"The Unfinished"

"The Unfinished"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

I

 Carrying Burdens has been my gift

And it ended when I met you

I would often be lost in thought

thinking of things that will never ever happen....

"Hunt's Memory: Hunting for Pork"

 "Hunt's Memory: Hunting for Pork"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

Had Baked Beans for breakfast and it reminded me of Hunt's Pork and Beans from my youth. Di ko alam kung nagimprove na pero nung kabataan ko yung pork part meant a thin slice of fat and it was just all beans.

Sabi ko Slice of Fat and Beans dapat pala ito pero I guess it didn't get past their marketing.

"The Insidious Foil: Insidious indeed"

 "The Insidious Foil: Insidious indeed"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

Back when I had a Black Red Dragon Reanimator deck I ran 3 copies of this card and the normal ones were 5 just pesos. The foil one was 20 I believe. 

Move forward to EDH days where this is sought after in Yuriko decks and other reanimation style decks and suddenly those 5 pesos prices were a dream.

Oh and I am glad I bought that foil one hahahahha

"The Blue Phyrexian in Kamigawa!"

 "The Blue Phyrexian in Kamigawa!"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

There was previous speculation that the Blue Praetor , Jin Gitaxias would make his appearance in Strixhaven. I guess we were all off the mark as here he is now making his appearance in Kamigawa.

 

The Phyrexians are obviously hunting for pieces off something. Probably as a way to reach Dominaria by years end. We have to keep the schedule right?

I might have been wrong in going to New Phyrexia because it seems that New Phyrexia will be going to Dominaria. I have a bad feeling that my favorite race in MTG will be beaten back though.

 

For the meantime though it seems that I would be hunting a new Phyrexian text praetor in the immediate future. Salamat Aya Bolinao for tagging me!

"My Daddy Nerdy Duties"

 "My Daddy Nerdy Duties"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

When my daughter Aven told me at 2am to name her awesome looking War Axe in Skyrim. I found myself Nerdily Obligated as well as honored to be doing so.

"Can you come up with something fantastical and a little divine sounding?"

And I found myself creating 3 unique Axe names that have not been used on any Axe or any weapon for that matter.  It was like it was waiting in my head all this time.

"Meanwhile in a Certain Company Clinic in QC: "Handa na ako"

 

"Meanwhile in a Certain Company Clinic in QC: "Handa na ako" 

by: 

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

Patient came in already carrying his backpack and lunch box into the clinic. 

Nurse began endorsing that patient complained of "chills" while he was working on the floor and wanted to go down to the clinic for consult.

Me: "Ano po narararamdaman niyo sir?"

Patient: "Nagchills po ako Doc. Baka ang taas na ng lagnat ko."

Me: "Sige po kunin po natin yung temp ninyo"

Thermometer gun: "36.1"

Thermal Scanner , Left hand: "36.5"

Thermal Scanner , Right hand: "36.5"

Me: "Ayan Sir , Normal Temperature po kayo."

Patient: "Normal ba yan?"

Me: "Yes po. Bakit po may dala na kayong bag at gamit?"

Patient: (Walks out of the clinic silently).

"The Isochron/Orim Lock Memory"

 "The Isochron/Orim Lock Memory"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

Back in the day (Mirrodin Days) I knew someone who got into Magic so much on his first week that he just had to obtain that Isochron/ Orim's Chant thing. And this was even a long time before any EDH deck. 

This guy literally went from hmmmm what is this game? to "Let me lock down everyone" all in one week. 

And just for the record I own several versions of Isochron Scepter but never had an Orim's Chant.

"The Manifest: All about the Callings"

 "The Manifest: All about the Callings"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

The Manifest centers around passengers of the ill-fated Flight 828 who were declared lost only to return 5 1/2 years later into the future. 

People returning to lives that for them was only a few hours apart but was actually half a decade for everyone else. And as if that was not insane , the passenger's start experiencing The Callings , inexplicable Visual and Auditory Hallucinations that often lead to them solving the case of the week.

There is a lot of mystery to unravel in this series and it progresses quite nicely.  There are a lot of unanswered questions.

