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Silent Treatment

I should have left but I stayed. There is no one else to blame but me. I put myself into this mess and now I’m paying the price. Was it all worth it? I’m thinking how I somehow knew this would be a possibility before I jumped into it and took that risk. And how I could console myself with those moments in case this would eventually happen? But I don’t know where to begin making myself feel better. I’ve never been in a predicament as low as this ever. And I don’t know how to get out from it. I’ve been so alone since. I don’t even know what lesson to from this experience. All I could hope for is for something better to happen. But for now, I could do nothing but endure this weight I’m carrying.

How could I even lighten this load? It seems so certain that I can’t just put it down and leave it all behind. I can’t find anyone to hold on to. I’ve lost everyone. I’d really like to think that because I knew you, I have been changed for good. But it’s just so hard to accept it when you know I haven’t.

I need an overhaul; a drastic remake. I can’t go on like this anymore.

THROUGH GOD WHO STRENGTHENS ME, EVERYTHING GOES RIGHT FOR ME; SO THAT WHATEVER HAPPENS, I’LL DEFINITELY ENJOY IT.

Another Time Killed

Call me crazy but I think these are the moments of my life when I have nothing else to do (Oh crap! My lab report..!) but sulk and bathe myself in extreme thought and ponder upon things that just pop in my mind. Christmas break just started and most of the people already went home. Here in the boarding house, the once crowded and busy place soon began to quite down as media players are turned off, television sets shut, and rooms closed and locked. People have allowed themselves, including their very presence, to be carried off with the spirit of Christmas.

It’s hard to follow them when a lot of stuff still lingers in my mind. The Christmas caroling rush of the Glee Club has now ended, and so the nights end so soon awaiting yet another Christmas morning of peace and solitude.

I busy myself with writing blogs and allow myself to explore the inner depths of my mind. A coping mechanism I’ve been using ever since I started my college years although recently, due to non-stop exams, projects, reports and whatnot, my blogging days have unfortunately ceased. Now that the attacks from my professors have ended, I now have more than enough time to busy myself with writing stuff down.

It just goes to show that I’m totally bored and have nothing to do, except perhaps clean my room and other non fun stuff. I could buy me a new PC game, coz I’ve always wanted to try out the latest installment of Need for Speed, I just don’t know if my PC would meet the demands of the game. Soon, I’ll get my chance to play it. Right now, I’ll just squeeze out everything that I could from this not-so-drained brain of mine.

Anyway, just this morning I woke up with a very pleasant dream. Would you believe it? I met my next girlfriend. She’s a friend’s friend whom I met at a friend’s birthday party. She’s about my height, sexy, as in not fat and not even chubby but not too skinny either, with long shiny hair and a very sexy smile. I’ll know her coz she has a younger brother whom I cursed at for doing something I bleakly remember, I think he took a book or something. A book for God’s sake and yes, I cursed him for that, before I realized he was my next girlfriend’s brother. Good job Dick!

At least I felt what I have been missing these past few years. At least at some point of my life right now, that spark still is alive. Another dream is yet to become a reality. I’ll be meeting her soon. And when I do, it will be heaven all the way. She’s been waiting for me as well, and if someone like her found someone like me, then everything would never be the same. Our hearts would take wing and we’d feel so alive. There’d be a new way to live, a new life to love, coz we’ve found each other.

Haha! Sounds familiar. But I’ll console myself with that thought. Now that I’ve been losing hope each day that passes. I would want to find a new light to follow. A new hope to hold on to. At least for now, before I return and become a better me.

Ika nga nila, ang buhay ay parang gulong… Wala lang, parang gulong lang. Gusto mo parang bubong? Sige, ang buhay ay parang bubong… Hehe! Ismayl ka na lang!

Kamatayan at Kalayaan

NAKASALALAY NA KABULUHAN NG ISA SA ISA

Matapos aralin, suriin, at talakayin ang mga pananaw ng iba’t ibang mga palaisip kaugnay sa mga pilosopikong ideya ng “kamatayan” at “kalayaan”, marapat lamang na ating pagkabitin ang magkakawing na mga ideyang ito. Gagamitin natin ang pelikulang “Paradise Now”
[1] ni Dir. Hany Abu-Assad bilang isang halimbawa ng mga konseptong ating tatalakayin. Sa pelikula, makikita natin kung paano nila binibigyang katwiran ang kanilang suicde-bombing. Kinikilala nila bilang martir ang mga taong gumagawa nito dahil ina-alay nila ang buhay nila sa ngalang ng kanilang panginoon, si Allah. Nabanggit minsan na sinabi ng isang tauhang martir na si Abu-Assam (hindi pinakita), “To fear death is to be dead.” Tinuloy ito ng nagkukuwento, “And he had no doubt that death would come soon enough without pain.” Ang mga taong tumatanggap sa tawag na maging susunod na suicide-bomber ay may malalim nang pag-unawa at pagtanggap sa kamatayan bilang isang posibilidad na hindi maiiwasan at hindi dapat katakutan.

Sa pilosopikal na persepektibo ni Martin Heidegger, umiiral ang tao sa mundo sapagkat sa mundo umiiral ang kanyang kakayahang-maging ano
[2] kung kaya’t palagi siyang nakatanaw sa kanyang pagka-maaari[3]. Tayong lahat, kahit piliin man natin o hindi, ay palaging kumikilos sa ating mga posibilidad sa pag-iral. Subalit ang katotohanan ay nagkakaroon lamang tayo ng di-maubos-ubos na pagka-maaari kung tayo ay may buhay pa. Maririnig nating sasabihin ni Suha kay Said ang mga salitang ito, “There are many ways of staying alive… Resistance can take many forms.” Patunay lamang na marami ang ating mga posibilidad at mayroon palaging alternatibong maaaring piliin.

