PAMBANSANG TINAPAY

Kailan ba ako huling nakatikim ng pandesal? Ang tagal na. . . I make sure to have heavy breakfast meal everyday because I often eat my lunch late due to my busy work loads. Usually rice or friedrice and ulam of course ang laging inihahain sa akin ni Kumander tuwing umaga. Kaya nawala na sa breakfast menu namin ang pandesal. One time (and that was the only time again) I bought pandesal from a nearby panaderya . . . Nagulat ako! Sus! ang liliit na pala ng pandesal ngayon! Halos malaki-laki lang ng di hamak sa mga tig-lilimang pisong baryang ibinayad ko sa tindera! Kawawa naman itong tinapay na ito! Dahil sa hirap ng buhay nating mga Pinoy pati pandesal nag-aadjust para sa atin. Although the pandesal underwent various transformations from its flavors, size and contents, still it’s a big part of Pinoy traditional breakfast. It crosses economic status, kahit sa mahirap o mayamang hapag kainan makikita natin ito. Sa mga poor at medyo limitado ang budget yung tig-mamamiso o tigdadalawang piso ( kung kaya pa ng bulsa) ang binibili nila, then they will have peanut butter, matamis na bao (latik) keso o mantikilya o kung wala ipalalaman isawsaw lang sa mainit na kape o tsokolate ayos na rin. While sa mga can afford and rich naman, they buy the more expensive one usually from bigger panaderya ( Pugon, Pan De Manila ,etc. )or bakeshops from malls. Tapos papalamanan nila ng salami, bacon, ham, jelly, kesong puti etc., etc. . . Kahit ano pa ang ipalaman natin dito at pagbalig-baligtarin man natin - - - pandesal pa rin yan. Just like rice, (our staple food) ganito ka versatile ang tinapay na pandesal kaya gustung-gusto natin ito! Sa agahan, meryenda o kahit pa sa hapunan andiyan ang pandesal sa ating hapag-kainan. It’s a part of our childhood, parenthood and Pinoy culture . Hay… pandesal . . . . ilang kumakalam na sikmura ba ang binubusog mo araw-araw? Ilang na ba ang biniyayaan mo ng hanapbuhay? Ilang mga bata naba ang pinalaki mo at palalakihin pa? Kahit ganyan ka. . . pahiran lang ng mantikilya mas masarap pa (daw) sa pizza. Kung may pambansang tinapay lang, hindi ba ikaw ang dapat, pandesal?

ANG UNANO AT ANG BABAENG KAPRE ( Isang Kathang Kwento, Panghagupit sa Tungaw at Bakulaw )

Sa isang liblib na Baryo ng Dagul-ong sa malayong bayan ng Peseria ay may isang unanong nakatira sa gitna ng malawak na gubat . Siya ay si unanong Melong. Ang kubo na tinitirhan ng unano ay napapligiran ng matataas at mayayabong na mga puno at sa dulo ng kakahuyan ay ang kanyang manggahan. . Ang mga bunga nito ay kanyang pinipitas tuwing umaga at inilalako sa pamilihan. Ito ang tangi niyang ikanabubuhay.. Di kalayuan sa kinatitirikan ng kanyang kubo ay isang malawak na tabakuhan na pang-aari ng pinakamayamang tao ng Peseria at ipinasasaka sa kanyang mga kapitbahay at kaibigan. Tuwing umaaga ay nagtutungo si Melong sa kanyang mangagahan upang anihin ang mga prutas. Matataas ang mga puno at malalaki ang katawan at mga sanga nito kung kaya't hirap siyang pitasin isa-isa ang mga bunga lalo pa sa kanyang kalagayan. Tanging ang mga kawayang panungkit na kanyang pinagdugtong-dugtong ang tangi niyang gamit sa pamimitas. Hindi magawang umakyat ni Melong sa mga puno, sapagkat ang kanyang mga kamay at mga hita ay labis na maiigsi at siya ay nangangamba na mahulog mula sa mga iyon. Madalas, tinatanghali siya na dalhin ang kanyang mga prutas sa palengke upang itinda. Kaya matumal ang kanyang benta at maliit ang kanyang kita sapagkat halos lahat ng mamimili ay nakabili na ng prutas sa mga kapwa niya tindero na mas maagang dumarating sa kanya sa pamilihan. Dahil dito ay nagiging tampulan pa siya ng mga kantiyaw . Madalas inaabot ng pagkabulok ang mga mangga niyang hindi nabili kung kaya sa alagang baboy na lamang niya ito ipinakakain. Minsan naiisip ni Melong na kung di ganuon ang kanyang kalagayan ay hindi sana ganuon kaliit ang kanyang kinikita . Inggit at galit ang nararamdaman niya sa mga kapwa niya tindero na mas malaki ang kinikita kaysa sa kanya.

