Junks by Josh - We Are One -

The So-Called Advocacy [ 081 ]

Ako Mismo. Ikaw din ba?Natuwa ako noong marinig ko yung idea ng “Ako Mismo”. Yung website pa lang nila eh sobrang inspiring and engaging na. Nagpost din ako ng ilang “Ako mismo ____” pledges ko dun na hanggang ngayon eh pinipilit ko paring pangatawanan.Ang galing pa kasi naisip nilang gamitin yung dog tag bilang simbolo ng advocacy na ito. Alam naman nating associated ang dog tags sa mga sundalo, yun na kasi yung pinaka ID nila kapag nasa feild sila. At malamang yun na nga ang dahilan kung bakit ito yung ginamit nilang simbolo para sa advocacy na ito, to say that “Nasa gitna tayo ng digmaan laban sa kahirapan at handa akong lumaban, Ako Mismo.”Tunay ngang naging hit yang dog tag na yan, it even came to a point na lahat nang tao sa Pilipinas eh meron na niyan (Hyperbole. LOL). But we already know and it’s been proven time and again that whenever something goes mainstream, everything changes, be it for the better or for the worse. Hindi exception ang Ako Mismo dog tags dito. Para sa isang movement na naglalayong ibsan ang katamaran at unti unting pawiin ang kahirapan, masakit atang makita na ang simbolo ng iyong pakikipaglaban eh pinipirata na rin. Ang mas masakit pa dito, yung mga bumili ng mga pirata eh tila wala ng alam kung anong ibig sabihin ng borloloy na nakasabit sa leeg nila. Nagmistulang fashion trend yung movement. Nakakainis na nakakalungkot.Bilib ako sa mga taong hanggang ngayon eh sinusuot parin ang mga dog tag nila in public, hindi sila nahihiyang ma-brand na “sabay sa uso” dahil alam nila ang tunay na kahulugan ng mga ito.Ako Mismo. Ikaw din ba?

What's up with Pinoy news?

Kanina lang eh nakapanaood ako ng balita pagkagaling sa opisina. Hulaan niyo kung anong bumulaga sa akin, “Phil Younghusband, ang player ng Azkals na dine-date daw ng actress na si Angel Locsin ay may nakitang kasamang babae sa isang larawang kumakalat sa internet. Blah blah blah.”I was like “WHAT’S WRONG WITH PINOY NEWS?”. Seriously, hindi ba isang Sports Team ang Philippine Azkals at isang athlete si Phil? Pero bakit tila mas maraming beses ko nang makita o marinig ang pangalan niya sa showbiz sections ng news kesa sa sports?Hindi naman sa ayaw ko sa Azkals, ang katunayan niyan, natutuwa ako na dahil sa kanila eh nagiging aware na ang ibang kababayan natin sa sport na football. Teka lang, nagiging aware nga ba o nakikilala lang ng mga fan-girls yung mga poging member? Hmm.. Let’s face the fact, nanalo sila laban sa Mongolia noong nakaraang laro nila, isang bansang nasa bottom-spot and ranking pagdating sa nasabing sport. Inuulit ko, hindi ko ayaw sa kanila, naiinis lang ako sa media.Media ang nagcocontrol kung anong gusto ng tao, sila ang nagdidikta kung ano ang magiging uso at kung ano ang malalaos. Kung balak talaga nilang pagyabungin ang Sports sa bansa, kailangan pa bang ibalita pati ang pagpapalit ng brand ng underwear ni Mr. Younghusband? Oo, nakita ko sa pahayagan yan. Sobra ang ravings ng mga tao para sa Azkals na yan, I have nothing against that, pero yang mga raving ba na yan eh nakakasuporta sa pagyabong ng sports industry? Mukhang hindi eh. Showbiz parin. Andami nang fans ng Azkals ngayon, kahit nasa bottom-ranks parin naman ang team, internationally speaking. Sige nga, sino sa inyo ang may alam tungkol sa Philippine Rowing Team? For several years now, eh nagcha-champion sila sa International competitions -kicking other country’s butts. Sila itong dapat na mga nakakatanggap ng recognition eh. Pero mukhang mas okay na sila sa ganun na lang, kesa naman maipangalandakan pa sa buong mundo kung anong brand ng toothpick ang ginagamit nila tuwing kakain ng fishball, at kung bakit may kasama silang mga kaibigang babae sa mga Facebook photos nila, mas gusto na nilang manahimik sa media at magpursige na lang sa sport nila, kaya ayun, champion palagi. Sana lang eh sila yung sinosoportahan ng gobyerno, hindi yung mga “showbiz atheletes” na hindi pa nga nagcha-champion, parang grand-slam na ang coverage.Inuulit ko, hindi ako galit sa Azkals. Pabor ako na through them, nakikilala ang football sa Pilipinas. Sana lang nga eh ang sport talaga ang makilala. Hindi yung players lang at kung sino mang mga dine-date nila.Media, umayos ka. Kung walang talino sa pinapakita mo, wag kang umasa sa matatalinong manonood. Hindi naman kailangang palitan lahat ng programa sa radyo at TV, dahan-dahanin lang. Kayo ang nagsasabi kung ano ang kailangan at kakailanganin ng lipunan at ayokong mabuhay ang mga magiging anak ko sa isang bansa na kung saan isang pogi o magandang nilalalang lang ang pinakamakapangyarihang tao. Sabi nga ng ate ko, kung papakainin mo ng masustansya ang anak mo, hindi mo bibiglaing tanggalin lahat ng karne at palitan ng gulay; dadahan-dahanin mo lang hanggang sa gulay na ang hanapin niya.Media, umayos ka.

