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The grief and mourning of a nation

The year 2009 is an emotional roller coaster for the whole world brought about by the many significant events (both uplifting and depressing) that transpired during the course of the year. Beginning with the inspiring inauguration of the first black president of the United States, the sad death of the Philippines' master rapper, the continuous meltdown of the world's largest economies, the widespread scare brought by AH1N1, the untimely death of a beloved pop icon and now the touching death of Philippine's mother of democracy that once again sparked the nation's nationalistic spirit. All these events transpired only at the first half of the year, might as well brace ourselves for more to come.

I was born in 1986, the same year when Pres. Cory Aquino swore into office. The same year when Filipinos rose and fought against dictatorship. The same year when the Filipinos defended the country's democracy. So its safe to say that I wasn't fully aware how momentous these events are to us Filipinos, not until today. Not until today that the woman who bravely stood up and lead it all is forever gone.

Tributes to the late president are everywhere. TV, radio, internet, on the streets and in the very hearts of every Filipino. Though its sad that Pres. Cory has left us forever physically, it is heartening to know that she left the country an enduring legacy of democracy and people power. The legacy that was once thought to have been long gone and forgotten, but is now once again ignited by the late President's death.

The nation's unexpected outpouring of love and affection throughout Pres. Aquino's wake and burial is a concrete proof that the revolution of EDSA 1986 is still burning among the nation. I believe that her death is timely. Timely because now more than ever we need to realize and come to our senses that the freedom and spirit we've fought and defended over 20 years ago is slowly slipping in our own hands. It is also a perfect wake up call for the youth who did not witness the historic 1986 revolution to understand and realize the true meaning of EDSA People power. More than the meaning that our textbooks have taught us.

Today, the whole country is in grief at the loss of God's greatest gift to the Philippine society. Pres. Cory will always remain in our hearts because she relived and reminded us of our better selves- our better Filipino selves. But I believe more than anything else her death has served as an eye opening to us Filipinos in this time of selfishness to live up to Ninoy and Pres. Cory's legacy- fighting for what we believe is right and the unconditional love for our own country.

The sad drama of Stainless Longganisa

"Airports are sad places. Its a sad testament to the reality, that no man can stay forever in one place." I hear Ronan Keating say in one of his many interviews in MTV. I agree.

I remember one time, when we drop off our dad at the airport, I saw a woman waiting for her flight. Sitting beside her luggage, she was crying while reading Bob Ong's Stainless Longganisa. the book isn't exactly the type you'd cry about, since Bob Ong's writing is all about Filipino bloopers. Yet from what I saw, I can say that the woman's really sad. Probably another Pinay OFW who doesn't really wanna leave.

Actually, when i was a kid i use to dislike airports too. My dad's an OFW and going to airport means either we're gonna fetch him or send him off. And I hate it when we're going to send him off.

Today, i kind of no longer feel that way. I even look forward going to airports since this time it was I who's about to travel and leave. Although I get sad everytime we drop off dad at the airport and everytime I remember the woman who's crying over stainless longganisa.

Knowing when to jump

Just before the summer ends and the rainy days start, my college girlfriends and I went on our annual summer get together.As usual it was fun bonding and laughing with my girls again as we catch up on what's happening with each other's lives. Although noticeably there are things that we no longer have in common since we now live in our own worlds.

Aside from bonding with my girlfriends, the trip was especially memorable as it marks one of my many "firsts". We challenged ourselves to jump off the sea from the not-so-high cliff we were standing on (imagine: sisterhood of the traveling pants). Although the jump wasn't the most adventurous thing, I'm not exactly the type whom you would imagine jumping off the sea every now and then. It's crazy, ecstatic and kind of childish but really felt good.

Now as I type here in front of my computer I've come to realize that I've done major "jumps" in life. Although most of these jumps are not really that euphoric. I wonder, how do we know when it's a good jump? Was it the moment when it feels good yet you don't know how, when and where to land? Or when you know that you landed safely yet it doesn't feel right?

A Difference (in their own little ways)

These inspiring young people chose to make a difference in a society where many would rather make better of themselves. An artist, a celebrity, a tourism advocate, a youth leader and an ordinary townsgirl taught me that you can get inspiration anywhere and everywhere I just need not to be naive.

