Watch SLRians Perform!

21 June 2008
Salcedo Village Saturday Market

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i was actually excited when it was announced that the Sinukwan 2007 Champions will perform on june 21, 2008 at the Salcedo Village Saturday Market.  i can’t help but be proud of my students as they once again display their talents in front of a crowd. more so, since they will perform in one of the prime locations in the city of makati.

i was thinking of excusing myself from my saturday classes in order to join the group, but unfortunately, i can’t… it is our first meeting and somehow, i know, in gradschool, first impression is very much important.

so i’m quite bitter disappointed for not being there with them when they show kapampangan talent at its best. but anyway, i asked some of my colleagues to take photos and videos of the show.  i’ll be posting some shots here on my next entry. :p

well, i was wrong. i was surprised when he came a while ago and brought this small rectangular-shaped thing (it actually looked like an mp3 player – those which can be bought around Php 1k; and a usb flash drive – the bigger models). i was kinda apprehensive to try it coz it doesn’t look techie. but when he plugged it on my pc, walla! it automatically downloaded its installer and installed itself.

i’m really really happy with this stuff – The MagicJack. and it was just given to me 5 hours ago! hafta post this now coz i have a lot of peeps to call!

these shoes – new balance – are comfy and they were given to me, for free! i can’t ask for more! uhm… except next time can i request for the nike shox! :op thanks unc! till my next shoes!

i’m really having a hard time comprehending trillanes’ group. first, there was the oakwood mutiny. then today, once again, it’s the same thing all over again. although, this time, they made use of another location – the manila pen.

these people constantly condemns the government. i get their point. they want changes. but their methods of changing the government kinda sucks. does it always have to be a “kudeta”? is this the only way to change our government? after a number of failed attempts by different groups, when will they ever learn?

it’s a sad reality for our country that these things happen. politicians rarely does what they have to do. instead, they just talk and talk. they use words. but what use can we get from these words, when they are just a bunch of fake promises? what we really need is commitment and action from these people.

ok. so action it is. and they acted out their beliefs by taking over a hotel. even to the point of having a standoff.

then there is this media problem. well, not really a problem but rather a situation. they were asked to go out of the hotel but they refused. why? of course it’s a good story. imagine being able to experience the the heat of the moment? wow. that is a media practitioner’s limelight. and that is good because everything is being presented to the people through their cameras and equipment. however, the downside of this is that the media men were used as shield from the onslaught of military people.

and so they made a statement that they will surrender because of what the media people have been through (tear gas and all…). but i think that is not the reason behind their surrender. actually, they have no way out. and just so they would not appear as stupid children, they made use of the media as reason.

change can never be attained overnight. it cannot be done by condemning the present government. it’s not just the president’s fault that the country is in turmoil. it’s not the president’s fault that there is corruption. she may have been involved with a number of questionable deals and affairs, but she’s not the first one to get involved in graft and corruption. please do not forget that our previous government officials have also committed similar
acts and they were not given ample punishment.

as ordinary people, we can probably help in changing our country by being responsible filipino people. we may only do so much but at least we try to make a difference.

right now, although i’m anticipating the day, i don’t feel that excited as before.  this time, there might never be enough gifts to give, money to share… sad, i know. coz this time, this year, i am really nothing and really worth nothing.

hah! how i wish right now i am working. but sad to say i am not. well, it might be my fault actually coz i gave up the job i have for the past six years. come to think of it, i’m not happy right now with my decision. it’s as if i am having this withdrawal from an addiction–work. i know others might find it weird. but getting used to working and then eventually stopping kinda sucks. but i badly need the break. i felt burned out so i said goodbye.

in a few days (the 30th of november to be exact), i am supposed to receive my 13th month pay. take note: supposed. whew! sayang ang 13th month! and comes the 21st of december, sayang ang bonus!

who is stupid enough to pass on a month’s worth of salary without even working? who is stupid enough to pass on a whopping 5 grand for a bonus?! woot! woot! damn, it’s me!

now that i had several months to ponder on my stupidity, it actually began when i felt being left behind… when i let my personal feelings and emotions be a part of my better judgment. my having resigned was rooted to personal vendetta ( ?) and actually to the fear of… uhm… i can’t really explain… but it’s a fear. and i guess my wanting to be free from an environment that is surrounded by family.

in the 28 years of my existence, i never felt so free from family entanglements. it’s always there’s someone, a family-slash-relative is always on the horizon. i need space. i need freedom so that i can move. and being constantly nagged is really getting into me. sometimes, i have this feeling that i am afraid to move on, or go my own way. i don’t like it. i feel so little. it’s like my existence is nil.

