Philippines’ Race and the Yellow Lace

These are the days of new mornings. An explicit time in which my beloved Philippines has found its hope to be triumphant and victorious. A chance to redeem itself in front of the entire world who might just be expecting failure once again. Now the Philippines is relentlessly showered with a lot of promises that if promises happened to be pieces of bills then we’d be the richest country to date. Promises in which some are sugar-coated while some are just made of brittle type of glass bound to break any moment. Nevertheless, beyond these oceans of assurances are the silver linings on the sky beckoning to the whole nation that a new day has just began.

However as the word “new” surfaces, changes then follow and most of the time it’s obviously undeniable. Every time I watch news on TV today, it always tickles my tiniest bone to see people who ardently raise their hands to make Philippines work this time. Gone are the days wherein the media ruthlessly castigates every Government decision there is. The activists who usually do noise barrage on the street are nowhere to be found. Every politician is always feeling at their best reaching the point of being vocal about how they’re so willing to be cooperative that the usual disagreements are yet to be seen. All of these are just too good to be true. Well I’m guessing everyone is at home, sitting back and relaxing as they watch the Philippines unfold its new chapter.

Then there’s the newly elected President of the Republic of the Philippines always setting his best foot forward. All words that are coming out from his mouth are nothing but good intentions. He wants to finally eradicate this and implement that to the point of being too trying hard. At times I already feel like it’s service to impress (the press?). On the other hand, it’s a classic move and quite normal. He’s the newest President and we can only assume that part of his job is to make the Filipino people feel that they made the right decision. Like seriously? Did we really make the right decision? I say, “It’s too soon to judge and too early to tell”.

I’d be honest though that I never really casted my vote for Noy2x or most commonly referred to as P-Noy nowadays (way too cheesy huh?). I’ve got ample of reasons and to name a few? He lacked the experience and too subtle yet arrogant at times. Most of all, he was merely under the shadows of his parents who benevolently did an heroic act for the Philippines which made me wonder – where would he be if it weren’t for his parents. But enough of my skepticism towards his majesty, it’s as if those reasons would alter the fact that I wasn’t just part of that huge crowd who happened to be on the same boat which made him won the Presidential Candidacy. Hence, I’m officially giving him the benefit of the doubt. I rarely do this but now I’m settling with what ifs and maybes. What if he’ll make a good President? Then maybe the Philippines would be a better place? Who knows? Well nobody really knows.

Although it has been repeatedly stated that a country doesn’t only need a good governance but also good people who are willing to lend a hand. However, a good and honest governance, still, has an impetuous impact that resonates to the society as a whole. A ship needs the best captain like an airplane needs a careful pilot. A family needs responsible parents like a nation needs excellent and good governance.

We have the worst of worst typhoon channel but the best summer destination at the same time. Graced with a great number of population but still, always a happy people! With heart as big as its oceans and soul as beautiful as its sunsets… Philippines would still be Philippines! No doubt about that but in this grueling and globally competitive race…

… Is Philippines going to make it up high with the yellow lace?!

My mind SHOUTS!

Wherever the good Lord leads me to, I just pray He'll pick me up after I fall. June 14, 2009 at 7:01pm

It's when you want to risk and the people around you just won't then it gets totally frustrating. I swear.

June 15, 2009 at 5:37pm

No matter how you love what you do if it's meant to stop then it will.

June 16, 2009 at 2:05pm

The crazy thing about wishing for tomorrow is dreaming of the past when you get there.

June 17, 2009 at 11:04am

Between the devil and the deep blue sea, I chose to swim. Little did I know the devil knows how to swim too.

June 24, 2009 at 8:42pm

If you feel like your decision will bear no good sometimes it's better to just leave it behind and run away.

June 24, 2009 at 9:32pm

Moving on but memories will be forever treasured.

June 30, 2009 at 11:22am

When all is said and done you're left with no choice but to wait for the outcome.

July 23, 2009 at 1:49pm

It just came to a point where I ran out of words to write... Suddenly, I just stopped.

August 11, 2009 at 2:49pm

Life goes on. People change but good memories remain forever.

August 19, 2009 at 7:47am

You may not know but I used to quietly stare at your face while you were sleeping - now I still do except that I close my eyes just to see you.

