Major negative, Major positive

How ironic it is to sleep last night with shattered pride and wake up today with our pride in glory days.

This is what I personally felt today as the events unfolds in our dearest country Philippines.

Yesterday happened one of the most tragic hostage taking to date in our country. Thanks to Capt. Mendoza and his villain-some act which put our dearest country in a big big hole. But then again, is he really the one to blame here or should we really point fingers to someone just for them to feel guilty of what they've done?

This is what I really hate about our culture. The "crab-mantality" culture of the Filipinos. There are a lot of things to be proud as a Filipino but there are also things to hate about our culture. When I am on my way to Makati yesterday, the cab driver told me what is happening. And then my reaction was " Ah! Talaga?". Hahaha! Funny but true. That was, for me, the most stoic answer that a cab driver would get after bringing a bad news. And we share some thoughts on how it can be solved. The driver even thought of making some fake documents just to make the hostage taker surrender himself and let everybody inside the bus go.

How I wish that it was that easy.

Later that night, things are worse than I thought. But then again, while I was watching the news I can't help myself but laugh on how the reporters react while covering the event. I understand that their job is very dangerous but hey I want to laugh. And it ended in the death of Capt. Mendoza. May his soul rests in peace.

And then, the cyberworld became very active. Ideas here. Thoughts over there. But what we can only do is think of the "could have beens". What the police could have done. What the local government could have provided. What the national government could have given. And all this came up after a very TRAGIC incident. Yes I agree that there are lapses on how the policemen operated. But I think, we should still take our hats off because they have done their part. And it is time for us to do ours. Pay our due taxes. Help other people as much as we could. And most importantly, not to point our fingers to other people.

Today is the Ms. Universe pageant. Although the telecast on our local network is delayed, there are updates thru the cyber world that kept me ahead of the pack. Everyone was so ecstatic when Ms. Venus Raj made it to the top 15. The internet savvy expressed more pride when she made it to the top 5. But when she had lapses while answering in the Final Question and Answer portion, everybody started to express their disappointment. And it seems that they hate to be a Filipino at that very moment. And then I was able to read the "could have beens" again. She did her best but for some of us, it was not enough. She can only do so much. And what did she gain, criticism. Holy cow! From your fellow countrymen.

Life is not a Word document that you can edit. Life is not a machine in the making that when you had a mistake in putting some parts, you can buy the more appropriate one so that everything will be fine. Life is all about life. Living the present. Thanking the past. Looking forward to the future. Pointing your finger to someone won't help at all. Let's take everything as it happens. Let's learn to live our lives.

P.S.

This blog is just an opinion of the writer. It doesn't intend to hurt someone. It is intended for sharing of thoughts.

Anong magagawa natin?

Isang malaking tanong ang pumukaw ng aking pag-iisip. Ano ito? Ito ang malaking tanong na tinutukoy ko. “Anong magagawa natin?” Ikaw ba, naisip mo na ito? Hindi ba at napapanahon ito lalong lalo na ngayon at eleksyon dito sa Pilipinas.

Kung ako ang tatanungin, ang maisasagot ko ay OO NAMAN. Bakit? Ang mga sumusunod na talata ay magpapahayag ng aking damdamin hindi lamang sa nalalapit na eleksyon kung hindi sa pangkalahatang kalagayan ng ating buhay bilang Pilipino.

Unang una, mas maganda kung gamitin natin ng tama ang karapatan natin bilang Pilipino dahil mayroon tayong magagawa para sa pagbabago ng ating bansa patungo sa kaunlaran nito. Ano? Ang maging rehistradong botante ay isa sa malaking hakbang na dapat ay nagawa ng bawat Pilipinong maari nang makilahok sa nalalapit na eleksyon. Sabi nga ng patalastas ng isang pahayagan, “Wala kang karapatang magreklamo kung hindi ka boboto”. Naniniwala ako dun sapagkat mayroon kang karapatang bumoto ngunit hindi mo ito ginamit. At ang kauna unahang hakbang ay maging rehistradong botante.

