It was dark and windy when I woke up yesterday morning. My aunt asked if I'd be working that day (she didn't have that worry bec she'd been on sick leave for days already). I said I hope we won't have office but I wouldn't ask since we're already late for an issue and we're rushing to finish it. Praise God, just a few minutes and our editorial assistant, Angie, texted me to tell me there was no work for that day. After a few minutes, my editor, Rissa, kindly texted me too. Even Dina, my officemate, also texted me to inform me there was no work. "Enjoy the movie," she texted. Good idea! She had leant me "The Way We Were," a 1973 romantic comedy starring Barbra Streisand and Robert Redford. But then, reality hit home after a few hours. The lights went out and electricity was gone.
So there we were on the 14th floor of our building, waiting for the storm to come. The wind started to pick up speed and our group -- my Auntie Nida, Jovie, Julie Ann, Don (all Auntie's children), and I -- became like moviegoers of a real storm. "Look, look, the roof of our neighbor is flying!" "Where?" "Hey, four boys are walking through the rain. Astig!" Then the wind and the rain started getting mixed up and we thought we'll have a storm on our house too. Auntie opened the large windows and the side door in the condo unit because she was afraid the glasses would shatter. Water and wind came barging through the windows. At one point, Julie Ann tried to open the door of the room and she almost got sucked in. She said she thought it was a combination of Poseidon and Snakes in the Plane. Way cenimatic! Our little storm experience lasted only till a friend of Auntie's texted her. He said there's no problem of the glasses shattering so she can just close the big windows in peace. After that, we were like curious bystanders outside a laboratory window. "Oh look, the roof of ACSAT is like a Chinese dragon!" "Yeah, and we can already soak our dirty clothes outside our balcony, sprinkle it with Ariel and tomorrow, we can already rinse it." Besides watching the reality movie outside, our activities inside were decidedly a non-event -- cook food, eat, listen to the radio, read. That's just what we did. Well, of course, talk, sleep. And try to tutor Don Jorge in peace. The wind died down in the afternoon, we had an early dinner and slept very well with the windows open. Some dotted lights outside made the room not too dark to be suffocating.
We had a short exciting experience this morning when Auntie left a candle on in the comfort room because Don gets scared of going to the CR in the dark. Good thing she didn't close the door and someone (Someone up there, we believe) whispered to her to check the candle. Lo and behold, the plastic container of toothbrushes above the candle was already burning! We heard Auntie shouting and shouting. Thinking one of the fishes in the aquarium leapt out, I rushed to her. The container was on fire! The Auntie poured water on it. Whew! That would have made some headline: Owner Awake; Condo Unit Still Set on Fire.
This morning, when Auntie and I came down for work -- with the sun brightly shining and the people up and about (except for our elevator not working) -- it seemed like life in the city was back to normal. But when we came out, our neighborhood was full of fallen leaves, debris, slanting electric posts and people out of their houses cleaning. For us, it was a free movie. For others, it was an all too real nightmare. And I realized once again how truly blessed we were.
Friday, September 29, 2006
Monday, September 11, 2006
Proofreading
What's wrong with these two sentences?
"Sharon Cuneta. Nora Aunor. Vilma Santos. Maricel Soprano."
"Mr. He Xieng answered. But Mr. He was rebuffed by the police."
Nothing's wrong with the second; the first one's obvious.
Nowadays, these are the "dilemmas" that I face. I've been working for almost two weeks now at Shepherd's Voice Publication as proofreader. I've been writing for them on a freelance basis as scriptwriter for Gabay sa Biblia sa Radyo (which airs on Radyo Veritas), as well as for Fish Magazine, a youth magazine. I also contribute for Kerygma. But when I was in Mindoro, Rissa, my editor asked for help coz she has been sleeping at 4am for several days already. They are rushing Didache, Gabay, Sabbath and Companion 2007 sets, not to mention the monthly Kerygma and Fish magazines. And books in the offing too. So Rissa asked if I can work for at least a month with them. Since I need the money and I like helping out (not to mention that it is service to the Lord), I agreed. So I've been in Manila for a few weeks now.
I realized how much I've missed working in publishing. It may seem perhaps weird to some people, or downright boring to be looking for mistakes in text the whole day but I like this kind of work. I find it really challenging though my real desire is to be able to copy edit. I like the challenge of crafting a good sentence, of evoking the right image or delivering a statement through a well-crafted piece.