August 19, 2009 at 9:02pm

It's when two ideas don't meet… friction begins… collision happens.

August 26, 2009 at 8:49pm

It was the first time a patient died in my very own hands. Since student days I never experienced it. Well I guess we all have our first times. I just had mine and the feeling was heartbreaking.

September 26, 2009 at 10:56pm

It always begins with impossibility and then we move forward to realize things.

October 27, 2009 at 8:05pm

Drunk people are way too honest. Wanna have a slap of reality? Talk to one!

November 22, 2009 at 9:52am

There are people out there who are just cynical but that doesn't mean we don't have to listen to them. We just have stand on our own perspectives!

December 19, 2009 at 12:56am

I know I'm gonna have it. One day happiness will go knocking on my door! For now, I'll work hard for it.

January 13 at 12:59am

Someday all the things that I grumble about, frown about, anxious about and most of all sacrifice about... someday these are all gonna make sense.

January 21 at 3:56pm

If I have the power to control time and space, I'd bring 'some' of the doctors to their elementary days and make them pay attention more on their handwriting!

January 28 at 2:29pm

I’m glad the world never runs out of love songs!

February 6 at 8:49pm

I thought I ran out of hope but what I didn't know… it was running for me the whole time and now that it caught me, I couldn't be any happier!

February 21 at 7:53pm

When everyone's tired, I just hate the feeling when I can't get tired myself! I have that right too!!!

February 26 at 8:02pm

Someday is such a lonely word.

February 28 at 3:09pm

I'm startin' a new life. A remake of what could have been a happy one. I'll try harder to smile amidst the turmoil of life. It's gonna be a long run and I'll start it with a smile.

March 7 at 5:39pm

Happiness… after all is a choice.

March 14 at 6:22pm

It's a battlefield out there…

March 19 at 7:33pm

…and it's a great relief to finally let go and just fall.

March 21 at 1:33pm

I think it all starts with forgiveness. Forgive yourself. Forgive the people who may have consciously or unconsciously hurt you. Forgiveness is the very first step of moving on.

March 21 at 8:30pm

Tomorrow’s a new day and I’ll face it with a smile!

March 23 at 8:23pm

There are those that leave you behind then there are those who stick up even in the worst scenario. Thanks for those who stayed behind and believed in the very essence of the word friendship!

March 28 at 9:14pm

Real good friends who'll walk with u when you’re super drunk, who'll bathe you when you already can't, help u change your clothes, and clean up the mess when you've puked on the bed sheet. REAL GOOD FRIENDS who'll pick you up when both love and alcohol let u hit the ground. - I'm blessed. I'm thankful.

April 18 at 7:48pm

We're clinging on to miracles and I believe they do happen. God be our guide.

May 2 at 10:26pm

Sometimes when you're long lost, it's good not to be found.

May 15 at 12:48am

Reality check: never depend yourself to anyone. They just come and go.

May 23 at 3:51pm

Be thankful for delays for it will serve a purpose.

June 2 at 10:20pm

There’s too much chaos, hatred, and animosity in this world. Why not keep it simple? Let's love one another.

June 8 at 1:01am

The people you know best are the ones most capable of surprising you.

June 13 at 11:47pm

Thing with writers is… they never die.

June 20 at 11:03pm

Sometimes we have to always think on possibilities so we won't get brutally surprised.

June 24 at 3:53pm

Somehow the most silent sound is the loudest and that sometimes compared to beating words sting more.

July 6 at 2:33am

The most painful part of losing someone is that particular time when the rest has moved on and you're left with no choice but to face it all alone.

July 6 at 7:04pm

When truth is validated that's when reality comes in.

July 7 at 1:36pm

If I were to pile all the pieces every time my heart breaks, I'd make a good fire wall.

July 8 at 8:39pm

There's something about the future that's so mystical. Each time you feel like everything's falling at their right places, you'll just wake up one morning feeling lost… again.

July 19 at 7:00pm

Daan Bantayan Visit

07.04.10

the long travel.. freshest air ever.. relaxin' at the beach.. quality time with family, esp. my cute lil' niece! We enjoyed our short but very fun filled visit at the province! :-)

True Friendship… As “I” know it.

