The Philippines Within A Thousand Years

Here's a speech that was delivered by yours truly back in 2000. It's been such a long time already and I can surprisingly still remember the piece. It took me some time though. Thought of sharing it with you.

*************************************************

More than a thousand years ago, Dr. Jose Rizal wrote an essay in which he asked, what would become of the Philippines within a century. In this particular essay, he argued for the urgent necessity of basic reforms such as the institution of a free press in the Philippines and its representation in the Spanish Cortes, that is, if Spain wanted to preserve the Philippines as a loyal colony. Still, with the penetrating insight of a social analyst, Rizal more than just hinted at the independence that the Filipinos would eventually seek. It was just a matter of time and a questiom whether the separation between Spain and the Philippines would be marked with gratitude and love, or, hatred and resentment.

That question of course, would be answered less than a decade after the essay "Filipinas Dentro de Cien Años" was published in "La Solidaridad." Now, with our freedom having been finally won and our friendly relations with Spain having been restored, we ask, as Rizal once did, if not with the same insight, at least with the same urgency "What have we, as a nation gained and learned in the past century?" "What can we look forward to in the coming years, in the advent of the new millenium?"

It will perhaps be remarked that it is only with a certain kind of hubris that we can ever dare to consider the fate of  a nation in a thousand years when our puny lives barely last for a century. Pundits might even say that this exercise is laughable for a nation that sorely lacks the foresight to even plan for a decade. But we dare to consider such criticism by stressing that the import of this exercise lies not so much in our ability to foretell the future. Its value lies in providing us the opportunity to take stock of our readiness (or unreadiness) not only to face, but to rise up to the challenges posed for us by the rapid and revolutionary changes brought forth by the new millenium.

Moreover, is it not the case that the hubris of dreaming and planning for the future might very well be a necessary stage in the participation of people as well as individuals? The ability to anticipate and prepare for the future indicates a capacity to rise and break free from the captivity of needs, situations, and concerns. But when this rising to meet the needs turn into a fantastical flight of fancy, we have to open our eyes in the actual possibilities opened up by the present and held by the past. For the possibilities of the future and the realities of the present are ultimately grounded in the conditions of the past. There is indeed a lot of wisdom to be gained in that tired old truism, "Look forward to the future, be aware of the present, remember the past."

Remember the past? Why let ourselves be bogged down by the grievous errors of the past? Why let ourselves be mesmerized by the ---- accomplishments of the past? Why such a fixation for the past? Is this not ultimately counter-productive? Let bygones be bygones. A pre-occupation with the past only prevents us from as they say, "pole-vaulting" into the future.

Here, it is important that we recognize the distinction between a paralyzing fixation with the past and a productive, insightful remembrance of the past. It is the latter kind of relationship with the past that we advocate. Within this light, history is not seen as a barren collection of fossilized facts and details. Rather, it becomes a living conversation between the past, present, and future. Likewise, we become aware of the momentousness of our consciousness as historical beings. For why would we even raise the question of the significance of the next millenium if we had not some vague notion of our being borne by the tide of history?

Sadly, it is precisely this healthy sense of history that we seem to painfully lack as a nation. It has been noted again and again that we as people are characterized by the complacent forgetting of the past as if it were a heavy baggage that must be left behind in order to move forward. The fixation with progress, with the "high-tech" with the future becomes as it were the dynamo that grinds and dissolves into pieces whatever is tied up with the backward and unenlightened past.

We need to develop critical minds that do not seem to accept the bipolar opposition between the love and appreciation of the past and the future. It is a sophisticated mind after all that appreciates the beauty and truth of a paradoxical reality. A reality in which we cannot simply divorce the present and the future from the past.

What lessons then can we learn from our experience as a nation these past one hundred years - lessons which hopefully will enable us to face up to the challenges of the new millenium?

A lot has been said about the tremendous talent and capacity of the individual Filipino to do whatever it is to which he/she sets his/her mind. Just imagine the feats accomplished when those Filipinos combined their individual talents and skills to a collective effort. Yes! Who would have thought that these Filipinos would have the gall to declare their independence? Who would have thought that they would be able to come up with a constitution? Who would have thought that - almost a century later - they would be able to come up with a relatively bloodless revolution?

