One Big Fight!

Its obvious now, my heart shouts, beats and it reads - One Big Fight! I am an Atenean!

It was only last season when I started brooding and cheering for the Blue Eagles and I am telling you, I never stopped ever since. Today was a very crucial game for the Blue Eagles - a do or die game against our archrival, DLSU. While I did not had the chance to watch it in Araneta because of work, believe me - I cheered, clapped and sang songs while watching the game at work. Crazy. Haha.

My heart almost fainted when we were down by 5 points and then 6 but I was never hopeless. The perimeter shootings did not work out well and several turnovers committed, it was almost a disaster. But as they say, the game is not yet over until its over. The players fought and they did it hard. Chris' last 5 points were amazing! Hats off, man!

And the Blue Eagles soar.

This battle is still far from over, I know but I believe - all Ateneans do, we will fight to the very end.

Again, One Big Fight!

Maraming Salamat

I know, this thank you note is so late already but as the cliche goes - better late than never.

Super thank you to those who bombarded me with several messages (via Friendster, Multiply, Yahoomail, Gmail, office email and sms) and those who phoned me last 17th. Yeah, I am now 24 and its a blessing that I've reached this far. Ha! Heaven knows the many hurdles I went through all these years - yet, here I am writing a draft of this thank you note and standing still.

Proudly, I look back at those humbling and nerve wrecking years - I cannot help but have this silly mixed of emotions embrace me. More than anything, I am indeed thankful.

I am thankful for:
1. the many wonders of God. He is awesome!
2. my Family - not perfect but their mere existence never fails to keep me grounded at all times.
3. my Hon - words are never enough to complete my description of how much he is loving me. Todo, I know.
4. my Friends - you know who you are. They're not a lot but they define what true friendship is all about.
5. Luis and Mik - these two little boys keep me passionate in never giving up for this country.
6. the Ateneo community - campus itself, students and professors. Hats off, man!
7. my Work chums - no matter how difficult things are at work, these bunch of people made these difficult things a lot bearable.
8. my Unseen foes - though you hit me right, you ALWAYS push me to do the right things.


Ulit, maraming salamat ha!

Wrong Spelling

DISCLAIMER: Just because I have been living on the blue side of the yard and never appreciated the color green, does not mean I hold a personal grudge against DLSU. But this picture is just so hilarious. Wrong spelling, man!

Got this photo from this site.

Whateva

Got this video through email and boy, I had a good laugh!

But then again, adults, as always, should be very careful with what we teach kids. They don't have enough powers to screen what they are being taught. WHATEVA!

This Kills

Staring at an empty space;
Uninspired; Such a blank face.

Deafening silence;
Of words locked; motionless.

Deadpan attacks the isolated;
Ounces of horror abruptly greeted.

Momentarily, nothing inside the brain leaks;
Thus, commanding - sleepyhead, just think!

Boredom tortures;
Oh please, save me from this sore.

Sinag

Meet Sinag, the Philippines' first ever solar powered car and is all set to compete in the 20th World Solar Challenge to be held in Australia this coming October.

After reading several write-ups, Sinag sure gave me ounces of hope (and goosebumps at that!) that our generation is still hanging on and fighting a good fight.

'Tis something to be proud of, you know.

Learning Experience

As of this writing, the 6-year trial of the plunder case against former President Joseph Ejercito Estrada finally reached its final verdict and it reads guilty.

I was in my sophomore year in college when EDSA 2 happened in 2001. Being so young at 16 then, I knew that such revolution will not necessarily solve anything and I was right. Back then, I relied too much on what seemed right and not what is right. Those were the days when choosing the lesser evil became popular amongst "kids" my age then - when humans ceased to choose what is good but always resorted to choosing the lesser evil. My best guess? No one is good.

A lot of Filipinos then hated Erap for being a plunderer and whatever crime he committed during his reign but when you look at what is happening today, you realized that at some point, those in position now have their own agenda why they ran and sought a seat in the government - mostly for selfish reasons and yes, no better than Erap.

Now, that very same hatred or even angst fills the air towards GMA. The "alleged "election cheating, extra judicial killings, our country being the most corrupt, "Hello Garci", the appointments of several former generals in the cabinet and list goes on.

