Tonight is my last night in Mindanao. The next time I come back here, it will hopefully be to move and work here already. I take this opportunity now to reflect on what I have learned in my almost two months here.
Firstly, this experience has been an affirmation of what I am capable of. I saw that I indeed can be on my own. I've been given an opportunity to exercise my resourcefulness, my self-suffiency, my patience, and my testicular fortitude. I've also seen that I can fight back and stand up for myself when I am being wronged. I can put up one hell of a fight if I need to. No longer will I allow others to hold me back and take advantage of me. I am strong.
Secondly, as I've been able to be on my own, I realize how great it feels to be independent. The experience of this freedom is outstanding. I've always had the option to be this free. I choose this freedom now.
Third, I've seen that being physically away from the sources of my baggages doesn't completely get rid of my issues. Anger, bitterness, resentment, and guilt that I hold inside follow me wherever I go. This is because the source of these is not really from the outside. The real source is me. I keep myself angry, resentlful, bitter, and guilty. Therefore, it's up to me to choose to let all these go.
Fourth, although staying away from the objects of my negativities doens't resolve my issues, distance does make confronting my inner demons so much easier. Tending to one's wounds is more pleasant when one is not incurring further injury. Thereby, distance does have a very good use.
Fifth, I realize that fulfillment, peace, joy, and everything else of their kind are not results of doing. Instead, these are all functions of being. What one does (may it be work, a hobby, etc.) doesn't matter. Fulfillment, peace, joy, etc. are states of mind (or better yet, states of spirit). It's my choice. I can be all these right now if I choose to, wherever I am and whatever I am doing. It's that simple. So I choose so.
Lastly --- Mindanao is such a beautiful place, especially Davao. It has all the amenities of Manila, minus the petty crimes, the pollution, the over-population, and the fast-paced life. It's also a short ride to the beach and to Mount Apo. I'd love to live and work here. I love Davao!
I had a great time here in Mindanao. I can't wait to come back already.
November 20, 2004
November 16, 2004
stop over
He travels here to there
Always moving
Change is embraced
Change is sought after
He lives and breathes where he goes to
He takes these places in
As they take him in
Yet he never feels settled
Something inside always draws him away
A lot he has found in his travels
But that which he seeks eludes him
He does not know what it looks like
Though he is sure when it is not there
He can smell it
And this trail he follows
The chase
The change
The journey
The wandering
This is his life
This is his choice
What he seeks and what he finds
Where the trail leads him to matters not
Always seeking and always finding
The lost boy pushes on
Always moving
Change is embraced
Change is sought after
He lives and breathes where he goes to
He takes these places in
As they take him in
Yet he never feels settled
Something inside always draws him away
A lot he has found in his travels
But that which he seeks eludes him
He does not know what it looks like
Though he is sure when it is not there
He can smell it
And this trail he follows
The chase
The change
The journey
The wandering
This is his life
This is his choice
What he seeks and what he finds
Where the trail leads him to matters not
Always seeking and always finding
The lost boy pushes on
November 09, 2004
Best ways to make work more fulfilling and fun
1. Take the good with the unpleasant. The "dark" in one's work doesn't get rid of
its "light".
2. Look
a. Look at the whole picture. Always see both positive and negative aspects of
one's work.
b. Look for ways and opportunities that can bring out your best. Look for
aspects in your work that can bring out your passion and zest.
c. Look for the "cute" characters that you meet during your work. There are a
lot of walking caricatures out there. Acknowledge their cuteness and enjoy
watching them.
3. Keep moving forward. Fly full speed ahead.
4. Don't be rigid. Always learn new ways to do things.
5. Be ready to fight and defend yourself while on your journey. Don't let others
hold you back. Fight when needed.
6. Look for people who are in the same field as you are and who are obviously
enjoying themselves with their work.
a. Follow their example. Ask their help and guidance.
b. Draw hope from them.
===========================================================
Thanks to Project Rennaissance for the creative problem solving techniques that helped me come up with this.
its "light".
2. Look
a. Look at the whole picture. Always see both positive and negative aspects of
one's work.
b. Look for ways and opportunities that can bring out your best. Look for
aspects in your work that can bring out your passion and zest.
c. Look for the "cute" characters that you meet during your work. There are a
lot of walking caricatures out there. Acknowledge their cuteness and enjoy
watching them.
3. Keep moving forward. Fly full speed ahead.
4. Don't be rigid. Always learn new ways to do things.
5. Be ready to fight and defend yourself while on your journey. Don't let others
hold you back. Fight when needed.
6. Look for people who are in the same field as you are and who are obviously
enjoying themselves with their work.
a. Follow their example. Ask their help and guidance.
b. Draw hope from them.
===========================================================
Thanks to Project Rennaissance for the creative problem solving techniques that helped me come up with this.
October 30, 2004
Pictorials sa Davao
Gimik with Davao friends two weeks ago...
I'm coming back to Davao next weekend. Samal here I come!!!
I'm coming back to Davao next weekend. Samal here I come!!!
October 25, 2004
a second look at Cotabato
I gotta do justice to Cotabato City. It's not as bad as thought it was. Save for the proliferation of small arms and petty crimes, Cotabato City is actually a fun place to be in.
Cotabato City has all the "basic necessities" that a normal city person would look for.
For one, it does not run short of good food. There is Jollibee, Greenwich, and Mister Donut. It also has its own array of great "native" restaurants. My favorite so far is Manong's where you can buy really nice fruit shakes for P12.00. They also have the best (and I'm not exaggerating) cheeseburger that I've tasted in the whole Philippines. Also, contrary to my first impression, there is night life in Cotabato. Almost every night now I'm out looking for new gimiks here (Yes, I am now able to walk at night here). Just the other night, some of my new friends and I went to the rooftop of Hotel Castro where, to my surprise, there was a bar where bands play (Too bad though that we went on a Wednesday cuz bands only play there on Fridays). Alleluiah!!! Finally, beer!!! It's a good thing too that I'm here during Ramadhan because there is a Ramadhan Buka Fair every night at the center of the town. There is a fiesta every night during Ramadhan whenever the Muslims' fast is broken (trivia: buka is the term Muslims use for "breaking the fast"). It's like an all-night tiangge here.
Aside from restos and fairs, Cotabato also has nice places to visit and see. One nice spot to visit is the centro of the town where the Buka Fair is held. Over there you'll see two pillars with some words of wisdom written on them (too bad though that whoever wrote these flunked his or her elementary Language subject). Here are some examples: One says "To much kindness can kill a child". Another quotes "Be functual even when everybody else is not." Aside from such educational trips, one can also visit spots that are good for the spirit. I got to go the "the Grotto" right outside the city proper. There is a small zoo there with lots of birds I've never seen before. Aside from birds, lovers also flock to the place, kinda like Luneta. The cheeziness stops in the zoo though. Past the zoo, I got to enter the the grotto itself. The grounds are big and there are lots of tall trees. There are fourteen stations here where one can pray. The last station is ontop of a high flight of stairs. As one climbs these steps, you get to see, little by little, a very tall sculpture of a Risen Christ. Very beautiful and very inspiring. It's a nice place to regain one's peace.
The best thing though about Cotabato City, and this I've seen is true for all the places I've been to, is the people. I've made lots of good friends here (both Christian and Muslim) and they've made this place cozier than it used to be for me. I realized that the people here aren't that much different from the other people I know. I don't feel like I'm in another planet. I guess the biggest difference is that I got to make friends with lots of Muslims. I like this fact though because our differences in religion allows us to have interesting conversations. I'm surrounded by fun and kind people.
I think Cotabato City just got worse press than it deserves. It's an interesting and fun place. It has a way of growing on you.
Cotabato City has all the "basic necessities" that a normal city person would look for.
For one, it does not run short of good food. There is Jollibee, Greenwich, and Mister Donut. It also has its own array of great "native" restaurants. My favorite so far is Manong's where you can buy really nice fruit shakes for P12.00. They also have the best (and I'm not exaggerating) cheeseburger that I've tasted in the whole Philippines. Also, contrary to my first impression, there is night life in Cotabato. Almost every night now I'm out looking for new gimiks here (Yes, I am now able to walk at night here). Just the other night, some of my new friends and I went to the rooftop of Hotel Castro where, to my surprise, there was a bar where bands play (Too bad though that we went on a Wednesday cuz bands only play there on Fridays). Alleluiah!!! Finally, beer!!! It's a good thing too that I'm here during Ramadhan because there is a Ramadhan Buka Fair every night at the center of the town. There is a fiesta every night during Ramadhan whenever the Muslims' fast is broken (trivia: buka is the term Muslims use for "breaking the fast"). It's like an all-night tiangge here.
Aside from restos and fairs, Cotabato also has nice places to visit and see. One nice spot to visit is the centro of the town where the Buka Fair is held. Over there you'll see two pillars with some words of wisdom written on them (too bad though that whoever wrote these flunked his or her elementary Language subject). Here are some examples: One says "To much kindness can kill a child". Another quotes "Be functual even when everybody else is not." Aside from such educational trips, one can also visit spots that are good for the spirit. I got to go the "the Grotto" right outside the city proper. There is a small zoo there with lots of birds I've never seen before. Aside from birds, lovers also flock to the place, kinda like Luneta. The cheeziness stops in the zoo though. Past the zoo, I got to enter the the grotto itself. The grounds are big and there are lots of tall trees. There are fourteen stations here where one can pray. The last station is ontop of a high flight of stairs. As one climbs these steps, you get to see, little by little, a very tall sculpture of a Risen Christ. Very beautiful and very inspiring. It's a nice place to regain one's peace.
