Brainisms

Death Row

2010-10-31T19:37:00.000-07:00

Madalas akong tanungnin ng mga kaibigan ko kung naniniwala ba ako sa mga multo. Mabilis ko silang sinasagot na ‘hindi’ dahil hindi nga naman talaga ako pinapakitaan ng multo sapul pa ng aking kabataan. Dagdag ko nga, gusto ko ngang pakitaan ako ng mga multo pero mukhang ayaw nila ata akong makita. Minsan, naiinggit ako sa mga taong nakakapagkuwento ng tungkol sa mga multo dahil meron silang mga karanasan sa mga ito. Ako, walang experience!

Pero wala man akong kuwento tungkol sa mga multo, hayaan niyo pa rin akong magkuwento tungkol sa 2 taong naging malapit sa akin na sumakabilang buhay na.

Nung hayskul pa ako, isa lamang akong tipikal na estudyante: nag-aaral, naglalaro rin ng basketbol, palakaibigan, at isang ‘loverboy’ ika nga ng mga kabarkada ko. Nung nasa huling taon na ako ng hayskul, officer ako sa amin sa CAT (Citizen’s Army Training). Ang posisyon ko noon ay Color Officer (rank: captain). Di ko malimutan ang posisyon kong iyon dahil sa madalas akong tawagin ng mga kaklase ko na ‘kapitan.’ inasam ko talaga ang rango na iyon since 3rd year dahil masarap tingnan ang mga mas matataas pa na rango sa akin na mag-side step sa tuwing dala ko ang Philippine flag. Petiks pa ang trabaho.

Siyempre, kung kami ang mga officers, meron din kaming mga COCC, mga 3rd year sa hayskul na gustong maging officer pagdating ng 4th year. May isang estudyante na nagngangalang Peter. Tulad ko, isan rin siyang tipikal na estudyante. Pero kakaiba siya sa mga COCC dahil simula pa lang, gusto na niyang makuha ang rango ko pagdating ng turnover ceremonies sa katapusan ng taon. ako’y napa-WOW dahil sa hindi na ako mahihirapan na maghanap ng kapalit ko sa katapusan. Kung baga, me kontrata na. saya di ba?

Pero isang araw, di ko na matandaan kung ilang buwan na lang bago ang turnover ceremonies, habang ang klase namin ay nag-iingay habang naghihintay sa susunod naming teacher sa isang subject, may isang kalabog kaming narinig dalawang classroom ang layo mula sa amin. nagsilabasan ang mga kaklase kong malapit sa corridor. Nakita nila ang isang estudyante na nakahiga sa sahig, inaatake ng epilepsy. Di na ako lumabas dahil nasa kaloob-looban ako ng silid at tinatamad nang lumabas para maki-usi (short for usisero). pero matapos ang pangyayari, sinabihan ako ng mga kaklase ko na si Peter ang lumagapak sa sahig at inepilepsy.

Laking gulat ko nang malaman ko ang balitang iyon mula sa mga kaklase kong naki-usi. Pero, di naman gaano yun big deal sa akin dahil naniniwala naman ako noon na gagaling pa siya. Oo nga pala, totoo nga palang kahit gaano kalayo ang tao sa iyo, kahit dalawang silid ang layo niyo, pag bumagsak sya sa sahig ay maririnig mo pa rin ito. Tama, kahit na nasa bandng dulo ako ng silid ay narinig ko pa rin syang kumalabog.

Ilang buwan na ang mga nakakaraan nang makita ko ulit si Peter. Medyo masigla na at parang walang nangyari sa kanya. Kinamusta ko siya ng saglit. natuwa naman ako sa kanya dahil hindi pa rin siya nasisiraan ng loob kahit na sinuspindi muna siya sa CAT training dahil sa kanyang kundisyon. Dagdag pa nga nya, sa pagkakatanda ko, na habol pa rin niya ang rango ko. Napangiti ako dahil sa kanyang katatagan.

Buwan ang mga lumipas at ilang linggo na lang ay turnover ceremonies ay may isang masamang balita kaming narinig. Sa isang morning assembly namin, malungkot na ibinalita sa amin ni sir Grafil na si Peter ay sumakabilang buhay na. Na-cardiac arrest sa kanilang probinsya. Sa pagkakataong iyon, nabigla ako nang todo hindi lang dahil sa nangyari pero dahil sa wala na akong kokontratahin na pagpapasahan ko ng rango bilang kapitan sa turnover ceremonies.

Pinuntahan naming magbabarkada ang kanyang labi sa Manila Memorial para magbigay pugay sa kanya. Tiningnan ko ang aking tinuring ko na na protégé. Sa paghaharap namin ay kinilabutan ako. Sayang, di ko na siya makakausap muli at di ko na maririnig sa kanya ang eagerness niyang makabalik sa COCC. Sayang talaga.

Di mo talaga masasabi kung kailan ang isang tao ay kukunin na ng ating Tagapaglikha. Napakabiglaan ng mga pangyayari. Pero, sabi nga ng karamihan, tuloy pa rin ang buhay. Di pa naman tapos e. Habang humihinga pa tayo e tuloy pa rin ang paglalakbay. Tanging S’ya lamang ang magpapasiya kung kailan ang tamag oras ng ating pagpapahinga.

Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat eis. Requescat in pace. Amen.

itutuloy…

Twistedbrain_del: what do you mean by extraordinary?

2010-10-28T01:17:00.000-07:00

note: ito ay ginawa noong December 4, 2009

Sa isang text message na nabasa ko pero nabura na sa inbox ng aking cellphone na para bagang napag-iwanan na ng panahon, ang sabi: "If people make you feel like you don't fit it, it doesn't mean there's something wrong. It only means that you're just too extraordinary to settle for their ordinary world."

Ewan ko ba kung naranasan niyo na yung mapag-initan. Sa mga nakaranas na, mapalad kayo at naranasan niyo na ang pinaka-nakakapang-init ng ulo na parang gusto mo na ring buhusan ng mainit na tubig ang kanilang mga pagmumukha, basagan ng plorera ang kanilang bungo at marami pang mga katakut-takot na mga bagay na hindi inaasahan ang gusto mong mangyari sa kanila. Sa mga hindi pa, kawawa naman kayo at masasabi kong mabubuhay lang kayo kung kayo ay nakaranas na ng napag-iinitan. Samut-sari ang mga batikos sa iyo ng mga tao kung ikaw ay nakapag-sabi o nakagawa ng isang bagay na wala ka namang intensyon na manakit ng iba pero may mga natatamaan pa rin. Akala mong nakagawa ka na ng mabuti pero hindi pala. Hay naku, ako lang ang nababad-trip sa mga taong iyon habang tina-type ko ito. Di ko alam kung sisirain ko itong kompyuter ko pag nakikita ko mukha nila sa Facebook o murahin sila nang harap-harapan kung magkita kami isang araw.

Ang tao, maraming isyu sa buhay. Akala niyo takas na ako roon sa kagustuhan kong depensahan ang sarili ko dahil ako rin ang author nito? Hindi ko ine-exempt ang aking sarili sa problemang ito ng tao na para bang walang katapusan. TAMA! Wala nga namang katapusan ang problemang ito ng tao. Habang nabubuhay tayo, nadadagdagan lang ang ating mga isyu sa buhay. Parang mga kalaban nila Voltes V, Combattler V, Daimos at Mazinger Z na laging me kalaban kada episode. Sa pagkakaalam ko nga wala pa yatang isang episode na hindi nagkaroon ng kalaban ang mga makapangyarihang robot na nabanggit ko dahil nga naman mababagabag ang ating kalooban na para bang me kulang sa buhay naitn pag hindi natin maririnig ang mga sigaw ni Voltes V na super-electromagnetic top, chain knuckles at ang walang kupas na LASER SWORD (gayahin niyo na lang ung sigaw ni Voltes V, hindi pwede rito e). Kailanman, hindi nauubusan ng isyu ang mga tao dahil kung naubusan ka, aba naman, aalis na ako sa relihiyon ko at ikaw na lang ang sasambahin ko.

Sa Psychology, merong tinatawag na Progressive Sedimentation. Parang isang iceberg, parang ulo natin, matigas. Mukha lang maliit ang iceburg pero sa ilalim pala, malaki. Kung ikukumpara mo siya sa buhay mo, maliit lang ang kaalaman mo tungkol sa iyong sarili. Kala mo kilala mo na pero sa kasawiang palad, hindi pala. Sa dinami-rami ng mga nangyari sa atin mula pagkabata hanggang sa puntong binabasa mo itong note ko, me mga nadadagdag na isyu sa buhay mo. Ang iceberg ay lalong lumalaki. Pero pwede mo naman itong tapyasin. Yun e kung gusto mo talagang makilala ang sarili mo. Pero sinisiguro ko sa iyo at tiyak na ikalulungkot mo, hindi ito maglalaho. Mawawala lang 'yon pag deads ka na. Isang bagay rin na nakakapagpakapal ng ating iceberg ay ang mga nangyayari sa atin na hindi naman natin tinitingnan nang maigi kung may natutunan ba tayo at sa katagalan, nakakalimutan. Iyon naman ang tinatawag ni Freud na the "unconscious." Ito ang nagiging problema natin. Gusto man natin maging masaya at maganda ang buhay natin pero nakakalimutan nating i-process ang mga hurts natin sa buhay. Kaya pagtanda, daig pa natin ang nakahithit ng shabu sa ilalim ng tulay, nadisgrasya sa Rizal day bombing at nabaril ang ulo sa salvage na hindi mo na mawari ang pagmumukha: SABOG!

Sabog, pwede na rin siguro ang salitang adik. Ang tao nga naman, ADIK! Adik saan? Adik sa pagtatrabaho, adik sa kasusuyo sa syota, adik sa pakikipagkwentuhan, adik sa pagpapapayat, adik sa pag-aaral, adik sa Facebook, twitter, multiply at napakarami pang ibang social networking sites na kahit sa virtual world pa ng pagdo-DOTA ay nagiging adik na ang sangkatauhan. Nakakalimutan na ang mga basics sa buhay. Minsan nawawalan na ng puso ang tao sa kanilang mga ginagawa at trabaho na lang nang trabaho. Sadya nga namang "trabaho lang… walang personalan." Kadalasan, nawawala na ang puso ng tao sa kanilang ginagawa kapag nalululong na sila rito. Pag nasa rurok na sila ng karangyaan, aba naman, lang hiya, wala nang puso. Kaya hindi ko nga maintindihan ang mga nag-ma-master's or nagdo-doctorate kung bakit pa sila kumukuha nga ganoong degree. Bakit kaya? A: dahil na-aadik na sila sa kanilang mga ginagawa? B: dahil kaya gusto pa nilang magkaroon ng mas malaking suweldo? C: para mawalan ng puso? D: para may mapag-initan? Or E: all of the above?

Ang sagot, EWAN! Depende sa mga intensyon nila. Pero ano kaya ang nagagawa nila sa lipunan? Nagbabago ba ang Pilipinas dahil sa kanila o sila mismo ang nagiging sanhi ng pagkakalugmok ng lipunan sa putik at nagiging mas malala pa sa baboy ang ating mga kababayan? Sa sobrang talino nila (gagaling kasi e), sa pagigi nilang sobrang mabusisi, nakakalimutan na nilang lagyan ng puso ang kanilang mga ginagawa. Puros utak na lang. Edi sana utak na lang ang nilikha sa mundo para masaya. Di ba? Palagay ko sila rin ang nagiging sanhi ng kahirapan sa ating lipunan. Yung mga magagaling na tao na yan, mapa-teacher man sila, mapa-magulang man sila, mapa-pulitiko man sila na wala nang ibang ginagawa kundi magpalaki ng tiyan, mapa-parak man na laging huli sa crime scene pag may movie, sa sobrang pagmamarunong e napag-iinitan nila ang taong bayan. Yes or yes? Galing mo, tama ka! YES!

Pero sa huli, wala ring magiging point nang pagkakasundo kung ang mga hindi magagaling ay too extraordinary for the ordinary world of the magagaling. Este… naggagaling-galingan.

Looking Back

2010-10-27T04:21:00.000-07:00

Ang tagal na, ang tagal ko na hindi nabisita ang blog kong ito. Tama ang nakita mo, ANG TAGAL NA!!!

Tatlong taon na ang nakakaraan mula nung ginawa ko itong Brainisms. Originally, ang purpose nito ay maging isang journal namin para sa aming Creative Writing class kay Fr. Joel Camaya, SDB. Hanep no, tig-iisang blog ang pinagawa sa amin para sa klase namin. Cool! Kung titignan ninyo ang mga una kong post dito sa Brainisms, puro ito English. Kasi kung hindi, siyempre, bagsak kami. Pero ngayon, dahil malaya na naman akong makakagamit ng wika na gusto ko, ginagamit ko na itong blog na 'to bilang journal para sa mga Pilipino na nakakaintindi ng ating lengwahe. Na-realize ko kasi, kung puro English lang, yung mga nakakaintindi lang ng English ang magkakainteres sa blog na 'to. Kung Filipino naman, baka sabihing low-class naman ako at di ako marunong mag-English. So para wala na lang away, pinaghalo ko na lang. Jejejeje.

Hindi ko pa binabalikan ang aking mga dati kong post dito sa Brainisms. Pero siguro, kung titignan ko ulit ang mga iyon, mukhang matatagalan akong tapusin ang mga bagay na kailangan kong tapusin. Sa paggawa pa nga lang nito, nahihirapan na ako. Di ko kasi alam kung papano magiging mabenta ang aking post para sa inyo. Syempre, yaman din lamang na ang blog na ito ay para mabasa ng ibang tao. Kaya nga nasa internet e.

Aking panalangin lang sa mga susunod na araw ay mailagay ko na ang Part 2 ng aking antolohiya ng insights straight from the brain: mga ginawa kong speech bago pa ipanganak itong Brainisms.

Nakalimutan ko palang sabihin. Ang tunay na pangalang nga blog na ito ay "Me" dahil lahat ng mga nilalagay ko rito ay tungkol nga naman sa akin. Pero para gumanda-ganda naman, iniba ko ang title ng blog ko: from "Me" to "Brainisms."

Again, I hope I could type immediately my past speeches, poems etc. so that I could also clean my table before I begin doing my special assignment. Have a blessed Wednesday to all.

