Christmas Na Pala!

Pasko na naman, o kay tulin na araw...

Feel na feel ko ang lyrics na ito ngayon. Hindi ko man lang namalayan na oo nga, Pasko na! Siguro masyado akong abala sa kung anu-anong bagay sa earth. Ang dami kasing kung anu-ano na dapat gawin, dapat tapusin, dapat intindihin; hindi sila nauubos, pero ang oras at pasensya ko eh kaunting-kaunti na lang! Napansin ko rin na dumami yun white hairs ko and I don't blame it solely on genetics and the additional year; nakaka-stress drilon lang talaga ang 2015 in all aspects.

Pero thankful pa rin ako. At least, matatapos na ang taon at kahit papaano ay naitawid naman ito ng maayos -- maraming ngarag moments, ups and downs, confusions and challenges pero ayos na, I am still breathing and my heart is still beating.

Speaking of my heart -- oo nga, it is still beating (akalain mo! **grins**). Naisip ko lang na pag dumalaw sa probinsya para sa birthday ni Lola eh kakailanganin ko na naman ang aking witty remarks sa mga kamag-anak ko na excited na excited na magka-boyfriend ako at mag-asawa (**face palm**).

Kasama rin ako sa mga nag-holiday rush sa supermarket. Imagine, past midnight na kanina eh ang haba-haba pa ng pila sa checkout counters ng Shopwise, to think na open lahat ng counters at nasa Senior Citizens lane pa ako dahil kasama ko si Mama! Open 24 hours pa sila nun lagay na 'yun ah, pero ang lakas maka-forever ng pila! Akala ko kahapon eh mahirap gastusin ang 10,000 pesos, pero mali pala ako kasi umabot ng halos 13,281.50 pesos ang total bill ko (may 65 pesos na senior citizen discount pa 'yan) -- on FOOD items alone (hello Citibank). Hiwalay pa 'yun non-food items na inabot rin ng 1,366.78 (hello BDO), so bonggang-bonggang 15,000 pesos ang nadagdag sa utang ko! In fairness, nagbabayad ako ng maayos sa card dahil sinisiguro ko naman na keri ko bayaran in full ang monthly bills ko; sabi nga eh, you have to live within your means.

Bukod sa supermarket rush, napagtanto ko na hindi pa rin ako prepared sa aming yearly Christmas exchange gift after noche buena later! Hindi ko naman pwedeng hiritan ang mababait kong pamangkin na LOVE na lang ang gift ko sa kanila kasi sabi nga sa kanta eh "give love on Christmas day". Nag-inventory nga ako kanina eh, keri naman na, may something na ako for everyone in the family. 'Yun mga hindi immediate family, bahala na si Darla.

Ilang oras na lang, Pasko na talaga! Thank you, thank you for the love... 

never enough

Nakakapagod rin kapag sobrang taas ng expectations. 'Yun halos magtumbling ka na ay sumali sa circus para lang mabigay mo 'yun gusto pero kulang pa rin; at pinapamukha pa talaga sa iyo na kulang. Alam mo naman sa sarili mo 'yun worth mo at alam mo na beyond average and normal limit ng isang tao yun mga ginawa mo pero dumarating din pala 'yun point na magda-doubt ka na rin sa sarili mo kasi laging inuulit sa iyo kung gaano kalaki ang pagkukulang mo. Nakakapagod lang. Nakakasawa na rin. 

"Go where you are needed and where your efforts will be appreciated," gusto ko na yata sundin ito.

Ang Hard

Bakit ba ang hirap mong mahalin?

Ang hirap mo rin abutin.

Kung makakalipad lang ako, gagawin ko

Kaso, hindi; pero nagawa kong tumakbo.

Sana isang araw pag gising ko

Hindi na ako nahihirapan ng ganito.

birthday

that moment when you reach another turning point in your earthly existence

when you had to hurry home from work -- literally because of raging winds and intermittent rains of the storm

when all of a sudden everyone is at home to celebrate -- makes one thankful to have a family back home

when you begin to count who among your friends are online; and who among your online friends care to spend a few seconds to drop you a birthday greeting -- thanked them one by one instead of a general post...just thought of sending simple and genuine thanks personally rather than lengthy and dramatic post meant for none in particular

when the only thing that you could wish for is for someone to make you smile -- yep, that fleeting moment that you wish could last forever

when you lay your head on your pillow, close your eyes, open it again, and tell yourself that there is still tomorrow even though there may be no forever

when you once again start to dread that day when you will meet your relatives or long lost friends again and they ask you again (and again, and again...) when you're gonna get married 

when you tell yourself that your life is yours to live and so far, you're doing great

when you begin to count not the years of your existence, but the traces that you will live behind to justify it

hindi nagugutom ang puso

'yun may energy ka pa rin kahit gutom na gutom ka na at walang solid food sa sistema mo for the whole day; kasi ang heart mo patuloy lang sa pagtibok ng mabilis na halos tumalon na siya at mag-tumbling palabas sa dibdib mo

hindi nga siguro nagugutom ang puso

pero nauuhaw

at kapag lumaon napapagod rin hanggang tumigil sa pagtibok. no more soaring, tumbling, free-wheeling dahil wala naman magic carpet ride in the first place

Executive Order No. 1: Mandating the Fabrication of a Gigantic Metal Melting Furnace

I used to be so timid and shy that people often think that I am a snob. People do change though; sometimes for the better :-). I now find myself talking with random people about random topics. This new post category that I am starting will revolve around those random conversations.

On my way to the office this morning, the driver was tuned in to an AM radio station where Secretary Singson of DPWH talks about the planned installation of barriers along EDSA. During the interview, Secretary Singson stressed that keeping the roads safe and convenient for all motorists and commuters is not only about building highways, enforcement of traffic and zoning rules and regulations should be ensured so that our roads and sidewalks will serve their purpose. 

The interview prompted yet another amusing conversation with the PUV driver which went on like...

Manong: Naku, talaga Ma'am tama 'yan enforcement talaga kailangan! Alisin ang mga nakaharang sa daan, lalo na mga lumang sasakyan na nakapark sa kalye nabubulok na.

Ako: Ay marami nga pong ganyan, hinihintay yata maubos ng kalawang.