Buendia [ 035 ]

[1]The sound of the bundy-clock marks the end of my shift, my under-time shift, that is. It's just lunch time but I'm already out of the office. The love of my life, who came from a different country, is waiting for me in her apartment near Buendia, and I'm so ready to meet her. I go down the nearest 7-11 branch to buy some of her favorite candies, I don't really know why she likes these multi-colored sour candies, I'm just buying it as an appetizer to my planned main course -a wedding proposal.I hate how the sun's so striking now, it hurts my skin deep and it almost feels itchy. Bah! I guess it's time to use this Linotar Eczema Relief Lotion she sent me a month before. I open it and apply an ample amount on my arms and I'm off to the bus.The bus is, as usual, so full of people. I just find it so amusing to see that I'm the only one wearing red, it's like I'm glowing inside this bus full of people wearing dark corporate clothes. No time to be a fashion critique now, I must stretch both of my arms upward and reach for the bus' hand rails before the bus runs in full speed. Usually, whenever I'm in this situation, I think of how wonderful it might be if I have the power to defy physics, actually, just some part of it -the momentum and the inertia. Well, today is not a usual day. Today, I'm thinking of the most artistic and moving way of rephrasing the interrogative "Will you marry me?". Bah. This is hard.Hmm? I think I hear a noise in the front side of the bus. I lean to the right a bit to see what's happening. A short-haired lady wearing a black razorback top and a dark denim entered the bus. Tssss. The bus driver is so greedy. We're barely breathing in here and he's still loading passengers. I look at the lady in dismay. She looks back. Gosh, she's frightening. Her stare makes me feel like I'm a 6 year-old kid watching a horror movie. I look down to avoid her eyes but I can feel that she's walking towards me, albeit the crowded walkway of the bus.Why is she walking towards me. She's really making some effort to squeeze herself through the other standing people just to be near me. Her eyes are still fixed to me. I don't know what she's planning to do, I just know that her stare is piercing and it means nothing good. She's still walking. I close my eyes and rest my head to my right arm while it's still fixed to the handrail, I want to pretend I'm sleeping so that she'll think twice before bothering me, but to no avail. She's hear and I can see that her lips are starting to move."Psst. Hey, guy in the red.""Yes?""I know who you are. And I think you know me as well.""Really? Have we met before? I'm so sorry but I can't seem to recognize you.""We haven't met. I just know you know me.""Internet contacts, are we?""No, we're more than internet buddies.""I don't get it. What do you want?""Don't ask me what I want. I'm here because I need something from you.""From me?""Yes. You're coming with me.""You know, if I'm not really sure about that.""I am.""Excuse me, miss, but I think you're not making sense anymore.""I'm sorry. You can't give it to her tonight.""What are you talking about!? How do you know about her!?""She's outside, waiting at the bus stop.""That's it. I'm not talking to you anymore."She lift her arm and reach for my neck. Just as her finger touches my skin, a very strong light crawls up from the floor of the bus. I know light travels very fast but this one seems to be moving very slow. It's so blinding so I close my eyes. And that's when the rest of the bus goes off.Flames are everywhere. I know that the explosion is so powerful because I can see myself outside the already wrecked bus. My body is now drowning with blood and I now know who that girl is, she's death.With all of my remaining strength, I try to lay my back on the ground and reached for my pocket. I want to see the ring I bought for my love, but just as I'm about to exhale my last breath, I see something way better. My lover is in front of me, weeping. She must be thinking how hard it is to wash my clothes since it's all bloodied. Her lips are moving fast, I bet she's giving me her sermon, I must be late that's why she's here. I lift my arm and give her the box containing the diamond ring, I guess that'll change her mood. Then everything goes black. [1] http://me-shoots.tumblr.com

