tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48499870739429227482024-03-14T06:07:48.315+08:00Learning FragmentsLife lessons come in fragments, shattered in every imaginable place.<br>We collect them piece by piece from our day-to-day race.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger64125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849987073942922748.post-78494696181424545132017-01-25T17:00:00.000+08:002017-03-07T17:54:55.431+08:00For My Soul Sister<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">You are the mirror of my soul. Thank you for being the kind of person you are.<br /><br />Your friendship assures me that beauty remains on Earth.<br /><br /> Your ability to see people through the spark in their eyes, glow of their smiles, and firmness of their steps taught me to see beyond superficial facades. </span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">Your habit of introspection has encouraged me to delve into self-discovery and entertain thought-provoking ideas.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Your courage in facing adventures makes me look forward to the future and the limitless possibilities it holds.<br /><br /> Your generosity ingrains gratitude in my system.</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">Your humility has taught me that admitting weakness is in itself a strength.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Your wanderlust is a welcome reminder of how huge the world is and that there are countless things greater than our own existence.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Your idealism encourages me to live by my principles, especially when it's easiest to conform.<br /><br />Your warmth and sincerity permeated through my ironclad bulwarks. It's a rare blessing to have someone with whom I can share my vulnerabilities free from fear of rejection or getting hurt, who completely gets me, knows the contents of my heart, and understands the longings of my soul.<br /><br />Your love for family reminds me of what truly matters in life.<br /><br /> Cheers to being 25...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">to effecting change..</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />to figuring life one adventure after another..</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />to widening comfort zones..</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />to falling for remarkable strangers..<br /><br />to sharing stories..<br /><br />to creating connections..<br /><br />to being seized by moments..<br /><br />to leaving a trail where there's none..<br /><br />to being compassionate even when it hurts..<br /><br />to recognizing the goodness in everyone..<br /><br />to pursuing passions..<br /><br />to collecting learning fragments..<br /><br />and to following love wherever path it sends us.</span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849987073942922748.post-58785818790981330472016-08-15T04:00:00.000+08:002016-08-15T14:52:04.904+08:00Karma<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
When things get out of your control, you just have to hope that the universe would someday connect the dots and give people what they deserve.<br />
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<span style="color: white;">Rejoice now, the time is yours. Don't bother to feel remorse. In silence, we'll wait and pray. Karma would someday work its way. When it shall come, you'll ask it why and curse the time you live by lies.</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849987073942922748.post-34830814989225833052016-08-05T21:42:00.003+08:002016-08-15T14:22:28.171+08:00Pagluwas<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "ar blanca";">Ni Maris Gabornes<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "ar blanca"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Ano nga ba ang mayroon sa ciudad?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "ar blanca"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Lumuwas sila para raw umunlad.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "ar blanca"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Mas maginhawa naman sa probinsya.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "ar blanca"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Simple, kaunti ang kakompetensya.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "ar blanca"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">Nakakaakit ba ang mga ilaw?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "ar blanca"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">O ang tagumpay ang nakakasilaw?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "ar blanca"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Maging si Taylor Swift ay na-engganyo.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "ar blanca"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“Welcome to New York,” ang kanta sa radyo.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "ar blanca"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Nakakaaliw ba’ng ingay sa kalye?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "ar blanca"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Gaya ng kaabang-abang na serye.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "ar blanca"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">O sinasadya nila na mabingi?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "ar blanca"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Upang lungkot kahit pano’y mapawi.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "ar blanca"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Masaya ba’ng tumira sa gusali?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "ar blanca"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Naiiba raw nito ang ugali.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "ar blanca"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Hanggang saan dulot na pagbabago;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "ar blanca"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Isip? Damit? O pati pagkatao?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "ar blanca"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Kailangan ba talagang lumisan<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "ar blanca"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Para sa dulo’y walang pagsisihan?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "ar blanca"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Mga sagot, malalaman ko bukas.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "ar blanca"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Dahil bukas, ako naman luluwas.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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*****</div>
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<b style="font-family: 'homemade apple'; font-size: x-large;">Back-story</b><br />
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</span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">I wrote this poem for "Ciudad," the 6th volume of Pluma, the literary folio of San Beda College Alabang - School of Law. This poem is special for me because it describes the process I've been going through for the last couple of years. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">It's about how getting out of your comfort zone is both frightening and exciting;</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">how the process inevitably involves changes, sacrifices, and goodbyes; </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">how everything can make you feel deep and melancholic emptiness; </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">how you look at the mirror and see a completely transformed individual; </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">and how </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">you persist </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">amid scary uncertainties, constant self-doubt, seemingly endless struggles, and tempting easy way out because you owe it to God and yourself to at least try living up to your potential.</span><br />
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<img src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2Zt69bBvaoQ/UnqWG4Zpo8I/AAAAAAAABjY/h3sbwieZoRg/s1600/signature+waltograph.png" /> </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849987073942922748.post-79618734180907461292016-07-13T01:40:00.000+08:002016-07-13T01:40:21.688+08:00Nakabaling sa Iba<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "lilyupc" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">Ni Maris Gabornes<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "lilyupc" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Ngayo’y
nakaupo sa permanente kong upuan<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "lilyupc" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Tumitingin
sa gurong nakatayo sa harapan<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "lilyupc" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Subalit
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "lilyupc" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Sapagkat
ang aking isip ay nalipad kung saan</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "lilyupc" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Wala
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "lilyupc" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Nagtatanong
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "lilyupc" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Habang
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "lilyupc" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Ang
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "lilyupc" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Pero
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "lilyupc" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Dahil
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "lilyupc" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Isa
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "lilyupc" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Iniisip
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malapitan, mabiro at makausap mo na ulit siya. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 200%; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="line-height: 200%; text-align: left;">*****</span></div>
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<b style="font-family: 'homemade apple'; font-size: x-large;">Back-story</b><br />