Manong: Ma'am kapag ako po ang naging Presidente ng Pilipinas, ang una ko pong gagawin, magpagawa ng malaking-malaking tunawan ng bakal!

Ako: (amused, saan galing 'yun ideyang 'yun??) Bakit naman po 'yun?

Manong: Lahat Ma'am ng mga sasakyan na nakaharang sa daan ipapatunaw ko! Dapat kasi hindi sila nagpapark sa daan. Unahin nila magpagawa ng parking bago bumili ng sasakyan. Nakaka-abala sila eh tsaka ginawa ng gobyerno 'yan kalsada at sidewalk para sa lahat, hindi para parkingan nila. 

Ako: Sa bagay, lalo na 'yun mga magkabilang kalsada may nakapark. Lalonh nakaka-trapik!

Manong: Opo Ma'am. Tapos para mabawasan trapik ipapahold ko muna pagbebenta ng mga bagong sasakyan. Maglalagay din ako ng rule na hanggang 10 years lang pwede gamitin ang sasakyan; kapag lagpas na ng 10 automatic 'yan tutunawin na sa ayaw at gusto ng owner. Kapag may rule na na ganyan tsaka ko papayagan ulit magbenta ng sasakyan. Kapag may pasaway at ayaw sumunod, baka ipasama ko na tunawin!

Ako: (ah, eh... CHR aabutin nitong si Kuya pag nagkataon! Pero dahil amused ako sa ideas niya, go lang!) Hehe.. eh ano naman po ang naisip niyong gawin na natunaw na bakal?

Manong: Naku Ma'am, sa dami ng mapapatunaw ko eh hindi na tayo aangkat ng bakal, baka pwede pang export pa! Marami mapag-gagamitan 'yun!

Ako: Ayan Ma'am tingnan mo, kabilaan nakapark sila dyan kaya isang linya lang nagagamit ng tao (sabay turo sa gilid ng kalsada). 'Yun kumpare ko nga sa amin hindi ko talaga pinalampas nun ayaw tumigil kaka park sa kalsada sa harap ng bahay ko! Nakarating kami sa barangay kasi ang tagal ko na siya winarningan na kapag hindi niya inalis sa harap ng bahay ko kotse niya mawawala gulong non! Aba mahigit isang taon ako nagpasensya pero ayaw tumigil kahit nag-effort pa ako at nilagyan ko na ng NO PARKING harap ng bahay ko. Minsan parating siya, binutas ko nga yun 2 gulong! Nakita pa niya, gamit ko 'yun itak na matulis ang dulo gamit yun sa kawayan. Dun sa barangay talagang sinabi ko na dapat nga sila ang umasksyon sa mga nagpapark diyan sa kalsada kasi bawal yan!

Ako: Eh kumusta naman po kayo ng kumpare nyo?

Manong: ayun Ma'am, hindi ako pinapansin! Ang tagal! Tapos napilitan din lumapit kasi nangutang at walang wala raw sila ng araw na 'yun, papasok sa eskwela mga bata. Sabi ko nga Ma'am, kasi inuna mo pa bumili ng bulok na sasakyan dinalawa mo pa kahit wala ka naman garahe! 

After thought ko habang naglalakad papasok sa office: may pinaghuhugutan pala si manong sa Executive Order No. 1 niya! Malapit pala sa puso niya ang isyu ng mga sasakyan na nakapark sa kalsada. #

Kimmidoll Limited Edition: Akiyo, Kazue and Koko

Holidays allow me to afford time to spend either for leisure or going back to backlogs. This post qualifies for both! Here are three more limited edition kimmidolls from my own collection...and this reminds me that I haven't gotten any new kimmidoll since this year started.

Akiyo means Enlightenment

Kazue means Inspiring (I named my mobile phone after this Kimmidoll)

Koko means Devotion

Rice -- Granary to Basket to Bowl (The Evolution?)

Ayon sa isang artikulo, rice bowl raw ng Pinas ang Central Luzon. Napatitig ako ng 2.5 seconds sa "rice bowl" tapos nagflashback bigla sa akin ang aralin sa Heograpiya noong ako ay nag-aaral pa sa OB (ah, hindi yun Montessori 😂 OB as in Old Balara Elem. Sch.): Region 3 = Gitnang Luzon / Central Luzon = rice granary of the Philippines.

Hindi ako maaaring magkamali, rice granary of the Philippines talaga yun sabi sa aming aralin. Ang mga lalawigan kasi rito ang pinakamalaking source ng palay sa buong bansa. At dahil uso na ngayon ang IGM...search keywords: central luzon rice. First page of google search yielded various websites (.gov sites and others) referring to the region as: rice granary, rice basket, rice bowl.

Thought bubble ko: oh, may evolution? From granary to basket to bowl? Indicative ba ito ng pagbaba ng produksyon ng palay sa naturang rehiyon? Hindi ako magtataka kung sakaling ganyan nga ang trend. Kapansin-pansin naman kasi na nawawala unti-unti yun mga rice fields. Noong maliit pa ako (ang laki ko na kasi ngayon), pagpasok ng NLEX amoy bukid na eh...ordinary bus pa noon sinasakyan namin pag dadalaw kina Lola tuwing summer break. Ngayon, pagpasok ng NLEX, daming billboards, pabrika, mall, housing, sementeryo, at iba pang struktura na pumalit sa rice fields.

Siguro after a few more years obsolete na rin ang mga natutunan ko sa geography noon. Ang totoo, marami na napalitan sa inaral ko noon na regions at provinces. Buti may IGM; time lang at internet connection ang kailangan to update (plus bonggang discernment sa pagpili ng reliable na website, sa dami ng satirical at misleading blogs na nagsusulputan).

Oh well, kung anu-ano na naman naiisip ko. 😂😂😂 umiiwas kasi na isipin ang mga bagay na nakaka stress sa buhay.

Solving Two Major Urban Problems: Manong Driver's Strategies

I used to be so timid and shy that people often think that I am a snob. People do change though; sometimes for the better :-). I now find myself talking with random people about random topics. This new post category that I am starting will revolve around those random conversations.

