Modern day Rizal

Today is the 114th death anniversary of our National Hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal. He gave up his life for the country. With his death a free Philippines was born. And will you die for the country like Rizal did? I will. And I am not a self-righteous idealist. But given the chance to die for the country, I will.

I’m not saying that we all die for the country like Rizal did. After all it is not a matter of plain, “Yes. Let me die for the Philippines.” It is not. To die for the country is a grand dream, a privilege. 

To be a hero like Rizal is not an easy thing. But each one of us can be real time hero, and honestly, it doesn’t require dying in martyrdom.

It only requires a little pushing, to see the imperfections of our country and more pushing, to face and fight these imperfections. There is no need to rage a revolution to be a hero.

There is a hero in a Filipino who teaches street children. Basic or primary education is a right. But there are plenty of children we see on the streets, working at their very young ages, begging for alms, and getting exposed to many hardships and abuses. We see children deprived of education. For families who live in poverty, education rekindles the light of hope. So to every child you teach or send to study, that light, can become a flame.

There is a hero in a Filipina who speaks up against domestic violence. Long gone the inequality of men and women. Women have proven their worth parallel with men. There are almost 8,000 cases of violence against women. If every woman who is violated speaks up for herself, or if every other woman speaks up for that woman, and every body stands and fight, then abuses against women will not flourish. 

There is a hero in a Filipino who bets his money on Lotto instead on jueteng. Profit earned in Lotto goes to Philippine Sweepstake Charity Office (PCSO). And PCSO has charities and beneficiaries. Spend on jueteng and your money goes to the big jueteng operators/lords in the country who are the corrupt and greedy and, more often than not, government officials who are supposed to be serving this nation good. 

There is a hero in a Filipino who sees corruption and fights it. It is not enough to not be corrupted. Instead of keeping a blind eye, he pokes corruption with a stick and displays it to public's eyes like it’s a dirty pest that needs to be trampled, crushed and destroyed. No more of the million-dollar government budget that goes to the pockets of public officials.

There is also a hero in a Filipinos who doesn’t throw plastic to Pasig River; in a Filipino who crosses in the pedestrian lane; in a Filipino who doesn’t eat a dog; in a Filipino who segregates biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste; in a Filipino driver who loads and unloads passengers in the proper places; in a Filipino who votes in the elections without being bribed; in a Filipino Catholic who will respect a Filipino Muslim, and vice versa. 

Rizal is a big hero. He is the national hero. That is a whole different story and a whole different period of time. We cannot push ourselves to be big time heroes. But if there is a small hero in each and every Filipino, then the Philippines can be a country of heroes. That is big time!

If Rizal is in heaven and sees us, he might go on thinking it’s his doing. After all, Philippines is free because of him. He might go on smiling and think that we’re better of than those Filipinos who witnessed his death and snatched a relic of his dead body or dipped a handkerchief in his pouring blood.

***

“It is a useless life that is not consecrated to a great ideal. It is like a stone wasted on the field without becoming part of any edifice.” –Jose P. Rizal, Philippines’ National Hero

A Tale of a Fly

Buzz. Buzz. Buzz. Buzz.The wings of a fly keep on making. The whirrs signify the flight of the fly. The insect, with its pair of eyes that bulge, has a sight that sees plenty. And the wings carries it to anywhere it sees.

Humans think of the fly as a lowly insect. But the fly doesn't mind. It sees food on the dining table, it lands on it. It sees food on the fridge, on the sink, on the kitchen wares, on the trash bins, on the floor, on the dirt on the soil, on the decayed, on anything. Food is anything. And the fly, greedily touches everything.

There's not a single trouble about it. The fly can have any food it sees. The bulging eyes and the flapping wings. It can get anywhere it wants much to humans' annoyance. But the fly, it never minds. Sometimes, it will fly near people's ear as if to annoy them all the more. It will let them hear the buzzing of its wings.

The tiny fly, it's impudent you see. It does what it wants. They are one of the filthy species among races that thrives in the world. But unrelenting, the fly keeps on flying. It lands here, will fly there, lands some where else, and then flies again.

