With Fervor Beneath Faith

This is the evening of November 14, 2013, when all the wailing are reverberating and Christmas carols seem to be postponed. Too many concerts were canceled but too many concerts being put up for the benefits of the tragedounts. This is the date when we are suppose to celebrate the birth of a great woman, Carmelita Te Veridiano, my Filipino teacher, but we just cannot do that. This is the day ten years ago when we ate as a group in a chicken soup house in Liliw Lagubna when there was no electricity current at all because of the typhoon. That was ten years ago, when students can roam around the other town despite the presence of a storm.

Today, it is very much different. An archbishop is asking for a day of prayer, fasting and silence after a calamity. International concerts like that of Matchbox 20 and Foxes were cancelled so as not to insult the mourning populace only to find out local communities are organizing benefit concerts as a form of empathy to people who were ruined by the typhoon surge. This happened after a massive earthquake struck the country not even a month ago. These are evident signs of a new world order, of a day after tomorrow scene, of apocalyptic premonitions.

Nonetheless, the magnitude of the storm is something which human science is still trying to explain and figure out. Most of the time it is bringing fear and tremble to my people, some are seeing this as a form of chastisement and others are stoic about this and believe that it is part of the natural order of things. I am calm knowing that Go dis in full control. The picture of a portion of humanity helping each others hands to lift the victims up from the horrors of yesterday makes you feel at ease about it. It is a lesson which we are learning over and over again. First, with Ondoy; second with the March 11 earthquake and Japan tsunami; with Haiti's earthshake; with habagat; with Pablo; with Boh-Cebu quake and now with the aftermath of Yolanda. Humanity has to stand as a race. Nothing should hold us down.

It is the same motto that comes to mind as I recollect the good old story that happened ten years ago. We were a whole batch gathered in Madre Ignacia hall for a career guidance spearheaded by the Rotary Club in Nagcarlan. They spoke about their careers. One of the speakers was Mr. Tubana, our own teacher. They inspired the entire batch of their stories amidst the rain that makes it hard for us to hear them. They answered most of our questions. I can remember how Mary Blanch ask them a question and bringing out her dilemma about what career path to choose. That was the birthday of Mrs. Veridiano. A rainy Friday. And still the group composed of Kevin, Jhoy, Jenna, Relmark, Daryl, Rene and me pursued a hang out after class. To eat somewhere in Liliw together. There was no electricity but still a happy moment for all of us. We are then aware that soon we will separate ways as we face our college lives. Nothing stopped us from bonding with each other. Not even the typhoon threat at that time. Not even the absence of electricity. Not even the consciousness that my Dad will hit me if I got home wet.

That's the spirit. The same spirit rooted in our being as members of the resilient Filipino offsprings. We are going to stand up no matter what. I want the world to know. I WANT my countrymen to remember that. I want us to prove it. I want the world to learn from us. I want to see happy and cheerful Filipinos composed after the tragic moment in our current history. I want us to SOAR!

Two Ambassadress Spotlighted

Ten years after a wonderful experience of bonding with my highschool classmates for an annual retreat, I am writing this essay with all of them in mind; amidst the plight of my own people who were devastated by a massive earthquake in Bohol and Cebu; in the wake for storm alert which is suppose to hit the country tomorrow; and in the height of the senate hearing for the queen of all scams causing taint of integrity and questionable division in the bastion of senate.

Sometimes I want to wonder when will these all end in a country where all my former highschool friends are depending their dreams for a better life in the future. There was one person who asked me last week if I exercised my rights to vote last Barangay election [October 28, I answered no, because I was working that day for a double pay shift. I believed I contributed more for the country by working on that day than voting a Barangay captain and councilors whose impact for the country's growth is not even as large as the OFWs who give remittances almost every day.

Just recently, Sarah Asher Geronimo was named the NCCA goodwill ambassador for music and arts. There were certain objections for her installation. One prominent figure contesting her appointment is Olivier Ochanine, music director of PPO. Here's a quote of his facebook status about Asher...

"Here is a challenge for Sarah Geronimo.

Without searching the internet or any other sources, please answer the following:
1 - What piece(s) is Lucio San Pedro known for?
2 - What country is Gustav Mahler from?
3 - Give us the names of 2 successful Filipino pianists aside from Cecile Licad.
4 - Who wrote the Ring Cycle?
5 - Who wrote the 1812 Overture?

That's just a start. But I'll be very happy if our music ambassador can answer these correctly without searching the internet."

They were actually questiong the capacity of Asher to hold the post.

We also have Jessy Mendiola who was chosen by the Koeran government to be the an honorary ambassador for Korean tourism. “I am very honored and thankful that the KTO chose me as ambassador. The Koreans are very nice to me when I visited their country and they instantly became dear to my heart,” said Jessy.