A few days ago, I was talking with the cab driver on my way to a Sports Club. The weather was quite bad that morning, downcast clouds indicate a gloomy day and imminent rainshowers. We traversed one of the "short cut" roads toward the place where I am headed to avoid heavy traffic on the main roads where PUVs ply.

"Ang dilim na naman ng langit, uulan na naman po ano?" I commented.

"Oo nga Ma'am! Naku, talo na naman sa baha at trapik nito. Mahirap ang byahe," he said.

"Iwas na lang sa bahain na lugar tsaka alalay sa pagdrive para safe," I answered back.

"Talaga Ma'am! Naku ito pong kalyeng ito (referring to the road with a wide creek ahead), hanggang dito po sa taas na ito binabaha! Kawawa po 'yan mga bahay na iyan sa baba, lubog lahat yun first floor niyan!" he shared.

"Ay ganun po ba? Samantalang kapag ganitong wala pang ulan eh ang lalim naman at ang laki na ng creek na 'yan," I told him.

"Dapat po Ma'am, ipahukay pa 'yan creek na 'yan eh. Bumabaw na po 'yan sa tagal. Dapat ayusin ng gobyerno 'yan!"

I listened intently to manong driver's insights which went like this:

"Kung tutuusin madali lang solusyon sa dalawang malaking problema sa Maynila (I guess he was referring not to the City of Manila alone but to Metro Manila or other urban metropolis in general). Ano 'yan dalawang yan? --- trapik tsaka baha!"

"Paano naman po?" (Ako, curious at nakikinig sa next lines ni manong).

"Una, trapik. Bakit trapik? Paano ang daming sasakyan at tao sabay-sabay lalabas, naghahabol ng oras papasok sa trabaho o eskwela. Dapat magkakaiba ang oras ng pasok. Yun opisina ng gobyerno dapat alas-singko ng umaga ang bukas tapos maaga uwian para hindi kasabay ng mga sa private at estudyante. Yun private na opisina dapat alas-otso o alas-nuwebe ang pasok. E 'di walang problema, kasi kapag lalabas na sa kalye mga private eh nasa opisina na mga sa gobyerno. Sa uwian ganun din; hindi sabay lahat. Makakatipid pa sa gas. Siyempre mahirap yan sa simula pero kapag batas na 'yan wala naman sila magagawa kung hindi sumunod. Para sa ginhawa naman ng lahat 'yan."

"Eh paano naman po ang baha?" (Ako, amused at this point sa insights ni manong).

"Dapat po gumawa ng drainage sa Manila na kasya 'yan (sabay turo sa delivery van two cars ahead of us). Sa mga pelikula Ma'am sa abroad 'di ba yun drainage nila dun pa naghahabulan sa ilalim mga action scene, parang underground ng MRT pero kanal yun tapos pag umakyat ka sa manhole eh kalsada sa ibabaw. Dapat ganun ang gawin sa atin hindi yun maliliit na imburnal lang. Siyempre kapag parang mga drum lang na imburnal madali bumara mahirap pa linisin. Pero kung malalaking kanal mas madali linisin at maraming tubig kaya sa loob. Gumawa dapat ng mga ganun at itutok palabas sa ilog at dagat o Manila Bay. Kaso Ma'am hindi ginagawa e. Siguro kasi kapag ganyan maganda na drainage natin hindi na sila kikita sa pagpapagawa ng imburnal. O kaya Ma'am hindi talaga naiisip o kulang sa tapang yun mga dapat gumawa. Madami kasi kumikita dyan, takot sila na kalabanin. Kung sa gastos naman po, sa umpisa lang malaki 'yun kumpara sa inaabot natin kapag baha tsaka puro repair pero baha pa rin. Nakaka utang nga po para sa ibang project at lahat naman may tax. Dapat lang talaga yun lider natin isipin yan mabuti."

(Ako, mesmerized na sa sharing ni manong. Naisip ko na siguro nga wisdom comes with age and experience in living and seeing how people live in random streets and corners of the metropolis.)

"Ma'am, ito na po 'yun pupuntahan niyo ano," sabay turo sa bakod ng sports club.

"Ay, oo nga! Nakarating din tayo," sagot ko.

"Kung sa Quezon Avenue at Welcome tayo dumaan Ma'am mahuhuli kayo kaya umiwas na tayo."

"Tama po. Thank you po ha, eto po bayad," sabay abot ng bayad at smile kay manong, "have a nice day po!" paalam ko pagbaba.

"Sige Ma'am thank you din!" paalam ni manong.

I just thought that manong cab driver's opinion is worth sharing with anyone who happens to pass by my blog. Of course it has pros and cons and could be subjected to lots of debates, but hey, no one has the monopoly of bright ideas, right?  And we must remember that sometimes, the things that we laugh at or belittle could very well be the answer that we've been waiting for.

random thoughts #2, s. 2015

Rules. The problem with written rules is that, it hinders you from growing and moving forward (unless you have it amended). However, having none exposes you to risks of inaction, abuse of authority or discretion, and chaos. May all be well soon enough.

Words. My professor once said that a person who knows how to put words together and construct compelling sentences can live well in this world. It is true that words have power, those who know the craft of using them can very well make a living out of it. You can use that power to influence people, to change mindsets, to get people to act; for whose benefit, for what purpose, for whatever reason -- it's your choice. Choose well.

Bragging vs. encouraging. Yep, it hit me; people might be getting me wrong all along so they will not hear from me again lest they ask. When I am happy, I want to share that happiness with people who have been with me as I work hard to get whatever makes me happy. I am a person who believes that no one can claim anything as his or her own success because in whatever little or huge ways, there are people who contributed to whatever it is that you have accomplished. When I share my joy with you, it means I value you as a person, as a friend. When I ask you to go forward, it means I am concerned and I want to help you out. I do not intend to brag. I am not the type who craves for attention and enjoys the limelight of being on top or being ahead of everyone (if only people knew how terrified I could get with being put on the spot or even speaking in front of a crowd). Move on na lang.

Macro view. Managers need to view things from a broader perspective. They have to identify how a set of agenda relates with what's going on outside the organization or even a sector. It is quite easy, if one devotes time and passion to really making positive changes. The greater challenge is in communicating and motivating people to share your vision and work on achieving it.