Oh such freedom the fly has.

A Christmas Message

My Christmas spirit almost ruined by some 'emo' shit. Good thing I was able to deal with it! All thanks to Chico and Del's morning radio show and Liezel and Ara Mae's drinking session, I was able to put matters on the right track! And Christmas on the right perspective. 

So here is a Christmas message to all! :D If P-noy could give a Christmas message, well why the hell not me? Huh?! Huh?!

I'm really grateful when Delamar said this on one episode of The Daily Top 10, "Sometimes we fall in love with the drama." Followed by Chico's "We blow up things."

What's that got to do with my Christmas message?!

Well it's this simple, don't give me this "I'm sad this Christmas" statement. Those simple words made me remember, this is the time our Savior was born. This is what all this celebration about! To thank everything, everyone, thank God! Give thanks to the life you have!

Quit the f*cking drama!

Sometimes we get obsessed with loneliness and say we need special someone to celebrate Christmas with (like that SMP crap). Sometimes also we give requirements to a happy Christmas especially the need for material things and obnoxious eating and drinking.

But really, all those are extravagances. So I'm going back to being thankful. I'm thankful with everything (work, problems, love, home) and everyone (colleagues, friends, Pagongs, family) and over and over again, God.

I may have few, or I may have plenty, I'm blessed and loved. And this is the essence of Christmas. To feel that you are blessed and loved. 

Tulog na

Sinabi ko sa isang kaibigan kanina:

"Kung may problema ka, matulog ka. Kung may iniisip ka at hindi ka makatulog, isipin mo lang ng isipin hanggang sa makatulog ka. At kung hindi ka pa rin makatulog, matulog ka!"

Naisip ko, magandang bagay talaga ang pagtulog. Sa pagpikit ng mata, wala kang ibang kadamay kundi ang iyong sarili. Tanging ikaw ang iyong kaibigan. At ikaw din mismo ang iyong kaaway. 

Lahat ng gusto mong marinig, maririnig mo. Parang lahat ng nangyari sa araw mo na talagang nagpasaya sa iyo, uulit lahat, dadaanan sa talukap ng mga mata mo. Bago ka tuluyang kunin ng kabilang dimensyon, sa kadiliman ng gabi, ngingiti ang iyong mga labi. 

Minsan naman may mga bagay na ayaw mong aminin sa sarili mo, pilit na iluluwa ng utak mo. Nasa dulo na ng dila mo pero gusto mong lunukin. Meron talagang mga pagkakataon na hindi mo matanggap ang isang bagay pero kung tutuusin, parang ganon na rin yon. 'Yon na mismo ang katotohanang masaklap. Bahala ka na lang kung mapipigil mo ba yong luha mo. Sabagay, wala naman ng makakarinig sa hikbi mo. 

Doon sa panahon na iyon, 'yong ilang minutong pag-aaway ng kamalayan at mundo ng ispirito--maari naman nating sabihing ganun kasi sa pagtulog hindi talaga natin alam ang nangyayari sa paligid, o kung sino ang naghahari sa pagpikit ng ating mata, o kung gaano tayo kahina habang tayo ay nananaginip--ay mas makikilala mo ang iyong sarili. 

Sa pagtulog wala kang takas sa problema. Sa pagtulog maari kang tumakas sa problema. Pero sa oras na tumilaok na ang manok at lumubog na ang mga tala, sa iyong paggising, sana ay may lakas ka na ng loob para harapin ang iyong problema. 

At kung sa tingin mo ay hindi mo pa kaya, wag kang mag-alinlangan bumalik sa kama, yumakap sa unan at magtago sa kumot. 

Nasa iyo lahat ng kalayaan para matulog. Sa pagtulog mo, hihinto ang mundo. Kaya tulog na. 

Tulog na

By Sugarfree

Tulog na mahal ko
Hayaan na muna natin ang mundong ito
Lika na, tulog na tayo.
Tulog na mahal ko
Wag kang lumuha, malambot ang iyong kama
Saka na mamroblema

Tulog na hayaan na muna natin sila
Mamaya, hindi ka na nila kaya pang saktan
Kung matulog, matulog ka na...