It is when it becomes clear in our minds that we stand and fall, live and die as one nation, that we are able to relish and experience our most glorious moments. If only we can hold this in our minds and not forget. If only we can hold this in our hearts and not forget.

From the very beginning of our history as a nation, we have always been an amalgam of many divers cultures. Whatever unity we have gained, it has not been and will not be, through an erasure and forgetting of differences. If only we can keep this in our hearts and minds and not forget.

In the face of the current dissatisfaction and disillusionment not only with our leaders but with the very institution of government, not only with the government but with the very fabric of our society, it would be a real eye-opener to realize that we can never remain as fence-sitters. We have to be vigilant and active. That is, if we sincerely desire the welfare of our society. If only we can keep this in our hearts and minds and not forget.

Amidst the arrogant proclamation of demagogues about their final solutions and shrill cries of prophets of doom about the futility of it all, it would be refreshing to humbly acknowledge that our work for freedom, justice, and peace never ends. And in all this, never to lose hope in molding a better nation and bringing forth a better world. If only we can keep this in our hearts and minds and not forget.

If only we can hold, keep, treasure all these things in our hearts and minds and not forget.

We may well be on a good and exciting journey, not only towards the new millenium, but also towards our maturation as a nation.

Destiny..8

I have been asked this question several times and until now, I find it difficult to answer with either just a YES or a NO.

"Do you believe in destiny?" It's a close-ended interrogative yet when you have chosen to answer with a yes or a no, you can't help yourself but elaborate trying to justify your answer.

Well, I guess...Destiny is another word for not having a choice. Don't you think so?!..8

 

Happiness Where?! =)

It's been a while since I have last written something on just about anything. I can still remember a note which I have posted before. It was titled "20 Ways To Be Truly Happy."

Listed at number ten (10), it is something that most of us don't even consider to be very useful or effective. Most people find it normal or natural to talk about something (gossiping), to talk about people or one specific person (gossiping), to make comments or to state an opinion. Little do they know that most of the time, we all need just one simple word - SILENCE.

SILENCE - often misinterpreted, never misquoted. This is just one of the very few things I truly believe in. This is one of the very few things I try to practice faithfully. Not that I am scared to speak up or to voice out what's inside my mind or my heart. It is just that, I have proven it to be solemn, tranquil.

When we speak, we use words. We say them out loud. Others just whisper. Whether it be loud or soft, we say words with feelings, with emotions, with meanings and with motives. And may I say, negative motives.

Words are very very powerful. They can cause serious damage to any individual. They can make or break a person. I personally would rather be hurt physically than be hurt emotionally through words. Physical pain can last for just a couple of days or a month max but emotional pain caused by words one has spoken or thrown out at someone can never be taken back. It is easy to say "sorry" but still, sorry is not going to cut it. Therefore, be careful with words.

Point is, if we don't have anything nice to say, better keep our mouths shut.

#10. Remember that silence sometimes is the best answer.

You may try it and discover that HAPPINESS also dwells in SILENCE..8


P.S. I love my silence and I'll continue to embrace it with all my heart. 

20 Ways To Be Truly Happy

I have read so many articles. I have spoken with quite a number of people. Some are considered to be amateurs and some could be experts. They all have different sets of beliefs and principles with regard to almost every aspect of our human lives. Most of all, they all have different ways on how to to be truly happy. Not only that, maybe, on how to live as a good person.

Until one day, I came across this site (I forgot the address though..pardon me) that listed 20 ways on how to be truly happy. Read on...

1. Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risks.

2. When you lose, don't lose the lesson.

3. Follow the three R's:
a. Respect for self
b. Respect for others and
c. Responsibility for all your actions.

4. Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.

5. Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly.

6. Don't let a little dispute injure a great relationship.

7. When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.

8. Spend some time alone everyday.

9. Open your arms to change, but don't let go of your values.

10. Remember that silence sometimes is the best answer.

11. Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you'll be able to enjoy it a second time.