+KABATAK

Reflection: in life

2008-12-22T05:55:00.001-08:00

N.B. This article was lifted up from the "Insideout": the official publication of Don Bosco Seminary, Canlubang. This article is a bit edited compared to the original article. This is about my consolations in life. Just sit back, relax and enjoy! :-)

A Sweet Reward
by del_cabanog

In everything we do, there's always a consolation at the end. That was the realization that came to my mind as I was writing this editor's column. I have been through a lot of hardships and trials that sometimes almost crushes me to the ground. But God has its own ways and luckily, I'm still alive and I believe this is God's greatest manifestation of His love for me.

Isn't that ironic: I said that as long as I'm alive, God still loves me, but as I continue breathing, things are getting harder and harder? I just went back to the seminary last September and with the resolutions that I had during that time, it seems that now I find it hard to live for my faith. Temptations are getting stronger, it's harder to look for personal time to be with the Lord and of course, requirements become more a burden to me than the previous ones. I even feel like giving up. But amidst the storms of life, God helps me to walk on the water together with Him, for nothing is impossible with Him.

This week, I was asked by my cooperating teacher to print a file which comprises the first years' pointers to review and a poem entitled: "Footprints in the Sand". That poem simply reminds me of my resolution (another one): "Take things one step at a time". Sometimes, I cannot anymore carry the demand of the requirements (both in the school and in the seminary). But for some unknown reason except that I just call onto the Lord, my fears to face the burden banishes realizing that at the end of the week, I was able to conquer those dark days in my life. Truly, God carries me during the times that I cannot anymore carry the burdens in life.

To be frank with you, I find it hard to teach English to my students (both the Thais and the High School students) because I was accustomed not to listen to my teachers wayback to my elementary and high school years. Now, I'm eating again the things that I should have learned before. I can also see myself in the attitudes of my students, not just their positive sides but also the negative ones. I feel that I'm not competent to become a teacher, that my students may not learn anything from me; that I cannot teach English properly, etc. But you know, whenever I recall that happend the past week, I just hear myself speaking: "I was able to survive the week. Thanks be to God".

One thing that made my Student Teaching so memorable is when a Thai student (Numtan) gave me a small, brown and cute teddy bear. Maybe she got fascinated with my teaching style (using stuff toys) but more than that, I was really moved by that event (when she gave me the bear) simply because I desired for it. I used their (Thais) stuff toys during their class. That teddy bear reminds me of the moments that I've been with them.

Sharing these instances in my life, I may confirm that despite the failures that I received, there are still god sides to look upon. Such successes in life inspire us to forge on. When you feel that you cannot anymore handle your problems, let God steer the wheel for you. I'm sure that in the end of every trial, there is always a consolation.

God is good all the time. All the time God is good. :-)

reflection: in life...

2008-08-30T03:37:00.000-07:00

sa buhay, dumadating tayo sa punto nang nasa oras na tayo nang kagipitan at hindi mo na alam ang gagawin.

hindi ko na tuloy alam kung ano ang aking gagawin. gulung-gulo na ako. pakitingnan muna ang
lyrics na nasa ibaba...

[Verse 1]
I had nothing to say
and i get lost in the nothingness inside of me
(i was confused)
and i live it all out to find, but im not the only person wit these things in mind
(inside of me)
but all that they can see the words revealed
is the only real thing that i got left to feel
(nothing to lose)
just stuck hollow and alone
and the fault is my own and the fault is my own

[Chorus]
i wanna heal i wanna feel what i thought was never real
i wanna let go of the pain ive felt so long.
erase all the pain til its gone
i wanna heal i wanna feel like im close to something real.
i wanna find something ive wanted all along
somewhere i belong

and i got nothing to say. i cant believe i didnt fall right down on my face
(i was confused)
look at everywhere only to find.
it is not the way i had imagined it all in my mind.
(so what am i)
what do i have but negativity
cuz i cant trust no one by the way everyone is looking at me
(nothing to lose)
nothing to gain im hollow and alone
and the fault is my own
and the fault is my own

[repeat chorus]

[Verse 3] (Chester)
I will never know myself until i do this on my own
cuz i will never feel anything else until my wounds are healed
i will never be anything til i break away from me
i will break away. ill find myself today

[repeat chorus]

this song really speaks a lot of my situation that i am having right now. i get lost in the nothingness inside of me. gulung-gulo na ako na hindi ko na nga alam kung ano ang gagawin ko. mahirap magdecide ngayon kung nasa loob ako pero deep inside pala ay may bumabagabag sa akin. Ibang klase ang bumabagabag sa'kin e. i want to erase all the pain till its gone. i feel that my home, my family will help me a lot regarding this crisis that i am having now. i dunno really what to do.

I wil never be anything til i break away from me. i broke away from myself (inside) and now ill find myself today (outside). I wanna find something i wanted all along

SOMEWHERE I BELONG!

Strike up the band

2008-02-20T16:21:00.000-08:00

Wala man lang akong nagawa kahapon. May nakapag-nakaw kasi ng aking kamalayan sa pag-aaral sa puntong nabaling na lang ang kasiyahan ko sa pakikinig ng mga kanta ni Michelle Branch. Naaalala ko tuloy ang high school days ko, specifically noong 2nd year high school pa ako. Isa sa mga pinakamasasayang araw ko yung 2nd year dahil sa ako ay kabilang pa sa top ten sa batch noong panahong iyon. May mga nakilala rin akong mga astig na tao na itago na lang natin sa mga pangalang Mr. Dacumos, Rj Jacala, Paulo Isip, Zeus Tagnipez at Joseph Cabrera. hahaha.

Ngayon na nakakatugtog na ako ng gitara, mas naapreciate ko na ang musika di tulad noong ako'y nasa high school pa lamang. Nag-iiba nga talaga ang panahon. At sa pagdaan nito, nagbabago rin ang tao. Tama nga, ngayon, mas gusto ko na ang music dahil sa masarap making at gayahin ang mga paborito mong kanta. Parang gusto mong maging kasing galing ng ginagaya mo kahit na malayo pang mangyari.

A Day... Full of Blood

2008-02-18T16:43:00.000-08:00

I thought it was Father's blood. I didn't expect that the blood spilled in the football field was mine. I never thought, I never thought.

Yesterday, we had a football game. The game was so close to the point that the red team only got its victory from "five-kickers." Napakatindi nang laban. Mas matindi pa sa laban ng blue at green. Siguro, masyado lang talagang uhaw sa tagumpay ang bawat koponan. Ngunit sa huli ay natalo rin ang green team pero no regrets. We fought a good fight. We deserve to lose kasi magaling nga naman talaga ang naka-goal sa amin. :-)

Anyway, mayroong hindi inaasahan na pangyayari sa laro kahapon. Matapos mabunggo ang aking noo, hindi ko inaakala na sisirit ang dugo nang ganoon kalakas sa aking noo. Nakakadiri dahil sobrang lagkit ng dugo pero sa kabutihang palad, hindi naman ako umiyak o nahimatay. Mabuti na rin na nangyari sa akin yon dahil kung sa iba siguro nangyari ang sitwasyon na iyon, baka hindi nila makayanan ang sakit. hahaha...

Hindi ko maramdaman ang sakit nung umuulan pa nang dugo sa football field. Naramdaman ko na lang nung nasa kotse na ako at nakahiga. Paano kaya kung iba ang tinamaan ng ganoong sitwasyon, makayanan kaya nila?

Nagpapasalamat ako sa mga nagdasal, sumubaybay, at sumuporta sa akin habang ako ay isinugod sa isang ospital sa Mayapa. Akala ko mauubusan na ako ng dugo kasi sobrang dami talaga e. Pero sa kabutihang palad, nabuhay pa ako. hahaha... Pero alam ko naman na hindi pa iyon ang katapusan ko dahil naisip ko na may mas naghirap pa sa akin and yet, buhay pa.

O diba, mas naghirap Siya? He was the reason why I chose to live rather than to despair myself. Though I failed so much, I allowed it because I believe that that was His will for me so I may learn from it. Success, after all, is not how much you win or lose but it is how you play the game.

God bless...

Wake up call

2008-02-11T15:35:00.000-08:00

Kagabi ay nagkaroon kami ng conference kay Fr. Joe at ito ay tungkol sa evaluation ng 3-day orintation na naganap from Feb. 8-10, 2008. Sobrang dami ng aming mga problema at siyempre, naglagay kami ng mga solusyon para maiwasan na ang mga problema sa mga susunod na 3-day orintation.

Para sa kaalaman ng lahat, ang 3-day orientation ay isang activity para sa mga gustong pumasok ng seminaryo. Sila ay maninirahan sa seminaryo at gagabayan sila ng mga seminarista nang sa gayon ay malaman nila kung ano nga ang buhay sa loob at kung paano mamuhay ang isang seminarista. Sa kabilang banda, sila (ang mga "orintationists") ay mamumuhay seminarista sa loob ng tatlong araw.

Tumagal nang halos isang oras ang evaluation at karamihan sa mga solusyon ay: RESPONSIBILIDAD NG SEMINARISTA ang gabayan ang kanilang mga "orintationists." Bago natapos ang evaluation, binigyan kami ng pagkakataong magsalita at sa kabutihang palad, ako lang ang nakapagsalita nang napaka... (hindi ko madeskrayb e). Plinano ko na ilagay ang aking repleksyon sa blog pagkatapos kong sabihin ang mga susunod na salitang galing mismo mga kabatak, sa aking utak:

"We are too lax. The seminary's ambiance is not anymore the ambiance that we had 3 years ago! I don't know why did the orintationists appreciate their guardians. Dahil nga ba sa hindi sila nag-eexert ng effort tuwing work. Siyempre, kung iyon ay magiging good point nila para pumasok ng seminaryo, siyempre, gagawin din nila iyon pag sila ay seminarista na. If we are just responsible enough for ourselves, we could have share more for our orientationists and solutions in our problems won't be like this. The common solution that we have in the board is that IT IS THE RESPONSIBLE OF EACH SEMINARIAN TO GUIDE THE ORIENTATIONISTS! Kung magpo-produce lang tayo ng mga sorry for the term, mga walang kuwentang seminarista at mga magpapanira sa kongregasyon, walang silbi ang ginagawa nating 3-day orientation. That's why I think we must put into consider that we must be responsible enough."

I hope this will be a wake up call for all of us!

...

2008-02-10T02:16:00.000-08:00

MISUNDERSTOOD
by Bon Jovi

Should I? Could I?
Have said the wrong things right a thousand times
If I could just rewind, I see it in my mind
If I could turn back time, you'd still be mine

You cried, I died
I should have shut my mouth, things headed south, YEAH
As the words slipped off my tongue, they sounded dumb
If this old heart could talk, it'd say you're the one
I'm wasting time when I think about it

Chorus:
I should have drove all night, I would have run all the lights
I was misunderstood
I stumbled like my words, Did the best I could
Damn, misunderstood

Could I? Should I?
Apologize for sleeping on the couch that night
Staying out too late with all of my friends
You found me passed out in the yard again

You cried, I tried
To stretch the truth, but didn't lie
It's not so bad when you think about it

Chorus:
I should have drove all night, I would have run all the lights
I was misunderstood
I stumbled like my words, did the best I could
damn, misunderstood
Intentions good

It's you and I, just think about it...

Chorus:
I should have drove all night
I would have run all the lights
I was misunderstood
I stumbled like my words, did the best I could
I HANGING OUTSIDE YOUR DOOR, I BEEN HERE BEFORE
MISUNDERSTOOD
I stumbled like my words, did the best I could
Damn, misunderstood
Intentions good.

Lenten Penance...

2008-02-05T02:35:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow is the start of the season of Lent. And in line with the said season, the community of the carreño house of formation will be having its yearly leanten penance. But before we proceed to the meat of this reflection, maybe it's better to define first what is penance.

According to the Encarta dictionary, penance is defined as:

1. self punishment for committing sin
2. a Christian sacrament of reconciliation and
3. a duty imposed by a priest.

Maybe to sympathize with the Lord's suffering, it is a mandate for us to do penance as a sign of our sincerity to return to God; by committing sin no more. According to Don Bosco,to preserve purity, do not pamper the body (BM VI,8). If we do a little sacrifice for ourselves, we preserve purity, and if purity is a way to repent and return to the Lord. Therefore, doing a sacrifice or having penance is a way to repent and return to the Lord.

As future Salesians, we also practice community life. Therefore, we also do community penance for the season of Lent. We were given by Fr. Joe 2 requirements before we vote for our penance. One is it must be a "communitarian" penance meaning that all of us must benefit from it; better if we have the "common" denominator. And the second is the ordinary penance. Ordinary means not to break the seminary rules. Again, it must be also "communitarian". Yung tipong nilalabag namin yung mga rules pero dahil sa season ng lent, kailangan naming ituwid ang iyon sa pamamagitan ng penance.

After 2days of rsuggestion submission, we have come up with 2 community penance. First is we will drink coffee, chocolate, juices and use condiments only on Sundays and the second is we must be punctual in all activities. This also connects the avoidance of extension after lights off and the renewal of the "timekeeper's" duty. The second penance is very applicable to the "timekeeper" for he sometimes/often neglects his duty. Bell ringer na nga lang, nakakalimutan pa. What a..... shame.

Anyway, to end this reflection, let me tell you the main point of the season of Lent: that is in the 40 days of retreat, we must repent, and believe in the Gospel. Let us turn back to God who leads us to eternal life and genuine freedom.

vocation promotion

2008-02-04T15:45:00.000-08:00

Sabado nung last week, inutusan ako ni Fr. Noel Sumagui na gumawa raw ako ng pang-vocation promotion pero within the vicinity of Canlubang lang. Napaisip ako kung attanggapin ko ba yung trabaho o hindi. Ngunit dahil na-realize ko na ako na lang yung seminarian na hindi busy, tinanggap ko naman ang trabaho. Maraming pumasok sa isipan ko para may maipasa at siyempre (nasa isip ko rin yun) ang sumikat. hahaha, medyo malamig na ata a. pero anyway, natapos ko naman ang trabaho at nai-print na. Though hindi pa ito kumakalat sa buong province (Philippine North Province ng Salesians), ikakalat ko na ito bilang pang-promote sa mga kabataan na gustong pumasok ng seminaryo. By the way, i would like to thank Kris Afable (Editor) and Fr. Noel Sumagui (Adviser) for helping me. Hope you'll enjoy.