Quiet place. I want to leave this city life. I want to stop and contemplate for sometime, somewhere else, somewhere quite far. I need to rest and dream again.

mga hirit na malupit - tatlo (drama at linyang pang #hugot moments)

Minsan may mga bagay na gustong-gusto mo pero parang ang daming hadlang para makuha mo. Ang daming negatrons; ang daming ik-ik; ang daming agaw-eksena pati sa sarili mong bahagi ng programa. Minsan itatanong mo rin kung ano bang problema nila sa buhay at pati ikaw gusto nilang idamay sa pagiging bitter. Minsan naman mapapa face-palm ka na lang o kamot ng ulo kasi yun mga ik-ik parang mga white mice sa cage na takbo nang takbo sa loob nun wire na mukhang mini ferriswheel sa pag-aakalang siya si high and mighty mouse pero ang totoo, hindi lang niya nakikita na sa bigger picture sa labas ng gulong at ng cage niya ay mukha siyang t***a. Minsan naman, gusto mo na sumigaw ng CUUUUUUT para matauhan ang mga agaw-eksena. Pero sa totoo lang, kahit sumigaw ka, hindi ka naman maririnig ng mga nilalang na walang naririnig kung hindi sarili nilang tinig. It's such a sad and cruel world out there.

'Yan yun mga pagkakataon na kailangan mong magdetach pansamantala. Kailangan mong tumingin sa sarili mo, magtanong kung bakit ka nga ba nariyan sa kinaroroonan mo. Kailangan mong alalahanin kung ano yun talagang gusto mo at pinaglalaban mo ayon sa sarili mong conviction. Kailangan mong panghawakan yun prinsipyo mo sa buhay, yun dahilan kung bakit ka gumigising araw-araw. Kailangan mo ipa-alala sa sarili mo na hindi sila ang magdedefine sa pagkatao mo, sa kung ano ang kaya mong gawin at pwede mong marating, sa kung ano ang kasaysayan mo bilang tao dahil higit sa kanila, ikaw ang nakaka-alam ng mga ito.

Lilipas rin 'yan. Tandaan, mas maraming mahalagang aral na napupulot at tumatanim sa isip mula sa failures kung bubuksan lang natin ang pang-unawa. Bakit? Aba, masakit kaya ang failure! But what doesn't kill you makes you stronger 'di ba? Ang mahalaga, makamove on ka. Hindi naman required na agad-agad -- ano ka, manhid o walang pakiramdam; hindi tao, hindi hayop, robot? Okey lang mag-emote for sometime, pwede rin mag hugot moments -- walang batas na nagsasabing crime of moral turpitude ang magwallow in pain. Pero wag din naman tagalan ang emote. Tandaan, nauubos rin ang emoticons, pati stickers sa viber. 'Wag mo akong tanungin kung anong connection --- bakit, ano ba sa palagay mo? internet connection? rainbow connection? flower connection (oops, collection pala yun clothing company..cute ng mga dress nila, hindi ko lang afford bumili ng pang daily use! Hahahaa...) Lagi ngang paalala ng aking journalism adviser nun high school yun quote na, "our greatest glory is not in never falling but in rising each time we fall."

Bangon lang nang bangon, aba kapag sumuko ka eh paano na lang ang misyon mo sa buhay? Hahayaan mo ba na maging ganun na lang, sa isa't-isa ay mayroon pagdaramdaaam...bakit 'di pagbigyang muli ang ating pagmamahalan? Ooopss, teka OPM lyrics pala 'yun! Ibig kong sabihin, hahayaan mo ba na mauwi sa wala ang mga pinaghirapan mo at hindi na matupad ang misyon mo sa buhay? At 'wag mo akong hiritan na naniniwala ka sa kasabihang "ang tao ay nabubuhay para kumain" -- utang na loob, 'wag ganun!

Bakit ko ba sinusulat ito? Feeling ko lang may nangangailangan ng aking piece of mind sa mga panahong ito. Hindi ako feelingera, may feelings lang ako at sensitive ako sa ibang tao --- hindi lang halata! :-)

Choices

We all have free will, that is certain. But I believe that beyond having the right to choose, we also have the right to know and understand the pros and cons of available options. If you have the authority or moral ascendancy over someone else, you explain the situation from the macro view, but in the end you have to leave the decision to the person. The role of the duty bearer is to present available options and where needed, make more options available; the choice is still for people to make but they ought to take responsibility for those choices. 

From My Notebook Series # 2: Diplomacy, Breach of Protocols and National Interest

I do not claim to be adept in this subject matter; I am writing here as a Filipino citizen trying to make sense of what is happening around me; looking at it from different perspectives. While I myself is an employee of the Government of the Philippines, the very nature of my agency's work makes me critical of the government's action or inaction on certain matters too. In this particular case, I am disappointed with the ingratitude of some people and the not far from impossible use of the situation to rally against the government. While I cannot blame people for not understanding the macro view of this whole scenario, I am dismayed of those who almost always tend to divide us as a nation through misleading and lopsided propaganda that reveal half truths and white lies.

In our brief but insightful sub-module on International Negotiation, retired Ambassador Hector Villaroel started with a single word on the white board: DIPLOMACY. From this, a day of discussion ensued with me jotting down some key points for future reference. Recent reports on what the President did to save a Filipina from death penalty in a foreign nation and how different people, including the family of the person whose execution was postponed made me look back and reflect on these notes. 

Diplomacy is the conduct of relations among States. We negotiate with other States to promote and protect our national interest. Our national interest should shape and dictate our foreign policy. When a person goes into negotiation with delegates from other States, that person should have in mind our national interest; after all, s/he is there to represent the nation and not just one or two persons or interest groups. There are sets of protocols and proper etiquette to follow when we conduct our relations with other States; but between the two, protocols are more important. A breach of protocol is said to be an offense against the States.