Isang araw, gumising ng maaga si Melong upang umani ng kanyang mga prutas, halos madilm pa at di pa sumisikat ang araw. Linggo nuong araw na iyo, at pag ganitong mga araw ay higit na mas marami ang tao sa pamilihan . Kinuha niya ang kawayang panungkit at lumang kaing sa likod ng kanyang kubo at binagtas ang manggahan habang naghihikab. Madilim ang daanan at mahamog ang kapaligiran. Sabi ni unano " Tamang tama ito, bago sumikat siguro ang araw mapupuno ko na ang aking kaing ng mga manggang aking mapipitas. At mauunahan ko sila sa pamilihan. Tiyak na kikita ako ng mas malaki kaysa sa kanila!!" Pagdating niya sa mangagahan ay agad sinindihan ni unanong Melong ang dalawang sulo na yari sa kawayan upang magbigay ng liwanag sa kanyang pamimitas. Inuna niya ang mga bunga sa mga mabababang bahagi ng puno at isa- isang nahulog ang mga ito sa lupa. " Kailangang mauna ako sa kanila!" sabay dampot isa-isa sa mga nahulog na bunga at ibinuslo sa kawayang kaing ang mga ito.

Halos mapuno na ang sisidlan ng makarinig si Unanong Melong ng isang malaking tinig na sa pakiwari niya ay sa itaas ng mga punong mangga nagmumula. Kahit kinakabahan at natatakot hinanap ng unano ang nagmamay-ari ng tinig. Hinugot niya ang tabak na nakabalibol sa kanyang baywang at isa-isa tiningala ang matatayog na puno . "Sino ka! Magpakita ka! Hindi ako natatakot sa iyo! wika ni unanong Melong. Nang magawi siya sa pinaka malaki at pinakamataas na puno ay tumambad sa kanya ang pagkalakilaki at pagkapangitpangit na nilalang! Isang babaeng Kapre! Halos mabitawan ni Melong ang kanyang tabak sa laki ng pagkasindak. "Unano wag kang matakot sa akin" wika ng kapre "Si-sino ka? "ang natatakot na wika ni Melong. "Ako si Sibalong ang Reyna ng mga Kapre. Hindi mo ba alam na pwede kitang tulungan" ang wika ng kapre. "Paano mo ako matutulungan?" sagot ng unano." Malaki ako, matalino at malakas maari kong gawin ang alin mang nais mong ipagawa sa akin. Nakikita kong hirap na hirap ka sa pamimitas ng mga prutas dahil sa iyong kalagayan. Matutulungan kita sa pamimitas. Kung maibibigay mo din ang ang nais kong hiling." Nag isip-isip ang unano. Higit na madali nga para sa isang kapre na umani ng prutas ng mangga kaysa sa tulad niyang unano. Sumagi sa isip niya na mas malaki ang kikitain niya at magiging sikat siya sa pamilihan. Ano ang nais mo Sibalong! pasigaw na wika ni Melong. "TABAKO! Matagal na akong di nakakatikim at nakahihithit ng tabako! sabi ng kapre. "Hahahahahaha!" halakhak ni Melong na waring nanunuya. "Akala ko ba malaki, matalino at malakas ka? Tabako lang di ka makakuha? Nakikita mo ba ang tabakuhan na iyon?" Sabay turo sa direksiyon na kinalulunanan ng tabakuhan. "Marami duon, pag aari iyan ng pinakamayang tao sa lugar na ito at ipinasasaka sa aking mga kapitbahay at kaibigan!"" Kung gugustuhin mo kayang kaya mong kumuha duon!' ang malakas na wika ni Melong.

Wika ng babaeng kapre " masyadong malayo ang kakahuyan sa tabakuhan na iyon. Kaming mga kapre ay nalulusaw at nagiging abo kung iyayapak namin ang aming mga paa sa lupa. Muling nag-sip ang unano "Ganuon ba? ""Ano ngayon ang gusto mong mangyari?" wika ni Melong. "Ipagnakaw mo ako ng tabako at ipamimitas kita ng mangga! "Ano??? ipagnanakaw kita? Ayoko nga ! Tuturuan mo pa ako ng masama!" galit na tugon ng unano. " Alalahanin mo higit kang kikita at magiging mariwasa ka sa buhay kung gagawin mo ang sinsabi ko!" sagot naman ng Reynang Kapre. Nag-isip ng malalim ang unano na waring sumasang-ayon sa tinuran ni Sibalong. " Ilang tabako ang nais mo? tanong ng unano sa kapre." Isang sako kapalit ng sampung kaing na mangga! tugon ni Sibalong. Lalong lumaki ang mata ng unano. "Sampung kaing ng mangga sa isang sakong tabako? "tanong ni Melong kay Reynang Kapre." Oo! Dalhin mo ang mga tabako dito at ang sampung kaing na sisidlan ng mga mangga tuwing hating gabi at pagbalik mo kinabukasan ay puno na lahat ang mga sisidlan. Muiling nag-sip si Melong at napabuntung-hininga. "Sige, sige Reynang Kapre, babalik ako mamayang hating gabi at ipagnanakaw kita ng tabakong nais mo!" bulalas ni Melong.