The best thing though about Cotabato City, and this I've seen is true for all the places I've been to, is the people. I've made lots of good friends here (both Christian and Muslim) and they've made this place cozier than it used to be for me. I realized that the people here aren't that much different from the other people I know. I don't feel like I'm in another planet. I guess the biggest difference is that I got to make friends with lots of Muslims. I like this fact though because our differences in religion allows us to have interesting conversations. I'm surrounded by fun and kind people.
I think Cotabato City just got worse press than it deserves. It's an interesting and fun place. It has a way of growing on you.
October 14, 2004
relevance of fasting
In a few days, Ramadhan will begin, commencing a month-long observance of prayer and fasting for the Islam world. In this relation, my Muslim teammate Bax (who happens to be a Maguindanaoan Datu) and I had a conversation about the celebration, particularly the rationale behind the practice of fasting.
I used to think that fasting was one of those midieval ways of getting Allah's favor through pointless sacrifice, but Bax explained that it wasn't. Fasting, firstly, was a means of cleansing from physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual toxins. It's basically a wholistic detox. It's an opportunity for Muslims to get "excesses" off their system. During prescribed periods of the day, they avoid food, vices, sex, and impure and violent thoughts. For a month, Muslims live almost without these.
This presents the second, and perhaps more important reason for fasting: Praying and fasting for a month gives us a picture of a life style that we are all capable of. In the simplest sense, if we can do without excesses and yet remain prayerful for a whole month, why not be like that for the rest of our lives? In the end, the practice of living with so little shows us the things that truly matter.
-----------
I'm experiencing a kind of fasting nowadays. I'm living in a boarding house. No aircon. No Playstation 2. No maid to cook or do my laundry for me. No old barkada. No nightlife. No salary.
This experience has given me the opportunity to see what I do have. I have myself. I have Christ. I have the knowledge that I am loved. I also have the numerous opportunities this experience brings me. All these, for me, are priceless.
I used to think that fasting was one of those midieval ways of getting Allah's favor through pointless sacrifice, but Bax explained that it wasn't. Fasting, firstly, was a means of cleansing from physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual toxins. It's basically a wholistic detox. It's an opportunity for Muslims to get "excesses" off their system. During prescribed periods of the day, they avoid food, vices, sex, and impure and violent thoughts. For a month, Muslims live almost without these.
This presents the second, and perhaps more important reason for fasting: Praying and fasting for a month gives us a picture of a life style that we are all capable of. In the simplest sense, if we can do without excesses and yet remain prayerful for a whole month, why not be like that for the rest of our lives? In the end, the practice of living with so little shows us the things that truly matter.
-----------
I'm experiencing a kind of fasting nowadays. I'm living in a boarding house. No aircon. No Playstation 2. No maid to cook or do my laundry for me. No old barkada. No nightlife. No salary.
This experience has given me the opportunity to see what I do have. I have myself. I have Christ. I have the knowledge that I am loved. I also have the numerous opportunities this experience brings me. All these, for me, are priceless.
October 13, 2004
Great spirits and mediocre minds
I saw this quote about Einstein a while ago, "Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds."
I thought of a question regarding this: If you're experiencing violent opposition now, how do you know if you're a great spirit or if you're ideas are just really bad?
I ask this in relation to my boss. Simply put... ang dami na niyang nakakaaway dito. As in pati kami na field team niya naaasar na ng todo sa kanya. I met with some of our board members and I found out na ang dami nang naiinis sa boss ko. I for one was almost (as in!) almost gonna pack my bags and leave already kanina. Buti na lang pinigilan ako ng team leader namin dito. My boss just rubs me and other people off the wrong way. He bosses us all around but he's never done area work before (thereby many of his prescribed methods are not realistic and appropriate). Instead of becoming a project officer (which I thought I'd be doing), nagiging referee ako dito between him and our team leader.
Anyway, I acknowledge na visionary nga siya. Maganda ang vision niya, especially in terms of promoting a culture of nonviolence. He however, lacks the know-how as to achieving this vision. He also has attitudes that are contrasting to this vision (such as his attitude of not consulting us about the process and instead just making arbitrary decisions himself. Yan tuloy, ang dami nagagalit).
I can see from previous conversations with my boss that he feels that he's a man with a great vision. Perhaps he is, but being a visionary, for me, doesn't make one a great leader. The big difference I guess is with the willingness to truly listen. Without this, people with great visions turn into dictators.
A good leader is one who has both competence and character. My boss is starting to turn out as lacking in both departments. This is quickly becoming a point of concern for me.
October 08, 2004
first days in Cotabato
Cotabato City is such an interesting place.
I can't walk on the streets past 8pm. More than 10 people told me to be careful because I look like a foreigner. I can't go around town alone. Residents find it normal when someone gets murdered. I'm encouraged to talk Tagalog while walking so I won't be mistaken for a foreigner. The very people whg live here say that this is a lawless city. I'm told to only travel by day. I'm in my boarding house by 7pm. There is no night life here. The closest to night life here is the Videoke Channel. Etc...Etc...
I feel like I'm in a spaghetti western movie.
I can't walk on the streets past 8pm. More than 10 people told me to be careful because I look like a foreigner. I can't go around town alone. Residents find it normal when someone gets murdered. I'm encouraged to talk Tagalog while walking so I won't be mistaken for a foreigner. The very people whg live here say that this is a lawless city. I'm told to only travel by day. I'm in my boarding house by 7pm. There is no night life here. The closest to night life here is the Videoke Channel. Etc...Etc...
I feel like I'm in a spaghetti western movie.
October 07, 2004
tindahan ni aling nena
Walang exaj. Katulad talaga siya nung song ng Eraserheads.
Eatery siya (which makes it a step higher than a carinderia)sa harap ng boarding house ko. Halos lahat ng meals ko dun ako kumakain kasi wala nang ibang makakainan sa vicinity. OK lang ang pagkain. P40 lang, busog na busog na ako. Nakakuwentuhan ko din si Aling Nena. OK din siya. Pero hindi dahil dito kaya enjoy ako kumain dun.
Hindi ko alam kung ano ang pangalan niya. Hindi ko nga sigurado ang relation niya kay Aling Nena. Ang sure ko lang ay dun din siya nakatira.
Naalala ko nung una ko siyang makita. Medyo mestiza, konting singkit, slim, at mahugis. Nakasuot pa siya ng shirt na mukhang daster (There's just something about a cute probinsyana in a daster that does it for me). Naaalala ko yun mga unang sinabi niya sa akin, "Sir, mag-isa lang kayo?" (Me: Oo) "Taga saan kayo?" (Me: Sa Maynila). Para siyang na-surprise sa sinabi ko (surprised with a pigil na smile). Ngumiti lang ako, nagpasalamat sa pagkain, at nag-exit.
Haaay.
------
Para talaga akong nasa pelikula (at sana, R18) =P
Eatery siya (which makes it a step higher than a carinderia)sa harap ng boarding house ko. Halos lahat ng meals ko dun ako kumakain kasi wala nang ibang makakainan sa vicinity. OK lang ang pagkain. P40 lang, busog na busog na ako. Nakakuwentuhan ko din si Aling Nena. OK din siya. Pero hindi dahil dito kaya enjoy ako kumain dun.
Hindi ko alam kung ano ang pangalan niya. Hindi ko nga sigurado ang relation niya kay Aling Nena. Ang sure ko lang ay dun din siya nakatira.
Naalala ko nung una ko siyang makita. Medyo mestiza, konting singkit, slim, at mahugis. Nakasuot pa siya ng shirt na mukhang daster (There's just something about a cute probinsyana in a daster that does it for me). Naaalala ko yun mga unang sinabi niya sa akin, "Sir, mag-isa lang kayo?" (Me: Oo) "Taga saan kayo?" (Me: Sa Maynila). Para siyang na-surprise sa sinabi ko (surprised with a pigil na smile). Ngumiti lang ako, nagpasalamat sa pagkain, at nag-exit.
Haaay.
------
Para talaga akong nasa pelikula (at sana, R18) =P
October 05, 2004
Travel to Maporak and Cotabato
Naalala ko yun Maporak nung bumabyahe ako mula Davao papuntang Cotabato last Friday. The travel to Cotabato is not that different from traveling to Maporak, unlike what most Manilenos think.
I guess many of us would imagine that there would be shooting and everything. But from what I saw, it's just like any ride with Victory Liner. People in the bus with me look the same. There weren't any terrorist-looking passengers or anything like that. Just like going to Maporak, I got to watch a movie in the bus.
The scenery looks the same also. It's like in Zambales. Lots of trees. Small houses along the highway. Vast ricefields. Carabaos and goats. I even crossed a river that looks a lot like the wide lahar river you cross right before entering Cabangan.
The only difference really was the checkpoint outside Cotabato City.
There are many things about Cotabato City that is different from what I'm used to. The traveling part though doesn't take much adjustment for most anyone really, especially those who go out of town to places like Sitio Maporak. I never imagined how my work in Maporak would equip me for something like this.
