Brian Dys

Category: The Ride

Sit back, put your feet up and enjoy the ride.

  • Work from Home (Trabaho Mula sa Bahay)

    Working from home? Start your day by taking a bath and dressing up. Briefs, pants, and a nice comfy shirt. And don’t forget to wear your bracelet or watch or anything you wear when going out that door.

    This will definitely boost up your productivity and you will feel bad you dressed up for nothing (if you only slacked around).

    In Filipino:

    Nagtatrabaho mula sa bahay? Simulan ang araw mo sa pamamagitan ng paglibo at pagbihis. Jaki, pantalon, at isang matino’t komportableng damit. At huwag kalimutan magsuot ng purselas o relos o kahit anong sinusuot mo kapag lumalabas ka sa pinto na ‘yan.

    Ito ay magpapa-turbo ng pagiging masipag mo at sasama ang pakiramdam mo kung nagbihis ka lang para sa wala (kung hihilata ka lang).

  • A Nice Letter

    June 15, 2012

    To Mr. G. G.,

    Good day, I would like to be informed of the objectivity behind the qualifications of being eligible in the GainShare program.

    It is apparent that some of my colleagues have the same standing as I in terms of attendance and typing skills yet I wonder why I’m disqualified. I do not wish for them to be in the same situation; I only wish for fairness in our workplace.

    This, admittedly, has been affecting my professional outlook and I would like it to be resolved in the soonest since I love working with the D team.

    The sadness is creeping and scratching me insane. It feels that I am being treated unfairly. I was not evaluated nor commended when I handled everything by myself, when I extended hours and hours without pay, when I did everything to cover all work and the works of all imaginary EAs (which we have now) and beyond. Now that everything is in a not-so-outstanding condition, that’s when you notice me and appear to favor others.

    Please bear with me in these personal expressions. Since we do not have an HR department to air my grievances to, I wrote this letter. Please know that you’ve been a source of inspiration to me in regards to my professional career.

    Hoping to speak with you regarding these matters,

    Jaycelle Playda

    A disgruntled employee ready to explode anytime like a hot magma volcano.

    A parody letter written for Jaycelle in a time of trouble.

  • Portraits

    There
    Sew
    Pass Me By
    Duo
    San Fernando
    Shake Your Head
    Other Half

  • No Trial Please Thanks

    It’s harder and harder to get up at six in the morning. It’s already cold minus the rainy weather.

    Snuggle
    A cat curls up under a bench in a carinderia. 6:47 am, 20th Ave., Cubao, Quezon City

    * * *

    Where did these flowerpot decorations come from?

    Bobble Head
    The rain drizzle across a taxi windshield; inside are bobble head puppy and flowerpot decorations. 6:54 am, along B. Serrano Ave., Quezon City

    * * *

    The rain fell big drops that could hurt heads. It’s a relief when you’re already inside a vehicle unlike when you’re still waiting to commute by the roadside wearing a cotton jacket and holding an umbrella for one.

    The company umbrella Christmas giveaway has a purpose after all.

    Silong
    Two men taking cover from the rain under a flyover. 6:59 am, EDSA, cor. B. Serrano Ave., Quezon City

    * * *

    In some building vicinities they put spikes around their flowerpots or anywhere people could sit and take a nap all day.

    Mercury
    A man sleeps outside Mercury Drug. 7:44 pm, Gen. McArthur Ave., Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City

    * * *

    I’m travelling back in time when a security guard catches someone testing different variants of deodorants before going to work. He waits for the mall to open at ten, walks by the cologne section and purposely catches the attention of a salesman to let him try that new Polo scent.

    No Trial
    Deodorant products with a “No Trial” sign. Mercury Drug, 7:52 pm, Gen. Araneta Ave., Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City

  • To Venice Piazza

    Model: Jaycelle Playda
    Location: The Piazza at Venice, McKinley Hill, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City

    Jaycelle and MirrorJaycelle
    DressPickup
    Shoes and BagShoes
    WaitingWalking
    GoingGoingGoingGone

  • Perez Family

    Michelle and FlowersMichelle
    Mom and Michelle
    Perez Family

  • Zsi-Zsi’s First Birthday

    Zsi-Zsi and LolaCupcakes
    Coin BankLooking at the Toys
    Goodies for GrabsPeekSheriff's BadgesPancho!
    Arranging the CupcakesCupcakesBirthday Cake
    QuicheTortilla WrapFrench BreadCream Puff
    Watching the ShowValle Verde V Social Hall
    Cowboy HatJaycelle
    ScarvesJugglerCotton Candy
    WandaCowgirlPancho
    Big ShadesCowboys
    Blowing BubblesPlaying

  • In the Wee Hours of the Morning (Sa Madaling Araw)

    June 29, 2005

    It’s like near Christmas or having a field trip to Nayong Pilipino, I am brushing my eyes while yawning.

