quarternotes

I've been writing all kinds of stuff since I was a kid... I've had poems, short stories, essays, songs, scripts... name it! I really enjoy it and I'm positive I'll never grow tired of it. I am not saying I'm a superb writer - like, someone you could place on a pedestal. I just know that my heart beats for it. Writing is like a song in my soul... on loop! Haha.

That's right... I forgot to blog about this yesterday coz I was basically floating here and there...

One typical night when I had to work and discuss a few business-ish stuff with Chelly... I suddenly felt this urge of doing something insane... and so I did! Many, many thanks to Chell for giving in to my crazy whim! Haha.

We waited for Cynch and Marlon (from GJ) to finish their shift (many thanks to them as well!)... They know this small-time videoke place, so we just went there! My goodness, I felt like I was my old self... like, way back in college when my [side] life revolved on gimmicks such as these. Plus, I got to spend quality time with new friends... A different circle, FINALLY! God IS good!

It's exciting to get acquainted to a new set of people. Cynch was fun-loving and Marlon was quite a character. We sang our heart out and ... well, never mind... went a lil over crazy =) haha.. Bottomline is, we had a wonderful, kick-a** time! Hoping that this is just the beginning of a new friendship that will last... fingers crossed!!!* And I sure wish the others could join us next time. =)

Wrapped up about 5am.... whew! Now that's definitely a night to remember. (thinking) "When was the last time I did this? College? Oh gee!"

Have you ever had this feeling that you just can't get over something - a certain someone or a particular experience, perhaps? And then the worst part is... you couldn't function right because of this?!

How do you stop this? How do you take control? How do you get yourself back on the ground from the clouds of oblivion? How can you keep your mind straight?

How do you put those pieces of shattered glass back together?

That's right.. I am going nuts! People are driving me insane!

I don't know if it's the medicine... Or the non-stop construction in our offices causing the air to be similar to a new year's eve atmosphere... or I'm just overwhelmed with different thoughts constantly bugging me even in my sleep... It's official. I am going crazy.

Today, about 4 friends rejected me.

First. I was suppose to have lunch with a friend... well, to cut the long story short, he canceled.

Second. Tried talking to a really close friend.. and then it ended up with me listening to her whining.. Argh, drove me crazy all the more!

Third was when I had a peculiar whim to have coffee with an old friend... oh, but he was too tired to give in to that random invitation.

And finally... well, this one's not exactly a rejection, but another good friend ignored my messages all day.

What is it with people today? Am I asking too much? Somebody pull me out of these waters!

About a month ago, I posted this photo on Twitter/Twitpic. It's Paolo holding his new Macbook; he named it "Mr Glass" in honor of the movie, Unbreakable (check Google about it).

Today, Pao was on his way to the office and his Nike bag just snapped! Blag! ...threatening Mr Glass' life. He at onced checked for any damages... Ran an extensive hardware system check-up (or something like that)... yade yade yada.

System's good so far. But physically... er, I don't think he's happy about it.

On its left corner, the one aligned with the touch pad, it somehow cracked open a bit. The base was not perfect as well because of the uneven battery. We brought it to the apple store in Sm Marikina. But, alas! Nothing happened. They weren't able to fix it. The worst part is, I guess they damaged it more.

*shakes head* tsk tsk tsk. Poor, poor Mr Glass.

Things are pretty smooth lately... or probably I'm just in denial that it's about to get worse... oh brother!

So I had this crazy weekend with my friends. We went to Fairview to visit our dear Sheena's little angel, Shaia. She looks a lot like her mom... I hope she gets her talents too! It's been ages since we last saw Spag (as we often call her). Glad we were able to visit and catch up. Once again, our favorite hot seat belonged to dear Sarah and her "leap of fate" issue. Sure hope she'll get over whatever anxieties she has, troubling her or such... oh well...


Richell, Jeebong and I (aka, the Sunday group/gals) are really insane! haha. We had our fortunes read by this tarot reader - gave me the creeps to hell! Although I don't really believe in such, it would be so cool if everything he told me were to come true. Stuff he read were really promising, then again, all boils down to one thought - MY CHOICE, MY DECISION, MY PATH, MY FUTURE.

Monday (yesterday) was really a Manic Monday. Spent basically the whole day at Sky printing. argh! Long devastating story... the colors were totally messed up! We've already tweaked some - just hope the proof tomorrow will be a lot better.

Oh, and how spontaneous can I get?! Hitched a badminton game with Marlon and Miguel (from Gloria Jeans) after their shift. Good thing Marlon had a spare racket! I really missed playing just for the heck of it! They'll probably schedule another one on Friday; wish they'd send a text message about it real soon! Though I really don't play like pro, a badminton game can really boost my happy cells to another level! It wasn't a bad day after all.

It's just my body, really... and her delayed reaction from last night's game. Woke up this morning and I was so glad that my body isn't aching like I was expecting. I actually thought that I'm not that of a weakling after all... Come 3pm today... my body started to ache. Talk about late reaction. I even asked my officemate, "Is my brain really acting up THIS slow? It's sending delayed reaction to my body... ayayayay!"

