post-UAAP cheerdance compet thoughts.

So by now I think everybody already knows that UP Pep Squad won this year’s UAAP Cheerdance Competition. I won’t be extending my congratulations anymore since everybody already did. It’s my little way of breaking conventions.

***

Objectively, there were glaring errors in the routine. But because the routine was unique and creative, the combinations of stunts, lifts, and tosses were amazingly complicated, the transitions were magical, and the UP crowd was so pumped up, there was no way to win against UP’s squad (unless, others cheat).

In these times when the trend for uniforms is to use metallics and geometrical patterns, UP chose to wear something skin-toned. I didn’t like it that much. It seemed more of like a costume. But I understand that they’re going for that overall tribo (tribal) effect. Imagine how silly they would look like if they wore something else.

I think that there is something about that Oblation guy at the end that made me feel queasy. He seemed … left out and perky in an odd way. I don’t know.

Before I forget, I also think some squads weren’t able to get much merit because some of the techniques were highly cheated, like the penche, arabesque, and even splits. Jumps are highly learnable, but it will boil down to the height and execution. Constant stretching for good extensions and count, count, count.

***

I had all the reasons to believe that God really loves me. Mind you, last Sunday, my mind was conditioned enough to accept that I won’t be going to Araneta just to try and buy that elusive ticket. But I guess that ticket isn’t that elusive especially when you have a generous friend and orgmate to help out – Bea.

Thanks again.

***

I realized that it is utterly yucky to feel an older woman’s boobs brush against your arm. I realized that it is easy to know when somebody yawns when you’re in a crowd – the smell of the air changes. I realized that some people can watch a high energy event, such as the cheerdance competition, and still end up with a face with no emotion. I realized that La Salle pompoms are soft, fluffy, and cuddly. No wonder the female La Salle cheerleaders never dropped it. I realized that times are changing. People bump you first, before the say “excuse me”. I realized that nothing can be cornier than umbrellas.

***

UP crowd doing the wave***

In terms of cheers, Adamson is the least advantaged. Notice that UP is just U-P. FEU is just F-E-U. NU is just N-U. UST is USTE. UE is just U-E. La Salle just rolls because of the dominance of laterals, say La Salle. We all know that Ateneo is usually pronounced as Atneo or Arneo. But Adamson is A-dam-son. Gets? It’s hard for their crowd to say it again and again.

***

By the way, the guy who was standing beside me was trying to figure out why Ateneo had this rolling “A”. He said maybe it means “A! A for effort”.

***

I’m in great need of a topic for my Creative Nonfiction class. Suggestions?

koko crunch.

Random stream of thought: I realized that ladies nowadays should take extra precautions when deciding on what to wear and how would they like to appear in public. Like earlier this day, I saw two girls on my ride to school. One was wearing a mini short. The other one was wearing a mini skirt. Not that I’m into legs, but when I saw theirs, it was hairy and … rough looking. It looked hideous, honestly. Read: both bordering to look like men’s legs in minis.

Hello shaving! Hello lotions! Hello … whitening products!

***

Can you believe I stood in front of the Office for Student Affairs for around 20 minutes? Why? Just because I thought and believed from the bottom of my heart that the doors were locked during office hours. Yes, believe it. I don’t know if Kuya Carebest was a blessing or a great insult when I asked him if there were employees inside. “Naka-lock ba?” he asked. “Uhmm… Oo… yata.” He walked towards the door, turned the knob, and poof! I became Koko Crunch. End of story.

***

I hate a classmate. Mas malabnaw pa s’ya sa tubig. Ang sabaw n’ya! She gives all of these irrelevant comments and questions almost every meeting. Like earlier in class, we were talking about the Diliman Commune in the 1970s. UP students had to create a barricade using chairs from the classroom to prevent MetroCom from taking over the campus. Apparently, one professor attempted to break in because he was still planning to give out a Math exam. To cut the story short: professor was carrying a gun that time, students refused to allow him to enter, professor shot a freshman, got away with it (?), and experienced a natural death.

You want to know what freaking classmate’s comment is? It was something like, “pero ‘di ba, when you kill somebody, you’re conscience will always hunt you.” I was like, “HA? Gusto mo isaksak ko ‘tong payong sa bunganga mo?” And poof! She became Koko Crunch!

***

I’ll be in a long line tomorrow. Good night, love.

kevjumba got that right.