"Kataomoi Response"

 "Kataomoi Response"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

I

I apologize If I don't return your smile

I still feel awkward for telling you that

Opening a part of me that you should not see

I wish that the ground would open and swallow me

II 

So I strumm my guitar and listen to you harmonize

And all the world seems a lot better

That charming voice of yours floating in the air

And I disappear with my embarassment and despair

III

I could stay here forever and loop this moment

For all is defined and never really forgotten

Hanging out with the notes that never drop

And your face smiling like I never really made the mistake.

Optum , Quezon City. February 1 , 2022. 3:29am

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Editor's Note:

Found myself inspired after listening to Aimer's Kataomoi from the First take and I guess I thought it would be cool that the guitarist she mentions also feels regret that he confessed but thought that his confession was unaccepted. 

So they end up trying to make music of misunderstood unrequited love together. 

"Finding What He Needs"

 "Finding What He Needs"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

I

If I ever find the words

I will be sure to tell you.

That all I have ever felt

was to be there for you.

II

If I ever find the courage

I would take the first step

To be so much closer

Than this distance that I maintain.

III

If I ever , If I ever

Ah screw it.

Here goes Nothing. 

Optum , Quezon City. February 1 , 2022. 3:39am

"The Jin-Gitaxias Surprise"

 "The Jin-Gitaxias Surprise"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

In a plane full of technology just ripe for the harvest the Phyrexians decide to show up and even Compleat another planeswalker. Kamigawa Neon Dynasty seems to be shaping up to be an exciting set.

Totally gave up on the other Phyrexian Praetors appearing in other sets and here we have Jin Gitaxias acquiring the Reality Chip. An artifact that makes it much easier to compleat things.

Especially Planeswalkers. Let us see how this will all play out.

"They Stayed Away"

 "They Stayed Away"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

It looks like a star, a single point when taken from my phone camera but to the naked eye it was several points of light.

It stayed in placed for about 20 minutes or so and disappeared. 

I thought it was a very slow moving plane, when I took a picture it looked like a single star.

Oh well. I guess they were checking the progress of our planet and decided, nah. Not this decade.

Doc June's Pro tips before calling in Sick: "A Quiet place"

 Doc June's Pro tips before calling in Sick: "A Quiet place"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

Make sure to be in a quiet place before calling. As it makes it hard to believe that you are home when all the cars are honking behind you.

Especially when you are claiming that you are Work from home and currently dealing with a headache and would have logged in if not for said headache.

Honking Cars = Outside = Di pa nakakauwi from your weekend getaway wherever that is.

Stay safe. Call in like a pro.

"Tamiyo , Compleated Sage: The First of Many"

 "Tamiyo , Compleated Sage: The First of Many"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

First Tamiyo went missing and there was news of Jin Gitaxias creating a masterpiece. And then Tamiyo , Compleated Sage appears!

 

Tamiyo is the first Compleated Planeswalker and the first one to appear with the Phyrexian text(Another thing for me to hunt down).  Karn might have been the first one to be corrupted but his Planeswalker card from the Scars of Mirrodin block was him breaking free of his corruption. 

I am not sure if Tamiyo might be able to break free from her compleation but it does offer a horrible reality if planeswalkers can be brought on to the sides of the Phyrexians. Well not so horrible for me as I want them all to be One. 

But if I were writing this story , Tamiyo might be able to turn the tide later on by breaking free. We will have to see if there is such a path when Phyrexia begins it's invasion of other planes.

Kaladesh , you might not have to wait long. Bwahahahaha

Doc June's Pro tips before calling in Sick: "Turn it Down"

 

Doc June's Pro tips before calling in Sick: "Turn it Down"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

"When you say that you can't get out of bed because you feel so bad...please ask the people in the party to stop laughing and to turn the music down before making your pitch."

Stay Safe. Call in like a Pro.

"Tatsunari , Toad Rider : One Shinobi to Unite them All!(Croak)"

 "Tatsunari , Toad Rider : One Shinobi to Unite them All!(Croak)"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

I have often said that Frogs needed a Commander in Sultai(BUG) colors to bring all of the cool chonky boys under one roof. 