Reflection: in life

2008-02-04T04:50:00.001-08:00

Todo Lakas

Ang buhay nga sabi ng iba ay parang gulong lang; minsan nasa taas ka, minsan, nasa baba ka rin. Pero paano kaya ang reaksyon ng bawat isa kung ang nasa baba ang itinaas at ang nasa itaas ay ibinaba? Mukhang mahirap madetermine yan dahil sa lakas ng ating pagde-deny. Sa football kanina ay may malaking himala ang nangyari. Hindi inaasahan ng karamihan na ang green team (syempre, team ko yun), na laging natatalo sa laban ay nanalo sa "pinakamalakas" na koponan sa seminaryo, ang blue team. Marami ang nag-react sa nangyari. Pero isa sa naka-struck sa akin ay ito: Yung mga mayayabang sa blue team ay hindi na nakapagsalita nung natalo. Hehehe. Bakit? hindi ko alam. Bakit kaya sila ganun? Kung kami naman ang natatalo, nagsasalita naman kami. Pero bakit sa kung sila naman ang natatalo, para bagang napakalaki ng kanilang isyu sa kanilang pagkatalo?

Baka gawa lang siguro na ako'y nakukuntento na sa kung ano man ang mga nangyayari sa'kin ngunit ako, manalo man o matalo, hindi naman ako tumatahimik (depende kung sobrang yabang na ng tao).

Naaalala ko nung English exhibit, marami akong mga naririnig na parang nag-linis lang ako ng isang kuwarto na kung saan ako mag-eexhibit. Pero hindi ko alam kung bakit ito dinumog ng mga Bosconians? Sabi nga ni Sir JR, hindi naman mahalaga kung ano ung mga inexhibit e, ang mahalaga yung may natutunan yung estudyante sa exhibit mo. May isang seminarista na nagtanong sa'kin na kung kamusta na ba raw ang aking exhibit. Malinis na ba raw. Nag-isip pa ako ng kung ano ang isasagot ko. Tapos sinabi ko na malalaman mo na lang. Lam mu ba kung ano ang reaksyon ng seminarista, nagkomento na lang ng "sus". Parang nainis ata sa sagot ko. Meron pang seminarista na nakarinig sa sinabi ko na magiging pinakamagandang exhibit ang English at nagreaksyon naman siya na "ayan na naman." (parang sinasabi niya na ayan na naman, nagyayabang na naman). Bakit kaya hindi nila tanggap na may mas hihigit pa sa kanilang kayabangan. Nag-rereak naman ako kung nayayabangan na ako sa isang tao pero ang sagot na ibibigay ko sa kanya ay yung tipo bang mas mayabang ako. Hindi ko alam kung bakit naiinis sila kung sinasagot ko sila sa tipong mas mayabang ako e sila naman ang nagsimula ng mga kayabangang iyon. Para bang gusto nilang sila na yung pinaka magaling sa mundo. Sabi ngasa golden rule na wag mong gawin sa iba ang ayaw nilang gawin sa'yo. Ibinabalik ko lang ang kayabangan nila. Now sinong talo? Ang tamaan nitong reflection ko, ang mag-reak ng masama sa reflection ko.

Bilang pangwakas sa reflection na ito, ang susunod na ipo-post ko ay ang theme song ng mga tahimik na malulupit kung bumanat. Yung tipo bang may sense yung binabanat. Kinanta ito ng bandang Bamboo na pinamagatang, "Todo Lakas."

ang lalaking tahimik minsan lang magsalita
di mayabang di kailangan
sa tayo pa lang alam mo na
tindig pa lang alam mo na, wag kang tumitig

ho... ho... ho... ika'y masilaw saking ilaw
ho... ho... ho... umaapaw, lakas hataw
todo lakas todo lakas

ang malakas magsalita sya'y pinapakinggan
ang malakas manindigan sya'y kinakapitan
ang malakas sumubok sya'y sinusundan
ang malakas lumaban sya'y hinahangaan (todo lakas)
kung malakas ang loob hinding hindi matataob (todo lakas)
kung malakas ang kamao hinding hindi matatalo (todo lakas)
ang bugtong ito para sa malakas

todo lakas...

back to normal

2008-02-03T02:16:00.000-08:00

yes, back to normal na naman ang aking buhay dahil sa natapos na ang aming foundation day celebrations. pero midterm naman namin this week. i hope that i will be able to pass all subjects and I will be able to pay my back accounts. the foundation day for me was such a different one. why? because i really felt that i'm part of the celebration but more than that, my perseverance was really tested because we were already told that we will be applying for next year as a fourth year aspirant. Nevertheless, I surpass the problem simply because day by day, i come to accept the reality that we must have to finish college first. I really wanted ever since to reach postulancy but I was God's will (i believe). I also believe in the power of my formators next year; that during our fifth year they will give me quality formation and in the future, a better Salesian.

English Unleashed!

2008-02-01T05:53:00.000-08:00

sa wakas, natapos na rin ang aking partisipasyon sa foundation day celebrations. ang aking English exhibit ay nakarami ng mga bisita, kahit na mga Bosconians (Salamat nga pala Sir JR at Ma'am Loida- special mention pa ano? hahaha). although naging parang movie house ang aming English exhibit, naging matagumpay naman ito (kahit para sa akin lang) dahil una, maraming mga bata ang natuwa sa exhibit. I believe, we ("Kabatak" or Me, Sir JR, Ma'am Loida, and some of the BSE students) helped in making the English exhibit a blast. Magaganda yung mga ki-nontribute ni sir JR lalo na yung "brain plexing words." grabe, na-discourage ako a bit na magpatuloy sa BSE nung nalaman ko ung motivational activity na yun. Wow, I never knew that before! hahaha. Maganda rin naman ang mga contributions ni Ma'am Loida dahil sa kanyang "Taboo." hahaha... at saka sa mga pa-project niya sa kanyang mga estudyante. kay Geobert at Daniel naman, ok ang kontribution nila dahil sa paglilinis at pagdedesign ng exhibit. si Aries, ok din dahil umaksyon sa exhibit nung ako'y nasa mga oras ng kagipitan. At sa lahat ng mga naka-contribute sa exhibit dahil sa naging matagumpay ang exhibit na spi-nearhead ko. Siyampre, ang may ideya sa likod ng lahat ng ito ay ang inyong lingkod, KABATAK. Sa totoo lang, High school dapat ang mag si-spearhead ng exhibit ngunit tinanggap ko ang responsibilidad sa pagkuha ng English exhibit dahil sa una ay dahil sa ako na lang ang walang trabaho sa sems sa foundation day at gusto ko namang magkasilbi. At ang ikalawa ay dahil sa naiintindihan ko ang sitwasyon nila; hayskul kasi ang head ng family bingo, at ng academia.

Masarap at very fulfilling ang naging experience kong ito as the exhibit head of the English department. sa experience na yun, dun lumakas lalo ang realization ko na hindi ko kayang trabahuin anng isang bagay ng mag-isa lamang. Although mahirap na wala akog ka-miyembro sa exhibit, pero lahat ay inaasa ko na lang sa Divine Providence ng Diyos. Talaga namang hindi niya ako pinabayaan. hindi ko dapat sabihin na kaya ko palang mag-isa, bagkus ay nakayanan ko ang lahat dahil sa Kanya. Siguro kung sa susunod na taon at ako pa rin ang ita-tap para mag-spearhead ng English exhibit, papayag ulit ako ngunit maghahanda na ako ng tuluyan dahil na-realize ko rin na hindi talaga ako nakapaghanda ng maayos. I learned my lessons and I wish it will stuck up on my mind for the better. Ngayon ay na-iinspire na akong tapusin ang BSEd- English kahit na mukhga akong di karapat-dapat. Kailangan ko palang maghanda ng maghanda at maging updated sa lahat para sa aking mga susunod na mga estudyante.

Lastly, allow me to say the tag line of my exhibit as to end this reflection of mine to encourage the future educators: UNLEASH THE ENGLISH POWER IN YOU!

+KABATAK

I remember the days...

2008-01-21T16:09:00.000-08:00

Naaalala nyo pa ba ang mga pinapanood niyo sa TV noong kayo ay bata pa? Anu-ano ang mga palabas na iyon? ito ba?

ito rin ba pinapanood mo?

hahaha. sarap nga namang balikan ang iyong pagkabata. :-)

Confessions...

2008-01-12T22:05:00.000-08:00

1. WRATH

+ Who did you last get angry with?
. . kay Whil. Nairita ako. Biniro ako kahit na masakit ngipin ko. :-)

+ Who did you last get pissed off with?
. .Hindi ba pareho rin yun sa angry? Ganun din ang sagot ko.

+ Who was the last person who got
really angry at you?
. .hindi ko alam eh. Wala namang nagsabi sakin na may hinanakit siya sakin.

+ Do you keep grudges, or can you let
them go easily?
. .it depends on the situation. Minsan, pag markado na yung tao sakin, lam mo na yun.

2. SLOTH

+ What is one thing you're supposed to
do daily that you haven't done in a
long time?
. .tapusin ang thesis at iba ko pagn mga requirements...

+ What's the latest you've ever woken
up?
. .9:30am sa pagkakatanda ko.

+ Who have you been meaning to contact,
but haven't?
. .si mmmmm.... hahaha...

+ What is the last lame excuse you
made?
. .pagod lang...

+ How many times did you hit the snooze
button on your alarm clock today?
. .palakpak lang ng brother assistant ang alarm clock namin...

3. GLUTTONY

+ Meat eater?
. .of course... yes.

+ What is the greatest amount of
alcohol you've had in one sitting,
outing or event?
. .sa pagkakatanda ko, nung fourth year pa me sa hayskul, halos naka isang long neck me ng matador pero sumuka. Malakas me uminom pero mula noon, mahina na me.

+ Have you ever used a professional
diet company?
. hindi ko lam yan e pero malamang, hindi.

4. LUST

+ How many people have seen YOU
completely naked?
. hindi ko lam kung ilan e. pero nagbibihis me kahit na may butas na sa kilikiling parte ng t-shirt.

+ Have you ever caught yourself staring
at the chest/crotch of a member of your
gender of choice during a normal
conversation?
. . crotch? nu un? hahaha... joke. pero frankly speaking, di ko intensiyon ang manyakin ang sangkatauhan.

+ What's your fave part of the body?
. .eyes and mouth

+ Have you ever made a proposition with
a prostitute?
. .ndi... di me small time...

5. GREED

+ If you had $1 million, what would you
do with it?
. .wala nang trabaho. puro higa, tulog at kain.

+ Would you rather be rich, or famous?
. .pwede mong pagkakitaan ang pagigi mung famous at puwede mu rin namang gawing way to fame ang pagigi mung rich. kaya kahit saan na...

6. PRIDE

+ What is the one thing that you've
done that you're most proud of?
. .to be the best me sabi nga ni kapatid.

+ One thing you have done that your
parents are most proud of?
. .wla pa. pag natapos ko na yung thesis, everything will follow.

+ What would you like to accomplish in
your life?
. .to be able to meet our Creator in Heaven.

+ What did you do today that you're
proud of?
. .mag-gitara sa misa dahil un ang isa sa strengths ko sa buhay.

7. ENVY

+ If you could be anyone else in the
world, who would you be?
. .ako pa rin na asawa na ni E___. hahaha.... joke. The best Me pa rin.

+ Have you ever wished you had a
physical feature diff from your own?
. .oo naman. nakakainggit minsan pero yun nga, eto ako e. That's why to know God's will is so important.

+ Lastly, what is your fave deadly sin?
. . Sloth, Gluttony at siyempre... mmmmm.... hahaha. Lust.

Please read... I'm sure you'll enjoy

2008-01-08T04:36:00.000-08:00

I cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it dseno't mtaetr in waht oerdr the ltteres in a wrod are, the olny iproamtnt tihng is taht the frsit and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it whotuit a pboerlm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Azanmig huh? yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt! if you can raed tihs forwrad it.

N.B. This message was forwarded by my former schoolmate in SanLo through Friendster. :-)

After a long time...

2008-01-05T21:22:00.000-08:00

Kamusta mga KABATAK? It's been a long time since I posted my last blog entry. Sorry for the inconvenience mga kabatak. I'll try my best next time to make my blog site more productive to humanity. Happy New Year to all.

Your kabatak,
Brain_del

What is really the face of Christmas?

2007-12-25T22:11:00.001-08:00

When I was still a toddler (and I believe I'm still), I often see this commercial during Yuletide season and whenever I see this, I always get frightened for the fact that Santa's face was so scary. Combine his face with the sound and the tone of the voice over, wahhhhhh... It's so frightening. last night, as I was watching UniversiTV, I saw that commercial again and woah! I was still frightened because of the sound and hello, I saw it at around midnight. Nakakatakot! But as I was listening to the point of the commercial, it really has a meaning. The following words you will read are the words from the maker of the commercial.

The Face of Christmas

“It was nearing the end of 1990, an especially bad year for the country. So we created a commercial that spoke about bringing ‘Christ back into Christmas, and into our lives’. The message hit the national nerve, winning praise and awards here and abroad. We revisited the spot recently and became unhappy when we realized that the spot could be aired again without changing a word, referring to this year and to this country in the same sad tone.”

Now, let's go to the commercial.

After this very difficult year, the country needs...

A different Christmas.

Now more than ever we need a change in our hearts. Perhaps, with little less ho ho's and more hallelujahs.

Better yet, if we put Christ back into Christmas, back into our lives...

this country might get somewhere.

source: Universitv. (n.d.). Retrieved December 26, 2007, from http://web.mac.com/vpozon/universitv/santa.html

Christmas Carol

2007-12-25T16:37:00.000-08:00

Little Christmas Tree/Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (Medley) with chords
CHF version

Intro: AM7 - C#m-Cm-Bm - E (2x) (2nd round: Esus-E)

I. Little Christmas tree AM7 - C#m - Bm - E
No one to buy you
Give yourself to me
Your worth, your weight
In precious gold you see
My little Christmas tree.

II. Have yourself a merry little Christmas AM7 - C#m - Bm - E
Let your heart be light
From now on,
our troubles will be out of sight. AM7 - C#m - Bm - E (AM7)

III. Here we are as in olden days DM7 - C#m - Bm-E-A9
Happy golden days of yore
Faithful friends who are dear to us F#m-G#m - C#m - Bm (Esus-E)
Gather near to us once more.