On Changing Personality and Mentality

Don’t you know? An individual can change it’s personality or mentality in just a matter of 0.001 seconds. You don’t believe that, do you?Funny how some people talk about change as if it’s the reason why their lives are what they are now, where in fact, they are the ones making these changes. Sure, change permanent as hell, but why dramatize on it too much? It may be the only permanent thing in this world but that doesn’t mean it’s inevitable. Change does not occur on statis nor would it happen by itself.People make changes. The world is changing because we’re filling it up with our personal array of vicissitude idealistically and intentionally planted deep on each of our neurons just to satisfy our ever-worrying minds.Don’t hope for a change if you’re just sitting there ranting about how hard it is to be a student, how dreadful office-work is and how terrible it is to be or not to be in a romantic relationship. Don’t blame change because you are the one making it.You are change. Be responsible.So let me get back to my first paragraph. You believe me now, Yes?An individual can change it’s personality or mentality in just a matter of 0.001 seconds. The hard part, though, is maintaining the changes made. Maybe that’s what’s missing in this picture. Permanence.It may be a paradox if you look at it logically; change is the only permanent thing in this world, and as long as there’s change, something is permanent.

Life After NU107 : Memoirs

Exactly 10 hours and 18 minutes have passed since I got home from NU107's eulogy. It still feels kinda surreal right now, y'know, there's this part of my brain which still thinks that everything's just a dream and that everything will be alright when I wake in the morning. Sadly, everything really happened. NU107 already signed off for good and it's as real as the sadness I feel right now. "Why are you so big about that issue?", "Aren't you romanticizing it too much?", "Dude! It's just a radio station! Whatup?" Are you already asking me with one of the questions above? If you are, you can just pass through this entry and go to the next post. I can totally understand. But honestly, I'd rather you read. So, NU107, what is it to me? I heard a rock song first-time on NU when I was just 6-years old, and after listening to that song, I found myself staring at the radioset for 5 minutes, at that time I already knew, a rocker was born. I practically grew up listening with the station's music, so to speak, and yes, I'm one of those kids who put their earphones on at night with the radio tuned in to NU while sleeping. I started to be like that when I got myself a portable FM radio back when I was in 5th grade. I had to have one because my mom always regard NU-music, noisy music and would reprimand me whenever she hears rock music out of our main stereo.. I guess most moms are like that. Most of the bands I like now, I discovered through NU. And in case you don't know, I'm a member of a small unknown and aspiring band who wished to share our music through NU, particularly in their 'In The Raw' and 'Against The Flow' segment. I guess that wish will never come to life now, is it? And I guess it's not just me and my band. But just as one of their Jocks said, music has always been with us. Rock music had always been inside of us even before NU and even after NU. And with the words of Urbandub (from one of their songs which I am linking you to at the end of this post) "There's no point to keep you head face down when all we see and know and feel is temporary". Surely, the station is just temporary. It may even come to a point when radio is defunct. But the music, together with those produced by the station, will still remain and forever it will. [ A Call To Arms by Urbandub [1] ] [1] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZoZjAM9qfp4

Be A Filter, Not A Sponge.

