Children Taken for Granted

Meet Princess, my little buddy at work. 

 

This is probably her first time seeing a crayon, and posing in front of a camera too (by the way she growls at me. Lol) Princess often knocks at the glass door of our office around ten in the morning, sticks her face on the glass wall and calls "Ateeeeeeeee" referring to me. Haha. She's often accompanied by her 4yr. old brother (who looks nonetheless good despite the dirt all over them). I was charmed by Princess not only because she looks very cuddly and malambing but also because she (and her brother), unlike the other street kids, doesn't ask for money or food but just for my attention. She smiles and laughs whenever I play and talk with her. She doesn't necessarily respond but you could tell by the way she smiles that she's enjoying the conversation. When not in the mood, she would just ignore my attempts to annoy her and holds her tears under her breath which might be because her brother is with his other playmates. She's so clingy! 😊 

NATIONAL DAY OF MOURNING - January 30, 2015

So many opinions and sentiments about the Mamasapano Massacre and all deserve to be heard.

The blame game will not do any good nor change what has already happened. But finding out the facts will help give justice for all.

First, PNoy washed his hand out saying that it wasn't necessary for him to give the operation an approval. In the same speech, no words of console came owning accountability and responsibility to the fallen soldiers. Second, he opted to attend the opening of some new car factory in Laguna instead of showing his support and compassion to the bereaved families. And third, while being late at the necrological services and having had the audience wait for him to arrive and give his eulogy, gisingit pa jud niya ang story we've heard a thousand times about his father, about his family, of which we citizens don't care as of this moment because more important issues, such as giving justice and solace to the families left behind, need immediate attention and solution.

The death of these soldiers indirectly affects us who are far from the battlegrounds in Mindanao not just in terms of economy but this also reflects the kind of leaders we have who are the frontliners in resolving conflicts in different areas of the country and in bringing prosperity to it's people. Now, more than ever, is the time when we need a strong leader who can stand firm and protect the well-being of his countrymen. But, #nasaanangpangulo?

Given that the government will continue the peace process, may this tragedy mark the limitations of the BBL setting an autonomous region which includes these armed men while bearing in mind their capacity to kill even their own brothers for the sake of what they call freedom. Those barbaric rebels will always and always find a cause to fight for even after the GPH gives them what they want. Surely, this massacre has been the result of greediness of people who are already in high positions who just won't get contented and satisfied that even giving education and liberty to their constituents is being deprived. Justice, equality and human rights, these are some of the plights which our Mindanawon brothers and sisters are calling for.

The #Fallen44 are not just the victims here but their families, friends, the young generation and the elderly who will nonchalantly wake up to gunshots and bombings around them without the assurance of seeing a brighter tomorrow. And those two high profile terrorists who were supposed to be served with warrant of arrest? Who has the concrete evidence that they were captured and killed during the encounter?

Funny that I said so many things, yet I don't want anything to do with the cross that they're carrying. Or to say the other way, more of being grateful that I do not have to go through the same misfortune as our poor brothers and sisters who are in the battlegrounds have. May the lives lost in this tragedy and this decades-long conflict not just be numbers and go into waste, but may genuine peace be achieved. The manner of the massacre should be a reminder not just to our high ranking government leaders and lawmakers, but also to all of us Filipinos to do each of our duties and obligations as citizens of our dearly beloved Philippines, upholding the truth, freedom and justice, even at the cost of our own lives.

"Peace can only be attained if there is sincerity embedded in the hearts of men."

Breathtaking Love

A picture truly paints a thousand words. And sometimes, it only justifies less than a pinky finger's length the emotion depicted on it. Life is not always painted with peaches and roses. Yeah. But when there is beauty to appreciate, life is always worth celebrating. There are also those instances when a moment is better experienced than see it from someone else's perspective. One can only be at the edge of another's vast horizon. Being able to see such with someone beside you makes it even better. See that umbrella being held by a gentleman for his lady? ☺ 

People should see how much love and peace there is to take in than the dirty piece of hatred wanting to ruin the life that Jesus has designed for us. Love can't feed us, yeah. but passion makes us do beautiful things with beautiful results. When everything else may seem to crumble, there is always, and always, something wonderful that is in store for us. Funny how the things we are not able to understand when we follow His will, turn out to be the most fascinating spin that life has to offer!

In Aloguinsan, fishermen are given an alternative livelihood when there are no fishes to catch or the waves be too strong. Bojo River offers ecotourism where fishermen not only shows off the beauty of their local place, but also educating tourists how environment should be preserved and protected. Many species of mangrove which have grown in this riverbank have housed several species of water animals which helps maintain the livelihood for the people and a maintain a healthy marine ecosystem. Their roots are of great help to prevent erosion during heavy rains and other parts of it have different uses to offer. What is important in ecotourism is that the beauty of nature should be preserved and for the people to appreciate its wonder and raise awareness about environmental protection. 