Last week, we were doing overtime everyday. The publications have to come out before October 12 coz there's a show in SM Megamall by then. Man, it was pretty tiring to the eyes! At the end of the day, I was wishing to be able to walk with my eyes closed. But I don't really mind this kind of "tiredness." Don't be surprised then if you read my name on Didache and Gabay on the editorial staffbox for 2007. Also on Fish magazine for October. I was surprised when Rissa put in my name there but well, what can I do? I didn't expect it but I'm not the editor. Besides, that's one of the perks of the publishing world. To see your name written on the printed page. The really good thing about it for me is, you're still anonymous coz they don't know how you look.
I think I really like this kind of work coz I've been really thanking the Lord quite a lot for several days now. Thank You, Jesus!
"Sharon Cuneta. Nora Aunor. Vilma Santos. Maricel Soprano."
"Mr. He Xieng answered. But Mr. He was rebuffed by the police."
Nothing's wrong with the second; the first one's obvious.
Nowadays, these are the "dilemmas" that I face. I've been working for almost two weeks now at Shepherd's Voice Publication as proofreader. I've been writing for them on a freelance basis as scriptwriter for Gabay sa Biblia sa Radyo (which airs on Radyo Veritas), as well as for Fish Magazine, a youth magazine. I also contribute for Kerygma. But when I was in Mindoro, Rissa, my editor asked for help coz she has been sleeping at 4am for several days already. They are rushing Didache, Gabay, Sabbath and Companion 2007 sets, not to mention the monthly Kerygma and Fish magazines. And books in the offing too. So Rissa asked if I can work for at least a month with them. Since I need the money and I like helping out (not to mention that it is service to the Lord), I agreed. So I've been in Manila for a few weeks now.
I realized how much I've missed working in publishing. It may seem perhaps weird to some people, or downright boring to be looking for mistakes in text the whole day but I like this kind of work. I find it really challenging though my real desire is to be able to copy edit. I like the challenge of crafting a good sentence, of evoking the right image or delivering a statement through a well-crafted piece.
Last week, we were doing overtime everyday. The publications have to come out before October 12 coz there's a show in SM Megamall by then. Man, it was pretty tiring to the eyes! At the end of the day, I was wishing to be able to walk with my eyes closed. But I don't really mind this kind of "tiredness." Don't be surprised then if you read my name on Didache and Gabay on the editorial staffbox for 2007. Also on Fish magazine for October. I was surprised when Rissa put in my name there but well, what can I do? I didn't expect it but I'm not the editor. Besides, that's one of the perks of the publishing world. To see your name written on the printed page. The really good thing about it for me is, you're still anonymous coz they don't know how you look.
I think I really like this kind of work coz I've been really thanking the Lord quite a lot for several days now. Thank You, Jesus!
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Filipinos Have Big Hearts
Filipinos are well known for having extended families. Recently, my brother Jojo (who lives in California) told my cousin Honey (who lives in Oregon), that they'll visit them. They were going to Portland for a conference so they decided to come earlier so they can see Honey and her family. Honey is Filipino so it won't be a surprise if she invited Jojo, Brenda and their two boys to sleep in their house. But it was Harry, Honey's husband, and a true-blue American, who invited Jojo and his family to stay over. My brother was pleasantly surprised and told Harry he must be getting more and more a Filipino.
A kind person is usually referred to as having a big heart. And it implies that (s)he has room for others in his/her life. Filipinos must generally have big hearts. How else can they open their houses to others if that is not so? I think of Papa Domy and the fact that his brood of seven children live within his and Mama Luchie's place, or nearby? (Not to mention that I'm a squatter in Honey's pad). I think of Ate Ched and how her house is the open house of the Bagatsolons who live nearby? (That means free playstation, snacks, internet, playmate and even room).
Filipinos must have big hearts. And that's not only in having open houses. What about the open hands to give? Why indeed is the Philippines having such good GNP lately? That's because of the multitude of OFWs who send their hard-earned cash to their parents, their brothers and sisters, their cousins, their inaanaks, their I-don'-know-what-relation. I think of Jojo and Brenda and how they are the source of never-ending financial, emotional, financial help to me and the rest of the Sosoban, Bagatsolon, Saco, Canlas, and myriad other families. Multiply that with the millions of Filipinos abroad who regularly call, email, send cash, send balikbayan box, text, and we can get a slight picture of these OFWs investment into their families back home.