But what is national interest? What goes into it? Amb. Villaroel shared that when we talk about national interest, we should always link it with the four (4) attributes of the State:

• People: yes, this means our now 100M+ population 
• Territory: land, water and airspace. The national territory comprises the Philippine archipelago, with all the islands and waters embraced therein, and all other territories over which the Philippines has sovereignty or jurisdiction, consisting of its terrestrial, fluvial and aerial domains, including its territorial sea, the seabed, the subsoil, the insular shelves, and other submarine areas. The waters around, between, and connecting the islands of the archipelago, regardless of their breadth and dimensions, form part of the internal waters of the Philippines.(Article I, 1987 Philippine Constitution)
• Government: like it or not, the government must exist for a group of people in a particular territory to become a State. The government imposes order to the other three attributes. 
• Sovereignty: now, this one is important too, especially when we talk about independence or being free from interference from other States as well as other internal or external forces.

From these notes, let us put the puzzle together. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said that the President had undertaken all avenues, including diplomatic and legal means, to do what he can for the Filipina. There were also reports which said that President Aquino broke protocols to save her from the death row (rappler, abscbn). Let us not discount the fact that there are groups (including Indonesia-based NGOs) that helped in calling on the Indonesian Government to spare her from execution on the ground that she is a victim of human trafficking. In the end, her execution was put on hold after her recruiter who allegedly duped her into using that suitcase with hidden heroin in its linings on her trip from Malaysia to Indonesia. DFA's official statement on the matter is brief and very diplomatic (as expected of them) and I am quoting it here:

"The President had undertaken all avenues, including diplomatic and legal means, to do what he can for Mary Jane.

The President believes that every human life is invaluable.

At the last minute, a stay had been granted.

And as we conveyed this morning, we are all relieved by this welcome development.

The purpose of the stay is to allow Mary Jane to give testimony in connection with the complaint filed against the recruiters.

We would like to thank all those who stood in solidarity with the Velosos.

We would like to thank the Government of Indonesia for this favorable consideration of our request.

The Philippine Government reiterates its strong commitment to pursue full investigation of those accountable for the victimization of Mary Jane."

In this particular case, the government has shown that it values its people. It used various means to save Ms. Veloso from execution, believing in good faith that she is indeed a victim of human trafficking who used her for international drug trafficking. I cannot comment on why it is only recently that the government made efforts; I am not privy to the facts of this case. I have not seen any proof of the government's inaction on her case since it started years ago. Is the government claiming the glory for Indonesia's last minute decision? I don't think so; the government is even "thankful for all those to stood in solidarity with the Velosos". The Philippine Government even thanked the Government of Indonesia for granting the stay, as it reiterated its strong commitment to pursue full investigation of the case -- I think this is essential in maintaining diplomatic relations. Let us remember that as a State, Indonesia is also protecting its government and sovereignty; that explains their hard line stance that the execution of all the drug convicts should proceed; therefore listening to pleas from NGOs and the Philippine Government deserves utmost gratitude.

The challenge now is proving Ms. Veloso's innocence by prosecuting her alleged traffickers. Let us remember that she was judged as guilty under Indonesian law by the Indonesian court. We can only foresee further negotiations with the Government of Indonesia, using International or Regional (with Philippines and Indonesia being members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations or ASEAN) treaties and other instruments along with our laws against human trafficking and drug smuggling.

All these necessitates a lot of human and financial resources (hello there, tax payers!), but let us remember that we are not just saving one life here because we are now finding the trail to possibly uncover an international drug syndicate. Now let me say this, I don't think these efforts are worthy of the bitter words of the family against the government; hey, you are not only insulting the government, you are insulting the Filipino tax payers by saying that the government did nothing for your kin! The death sentence on Ms. Veloso still stands, the family needs to cooperate with the government to help prosecute her alleged traffickers for unless they are able to prove that Sergio et. al indeed trafficked her, she will still be executed in the future.

May they be enlightened and choose to cooperate with the government in the prosecution of the alleged traffickers.

Because the customer is not always right

The customer is always right. 

Yes, it's just an old cliché, but before consumer rights advocates and my friends from DTI give me a long lecture on consumer welfare, read this Maundy Thursday saga, okay?

Thursday. April 2, 2015. Around 1:30-2:00PM. Arayat Street, Cubao, Quezon City

I was in queue at a drug store cum convenience store to buy some stash of potato chips and soda. I was third in queue, there was a girl with instant noodles and bread in front of me while the cashier was attending to two ladies who bought two 1.5 liters of cold soda. The cashier asked them if they want to avail of put the bottles in a plastic bag or paper wrapper, and so the story begins...

Cashier: Ma'am ipa-plastic po o paper bag?

Lady 1: I-plastic mo na lang at mabigat

Cashier: Two pesos po

Lady 1: Bakit may bayad?

Lady 2: (lumapit sa cashier at sa kasama niya) Bakit ano problema?

Lady 1: Yun plastic pinapabayaran.

Lady 2: Bakit wala ba kayong plastic? Ayan o, ang dami mong plastic dyan sa tabi mo bakit hindi mo ipagamit?

Cashier: May bayad po talaga ang plastic, kung gusto niyo po dito na lang sa brown paper bag para walang bayad.

Lady 2: E mababasa lang yan papel na yan. Bago kami makarating sa pupuntahan namin nahulog na yan laman. Bakit hindi mo na lang dyan ilagay sa plastic kesa sa papel?

Cashier: Hindi po pwede Ma'am.

Lady 1: Ano? Hindi pwede, pero pag may bayad pwede?

Cashier: Ganun po talaga Ma'am, bawal na po kasi ang plastic.

Lady 2: Bawal ang plastic pero kung may bayad pwede?

Cashier: Para po Ma'am maiwasan kaya po pinapabayaran.

Lady 2: Naku halika na nga, bitbitin na natin sa iyo yun isa! (at umalis na sila)

Girl: (grinning at the cashier) Ako po Ate, paper bag lang!

Cashier: (sighs then smiles at the girl) Hindi naman kami ang naniningil, ang tagal na yun utos ng City Hall...

In case you missed it, there is a "plastic bag reduction ordinance" being enforced in Quezon City since year 2012. Part of its implementation is the collection a plastic recovery system fee of two pesos from the customer for every plastic bag used, regardless of its size. The two pesos per plastic bag fee is collected at the point of sale and should be included in the official receipt. This is to ensure that the fee collected from the customers will be remitted to the City government which logically should be responsible of addressing whatever ill effect the plastic bag will bring to the city once it is disposed by the customer. Na-ah, please do not argue with me nor ask me where and how the City government is using the funds from fees collected; I also wonder about that but to make my life simpler and my brain less stressed, I just bring my reusable bag or place whatever small item I bought inside by bag.