The other night I was so tired that the moment my body touched the bed, I just fell asleep. Take note, still in my undershirt and slacks. Mama told me when I woke up in the afternoon that I was sleep talking. Something about a practice and some gibberish things on the side that I don’t remember dreaming about. I asked her what she did and she just blinked and smiled and continued eating. Well, if I saw someone sleep talking, I’ll hurry and call everybody. Why? I’ll tell them that that person is possessed and we can cure you! Whatever.

Moving on. Yesterday, I was happy to sit all day and enjoy the Internet. I thought I would be just drooling all the way due to intense boredom. I remember Customer Support telling my brother that they’ll fix something that would kill the influx of the much-loved and appreciated Internet connection. But no, fourth led light on the modem blinking. Tada!

Yesterday, I also met KevJumba through Christine Gambito also known as HappySlip from Youtube.com. You should watch their ‘Put it in Purse’ vid. I just can’t stop laughing. Then, I watched another one and another one and another. I got addicted an ended up subscribing. We can call him an Internet supahstar. Did I mention he challenged Jessica Alba to a staring contest? Little Miss Alba responded and won.

Let me just share the vids that I love watching. Because shared philosophy rocks and I want everybody to be enlightened. The first one is a short rant about how society is too focused on looks and being pretty.

While this one, tells everybody to be happy.

I was fortunate enough to have Jason Mraz’s new album the other day. It's called We Sing, We Dance, and We Steal Things. I have to thank Annel for this one. The new album is molten hot. Check it out dawg, check it out. I’m totally digging Butterfly. The lines are poetically dirty, the beat is so funky.

And oh. Maybe one of the reasons why Elfermin from the other side of the blogsphere isn’t getting any “dramaturgical emo blog posts lately” is because we all suddenly have turned into sloths. Besides, the day was so magical. We just can’t express it in words, friggin' hard. Cheers to the new UPDS mems!

First GA later. How exciting.

sean's major strike.

In the wee hours of the morning, Sean had the luxury to break the punchbowl into gazillion pieces. It was a statement, in a way, because the rest of the plates, soup bowls, and glasses broke with it. The plan was to let the punchbowl plunge, let it smash indiscriminately, and create a loud bang as an aftereffect. It was perfect, I must admit.

We now have nine plates left of different sizes, color, and design, a tall glass, a short glass, two small coffee cups, a couple of mini soup bowls, and a saucer. Spoons, forks, and knives don’t break so there still there. The best thing: Sean got away with it.

The morning after, Sean went to my room and slept on my bed. Gago lang. The poor thing felt something was utterly wrong. And for us, shopping for dining implements tops our weekend to-do list.

surviving something quickie.

I am not claustrophobic. There is a certain kind of pleasure that one can exhaust from anything that’s tight. Spare me your own interpretations. But, sometimes I enjoy places that force you to be intimate. Well, except for the men’s CR.

Rather than waiting in the open streets of Cubao, QC, me and my friends decided to wait inside a fastfood chain (codename: Bida ang Saya!). Frankly, we have no plans in ordering food. The Treehouse made us poor. The afternoon rain made the breeze cool ‘til night so urinary bladders tend to get a little busy filling up and emptying fluid. Ergo, we just needed pee bowls.

First shot at comfort failed because when I tried to get into the fastfood chain’s CR, a man was like holding the door against me. Did I mention there were three men inside? I wasn’t welcome so I waited. Minutes later, one man went out and I tried to force myself in. And guess what? Masikip pa rin sa loob. The CR was like connected to the Floo Network. There was an addition inside. Where did he came from, I do not know. I had to sit again.

For a CR with a size of four decent cubicles combined and a threat of a soon to drip pee, this time, I know I have to assert my right. Two men were left and I was successful. The new problem: a middle aged man was standing immediately behind me. The other one was standing in front of the mirror for … 30 minutes (this man never went out from the moment I tried getting in). You can feel the greenness in their bloods. It’s so strong you can’t miss it.

Fuck. I was so afraid to be butt-grabbed while letting the pain flow. I had to rush things, washed my hands with soft water, and I was out.

The man who stood behind me went out after 30 minutes or so (or am I exaggerating?). The other man followed shortly after with his shirt a little messed up, shoulder tensed, and pants … not that well fixed. Carlos knew what I was thinking. Things happened fast. What do they call that? Ah! A quickie, I suppose.