The Philippines is one of the countries euphemistically called "developing countries." Its poverty has caused it to be one of the top exporters of labor. We are not always a race that people look up to, nor do we many times look at ourselves and give ourselves a pat on the back. But I won't hesitate to say that we Filipinos have big hearts. Our GNP should always be rising. The investment that Filipinos invest with their hearts should make our economy bullish, if nothing else.
A kind person is usually referred to as having a big heart. And it implies that (s)he has room for others in his/her life. Filipinos must generally have big hearts. How else can they open their houses to others if that is not so? I think of Papa Domy and the fact that his brood of seven children live within his and Mama Luchie's place, or nearby? (Not to mention that I'm a squatter in Honey's pad). I think of Ate Ched and how her house is the open house of the Bagatsolons who live nearby? (That means free playstation, snacks, internet, playmate and even room).
Filipinos must have big hearts. And that's not only in having open houses. What about the open hands to give? Why indeed is the Philippines having such good GNP lately? That's because of the multitude of OFWs who send their hard-earned cash to their parents, their brothers and sisters, their cousins, their inaanaks, their I-don'-know-what-relation. I think of Jojo and Brenda and how they are the source of never-ending financial, emotional, financial help to me and the rest of the Sosoban, Bagatsolon, Saco, Canlas, and myriad other families. Multiply that with the millions of Filipinos abroad who regularly call, email, send cash, send balikbayan box, text, and we can get a slight picture of these OFWs investment into their families back home.
The Philippines is one of the countries euphemistically called "developing countries." Its poverty has caused it to be one of the top exporters of labor. We are not always a race that people look up to, nor do we many times look at ourselves and give ourselves a pat on the back. But I won't hesitate to say that we Filipinos have big hearts. Our GNP should always be rising. The investment that Filipinos invest with their hearts should make our economy bullish, if nothing else.
Friday, August 18, 2006
Peter Pan and Childlikeness
I hope I never grow too old. Sounds like Peter Pan has a relative here but there must be a truism on why Peter Pan can fly and his not wanting to grow up. Many people seem to equate being mature with being grounded on reality that it's no wonder people cannot fly. You look at faces in crowds and you know they are so much into reality -- along with the furrowed look and the scowl. If that's what I get for being mature, I hope I don't get too mature that I forget to fly -- metaphorically speaking.
These thoughts come to me because I like to play with kids (make faces, accomodate, talk to them, etc) and of late, I'm surrounded by so many of them. I have so many young nieces and nephews in the compound I live in now. There's Jana, Yacky, Aye, Carlo, CK, EJ, Rain, etc... and then there's Jana again. They like to visit me because I have a computer. Games of course! Then there's the cable TV which I allow them to control when they're there. And, of course, I bribe them by having candy and other foods inside. Certainly, it's not always easy to accomodate them. I have lived mostly alone this past year. I'd go into my place in Tagbilaran and I switch on my computer and check my email. I watch TV and laugh aloud alone. I'd cook and eat alone. Now, though I'm still alone in the bachelor's pad my cousin Honey has allowed me to use, within a few minutes, a little voice will tentatively knock and ask, "Tita Joy, can we come in?" I know it's better if I just say "No, I'm making my report," which was what I was doing this afternoon. But sometimes I think about myself in their place. What if I say, "Lord, can I come in?" And He says, "No, come back after I've finished dealing with the world's problems." So I try to accomodate them by letting them come in and play around, though I had to forbid the use of TV coz it was too loud and I couldn't concentrate. Besides which, I think that perhaps in the long run, this will all be even more productive for me. The Lord will kindly make me more focused in the midst of the noise and I'll be able to do my work. Perhaps if I'm just alone I'd get so sleepy and won't be able to accomplish anything at all. I remember the Lord's word, "Let the children come to me and do not hinder them." He certainly has weightier matters to attend to so I guess I can also make room for them. Besides which, as I happily tell Papa Domy, the good thing about these kids are they are not mine. If I really get fed up with them, I can just return them to their families. It's a good thing the Lord doesn't return me to whoever when I'm being such a bother. Now that would be a real problem.