Tulog na mahal ko
Nandito lang akong bahala sa iyo
Sige na, tulog na muna
Tulog na mahal ko
At baka bukas ngingiti ka sa wakas
At sabay natin harapin ang mundo

Tulog na hayaan na muna natin sila
Mamaya, hindi ka na nila kaya pang saktan
Kung matulog, matulog ka na...

Lalala
Lalala...

Tulog na hayaan na muna natin sila
Mamaya, hindi ka na nila kaya pang saktan
Kung matulog, tulog ka na...
Tulog ka na...
Matulog ka na...

Wanna Kiss You All The Time

She Had The World
By Panic!at the Disco


She held the world upon a string
But she didn't ever hold me
Spun the stars on her fingernails
But it never made her happy
'Cause she couldn't ever have me
She said she'd won the world at a carnival
But she couldn't ever win me
'Cause she couldn't ever catch me

I, I know why
Because when I look in her eyes
I just see the sky
When I look in her eyes
Well I, just see the sky

I don’t love you I'm just passing the time
You could love me if I knew how to lie
But who could love me?
I am out of my mind
Throwing a line out to sea
To see if I can catch a dream

The sun was always in her eyes
She didn't even see me
But that girl had so much love
She'd wanna kiss you all the time
Yeah, she'd wanna kiss you all the time

She said she won the world at a carnival
But I'm sure it didn’t ruin her
It just made her more interesting
I'm sure I didn't ruin her
Just made her more interesting

I, I know why
Because when I look in her eyes
I just see the sky
When I look in her eyes
Well I, just see the sky

I don’t love you I'm just passing the time
You could love me if I knew how to lie
But who could love me?
I am out of my mind
Throwing a line out to sea
To see if I can catch a dream

Why the indifference

My contacts and friends in Facebook will either think I'm KJ (kill joy) or I'm trying to sound deep, for not changing my profile picture into one of my favorite childhood cartoon characters. But what the heck, I don't care what you'll think of me. This is what I think. 


I logged in my FB account and noticed that a bunch of friends started changing their profile picture into cartoon and anime characters. I've immediately thought that something is up with Facebook. Then I saw a friend post this--"Change your facebook profile picture to a cartoon from your childhood and invite your friends to do the same. Until Monday (December 6), there should be no human faces on facebook, but a stash of memories. This is for eliminating violence against children."


The were two things that I first thought of, one who started the campaign, and two, is there some kind of a celebration on children's rights that's supposed to be happening this month of December. 


I didn't change mine because from here on, I have shadows on this awareness campaign. Plus, how can you be against violence when most of cartoons that I see in FB has violent contents not fit for children? I don't do things half-heartedly. I must have total faith in it first. 

And then, boom! Even before I can even lay hands to some answers, the thing went viral and almost every one in FB carry a face of his childhood memories. 


I would be a fool to say that the idea of getting nostalgic did appeal tempting to me. But that per se defeats the purpose of the said campaign. 


I know there are serious folks in Facebook that said "I'm changing my profile picture because I want to fight child abuse and violence." But what's the chance that the percentage of this bunch is higher than those of just wanting to ride the wave of people having cartoon faces? I have my OWN guess. 


Definitely whomever started this meme (GMA News pretty much explained how it started) didn't mean bad unless he wanted to make a big joke out of everybody. But I still see that Filipinos have the NOSE to be aware. 


However, I just think that this campaign fell short, and a I already mentioned, defeated its purpose. 


Because on how much we really get aware--in terms of how many children are being forced to work on the streets, on drug dens, on prostitutions houses, on porn sites; or how many children are raped; or how many are battered and hurt; or what's the real figures on child abuse and violence in the Philippines--that's what did not translate to me. 


And that's what I want to be aware of. And if only someone can inform these things to public with the use of changing profile pictures into cartoon characters, then expect to see the face of Sailor Moon in my FB account. 