Kinagabihan, tinungo ni unanong Melong ang tabakuhan. Dahan-dahan siyang gumapang papalapit sa mga tanim at pinagpipitas ang mga dahon nito. Napuno ang sakong dala ng unano at muling bumalik sa bahay na kubo upang dalhin ang sampung kaing na sisidlan sa manggahan. "Sibalong eto na ang isang sakong tabako at eto ang sampung sisidlan!" sigaw ng unano. " Hahahahahah! Magaling at masunurin na unano!" Sabay kuha sa sako ng tabako at agad nilamukos at binilog ng malalaki niyang kamay at isinubo sa bibig. "Yumao ka na unano at balikan ang mga sisidlan bukas! "Opo Reynang Sibalong" sagot ni Melong at agad na tumalilis. Habang papalayo ang unano ay nilingon niya pa ang manggahan na nagliliwanag sa ningas ng tabako na hinihithit ng pangit na kapre.

Bago pa sumikat ang araw tinungo na ni Melong ang mangagahan lulan ng kanyang kalabaw na may hila-hilang kariton. Nanlaki ang mga mata ng unano sa nasaksihan. Sampung kaing na punung-puno ng mangga! "Hahahahahah! Ang dami nito at magaganda at sariwang-sariwa ang napitas ng kapre! Malaki ang kiktain ko ngayon!" ang natutuwang sambit ng unano. At nagmamadaling binuhat isa-isa ang mga kaing sa kariton at tinungo ang pamilihan. Maagang narating ng unano ang palengke at halos lahat ng kapwa niya tindero ay manghang-manghang nakatingin sa kanya habang isa-isa niyang ibinababa ang mga paninda. Pinagkaguluhan ng mga mamimili ang kanyang mga mangga at maaga itong naubos. Galak na galak na umuwi si unanong Melong . Malaki ang kanyang kinita, sa tanan ng kanyang pagtitinda ay hindi pa siya nakahawak ng gaanoong kalaking halaga ng salapi.!

"Hahahahahahaah! Ingit na ingit sila sa akin! Ang mga paninda nila ngayon ang nilalangaw! Hindi pa yan makikita nyo pa sa mga darating na araw! Hahahahahahahah!" malakas na halakhak ni unanong Melong. Araw-araw at gabi-igabi ganuon nga ang kanyang gingawa, mangananakaw ng tabako at ibibigay kay Sibalong at kinaumagahan ay kukunin na lang ang mga mangga para dalhin sa pamilihan. Nagpakasarap si unano sa kanyang buhay. Lahat ng kanyang kinikita ay itinatapon niya sa bisyo at luho. Naging mayabang na rin siya at tuluyan ng nilayuan ng karamihan. "Hahahahahah! Kahit wala kahit sino sa inyo huwag lang si Reynang Kapre ayos lang sa akin!" pagmamayabang sa sarili ni Unanong Melong. "Hanggang may tabako akong mananakaw at maibibigay kay among kapre kikikta ako! Hahahahahahahah!" Hindi niya alam na ang tabakuhan ay nakatakdang ipagbili sa isang mayamang negosyante upang gawing isang malawak na daan at malaking planta ng abono.

Isang hating gabi ay tinungo ni unanong Melong ang tabakuhan at laking gulat niya ng wala na siyang madatnan ni isang puno ng halaman. Tanging malalking traktora na pambungkal ng lupa at mga burol ng grabra at buhangin ang mga naroroon. Nanlumo ang unano. Ganuon pa man nagtungo pa rin si Melong sa manggahan upang makipagkita kay Reynang Kapre.

" Ang tabako ko? " tanong ni Sibalong. "A... e …. Iani mo muna ako ng mga mangga at bukas pagbalik ko ay dalawang sako ang dadalhin ko sa yo." "Hahahahahahaha! Kung wala kang maibibigay sa akin wala akong maiaani sa yo!" sabi ng kapre." Kaming mga kapre ay hindi gumagawa na walang nahihita! Hindi mo ba alam ng higit na matalino at tuso ang mga katulad naming kapre kaysa sa inyong mga unano. Bakit ako magpapakahirap kung wala akong makukuha sa yo? Hahahahah!" ang malakas na wika ni Sibalong. " Baka pwede mo ako pagbigyan maski ngayon lamang. Marami bumili sa akin ng mga mangga na di ko pa naibibigay at ang kanilang mga ibinayad ay wala na at nagastos ko na." pakiusap ng unano. "Hindi ! Kung pagbibigayn kita mabibigyan mo ba ako ng tabako? Wala ng tabako sa Peseria! " ang sabi ni Sibalong. Lalong nanlumo at nanghina ang unano sa narinig. Alam na rin pala ng Reynang Kapre ang katotohanan

Bumalik ng kubo ang unano na malalim ang iniisip. Alam niyang galit na galit na ang mga pinangakuan niya. Isa-isa rin niyang naisip na lahat ay umiwas sa kanya at ang mga kapitbahay niya ay nawalan ng kabuhayn dahil sa kanya. At nagwika sa sarili " Kung nakuntento lang sana ako sa buhay ko at ay di mangyayari ang mga ito. Nawalan ng mga hanapbuhay ang aking mga kapitbahay at ang kanilang mga anak ay nahinto ng pag-aaral. Ang laking perwisyo ang nagawa ko!" wika sa sarili ni Melong na waring nagsisisi.