And so I was right. He was waiting for voluntary preys. They were waiting for voluntary preys. Or better yet, they were both predators consuming on each other – own goods to be consumed for their own tastes.

Disgusting, I know. For such practice that’s too associated with their kind, they should have been more discreet. Let’s avoid terms but quote Carlos in the end, “ang masama at pangit d’yan, ganon na nga sila, ganon pa ginagawa nila.”

Feed on you whims, feed for as long as you like. But never go over the bounds of respect – for self, for others, for the belief, for the world. We are forms of discourse. We are reflections of what we do. Do things a little more respectful – even not in quickies – but on things as a whole.

Yes Marko. I saw you yester night. Too abashed to say hi. Next time, promise.

Rachel this was the night of your birthday.

I survived the predators because I avoided the eyes. Don’t look, if you want to be spared.

kapag ibig.

I’m never bothered with the fact that I haven’t committed myself in a formal, lasting relationship. For one, I never liked the idea of them taking total control over me. I don’t want to be stalked. I don’t want to be asked every morning, noon, night (excluding in betweens) if I’m ok or I have eaten already. My parents raised me to be independent. I have learned to take care of myself and I think I can do it better than everybody else (parents do it best, of course). But since a lot of people started bugging me about this idea, let’s talk about it.

I am not afraid of commitments. What I am afraid of is not being able to fulfill what I signed up for. When things get closer, I know it’s time to let go. I find it weird that I hate the idea of my affection being reciprocated equally – imbalance must exist for us to achieve balance. I give more, you give less and vice versa. When one can’t give more than the other, then it’s also the time to let go.

It’s funny (and a little grotesque) that my email inbox is joining the bandwagon to stimulate the idea of romantic relationships.

And of course, expect friends who will send you quotes like these:

totoo naman di ba?

One more thing, the idea of courting. Well, I know that some people think it’s important but, can we cut ourselves some slack? Let’s get to know each other minus the cheesy, chummy thingy that comes with the package. It’s better, I think, trust me.

But when you’re surrounded with people that are committed, one can’t help but to contemplate (notice the choice of words) on the things that might have happened if you gave in. I know a romantic relationship also comes with perks. Sabi ko nga, for the sake of experience, the first one to court me or the first one to tell me that they’re willing to try a relationship with me would get me easily. But, I know! How … creative and imaginative of me. A friend also sent me a quote about this one. It says:

Indeed, love is not a status. I’m always in love and I don’t need a label for it to be affirmed. That’s my reality. Pag-ibig nga eh. Gets? ‘Pag … ibig. Kapag ibig. Therefore, it’s a choice. Besides, my throat hurts enough to cause a diversion on such issues. Ang labo.

THANKS: we all played the game, let's all hope for the best.

The UPDS application period is a lot like drag racing. It was fast, exhilarating, and fulfilling. The past two months made me realize the higher value of friends more than their value that I already know – they made me faster, higher, stronger (tieback to Olympics since it’s closing as of typing time). Anyways, I’m taking this chance to thank everybody.

TO MY UPDS CO-APP 2008
I love you all. You made hard things enjoyable. You’re all stimulating and refreshing. I wish us all good luck!


Maan: Partner. Thank you so much for staying by my side. I know I’ve been bitchy at times. Sorry. We can do this. Think positive.

Angelo: For some odd reasons, your message on my sigsheet was a memorable one. It says: Thisizit. I hope it is. Thanks!

Katherine Calderon: Math major ka ba talaga? Kidding. Thank you talaga. You were always there when I needed someone to tolerate my crazy moments.

Pearl: You’re a great driver! I’m awed with your generosity and OCness. I enjoyed our chitchats while driving around and around and around. Two thumbs up!

Nica: You’re great! Your future is so bright. Don’t be hard on yourself. Believe in THE SECRET and good things will happen. Always think positive.

Trix: I believe that you can be a great accountant. You’re great as a debater, but more importantly as a person. Stay humble and nice.

Ayze: Mini-mock best speaker! Stay perky and you must realize that at some point you need to eat pork. Try Monterey! Their pigs doesn’t eat poop.

Joy: Thanks for the pictures. Take care of your heart (as in the heart that pumps blood). I envy your violin. You’re one of the nicest people in the batch.

Kat: Same goes to you. Stay kind, humble, and nice. You’re great. Believe in yourself.