*Note: According to childprotection.org.ph, 75 percent of child abuse in the Philippines is sexual abuse; 16 percent on physical abuse; 2 percent physical with sexual abuse; 1 percent neglect; and 4 percent U VA (sorry I can't research what this means! >.<)


Also I found out that a children's day called Universal Children's Day sanctioned by the United Nations is celebrated on the month of November. 

Never ordinary!

A grand social status is not a requirement to help those in need. The desire to say, help a street child out of his miserable life, really comes from the heart.

Being a janitor, jeepney driver, or a sidewalk vendor is never an excuse. Being ordinary is not a limit to create change. Didn’t Efren Peñaflorida Jr. proved it true when he won 2009 CNN’s Hero of the Year? After all he is just the son of a tricycle driver and a housewife and the local of the garbage-dump-site-slum-area in Cavite.

The hero

Peñaflorida, or Kuya F, said he himself was saved from the toils of poverty. “Kasi ako ‘yong unang tinulungan. Ako ‘yong pinag-aral [It’s because someone helped me in the beginning. I was sent to school,” Kuya F said in an interview.

Ever since, it has been his mission to give back the kindness he had received as a child. “It’s a calling to help children. It’s my way of paying it forward,” he added.

Kuya F continues to teach children from slum and deprived areas. And he is most recognized with this advocacy. It’s called “Kariton (Pushcart) Classroom.” Using a pushcart, Peñaflorida brought school and learning straight to children.

Kariton klasrum

Kariton Classroom started with Dynamic Teen Co. (DTC), Kuya F as the founder. DTC is a non-profit youth organization that encourages teens to make a difference in the society even in little ways.

Peñaflorida said that when DTC was formed in 1997, many people did not believe them, especially on how they teach children using only a pushcart. However, they were attested wrong when Peñaflorida won as Hero of the Year for CNN in November 2009.

When asked how he inspires children to love education, he shared that he immerses himself in the everyday lives of the children especially those from the slums.

Kuya F said, “When you expose yourself to their everyday lives, mas nakikita mo kung ano ang [you’ll see better what are their] needs nila. Nakikita mo yong dahilan kung bakit sila nawalan ng interes [You’ll find the reasons why they lose the interest]. And then from there you can start on thinking of ways of how you can help them and change their perspective.”

He dares to realize his dream using a pushcart a notch higher. DTC is finishing the construction of Kalingain Batang Mahirap Learning Center, a building in the image of a pushcart.

The center in Cavite City will give basic education to children. It has been DTC’s long-time goal to construct a learning center and Kuya F said that winning as Hero of the Year was a blessing and gave way for the project to materialize.

Kuya F said that the learning center is 80 percent complete and was supposed to be finished by August. However, they lacked of funds and were stopped. DTC needs another P3 million to finally finish the construction and make the center operational.

Donating to DTC for the construction of the kariton learning center already means making change in your own little ways that when united is sure to create something big to the lives of these children.

Peñaflorida said it best, “You are never too ordinary to be a hero.”

You can donate to help the completion of Kalingain Batang Mahirap Learning Center to Bank of the Philippine Islands, Cavite Caridad Branch, account name: DYNAMIC TEEN COMPANY-MAKING A DIFFERENCE INC. For peso donations the account number is 00-1273-1635-02. And for dollar donations the account number is 00-1274-0215-07

:)

Just a little

One moment, I was smiling, it was bordering on bliss and hope, of bliss and hope! The next moment, I was brooding. Then with a snap, it became a flood of doubts and fears, of doubts and fears!

Do I blame myself for being so silly? Do I always have to act like a child who is offered chocolates and candies? Do I stop the inability to control my feelings? What am I really? I tell you I'm crazy!

Paranoia kills me! How many times, how many times! Now I get mad at myself! Are those all excuses? I feel I've already lost battle. 

One day I'll get better at this. If only I'd like those who fall for me instead, then maybe it'll really get better.

Silent Observers

Intramuros is a Latin word that means “within the walls.”

Within these walls, lays remnants of time, preserved or ruined. The paved streets, the heritage churches and houses, the bastions and the puertas (entrances on the walls), Philippines own “Walled City.”