Kinaumagahan, nagising si Unano sa mga palahaw ng mga tao sa labas. " Hoy unano! asan yung mga manggang ipinangako mo sa amin. Kung di mo maibibigay ibalik mo ang pera namin. OO nga! Isauli mo na lang ang mga ibinayad namin!" Sigaw ng mga nagagalit na tao.

Lumabas at muling nakiusap si Melong sa mga nagkakagulong tao at siya'y pinagbigyan pa ng isang araw upang maibigay lahat ang mga mangga. Kinagabihan tinungo niyang muli ang manggahan at muling nakiusap sa kapre. "Parang awa mo na. Pagbigyan mo ako 100 kaing ang kailangan ko at hindi kaya pitasin ito sa loob ng magdamag!" pagsusumamo ni Melong Sagot ng kapre. "Kung pagbibigyan ko ang iyong kahilingan mababayaran mo ba ako? Wala ka ng tabakong makukuha sa lugar na ito??? Nanlumo si Unano….batid niyang may katotohanan ang tinuran ni Reynang Sibalong. "Hindi kita mapagbibigyan!!!! Humayo ka na. Kaming mga kapre ay hindi gumagawa ng walang kapalit!" galit na palahaw ng kapre.

Galit na umalis ng manggahan ang unano. Tinungo ang bahay kubo at hinanap ang malaking palakol sa kanyang kahoy na baol! "Hayop kang Sibalong ka makikita mo ang hinhanap mo!" galit na sigaw ni Melong. Dali-daling bumalik si Melong sa kakahuyan at pagdating duon nagwika : "Hoy pangit na kapre! Ang hirap mong pakiusapan . Ikaw ang nagturo sa akin na gumawa ng masama!" Sagot ni Sibalong " Hoy unano hindi kita pinilit!" " A ganuon a! Ito ang dapat sa iyo! sabay taas sa palakol na higit na malaki sa kanya." Hoy unano wag mo akong tinatakot. Tungaw ka lang sa akin!" Pagkawika ng kapre ng ganuon ay sabay at walang tigil na inundayan ng palakol ang malaki at mabilog na katawan ng puno na kinaroroonan ni Sibalong. " Hayop ka Sibalong tinuruan mo akong gumawa ng masama! Nilayuan ako ng mga tao dahil sa iyo! Ang dami kong naperwisyo! Kaya ito ang nararapat sa iyo! Tsak! Tsak! Tsak! ang walang tigil na palakol ni Melong sa puno. " Natataranta ka ano? Akala ko ba tungaw lang ako sa iyo? Akala ko ba higit na matalino, malaki at malakas ka?!!!. Nahintatakutan at nataranta si Sibalong at bago pa man maputol ang puno ay nahulog sa lupa at nadaganan ang pobreng unano. Nalusaw ang pangit na kapre at naging abo. Nalibing ng buhay ang sakim na unanong Melong sa alabok ng ganid na kapre.

"He boasts of the cravings of his heart; he blesses the greedy and reviles the Lord.:

-PSALM 10:3

FAME NO LONGER THE MAGIC SPELL (Custodio Kayoes Pacquiao)

The bout has ended even before the ring judges cast their decisions on their score cards. Darlene Custodio kayoed Pacquiao. All throughout the election's votes counting, the Pacman found himself struggling in the ropes but all his efforts seemed futile. The terror of the ring conceeded finally to political warrior Custodio.

This shows that popularity is no longer the magic spell. Natuto na ba tayo? Nagiging matalino na ba tayo? Is this the sign that the strenght of celebrity and famous driven candidacies is waning? Aside from Pacquiao, other celebrities such as Cesar Montano and Richard Gomez failed to make it to the senate. The only prominent actress-politician who made steady headway and won a seat is Vilma Santos.

Popularity is not enough anymore. Filipino voters have matured. Maaaring sa kalagitnaan ng kampanya people will crowd around these celebrities with their campaign sorties but on the election day they make a differentiation between " idols and leaders". Sana Manny should learn from this. One does not need to enter politics if he has nothing to offer other than his famousness. People will not vote for celebrities unless they ascentain them as their leaders.

Gabriel "Flash" Elorde, Boxing Hall of Famer and the greatest Junior Lightweight ( Super Featherweight ) Champion of all times, was told by his zealous advisers and some influential people from Cebu to run for politics. The humble Elorde was not moved by these encouragements but just thanked them for their trusts and faith. "Flash" died after after a long battle with lung cancer in relative comfort and remained modest and meek to the very end. Dapat tularan ni Manny si Elorde. Manny should stay out of politics. He wasn't for it and people do not want to lose him as their boxing icon either. Hindi siya dapat malungkot sa kabila ng kanyang pagkatalo. Isipin niyang mabuti na ang mga taong di bumoto at sumuporta sa kanya ay siyang higit at tunay na nagmamalasakit at nagmamahal para sa kanyang kapakanan at kabutihan. " Vox Populi, Vox Dei". As I have written down here previously, if he can't win his bout in the political arena, there will always be the boxing ring - his bastion of pride and glory!