Haaay. Kamusta na kaya ang Maporak…
I guess many of us would imagine that there would be shooting and everything. But from what I saw, it's just like any ride with Victory Liner. People in the bus with me look the same. There weren't any terrorist-looking passengers or anything like that. Just like going to Maporak, I got to watch a movie in the bus.
The scenery looks the same also. It's like in Zambales. Lots of trees. Small houses along the highway. Vast ricefields. Carabaos and goats. I even crossed a river that looks a lot like the wide lahar river you cross right before entering Cabangan.
The only difference really was the checkpoint outside Cotabato City.
There are many things about Cotabato City that is different from what I'm used to. The traveling part though doesn't take much adjustment for most anyone really, especially those who go out of town to places like Sitio Maporak. I never imagined how my work in Maporak would equip me for something like this.
Haaay. Kamusta na kaya ang Maporak…
October 04, 2004
AMAZING RACE- Mindanao
This was my itenirary last Friday. Para akong nag-Amazing Race.
3am - Check in Domestic Airport
4:30am - Departure from Manila to Davao
6:15am - Arrival in Davao
7am - Facilitate breakfast meeting
9am - Ride bus from Davao to Cotabato City
3pm - Arrival in Cotabato City
3:30pm - Late Lunch / Informal Meeting
4pm - Travel to Notre Dame University
4:15pm - Tour of Notre Dame University
4:45pm - Leave baggages in boarding house
5pm - Set up equipment for online conference meeting in
university library
5:30pm - Online conference meeting
6pm - Review materials for next day's area work
6:30pm - Kicked out by librarian
7pm - Dinner at Nena's Eatery (in Tagalog, Tindahan ni Aling Nena)
7:30pm - Settle down in boarding house
8pm - Bath
8:30pm - Haggle with landlord and landlady
8:45pm - Listen to landlord and landlady talk about their son
9pm - Drink Emperador with landlord
10pm - Chika with landlord's son
10:30pm - Finally! Sleep!!!
Total Waking Hours: 36 hours
Wake up time next day: 6am
Area Covered today:
And people wonder how I keep my figure...
------
I'm a peace work volunteer now in Mindanao. I'll be staying here for about two months to support the peace efforts in the region.
3am - Check in Domestic Airport
4:30am - Departure from Manila to Davao
6:15am - Arrival in Davao
7am - Facilitate breakfast meeting
9am - Ride bus from Davao to Cotabato City
3pm - Arrival in Cotabato City
3:30pm - Late Lunch / Informal Meeting
4pm - Travel to Notre Dame University
4:15pm - Tour of Notre Dame University
4:45pm - Leave baggages in boarding house
5pm - Set up equipment for online conference meeting in
university library
5:30pm - Online conference meeting
6pm - Review materials for next day's area work
6:30pm - Kicked out by librarian
7pm - Dinner at Nena's Eatery (in Tagalog, Tindahan ni Aling Nena)
7:30pm - Settle down in boarding house
8pm - Bath
8:30pm - Haggle with landlord and landlady
8:45pm - Listen to landlord and landlady talk about their son
9pm - Drink Emperador with landlord
10pm - Chika with landlord's son
10:30pm - Finally! Sleep!!!
Total Waking Hours: 36 hours
Wake up time next day: 6am
Area Covered today:
And people wonder how I keep my figure...
------
I'm a peace work volunteer now in Mindanao. I'll be staying here for about two months to support the peace efforts in the region.
September 26, 2004
Great solutions to MRT problems (if only they weren't illegal)
Almost everyday now, I've been riding the Metrostar Express (better known as MRT), and I've encountered quite a lot of annoying things about it. Anyway, here are some of these problems and how I, if I had my way, would address them.
-------------------
One of the instances that I have a hard time with MRTs is when I'm waiting for the train. People don't line up properly. They line up horizontally and blatantly stand infront of you even if you were there first. I've often found myself, during these moments, relating with the punks in New York who push people to the tracks in the subway as trains come in. If I was a congressman, I'd make a law giving folks who line up properly the right to do just this. In any case, I don't think I'm the only one who thinks that line-cutting is a crime punishable by death.
-------------------
Another irritating thing is when I'm waiting for the train doors to open and then people start pushing us infront towards the train. It wasn't just one time when I got pinned to the side of the train (right beside the door). This really pisses me off. It's like being stampeded on, except that I'm being crushed upright. Argh! It ticks me off just thinking about it. Anyhow, the last time people did this to me, I found a very effective counter to this ( and I discovered this purely out of instinct). Just as I hit the side of the train, I turned and glared at the people pushing me from behind, and I matched it with a very malutong na "P*@!!!** Ina!!" I never imagined how well this actually works. The idiots actually backed off and let me through the door. This is a very effective technique although there are some things that need to be noted when doing this. First, you have to turn just like Zoolander when he does the Magnum look. And second, you have to make sure that when you glare, there should be a whipping sound coming out of nowhere.
---------------------
The last two problems are very related to each other, therefore, their solutions are connected as well. The first of these two is overcrowding especially during the rush hours. It can get so crowded that I don't even need to hold onto anything while the train runs. I could faint and still remain on my feet. Not far behind when there is overcrowding is the second of these problems --- smelly people. Smelly people I can tolerate, but smelly people in the MRT with me is something else. I make it a point to check myself right before I ride the train, and I'm usually successful with maintaining my freshness despite the long commute. This is why I find myself a little more than annoyed with people who don't bother to freshen up before riding an airconditioned train. It's bad enough my legs are tired from standing in a crowded train, they have to make it worse by making the air unbreathable. What's even worse is when I'm standing beside a woman (it doesn't matter if she's cute or not. although it's worse if she's cute) and then there's someone near me who seems like he bathed in vinegar and patis. His stink reaches the woman beside me and, even if I know I'm still Rexona-fresh, she doesn't so she mgiht think I'm the one who smells. Anyway, my solution to both these problems of overcrowding and smelliness, aside from handing out gas masks to everyone, is to follow what's being done with MRT's older brother, the LRT. In LRTs these days, men and women and separated into different train cars, which lessens the chances of tsansing (that is, until the gay population gets wind of this) . My proposal now is, like in LRTs, that we segregate people in MRTs. This time though, we make the smelly people ride in a separate part of the train. This isn't something new actually. Airports and restaurants (and even schools such as Ateneo) have been doing something like this for a long time now. They call this practice "smoking areas". MRT smelly sections is just a variation, as we are also just isolating the sources of air pollution (Given this thought, perhaps we should also ask smokers to move to the smelly section). Don't think that this is discrimination. This is actually good for smelly people because having other smelly people around them shows them that they're not alone. They would then find a support group of people who share the same problem, kinda like Alcoholics Anonymous. On a final note, this segregation scheme could actually still be improved in one more way. The smelly section car could be rigged to have a trap door on its floor. When the trap door opens, all the smelly people will plunge to their death in EDSA. This is an ingenious plan because, not only will there be less smelly people riding MRTs, but the MRTs will be less crowded next time, thereby solving two problems at the same time.
--------------------
I really do feel passionate about these ideas. This proves two things: First, solving life's problems is very simple; and second, whoever invented human rights obviously never rode the MRT before.
September 18, 2004
a star is born
I am destined for stardom. I am sooooooooo sure of it. The signs are all here.
I didn't realize, until recently that I had so much musical talent. I found that I sing and play guitar well. And what's more cool is that --- I can sing AND play guitar at the same time. The only thing that was really keeping me from tapping into this hidden spring of artictic skill was the mistaken belief that my performances were only supposed to be reserved for the shower.
I first discovered this talent only three years ago. I was coming from a heartbreak and I had so much emotion I needed to let out. It was then that playing guitar and composing songs became my outlet. (Side note: What I realized from this is that the stupider the songs I compose, the more fun I have. I guess that's why I love Parokya Ni Edgrar so much. I have all of their albums... but that's beside the point). It felt good and it felt right to make music. The more often I played, the keener my ear for music got. What I didn't realize then was that, with the improvement of my listening came the improvement of my singing. I was starting to really sing and play.
After this, opportunities for me to perform started presenting themselves to me. There was this time that I was asked (on the spot) to sing and play in one of the conferences I coordinated. It was the first time I got to perform with a band backing me up. There were also lots of other times I got to play solo. It's so fun to play for people. I guess, in a sense, I can relate with the people on TV or on stage. There is just this energy up there that I can't explain.
These days, I've become a little more proactive with my performances. I've now been able to drag my friends into this. One time, my friends Ian, Tonichi, Allan, and I went to Dencio's Restaurant in Capitol Hills. First, we bought ourselves a round of beer, the purpose of which is to take away the restaurant's right to throw us out after what we were about to do next. Right there on our table, Tonichi brought out his bonggo drums and I took out my guitar, and all of us started to have a concert. Although we had some alcohol, our singing wasn't the kind you'll hear from drunk men walking on the streets at night. No, there was blending and there was soul. Too bad I'm nearsighted because I wanted to see if the chicks on the other table were checking me out (Now that I think about it, that's actually a great way to meet chicks. Start playing a few songs then ask them if they'd like to make a request, or better, if they'd like to sing while I play... the guitar, not with them. But that's not a bad idea also). Audience participation is always good. I asked the waitress if she wanted to sing, but she just smiled and never came back to our table.