I admire the cashier in this particular case because she remained composed; she didn't raise her voice at the customers who were rude at her nor did she give in to their bullying. As for the two ladies, bless them. I just told myself that maybe they were not locals of the the city so they are not aware of the ordinance (but hey, ignorance of the law excuses no one from compliance -- not even when you are a customer insisting that your demand be granted by the store personnel).

As you can see, the customers were absolutely wrong in this case. Yes, we do have rights but we should remember that rights are not absolute and we also have the responsibility to follow regulations being enforced by authorities. True, some regulations may be burdensome but there is also that principle in law that "the law may be harsh but that is the law" -- but hey, the good news is, laws are not cast in stone, these can be revised or just thrown away into oblivion (kidding! they call it "repeal"). The thing is, it is not right to bark on the wrong tree. The cashier (or business establishments for that matter) are just following the rules enforced by the city government so if one want to challenge that or ask where the two pesos per plastic bag go, visit the City Hall.

hindi ako magician

Nasa grade school pa lang ako, mahilig na akong sumulat. Hindi ko maaaring sabihin na mahusay ako dahil alam ko na maraming higit na mahusay sa akin, mga batikan at mga manunulat na kaliwa't-kanan ang natanggap na parangal sa kanilang mga akda. Sabihin na lang natin na libangan ko ang sumulat. 

Pinangarap ko dati ang maging manunulat para sa diyaryo pero dahil lumaki ako na mahiyaing bata ay hindi ko naman natupad ang pangarap kong iyon. Naisip ko kasi na hindi ako bagay maging reporter dahil mahiyain ako at marami akong kinatatakutan. Siguro dahil marami akong insecurities sa buhay noong bata ako. Hindi perfect at puno ng happy moments ang childhood ko pero dahil nakamove on naman na ako mula sa mga hinanakit ko sa tadhana at pagmamalupit ng mga batang bully sa buhay ko eh masayahin naman ako ngayon most of the time. Para sa akin, pagsubok lang lahat ang iyon at masaya ako na nalampasan ko na; hindi ako bitter sa mundo. Sa totoo lang, nakaka-awa rin minsan 'yun mga taong kahit may edad na eh parang hindi pa rin nakakamove on sa unhappy childhood at naghahasik pa rin ng bitterness sa earth sa pamamagitan ng pagiging negatron (nega-tron: a play on the words negative and megatron. Napulot ko lang ang term na ito kay Chairperson Toto Villareal ng MTRCB -- ayan may citation o acknowledgement ng source). Kapag nagdadasal ako, hinihiling ko kay Lord na tulungan silang makamove on para naman mabawasan ang mga nagpapasakit ng aking ulo at nagpapabilis ng tibok ng puso ko. Nakakabawas kasi ng energy at nakaka-istorbo sa produktibong pag-iisip ang mga negatrons. Oo, gusto ko 'yun pakiramdam na bumibilis ang pagtibok ng puso ko pero 'yun eh kung nakikita, nakaka-usap sa telepono o nagtetext/chat lang yun lalaking gusto ko; pero kung ang dahilan eh dahil sa negatrons, ibang usapan na 'yun!

Bakit nga ba ako nahilig sa pagsusulat? 

Una, dahil mahiyain akong bata, naging outlet ko ang pagsusulat para ilabas ang nilalaman ng aking puso at isipan. Hindi ako mahusay magsalita lalo na sa harap ng maraming tao kaya sa panulat ko naie-express ang saloobin ko.

Ikalawa, gusto kong ibahagi yun mga nalalaman ko sa ibang tao. Naniniwala ako na mas mapagyayaman mo ang kaalaman kung ibabahagi mo ito sa iba, lalo na sa paraan na maiintindihan nila. Ito siguro 'yun dahilan kung bakit ko ninais noon na maging reporter -- gusto ko 'yun ideya na "write to express not to impress" na natutunan ko sa guro ko sa pamamahayag nun grade six. Oo, kaya kong sakyan o sabayan 'yun mga sumusulat ng mga masalimuot na talata pero para sa akin, may mas mabigat na responsibilidad ang isang manunulat na sumusulat upang magbahagi (hindi magyabang) ng kaalaman. Hanga ako at mataas ang pagtingin ko sa mga taong kayang gawing simple at abot-alam ng karaniwang tao ang mga usapin. Dahil sa kanila, nabibigyan ng pagkakataon na makibahagi sa talakayan na may sapat na kaalaman ang mga Juana at Juan na payak man ang kaalaman o walang mataas na pinag-aralan ay may karapatan pa rin naman na makibahagi sa lipunan lalo na kung kinabukasan nila at mga anak nila ang pinag-uusapan.

Ikatlo, ayaw ko rin naman solohin ang mga kalokohan ko. Mayroon din naman akong sense of humor kaya sinusulat ko rin 'yun mga witty lines na naiisip ko na kung hindi man kapulutan ng aral eh baka sakaling maging dahilan ng pagtawa ng iba. 

Ayan, pumasa na ako sa rule of 3 dahil 3 na ang reasons ko. Bakit ko ba kasi sinusulat ito? Bigla na lang kasi nag-pop ang thought bubble ko kanina na ang sabi eh: "writer ako hindi magician!" Lalo naman hindi ako santa kahit semana santa na -- hindi ako gumagawa ng himala! Nabanggit na rin lang ang semana santa, dapat siguro itulog ko na muna ito bago pa ako magkasala...sorry po Lord at may naisip akong hindi mabuti para sa aking kapwa kanina. Work in progress naman po ako hindi ba? Help me na lang po, please...

Link to Women's Month Dance Video

Juanas and Juans, here is the link where you can download the dance video of "Juana Ikaw Na Ang Manguna" the official song and dance for the 2015 National Women's Month Celebration.

 CLICK THE LINK >> http://www.4shared.com/video/I9t1Gryhba/Juana_Ikaw_Na_Ang_Manguna_Danc.html

2015 National Women's Month Official Dance Song and Instructional Video

Juana, Ikaw Na ang Manguna!

