" I LOVE YOU BECAUSE I NEED YOU ; I NEED YOU BECAUSE I LOVE YOU"

Just wanted to know hu's really active members of the group..ptambay lng.. if u hav tym time kindly answer n rin my quest...
WHICH ONE YOU WANT TO CHOOSE??
I LOVE YOU bcoz I NEED YOU or I NEED YOU bcoz I LOVE YOU...

This is a very interesting topic to discuss, but first let me thank Rebecca Sia, one of the pretty faces of MHS Friendster Alumni Group from Mississauga, Ontario, Canada for posting such attention-grabbing subject matter in the group’s discussion board. And I thank her also for giving me a subject to pen here on my blog.

Erich Pinchas Fromm (March 23, 1900 – March 18, 1980) an internationally renowned Jewish-German-American social psychologist, psychoanalyst, and humanistic philosopher, authored this quotation “I love you because I need you; I need you because I love you”. Fromm said immature love says, “I love you because I need you”. Mature love says, “I need you because I love you.” Immature love is failing to understand the true essence and nature of love which always had the common component of care, responsibility, respect and knowledge. Some people love because they want their love to be reciprocated. This is reciprocal love. You may want to love somebody because of what you receive in return. Your partner bequest you companionship, you adore his/her physical and emotional assets, you cherish the food & the gifts, the prudence, the service and benevolence offered to you. These things aren’t unpleasant at all. You will be as cold as a stone if you don’t love the person. Though this sort of love maybe favorable to you, it is uncertain and impermanent. What if these qualities fade? Or he/she no longer appealing to you ? Or you find someone who seems to own better qualities? Or he/she can’t no longer afford to give what you need? Often, this scenario marks the end of a romance and begins to feel the remorse of falling in love with each other. When this happens,nagsisimula na tayo maghanapan, magsumbatan at magsisihan . At duon natin nakikita ang kapintasan at kahinaan ng bawat isa when all the things and qualities you once praise on him/her gradually ebb. Reciprocal love maybe mighty and successful but it doest preserve the full dignity of the human spirit. It only gratifies the basic self-esteem, our needs for survival and selfishness, and fails the higher spirit of man created by God.

To say: “I need you because I love you” is an expression of unconditional affection – Mahal kita hindi dahil sa kahit ano pa mang rason o bagay o katangian na nakita ko sa iyo, Mahal kita dahil ikaw ay ikaw. I love you and I am willing to commit myself without any guarantee, but only hope that my love will produce love. I love you not because you benefit me but the very inner of you. It is not I love you because you are pretty, but you are beautiful because I love you. It is not I love you because I need you but rather I need you because I love you!

This does not mean not to treasure and value the good qualities of someone we love but it means that our love is not restricted or outlined by a specific endearing qualities. “I may never get anything from you in return but I will still love you because you and I are inherently one. Unconditional love is just like a parent’s love to their children, or the immeasurable God’s love for all of us . Sana lahat tayo ganito magmahal. If we carefully learn our ourselves and come out with a relationship, let us love as we love ourselves, it is an act of faith and whoever has little faith has little love. As said, love, had the common elements of care, responsibility, respect, and knowledge and above all put God in every relationship. From here we will come to the point where each partner feels a fraction of the other, where each partner can no longer see in their mind’s eye an existence without each other.

" ... Let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. The wife hath not the power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.

~1 Corinthians 7:2-4~

EDORFEMANAC

EDORFEMANAC which composed of 6 handsome guys from batch '83 namely:Ed Feruelo,Darius Peralta,Orly Omaga,Ferdie Aungon,Eman Ambalada and Crispin Vertudez , after a long long years of no communication is going to meet again! courtesy of this friendster Group by Jessie Landingin,thanks bro! kung wala 'to 'di ko sana makikita at makakausap man lang ang mga dating tropa na matagal ko na rin namang na Missed!

