Ride like the wind
Fearless and adventurous
Dancing with grace
Flying with strength
Caressing tenderly
To kiss the sky
And hug the land
Ride like the wind
Find thy peace.
Lunes, Setyembre 30, 2013
Linggo, Setyembre 29, 2013
It's Good to be Home
After a weekend in Cebu to attend the wedding of a close friend, I am back in Tacloban. It's always good to travel once in a while. It's also good to be back home after a wonderful adventure. There's always some mystical relevance of being back to where your heart and being belongs, it's the peace that you are once again connected with the place you were born into.
Great adventure, short though it may be, and being billeted in a swanky hotel in Cebu City is a plus. Wish I could afford to stay in that hotel everytime I'm in Cebu. Maybe one day....
Great adventure, short though it may be, and being billeted in a swanky hotel in Cebu City is a plus. Wish I could afford to stay in that hotel everytime I'm in Cebu. Maybe one day....
Sabado, Setyembre 28, 2013
Was the Best Man in My Friends Wedding
Today is a very exciting day, a good friend and classmate of mine way back in nursing school is getting married. She asked me if I could be the Best Man, as the original Best Man will not be able to make it from Mindanao for the wedding, in as much as I was apprehensive, being that I barely knew her husband, I accepted as I owe her a lot.
Anyway, I had to give a speech, so the wedding coordinator told me. Short may it be, it was to be something meaningful and relevant. Come the big night, I mustered the wits to somehow say the most appropriate things in the least amount of time. I think the crux of what I said was: For the long time I have known the bride, and a short time I have known the groom, one thing is clear, that they both compliment each other both in the similarities they share and in the differences they have.
Glad it was all over, and somehow, I was able to repay back the bride for all I hassled her with. It was a meaningful wedding in that the really important people to the couple were there, except perhaps the bride's uncle, who in a lot of way, served as the bride's father-figure, after losing her own father in a combat fight, her father being a soldier.
Hoping for a blissful and even more successful marriage for the newlyweds!
Anyway, I had to give a speech, so the wedding coordinator told me. Short may it be, it was to be something meaningful and relevant. Come the big night, I mustered the wits to somehow say the most appropriate things in the least amount of time. I think the crux of what I said was: For the long time I have known the bride, and a short time I have known the groom, one thing is clear, that they both compliment each other both in the similarities they share and in the differences they have.
Glad it was all over, and somehow, I was able to repay back the bride for all I hassled her with. It was a meaningful wedding in that the really important people to the couple were there, except perhaps the bride's uncle, who in a lot of way, served as the bride's father-figure, after losing her own father in a combat fight, her father being a soldier.
Hoping for a blissful and even more successful marriage for the newlyweds!
Biyernes, Setyembre 27, 2013
The Mark Joseph Solis Imbroglio
The recent embarrassing episode between Mark Joseph Solis, a U.P. Student who "won" in a photo contest sponsored by the Chilean embassy, highlights the degree of dishonesty in the Philippines. It seems that a culture of corruption abounds well and high, deep and profound, in Philippine society.
Not only did Mark Joseph Solis tarnish the image of the Filipino people, he more than enough affirmed without a tinge of doubt the rotten society and culture of our country. I hate to admit it, but it is about time the Filipino people re-examine ourselves, our society and our future. What do we really want our country to be?
Mark Joseph Solis also highlighted the need to instill in our youth the value of honesty, in all its myriad manifestations. For an educated person to commit such a dastardly act is to expect less of our politicians who are even more, in some cases, less educated. Think Senator Tito Sotto's plagiarism fiasco and you will get the point.
The University of the Philippines should EXPEL Mark Joseph Solis. He deserves the shame he will endure, but he has to learn that in life, integrity is important over and above the blind pursuit of fame and money, especially if such pursuit tramples upon the dignity, rights and lives of others. Yes, I am talking to you Janet Napoles, Jinggoy Estrada, Juan Enrile and Ramon Revilla Jr. and all those who bleed this country to death by greed and selfishness.
Not only did Mark Joseph Solis tarnish the image of the Filipino people, he more than enough affirmed without a tinge of doubt the rotten society and culture of our country. I hate to admit it, but it is about time the Filipino people re-examine ourselves, our society and our future. What do we really want our country to be?
Mark Joseph Solis also highlighted the need to instill in our youth the value of honesty, in all its myriad manifestations. For an educated person to commit such a dastardly act is to expect less of our politicians who are even more, in some cases, less educated. Think Senator Tito Sotto's plagiarism fiasco and you will get the point.
The University of the Philippines should EXPEL Mark Joseph Solis. He deserves the shame he will endure, but he has to learn that in life, integrity is important over and above the blind pursuit of fame and money, especially if such pursuit tramples upon the dignity, rights and lives of others. Yes, I am talking to you Janet Napoles, Jinggoy Estrada, Juan Enrile and Ramon Revilla Jr. and all those who bleed this country to death by greed and selfishness.
Huwebes, Setyembre 26, 2013
Worlds Honest Cities: Breaking Stereotypes
About a month ago, I met someone through a mutual friend who studied in the Netherlands for three years. He said that after having visited Switzerland, he noticed that people there were really honest. If you leave something behind, no one will touch it for days, or so he says.
In a recent article published by CNN, Reader's Digest is said to have conducted an honesty test in 16 cities around the world. The test involved a wallet with an equivalent USD 50 in it, a phone number and some family pictures. Twelve such wallets were dropped in public parks, malls, and other such places. The results: Helsinki, Finland was the most honest, returning 11 of 12 wallets. The least honest, Lisbon, Portugal, were only 1 of 12 wallets were returned - by a visiting couple from the Netherlands!