IV. Promise you will be (Through the years, we all will be together,) AM7 - C#m - Bm - E
Nobody else's little Christmas tree (If the Fates allow)
I'll make you sparkle
Just you wait and see (Hang a shining star upon the highest bough) AM7 - C#m - Bm - E
My little Christmas tree (F#m)
And have yourself a merry little Christmas now (My little Christmas tree) Bm - E

Coda: Little Christmas tree (3x) AM7 - C#m-Cm-Bm - E (Last chord: A9-A)

Reflection: Merry Christmas!

2007-12-25T14:50:00.000-08:00

December 24, 2007 (10:00pm) - I went at San Antonio de Padua Parish to attend the midnight mass in honor of the Lord's birth. I was so happy because after two months of stay in the seminary, I was able to return to our parish and attend the mass with a blast. Although I'm not anymore an altar server, the mass was such a blast. Reflecting upon it, I came to realize that it's not important to have a church involvement in order to have a blast this Yuletide. To listen to God's word is more important. Listening to the priest’s reflections about Christmas, I was able to listen very well and let me share to you some words from the mass celebrant (Thanks Fr. Tony by the way).

Christmas is all about making decisions. Look, God decided to descend His only son to redeem us from the slavery of sin and he who believes in Him shall not perish but will gain eternal life (John 3:16). Mary also decided to say yes to the call of God. “Fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum - be it done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38) Maybe if she didn’t answer “yes,” salvation won’t be at hand. But wait! Let us not overlook Joseph, Mary’s husband. Joseph’s decision to take Mary as his wife is very important in the story. Without Joseph, Mary could have been stoned to death because having kids without a father during that time was a crime and the punishment is to stone the pregnant woman into death. Anyway, what I’m trying to point at or what Fr. Tony wants to point out is that because of their decisions, salvation came into the world.

Next, Christmas is a story of decisions. And aside from to redeem us from sin, Jesus was born to challenge us to make decisions. Reflecting upon these two things culled from my memory, I came to the point of asking these questions to myself:

Is my daily response to the Lord fits upon my daily tasks and duties as a seminarian? How do I really respond to the call of God?

Second, do I really say “YES” to God’s call?

Lastly, will I still continue to say “YES” to God’s call by applying to the next stage of formation?

I need your prayers guys because our submission of our application/thank you letters is drawing near (Jan. 31), memorial of St. John Bosco. Pls. pray that after making my big decision, whether I persevere or not, I will be happy about it because above all, like what Mary and Joseph did, God’s will is still important.

Let me end this reflection by greeting you through this picture I’ve took after the midnight mass.

Sa tinagal-tagal na panahon...

2007-11-25T16:21:00.000-08:00

Hay salamat, nakapag-blog din me. Sayang talaga, nawalan me ng wireless (nasira). Kaya matagal-tagal ko rin hindi naka-access sa internet. Sayang talaga. Sana maparepair ko na un nang agad (note: kung sino man ang may pera para maipa-repair ko ang laptop ko ng libre, engi naman ng inyong biyaya. hahaha....). sige, me pasok pa kami sa TESL. Paki-antay na lang po ang aking susunod na post. BYE. :-)

Nung makita ko si... Ms. Taiwan

2007-11-04T02:32:00.000-08:00

Del: Ms... Ms... (Kinalabit niya sa kanang balikat ni Ms. Taiwan)

Ms. Taiwan: (lumingon)

Del: May I invite you to...

Ms. Taiwan: What? (Nakita niya yung cel ng kuya ni Del kaya naintindihan niya kaagad ito kahit hindi niya pinatapos magsalita si Del) Ok.

Del: (Tumabi kay Ms. Taiwan at nagpapicture. Nakangiti siya kahit na kinakabahan)

Nung matapos na ang pagpapapicture:

Del: Thank you ms. (kinamayan niya si Ms. Taiwan)

Alam niyo guys, sa tinagal-tagal ko na gusto kong makapagpapicture sa isang celebrity, sa foreigner pa ako nakaexperience ng first time na encounter. At take note, kay Ms. Earth-Taiwan pa. Nastarstruck me. hehehe. Kahit pa pala ang mga katulad ko e nahihiya rn pla. hahaha. wla ung pic namin e (nasa kuya ko pa). sayang. pero di bale, kung mareciv ko un, promiz guys, po-post ko dito un kaagad. hehehe. cge guys, I still need to prepare for tomorrow's class. bye for now guys. GO, Ms. Taiwan! hahaha. :-)

A short yet meaningful visit...

2007-10-26T18:55:00.001-07:00

Lucban, Quezon- At around 11am, we arrived at Kamay ni Hesus in Lucban Quezon. The place was new for me because I haven't been there. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the place because of the cold ambiance and it is really a good place to renew my commitment with the Lord. I felt glad when I heard from our rector that after the retreat, the community will have a pilgrimage to Lucban. We were divided into many groups so as not to disturb other pilgrims on the said site. I was with Oliver, Ivan, Jan, Dominic and Jules. We prayed the stations of the cross and after we ate our lunch, we went to "Kamay para ni Maria" to pray the rosary.

There are times when we forget the Lord especially when we are overwhelmed by our own stardom. We tend to forget that all our blessings come from our Lord. And you know, I came to realize that places like "Kamay ni Hesus" is very helpful to us Catholics simply because it reminds us that despite of our busy schedule, we must still have time to communicate with the Lord. But remember, this is just a reminder for us. What's more important is in wherever we are, we must think the Lord always, dedicate our lives and sere him with joy and optimism.

*del_cabanog

Short Story part 4... (Last part)

2007-10-23T16:38:00.001-07:00

N.B. Salamat sa inyong patuloy na pagsubaybay sa aking short story. Eto na yung last part ng aking story na pinamagatang: "The Pick of Destiny." Sana ay mag-enjoy kayo sa huling parte ng aking istorya. :-)

The Pick of Destiny
by del

“Is there something wrong?” He didn’t know that Ashley was also waiting for that moment. He quickly held her lower back and pushed her body very near to him. Andre quite tilted his head and drew his lips near to her and the people in the bedroom went out and shouted:

“HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!” The suitor failed his heart’s mission. They felt so shy, even if Ashley knew that it was just a set up, at that moment.

After a month, March came and it was the time for Ashley to bid goodbye to Andre. Even they belong to the same school; they quite lost their communication for Ashley’s batch was already preparing for the graduation rites and Andre was so busy to study for their last periodical exam. After she graduated, they completely lost their communication. Depressed was he as he reached fourth year, nevertheless, he graduated. Andre, for he didn’t know where to enroll for college, applied in a seminary.

Rain and Ehra, as they were well acquainted, came to a point that they were madly falling in love with each other. One night, while they were talking on a table, a moment came that they were about to share a glimpse of their childhood days.

“I’m a bit shy to tell you my story but I’ll tell you ‘coz you already gained my trust.” Suddenly, Ehra narrated her past.

“You know, you are the first to hear my unforgettable childhood experience. My family did not know even this one. When I was about to graduate in elementary, before the graduation rites, there was an adoration chapel near that place and I went inside to pray. Not knowing the person inside, I saw my childhood crush. I went toward and sat beside him. He was so handsome yet silent and I loved him because of that. It was just an issue in our school that the boy also loves me that’s why I didn’t tell him my feelings for him. But I can’t wait at that time to tell him my feelings inside the chapel. We were the only persons then. After I kissed him, he hugged me and suddenly, we fell on the carpet and you know… you know what happened? We kissed and I, honestly, felt very happy. However, maybe because we’re too shy that’s why we ended just kissing. And from that moment we never talked again.”

Upon hearing this, Rain quickly remembered the moment wherein he and Bridgette were inside that chapel. And because of that, Rain also narrated his story. He tested her if she will get triggered by it. After Ehra heard his story, she then also remembered her experience with Andre. But Rain easily sensed that she was also triggered by his story. They then started suspecting each other but none of them revealed their real identity. After a long period of suspecting each other silently, Rain broke the silent ambiance.

“Can you wait for while? I have to go to the CR.”

Rain’s heart, after entering the CR, started to beat fast. He didn’t expect that Ehra narrated her story very similar from what he experienced with Bridgette before they separated ways. He reflected very long at the CR that made Ehra waited for so long. She left the bar and as Rain went out of the room, he didn’t anymore see her. He roamed around the bar, hoping that he will still see her but he failed. Then he went out of the bar, grabbed his cellphone on his pocket and called her. On the other hand, Ehra already rode on a taxi and as she heard her phone ringing, she looked on the screen seeing Rain’s name. Driven by her emotions, she started to cry. She commanded the taxi driver to halt the vehicle. She went out and ran off the taxi crying without paying the taxi meter’s price.

They both arrived at their own home with still fresh from their minds the memories of their conversation. They both opened their computers and searched each other’s name in the web. Rain found out that Ehra also had a blog site. On the other hand, she also found that Rain also had a blog site. They opened the link and before their eyes, they saw the view full profile link. They both clicked the link and finally, saw each other’s real name.

“Now I know!” they both said to themselves not knowing that they were spying each other’s real identity.

For some time, they lost communication because they were so busy for the past weeks. They were just texting love quotes but they didn’t personally share their feelings for they might fell again to the same mistake they did before. Rain was already planning to serenade her by searching love songs that soothes her taste. Ehra, on the other hand, planned some actions she will make whenever they will meet one day.

Days may seem lonely for them because they haven’t seen each other for a long time; fate however didn’t allow them to prolong their hidden desire to tell what they feel for each other. Finally, the car, wherein Rain slept, reached the house where Ehra lives. Before he went out of the car, he was so nervous because he doesn’t know what will happen after he tells his feelings to Ehra.

“I’m so nervous. Before I wasn’t able to make you happy by serenading you, now, I’m ready to follow my dream. Wait… wait a minute. Why did God allow these things to happen? What does it tell me?” Rain said to himself.

His sweet memories with Ehra came back again to his mind: from the time they first met until the moment he knew her real name. He came to realized that:

“How long maybe the procession, we will still end standing before the altar. I think we’re really meant for each other.”

Rain went down on his car bringing with him his guitar and a confidence thinking that he will please Ehra. He was still nervous as he was going to press the button for the door bell, nevertheless, it didn’t hinder him to continue his heart’s command. The moment, he rang the bell, Ehra, who wore a big t-shirt because she was going to sleep, went out of the house and opened the gate.

“Oh my God!”

Ehra cried instantly upon seeing Rain, bringing only a guitar. He got carried away as he saw her crying in front of him. After a while, he strummed the guitar and sang a love song. They were so carried away during that time. Even they were outside the house; Ehra still continued crying as she was hearing her suitor’s beautiful voice. On the other hand, Rain sang so loud just as if he was telling the whole world his love for her. After the cathartic event, Rain revealed Ehra’s true identity.

“Hi, Bridgette.”

“A… An… Andreeee!”

Bridgette, as her memories with Rain came back in her mind, shouted at him, cried louder, and slapped Andre’s chest many times. She was very happy at that time even she’s crying because she finally found Andre just in front of her at that moment. And eventually, they kissed each other’s lips hoping that that night will never end.

*the end

Short Story part 3...

2007-10-22T03:17:00.000-07:00

N.B. Sorry because I haven't posted the third part of my own short story. Finally, here it is. Let me present to you the third part of my short story. Hope you'll enjoy. :-)

The Pick of Destiny
by del

One night, after he performed on stage, a woman approached him on the table and talked to him.

“Hello, Rain.”

“How come you know my name?” Rain asked.

“Before you arrived, I was already here. I heard your name and even saw you performed on that stage and it was so beautiful!”

“Like you?” They both laughed.

“May I know your name?” Rain asked the girl.

“I’m Ehra. Don’t you know me?”

“No. All I know is that you’re beautiful.”

“Why do you guys love teasing women?” Ehra asked.

“I admit that you’re really beautiful. Oh there’s a phone call.” Rain’s phone rang, grabbed his cellphone from his pocket and answered the call.

“Oh, I’m sorry Ehra but I have to go. Can I get your phone number so that ‘coz I want to know you more?” Ehra gave to Rain her number and they went out of the bar continuing their conversation. Before they separated ways, he asked her:

“So, are we friends?” Rain extended his arms to shake hands with her.

“Friends.” Ehra agreed and shook hands with him.

Since the night Rain got Ehra’s cellphone number, they started texting each other. They both love texting because it was the only time wherein they share each other’s experiences. For sometime, they meet only once a week or once a month. After, several months, they came to know more each other but they didn’t come to the point of sharing their childhood experiences for they were both shy to tell of their past.

Ehra was also an artist like Rain but she was in the field of acting. Rain remembered Bridgette as an actress in their class way back in his elementary days. She was a member of the Thespian Club since grade one up to grade six. As young as eleven, he was already thinking Bridgette to be his wife.

“I have a secret and don’t tell anybody about this: that I love Bridgette.” The young Andre said to his friends because he cannot hide his feelings for Bridgette and he trusted a lot his friends that they will not squeal his secret. He was wrong. They instantly said and shouted that he had a crush on the pretty girl.

“Hey! What’s wrong with you?” Andre got mad to his friends and looked at Bridgette. He saw that she was also looking for him. As she saw Andre, she changed her facial expression and that started her avoiding him.

Many people were getting attracted to Bridgette since there were new students enrolling to their school. But she didn’t mind them. Since the issue had burst out, she also started of thinking Andre every night but she didn’t told her friends about it. Sometimes, her friends also teased Bridgette to Andre but she was denying and denying the fact that she has also feelings for him. After some years, after the issue started, she had already felt something for Andre: “I love you too.” Bridgette, while telling herself, started to imagine and think of Andre, her suitor.

Bridgette entered showbiz since she was in first year college. Since Andre was already inside the seminary, he didn’t know that Bridgette entered the world of showbiz. Like Rain, Bridgette also changed her image; from a thespian club member to a real star. She was now known as Ehra. Because it has been a long time since they didn’t meet, they haven’t recognized each other because they changed a lot; physically, mentally and emotionally. Actually, both of them changed in the same aspects but because they didn’t share stories from the past, they still don’t know that they were classmates before and even a love team during their elementary days.