Orly Omaga . Batchmate and long lost pal posted this announcement at MHS Alumni Group. Nakakatuwa naman! We are growing! MHS friendster group isnt mine, ako lang po ang nag start to create this group. This belongs to all MHSians of all generations. I just wish all the members will help me promote this link and make it known to all concern. Let this be the home for all MHSians in the internet where each one of us can be able to relive those good, old days and keep in touch whether for academic, career or pure nostalgic reasons. To all the group members and all the new members to come. . . MABUHAY tayong lahat! Orly, sama ako jan ha! hahahaha!!!!

. . . WALANG NAMAMATAY SA DUMI

This is a forwarded e-mail from Jacqueline Dela Cruz, a former schoolmate and choirmate from MHS. Jacky now lives in Minatoku, Japan.

For Parents/Grandparents With Small Children~

Please re-post to make everyone aware of the dangers of hand
sanitizers with young children. Ok. I don't know where to begin
because the last 2 days of my life have been such a blur. Yesterday,
My youngest daughter Halle who is 4, was rushed to the emergency
room by her father for being severely lethargic and incoherent.
He was called to her school by the school secretary for being
"very VERY sick." He told me that when he arrived that Halle was
barely sitting in the chair. She couldn't hold her own head up
and when he looked into her eyes, she couldn't focus them.
He immediately called me after he scooped her up and rushed
her to the ER. When we got there, they ran blood test after blood
test and did x-rays, every test imaginable. Her white blood cell count
was normal, nothing was out of the ordinary.

The ER doctor told us that he had done everything that he could do
so he was sending her to Saint Francis for further test. Right when we
were leaving in the ambulance, her teacher had come to the ER and
after questioning Halle 's classmates, we found out that she had
licked hand sanitizer off her hand.

Hand sanitizer, of all things. But it makes sense. These days
they have all kinds of different scents and when you have a curious
child, they are going to put all kinds of things in their mouths. When
we arrived at Saint Francis, we told the ER doctor there to check her
blood alcohol level, which, yes we did get weird looks from it but
they did it. The results were her blood alcohol level was 85% and
this was 6 hours after we first took her. There's no telling what it
would have been if we would have tested it at the first ER.
Since then, her school and a few surrounding schools have
taken this out of the classrooms of all the lower grade classes but
what's to stop middle and high schoolers too? After doing research
off the internet, we have found out that it only takes 3 squirts of the
stuff to be fatal in a toddler. For her blood alcohol level to be so high
was to compare someone her size to drinking something 120 proof.

So please PLEASE don't disregard this because I don't ever want
anyone to go thru what my family and I have gone through.
Today was a little better but not much.

I did a personal research regarding this e-mail and I found out that
this letter was written by Lacey Butler of Oklahoma and published at
http://www.snopes.com/medical/toxins/sanitizer.asp. Although hand sanitizer is being endorsed to improve hand hygiene , consumers should be alert of the possible risks of using this product most especially in our homes. Hand sanitizers contain 63% v/v of isopropanol which is higher in alcohol content in vodka and it’s the same ingredient used in E-85 gasoline, making the product highly igneous too! Kaya mga parents don’t put hand sanitizers kung saan-saan especially kung mayroon tayong mga kids sa bahay..They can not understand the cautionary labels on hand sanitizers . Kids are basically explorative and inquisitive and may even try to lick and ingest it because of its eye-catching colors and sweet-smelling scents . If they lick up, or if they start drinking directly from the bottle they could get drunk." Gulping down about 200 millilitres of isopropanol can be deadly because it depresses the central nervous system and the heart!

Hand sanitizers are still safe for our children to use if used according to the directions and properly. Sa mga can afford , its a great alternative when they can't wash their hands with soap and water pero sa karamihan ng mga naghihirap sa atin, sabon at tubig lang. Ipangbibili na lang nila ang kanilang pera ng ilang kilong bigas kaysa ipambili ng hand sanitizer, katuwiran ng Pinoy wala naman daw namamatay sa dumi. . . (Ha! ha !ha! ha!)