Kapag wala na tayong buhay, nawawalan din tayo ng kakayahang umiiral, at sa puntong ito humihinto ang ating kalagayang may hindi maubos-ubos na posibilidad. Tapos na ang lahat para sa atin.
[4] Sapagkat habang buhay ang tao kulang siya sa kalahatan at kabuuan, at sa kamatayan natatapos ang pagkukulang na ito.[5] Sa kamatayan nakakamit ng tao ang kanyan ultimong kabuuan.

Kaya marapat lamang sa tao bilang tao ang magpakatao sa harap ng katotohanang ito bilang isang “umiiral-patungo-sa-kamatayan,” ayon sa mga salita ni Heidegger. Kailangan natin harapin ang buhay at ang ating kamatayan sa isang tunay na paraan. Ang ating pag-aanatabay sa posibilidad ng ating kamatayan ang tunay na pag-iral tungo sa kamayatan. Ang pagkakabahala, ang paggigipit sa atin ng sarili nating karanasan sa buhay ang nagdadala sa ating sa bungad ng pag-aantabay. Kailangan nating tanggapin na atin ang sarili nating kamatayan at walang ibang maaaring gumanap nito para sa atin, hindi ito maiiwasan kailanman, at ang ating kamatayaan ay maaaring maganap sa kahit anong oras, kahit ngayon.

Kaya ang nararapat sa atin bilang mga taong tunay na umiiral-patungo-sa-kamatayan ay kabisaduhin natin ang ating sarili, ang ating sariling kinalalagyan, ang ating sariling buhay. Tayo mismo ang dapat mag-antabay. Tayo lamang ang mga nilalang na may kakayahang maunawaan ang natatanging kahulugan ng ating mga posibilidad. Tayo lamang ang may kakayahang pumili ng mga nararapat nating gawin at pumili sa mga posibilidad na nailalahad sa atin ng sarili nating buhay. Sa pagtalab ng katotohanan ng kamatayan sa atin, nakikita natin ang totoong posibilidad na buuin natin ang ating sarili, bumubukas sa atin ang tunay nating mga posibilidad, at nakakayanan nating pagpilian ang mga posibilidad na ito ayon sa tunay nating inaasam sa buhay.

“Death is the ultimate individualizer,” ayon nga kay G. Pasco. Subalit kabaliktaran naman ang sinasabi sa pelikula nang magtalo sina Suha at Khaled sa sasakyan habang hinahanap si Said. “In life, there are no equals, we’re only equals in death,” ayon kay Khaled. Sasagot naman si Suha, “You were capable of killing and of dying for equality, you can find a way to be equal in life.” Dito natin makikita kung paano sila tumutungo sa kamatayan. Hindi natatakot si Khaled mamatay alang-alang sa kanyang pinaniniwalaan, subalit sa ganitong paraan, hindi niya rin napahahalagahan ang kanyang mga posibilidad sa kanyang buhay. Tanggap din naman ni Suha ang kamatayan subalit mas mahalaga ang buhay para itapon na lamang. Hindi lang naman kamatayan ang nag-iisang posibilidad, ito marahil ang ultimong posibilidad, subalit marami pang ibang di maubos-ubos na posibilidad at alternatibong maaaring piliin. Kailangan tunay ang pagtungo ng tao sa kamatayan upang maunawaan niya ito ng husto at mabibigyan niya ng saysay ang kanyang buhay at ang kanyang kalayaang pumili sa mga posibilidad niya.

Kung gayon, ang tunay na saysay ng kamatayan ay nakakamit lamang sa ating tunay na pagtungo sa kamatayan na isang pag-aantabay sa posibilidad ng sarili nating kamatayan. At sa pag-aantabay, lumilinaw sa atin ang tunay nating mga posibilidad kung kaya’t dito papasok ang ating pagiging malayang pumili ng mga posibilidad na tumungo rin sa ating tunay na mga pinapangarap sa buhay. Ang pag-aantabay ay isang bagay na gawain ng tao sa paggamit ng sarili niyang kalayaan upang piliin at tuparin ang kanyang tunay na inaasam sa buhay. Ang kamatayan, kung gayon, ay nagkakaroon lamang ng bigat at saysay sapagkat ang tao ay may kalayaan.

Ang kabalintunaan lamang sa mga martir nila ay sa lahat ng mga posibilidad na maaari nilang piliin mas pipiliin pa nilang mamatay na lamang sa pamimigitan ng suicide-bombing sapagkat naniniwala silang ito ay naayon sa kagustuhan ng kanilang panginoon; sila ay bibiyayaan at pupunta sa paraiso sa kabilang buhay. Isa itong kabalintunaan sapagkat sa pagpapatiwakal kinakapos nila ang kanilang sarili sa mga posibilidad nila. May kalaayaan pa rin silang tanggihan ang alok na iyon subalit kalayaan rin nilang tanggapin ito sapagkat ginagawa nila ito upang, sa isang paraan, buuin ang kanilang sarili sa pamamagitan ng pag-aalay ng buhay nila para sa kanilang panginoon, na magbibigay sa kanila ng matinding kagalakan at nang masasabi nilang naihandog nila ang buhay nila para sa kanilang ipinaglalaban.