"This is the only earth we have. we can only protect it when we develop a relationship with it." Truth be said, Mayor Cynthia Moreno is very passionate in empowering the communities involved by reaching out to sustain the needs of this tourism activity which in turn helps the members of the community improve their state in life and promote ecotourism activity. What makes her exceptional is that she sustains the needs of the community first before the interest of the capitalists. Or maybe politics has had too many scandals aired in the media but not really the improvements they have made? Maybe there are just too many critics and a little too few of praisers for the benefit of what is good? 

Constructive criticisms are always important, yeah. But nowadays, too few good things are being broadcasted. As for Ate Marivic, my tourguide in the little banca, the Bojo Aloguinsan Ecotourism Association, an LGU supported people's organization, has truly helped her sustain the daily needs of her family especially that her husband has already passed away because of an accident. Beautiful stories should be told more often, such as the lives that every activity has touched.

Did I say too much? I actually just wanted to say how breathtaking the love of the Lord can be!! :)

Musing on the Ambivalence

I HAVE TO RESIGN IN THIS KIND OF JOB. Sooner than later, I have to. With the kind of life I want to live, that is an eminent fact. They said, there's no better time for change than NOW. Or not really. Word just got in from the great Bo. He said, stop comparing and start living! If I do this, I'd be happy to spend money I have not earned in whatever ways I wanted without having to feel guilty about it! Will that ever be possible.... 

Going back to this kind of job. I think it is totally a waste of time and talent to work just to earn money and not enjoy doing it. That for me is life lived to barely exist. I also know for a fact that it when someone is doing something, he should make the most out of it or give his best in doing the job to avoid regrets and maximize his potential. So the thing is, the evil lurking in my mind says that I haven't given my best in this job, the one which attempts to solve the phone calls coming from irate customers who thinks the world is against them just because they're not getting what they want. And I can't blame myself. I never want to work for those kind of people! Who does anyway? But here I am with the exact kind of job description which I am whining about. In the end, I could choose to love my job and make the most out of it. Or stop this madness and find the courage to do whatever is needed to have the world at my feet.  It takes a big leap of faith to embrace change. Great things come with change. And all great things never came easy. 

Or maybe I just overthink? I must submit my resignation letter. YES.

How Things Are Gonna Be Like

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So this is how things are gonna be like. I just hafta keep on checking this sweet damn thing so I'd have an idea where the waves will send him next. This is so not gonna be easy and I have never imagined falling for someone with anything to do like this - an indefinite LDR with a high risk kind of job. All I wanted was someone I can simply spend the rest of my life with..

I have this nick of ending stuffs when I don't see any use of it's prolonged existence, not even giving at least a second look back. Say how I didn't want to settle for anything less for the past, what?, four years..

But it's different this time. I wanna give this my best shot. A shot like I've never made before. Why? It might be because I saw a flicker of genuineness and sincerity from him and I wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt though we've only known each other for roughly three weeks before we became official. 

Sure I have constantly thought of losing hope if this relationship might even last for countless times with endless questions lingering around, as it is young and is so much vulnerable and prone to doubt. I can't be blamed. It's a natural emotion of a person whose heart has been played upon overtime. Okay, so I've got myself to blame for allowing that. And so I'm scared to give the wrong guy another precious chance and eventually get disappointed and break my heart again. I know myself well enough to know how far I'll go, and maybe sacrifice, for love.. It also doesn't help that I don't have a lot of people I can confide to, not that I need a lot of them anyway.

I have my hopes high that this LDR will work out, that we will find ways to keep in touch. Hence, I keep on convincing myself that it won't be so bad after all. That missing the person you chose to love would just be one of the perks. 

Example.. Kana ganing feeling nga super nka gimingaw sa pila na ka weeks without commu then one morning u rcv an iloveyou msg from him? astang wai kasudlan and kalipay and super kilig!! HAHAH K. And of course, that knowing he's safe pud. Pag nagka commu na, it really feels like the heaven is rejoicing when all doubts and uncertainties are being taken away just because of a simple affirmation and sincere assurance you've wanted to hear. I guess that alone can already compensate for the time that he was gone.. 

I love him and will do anything for our relationship to work ♥ :)

2nd Monthsary Skype Date ♥

PS. 

So, it goes like this, if heavens would allow, forever. Pila na pud ka tormenting days, or weeks or months, ko maglaum ug maghulat - with or without prior notice?! Hunahunaon nalang nako ang global warming, gender and development, quantitative research, statistics and probability, public ethics, deprived basic human rights, MDGs (hapit na raba 2015), youth org, from Tarryn Fisher to Malala Yousafzai and the guy named Rockstrom who worked his probably nonexistent social life to set standards for environmental management and business accountability which less than ordinary human beings haven't heard of, computer networking, dealing with hotels' crappy ISP and LPCs ug ang pagkaon sa pantry nga ugh, forced diet lang. All those among other things not essential enough to be listed though time consuming i.e. sleeping, eating, shopping, sleeping, eating and reading. Posting an absolute ranting stat in FB. Not to mention, learning how to drive in a 20kmph traffic and park smoothly for the nnnth try, all at the same time.

LOVE, I would like to believe, transcends communication and distance. Okay, fight! 💜