Ang ikalawa naman ay wag sana tayong maging negatibo sa mga bagay bagay. Kung ang iyong pananaw sa buhay ay wala na tayong magagawa, mabuti pa ay sarilinin mo na lamang iyan at baka makahawa ka pa. Maaring ang Pilipinas ay isang third world country SA NGAYON ngunit hindi mo maitatanggi na tayong mga Pilipino ay sadyang maabilidad kung kaya tayo ay hinahangaan sa buong mundo. Ang maliliit na hakbang patungo sa pag-unlad ay hindi masama. Dahil kung dadami ang taong gumagawa ng maliliit na bagay na iyan, malamang bukas ay isa nang malaking hakbang ang iuunlad ng Pilipinas.

Ang ikatlo at huling punto na gusto kong ipahayag ay kung gusto nating tumulong, tumulong ka na lang. Huwag mo nang punahin ang mga pagkakamali ng ibang tao. Kung nakita mo siyang nagkamali ngunit gumawa siya ng paraan upang makabawi sa kanyang pagkakamali, tigilan mo na. Bakit hindi tayo magtulong tulong para magawa ang dapat gawin nang sa ganun at tuloy tuloy ang pagsulong ng ating bansa.

Nirerespeto ko ang desisyon ng lahat ng tao. Nirerespeto ko ang kanilang dahilan. Ngunit kung ang dahilan ng tao ay “wala lang”, hindi ba’t nakakalungkot iyon dahil isa itong senyales na naiimpluwensyahan lang ang tao sa kanyang desisyon at hindi siya nakakagawa ng desisyon ayon sa kanyang paniniwala at paninindigan.

Ang mahalagang desisyon na ating gagawin sa ika-10 ng Mayo ay isang desisyon kung saan nakasalalay ang kinabukasan ng ating bansa. Gusto kong ulitin na sa araw na iyon, ito na ang ating pagkakataon upang maging boss at mamili ng isang tao na gusto nating manilbihan ng tapat at ibibigay ang buong puso upang maglingkod sa Pilipinas. Ngunit hindi ba’t nararapat naman na maging patas tayo sa pagpili at kilalanin natin ang bawat kandidato upang mabigyan sila ng pantay pantay na pagkakataong mamuno.

Be assertive. Be positive. Be pro-active.

9 mornings

Misa de gallo is a traditional Catholic celebration held early in the morning during yuletide season. It starts from December 15 to December 23 if you will be attending the anticipated mass and from December 16 to December 24. I see the latter part as the more difficult one because you have to commit yourself in waking up at 4 am to be ready for the 430am mass. Some people do attend the mass because the folks have always believed that if you complete the 9 misa de gallo, you will be entitled with a wish. And it is also believed that it does come true.

And usually, people who have attended the mass will also have some gathering just outside the church. Let us call this a Christmas picnic. People from different walks of life swarm around kiosk of the two most favorite delicacies during Yuletide season. It's puto bumbong and bibingka.

And this year, I have a first hand experience of how we, Filipinos, celebrate this misa de gallo during the happiest time of the year. And as the number of masses I have attended increase, my interest of hearing the homily does too.

For those who was not able to attend the traditional Yuletide series of masses, here is the run down of the homilies:

First day: To prove that you are a son of God, you should follow HIS doing. There is no other way but HIS. It has been proven throughout the history and yet most of us fail to do so. Even yours truly do falter at times. But what it is important is you keep coming back to HIM.

Second day: To be happy, follow HIS will. It is no wonder even if you make millions of cash and stash it for your future you will still feel incomplete and lonely without HIM. It is only thru HIM that we feel complete and happy.

Third day: HE will never forsake us. Just open your eyes and listen to HIM because HE cares for us no matter what. HE is our father. Unlike our biological father, HE is very merciful. Whatever we have done in the past, HE will not mind at all as long as we seek for HIS forgiveness.

Fourth day: Nothing is impossible to HIM. Just have a little faith. HE is OMNIPOTENT. I guess that is something that we forget at times. If something that you want did not happen, there is a reason behind that and that is you will get something better than what you want. Just be patient and have a little faith.