Ngayon ay kailangan na nating talakayin ang konsepto ng kalayaan ayon sa isang pilosopikal na perspektibo, upang lubusang maunawaan ang bigat at saysay ng kamatayang napag-usapan pa lamang. Ayon kay John F Kavanaugh, ang tao ay umiiral na may kalayaang-sumasabalangkas. Ito ay umaayon sa pananaw ni Abraham Maslow na isang taong dalubhasa sa agham ng isip, na ang pagiging tao ay ang pagiging malay na siya ay nasa loob ng mga istrukturang pilit humubog sa kanyang pagkatao subalit siya ay mayroong pagka-maaaring humuhulagpos sa mga istrukturang ito upang magtanong, magmuni, at humubog ng sarili.
[6] Ang pananaw na ito ay tila isang pagsasama ng lubusang magka-ibang pananaw nina B.F. Skinner at Jean-Paul Sartre. Ayon kay Skinner, ang tao ay lubusang hindi malaya sa halip ang tao, ang kanyang kagawian, ugali at pagkatao ay tiyak at naitatakda ng mga balangkas ng lipunan, kultura, pamilya, relihiyon at marami pang mga bagay na hindi naman niya pinili ng kusa. Ang natatanging pagkatinapon ng tao, sa pananaw ni Skinner ang tanging bagay na nagtatakda at ang dahilan ng kanyang ginagawa sa ngayon at ito rin marahil ang magiging sanhi ng mga gagawin niya sa hinaharap. Sa kabilang dako naman, ayon sa ateistang pananaw ni Sartre, ang tao ay lubusang malaya sapagkat naniniwala siyang walang Diyos na nagtatakda ng tunay na layon ng pagkatao ng tao. Sa pananaw ni Sarte, ang tao ay malayang hubugin ang sarili niyang buhay at pagkatao ayon sa kanyang kagustuhan nang walang anumang hadlang sa kanyang lubusang pagka-maaari: “Man is nothing else but what he makes of himself.”[7] Kaugnay sa pananaw ni Heidegger, ang tao ay nauuna sa sarili kung saan siya ay may kamalayan at may kakayahang makita ang sarili bilang umiiral sa hinaharap.[8]

Ang dalawang punto de vista nina Skinner at Sartre ay parehong may sinasabing katotohanan, subalit sa ating penomenolohikal na karanasan, mahirap paniwalaang ang tao ay lubusang hindi malaya o kung hindi man ay lubusang malaya naman. Kung papanig tayo sa pananaw ni Skinner, hindi natin masasagot ang tanong kung bakit tayo nakakapagtanong at nakakapagmuni ukol sa mga bagay-bagay sa buhay. At alam nating lahat, na kahit papaano, lahat ng tao ay nakakaranas ng kalayaang pumili at magbiga ng opinion at kumento ukol sa mga bagay na ating ginagawa at nararanasan. Sa isang totoong paraan, ang tao ay hindi lamang nakakahon sa loob isang balangkas; kung saan wala siyang maaaring gawin kundi sundin ang mga batas na sinasabi ng kahong iyon sapagkat walang siyang kakayahang suwayihn, baguhin o piliin ang mga batas na iyon.

Kung papanig naman tayo sa pananaw ni Sartre na tao ang naglalahad ng sarili niyang bukal na pinagmumulan ng sarili niyang motibo, dahilan at siya ring nagtatakda ng sarili niyang wakas, hindi natin masasagot kung bakit may nagagawa ang mga lalaki na hindi kayang gawin ng mga babae, kung bakit may mga bagay na likas sa mga taong taga-Tausug at hindi likas sa mga taong taga-America. Sa isang totoong paraan, ang napakalawak na kalayaan ng tao, kahit papaano, ay nalilimitahan pa rin ng mga bagay sa pumapalibot sa kanya. Ang tao ay malaya, subalit hindi siya lubusang malaya dahil may mga realidad na kailangan niyang harapin at tanggapin na hanggang dito lang ang kanyang naaabot. Oo, kaya niya itong palawigin at palawakin subalit, ang tao, bilang sumasakatawan at sumasadaigdig ay isang nilalang na may limitasyon kahit ito ay may tinataglay na napakaraming posibilidad. Sa totoong paraan, ang tao ay hindi Diyos.Sa pelikula, madalas natin maririnig na tumutukoy ang mga tauhan kay Allah, bilang tagapagtakda ng lahat. Madalas nilang sasabihin, “If Allah wills it,” o “It is the will of Allah.” Dito natin makikita ang punto ni Sartre na isang pagkakasalungatan ang pagiging malaya sa pagkakaroon ng paniniwala sa Diyos. Kung susuriin natin, tila tinatanggap nila na lahat ang nangyari, nangyayari, at mangyayari ay ayon sa kugustuhan ng kanilang panginoon. Sa unang pagtingin, maaari nating itanong, “Nasaan ang kalayaan dito?” Sasagutin naman tayo ni Skinner na, “Mismo, wala!” Subalit kung Kavanaugh naman ang kikilatis ng karanasang ito, sasabihin niyang kalayaan naman nilang tanggapin o tanggihan ang mga nangyayaring ito, at may kalayaan pa rin silang baguhin ang mga ito. Si Suha ang patunay dito. Isa nga siyang Palestino, naniniwala sa Diyos subalit dahil lumaki siya sa ibang lugar, nagkaroon siya ng bagong pananaw ukol sa mga karanasan ng mga kababayan niya. Natuto siyang magtanong at mag-isip ng alternatibo; iba pang posibilidad. Makikita natin kung paano hinuhubog ng lipunan ang kamalayan ng tao at dito na papasok ang balangkas na tinutukoy ni Skinner, subalit kalayaan pa rin ng mga tao ang paniwalaan ito o hindi. Nasasakanila ang kalayaang baguhin ito kung nararapat. At ang kalayaang ito ay yaong tinutukoy ni Sartre.