But really, really surprised me is that Mumbai, India was the second most honest city, with 9 of 12 wallets returned. Did not really expect that from Mumbai. Even more surprising, Zurich was ranked number 13 (out of 16) returning only 4 of 12 wallets! So much for my friend's "honesty" review of Switzerland. I guess Mumbai was way more honest, and that is coming from a developing country. Kudos to the people of Mumbai!
I guess the study reveals more than just honesty, it also reveals that even the over-all wealth of a country like Switzerland does not necessarily translate to an honest populace. And even in developing countries like India, where money is scarce and the competition for resources is high, honesty can grow and is in fact well and strong.
I have hope that in my country, the Philippines, honesty in governance and public service, and honesty even from the ordinary man on the street, has a chance to grow and to spread. My country needs this at this moment in history, were the spate of high level corruption is so rampant, gross and express that it borders on crimes against humanity.
In a recent article published by CNN, Reader's Digest is said to have conducted an honesty test in 16 cities around the world. The test involved a wallet with an equivalent USD 50 in it, a phone number and some family pictures. Twelve such wallets were dropped in public parks, malls, and other such places. The results: Helsinki, Finland was the most honest, returning 11 of 12 wallets. The least honest, Lisbon, Portugal, were only 1 of 12 wallets were returned - by a visiting couple from the Netherlands!
But really, really surprised me is that Mumbai, India was the second most honest city, with 9 of 12 wallets returned. Did not really expect that from Mumbai. Even more surprising, Zurich was ranked number 13 (out of 16) returning only 4 of 12 wallets! So much for my friend's "honesty" review of Switzerland. I guess Mumbai was way more honest, and that is coming from a developing country. Kudos to the people of Mumbai!
I guess the study reveals more than just honesty, it also reveals that even the over-all wealth of a country like Switzerland does not necessarily translate to an honest populace. And even in developing countries like India, where money is scarce and the competition for resources is high, honesty can grow and is in fact well and strong.
I have hope that in my country, the Philippines, honesty in governance and public service, and honesty even from the ordinary man on the street, has a chance to grow and to spread. My country needs this at this moment in history, were the spate of high level corruption is so rampant, gross and express that it borders on crimes against humanity.
Miyerkules, Setyembre 25, 2013
Dexter Ends
My favorite TV series Dexter recently concluded with its 8th season run. I will miss the show forever. Since being introduced to the show by my bestfriend, I have followed through the entire series. Watching it first in 2010 from season 1, I have come to love the show.
The 12th and final episode of season 8 was full of drama and nostalgia, it only deepened mine towards the show as Dexter drove into the raging storm after dropping the already dead Deborah into the Florida waters. Hannah and Harrison are now safely anonymous in Argentina, with Hannah learning of Dexter's "demise" from an iPad news site. Harrison blissfully still unaware. With tears, Hannah invites Harrison for an ice cream as they move away from the cafe they were relaxing on.
Never really expecting Dexter to kill himself for good, the scene ends with Dexter working in a lumber company, most likely Canada, beginning for himself a new life, a new beginning - so as, in his own words, to protect Hannah and Harrison from himself.
What an exciting 8 year run. Truly great show!
The 12th and final episode of season 8 was full of drama and nostalgia, it only deepened mine towards the show as Dexter drove into the raging storm after dropping the already dead Deborah into the Florida waters. Hannah and Harrison are now safely anonymous in Argentina, with Hannah learning of Dexter's "demise" from an iPad news site. Harrison blissfully still unaware. With tears, Hannah invites Harrison for an ice cream as they move away from the cafe they were relaxing on.
Never really expecting Dexter to kill himself for good, the scene ends with Dexter working in a lumber company, most likely Canada, beginning for himself a new life, a new beginning - so as, in his own words, to protect Hannah and Harrison from himself.
What an exciting 8 year run. Truly great show!
Martes, Setyembre 24, 2013
Flooding in Manila: Political Incompetence and Corruption Permeating Politics
If there is one brutal effect that corruption and incompetence brings, it is suffering and death.
Suffering and death is one constant struggle faced by ordinary Filipinos. The chronic inability of politicians to provide adequate infrastructure services to stem the tide of the perpetual floods that have now become a regular feature of Manila during the rainy season is one evidence that corruption is well and alive, as it has always been, in Manila in particular and the Philippines in general.
The inability of good-hearted citizens to stamp out corruption is continuing to drain the potentials of this country and ensures it wallows in an endless cycle of poverty and suffering, violence and wars.
The Philippines needs people who can stem the tide of corruption and incompetence, the Filipino people needs to wake up from slumber and learn to distinguish between reality and farce, between politics and thievery, between sustainable progress and ephemeral development, between what we want as a people and what we want in our future.
We have to want change if change is to come, we have to change ourselves for change to happen, we have to believe we can change if change is to last.
Suffering and death is one constant struggle faced by ordinary Filipinos. The chronic inability of politicians to provide adequate infrastructure services to stem the tide of the perpetual floods that have now become a regular feature of Manila during the rainy season is one evidence that corruption is well and alive, as it has always been, in Manila in particular and the Philippines in general.
The inability of good-hearted citizens to stamp out corruption is continuing to drain the potentials of this country and ensures it wallows in an endless cycle of poverty and suffering, violence and wars.
The Philippines needs people who can stem the tide of corruption and incompetence, the Filipino people needs to wake up from slumber and learn to distinguish between reality and farce, between politics and thievery, between sustainable progress and ephemeral development, between what we want as a people and what we want in our future.
We have to want change if change is to come, we have to change ourselves for change to happen, we have to believe we can change if change is to last.
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