I am now caught trying to make sense out of this already troubled country. They say that a country's current situation shows what and who we are as its native and to that I realize, I should never cease being human and that to continue doing good is far more important than what you get in return. Both sounds a hefty goal and so hard to keep up but nobody said that things, especially in this country, are facile but I'll try nevertheless.

I am not sure what will happen next - while the worse may still be around, I am placing my hopes that all is not lost for the Pinoys. May this event serves as a learning experience for all of us - rich or not.


“There is only one duty, only one safe course, and that is to try to be right.”
- Winston Churchill

Growing Old

Six more dozes, my age will shoot a notch higher - READ: 24. Am I excited? Nah. Thankful, I sure am.

I have been extra "blessed" - but be cautious with that word, when I say "blessed" it does not literally mean real good but given certain circumstances, a change of heart and a pair of eyes, I have seen the "blessedness" of every trials I have stumbled upon. I have learned the hardest way why I have millions of reason not to fret, He and His promises alone are enough reason for me to stay committed - I still stumble, alright (who doesn't?!), but I stand up and pull myself back together.

For some reason, I never really liked birthdays - not that I am being vain and people might think I am just afraid to grow old. Hell no! There are just some pretentious in it - like Valentine's day. I am not being a complete Delilah here. Birthdays come and go and yes, it happens every year (and every 4 years to some) but I sure define and spend it in ways extraordinarily.

Given the fact that I can be a Scrooge at times when it comes to Vday, Birthdays and even Christmas, some loved ones (and even the not so loved ones) ALWAYS make some "extra" effort in making me change the whole idea that birthdays are good. In 2005, a group of friends threw a little suprise party for me - and yes, I was damn surprised and crying at that. It was, to my best recollection, one of the best "holiday" I ever had.

This morning, I received a text message from a classmate saying something like "advance happy birthday" greeting. After reading that text, I shelled out a crazy laugh, that was totally unexpected. I texted back saying something like "thanks for the advance greeting". And then little did I know, we've been exchanging text messages for the longest time. Aside from the usual "petty" talk about school and math, it stucked to my head that he dared asked me what do I expect or hope to happen in this country now that I am getting older and the country is not necessarily getting better. For about 60 seconds or so, my whole world ceased moving - or so I thought.

Certain sadness embraced me.

I let the thought swim inside my head as I try to pick something good with the fact that I am getting older and this country is not necessarily getting better. And then I am reminded of those who still cares and loves this country; those who are doing this country a lot of good without expecting any earthly goods in return.

I can grow old with the thought that I am not only living my life for my own good but so that others may benefit - most especially those who will come after me.

Grow old, you say? Bring it on.

Asul is Cool

If you know me well enough, I am not quite a big aficionado of basketball but ever since I started wearing blue and being proud about it, I have embraced and cheered for the Ateneo Blue Eagles.

Last night's game against DLSU was damn good, if I must say - not only because we won by 2 points but simply because we were down almost the whole game. Classic and beautiful.

I have watched almost all their games since Season 70 started and based on mere observation, the Blue Eagles isn't the best team in town with DLSU back after a year of suspension (and you don't expect them not to play good and hard), UST (being last year's champion) and yes, that troop from Recto (UE) whose record isn't marked yet with a single loss.

Hon and I initially planned to watch the game in GB3 but when we got there after watching Daywatch in G4, we were greeted by DLSU cheers. So I thought, this isn't the best place to watch and brood for AdMU. To make the story shorter, we both went home and I watched the game with my Lolo Oeng, who in his late 70s still have the hots for current events - all over the world. He's that well read and yes, thanks to TV.

Still in my jeans, I watched the game and lovingly cheered for Ateneo. Chanting several cheers all Ateneans should know. I never stopped screaming until Lolo Oeng suddenly turned off the television without saying a thing. Alarmed and dismayed, I think I knew why he did that - he hates the screaming. Almost pleading, I promised him I won't scream anymore - I'll just clap my hands. Maybe he saw how adamant I was in watching the game, he gave in to his first apo.

With my lips tight, I just clapped my hands so hard and thanked the Heavens for a wonderful game. Good job, I'd say, to those guys who are Ateneo students first before they become athletes. To them who fought mightily until the very end.

One Big Fight!