I wrote this in high school, during my Filipino class. (.....)</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849987073942922748.post-21071719220400824722016-05-07T03:04:00.000+08:002016-08-15T17:59:12.802+08:00Para sa Pinakadakilang Ina<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "fangsong"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Ni Maris Gabornes<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "fangsong"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Dalawang kamay sa aki'y nag-aruga,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "fangsong"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Sadyang walang kapantay na pagkalinga.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "fangsong"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Nang bata pa'y pinagtitimpla ng gatas,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "fangsong"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Pinatatahan naman 'pag umiiyak ng malakas.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "fangsong"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Gumabay sa daan ko'y dalawang paa<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "fangsong"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Kaya't alam ko ang <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">mali</st1:place></st1:country-region> sa tama.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "fangsong"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Handa siyang matinik kasama ko;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "fangsong"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Lagi siyang para sa akin nagsasakripisyo.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "fangsong"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Isang pares ng mata ang matiyagang nagmasid<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "fangsong"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Upang sa pain ng paghihirap ay hindi mapatid.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "fangsong"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Mula pagkabata hanggang ngayon sa aking buhay,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "fangsong"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Umaga man o gabi, walang sawang sumubaybay.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "fangsong"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Bibig na sa pangaral ako'y binusog<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "fangsong"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Kaya maituturing na pati pagkatao ko'y malusog.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "fangsong"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Sa mga sermon, ni minsan ay hindi nagkulang<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "fangsong"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Nagsasabing dapat ako'y maging magalang.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "fangsong"; font-size: 18.6667px;">'</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "fangsong"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Pag natatakot ako'y yakap ni Ina.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "fangsong"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Walang kapantay ang dedikasyon mong pinakita,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "fangsong"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Nararapat lamang na ika'y bigyan ng gantimpala.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "fangsong"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Makakaasa kang mga aral mo'y iingatan.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "fangsong"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Mahal na mahal kita Ina, magpakailanman.<span style="text-transform: uppercase;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b style="font-family: 'homemade apple'; font-size: x-large;">Back-story</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This is a poem that I've written back in high school. My sister and I gave this as a present for our mom's 51st birthday. It was memorable because it was the year when our family was physically separated from each other. Papa and Kuya Val were abroad because of the nature of their occupation as seafarers; Mama was based in Samar because of her job as a town mayor; Ate Faith was in Los Banos finishing her Chem. Eng. degree; Kuya Mance was studying in Pasay; Chesca and I were still studying in Tacloban.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Our mom's birthday that year fell on a Saturday. Her staff threw a surprise party. They told us later on that she cried at her party because she was alone. All her immediate family members were not there to celebrate her birthday with her. Chesca and I had to participate in a Math quiz-bee in Tacloban so it was already late in the afternoon when we arrived in Samar. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I guess that was my first realization of how much Mama values us. She always appears strong and independent, like she's fine by herself. I tend to forget that she's just human too who longs for companionship like the rest of us. And that was the first time I consciously promised myself to protect Mama from sadness.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">When I watched her read the poem that afternoon, I had an emotionally overpowering moment. Since an infant up to that day, my survival and existence depended on Mama. But that was my first deliberate acknowledgment of how much I love the woman in front of me. It was as if I was seeing her for the first time. As I looked at her, I saw the woman beneath the sermons, curfews, rules, allowance, and expectations. I was astonished by the woman rich with wisdom and experience, whose heart was filled with contentment and generosity, whose determination and dexterity are unrivaled, and whose soul yearns to lift and serve others. As the moment passed, I was pleased with myself for writing the poem because Mama deserves to know that in our eyes, <b>she is, without question, the greatest mother. </b> </span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849987073942922748.post-3311662848192939062016-03-27T19:07:00.000+08:002016-04-07T20:21:30.619+08:00Gratitude Post<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I've read somewhere that having a gratitude jar where you put all the things you're grateful for each day is a way of living a happier life. In substitution of that jar, I'm making this post as my own version of thanking life. Hopefully, updating this post from this day onward would help uplift my spirit during stressful times and remind me of how blessed I truly am.<br />
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[March 27, 2016]<br />
It's almost a year since I last updated this gratitude post. Not that I ran out of things to be grateful for, busyness just got the best of me. Today, articles on Mind, Body, Green (MBG) -- <a href="http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-23953/a-simple-plan-to-achieve-radical-self-love.html" target="_blank">specially this</a> -- reminded me how it is essential to be openly grateful even for the smallest blessings. So, here are the blessings I counted for today:<br />
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It's Easter Sunday! I was able to serve at the 9 am mass in our parish and my reading went smoothly. I'm happy that in my little way, I'm able to celebrate and honor Jesus' unconditional love for us. Fr. Calvin's homily drove an important message of hope and the beauty of sacrifice. The burdens that are currently weighing me down somehow became lighter. No, it's actually my perspective that became more optimistic. Challenges, problems, and all the crosses we carry are necessary; the same that Jesus' sufferings and crucifixion were indispensable in His resurrection. Through this lessons, I'll be facing this coming week with a revitalized hope and faith. <br />
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[April 15, 2015]<br />
For the past four days, I've been extremely happy. My Palawan trip with Meleus and Ian was finally realized! During the entire trip, I was always smiling and laughing so hard. And the long drives to the destinations allowed me to contemplate as well. I realized that travelling transforms me into my best self. I was out of my comfort zone; I was participating in the world; and I was with my best friend. The trip is absolutely one for the books!<br />
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[February 12, 2015]</div>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="more"></a>Sincere and genuine care from friends is priceless. When you feel so low, a friend's comforting words mean the world. It's all you need to feel better and hopeful again. Thank you Lord for my friends's love and concern. Somehow, knowing that there are people praying with us lifts the burden from my heart.<br />
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[November 21, 2014]<br />
First week was rough; very far from how I wanted my first week for the sem to unfold. Well, what was I thinking, nothing ever goes to plan in law school. It's been confusing and crazy. Thanks to my friends, my support group, I managed to stay sane amid the insanity.<br />
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[Nov. 19, 2014]<br />
I've always been blessed with amazing, wonderful friends. And today, the chance to bond with some of those friends is what I'm grateful for. Trust and confidence among friends are special. Sharing our deepest secrets doesn't come easily and the comfort of being able to do that with a particular friend is a blessing.<br />
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Finally, after a constant on and off planning, Meleus and I have booked our flights to and from Puerto Princesa for the summer next year. We were able to avail of the promo of Air Asia; our two-way tickets cost only 1,700+ for each of us. It's something to look forward to!<br />
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[Nov. 18, 2014]</div>
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I'm thankful for the existence of sleep and daydreams. In times of stress, those two are my easiest refuge. Atty. Ungos granted our request for a ceasefire and even gave a lecture. We only had a quiz in Admin Law, which I prefer over recitation (of course!). Jeni got her bonus and treated us to ice cream and fries (Yum!). I had dinner with Gen where I was able to vent out personal dilemmas that have been bugging me lately. She's right; I should learn to control my tendency to be an annoying control-freak and let petty things slip; I should just drop whatever that causes me stress and just let things be. I noticed that unlike in college, most of my friends in law school possess a different personality from me, which is really good for me. I believe God intentionally let our paths cross so that I may grow more and be wiser. Character-wise and principle-wise, I'm immensely maturing thanks to their influence. My inhibitions, doubts, insecurities, and desire to please are bit by bit fading. Law school is definitely polishing me. Despite the pressure and my usual complaints, I'm loving and embracing the whole process of transformation.</div>
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[Nov. 17, 2014]<br />
Honestly, today didn't go as smoothly as I planned it to be. It wasn't the ideal start of the week but there are still good things I got from it. I'm so grateful for the thought/fact that I am not alone in law school. Compared to how I felt when I was a transferee, this sem is potentially the best. My law school friends are my source of positive vibes these past few days and I'm grateful for that. Like what Gossip Girl said, "Even if you don't know where you're headed, it helps to know that you're not going there alone." I'm encouraged to defy my introvert nature and to participate further and show up in places, if that makes any sense. <br />
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[Nov. 15, 2014]<br />
I've completed buying the books I need for this semester. It's now up to me to read and study them. I'm so blessed to have my parents, really. Our class in Crim 2 was cancelled due to the recollection of first year students. It was the happiest news I received today because I wasn't done reading the entire assignment yet. I was able to go home to Cavite and take care of my younger sister, who was sick since last night. And it's a Saturday night; I'm allotting myself time to play Sims 3. A friend told me to keep whatever that keeps me sane, so I'm keeping my Sims 3 playtime. (At least for now, while the school works are not that burdensome yet.) <br />
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[Nov. 14, 2014]</div>
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I have several reasons to be thankful. Today, I was able to sell the Labor Law book that I bought, which was different from the one prescribed by my professor. That made me really happy. I'm also becoming more comfortable in talking to my schoolmates rather than avoiding to have eye contact with them. (Hoorah!) No classes today due to my school's victory party. (Double hoorah!) I got to talk to Meleus, my best friend, over the phone and we planned our Christmas vacation together. Lastly, I'm grateful for the gift of nephews and nieces. The little naughty ones are here for the weekend. Though their noise and nonstop running around annoy me sometimes, their innocence and charm never fail to make me smile.</div>
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[November 13, 2014]</div>
