Let’s talk about the 2010 Presidential elections and the SWS survey results as of June 2, 2009. How my bet Manny Villar is doing in the surveys and thoughts on other presidentiables.

Corrections:

1. When I said roof “under” your head, I actually meant “over”.

2. When I said G7, I actually meant G8.

This is the raw/unedited podcast. I’m sorry I don’t have time to edit it yet. I will do so in the future.

• And My Vote for Philippine President Come 2010 Goes To…
• 2010 Presidentiables and Surveys
• Choosing the Palace Successor: Philippine Presidential Elections 2010
• 10 Reasons Why I’m Not Voting Noli de Castro for Philippine President in 2010, and Why I Think You Shouldn’t Either
• Let’s Behave, Shall We?

To all the Fathers and Husbands out there, Happy Father’s Day!

There Is Love
by: RJ

In that stern look,
Reciting countless threats of what not to touch,
Of what not to do, of what not to say.
No matter how sharp those eyes seem to be,
Even those windows to your soul betray you.
It shows me something else.
It shows me there is love.

In that heartbreaking comment,
That I look too thin now or too fat then,
That I look awful in my make-up,
That my perfume leaves a mind-numbing scent,
Even those words in your mouth betray you.
It tells me something else.
It tells me there is love.

In that fiery attack at my opinions
That I sound so stupid, so childish, so naive,
That I do not think as well as you
Or that I never will be as good as you..

Even those sentiments you keep hid in your heart betray you.
Because I feel something else.
I feel there is love.

For beyond your look are the eyes that I miss
Beyond your words are the lips I long to kiss,
Beyond your thoughts are the plans that I ardently wish,
And beyond this life is a love I can call my bliss.

So go ahead and give me that look
Pierce through my soul, cut within,
And while you’re at it, Why not burn it, peel this skin?
Grip my heart so tight, crush it with all your strength
Take its life in the very palm of your unforgiving hand
Say the meanest words you can ever come up with
Make up stories, mock me with your melodies
Do your best. And hey, do your worst.

For there is nothing I fear now.
There is nothing I feel,
There is nothing I see,
And there is nothing I long for
But to take this love of yours, catch it and bottle it up
Chain it, bury it and keep it for all its worth,

Because no matter what you do
And no matter how I think
It hits me with something else
It hits me with such powerful contradiction.
It hits me with sorrowful happiness,
With an unmistakable mix of inexplicable emotions
That proves to me — time and again
That you are, after all — all love.

You may be the puzzle I can never put together,
The equation I will never figure out,
The song I can never sing in perfect tune,
Yet one touch is all it takes,
I die in ecstasy in your warm embrace,
And I know in an instant, oh I know it too well
There is great love deep within you
There is love where you are
And I resolve to live and die perplexed
Under its irresistible spell.

———————————————————–Similar Posts:

• On Account of What?
• Let Me Write You A Prose

I remember wanting to read that book of Stowe ever since I’ve heard of the significant role it played in Rizal’s life. But being deprived of both time and money, I contented myself with the promise that I would one day soon get hold of a copy for myself. It was a promise bound to be  forgotten, tucked away at the back of my mind along with all the other books I haven’t managed to finish reading due to various reasons.

So when the time came that I finally got myself a copy of that book, I recall holding it for the first time and relishing that warm feeling — like a reunion with a long lost love, a long lost dream or forgotten treasure — like finding the lucky penny I hid in a forgotten pocket when I was a teen.

Finishing the book was a daunting task — not because it wasn’t interesting but because the archaic English in which it was written proved a little too burdensome for the impatient Web 2.0 netizen that I have become. Of course, I was amazed at the kind of literary gift that Stowe possessed, but maybe, having been told all my life how good it is just because Rizal himself read it and even caused him to write books that sparked the revolution, I had impossibly high expectations prior to reading it. It is a good read, no doubt about it, but it’s no Holy Grail of revolution if you ask me.

Revisiting the pages of “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” in this day and age is undoubtedly different — so much different as it has probably been if you were reading it at a time when the mere mention of the word Indio was almost synonymous with leprosy, for that was how Indios were treated — like people with a contagious, dreaded disease. The words in the book were strong and direct, dramatic and truly moving. But reading it at a time like this when the freedom we enjoy is taken for granted as if it we never knew of slavery, it is too easy to miss the point of the book, much less decipher the hidden meaning clothed in literary cloak.

But having read the book now and imagining Rizal reading the same book in this period of our history,  I have not the slightest doubt that it would evoke the very same feelings he had back then.

It’s not so much the book, as I’ve read in countless reading that makes you who you are or prompts you to do one or two things. It’s not so much the suffering you see around you. It’s not so much the “time” in history you are in. As I’ve learned and discovered over the years, it is the “man within” that makes all the difference. It is the glorious soul of a man that gets awakened and stirred  by a book, by the sight of suffering, of slavery, of helplessness that makes all the difference. It is this spirit of a man who is not so different from us all yet outshines us with his strong will and brilliant mind to boot that spells the difference between “feeling sorry” and “feeling helpful”.

Finding the strength within and taking control of one’s fate — these are the kind of thinking and resolve that Rizal represented. He saw injustice and sought justice. He saw suffering and sought relief. He saw intellectual inadequacy and sought the fountain of knowledge. He saw slavery and sought freedom.

“Seek and you shall find.” rings true now as it did then. Heroes are no different from all of us average Juans and Marias. Heroism is not a far-off idea meant only for the gods  or a mere romantic story meant for the books. Heroism is doing ordinary things in extraordinary ways (yes, the difference is just that little “extra”) triggered by love, compassion and thirst for truth and justice.

Jose Rizal is not a hero solely for his intelletual prowess. The fact that he spoke in over 20 languages fluently wouldn’t really amount to anything had he used it solely for something self-serving.

There is a hero in all of us — yes I know, too cheesy. But we can’t deny that it’s true. To be  a hero is actually everyone’s job, everyone’s destiny. The times call for heroism in all of us. The events of everyday call for small yet tangible acts of kindness, love of beauty and justice.

We are a nation of heroes. Their blood — the very same blood that ran through their veins and by which many hard-fought battles were won — still run through us. All we need is to reconnect to the hero in us and rediscover who we are.

The times may have changed. The challanges may be different now. The wars we must fight and the “colonizers” we must vanguish may have changed too, but the battles we believe to have been won long ago is re-emerging now.

Heroism beckons. Glory awaits. Unleash the hero in you and understand what it really means to be a Filipino then through the triumphs of our battles today.

Hail to you Jose Rizal, my hero! Our hero! And it is with deep pride that I write this article in the very birthplace of our National Hero — Calamba City, Laguna.Similar Posts:

No related or similar posts found for this entry.