Alex Cao: You’re classic. I love your soft smile and bright spirit. Deep inside I know how competitive you are. Stay safe and try to look stronger (especially at night).

Bea: I wish I had the chance to bond with you more. I find you interesting (walang malisya) Hahaha.

Jacques: YOU TOO! I know you’re a fun guy to be with. I remember the time you supported my jokes (remember Jabu and Ateng?). You don clothes in a sleek kind of way. I just realized that we always win when we’re together – boycott Beijing and unisex CRs debate. Stay good.

JC: You’ve been always strong. Keep it up and send me chocolates. Joke lang.

Riley: You never failed to make a scene. You’re a good person. You’re competitive. You always make tambay interesting.

Aman the Third: Isa ka pa! Thanks for always laughing at my jokes. I enjoy every smile you share. Competitive ka rin eh! Parati nga kayong my coaching moments ni Alex F eh.

Elferbitch: I believe that you’re a good guy. I appreciate the frankness – it makes you bitchier. [Riley] Palanca Awardee? Kidding. Thanks.

Mikee: THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for being a suki. Benta parati jokes ko sayo. Never fails. Hope to joke around you more.

Migz: Migz high five! I appreciate the fact that you always keep a high spirit. Stay good and happy.

MarkSolis: [bows] You’re a good friend. You’re always fun to be with. You’re a good guy. You’re the best, simply the best. Speechless. MARKSOLIS!

To the rest: Michael, Tranz, Franz, Laura, Tina, Alex F, and to you that I unintentionally forgot, Thanks to the wonderful moment. Good luck to all of us.


TO RAYMUND
Thank you for infecting us with your competitiveness. Thanks for being a good buddy. Again, it’s not that we didn’t have a choice. We had and it’s really you.


TO THE UPDS MEMS
Walang halong ka-plastikan. You’re one of the best groups I knew and I hope will continue to know more. Thanks to everybody! You’re all loved.


TO EPISTAXIS
My dear friends you’ve been always there for me. I just love you. Thank you so much for understanding me especially when I had to opt out during our usual food trips, gimiks, or whatever. Thanks for supporting me in your own little ways. You’re the support system that I needed. You kept me burning and positive. Thank you. I’ll remember all of this. Thank you.

We’re all waiting for Tuesday. The best of luck guys! Remember that it is not whether we win or lose. It is how we played the game.


Much love. Thanks.

ten conyommandments.

1. Thou shall make gamit "make+pandiwa".
ex. "Let's make pasok na to our class!"
"Wait lang! I'm making kain pa!"
"Come on na, we can't make hintay anymore! It's in Andrew pa, you know?"

2. Thou shall make kalat "noh", "diba" and "eh" in your pangungusap.
ex. "I don't like to make lakad in the baha nga, no? Eh diba it's like, so eew, diba?"
"What ba: stop nga being maarte noh?"
"Eh as if you want naman also, diba?"

3. When making describe a whatever, always say "It's SO pang-uri!"
ex. "It's so malaki, you know, and so mainit!"
"I know right? So sarap nga, eh!"
"You're making me inggit naman.. I'll make bili nga my own burger."

4. When you are lalaki, make parang punctuation "dude", 'tsong" or "pare".
ex. "Dude, ENGANAL is so hirap, pare."
"I know, tsong, I got bagsak nga in quiz one, eh"

5. Thou shall know you know? I know right!
ex. "My bag is so bigat today, you know"
"I know, right! We have to make dala pa kasi the jumbo Physics book eh!"

6. Make gawa the plural of pangngalans like in English or Spanish.
ex. "I have so many tigyawats, oh!"

7. Like, when you can make kaya, always use like. Like, I know right?
ex. "Like, it's so init naman!"
"Yah! The aircon, it's, like sira!"

8. Make yourself feel so galing by translating the last word of your sentence, you know, your pangungusap?
ex. "Kakainis naman in the LRT! How plenty tao, you know, people?"
"It's so tight nga there, eh, you know, masikip?"

9. Make gamit of plenty abbreviations, you know, daglat?"
ex. "Like, OMG! It's like traffic sa LRT"
"I know right? It's so kaka!"
"Kaka?"
"Kakaasar!"

10. Make gamit the pinakamaarte voice and pronunciation you have para full effect!
ex. "I'm, like, making aral at the Arrhneo!"
"Me naman, I'm from Lazzahl!"



c/o Krisbert
but got this from Angelo.

canker sores, jigs, and today.