Ang penomenolohikal na perspektibo ni Kavanaugh at Maslow ang siyang pinakamatunog na pag-unawa sa konsepto ng kalayaan ng tao at sa kanyang di maubos-ubos na posibilidad. Sinasabi pa rin natin na ang tao ay may di maubos-ubos na posibilidad kahit sumasabalangkas pa rin ang kanyang kalayaan dahil ang mga posibilidad niyang ito ay, totoo naman, hindi niya mauubos at magagawa lahat sapagkat sa loob ng balangkas ng pagkatao niya, malawak pa rin ang kanyang pagka-maaari. At sa nauunawan natin sa mga naunang pagninilay ukol sa pagkatao ng tao, ang tao ay may kakahayan pa rin namang lampasan ang kanyang sarili, gaya ng paglampas niya sa kanyang abot-tanaw ukol sa ultimong realidad at ultimong katotohanan, mga kabalintunaang palagi nating isinasa-isip kapag tayo ay namimilosopiya.

Sa harap ng mga posibilidad at pagka-maaari ng tao bilang tao, ang kanyang tinataglay na kalayaang-sumasabalangkas ay isang biyayang nakakabahala at nakakatakot din. Mabigat ang responsibilidad natin bilang mga nilalang na may kalayaan sapagkat walang ibang tao ang maaaring gumanap sa sarili nating pagka-malaya at sa lahat ng ating pipiliing desisyon, kailangang kaya natin itong panagutan dahil bilang tao tayo ay may pananagutan sa sarili nating kilos, asal at gawa.
[9] Tayo lamang ang tanging maaaring mabuhay para sa sarili natin. At sa parehong paraan, tayo din lamang ang maaaring mamatay para sa sarili natin.

Kung tunay ang ating pagtungo sa kamatayan, mas mabibigyan natin ng halaga ang ating taglay na kalayaan sapagkat mag-aantabay tayo. Lahat ng ating gagawin ay dapat naayon sa ating ninanais at yaong kaya nating panagutan at panindigan. Lahat ng pipiliin natin sa lahat ng maaari nating piliin ay yaong mga bagay na mahalaga sa atin sapagkat hindi natin alam kung kailan tayo darating sa pagkakataong hihinto ang kalagayan nating ito na may di maubos-ubos na posibilidad. Kailangan nating tandaan na ang kamatayan ay yaong ultimong posibilidad sa lahat ng mga posibilidad. Kaya ang kalayaan natin ay nabibigyang saysay sa kamatayan sapagkat ang mga ginagawa natin ngayon ay pagtupad sa mga posbilidad natin bilang tao nang sa gayon ay ating makamit ang ating ultimong kabuuan, ang “ako na hindi pa ako,” at pagganap sa “hindi pa akong ako.”Ito ang ugnayan ng dalawang ideyang ito, na may bigat at saysay ang kamatayan dahil ang tao ay may kalayaan at ang kamatayan naman ay may saysay lamang dahil sa ito’y binabalangkas ng kamatayan.

[1] Paradise Now. Directed by Hany Abu-Assad. Performed by Ali Suliman, Lubna Azabal Kais Nashif. 2005.
[2] Dy, Manuel B. Jr. “Kamayatan ayon kay Martin Heidegger.” From Philosophy of Man I Readings (selected by Marc Oliver Pasco), 162.
[3] Ibid., 163.
[4] Ibid.
[5] Ibid., 165.
[6] Kavanaugh, John F. S.J. “Human Freedom.” In Philosophy of Man: Selected Readings, Manuel B. Dy Jr., (Quezon City: Goodwill Trading Company, 1986), 158.
[7] Sartre, Jean-Paul. Existentialism and Human Emotion. (New Jersey: Citadel Press. 1984), 122.
[8] Ibid.
[9] Johann, Robert. “The Way to Freedom.” In Philosophy of Man: Selected Readings, Manuel B. Dy Jr. (Quezon City: Good will Trading Company, 1986), 184.

Will the Road Still be Blocked?

It is past midnight and I still couldn’t muster enough strength or rather drain all my energy to fall asleep. It’s one of those nights when I just have to take note of. A night full of lavishing insights, if it means something to any of you. I wish I would come to a conclusion after this, however, based on what I am feeling and thinking right now, that possibility seems bleak.

Guilt. I guess that would be what I could use to describe what and how I am feeling right now, at least on a very wide perspective. Looking at how I seem to organize my thoughts and processing the things that have happened, I seem to end at one clear reality. My need for belongingness is among the most unsatisfied need in my life right now. I had dealt with my insecurities, at least as far as I know, and asserted myself with or without acknowledgment although I wouldn’t deny that such a need is as much as important as my need for belongingness.

