlook Drive, Mary Hurst, Lucnab, Teachers Camp to Forbes Park DS, Balangabang, DENR Compound

Villamor St., Portion of Outlook Drive, Innsbruck, South Drive, Portion of Paterno St., DPS Compound, Lower Cabinet Hill, Green Water, Wagner Road, Military Cut-off, Sta. Scholastica Village, Dagsian, Hillside, Gabriela Silang, Woodsgate, Camp 8, BWD Dedicated Line, Puliwes, San Vicente, Lower Balsigan, Agpaoa Drive, Milo Subdivision, Woodsville Subdivision, Sarok, Kennon road, Kalinga Pelota Court, Petersville, Amparo Heights, Lexber Heights Phase I, Amistad, Montecello, Richgate Square Phase II, Crest Wood, Eagle Crest Phase I & II

Ciudad Grande Phase I & II, Lexber Heights Phase II, Gumamela, Bakakeng road, New Site SLU-SVP, Forest Gold, Ramsey Pumping, Sto. Nino Subdivision, Camp 7, Kennon road, Pias, Youngland, Mangga, Pongian, Soyuc, Ongasan, Lions Head, Kennon Road,Along Naguilian road, Coca-cola, Yagyagan, Lexber, Camog, Monglo, Amocao, Pedawan, Sabdang, Sablan, Palali, Sawali, La Chesa Subdivision, Blist-Getcha Subdivision, Postalville Subdivision, Genesis Subdivision, Irisan, Cypress, UP Village, Marville Subdivision, CIGI, San Miguel, NPC Subdivision, San Carlos Heights, San Luis Extension, Bermuda Subdivision, Cooyesan, Shangrila Village, San Roque

Lourdes Subdivision, Mirador Hill, Dominican Hill, Hamada Subdivision until St. Vincent DS, Asin Road, Cabluyen, Km 5 Asin Road down to Tadiangan Sectionalizer, Asin roads, San Pascual, Tam-awan Pinsao, Longlong Road, Bato-Longlong to Talingguroy, Bombo Radio, Tacay Road, Pinsao Proper, Araneta/Rainbows End Subdivision, Fairview, Quezon Hill Junction, Quezon Hill 1st and 2nd Road, Easter Road, Manzanillo Subdivision, Richwood Subdivision, Ferguzon Road, Tacay Road-Pinsao, Badihoy St., Dangwa Road, Avelino St., Avelino St. Extension, Rainbow Hills Subdivision, Sepic Road

Photo by Daniel Feliciano (The Cordilleran Sun)

Notes On Francis Slakey's To The Last Breath: A Memoir Of Going To Extremes

To The Last Breath by Francis Slakey is the first book I finished reading this year. I can only think of one word to describe the experience of thumbing through the 252-page memoir. Beautiful. It was a beautiful experience. Slakey is a storyteller of the highest order. The man has the magic touch when it comes to churning out words to convey a point.

For instance, when talking about body bulk as a liability in mountain climbing, he explained that "Goliaths don't rule the rock, Davids do."

In the blurb in the inside cover of the book, it said that Slakey is a physics professor at Georgetown University. With that said, I was expecting a book filled with chapters brewing with technical jargon and dense writing. The type of content you'll peruse in scientific and academic journals.

Suffice it to say that I was completely wrong. To The Last Breath was easy to read and as I mentioned earlier, Slakey is a fantastic storyteller. As you read through his accounts of his travels and experiences, you'll feel like you are right there with him. Scaling the formidable El Capitan at the Yosemite Valley in California. Interacting with the Masai warriors in Tanzania. Reaching the summit of Mt. Everest. Staring down the barrel of a gun in the jungles of Indonesia. Watching a Sherpa give up and wait to die in the snows of Everest. Climbing the Vinson Massif in Antarctica. Surfing in Arugam Bay. Helping victims of a deadly ambush in Indonesia find justice and closure. And that's just the tip of the iceberg.

Slakey joins the ranks of the likes of Carl Sagan, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Bill Nye, and E.O. Wilson. Men of science who have the ability to bridge science and literature to produce a piece of work that people from all walks of life can find entertaining and informative.
Slakey has some funny bones as well. You could say that his brand of comedy is unoriginal because most of the humorous stuff in To The Last Breath are mere accounts of weird and bizarre things he has encountered in his adventures. Be that as it may, we can't discount the fact that Slakey's presentation of the scenes makes them even funnier.

Take for instance the moment Slakey met a Masai warrior named Kilembu in Tanzania. Slakey described the moment as follows: "Kilembu introduces me to the key elements of his world in descending order of importance: two dozen cattle, a few goats, four children, three tiny huts, two wives, a mother." Don't tell me you haven't guffawed at the joke in this.