    “Cocks are not crowing yet.”

    I sat down by the foot of the bed to stare into space. After a while I began to scratch my head so I would fully awaken.

    In these hours come topics only yourself could understand. Unlike those which are forced, this one flows smoothly.

    “If you’re going to say something, say it now.”

    “I’ll say it next year…”

    That’s why it’s good to wake up in the wee hours of the morning.

    Guitar Man
    A blind guitar man playing some tunes along the sidewalk. EDSA, Camp Aguinaldo, June 13, 2011

    Original Text (Filipino)

    Parang magpa-Pasko o kaya may field trip sa Nayong Pilipino, kinukusut-kusot pa ang mata sabay hikab.

    “Wala pa ang tilaok ng mga manok.”

    Umupo ako sa paanan ng papag para tumunganga. Kaunting saglit pa ay nagkamot na ako ng ulo para naman magising nang tuluyan.

    Dito sa mga oras na ‘to lumalabas ang mga usaping sarili mo lang ang nakakaintindi. Hindi katulad ng napipiga, heto ay swabe lang ang daloy.

    “Kung may sasabihin ka, ngayon na.”

    “Next year na lang…”

    Kaya masarap simulan ang paggising sa madaling araw.

    Sa Madaling Araw Second Edition

  • Colorizing Ansel Adams

    Photograph taken from Shorpy, colorized the other half in Photoshop

    I first saw this picture by Ansel Adams from Shorpy and thought of colorizing it in Photoshop. The colors, of course, are far from accurate; I only wanted to have a hand in coloring a black and white photograph and this one interested me.

    —

    Loading bus, leaving Manzanar for relocation, Manzanar Relocation Center, California / Photograph by Ansel Adams

    Created/Published [1943]

    Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, Ansel Adams, photographer, [reproduction number, e.g., LC-DIG-ppprs-00257]

  • Life Reclaim (Reklamo Sa Buhay)

    Bacteria-laden dry clothes

    Since the laundry shop I frequent swindled me of my clothes (I went back to find out the clothes were still dirty-stacked), I switched to a cheap-looking laundry shop — only twenty-three per kilo compared to twenty-five. Beside a hair salon, it looked like it had no dryer that used LPG (liquefied petroleum gas); it is rainy season, seemed like I would be caught by not-properly-dried clothes. My hunch became true; a pair of pants were also missing. I planned to get back at them — I would send several pieces of clothes, I would insert packets of red and blue dye into the pockets so if they mix it with clothes of other customers (which they shouldn’t be doing), dead meat!

    Filipino Translation:

    Amoy-kulob na mga damit

    Sapagkat ang labahan na lagi kong pinupuntahan ay winantutri ako nang pitong araw (bumalik ako at nakatambak pa rin ang mga damit), lumipat ako sa isang pipitsugin na labahan — bente-tres kada kilo lang kumpara sa bente-singko. Tabi ng parlor, mukhang walang pangtuyo na gumagamit ng gasul; tag-ulan pa naman, mukhang madadale ako ng amoy-kulob na damit. Tama ang hinala ko; kulang pa ng isang pantalon. Balak kong gumanti — magpapalaba ako ng ilang pirasong damit, sisiksikan ko ng jobus na pula at asul ang mga bulsa para kung maghalo sila ng damit ng ibang tao (na dapat ‘di nila ginagawa), patay!