Fifth day: Never stop caring and showing some respect because HE never stops. Caring for each other is something that HE wants us to do. Remember during every mass, there is always a part where we give peace to each other because HE wants a good and sound relationship with each other.

Sixth day: Do not lose HOPE. Trust comes with hope. If we will only learn to fully trust HIM, your hope will never fade out like a candle which loses its fire after just being blown off. As we live our own lives, we don’t have to hope that HE will never leave us if we will only trust our lives to HIM.

Seventh day: Just look around to feel how blessed you are. HE makes our lives easy if HE wishes to. And HE said, “Let there be light.” And then there was light so that we will not find ourselves always in the dark. We just have to appreciate what we have in life and stop asking for what we do not have. Maybe we do not need what we do not have at all.

Eight day: We are all responsible for our CHRISTian community. The reason why we all have names to keep is that we will be responsible in every move we make because it will be your dignity that will be put on the line. Being a responsible CHRISTian is also making each and every step of yours carefully because you know that HIS name will be put on the line.

Last day: Open up your hearts for our Saviour has come. Before you can say that you are ready for HIM, let us empty our hearts with the words me, myself and I. Stop being selfish and reach out and lend a hand to others because that is what HE did for all of us. HE gave us HIS only son for the redemption of our sins.

This year’s Christmas will be very meaningful to me even if I have to spend another Christmas without my Dad beside me. I know that time will come that he will be able to have his own chance of opening his gift from us like how we do it during Christmas eve.

HOPE, TRUST, UNSELFISHNESS and LOVE.

Let us spread the words and give some love this Christmas. If and when that volcano in Albay explodes in the time where we celebrate the coming of Messiah, let us still continue the spirit of Christmas all year long. As long as there is someone who is needy for an extra hand, Christmas will be there in our strongest muscle – in our heart.

Yehey! Wala na kami...

Here is an article that I happen to read again after 2 long years.

Read this article and realize how to seriously take care of the relationship that you have right now.

Is it really worth the freedom that you're asking for?

Are you really ready for the consequences?

Are you really ready to give up that happiness?

Better think about it.

Yehey!!! Wala na kami…

Yehey! Wala na kami.

Wala na akong aalalahanin, wala na akong iisipin…

Pero hirap akong matulog sa gabi dahil bumabalik yung mga alaala noong magkasama kami.

Naiisip ko kung paano niya hawakan yung kamay ko, yung tipong nagsasabing hindi niya ako iiwanan.

Kung paano niya ako yakapin, yung nagsasabing hindi niya ako iiwanan.

At kung paano niya ako halikan, yung nagsasabing mahal na mahal niya ako.

Yehey! Wala na kami.

Hindi na ako iiyak pa…

Pero kapag gabi, nagagawa ko pa ring umiyak dahil na-mimiss ko siya.

Na-mimiss ko yung mga ngiti niyang nakakaloko, mga jokes niyang corny, mga tingin niyang nakakatunaw, tawa niyang nakakabaliw, pangungulit niya sa akin at kung anu-ano pang kapraningan na ginagawa niya.

Na-mimiss ko yun…

Yehey! Wala na kami.

Wala na akong tatawagan, hindi na ako magtetext sa kanya, at makaka-ipon na ako ng pera para sa sarili ko.

Pero sa tuwing hawak ko ang cell phone ko, lagi kong hinahanap ang pangalan niya.

Lagi akong na-tetempt na magtext sa kanya o di naman kaya tumawag.

Nangangati lagi ang daliri ko na pindutin ang ‘Write message’, i-type and message ko, i-scroll yung button para Makita ko yung number niya at i-pepress ko yung ‘Send’.

O kaya naman, i-scroll ko yung button para mahanap yung name niya tapos i-pepress ko yung ‘Call’ kahit na alam ko na mauubos na ang load ko at wala na akong pambili ng load (dahil kabibigay lang ni Nanay).

Kahit na alam kong hindi naman siya magrereply at hinding hindi niya ako tatawagan.