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Lord God, thank you for allowing me to meet good, real friends in law school. When I transferred, having companions was one of my worries. I no longer worry about that as often as before since I have gained more than companions. Thank you for giving me Gen, Vhec, Jeni, Ayna, Lander, Suany, and all the acquaintances I've met. I am empowered through this opportunity to widen my circle of friends and mingle with people outside my group, which used to be a struggle for me. Thank you for my parents who've always been good providers and my best supporters. Atty. Jimeno's anecdote of his humble beginnings before becoming a lawyer inspired me a lot today. He was a regular in the library and owned only 2 books as a law student due to his parents' meager income. It made me realize how fortunate I am to have parents who are capable of financially supporting my studies. I'm also thankful for the "little things" that Ate Faith and Kuya Mance have done for me today. Finally, thank you for the grateful, eager, and happy feelings You let my heart experience today.</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849987073942922748.post-57403015448682995612015-08-19T00:44:00.001+08:002015-08-19T00:44:46.433+08:00All is Well<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Find comfort in knowing how much you've grown.<br />
You are on the right path.<br />
Things are unfolding as they should.<br />
Trust your journey.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849987073942922748.post-58923402026709057902014-09-11T22:30:00.000+08:002016-05-30T01:47:22.558+08:00Shake Pessimism Off<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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It's so easy to be happy when things are going well in your life. But it's much easier to be negative when life gets challenging. While there are those who are gifted with optimism, not everyone is as blessed. I, for one, have always struggled with maintaining a positive outlook when things get a bit rough. Changing my mindset during trying times always calls for deliberate effort on my part. <br />
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I remember when I was younger I posted a motivational quote in my room that reads: <b>"Life is a matter of perspective. It's either you complain because roses have thorns or you rejoice because thorns have roses."</b> Posting the quote and wanting to live by optimism weren't enough to stop me from complaining about the thorns. Often, I unconsciously, almost automatically, worry when something doesn't go the way I want it.<br />
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Disappointments and failures usually place me in the pit of despair. Today, I revisited the dreaded pit. Fortunately, the visit was brief, thanks to the Facebook application God Wants You to Know and Kerwin Rae's inspirational post that I came across.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">It's fascinating how this application sends me the messages I need at the right time and circumstances. God indeed works in mysterious ways.</span></td></tr>
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God's message for me today reminded me that although there are things that are beyond my control, my emotions, thoughts, and mood can be not among those if I choose so. </div>
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A very beautiful story shared by Kerwin Rae (an international speaker) on his Facebook page contributed another dose of optimism.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">One day, a farmer's donkey fell down into a well. The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do. Finally, he decided the animal was old, and the well needed to be covered up anyway; it just wasn't worth it to retrieve the donkey.</span></blockquote>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">He invited all his neighbors to come over and help him. They all grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well. At first, th</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #141823; display: inline; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">e donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly. Then, to everyone's amazement he quieted down.<br />
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A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally looked down the well. He was astonished at what he saw. With each shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing. He would shake it off and take a step up.<br />
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As the farmer's neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up. Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and happily trotted off!<br />
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MORAL :<br />
Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt. The trick to getting out of the well is to shake it off and take a step up. Each of our troubles is a steppingstone. We can get out of the deepest wells just by not stopping, never giving up! Shake it off and take a step up.</span></blockquote>
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All of us have our own hopeless moments in the well.<br />
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At present, the well that I need to step up from is law school. Every single day, all kinds of dirt are thrown at me. The dirt comes in the form of readings, cases, case digests, recitations, exams, frightful professors, limited time. These things might appear trivial for some, especially those unfamiliar with the demanding design of law school. I can't blame them because how can obtaining a passing grade compete with fighting for your country in war, for example. Nevertheless, I still believe that law school is important, at least for me, because it does a very good job in forming one's character.<br />
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The worst dirt that I deal with is actually thrown by me; it includes my doubts, fears, hesitations, and self-defeating thoughts. From the time my alarm rings in the morning up to my bedtime, I'm in this constant battle with my myself -- to wake up or to snooze my alarm, to continue reading or to give in to my tired eyes, to go to class or not, to study or to sleep, to believe in or to doubt myself, to keep on fighting or to give up. For every positive thought, a voice in my head contradicts. Because I have a record of giving in to the negative pull, I often doubt my ability to improve and sustain the improvement. By thinking that way, I'm not doing myself a favor. Actually, I'm getting in my own way. I need to shake every bit of pessimism I have if I desire to get out of this well emotionally and psychologically intact.<br />
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I can do it. I just need to believe in my abilities and persevere. Mindset is very powerful. Self-defeating thoughts must have no place in my life but under my feet; I've let them long enough to negatively impact the way I treat and carry myself. Challenges exist not to damage us but to strengthen and mold us so that we may reach our full potential. From now on, I will welcome the challenges and derive motivation from them.<br />
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I'm through tormenting my mind with worry; I'm done depreciating my self-esteem. I'm just gonna shake pessimism off my life, as hard as possible! </div>
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P.S. I've been singing to Taylor Swift's fun tune Shake It Off for some extra good vibes. Here's her equally fun music video:<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849987073942922748.post-44989989944434893102014-08-20T20:24:00.000+08:002016-05-30T01:47:22.542+08:00Stamped Stars in Law School<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cctslG7zXW8/U_vGkTxszLI/AAAAAAAABtQ/3jnoLpiVIj8/s1600/Excellent-Star-Merit-Stamp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cctslG7zXW8/U_vGkTxszLI/AAAAAAAABtQ/3jnoLpiVIj8/s1600/Excellent-Star-Merit-Stamp.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a>XT, my youngest nephew, started going to school. Everyday when he arrives home, he would always showoff the stamped stars on his hands signifying that he was well-behaved or had performed good in class. And he feels sad on days that he didn't receive a star. It has been a practice in kindergarten to motivate students and reinforce good behaviors by stamping stars or giving them ribbons and the like. This practice is the application of psychological theory particularly the operant conditioning.<br />
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Today, I received a stamped star in law school in the form of an exam result. I got the second highest grade in my LTD pre-midterm exam. Actually, it will only comprise 1/6 of my final grade. Despite that, I still feel like I just won the lottery. It was so unexpected because I remember feeling so drained after taking that pre-midterm exam. I expected to fail it actually so I was so surprised when my name was called second. Second highest! It's been forever since I last received a positive feedback in school. Law professors are not very generous with encouragement. It's up to each student to motivate himself and rise above the pressure. Although it's how law school is designed to work, a little recognition from time to time works a mile. <br />
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I can attribute the result to luck but I also believe that part of it is because I'm good. <u>I'm claiming it!</u> Since I returned to law school, my insecurities on my abilities increased for some reasons. Because of the news I got today, my self-esteem had been a little bit restored. I realized that it's not lack of skill or diminishing intelligence that's keeping me from being my best self. It's my self-defeating thoughts that must be blamed. <b>My self-defeating thoughts are my greatest adversary.</b> I need to overcome them to fully restore my self-esteem. After all, <b>a mind that believes is the most powerful weapon to success</b>.<br />
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The mantra <b>KEEP ON GOING</b> works. Even if you feel hopeless, even if you feel that it's a sure fail, even if you feel it's impossible, even if you feel there's no chance anymore, <b>just continue fighting</b> because in the end, things might just go your way and fate might just favor you. Life is so unpredictable. It might just do a 180° turn for you when you least expect it, you'll never know!<br />
<img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2Zt69bBvaoQ/UnqWG4Zpo8I/AAAAAAAABjY/h3sbwieZoRg/s1600/signature+waltograph.png" /> </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849987073942922748.post-73140109190597049572014-07-31T23:21:00.000+08:002016-05-30T01:47:22.568+08:00Tiptoeing in Law School<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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It's been a long while. I've been busy pretending to be a diligent law student. <a href="http://learningfragments.blogspot.com/2013/11/officially-rettorney.html#.U-5AtvmSzAA" target="_blank">Returning to law school</a> after a year out has been tough. Really tough. To be honest, I'm still not back in my best foot even after a semester since my return.<br />
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Last semester was such a struggle and sadly I was on the losing end. There were nights when I easily give in to sleep's call even when I'm supposed to be studying. There were times when I'd go to class without reading the assignment and would just pray not to be called in recitations. There were also days when I would open my book and stare at a page for an hour without actually reading anything. When I try to study, the walls and the ceiling suddenly become interesting to look at; even cleaning my room turns out to be an appealing task. But the worst was when I didn't study for the final exams of two of my subjects. I'm not the most diligent student in college but I've always exerted effort for my exams. It was horrible, especially for my guilt. "What's happening to me?," was a constant question I asked myself. I missed the Maris who endures sleepless nights just to ace her exams; I missed her determination and persistence. Maybe I was still half-hearted contrary to my promise that I'd embrace everything willingly.<br />