12. A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation of your life.

13. In disagreements with loved ones, deal only with the current situation. Don't bring up the past.

14. Share your knowledge. It is a way to achieve immmortality.

15. Be gentle with the earth.

16. Once a year, go some place you've never been before.

17. Remember that the best relationship is the one in which your love for each other exceeds your need for each other.

18. Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.

19. If you want others to be happy, practice compassion.

20. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.


There they were. Hope we can practice all of them to achieve a beautiful and meaningful life.
Have a great day everyone!..8

..The Art of Detachment..

..The past few days actually gave me enough time to contemplate and realize some of the best moments that I ever had in my life..A time when I got to spend time with material things. A time to be with new people and be friends with them. Time to be with those people that I really cared about. A time when my whole world revolved around someone or something and a time to be one with myself. Best? I think so but I have to let them all go now. Remember, never hold on to things because everything in this world is impermanent. Once in a while, we need to detach from each and everyone of them. The biggest question is "HOW".

..Going deep into the root of all this might be of great help. It's like knowing what the problem is and then finding a solution to solve it. Whenever there are things that make us feel loved and given importance of, we tend to cling on to them and those I think cause us so much pain in the end. One would even ask "why did it have to happen if it wouldn't last long?" "why do i need to go through all of those stuff and leave me hurting?" the answers to those questions might take us a long time to comprehend - we tend to deny things as they happen. Acceptance is not an option (at first). We get hurt, we feel pain, we feel ignored. Normal. Pathetic. That's why we need to be prepared at all times. We have to accept what's going to happen next. We need to detach. Detach from them.

..For every positive things, there are negative things at the other end. For every dark tunnel, there's light. For every sadness, there's joy. For every thing in this world, there's pain. Loneliness. And I am just tired. Sick and tired of doing the same old sh*t all the time. I am trying to learn. Just learn...

..I still have a lot to share, a lot to say, it's just that, I don't know where to begin. I'll just wait! Just wait...8

..The Ten Commandments of How to Get Along with People..

1. Keep skid chains on your tongue; always say less than you think. Cultivate a low, persuasive voice. How you say it often counts more than what you say.

2. Make promises sparingly and keep them faithfully, no matter what it costs you.

3. Never let an opportunity pass to say a kind and encouraging thing to or about somebody. Praise good work done, regardless of who did it. If criticism is needed, criticize helpfully, never spitefully.

4. Be interested in others; interested in their pursuits, their welfare, their homes and their families. Make merry with those who rejoice; with those who weep, mourn. Let everyone you meet, however humble, feel that you regard him as one of importance.

5. Be cheerful. Keep the corners of your mouth turned up. Hide your pains, worries and disappointments under a smile. Laugh at good stories and learn to tell them.

6. Preserve an open mind on all debatable questions. Discuss, but don't argue. It is a mark of superior minds to disagree and yet to be friendly.

7. Let your virtues, if you have any, speak for themselves, and refuse to talk of another's vices. Discourage gossip . Make it a rule to say nothing of another unless it is something good.

8. Be careful of another's feelings. Wit and humor at the other fellow's expense are rarely worth the effort, and may hurt where least expected.

9. Pay no attention to ill-natured remarks about you. Simply live that nobody will believe them. Disordered nerves and a bad digestion are acommon cause of backbiting.

10. Don't be too anxious about your dues. Do your work, be patient and keep your disposition sweet, and you will be rewarded.

Good Governance: Our Right, Our Responsibility

For years my head has been struggling to answer one question…Why are the people in our country so fragmented?…Like, why are there so many factions in the government? In the military? In business? In communities? In the studentry?…That there is what we call the "right wing" and then there is the "left wing?" In the university where I came from, we call them ‘tibak’; ‘aktibista’; or worst ‘NPA wanna be’s.’

And for years, I have been listening modestly and patiently on what they have been saying… 10 percent comment about capitalism, 10 percent comment about equality, 25 percent comment about social strata and a humongous 55 percent comment about Good Governance. They say that our country lacks it. That our country should have it!