so now, i sit here, looking outside in our humble home, looking back at the wasted months, looking at a possible spark of the future. i see a white butterfly flying around in front of me… wishing i could be one… so carefree… so pure… as i type aways words that best describe my current thoughts, i start counting the days till i can fly on my own…

in two days time, my work status will finally change! from being officially employed to being officially unemployed—a bum for that matter. others might think that it’s my decision, but hey, can you blame me for wanting to be free from what i do right now? God knows i tried. as in really really tried to love my work, but you can’t help but reach the point where you cannot go on anymore. i have been patiently doing my job, accepting it as fate. but nonetheless, there is still something that i am looking for. i am happy in a way coz i love and value my friends. but happiness doesn’t change the fact that i am not for this job. so finally, i decided to stop and clear my head for a while. i believe that if you are not happy with what you are doing, then better stop as soon as you realize it coz it will not do you good.

i want to try working on another field. like something that would make use of my talent (i am talentado!). i want to experience the thrill of working for something that you really like. well, now is the time… after a few days (or weeks….) of rest and relaxation, i plan on looking for the thrill of my life. hopefully, this time, i’m gonna land a job that would fulfill my ultimate fantasy! hah!

any job offers around? don’t hesitate to comment on this post! Ü

the long wait of Capampangans is over. Among ED won. a new pampanga is born!

i was there when it happened— the final count, the proclamation.

emotions were high. it looks like a typical gathering of people, but it isn’t. it’s a gathering of hardcore capampangans who went out of their way in to support the cause of having a change of government. parang EDSA ang dating.

i was teary-eyed when the crowd started to chant AMONG ED repeatedly and was followed by the singing of the song Kapampangan Ku. nakakapangilabot. i felt everyone’s happiness especially when it was announced that Among Ed bested Lilia Pineda by 1147 votes. gosh!

i wasn’t there when people started to come to the convention center. i was malling. but i can’t help but be there to participate in this historical moment. i went there not minding the traffic brought about by the descent of supporters. such happiness can be seen on people’s faces. i caught up the reading of the last few ERs. after the last ER was read, people went ballistic with happiness. although a lot of local police and pnp were there, people were not threatened by their presence. the little boy who rode Among Ed’s kariton when he filed his certificate of candidacy was raised by the people. candles were lighted as people sang the new hymn (sana lang palitan na yung dati!) of Pampanga, Kapampangan Ku.

when Among Ed finally came, he was met by cheers, chants, and singing. although heavily guarded, he managed to move around the convention center. when he was proclaimed, i was on stage. i wasn’t seen (sayang, baka madiscover!) by the media coz he was surrounded by big men. given my height, well, what can i do? wala. but at least, i was there, on the very stage he was in.

a mass was celebrated afterwards outside the complex. it was attended by many people— the young ones, the old and wise, poor people, mid-class, the rich, the popular… it was a gathering of people sharing one cause. i saw some of my students— former and present, saw some classmates, friends, acquaintances… they were all there. i went hope past 10 in the evening but i can’t sleep. my adrenaline was still kicking. i just reviewed the footages and pictures i got from my fone and relived the moment of victory and celebration.

—–

i was afraid of the outcome of our local election. for the past days, it was not quite good. reports of vote buying and comelec buying were circulating. i was trying not to think of the worse case scenario. but i can’t help but do think about it. there was even a talk of possible having an People Power here in our province. it is a sad thought. but knowing that people are willing to participate in such activity is overwhelming. and i believe it will happen if the desired outcome will not happen. it is a first here in pampanga. a first that money did not elect the governor, that popularity (as in showbizness) wasn’t able to win the election. i believe that capampangans finally voiced their opinions without thinking of the threats and IOUs by choosing their officials wisely. it’s high time for us to make our stand.

to this time, i am still brimming with so much emotions… congratulations, Among Ed. italacad me ing balen ning Pampanga!

visit the site below for the song Kapampangan Ku!

http://keidz.tblog.com

isn’t it we always want truth and justice to prevail? then why do we give these jokers the chance to play us like puppets? why do we give them a chance to manipulate our lives? i may sound like an activist. but i am not. i am merely voicing out what’s on my mind. i am still pro-democracy and pro-government. but this government must change its ways so that it can be more believable. forget political debt. forget the payolas. forget the kamag-anaks. forget the ious. bear in mind that these few people whom you get indebted are just— few. the ones who elected you are the citizens of these country who are expecting a lot of things and a lot of changes from you. for once, forget being selfish. try proving yourselves that you can serve and that you deserve the opportunity and the position given to you. if you want the country to be better, use your mind, your heart and your conscience. it isn’t enough that you are an intelligent human being. it isn’t enough that you came from a prominent family. it isn’t enough to have money and fame. what’s important is to serve from your heart backed by your physical and intellectual ability and guided by your conscience.

i salute those who serve the nation with pride, with honor, with truthfulness. even if their numbers are few, at least, they try to make a difference.

for those whose battle for truth and peace is not yet over or is only beginning, i pray for your strength, for your courage, for your life.

and for those who are still planning and plotting revenge, destruction, distraction, political and economic instability, i dare you to once and for all think about the people around you— think about the future of the filipino nation. think with your conscience. even for once in your lives, do something that is right and good.