Ngayong ika-111 taon ng kalayaan ng mahal kong Pilipinas na kumupkop sa aking mga ninuno at kukupkop sa susunod pang salinlahi, ipinahahayag ko at pinagtitibay ang mga biyayang angkin ng aking kalayaan:

Ako’y malaya, (I’m free)
Sa anumang uri ng pang-aalipin — ng dayuhan man o kapwa Pilipino (free from slavery)
Sa pang-aabuso ng makasarili at mapag-imbot na tao (free from abuse)
Sa anumang uri ng pananakit — pisikal, mental, emosyonal o pulitikal
Sa pang-gigipit ng taong nasa kapangyarihan (free from threats of power)
Sa pananakot ng kapitalistang mapagsamantala (free from economic threats)
Sa pagpili ng nais kong relihiyon o paniniwala (freedom of choice)
Sa pagboto ng ninais kong lider (right and freedom to vote)
Sa panloloko ng mapanlinlang na mga pulitiko (freedom from political “swindlers”)
Sa kagutuman, sa kahirapan, sa krimen. (free from hunger, poverty and crime)

Malaya akong ipahayag ang aking saloobin sa anumang paraang hindi nakasasaklaw sa kalayaan ng iba (freedom of speech). Malaya akong alamin ang nangyayari sa loob ng gobyerno,
Na alamin kung paano ginagasta ang buwis na kinokolekta
Malaya akong magtanong, magsaliksik, makialam (public disclosure)
Malaya akong mamuhay ng ligtas at walang pangamba na malingat lang ako, ang karapatan ko’y ninakaw na.

Kalakip ng pahayag na ito ay ang aking pagtalima at pagtugon sa kaakibat na responsibilad ng aking tinatamasang kalayaan. Dahil dito, sisikapin ko:

Na sa anumang pagkakataon na manganib ang aking kalayaan, ito’y aking ipaglalaban ng kahuli-hulihan kong lakas.
Na sa pagtamasa ng aking kalayaan, hindi ko kailanman sadyang tatapakan ang kalayaan ng iba.
Na hindi ako magbubulag-bulagan o magbibinghi-bingihan sa harapang pagtapak ng ibang tao sa karapatan ng iba.
Na susuportahan ko ng buong pagmamahal at pagmamalaki ang anumang proyektong nagtataguyod ng kalayaan.
Na ipapamana ko sa aking anak ang pagmamahal sa bayan, sa bandila, sa Saligang Batas at sa kapwa Pilipino.

Pero ang tanong, ramdam mo ba ang kalayaang sinasabi ko? ‘Wag na tayong magbolahan. Alam natin pareho na hindi naman talaga
tayo ganap na malaya. Marami sa nabanggit, mistulang pangarap na lang yata. Marami pa ring pagtatangkang pang-aagaw na nagaganap sa kasalukuyan. Hindi ko na kailangang isa-isahin.

Nakalulungkot isipin na hanggang ngayon, pilit pa rin tayong sinasakop. Pilit pa ring inaagaw ang kalayaang tangan natin.
At ang masakit pa nito, iba na ang istilo ng pananakop ngayon. Iba na rin ang anyo ng mga mananakop, hindi na galing sa ibayong-dagat. Andito na mismo nanggagaling sa sarili nating bakuran — sarili nating lahi — sariling dugo. Marami sa kanila, iba na ang gamit na sandata — nakahahalinang pangako, personalidad o presensya. Napakadaling matangay.

Kaya marapat lamang na paigtingin natin ang pagbabantay ng ating kalayaan. ‘Wag malilingat. ‘Wag kukurap. Maging mapagmatyag.

Kalayaan, hindi na ko papayag na mawala kang muli. Hindi na ko papayag na muling mabawi. At hinding-hindi ako papayag na muling dungisan ang kalayaang pinuhunanan ng sariling dugo ng mga bayaning Pilipino. Taglay ko ang dugo nila. Ang pagyurak sa kalayaang ipinaglaban nila noon ay pagyurak sa parehong kalayaang tinatamasa ko ngayon.

Pilipino ka rin di ba? ‘Wag ka ring papayag!

Handog ng Pilipino sa Mundo
(Words by Jim Paredes/APO Hiking Society; Sung by: Various Artists)
written for  EDSA People Power Revolution of 1986, known as “the revolution that surprised the  world”)

If the embedded music doesn’t play, click here to listen (opens a new window)

‘Di na ‘ko papayag mawala kang muli.
‘Di na ‘ko papayag na muling mabawi,
Ating kalayaan kay tagal nating mithi.
‘Di na papayagang mabawi muli.

Magkakapit-bisig libo-libong tao.
Kay sarap palang maging Pilipino.
Sama-sama iisa ang adhikain.
Kailan man ‘di na paaalipin.

Ref:
Handog ng Pilipino sa mundo,
Mapayapang paraang pagbabago.
Katotohanan, kalayaan, katarungan
Ay kayang makamit na walang dahas.
Basta’t magkaisa tayong lahat.

Masdan ang nagaganap sa aming bayan.
Magkasama na’ng mahirap at mayaman.
Kapit-bisig madre, pari, at sundalo.
Naging langit itong bahagi ng mundo.

Huwag muling payagang umiral ang dilim.
Tinig ng bawat tao’y bigyan ng pansin.
Magkakapatid lahat sa Panginoon.
Ito’y lagi nating tatandaan.
(repeat refrain two times)

Coda:
Mapayapang paraang pagbabago.
Katotohanan, kalayaan, katarungan.
Ay kayang makamit na walang dahas.
Basta’t magkaisa tayong lahat!

————————————————————Similar Posts:

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• Winners and Losers
• The SONA: My Sentiments
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• Philippine Presidential Elections 2010 Amidst Economic Crisis — The Boon and the Bane

I’m pretty sure you’ve heard the numbing, heart-sinking news by now. And I hope mainstream media finally caught up after last night’s unnerving development on House Resolution (HR) 1109, otherwise known as the choo choo train to #conass. Apparently, that term no longer applies because as of last night, the train mutated to a speeding bullet train — proof of how much destruction can happen overnight when we lose vigilance for a moment and choose to be indifferent. Well, what do you know..the revered house can fast-track a bill after all, if they so wanted. While others sleep soundly, those sneaky bastards who sold their soul for a few silver coins are now selling the entire country to the highest bidder (money, position, and everything else). You wake up one morning and boom! You’ve been sold! The height of treachery!

This resolution filed last November 2008 by Congressman Luis Villafuerte of Camarines Sure, who happens to be a kababayan (both of my parents hail from Camarines Sur, Bicol) which was not intended for any other purpose but to ask the Supreme Court on voting procedures by the Senate and the House (how to vote — separately or collectively?) is now being fashioned in a way that may serve the purpose of a select few and  not the benefit of the whole Filipino nation. As of this time, he has declared withdrawal of support to the resolution he himself authored and consequently withdrew from the party as well so he’s now independent, so to speak. Are we seeing moro-moro style tactics here? 

I have heard of countless reassurances from the President’s men that this ChaCha is not to be feared or despised on account of  a possible power perpetuation of GMA. Rep. Villafuerte himself assures this, adding that a resolution/pledge/covenant has been explicitly stated on the bill that they will not tinker with presidential term extension or anything similar to that.