But what I forgot to ask them is "What is good governance in the first place?" Does it mean that if our country would have this, it would belong to the first world? That if our country could acquire this, then there would be economic stability? If our country can have good governance, does this mean that we can have a fair share on the issue of WTO? Or should we even use the word GOOD and GOVERNANCE in one sentence?

A couple of years ago, issues have been heaping up in our country, workers demand for the P125 across-the-board increase which was not really met, issues about Indigenous Community Militarization, which again killed dozens of Aetas, Manobos and Hanunuo since our indigenous brothers did not agree with the conversion of their tribes’ land into militarized areas, a series of Oil price hikes and then a few rollbacks which just like the previously stated events all ended in favor of lobbying groups. If you will take a look at all of these issues, they have a common ground…they are all government concerns.

The Philippine Government has been claiming all along that it is democratic…that we are very lucky since it is one of the freest countries in the world…that our government was made by the people, for the people…that our government system is IDEAL. Come to think of it, ideal is synonymous to perfect and since grade four my often quoted motto is NOBODY is PERFECT. In this context, I could safely assume that the Philippine Government has been lying all along, that its claim about idealism is a lie.

I am 18 years old. I am a student. I value education. I try to be an asset to my country. But I can only do so much. While most of my peers value signature items and gossips about their latest varsity crushes, I prefer to sit down and ask questions about my country. If government officials have been claiming that ours is an ideal form and I find out that it has been lying all along…what should I do?

To be honest, I do not know. Perhaps the answer would be to demand good governance from each citizen. But the problem is that the youth, like me, lack influence in formulating public policies. Our exclusion is caused by both external and internal barriers. The external barriers have to do with a ‘culture of apprehension’; reflective of the generation gap that tends to breed a sense of mistrust and misunderstanding between adults and youth. It is also reflected in the government and other decision-making bodies that do not bother to involve young people in policy development. Instead, young people are generally treated as the "next generation" and "leaders of tomorrow." The internal barriers relate specifically to youth, who often fail to see themselves as actors in decision-making processes. This is partly the result of never being taught that they have a role to play in making policy decisions, and partly a result of youth organizations lacking the necessary skills and strategic thinking to make inroads into policy circles. This brings me to the query. Does it have something to do with budget cutting on educational funds every time there is a national emergency? Why does it have to be the educational funds?

I remember when Nelson Mandela delivered his speech in the African Youth Convention. He firmly stated that a time comes in the life of any nation when there remain only two choices - submit or fight. And as of this moment I believe that there is nothing left for the youths of today to do but to fight and demand for good governance. It is our right and it is our responsibility.

Involving us young people in policy-making is important. It provides opportunities to build skills and learn from experiences that will serve us well throughout our lives. It will help us combat cynicism about politics and politicians, It will give us a first-hand understanding on how decision-making processes function. It will strengthen the civil society - will demonstrate the value of the public sector and of public service. At the same time, it will give us the chance to participate in the development of communities – in social, economic, cultural, and political terms. Lastly, it will help us disprove the multitude of negative stereotypes about youth that continue to exist.

Asking questions does not mean one is practicing treason. Demanding for an answer will not make one commit sedition. I call these two involvement. The youth is not a ‘next generation’ scenario, we are happening today, this very minute and we are assets longing to be tapped by our country. We should not be afraid of growing slowly, we must be afraid only of standing still…Of doing nothing for the country that has been our shelter, our protection, our home.

Good governance is not a gift. The youth like us have the right to Demand for it...Work for it…and Assume Responsibility for it. Who so neglects learning in his youth, loses the past and is dead for the future! 



Speech Delivered in 2004 by: mrlvtubid (brasil tubid)
Community Chest Foundation
Oration Contest
Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila

..Pains of Being A Teacher (students do not read this)..

1. Students truly DO NOT appreciate you.

2. You are over worked underpaid.

3. Your students look at you as somebody they pay

4. You are always sized down

5. You have to take respect from them in a forceful manner

6. They are happy if you are sick, busy or in a boring meeting (because you don’t have to come to class, imagine, they are happy because you are sick?)