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But to be fair, I did fight. The effort to be more disciplined was there. Although I failed to be consistent, I'm still quite proud of my progress. And this semester, the struggle to be a better, more determined, and more diligent law student continues. Thus, for the past month I lived by the mantra, <b><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">"Tiptoe if you must, but take the step."</span></b><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Everyday is a challenge for me to change. </span></span>Inconsistency is still my greatest foe.<span style="background-color: white;"> </span>It's a painful process. I see myself as a clueless baby, trying to learn how to walk. It might sound absurd but I don't know how to study anymore. My method in high school and college isn't compatible with the pressure in law school so I'm in a constant trial and error experiment. I feel like a first year again who's trying to grasp an effective study habit and to adapt to the pace. The only difference is that I have two semesters with me as weapons.<br />
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This month was about taking a step toward the right path - the path that would lead me to the attainment of my goals. I acknowledged that there's something wrong with my recent apathy toward my studies. It's difficult but I decided to <b>take little steps everyday</b>. I realized that I need to be realistic for me to succeed in my goal of changing myself. I can't expect to change over night. Laziness and I have become really friendly that it would take some time to be estranged with each other. What matters now is that I continue in the direction that I started to take. I'm tiptoeing with a positive vibe. As a proof, I started using the term 'process' instead of 'struggle' in referring to this phase of transformation I'm in right now. Hopefully before this semester ends, <b>I'll tiptoe no more and be able to walk with firm and confident steps.</b><br />
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Have you been in the same 'tiptoeing' phase before? Share your experience in the comments section below. </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849987073942922748.post-15017190582744063742014-01-12T01:12:00.001+08:002016-06-01T03:31:46.472+08:00Note to Self<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Just embrace the challenges and disappointments, openly and willingly. No more complaints; no more reliance on luck; no more laid-back attitude; no more excuses. Commit to and act on your goals. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In the end, you shall overcome!</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849987073942922748.post-61776532075301459432014-01-10T10:12:00.000+08:002014-01-13T00:13:31.227+08:00Lesson Learned from Prof. Snape<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
As I checked my Facebook account, I saw a post of a Harry Potter page, wishing Snape a happy birthday. Severus Snape, I believe, is a character of the Harry Potter series that readers like myself hated and then loved. J.K. Rowling had masterfully written the books.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snape, the villain I loathed and the hero whose death I mourned. </td></tr>
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The twists were intelligently plotted that's why she surprised us with the revelation in the 7th and last installment of Snape's sacrifices. Snape appeared as a deceitful, cunning character who loathed Harry for being his father's son and who betrayed Dumbledore's trust. But in the end, we discovered that right from the very beginning, Snape did all that he could to protect Harry out of his love for Lily, Harry's mother.<br />
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We can derive a lot of lessons from Prof. Snape but the one that I want to point out now is how his character showed us that <b>oftentimes, things are not what they seem</b>.<br />
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Although our society has raised us to believe that actions speak louder than words, such doesn't hold true all the time. Most of the time, out of self-preservation (I guess), we choose to hide our real intentions and feelings. The person you accuse to be spreading rumors about you might just turn out to be the one who actually got your back. Or it could also be the other way round, where a friend is not actually a friend. An ex, who appears happy with someone else, might be dying to get back with you.<br />
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This brings us to the realization that<b> we shouldn't enclose people or situations in labels, tags, boxes or judgments.</b> We can never be 100% sure of anything or anyone.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snape hid his heart from people by putting a stern front. </td></tr>
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Again as what Prof. Snape's character showed us,<b> no matter how convinced we are of our perception,</b> <b>things or people are not always what they appear to be</b>.<br />
<img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2Zt69bBvaoQ/UnqWG4Zpo8I/AAAAAAAABjY/h3sbwieZoRg/s1600/signature+waltograph.png" /> </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849987073942922748.post-69341649712424373982014-01-09T22:30:00.000+08:002016-05-30T01:47:22.566+08:00Reassurance Against Fear and Despair<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Tonight's one of those nights when I can't move on from a recitation. The regret of not being able to remember something you've studied, the blame you put on your shoulder for not studying harder, the desire to go back in time and change the circumstances - these are the feelings that's been bugging me after my class earlier. In fact, these feelings have been my mind's tenants since my return in law school. I badly want to expel them because they prevent me from focusing on studying for my subjects tomorrow, which also require my attention.<br />
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These feelings are aggravated by the pressure of the upcoming midterm exams. My backlogs in all my subjects have piled up and I honestly don't know how I could possibly cover everything, or cover enough to help me to at least pass my midterm exams.<br />
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I'm scared, lost, almost hopeless. But before I wallow in a pit of depression, God (as what He always does) saved me. He reminded me of a beautiful verse from the book of Joshua that has struck me:<br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;">Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. </span><span style="color: #3d85c6;">(Joshua 1:9)</span></blockquote>
After being reminded of the passage, my fear was still there. Uncertainties scare me. I think we all are afraid of the future and of what it might bring upon us. But the words of God accompanied my fear with assurance. <b>He promised that He will be with us wherever we go and I'm certain that the Father is consistent in fulfilling His promises.</b><br />
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The journey that Joshua had to face years ago is so different with my journey in law school. The only similarity is that it was God's will that brought us in our respective journeys. I decided in October 2012 that Law is not for me but God, through the events and people He allowed in my life, led me back to the legal sphere. I know <b>He has a plan for me, </b><i>a plan greater than my own existence.</i> <b>I can't allow my fear become my courage's master, </b><i>it should be the other way around. </i><br />
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<i>**Heavenly Father, I'm so sorry for being weak, for allowing my fears and disappointments get the best of me. Thank you for always being there for me although my weaknesses make me unworthy of Your unconditional love. I offer my life and goals to You, Oh God. Use me as You will, let Your plans unfold, help me put my complete trust in You and Your promise, please allow my fears feed my strength. Amen. </i><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849987073942922748.post-20693450718176552562013-11-13T23:42:00.000+08:002017-11-15T15:13:06.283+08:00Officially a Rettorney!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I'll let you in on a little secret. I went back to law school. Today, I'm now officially enrolled. Sshhhhhhhh... I didn't tell everyone. Only my family, a few of my friends and law school buddies know about it.<br />
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After the May 2013 election, I made up my mind that I was going to go back. But I also decided that I would transfer to another campus. <a href="http://learningfragments.blogspot.com/2012/10/crossroad-to-quit-or-not-to-quit-law.html#.UpIessTWVhk" target="_blank">Deciding to quit law school</a> was hard and <b>deciding to return was even harder.</b> I had to swallow everything I've said when I left. So, I wanted a new environment and a new set of people. It's my own way of starting with a clean slate (Although, I know that it's not a clean slate. After all, all our actions and decisions in the past have consequences that we can never escape.).<br />
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I wanted to feel confident that law school would be easier this time. But the truth is, I'm scared. Even more scared than I was in my first attempt. The stakes are higher now.<b> I can't quit anymore</b>. My reasons for continuing might not be my ideal reasons. And the <a href="http://learningfragments.blogspot.com/2012/10/reasons-for-leaving-law-school.html#.UpIeDMTWVhk" target="_blank">reasons why I left</a> are still true but I found a strong motivation to continue - my family.<br />
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My decision to leave law school was the most selfish decision I've made in my life. I'd be lying if I say that it didn't make me happy because it did. It was relieving and liberating to follow what I wanted and disregard other people's opinions. I enjoyed being selfish! But after the election, I realized that Sir Talde and Papa were right when they told me that <b>there is a special kind of joy from sacrificing your own comforts and happiness for the people you love.</b><br />
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Certain sacrifices for the common good of one's family are inevitable. For instance, we never asked Papa what he wanted to do in his life. He spends 8-12 months on the ship every year just to provide for us. He never complained. Never. Nobody asked him if his job makes him happy. For all I know, he sacrificed his own dream just to see our dreams transpire.<br />
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My parents were very supportive when I told them last year that I'd be quitting law school. I know how much they wanted me to pursue it but they never forced me to go back. The decision to go back is of my own accord. I'm doing it for my family. I'd stop looking at it as a sacrifice and instead view it as an opportunity to contribute to the family that has done nothing but nurture and love me. I'd also try my best to not complain anymore (hahaha).<br />
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I hope that law school would be better the second time around. But come on, who am I kidding? Of course, it won't be! But one thing is certain. I AM GOING TO BE BETTER AND MORE DETERMINED THIS TIME. <b>I made the decision and I'm going to stick to it until the end, NO MATTER WHAT.</b> </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849987073942922748.post-26071934797261013042013-11-09T13:26:00.000+08:002013-11-25T00:19:41.008+08:00Trust after Yolanda<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I'm scared and worried to death just like everyone who has relatives in Samar and Leyte. I feel helpless. Today's the third day that we haven't heard from our family in Lawaan, Eastern Samar. Our last update was from a news report in ABS-CBN, which said that there are 10 confirmed dead from our town. It's a shocking news! Although we were worried, somehow we were still hopeful that our town and <i>kababayans </i>are safe. We never expected any casualties.<br />