Last night was probably my best performance ever. I took my sister Janis out to Papa Jek's restaurant. It was her birthday. Anyway, I asked the band if I could jam with them and they let me. I sang and played "Wherever You Will Go" and "Bongga Ka Day", which I dedicated to my sister. The songs weren't randomly picked. The first was a goodbye song cuz I was leaving Manila soon and the other was because Janis is ...well.. bongga. The girl vocalist said she thinks I'm sweet and cute for what I did. She kept on pinching my cheeks like a baby while I was singing. I think she has a crush on me. Too bad though cuz she's not my type. Janis said I really sounded nice on stage. It's like watching Alex Bann perform, but with your eyes closed. I believe my sister. She wouldn't just tell me that just to make me feel good. She's honest, and she doesn't see me with motherly eyes.
I've been taking bolder and bolder steps now with regard to my musical career. I wonder how far I'll get. Now that I think about it, I have the makings of a star. I've got the looks, the wit, the confidence, and most importantly, the talent to be a great performer. Maybe I'll take the next inevitable step now --- forming myself a band. I can think of band names already: The Ron Lorenzo Band, Patatas Experience (PX for short), or P3, short for Pure Patatas Power (in honor of my brother who looks like a potato).
Wow! I'm on a roll. No sense stopping now. Watch out world! A star is born.
I didn't realize, until recently that I had so much musical talent. I found that I sing and play guitar well. And what's more cool is that --- I can sing AND play guitar at the same time. The only thing that was really keeping me from tapping into this hidden spring of artictic skill was the mistaken belief that my performances were only supposed to be reserved for the shower.
I first discovered this talent only three years ago. I was coming from a heartbreak and I had so much emotion I needed to let out. It was then that playing guitar and composing songs became my outlet. (Side note: What I realized from this is that the stupider the songs I compose, the more fun I have. I guess that's why I love Parokya Ni Edgrar so much. I have all of their albums... but that's beside the point). It felt good and it felt right to make music. The more often I played, the keener my ear for music got. What I didn't realize then was that, with the improvement of my listening came the improvement of my singing. I was starting to really sing and play.
After this, opportunities for me to perform started presenting themselves to me. There was this time that I was asked (on the spot) to sing and play in one of the conferences I coordinated. It was the first time I got to perform with a band backing me up. There were also lots of other times I got to play solo. It's so fun to play for people. I guess, in a sense, I can relate with the people on TV or on stage. There is just this energy up there that I can't explain.
These days, I've become a little more proactive with my performances. I've now been able to drag my friends into this. One time, my friends Ian, Tonichi, Allan, and I went to Dencio's Restaurant in Capitol Hills. First, we bought ourselves a round of beer, the purpose of which is to take away the restaurant's right to throw us out after what we were about to do next. Right there on our table, Tonichi brought out his bonggo drums and I took out my guitar, and all of us started to have a concert. Although we had some alcohol, our singing wasn't the kind you'll hear from drunk men walking on the streets at night. No, there was blending and there was soul. Too bad I'm nearsighted because I wanted to see if the chicks on the other table were checking me out (Now that I think about it, that's actually a great way to meet chicks. Start playing a few songs then ask them if they'd like to make a request, or better, if they'd like to sing while I play... the guitar, not with them. But that's not a bad idea also). Audience participation is always good. I asked the waitress if she wanted to sing, but she just smiled and never came back to our table.
Last night was probably my best performance ever. I took my sister Janis out to Papa Jek's restaurant. It was her birthday. Anyway, I asked the band if I could jam with them and they let me. I sang and played "Wherever You Will Go" and "Bongga Ka Day", which I dedicated to my sister. The songs weren't randomly picked. The first was a goodbye song cuz I was leaving Manila soon and the other was because Janis is ...well.. bongga. The girl vocalist said she thinks I'm sweet and cute for what I did. She kept on pinching my cheeks like a baby while I was singing. I think she has a crush on me. Too bad though cuz she's not my type. Janis said I really sounded nice on stage. It's like watching Alex Bann perform, but with your eyes closed. I believe my sister. She wouldn't just tell me that just to make me feel good. She's honest, and she doesn't see me with motherly eyes.
I've been taking bolder and bolder steps now with regard to my musical career. I wonder how far I'll get. Now that I think about it, I have the makings of a star. I've got the looks, the wit, the confidence, and most importantly, the talent to be a great performer. Maybe I'll take the next inevitable step now --- forming myself a band. I can think of band names already: The Ron Lorenzo Band, Patatas Experience (PX for short), or P3, short for Pure Patatas Power (in honor of my brother who looks like a potato).
Wow! I'm on a roll. No sense stopping now. Watch out world! A star is born.
September 16, 2004
I am Fuuchouin Kadsuki
I just took an online test about which Getbackers character I am most alike. The verdict is:
Which GetBackers Character Are You?
According to the test, I am similar to Kadsuki in that I am compassionate, loyal, and would do anything to help my friends. Iam also cheerful and excellent company, and although it’s likely that I have only a small circle of friends, who are very close to me indeed. Like Kadsuki, I'm very resourceful, and can easily overcome any situation with a creative flair. Nevertheless, I should stand up for myself more and not let my kind outlook on life allow other people to push me around.
I'm ok with the results. Kadsuki and I do have a lot in common, especially the fact that I've been mistaken for a girl quite a few times in my life (especially when I had very long hair). I admit, I do have a feminine appeal to me, which when utilized properly, can be very attractive (to women, ok? to women!) .
I've always thought of myself more as an Amano Ginji, cheerful but tough, clumsy but strong, nice but with quite an electric personality, and open yet with a very mysterious past. (Note to self: It's never too late to create a mysterious and shady past)
September 11, 2004
Jeepney Trivia
I had a short chat with a jeepney driver a while ago and I found out some interesting things about jeepney driving.
1. In one day, a jeepney driver gets to do 7 back and forth trips (This particular jeepney driver's daily route is from Fairview to Delta/Quezon Avenue corner Timog. I'm assuming though that all jeepney drivers drive more or less the same distance per route). 8 trips are possible but the driver would have to skip all breaks except for lunch time.
2. Each one-way trip earns a driver around PhP 150.00 (For those of you who are mathematically-challenged, that means it's PhP 300.00 per round trip). The driver has to pay for lots of things though during the day, such as meals, gas, yosi, and Stork. Aside from this, there is a boundary of PhP 750.00 per day (For those of you who don't ride jeepneys for one reason or another, a boundary is the rental fee that the driver pays to the owner of jeepney. Yes, most jeepney drivers don't own the vehicles they drive. That perhaps explains their fearless urban driving skills). So by the end of the day, after all these expenses, a jeepney driver is left with around PhP 300.00 to PhP 400.00. (Hmmmm. That's not too far from what I'm earning from my work right now. Maybe I should consider a shift to a blue-collar career. I mean, the perks of driving all day and eating lots of Stork is very tempting). I wonder how jeepney drivers can feed their families with earnings that little.
We had a nice short chat. Sayang lang talaga at hindi ko siya natanong kung totoo ba na basta driver, sweet lover.
1. In one day, a jeepney driver gets to do 7 back and forth trips (This particular jeepney driver's daily route is from Fairview to Delta/Quezon Avenue corner Timog. I'm assuming though that all jeepney drivers drive more or less the same distance per route). 8 trips are possible but the driver would have to skip all breaks except for lunch time.
2. Each one-way trip earns a driver around PhP 150.00 (For those of you who are mathematically-challenged, that means it's PhP 300.00 per round trip). The driver has to pay for lots of things though during the day, such as meals, gas, yosi, and Stork. Aside from this, there is a boundary of PhP 750.00 per day (For those of you who don't ride jeepneys for one reason or another, a boundary is the rental fee that the driver pays to the owner of jeepney. Yes, most jeepney drivers don't own the vehicles they drive. That perhaps explains their fearless urban driving skills). So by the end of the day, after all these expenses, a jeepney driver is left with around PhP 300.00 to PhP 400.00. (Hmmmm. That's not too far from what I'm earning from my work right now. Maybe I should consider a shift to a blue-collar career. I mean, the perks of driving all day and eating lots of Stork is very tempting). I wonder how jeepney drivers can feed their families with earnings that little.
We had a nice short chat. Sayang lang talaga at hindi ko siya natanong kung totoo ba na basta driver, sweet lover.
September 08, 2004
My take on the Mindanao conflict
Conflict cannot be avoided as there will always be differences between people. Because we are all diverse as human beings, everyone (from individuals to races, religions, and nations) will not agree all the time in terms of beliefs, preferences, and opinions. Conflict will always be there. It is in how we handle conflict when it arises that makes the biggest difference.
In the case of the Philippines, we have become accustomed to seeing one way that conflict is addressed --- through coercion. It is a win-lose if not a lose-lose solution. It is basically a clash of power wherein the goal is to exert one’s will over the other. True dialogue becomes really difficult in this scenario as the parties involved are not open to listen and have a compromise with each other. With this, anger, resentment, and hate are bred because the other side’s needs have seemingly been disregarded. Sadly, both the Philippine government and the Filipino separatist groups are guilty of this. For so long now, this has been the main tool for addressing conflict, and it has not brought us far, if anywhere forward at all. I believe coercion does not really work in the long run as this just creates a vicious cycle of violence. This is where I see our country is right now, inside this vicious cycle. One side hurts the other, and the other hurts back. The bitter feelings are left unresolved so both sides continue to bring harm to one another.