Mark Salvatus
This neo-urban planner is my professor back in college and a facebook friend (though I'm not so sure if he quite remembers me well). I use to view him as the passionate artist (he and his friends, who were professors too, hold many art exhibits both in and outside of the school). Its just lately that I become curious on what he does when I saw his updates on FB. With the help of a few clicks on the internet I learned that this guy is more than a cross-disciplinary artist, he uses his art as a way to gather new perspectives (from other artists and concerned people) about the environment in which we move by.

Bianca Gonzales
A celebrity blogger, I've been a follower of her blog ever since my sister has told me about it. I admit that at first I was just reading it for curiosity and chika purposes, but later on got really inspired by her own entries about life, turning boredom into a positive thing and the many advocacies she support. Her views about life is so optimistic that positivity instantly infects anyone who reads it. Sometimes I wonder where she get it and maybe I could have one to.

Carlos Celdran
From the way I see him on TV Carlos Celdran is one energetic man who tries to change the way we look at Manila. Though I've never really been to any of his walking tours, which I hope to join someday, I find him really impressive. The thought alone of reviving Manila through his humor and vast knowledge of the country's history is really moving. Its nice to know that despite how the world looks at Manila (including us Filipinos both here and abroad) there's still people like Carlos who's full of hopes that it could still be the same like its glory days.

Harvey Keh
Not a week has passed that my inbox wasn't flooded by an email from Harvey Keh about the Kaya Natin movement. At first I was kinda irritated and would just delete his messages. But then I realized his messages actually make sense. Most of the young people of today would disregard whatever is happening with the politics and the government. Being an active youth leader, havey keh believes that our government can still do better. What we need are reformed and open-minded politicians. And a more proactive youth who would voice out their beliefs.

Kat Vasquez
My sister and my bestfriend, ate kat is a simple girl with a big heart particularly for the elderly. Her adopted community Better days usually consumes her saturday mornings. At times she would ask me to join her in visiting the lolos and lolas but I would decline since I want to reserve my weekend mornings for a long sleep. I joined her once for their christmas party though. Whenever she visits her many lolos and lolas she would taught them about the latest dance step she learned. And together they'll do their favorite habbit: dancing.

I don't really know these people personally, well except for my sister, but each of them has inspired and touched me without them knowing. Their enthusiasm for the value of life is infectious. And their eagerness to change the world is contagious. Its amazing how they chose to live their lives. This made me realize that in this life our existence is not measured by what we have and what we are but rather what we have done to make our existence worthwhile. And that in the end even if our cause isn't the most glamorous thing in the world, the mere fact that it made you feel contented and you were able to change the world even in your own little way, then that's just the most fabulous thing on earth.

Notes To A Better Me (hopefully)

I read a note from a friend's facebook page (her little handbook to life) and got really inspired to make one for myself too. Hopefully it'll work out.

Please take note that the following statements are in no particular order. It just came out of my mind that way...

• what others think of me is entirely not my business.

• how i truthfully see myself is what should matter.
  

• silence should never equate with being idle.

• do not hold onto the good times. always make time to move forward.

• stop thinking, feeling and acting as if you were always a child. everyone needs to grow up.
  

• never forget to act with reason.

• no one is here to stay and put up with you forever, so learn to stand on your own feet.

• always nourish your creative juice.

• do not be discourage if you have a few friends, remember its always quality over quantity.

• your own nemesis is your very own self.

• strive to learn at least a single thing each day.

• have your heart to be enthusiastic each second, each minute, each day.

• weight nor physical appearance is never a measure of a someone's real beauty.

• childish is a lot different from childlike.

• always take time to pause and re-asses how you've been.

• set aside impossible standards

• its always an easy thing to judge others but it is always harder when they judge you.

• speak out what's on your mind, it will not cost you your life (this one is really specifically patterned for me).
  

The Chronicles of Nya-nyap: The Sea, the Mountains and the Air

No other year (compared to the previous ones) could be adventurously exciting than the year of the rat- 2008. Born under the year of the tiger, I am erratic by nature and yearn to experience new and unexpected things. I was fortunate enough to be able to travel and reach new soil not once, not twice but six times in a year! The year of the rat offered an action-packed travel experience for me as I set foot on different grounds. It was also a year of firsts as it marked my first sea and air travels.