I am blessed with a lot of friends in my life. I’ve met them along my journey in this crazy world of mine. Most of them just come and go but that didn’t mean they’re less of a friend for not staying. As I’ve always said, “Once a friend, always a friend!” Nevertheless, a handful of them made an effort (as I also did) to stay amidst life’s diversity and God always knew how I truly appreciated it. As I’ve travelled through life, I’ve came across a myriad of friends. Being flexible, I would like to believe, has been one of my greatest strength as a person. I can easily blend in and I perfectly don’t know why. But from what I’ve known, it taught me many things. It deepened my understanding in the word friendship. True enough, I realized that my friends are like a box of 64 crayola in it with different colors, unique personalities, distinctive beauty and attitude but “equally” important to me.

So here are the few things I learned along the way with my friends:

You always take time to LISTEN. It’s a common flaw that most of us, most often than not, talk instead of listening. Yep, talking can be a whole lot of fun! Who doesn’t love the chitchats? But at one point in time, we ought to listen to our friends. For only in listening we get to fully understand a person. This is a tough challenge for talkative people (oopps! like me!hehe) but you just have to realize that the spotlight isn’t always on you. That’s life. Take it or leave it? It’s up to you.

FRIEND: not your boyfriend/girlfriend. When friends get too close with each other, they sometimes forget the thin line separating between friendship and a romantic relationship. Yes! For hell’s sake! They’re not your girl/boyfriend so be very careful not to cross the line. Being possessive is quite normal but take time to reflect that your friends, like you, have a life of their own. You may be part of their world but always go back to reality… you are not their world.

I like this… My friend should like this too. It’s not a must that you should always have the same likes and decisions. If they contradict your standpoints so be it but that doesn’t mean they’re not your friends anymore. It would boil down again to the mere fact that the word “individuality” should be highly respected. Friends, like any other relationship, have to agree and disagree but should always meet somewhere in the middle. Meeting them halfway is a concrete evidence that you, as a friend, understand them thoroughly.

Can I be honest with you? Sadly, reality stings and it bites like hell. The more it pisses me off when a judgment is coming from a mere stranger. Who the hell do you think you are?! You don’t know me you son of a female dog!! And so my ranting goes on and on. But when a friend, who knows me right down to the very dead toenail I have, speaks up and directly tells me the not so good side of me. I shut up and reflect. Coming from a friend? Well, that must be really something. Yes, it would hurt a much deeper intensity but hating your friend or thinking that your friend is just envious and would just like to put you down will do no good. Your friend is being honest and you know it within the tiniest cell you have that he/she was telling truth. You should be thankful then for a friend confronted you instead of backbiting. Now it’s entirely up to you if you will do something about it. A friend just did his/her job… now what about you?

Believe me, it hurts too. There are times when you feel like, “Shit, they’re picking on me again.” The feeling where the whole group throws a joke on you and all of them are simultaneously laughing at the top of their lungs and you’re left with no choice but to laugh with them (yet hurt inside). Yes, friends do toss jokes on each other once in a while and as long as it doesn’t go below the belt, what’s the big fuss? It’s called humor my friend. And if you get to be so sensitive over nonsense craps, believe me, you’re causing the same pain to your friend. Asking why? Well, you’re friend is thinking that you aren’t that close as he/she might think. Close friends joke around and it stings when at the end of all the laughter someone walks out. It just goes to show that you aren’t on the same page all along. And trust me, that realization hurts more.

My friend’s friends. Our friends, most of the time, also have their own circle of friends which you don’t belong. You just have to realize that your friend also has his/her own journey in life. Hence, the friends your friend met along the way. There’s no point of thinking that your friend might has changed vastly or you simply can’t keep up with the lifestyle that he/she currently has. Think of it this way, things might change for better or worse but a true friend remains the same. You just have to believe in the sincerity of your friendship and t he rest will follow.

A friend makes not breaks. It’s crystal clear when an impending hiatus in friendship is taking over. It wouldn’t take a scientist to interpret such obvious matter. And when bridges are about to fall apart, what’s the best thing a friend can do to a friend? Simple. Don’t add fuel to the fire. Intend to pacify things instead of pushing them to their limits. Remember that the people involve are your friends and you are not watching a cockfight where one has to lose or win. These are real people and not roosters. Both are always at the losing end. Don’t take sides for it will only diversify things. Well, good thing about burned bridges is that it can always be rebuilt and you my friend can be a great tool. You just have to be there with your mind kept open.