But I refuse to be led astray. Is everything happening according to plan? Are we being played here? I don’t know about you, but I think something’s amiss. They used to employ cloak and dagger attack back in the days, that I’m aware of. But now, it’s totally different. Everything happens “in-your-face” like an attack “in broad daylight” now that if you still feel nothing, I’d say you have a malignant case of denial. Better get yourself checked.

Is your Congressman/woman part of  this wholesale pambabastos of the Filipino people’s sentiment over HR 1109 at Bastusang Pambansa?

Check the list below and check it twice, find out who’s naughty and who’s nice. If your representative is up for re-election, I suggest you think it over — a million times if possible, before voting for him/her.

See if your district representative has shamelessly sold you out!

*Note: Let it be known that I’m proud and happy of our good Congressman Justin “Timmy” Chipeco of the 2nd District of Laguna for NOT SUPPORTING HR 1109. Hats off to you, sir!

LIST OF SHAMELESS SUPPORTERS OF HR 1109:

NAME, DISTRICT/ AREA

ABANTE, BIENVENIDO M. “BENNY” 6TH District Pandacan

ABLAN, ROQUE R. JR  Ilocos Norte, 1st District

AGBAYANI, VICTOR AGUEDO E. Pangasinan, 2nd District

AGYAO, MANUEL, S Kalinga Province

ALBANO (III), RODOLFO T. Isabela, 1st District

ALFELOR, FELIX R. JR. 4th District, Camarines Sur

ALMARIO, THELMA Z. Davao Oriental, 2nd District

ALVAREZ, ANTONIO C. Palawan 1st District

ALVAREZ, GENARO RAFAEL M. JR. Negros Occidental, 6th District

AMANTE, EDELMIRO A. Agusan Del Norte, 2nd District

AMATONG, ROMMEL C. Compostela Valley, 2nd District

ANGPING, MARIA ZENAIDA B. Manila, 3rd District

ANTONINO, RODOLFO W. Nueva Ecija, 4th District

APOSTOL, TRINIDAD G. Leyte, 2nd District

AQUINO, JOSE S. (II) 1st District Agusan del Norte

ARAGO, MARIA EVITA R. 3rd district, Laguna

ARBISON, A MUNIR M. Sulu 2nd District

ARENAS, MA. RACHEL J. Pangasinan, 3rd District

ARROYO, DIOSDADO M. Camarines Sur, 1st District

ARROYO, IGNACIO T. 5th district Negros Occidental

ARROYO, JUAN MIGUEL M. 2nd District of Pampanga

BAGATSING, AMADO S. Manila 5th district

BALINDONG, PANGALIAN M. Lanao del Sur, 2nd District

BARZAGA, ELPIDIO F. JR. Cavite, 2nd District

BAUTISTA, FRANKLIN P. Davao Del Sur, 2nd District

BELMONTE, VICENTE F. JR. Lanao del Norte, 1st District

BICHARA, AL FRANCIS C. Albay, 2nd District

BIRON, FERJENEL G. Iloilo, 4th District

BONDOC, ANNA YORK P. Pampanga 4th District

BONOAN-DAVID, MA. THERESA B. Manila, 4th District

BRAVO, NARCISO R. JR. Masbate, 1st District

BRIONES, NICANOR M. AGAP Party list

BUHAIN, EILEEN ERMITA Batangas, 1st District

BULUT, ELIAS C. JR. Apayao Lone District

CAGAS (IV), MARC DOUGLAS C. Davao Del Sur, 1st District

CAJAYON, MARY MITZI L. Caloocan, 2nd District

CAJES, ROBERTO C. Bohol, 2nd District

CARI, CARMEN L. Leyte, 5th District

CASTRO, FREDENIL H. Capiz, 2nd District

CELESTE, ARTHUR F. Pangasinan, 1st District

CERILLES, ANTONIO H. Zamboanga Del Sur, 2nd District

CHATTO, EDGARDO M. Bohol, 1st District

CHONG, GLENN A. Biliran, Lone District

CHUNG-LAO, SOLOMON R. Ifugai, Lone District

CLARETE, MARINA C. Misamis Occidental, 1st District

CODILLA, EUFROCINO M. SR. Leyte, 4th District

COJUANCO, MARK O. Pangasinan, 5th District

COQUILA, TEODULO M. Eastern Samar, Lone District

CRISOLOGO, VINCENT P. Quezon City, 1st District

CUA, JUNIE E. Quirino, Lone District

CUENCO, ANTONIO V. Cebu City, 2nd District

DANGWA, SAMUEL M. Benguet, Lone District

DATUMANONG, SIMEON A. Maguindanao, Lone District

Dayanghirang, Nelson L. Davao Oriental, 1st District

DAZA, NANETTE C. Quezon City, 4th District

DAZA, PAUL R. Northern Samar, 1st District

DE GUZMAN, DEL R. Marikina City, 2nd District

DEFENSOR, ARTHUR D. SR. Iloilo, 3rd District

DEFENSOR, MATIAS V. JR. Quezon City, 3rd District

DEL MAR, RAUL V. Cebu City, 1st District

DIASNES, CARLO OLIVER D. (MD) Batanes, Lone District

DIMAPORO, ABDULLAH D. Lanao Del Norte, 2nd District

DOMOGAN, MAURICIO G. Baguio, Lone District

DUAVIT, MICHAEL JOHN R. Rizal, 1st District

DUENAS, HENRY M. JR. Taguig, 2nd District (2nd Councilor District)