It is really good that both of these celebrities are being chosen as ambassadors. But I just remember, everyone is called to be ambassadors. Ambassadors of Christ.

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Personally, I have so much of experiences that enabled me to grow happy and wise. October 27, one of those which really stand as my favorite as I commemorate previous events in the past that happened on that date.

October 30 was Katriz' birthday and I went to Laguna so as to give her my supposed gift and to reunite with my family for the All Saints Day. I wasn't able to give her the gift because of my busy schedule

October 31 became a great day compensating the remorse of 30. We went to San Pablo to treat my Mom and we were with Lorraine who enjoyed the trip also as we ate in Jollibee and bought Aizee my graduation gift.

The concert of Libera happened on October 29 and it had a repeat in Cebu. Just a day ago, One Republic had their concert in Araneta and tomorrow is the scheduled concert of Matchbox 20 which is also the birthday of Charry Vane. There is a news that the cocnert will be cancelled due to the storm. Enrique Gil, the dance prodigy of Star Magic will have his first ever dance concert in Araneta exactly on JS' birthday. They are really making his name big.

But as I am writing all these, two songs occupy my mind in a sentimental way---Zedd and Hayley William's "Stay The Night" and Bruno Mars' "Gorilla"

and so I sing....

After Fox Says It

October 25 always proves best with all the lovely experiences that it presents. I had the day covered. The rest of the month is also good knowing that it enabled me to pursue friendship and acquaintances in the highest fashion.

October 24, It was a Thursday when the height of celebrating friendship began. We went to Klangs place as I made up for the other night's absence. I didn't drink while she is in the house last Wednesday. Well, that was after we went to PMMS. That was also my first to enter the college and see how everything else is going on inside. That is because it's enrollment week. I have seen where Aizee, Gino and Kyle are spending most of their academic days. All flipped into memories as they leave the college behind and enter a new phase of life.

Going back to the overnight stay in Klang's house, here are photos of that wonderful night with friends. And this caused my head to ache the next day.

The next day I spent time naman with Ismael and Khristine as we shop around Festival Mall and ate in there too. That's wonderful experience.

Would like to greet Kristine Dote too as she celebrates her birthday today. I also would like to turn back the pages of this blog to October 25 2010 and see what's in there. We had fun in the river wit my old friends.

October 25 wouldn't be this great if I don't remember what happened in 2005. The day my barkada became complete and the day I met Lara after a long time of wait.

This is October 25. Also the birthdate of my Ate Jovy. How will we ever celebrate it less dramatic?

As We Count Days Before Christmas

We just have few more days before its Christmas. Nearly few more days also before the year ends. There are too many foresighted moments that will fill the entire entry if I enumerate them. Some of which had lasting impact on the very next year to come.

Just this Friday, the PMMS group headed by Dexter and Ron celebrated the end of their semester with an overnight swimming in Circle Island in Dasmarinas. I had one of the greatest moments there and even before that as I go back and forth from Manila to Laguna. The day started with me traveling to Manila after attending a mass in San Pablo in honor of Saint Luke.

It is noteworthy that we went to Aizee's place for the first and there we prepared some food which will be consumed at the overnight. I wasn't able to stay longer. Just enough to fill my self with lasting memories. I have to catch the 2am ride and go to work at 3.30am and that is sharp.

There is a lot of happy memories before that. Receiving my first pay and going to SM and Puregold with Ron and Aizee to treat them. To spend quality shopping time with Mom as I buy her the things they need in the residence. That same day as we commemorate Lola's death day.

To watch Quen's movie for this year which is an offering in lieu of the 20th anniversary of Star Cinema. I was so happy I was able to do these all even in the midst of the hectic working schedules. Rain? Not so much of a mess this time.

I have so much in store for November but you see the Holidays are just around the corner. If I get myself caught up in the middle of these events, I might lose the gear to get up. Of course, we remember Mei and the promise of making it up to her once we are getting paid already but regret comes our way as our schedule don't meet to set up even just a date for Mei to congratulate us.

In the end only the way I set the schedule can make up for how anecdotes could be written. It may not be as organized as it once was but definitely more colorful that it was before. And sincerely, I am liking it.

Brilliant Musing

I am writing this today Monday
October 14 2013
at 9.31 pm RP time
Las Piñas City


Today I just receive my first pay. Supposedly the payday must be tomorrow but since tomorrow is a holiday, it was advanced for today. Finally, the feeling of having my own money. I missed this. When was the last time? 2011 was the last time I received my salary for employment. The first one was back in 2006 when I had my tenure in SM South Mall.

Now I'm back to SM South Mall to withdraw on my ATM. I was with Patty, Benson, and Ismael earlier and we just celebrated our first payday.

Honestly, the days are getting harder. Schedules are getting riskier and I know it can't be back to the same way as when I was having my grand hiatus.