Allow me to segue for a few lines here. Several months ago, I’ve been in the dumps because of unimportant stuff that has been troubling me ever since. I just couldn’t quench my thirst for attention. Now isn’t that just plain sad and stupid. I realize that now, although in retrospect, it does seem important for someone of my stature and way of living. You can’t blame me for feeling this way, at least what you can do is understand why I feel this way and allow me to be how I am, otherwise, just let it pass, because c’mon, for a person of my level of I.Q., I think I’d realize how stupid it is sooner or later. Of course, unless I do something stupid, I wouldn’t make that realization, now would I?

Going back to the topic, a reality that which I have yet to unveil glinted at one instance as I lay on my bed feeling contented and yet unsatisfied for some unknown reason. The paradox drives through my very flesh and tears my bones apart along with it the very frame and structure of my wholeness, my being. It would seem irrelevant to dwell on such thoughts however, dismissing them especially now that they have grown stronger, would only be postponing an even more horrendous reality which sooner or later I would eventually have to face. I might as well deal with it now, now that my adrenaline pumping system is well and active.

Going even deeper, I have somewhat peeked at something that is yet to be fully exposed, one way or another. This possible exposition would make a tremendous instability that I fear would make me even more vulnerable than how I am right now. A part of me wants to get it over and done with as soon as possible since after the ruins, for someone like me, there is no other way but to rise and build, hopefully, an even stronger me, with stronger frames and structure, but then again, another part of me, and I would presume it is the more practical and logical side, wishes to address the root causes and fix it while it is still in a reparable state rather than allowing it to strike and face the destruction of this fort that I have forever kept erect and established. If it can be mended, if not stopped, then why would I have to suffer such a terrible loss, right?

And this leads me to the more difficult yet more interesting part of my reflection, weighing and comparing the two options which I have set for myself as of the moment. I would love to widen my horizon even further by suggesting alternatives and more sound possibilities but the fact of the unknown only brings me more anxiety, than what the givens and the known already provide.

I knew this would end in a very open and undecided ‘resolution’. But I pray that with some help, divine or otherwise, discerning what’s best would somehow come to me, in time.

Just a parenthetical note, the phrase ‘in time’ just seems so comforting; knowing the reality of some unknown reality soon coming to be a reality despite the lack of a definite time frame. It does not exclude the possibility of its realization in the ‘now’, which is a very intoxicating experience, although the possibility of its realization would probably lie somewhere between ‘now’ and ‘later’. At least one thing is for certain, it does not end in ‘never’.

Perhaps the road will still be block, at least for the moment, but I rest assured that it won’t be, ‘in time’.

Ceteris Paribus, All L’s Held Constant (Last Year's Resolution)

2006. The year that was. What a year it was. But that was the past, so let’s leave it be and discuss something more current. As the New Year advances, changes tag along with it. As cheesy as it may sound, yes, resolutions are always there as part of our social norms regardless of whether they are kept or not. Well, for my New Year’s Resolution, holding everything else constant, I’ll be holding these new L’s constant for the rest of the year.

Let things be. Things happen, may it be for a reason or not. Although at the back of my head it would always be better if a reason was there to back those events that have happened, are happening, or will happen. Nonetheless, things happen, period. Like a growing plant, its development can’t be ceased unless we uproot it or keep it in the dark or not water it, not take care of it. Things will happen as long as we do our share for its fulfillment. Like the plant, there are always a million factors that will affect its growth like season, amount of sunshine and rain it receives, things that is out of our control. Storms may hit and who knows what it would make of our growing plant. But there are still those things that we could always do to enhance the plant’s growth. Watering it everyday and taking out the weeds and those other gardening stuff that most gardeners and plant growers do. Anyway, my point is that we must let thing be, let things happen while keeping our share of the work that is needed for its development, but not putting efforts in hastening the plant’s development or forcing them to grow more flowers and/or fruits. I’m talking about using those chemicals that speed up its growth but in return harm the environment in the process. This year, I plan to let things happen as they would without any forced intrusions or sly gestures to prompt my desired outcome. This year, I will make use of only natural processes in all my undertaking, without coercion, intimidation, or crude brute force. Things will happen if they will happen and when they will happen. Well, otherwise, they won’t. It’s as simple as that.

Learn. As these things happen (or not) there will always be something that can be gained from them happening (or not). This year, I will take every effort to learn from all events that will occur. Every thing has something to offer, it is just a mater of looking at the right places to find them.

Listen. Aside from learning, it is always wise to listen carefully and fully comprehend everything before every undertaking. And even while in the act of doing the things, it is also wise to take heed of the cautions and signs that are encountered. It is always wise to listen and take note. I guess, it’s a less hostile form of being vigilant; simply being aware and cautious.

Let go. The previous year, I have been so attached to things that I tend to clutter them with me. This year, I will have to let go of things or rather not getting too attached to them so as it would be easy to let them go once it starts to clutter and get messy. Letting go has always been my problem because I always have this sad notion that I won’t be able to find something as good as what I have now. I have been so afraid that I will lose so much in letting things go, leaving them behind, throwing them out. But I guess, it would ease the clutter with less things attached to me (especially material things; these things tend to stack up inside my room). So this year, I will be less attached to them and place them all behind me.

Ceteris Paribus. This phrase is Latin for “all else held constant.” But this year, I will hold these other L’s – Letting things be, Learning, Listening and Letting go – constant throughout the year (I hope). Anyway, I hope that with these new stuffs incorporated in my lifestyle would make my 2007 more exciting. If I find them to my liking then I’d keep them for the next year and the next and the next. Otherwise, I don’t have to worry, I have many more New Years to celebrate and resolve.