DUMARPA, FAYSAH MRP. Lanao del Sur, 1st District

DUMPIT, THOMAS L. JR. La Union, 2nd District

DURANO (IV), RAMON H. 5th District, Cebu

ECLEO, GLENDA B. Dinagat Islands, Lone District

EMANO, YEVGENY VICENTE B. Misamis Oriental, 2nd District

ENVERGA, WILFRIDO MARK M. Quezon, 1st District

ESTRELLA, CONRADO M. (III) Pangasinan, 6th District

ESTRELLA, ROBERT RAYMUND M. ABONO Party List

FERRER, JEFFREY P. Negros Occidental, 4th District

GARAY, FLORENCIO C. Surigao Del Sur, 2nd District

GARCIA, ALBERT S. Bataan, 2nd District

GARCIA, PABLO JOHN F. Cebu, 3rd District

GARCIA, PABLO P. Cebu, 2nd District

GARCIA, VINCENT J. Davao City, 2nd District

GARIN, JANETTE L. Iloilo, 1st District

GATCHALIAN, REXLON T. Valenzuela City, 1st District

GATLABAYAN, ANGELITO C. Antipolo City, 2nd District

GO, ARNULFO F. Sultan Kudarat, 2nd District

GONZALES, AURELIO D. JR. Pampanga 3rd District

GONZALES, RAUL T. JR. Ilo ilo City

GULLAS, EDUARDO R. Cebu, 1st District

GUNIGUNDO, MAGTANGGOL T. Valenzuela City 2nd District

HOFER, DULCE ANN K. Zamboanga Sibugay, 2nd District

JAAFAR, NUR G. Tawi-Tawi, Lone District

JALA, ADAM RELSON L. Bohol, 3rd District

JALOSJOS, CESAR G. Zamboanga del Norte, 3rd District

JALOSJOS-CARREON, CECILIA G. Zamboanga del Norte, 1st District

JIKIRI, YUSOP H. Sulu, 1st District

KHO, ANTONIO T. Masbate, 2nd District

LABADLABAD, ROSENDO S. Zamboanga del Norte, 2nd District

LACSON, JOSE CARLOS V. Negros Occidental, 3rd District

LAGDAMEO, ANTONIO F. JR. Davao del Norte, 2nd District

LAPUS, JECI A. Tarlac, 3rd District

LAZATIN, CARMELO F. Pampanga, 1st District

LIM, RENO G. Albay, 3rd District

LOPEZ, JAIME C. Manila, 2nd District

MADRONA, ELEANORA JESUS F. Romblon, Lone District

MAGSAYSAY, MARIA MILAGROS H. Zambales, 1st District

MALAPITAN, OSCAR G. Caloocan, 1st District

MAMBA, MANUEL N. Cagayan, 3rd District

MANGUDADATU, DATU PAKUNG S. Sultan Kudarat,

MARANON, ALFREDO D. III Negros Occidental, 2nd District

MATUGAS, FRANCISCO T. Surigao del Norte, 1st District

MENDOZA, MARK LEANDRO L. Batangas, 4th District

MERCADO, ROGER G. Southern Leyte, Lone District

MIRAFLORES, FLORENCIO T. Aklan, Lone District

NAVA, JOAQUIN CARLOS RAHMAN A. (MD) Guimaras, Lone District

NICOLAS, REYLINA G. Bulacan, 4th District

NOGRALES, PROSPERO C. Davao City, 1st District

OLAñO, ARREL R. Davao Del Norte, 1st District

ONG, EMIL L. Northern Samar, 2nd District

ORTEGA, VICTOR FRANCISCO C. La Union, 1st District

PABLO, ERNESTO C. APEC Party List

PANCHO, PEDRO M. Bulacan, 2nd District

PANCRUDO, CANDIDO P. JR. Bukidnon, 1st District

PICHAY, PHILIP A. Surigao Del Sur, 1st District

PIñOL, BERNARDO F. JR. North Cotabato, 2nd District

PUNO, ROBERTO V. Antipolo City, 1st District

RAMIRO, HERMINIA M. Misamis Occidental, 2nd District

REMULLA, JESUS CRISPIN C. Cavite, 3rd District

REYES, CARMELITA O. Marinduque, Lone District

REYES, VICTORIA H. Batangas, 3rd District

ROBES, ARTURO G. San Jose Del Monte City, Lone District

Rodriguez-Zaldarriaga, Adelina Rizal, 2nd District

ROMAN, HERMINIA B. Bataan, 1st District

ROMARATE, GUILLERMO A. JR. Surigao del Norte, 2nd District

ROMUALDEZ, FERDINAND MARTIN G. Leyte, 1st District

ROMUALDO, PEDRO Camiguin, Lone District

ROMULO, ROMAN T. Pasig City, Lone District

ROXAS, JOSE ANTONIO F. Pasay City

SALIMBANGON, BENHUR L. Cebu, 4th District

SALVACION JR., ANDRES D. Leyte, 3rd District

SAN LUIS, EDGAR S. Laguna, 4th District

SANDOVAL, ALVIN S. Malabon-Navotas, Lone District

SANTIAGO, JOSEPH A. Catanduanes, Lone District

SANTIAGO, NARCISO D. (III) ARC Party List

SEACHON-LANETE, RIZALINA L. 3rd district of Masbate

SEARES-LUNA, CECILIA M. Abra, Lone District

SILVERIO, LORNA C. Bulacan, 3rd District

SINGSON, ERIC D. Ilocos Sur, 2nd District

SINGSON, RONALD V. Ilocos Sur, 1st District

SOLIS, JOSE G. Sorsogon, 2nd District

SOON-RUIZ, NERISSA CORAZON Cebu, 6th District

SUAREZ, DANILO E. Quezon, 3rd District

SUSANO, MARY ANN L. Quezon City, 2nd District

SY-ALVARADO, MA. VICTORIA R. Bulacan, 1st District

SYJUCO, JUDY J. 2nd Dsitrict, Iloilo

TALINO-MENDOZA, EMMYLOU J. North Cotabato, 1st District

TAN, SHAREE ANN T. Samar, 2nd District

TEODORO, MARCELINO R. Marikina City, 1st District

TEODORO, MONICA LOUISSE PRIETO Tarlac, 1st District

TEVES, PRYDE HENRY A. Negros Oriental, 3rd District

TUPAS, NEIL C. JR. Iloilo, 5th District

UNGAB, ISIDRO T. Davao City, 3rd District

UY, EDWIN C. Isabela, 2nd District

UY, REYNALDO S. Samar, 1st District

UY, ROLANDO A. Cagayan De Oro City, Lone District

VALDEZ, EDGAR L. APEC Party List

VALENCIA, RODOLFO G. Oriental Mindoro, 1st District

VARGAS, FLORENCIO L. Cagayan, 2nd District

VILLAFUERTE, LUIS R. Camarines Sur, 2nd District

VILLAROSA, MA. AMELITA C. Occidental Mindoro, Lone District

VIOLAGO, JOSEPH GILBERT F. Nueva Ecija, 2nd District

YAP, JOSE V. Tarlac, 2nd District

YU, VICTOR J. Zamboanga Del Sur, 1st District

ZAMORA, MANUEL E. 1st District, Compostela Valley

ZIALCITA, EDUARDO C. Parañaque, 1st District

———————————————————————-

Eight years strong and counting. We are being dragged to hell (as if this isn’t hell enough). Remain vigilant my dear countrymen. Even fallen angels pray, so pray harder. Even lameducks run, so run faster.

Mabuhay ang Pilipinas! Mamatay ang corrupt!

And oh, hey, here’s to the plotters of constitutional rape, a song for you. See, I’m not so bad. :)

Note: If the embedded music doesn’t play, click here (opens a new window).

If She’s Here, Who’s Running Hell? (Four-Year Strong)

Take it or leave me behind because you know that you never did care at all.

My poor ears have had it, you’re coming in static.

Face down on the floor, tuned out across the board like a million times before.

You’re living it up now, just wait until it goes down.

How did you get everything you want

When you never did a thing to deserve what you got?

You’ve got it made, got it all for yourself because that’s the only thing

You really seem to care about.

Something tells me I’m in for something good, then the bottle opens

And here we go again.

I won’t let you drag me down, no

Not one bit to get yourself back up.

I hope that, for your sake, you make it out in time.