Andre faced plenty of struggles when he entered high school. Many left the school including Bridgette and his friends. He learned more games since then but he didn’t have the chance of joining a varsity team because he was trying to shun bad companions. He joined rather a group of boys who also mastered nothing, like him. But again, he was led into a wrong way. He was influenced to have vices like smoking, and drinking alcoholic beverages. He soon started to forget Bridgette and looked for a woman deserving for him to be his girlfriend. He was also choosy in looking for his “miss right.” When he was in third year, he found a woman more beautiful than Bridgette. Her name was Ashley. She was a bit taller than Andre and came from a Chinese clan. But she can also speak Filipino. She also belonged to the batch a year higher than Andre.

On the same year they first met, Ashley invited Andre to attend her simple birthday celebration in their house. And because he wanted to impress Ashley, he bought a box of chocolate brownies. The time when he arrived to their house, he thought that she was left alone in the house. He did not know that the scene was just a set up. Ashley’s younger sister was hiding in their bedroom together with her friends. Upon seeing Ashley alone, he aggressively approached and greeted her:

“Happy birthday!”

Ashley, as her cheeks blushed, was so pleased and invited him to go inside the house. Andre was a bit afraid for he knew that they were the only persons inside.

“Ummm…Ummm… How are you?” Andre, a bit shy, asked her.

“I’m fine. Why?”

“You know, don’t be shy, we’re the only persons here inside our house. Do you want something to eat?”

“No, no, no, no! I… I… I just want you to be here and that’s enough. And, and I have a simple present for you and I hope you will be glad.” Andre showed the box of brownies and opened it for her. “Do you want to eat?” Andre asked.

“Sure, why not.” Ashley happily answered. And little by little, Andre fed her using his hand.

“So, how does it taste?”

“It’s so sweet. Like… like you.” Andre laughed and his mind was already dictating to draw nearer as they were both seated on a long sofa. Andre got so nervous that he didn’t know what to say next.

*to be continued...

All systems down?

2007-10-11T20:24:00.000-07:00

Finals week na namin. Naramdaman ko na habang natatapos na ang finals week namin na lahat ng mga requirements ko na dating bulky ay lumiliit na. Hindi ko alam kung sadyang mabilis lang ba ang panahon o mabilis lang akong tumapos ng mga requirements? (Well, iba na kung magaling. hehehe) Isa na nga lang talaga ang hindi ko matapus-tapos. anu nga b un? Basta, sabihin ko na lang un kung natapos ko na. hahaha.

Malapit na...

2007-09-30T17:48:00.000-07:00

Malapit na... malapit na kaming tapusin ng aming mga requirements. :-) ahhhhhh... bahala na...

Let the Bodies Hit the Floor

2007-09-26T20:44:00.000-07:00

The last time I've seen this video was during my 4th year in high school. Some of my classmates are fond of watching this video, for some reasons, I don't know. I saw this video for the first time was in Training Groundz (I think it's still alive and is still along Sucat Road in Paranaque). The video is all about the war between the Taliban and the United States.

Instruction: Read the message prior to the presentation of pictures. Reflect on it and make a comment. N.B. You may comment on the comment section of this blogsite or in xat box or in cbox.

Lastly, ENJOY!

So what are you waiting for, comment na! :-)

Lesson: EDUTECH

2007-09-25T20:12:00.000-07:00

Chess: by del

What's your favorite game?

Whil: Football
Enzo: Billards
Jude: Basketball

You know guys, as future Salesians (I hope, we'll persevere), we must love what the young love and not all kids can play football or basketball or even volleyball (like me). There are also alternative games for those who cannot play in outdoor (of course) and it's called indoor games. What will I be discussing to you is the game called chess.

N.B. Of course, I already forgot the exact words I've said in the classroom when I was doing my demo teaching in the AVR of Don Bosco College. I often discuss in Filipino until now since I'm used into that language because I need to communicate well to my students in order to have a good rapport.

Chess is my favorite game since I started playing this game seriously when I was in second year high school. I can say that I'm a Chess "addict" for the fact that I play even when the teacher discusses (like T.H.E. et al.). That's my forte because that's the only game that I know. Although I also play football, basketball, and volleyball, and table tennis, and billiards, and even kadang-kadang, but what I enjoy most and my strength is really in playing chess. It's because it is a real-time strategy game. Let me teach you some techniques to appreciate and enjoy playing Chess.

This is how the chess set is arranged:

There are six unique Chess pieces and let me show you pictures on how they move:

King:
Queen:

Bishop:

*too long, to be continued na lang. hehehe... :-)

Short Story part 2...

2007-09-25T17:10:00.000-07:00

The Pick of Destiny

by del

N.B. This is the sequel of my short story (for those who are waiting for it).

When they arrived home, the son, with so much excitement, opened the zipper of the guitar case and took off the guitar from its cover. It was the first time for Andre to hold a guitar so he held it so much with care. He then quickly used the pick and strummed a bit. He felt glad yet unsatisfied. He took the free guitar guide for beginners. He saw plenty of guitar chords. And because he didn’t know how to read guitar chords, he felt discouragement. Because of that, he brought the guitar back from its cover and slept.

Every time Andre sees the guitar, he cannot but take off the guitar from its cover and play a little. But after a while he feels discourage and returns the guitar from its cover. Sooner, it became a habit for Andre and after a year, he loses interest in practicing it even he thought of serenading Bridgette. He even loses the pick that he treasured a lot before. His father, upon seeing his son loses interest in the guitar they bought, felt disappointed to his son, yet he never lose hope, that his son will soon become interested again in learning the guitar.

Andre reached grade six and still, there’s nothing new with him. He was still intelligent and enjoyed playing games but does not play guitar. Months have gone so fast and the month for their commencement exercises came. He can’t still express his feelings for Bridgette until that time. And because of shame, he didn’t anymore continue his plan to serenade the love of his life.

March came and the day of graduation has come. The auditorium, wherein the school will perform the commencement exercises, was just beside the adoration chapel of the shrine of Mary Help of Christians. While Andre was inside the chapel kneeling to pray, Bridgette also went inside and sat beside him. Astonished was he by hearing the sound of the door moving and saw Bridgette going closer to him, Andre felt the happiness and at the same time nervousness because they were only the persons inside the chapel. He stopped from praying and sat beside her.

“So, you’re also a religious person?” Andre asked Bridgette.

“Ah… sort of, but I’m not holy as you are.” Bridgette replied flippantly.

They laughed for a while but, in their minds, they do not deny the fact that they already want to express their feelings for each other. They were only the persons in the place where no one goes inside at that time to pray.

“Do you remember what happened four years ago, when my friends said that I have a crush on you?” Andre, as he was nervous, asked Bridgette.

“Of course, I can still remember even your facial expressions. Why?” Andre smirked and was touched but he replied quickly:

“Ahhm…Ahhm… I don’t know how I will say this to you but…”

“What, that you love me?” Bridgette interrupted him.

“Yeah, I know, but we’re still young and, there are a lot of girls there, more beautiful than me. I already applied to another school and I was admitted. I don’t have any choice but to leave you. Remember, I love you too.” Bridgette’s cheeks turned red. “I have to go.”

Without hesitation, she kissed Andre’s cheeks and turned back at him. His heart began to break as if he wanted to cry and hug Bridgette. He can’t control his feelings at that moment. As she was about to leave the chapel, he ran after her and hugged her.

“Please, don’t leave me. How can I live without you?” Andre cried desperately. Because he strongly hugged her, they fell into the carpet. Andre turned before Bridgette and for the first time in his life, he felt how to be loved.

After four years, he graduated from high school and entered the seminary for collegiate. In the formation house, they had a schedule wherein they must develop their musical skills.

“I thought I won’t study guitar again. But what can I do?”

Andre never thought of studying guitar again. The next day, he returned to the basics of the guitar. He was only taught by his coach the basic chords and how to tune the guitar. He faced a lot of difficulties in learning and struggled at it. Months have passed, he still don’t know how to play it. And with that, he quitted playing and felt that he was not really musically inclined. Whenever he sees his companions playing guitar and laugh as they remember songs from their childhood days, he feels envy.

One night, as he was going to sleep, he was still thinking of another instrument that he can choose and develop skills on it aside from guitar. Minutes have passed and still he didn’t find an answer. Because of so much thinking, he suddenly fell asleep. Then he woke up and saw a mysterious guy before him, holding a guitar. The man seems so familiar to him but he can’t recognize the place where they met.

The man went closer and closer to him and said: “I believe that someday, you will become a star. Just hold on to your dreams. Never let it go.”

“But how, how will become a star?”

“Do you want to remain a loser for the rest of your life?” The man got angry.

“What did you do to your childhood crush? Did you serenade her even once? Just hold on to your dream, hold on…” The man suddenly disappeared and saw darkness surrounding him.

“I thought it’s real.” Andre went back to reality and realized that the man he met was the store owner. He felt guilty for what did the man tell him. Eventually he remembered the scene wherein he hugged Bridgette and fell on a carpet. He realized that man was right. His plan to serenade Bridgette remained just a plan until that very moment. He then decided not to quit playing guitar and follow his dream once again: to become a star and to impress Bridgette. Because of his strong will, he learned and mastered the guitar after a year.

All of a sudden, playing the guitar for him became a channel to express all his feelings. Whenever he feels something, he just sings while playing the guitar. Later it became also for him an addiction. Since he has given his old guitar to one of his uncles and lost his old pick, he invested plenty of money to buy a new acoustic guitar and a pick. And he was driven out by his passion. After he graduated from college, Andre decided to leave the seminary for he felt that he was not called to live a religious life.

He doesn’t know what to do because it has been a long time since he has not been outside the walls of the seminary. But because he has already mastered the guitar, he planned to compose a song hoping that one day, he will be discovered. He composed a song and it took him a year to finish and submit it on a radio station. Luckily after three months, a talent manager called to his house.

“I heard your music played in the radio. I was planning to make you a recording artist. So, would you take my offer?”

“Of course, I intently submit an original composition to a radio station, thinking that I would be discovered one time.”

He then agreed and went for an audition. He passed and that moment became the starting point of his career. He changed his identity. From Andre, he changed his name to Rain. And so his road to stardom began.

*to be continued...

Short Story part 1...

2007-09-19T00:38:00.000-07:00

The Pick of Destiny

by del

N.B. This story is an originally made by del (yours truly). Everyone is allowed to copy this story of mine. Just be charitable enough to put the author's name. Thanks! :-)

During his elementary and high school days, Andre was just a typical student. He knew playing basketball, volleyball, chess, darts and others but didn’t master anything. Same is through with his academics. He ranked around five to seven in class but didn’t have the chance to join any quiz bee. In short, he was a typical student who studies the whole day and goes home when done. He was a jack of all trades and yet mastered nothing.

Rain, while reminiscing his childhood days, realized that he excelled in studies and even knew a lot of games. He didn’t become a genius or a basketball player, or a volleyball player or a chess grand master but a star. He can do all things except playing guitar. That was his first love but because of his impatience, he lost interest on it and became his first frustration. It took him a long time to take again the challenge of learning everything about his favorite instrument. While he was on the car, he thought of sleeping while waiting for the vehicle to arrive in their destined place. Darkness filled his eyesight after a while and then slept.

“How can I please Bridgette?” The young Andre was asking himself while lying in his bed, hugging his pillow, thinking that it was Bridgette, on a cold and dark night. As young as eleven, he was already thinking of Bridgette to be his girlfriend and after ten years, to be his wife. She was his classmate since grade two but one day, he felt something different for her. He felt that he was in love. From that moment, he was already thinking of how he can impress Bridgette.

Bridgette, for Andre, is so beautiful. She has a long, straight hair and with white skin complexion. She becomes more beautiful when she smiles. Seeing her face smiling at him makes his day complete. Andre was a bit taller than her. When he said his feelings for Bridgette to his friends, they instantly shouted that Andre had a crush on Bridgette. And from that moment, they started to avoid each other. Bridgette must have also a crush on Andre, according to her friends because of his intelligence. But because of the issue, they didn’t have the time to compromise the issue and express each other’s feelings.

In deep desperation, he looked for answers to his question. Finally, after a long time looking for answers, he saw a small, hard and blue plastic with its shape like a heart. It was so mysterious to him that he didn’t know what it was.

“Daddy, do you know what this is?” Andre showed the thing he found and asked to his father.

“I’m not sure” his father replied. “but I think it is used in strumming the guitar.”

“Maybe, to play guitar for Bridgette will make her impress. Aha!”

Andre said to himself. He finally found his answer to his question: that is to serenade Bridgette by playing guitar. From then onwards, his destiny began to unfold. He in excitement put onto his pocket the blue heart like-shaped plastic, thinking that he will be using that in serenading the apple of his eye. He quickly turned back to his father and went up to his bedroom searching for his list of favorite songs at the back of his music notebook placed at his school bag.
One day, Andre asked:

“Daddy, daddy, could you buy a guitar for me?”

“Mmm… are you sure you won’t waste my money?” His father doubtfully replied for he knew that his son easily lose patience whenever he doesn’t get what he wants.

“I swear! I will never lose interest in playing the guitar.” His son desperately begged to his father and his father thought many times if he will buy for his son a guitar. Days passed and eventually, because of his son’s constant plea, he gave in and planned to accompany his son to a guitar store.

“Ok, well, if that’s what you want, we’ll go tomorrow to a guitar store and buy one for you.” His father said. Because of that, Andre went to his bed happily and very excited for tomorrow.
At last, the day has come for both Andre and his father to buy a guitar. They went to the music store not knowing how much the instrument costs. His father still doubted because he was also thinking that the guitar might not fit their budget. He brought only in his pocket two thousand pesos. And so after a long wait, finally, the reached the music store. They were both amazed at the beautiful guitars hanged on every corner of the walls. As they were looking for the guitar that suits for Andre, the store owner asked them:

“What are you looking for?”

“Do you have a guitar that is good for my son?” Andre’s father asked.

“Well, they are all good but does your son already know how to play the guitar?” the owner asked.

Andre’s father answered: “My son doesn’t know how to play. I either have a little knowledge about the guitar.”

“This one might be good for him.” The store owner took off from hanging a classical guitar. He explained a lot from them since they only knew little about it.

“How much does it cost?” The father asked the store owner.

“It only costs one thousand four hundred fifty five pesos.” The owner replied.

“It’s too much expensive, son. Could you promise me that you will use your guitar everyday?” the father asked his son.