Praise and Worship

Praise and Worship have always been such good allies both in trying and triumphant times - for me. After and/or before laying down my cards before Him, I sing hymns that convey how wonderful and blessed He is.

Yeah, I sing songs not only when I am triumphant but most especially when I cannot seem to feel His presence. I think every single "believer" knows that there are moments that He does not seem to be around, that you cannot feel His presence at all - Mother Theresa had this for years yet she stayed being "married" to God and devoted her life being the "fingerprints" of God in India.

Going back to such hymns, I Can Only Imagine is definitely on my list. I love it to the last note.

Below are the wonderfully written letters, feast your heart on these.

I Can Only Imagine

I can only imagine
What it will be like
When I walk
By your side.

I can only imagine
What my eyes will see
When your face
Is before me
I can only imagine.

Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel
Will I dance for you Jesus or in awe of you be still
Will I stand in your presence or to my knees will I fall
Will I sing hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all
I can only imagine.

I can only imagine
When that day comes
And I find myself
Standing in the Son.

I can only imagine
When all I will do
Is forever
Forever worship You
I can only imagine.

I can only imagine
When all I will do
Is forever, forever worship you.

Oh Man, You're Hon!

Its been years ago when you first saw me;
That school girl in OJT who was just innoxious as one can be.
And you, being years older;
Handled me as if we so know each other.

With several text messages, you've bombarded me.
Almost every single night, you've phoned me.
Life amazed me so well;
I was caught off guard; I fell!

We became "us";
Faced life as we hold each other's hands;
What we have is more than surreal;
Even when throes became just so near.

You made me become better;
Even when the going gets tougher;
My dear maturity, I owe you;
Although things can turn really in its ugliest blue.

You have loved me more than I have expected;
I hope you know that your love is never wasted.
Tomorrow, when I ceased to see the sun.
May you know that you are and will always be my Hon.

Leaders' Burden

"The burden of leadership is being responsible for the well-being of the people in your charge."
-Ajihad (from the book, Eragon)

Some Tidings

Don't date because you are desperate.
Don't marry because you are miserable.
Don't have kids because you think your genes are superior.
Don't philander because you think you are irresistible.

Don't associate with people you can't trust.
Don't cheat. Don't lie. Don't pretend.
Don't dictate because you are smarter.
Don't demand because you are stronger.

Don't sleep around because you think you are old enough and know better.
Don't hurt your kids because loving them is harder.
Don't sell yourself, your family or your ideals.
Don't stagnate.

Don't regress.
Don't live in the past. Time can't bring anything or anyone back.
Don't put your life on hold for possibly Mr. Right.
Don't throw your life away on absolutely Mr. Wrong because your biological clock is ticking.

Learn a new skill.
Find a new friend.
Start a new career.
Sometimes, there is no race to be won, only a price to be paid for some of life's more hasty decisions.

To terminate your loneliness, reach out to the homeless.
To feed your nurturing instincts, care for the needy.
To fulfill your parenting fantasies, get a puppy.
Don't bring another life into this world for all the wrong reasons.

To make yourself happy, pursue your passions and be the best of what you can be.
Simplify your life. Take away the clutter.
Get rid of destructive elements: abusive friends, nasty habits, and dangerous liaisons.
Don't abandon your responsibilities but don't overdose on duty.

Don't live life recklessly without thought and feeling for your family.
Be true to yourself.
Don't commit when you are not ready.
Don't keep others waiting needlessly.

Go on that trip. Don't postpone it.
Say those words. Don't let the moment pass.
Do what you have to, even at society's scorn.

Write poetry.
Love deeply.
Walk barefoot.
Dance with wild abandon.
Cry at the movies.

Take care of yourself. Don't wait for someone to take care of you.
You light up your life.
You drive yourself to your destination.
No one completes you - except YOU.

It isn't true that life does not get easier with age.
It only gets more challenging.
Don't be afraid. Don't lose your capacity to love.
Pursue your passions.

Live your dreams.
Don't lose faith in GOD.
Don't grow old.
Just grow YOU.

When you give someone your time, you are giving them a portion of your life that you'll never get back. Your time is your life. That is why the greatest gift you can give to someone is your time.

Relationships take time and effort, and the best way to spell love is T-I-M-E because the essence of love is not what we think or do or provide for others, but how much we give of ourselves.

God is good all the time.