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Devastating news from Tacloban, Palo and Basey just add to our restlessness. I have friends from these towns since I studied in Tacloban for 6 years. I'm also dying to have contact with them.<br />
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Despite the fear, a part of me is hopeful. I remember a story that my younger sister shared about a man's encounter in a flight:<br />
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He had been on a long flight.. The first warning of the approaching problems came when the sign on the airplane flashed on:<br />
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"Fasten your seat belts."<br />
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Then, after a while, a calm voice said, "We shall not be serving the beverages at this time as we are expecting a little turbulence. Please be sure your seat belt is fastened.."<br />
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As he looked around the aircraft, it became obvious that many of the passengers were becoming apprehensive. Later, the voice of the announcer said, "We are so sorry that we are unable to serve the meal at this time..<br />
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The turbulence is still ahead of us."<br />
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And then the storm broke. The ominous cracks of thunder could be heard even above the roar of the engines. Lightening lit up the darkening skies, and within moments that great plane was like a cork tossed around on a celestial ocean. One moment the airplane was lifted on terrific currents of air; the next, it dropped as if it were about to crash.<br />
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The man confessed that he shared the discomfort and fear of those around him. He said, "As I looked around the plane, I could see that nearly all the passengers were upset and alarmed. Some were praying.<br />
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The future seemed ominous and many were wondering if they would make it through the storm. And then, I suddenly saw a girl to whom the storm meant nothing. She had tucked her feet beneath her as she sat on her seat and was reading a book.<br />
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Everything within her small world was calm and orderly. Sometimes she closed her eyes, then she would read again; then she would straighten her legs, but worry and fear were not in her world. When the plane was being buffeted by the terrible storm, when it lurched this way and that, as it rose and fell with frightening severity, when all the adults were scared half to death, that marvelous child was completely composed and unafraid."<br />
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The man could hardly believe his eyes. It was not surprising therefore, that when the plane finally reached its destination and all the passengers were hurrying to disembark, he lingered to speak to the girl whom he had watched for such a long time.<br />
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Having commented about the storm and behavior of the plane, he asked why she had not been afraid.<br />
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The sweet child replied,<br />
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"Sir, my Dad is the pilot, And he is taking me home."</blockquote>
Images of Yolanda's aftermath are heartbreaking. It would take a long while before the affected cities and municipalities would be able to stand up again. People lost members of their families, relatives, friends; they lost their homes and livelihood. A part of them was lost as a result of Yolanda's rampage. They'd have to start from scratch. I don't know how they'd be able to do it BUT I know that in time, things will be normal again because God is our life's pilot. "We may never understand his wisdom" for allowing terrible things to happen but "we simply have to TRUST His will."<br />
<img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2Zt69bBvaoQ/UnqWG4Zpo8I/AAAAAAAABjY/h3sbwieZoRg/s1600/signature+waltograph.png" /> </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849987073942922748.post-25758028556095558412013-11-08T22:30:00.000+08:002013-11-25T00:21:34.710+08:00A Shoutout to Reporters and News Staff<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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As super typhoon Yolanda hit the Philippine Area of Responsibility, it had done a lot of damage to different provinces. We were so worried at home because we can't contact our family and friends from Easter Samar, Tacloban and other parts of Leyte. We last heard from our mom at 5 in the morning, just after Yolanda's landfall at Guiuan. She told us that things were alright in Lawaan and everybody was fine but after that phone call, we failed to contact her or anyone in Samar and Leyte anymore. Even TV and radio broadcasting networks lost communication with their reporters as a result of the typhoon.<br />
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Samar and Leyte were virtually isolated from the rest of the Philippines during the onslaught of Yolanda. The absence of any update kept speculations and uneasiness in the air. A lot of people who have relatives from the said places were expressing their frustration on social networking sites. We were all dying to get hold of any information.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Atom Araullo reports in Tacloban as super typhoon Yolanda hits the city. (Photo credit: Screen grab from ABS-CBN News' Youtube video)</span></td></tr>
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Truly, news reporters are our eyes and ears. We always see them on TV or hear them on radios but we tend to overlook them for the work they do. Our attention is focused on their report but not on them. Sure, we make comments on the way they report but that's about it.<br />
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I want to thank all brave reporters and news staff who keep us updated with news. Their passion and commitment are so great that amid disasters, they continue to do their job even if it means risking their own lives. While we all try to hide in the security of our homes during calamities, they run to the center of action, as near as circumstances would allow them, just to give us details we're dying to know. Most of the time, their days are not spent with their loved ones, they're involved with the stories of victims of disasters instead. They're always busy covering a story, one after another.<br />
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I once dreamed of becoming a journalist but I found myself thankful that I never pursued it. I'm not sure if I would've survived because being a reporter requires not only skills but also courage, passion, and commitment.<br />
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I truly admire reporters (and their news team). To all reporters and people behind the news, thank you so much for the work you do and the sacrifices you make. We'll all be blind and deaf without you. <br />
<img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2Zt69bBvaoQ/UnqWG4Zpo8I/AAAAAAAABjY/h3sbwieZoRg/s1600/signature+waltograph.png" /> <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">You might want to watch:</span><br />
Atom Araullo's Report on typhoon Yolanda in Tacloban City before communications were out (aired on TV Patrol)<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/rxmHNuky0hU?rel=0" width="480"></iframe><br />
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Jiggy Manicad and Love Añover's Emotional Report on typhoon Yolanda's damage to Leyte (aired on the Jessica Soho's State of the Nation)<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/y438d4VlGeQ?rel=0" width="480"></iframe></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849987073942922748.post-43953332109489985242013-08-30T11:53:00.000+08:002014-07-12T23:54:28.065+08:00Balagtasan<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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August is the <i>Buwan ng Wika</i> or month of language in the Philippines. Activities that are directed to a deeper appreciation for the Filipino language are held around the country. The most fun events happen in schools. The Department of Education determines the theme each year. The students' works (i.e. essays, posters, poems) should be relevant to the theme in order to win in whatever category they decide to join.<br />
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When I was a kid, the essay-writing and slogan-making competitions were my favorite activities. (It was through winning my school's first Filipino essay writing and slogan making competitions that my appreciation for writing began.) I also enjoyed performing Filipino folk dances like <i>Tinikling and Cariñosa. </i>I'm not a good dancer but we were required to participate back then and rehearsals offered great bonding time with my classmates.<br />
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<i>Balagtasan</i> is another interesting contest during <i>Buwan ng Wika</i>. It is a Filipino debate wherein arguments are in the form of poetic verses. The term 'Balagtasan' was coined after Franciso Balagtas, a highly regarded Filipino poet (some consider him as the Philippine's Shakespeare). There are three participants in a <i>balagtasan: </i>a<i> lakandiwa </i>(moderator) and two debaters.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jo9L_tZpyYc/UiAVaGxjc_I/AAAAAAAABWo/d35oCmAilyQ/s1600/balagtasan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jo9L_tZpyYc/UiAVaGxjc_I/AAAAAAAABWo/d35oCmAilyQ/s400/balagtasan.jpg" height="275" width="400" /></a></div>
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You might ask why I'm writing this. My cousin asked me to compose a <i>balagtasan</i> piece for her high school's competition. Ever the nice girl, I was more than willing to extend a hand <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-46QClkFDJF8/UiANCzhXxvI/AAAAAAAABWY/yJ5gm1vSotw/s1600/angel+emoticon.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-46QClkFDJF8/UiANCzhXxvI/AAAAAAAABWY/yJ5gm1vSotw/s1600/angel+emoticon.PNG" /></a>. So, I want to share this, in the hope that this may help others who might need it too.<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Lakandiwa:<br />
Magandang araw aming bati sa inyo.<br />
Dalawang panig ngayon ay magtatalo,<br />
Upang ipahayag kanya-kanyang punto<br />
Wikang pambansa, Ingles ba dapat o Filipino?<br />
<br />
<o:p> </o:p> Ito ay matagal na na katanungan,<br />
Bumabagabag sa ating lipunan.<br />
Maging mapanuri sa kanilang argumento,<br />
Timbangin kung saan ang pananaw mo.<br />
<br />
<o:p> </o:p> Para sa Filipino, isang mayuming binibini.<br />
Sa Ingles naman ay ginoong kapuri-puri.<br />
Sila’y bigyan ng masigabong palakpakan,<br />
Upang masimulan na itong balagtasan.<br />
<br />
<o:p> </o:p>Wikang Filipino:<br />
Ang wika ay simbolo ng ating pagkatao.<br />
Sumasalamin sa kasaysayan at kulturang Pilipino.<br />
Isa itong patunay ng ating kalayaan.<br />
Susi sa pagbubuklod ng mga mamamayan.<br />
<br />
<o:p> </o:p> Lakas, panahon at buhay ay sinakripisyo<br />
Nina Rizal, Bonifacio, Mabini at Aguinaldo,<br />
Upang Pilipinas ay matawag na bansang malaya.<br />
Kaya’t sa wikang banyaga, tayo’y wag makigaya.<br />
<br />
Wikang Ingles:<br />
Sa’yong mga tinuran, ika’y nabubuhay ata sa nakaraan.<br />
Wikang Ingles ay mahalaga tungo sa kaunlaran.<br />
Modernisasyon at globalisayon ay di maiiwasan,<br />
Wikang pandaigdig ay ating kailangan.<br />
<br />
<o:p> </o:p> Alam naman nating Ingles ang gamit na salita<br />
Ng malalaking kumpanya maging sa akademya.<br />
Paano tayo makikipagsabayan<br />
Kung sa komunikasyon ay may kakulangan?<br />
<br />
<o:p> </o:p>Wikang Filipino:<br />
Walang silbing makamtan tinutukoy mong kaunlaran,<br />
Kung tayo’y di naman naiintindihan ng ibang kababayan.<br />
Mga ordinaryong Pilipino na salat sa kayamanan,<br />
Hindi ba’t Filipino ang wika nilang kinagisnan?<br />
<br />
<o:p> </o:p> Madami sa’ting kapitbahay na Asyano,<br />
Gaya ng mga Instik, Hapon at Koryano,<br />
Sariling wika ma’y kanilang pinagyaman,<br />
Di ito nakahadlang sa progreso ng kanilang bayan.<br />
<br />
<o:p> </o:p>Wikang Ingles:<br />