And sometimes it’s not even needed. There are times when a friend commits mistake and consciously or unconsciously offends you in any way. Like what they always say, “Xenxa na, tao lang po!” Yes, to err has been making all of us human and when a friend deeply offended you, get angry because it’s your freewill. Find a place to recollect and weigh things up. Is that mistake enough for you to give up the friendship that the both of you have been taking care for the longest time? Are your friends’ sacrifices for you back then are too little compared to that offensive act? Think… because sometimes the word sorry is not even needed. Sometimes coffee or shopping will do the trick and all would be just fine.

A good friend remembers. And I’m not talking about birthdays or any other special occasions because those are dates and many aren’t just excellent when it comes to dates. What I’m referring to are the moments (good or bad) you’ve spent with your friend. The very first day you were acquainted with each other. The most stupid things that you both did though these things are just mere funny memories now. The tears your friend wiped on your face from your first heart break. The most challenging exams that went effortless just because your friend was around. The chitchats inside the library … the cheap-in2x thing so all the empty stomach will be filled… or from all the, “pletehi sa ko ha, akoi plete nimo sunod!” These are the simple things a good friend never forgets. These are the memories you would never trade in for anything in this world.

It needs cultivation. Like any other relationship, it needs a conscious effort to make it grow and to never let it die. Top on the list is communication. In our world of technological advancements, it’s a big question why you can’t drop a single hi or hello. True, you can’t expect to let all of your friends to stay. Fact of the matter is they all don’t. But as long as you intend to communicate, the friendship lives on. You might not see each other for ages but who cares? Facebook, Yahoo Messenger, Skype, and Twitter are all just there and who knows what advancements will happen in the future. For now, let’s keep it simple and love one another!

Writing, again

…and I’m writing again. As promised.

What took me so long?

I honestly don’t know.

From what I’ve known, writing was never my cup of tea. I’ve only written essays back at high school when English teachers gave essay as assignment or seatwork. And for me (from someone who hated doing assignments), it was a total agony, most specially when directed to have it not less than 300 or 400 words. To put it in a nutshell, I never enjoyed writing. I reckoned I was never born with it. It wasn’t innate from me. I saw writing as a mere academic requirement. No more, no less.

Well not until I reached my senior year at High School. That fateful year wherein I first broke my heart (okay, I’m getting mushy now!haha). But seriously, it was my first time to ever encounter such extraneous feeling. An intensified sensation I never knew it can also occur to me. It was a feeling so foreign, so strong that I made writing as the only escape I’ve got. It took me by surprise but that was when I started writing. Writing not because you have to submit it the next day, not because you were urged to win a competition, and certainly not because you were just after for praises and attention. It was writing because you wanted to tell your own story... or you just want to be heard and listen to yourself at the same time. It became writing and learning intertwined.

As I’ve written my daily experiences in a journal, I realized that my writings have grown with me too. My thoughts have widen its horizons and extended its inclusion not only to me but to the things that were happening around and to the people who were closest to me as well. I gradually grasped the idea that expression didn’t necessarily mean ME as the subject all the time. I learned telling stories (may it be in article or poem) from a friend’s experiences or from a mere stranger I met along the pavements. By doing such things, I discovered that writing was a great tool in understanding the life and world that we were settled in. Asking why? In writing, I’ve realized that it took me a lot of internalization before I can even begin with the first paragraph. And when I do internalization, that’s when I have to place my foot in one of my subject’s shoe. This part was the hardest for me and it is up to now but this part had also given me bountiful experiences I never imagined.

Writing… I never had writing on a silver platter. Moreover, it never occurred to me overnight. I never had a formal training on this maybe that’s why I usually flunk when it comes to writing’s technicalities. I do admit that my writing ability is still a work in progress. I am learning and I continually learn each day. I’d be blunt enough to say that I didn’t consider writing as one of my gifts but I have always loved the feeling it has been giving me for the past seven years of my life. That sense of fulfillment whenever I’ve done one piece of article… that joy I felt whenever I re-read those blogs I’ve made over the years… and the smile written on my face each time I visit every personal experiences that has been so well documented. And now that I'm back to writing, I couldn't be any happier.

And there lies the artistic beauty of writing…

You don’t always have to be right, you just have to be yourself.