In this light, I propose another path that can be taken, a path that ends this cycle of violence. This is Forgiveness. Simply put, it is saying “I recognize that this cycle only really hurts me. I now decide that this cycle stops with me. I let go of all anger, resentment, and hate.” It is such a simple answer yet, perhaps for all of us, it is probably the hardest thing to do. This is why forgiveness is a process. It takes time, especially if the emotional and physical wounds are deep and have been present for a long time. However, I believe this is the best way to go. Let us note that people who do not hold bitter feelings inside have no need for violence. Furthermore, it will only be after one has forgiven that tolerance and acceptance of each other can begin. Perhaps after this, both the insurgents and the government will see that they do not need to agree of even like each other for all of us to coexist. They would learn to forgive each other, firstly for hurting one another in the past, and secondly, for being different from one another. Forgiveness, thereby is the first crucial step in the healing of our country.
Given all that was said about forgiveness, what can we do now? The following are some points that we can consider about helping the parties with this process: Firstly, provide them a venue to air out their grievances with one another. Help them voice out and release (in a nonviolent way) a lot of the pent-up emotions they hold inside Also, give them opportunities (such as workshops and seminars) to look into themselves and recognize the negative perceptions they have about themselves. I wager that most of the violent behavior they exhibit to others are results of their anger towards themselves. When they have identified their own negativities that is when we can show them the importance of forgiveness and assist them with the process. I know that this may sound like a tedious and seemingly large effort, but we do not need to start big. We can begin from a small group then work our way from there. Yes, this will take time, but this way can last because we slowly but surely change how people think. Slowly but surely we create a culture that forgives, and a forgiving culture is a culture of peace.
I said a while ago that conflict will always be there, but I want to add something else to that thought. Conflicts will always arise, but these do not need to last. Differences will always be there, but we can choose to forgive each other’s differences Forgiveness lets us be free to see what we all have in common --- we all want a life of love and peace. The cycle can end now. So what are we waiting for?
In the case of the Philippines, we have become accustomed to seeing one way that conflict is addressed --- through coercion. It is a win-lose if not a lose-lose solution. It is basically a clash of power wherein the goal is to exert one’s will over the other. True dialogue becomes really difficult in this scenario as the parties involved are not open to listen and have a compromise with each other. With this, anger, resentment, and hate are bred because the other side’s needs have seemingly been disregarded. Sadly, both the Philippine government and the Filipino separatist groups are guilty of this. For so long now, this has been the main tool for addressing conflict, and it has not brought us far, if anywhere forward at all. I believe coercion does not really work in the long run as this just creates a vicious cycle of violence. This is where I see our country is right now, inside this vicious cycle. One side hurts the other, and the other hurts back. The bitter feelings are left unresolved so both sides continue to bring harm to one another.
In this light, I propose another path that can be taken, a path that ends this cycle of violence. This is Forgiveness. Simply put, it is saying “I recognize that this cycle only really hurts me. I now decide that this cycle stops with me. I let go of all anger, resentment, and hate.” It is such a simple answer yet, perhaps for all of us, it is probably the hardest thing to do. This is why forgiveness is a process. It takes time, especially if the emotional and physical wounds are deep and have been present for a long time. However, I believe this is the best way to go. Let us note that people who do not hold bitter feelings inside have no need for violence. Furthermore, it will only be after one has forgiven that tolerance and acceptance of each other can begin. Perhaps after this, both the insurgents and the government will see that they do not need to agree of even like each other for all of us to coexist. They would learn to forgive each other, firstly for hurting one another in the past, and secondly, for being different from one another. Forgiveness, thereby is the first crucial step in the healing of our country.
Given all that was said about forgiveness, what can we do now? The following are some points that we can consider about helping the parties with this process: Firstly, provide them a venue to air out their grievances with one another. Help them voice out and release (in a nonviolent way) a lot of the pent-up emotions they hold inside Also, give them opportunities (such as workshops and seminars) to look into themselves and recognize the negative perceptions they have about themselves. I wager that most of the violent behavior they exhibit to others are results of their anger towards themselves. When they have identified their own negativities that is when we can show them the importance of forgiveness and assist them with the process. I know that this may sound like a tedious and seemingly large effort, but we do not need to start big. We can begin from a small group then work our way from there. Yes, this will take time, but this way can last because we slowly but surely change how people think. Slowly but surely we create a culture that forgives, and a forgiving culture is a culture of peace.
I said a while ago that conflict will always be there, but I want to add something else to that thought. Conflicts will always arise, but these do not need to last. Differences will always be there, but we can choose to forgive each other’s differences Forgiveness lets us be free to see what we all have in common --- we all want a life of love and peace. The cycle can end now. So what are we waiting for?
July 20, 2004
When you remind me Why
Something I wrote a few days ago...
Thank you, dear God, for the times when you remind me Why
Why I am doing what I do
Why I give up so much
I need these moments
When I seem to be moving forward, yet not knowing to where
I need these moments
When I am tired of serving
When I feel what I do means nothing anymore
In these times
You always remind me why
Thank you, dear Lord
For that little boy selling banana-que in Katipunan
For that girl selling sampaguita on the road while the rain was pouring hard
Thank you for that kid who wiped my windshield with his trapo
Thank you for that man sleeping on the dirty sidewalk near Luneta
Thank you for these tears You help me remember, Oh Lord
Why I do what I do
And why I give what I give
Thank you for reminding me
That I do it for them
When You Remind Me Why
Thank you, dear God, for the times when you remind me Why
Why I am doing what I do
Why I give up so much
I need these moments
When I seem to be moving forward, yet not knowing to where
I need these moments
When I am tired of serving
When I feel what I do means nothing anymore
In these times
You always remind me why
Thank you, dear Lord
For that little boy selling banana-que in Katipunan
For that girl selling sampaguita on the road while the rain was pouring hard
Thank you for that kid who wiped my windshield with his trapo
Thank you for that man sleeping on the dirty sidewalk near Luneta
Thank you for these tears You help me remember, Oh Lord
Why I do what I do
And why I give what I give
Thank you for reminding me
That I do it for them
June 28, 2004
Letter to God
Last Thursday, I wrote a letter to God...
Dear God,
I'm in Max's Fried Chicken right now. I kinda have a headache.
I have a meeting in a few minutes. I'm kinda not in a mood to be in a meeting tonight. My head aches. My shoulder aches. My lower back aches. My pain might keep me from being enthusiastic during the meeting.
I've been feeling sort of down in the past few days. Maybe it has something to do with my telling my parents already about my trip to Mindanao.
I don't feel much support from people around me about what I'm going to do. Heck, I don't feel much support from myself right now. I feel like I'm trying to swim upriver, you know?
Did you feel that way, I mean, when you came into this world? Did being God make life easier for you, or did it make it harder?
I'm not planning to save the world or anything. I'm not even sure what exactly I'm doing. I just feel that I need to go away. Something just seems so wrong here. Something seems so wrong with my life.
Did you ever feel this way, or were you always content and fulfilled with your life? What really made your life different from the rest of us?
I guess I just want to know how you handled life. How you handled the pressure. How you handled criticism (Heck, I want to ask you how you handled criticism from your parents, but, I don't think your parents ever criticized you). How did you know what you wanted to do with your life? Were you ever afraid?
I really just want to know --- how human were you? Don't give me those Theology teacher answers though. Give me an answer I can understand.
---------------------------------------
A couple of hours later, I got food poisoned. I threw up a lot, had diarrhea, nausea, then a really high fever.
...
I wonder if that is God's answer to me.
Dear God,
I'm in Max's Fried Chicken right now. I kinda have a headache.
I have a meeting in a few minutes. I'm kinda not in a mood to be in a meeting tonight. My head aches. My shoulder aches. My lower back aches. My pain might keep me from being enthusiastic during the meeting.
I've been feeling sort of down in the past few days. Maybe it has something to do with my telling my parents already about my trip to Mindanao.
I don't feel much support from people around me about what I'm going to do. Heck, I don't feel much support from myself right now. I feel like I'm trying to swim upriver, you know?
Did you feel that way, I mean, when you came into this world? Did being God make life easier for you, or did it make it harder?
I'm not planning to save the world or anything. I'm not even sure what exactly I'm doing. I just feel that I need to go away. Something just seems so wrong here. Something seems so wrong with my life.
Did you ever feel this way, or were you always content and fulfilled with your life? What really made your life different from the rest of us?
I guess I just want to know how you handled life. How you handled the pressure. How you handled criticism (Heck, I want to ask you how you handled criticism from your parents, but, I don't think your parents ever criticized you). How did you know what you wanted to do with your life? Were you ever afraid?
I really just want to know --- how human were you? Don't give me those Theology teacher answers though. Give me an answer I can understand.
---------------------------------------
A couple of hours later, I got food poisoned. I threw up a lot, had diarrhea, nausea, then a really high fever.
...
I wonder if that is God's answer to me.
June 23, 2004
Things you create when you're bored
The other day, our office was having a really boring planning session. So what does one usually do when one is bored? --- Yes. Correct! One writes a poem about Over Head Projectors.
I'm sure you're dying to read it, so here it goes:
(Note: for optimum appreciation, read it twice.)
OH OHP
OHP, Oh OHP
You're so gray and you're so square
How does it feel to be chained to a desk?
How does it feel to face a wall all the time?