MY BLOG READER FROM THE LAND OF VIKINGS

Hi Brod,

Congratulations to your beautiful blog.

Interesting and great ideas.

Ang cute ng family mo. Talagang ulirang ama (bihira na lang ngayon). You appreciate life, count the blessings and you are happy. As my husband said "If you are lucky for love, you are not lucky for money". I prefer the first one.

Happy fathers day to you.

Sincerely yours,

Sis Shirley

Shirley Francisco ( now Mrs. Allerup) sent this words of inspiration to me. She was my former workmate at PESI and now resides in Denmark with her family. Magaling pong umawit itong kaibigan kong ito. I used to remember her singing (mostly Whitney Huston songs) everytime we have program or party in the office. Tama ka Sis, God will not give us everything . . and He can’t give us anything we can’t handle. For me "contentment" is what "happiness" all about. As Mother Theresa said “God doesn’t require us to succeed . . . He only requires that we try."

Salamat Sis, and regards na lang sa husband and kids mo. And don’t forget to read my blog ha? Hahahahahah! Gob bless!

SUNSILK . . Shampoo Day ba lang? Part 2( Are we stupid?)

Just to add more with regards to Amalia’s post about Formalin in Sunsilk Shampoo and to better inform us regarding the matter. May’s e-mail seemed to have an impartial judgement with the said shampoo brand, saying : “I have nothing against the SUNSILK SHAMPOO, its just that.. so far, sa Sunsilk ko lang kasi nakita ang Formaldehyde na content.” This notion isn’t true since nearly all shampoo brands have this content. Due to it's bad name , Formaldehyde is sometimes hidden under the name DMDM hydantoin or MDM hydantion.

What is DMDM hydantoin.?
It is one of the most irritating and allergenic preservatives used in shampoos and cosmetics. We can also find this chemical in adhesives, color photography, copy paper, cutting oils, floor waxes, herbicides, inks, latex paints and polymers.ffff It works by releasing formaldehyde into the product which prevent molds, mildews, and bacterial spoilage . You see? It has no beneficial effect to the consumers but merely serve as spoilage deterrent so the product can be usable up to the longest possible time. Another formaldehyde releasing preservatives are imidazolidinyl urea. 1,2-dimethylol-5,5-dimethyl hydantoin, 1,3-bis (hydroxymethyl)-5,5-dimethyl-2,4-imidazolidinedione, Dantoin DMDMH, Dimethyloldimethyl hydantoin, DMDMH, Glydant, Glydant Plus (95:5 mixture of DMDM hydantoin and Ido propynyl butyl carbamate), Mackgard DM and Nipaguard DMDMH. These are found in cosmetics, and skin care products. Examples of cosmetic products and toiletries are lotions, creams, moisturizers, emollients, foundations, powders, concealers, bronzers, self-tanners, makeup removers, sunscreens, eye shadows, and mascaras. It is also found in liquid soaps, hair conditioners, gels, bubble baths, baby wipes, and over-the-counter and prescription topical medicines. Other sources of exposure include detergents dishwashing liquids, and cleaning agents.

So you really want to know that SUNSILK isn’t the only shampoo/product that contains formalin? Here’s the list: Vaseline, Ivory, Dove, Head & Shoulder, Olay, Jergens, Florica & Botanica, Noxzema, , Suave, Flower & Rosemary, Freesia Lever, Village Natural, Pantene Pro, Pert Plus, Selsun Blue, St. Ives, Clairol, Dial, Prograine, Ponds, Imina, Safeguard, Aussie, New Finesse, Vidal Sassoon, Old Spice, Clearasil, Caress, Zest, Aveeno Diaper Rush Cream, Softsoap, Fresh Picked Raspberry, Aquarium, Aloe Vera, Balsam & Protein, Paul Mitchell, Nivea, Pert Plus, Johnson’s Diaper, Infusium 23 Hair, Neutrogena, Elmer’s Glue, Gerber Baby Wash, and many more (just find out yourself ) . Always check the product’s label and literature if they contain these chemicals or poison the whole family! Shampoo is said to be "one of the most toxic, persistent, bioaccumulative pesticides ever registered!".Cosmetics have their ugly secrets! As part of modern living, we create a wide variety of chemical toxins that go into our body system, through rivers and streams, the air, the soil and so on. Not only that, we actually synthesize toxic chemicals and then inject them directly into the food supply -- knowing full well that they are poisonous and are major contributors to the epidemic rates of chronic disease we are experiencing today. As human beings, we're the only species stupid enough to actually poison ourselves!