Ang mga binanggit mong bansa sa Asya,<br />
Diba’t sa Ingles ngayo’y nagpapakadalubhasa?<br />
Sa’ting mga kababayan sila’y nagpapaturo.<br />
Importansya ng wikang unibersal, kanilang napagtanto.<br />
<br />
<o:p> </o:p> Oportunidad ang dala ng wikang ‘yong inaayawan.<br />
Ito’y pang-akit sa mga banyagang mamumuhunan.<br />
Trabaho ang hatid sa simpleng mamamayan.<br />
Magbibigay sigla sa ekonomiya ng ating bayan.<br />
<br />
<o:p> </o:p>Lakandiwa:<br />
Ang inyong mga punto ay pawang may katuturan.<br />
Subalit diskusyon ay kailangan nang wakasan.<br />
Limitadong oras ay bigyan ng pansin,<br />
Pangwakas na pahayag, inyo nang bigkasin.<br />
<br />
Wikang Filipino:<br />
Tayong mga Pinoy ay makakalayaan,<br />
Sa mga kilos protesta palaging nakikipagsapalaran.<br />
Maituturing mga impokritong makabayan,<br />
Kung sariling wika ay di maipaglaban.<br />
<br />
<o:p> </o:p> Wikang Filipino ang nag-iisang wikang pambansa.<br />
Ito’y wikang pangmasa, sa mga ninuno’y minana.<br />
Nararapat nating ipagmalaki at linangin.<br />
Pakiusap ni Inang Bayan ay ating dinggin.<br />
<br />
<o:p> </o:p>Wikang Ingles:<br />
Kung titingnan ang pinagmulan ng ating bayan,<br />
Wikang Ingles ay bahagi rin ng kasaysayan.<br />
Maling isiping sangkap ito ng bagong kolonisasyon.<br />
Dapat tanggapin kung pagsulong ang ating layon.<br />
<br />
<o:p> </o:p> Di porque mula sa banyaga ay walang magandang dulot,<br />
Sa kanilang impluwensya’y may benepisyo ring mapupulot.<br />
Wikang Ingles ay gawing wikang pambansa,<br />
Wag hayaang baluktot na katwira’y maka-abala.<br />
<br />
<o:p> </o:p>Lakandiwa:<br />
Mga opinyon ninyo’y makabuluhan.<br />
Tiyak na naaliw mga nakinig na kaibigan.<br />
Alin ang nararapat na wikang pambansa?<br />
Ingles o Filipino, kayo na ang magpasya.<br />
<br />
<o:p> </o:p> Bago namin lisanin ang entablado,<br />
May mga katagang nais ibahagi sa inyo.<br />
Ang pagiging Pilipino, di lamang sa pangalan at salita,<br />
<span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> Tunay nitong diwa’y sa makabayang gawi makikita.</span> </i></blockquote>
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Tell me what you think or share some of your own '<i>Buwan ng Wika</i>' experiences in the comments section below.<br />
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<img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g5j34eRPSW4/UTo5x_A6F5I/AAAAAAAAAv8/osXfnrgCns8/s1600/signature3.png" /> </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849987073942922748.post-80223704804622132102013-08-18T11:30:00.000+08:002014-01-01T04:32:07.042+08:00Is This the End for 'Us'?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<i>I'm pretty sure we almost broke up last night</i>, as Taylor Swift sings. And I also could have thrown my phone at him if he was in my front. Luckily, he wasn't. My phone's safe, so is his pretty face.<br />
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He's been doing an excellent job ignoring me lately. Hopefully, an unconscious act on his part. He's been making me feel taken for granted and insignificant. Just the <a href="http://learningfragments.blogspot.com/2013/07/letting-go-of-fears.html" target="_blank">things I fear</a> finding their way into reality (Utter ugh, I know!). <br />
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All signs -- everything that he's doing or (more appropriately) not doing -- are telling me that it would be wisest to end the relationship while it's still in the early stage before I become more emotionally involved.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
This relationship is no longer nurturing me the way it used to. On the contrary, it's been disturbing my serene heart and romantic ideals. He's becoming disappointingly insensitive of my feelings and self-absorbed. The type of guy Taylor Swift described as a self indulgent taker in one of her songs (Gross! Sorry, I sound like an emotionally abused wife. That's the drama queen in me speaking.). <br />
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Funny, because despite those things, <b>I can't let go just yet </b>because I want to give 'us' a chance.<br />
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I remember reading on Facebook that<span style="color: #e06666;"> </span>if you feel you deserve something better, it probably means you do. If I follow this idea, the chain of events would include breaking up with him, moving on and hoping for the best. BUT he's not just something, he's SOMEONE!<br />
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One valuable lesson I learned in the past is that you don't easily give up on people you deeply care for <b>without giving a damn good fight</b>. I still hold good memories of the sweet, caring guy I fell in love with. I know that he's still the same person. Our distance might be affecting his recent attitude toward me but I believe it's merely a phase.<br />
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So, yeah, call me stupid, an idiot or whatever names you want but I'm continuing with this risky venture called love/relationship. After all, <b>we compromise bits of our reason when we choose to respond to our heart's flutters.</b><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b4oHtMYayE8/UhBqsuMsoeI/AAAAAAAAA98/CGxGnSov37I/s1600/wont+give+up.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="107" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b4oHtMYayE8/UhBqsuMsoeI/AAAAAAAAA98/CGxGnSov37I/s320/wont+give+up.png" width="320" /></a></div>
I'm now choosing to sing to Jason Mraz's I Won't Give Up. I should probably put it on repeat on my playlist. New anthem of my life.<br />
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<img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g5j34eRPSW4/UTo5x_A6F5I/AAAAAAAAAv8/osXfnrgCns8/s1600/signature3.png" /></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849987073942922748.post-26626209350370793862013-07-13T10:30:00.000+08:002014-01-01T04:26:33.781+08:00Letting Go of Fears<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I realized that in order to let go of my fears, I must have the courage to admit them. Not acknowledging them is like denying their existence. So here's to hoping that this fear which had been bothering me for quite some time will disappear...<br />
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My greatest fear is not to matter to people who matter to me the most. I'm scared of being insignificant to them.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
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I'm the type of person who invest much emotions and effort on my relationships. I'm willing to give my attention, resources and time, to sacrifice, and to understand people I care for (sometimes at the expense of my own feelings). Because I'm willing to give 101% of myself, I end up expecting people to do the same for me. And it scares me that they won't be able to do that. To prevent being disappointed, I built walls around me and placed my deepest emotions in a safe far from people's reach. I carefully select those I allow into my walls as a way of protecting myself from getting hurt.<br />
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Now, someone special is succeeding in making the walls I've built collapse one by one. The more I'm opening myself to him, the more I feel vulnerable. And I hate that! It scares me. Vulnerability is something I avoid but it's inevitable. Like what the wise men always say, pain is part of love. The fear of pain is what makes love a scary venture but it's also what makes it special. Embracing love despite the fears and doubts, for me, is a risky, risky decision BUT the ability to do that is a magical occurrence.<br />
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Guess what, I'm deciding to take the risk now because the hopeless romantic in me is hopeful that this is the real deal.<br />
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I am letting go of my fears and doubts now. I'm fully entrusting my heart to him. Whatever is in store for us, I know I'll be brave enough to deal with them. I'm done allowing my fears ruin my chances of being happy. <br />
<img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g5j34eRPSW4/UTo5x_A6F5I/AAAAAAAAAv8/osXfnrgCns8/s1600/signature3.png" /> </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849987073942922748.post-82277942437699380172013-06-14T12:49:00.000+08:002013-11-25T00:50:40.426+08:00Lesson Learned from Planning<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Planning is a big part of my life. I have the habit of carefully scheduling things - proper timing to be in a relationship, the right age to get married, have kids, retire, finish grad school... I plan just about every detail of my life, even my daily routines!<br />
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There's comfort I find in planning. Probably the feeling of being in control and organized.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
The downside of planning my life is my tendency to always think and worry about the future. I fail to enjoy the present because I'm too busy figuring out how to prepare the best future I can have. I lose the chance of living the moment.<br />
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Today, I realized that <b>going with the flow and allowing life to surprise you once in a while isn't bad at all</b>. The feelings of uncertainness and not being in control might be unsettling but they're needed elements of life. I still believe that planning ahead is a good habit. I just have to learn how to not preoccupy myself with too much planning, to have time to actually live and enjoy my life.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849987073942922748.post-29184113681203949992013-04-02T21:49:00.000+08:002016-06-05T02:20:14.617+08:00A Thirst for RH: Rectifying Misconceptions, Setting Records Straight<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Contraceptives, sex education, abortion, population control – these things automatically come to mind at the mention of the Reproductive Health (RH) Bill. Thanks to strong and vocal opposition led by the Catholic Church leaders, controversies and heated debates surrounded the bill’s ratification. Regrettably, majority of the issues raised and given focus by the media and RH critics paved the way for the real essence of the bill to be overlooked. Critics focused on the contraceptive aspect but the bill is not limited to family planning; its spirit is the attainment of holistic human development. Legislators formulated it for a crucial concern – a comprehensive and effective reproductive health policy in the Philippines is long overdue.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Republic Act 10354 or popularly referred to as the RH Bill would be a beneficial law. It would provide optimal reproductive health services to the populace, which would consequently improve their quality of life. However, numerous Filipinos have been misinformed. The traditionalist stance of the Catholic Church had influenced many of its members to dispute the RH Bill. But one’s religion is actually out of the question because the bill itself repeatedly emphasized that individuals be allowed to make reproductive health decisions consistent with their religious convictions. There are several other misconceptions about RH Bill that once clarified would make a critic root for the RH Law.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><u>Pro-life, Not Pro-abortion</u></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Those who claim that the RH Bill is anti-life probably have not read the provisions of the bill yet. It explicitly advocates for the protection of the life of the unborn (Sec. 2) and promotes a reproductive health program that caters to the needs of individuals throughout their life cycle (Sec. 3p). It specifically declares that, “The State shall also promote openness to life” (Sec. 2d). What could be more pro-life than that?<br /><br />The RH Bill does not legalize abortion. In fact, it evidently proclaims the unlawfulness of the act and penalizes it. Treatment of women with post-abortion complications (under Sections 2j and 4q3) does not equate to legalizing abortion. These provisions only acknowledge the impossibility of eradicating abortion, despite its being unlawful. Citizens’ violation of laws does not free the government from its responsibility to care for its people. The government recognizes every person’s right to life, thus, it cannot deny anyone from health services, even someone who underwent abortion.