2015 National Women’s Month Celebration Theme Song

Music and Lyrics by: Nikki Delos Santos-Francisco

Musical Arranger: Diwa De Leon
Video Production: Philippine Commission on Women, 
National Commission for Culture and the Arts and Shirley Halili-Cruz School of Ballet

I

Di magaganap ang pagbabago

Kung walang mangangahas na tumayo

Masdan mo ang lipunang nagpapayo

Na kailangan ng isang katulad mo

REFRAIN:

Makinig ka sa akin

Tinig ko ngayo’y dinggin

Pagkakataon na natin

Ikaw na ang tatanghalin

CHORUS:

Kailan pa, kung 'di ngayon na?

Sino pa, kung 'di ikaw, Juana

Galing mo’y ilabas na

Ang bukas sayo’y itataya

Desisyon mo’y mahalaga

Dulot ay pag-asa

Juana, ikaw na ang manguna

II

Simulan mo na ang pamumuno

‘Pagkat tatag at lakas mo ay sandigan ko

Pangako ng pagsulong ang matatamo

Sama-sama sa pagbangon ng bayan ko

(Repeat Refrain and Chorus)

For more information, visit www.pcw.gov.ph

Random Thoughts # 1 s. 2015

Sometimes, I walk away, back-off or remain silent; not because I give up, but because I know it isn't a good idea to argue with anyone when emotions are high. Often, it would just result in unnecessary fights and further strain in human relations. It's energy-draining too. But there are times when I am forced by circumstances to speak-up, raise my voice a little than normal or even stand-up so that the powers that be will listen, and listen well. Yes, it drains my energy and it saddens me that I have to do that; but sometimes, when people are obsessed with their own voice and their own truth, someone else has to speak and invite them to see the other side. It irks me when they refuse to budge and continue to press on their own argument as if it is the absolute truth; but as long as I've done what I could, the problem is neither me nor mine.

don't leave me oh lappy tappy!

"Scanning and repairing drive c 28% complete"

what happened to you my lappy tappy? kung kailan naman maraming documents na dapat i-review at i-revise tsaka ka nagkakaganyan? magdadalawang araw ka nang ganyan, talo mo pa ang edsa na hindi makamove-on sa 28% na iyan. what to do? 

chasing and running from that one thing called love #9: of broken bridges, dead ends and roundabouts

I am a self-confessed kaladkarin girl. NO it's not the derogatory term; it's a term we coined to refer to people who love spontaneous trips. Madaling yayain / kaladkarin sa lakaran, joy ride man sa kung saan o long trip para takasan pansamantala ang jungle ng Kamaynilaan. Hindi man ako ang nasa likod ng manibela, ramdam ko pa rin pareho yun excitement at anxiety sa bawat byahe dahil kasama ako sa paglalakbay.

Tulad ng mga biyaheng biglaan o short notice, parang joy ride lang din ang buhay. Sa ating mga paglalakbay, napapadaan tayo sa mga kalsadang maganda, may sira, may baha, dead-end, one-way, sarado, ginagawa, trapik, paikot-ikot, pati tulay na putol o may sira. Nasubukan ko na daanan lahat nang 'yan sa mga paglalakbay sa iba't-ibang lugar, pati na rin sa buhay; at ngayon feeling ko matapos ang ilang panahon ng paglalakbay, halted na lang bigla ang byahe. Hindi naman dahil sa dead end o nasira ang daan o tulay -- sabihin na lang natin na I am crossing boarders and suddenly yun immigration officer tumanggi na ang passport ko eh tatakan. Hindi naman ako TIP victim, alam ko naman ang aking nais puntahan, pero ewan, baka nag-fit lang ako sa profile nila ng mga hindi dapat payagan na sa boundaries ay dumaan.

Sige, 'wag na lang ipilit kung ayaw. Marami pa naman destination na pwedeng puntahan...pero sayang lang kasi eh, ilang panahon ko na rin yun pinaghandaan tapos wala lang, ganun na lang. So for now, U-turn na lang muna. Kung may bagong daan man, kahit mala-EDSA sa trapik o expressway pa 'yan, pwede naman subukan. The journey continues pa rin.

moving on

Tomorrow marks the start of another change; moving on to another journey.

I am looking at this like going back to my first and second love, rolled into one. And although somehow I have reservations on the circumstances, I am facing this for now. Whether I will set the records straight later on or just accept this for now then move on again, I still don't know. For now, I want to focus on what is there for me and what I can do to make it work.

2015, be good, be great, make me more grateful than ever for the chances; braver, wiser and stronger than ever for the challenges; and crazier than ever to innovate and crave for more changes...thank you po and help me Lord!

Super Heroes

My brother left Cairo with us to fetch his wife from work. What's amusing is that the boy is clad in this Spidey costume -- oh well, weather is still too cold and I guess the costume functions just like a pair of sweat pants and shirt. I noticed that Sammy (Ate's youngest son) is also wearing his Superman jogging pants, so I suggested that Daniel (Ate's middle child) also wear his Batman costume which he used last November for the trick or treat event at school. Daniel quickly rundown the stairs (we were at the roof deck) and voila, it seems like we're having a costume party! We even joked that Kuya Kit's (my brother in law) birthday tomorrow will be a superhero party (hehehe... let's see!).

Earlier tonight: my nephews Spider Man, Bat Man and bebe Superman.

Who doesn't, at one point in their life or another, love super heroes? I remember growing up with fantasies of becoming one of the Bioman (Yellow Four or Pink Five?), or applying to become Shaider,  "Ang Pulis Pangkalawakan." There is Kapteyn Barbel and Darna for the Pinoys, and well I think I have watched Christopher Reeves in Superman 2 a zillion times in Betamax (haha.. okay that number is an exaggeration but yes, I am that old to have witnessed the short stint of Betamax at popularity). Even the Quezon City Local Government's clean and green drive in the early 90's had then child star Atong Redillas as Kapteyn Linis, going around schools in Quezon City on board a float (it was actually a white truck with designs and streamers) with the Linis Brigade (a.k.a. the kids in white), advocating for -- oh, what else but cleaning up and greening the schools and communities. And yes, I spent teenage years dreaming that I am Bunny / Princess Serenity -- "ako si Sailor Moon, kalaban ng kasamaan, tagapagtanggol ako ng pag-ibig at katarungan! Parurusahan kita sa ngalan ng buwan!" Hahaha... don't bash me for being corny, I was just a kid then -- and hello, Tuxedo Mask! (LOL).