SUNSILK . . Shampoo Day ba lang? ( An E-mail and a Reply)

I received an e-mail from Amalia Lomarda Diongco my High School classmate. The message goes like this:

Sa mga gumagamit ng Sunsilk shampoo basahin nyo ito...

ei guys... alam nyo ba yung shampoo and conditioner na SUNSILK SUMMER FRESH?.. One of the ingredients of it is the "Formaldehyde" which is commonly called "Formalin" - Yes, yung ginagamit pang embalsamo ng dead people.. scary noh? (See for your self if you doubt about it).. everytime na nag shampoo tayo ng may Formaldehyde ingredients, parang enembalsamo na rin natin ang ating mga sarili. Actually, I already called the Unilever Customer Care and confirm to them that "Formaldehyde is actually the Formalin, and they said, "Yes, its Formalin, but they just put to the shampoo, a little amount so that it is still safe to the people...".. Pero diba, kahit little amount lang yung nilalagay nila sa shampoo but if everyday tayo gumagamit, everyday din nadadagdagan ang amount na nilalagay natin sa ating ulo na Formalin. I also searched to the internet "What is Formaldehyde? " and here are some definitions of it:

A chemical used in manufacturing and chemical industries, and as a
preservative by anatomists, embalmers, and pathologists. Being exposed to formaldehyde may increase the risk of developing leukemia and braincancer.
www.stjude.org/ glossary

is a colorless, strong-smelling gas. It is widely used in household
products, such as glue, wood products, permanent press fabrics,
flooring, cabinets, and furniture. enviromysteries. thinkport. org/breakingthem old/resources/ glossary. html

Although not common as a primary ingredient, formaldehyde is present as a contaminant in many consumer household products. It is an extremely potent carcinogen and respiratory irritant and may appear as a preservative. Products containing this chemical should be considered unacceptable.
www.seventhgenerati on.com/site/ pp.asp
and a lot more... mag search na lang kayo if you need more information about Formaldehyde. :-) Hindi lang naman SUMMER FRESH ng SUNSILK ang may ingredients na Formaldehyde, yung SUNSILK Repair din nila na shampoo meron din. Personally, alarming sya dahil Formalin is not really good for our health.
Though maganda nga hair natin, but still.. in long run.. if we keep using shampoo / conditioner na may content na Formaldehyde, baka preserve na ang body natin even if we are still alive. What's the use of the good looking hair, if our health is in at risk.. This e-mail is not for making bad impression to Sunsilk shampoo/conditioner . I just want to share my opinion regarding this alarming discovery. It's up to you if you would care to think / reflect about it or not.

Disclaimer:
I have nothing against the SUNSILK SHAMPOO, its just that.. so far,
sa Sunsilk ko lang kasi nakita ang Formaldehyde na content.