So leave the light on or you’ll never make it out alive.

Save it for someone who cares.

You should know that I never did care at all.

And now my sore eyes have had it, I’m kicking this habit.

So pick it up just like you said you’d do, because you’ve always got a point to prove.

It’s win or lose, it’s time to choose

You play it like you’re hard, but I think I’m on to you.

YOU’RE BEARING LIES ON YOUR CHEST!

THE BOTTLE OPENS AGAIN AND HERE WE GO AGAIN!!

Something tells me I’m in for something good.

Tell me how you like it.

Something tells me I’m in for something good, then the bottle opens

And here we go again.

I won’t let (won’t let) you drag me down, no

Not one bit to get (to get) yourself back up.

I hope that, for your sake, you make it out in time.

So leave the light on or you’ll never make it out alive.

Won’t let (won’t let) you drag me down, no

Not one bit to get (to get) yourself back up.

I hope that, for your sake, you make it out in time.

So leave the light on or you’ll never make it out alive.

All you have has been falling down around you

And I found a way, found a way, to get along without you

———————————————————————

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The best thing about the internet is also (unfortunately) the worst thing about it. It’s fast and real-time, it exposes you to a worldwide audience instantly, and everyday it’s becoming more and more personal. One day, you’re just writing a blog, uploading photos and videos on-the-go. The next day, you are on Twitter updating the world of the mundane schedule of your uneventful life.

Get an inline mic and you can start podcasting right away. Buy yourself a phone with video capability, upload the video on YouTube and bam! — instant celebrity! The tagline says it all — “Broadcast Yourself”.

But it’s not so bad, really.  Many previously-unheard-of world-class talents who used to sing solely in their rooms or play instrument in the basement have now become YouTube overnight sensations. Not to mention we get really hot, as-it-happens news as well, all because of the wonder that is the internet.

But as in everything. There are drawbacks. There are flipsides. The devil is in the details, so it is said. So goes the saga of a supposedly privately-recorded (allegedly without consent) video intended for private viewing that has now leaked on the internet and enjoying continuous play from desktops to DVD players to mobile phones.

And now, we are faced yet again with privacy issues, colored with infidelity, sex, drugs and would you believe it, politics! And while we dig deeper into this, more and more names get dragged into the issue. The only relevance I see here is the idea that all these ultimately lead to an influential/big-time drug dealer — that is, if we are to believe what we are being told.

If anything, this only reinforces the fact that drugs and sex don’t mix well. In fact, drugs don’t mix well with anything. Sane, highly deluded and in love people do crazy enough and stupid enough things under the influence of perceived “love”. Throw in drugs and video and you’ve got yourself a ticking bomb of self-incriminatory evidence enough to keep you in jail for a few good years of your life.

This Hayden Kho-Katrina Halili cam scandal has been running for quite a long time for an issue that is supposedly (and has been, from the very start) — strictly personal (as is pretty obvious with the videos). The very fact that apart from being celebrities, these otherwise normal mature individuals are now taking precious Senate time resolving issues that could have been taken to the proper forum (the trial courts,  maybe?) is but an indication of  misplaced priorities and desperate attempts to generate media mileage (in aid of re-election maybe?) on the part of the good senators. (And why am I surprised that the Palace welcomes issues of this sort? It obviously works to their advantage. Issues of this kind serve as “good” diversions from the real issues hounding them and this government. Tsk. )

Granted that this issue concerns us all because it is an attack on women (and I am one myself) who become prey to opportunistic men who have no regard for the basic human right of respect. I get that. And I can’t even begin to tell you how I loathe such betrayal of trust not to mention the wholesale abuse of the concept of love.You won’t believe how many people are just in it “for fun”. It is tragic to play the part of the “toy” and I feel for women like Katrina who actually thought the guy loved her. I of course do not condone her alleged use of drugs, if it were true. But you can’t condemn her just because she had sex, as if  you or anyone else you know of doesn’t do such things. People have sex, that’s natural. Only difference is, hers was taped to last for all eternity, who knows? And it will be played over and over.

But still, in my opinion, as what has been said over and over,we have existing laws that can be used to charge the offending party with. And while we have little or no specific law against cyber crimes, there are means to go around with this issue. Of course we want to urge Congress to craft a tighter, stricter, more specific law to make sure similar offenses are captured by such and leave no room for loopholes.

But can we at least sort out and revisit our “To Do” list first? What of A(H1N1) cases going up? What of our very low GDP growth rate that is but an alarming indicator of our eventual entry into recession? What of the issue resolution re: C5 project? What of the ChaCha train moving faster than we imagined? What of the talks of No-El? Of the poll automation bidding? The political killings? The abducted and missing activists? What of this and that issue, ad infinitum?

There is nothing wrong with trying to address issues in and through the Senate. What is wrong, as I see it, is taking each and every issue as a matter of national security and concern. Dear senators, your sense of urgency is laudable, if only you practice it when it’s needed. Just because an issue is sensationalized doesn’t mean it merits that much attention for us to send other underrated stories to the backburner. CARP with reform, ring a bell? No? I have yet to hear a story of people emailing eachother about the urgency of CARP. And of course I understand why it doesn’t generate such an appeal as opposed to this video scandal.

But please remember that underexposure of an issue doesn’t diminish its urgency. It’s about time we stop and think before we rush into each and every issue that comes our way.

We have feasted over the videos, blogged about it exhaustively and even reported about it excessively. It already gained Senate hearing-urgency. I guess we’ve had enough. Let the wheels of justice roll as it’s supposed to. Give us a rest and let’s talk about things that will influence the price of your child’s education, might compromise the health of your family and might actually matter to us all long after the media frenzy has subsided.

This will be my first and last post about this issue. I’m sorry for adding up to the Google-able archives but I just had to get this off my chest. Thank you for indulging me. Now, back to regular programming. :)

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Now, if only I can find a way to add a title to each rush post. Hmmm. I’ll figure that out soon, I’m pretty sure. Well, I’m off to the real world now. Catch you later, virtual friends. Hey, whatcha up to today? :)Similar Posts:

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The day after Mother’s Day 2009 — May 11th, was a usual day at Twitter. Startrek discussions have not quite ended, and so are those about Mother’s Day. But 2100H, Manila time (GMT+8), while tweeting and looking at the trending topics (which I do half the time while I tweet), I found a pleasant surprise — “Philippines” is trending on Twitter! Now, I’m not really sure if this has happened before, since the implementation of the “Trending Topics” sidebar, but I sure am one happy patriotic and nationalistic Filipino twitterer to see my country make it to the top 10 “Trending Topics” on Twitter. I mean, considering how many seemingly endless and varied topics are discussed on Twitter everyday, for a topic to make it to the top 10 is remarkable. I don’t know exactly what triggered it, who started it or whether it was just incidental or anything, but one thing is for sure, Twitter sure “changes the conversation” and it’s so powerful that it can bring a lot of people together. It was delightful to suddenly see how Pinoys reacted and suddenly participated in the discussion and how everyone else from around the Twittersphere, all around the world started joining in to find out why “Philippines” is trending. Then came tweets about fun facts about the Philippines, our kababayans abroad suddenly tweeting how they miss the food, the people, the beaches. And how other nationalities tweet about good experiences they’ve had about their previous visit/s to the Philippines. It’s heart-warming. It evokes pride and nationalism. It evokes, above all things, the feeling of hope for this country we dearly love.