My friends enjoyed my treat when I came back home. It is always a celebration at the boarding house. Their classmates are there playing cards and user games on Ron's laptop. Too bad, Aizee is not around today to celebrate the day with us.

Anyway, it is still October 14. Whether I have the money or not, we'll have to celebrate meeting the Empress 9 years ago when I visited her at the old campus. Things are pretty much different now after what happened that day. Nobody ever thought of this to happen. I knew we were separated then by a distance but never knew it would be this hard for the two of us.

For the longest time, I tried making October 14 as special as it can be. 2010 I went to San Pablo just to hang out and celebrate what happened 2004.

Tonight, the day is ending just as any other ordinary day. I didn't put much effort to make it extravagant. It is in my heart that I find the most special and things will fall into places as we follow the ordinary.

When I go to bed later, it will only take three hours of sleep and welcome the new Tuesday as early as 2am. The shift will start at 3.30am and things will go its ways without even remembering how special October 14 used to be.

Wherever she is... She must be full of joy. Never forgetting how special all the days I had with her until now.

Some Highlights For September 2013

I like to begin it with what happened tonight, just tonight. I watched Soapdish band perform in PADIS South Station for the Rock Fest at the Grill. They sang "Ewan Ko" and I suddenly realized that this is also the date when I first heard that song eight years ago. Yes I almost cried. This is like a gift for September 25. I always expect something good to happen every Sept 25. The date deserve to be dubbed as the Day of Serendipity.

I am still staying here in Las Piñas. Today is the birthday of Gino and of course little Lianne but none of them received my greetings personally. I wasn't able to come to their respective birthday celebrations because of tiresome works in the office. The truth is, Gino never had a celebration earlier because he still is sick. How unfortunate that he is sick on his very birthday. Most probably we will move the celebration to another date.

Whence for the professional life, it is probably the main highlight of September. However tiring it may be, the point that I have something to accomplish later and a salary waiting for the month of October makes this things worthwhile. To challenge myself to reach new heights is one that makes it even more exciting. The opportunity to meet new people and befriend them is another savory experience for September.

Watching an independent movie always has an impact to ones weekend or vacation days. I happened to view "Mga Alaala Ng Tagulan" in Gateway Cineplex and I enjoyed it. A lot of criticism can be given to the acting parts of the casts but the cinematography and the quality of presentation can never be outmentioned.

The experience of rain and wetness of roads is inevitable for the month of September. I always have this temptation of not going to work because of the bed and bad weather but I have to believe it is here to stay and be a discourager for every one who wants to improve, may they be students or professionals. All will have this temptation for absence.

At some point I may ask myself why the heck do I still need to work harder. I can just sit and look around. There are lots of people who accept me and love me even without a degree or a profession. I can just go on with life being sustained by people who believes that it is their vocation to support me financially. Still, I continue to fight in a metropolitan forest. I continue to strive and reach my highest potential.
--Because this is something that tells me I am worth the respect. This is part of me building my dignity. It validates me!

One time, as I was walking on my way home, I met a child collecting garbage on the road. He is a chubby one and he doesn't look like a street children or a beggar. He looks like he is from a middle class family and he has parents who are sending him to school. But still he has this cart and collecting trashes from house to house while it is night, raining. There must be a reason behind avoiding starvation. And if that little boy who must be around 10-11 years of age has reason to work at 10pm while it was raining collecting the garbage, then pity me if I don't have one noble reason.

September allowed me to enjoy experiences. More than that, September taught lessons from life. Lessons which will eventually prepare me for that wonderful future awaiting us. If there ever are better ways to culminate September then let it happen. With open arms we are praying for more happiness while learning the value that this new world must cultivate.

Defenseless Against Violence

I know I may be the last person to write about what's happening around for the past days. Still, the thoughts count. For many, the world doesn't seem to be a better place when they cannot open their facebook accounts. Unfortunately, there are issues and concerns that are far more than that. There is crisis in Syria and here at home we have insurgencies in Zamboanga. A promising advertising manager was found dead in Silang Cavite and we are seeking justice for her. Justin Bieber's naked photos leaked in the internet and Miley Cyrus can be stopped from twirking. Seems like everything has gone wrong.

World governments are too busy quelling the military issues that will threaten national and international security but cases of poverty and crime doubled in number for the past week going unnoticed because of these big headlines.

There was a time when hopes are high with the Arab region. 2011 served as a year of liberation and new dawn for Arab governments who for the longest time were slaves of tyrannical governments. The youth, assisted by the social media, turned their nations 270 degrees by giving birth to a new rule. It was thought to be a rule by the people. Now it all looks like shattered dreams of mobocracy.