JMECJ

Last night, I was scanning old notes hoping that I'd find the GORDON's questionnaire I'll be usin' in our CaseCon back at the institution where I am training.. to my surprise, I found a small, old notebook where I used to write my shout outs (yes, wa pa nauso ang twitter og fb ani nga time..hehe) and journals four years ago.. There are a lot of entries there but what caught my attention was the entry about me describing four of my closest friends back at college..

We used to name ourselves GMECJ (G for Gelai, M for Marimee, E for Eden, C for Conz, J for Jasmine).. Well not until "G"elai demanded that her nickname should be spelled as "J"elai that's wen it turned out to be JMECJ.. the group name we tagged to ourselves..

For years ago, dated January 19, 2006, I wrote an entry to one of my journal notebooks (I never really filled up an entire notebook with journal entries.. may lang ko sa sugod..haha) about these lovely creatures. And I'm tagging them in this note, hoping they'll also smile the way I did while reading this entry after four long years.. hehe

so here it goes!

JASMINE aka min2x, balang, ge
Sensya na min ky di jd ko kasleep so suwat na lang ko about nimo. C jasmine baw! Cya ang bright sa grupo, ang savior sa Physics class!hehe Tabi-an! As in super.. She can fly you to the moon with all her never ending stories!!! Of course.. refine??.. huh? refine sugar??haha Bu-hak2x kay ni mo.da og katawa.. Well, hopeless romantic kaau ni.. Kung ma in love todo.. Pero kung di na, di na sad.. tinood? Talented pud ni xa.. Maau mo guitar.. nindot og tingog xempre! One thing that always makes her cry is about fam matters.. Well, kita man cguro tanan weak dha nga side.. Unsa pa ha.. hmmm.. C jasmine akong kahilakan pirmi! I guess twice?! Dili cya akong hilakan but akong probz..haha and take note, iyang panyo akong gamiton.. wehehehe! Well to make the story short, cya usa ka nindot nga amiga! and I'm very blessed for having her in my life.. love you min!!!

GELIDEE aka "Jelai"
Gelidee.. sounds like Jollibee noh?!hehe well, tinood jd c Jelai ang mascot sa grupo.. I think the group would be very boring without her.. she always cracks jokes nga makatabang pud whenever we've got problems.. tabi.an pud ni xa.. og feminine kaau mo.da og katawa.. mora lang go'g di taga Pasil..hehe! Maau sad ni xa mokanta morag c K-brosas (matod pang tyay)!hehe In fairness, nindot baya ni xa mo.da og tambag.. as in morag c ate charo.. and the best talent ani niya kay mao ang pag declaim! Grabeh! Everbody jz loves it! Most especially c Sir Marcelino..hehe joke!haha C Jelai I think ang pinaka responsible sa balay.. grabeh ni maka.da og laba.. best in washing gud ni xa!! C Jelai wen in love? Otro pung hopeless romantic!!! Kalit lang og hilak kay wa jd daw manguyab niya at her age ayt now..hehe! Gelang Gels.. maabot ra lage na! C ms. or mr. right?hahaha Well, like min2x ma.problema pud ni xa sa iyang fam.. Also, I am very thankful that God has given me a friend like Jelai! School days of laughters and joys wouldn't be possible without Jelai.. Love u Gelz!

MARIMEE aka Tyay, Mame
C Tyay baw! Di ni xa ganahan magpatawag og Tyay especialy if naa'y boys.. it shud be marimee but sori 'yay.. I love to call you that way!hehe! So kini xa! Pinaka.isog! Isog nga hemi! Dali ra kaau mo hilak.. emotional kaau.. Esp. sa fam matters.. mao sad ni xa pinaka.sexy nakwangan lang jd og height..pero nabagay ra man pud.. small and petite! Naa sad ni xay hidden talent nga mao ang pag.drawing.. ayos kaau! Og super idol kaau niya c maraia carey?! ngee wrong spelling yay? sowy.. bzta mao na iya super idol.. og kapuso ni xa ever!! di na lang ko mo lalis ani niya!hehe C tyay, di ni xa ganahan mgpatawag og gwapa xa.. iya jd nang hilakan.. grabhe d kuno lage xa gwapa nya daghan ky og boylets maglibog lang ta kinsa juy TL ani niya tungod sa kadaghan.. Si kinsa man jd 'yay? Well so much for that, I'm also glad I bumped into dz person and eventually became her close friend.. thank you so much mame! For everything.. love you yay!!!