Choose What You Listen To.Garbage in, garbage out. If you want to make a difference in your school or in your workplace today, ingatan kung anuman ang iyong mga pinakikinggan. Maging mapili sa mga salitang papapasukin sa ating tainga at sa ating isipan. The book of Ecclesiastes has a very good reminder for all of us. Do not pay attention to every word people say, or you may hear your servant cursing you -for you know in your heart that many times you yourself have cursed others. ~Ecclesiastes 7:21-22 Hindi lahat ng ating naririnig ay dapat na pinapasok sa ating tainga, pinapa-akyat sa ating utak at pinabababa sa ating puso. When it comes to the things that we listen to, we should be selective and learn which ideas to accept and which ones not to. Meron akong acrostic para sa inyo, para mapaalalahanan tayo na kailangang piliin ang mga bagay at salita na pinakikinggan. Rememer the word SELECT. Sift through the criticisms and complaints that you get. Hindi lahat ng mga reklamo o puna ng tao tungkol sa atin ay dapat nating seryosohin. Oo, pakinggan natin sya, pero atin ding analisahin, ating tingnan kung ano ang mga pagpuna at reklamo na talaga namang kinakailangang paglaanan ng ating atensyon. Sift through the criticisms and complaints that you get because we simply cannot please everyone. We all have different personalities, preferences, and tastes. So if your goal in life involves making everybody happy - every friend, every acquaintance, every person close to your heart - all the effort you exert to achieve that goal would, in the end, be all in vain. Entertaining gossip is a trap and a time waster. If you want to be a good steward of your time, iwasan ang chismis! Learn to listen only to the things that will help enrich and make you grow as a person. Halimbawa ay ang mga kantang nasa iPod/Music Player mo or sa mga teaching tapes at radio stations na iyong pinakikinggan. Makinig ka ‘dun sa mga bagay na makatutulong para mas lumawak ang iyong pananaw sa buhay. Evaluate what you listen to. Don’t take every single thing you hear by hook, line and sinker. We must be analytical. We should learn to discern kung ang sinasabi ba ng taong pinakikinggan mo ay dapat mong paniwalaan o kung ito ba ay bagay na di dapat pagaksayahan ng panahon. Carefully choose your inner circle. Magandang magkaroon ng mga kaibigan at mga katrabaho na hindi lamang agree ng agree sa lahat ng sinasabi natin. Hindi rin naman maganda kung mayroong kontra lang ng kontra. It would be good to have people who won’t just agree with everything that we say. Surround yourself with people who have the guts to tell you when you are wrong. Turn on your ears and your eyes to Jesus. Kung mayroong salitang dapat nating palaging pakinggan, ‘yan ay ang Salita ng Diyos. Sabi nga ni Kuya Mac [1], “In a changing world, you can trust God’s unchanging Word.” The things that you listen to will affect the way you think and the way you think will affect the way you act. Kaya kung gusto mong maging epektibo sa school o sa iyong trabaho, choose what you listen to. SELECT na! [1] http://kuyamac.tumblr.com/

Cain Velasquez

Yes, this very humble and perfectly nice guy right here is our new UFC Heavyweight Champion.I’ve been a follower of his career since his impressive win over Antonio Norguiera at UFC 110. I reviewed his previous fights and I just couldn’t help myself from being impressed by his skill-set. He has shown high-level wrestling and grappling. He is also regarded as one of the most dangerous stand-up fighters in the sport; his strikes are very powerful, precise and accurate. And certainly, his best trait is his cardio and his big heart. “He can go at an exact same phase for five rounds. He does not slow down.” as Joe Rogan puts it.Right now, he already replaced BJ Penn as my #1 favorite fighter and I think it’s not just me because after his win against Norguiera, people already deemed him as ‘The Next Big Thing’ in the Heavyweight division. They were right and Cain proved that he deserve that title by dethroning Brock Lesnar at UFC 121.We all know that this is just a beginning for Cain and that there are still a lot in store for him in the UFC. Now that I think about it, isn’t it exciting to see his next fight against Junior Dos Santos? I honestly like them both but I think Cain’s got better chances in that fight. We’ll never know!