The 2010 Philippine Presidential Elections is happening a year from now. And I think, in this technology-driven era we live in, it would be in our best interest to use technology in a way that will be beneficial to our country. Social networks are no doubt the ruler of the web at this point. And Twitter leads the herd.

If you tweet, let us use tweeting to promote awareness and spread relevant, useful and timely information as it relates to the upcoming 2010 Philippine Presidential Elections. The internet is a powerful tool. How we use that power is up to us. Let’s use it to better ourselves and our nation.

For tweets about the upcoming elections, I recommend using the #philippines2010 hashtag. Let’s start a conversation. Who knows, maybe a single tweet can change the Philippine future. All it takes is one, two, three tweets. Mabuhay Twitter! Mabuhay Philippines! Mabuhay ang Pilipino!

If you’re still not on Twitter, where have you been all this time? :) Sign up for Twitter now! And, while you’re at it, you might want to follow me on Twitter, too. Tweet you soon!

P.S.
Further research showed me other possible reasons why “Philippines” made it to the “Trending Topics”:
1. Recent typhoon/s that wrecked Bicol and Pangasinan, leaving more or less 40 casualties.
2. David Archuleta and David Cook of American Idol are coming over here for a concert performance.
3. Eventual enthusiastic tweeting of Filipinos following the first two.
4. Just because. :)Similar Posts:

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For the uninitiated few, they choose to believe otherwise. They think that just about anyone with a computing device and an internet connection can blog. They assume that all you have to do is sign up for a blogging service, type in hints of not-so-personal info, and voila! — instant blogger! — instant celebrity! All you have to do is sit in front of a PC and type away the trivialities of your life hoping that you can bank on that oh-so-used-up movie line that “If you build it, they will come.” Translated to blogging — “If you blog it, they will read it.” I wish it were truly as easy as that. But in reality, it doesn’t work that way. If it did, then nobody would be watching TV anymore, right? Really, no kidding. Because for those who have discovered the pleasure of blogging, they know that TV pales in comparison to that natural high they get from whiling the hours away online.

Few people, however, recognize the fact or are at least aware of the fact that blogging – as hip and trendy and “so high school” as it may sound, is serious stuff. And by serious, I don’t mean “emo”. When I say serious, I’m referring to something that separates the occasional journal writer to the obsessive-compulsive purist blogger who lives and breathes the online world and everything else that goes with it – be it good or bad.

You see, spawning content from a free flow or words conjured by one’s thoughts might be easy enough for someone born with a pen stuck to his/her mouth and a netbook held on one hand. But even writers, with all the accolades given to them, still confess to experiencing occasional or even frequent bouts with writer’s block. And just when you thought you learned all that you had to learn about blogging, something new and outlandish comes along. And you are left with no other choice but to take it as it comes and catch up with everyone else. In blogging, you either evolve or you die (I’m just trying to be poetic here..there is life beyond blogging, of course).

Take this post for example. I started typing and pulling words out of thin air all because I wanted to let you all know that iBlog5: The 5^th Philippine Blogging Summit is happening tomorrow, May 9, 2009 at the Malcolm Theater of the UP Law Center. It would be from 8:00am until 5:00pm, but there will be an After-Party, so party people, you’re encouraged to stay on.

I would have opted to tell you this sooner, like, in the first (or even the second) paragraph of this post – that would’ve been fairly easy. I’d tell you that there’s an event coming up, enumerate the “what / who/ when/ where / how” and my job would be done. Easy as pie.

But then again, doing so would spoil the whole point of blogging, would it?

Why?

Because blogging breathes life to an otherwise dull and inanimate information – bits of data that would probably appeal only to those who enjoy rocket science and no-nonsense-in-your-face-straight-to-the-point exchange of information. And is that what you want? I thought so.

So once again, annoying as I may sound, I’d like to remind you once more of this OPEN INVITATION, for bloggers and non-bloggers alike. If you think you’re a good enough blogger, attend and learn some more. If you’re a newbie and want to take your blogging to the so-called “next level”, let not this chance pass you by.

There’s a lot more to learn. And there are a lot of people willing and able to share their experiences and help you out. It would be ridiculous to miss out on something this good, I say. :)

iBlog5: The 5^th Philippine Blogging Summit is a meeting of minds – of blogging minds – and future blogging minds. Come one, come all. Experience the phenomenon that is making waves in politics, marketing, information dissemination and exchange, lifestyle and everything else in between.

Forget about what you’ve heard before. Forget about what you’ve seen before. You can even forget about what you’ve read here. iBlog5 is IT.

OFFICAL and FINAL SCHEDULE is here. Unfortunately, registration has been over since April 30. BUT, you can still go to the event. Food and freebies cannot be guaranteed for unregistered people/late registrants though. We hope you understand.

Also, I apologize if this post came out late. I blog in between doing the laundry, cooking and tumble-playing with my 4 year old boy, so please forgive me for being overly forgetful. This may no longer serve the purpose for which it was written then. But hey, who knows? Some people may get to read it tonight.

Oh, why is it called a “summit”, you ask? That’s because blogging is an uphill battle, and the road to the top is perilous and slippery. But once you get to the summit, the feeling is exhilarating, and the view — oh so breathtaking. So go to the summit and marvel at the view from the top! Whoever said that “it’s lonely at the top” has probably never been to a blogging “summit” before. :)

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While everyone is home eagerly anticipating the delayed telecast of the Pacquiao-Hatton fight (which Pacquiao won by TKO at round 2!), I’m here at Tagaytay Garden Hotel overlooking the beautiful Taal lake for my new godson’s christening.

I wish my new godson Hael Nikolai the best of everything. May God pour upon him countless blessings.

To my fellow Filipinos, woo hoo! Great job, Manny!

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For 27 years I’ve been trying to believe and confide in
Different people I’ve found.
Some of them got closer than others
Some wouldn’t even bother and then you came around
I didn’t really know what to call you, you didn’t know me at all
But I was happy to explain.
I never really knew how to move you
So I tried to intrude through the little holes in your veins

And I saw you
But that’s not an invitation
That’s all I get
If this is communication
I disconnect
I’ve seen you, I know you
But I don’t know
How to connect, so I disconnect

You always seem to know where to find me and I’m still here behind you
In the corner of your eye.
I’ll never really learn how to love you
But I know that I love you through the hole in the sky.