End.

The Best Version

Warning: This is just a rip-off!!! I just want to place this here to let you guys read it!

Manila International Airport, 2:00 am. It's been two years since she had last seen the Manila International Airport. Not much has changed. Her last memory of this airport was when Miguel dropped her off. She was on her way to New York to pursue a career in Wall Street.

"Promise me something will you? Please don't get married until I come back?" She jokingly told him as she lifted up her backpack. "LOL. Very funny. Ikaw ang mag-promise. Promise me you won't run off with some nerdy economist in the next two years."

"Let's see, shall we. Bye, Miguel. I'll call you as soon I get to New York."
That was her last memory in this place. The warm Manila air made her feel a bit restless and yet she feels excited. This is the first time in two years she'll be seeing Miguel again. She was thoughtfully going through the immigration counters, thinking of how much she missed seeing Miguel. How different would he be now? Sure he sends her regular weekly e-mails and pictures but being the busy person that she had always been, she didn't get the time to chat with him and buy a webcam.

She's finally out. "Where is Miguel?" She wondered. "Ah there!" she exclaimed when she saw the silver gray Nissan Patrol parked near the exit. TGW926. Yup, that's Miguel alright. Her heart was leaping ahead of her as the driver got off.

"Hey! I missed you!" He said, as he hugged her.

"I missed you too… so much." She said, as she hugged him back. It was warm. It felt good to be back. It felt great to feel his hug.

"Let me get those." He said pointing at her luggage. "Then we'll have more time for hugging and chika."

"Okay."

Edsa, 4:30 am. Miguel's cellphone rings. Mama, the name flashes on the screen.

"You should really get that."

"No, you should get that. She's been waiting for you. She insist that we go straight to her after I pick you up form the airport. She also insist that you spend tomorrow with her." Miguel was talking about her mother. Miguel was an only child and his mother wanted a daughter. She would often tell Bea that since she doesn't have a mom anymore, she should let Tita Doris be her second mom. She loved Bea as if she were her own daughter.

"Hello? Yes, Tita. How are you na po?... ah opo. Miguel already told me. Sige po. Okay po. I'll see you later." She turns off the phone and looks out the window. The phone rings again, this time the name "Sugar" flashes on the screen. Hmmm, "Sugar." He was quick. He got a hold of the phone and answered it. "Hello. Yeah. Pauwi na. I'm with her na. Yeah. Tomorrow, I will. Promise. We'll see you tomorrow."
We? Is that supposed to mean me and him? See Sugar? Who is Sugar, anyway? "Who was that?" she couldn't keep herself from asking. "Sugar ha?"

"I'll introduce her tomorrow. Uwi muna tayo sa bahay. By the way, kamusta na si Edward?"

"Edward?"

"Oo, si Edward, naalala mo yung boyfriend na iniwan mo sa New York? Anong klase ka ba naming girlfriend? Kaya hindi kita niligawan eh. Baka makalimutan mo rin ako."

"Ah si Edward. Hayun. Nasa New York." Miguel has met Edward when he came to New York to give Bea a surprise visit. He seems a nice guy. Not the geeky economist Miguel pictured Bea would end up with. He is actually a cool guy and loves Bea a lot.

"He called me up, a week ago, asking a lot of things about you. Parang may balak ata..."

“Balak na?"

"Tell me, did he propose to you? He sounded like he was going to propose to you kasi."

"Ah look, here we are at Tita Doris."

At Tita Doris', 4:45 am. A pleasantly plump woman enters the living room. She was in her mid-fifties, a familiar warm smile and two open arms. She welcomed Bea, gave her a big hug and kissed her on the cheek. "Hay anak, kamusta ka na? Na-miss na kita. Pinakain ka ba nito si Miguel?"

"Opo, Tita." She looked around. Not much has changed in this house. She remembers spending her college days in this house. She remembers sinking into Tita Doris' arms when her mom died. She remembers only good things about this woman. She can't remember a time when she had been unkind to her and yes, she loves her like her own mother.

"Iha, sabihan mo nga yang si Miguel. Sabihin mo 'wag padalos-dalos magdesisyon."

"Po?"

"Mama naman. Let Bea rest. I'll tell her everything tomorrow." Miguel interrupted his mother before she can spill the beans.

"Ha? What was that all about?" Bea was curious.

"Bukas na lang."

"Okay. Tita, if it's okay I'll go rest now." She hugged her, and proceeded to climb the stairs. Miguel followed her carrying her luggage.

"Alam mo I missed this house. Uy sino ba si Sugar? Tsaka bakit parang worried nanay mo sa iyo?"

"Bukas na. Sugar is having lunch here."

"Hmmm, intriguing, pero sige. Bukas na." They were both standing as the door to the guest room. "Alam mo, it's really good to be back in this house. I'll see you tomorrow."

Tita Doris' 10:00 am. She woke up, sunlight flooding her bedroom. She was able to rest. She got up, arranged the bed sheets and took a nice, cold shower. Minutes later, she was down at the garden having brunch with Tita Doris.

"Hi! Tita. Where is Miguel?"

"Sinundo si Sugar."

"Sino ba yang Sugar na yan? Nai-intriga na ako."

“Iha, I'll let Miguel tell you who Sugar is. Promise me something, though. Whatever happens you'll always be my daughter, Bea?"