Puerto Galera: Book 1

My first trip to the island draw me to tears- not in joy but in exasperation as our trip was almost cut short by a small misfortune caused by a crocodile man working at the port. The man purposely misguided us with the boat’s schedule so he could earn a small fortune. Anyhow, my “crying moment” was as memorable as my first boat ride. The boat ride was so serene that I instantly forgot I was in a bad mood. We didn’t get to swim though, since we decided to just enjoy the view due to lack of time. Actually, our primary purpose for visiting the island was to look for hotels that could best accommodate us during the holy week because the initial plan was that my family would spend the Lenten season in Gale.

The trip ended well with our mission accomplished. There was another misfortune though, our digicam’s memory card broke and we lost all the pictures we took. Now that’s real bad luck!

Puerto Galera: The Climax

Two months after our first Puerto Galera misadventure my mom and I are back again in the island, this time with my siblings and a cousin for the Lenten break. It’s as if our petty misfortune returned as we lost our hotel reservation. Good thing it wasn’t enough to spoil our vacation. We came to the island with such cheery moods that we just let the bad things that happened pass.

It was also my first mountain hike. I admit I love adventures but I’m not really a junkie when it comes to physical strength. I was so exhausted while climbing the trek, good thing the view at the top is breathtaking. The waterfalls are really astounding. I super über love it. This time we made sure that we’ll be able to capture each moment carefully on cam and never loose it.

Puerto Galera: The Final Leg

As if hitting the jackpot, I was back in Galera for the third time in a row, this time I was with my officemates (previous work). At first I was hesitant to join them since I just visited the place a month ago. I feel like I was so used to the place that I instantly became my officemates tour guide.

Secosana Gang goes to Nasugbu

T’was a memorable summer for me and my girlfriends (girls and girls at heart) because finally we’re all done with college. What else could be the best way to celebrate it than head to the beach! And so we packed our colorful bags, skimpiest swim suits, and must-have sunblocks and splashed our way to the beach. Though a little incomplete, it was still a fun and cherished experience for all of us as it marks the end of our childish student life.

For some of us who were already working we took on our anticipated leave (not telling our boss where we’re really going). We spent the whole weekend doing what we love and do best: laughing and smiling in front of the camera. The trip was another first for me as we decided to arrive and leave the resort through a boat ride (take note: small boat as in fishing boat!). Exciting as it is, still I was so nervous because I feel like the waves wanted to crush our boat. It was so huge and shaky that I feel like I was riding the Anchor’s Away (read Enchanted Kingdom).

The Rat’s Grand Finale: Wow Bohol! Cool Cebu!

Just when the year of the rat is about to end, it stunned me with another pleasant surprise: I‘m bound to step on the shores of Cebu and Bohol! Wow. The part I’m looking forward the most is the plane ride (imagine it was my first plane ride)! Another perk was that I get to travel for free with the new people in my life. It is really a new experience for me. There’s a catch though, I am gonna be using someone else’s name since our flight was booked early last year. I don’t mind I’m still excited about it.

I’ve been to the airport several times but never really got the chance to get in, usually I was just there either to pick up someone or sent them in. But this time its different- I am flying to Cebu. Finally it was my turn to fly, only using someone else’s name. I was lucky enough to get hold of the window seat. I über love the view.

Between Cebu and Bohol, I like Bohol more. The place is astounding, the culture is astonishing, the food is lip smacking and the people are really accommodating. In fact, I’m thinking of settling there someday. Cebu on the other hand is like Manila, except that the people speak Bisaya. We only got the chance to tour the city, which is probably why I appreciate Bohol more.

Another thing that I enjoyed about the trip was the warm company of the people I am with. Though I’ve only known them for a month or so I feel so comfortable and at ease with them. They made the trip really worthwhile.

A hopeful year

As I welcome 2009 I also usher in a new season in my life: meeting new people, clinging on a new career and building on a hopeful, more mature me. Positively, I am hoping that the year of the ox still has a lot of awe-inspiring surprises in-store for me. Already I am looking forward to it.