These thoughts come to me because I like to play with kids (make faces, accomodate, talk to them, etc) and of late, I'm surrounded by so many of them. I have so many young nieces and nephews in the compound I live in now. There's Jana, Yacky, Aye, Carlo, CK, EJ, Rain, etc... and then there's Jana again. They like to visit me because I have a computer. Games of course! Then there's the cable TV which I allow them to control when they're there. And, of course, I bribe them by having candy and other foods inside. Certainly, it's not always easy to accomodate them. I have lived mostly alone this past year. I'd go into my place in Tagbilaran and I switch on my computer and check my email. I watch TV and laugh aloud alone. I'd cook and eat alone. Now, though I'm still alone in the bachelor's pad my cousin Honey has allowed me to use, within a few minutes, a little voice will tentatively knock and ask, "Tita Joy, can we come in?" I know it's better if I just say "No, I'm making my report," which was what I was doing this afternoon. But sometimes I think about myself in their place. What if I say, "Lord, can I come in?" And He says, "No, come back after I've finished dealing with the world's problems." So I try to accomodate them by letting them come in and play around, though I had to forbid the use of TV coz it was too loud and I couldn't concentrate. Besides which, I think that perhaps in the long run, this will all be even more productive for me. The Lord will kindly make me more focused in the midst of the noise and I'll be able to do my work. Perhaps if I'm just alone I'd get so sleepy and won't be able to accomplish anything at all. I remember the Lord's word, "Let the children come to me and do not hinder them." He certainly has weightier matters to attend to so I guess I can also make room for them. Besides which, as I happily tell Papa Domy, the good thing about these kids are they are not mine. If I really get fed up with them, I can just return them to their families. It's a good thing the Lord doesn't return me to whoever when I'm being such a bother. Now that would be a real problem.
Thursday, August 17, 2006
A New Place
If people welcomes a newcomer to a new place by providing the best that they can offer, I thought of my entrance to Mindoro in a similar way by the Lord. There's only Asian Spirit available aircraft carrier going there so I had some apprehensions. In Bohol, they say you leave an Asian if you ride the Asian Spirit, and you arrive a spirit. And the plane we rode in needed repainting too. But when I checked in, a man offered to share his ticket so I don't have to pay extra for my luggage. Then, the weather was so nice that the whole ride was one of the smoothest I've ever had. Papa Domy was apprehensive in Mindoro because the sky was not too clear on their end but there were no problems at all.
To me, those all seemed a portent of a special care shown to me by the Lord. The night before, I was struck by a passage I read in the Bible. It said about the Lord choosing to be my father on that day and the nations my inheritance. I really savored the first part. The second part I didn't understand as clearly but who cares since it sounded good enough. It might mean I'll have lots of homes all over the world, or I'll be going all over the place. Oh well, as long as I have Someone who has offered me a true home by choosing to be "father" to me, that's good enough.
When I arrived at the Bagatsolon compound in San Jose (a municipality in Mindoro), it was a pleasant surprise to be greeted by numerous faces all ogling curiously, though smilingly, at me. The whole compound is filled with Papa Domy's (my Mama Ester's older brother) children and their children that I had to say, please excuse me that I can't memorize your names at the moment. Coming as I am from a two-children home who lived together infrequently, I was a bit apprehensive about the numerous people but mostly happy to be with family. I'm now a squatter at Honey's, my cousin's, place and it's really just fit for me since it's a bachelor's pad. She's in Oregon so I'm safe till she comes home, probably in two years' time.
To me, in the Lord's kindness, and to give face to His fatherly love, I have Papa Domy. Papa is a bit like me, a bit like Mama, and a whole lot like the rest of the Bagatsolons I know. He is noisy, curious, gung-ho. You must not forget intelligent or he will kill me here for not writing that. He is like me because he is curious and likes to philosophize and looks at the world and how it can be improved. Well, not to mention that Frodo will not find an alien in his and my height. He is like Mama because he can very well manage you if you let him. So I asked him to fix my light at my place, and he submitted my bank forms this morning. I could have asked someone to do the electrical part, or waited patiently at the bank to do it. But he likes to do all these things. Besides which, why find 1001 people when you can have one person who can do it all for you? That's why he is given more and more work at the munisipyo as a legislative consultant. And he is like all the Bagatsolons because they say they're intelligent and they prove it by how noisily they make their presence felt. Truth be told though, Papa can be very silent, just like me. Just give us a book we like and we don't know your name.
So I'm in Mindoro now. It is indeed a new place. But the Lord who is always kind shows me His never failing faitfulness and His constant love in many and different ways. And for as long as I have that certainty, I'm home enough.