7. They call you ‘irrational being’, ‘unfair being’, ‘may favoritism’ and others out of nothing.

8. They feel that you should always be a happy, shiny individual.

9. They question your opinion

10. Worst they yell ‘I don’t give a hell care about her number!’..

..Stand Up and Fight!..

God has not left us defenseless. He has equipped us with spiritual weapons and spiritual armor so we can stand up and fight the devil. Through faith in Christ, we can walk in victory over every attack of our enemy.

Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes for our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realm. Therefore, put on the full armor of God so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground and after you have done everything, stand firm with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all these, take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil ones. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit which is the word of God.

..15 Ways to Enhance Yourself..

1. get up early
2. look around before going to school
3. relax and enjoy your meals
4. spend time with friends
5. pace yourself
6. find a quiet place to go to
7. praise yourself and others
8. develop positive relationships
9. see your mistakes as stepping stones
10. keep track of your own words so you can watch out for them
11. say "NO" without feeling guilty
12. learn effective time management
13. pay attention to health, diet and sleep
14. exercise regularly
15. keep from comparing yourself to others

..Light..

"I badly need a light at the end of this dark tunnel I'm in.."..8

???

Moses: Everything is law

Jesus: Everything is love

Marx: Everything is money

Freud: Everything is sex

Einstein: Everything is relative

..Smiling When All You Wanna Do is Cry..

"Most relationships fail not because of the absence of love. Love is always present...it's just that one loves too much and the other loves too many."

If I could ask God 1 thing, it would be "Are you destined for me?" if he says YES, then I'll love you even more! If he says NO then I'll continue to love you 'til I can make him agree that we're really meant to be..They say "Love is blind.." but in reality..LOVE IS NOT BLIND..it simply enables one to see things others fail to see!

I came upon fiftieth roman and nothing left except five inverted three and then YOU came last..

..Does Love Need A Reason?..

Don't love me for anything...You may love for a reason but let the reason be...

For a moment i closed my eyes...I contemplated on what could have been the answer. After a few seconds, I opened it...smiled...Ifound the answer - NO!

Logically speaking, there's a reason for everything. The reason why you cry is "you're sad". The reason why you laugh is "you're happy". The reason why you eat is "you're hungry". and the reason why you drink is "you're thirsty". There's more...so much more...

A few days ago, I was asked of the same question (thru SMS) and the burden of answering such question fell like an arrow not only on my dry chaffed lips but also of the republic. Who would have thought that after 19 years (daw) of my confident existence, someone would make me think about this not only twice but thrice. I even resorted to writing this. The conversation went on until it was time for her to sleep.

It was something like...

(December 14, 2006...around 10PM..)

brasil - "what if you waited for your special someone your whole life and learn that no one is waitin' for you. true love is worth takin' chances for. sometimes you don't know why things work out, they just do."

tennis - "hmmm...why things work out? kaw? may sagot ka ba sa why?

brasil - "sabi nga nila, pag mahal mo ang isang tao, hindi kailangan ng reason basta mahal mo siya. pag nagkaroon ng sagot sa tanong na yun, di na yun love...pageant na."

tennis - "hehe! ay ang ganda...not for me. sa akin kailangan may reason. pag nagkatuluyan kami ni ma--t o ni naka-- s-n, i'l ask bakit niya ako mahal at kailangan may sagot sya haha! bulok style sakin ang just because...i just do eew!. everything has a reason. i believe that includes love."

brasil - "pano pag sinabi na " i don't know, it just hit me... i never believed in forever but i found forever in you" gusto mo talaga ng reason?"

tennis - "aba! eh kung ganun ba ang sasabihin sakin kahit wag na sya magsalita forever pagkatapos...hehe! ang reason kse is like a closure. for clarity parang pag tinanong what do you want to eat? tapos sumagot ng anything...i'm just hungry...ok na yun. gutom naman pala so kakain talaga but then again walang certainty. ano ba talaga gusto nya...same thing. u love just because, puede. but a reason gives it its foundaton di ba? di ba?"