MOTHER - A Glorious Career ( Tribute to All Mothers )

Do you remember the first time you kick while you were on your mom's tummy, unknowingly the labor and the pain it has to take to deliver you? You can't remember those things simply because you were too young. Your first smile, first words, first steps gave her a glowing happiness to her heart. When you were sick with fever, measles, chickenpox or colds, Mom was too worried and rushed you to the doctor and when you felt better and all the sickness were gone, all her anxieties were gone too! A mother's day seems to never ends thinking everything about you: what to cook for tomorrow for your 'baon', helping do your school projects and homeworks, what clothes to wear, etc., etc.. A chance to be a mother is the highest calling a woman could have although there are women who could not have children, still they could be one in some other ways of their choice.We honor HER this Mothers' Day for all she have done to us, all the hardship she made for us. Let us realize the responsibilities that came with being a mother. Good family life is never an accident but always an achievement of a good mother ( good father too!) Many of us took our mothers somewhere they did not need to go, but no matter what, she loves us. Mothers dream for they children and help these dreams come true. She will always be there even when everyone else deserted you. When God gave her the chance to be a mother, He gave her an assignment that will not end until her kids grow up. It is a life long journey and task. Her love is like God's love. She loves us not because we are lovable, but because it is her nature to love. Let us thank our Lord for our mothers, grandmothers, mother-in-laws, our friends' mothers and the rest of the mothers out there who stood up for their kids and family in performing their glorious career - being a MOTHER!

HAPPY MOTHERS' DAY!!!

" Honor your father and MOTHER, then you will live long, full life in the land of the Lord your God will give you."
- Exodus 20:12

XP PA RIN ! ! !

My eldest sister, Wilma went at the shop with her laptop which I had just fixed a week ago. May problema na naman. The laptop, Dell Inspiron 1501, with 512 Ram, ATIRadeon Xpress 1150, 256 Hypermemory (integrated), powered by AMD Turion 64x Dual-Core Mobile Technology TL-56 Processor was purchased by Alvin, her youngest kid in the US. It has Windows Vista Home Basic Edition installed. Nuong unang dinala niya sa akin iyon she was complaining that she can't access her Logitech Fusion Webcam which she bought here in the Philippines. Yahoo Messsenger also hungs up. The system also took too long to boot up and shut off. Nakapaghugas na nga daw siya ng pinggan bago mag-open at close yung windows) What first came out of my mind was that Vista might be causing the problems since I have read a lot of resentments and negative evaluations about this latest operating system from Microsoft. So just like a doctor, I did first aid steps with the laptop with the thought that it might cure ( somehow) all the perplexities. I searched from Logitech Home Page any Vista driver compatible for the said webcam and installed it. I also updated all the necessary drivers and patches from Dell support website. My sister went home after these emergency treatments on the computer.

Kinagabihan, Nanette , her eldest kid called me up and reported the same problem of the laptop. I told her to bring it back at the shop so I can trouble shoot it once again. The unit came after a week. I told my sister " Hindi titino itong computer mo unless na papalitan natin ng OS". To make it short, I reformatted it and installed Windows XP Professional Service Pack2 instead. After doing so, all seemed to run smooth and well.

What you should take from this article? It maybe true that Microsoft has been working for Vista for over 5 years now, but this doesn't mean that it is better in everyway. Marami sa atin just want the latest, they don't care if the older just work fine, though many out there are dying to install it on their system. If you are not going through trouble using XP it is not time yet to upgrade.

Windows Vista clearly is not a great new performer as of this time. There are a lot of programs that refused to work with it and showed deeply dissappointing performances. Besides, hindi lahat ng Vista drivers are ready for prime time and isn't fully supported yet by all the companies that do things for MS ( i.e. virus protection, DirectX compatibility, etc., etc.) you must make sure your machine can even run on it. They are asking for minimum specification to be 1G RAM, but you really should have at least 2G. 4G looking more and more like it should be the minimum. A graphic card equal to the latest VooDoo model and other expensive models.

My conclusion is, if you like the most, you need to buy it when you needed it most. I don't personally recommend Vista at this point of time simply because it is not needed. It is not time to upgrade or buy the software unless you need something not available in other operating systems. If you are more familiar with XP and does what Vista will do, do not waste your time. There is not much of a difference between XP and Vista overall!

FORGIVE

We have been hurt, somebody we counted on let us down; somebody we trusted betrayed us and our trustS; somebody took advantage of our weaknesses. The hurt went deep. There is no delete button for the past. Maaala at maaalala mo, parang video tape sewed in our mind everytime it plays it re- runs, feeling the pain again.

We have made our hard decision. Do we want to spend the rest of our lives with pain and abuses we did not deserve in the first place? No ofcourse! Because we have found a way to heal ourselves. It is not one way among many, ito lang ang paraan and God invented it! It did wonders for me (and the rest of the survivors?) I call it FORGIVING. It is the only way to be fair to ourselves. Kapag hindi ka nagpatawad you are giving the person who wallop you once the priviledge of hurting you over and over again in your memory. Sabi ng iba, forgiving is not just fair, "bakit ko patatawarin yung mga taong nakasakit at umabuso sa akin?" If that will be so - you will go on suffering in it, where there is such a simple remedy - forgive.