Finally. I can mess around with both Grolnok and Gitrog in one deck.

Also since this is Jiraiya in MTG form is there an Orichimaru or Tsunade version in this set??? 

Well Turtle Ninja is a thing now. Sannin's might be next hahahah.

"Tribute to Horobi: It's a trap!"

 "Tribute to Horobi: It's a trap!"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

Tribute Horobi is a Trap saga, it might seem like each opponent is receiving 1/1 rats, in an EDH game this can reach up to 8 rats before this saga flips to show it's true nature.

Once this flips opponents quicly realize that if they had rat tokens, they now have none and they are staring at all those beady eyed rats on the opposite side of the battlefield. Ready to gnaw on them or to die to Horobi.

"The Wandering Emperor: Flashing her way to your heart"

"The Wandering Emperor: Flashing her way to your heart"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

Glad she took off her hat. Weird that they are not calling her empress. 

The Wandering Emperor has an interesting story and it was probably hard to translate all of that speed in a card. The only planeswalker to have flash if I recall correctly.

So far I can see that she has good defensive capabilities but seem overpriced at 4 mana. You could make a creature big enough to first strike kill something, have a 2/2 block a non trampler or outright remove a massive attacker with her last ability.

On offense, you could flash her at the end of an opponents turn and get a 2/2 Vigilance Samurai ready to attack on your turn. Maybe even making it a 3/3 Vigilance First striker as it attacks. Just one creature though which might not be good in EDH but might be good in Constructed. Except that there might be faster creatures in that format.

Hmmmmmmm. 

"Secret Lair ideas from a Phyrexian"

 "Secret Lair ideas from a Phyrexian"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

Since Wotc has been bringing out all of these Mechs and Compleated / Phyrexian Text cards lately here is an idea of a Secret Lair for you. "Secret Lairs: Compleated Worlds."

Basically how the Planes would look like should Phyrexia succeed in compleating all of them. Here is a sure fire concept. Like 5 lands in Kaladesh that have been compleated or even here in Kamigawa itself. 

How about a Compleated version of Lands in Cybertron? Strixhaven  or Ixalan or Ravnica , Phyrexian text Dual/Shock lands in new art? Sounds like people would be buying that. 

Or what about Phyrexian Text Fetchlands set in Dominaria or Tarkir??? Money Money MoneyThe Money machine goes Brrrr. Call me Wizards , I have more ideas.

"Nung ako ay Tech Support pa: "Paano?"

 "Nung ako ay Tech Support pa: "Paano?"

Ni:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

Me: "Thank you for calling , How may I help you today?"

Caller: "I'm at the warehouse where I want to set up my internet."

Me: "Be glad to help you Sir. Are you in front of your laptop or computer?"

Caller: "No"

Me: "Ok. Do you see where you are supposed to plug in your modem in the wall sir?"

Caller: "My Modem?"

Me: "Yes sir , do you have your modem with you?"

Caller: "Nope"

Me: "So you have no computer , no modem , nowhere to plug it in as well. What do you have with you sir?"

Caller: "This yellow cable thingie."

Me: "The Ethernet cable?"

Caller: "Says so right here yes."

Me: "Hmmmm we are going to need a lot more than that cable sir."

Caller: "You don't say."

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(Silent Scream)

"Meanwhile in a Certain Company Clinic in QC: Paano?"

 "Meanwhile in a Certain Company Clinic in QC: Paano?"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

Patient walks into clinic.

Nurse: "Ano po yun Maam?"

Patient: "Ah magpapa Fit to work po."

Nurse: "Ilang araw po kayong absent?"

Patient: "3 months po."

Nurse: "Dala niyo po ba yung mga papers ninyo?"

Patient: "Wala eh."

Nurse: "Paano po kayo mafifit to work?"

Patient: "Kailangan po ba?"

Nurse: "Oo."

Patient walks out of clinic.

"Mnemonic Deluge: Mixed Regrets and Relief"

 "Mnemonic Deluge: Mixed Regrets and Relief"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

I am both relieved and regretting that I did not open this in any of my Commander Legend box openings.  because it is only worth a couple of bucks and opening one as my mythic would hurt my feelings. Hurt it a lot actually. More than I would like to admit.