But besides the walls, the churches, the houses, and all the heritage establishments, there are the silent observers, standing proud and erect among us. They are the monuments, sculptured in the likeness of their human models. They tell their stories.

There are some 20 monuments inside Intramuros. Some date back to the Spanish regime. Others were built in the early 19th century when we were a colony of the United States.

Test of time

The more prominent monuments are those dating back from the 18^th century that stood the test of time and uphold the beauty of renaissance art.

Carlos IV Monument (1808)

A monument gilded by the goldsmiths of Santa Cruz and Ermita at a cost of only P3,000. It tells of the gratitude of Filipinos for King Charles IV for his introduction of smallpox vaccine in the country. In 1960 it was replaced by the modern Gomburza monument. It was only returned to its present site in front of the Manila Cathedral in 1981.

Anda Monument (1871)

Located in the Anda Circle along Bonifacio Drive, this monument in memory of Governor General Simon de Anda was originally located in front of Fort Santiago. Simon de Anda fought against invading British troops. 

Legazpi-Urdaneta Monument (1891)

The conqueror of the Philippine archipelago and first Governor General of the Philippines, Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, and the first Augustinian monk to set foot in the country, Father Andres de Urdaneta, are honored in this monument. The monument signifies their expedition and arrival. Legazpi carries in his right hand the Spanish flag and holds in his left a rolled-up document symbolizing possession of the city of Manila, while Urdaneta raises on his right hand a crucifix and holds a Bible with his left hand.

Queen Isabel II Monument (1860)

The most traveled monument. The statue was unveiled at Arroceros now Liwasang Bonifacio in 1860, then it was transferred to Malate Church in 1898 until 1970 when it was blown down by Typhoon Yoling. It has been in Puerta Isabel or the Isabel Gate in Intramuros since 1975.

Benavides Monument (1891)

A monument made in Paris by Tony Noel in 1889 and inaugurated in 1891 in the Philippines. This statue of Archbishop Miguel de Benavides of the Dominican Order stands in the spot where it faces the old site of the original University of Santo Tomas inside Intramuros. 

In memoriam

These monuments mark certain events in Philippine history. They remind us of the lives lost in war, tragedies, etc.

Memorare-Manila 1945 Monument

The monument serves as memorial to the hundred-thousands lives of Filipino men, women and children that perished during the World War II Battle in Manila in 1945. The woman in the middle is purposefully oversized because she represents the Motherland. The baby she caries represents hope.

Squadron 201 Monument

Squadron 201, was a group of fighter planes from the Mexican Air Force, that joined the Philippines in resisting Japanese forces during World War II. This monument recognizes the courage of some 35 officers and 300 cadets. This was the only time the Mexican military fought outside its own territory.

Laging Handa Monument

A monument created by the Colegio de San Juan de Letran to remember the three Letran Boy Scouts who died in a plane crash on July 1963 on their way to the Eleventh World Jamboree. A total of 24 boy scouts perished and a monument representing all 24 is in Timog Avenue.

Filipino heroes

Jose Rizal Monument inside Fort Santiago

Fort Santiago is where Rizal was imprisoned prior to his execution. A lifesize Rizal is shown writing perhaps his Mi Ultimo Adios.

Monument to Filipino icons Ninoy and Cory Aquino

The first monument to commemorate late President Corazon “Cory” Aquino stands beside her martyred husband’s—late Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr.—monument. The Cory monument is sculpted by the same man who sculpted the first Ninoy monument in Tarlac, Ed Castrillo. Originally, the Cory monument had straight hair, but her son, who was to become President Benigno Aquino 3rd made a comment to Castrillo that his “mom had curly hair.”

President Diosdado Macapagal

Gat Antonio de Jesus Villegas
Gat Andres Bonifacio, Gat Antonio de Jesus Villegas and President Diosdado Macapagal monuments

All three monuments are located inside the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila.

Juan Luna Monument

The monument is a gift from the Philippine-Italian Association to the City of Manila.

Jose P. Laurel Monument

The monument was inaugurated March 9, 1991 at the Lyceum of the Philippines. 