<br /><br /> The use of contraceptives is frowned upon by the Catholic Church. For them, contraceptives are abortifacient (drug that causes early abortion) but according to Senator Pia Cayetano, the RH Bill does not endorse abortifacients and instead prohibits it. She further asserts that contraceptives are safe and effective because they shall be approved first by the Foods and Drugs Administration (FDA).<br /><br /> Moreover, the Humanae Vitae encyclical of the late Pope Paul VI bans Catholics from using artificial family planning methods. The encyclical described artificial family planning as a deliberate and direct prevention of conception, which supposedly is immoral and makes someone an anti-life. This argument of the Church is flawed. Natural family planning shares the objective of artificial method and that is to prevent a woman’s pregnancy. It is illogical to accept one method and reject the other when, at the end of the day, both natural and artificial methods prevent conception. The Catholic Church has no right to determine which of these methods are immoral and anti-life on the basis of an encyclical because not every Filipino adheres to Catholic doctrines. <br /><br />Another feature of the bill is the Maternal Death Review and Fetal and Infant Death Review. Health Secretary Enrique Ona reported that the mortality rate for Filipino mothers rose from 162 per 100,000 live births to 221 per 100,000 live births in 2011. He admitted that this rapid increase is alarming. The conduct of the aforementioned reviews would contribute to the development of more responsive and efficient reproductive health services that will promote women’s health and safe motherhood, which in the long run will help prevent miscarriages and maternal mortality.<br /><br /><b><u>Pro-Informed Choices</u></b><br />If the RH Bill is consistent about one thing; it is its high regard for individuals’ right to choose and make decisions for themselves in accordance with their “religious convictions, ethics, cultural beliefs, and the demands of responsible parenthood” (Sec. 2). All of its provisions are grounded on the basic principle of democracy, which is liberty. The control over the direction of one’s life is entrusted to every Filipino through the bill. The government merely assists the citizens by educating them with the necessary information on all aspects of life and ensuring that the decisions couples, women and adolescents make are informed choices. An informed choice means equipping them with the knowledge of consequences and responsibilities that their actions would entail.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />As opposed to criticisms from the Church, no two child policy or ideal family size is being imposed in the bill. Several provisions of the bill (Sec. 3 f and k) recognized the couples’ right to decide on their desired family size with due consideration to the health and the resources available and affordable to them. The government’s role is simply to ensure that health workers have the expertise to provide relevant information to couples. It is still the families who would determine what would be best for them since what works for one family may not work for another. <br /><br />Regarding the promotion of family planning methods, the bill holds no bias between the natural and artificial methods. So it is wrong to label RH advocates as artificial contraceptive maniacs. The bill promotes both methods and couples may not employ any method at all; the choice is totally up to them. Information and access to all the methods of family planning that are medically proven safe and effective by the FDA would be provided. Again, it leaves the decision to the couples and advises them to take into account their values, religious beliefs, and what suits them best.<br /><br />To safeguard individual’s right to informed choices, the bill identified certain penalties to any health worker or public officer who would prohibit or restrict access to legal and medically safe reproductive health care services; or would force, coerce, or induce any person to said services (Sec. 23 & 24). The inclusion of these provisions is a manifestation of the government’s respect to individuals’ self-worth and dignity. The freedom to decide on family affairs allows families to feel in control and become more productive. Pro-choice laws would contribute to the development of democratic institutions and consequently produce more participative and goal-driven citizens.</span><br />
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<b style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><u>A Step to a Quality life</u></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> The Catholic Church encourages procreation. For them, having as many children as possible is a way of promoting life and following God’s wishes to “be fruitful and multiply.” A person’s right to life is not solely manifested by being born. It also includes the rights to satisfy physiological needs, possess a productive existence, and receive fair treatment among others. Procreation, in itself, is not incorrect but the problem arises after birth because there are couples who have inadequate resources to provide a quality life for their children. Thus, the RH bill maintains that, “parents bring forth to the world only those children whom they can raise in a <b>truly humane way</b>” (Sec. 2 d; emphasis added). <br /><br />Many of today’s societal dilemmas (out-of-school youths, street children, malnutrition, child exploitation, teenage pregnancy, juvenile delinquency, crimes, and environmental degradation) root from the rapid population growth of the underprivileged class. This is the class of people who were denied of awareness about necessary reproductive health issues and their right to informed choices. It is ironic that those who have less are the ones who need to feed more mouths. Obviously this condition is caused by ignorance, brought along by poverty, which prevents parents from rearing their children in a truly humane way.<br /><br /> The RH Bill is a big step to stop the vicious chain of poverty. It would not resolve poverty ultimately but through its programs, the poorest of the poor, the uneducated, and the marginalized sector would gain access to information that is essential to sound family planning and decision-making. The door to accessible reproductive health care services and responsible parenthood would also open, which would allow the underprivileged to intelligently direct their family affairs and manage their family size.<br /><br /> In addition, access to information that RH Bill promises is a milestone for women empowerment and protection of women and children’s rights. Awareness of one’s body and rights contributes to a person’s assertiveness. With the age-appropriate and development-appropriate reproductive health education, adolescents would be equipped with knowledge and skills that would aid them against discrimination, sexual abuse, violence and other gender-related prejudices.<br /><br />Critics of RH Bill are mistaken in claiming that the bill is a tool for population control. The objective of RH Bill is not to decrease population. In fact, it recognizes the importance of citizens or human resource to nation-building that is why it promotes a comprehensive and effective reproductive health program that would be for the best interest of the populace. What it seeks is population development not population control because progress is not embraced through number but by the quality of people. A country’s population may either be an asset or a liability, depending on its characteristics. Through the RH bill, the Philippines would have a mechanism for monitoring the quality of life of its population and ensuring that the reproductive wellness of the populace is improved. </span></div>
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<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><u>Political and Not a Religious Affair</u></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The RH controversy is a battle mainly fought between the Government and the Catholic Church despite the outright declaration of the separation of State and Church in Article II, Section 6 of the Philippine Constitution. Reproductive health is without a doubt a political issue. And being true to the Constitution, it must be none of the Catholic Church’s business. Religious groups can voice out their stand but they cannot dictate State affairs.<br /><br />Although majority of Filipinos are Catholics, other religions also exist in the country. The State is not supposed to support a particular religion’s stand on an issue because it would be violative of other religions’ principles. For instance, Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) Executive Minister Eduardo Manalo expressed his church’s support for the RH Bill in a letter to Representative Rogelio Espina dated October 12, 2010. The INC favors the usage of artificial methods of contraception as long as they are not abortifacient. Minister Manalo explained that planning the number of children and providing their basic necessities are part of parents’ moral obligations, and artificial family planning assists in fulfilling these obligations. According to Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago, other faith-based organizations that are pro-RH bill include: Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches, the National Council of Churches in the Philippines, the Interfaith Partnership for the Promotion of Responsible Parenthoood, and the Assembly of Darul-Iftah of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.<br /><br />The Philippines is in dire need of an effective and comprehensive reproductive health care. A Social Weather Survey (SWS) survey showed that 71 percent of Roman Catholics are also in favor of the bill’s enactment. Another survey by the SWS conducted from November 29 to December 3 showed that 33 percent as opposed to 9 percent of Filipino adults will vote in the May 2013 elections for candidates who supported the RH bill. Benjamin de Leon, president of Forum for Family Planning and Development and commissioner of the Commission on Population, affirmed that survey results have been consistently in favor of the passage of RH bill. This only shows that the Filipino people are aware of the benefits that a reproductive health care could provide. It is safe to say that only the Catholic Church stands in the way. Thus, it would be unjust if lawmakers would allow the doctrines of the Catholic Church to affect the enactment of laws.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In a society faced with modern dilemmas and ever changing issues, the traditionalist perspective of the Catholic Church would only make the Philippines lag behind. Embracing developmental and pro-choice stance on addressing problems would be the country’s saving grace. The Philippines has long been dehydrated of solutions to significant sociopolitical problems. It is time to quench the country’s thirst. Cheers to RH! </span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849987073942922748.post-25900276824945101812013-03-21T02:08:00.000+08:002013-06-06T13:38:15.458+08:00Job Hunting #3: Pause<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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My mother asked me a favor. She wants me to join her re-election campaign team for the May 13 elections. My mom is a politician, as what others refer to her job. But I like to call her a public servant. Politics in the Philippines is tainted with corruption and malpractices that it's easy for Filipinos to generalize about individuals occupying public posts. However, I can proudly tell everyone that my mom is one of the good guys. She joins the ranks of individuals who genuinely wants to serve the nation and alleviate poor conditions in her hometown.<br />