Last week, I just had the largest mouth sore I ever had. I think it’s the size of two sores combined into one to make a huge annoyance in your mouth. I decided to stop using a brand of toothpaste that’s too menthol-y and so, amazingly, the sore healed. Makes sense? Anyways…

This week, I had the good fortune of having another sore – canker type, lower lip, right side (inside the mouth, of course). I hate it because I can’t eat properly. I was munching my late dinner a while ago, when all of a sudden the sauce touched the sore! Gahd, you can’t imagine how much I wanted to get the knife and cut the sore out. I can’t even yawn without feeling its pain.

Aside from using the traditional tawas and the ever realiable Bactidol, I don’t know how to “cure” this thing. But ideally, it should heal within 7-10 days. So that means I still have to wait a little longer. I’ve also googled the causes of such sores. And guess what? Some experts say that [canker] sores are caused by immune system problems, bacteria, or viruses. Factors such as stress, trauma, allergies, cigarette smoking, and iron or other vitamin deficiencies may also be involved. The best thing about it: sores can recur again and again and again. Good life.

***

Remember the day I saw Jigs Mayuga? Want to know what happened days after? Well, here it is:

oh yeah! moment.

***

Earlier this day, I had fun and I got tired. I got stinky and got to lose my sanity temporarily. I went home and slept on the way; dropped my wallet and woke up just in time to pick it up. I slept on the couch with my bag on my lap; woke up to eat dinner by 11; visited the World behind the monitor; saw Sean sleeping and so I’m also going to sleep now.

‘Til the blades of the sun cut our skins, good night.

light.

There is a certain quality in the nighttime that I lust. It is that feature that can only be achieved when the dark clouds cup the land and paints our world black. It is the mystery it concocts that excites and scares me most, for reasons I do not know.

I go home to the dark streets that warrant me danger; the same streets that I enjoy for its bareness and shadows; the shadows that never fails to bathe me with cold water while I play; the kind of game that requires solitude but above all, darkness.

I ride home to the dark empty road; the road that allows me to fly and counter flow; the feature of the road that freezes the air; the cool air that pierces the pores; I play the game; the game that requires above all, darkness.

I live in the dark day; the day created by the lunar ray; the ray that arouses passion; the passion that blinds you more; the more you give in, the more you die; the more you die, the nearer you are to, darkness.

You breathe in. out. in. out. in. out. out to, darkness.

wrong egg.

After googillion years, my father brought home baluts (is that how you pluralize ‘balut’?) again. What’s more amazing is that he brought home baluts for no apparent reason. What amazes me the most is that he wants me to eat one! I was like … why?!

A balut (Trứng vịt lộn or Hột vịt lộn in Vietnamese, Pong tea khon in Cambodian) is a fertilized duck egg with a nearly-developed embryo inside that is boiled and eaten in the shell. It’s usually sold in the wee hours of the morning by street vendors carrying baskets with dangling chicharons. You start eating it by making a relatively small hole to sip the amniotic fluid (or broth, if you want a euphemism) out.

And to fulfill what my father wanted me to do, that’s what I did. I took the egg, got a spoon, then gave the egg a bash. The only problem is I cracked the wrong egg, so unfortunately this happened:

that’s the balut with the chicken-egg-in-a-cup.

Good job. What will I do with the raw egg? Stupid.

to j.

Hey J!

I like you. Was that too blunt? Well, I think you know that already. Or if I’m that assuming, at least now you know. But don’t worry, I wont do anything about it. I know my boundaries and I don’t want to lose what we have (to think we still haven’t got to know each other that much yet). Plus, I know you still have commitments.

Probably by now, you’re telling yourself how pathetic I am for writing this rather than telling you. But that’s me. Call me torpe. And besides, I don’t have any plans in telling you this. I like it this way. Direct yet indirect. You’re smart, you know what it means.

This is a relief. That even if they don’t really know who you are, at least I got this out of my system. You knowing this or you having hunches that maybe you’re the one I’m talking to is a relief. People who know me that well know that I don’t really share what I feel. So good for me and you.

Just keep greeting me when you see me, keep smiling, keep laughing, be happy (this sounds like Jollibee), don’t change, I like who you are. Don’t build that wall for me. I’ll always be here (for now, as a friend).