A little sad because then I would have already been copying Time Warps for 3 extra turns by now. Timewarp X 3 seems like a worthy goal to achieve after all.  

Huhuhuhu now I just have to do the unlimited turns thing the old fashioned way...One turn at a time.

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Well as of this writing I already acquired both of these cards so I guess all I need to do is be able to do it in battlefield conditions. Let's go! 

"A Realization While Watching the Witcher Season 2"

"A Realization While Watching the Witcher Season 2"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

I just realized it yesterday that I don't drink Coffee like a normal person does. Sipping it slowly or waiting for it to cool down , taking time to savor the flavors and aromas. Pondering on life as the world passes by. (or I think that is how a normal person drinks coffee)

No. I down coffee like a Witcher downs a Blizzard potion. All in one big gulp. And with similar effects. I speed up a bit. But these are the eyes that I have when I go home from a tiring duty.

"Meanwhile in a Certain Company Clinic in QC: "Ikaw na lang..."

 "Meanwhile in a Certain Company Clinic in QC: "Ikaw na lang..."

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

Patient called in for teleconsult due to headache which upon further investigation turned out to be from lack  of sleep. 

Patient: "Di na ako papasok Doc sabi ni Mama , ikaw na lang iniintay ko para makatulog ako."

Me: "Hmmmmm" 

Ang hirap talaga yung avail dahil US Holiday tapos galing ka pa sa weekend na pahinga , tapos work from home ka. Hmmmmmm

"Swept off"

 "Swept off"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

I

So here we go again

This loop that is never ending

Every time I thought I have forgotten

Here you are asking if I remember?

II

I opened my eyes to peaceful days

yet your voice speaks trouble in the rain

I may have cleaned up the last mess

but guess who is cleaning up again?

III

I wonder if it was your eyes? Or the lies?

Or your sweet lips that swept me in this tide

All I know is I opening to this time

I am in for this ride.

Optum , Quezon City. January 18 , 2022. 3:26am

"Memories in the Bay"

"Memories in the Bay"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

For the New Year weekend leading to 2022 my family and I decided to stay at the Conrad Hotel. This was a part of the Hilton group of hotels , it was shaped like a ship and it faced Manila Bay , offering spectacular views of the Bay. 

And probably the best place for this view was in the Main Lobby at the 3rd floor where guest where greeted for their check ins. The calm grey waters seemed to spread forever into the horizon , the ships anchored a few kilometers off land seemed a reminder to as how far the bay could reach. off to the distance you could see the Mountains of Bataan and I believe Corregidor. The Sunsets were beautiful here.

And one of the thoughts that ran through my head was Dad. I wondered if he would have loved this view. I remembered as a child that he had docked one of his ships in the Bay , for resupply or repairs I no longer remember. All I remember was my Mom and me riding a small boat , the water seeming to topple us as we approached the ladder of the ship that was lowered to accommodate us.

It seemed calmed but judging from the shakiness of the boat and ladder it was far from it , at least in my memory as a young boy , maybe even less than 10 years old. It was here that my dad was offering his hand to pull me up from the small boat and up to safety. I recalled the assuring grip of his big hands , the concerned look on his face , the authoritative way that he was giving orders to others but some he was already doing himself. 

My Mom already knew how to swim at this point and I remembered all those Swimming Lessons in Pope Pius. None of the lessons stuck by the way as I would require someone else to save me come the moment. Which I hope will never come.

I looked back at that sunset remembering my parents and how realizing that as a parent I would also be fiercely protective of my own daughter. I think as time goes all of those lessons I learned from my parents always comes back , told or untold. 

"Satoru Umezawa: Every Creature A Ninja!"

 "Satoru Umezawa: Every Creature A Ninja!"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

I did predict a new Ninja Commander and here he is. I like the fact that this can be a good addition to Yuriko builds. Or you can simply build big creature ninjas around the guy. Hahaha

There are times when you have not set up the top of your deck in Yuriko games and he might come in handy in the 99. Granted that it might clear duds for you and draw a card in the process when you activate a ninjutsu ability.