To me, those all seemed a portent of a special care shown to me by the Lord. The night before, I was struck by a passage I read in the Bible. It said about the Lord choosing to be my father on that day and the nations my inheritance. I really savored the first part. The second part I didn't understand as clearly but who cares since it sounded good enough. It might mean I'll have lots of homes all over the world, or I'll be going all over the place. Oh well, as long as I have Someone who has offered me a true home by choosing to be "father" to me, that's good enough.
When I arrived at the Bagatsolon compound in San Jose (a municipality in Mindoro), it was a pleasant surprise to be greeted by numerous faces all ogling curiously, though smilingly, at me. The whole compound is filled with Papa Domy's (my Mama Ester's older brother) children and their children that I had to say, please excuse me that I can't memorize your names at the moment. Coming as I am from a two-children home who lived together infrequently, I was a bit apprehensive about the numerous people but mostly happy to be with family. I'm now a squatter at Honey's, my cousin's, place and it's really just fit for me since it's a bachelor's pad. She's in Oregon so I'm safe till she comes home, probably in two years' time.
To me, in the Lord's kindness, and to give face to His fatherly love, I have Papa Domy. Papa is a bit like me, a bit like Mama, and a whole lot like the rest of the Bagatsolons I know. He is noisy, curious, gung-ho. You must not forget intelligent or he will kill me here for not writing that. He is like me because he is curious and likes to philosophize and looks at the world and how it can be improved. Well, not to mention that Frodo will not find an alien in his and my height. He is like Mama because he can very well manage you if you let him. So I asked him to fix my light at my place, and he submitted my bank forms this morning. I could have asked someone to do the electrical part, or waited patiently at the bank to do it. But he likes to do all these things. Besides which, why find 1001 people when you can have one person who can do it all for you? That's why he is given more and more work at the munisipyo as a legislative consultant. And he is like all the Bagatsolons because they say they're intelligent and they prove it by how noisily they make their presence felt. Truth be told though, Papa can be very silent, just like me. Just give us a book we like and we don't know your name.
So I'm in Mindoro now. It is indeed a new place. But the Lord who is always kind shows me His never failing faitfulness and His constant love in many and different ways. And for as long as I have that certainty, I'm home enough.
Monday, August 14, 2006
A Place In Between
For a long time, this has been my public private spot on the internet. I could write here and it didn't really matter if anyone reads what I write. My life has turned a new direction once again that I thought of writing here so I need not write individually to my friends and family to update them on what's happening to me. It helps that blogging has a space for comment or reaction so you're welcome to do so.
Right now, I'm in an in-between place. For a long time, Cebu was called my home and not a place to pass by for me. But now, it's a jump off point to another place I shall be calling home for only God knows how long, Mindoro. My favorite Christian singer Steven Curtis Chapman was right in calling life's journey "a roller coaster ride." Man, it does seem like that at times, now especially. I would never have thought I'll be settling in Mindoro for an indefinite period. I was looking forward to going to Mindoro for a vacation, hopefully this coming December when Papa Domy said their family have a noisy and colorful Christmas, what with themed Christmas parties and apos galore. It's not so bad I guess. As Papa Domy said, the wide beach front, internet connection and a free place is waiting for me. What could I ask for? In some other instance, I would have said, nothing.
In any case, philosophically thinking about it, I look at it this way: maybe the Lord is allowing me to see a glimpse into a pilgrim's life -- which we all are, in the end. We pass by this earth for a mere 60 to 70 years, longer if you can beat the statistics. But our stay is never permanent. And perhaps through this event, the Lord wants to engrain into me my visitor status. I've always liked being able to leave at a moment's notice. That's one of the reasons why I don't like to own keys. To me, it signified permanence. I had no problem relinquishing my two sets of keys to two houses in Bohol. But now, I do miss my place in Tagbilaran. When I go home, the most immediate thing I do is check my email. Even if I was only using a dial-up, I realize how a dial-up is so convenient compared to going to an internet shop (like what I'm doing now) and being charged P30 per hour. It's the noise of the child beside me playing this violent game that's really bothering me. Oh okay, yeah maybe, I'm a bit on an internet withdrawal symptom too, I guess. Added to that the fact that I couldn't access a website I needed for a deadline I need to meet. The frustrations of the electronic age.
Tomorrow, I'll be leaving for Manila and the next day, God willing, to Mindoro. I thank God there is such a thing as the internet. I realized that there are so many people who love me and care for me through what's happening at the moment. This spot is my little place of connection. Hopefully, it will be. And the friendships and love that I have experienced (and hopefully, even in a small way, given) will continue in the midst of distance.