Marc

08.08.08 (for the lack of a better title).

I don’t really know if there is something to celebrate in 08/08/08. Aside from Sharon Cuneta having her anniversary concert and the Beijing Olympics opening, what’s so special about this date of 8s?

Two things happened today. First, that would be my 5-second claim to fame at the Philcoa overpass. Well, nothing really grand. I just tripped over one step going up. My hand landed first on the step before totally kissing the dirty ground; saving my face and dignity. No one really noticed it (or so I thought) so after that I kept walking with my head up high.

Second, I saw Jigs Mayuga in FC. My friends were really clueless who he was. So for one, I looked stupid for staring at him. I wanted to tell everyone that Jigs is in the house, but he was just another guy passing through to everybody else.

Ladies and gentlemen, this is Jigs Mayuga.

***
Contrary to the belief of the majority, Chel told me that this day is unlucky. Because apparently this 08/08/08 happened in a particular lunar thingy that was believed as the time when spirits from hell (or somewhere deep, dark, and evil) would visit Earth and cause bad luck. Ergo, we should avoid celebrating any occasions today. Sharon, Vicky (Belo), People of China are you all reading this?

***

This week was so stressful. I feel so tired and, above all, unappreciated.

pare.

pare [noun] – masculine; a word usually used to connote a relationship; can be used for male friends or male colleagues; shortened form of kumpare, referring to your child’s godfather in Philippine context; from the Spanish compadre; with emerging popularity among the not-so-straight-guys to pretend to be oh-so-straight.

It’s funny how some guys (let’s deter using the term ‘men/man’ for ambiguity’s sake) exploit the term during social functions, i.e., during simple parties and human interaction. It wouldn’t be so funny if the guy who’s using it can hide their not-so-straightness very well. But if you wear the invisible sign all over you body, well, that’s the time it becomes weird and annoying.

I don’t have a problem in having friends belonging to the various classifications of gender. My problem comes when one is in deep denial that he himself feels awkward. It’s like Pare , s’an na kayo, pare ? Pero, teka pare pa-Manila ako eh. Ok lang ba pare kung blah blah blah pare . Putang ina.

I say pare if you’re more comfortable with your affricate words – those that starts with ‘ch-‘ like choz, chorva, chuchu, churibells, chever, etc – then by all means use it. You can even use ‘bonggang-bongga’ every now and then. Keri lang. It’s not like we’re going to crucify you for being real pare .

ang magsabing walang kwenta ang LOVE, susuntukin ko sa leeg!

Filipinos always complain about the corruption in the Philippines. Do you really think the corruption is the problem of the Philippines? I do not think so. I strongly believe that the problem is the lack of love for the Philippines.

Let me first talk about my country, Korea. It might help you understand my point. After the Korean War, South Korea was one of the poorest countries in the world. Koreans had to start from scratch because the entire country was destroyed completely after the Korean War, and we had no natural resources. Koreans used to talk about the Philippines, for Filipinos were very rich in Asia. We envy Filipinos. Koreans really wanted to be well off like Filipinos. Many Koreans died of famine. My father's brother also died because of famine. Korean government was awfully corrupt and is still very corrupt beyond your imagination, but Korea was able to develop dramatically because Koreans really did their best for the common good with their heart burning with patriotism. Koreans did not work just for themselves but also for their neighborhood and country. Education inspired young men with the spirit of patriotism.

40 years ago, President Park took over the government to reform Korea. He tried to borrow money from other countries, but it was not possible to get a loan and attract a foreign investment because the economic situation of South Korea was so bad. Korea had only three factories. So, President Park sent many mineworkers and nurses to Germany so that they could send money to Korea to build a factory. They had to go through a horrible experience.

In 1964, President Park visited Germany to borrow money. Hundred of Koreans in Germany came to the airport to welcome him and cried there as they saw President Park. They asked to him, "President, when can we be well off?" That was the only question everyone asked to him. President Park cried with them and promised them that Korea would be well off if everyone works hard for Korea, and the President of Germany got the strong impression on them and lent money to Korea. So, President Park was able to build many factories in Korea. He always asked Koreans to love their country from their heart. Many Korean scientists and engineers in the USA came back to Korea to help develop the country because they wanted their country to be well off. Though they received very small salary, they did their best for Korea. They always hoped that their children would live in a well off country.