She felt scared. Why was Tita Doris suddenly serious? "Opo naman."

"Anyway, iha. I heard from Miguel your boyfriend sounded like he was going to propose a week ago. Did he propose?"

Bea looked at her hands, bare of any engagement ring. She looked at Tita Doris and smiled. Before she could answer, Miguel showed up. With him is a woman she had not seen before. She was of medium frame, shoulder length hair and looked very feminine.

"Sugar, the sister I never had, Bea. Bea, Sugar, my fiancée`." It felt as if somebody had thrown cold water on her. His what? Blood rushed to her head. She blushed. Her cheeks felt very warm. She couldn't swallow. Her heart beating a hundred beats per minute.

"Your what?" She looked at Miguel, blushing then suddenly white as with shock. "I'm sorry, Sugar but this is quite a surprise. Miguel has never mentioned you in any of his e-mails," she said as she looked at Sugar with a confused look. She looked at Tita Doris, she looked back as if she was consoling her.

"Yeah, I got engaged. I'm keeping my promise. I'm getting married on Saturday. O di ba you're here so in essence I've kept my promise."

She managed to smile faintly. She hugged Miguel and congratulated him. She even managed to tell Sugar “You got a catch here, girl. Take good care of him or else I will snatch him under your nose." It sounded as if she was just joking, turning over a very important possession to it's next owner. In the deepest recesses of her person, she knew she meant it.

"He told me a lot of nice things about you." Sugar said, smiling at her as if they had been friends for the longest time.

"I'm sure he has."

Lunch was served. All of Bea's favorite Filipino dishes. She and Sugar spent time chatting the afternoon away, looking at Bea's and Miguel's college photos and yearbooks. She found out that Sugar likes most of the things she does. They both came from the same high school. As she tried to get to know Sugar better during their afternoon chat, she realized that not only was she perfect for Miguel, she also seemed like the best gal pal Bea could find. They talked about the wedding details, the dress, the ring, the shoes, the tiara. They like almost the same places, the same styles, the same shops. She told Sugar they should do shopping marathon together. Had it been another day, she would be telling herself that this is really a great opportunity to find someone who understands her shopping needs. Except that this is not one of those days... Except that this woman, this perfect, feminine girlfriend was Miguel's fiancée`. Bea's phone rings. The name Boyfriend flashes.

"You should really get that" Sugar told Bea.

"Yeah, I guess I should. Hello? Yes? I'm good. I'm here at Miguel's. Oh I have in front of me Sugar, Miguel's fiancée`." The words almost got stuck in her throat, but she still managed to give Sugar a smile. "Listen, I'll call you later. I have very good news for you."

Miguel sat down beside Bea. Sugar was looking at them and asked "So tell me? Was there never a time the two of you were more than Platonic?" Bea and Miguel looked at each other then looked at their own hands. Miguel's gaze turned to Sugar. He answered

"Of course not. Bea and I were never like that."

"As in?" Sugar inquired.

"LOL, oo naman. She was a handful. Too much to handle for me. I can't keep up with her. She's never stands still." Miguel looked at Bea and smiled, his eyes turning into slits as his dimples gloriously show.

"I guess that's the way for you. But not for Edward." Bea replied, with a little hint of disappointment.

"Okay lang yun. Edward is tough enough." Miguel was still smiling.

"Wait, speaking of Edward. I need to call him."

Bea left the garden and went up to her room to call Edward. "Hello? Edward. Here goes. Yes. The answer is Yes."

*********

The wedding went well. It was one of the most elegant weddings she had seen. Sugar had everything covered and she was a very beautiful, blushing bride.

"I, Miguel, take you, Sugar, as my friend and love, beside me and apart from me, in laughter and in tears, in conflict and tranquility, asking that you be no other than yourself, love what I know of you, trusting what I do not know yet, in all the ways that life may find us."

Bea felt a stab of pain hitting her heart. She slowly got up, walked away from the spectators. Tears streaming down her flushed cheeks.

**********

Bea is once again on her way to the airport. Miguel is driving for her, this time with a wedding ring on his left finger.

"Hay, here we go again. I'm driving you to the airport. Kailan na naman kaya tao magkikita?"

"Ewan ko. Tell me something," her tone all too serious. "What was it that you love about Sugar? How did you know she was the one?" Miguel just smiled.

"Dali na ano? Malay mo I need to decide in a couple of days dib a?"

"You know what I love about her? The same things I loved about you before. The only difference is that she's not as ambitious as you are. When you left for New York two years ago, I knew I don't have a place in the life you've chosen. I don't blame you for that. You're good in your field and I thought to myself that it's your right to move on without me. Moving away was a decision you made for yourself. I know this sounds silly and you might nag me about it but I found the better version of you in Sugar. She's so much like you in so many ways but the only difference is she loves me more than you do."

She wanted to cry the tears she had kept as he witnessed him say his vows, but kept her composure. She just chuckled a laugh. How could he move on without her? Why was it easy for him and not for her? As she got off the car, she gave Miguel one last hug. This time she felt her heart heavy.

"I guess this is goodbye?" she told Miguel.

"Wait, I'm not letting you out until you answer question. Did Edward propose?"
Bea showed Miguel her left hand. In it was a one carat diamond solitaire ring set in platinum.

"Yes."

Miguel let out a sigh and congratulated her. As Miguel turned his gaze from the steering wheel to Bea's face, he saw a single tear fall from her right eye and then she said, "If it gives any consolation. Edward was the best version of you that I can find in New York."