Others

Monument of Jose Marti of Cuba

A monument in reciprocity of Jose Rizal’s monument in Cuba. Jose Marti, also a national hero, is known for his anti-imperialism and internationalism. 

Monument of President Adolfo Lopez Mateos of Mexico

This statue of a sitting Lopez Mateos looks like our own late President Manuel L. Quezon. The Mexican government donated the monument during the 42nd anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Mexico. President Mateos visited our country in 1962.

Hidalgo Monument

Another gift from the Mexican government, the hero Father Miguel Hidalgo’s monument celebrates the foundation of Philippine-Mexican friendship. 

Monument of King Philip II

It is a bronze statue erected in honor of Philip II, King of Spain, during the centennial celebration of the independence of the Philippines in 1998. The statue was unveiled by the Spanish monarch Queen Sophia. 

Note: Photos by Jamie Marie Elona, a friend and colleague at work. Thanks girl! Original story published at The Manila Times. 

Not girly girl

I'm never "really" girly. 

I love macho stuff and walk fast with gusto.

I'm rarely feminine and pink is my enemy. 

I'm rowdy, talk with animation, and laugh with action.

I love music loud and noisy, rock and roll baby. 

I curse, I swear, they're all the same. 

I can even be one of the boys. 

But I'm a girl,

And I love being one.

Kikomachine Raks en Rols!

For the most part of it, I'm never really a serious person. How it came to be, I cannot exactly recall. Part of it may be attributed to my ever wacky set of barkadas. Another part of it, even just a little bit, I think, I happened to pick from Manix Abrera's Kikomachine Komix. 

Kikomachine comic strips were first published by the Philippine Daily Inquirer. Then its the first issue, titled Mga Tagpong Mukhang Ewan at Kung Anu-ano pang Kababalaghan" first came out on June 2005. Followed by Mga Tagpong Tila Nagpapaka-Weird, Kunyari Pa-Deep, Sarap Sapakin (Book 2); Die! Die Evil! Die! Ahrrrgh! (Book 3); Kaligayahang Walang Hanggan (Book 4, 2008); Alab ng Puso sa Dibdid Mo'y Buhay (Book 5, 2009); and for this years Book 6 which was only launched in October, Venn Man at iba pang Kalupitan ng Kapalaran, written in Alibata. 

The comics, mostly about tidbits of everyday college life, state university dilemmas (set definitely in UP), turns all these into humorous encounters. 

That's one of the best stuffs Manix does. Kikomachine mirrors how one has journeyed, traversed and grown up in college, whether privatized, public or state colleges and universities. College students gets easily familiar to Kikomachine yeah, but up until now that I'm a graduate, it's already difficult to just eliminate in one's system. 

I can tell for sure because during Saturday's (November 13's) Komikon 2010 at Starmall, Mandaluyong, not only students filed up on a long line for Manix's signature but also those eternally young at hearts. 

There are people whose love for Kikomachine's humor does not grow old. It's a reminder of fond memories. 

Like what I have for myself. I see myself and my set of friends (I miss them so) back in college--not in UP but in another state university, PUP, where progressive minds are as many as the poor rundown facilities. I see the way we would most of the time tease each other. Those meany barahans and all of the kalokohans. It makes me smile thinking that those kinds of--sometimes witty, most of the time nonsensical--banters could actually be a content of a comics that readers will laugh at. 

So it isn't entirely readers picking up Manix's humor. It's Manix picking up humor on our daily advances in this quite boring life making it korni to the bones. Who cares, laughing 

stupidly is a cure!

But more than all of those already mentioned, Kikomachine no matter how korni it gets sometimes, still addresses political suppressions to activist/progressive students, and press freedom and freedom of expression in general. It's a laughing stock that gives a hard beating to societal issues and concerns that continue to plague our country. 

Manix will make readers laugh, almost making political and societal issues sound absurd, and then it hits us. "That is actually happening." Manix surely doesn't only aspire for us to just laugh. He opens our eyes, makes us aware, and hopes that we don't stop at laughing. If you get what I mean. 