My parents always brought me to the places where poor and physically handicapped people live. They wanted me to understand their life and help them. I also worked for a Catholic church when I was in the army. The only thing I learned from the Catholic Church was that we have to love our neighbor. And I have loved my neighbor. Have you cried for the Philippines? I have cried for my country several times. I also cried for the Philippines because of so many poor people. I have been to the New Bilibid prison. What made me sad in the prison were the prisoners who do not have any love for their country. They go to mass and work for the Church. They pray everyday. However, they do not love the Philippines. I talked to two prisoners at the maximum security compound, and both of them said that they would leave the Philippines right after they are released from the prison. They said that they would start a new life in other countries and never come back to the Philippines.

Many Koreans have a great love for Korea so that we were able to share our wealth with our neighbor. The owners of factories and companies distributed their profits to their employees fairly so that employees could buy what they needed and save money for the future and their children.

When I was in Korea, I had a very strong faith and wanted to be a priest. However, when I came to the Philippines, I completely lost my faith.

I was very confused when I saw many unbelievable situations in the Philippines. Street kids always make me sad, and I see them everyday. The Philippines is the only Catholic country in Asia, but there are too many poor people here. People go to church every Sunday to pray, but nothing has been changed.

My parents came to the Philippines last week and saw this situation. They told me that Korea was much poorer than the present Philippines when they were young. They are so sorry that there so many beggars and street kids. When we went to Pagsanjan, I forced my parents to take a boat because it would be fun. However, they were not happy after taking the boat. They said that they would not take the boat again because they sympathized with the boatmen, for the boatmen were very poor and had a small frame. Most of people just took a boat and enjoyed it. But my parents did not enjoy it because of love for them.

My mother who has been working for a Catholic church since I was very young told me that if we just go to mass without changing ourselves, we are not Catholic indeed. Faith should come with action. She added that I have to love Filipinos and do good things for them because all of us are the same and have received a great love from God. I want Filipinos to love their neighbor and country as much as they love God so that the Philippines will be well off. I am sure that love is the keyword which Filipinos should remember. We cannot change the sinful structure at once. It should start from the person. Love must start in everybody in a small scale and have to grow. A lot of things happen if we open up to love. Let's put away our prejudices and look at our worries with new eyes. I discover that every person is worthy to be loved. Trust in love, because it makes changes possible. Love changes you and me. It changes people, contexts and relationships.

It changes the world. Please love your neighbor and country. Jesus Christ said that whatever we do to others, we do to Him. In the Philippines, there is God for people who are abused and abandoned. There is God who is crying for love. If you have a child, teach them how to love the Philippines. Teach them why they have to love their neighbor and country. You already know that God also will be very happy if you love others.

That's all I really want to ask you Filipinos.



"To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe." -Anatole France.



Essay entitled "My Short Essay about the Philippines" by Jaeyoun Kim.

the untold story of july 24.

It was one of those tiring days when all you want is a ride home and a welcoming seat. But because life is hard, you have to fight for what you want. And because you’re too tired to fight, you just surrender to the world’s unfair paradigm.

For the second time around, sumabit ako. Translation: I hanged. Second level of translation: I made sabit. Saan pa? Eh di sa jeep. I honestly don’t know what to make out of the experience. One side of me is telling me to be ashamed of it, since it’s the habit of those penniless guys who doesn’t want to pay the fare; since we associate this habit to laborers, carpenters, and the like; since we strip a person off his dignity when one does it. I have to admit, my self-esteem touched the ground a bit. But it was also that time that I felt proud. Not because I was proving machismo, but because I was able to hang on – firm and unmoving. Takot ko lang.

Mama was in her mocking tone when she found out yesterday what I did. I didn’t know how to defend myself aside from arguing that they wanted me to be home ASAP. If she only knew how my bag was cutting off my shoulders’ blood circulation and how I imagined my arm falling off because of my bag’s weight (no exaggerations), then she’ll be able to appreciate the effort.

Today, I once again rode a jeepney with its entrance blocked with three men. All of which were trying hard not to fall off eventually. I felt their starkness towards each other, on how they (unconsciously) tried elbowing the other men to win space. I saw the screaming veins in their hands creeping to their arms because of their heavy packs. I felt the invisible sigh of comfort for every passenger leaving their seats – awarding them their hard-earned comfort. I felt I was sharing their grip with every abrupt breaks. This time I can say, I was able to relate. Mahirap sumabit sa jeep. Accept this fact or dare to prove it yourself.

