Fiesta Fever

It's Fiesta in Tacloban today and as per tradition, the day will be celebrated with parades, food and entertainment of all sorts. And for the first time, I will be going to a friend's house to engage in "pamatron." Well as they say, enjoy the day while it lasts.

From Pilipinas to Filipinas: The Senseless Mockery of History and Prudence

The Komisyong ng Wikang Filipino recently released a memo in which the name Pilipinas will be replaced with Filipinas. According to the commission, the change is in line with the changing dynamics of the Filipino language. I DISAGREE.

While indeed the Filipino language is an evolving language, the name "Filipinas" is just too Spanish, too foreign, and too inappropriate for the way Filipino languages are actually spoken! First of all, the national language of the Philippines is rightly called and spelled "Filipino" to reflect its goal of assimilating all the Philippine languages into its fold as well as adopting many words of foreign origin, particularly English and Spanish. However, the name of the country in Filipino should not be changed to "Filipinas" for the following reasons:

1. Keeping "Pilipinas" is keeping our original pronunciation of the country as it is comfortably spoken by Filipinos. Keeping "Pilipinas" is keeping one of the last vestiges of our history intact. "Filipinas" was never and will never be comfortably spoken by the "masang Filipino."

2. The culture, language, history of the Philippines can properly be called "Filipino" to reflect the dynamism and living nature of our collective past, present and future.

3. The name of the country however, should remain "Pilipinas" to preserve a delicate vestige of ourselves, that is, we really do not have an "F" in any Philippine language. Keeping the "P" is keeping true to our way of pronouncing things, at least on the aspect of our country's name.

4. Finally, I do not believe in the KWF rationale that changing the name of "Pilipinas" to "Filipinas" is in keeping with the dynamics of modern Philippines, indeed, we already did that by calling our language, our culture, our way of life "Filipino." Let us keep that one last vestige of our original speaking nature - that is crucial to provide an anchor for moving on with the dizzying pace of modern life.

The KWF's reasoning on the matter is poorly thought of, lamelessly expressed and frankly, intellectually absurd, not to mention bankrupt.

LET US KEEP "PILIPINAS" but move on with "FILIPINO," our language, our culture, our people, our life.

Tinkering Chimes

chimes dancing
tingling in the air
swaying with the wind
chirping with the birds
yawny afternoon
days slowly folding
quiet broken
tinkering chimes

Secrets to Happiness

I think it is fair to say that everyone seeks to be happy. Indeed, human beings do the things they do to achieve, at least in their views, what for them constitutes happiness. Self-disciplined people are viewed more often with disdain and pity, the average person will consider a disciplined person as lackluster, boring and plain to say the least.

A recent study however revealed that disciplined people are happier than most perceive. The secret lies in not only sense of self-control and the ability to delay gratification, but  most of all, it is in their ability to avoid situations that would put temptations up front in the first place. Since disciplined people, according to the study, avoid situations in which conflicting interests, like say, eating sugary foods and the risk for developing diabetes, they are more at peace and in peace about their lives. By avoiding situations that could create unpleasantnees in the first place, disciplined people have already a happy situation.

This is clearly an eye-opener for me, for indeed, it confirms the age old saying, especially propounded by the existentialist philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre, that life is what we make of it. The philosophers of long ago are indeed right, life is the choices we make.

Four Day Workweek Anyone?

I first started working as a 17 year old college kid. Work, as Marx would put it, is what makes man reach his potentials and enables him to develop himself creatively in the process, not only earning for himself money but most of all, a way for him to create his meaning and his purpose.

A recent article published on CNN.com explored the benefits of a four-day workweek. A company that employs such method reported better productivity, higher output, lesser sick leaves and most importantly, helps retain the best and most committed of employees, male and female.

However, it has its caveats, a four-day work week works best only if it is implemented on a company wide basis, as it leaves others feeling left out and neglected if implemented on a selective basis only.

I could not agree with the findings of the study. I think a four-day work week makes employees prioritize work, improves focus and most of all, ensures a well-rested, highly motivated work force. Why? Simply because employees know that they are given priority and that therefore they are expected to do their best for the time they are at work. Since they work only four days, they can always do personal business on a weekday, say a Friday, leaving them confident and therefore less prone to file false sick leaves just to make that appointment to the dentist for example, or mail that important package to an aunt - especially when post offices are closed on Saturdays.

In other works, a four day work week gives plenty of time for employees to do their personal stuff, attend to family and engage in a longer weekends, crucial for employees with growing families. Such scenarios leave employees therefore with a sense that they are not neglecting other aspects of their lives without sacrificing their professional careers. This in turn makes them more focused at work and less prone to absences.

I just hope that in the Philippines, proactive and dynamic companies will recognize the pros of a four day work week, and how such format can improve company productivity, employee morale and loyalty and most of all, retain quality employees. A boon for both business and workers alike.

Let Me

Let me be
let me crawl like a snake
run like a cheetah
fly like an eagle

Let me be
the thing I love to do
the work I have to do
the adventure I have to have

Let me be
the one that makes you see
the one that makes you laugh
the one that makes your day

Let me be
that thing you want to have
that toy you want to buy
that one you love to be with.

Fiesta Fever in Tacloban City!!!

With the approaching annual fiesta of Tacloban City fast approaching, a lot of activities are causing traffic to crawl to a snail's pace lately. The air is abuzz with fiesta fever as the people and the city government prepare to celebrate this year's city fiesta with shows, parades, bazaars and the like.

I actually can't wait for the Festival of Lights to happen. Unfortunately, last year was not a good year for me as I was not able to witness said event. It was supposed to be its debut appearance. This year though I am determined not to miss the event and will definitely take some pictures to immortalize the moments.

Truly excited!