nah.

that’s overly exaggerating it. but hey, exaggerated or not, it’s true.

for almost twenty years, i’ve campaigned. been through a lot of posterings, caucuses, rallies, motorcades, special ops… name it, i’ve done it. i experienced things that i wouldn’t even thought of doing. i am maarte, i admit that, in a way. i don’t eat just anywhere. i prefer eating with spoon and fork on a plate and drink water in a glass. but during the times that i joined the campaign, my kaartehan is practically non-existent. imagine sharing a single aluminun can (the softdrinks-in-can minus the top, oops, i mean the top was cut out) with different people; imagine us girls eating on farflung carinderias where truck drivers dine; imagine us girls go house to house and ending up asking for water just the quench our thirst without even knowing if the water is potable; imagine me then, still in my teenage years leading up a pack of girls distributing flyers and sample ballots, shaking hands with the people around (even to the point of being harassed), going to the baluarte of our enemies;and just smiling at people, waving hands, feeling artista, lagu-lago. i even leaned how to use the radio (as in roger!, over and out!, 10-4) while hanging on a jeepney. yeah… yeah… yeah… i know… my experience is quite different from the campaigns we have now. you might consider it ancient. radios are not the fadanymore. jeepneys— well they’re for the umiikot patrol nowadays. but during the past years, the angels (by the way, we were the first to employ the so-called angels way back then) use these as well as trucks that are decorated as showboats. nowadays, you can see SUVs dressed-up with stickers showing the candidate’s face; tarpaulin hanged instead of simple posters and streamers; helicopters employed to drop confetti and fliers. in the span of 10 years, you can already see the difference. it’s as if a century had passed by.

well, that was hell of an experience. but i enjoyed every minute of it.

moving on…

these past elections, we saw different types of candidates– the sooper rich; the simpleng mamamayan; the artista; the pang-masa; the intellectual; the no-intellect; the graduate; the undergraduate (ng elementary!); the controversial; the kapamilya; the kapuso; even the kakalokang loka-loka. whew! what’s happening to our country? are these the types of politicians we want leading our country? i doubt if all voters would check on one’s credentials in choosing the best. well, in a way, the financial credential is being displayed especially if the candidate is fond of shelling cash in exchange of one’s vote. but me-lagay or none, we have to consider not just the financial capability but the ability of this candidate to lead us– lead our country out of the darkness.

one might ask, if the politics of our country can still change? my answer, yes. but before we can change politics, we must change ourselves first coz we are the ones who are choosing/electing officials. we are the ones who seat these people in our government. if we don’t choose wisely, we end up so far behind that it will be impossible for our country to rise above the shame brought by corruption.

okay. so changes. what does it entail? a new policy? a new direction? a new leader?

all of those actually, plus a lot more.

in pampanga (my beloved province), we’ve been under different leaders. but some of these elected officials are the worst kind. now, vying for the position of governor are the quarry lord and the jueteng lord. whom will you vote? i myself had a difficult decision to make. imagine choosing between two evils. gosh. tsk tsk. it’s a good thing that an alternative candidate emerged— the one dubbed by the people as the praise the lord. now, people can choose with their mind, their heart and their conscience. but is it enough? can prayers alone fight the two evils looming on our province?

a change. it happened. here in pampanga, it did.

the youth spoke, the elders did, too. in support of Fr. Ed, the camaraderie of capampangans was shown. donations poured in, support was given. no one was paid. everything was voluntary.

volunteerism. the youth.

despite rumors being said to destroy the image of Among Ed, the capampangans bonded together to support the candidacy of Fr. Ed. white flags, white banners, white ribbons. they were all around. the motorcade, all white. it was a very touching and moving sight. nakakapangilabot– that’s the term. amazing. on all the campaigns i’ve experienced, this is by far the best. during the previous elections, no one would even want to post posters on vehicles, on gates, on establishments and houses. they find it corny and worthless. now, the people clamor for posters to the extent of photocopying one just to have a copy. white ribbons on vehicles are waving. it is really a sight to behold.

now, we’re just waiting for the final verdict. i just wish the efforts we exerted are enough to bring out the change we need.

to this posting, Fr. Ed is leading. tomorrow, we still don’t know. hopefully, our efforts to once and for all clean the dirty politics here will prevail. with our prayers, we hope for divine intervention.

really, this is my first post here… be kind to me… lolz!

i’m happy to be here… still finding my way around wordpress… haven’t had the chance to update my other blog for quite sometime now… but anyway, i have this one now— a new blog.

it’s like a rebirth. another life. another chance.

it’s not that i need to change. but somehow, i need a to do something new. i need to do something that i can look forward to (huwaht?). yak yak yak. i’m not really into dramatics. i just feel like a drama queen. lolz.

anywaiz, this is my new blog. my new point of view. my new vision. my new me.

whatever. anything goes here. go figure!

visit my old one: www.keidz.tblog.com