At kahit kailang, hindi na niya gagawin pang magparamdam.

Yehey! Wala na kami.

Magkakaroon na ako ng time para sa sarili ko, sa pamilya ko at sa barkada ko.

Pero sa tuwing lalabas ako ng bahay, kasama man ang pamilya o barkada ko, siya lagi ang naaalala ko.

Na sana kasama ko siya ngayon.

Na sana magkahawak kamay kaming namamasyal, naglolokohan, nagkukulitan at nagtatawanan.

Tapos, walang katapusang usapan kung saan kakain ng lunch. Kung sa Jollibee, McDo, KFC o Chowking.

Kung pupunta ba kami sa isang game arcade para maglaro ng video games o di kaya naman, kung maglalaro kami ng basketball, volleyball or badminton.

Tapos, ihahatid ko siya pauwi sabay nanakaw ng halik habang nasa biyahe.

Yehey! Wala na kami.

Hindi na ako magpupuyat sa kakatutok sa computer, aabutin ng medaling-araw kaka-chat sa kanya.

Pero sa tuwing gagamit ako ng internet, bubuksan ko ang Yahoo Messenger, MSN Messenger, ICQ at MIRC. Dahil baka sakaling dumating siya.

Makausap ko man lang, makikipagkulitan at baka sakalaing magkaliwanagan kami at maibalik ang dating kami.

Yehey! Wala na kami.

Wala na akong significant other. Pwede na akong tumingin sa iba at magkaroon ng bagon love life.

Pero sabi ko sa sarili ko, hindi ako magmamahal pa ulit. Dahil siya lang ang mahal ko.

Siya lang ang nakaka-kumpleto sa araw ko.

Siya lang yung inspirasyon ko sa mga bagay bagay.

Siya lang yung nakakaintindi sa akin kapag may problema ako.

Siya lang yung nakakapagpatahan sa akin kapag umiiyak ako.

Siya lang ang buhay ko.

Siya lang. Wala nang iba.

Magmamahal din ako.

Pero hindi muna ngayon. Hindi muna……

i smell something in the cold air

There is just something everytime I smell the cold air during this time of the year. "-ber months" came and aside from typhoons coming in and out of the country, I bet everyone knows that Christmas is just around the corner.

That is why the other day, (like any other day), I do not have something to do, my mom asked me to put up our Christmas tree already. I think every home starts to dust off all the stuffs that used to symbolize Christmas already and checks if the lights are still working and the decorations are still in good shape to stay in their walls for at least 1-2 months. Like a child who is excited to play outside, I quickly separated my back from my bed and assembled the parts of the tree. :)

For me, this moment is the one I have always been waiting for every year. Well, aside for my birthday, my special someone's bday, Ginebra's game, my family member's birthday, valentine's day, and all the holidays. Tsk tsk. I think i have been waiting for so many days all year round. Anyway, I have always enjoyed putting up 'our' tree every year. I can not explain the happiness that I feel every time I will have the chance to put that tree into life once again in this time of the year.

I can not wait for Santa Claus' homecoming. :) But this year Christmas might be a different one. My special someone might leave the country this holiday season. :( First time after three years of being together. Aside from that, this year's Christmas will be counted for the years that I have not celebrated the holiday with my Dad. I know Christmas is for the family to celebrate together but for me and for my family, we're already used to this situation. Celebrating the holidays without my Dad. haay. For 21 years (because I am already 21 years old), I think there are only 2 or 3 Christmas' that I have my Dad with my as I open my presents from them. :'(

Enough of the drama. Christmas is a happy part of every one's life. It should be cherish. May everyone know the true meaning of Christmas.

New kid on the block

This is something that i have been waiting. :)

I finally decided to have my own blog where I can put all my silly ideas into writings. I apologize for any grammatical error that I will commit. :)

I consider this a training ground as I practice us

ing the primera lingua of the world. I really really hope that I will make sense as I share my everyday experiences.

As the sun rises and shares its own light, I want to get out of my shelf and share my experience to all people from different walks of life.

Enjoy reading! :)