OHP, Oh OHP
You love so much to project
Don't project to me
It's good you're so bright
Be careful not to fall. You might break your... glass
OHP, Oh OHP
You're very valuable
You make the small look so big
You help me see the big picture
Isn't it lonely that you meet so many acetates
But they usually "Hi"
Then immediately "Goodbye"
OHP, Oh OHP
You remind me of myself
But please, Oh OHP
Don't project to me
------------------------------------------------
Hmmm... sounds like this'll make a great song.
I'm sure you're dying to read it, so here it goes:
(Note: for optimum appreciation, read it twice.)
OH OHP
OHP, Oh OHP
You're so gray and you're so square
How does it feel to be chained to a desk?
How does it feel to face a wall all the time?
OHP, Oh OHP
You love so much to project
Don't project to me
It's good you're so bright
Be careful not to fall. You might break your... glass
OHP, Oh OHP
You're very valuable
You make the small look so big
You help me see the big picture
Isn't it lonely that you meet so many acetates
But they usually "Hi"
Then immediately "Goodbye"
OHP, Oh OHP
You remind me of myself
But please, Oh OHP
Don't project to me
------------------------------------------------
Hmmm... sounds like this'll make a great song.
June 19, 2004
How to tell my parents that I'm leaving for Mindanao
As many of my friends already know, I'll soon be resigning from my work in JVP in order to pursue my dream of doing area-based work in Mindanao. It's been a long time coming and I'm really excited to do this. I've already started looking for prospective organizations to apply in. One has already offered me a job . So basically, go-na-go na ako. I've been planning this for months now, and most of the people around me know about this already.
There's the rub though, I said "most of the people around me" know about my plan. My parents don't know about this.
I think, right now, they're really hoping I'd go corporate already and get on with the pursuit of fame and fortune which they have always dreamed for me. Of course, that's not gonna happen anytime soon, if at all.
So the question now is, "How do I break it to my parents that they're son is not only going to leave the house, but will be doing 2 things that they strenuously object to, namely: do area work and do it in Mindanao?
My sister suggested some options to me the other day:
1. Make a personalized card where I write "Dear Mom and Dad... Love, Ron". Then there's a picture of me doing a Puss-In-Boots sparkling eyes impression.
2. Take my parents out to dinner. Then while at dinner, I drop the bomb on them "Magtatrabaho na ako sa Mindanao". And then my parents will go ballistic and hysterical "Ha?! Huwag ka magbibiro ng ganyan?... *growl*... Wala kang kuwentang anak!!!... Hindi pala kami importante sa iyo!!!... *flood of tears*... Hindi puwede!"
...
Then all of a sudden, Carlos Agassi comes in with a camera crew and shouts to my parents "Victim!"
...
Then when my parents are just about to believe it was all a joke, I'd whisper "Hindi, totoo talaga."
3. My dad always likes it if we rephrase things. He doesn't like it if we tell him something he wouldn't like to hear directly. So I'll go to my dad and say "Dad, alam mo yun Lord of the Rings diba? Diba si Frodo he had to go off to a far away place in order to fulfill a destiny that will forever define him as a person?"
Short pause.
"Dad, ako si Frodo!"
Perplexed look on my Dad's face. "Ron, hindi ka ba naka-Ecstasy?"
---------------------
Hold the presses! I've just had a Divine Inspiration.
What if my dad suddenly decides to visit my blog now, that'll save me a lot of trouble. Hmmm...
There's the rub though, I said "most of the people around me" know about my plan. My parents don't know about this.
I think, right now, they're really hoping I'd go corporate already and get on with the pursuit of fame and fortune which they have always dreamed for me. Of course, that's not gonna happen anytime soon, if at all.
So the question now is, "How do I break it to my parents that they're son is not only going to leave the house, but will be doing 2 things that they strenuously object to, namely: do area work and do it in Mindanao?
My sister suggested some options to me the other day:
1. Make a personalized card where I write "Dear Mom and Dad... Love, Ron". Then there's a picture of me doing a Puss-In-Boots sparkling eyes impression.
2. Take my parents out to dinner. Then while at dinner, I drop the bomb on them "Magtatrabaho na ako sa Mindanao". And then my parents will go ballistic and hysterical "Ha?! Huwag ka magbibiro ng ganyan?... *growl*... Wala kang kuwentang anak!!!... Hindi pala kami importante sa iyo!!!... *flood of tears*... Hindi puwede!"
...
Then all of a sudden, Carlos Agassi comes in with a camera crew and shouts to my parents "Victim!"
...
Then when my parents are just about to believe it was all a joke, I'd whisper "Hindi, totoo talaga."
3. My dad always likes it if we rephrase things. He doesn't like it if we tell him something he wouldn't like to hear directly. So I'll go to my dad and say "Dad, alam mo yun Lord of the Rings diba? Diba si Frodo he had to go off to a far away place in order to fulfill a destiny that will forever define him as a person?"
Short pause.
"Dad, ako si Frodo!"
Perplexed look on my Dad's face. "Ron, hindi ka ba naka-Ecstasy?"
---------------------
Hold the presses! I've just had a Divine Inspiration.
What if my dad suddenly decides to visit my blog now, that'll save me a lot of trouble. Hmmm...
February 19, 2004
Planning for my new dog
"Planning for my new dog" is how my boss aptly labeled my day.
This and thats about my "Planning for my new dog day":
i. My cousin is giving me a labrador puppy. I'm soooo excited.
ii. The last time I brought up a puppy, I was heartbroken because when he got bigger, he accidentally swallowed a steel nail. That's why it took so long before I was ready to have a new dog again. His name was Mojacko.
iii. My dog's name is going to be "Fujin", named after the Japanese god of wind (or I think that's what it means. or was it god of air? ). I've always had this affinity for breezes and for breathing. Breezes and breathing just make me feel so at peace. Fujin is also nice because my new dog is a girl. It's the first time I'm going to have a girl dog.
iv. I actually have another dog at home. His name is Max. He's a German Sheperd. I can't play with him though because he has "galis". He looks sickly because he is really thin and he has galis. But though he looks scrawny, he's quite an attack dog, which is a good thing. Thank you, Max, for keeping our house rat-free.
v. I wonder how a mix of a German Sheperd and a labrador will look like.
vi. I want Fujin to be an in-house dog. My dad however doesn't like dogs inside the house. I'm still figuring out what strategy to take to convince my dad to let Fujin inside the house. I think what I'll do is let Fujin stay outside first, toilet-train her, then show my dad that my dog is fit to stay inside the house (Dad, if you're reading this, see how much I want my dog in the house?). What I still don't know is where to put Fujin in the meantime. I don't want her to stay in the same doghouse as Max because she might get his galis.
vii. Since I can't be in the house all the time to toilet-train Fujin, since I'm working and all that, and since our maid doesn't seem too excited about doing the toilet-training themselves (ofcourse, who would be?), I'll give her an incentive by offering her P1,000 a month for taking care of my dog while I'm out at work.
viii. It's such a coincidence that the picture for my blog is a dog (well, actually it's a wolf cub but i don't think anybody will notice unless i point it out).
I'm picking up my new dog this Saturday. I'm sooo sooooooo excited!
This and thats about my "Planning for my new dog day":
i. My cousin is giving me a labrador puppy. I'm soooo excited.
ii. The last time I brought up a puppy, I was heartbroken because when he got bigger, he accidentally swallowed a steel nail. That's why it took so long before I was ready to have a new dog again. His name was Mojacko.
iii. My dog's name is going to be "Fujin", named after the Japanese god of wind (or I think that's what it means. or was it god of air? ). I've always had this affinity for breezes and for breathing. Breezes and breathing just make me feel so at peace. Fujin is also nice because my new dog is a girl. It's the first time I'm going to have a girl dog.
iv. I actually have another dog at home. His name is Max. He's a German Sheperd. I can't play with him though because he has "galis". He looks sickly because he is really thin and he has galis. But though he looks scrawny, he's quite an attack dog, which is a good thing. Thank you, Max, for keeping our house rat-free.
v. I wonder how a mix of a German Sheperd and a labrador will look like.
vi. I want Fujin to be an in-house dog. My dad however doesn't like dogs inside the house. I'm still figuring out what strategy to take to convince my dad to let Fujin inside the house. I think what I'll do is let Fujin stay outside first, toilet-train her, then show my dad that my dog is fit to stay inside the house (Dad, if you're reading this, see how much I want my dog in the house?). What I still don't know is where to put Fujin in the meantime. I don't want her to stay in the same doghouse as Max because she might get his galis.
vii. Since I can't be in the house all the time to toilet-train Fujin, since I'm working and all that, and since our maid doesn't seem too excited about doing the toilet-training themselves (ofcourse, who would be?), I'll give her an incentive by offering her P1,000 a month for taking care of my dog while I'm out at work.
viii. It's such a coincidence that the picture for my blog is a dog (well, actually it's a wolf cub but i don't think anybody will notice unless i point it out).
I'm picking up my new dog this Saturday. I'm sooo sooooooo excited!
February 18, 2004
Letting Go
It seems quite a coincidence that so many things with my life right now are revolving around the theme of "letting go". Sometimes, it makes me think that God is intentionally setting things up so that I'll be forced to think about the subject.
Here is one instance. The following is a beautiful piece about Letting Go that a client of ours accidentally emailed to me.
" LET IT GO
There are people who can walk away from you. And hear me when I tell you
this -- when people can walk away from you: let them walk. I don't want
you to try to talk another person into staying with you, loving you,
calling you, caring about you, coming to see you, staying attached to you.