Then there was Slakey's interaction with yet another man from the Masai tribe. Slakey quizzed the man about modern education being imposed upon young Masai tribe members. The Masai man was telling Slakey: "Let me tell you about one of the best brains in Tanzania. Very brilliant with mathematics. He went to Britain to study aircraft design. He came back, and you know what? We don't design airplanes here." Slakey and the man erupted in laughter as the latter delivers the clincher: "He is useless."

But the most endearing attribute of To The Last Breath is its humanity. Sure, Slakey's adventures in the highest mountains in the planet and his numerous brushes with death are exciting and endlessly entertaining. But these can't beat Slakey's journey from a detached and insensitive person to one with a more open heart and mind. You have to read the book to fully grasp what I'm trying to say here. If there is such a thing as a book with a heart, this would be it.

The face of the El Capitan in the Yosemite Valley. Photo by Greg Jordan via Flickr.

The following quote from Kathleen Norris which appears on a page on the book before the first chapter begins perfectly encapsulates the main thesis of To The Last Breath: "None of us knows what the next change is going to be, what unexpected opportunity is just around the corner, waiting a few months or a few years, to change all the tenor of our lives."

Schedule Of BENECO Power Interruption From January 4 To January 8

January 4, Monday, 9 am to 5 pm - Pleasant Ville Subdivision, Guisad Surong, Simsim Compound, Purok 7, Tiptop, Pacdal, Km. 4, Balili, La Trinidad (near Jewel Igorot Building)

January 5, Tuesday, 9 am to 5 pm - Bareng Drive, Bakakeng Sur, Purok 1, Sta. Scholastica, Military Cut-off, Baguio City (near Baptist Church)

January 6, Wednesday, 9 am to 5 pm - Atok Trail, Amparo Heights, Camp 7, Baguio City; Ampucao Proper, Itogon

January 7, Thursday, 9 am to 5 pm - Gusaran, Poblacion, Tuba; Shamolog, Pico, La Trinidad

January 8, Friday, 9 am to 5 pm - Labsan Street, Kayang Extension, Baguio City; Yandoc Street, Palma Urbano, Baguio City, Dumpsite, Irisan, Baguio City; Camia Street, Sunnyside, Fairview, Baguio City

Kevin Belingon Of Team Lakay To Challenge Bibiano Fernandez For ONE Championship's Bantamweight Title

If things go according to plan, a fighter from Team Lakay will be holding a championship belt before this month ends. But achieving such a feat won't be a walk in the park. Kevin Belingon, one of the most recognizable fighters in Team Lakay's roster, is set to lock horns with Bibiano Fernandez of Brazil on January 23 at the Helong Stadium in Changsha, Hunan, China. The two bantamweights will be headlining the event dubbed ONE Championship: Dynasty of Champions.

At stake will be the Brazilian's championship strap which he won in 2013 and successfully defended four times against top contenders. Fernandez is a complete fighter who can be comfortable whether a fight remains standing or goes to the ground. In 21 professional fights, Fernandez has lost only thrice, two of which came very early in his career. He doesn't have much of a punching power - only two of his eighteen wins were via knockouts - but he's very creative inside the cage.

Without a doubt, Belingon can punch much harder than Fernandez. His three knockout wins in the ONE Championship are among the best that the young promotional company has ever seen. Needless to say, Belingon's best chance in overcoming the champion is to keep the fight standing and hope that one of his powerful kicks and punches makes its mark and puts the Brazilian to sleep.

Belingon will surely fly into China as a huge underdog. This shouldn't come as a surprise. He is the challenger and his stint inside ONE Championship has been unstable at best. He fought eight times under the promotion. He won four and lost the rest. Fernandez, on the other hand, fought six times in the promotion. He won them all.

Fernandez also has experience on his side. He has 21 professional fights compared to Belingon's 17. Fernandez and Belingon share four common previous opponents in ONE Championship - Koetsu Okazaki, Soo Chul Kim, Masakatsu Ueda, and Dae Hwan Kim. Fernandez has defeated all four fighters while Belingon has defeated only one. He lost to the other three. MMA math isn't always accurate but you can gauge the difference between the two fighters' skill set by looking into how they fared in common opponents.

The complete fight card for ONE Championship: Dynasty of Champions is as follows:
8. Bibiano Fernandez vs Kevin Belingon
7. Li Kai Wen vs Yang Sen
6. Muin Gafurov vs Toni Tauru
5. Asuka Mikami vs Roy Doliguez
4. Ming Yen Sung vs Su Noto
3. Tang Da Fen vs Zhou Biao
2. Wu Ting Shen vs Ma Hao Bin
1. Bu Hou You Xia vs Cai Chang Bo