Others would even say that if you forgive you make yourself a doormat for people to walk on. . . mali ito. Forgive those who wronged you, but do not tolerate their wrongdoings. Patawarin natin sila but stop it and do not do it again. Do not let somebody who sinned you to crawls back on her knees and says she is sorry and begs you to forgive her. Do not wait to forgive, if you do so, you may wait forever and you are stuck with pain. Maiinis at magngingitngit ka lang sa inis at sama ng loob!

Why do we have to put our future and happiness in the hands of those who hurt and abused us? If you refuse to forgive until she begs you, you are letting her decide for you when you may be healed of the memory and rotten things she did to you! Forgiving is like a journey, it takes time. So be patient and do not get discourage and we must all remember that the first person who gets the benefit of forgiving is always the person who does the forgiving. Kapag nagpatawad ka sa mga nagkasala sa iyo, you set a prisoner FREE and then you discover that the prisoner you set free is YOU!

When we forgive we walk hand in hand with the very GOD who forgives us everything. When we forgive, we heal the hurts we never should have felt in the first place. PATAWARIN NATIN SILANG LAHAT NA NAGKASALA SA ATIN AND GO ON WITH OUR LIVES. . .

" If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us in our sins, and to clense us from all unrighteousness."
(1 John 1:9)

WALA NA TAYONG MAGAGAWA. . .

NO DOUBT about Manny Pacquiao's sincerity to help. Pacquiao is the only figure that can unite us all Filipinos. Kapag laban na niya lahat nagdarasal to win his bout. Tumitigil ang mundo ng Pinoy. Walang tsismis, maluwag ang traffic, tigil ang kriminalidad, tigil din ang bangayan sa pulitika, intriga sa showbiz; lahat magkakasama, mayaman o mahirap, magkagalit o magkaibigan. All waiting and hoping for every victories and pride Manny will bring us. Nanghihinayang lang ako for all the hardship, blood, sweat and tears Pacman has ventured to attain where he is now.

Politics is a dirty game. Hindi kagaya ng boksing yan na lakas, tibay ng katawan at linaw ng pag-iisip ang pinag-uusapan. Sa boxing isa lang ang kalaban mo (me taga-awat pa kayo), when you out-boxed your opponent and win, all rejoices for you, pag ikaw ang natalo, sorry na lang, more practice and better luck next time!(ganuon lang kasimple). Sa political arena ibang klase. Gumawa ka ng mali me magagalit sa iyo, pag gumawa ka ng mabuti merom din! Eh! san ka naman lulugar niyan? And this is my point why I disagree Manny entering politics, sabi ng nakakarami ginagamit lang siya ng mga politiko na may personal na agenda at interest. Politics is a dirty game, no permanent friends but only permanent enemies. Ultimo magkakamag-anak at magkakapatid nag-aaway (minsan nagpapatayan pa nga e!) dahil dito. It's a very complex game mostly played by neferious political players! They say this game is usually played by some people who have no compassion for their counterparts.

Si Pacman never mabugbog sa ibabaw ng ring - siya pa nanggugulpi! Baka pag nasa congress na siya , siya ang mabugbog ng batikos at reklamo( kahit sabihin mo pang tama ginagawa niya) Maraming mabubuting tao na may magandang hangarin sa bayan ang nasira ang buhay, yung iba nadali pa ang buhay dahil sa stress at depression na dulot nito. I hope he should learn from this. . . He may even become greater than the late Gabriel "Flash" Elorde. Pacquiao is just a few steps away from his eternal pedestal. He is a very sincere and God-fearing person. It is true that it is unfair to accuse him of pursuing a "policy of the impossible" but he always believes the possibilities of demanding freedom, peace, justice and alleviating poverty and hunger.

Politics should have been the best game that can be played to satisfy the social and political needs of the people who paid a heavy price to watch them play in the political arena. This is not Manny's Arena. Kung pagtulong talaga ang hangarin niya maraming oras, maraming lugar at maraming paraaan. Politics will only corrupts him. After all , the PACMAN is running. . . let him be the King of his self. Let the people and the God's of fate decide for Manny's destiny. If he can't win his bout in politics , there will always be the boxing ring--- his bastion of pride and glory!

FUNNIEST PERSON I'VE EVER MET

Who can forget RUBEN RAPIZA? Do you remember him? Si Ruben pag dinaldalan ka na hindi ka na tatantanan, it's just listening to a damaged CD that plays over and over again. Ruben used to call me SWEETHEART (yes! but he's 100% not a faggot!) I can't recall how this calling started. Nuong minsan ata kami umatend ng party and we both got drunk and started calling me that way out of jesting. The next morning and from then on SWEETHEART na tawag niya sa akin! Ha!ha!ha!ha! Hinayaan ko na lang na tawagin niya ako ng ganuon because I found it funny and kakaiba.