Right now, I'm in an in-between place. For a long time, Cebu was called my home and not a place to pass by for me. But now, it's a jump off point to another place I shall be calling home for only God knows how long, Mindoro. My favorite Christian singer Steven Curtis Chapman was right in calling life's journey "a roller coaster ride." Man, it does seem like that at times, now especially. I would never have thought I'll be settling in Mindoro for an indefinite period. I was looking forward to going to Mindoro for a vacation, hopefully this coming December when Papa Domy said their family have a noisy and colorful Christmas, what with themed Christmas parties and apos galore. It's not so bad I guess. As Papa Domy said, the wide beach front, internet connection and a free place is waiting for me. What could I ask for? In some other instance, I would have said, nothing.
In any case, philosophically thinking about it, I look at it this way: maybe the Lord is allowing me to see a glimpse into a pilgrim's life -- which we all are, in the end. We pass by this earth for a mere 60 to 70 years, longer if you can beat the statistics. But our stay is never permanent. And perhaps through this event, the Lord wants to engrain into me my visitor status. I've always liked being able to leave at a moment's notice. That's one of the reasons why I don't like to own keys. To me, it signified permanence. I had no problem relinquishing my two sets of keys to two houses in Bohol. But now, I do miss my place in Tagbilaran. When I go home, the most immediate thing I do is check my email. Even if I was only using a dial-up, I realize how a dial-up is so convenient compared to going to an internet shop (like what I'm doing now) and being charged P30 per hour. It's the noise of the child beside me playing this violent game that's really bothering me. Oh okay, yeah maybe, I'm a bit on an internet withdrawal symptom too, I guess. Added to that the fact that I couldn't access a website I needed for a deadline I need to meet. The frustrations of the electronic age.
Tomorrow, I'll be leaving for Manila and the next day, God willing, to Mindoro. I thank God there is such a thing as the internet. I realized that there are so many people who love me and care for me through what's happening at the moment. This spot is my little place of connection. Hopefully, it will be. And the friendships and love that I have experienced (and hopefully, even in a small way, given) will continue in the midst of distance.
Friday, January 20, 2006
The Heroes in Each of Us
I think it's a very interesting sociological phenomenon that the Philippines is holding its breath during these few days for Manny Pacquiao. And I can understand. I mean, you have all the men united -- and talking. They're not just appearing bored or drunk, or bearing up with what's happening. They are animatedly talking. In fact, they are actually lining up and betting. But then, it's not only the men. The women too. Well, everyone actually. Everyone is rooting for Pacquiao. And I find this really interesting. It's not just that the guy can box, because he can. His footwork and boxing certainly looks fancy enough for a boxing nitwit like me. And it's not just that he has x-factor because the guy has it. It's that the Filipinos are rooting for him as one. It makes me think that our country must be so in need of heroes that nowadays, as long as it's at least legal, the people will root for you. There were the athletes for example who won the latest ASEAN Games. Of recent past, there was Ms International Laura (is that correct?) Quigama.
I do not belittle this people because what they did or are doing are admirable. But that we as a nation is looking at the feat of Manny Pacquiao as something of national pride makes me wonder if our need for heroes have become so bereft in the usual places we should be looking for them that nowadays, we have to look for them in sports or entertainment. Are we so short of a Ninoy Aquino, or a Rizal, or a Mabini? Do we not have heroes in business or literature or in the church? If we have in any of those fields and they are not being recognized, are we as a people redefining what is admirable? Are we now looking up to people who are excelling in a field where individualism or personality are important? Where personal discipline are musts? And are we then now embracing it as a nation, as something admirable?
I don't know if Manny will win. I sure hope and pray he does. Still, I also hope that whatever the outcome may be, our people will find our sense of oneness and pride not so much in someone winning a boxing fight, or any other sports event, or a beauty pageant, but that we as a nation are really putting our act together and working for a better Philippines: finding the heroes in each of us.
I do not belittle this people because what they did or are doing are admirable. But that we as a nation is looking at the feat of Manny Pacquiao as something of national pride makes me wonder if our need for heroes have become so bereft in the usual places we should be looking for them that nowadays, we have to look for them in sports or entertainment. Are we so short of a Ninoy Aquino, or a Rizal, or a Mabini? Do we not have heroes in business or literature or in the church? If we have in any of those fields and they are not being recognized, are we as a people redefining what is admirable? Are we now looking up to people who are excelling in a field where individualism or personality are important? Where personal discipline are musts? And are we then now embracing it as a nation, as something admirable?