:)

And ooh, did you know that I lined up for two hours to get this-

Front cover. 

Inside where I got my sign. Always the fangirl. 

All photos by Rene Dilan. Thanks hepe. :)

The Last of NU

For the second time I broke up with a boyfriend. The first time was when Panic! at the Disco split up. This time, it's NU 107 saying goodbye. 


When I love something, I swear I love it. Who wouldn't if it's NU anyway huh?! Friendly to bands wanting to realize dreams, whether newbies or oldies. Playing 40 minutes if nonstop rock. Playing requests from and for listeners. Playing PATD. Playing Sugarfree. Playing every fucking rocking song in the planet! It was the home of NU rock. 


So don't ask me why I cried when I heard these last words, "NU is now signing off."


The reason why I started listening to NU four years ago was because 103.5 Alt rock, closed over reasons unknown too! That was the first radio station I'd really listen to rock to. But when it did close, it was not as emotional as NU's closing. Maybe because I was assured there's NU to catch my needs. And I swear, NU never failed me. And NU was the light that shaped the rock that i'm listening to right now. It really did. I'd discover artists and songs regardless of what era it first went out in the airwaves. Then I'd find out later on that said artist is already dead. Haha! That's one of the things I'd miss. The discovery of good music. 


I've said this too many times, I can live without television but not without radio. 


And now, my humble abode, it's gone. I'm a lost child. My younger brother asked me, "San na tayo makikinig?" No answer. 


Basta, ang dami ko pang gustong sabihin tulad ng dalampu't tatlong taon sa ere ng NU; ang maiiwan nitong tatak sa puso ng mga tagapakinig na lumaki at naimpluwensyahan sa bawat ikot ng cassete o ng cd; ang tulay na tawiran ng mga gustong maging bahagi ng industriya; sa lahat ng napaligaya; at sa lahat lahat ng musika. 


But all the good stuff ended. NU's sign off song was Huling El Bimbo by Eraseheards, a song that transcends all ages, a song every one surely knows. And as I cry, I sang along ripping my heart out, knowing it was the last time to. Last hums, last snap of fingers to the beat, last head bangs. Good bye. 


NU you are the best radio listeners ever had. Live on!

Roots

Usually, this time of the year--sembreak/undas--I would be spending some days and nights inhaling fresh air, looking up at countless stars and shining moon, getting surrounded by high mountains, standing under clear blue skies, bathing on the waig (Ilocano of small rivers), walking on the pilapil, checking Lam-ang's footprint and just taking in the scenery. 

Where there are mountains, and mountains, and mountains. 

I'm supposed to be spending the holidays in my father's province, Abra of the Cordilleras. But well there's already work and what can I say to that? 

I just miss MY province. One great lesson that I learned from Papa is to pay homage. Sabi ng matatanda, ang hindi marunong lumingon sa pinanggalingan ay di makakarating sa paroroonan. My father really taught me the importance of returning to your roots. Even though my father stayed here in Manila for years, 30, almost 40 years, I know that he's home belongs to Abra, where he was raised as a child. He loves it very much that he's love to it passed down to me. Truly. 

I tell you, when I'm having vacation there, I feel at home. It's my second home. Everybody makes me feel that I belong there, and of course, you just won't get rid of the special treatment. Which of course, makes the vacation feel more like a vacation. 

I still have my childhood memories in Abra too. And I swear, no matter how old I get, I will go back and back again in Abra. Like Papa does. After all my father is born there and I wouldn't be born if he wasn't born there, most definitely! If Papa is born in Manila, he's life won't surely lead to me being his daughter if things are different from the beginning, see? So my existence has got to thank Abra. 

I do hope I get to enjoy a vacation on December though. :)

Reds and greens. 

I eat on a different house each meal and sleep on a different house each night. Not on this one though, my relatives houses are already made of cement, have electricity, videoke and running water. 

The balete tree that tells secrets and time. 

When there was no water. 

The land of the tabako

Papa looking comic.

And yet looking more comic!

Can't I just fly?

Ooops. ^^
The End.