and the rest...zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...tulog na..............next time.....

ayt! ayt! but don't we have something we call unconditional? we come not to love a perfect person but we do to love him and his imperfections. the moment you found the reason why you love that particular person, that would no longer be true love. not that i'm telling you to be blinded by his foul actions on you but remember that's what makes him HUMAN...us HUMAN. he commits MISTAKES - we do. he tends to be INSENSITIVE at times - we do. he has inherited SINS - we did too! he's flesh and blood - he's human. we're human. if you have the reasons for loving someone then you might be looking for your perfect pair, your ideal man and i believe...that ideal man doesn't exist. oh yeah! he does but only in the mind.

- I love you because...you're tall

you're handsome

you're rich

you're intelligent

you're talented

What if he doesn't fall on those criteria? Yeah right! You wouldn't love him or like him...fine...but i always thought...Love is being felt by the heart and not being seen by the eyes or being think of by the brain.

- I love you because...you love me too

You're not obliged to reciprocate the love that he has for you. If you don't love him, just let him love you...that would do.

Anyway, nothing really that serious in here. "it takes faith to believe" you don't have to see it - feel it! I think it's a case to case basis, "to each his own" as she said. As for me, when I say I love you, I mean it and I wouldn't make promises I couldn't keep. and...please don't think that I don't understand because I do! I know there really are reasons but I don't want those reasons to be my reasons for loving you...

"MARAMING DAHILAN...TOTOO...AT ANG DAHILAN KO AY IKAW..."

DOES LOVE NEED A REASON?

For a moment I closed my eyes...I contemplated on what could have been the answer. After a few seconds, I opened it...smiled...I found the answer...

- LOVE

I smiled again...found another answer...

-YOU

I LOVE YOU...8

..Relationship: Public or Private?

"love can never be a secret forever..."

How far would you go for love? i don't know! but the moment it hits you, you really just don't know! most of the time, you don't even know that you're in-love. true? yes it is!!!

I really do admire couples who come out in the open and proclaim the kind of relationship that they're having. why? well... they're just so proud of it! who would not be proud if you've got yourself a "beauty na brains pa girl" or a "boy next door." tama? who would not be proud if your guy or your girl is some kind of a "hot property?" and only a chosen few were given that kind of self-gratifying-yet-hard-to-deal-with relationship. self-gratifyig for the simple reason that the relationship makes you feel proud of yourself and of your partner. hard-to-deal kasi you become a "hot item" that everyone's talkin' about and while you're so complacent with your "so far smooth sailing" relationship, somebody's trying to pull him/her away from you. just thank God it didn't came into reality because "malakas ang kapit mo!" or "sige na nga!" mahal ka kasi n'ya!" again... love... you know...

others prefer keeping the relationship away from everybody's "kamalayan" (wd d accent on d 4th syllable). i just don't know! maybe because theirs are not yet legal (earth calling parents!!!) or isn't it that they're not yet ready to face the responsibilities they have the moment they indulge into one. why commit in the first place? hindi kaya... hmMmNNn...

when couples are asked about keeping the relationship a secret, usual responses like "we're not yet sure e..." or "we're not yet ready e..." or the ever "gasgas na drama," "coz we want to keep our privacy." come alive. hellerRr!!! ang dami kayang rooms d'yan! sa CR lang private na!!! but seriously, can't you keep your privacy while in the open? (you are actually the one keeping or breaking your privacy) let us make this clear, keeping your relationship in private is not synonymous to keeping it a secret (or your secrets). what are your secrets anyway?! remember that secret and private are two different things. why? aren't you proud of it?!

in cases like the celebrities, they prefer a relationship in "secret." it's a career move you know... moves like the "loveteam" drama... ang pangit nga naman siguro kung may ka-loveteam ka tapos may ka-on ka non-showbiz pa! but isn't it s clear sign of gimmickry? put-ons or something? haay... buhay artista... tsk... tsk...what can you say?

well... i guess this one's "iba." a you and me against the world relationship kept in secret because you really do love him/her and you don't want anybody to be involved in it, get into it, or interfere with it. you don't want to go against culture and tradition and practice your own. you don't want to go against religion and believe your own, and you don't want to go against the society and live on your own. this one i think is really diff. and you should know what it is. after all it's love and it just comes out naturally! it illuminates... it radiates...

no! don't get me wrong (i'll leave that to your imagination) nothing in here really... my mind was just stirred by Y-SPEAK. catch it over studio 23 kabarkada mo!!! every sunday at 7:00 in the PM. speak and be heard...Y-SPEAK! (lintik!!! plugging na itoh!!!)..8

..Sacrifice or No Sacrifice?..