Where I see you
And that’s not an invitation
That’s all I get
If this is communication
I disconnect
I’ve seen you, I know you
But I don’t know
How to connect, so I disconnect

Well this is an invitation
It’s not a threat
If you want communication
That’s what you get
I’m talking and talking
But I don’t know
How to connect
And I hold a record for being patient
With your kind of hesitation

Oh I need you, you want me
But I don’t know how to connect

So I disconnect. I disconnect. #

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Kids definitely have wilder imagination than grown-ups. If you gave me "bread sticks", I’d munch it faster than I can imagine anything. And it’s not because of gluttony — it’s because at this stage in my life, I have abandoned all interests in creativity. When I see bread, I see bread, and nothing else. My son, in contrast, at his young age of four, has taught me another valuable lesson — to explore the beauty of possibility — to see beyond what is obvious — and more than that — to have fun while doing it. I will always remember that from now on. This definitely adds a new meaning to that pessimistic question: "You can’t possibly think that your idea will fly, can you?". Well, what do you know, I think it can. PS. I’m blogging through my phone.

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It’s such a hassle being geographically- challenged. You get lost all the time. But sometimes, getting lost can be fun too.

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The signs of wear and tear are evident. Our over-indulgence and carelessness has taken its toll on this beautiful world we live in. No longer can we remain in our comfort zones, shut our eyes and cover our ears to the cries of
Mother Nature. Whoever coined the phrase “you can run but you can’t hide” is most probably referring to the consequence we will face in exchange for our wasteful and irresponsible ways of dealing with Earth.

Now, I don’t know about you, but I think, these people organizing this Earth Day event, the Earth Hour and similar undertakings aren’t doing these things simply because they are “cute”, “fun” or “morally acceptable”. The problem is REAL and it is HERE. And doomsday prophecy as it may sound, truth is there really is nowhere to hide. If this planet goes down in flames, we all go down with it — no exceptions. No special treatment. No way out.

And no matter how advanced we may appear to have become, we are still no match for our dear planet’s wrath, should it decide to instantaneously blow up or eventually die on us. After all, we’ve been negligent for so long, and this planet can only take so much.

There is no other planet for us but Earth. And even if there was another, I bet you’d still choose Earth all over again.

Earth Day 2009 is a call to ACTION — a call for tangible, measurable acts of the so-called GREEN GENERATION – no coal, green schools, renewable energy and energy-efficient designs and technologies. The awareness stage is over. Or at least most of it is. We already know what to do. We already know what we can do. But do we actually DO it?

I’m not trying to be self-righteous here. I too, am guilty of inadequacies. What I lacked in action, I compensated in writing. But that is not enough. I know. So now, I urge you, dear friends — LET’S DO IT. AND DO IT RIGHT. It takes more than a pledge to nail this problem to the ground. It takes a radical, conscious effort on our part to effect change — one that’s for the better — one that serves the general good — and one that’s for the long-term.

Starting today, I will make that conscious effort. I will do it regularly until it becomes a habit — until this habit becomes a virtue — and I will not stop until this virtue ultimately becomes a part of me — until I become the virtue itself in the flesh.

April 22, 2009 is Earth Day.

You know the drill: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.

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But of course, why bore yourselves inside the house when you can very well take a stroll outside, have fun and reconnect with people face to face? Sure, Facebook, Plurk and Blip is so much fun, but hey, there’s life outside! Go see for yourself!

Don’t know where to take your tots and kiddos? Well, you’re in luck! I just received word from Katrina of Skechers that Skechers and Nickelodeon are bringing you and your kids some summer fun this weekend!

Young, fun, active, colorful, stylish, and music-loving, SKECHERS is an award-winning and trend-setting global phenomenon that has swept millions of people off their feet. Renowned the world over for its wide range of up-to-the-minute styles, the brand that became famous for reinventing the concept of fashion footwear continues to evolve with designs for every age group.

Fans of Dora the Explorer and SpongeBob Square Pants will be happy to find their favorite characters in Skechers stores. Even better news for the parents—they can get selected items at 30% off this Saturday, April 25 at The Sponge Bob and the Big Wave Party happening at the Bonifacio Global City Open Field in Taguig. Have the kids join the Surf’s Up game by Skechers and they bring home all sorts of goodies from bags and Cali Gear sandals. Visit the Skechers booth and take home even more fun prizes and stickers from their favorite characters.

So soak in some summer fun and do not miss the Sponge Bob and the Big Wave Party! Fun starts from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM! Entrance is free!

Skechers footwear is also available in Market! Market!, Trinoma, Festival Mall Alabang, Glorietta 5 and all leading department stores.

So, if you don’t have plans yet for the upcoming weekend, try going to the Sponge Bob and the Big Wave Party at the Bonifacio Global City Open Field in Taguig. Again, that’s this Saturday, April 25, 2009. From 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Remember, entrance is FREE!

See you there!

**DISCLAIMER: This is NOT A PAID POST. This announcement is published in the interest of my blog readers for information purposes. I am in no way connected with Skechers and/or Nickelodeon nor is this a direct endorsement of the product/service. For more info, kindly leave a comment here. **

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Anyway, for all those visiting this puny space of mine in the virtual world, and who does so every so often, let me begin by saying that although I am not really sorry, (because that is not the proper term — the word I’m looking for, the term that aptly describes my feelings towards this issue, my dear, escapes me), I am nonetheless, almost always heartbroken. Maybe I will remember the exact term after a paragraph or two, who knows? God knows how much I need your patience right now because I have run out of it for myself. I guess what I’m trying to say is that a writing/blogging vacation isn’t really good for me or for anyone else for that matter. Even for those people who stumble across my posts once in a while, either by choice or by divine intervention. And each and every time I see the same IP address arriving on my page on a different time, different day, my heart stops and bleeds — because the truth is, I never really wanted to stop writing, regardless if nobody but myself gets to read what i write. You see, what many people (bloggers) have discovered (whether they admit it or not) is that there is joy enough in publishing content for all the world to see (and read). Nevermind the prospect of fame or appreciation — those are just icing on the cake. The real joy of blogging is the act itself — sitting in front of a pc, with nothing but your thoughts running through your fingers, pressing each letter on the keyboard — that poor thing trying to absorb whatever emotion comes with each press..

You start with practically nothing — from scratch. And after the whole affair is through, which lasts variably from minutes to hours to days, the “publish” button eagerly waiting for your click seems to bat its eyelashes at you, teasing you, taunting at you, as if to shout “click me if you dare!” and the blogger spirit in you, the writer heart that you wear ever so proudly but traceless of arrogance, finally gives in — click you I will! Click you I dare!

Posts are made up of paragraphs. Paragraphs of sentences. Sentences of words. Words of thoughts. Thoughts of sparks — images conjured up by one’s valiant heart. There is apprehension, yes. But will I let it get me down? No. Will it stop me from writing? No.

The blogger of today is not so different from the prolific writers of the past, if only for the fact that once they start writing, they no longer belong to themselves, but to those who “read” them.

So yes, this blogger is yours. Apprehensively, yes. But yours just the same.