“Of course, I will.” His son strongly said.

And so they bought the guitar and as a promo, as the store was offering to their customers at that time, they received a free book of a guitar guide for beginners. Before they left, Andre, all of a sudden, quickly thought of the small, hard, and blue and heart like –shaped plastic and showed it to the store owner.

“Sir, do you know what this is?”

“Oh, that’s a pick, how come you have this? Anyway, that is used in strumming the strings of the guitar.”

The store owner grabbed a guitar and borrowed the pick from Andre. As the man was demonstrating, Andre was so amazed of what he saw: a great man playing right before his eyes. The young boy closed his eyes and listened to the song. But after a while, the man stopped and whispered on his ears.

“I believe that someday, you will become a star. Just hold on to your dreams. Never let it go.”

Andre didn’t understand what the store owner was saying. But nevertheless, he was glad and pleased at the music played by the store owner. He returned the pick to the boy and the two returned home.

*to be continued...

You're entering... into the Twilight Zone!: The Pharaoh's Curse

2007-09-18T18:05:00.001-07:00

Cast and Crew
Writer: Stephen Beck
Director: Bob Balaban
Star: Forest Whitaker (Host)
Guest Star: Lindy Booth (Shannon), Xander Berkeley (Harry Kellogg), Shawn Hatosy (Mario Devlin), Alana Husband (Jenna), Karen Holness (Veejay), Shawn Stewart (Attendant), Alexis Llewellyn (Little Girl)

Host: (opening narration) Magic is an art based on deceit, on illusion disguised as reality. Tonight Mario Devlin will question what he's always taken for granted, the difference between artifice and reality. Because tonight Mario will get his first real magic lesson in The Twilight Zone.

Host: (closing narration) There's a place where blind ambition is forced to see. A place where if you're not careful, that climb to the top will age you beyond your years. But it's also a place where those who believe in real magic can stay forever young. A trick whose secret lies hidden deep within The Twilight Zone.

I really like this episode in The Twilight Zone simply because it's magic. It's real magic. Mario Delvin was deceived by the famous magician Harry Kellog. Because of his eagerness to know the power behind the Pharaoh's curse, he became at the end the victim himself. Sometimes, we humans like to discover something that is beyond us and sometimes, this become also our downfall. Like the Romans, they were lust for power that's why in the end their empire fell. Same is through in our daily lives. Let us be reminded that sometimes, we must also be contented with our strengths. Let us accept who and what we are.

Reference:
CNET Networks, Inc. The Twilight Zone (2002): The Pharaoh's Curse. Retrieved September 19, 2007, from http://www.tv.com/the-twilight-zone-2002/the-pharaohs-curse/episode/245292/summary.html.

Matagal-tagal na rin...

2007-09-16T06:03:00.000-07:00

Mga brod, matagal-tagal na rin akong hindi nakapag-blog. Sa sobrang dami ng requirements, hindi na ko nagkaroon ng tym na buksan ang blog site ko. Sensya na guys. Tingnan natin kung matatapos ko lahat ng ito. Let's do our best guys. We still have 1 month to show the world and make a blast. TODO na 'to! hahaha... :-)

Reflection: in life

2007-09-03T20:21:00.000-07:00

Res Firma!
by del

Kelan ba tayo huling nag-blog? Matagal-tagal na rin mula nung huli akong mag-post dito sa aking blog. isang linggo na puro requirements kaya hindi ako makabukas-bukas ng blogsite ko. Pero, alam niyo ba, masarap talaganag balikan ang blog lalo na pag marami kang gustong ikuwento tungkol sa buhay mo. Ako nga, napahaba ulit ang aking entry ngayon gawa ng matagal akong hindi nagbukas ng aking blog. Marami pa rin akong mga requirements na gagawin sa mga susunod na linggo. nakaka-discourage, promise. pero, isang sikreto ko kaya hindi ako sumusuko ay dahil ginagawa ko ang lahat ng aking makakaya. bukod sa pagdarasal, kelangan din natin umaksyon. Walang mahirap kung ginagawa ang lahat ng paraan. Ipagdasal natin ang isa't-isa para mag-persevere tayo at malagpasan lahat ng mga trials natin sa buhay.

Maria Auxilium Christianorum, ora pro nibis.+

Mga Brod...

2007-08-23T05:47:00.000-07:00

Pasensya na kung ngaun lang me nagblog. Busy me e. Nxt tym n lng. Tnx. :-)

Reflection: in life

2007-08-17T18:05:00.000-07:00

Mag-iisang taon na pala...
by del

Oo nga ano, malapit na naman ang Ninoy Aquino day. At sa pagkakataong itom hayaan niyo akong ikuwento ang mga nangyari nung nakaraang taon.

Kami ay nag-hike papuntang Mt. Gonzales sa Tagaytay. Siyempre, naexcite ang bida dahil ilang oras din 'to nang paglalakad. Hindi ko inakala na magiging mahirap ang aming paglalakbay. May mga exciting moments din naman na talagang ikinasaya namin. One time, kami na lang yung nahuli sa linya dahil yung iba ay sumakay na ng trak. tatlo na lang kaming naiwan. Bawat paglingon namin ay tinatakpan na ng maputing usok ang likuran namin kaya medyo nakakatakot. Masayang magpapicture-picture habang nasa huli ka ng linya. Since kami na lang ang nasa dulo, sinimut na namin ang pagkakataong kumuha ng mga litrato. Mayroon din namang mga aso na na-encounter namin sa paglalakbay. Buti naman at me bantay naman mga guwardya para hindi kami habulin. Grabe, pagod na kami sa kalagayag iyon. Finally, after 6 or 7 hrs, nakarating na kami sa lugar ng FOCOLARE. Magandang lugar iyon. Nakapagpahinga kami ng kahit konti, at nag-lunch. Pagkatapos ng ilang sandali, umalis din kami. Mas na-feel ko na yung pagod lalo na't kumakapit na yung putik sa aking paa at di na'ko makalakad nang maayos. nung nasa Bunggo na kami, akala ko, malapit na kaming makauwi, pero hindi pa pala. Inabot na kami ng gabi sa pag-uwi. Sobrang pagod na kami pero inunahan na namin ang iba para me rekord. siyempre, gusto naming makauna para matapos na at siyempre first ka. hehehe. anyway, nung nakaakyat na kami sa 2nd floor kahit na sarado pa ang dorm, naisipan ko munang bumulagta roon at magpahinga nang konti. Pero matapos nun, wala akong magawa kundi ayusin ang aking mga gamit at maghanda pa sa klase namin bukas.

Na-enjoy ko ang hiking kahit nakakapagod. pumartida pa nga me at nakatsinelas pa. Ayoko kasing marumuhan ang aking sapatos dahil one and only ko na lang iyon... Very challenging ang experience na 'yon. hahaha!

Paglutu-lutuin man, pagbali-baligtarin man, enjoy pa rin! :-D

Reflection: in life

2007-08-12T20:50:00.000-07:00

MALAYA ka ba?

Sitwasyon: galit ka ngunit hindi mo mailabas. Kailan mo masasabi na galit na galit ka na? bakit sa kabila ng nasa isip mo ay nagmumura ka na, pero sa labas ay hindi? Plastik ka ba? Kung matapang ka (o kung sa ibang tao, may "BAYAG"), bakit sa iba mo ito inilalabas at hindi sa harap niya? Kaya nga ba nagkakaroon ng misinterpretations sa buhay dahil sa mga pasikut-sikot na mga sinasabi o sinusulat na pwede namang straight to the point? MALAYA ka ba? MALAYA ka ba kung ginagawa mo ang mga ito? Hindi ka malaya dahil una pa lang, hindi mo na kaagad mailabas ang iyong saloobin. Bakit nga ba may mga taong mahilig mag-solo ng kanilang problema. Lam mo, LOSER SILA! Sabi nga ng karamihan: "TUMAWA ka at makikitawa sa iyo ang mundo. Umiyak ka at siguradong... walang makikiramay sa'yo." Bakit ka nga ba magpapakalungkot kung wala ka namang kasama? Una, nilulungkot mo lang sarili mo. Tapos, ano maitutulong nun sa'yo? Bakit kung ipagsigawan mo sa buong mundo na may galit ka kay ganito, ganyan... at kung kanino pa.

sa loob ng labing siyam na taon kong paninirahan dito sa mundo, marami nang beses akong naranasang mga masasamang bagay. Narito ang mga pangti-trip, me mga nang-gagago, pinagpupustahan na ang iyong bokasyon (ganyan talaga pag sikat ka e), pero, ano naman maitutulong nun sa kanila? Matatapos ba ang gulo kung hindi nila sinasabi sa'kin ang kanilang galit? Sabi nila, isa daw ako sa pinakaprankang tao na nakilala nila. naging prinsipyo ko na kasi sa buhay ang maging isang pranka. Lam mo kasi naniniwala ako na kung hindi mo madaan ang mga bagay sa santong dasalan, sa santong paspasan na lang. At ito ang nakikita ko sa ngayon: Na andaming taong mga manhid na parang wala ka lang sa kanilang harapan kung sila'y kausapin mo. Hindi ako namamranka dahil sa gusto kong makuha ang respeto kundi gusto kong maghkaroon ng hustisya ang lahat ng bagay. Kung wala ka lang sa kanilang harapan, nasaan ang hustisya roon? WALA!

Masarap ang maging malaya dahil sa magagawa mo ang lahat ng gusto mo sa buhay. Kung single ka, magagawa mo ang lahat na gusto mo. Pero ganoon rin naman sa mga magsing-irog. Pero hindi ko malaman kung bakit, dahil sa mga commitments na iyon ay hindi mo na magagawa ang mga bagay na gusto mo? NB: Kung matalino kang tao, malalaman mo kung ano ang dapat at hindi dapat gawin kung may commitment ka na. Sabi nga ni Scott Peck, na mas matibay ang pag-aasawa kung ang isang taong kasal na ay hindi dumedepende sa kanyang asawa. Ang pag-aasawa ay hindi basta-basta pag-ibig lang kundi pinili mo rin siyang maging asawa. Ganito rin sa buhay relihiyoso, kahit na mahirap, pinili pa rin natin na tahakin ang landas na bihira lamang tinatahak. Sabi nga sa'kin ng brother assistant ko dati: Kung matibay kang tao, hindi ka magpapaapekto sa mga bagay na nangyayari sa'yo. Ano ba talaga ang gusto mo? TAPOS! Edi tumuloy ka. Iyan ang may MALAYAng kaisipan.

Kung ako sa'yo, sabihin mo na nang diretso: GAGO! TARANTADO! PUNYETA! PUTANG INA MO!

Kasing galing ni ME... hehehe...

2007-08-09T16:53:00.000-07:00

Kung si andy Mckee sa acoustic gauitar, si Paul Gilbert naman, sa Rock pero siyempre, rock version ni Del. hahaha. Joke. Watch and learn.

Like ME... hehehe...

2007-08-07T20:04:00.000-07:00

Watch and Learn...

one week... ulit...

2007-08-06T16:34:00.000-07:00

busy me ngaun kya ndi me nkkblog. vict lang ng vict sa blog site ko huh? One last thing, visit our new blog site in honor of the feast of the Assumption (http://assumption07.blogspot.com). Thanks.

Click...

2007-08-05T18:15:00.000-07:00

Literature-Poem

2007-08-02T05:43:00.000-07:00

The Black Guitar

By Del

Pluck and play,

Never let it rest.

Six strings make all the difference.

The body never lies.

I can’t deny

That my ears are hungry for music.

I let her hear my greatness

Strums, mixed with my voice,

Sends to her the message

Of what I really want to say.

My companion in times of grief,

And in joy,

Anytime,

Anywhere.

Pluck and play,

Never let it rest.

Literature-Poem

2007-07-30T17:48:00.000-07:00

D’ Low Profile

by Del

means:

To sing,

To dance,

To act,

To play guitar,

To play football,

To play basketball,

To swim,

To aim for excellence,

To write,

And to pass with flying colors.

BUT,

I prefer

To be…

Reserve.

Literature-Poem

2007-07-30T17:38:00.000-07:00

Mental Block

by Del

I can’t forget

The very moment

I was asked

To answer.

Even a drop,

I haven’t

got.

The answers

Were very evident.

And yet,

I…

can’t…

speak.

I really don’t know what happened.

I just can’t see things clearly,

And my mind,

Caused by so many things

Coming,

Suddenly…

Bleached.

White,

Light gray,

Gray,

Dark gray,

Black.

FLUNK!

Literature-Poem

2007-07-30T16:33:00.000-07:00

With You
by Del

Chaos, my life is in chaos!
Why did you allow me
To experience this cruel life?
Why did you abandon me?

But wait!

Did you really abandon me?
What if You hindered me
To experience this cruel life?
Chaos? Is my life in chaos?

If only I learn to manage my problems,
If only I learn to grow,
And if only I learn that I am

With YOU,

Then I wouldn’t think that I’m alone .
Then I would become more optimistic.
Then, my life is worth living.

Reflection: in life

2007-07-30T06:18:00.001-07:00

I'm not in the mood to write something good in my blog. I seems that this day has been unlucky for me. I haven't passed my assignment in literature, there are plenty of things to do and still, I need to finish them. Or else, I might get a 5 after this semester. I didn't also get a point in football. Anyway, these are just small things. What can I do? It already happened. All I have to do is to correct the things that I've done. With God's love, he will give strength to persevere. Ernest Henley said in his Invictus that we are the captain of our soul. But you know in the end, Only God can tell. I repeat: ONLY GOD CAN TELL.

one week...

2007-07-29T16:41:00.000-07:00

busy ulit me... cge guys... bye for now.

Literature-Poem

2007-07-29T03:20:00.000-07:00

Life

By Del

Is full of roads;

Straight, zig-zag,

Crooked, slippery,

Curved, etc.

Whatever happens or

Wherever we go,

Surely, we end this in a happy

Yet a sad event:

DEATH!