Minsan we were tasked to go to Dolmar (remember this building in the ortigas area?) We boarded a bus. The bus was almost full but all the passengers were seated. It was good there were two more seats for us. One at the back and the other near the driver. I took the seat behind the driver and ruben sat on the rear. Unknowingly, Ruben paid our fares because the conductor had just gone from the place where he was. Nang papalapit na yung konduktor sa akin para maningil ng pamasahe and I was about to pull my wallet out of my pant's pocket (di ko kasi nakita na nagbayad si Ruben and he did not tell me) Somebody among the passengers shouted at the peak of his tone---- "SWEETHEART HUWAG KA NANG MAGBAYAD! OK NA!!!!" I looked back and saw Ruben gesturing the thumbs-up sign. Everyone looked at me. I Blushed!!!! Ha!ha!ha!ha!ha!ha!

( Pareng Ruben kung nasaan ka man magparamdam ka naman! Namimis ko na mga kalokohan mo!)

THE ENDS JUSTIFY THE MEANS

Natawa ako when I read Ferdie Gonzales' message he posted at Alumni.net and brought up the issue again (Pukpukan Scandal). . . ang tagal na? May nakakalala pa ba? Dahil kung di mo marecall, you don't belong to IV-1! This happened when Mr. Albea our History teacher gave the class an assignment to draw on our notebook the map of the group islands of Micronesia. Hinampas ng makapal na History notebook (sa ulo! yes sa ulo!) ni Mr. Albea all those who did not do their assignments (pati babae di nakaligtas!)

I could feel the emotions Ferdie expressed against our teacher as he said that all should be accorded with respect regardless of status, age and gender. Mr. Albea confirmed Ferdie's posted bulletin by retorting: " THE ENDS JUSTIFY THE MEANS". He said: " Age mellows the strict rule of discipline. If during the time I made use of force to achieve a higher goal, please be reminded that it was made to make you all better persons and not for personal grandeur. . . proof. . .look where are you now?" Luckily hindi napukpok si Ferdie because he did his homework while most of us received that unforgettable, (unforgivable), embarassing note book blow in our heads. POKKKKKK!!!! ang lakas! Ang lutong! Ha!ha!ha!ha! Perhaps Ferdie felt more embarrased to see some of our girls got humiliated infront of the boys. . .Sana puro boys na lang ang napukpok (he he he) If Mr. Albea raised that option, for sure isa ako sa magvovolunteer! ( Tutal wala naman talaga akong assignment eh!) just to spare the girls from the abashment. And what if all the boys did their homework and all the girls did not? Would our teacher continue to bang that infamous canary yellow note book on their skulls? Maybe yes...maybe no... but after that "pukpukan blues" everyone was talking about it. Marami ang natawa, yung iba nainis and almost everybody was asking evryone: " Malakas ba pukpok sa iyo? Masakit ba?" Hahahahahah! It was more of a hilarious experience than a chagrin one! Maybe Mr. Albea had the point ( or he was immature then as a teacher?) because after that occurance wala ng nagyaring pukpukan because from thereon everyone did their chores!

"THE ENDS JUSTIFY THE MEANS" - This is a phrase encompassing two beliefs:
1. Morally actions are sometimes necessary to achieve morally right outcomes - the implication is that, good ends justify questionable means.
2. Actions can only be considered morally right or wrong by virtue of the morality of the outcome - Few people will use The Ends Justify The Means to describe their own views; instead the phrase is often used to cast suspicion on the action or motivation of others.
This phrase THE ENDS JUSTIFY THE MEANS is closely associated with NICOLLO DI BERNARDO DEI MACHIAVELLI, political philosopher, musician, poet, playwright of the Italian Rennaisance. . . but most expert agree that Machiavelli was not actually advocating such an outlook!

Let us accord out teachers the will of appreciation, consideration and respect due to them. They have their shares (along with most specially with our parents of course!) for bringing us where we are now. True, for most of us thay have really made us better persons and citizens. Mr. Albea was such an excellent and exciting teacher ( so with the rest of MHS mentors) I did enjoy the way he conducted his teachings. Ferdie, on the other hand was (and still) a very good classmate and friend to us and to the other MHSians. Talaga lang mahal ni Ferdie ang mga kababaihan ng Section 1 and I personally admire and respect him for that! Everyone is entitled to his personal point of view.

THE ENDS JUSTIFY THE MEANS . . . .sometimes . . . . perhaps . . .
Mabuhay ka Mr. Albea! Mabuhay ka Ferdie!

BAD BOSS FROM HELL

Have you seen the film " THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA"? This is one of 2006 most talked about movies ( based on Lauren Weisberger's 2003 novel of the same header) that featured Meryl Streep as a savage psychopath who takes great pleasure in terrorizing her staff with steady streams of insults and sadistic head games that would make Manny Pacquiao shrink in pain and distress. Aside from Streep's superlative potrayal of the role, one of the reasons why this Academy Award-nominated comedy-drama film was so successful at the box office was just everyone can relate to having a BOSS FROM HELL.

So what do you do if you are in such situation and the DEVIL wears your BOSS who unreasonably does things such as yells and screams at you, forces you to work overtime, insults and humiliates you personally and infront of others, repeatedly make changes and blames you when things went wrong, brags with her hoaxed credentials, name callings and more? According to Workplace Bullying and Trauma Institute, USA, an abusive boss is more likely to be woman than man. That is right, babae po! Woman bosses are more abusive than their counterpart.