Are you willing to leave your life for a relationship?

i know your in love as of this time but how long will it stay? some might ask me "have you ever been in love?" yes i did it's just that i do not sound like i really have been... maybe because... i've been in so much pain in my whole and that i don't want that to happen again...not with you, not with anybody else, not in this lifetime baby!!!

if asked with the same question, NOPE!!! here are 2 of MY reasons why:

YOU CAN'T JUST SACRIFICE YOURSELF FOR ANYBODY: that is the rule of my game. if you got yours, i also got mine! clever?! maybe for you yeah but that is how the game goes...unang ma in-love talo!

YOU WORKED FOR IT: what i am today is because of what i believed in and that is what i want you to know. COGITO ERGO SUM!

have you read it? and now i'm bad...ok... i got no prob with it...you've never been me! you might say "yes! i'm very much willing to leave my life for a relationship." for how long? how far would you go? is that the only thing you know...falling in love...i think i got it...you're willing to leave your life for a relationship if it' s worth it! but what makes it worth it? "kung mahal mo?" come on! kahit aso mahal mo! ibang level lang...how would you know that it's worth it? after you've been hurt and cried yourself to sleep and the only thing that he/she keeps on telling you is "i'm sorry?" for God's sake...di na dapat uso ang martir ngayon or ang ta--a ngayon! bear in mind that love most of the time, is never enough.

in the case of couples going against the power of time and distance, i admire you guys but then again you know that you are in a relationship. a relationship built on trust and constant communication. if you have those two...sige...

relationship is all about growth, it's also about the changes that occurs to both of you and if it happens that no one seems to notice the changes that has been happening, there must be something wrong. as the cliche goes, "the only constant thing in this world is CHANGE" and how would you be able to see the changes if your absent? this is like testing the waters that you first need to have a close encounter before testifying or confirming.

it's still up to you guys afterall i believe that a relationship specifically a long distance relationship this time is a matter of choice. it's a decision that only you can make and decide and that the people around are just spectators. they have nothing to do with you. only that i advise you not to engage in one coz it really is hard and this is advisable only to young adults who could really stand it. people who are already stable in all aspects of their lives. if you're that brave enough to conquer time then you're ready to pull it off. you don't really have to test the relationship if it'll work or not, if you think it really is worth it, go ahead and give it a shot. if during the time and distance you could still practice fidelity, honesty, and commitment then you have my vote!

i just have one question, why look and be with someone from afar if there is someone near? basta ako... i believe "it all falls down to who's by your side!"

"everybody has the right to love, not as of this time for me..."

NOTE: this is for the realistic and the fair idealistic ones.8

..Birds and Fishes..

"if a bird fell in love with a fish, how could they live? can one fly with fins? can one remove its wings? how pathetic...love can never change what's not meant to be"

"is there something wrong? what made you think that a bird would fall for a fish? we both know that they were not made to be together."

"you may be right but you also know that when it comes to people, there are birds and fishes, they fall in love unexpectedly, and they change unconsciously all because they love each other..."

"now i know how pathetic i am because i am a bird who has fallen for a fish...sadly...love can never change it"

"don't worry, anybody can lose one fight"

"you're definitely right, but it never entered my mind that i'll be losing the fight i never want to lose..."8

..The Distance Between Us..

I love you so much and that is true and it has never been a secret. I'll do whatever you ask me too. And that same love that I feel for you frustrates me at times that...