TGIF

2007-07-27T06:08:00.000-07:00

Thank God, it's Friday! Isa talaga sa mga favorite kong araw ang Friday. Last day kasi ng week para mag-aral. Pero, hindi naman natatapos lagi ang pag-aaral sa Biyernes. Sabi nga ni Don Bosco, Vacation is just a change of occupation. Kaya hindi ako gaanong pabanjing-banjing dito sa seminaryo ngayon. Mahirap dahil mapipilitan kang mag-aral dahil kung hindi, huli ka na. sa katagalan naman, you will get use into it. It's just a matter of adjustment. Lam mo sa huli, ikaw pa rin naman ang magbebenefit sa mga ginawa mo. Siguro hindi mo makuha yung value ng isang bagay sa moment na iyon pero sa kalaunan, maiintindihan mo rin, marerealize mo rin ang lahat. What makes me persevere in my endless strife sa buhay ay ang pagdarasal. Walang halong biro to no! Sa tuwing kailangan ko ang tulong Niya, hindi Niya ako binibigo. Hindi ko nga akalain na andito pa tin ako e. To tell you honestly, I persevere hindi lang sa bokasyon ko, kundi kahit nung nasa hayskul pa ako, o mula nung sapul pa because I was motivated by God's love. Maybe this is the message for me by Him before I sleep: Because of love, God created ME to love. Good evening.

Reflection: EDUTECH

2007-07-25T16:35:00.000-07:00

Too Young

by Del

Wow! I never thought that education would come this far. Before, online classes were just an ens ideale. Now, online classes are a fad especially in abroad. In Michigan, according to the article is they require students to take at least 1 online class. I feel that the youngsters of this generation are luckier due to the convenience in studying. Wait, primary education? E pang grade-1 yon diba?

Virtual school, virtual classroom, isn’t it when you’re enrolling into an online class is you are placing yourself into a virtual world? All is fantasy and the real thing is gone. The article says that young actors and actresses, or musicians whose travel schedules do not enable them to attend classes like typical students. All they have to do is to choose a subject and presto! They can attend classes anytime, anywhere.

In our country, there’s only one choice: it’s either you pursue your career and give up studying and vice-versa. Amazing! But now, you can hit two birds with one stone. There’s a saying that education is the best gift that can be given to you by your parents. To gain a certain level of intellect, you need to train yourself through study. I remember during my childhood days that whenever we are in the classroom, we never missed one day jotting down notes. Maybe if there are online classes during that time, I won’t study anymore in our school; rather I will just be at home choosing a subject. But what will happen if I go out of my room? Am I ready to face the reality? I’m not talking of a simple one plus one here. Activities online are just click and click but in reality, its not. How will you mold a sphere using clay? Will the virtual hand do the job for you? No. It must be you. That’s why somehow, I am blessed that I experienced the traditional style of learning. Maybe if I haven’t experienced that, I will not become what I am now. It’s good to experience the traditional style before going online.

I also want to experience how to study online especially when I saw in the article that Michigan requires their students to take at least one subject online. Maybe, I will be more talkative during an online class but how will I know them more? It’s like technology is in the middle of two persons talking; a medium. But would it be always satisfying in that way? Let us always remember that technology is just for convenience and not to depend on. Life almost lies in technology. But let not be blinded by its power.

I’m still finding for my strengths and maybe if I learn to study online, I will be incarcerated myself inside my room because I don’t know how to socialize with real people. Better if students will have extra-curricular activities. They will have time to meet people and have bond with them. Online classes are just for convenience. Let us not forget that Education is gift that no one can steal from you.

Literature-Poem

2007-07-24T18:45:00.000-07:00

A Last Look
by: Del

The sky is blue
But
The time gets slow.
I stood erect.
Now,
I'm lying.
Here comes the black cloth.
But still I can hear words:
fading, fading...

five,

four,

three,

two,

one...

AH!

the end.

Literature-Poem

2007-07-23T23:27:00.000-07:00

Psalm 136 Revisited

by Del

1 O Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good.
for His love endures forever.

2 Give thanks to the God of gods.
for His love endures forever.

3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords:
for His love endures forever.

4 Who called us to fulfill His mission,
for His love endures forever.

5 Whose wisdom it grants to us during study period,
for His love endures forever.

6 Who helps us during work time,
for His love endures forever.

7 Who saves us from discouragement,
for His love endures forever.

8 It was He who made us,
for His love endures forever.

9 Who governs us during the day,
for His love endures forever.

10 And also governs us during the night,
for His love endures forever.

11 And brought us out from their midst,
for His love endures forever.

12 With His mighty hands He protects us,
for His love endures forever.

13 Who united the Class A and the class b,
for His love endures forever.

14 And delivered us from our oppressors,
for His love endures forever.

15 Who helped us persevere for the past two years;
for His love endures forever.

16 To Him who sets us FREE,
for His love endures forever.

17 “Our batch is the greatest” He said,
for His love endures forever.

18 Because we have eight great men
for His love endures forever.

19 Aries the ACTS president,
for His love endures forever.

20 Jerome the MEDYA-CA president,
for His love endures forever.

21 Chino the LIFE president,
for His love endures forever.

22 Kerwin the SAS president;
for His love endures forever.

23, Enzo the batch president,
for His love endures forever.

24 Clemens the batch secretary,
for His love endures forever.

25 Wilhelm the great bass guitar player,
for His love endures forever.

26 And Del the low profile,
for His love endures forever.

Busy...

2007-07-22T01:51:00.001-07:00

Busy muna me ngayon. hahahaha...

Literature-Poem

2007-07-20T20:08:00.000-07:00

Phone Call
by Del

I will
Pursue,
Persevere,
Hold on,
Go straightforward.
But,
ARE
YOU
SURE?

Literature-Poem

2007-07-20T06:04:00.000-07:00

All
by Del

I'm a student.
Sometimes, I'm a teacher.
I'm a servant.
Sometimes, I'm the master.
I'm a music lover.
Sometimes, I'm a guitarist.
I'm simple.
Sometimes, I'm on the top.
I'm the youngest son.
Sometimes, I'm a big brother.
I follow.
Sometimes, I lead.
I can write.
Sometimes, I write like a professional.
I work.
Sometimes, I repair things.
Haven't you noticed?
It's true that you can't be all at once.
But with YOU, nothing is impossible.
Therefore, with YOU, I can be all... at once!

Literature-Poem

2007-07-20T06:00:00.000-07:00

Who is God?
by Del

My way,
My truth,
My life,
My light,
My love,
My hope,
My shield,
My strength,
And my refuge.
In short,
My ALL!

Hay naku...

2007-07-18T21:05:00.000-07:00

Well, pabanjing-banjing na lang me ngayong araw. Wala kasing klase e. Pero hindi nagwawakas ang aking pabanjing-banjing sa paeasy-easy, nagawa me ng requirements kaya hindi ko rin gaanong nasimot ang mga free time. Grabe ano? Mahirap talaga ang buhay? Kelan kaya ako tatantanan ng mga reqiurements? Pero kung lalaliman mo ang iyong pag-iisip, mahuhuli ka rin sa mga balita at baka isang araw, wala ka nang alam kung tatantanan ka ng mga requirements. Sana naman, magkaroon ako ng isang araw na pahinga naman. Kahit pasuruy-suroy lang ako sa labas at bumili ng mga gusto kong gamit. hehehe. sarap ba ng buhay? Lam nio, kung sino ka mang nagbabasa, hindi na ako nagdedelayedgratification. Bakit? Kasi delayed lagi. Wala nang gratification. Well, ewan ko na lang kung anong mangyayari sa susunod pero, masaya pa rin naman ako sa buhay na tinatahak ko. Ma-adventure, thrilling, and the like. hahahaha. Guys, abangan niyo na lang ang aking bagong prepdel.blogspot.com. Kung napansin niyo, nagbago na ang image nitong blog kong malupit pero pahapyaw pa lang yan. marami pang kagimbal-gimbal na mangyayari sa aking blog. ABANGAN...

Literature-Poem

2007-07-18T06:13:00.001-07:00

Translate
by Del

A continuous flow of thought,
The root of all;
With too plain
Yet sturdy words.
The truth it holds.
The Philosophers
And Church leaders owe it to.
'Cause you can't lie... in LATIN!

Literature-Vocation Story

2007-07-17T06:02:00.000-07:00

Based on: Matthew 10:1-7

June 2007- Jesus called His eight seminarians to Him and gave them authority over the Carreño House of Formation to smoothly run the House.

These are the names of the eight seminarians: first Enzo, and soon to be called Yannie, and his schoolmate from Don Bosco Makati Chino; Clemens, a KOA of SIP, and his Bicolano friend, Wilhelm; Aries, the ACTS president; Jerome, the proud son of Mandaluyong; Kerwin the Ilokano, and Del, the man.

Jesus sent these eight on mission with the instruction: “Do not visit pagan territory and do not enter a town. Go instead to the lost sheep of the people of Canlubang.”

“Go and proclaim the message: The kingdom of heaven is near.”

Naman O!

2007-07-15T03:00:00.001-07:00

Bad trip a. Parang bibiyakin ulo ko dito dahil sa mga nangyayari. Kung ano yuing ayaw ko, nasusunod tapos yung gusto ko, hindi. bad trip na talaga a. Bakit kaya ganun. Lahat na lang ng malas na sakin na yata a. Grabe, kakainis. Hectic talaga ng time na ito. Wala na kong magawa kundi mag sipag nang magsipag nang magsipag. Lagi na lang ganito. Hindi naman ako nagpapadelay. Pero, bakit nga ganun? Loko to a.

Literature-Poem

2007-07-12T06:05:00.000-07:00

Nota Bene: Nakakabiyak ba 'to ng puso? Yun ang tanong ko sa sarili ko nung ginagawa ko itong poem ko na eventually, makakasama sa aking "Anthology." HAHAHAHA! :-)

Girl, you're so hot!
But I love you not!

Ngayong Gabi...

2007-07-12T05:57:00.000-07:00

Magandang gabi sa inyong lahat. Ako po ay nag ba-blog ngayon. Grabe, Friday ulit at ang masama, the 13th pa. Oo nga ano, Di bale, wala nang tumatakbo sa utak ko kundi itong puso kong nagdurugo (WOW, nagdrama pa. huhuhuuhu.) Well anyway, hindi ko akalain nga pala na makakagawa ako ng ganoong kagandang mga tula. Tama, yung mga tula na nasa ibaba nitong post. Baka nga sa sobrang haba, makagawa na ako dito ng isang EPIC! Wow, gandang pangarap. Cge, till hir muna. Bye. :-)

Literature-Poem

2007-07-11T16:30:00.000-07:00

Brain’s death as sdb

There’s a cute confrere

In Salesian world

And the name was Del

Didn’t ring a bell.

He’s a low profile

With a big, big smile

And that’s his call

Cause he’s loved by all.

In mysterious life

With an endless strife

Was the way he took

To look forward to.

But he don’t know why

There are why’s of life

But his heart’s desire

Is the mission life.

And so he went

Living on a tent

To his dwelling place;

To his mission place.

He worked for the youth

So he spread the truth

And to serve the youth

With his whole life through.

And because of truth

Of his Christian faith,

Was the fatal scene

Hearing words obscene.

On those words obscene

From oppressors be

The way to stardom

Of his martyrdom.

In the net worldwide

Was the news spread wide

That the low profile

Died a low profile.

On the casket lies

A cute man who died

For the love of God

To the paradise.

And the final place

Of this cute confrere

Is the final place

Where the holies are.

From the Philippines,

To the mission place,

To the Vatican,

To the Heaven’s gate.

And the cute confrere

With the dead confreres

With the angels sing

Hallelujah sing!

Literature-Poem

2007-07-10T23:13:00.000-07:00

BrAiN

I heard it loud

But I don’t know why.

When I looked outside

Then the rain is there.

When the rain is there

Seeing everywhere,

Oh, I see a pail

Gaining drops of rain.

And these drops of rain

To another pail

May to someone else

Clean the awesome smell.

And the awesome smell

Of the dwelling place

May we rest in peace

When we smell the place.

But anyway,

When it’s shower time

And it’s almost time,

You may go outside.

When the rain is hard

Go and shout out loud.

And say I love you

To the one you love.

There’s a chemistry

Cause our love is real.

And I know she’s there

Always at my side.

But she’s at my back

And embraced me tight

Then she kissed me through

And I said: Oh no!

But my precious dream

In my sight got dimmed.

Go and double time

Cause it’s shower time.

Isa pang post

2007-07-10T00:06:00.000-07:00

Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah! Hello.

Hahaha...

2007-07-09T23:53:00.000-07:00

Malapit na naman matatapos ang linggo. Buti na lang. Pero, palapit na nang palapit ang sa aki'y umuusig. Prelims na. Ilang weeks na lang ba? Panu kaya to malulusutan? Hindi ko na tlga alam kung panu to malulusutan dahil mejo kabado na ko sa mga nangyayari. dumarami lalo ang requirements. Ako nga naiipit sa sobrang dami ng requirements. Parang yun lang ang pinasukang subject e. Grabe! hindi ko na alam kung ano na susunod kong gagawin... pano ko ito malulusutan kung hindi pa me nag-aaral. In the first place kasi, sa sobrang dami ng pinapagawa, hindi ko alam kung ano una kong ipa-prioritize. Basa dito, basa doon. Gawa dito, gawa doon. At sadamukal pang iba. Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah! bakit ba laging ganito nangyayari sakin? Hirap na me men. C'mon! How can I handle this. Paingles-ingles pa ako kala ko naman kung ano matutulong nito. hahahahaha.... Ops me naman. Hahahahahaha. bye. By the way: Watch out for my pics after prelims. :-)

Monday!

2007-07-08T06:07:00.000-07:00

Hay naku! TOINK!

Sabado Nights

2007-07-07T06:01:00.000-07:00

This day is very tiring. We worked for 2 hours in the morning and an hour in the afternoon. I enjoyed the Football clinic especially when I almost made a score for our team. Our schedule wasn't changed, yet I enjoyed this day because I think I made the right thing; and that is to serve God with joy. Now, as I am typing this blog post, I can really say that the things that I did a while ago deserves to be remembered this Saturday night. Deo Gratias!-Thanks be to God!

Again?

2007-07-06T05:49:00.000-07:00

Hehehehe.... and2 n nmn me. blog ulit. ngun, txt nmn ang gmit q. hahahahaha....... hay grabe, sabi ko ng nung sa previous post, nakakapagod nga ang linggong 2. pero k n me nw. medyo peaceful n at u know, txt txt n lng d2 s blog. hehehehehe. sabi na nga b e, tama ang 1st law of motion na sa bawat action may reaction. sa bawat hirap, may sarap. ergo, e2 na ang kasarapan na tinatamasa ko makalipas ng nakakapagod n wik na 2. hahahaha. Thanks be to God!