EDEN aka koudelka, den
C Eden baw! Cya ang Giraffe sa grupo! Pang model ang height.. that's y xa ang pinaka head turner sa tanan! Fashionista sad ni xa.. plus factor nganong mangahiwi ang liog sa mga taw..hehe! Nya limpyada kay ni.. grabeh ka organized, super! Ultimo ang plato after we eat limpyo.. well, pa.seksi2x lang ni babayhana ni pero kargador kay ni moda og kaon!hehe Ang talent ni eden mao ang pag.modeling! Actually, freelancer man ni xa nga model.. og creative sad ni xa.. bzta mga project2x gani.. mangau jd dayn mi help ni eden!! Ma. in love? hu? Pati-koy2x..hehe! Honestly, she's not the showy type.. mora ni xag may sariling mundo.. kiligon ra og iya.. in short, masekreto! but sometimes mo share pud ni xa pag dili na jd kaya.. she owys keeps her feelings inside.. sa grupo xa pa akong wa nakit.an nga mohilak.. tough girl! but I know when she's alone diha nana xa mo hilak.. well, dats ur way gurl! Of course, I'm thankful I met dz gurl and we became close friends! Love u den!


JMECJ.. while reading this old journal entry.. I realized one thing.. We've changed a lot.. into a more strong and matured individuals.. I'm proud we have kept the friendship all these years.. We may not see each other as often as before but we know in our hearts we'll treasure this for a lifetime!


Life's close enough to perfection when im wit these creatures!!! (caption from friendster..hehe)

The Sarah Geronimo Experience!

It was one of my life's experiences that I would never trade in for anything. Seeing Sarah Geronimo perform live was just simply amazing.. my feeling as a certified fan was surreal.. I can't believe that she was indeed singing right in front of my very eyes... waaaaahhh!! I couldn't help but scream..

There's just something weird about Sarah (or maybe that's just me) 'coz her aura was like oozing and there's no way that you can't feel it. She's effortless and she's not pretentious at all. She moved and talked like a normal person does but there's something in her.. I was like bewitched that night!haha.. I admit that she was not the type of beauty that will really take your breath away but there was more to Sarah Geronimo than meets the eye.. I can tell (even if I'm meters away from her) that she has a pure soul.. so genuine I can even feel it under my skin.

As I was trying to document that very special night, I brought my camera (Canon A530) with me. I was thinking that I can take pictures and show to this whole wide world that "HEY! I've been to Sarah Geronimo's Concert.. I was freakin' there!" But to my disappointment, my darn camera didn't have enough power to zoom out and take a clear picture of Sarah. It simply ended my plans to document every single number she would have.



See??haha and that would be Sarah standing on that stage singing her latest single "Dahil Minahal Mo Ako"... and that sadly, was the best zoom my camera ever offered! Sucks right?


Anyway, instead of grumbling about my poor camera I reckoned there's a reason behind it. I realize that I should leave the documentation part to other fans who brought a nicer camera. I can always visit youtube for the concert's footage..hehe Because I had less time for picture2x, I paid an increased attention to how Sarah performed on stage. And blimey!! She's unbelievable. Her voice was like tape recorded 'coz there's no difference between her voice in Cd's when she sang her songs that night.. Her dance routines are very energetic.. She's a pro!

She really interpreted her songs so well. My favorite part was when she sang Louie Ocampo's medley of songs.. Dang! I felt the pain when she sang "Tell Me".. Her voice made me shiver.. and as what my sit mate (whoever she was!haha) said, "Namarog jd akong balhibo". Indeed, she's definitely different in her live performances! Weeeeew!



I took these pictures during the encore run wherein she sang her hit song "Sa Iyo". The crowd was unbelievable. They flocked right just in front of the stage and were trying to take last pictures of Sarah G. before she'd left the stage. I was there.. and I was unbelievable too!haha

I love Sarah G. and after I watched her live? I idolized her even more. She's one kind of a heck star.. still grounded despite her countless achievements today. The night was worth it.. worth my time and penny! After all, it's never too bad to become a fan..it's fun!