Ah yes, that “term” I was looking for? It got away. :)Similar Posts:

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Allow me to make a humble “thank you” note
For all the people who remembered me and wrote.
For those who left messages everywhere and bothered
And those wonderful friends who chatted and lingered.

You who took time out from your otherwise busy day
You who stopped awhile, left me a message and did say,
My dear friend, RJ, I wish you a very “Happy Birthday”!

You who would have otherwise thought,
“Nah, she doesn’t need a greeting
Look at her in that photo, she seems happy as a goat!”

And a goat — indeed I am, for I was born in the year of the Ram,
And being an Aries, I tell you, happiness is but a jar of jam!
I see joy in everything, even where there is none.
I find comfort in a Being, higher than all of us, bar none.

You who would have otherwise said,
“Nah, I don’t need to write it, such a greeting is overrated.
After all, a birthday to one is but a usual day to some.
And like I told you, look at her, she’s probably having enough fun!”

You, who would have otherwise decided that it’s better not to greet
Than be branded either “eagerly excited” or “terribly late”,
You who would have logged in and out without a trouble or a care.
Still, you did what you did, left a greeting, au contraire.

It’s friends like you who make birthdays happier
People like you who make parties thrown here and there,
Look no more fabulous and appear none the grander.

It is you who makes me pause in this hurried, confounded world
To appreciate life, count my blessings and remember what I’ve always been told –
That friends come and go, in myriad colors, shapes and sizes.
They add meaning to your existence, oh the pleasure of one who socializes!

They may promise to stay forever, swear on their lives and say: “Leave you? Oh never!”
The next day they’d be packing like crazy, running after lost dreams, gripping a dagger!
But the footprint they leave on that old hostile path you once traversed together
Stay with you long after the journey’s over, most times enduring even the harshest of weather.

These friends I speak of may be actual or virtual. They maybe new or old.
I might not see them now in the flesh, never did so, and probably never would.
But the thought of their very existence is enough to put a smile in a face like mine,
That though most times appear smug and happy, let it not beguile
That I’m not without my own challenges or share of this world’s troubles, every once in a while.

Thank you for your greetings, dear friends who I value greatly.
Be it known to you — now and for all eternity –
That every message you send me, moving swiftly and securely,
Aided by the wonders of technology, from 3.5G mobile to Web 2.0 that’s ever so lively,
From the farthest continents, across the seas of whatever country or territory –
Is treasured, never forgotten, forever appreciated and cherished as priceless
By someone whose natal day has been made special by your warmest greetings and wonderful wishes!

—————————————————————————————————-
Special thanks to those who remembered me on my birthday!

- yoko – ms. toots – ding – mhel – lynette – ari – cocoy – porsche – ryan – yami – mau – leo – melynn – jun – joyce – benj – tom – paulo – janette – zerisse – leslie – kristiane – martin – rey – karla – estelle – DJB – bigenya – kevin – candy – joey – ricky -

I hope I didn’t forget anybody.. :)Similar Posts:

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I would like to stress that this “partial” blogging hiatus doesn’t have anything to do with the Lenten Season or the fact that my birthday’s coming up. It’s just a natural course that people (and blogs) go through. Don’t ask me why because there’s no way I’d tell you.

The following song is “And I Love You So” by Don McLean — whose voice I will always love and whose songwriting skills I will always worship (now, don’t be jealous Rod Stewart — you know you aren’t my first love).

And I Love You So
Written and Performed by: Don McLean

And I love you so.
The people ask me how,
How I’ve lived till now.
I tell them I don’t know.

I guess they understand
How lonely life has been.
But life began again
The day you took my hand.

And, yes, I know how lonely life can be.
The shadows follow me, and the night won’t set me free.
But I don’t let the evening get me down
Now that you’re around me.

And you love me too.
Your thoughts are just for me
You set my spirit free.
I’m happy that you do.

The book of life is brief
And once a page is read,
All but love is dead.
This is my belief.

And yes, I know how loveless life can be.
The shadows follow me, and the night won’t set me free.
But I don’t let the evening get me down
Now that you’re around me.

And I love you so.
The people ask me how,
How I’ve lived till now.
I tell them, “I don’t know.”Similar Posts:

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• Here’s to You, My “Crazy Love”
• It Ain’t Over ‘Til It’s Over
• Let Me Write You A Prose
• Fire and Rain

A retrograde planet will always urge you to look back and fix things that have been left unfinished or unresolved. In that case, the universe is trying to help you by showing you the whole picture so that you can move on with your life. – Aries horoscope, March 2009

When I was a kid, I hated hearing “no” and “not now.” To me, “no” and “not now” only meant the same thing — it meant “never”.

It meant I’m “never” gonna get that toy or watch that movie or play outside.

When I grew up, I still hated hearing “no” and “not now”. To me, it meant I will never get that shiny gadget, that promising job, or marry my one true love.

I blame myself partly. I blame my attitude towards things, people and events. I blame the fact that I was never good at waiting. I see waiting as nothing but a slow process of a torture of letting me know that there isn’t anything to look forward to in the first place.

Waiting is like that jerk of a boyfriend who, after realizing he doesn’t like you anymore, or never really liked you in the first place, doesn’t have the guts or balls if I may, to tell it to your face, so instead he resorts to vexing — in the hopes that you’ll get the bombs of hints he’s dropping and eventually relieve yourself of the agony by doing the dirty task of cutting the ties that bind. Perfect escape executed. End of story. Good riddance.

Now, to correlate that with the realities of life — we are surrounded by vexatious people, no doubt about that. Everyday, they bombard us with “no’s” and “not now’s”. They tell us that “no” — it’s not possible or “not now” — you can’t have it. “No” — it’s not for you. “Not now” — somebody else deserves it.

Well, I say, screw it. Screw these people who belittle your ambitions. Screw these bastards who think you don’t deserve anything more than what you’re getting now. Life is meant to be “lived” — by you. By your guidelines. By your standards. Not anybody else’s.

“Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you too, can become great.” – Mark Twain

Sure they can kick you and push you into that little corner, brainwash you and attempt to take away what little pride you have left. But don’t you let them. Don’t you let them win. Don’t you ever let them relish the sight or even the thought of crushing your spirit. You’re better than that.

Let me tell you now — after 30 long years of existence, that “not now” doesn’t mean never. So hold on to that dream. Hold on to that promise. Sure, it may take a while — maybe even a lifetime. But while you wait, and everytime you feel you want to give up the fight — the dream — remember what I told you: “not now” does not mean “never”. It may mean “hang in there” or “you’re almost there”, but definitely not “never”. Let that sink in for a moment. And then wait some more. After all, good things come to those who wait.

That dream house? Not now.

That dream job? Not now.

That dream car? Not now.

:)Similar Posts:

• Waiting For My Real Life To Begin: A Personal Reflection In Anticipation Of Year 2009
• Waiting In Vain
• Here’s to You, My “Crazy Love”
• Let Me Tell You A Story (Pass The Hat, Please…)
• Of Joc-Joc Bolante, Tango and Choices