Thank God, It's Friday!

2007-07-05T06:08:00.000-07:00

Buti! Friday na naman. Nakakapagod ang week na ito. Grabe, as in GRABE! Parang lumulutang na ang utak ko sa kawalan. Hay naku! Buhay nga naman. Bakit kaya laging may paghihirap? Wala ba akong ma-eexperiecne na kasarapan ng buhay kahit 1 week lang? Lam mo ba, wala na kong masabi ngayon. Gusto ko lang mag-post. As in yun lang. Biruin mo, nagawa ko pang mag-post kahit na ganito kahirap ang kalagayan ko ngayon. Pero sabi nga e, sa tuwing binibigay mo ang lahat sa Diyos, bibiyayaan ka Niya sa huli. Gusto ko lang mag-enjoy kahit sandali lang... Kapalit lang ng mga tinamasa ko... hehehe... :-)

Opening Prayer

2007-07-04T05:58:00.000-07:00

Heavenly Father,

To be a student is not easy. Yet You gave us another day to improve our talents that You have given us and to correct our shortcomings. We now pray to You our OPENING prayer as a sign of openness and love for You:

O- pen our minds today that we may seek Your wisdom and share it to others.
P- ut us into Your loving presence that we may learn things with enthusiasm.
E- nlighten us always for without You, we are and we can do nothing.
N- ourish in us the things that we will learn today.
I- nspire us with the virtue of optimism to persevere in our studies.
N- ever let external pressures hinder us from learning the lessons to be tackled this day.
G- rant that through our learnings, we may inspire others and say that it's not hard to study if we just continue to hang up on You.

AMEN.

What I Want to Write About?

2007-07-03T05:59:00.000-07:00

Whenever I write, I always have a hard time to think of a certain topic because there are plenty of things in my mind that I want to express especially in Filipino. When I was in elementary, our English teacher gives us topics for our formal theme writing. Every time this thing happens, my heart beats fast as if I want to escape on our class. But saved by the bell, our teacher will just make our formal theme writing as an assignment.

There are a lot of topics that I want to open right now. Since this is my blog and its title is "Me," Aha! What if I write something about myself? Do you know, I love to express my thoughts, feelings and share my story to others.

Wanna join me? C'mon, enthuse yourself also in writing. What do want to write about?

Hirap O!

2007-07-02T05:50:00.000-07:00

Bakit kaya ganito, ang hirap ngayong 1st sem? Andami ng mga requirements! Kung kelan nang malapit matapos, biglang humihirap na naman. parang bumalik lang ako sa pagiging 1st year e. huhuhu. Hirap na nga nung una, hirap pa rin hanggang ngayon? Pero may mga benefits naman (parang health card ano?) kaya ok lang. Pero kahit bali-baliktarin mo ang sitwasyon, mahirap pa rin e. Panu kaya to? Ahhhhhh........ wala na talaga me maisip na madaling paraan kundi dumaan sa butas ng karayom! Kakayanin ko kaya? Kaya yan! (wow, kumbinsihin ba naman ang sarili.) hehehe... Todo na to! GAME, post ko na to at ipagmalaki na dadaan ako sa butas ng karayom! ready, get set, GO!

Monday Na Naman!

2007-06-30T22:46:00.000-07:00

Kung sa elementary at hayskul, merong recess at uwian, dito sa amin, meroong free time. Pero sa dami rin ng mga ginagawa, parang isang ordinaryong moment lang ang free time. Ang kaibahan nga lang, pwede kang magcelfon at friendster. Sa mga oras na iyon, marami kang magagawa tulad ng paglalaba, pagpaplantsa, pagkokompyuter, paggawa ng mga assignments atbp. Sa free time, pwede ka rin magtagal sa mga bagay na dapat mong gawin. Pwede kang mag laba ng up to 4pm. maglaro ng up to sawa, pero pag pumatak na ang 4pm, free games naman.

Sa free games, pwede kang maglaro ng kahit anong sport (basketbol, volleyball, football, billards, at table tennis). Kawawa ka nga lang kung wala kang kasama sa paglalaro. It's either lilipat ka ng ibang laro o sila ang lilipat sa laro mo. Depende kasi sa lakas ng pagkumbinse mo e. Meorng iba na free time pa lang, nagyayaya na para mamaya, marami sila. Excited ba? hehehe.

Enjoy mo na sana ang Sunday free time pero pagpatak ng 4:45pm, kring........... kring........... kring................. Ay, Monday na naman. Pero ok lang basta na-eenjoy mo ang pag-stay dito, bumibilis ang araw. Hindi mo na lang mamamalayan na next week, sasabihin mo na lang ulit na "Ay, Monday na naman."

Why Do I Write?

2007-06-29T19:36:00.000-07:00

"Bakit kaya lagi akong nauunahan?" That question comes to my mind when someone says or writes catchy words. But why do I continue writing, maybe in this case, in English? Is it because it's a requirement in Creative writing? Or is it because it's a must for English majors? Maybe the best writers of our batch can give satisfying answers to these questions. Now let me share to you my reason by asking this question: Why do I write? Why?

Part I: History of Writing...

According to my mother, whenever I write using my left hand, she will slap my hand and transfer my pencil on my right hand. Do you know that I have a callous at my right finger (ring finger)? It's because I write by placing my ring finger under the pen. Supposedly, it must be the middle finger which will support the pen, am I right? I remember during my elementary and high school days that whenever I write, my callous gets bigger as if I'm very dedicated to it. Anyway, even if I have callous, I’m still not creative as my batch mates are. You know, whenever I read their compositions, I always say: “Buti pa sila, biniyayaan ng talentong magsulat nang ganito kaganda.” Somehow, I feel envious but what can I do? That’s their forte? Maybe God has a better plan for me. Why do I write? Why?

Part II: When I Discovered Journal Writing…

Whenever I cry, I always say: “Wala na talagang nakakaintindi sa’kin.” I feel all alone and lonely. When I feel frustrated, I can’t help myself but to flood my room with tears, crumple all the things that I hold and throw them and bang my fist at the table. Whenever I got a pen I stub it anywhere except to a person of course (lol). But when I learned that journal writing can be a channel of your anger, I often write on it to express my feelings. Later, I learn to appreciate journal writing because the journal is my sole companion especially in times of sadness.

Part III: Reflection…

June 22, 2007, after Fr. Joe checked my birthday speech, he said something like this: “my speech just narrates my trip to Mall of Asia. But maybe they will listen because it’s your birthday.” The next day, he told me some reactions from my formators and I found it something negative because some of them were asking if my speech last night was a birthday speech? Because of that comment, I feel discouraged. I asked myself: “What’s wrong with my speech last night? Was my birthday speech different from the speeches of Kuya Migs, Kuya Donnie, Jerome, Chino, Aries, Enzo, and Migs V.? The question came back for the 2^nd time: “But what can I do? I’m not good as they are.” Sorry, I’m just an Average Joe (maestro pls…). But why do I continue writing this essay, e discouraged na ako diba? Is it because it’s an assignment that I must do in Creative Writing? Why do I write in English instead of Filipino? Is it because I’m English major and it’s a must in the said subject? Why do I write? Why?

I read this messy draft which took 2 hours of study period and 1 meditation time. “Wow, timing pa na sa meditation ko pa na-realize ang lahat!” Writing has been part of my life since childhood. I can’t but write now because I want and not because I need to. Maybe I learned to appreciate writing unconsciously. Lastly, I’m not competing with anyone, I just want to write. For the last time, I asked myself again: Why do I write? Why?

I write because I enjoy.

Journey

2007-06-28T06:20:00.000-07:00

Note: I was in 3rd year High School when I first heard this song from Angela Zhang. This is my favorite song or maybe I should say, my theme song because it simply describes my journey. I hope you'll enjoy.

It's a long long journey
Till I know where I'm supposed to be
It's a long long journey
And I don't know if can believe
When shadows fall and block my eyes
I am lost and know that I must hide
It's a long long journey
Till I find my way home to you

Many days I've spent driffing on Through empty shores
Wondering what's my purpose
wondering how to make me strong
I know I will falter , I know I will cry
And I need to be close to you

Sometimes it feels no one understand
I don't even know why I do the things I do
when prides bulids me up till I can't see my soul
Will you break down this walls and pull me through

Cause it's a long long journey
till I feel that I'm worth the price
You paid for me on calvary
beaneath those stromy skies

When satan mocks and friends turn to foes
It feels like everthing is out to make me lose control
IT's a long long journey
Till i find my way home to you...to you

Mr. Brain's Holiday

2007-06-28T05:42:00.001-07:00

Note: After a year, June 22, 2007- I celebrated again my birthday at the Carreño House of Formation. I delivered this speech before the end of dinner. By the way, the title was patterned to the movie, Mr. Bean's Holiday. I hope you'll enjoy.

My summer vacation was such a fruitful one Aside from sleeping, eating and watching TV, I also applied the things that I've learned after two years of intense formation in the seminary. There was a time during my vacation when I asked myself: "What are the good things that I've done? Have I been a good seminarian during the vacation? Have I done the things that must be accomplished? Have I grown a lot?" As I reflect on these questions, I feel guilty for my shortcomings. But looking at the other side of the coin, I also find that I'm not anymore the same Braindel as last year. I learned a lot, I've grown a lot and I had a lot of realizations. So the day before I returned, June 11, I have given myself a reward.

Prior to my Independence Day celebration, I've made a schedule to make it special. It was at 9:00am when I said to myself: "At last, the time has come for me to go to SM Mall of Asia." I went alone and traveled for an hour and a half.

Since, I'm not familiar with the place, I didn't know where the entrance was. Luckily, the passengers from the jeep walked in a single direction so I followed them. Finally, I reached the entrance of the huge mall. It's so awesome! As I explored the place, I saw the skating rink where there are skaters doing amazing stunts. I thought of going inside to try skating but unfortunately, I didn't have enough budget so I continued watching them thinking that someday, I may also do what they're doing. After taking my lunch at Shakey's, I went to the cinema to watch my favorite Mr. Bean's Holiday. I could not but laugh inside the cinema because aside from the wacky antics of Mr. Bean, the girl beside me was also laughing. After watching that funny movie, I went to the massage parlor to experience the Bronx Hard Massage. I arrived at our house at around 8 in the evening feeling happy and very satisfied.

Life is beautiful. According to the 1st law of motion, in every action, there is always a reaction. There is a song that reminds us that there's a rainbow always after the rain. So even I experienced a lot of misfortunes in life, I always pray so that I may see the other side of the coin. Life is not just full of thorns, it is also full of flowers. Let me share the message that was sent to me by friend: "Keep your optimism. After all, no one has ever damaged his eyesight by looking at the brighter side of life.

Thank you and good evening.

1 message received :-)

2007-06-27T05:49:00.000-07:00

Note: Every time a seminarian celebrates his birthday, he must prepare a birthday speech and deliver it before the end of supper. I made this speech during my birthday, June 22, 2006. I hope you'll enjoy. :-)

"Wow naman, may nagmahal!" That's my first response whenever I receive letters, testimonials on Friendster, text messages or phone calls. regardless of its content, it reminds me of something: The sender loves me. They love me in a way that they have concern for me, they still care for me, they still love me.

Actually, I was thinking yesterday during our 1st study period of what speech will I deliver tonight, and I saw in my drawer the letters of my classmates when I was in 4th year high school. The first letter that I saw was the letter from my guidance counselor. She wrote: "I was so amazed & deeply touched when I learned from you that you are decided to take up Psych (Psychology). Fly high, soar high, future fellow psychologist." But it was so fast that I didn't become a Psychology student. Now, I am a seminarian standing in front of you. At this moment, I proudly say that I am a seminarian because this is God's manifestation of His love for me. Maybe God sent me here to become a great man someday. I learned many things here in the seminary and I thank God for it. When I answered God's call, He showered me with my answered needs in order to persevere. He still continues to bless and guide my family & love ones that I've left.

June is also the best month for me. Not only because I celebrate my birthday this month but because it is also full of messages for me. June 3 was the birthday of my beloved vocation promoter, Fr. Jerry Santos, SDB. He was the one who introduced the Salesian Congregation to me. June 9 was the day wherein we formally entered the seminary as Junior Seminarians. June 13, feast of my patron, St. Anthony of Padua. Last June 13, 2005 and 2006, I got sick and that's a good message for me. Maybe, he wants me to rest on his feastday. June 19 was the birthday of our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal. He was an intelligent man like me. But kidding aside, it was also the bithday of my beloved spiritual director, Fr. Joel Camaya, SDB. These days reminded me that all of these were God's messages foe me. Another manifestation of His love & concern for me.

God is so generous. That's why He allows me to stay here. Hopefully, for another year and I would like to thank Him for that. Second, to my formators because they gave me another chance. Yes, I know that I'm not worthy, but they didn't get tired of forming me. I would like to also to thank Fr. Joel, my beloved spiritual director for giving me inspiration. Also to my former youth group, LIFE, thank you. I've learned a lot from you. To my kuyas and to the benjamins who helped me a lot because you are my friends. And lastly, to my fellow batchmates (Whil, Enzo, Chino, Clemens, Jerome, Aries, Elijah and Kerwin).

Thank you and good evening. :-)

Love in Life

2007-06-26T06:11:00.000-07:00

My life is in a mess,

Seemingly meaningless!

When I was in despair

And life seems so unfair.

But then, my life has changed

When you came to my life

I’m so thankful and blessed

To be with you, my love.

Am I Generous?

2007-06-25T05:47:00.000-07:00

I remember the words that were said to me by our brother assistant when I was a second year seminarian: "When you become selfless, you will be more productive." This points not only the things that you can do to others and even if you won’t think of yourself, it also points what you will become. I am already in the third stage of formation. This is the reality that I must accept that seminary life is not always a glimpse of Heaven. Let's just say that this is an imperfect world. Therefore in life, we will not always be happy but we will not also be lonely. I learned from a priest that maturity comes when we learn how to handle and solve our own problems. Although the first two years were hard and sometimes discouraged, I still continue to discern; to know more of God’s will for me. I must have leaved the seminary if I am not generous in giving myself to the Lord. Now the question is: How did I become productive to others? Is my generosity helped me to become a better person?