There was a time when we were so hopeful about Mindanao that we thought end is near for rebels to stop pestering the government. Just last year, the Bangsamoro group and the peace panel team of Malacanang signed a new memorandum of agreement before the Prime Minister of Malaysia for the formation of a new region which will soon be a sub-state. Now MNLF group shows their exceptance of the treaty by firing. The violence is contained in three brangays of Zamboanga. Still, the Department of Social Welfare and Development declared this phenomenon as a humanitarian crisis.

Several political analysts are saying that this happened only to cover up the heat of Janet Lim Napoles issue because the pork barrel saga includes names of senators whose political career may be damaged by the controversy. So before the rope crashed behind the walls, they are cooling it off with a more palpable sensation. What could be worse than political issues but a military one. Something which concerns humanity's safety.

The Vatican called for a one day of prayer for Syria. Amidst the threat of bio-mass distruction, fear of loosing people's lives in a highly diplomatic age is something that horrifies our future. The same thing is true with what is happening with Zamboanga as the Archdiocese of Manila begged the entire Filipino nation to pray for the release of the hostages and cease the battles between the rebel force and the military.

I am consoled by the fact that no one seem to associate this violence to religion. People have learned to respect Islam through the bloody experience of the past. No one seem to discriminate religion of any kind which should be the case indeed. Syrian crisis of today has nothing to do with the Muslims. It is a battle of political ambitions and never of religion. The same is true with Mindanao. MNLF is not fighting for Muslims. They are simply fighting for their ideology. The fact is, Muslim people in Mindanao are calling for the end of this morass.

Perhaps no other news about violence can top this segment than what happened about Kae Davantes, the young account manager of MRM digital group of McCann Phil. who was found dead one morning in Silang Cavite. While reading Kara Ortiga's column I learned that

"She was 25. She worked as a senior accounts manager for the digital group MRM under McCann Philippines. I used to work as an accounts manager for more than a year in an advertising agency, but I continue to surround myself with friends who still do, and the lifestyle paints a picture that is niche, specific and familiar. I do not know Kae, but I find it easy for me to slip into her everyday shoes.

"Her last Friday night, as time-lined through the details obtained by police investigators, would actually look exactly like mine. Hers would begin with a late clock-out from the office at 9:36 p.m. I would leave mine at around 7 p.m. Kae would proceed to enjoy Friday’s hot nightlife in the city, probably enjoying a few rounds of drinks with officemates, a weekly cap-off that is normal behavior in the advertising industry. I waited that same Friday night for my friends (girls still working in advertising as account managers) to finish their work, so we could catch up. Her Friday nights, I would imagine, included shared sentiments about agency life: frustrations about clients, rants about workload, lots of witty inside jokes. Her officemates said that Kae spent a night with them in a bar at the Fort Strip. I met up with my friends at a small restobar in a side street in Makati, one of our favorite after-work places.

"At around 1 a.m., three of her friends reportedly escorted Kae to her car in the Fort parking lot. She would drive off in her metallic beige Toyota Altis at exactly 1:06 a.m., according to police. I would leave with my friends from the restobar at around 2 a.m. We would first see my friend off to her condo unit across the street, and then separate to our respective cars parked somewhere at a view’s distance. The last Kae’s family would hear from her that night would be via text message that she was on her way to their home in Las Piñas. Meanwhile, mine didn’t even hear from me. I received a text message from my father asking me to come home that night, but I didn’t reply. Ninety-eight percent of my father’s texts to me ask, “Where are you? What time are you coming home?” I only reply to him about 50 percent of the time. The rest of the time, he would go to bed without hearing from stubborn old me. But he should find me safely in my bed the following morning, as he would that Saturday, the morning after.

"But that Saturday morning, Kae’s parents would not find her in bed. She would not come home that night, and her family would frantically be filing a report at 10 a.m. on Saturday, looking for signs of her from the Bonifacio Global City Police Community Precinct.

"Instead, her body would be found somewhere else, under a bridge by the riverside in Silang, Cavite; her mouth gagged with a “branded” handkerchief that didn’t belong to her, her hands tied using a car seatbelt. Police believe she was strangled with an electric wire, and stabbed with a six-inch kitchen knife, which lay beside her body. Autopsy results show no signs of sexual assault, and her clothes are reported to have been intact. Her possessions were nowhere in sight."



Violence, a deviance in culture which we all assume to be our safety's enemy. We are moving into a more violence friendly environment. A generation of new violent values. How our value system has gone wrong in the last two decades is evident in what Justin Bieber and Miley Cyrus want to do and portray. But how about justice and peace? We are seeking peace in Syria and Zamboanga. We are seeking Justice for Kae Davantes and justice for what Janet Lim Napoles did with our taxes. It may not be so obvious that some of those who sympathizes with Kae Davantes would want her fate be transferred to Jeanne Napoles, the daughter of the Scam Queen.