It is said that a worker's relationship with the boss is almost equal to the relationship with his spouse when it comes to the impact on his well being. Medical research found that workers who felt that their boss treated them fairly were 30% less likely to die from coronary heart disease than those who didn't. Aside from the health consequences of having a bad boss, there is the practical issue of the effect that the abusive superior have on one's job prospects.

I have worked with people who suffered years of abuse at the hands of a BAD BOSS and their entire lives are messed up! They can't sleep, can't work effectively, their relationships are damaged and they feel terribly about themselves, after hearing how incompetent they are everyday and getting yelled at and humiliated they are really in bad shape! A lot of them have serious health problems affecting their work and morale. Yung iba namatay pa nga. . .

Abusive Boss tends not to target one person even if it feels like tha attacks are personal. Usually, target of abusive bosses tend to be HIGH ACHIEVERS, PERFECTIONISTS, WORKAHOLICS. Oftenly bully bosses try to mask their own insecurities and mistakes by striking out ( nagtatago sila sa ulap ng kanilang kasalanan at kahinaan)! Bad bosses come in many flavors and that employees should explore the nature of abuses that may be occuring. If your boss insults you and puts you down, try to reason out professionally and express your rights. Calling you "BULLSHIT" , "MORON" , or an "IDIOT" would never solve the problem. If your boss is bad-mouthing you , you can confront her directly and if she's defaming you, aba bawal yun! Taunting and insulting your face in a private office at work, your feeling severely hurt and may become ill as a result - - - (if the symptoms persist ika nga) consult a doctor and a lawyer as well (ha!ha!ha!) That's the best you can do if the tounge-slashing is too much and turned out to be inapproppriate, unjustified and unbearable. Documenting your boss' bad behavior is important. Your written records can testify how severe the situation is. Just incase you decide to take legal actions down the line, you may need these information. It is best to record all the rotten things your boss did to you as soon as possible so they are fresh in your mind. Dont miss the idea of taking the bull by the horns. Mas madali daw disiplinahin ang nagwawalang toro kung sa sungay mo susunggaban! Ha!ha!ha!ha!
No one is perfect. Not even bosses. But if your boss is abusing you, malaking problema yan! This problem takes on greater urgency. If the abuse starts to make you feel bad and the bullying has had prolonged impact on your health or your life outside of your work aba'y mag-isip-isip ka na! It's time to get out, lalo na when you feel that your confidence or your usual exemplary performance has been undermined! In general you really feel deteriorated with you bad boss. But if quitting cant be you option to address this problem, hanggang kailang mo kaya kakayanin ang masamang ugali ng amo mo and get abused forever? I understand older workers can't just simply walk away from their job they really hate. It is culturally accepted reason sa Pinas lalo na sa mga datihan at matagal ng empleyado. They are trapped by tuition fees, bayad sa renta ng bahay, kuryente, tubig at telepono and other everyday expenses that keep them working with their bad bosses. Idagdag mo pa yung hirap ng paghahanap ng trabaho lalo na kung datan ka na! They may reason out that finding a new job may be harder than it would be for someone younger, in this case they may be right, but they can still protect themselves. Maraming trabaho po diyan! Maniwala ka at tulungan mo ang sarili mo dahil mas marami ka pang magagawang mas maganda sa buhay mo than to stay and serve an evil employer! As I have said, target of bad bosses tend to be those EXCELLENT, EFFICIENT & EFFECTIVE workers of the company and YOU are one!
CONTROL YOUR DESTINY ( manalig ka at maniwala sa kakayanan mo!) You may want to consider leaving the job off your resume all together. Even after you leave your nightmare boss you still have to explain why you left to potential new employer, One way to gracefully side step the issue is to say: MY BOSS AND I HAD A LONG STANDING DISAGREEMENT OVER THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY OF GETTING THINGS DONE ( anyways they wil never know naman kung gaano talaga kawanghiya ang boss mo, unless you tell them so!) The most important thing to remember with abusive boss is not to take the insults to heart ( naku mahirap atang gawin ito a?) but to make it as challenge to become a better person and prove your worth. Get out and move on. This is the most professional way to resolve it.

Employees leave their bosses not the company. If the abuses are too much -- you may want to head out of the door, change yourself, and throw away (worthless) things in your life. Huwag mong hayaang insultuhin ka ng amo mo habang buhay ( ano na lang ang sasabihin ng asawa mo at mga anak mo sa yo? Maipagmamalaki ka pa kaya nila?) You can be a better person inspite of all the miseries your bad boss had done to you. Just convert these rotten things into source of inspirations, learning and enjoyment! Just hope that your next boss would not be just as bad or worse! If that would be the case --- work on your own and be the KING of yourself!


If you are a BAD BOSS FROM HELL let this serve as a wake up call.

" I urge then, first of all , that requests, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving He made for everyone - for KINGS and all those in AUTHORITY, that we may live peacefully and quiet lives in all GODLINESS and HOLINESS."
( I Timothy 2:-1-2)