- I can't wrap my arms around you
- Whisper at your tender ears
- Cuddle you close to me
- To be beside you during your times of doubt and uneasiness
- To see you through good and bad times
- To lift you up during your deepest lows or
- To caress your tender loving face

Sometimes I resort to imagining you with me, doing the things that we love the most...

- doing fun activities together
- walking frantically
- laughing laudably
- crying
- talking
- sharing happy moments
- gazing into each other's eyes and
- even staring at each other

We are very much apart but through it all, we managed to remain close and become even much closer each and everyday. Miles can never break that special bond between us. That distance frustrating me is the same distance that keeps me holding on. So if you're feeling sad and blue, remember that I'm feeling the same way too and always remember that I do care...

I can no longer imagine the world without you and me...8

Unintentionally Implied

i recently found myself on the verge of breakin' out when on the day of the ash, something unnoticeably came up. for so many years i tried (asap) not to hurt anybody's feelings. i am very much careful that my criticisms doesn't hurt the feelings of others. unfortunately, i did, but i didn't mean it. but still, i did! on that day, if i could still remember it right, i lost my senses, i didn't know what was happening around me, and i felt so much pressure on my shoulders that i suddenly blurted out somethings, some thoughts and that was it! i have hurt her feelings. it was nothing (til now it still stands it was nothing) it wasn't really the thing that i wanted to imply... i still have hurt her. i already said "sorry" this time i mean it not because i was guilty or anything but because whether i intentionally hurt her or not, whether i liked it or not, the point is that I HAVE HURT HER IN WHICHEVER WAY SHE THOUGHT IT TO BE...5 days had passed and i haven't heard anything from her side that's okay i understand (that's what i always do) maybe she's trying to cool herself off. if nothing happens, at least i did my part...

then i asked myself and some people who saw what happened, 50% said, i had my fault. fine! 40% said, none! 5% said, "ok lang yon lalamig din yan", and 5% "nodded" and i don't know how to interpret it. if that is the case, i don't know where to put myself into.but 1 person surfaced by saying "wala akong nakikitang mali dun rivs hindi lang siya sanay sa kultura ng klase niyo na lahat e nagtatawanan...kaya akala niya napahiya siya." sana ganon nga...still i've hurt her...

so! "can we talk later"8

A Vicious Circle of Life

Have you ever wondered why certain things happen apparently without reason or just beyond control? We often hear and read about commodity prices rising, frequent brownouts, and crimes committed at all times. Are they inevitable?

The Philippine media is now telling the world at large that the Philippines is now below the poverty line and this is due to the fact that we Filipinos are ignorant, yes indeed! We are ignorant! If not, how come most filipinos voted for someone who doesn't even know what politics really is? Haven't they thought of this, he was just putting on appearances and resorting to gimmickry just to achieve his long-term goal of joining that million-earning politics world?! and he even had this line "PARA SA MAHIRAP" that is why until now we are all "mahirap." The reason for this kind of ignorance is often attributed to our common problem which seems to have no solution in sight, POVERTY which results to ignorance because of lack of education then back to again -- POVERTY! We call this as a vicious circle. Is this the way our lives should go?

We filipinos are the greatest escape artists, add to that is the fact that we are gullible enough to put our lives in jeopardy. We make use of our freedom the wrong way, put someone in position and when not satisfied, RALLY!!! (welga). Hey what do you think you're doing? You were given the right , the chance, and you blew it!!! And now your one of those people out to rally just adding up to the problems of traffic?! Instead of doing such crazy things, why don't you make use of your time looking for a job and stop pointing fingers on who did or didn't do this and that. While most of us sit back and relax as if nothing's happening, some have thought of leaving the country for that's the only way for them to live normally. They prefer working abroad, but who are we to blame?! They have no education and they are afraid to get out of their current situation because of lack of assistance. Hence , they commit crime.

Crime as a social problem is often attributed to our government's failure of uplifting our educational system.

Now, I think, it is time for our government to get rid of those educational systems wherein only those who have the money can avail! And as for you people, make use of your freedom and right wisely. As part of Michael Jackson's song "if you want to make the world a better place, take a look at yourself then make a change."..8