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Anyway, she thinks that I'd be a valuable addition to her campaign team. The local campaign period would start on March 29. I thought about it really hard. If I say yes, it means that I have to stop job hunting for awhile and decline job interviews (if ever they'll call me). I've been unemployed for almost 5 months now after quitting law school. I didn't look for jobs in February like I said I would because I had to take care of my nephew. I feel like I've wasted too much time already. Not that I think campaigning for my mom is a waste of time. I'm just eager for a career progress now.<br />
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Despite my inhibitions, I agreed to my mom's wish. I wasn't very supportive of her previous campaigns (it would be her third and final term). Honestly, my siblings and I preferred that she stays away from politics. Being involved in politics is asking for trouble. People will automatically think your dishonest...you'll have foes from the opposition...there's no privacy... Politics is full of drama! After six years, my mom had endured all kinds of petty accusations. I saw how she ignored them and persisted in implementing beneficial programs for her constituents. <b>Lawaan is better off with her</b>. And this time, I want to contribute something to her re-election.<br />
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Besides, my mom has really been supportive of me. She permitted me to quit law school even though she badly, badly, badly wants me to become a lawyer. She also allowed me to take a break for four months and let me decide on what I want to do with my life. That's something! By helping her campaign, I wish to show her how grateful I am for everything she's done for me. <br />
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So, I'll be taking a pause from job hunting. After all, I'm certain that being part of the campaign team is a good practice for work.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849987073942922748.post-30541757162339643672013-03-20T18:06:00.000+08:002014-01-01T04:20:59.841+08:00Job Hunting #2: Passion vs. Financial Gains<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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It's been two weeks now since I started searching for jobs. I've sent applications to six non-governmental organizations already. My sister complains that I'm not taking this seriously. Actually, I am that's why I've been picky with selecting. I want to ensure that the jobs I apply for are things I want to do and that they promote advocacy I have passion for. I also consider the organization culture because I want to work in an environment that would not only develop me professionally but would offer a holistic growth.<br />
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My ideal job is something that would provide me income and at the same time would allow me to be in touch with humanity. <b>The financial aspect is just a bonus but not the motivation</b>. As much as possible, I want to keep away from selfish materialistic goals and lean toward serving the underprivileged and addressing societal dilemmas.<br />
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But I do understand where my sister is coming from. She insists that I can't be too choosy and idealistic because I might end up unemployed for a long time. With the limited choices of job vacancies I've encountered that match my standards, I'm also starting to be worried. I want to keep my ideals on finding the perfect job that suits me but the economic pressure is hard to disregard. Whenever I'm tempted to apply for a job that I have absolutely no passion for, I try to remind myself that<b> it's not all about earnings, it's about my passion and the satisfaction I'll gain</b>. But then again, something behind my head is telling me that personal satisfaction won't pay bills and buy groceries.<br />
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I'm torn between living two lives, as my friend described it. A life that suits my ideals against a life that conforms to norms and definitions of society. I'm not sure if it's possible to live these two lives at the same time. I guess, at one point sacrificing some aspects of your ideals is inevitable as you embrace the norms. That's what scares me, <b>I don't want to lose my idealism the same way I saw some people lost theirs</b>. <br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849987073942922748.post-50257837435227575282013-03-19T22:00:00.000+08:002013-08-11T20:49:22.914+08:00Evolution of Death<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XZPeKpYZv1s/UUshtAluAQI/AAAAAAAAA1Q/p7gFPIsLsHk/s1600/death.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XZPeKpYZv1s/UUshtAluAQI/AAAAAAAAA1Q/p7gFPIsLsHk/s320/death.jpeg" width="320" /></a>Death is the epitome of life's paradox. It may hurt, it may free; it may be a source of strength, but fear of it may be one's Achilles heel; it takes away life and yet life will be of no value without it; it is an end but also a beginning.<br />
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Death was a symbol of greatness when I was 7 years old. We study martyrs, heroes, and saints at school. They were regular people while still alive. But after they died, books were written about them, statues were built in their honor, and they are presented as models that we should look up to. Back then, I thought that death was a requirement before one's greatness is recognized.<br />
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At 8 years old, I was convinced that death is only for good people. God takes away the pure in heart so that they will be with Him in heaven, where there is no sadness and pain. Jesus, Socrates, Lorenzo Ruiz, Ninoy Aquino, and Princess Diana - they all died. The TV was full of innocent people dying while criminals outlive them. I asked my father why this is the case. He said that God gives the "bad" chance to repent before He takes them. I remember telling myself to be "bad" for God not to take me yet.<br />
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It was when I was 10 years old that death transformed from a concept to a part of reality. I learned the pain of losing someone to death. My favorite aunt (AKA: the nicest, sweetest, most thoughtful person I knew) died of pneumonia. For the first time, I understood death. I cried buckets of tears because somehow the world was incomplete. Auntie Lisa cooks <i>ginataan</i> for us when we visit her. She narrates the tales of Pedro and Juan to make us sleep. She loves telling us about her childhood memories and encounters with <i>aswangs </i>in her hometown<i>. </i>No one would do those things for us anymore. She left a space that would be forever left unfilled. She's physically gone but the memories of her existence remain. It creates a longing to make things return to normal...a painful yearning impossible to satisfy.<br />
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Escape was the new form of death when I encountered it again 2 years later. My classmate's mom committed suicide to run from debts and possible bankruptcy. Our school offered a mass for Raymond's family and we tried to comfort Raymond although I know nothing we say could make him feel any better. I pity Raymond, his dad and two other brothers. His mom might have escaped earthly problems but his family had to cope with those challenges along with the pain of losing her. That's when I realized that suicide is a sweet escape but not a solution.<br />
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Then death became an element of stories I write. Fairy tale endings lost appeal. I learned that people remember what you've written when the protagonist dies because they say that the story feels real and relatable. I guess death is something that every individual understands because we all lost someone important at one point.<br />
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I stopped writing short stories in college and was exposed to political stories. Death takes so many forms in politics.<br />
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It was a source of entertainment in Ancient Rome as gladiators fight for their lives in amphitheaters. Parisian insurgents treated it as a necessary feat to abolish the Monarchic system they loathed during the French Revolution. John Wilkes Booth devised death to end Abraham Lincoln's administration, which he likened to a tyranny. Adolf Hitler employed it as tool for racial hygiene in his pursuit of strengthening what he believed was the superior race.<br />
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It was the damage of World War II caused by the conflict of States' power aspirations and territorial expansions. Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge use it to illicit fear and subservience to regress Cambodia to an agricultural society. The death of Konstantin Chernenko indirectly led to the collapse of the Soviet Union as Mikhail Gorbachev succeeded him. The death of over two thousand people in the 9/11 attacks was the US government's justification for launching the War on Terror and manhunt for Osama Bin Laden. For Arab revolutionaries, death is a risk they embrace to overthrow an oppressive government.<br />
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In different eras and civilizations, death is a recurring representation of man's struggle for power, and clash of political ideologies. Indeed, death, regardless of its cause or the form it takes, has immensely shaped political affairs and human life.<br />
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As I continue my search for understanding death, I came to accept it as a mechanism for maintaining balance in the world and giving significance to life. People die for the world to accommodate new life travelers and for them to appreciate the value of life. The occurrence of death is a manifestation that everything about the world is in constant state of change. I have no idea as to how death chooses its prey or who commands it. Religions propose varying explanations as philosophy does. But I guess we'll never know which of them is right or if they all got it wrong.<br />
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It's interesting how a common concept remains a mystery to all. No one has ever came back from afterlife (if there's even one) to tell us what happens at the brink of and after death. We are all clueless; we can assume and believe whatever we want but it is only until we reach that destination that we will profoundly understand death. As for me, I imagine that when I experience it myself, death will take me to a walk to recall the life I lived. Hopefully at the end of my life's flashback I would be able to say, "That was a worthwhile journey I had!"<br />
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P.S. In case you're wondering why I decided to post something about death, it's actually for my Aunt. It was her birthday last March 13 and I've been thinking about her a lot lately.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849987073942922748.post-42218759055089345072013-03-18T21:33:00.000+08:002013-03-22T18:34:50.866+08:00Job Hunting #1: Job Rejection<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Today I experienced my first job rejection. I wasn't even called for an interview. Boy it slapped me in the face. I know I must not take it personally but it's inevitable to do that.<br />
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The recruitment department sent me an email which says, "While your qualifications are impressive, we regret that we are unable to extend an offer to you, as the competition for this position has been very keen." It's one of those typical 'don't feel sorry for yourself' lines that people say to make you feel better. I didn't really find comfort in those words. But I'm surprised at how easily I moved on from the pain of rejection to an immediate acceptance. After a few seconds of the inevitable 'hurt', if you will, I come to terms with it. It's part of job hunting to receive rejections after all. Now I'm more motivated to send more applications until I find the right job for me.<br />
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Cheers to rejection and the empowerment it sometimes brings!<br />
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