I am more excited to have all my creatures go down on the battlefield as Ninjas for the cheap price of 4 mana. A Blightsteel colossus for 4? With one opponent being killed if they have no response?  Yes please. 

So see you soon Satoru.

"Greeting the year with 3617"

 "Greeting the year with 3617"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

January 1, 2022 opened the year with 3600 Covid19 cases.With some areas in the NCR doubling their local numbers and in places where there were already zero cases see the reappearance of infection. I told my friend that it was only a question of when the Omicron wave will hit us. And that answer was at the first week of the year.

I always believed that the actions we take in the first week of the New Year would be the echo of our future actions till the end of the Year. This would be preparing for the worst and worrying. I find myself browsing through protocols , looking at our disinfection and Mask supplies. 

I argue for my wife to reconsider her trip to Dubai as the numbers would keep on rising in the coming weeks. We plan on when we would get our booster shots. We make plans and counter plans and back up plans just in case.

Also after breakfast each morning for the past 2 days we lie down in bed (or in my case in the sofa) lazily and try not to think of nothing before the crazy Monday duties begin. 

This is the thing about vacations. Your mind often disagrees with your body. We planned on going out only to find ourselves back in bed , bundled in blankets , and browsing through our phones.

Later on where I would write my first blog posts of the year and Aven would be playing Skyrim on her laptop.And my wife would still be looking at Tulfo , the latest gossip , car reviews , real estate and Jewelry. She processes information fast. 

And pretty soon we forget the 3617 cases of yesterday. Except when the masks that we need to put on when we go out remind us that those cases are still out there.

"Meanwhile in a Certain Company Pantry in QC: "All of Us are..."

 "Meanwhile in a Certain Company Pantry in QC:  "All of Us are..."

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

While getting coffee I overheard 3 people talking:

Agent 1: "Napanood niyo na ba yung zombie na ano sa netflix?"

Agent 2: "Ah yung All of Us are...Alike"

Agent 3: "All of Us are Alive yun"

Agent 1: "Well natapos ko na."

Agent 2: "Isang upuan ko lang yun."

Agent 3: "Ganda talaga yung All of Us are Alive."

Parang iba ata kami ng napanood ah....

"The Smiling Path"

 "The Smiling Path"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

I

There is a path that I walk on

Not the simplest of ways

I could find myself meandering

and just pacing there for days

II

Unhurried and unburdened

Through this path I have chosen

how can I feel that heavy load

when there are hands that are unbroken

III

Where the path ends I have not seen

I am simply happy that I am here

On through the journey I smile away

This just might be it , this might be the Day.

Conrad Hotel , Manila. January 2 , 2022. 11:43am

"The Old Man with the simple Clothes"

 "The Old Man with the simple Clothes"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

It was the last day of 2021 and we decided to eat at Hard Rock Cafe in S Maison. The place was cozy and offered a nice view of the Manila Bay. I think it was my first time in the place as I have no recollection of their menu or drinks.

As we sat there enjoying our food the staff , all from the managers and cooks came and gathered around an old man who came in with his Filipina wife. I told my own wife that this guy probably owns this Hard Rock Cafe or probably a majority share holder.

"How can you tell?" My wife asked me.

Aside from all the staff clamoring to be in the picture with him , I noticed that the guy was wearing a simple shirt , pair of pants and comfortable shoes. It was in the way that he carried himself. The air that I can wear what I want and I don't need to impress anyone. You ought to know who I am kind of vibe.

I told my wife that I wanted something like that in the future for myself. That you go to a place and people just know you and you dress for comfort not to impress the right people because you have paid your dues and reached the top rung of the success ladder.

When I asked the waitress if this was just their boss for this Hard rock franchise , it was revealed that the old man with the simple clothes that looked like he just put them on and went out for a walk was actually the owner of the Bistro Group of restaurants. That group of restaurants which offered good food but made you pay through the nose for top quality. Places like Italianni's and Chili's. 

That even drove the point home for me. Successful people can be as simple as they want. Ah to be that simple looking.