My reply:

FORMALDEHYDE? ??? FORMALIN???? The one Mr. Undertaker uses on corpses? Ha!ha!ha!ha! It's a very small thing as far as harmful and toxic chemical in shampoos are concern. Actually it's just one out of the many toxic chemicals in shampoos. Formaldehyde is irritating, allergy-producing, neurotoxin, and carcinogenic. It can cause imsomnia, headaches, nausea, nosebleeds, and skin rashes. DMDM hydantoin, imidazolidinyl, urea, and quanterium, 2-bromo-2-nitroprop ane-1,3-diol, diazolidinyl urea, are some of the most irritating and allergenic preservatives, contain, release or breakdown into Formaldehyde.
Shampoos fall into one or two categories: 1. cleansers that need a follow-up conditioner, 2. combo of cleanser and conditioner that don't clean as well as a straight cleanser and don't condition as well as a conditioner but will do a good job of both tasks. Most shampoos are in this category but differ as to which kind of conditioning ingredient they contain. Other special shampoos types are dry shampoos, baby shampoos, shampoos for color-treated hair, shampoos for processed hair , and daily use shampoos. Even if you opted to shift from one brand or types of shampoo to get away from this Formalin thing still you aren't safe using this sort of product. Aside from Formaldehyde, shampoos contain other chemicals which are hazardous to our health. To cite some : Cocamide DEA (also known as cocamide diethanolamine) , while not carcinogenic, has the potential to form carcinogenic nitrosamines; Sodium laureth sulfate (also sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium laurel sulfate, and sodium dodecyl sulfate. Research has stated that levels of dioxin formation in products containing sodium laureth sulfate are unacceptable. Studies have shown eye and systemic tissue (heart, liver, brain) penetration. Lindane toxic and readily absorbed through the skin and known to cause convulsions and seizures. and many more which (some)shampoo manufacturers kept dependably discreet to their consumers.

Why only shampoo? How about the things we eat? Instant noodles, hot dogs, bacon and other processed meats, soft drinks, canned goods, cookies and crackers, margarines and other dairy foods? How about the medicine we take everyday? Or the other things we use like toothpaste, cosmetics, deodorants, air freshner, detergents, nail polish removers, paints, house hold cleaning products ? And what about those huge factories ? Our own car and other vehicles? Refrigerators, air cons, microwave and even computers?

There are a lot more to mention inside our home and
around the environment we live in. This world isn't safe anymore
and this is the price we have to pay for development and commercialization.
Just like freedom , progress should be equilibrium to a certain point
of constraint if we do not want extinction to scrape out humanity.
Let us do something for our home earth to stay.
Formalin isn't just the ONLY thing . . . .

MY BLOG READER FROM L'HEXAGONE

BONJOUR! I’ve got an inspiring note from L’Hexagone:

kuya jessie,

i just want u to know that im reading all ur blogs,and i was impressed, really,i enjoyed every bits of it..tnx kuya keep on posting.love 'em.....HAPPY FATHERS DAY!!!! GOD BLESS.

FAITH, my friendster and MHS Alumni groupmate sent this inspirational short message to me. She’s working in La Metropole ( France lang naman po! ) . Just like most of our ‘kababayans’ overseas who whine with home sickness, this beautiful, morena lady from Pampanga and Rachael Leigh look-alike “seems” to brushoff all the discomforts of longing for home. Mukhang napakasayahing tao kasi! Thank you so much Faith and the rest of the people who find time to visit my site and read my publication of personal thoughts. “La liberte nous a été donnée pour exprimer notre pensée”. Ingat ka jan and God Bless you always!

INDEPENDENCE DAY: Are We Really Free?

At dawn of April 27, 1521, Megellan invaded Mactan, a bloody battle ensued . Lapu-Lapu killed Magellan. For the next 54 years no alien dared to set foot on our soil; Malolos, June 23, 1899, the first Phillipine Republic was inaugurated at Barasoin Church marking the birth of Asia’s First Republic; 1986 Ferdinand Marcos was ousted by People Power Revolution at EDSA - - - these were the chapters of our freedom. How far our freedom has gone? Are we really free? Everybody loves freedom. Everybody wants it. Is it the right to do anything we want regardless of the impact on anyone else? People protest, hold demonstrations, run naked on streets. write or say anything against somebody . practice own religion, go anywhere they want, insult neighbors, politicians and even the president! One has the power to make their own choice and act upon them accordingly, however, it has to be balanced with order. It doesn’t mean that you can do whatever you want and having no obligations to anyone? They say: One’s freedom stops when other’s freedom starts. Wrong! Freedom should be balanced with certain constraint . Imagine if everyone do what they want would it work? No It would be a total chaos ! Freedom has a different meaning to every single person. Everyone has a different view of what freedom means to them. We can only be free if we let other people to be free as well. . .
Galatians 5:1
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.