I mean hang up the phone.
When people can walk away from you let them walk. Your destiny is never
tied to anybody that left. The bible said that, they came out from us
that it might be made manifest that they were not for us. For had they
been of us, no doubt they would have continued with us. [1 John 2:19]
People leave you because they are not joined to you. And if they are not
joined to you, you can get super glue and you can't make them stay. Let
them go. And it doesn't mean that they are a bad person it just means
that their part in the story is over. And you've got to know when
people's part in your story is over so that you don't keep trying to raise
the dead. You've got to know when it's dead.
You've got to know when it's over. Let me tell you something. I've got
the gift of good bye. It's the tenth spiritual gift, I believe in good
bye. It's not that I'm hateful, it's that I'm faithful, and I know
whatever God means for me to have he'll give it to me. And if it takes
too much sweat I don't need it. Stop begging people to stay. Let them
go! LET IT GO..
If you are holding on to something that doesn't belong to you and was
never intended for your life, then you need to.....LET IT GO!
If you are holding on to past hurts and pains.... LET IT GO!
If someone can't treat you right, love you back, and see your worth...LET
IT GO!
If someone has angered you..... LET IT GO!
If you are holding on to some thoughts of evil and revenge....LET IT GO!
If you are involved in a wrong relationship or addiction.....LET IT GO!
If you are holding on to a job that no longer meets your needs or
talents..... LET IT GO!
If you have a bad attitude......LET IT GO!
If you keep judging others to make yourself feel better.....LET IT GO!
If you're stuck in the past and God is trying to take you to a new level
in Him...... LET IT GO!
If you are struggling with the healing of a broken relationship....LET IT
GO!
If you keep trying to help someone who won't even try to help himself.....
LET IT GO!
If you're feeling depressed and stressed....... LET IT GO!
If there is a particular situation that you are so used to handling
yourself and God is saying "take your hands off of it," then you need
to......LET IT GO!
Let the past be the past. Forget the former things. GOD is doing a new
thing for 2004! LET IT GO!
Get Right or Get Left...think about it, then LET IT GO!
LET Gods Love, Peace and Blessings be with you always... "The past cannot
be changed.......the future is still in your power!"
This email was a truly welcome accident.
Here is one instance. The following is a beautiful piece about Letting Go that a client of ours accidentally emailed to me.
" LET IT GO
There are people who can walk away from you. And hear me when I tell you
this -- when people can walk away from you: let them walk. I don't want
you to try to talk another person into staying with you, loving you,
calling you, caring about you, coming to see you, staying attached to you.
I mean hang up the phone.
When people can walk away from you let them walk. Your destiny is never
tied to anybody that left. The bible said that, they came out from us
that it might be made manifest that they were not for us. For had they
been of us, no doubt they would have continued with us. [1 John 2:19]
People leave you because they are not joined to you. And if they are not
joined to you, you can get super glue and you can't make them stay. Let
them go. And it doesn't mean that they are a bad person it just means
that their part in the story is over. And you've got to know when
people's part in your story is over so that you don't keep trying to raise
the dead. You've got to know when it's dead.
You've got to know when it's over. Let me tell you something. I've got
the gift of good bye. It's the tenth spiritual gift, I believe in good
bye. It's not that I'm hateful, it's that I'm faithful, and I know
whatever God means for me to have he'll give it to me. And if it takes
too much sweat I don't need it. Stop begging people to stay. Let them
go! LET IT GO..
If you are holding on to something that doesn't belong to you and was
never intended for your life, then you need to.....LET IT GO!
If you are holding on to past hurts and pains.... LET IT GO!
If someone can't treat you right, love you back, and see your worth...LET
IT GO!
If someone has angered you..... LET IT GO!
If you are holding on to some thoughts of evil and revenge....LET IT GO!
If you are involved in a wrong relationship or addiction.....LET IT GO!
If you are holding on to a job that no longer meets your needs or
talents..... LET IT GO!
If you have a bad attitude......LET IT GO!
If you keep judging others to make yourself feel better.....LET IT GO!
If you're stuck in the past and God is trying to take you to a new level
in Him...... LET IT GO!
If you are struggling with the healing of a broken relationship....LET IT
GO!
If you keep trying to help someone who won't even try to help himself.....
LET IT GO!
If you're feeling depressed and stressed....... LET IT GO!
If there is a particular situation that you are so used to handling
yourself and God is saying "take your hands off of it," then you need
to......LET IT GO!
Let the past be the past. Forget the former things. GOD is doing a new
thing for 2004! LET IT GO!
Get Right or Get Left...think about it, then LET IT GO!
LET Gods Love, Peace and Blessings be with you always... "The past cannot
be changed.......the future is still in your power!"
This email was a truly welcome accident.
February 13, 2004
a time of firsts
I like my new policy nowadays to always try to do something new.
1. NOEL CABANGON ROCKS!!!
70s Bistro. Noel Cabangon.
Listening to him just raised my appreciation of music to a whole new level. When I came in, I was in a bad mood because of the Mayor thing in Sitio Maporak. But listenig to Noel was just something else. Watching him on stage really just made me happy (no word can better express the experience). This is a testament to how music truly matters in life because it brings us joy and, yes, hope into people's lives. That means a lot. I guess, sometimes, making someone feel lighter about life even for just a short time makes all the difference. This just proves to me that the job of true artists is not a small thing.
Noel, saludo ako sa iyo!
2. THE NAKED TRUTH ABOUT WENSHA SPA!!!
It was my first time to go to a spa yesterday ---- but what makes my trip more interesting is that, because I haven't been to a spa before, I didn't realize that I went to a whole different kind of spa altogether.
...
COMMUNAL BATH AND SHOWER.
Everyone was naked, so when in Rome,do what the Romans do.
and one other thing... nobody told me that you were supposed to take a shower, go to the hot jacuzzi, then the cold jacuzzi, then lastly head for the sauna. It's not supposed to be in any other order.
--------------------------
All this makes me ask --- Will there ever be a time in my life when there will be nothing new left for me to do?
1. NOEL CABANGON ROCKS!!!
70s Bistro. Noel Cabangon.
Listening to him just raised my appreciation of music to a whole new level. When I came in, I was in a bad mood because of the Mayor thing in Sitio Maporak. But listenig to Noel was just something else. Watching him on stage really just made me happy (no word can better express the experience). This is a testament to how music truly matters in life because it brings us joy and, yes, hope into people's lives. That means a lot. I guess, sometimes, making someone feel lighter about life even for just a short time makes all the difference. This just proves to me that the job of true artists is not a small thing.
Noel, saludo ako sa iyo!
2. THE NAKED TRUTH ABOUT WENSHA SPA!!!
It was my first time to go to a spa yesterday ---- but what makes my trip more interesting is that, because I haven't been to a spa before, I didn't realize that I went to a whole different kind of spa altogether.
...
COMMUNAL BATH AND SHOWER.
Everyone was naked, so when in Rome,do what the Romans do.
and one other thing... nobody told me that you were supposed to take a shower, go to the hot jacuzzi, then the cold jacuzzi, then lastly head for the sauna. It's not supposed to be in any other order.
--------------------------
All this makes me ask --- Will there ever be a time in my life when there will be nothing new left for me to do?
February 12, 2004
on forgiveness
I had recently been updated about what has been going on in my apostolate area, the Aeta community of Sitio Maporak. The Mayor of Cabangan (Maporak is located in Cabangan, Zambales) has always been oppressive (sometimes subtly, sometimes openly) towards the people in Sitio Maporak. Now, I heard he's allowed quarrying near the community. The river along the sitio(which I always enjoy crossing) had almost dried up because of the dumping of sand and rock. There are now barbed wires and bolldozers everywhere around the area. They even almost bulldozed some of the houses in Maporak, among other things.
It made me really upset and angry when I found out about this. This is what I emailed a friend of mine about what I was feeling at that time:
" kuya ubit,
kakabasa ko lang ng update mo. salamat sa update ha.
sa totoo lang, gusto ko nang magmura sa galit dahil sa mga naikuwento mong kawalanghiyaan na ginagawa nanaman ni mayor sa Maporak... naiinis talaga ako.
Alam mo, naniniwala naman ako na "innately" mabuti ang lahat ng tao --- pero
kapag nakakakita ako ng taong lantarang nang-aabuso ng iba, napapatanong talaga ako sa sarili ko kung paano makakagawa ng kung anu-anong kasamaan ang isang nilalang na "by nature" ay mabuti.
haay...
Naalala ko tuloy yun sabi ng isang kaibigan ko, "You have to forgive to be
able to do God's work. It's only in believing in the goodness in everyone that we realize that there really is hope."
...
Minsan, mahirap din magpatawad.
Ron
p.s. sorry kung ang drama ko. "
I pray that God overwhelms Mayor with His love.
It made me really upset and angry when I found out about this. This is what I emailed a friend of mine about what I was feeling at that time:
" kuya ubit,
kakabasa ko lang ng update mo. salamat sa update ha.
sa totoo lang, gusto ko nang magmura sa galit dahil sa mga naikuwento mong kawalanghiyaan na ginagawa nanaman ni mayor sa Maporak... naiinis talaga ako.
Alam mo, naniniwala naman ako na "innately" mabuti ang lahat ng tao --- pero
kapag nakakakita ako ng taong lantarang nang-aabuso ng iba, napapatanong talaga ako sa sarili ko kung paano makakagawa ng kung anu-anong kasamaan ang isang nilalang na "by nature" ay mabuti.
haay...