Photo Source: Sarah Geronimo, sabit sa jeep.

AMBUSH: shot, styled, and synthesized.

One word: SUPPORT.

AMBUSH Screening Highlights

AMBUSH Screening as seen on ETC

AMBUSH Fashion Party

See YOU there.SUPPORT the AMBUSH Fashion Party.

P.S.: Look for someone dorky and familiar. (n_n).v

gender goooooooglionchotomy.

It is amazing to realize how people around (may it be friends or not) are now more open to the idea of gender flexibility. On the one side, you have people who take the role of preachers on the idea of “coming out”. On the other side, you have the “converts” who celebrate the dogma. And there’s the resistance group in the picture also known as the conservatives.

I think labels for gender is a thing of the past. But still we subscribe to them for the sole function of order. For a subject this vast, you can’t trust the idea of personalized order creation (or ethomethodology if you want to be more technical). You just can’t believe how much effort people give just to fit themselves under a certain genus. Well, have you ever heard of straight-acting-power-bottom? (Whatever that means). Scholarly speaking, you can actually write a 10-page paper just enumerating the labels people subscribe to; the description will give you another 5; and the analysis can give you another 5; equals a 20-page exciting paper.

I can still remember when there was a dichotomy – the male and the female. Then there came a point when society reached a trichotomy (plus, homosexual). Then homosexual was divided into sub categories, which I don’t have plans in enumerating at this point. Can you imagine that we now have a thing in this world such as goooooooglionchotomy for gender?! Crazy, huh.

Well in terms of form, it is also now impossible to tell who’s who. Except for certain cases where a guy wears skimpy shorts, a perky tank top, clips, or whatnot while working the street like a catwalk. The alpha-male image is now a mask; the swishy-washy behavior is deceitful; toughness in girls is usually misrepresented; and people are now masters of make-believe.

Perhaps this event is telling us something: the days for external consciousness and inspection are ready to lie low and it’s high time for introspection. Too much time has been given to care about others and what others will think. I say, if you want to do it, do it while you’re young. At least if you realized that you’ve done a mistake, you can always retract or move forward for better things to happen.

Good night.

Photo Source

it is time to ... TAKE A STAND!

Stand out this centennial: attend TAKE A STAND, the UP Debate Society's free debate seminar for college students. Drop by on July 25, from 2:30 to 5:30 PM at SE 125, UP School of Economics to learn the basics of the art of debate.

Text Marc at 09183132806 or email 'updseacom@gmail.com' to get sure seats. Or reply to this post ASAP to make you arrangements.

For more information on UPDS and its other debate education programs, visit http://updebatesociety.org/seminar.html



P.S.: Take A Stand is a program for beginning debaters on the basics of the British and Asian Parliamentary formats. UPDS has brought T.A.S. to Ilocos, Romblon, Banuar, Pamgpanga and Sorsogon. T.A.S. seminars are held for free upon the request of interested institutions/organizations.

The program covers: rules of the British and Asian Parliamentary debate formats, speaker roles, speech types, points of information, rebutting techniques, basic argumentation & adjudication.

today michael turns sixteen.

Not many know that my brother’s birth was the most crucial birth in the family. I think my mom had chicken pox during her pregnancy, endangering my brother to highest level. My mom understood the consequences of what happened and she was prepared to have an abnormal child as a second son. I think prayers really work because she gave birth to healthy baby boy – Michael.

Today, my brother just turned 16 and he had to celebrate it in school with an exam, which sucks because last night he was busting his ass finishing his project and reviewing. I don’t know how he’ll celebrate. Maybe I’ll be welcomed (or not) by a crowd of noisy friends. Maybe he’ll invite his 3-year girlfriend who’ll just sit in the couch and chat with my sister. Maybe he’ll go to sleep and celebrate tomorrow or whatever. I don’t know, lately we haven’t been celebrating birthdays with the family. But I just wish he’ll have a good day today.

We are the not the best brothers in the world. But a quote from Astrid Alauda (whoever s/he is) says, “There's no other love like the love for a brother. There's no other love like the love from a brother.” That’s why I am glad that he’s around. Happy Birthday, Michael!

BTW, my brother has a crush on Rachel Anne Daquis. Can you tell her to greet him?