MY BEST FATHER'S DAY GIFTS EVER!!!

In the past years the role of the father has been disputed but several researches have established the truth is that the Father’s role is as significant as that of the mother. You don’t have to look over to prove this fact. Ask the mother of any successful family and if you are still skeptical about this, ask the single mother who is strenuously having problems to fill the role of both father and mother. Fathers have always been associated with guidance and protection, a person who can be loved, respected and looked up to. A good provider, a generous spirit with deep concern for the welfare of his kids, wife and family as a whole. Someone who forgives and accepts a repentant son or daughter. Someone who is willing to work thousand miles away not minding the agony of solitude just to give the family a descent living.We often forget the sacrifices of our fathers and the role they have played in our lives. Many times men have been charged of some small group of women who label all men as being burdensome but the truth is - this world is a home of fathers who are responsible, caring, and loving to their wives and children and are loved in return.

Let us remember and give thanks not only our fathers but all the men who acted as a father figure in our lives. None can ever be proud than being a son or a daughter of a father who is so great, so good. . . HAPPY FATHER”S DAY!

I’ve just got a Father’s Day Gift. . . it’s JESSREEL! Together with Caca, Pau, Days, I consider them as my best Father’s Day presents and my best work ever!

Ephesians 6:4
Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

HENRY SAYS . . . "SA 'PINAS LANG MERON NYAN!"

Tama ka klasmeyt sa Pinas nga lang may pandesal but do you know that this bread has similarities with “pan de agua” of Dominican Republic and “ bollilos” of Mexico for the reason that these breads use a lean type of dough and the process of making is the same? The only difference is how people eat these types of bread. Yung “pan de agua” at “bollilos” pinapalamanan at kinakain lang, nothing more. Ibang klase ang pandesal natin, san ka ba naman nakakita ng tinapay na hinuhugasan sa kape o tsokolate then iinumin ang pinagsawsawan? Iba't-ibang experiments na din when it comes to palaman ang naimbeto natin sa pandesal: dirty ice cream, tortang talong, tuyo, bagoong at marami pang iba. The funniest of all the spreads na naibento sa pandesal ay ang sinangag na kanin! Imagine pandesal pinalamanan ng friedrice? Hahahahahah!

Where else do you see people selling different goods in the street all in just a single traffic stop? Itlog ng pugo, chicharon, mineral water, salted peanuts and kasoy, cigarettes and candies, green mangoes with bagoong, roses and sampaguita, vendors would quibble and sell these goods on the street . Some kids would jump into the jeepney you are riding on and try to clean each passengers' slippers and shoes ( without really cleaning it) and end up begging for coins?

Jeepney? Only in the Philippines yan! But I understand, some years back we began exporting this Pinoy ingenuity . In Papua New Guinea we have already exported about 4,000 units with Guam, India and Vietnam as the next export target. Ang galing ano? Ang “Hari ng Lansangan” natin humaharurot na rin sa mga hi-ways ng ibang bayan! Masarap sakyan ang jeep kasi kaysa sa kalesa, pedicab, o trycicle mas matipid at marami kang pang mararanasan kakaiba kapag nakasakay ka dito. Inside the jeep you can see the many types of moods and characters of every passengers. “PARA” ang kadalasang sinasabi pag bababa na ang pasahero. Yung iba tinutuktok ang kisame ng sasakyan o di kaya sumusipol o sumisitsit. Meron din naming mas hi-tech ang dating - yung “HATAK mo HINTO ko”.Ingat lang at alerto kapag ikaw ay nakasakay dito baka pag baba mo wala na ang hikaw, kwintas o relo mo. Pero ang pinakamaganda pag nakasakay ka ng jeep lahat ay willing umabot ng pamasahe sa pasaherong nagbabayad na nasa dulo ng upuan.