Well, we outgrow these fantasies but the memory and our love for them is here to stay I guess. Yes, we know that they do not exist, or that we are heroes in our own little ways so we don't need to rely on them, but we still enjoy watching them on theaters or videos at home; our heads still turn when we find them on billboards; and for those who can afford, stocking on super hero collectible items has even become a hobby. Want a proof? Look at these ladies with me!

We finally met at Sta. Lucia East Grand Mall last Wednesday (the last day of 2014) to visit Figaro and have our Coffee Club membership renewed (half a year in the making ito because of our work schedules and travels). On our way to Figaro located at the Theater Zone, I noticed one kiosk that sells plastic blocks (they have lots of other items but I am only interested in the lego-like blocks..hehe..my nephews have lots of it -- original ones or otherwise). Out of curiosity, I checked what items they have and voila, they have the classical superheroes! (hindi ko na kasi kilala yun mga legoman figures ng mga pamangkin ko..hehe..signs of ageing!) Ate Mel and Ate Hazel initially left me there because they went inside a shoe store (hehe.. this crazy girl is more interested in toys than new shoes), but after a few minutes they too approached the store and suddenly I find both of them asking for this and that super hero and trying to get the ones that I asked for earlier (they have limited stocks so they only have one item left for some of the classic super heroes). After paying for our loot, both Ates (take note, I am the youngest in this group so there, super heroes are for most generations huh!) excitedly walked towards Figaro, saying that we should assemble our toys there...

12/31/2014. An afternoon with super friends..haha..

...and true enough, they seem more excited in playing with the toys than sipping their cups of coffee or eating our favorite cake, Little Oscar (that round cake in the picture above). Below are closer shots of our toys. That is Ate Mel's Batman and Ate Hazel's Wonder Woman; Bat Girl and Superman are mine (although Ate Hazel wanted to get him from me! haha.. She actually told the lady that she's going back to get one in two weeks time, when the stocks arrive). I also have my Bat Man but I didn't assemble it there. 

Hey, the superheroes are stepping on my Figaro Coffee Club card!

Bat Girl and Bat Man on the... how about the
coffee paper cup as a pedestal?

Super Man and Wonder Woman had their own photo op too.
oh is that my coffee cup???

In the midst of writing this post, I am reminded of my new toys (LOL) so I went downstairs and show it off to Jonathan (my eldest nephew). He immediately asked me if he could build Batman (haven't opened the package yet) and I said okay. While he is at it, Daniel went downstairs and checked on my mini figures too. Suddenly he blurted out, "Anong ginawa mo sa cape nila? Sa leeg dapat 'yan nakalagay, hindi sa arms, bakit mo ginawang backpack?" (Ako: nga nga! Alam ko naman na in real life, the cape is placed around the neck). In my defense, I told him that the head is already connected with the upper torso of the figure and it seems there's no way to place the cape there, and since it has two holes, I thought that it was meant to placed on the arms (look closely at the photos above). The boys are laughing at me by that time, telling me that the head can be removed so I tried removing it and, okay, they are right! Sorry, I am a mere mortal who also makes mistakes, am no super hero (LOL)! Below are photos of my mini figures, now wearing their capes correctly...

Batman, Superman and Bat Girl mini figures

Bat Girl's solo pic

Batman's solo pic..oh he drives a car, yes! 

Superman's solo pic. No, he doesn't drive a car;
but who needs one when you can fly, right?

Whew, I think I have to tell Ate Mel and Ate Hazel about the correct way of placing the cape on the super heroes tomorrow! hehehe...

thank you 2014; hello 2015

It’s that time of the year again, when most of us stay awake to bid the former year goodbye and welcome the new one with a bang (literally and figuratively). It’s that time of the year when fireworks, loud music, sumptuous meals, fruits and drinks abound. But then after all the merriment, after the last dinner plate is placed back to its shelf, after the canine pets finally find peace and calmness, I retreat to my hole and look back at the year that passed.

Toast for a blessed new year! Celebrating new year's eve with family at the roof deck. The moderate drizzle added coolness to the air and made us enjoy whatever fireworks managed to go up the air since taking photographs became an "at your own risk" for the gadgets..hehe..

If life is indeed what we make it, my 2014 was a year of harvesting, pruning and deciding what to plant next for my crop rotation scheme – that is, if I am a farmer wannabee like dear friend Mich (although I still insist that she has that natural farmer gene in her DNA). But hey, this is crazy girl writing typing while on the verge of falling asleep. Oh, yes take the last sentence as a sort of a disclaimer because somewhere in between that state of full consciousness and dreaminess, my mind begins to let out thoughts and words that bare my soul.

2014 was a frenzy ride through life with unexpected twists, turns, round-about, highs and lows. And while it is true that life is what we make it, I also believe that what we make out of life is a result of how we put our blessings and gifts to use. Then, I can humbly say that I have been blessed a lot in 2014 although being a work still in progress, I often go astray in the Spiritual department (that, I am not proud of). But still, I am grateful.

I am grateful for the moments shared with people I love. People who touched my life and made me feel that life is something to be enjoyed; that the hardships in it are there to make a better person out of me – I am still a work in progress anyway. Those who made me laugh and filled my heart with joy. Those who gave me their time or patiently held my hand, even for just a few seconds; thank you for selflessly giving me something that you can never get back.

I am grateful for the gift of acceptance and learning to completely let go of the past (read: efbf and the great love). Really, I am alright now.

I am grateful for the courage, strength and wisdom to keep on surviving from the challenges that the world throws my way. If material possessions, recognition and praises are the only indicators that I know of, 2014 was definitely a great year. But more than the words of praise and the shining trinkets, more than the shelf decors, the warm hugs and the pats on the back, more than anything that can be seen by the eye is the voice that tell me, “well done my child, you held on and now were done with that phase,” for from that springs the faith that I can make it through whatever is still left that bother me and dampen my spirit.

I am grateful for experiencing the year that was and the opportunity to face 2015 full of hope and the passion of living, learning and loving a life worth living.