Forgiveness

"It is easier to forgive an enemy than to forgive a friend." - William BlakeHow quick are you to ask for forgiveness and forgive others? Nothing will make your soul smaller than to refuse to ask for or grant forgiveness. Forgiveness is that wonderful expression of love that God shows us through how He treats us and commands us to practice so we don't all destroy each other. There are a number of reasons why we struggle to fully forgive others- Fairness: It is VERY true, forgiveness isn't fair. But if we all got only what we deserve, none of us would have a chance to be at peace with God and others. God wasn't fair with us as sinners -He was merciful. If God can give His beloved son to die for us sin just to be able to wash our sins away, why can't you forgive those who wronged you? It's all about... Pride: We also struggle to forgive because of our pride. If we "let someone off the hook", we wonder how we can feel good about ourselves and whether others will just take advantage of us. God wants you to love and respect yourself, but He also wants you to show mercy to others like He has with you. Deep hurts: Some people have hurt us deeply -and REALLY AREN'T LOOKING FOR FORGIVENESS. This makes forgiveness extremely difficult and painful. In some cases, forgiving others doesn't guarantee you will have a good relationship with that person -or should even be around them. But even if forgiveness doesn't change that person -it does change you for the better in your heart. The world would be a much better place if everyone sought and extended forgiveness. All you have to do is start in your own heart. Allow me to pray, and you can make this prayer our prayer as well. Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the forgiveness You continually offer me. Please heal my heart as I choose to forgive those who have hurt me today. Again, thank You, my God.

Mix-Tape: Influences

Here's my very first mix-tape (not literally a tape though). Influences Animate [1] by John Petrucci Can't Stop [2] by Red Hot Chili Peppers End of All Hope [3] by Nightwish Master of Puppets [4] by Metallica Mind Storm [5] by Joe Satriani Mottaka [6] by Cheese New Skin [7] by Incubus Stream of Consciousness [8] by Dream Theater Suffocating Under Words of Sorrow [9] by Bullet for my Valentine War of Hearts and Minds [10] by Bamboo [1] http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?wy53gljoa4m [2] http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?jyjzzymnhkm [3] http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?nmnjkhymniz [4] http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?55jnmnmmyki [5] http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?ynhmwggwhzz [6] http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?ojjzwlqyvhn [7] http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?dymnmmjwemt [8] http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?nyzqyytmdow [9] http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?xxkz30i0mux [10] http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?k1i3hix4mn5

Smile

Ngiti. Ito raw ang isa sa pinaka-madaling paraan para maipakita ang kasiyahan ng isang tao. Napakadaling gawin, kaya nga minsan ginagamit ito ng mga tao para maitago ang kanilang tunay na nararamdaman; kalungkutan, takot, pangamba, at kung ano-ano pa. Pero may kakilala akong kahit gaano kabigat ang kanyang dinadala, tunay parin ang kanyang mga ngiti. Ang kanyang nakakahawang ngiti. Siya si Ate Henzel. Sa isang blog-site (Tumblr) ko lang siya nakilala, at sa totoo lang, hindi nga niya ako kilala. Baka nga hindi niya alam na may nage-exist palang ako. Noong una, hindi ko lang pinapansin ang kanyang blog, dahil akala ko ay isa lang siya sa mga bloggers na nagpo-post ng mga larawan ng masasarap na pagkain, pero higit pa pala siya doon. Kelan ko lamang nakita ang kanyang mga personal posts. At ako'y nalungkot. Para bang gusto ko siya yakapin ng mahigpit. Tuluyan kong binasa ang iba niya pang mga sinulat. Ako'y naiyak at namangha sa kanya. Hindi ko alam ang partikular na karamdaman niya, ngunit kung ano man iyon, alam kong hindi iyon biro. Nagtataka lang ako kung bakit tila ba masaya parin siya kahit na ganoon ang karamdaman niya, hindi naman niya kailangang magkubli. Hindi nga, totoo ang galak niya. Nalungkot ako. Hindi ko siya kilala sa totoong buhay pero nalungkot ako at napatanong. Bakit siya? Bakit siyang mabait at matino ang nakakaranas ng ganito? She does not deserve this! Bakit siya? Habang ako, nagrereklamo sa tuwing naiinitan at nagigising sa umaga, siya nagpapasalamat. Habang ako naririndi tuwing nakakarinig at nakakakita ng mga taong umiiyak, siya pinipilit niyang pasayahin ang mga ito. Habang ako'y nagrereklamo sa tuwing nahihirapan sa buhay, siya ay nagagalak at kinakaya pa niya. If there's any way that she can share her pain with me, I'll insist that she do it. My mind and my heart tells me that she doesn't deserve this. But I guess God has his own perfect plan, after all, we are living because of His grace. "To live is Christ and to die is gain." - Philippians 1:21 But just as what the Bible told us, we can pray for our hearts desire because God is so gracious and He listens and responds. And starting today, let it be my prayer that may Ate Henzel's health smile back to her. Smile.