At bakit tayong mga Pinoy ang hilig-hilig magdugtong ng kung anu-ano sa ating mga pangalan o sa pangalan ng mga kakilala natin? Kadalasan hayop o bagay ang ikinakabit natin sa mga ito tulad ng: Nardong Putik, Totoy Balisong, Ben Ulo,Nelson Ahas, Eddie Buwaya o Jojo Kabayo (baka mukhang mga hayop kaya ganito ang tawag sa kanila? hahahaha!) Sabagay maraming kakaibang hayop sa atin tulad ng tarsier, butanding (whale shark), tamaraw, Philippine phyton, mouse dear, monkey eating eagle at buwaya ! (oo buwaya marami tayo dito lalo na sa Manila(Zoo)!) Another one is repeating names. This is another innovation here in the Philippines, siguro sa dami ng anak nahihirapan ng mag-isip si nanay at si tatay ng ipapangalan kay baby kaya inuulit na lang , kagaya ng Jek-Jek, Ton-ton, Pong-pong, Den-den, Jem-Jem, Ten-Ten. Yung iba “ door bell” at “busina” sounding pa like Kring-Kring, Ting-Ting, Ding-Dong, Boom-Boom o Pot-pot. Ano bayan!?? Hahahahaha! Sabagay, tayong mga Pinoy mahilig gumawa ng katatawanan dahil masayahin daw tayong tao.Kaya nga sa kabila ng krisis at problema ay napakarami pa rin nating celebrations and festivities at ang pinakapatok dito ay ang Pasko at Bagong Taon. Kaya lang yung mga seryosong events kadalasan hinhaluan pa nating ng kalokohan at kasiyahan. Tulad na lang ng All Saints Day, lamay ng patay, Semana Santa, Misa de Galo at marami pang iba. Tuwing Semana Santa after ng mga pabasa, crucifixions at flagellations balik sa dating gawi ang mga namanata. Nakapwesto na sa kanto at tambayan at umiinom ng basi, tuba, gin, emperador o SMB. Me sasarap pa ba (daw)sa inuman kung may pulutan kang sisig, crispy pata, kilawing kambing, papaitan, chicarong baboy o asusenang aso? Hindi ko naman nilalahat yung iba naman ay talagang nagsisisi at nagbabago at hindi pakitang-tao. Tuwing simbang gabi naman imbes na makinig sa misa si binata itinatanan ang dalagang kasintahan. At saan ka naman nakakita ng All-Saints Day celebration at lamay ng patay na may karaoke at sugal? Speaking of sugal ano ang sinabi ng Reno at Las Vegas sa atin? Kung meron silang slot machines, poker at baccarat meron naman tayong sabong, sakla, pusoy, tong-its, jueteng, kara y krus, palmo, masiao ending at kotong!

Flores de Mayo? Wala sa iba nyan dito lang yan! More than just a show of prettiest ladies and most beautiful gowns, this one has a religious fundamentals, a medley of St. Helena and Constantine search for the Holy Cross that wholly blends devotion, spectacle and worship. Kung nakakaaliw panoorin ang magagandang babaeng sagala mas lalo na siguro yung sagala ng mga matatanda at bakla! Hahahaha!

At eto pa, where else in the world , of all the things, do all people of all walks of life have one thing in common? Sirit na? Ano pa e di cellphone! Almost everyone here owns a mobilephone. No! we seldom use it for voice talk but rather for 2 way text messaging. Kaya nga text capital of the world tayo e! Who knows baka sa mga darating na panahon meron na ring “cancer of the thumb” sa ‘Pinas dahil sa addiction natin sa texting.