Naalala ko tuloy yun sabi ng isang kaibigan ko, "You have to forgive to be
able to do God's work. It's only in believing in the goodness in everyone that we realize that there really is hope."
...
Minsan, mahirap din magpatawad.
Ron
p.s. sorry kung ang drama ko. "
I pray that God overwhelms Mayor with His love.
February 09, 2004
3 things that make last weekend stand out from the rest
3 things that make last weekend worth remembering:
1) WELCOME TO EARTH, JOSHUA!!!
Last Saturday, my friends Tonichi, Ysabel, and I visited our friend Ate Edlyn who just gave birth. The baby's name is Joshua. He looks really Chinese, just like his mommy. He kept on drinking his dede and also pooing while we were there. Ate Edlyn says its the most Joshua has eaten. Joshua was probably making "pasikat" because he knows there are people watching. He kinda has pointy ears. I guess the poster of Legolas that I gave Ate Edlyn had an effect on Joshua. Come to think of it, I've never seen a Chinese Elf. I wonder if there are any elves in China.
I told Ate Edlyn that I want to be Joshua's ninong (though I'm not really sure if I really do want to be a ninong right now). I'm also still not sure if I'd feel bad if she doesn't actually make me Joshua's ninong.
This is the first time that I ever visited one of my friends who just gave birth. I almost didn't go in the first place. What got me going was that I told myself it would be nice to do something different for a change. I'm glad I went.
2) THE POWER OF CHRIST COMPELS YOU!
For some time now, I've been having waking up in the middle of the night and I think it's partly because there are mischievous ghosts playing around in our house. I'm not sure if there are black entities in my house, though I've heard that the row of houses right across the street from our house is full of them.
In an attempt to exorcise my house and also to again, do something new for a change, I rounded up our 2 maids and our driver, and set-up a little bonfire in our garden.
I got a small flower pot and stuffed it full of stuff I found while cleaning my room the other day. I filled the liffle flower pot with pieces of paper with prayer points from our CLC prayer sessions, comic strips of me and my friends that I doodled while I was bored during NatSci class in college, some of my drawings that I was keeping, my high school Araling Panlipunan notebook, and other little stuff that I kept because they were in one way or another close to my heart. I decided to burn them as an offering to God --- kinda like burning a ram or something. I used some of the incense I got from Christmas to make the bonfire a little more interesting (and hopefully, scare away evil spirits).
I'm not sure it worked. While we were feeding the fire bit by bit, our maid was telling me about a woman in white with long hair that our boy saw in the garden. I got kinda spooked because I think I saw her too before but I dismissed it as my imagination...... I think it's real. I pray for her a lot nowadays. She's not a black entity so I think she'll welcome prayers for her.
3) "Necessity is the mother of all genius"
Last Friday, right before I got into my car to go home, rain started to pour and so I had to rush inside the car. As I was gonna start the engine, I remembered that the wiper on my side somehow got detached the other day while I was cleaning the car. My dad told me to fix it immediately because I'm gonna need it if it suddenly rains. I got as far as five days before the rain finally caught up with me.
I had no idea how to fix that wiper. But I think it's fix the wiper or else commute home or something. So I got into my favorite GAP sailing jacket and proceeded to attempt fixing my wiper. It was probably around 10 minutes before I thought of looking at the other wiper (the one that was fixed) and see if I can figure out how the this fits into that. After tinkering with this and that, I ended up disassembling the other wiper. The story of my life. IF there's a video record of each time something like this has happened to me, I could probably start my own TV show.
I thought, God was probably having a laugh right now. With that, I kinda joined him and started laughing also. There is really something to be said about laughing at yourself in the rain.
It was a good thing though that I ended up disassembing the other wiper... because I figured out how to assemble it. Eventually, I was able to put both wipers back in place and drive home in the rain.
I'm so amazed at how God sets everything up so I'll come out learning something new in the end. This is one of the small things that show me that things will always workout... even if I can't see how they will.
1) WELCOME TO EARTH, JOSHUA!!!
Last Saturday, my friends Tonichi, Ysabel, and I visited our friend Ate Edlyn who just gave birth. The baby's name is Joshua. He looks really Chinese, just like his mommy. He kept on drinking his dede and also pooing while we were there. Ate Edlyn says its the most Joshua has eaten. Joshua was probably making "pasikat" because he knows there are people watching. He kinda has pointy ears. I guess the poster of Legolas that I gave Ate Edlyn had an effect on Joshua. Come to think of it, I've never seen a Chinese Elf. I wonder if there are any elves in China.
I told Ate Edlyn that I want to be Joshua's ninong (though I'm not really sure if I really do want to be a ninong right now). I'm also still not sure if I'd feel bad if she doesn't actually make me Joshua's ninong.
This is the first time that I ever visited one of my friends who just gave birth. I almost didn't go in the first place. What got me going was that I told myself it would be nice to do something different for a change. I'm glad I went.
2) THE POWER OF CHRIST COMPELS YOU!
For some time now, I've been having waking up in the middle of the night and I think it's partly because there are mischievous ghosts playing around in our house. I'm not sure if there are black entities in my house, though I've heard that the row of houses right across the street from our house is full of them.
In an attempt to exorcise my house and also to again, do something new for a change, I rounded up our 2 maids and our driver, and set-up a little bonfire in our garden.
I got a small flower pot and stuffed it full of stuff I found while cleaning my room the other day. I filled the liffle flower pot with pieces of paper with prayer points from our CLC prayer sessions, comic strips of me and my friends that I doodled while I was bored during NatSci class in college, some of my drawings that I was keeping, my high school Araling Panlipunan notebook, and other little stuff that I kept because they were in one way or another close to my heart. I decided to burn them as an offering to God --- kinda like burning a ram or something. I used some of the incense I got from Christmas to make the bonfire a little more interesting (and hopefully, scare away evil spirits).
I'm not sure it worked. While we were feeding the fire bit by bit, our maid was telling me about a woman in white with long hair that our boy saw in the garden. I got kinda spooked because I think I saw her too before but I dismissed it as my imagination...... I think it's real. I pray for her a lot nowadays. She's not a black entity so I think she'll welcome prayers for her.
3) "Necessity is the mother of all genius"
Last Friday, right before I got into my car to go home, rain started to pour and so I had to rush inside the car. As I was gonna start the engine, I remembered that the wiper on my side somehow got detached the other day while I was cleaning the car. My dad told me to fix it immediately because I'm gonna need it if it suddenly rains. I got as far as five days before the rain finally caught up with me.
I had no idea how to fix that wiper. But I think it's fix the wiper or else commute home or something. So I got into my favorite GAP sailing jacket and proceeded to attempt fixing my wiper. It was probably around 10 minutes before I thought of looking at the other wiper (the one that was fixed) and see if I can figure out how the this fits into that. After tinkering with this and that, I ended up disassembling the other wiper. The story of my life. IF there's a video record of each time something like this has happened to me, I could probably start my own TV show.
I thought, God was probably having a laugh right now. With that, I kinda joined him and started laughing also. There is really something to be said about laughing at yourself in the rain.
It was a good thing though that I ended up disassembing the other wiper... because I figured out how to assemble it. Eventually, I was able to put both wipers back in place and drive home in the rain.
I'm so amazed at how God sets everything up so I'll come out learning something new in the end. This is one of the small things that show me that things will always workout... even if I can't see how they will.
February 06, 2004
Nescafe --- one thing leads to another
A couple of hours ago, I didn't have a blog yet.
I got the idea to make my own blog when I was viewing my friend Tonichi's blog. I wrote a comment on his blog. This is more or less what I wrote:
"Aking katoto,
Ang pagbabasa ng iyong mga isinulat at pagtingin sa mga larawang kinuha mo gamit ang iyong t610 ay parang pagtae pagkalipas ng pagiging constepated ng dalawang araw. Relieving at relaxing siya.
Napaalala nito sa akin na kasama ko ang Diyos habang umiinom ako ngayon ng Nescafe gamit ang aking Kermit the Frog mug.
Natatae ako kapag umiinom ako ng kape."
I thought of making my own blog shortly after writing him this.
I wonder if whoever thought of the slogan "Nescafe --- one thing leads to another" had this in mind when he/she came up with this slogan.
I got the idea to make my own blog when I was viewing my friend Tonichi's blog. I wrote a comment on his blog. This is more or less what I wrote:
"Aking katoto,
Ang pagbabasa ng iyong mga isinulat at pagtingin sa mga larawang kinuha mo gamit ang iyong t610 ay parang pagtae pagkalipas ng pagiging constepated ng dalawang araw. Relieving at relaxing siya.
Napaalala nito sa akin na kasama ko ang Diyos habang umiinom ako ngayon ng Nescafe gamit ang aking Kermit the Frog mug.
Natatae ako kapag umiinom ako ng kape."
I thought of making my own blog shortly after writing him this.
I wonder if whoever thought of the slogan "Nescafe --- one thing leads to another" had this in mind when he/she came up with this slogan.
Welcome to Ron Lorenzo's Blog!
Astig! I have a blog.
Though now, I'm at a loss for words to say.
I guess that's ok though, I'm sure the words will find me in their own time.
Though now, I'm at a loss for words to say.
I guess that's ok though, I'm sure the words will find me in their own time.