----->

This is your life...
Are you who you want to be?

The Journey

(Ripped off from my yearbook, but I actually wrote it so I think I can post it here. In our yearbook, it actually has no name. they took my name off it!!! Huhuh, so now I’m taking it back.)

There comes a time in a man’s life when an examination of one’s yesteryears is necessary to justify one’s present splendor or perhaps one’s own predicament, and perceive the respective state on which life’s journey is anchored. It is essential to come to terms with one’s beginnings, for dismissing it would be equivalent to losing a grip of our character. Then, our every turn would be a false move, an error, a mistake.

This is a story of a journey into and out of a different world. A world where the young paddles to venture out towards the vast sea, where sails stand proud to welcome the force of the wind, where WEB pages are made fresh and new, where light rays shine forth from the blazing flame of truth, where riddles perplex the minds of the inquisitive, and where the jolly and the carefree may thrive. Allow me to take you back when we first began to bear the challenges this world has to offer.

After succeeding in getting through two formidable trials with a very slim chance of qualifying, we finally entered the portals of this domain. Although the odds were against us, fate was on our side. At first, we were destitute of vision, not knowing our point of being. But there is no escaping reason, no denying purpose. Why would we choose to turn back when the risks of pursuing and declining our fate bore similar weights, though not exactly the same? Beside, all benefits come with a cost, where we proceed or recede. We therefore settled on staying and discovering new things about this world, a world so different from the one that we got used to. Initially, we thought we were deprived of sight, yet we still took the plunge. We traversed through this unknown ground, desperately seeking the sense of sight.

We were ninety – ‘sightless,’ blind to what lay ahead. We were grouped into three, thirty in each. We got cordially acquainted with the members of the group and together we marched onto this unfamiliar field, like a herd of lost sheep, yet not mislaid not without a shepherd.

“Come follow me,” said a voice.

Without any questions, w went. Without any doubts, we believed. The voice led us through all the tests. During these times, we had to keep track of everything: otherwise, we’d lag behind. We never walked astray; we had the voice that guided us. The voice was our mentor. I taught us to see.

A year quickly passed by. Now we could see and that was to our advantage. The voice brought us to a higher land. The new zone seemed to be something different. All we could see was darkness. We started to question our move. What’s the use of out sight when there is nothing to see? Realization struck us with a bolt. Sight is worthless without light. Our journey was incomplete. We must continue our search.

“Don’t be afraid. I am here to help.”

The voice was heard once again, but this time, it was evident that the voice was leading our way. The voice never left us as we went on with our trip. All of us were like captive locked up in a cave of darkness, seeking exit, seeking light – seeking desperately.

The place was all the more difficult because we were loaded with the heaviest weights. “Are we being tested? Or are they simply doing this to bring us all down?” one cried from among the group.

Here we stumbled and experienced defeat. But this didn’t stop us. This encouraged us to continue to fight, to continue to survive. Wherefore, our initial trek taught us how to struggle. Here we were taught not to quit.

The short run was wearisome, but the long run was worth it. Before we knew it, another year was over. We learned to live with the trials we had to face and conquer. With perseverance and prayers, we managed to see the light.

“Step into the light,” said the voice from ahead. With much relief, we went out of the darkness enthralled by the gleaming radiance and soothing splendor. A cool breeze greeted us with the scent of hibernation. Nevertheless, the place was for the brave and the resolute. This was a jungle with several crossroads. There was so much to choose from, so many roads branching into different directions. And although we could help one another, we need not go to the same direction. The main goal is to advance to another field. Each must make a choice.

“Choose one,” said the voice. This time it was heard from above us. “Gain experience, make mistakes, and learn from them. Face the consequences. Be brave and daring. Grow.”

Each of us chose one path to travel. At some points, the road was blocked. This incident also blocked the sense of reason. We focused, thought hard, and discovered two options: either to turn back and try another path or to jump over the hindrance and carry on our journey. We had our choice, and encountered more roadblocks.

After several unsuccessful attempts, we grew impatient but then, quitting was not anymore an option. It would cost our future. So, we kept at our battle to finish the task at hand, to accomplish our mission in life, and to carry on our quest --- to realize our dreams and goals.

For some time, we struggled with all our might until we saw a greater high. Few more steps and we would be there. Three more… two… last… we were exhausted and weary, but we finally arrived. We were almost out of breath when we again heard the voice tht guided us for a number of years.

“It’s been quite a while,” said the voice.

“Yes,” we replied. “We think we have learned a lot.”

“Where are you?’ somebody from our group asked.

“Right behind you. I’ll be here to prod you whenever you need a push or two. To encourage you to maximize your potentials.”

“What are we supposed to do now?” Where are we supposed to go?”

“What do you see?” asked the voice.

“Decisions, decisions, and more decisions,” we replied. “But which one should we make?”

“Wisdom will direct you. Your conscience will make you distinguish right from wrong. You have already learned to use your will, now be wise.”

And then all things happened in a flash. We are now endowed with sight, gifted with light, and blessed with will and wisdom. It is another new year once again and we are back where we entered embarked on this journey. Through the very portals where we arrived, raw and naïve, we now leave groomed tour very best. With tears and gratitude, we bid our dear alma mater adieu as we set forth on yet another journey.

Again, crossroads are before us. We can either choose to follow where others head out. Or take the road less traveled and leave a trail of footprints for the next explorers of nature. Then, we shall have our best march.

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