    Here are some unrelated photos of the morning:

    Vulcanizing
    A still-closed vulcanizing shop. 20th Ave., Cubao, Quezon City, 8:22 am
    Doorway
    A woman standing by the doorway of a house which is very near the road. B. Serrano Ave., Quezon City, 8:23am
    Pot-pot
    A vendor sounding his pot-pot horn to attract buyers. B. Serrano Ave., Quezon City, 8:24 am
    Happy New Year
    A vandalism on the wall of Camp Aguinaldo. B. Serrano Ave., Quezon City, 8:24 am
    Kalong
    A kid on his grandfather’s lap laughing. B. Serrano Ave., Quezon City, 8:25 am
    Fans
    Fixed electric fans for sale hanging by an electrical shop. B. Serrano Ave., Quezon City, 8:25 am
    Lurk
    A man standing in the dark at a commercial complex. B. Serrano Ave., Quezon City, 8:26 am
    Rush ID
    A rush passport ID service. B. Serrano Ave., Quezon City, 8:26 am
    Pagbilhan nga Po
    A woman buying from a sari-sari store. B. Serrano Ave., Quezon City, 8:27 am
    Pointy Toe
    A woman sitting/sleeping on a passenger jeepney. B. Serrano Ave., Quezon City, 8:28 am
    Nardo
    Nardo’s cart is used to gather junk and recyclable materials. B. Serrano Ave., Quezon City, 8:29 am
    Duster
    A woman in duster walking by the sidewalk. B. Serrano Ave., Quezon City, 8:29 am
    Near-completion
    A building near its completion. B. Serrano Ave., Quezon City near EDSA, 8:29 am
    Inulo
    A man carries several load on his head. Camp Crame, EDSA, 8:30 am
    Fixing
    A woman fixing her umbrella. Camp Crame, EDSA, 8:30 am
    Pollution
    An old man covers his nose with handkerchief to shield himself from vehicle pollution. MRT Santolan-Annapolis station, EDSA, 8:30 am
    Obscure
    People walking. EDSA near Annapolis St., Quezon City, 8:31 am
    KM 20
    A vendor beside an area being demolished. EDSA near Annapolist St., Quezon City, 8:31 am
    Now Open
    “Now Open” sign of Chevrolet. EDSA, 8:31 am
    First Class
    An X-Men movie billboard. EDSA, 8:31 am
    Workers
    Construction workers along the line of automotive shops. EDSA, 8:31 am
    Waiting
    People waiting by the curb. EDSA, 8:31 am
    Rico Hizon
    A CEO apparel billboard. EDSA, 8:31 am
    Victory
    A Victory Liner bus. EDSA, 8:32 am
    88
    A motorcycle cruising with deadly buses. EDSA, 8:32 am
    City Operation
    A city bus. EDSA, 8:32 am
    People Power
    The People Power monument. EDSA, 8:34 am
    Don't Touch
    A “Don’t Touch” sign telling passengers that the latch isn’t located there. Ortigas Ave., Quezon City near Robinsons Galleria, 8:37 am
    Horsie
    A jeepney decorated with metallic horses on its hood. Ortigas Ave., Quezon City near Robinsons Galleria, 8:37 am
    Shuttle Service
    A shuttle service loaded with passengers going to work. Ortigas Ave., Quezon City, 8:38 am
    XT
    A passenger at the back of a public utility vehicle. F. Ortigas Jr. Ave., Ortigas Center, Pasig City, 8:40 am
    Gold Tower
    The AIC Gold Tower. F. Ortigas Jr. Ave., Ortigas Center, Pasig City, 8:40 am
    Pine Scent
    A pine tree scent hanging inside a taxi. F. Ortigas Jr. Ave., Ortigas Center, Pasig City, 8:40 am
    Flowerpot
    A flower and pot decoration on the dashboard of a taxi. F. Ortigas Jr. Ave., Ortigas Center, Pasig City, 8:41 am
    XXXX
    The reflection of the taxi I was riding. F. Ortigas Jr. Ave., Ortigas Center, Pasig City, 8:41 am
    Cross
    A woman crossing the street. Ruby Rd., Ortigas Center, Pasig City, 8:41 am
    Walk
    Two women walking. Ruby Rd., Ortigas Center, Pasig City, 8:42 am
    Manong
    A man with a faraway look, resting against a coconut tree. Ruby Rd., Ortigas Center, Pasig City, 8:42 am
    Painting the Curb
    A man painting the curb with alternate black and yellow. Ruby Rd., Ortigas Center, Pasig City, 8:42 am