I don't know if Manny will win. I sure hope and pray he does. Still, I also hope that whatever the outcome may be, our people will find our sense of oneness and pride not so much in someone winning a boxing fight, or any other sports event, or a beauty pageant, but that we as a nation are really putting our act together and working for a better Philippines: finding the heroes in each of us.
My Beloved Philippines
I read about an interesting site from my Google Peyups Samahan and checked the link. Coconuter's blog site is refreshing mainly because, for all the bad rep the Philippines continues to receive, this guy wants to return here from the US and live in a place where others have been falling all over themselves to leave. I think I love the guy. I wish there were more Filipinos like him. I know, I know. All those doctors who have become nurses will tell me, "You don't understand. Good for you to say because you're not in my situation. We must live, too. You cannot live on ideals alone." I understand. My brother, after all is there in the US and he provides us with all sorts of financial support. Actually, he provides so many families with financial help because he's there. Still, a part of me continues to hold on to that idealistic and nationalistic person who graduated high school and college with a firm commitment to stay in the Philippines and help it out in my little way. I have some very strong emotions about certain things. My love for this country is one of them. It leaves me with a pain in my stomach and a catch in my throat. It's that real.
I don't hate those who go out of the Philippines. I just believe we make some choices and I have made my choice. Perhaps, in actual fact, my contribution to this country doesn't even make a blip in the horizon. That doesn't matter. I still love this country and, God willing, will give the best of myself for the good of this country.
In case you want to check out the coconuter's site, here's the link: http://coconuter.blogspot.com/
I don't hate those who go out of the Philippines. I just believe we make some choices and I have made my choice. Perhaps, in actual fact, my contribution to this country doesn't even make a blip in the horizon. That doesn't matter. I still love this country and, God willing, will give the best of myself for the good of this country.
In case you want to check out the coconuter's site, here's the link: http://coconuter.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Back Again: Nature
If not for juicyfruiter, I wouldn't be writing this blog. I have totally forgotten this site. My life has changed in the past few months and this one little writing spot was just one of many that I litter my life with that I totally forgot this one. But this is cool too.
I'd like to recall something today. I was walking past the city park at just barely past 6 pm. It was a cool evening and just a little rustle of wind was making the leaves move. Looking at the remnant of Christmas decors surrounding the small park, I noticed the huge tree at the far corner almost towering the other trees around. You can see the tree "flowering" with black moving and twitting birds who rest there for the night. It's a noisy and awesome sight to behold. The birds know they are safe in that tree and they rest there. And the tree finds its being perhaps made complete in its old age -- barren and almost sunken even in its huge frame -- by the usefulness it gives to those needy little birds.
Yesterday, coming back to the city from the province, I rode the bus for more than three hours. We passed one of the towns on our way to the city where white clouds covered a backdrop of green hills. In the foreground stood bamboo trees swaying with the wind and rice stalks just newly grown standing like young adolescents straight and fresh. The all-around green color mixed with the white cloud was a calm and gentle scene.
Then we passed further on a "city" of moving lights -- bancas slowly going out to sea for the night. Fishermen were starting their night office. In the growing darkness, the slowly moving lights were like huge fireflies.
Nature speaks its own language and it's beautiful to hear.
I'd like to recall something today. I was walking past the city park at just barely past 6 pm. It was a cool evening and just a little rustle of wind was making the leaves move. Looking at the remnant of Christmas decors surrounding the small park, I noticed the huge tree at the far corner almost towering the other trees around. You can see the tree "flowering" with black moving and twitting birds who rest there for the night. It's a noisy and awesome sight to behold. The birds know they are safe in that tree and they rest there. And the tree finds its being perhaps made complete in its old age -- barren and almost sunken even in its huge frame -- by the usefulness it gives to those needy little birds.
Yesterday, coming back to the city from the province, I rode the bus for more than three hours. We passed one of the towns on our way to the city where white clouds covered a backdrop of green hills. In the foreground stood bamboo trees swaying with the wind and rice stalks just newly grown standing like young adolescents straight and fresh. The all-around green color mixed with the white cloud was a calm and gentle scene.
Then we passed further on a "city" of moving lights -- bancas slowly going out to sea for the night. Fishermen were starting their night office. In the growing darkness, the slowly moving lights were like huge fireflies.
Nature speaks its own language and it's beautiful to hear.
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