The most fascinating and admirable custom of Pinoy is none other that our hospitality. Kaya nga kahit delikado sa atin at infested tayo ng iba-ibang gang at terrorista tulad ng ativan gang, budol-budol, akyat bahay gang, salisi gang, bading gang, abu sayyaf o mga spooky and grotesque creatures like multo, kapre, tikbalang, manananggal, dwende, tiktik plus mga nagrarambulang politiko sa kongreso at senado visitors keep coming back to our place. Our cordial and generous reception to our 'bisitas' is indeed one of a kind. Traveling here means more of building rapport between us and our visitors. Ang ‘Pinas kasi is just like a huge auditorium for tourists who like to watch different shows and festivities. Dinarayo ang ating Moriones at Ati-atihan ng Aklan, Sinulog ng Cebu, Pahiyas ng Quezon, Pintados ng Tacloban, Kadayawan in Davao and many to mention. Ang pagkain natin di hamak na mas masarap at malinamnam kaysa sa iba kagaya ng lechon kawali, pinakbet, la paz bachoy, laing, bulalo , sinigang at mga exotic food kagaya ng balot, isaw, adidas, one-day old, puma, betamax, etc. etc. Isa pang binabalik-balikan sa atin ay ang ating mga beaches. With our 7,107 islands and a coastline twice the length of that of the USA, the Philippines can claim to be Asian Beach Capital. Nakapunta na ba kayo sa Bora, Dakak, El Nido, Siargao, Camiguin at Pagudpud?

Klasmeyt Henry, it makes me smile to think all of these things….. hindi lang pala pandesal ang only in the Philippines, napakarami pang ibang bagay. Nakakatuwa, nakakahiya, kamangha-mangha o kahanga-hanga. Sana lang lang iwaksi na natin ang mali at hindi tama at pagyamanin at panatilihin ang mabuti at maganda.Pilitin nating maging tulad ni Manny Pacquiao, Paeng Nepomuceno, Leah Salonga, Efren Bata Reyes, Django Bustamante o ni Erwin Evangelista ng huwag mapunta sa wala ang pinaghirapan ni Rizal, Bonifacio, Mabini , Ninoy at ng iba pang bayani ng bansa. Kahit nasan man tayo, dito o sa kabilang ibayo, iwasan na lang nating dumura sa lansangan o umihi sa pader at kung saan-saan, but never forget na ipagmalaki natin - - we belong to Philippine species.

MY BLOG READER FROM RED RIVER DELTA

Henry wrote:

jess,

musta na..alam mo ang nagpapawala lang ng homesick dito sa akin sa vietnam pag may mga bago kang mga articles and stories na pino-post..last is "Pandesal". Naalala ko nga tuloy ulit noong bata pa kami sa bahay na sa umaga bilang yung pandesal n dapat mong kainin sa umaga para magkasya sa lahat...heheh.. anyway, yung ang typical na way of living ng mga pinoy.. sharing.

Bigla tuloy akong nagutom ng naalala ko yung Pandesal... ibang klase talaga sa pinas lang meron nyan..

Hehehe..sige jess.. send ako sa iyo ng medyo mahaba habang mail next time.. 2 months na lang ang bubunuin ko rito and hope kita tayo ng tropa..

Ingat lagi bro.. God bless..

This was Henry Angeles Friendster message to me last Tuesday, June 05 regarding my recent post “Pambansang Tinapay”. I am elated! It’s nice to know that my humble writings somehow can assuage the pain and solitude of home sickness of someone afar from his dwelling and family. Ginaganahan tuloy akong mag-isip at magsulat uli! (heheheheheh!) Henry was my classmate all throughout high school and now working as an Engineer in Vietnam. After two months he will be coming home again.Bro. thanks for reading my blogs and pag-uwi mo kita-kits tayo ng mga klasmeyts !

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!