Good grief! I need to rest!

This is SO not Top Model!

It's the end of October and the deadlines are killing me. As much as I want to procrastinate, it's not anymore an option now. Oh boy! What to do and HOW to do all these?!?!

Strike 1, diverting. Strike 2, ignoring. Strike 3, abandonment.

Have you kept some little detail from someone that you wouldn't really think of telling it to this one person so you could refrain from further screw ups, awkwardness and confusion?

It's like you really, really want to tell him/her because you tell him/her almost everything. But this detail... this particular information would sure destroy everything. It would cause damage if not destruction. But you would rather keep silent; you just have to. If you want to keep him.

Is this becoming selfish? No, I don't think so. You're only saving you both from further pain and dismay. So have you ever felt like you want to shout something out to the world, but you're just too afraid that he might hear it?

I think this is enough. 'Coz I know, I had.

So the last couple of months have been so wild! Lemme just squeeze everything in a capsule (or capsules. most of you know how LONG I write) LOL.

The Sufi Bayazid says this about himself:


I was a revolutionary when I
was young and all my prayer to God was
"Lord give me the energy to change
the world."

"As I approached middle age and realized
that half my life was gone without my
changing a single soul, I changed my
prayer to "Lord, give me the grace to
change all those who come in contact
with me. Just my family and friends,
and I shall be satisfied."

"Now that I am an old man and my days
are numbered, my only prayer
is, "Lord, give me the grace to change
myself. "If I had prayed for this right
from the start I would not have wasted
my life.

God’s Word Today, The Philippine Star
Fr. Manoling V. Francisco, S.J.

NOVENA PRAYER FOR CORAZON “TITA CORY” C. AQUINO

Leader: A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to John. (John 6: 37-40)

Jesus said to the crowd:
“It is the will of him who sent me
that I should lose nothing of what he has given me;
rather, that I should raise it up on the last day.
Indeed, this is the will of my Father,
that everyone who looks upon the Son
and believes in him
shall have eternal life.
Him I will raise up on the last day.”

This is the Word of God.

All: Thanks be to God.

Leader: Let us recite the prayer of self-surrender to God that Tita Cory herself wrote in
2004.

All: Almighty God, most merciful Father, You alone know the time
You alone know the hour, You alone know the moment
When I shall breathe my last.

So remind me each day, most loving Father, to be best that I can be
To be humble, to be kind, to be patient, to be true,
To embrace what is good, to reject what is evil, to adore only You.

When that final moment does come,
Let not my loved ones grieve for long, let them comfort each other.
And let them know how much happiness they brought into my life.
Let them pray for me as I will continue to pray for them,
Hoping that they will always pray for each other.

Let them know that they made possible whatever good I offered to our world
And let them realize that our separation is just for a short while
As we prepare for our reunion in eternity.

Father in heaven, You alone are my hope. You alone are my salvation.
Thank You for Your unconditional love. Amen.

Leader: As Tita Cory expresses gratitude to the Lord for her life and many blessings, let
us thank the Lord, in Tita Cory’s own words, for the gift that she has been to our
people and the rest of the world.


All: In pain and sorrow
I have never been alone
Many thanks, dear Lord!
A heart full of love
In times of deep affliction
This I pray for, Lord…
In much hurt and pain
Yet my heart is not bleeding
Thank You, Thank You Lord!

Leader: Let us turn to Mother Mary to whom Tita Cory was devoted all her life to
accompany Cory to her Son Jesus Christ.

All: Hail Holy Queen, mother of mercy
Hail our life, our sweetness and our hope
To you do we cry poor banished children of Eve
To you do we send up our sighs,
Mourning and weeping in this valley of tears
Turn then most gracious advocate
Your eyes of mercy upon us,
And after this our exile
Show unto us your blessed fruit of your womb Jesus.
O clement! O Loving! O sweet Virgin Mary!

Leader: Let us pray.

Lord Jesus Christ, Savior of the world, we pray for your servant, Tita Cory, and
commend her to your mercy. For her sake you came down from heaven; receive
her now into the joy of your kingdom. We make this prayer in the name of the
Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

All: Amen

Leader: Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord.

All: And let perpetual light shine upon her.

Leader: May she rest in peace.

All: Amen.

Leader: May her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

All: Amen.



Fr. Manoling Francisco, S.J. is a prolific composer of liturgical music and serves on the faculty of the Loyola School of Theology. For feedback on this column, email tinigloyola@yahoo.com

DISCLAIMER:
Ilang beses ko rin pinag-isipan kung isusulat ko ito sa English o sa Filipino. Sinabi ko sa sarili ko, “Eh ano ngayon? Basta maiintindihan ako ng taong gusto kong makabasa nito.” Kaya ngayon pa lang, gusto ko na mag-sorry sa mga taong very particular sa language o wika ng isang article. For those who can’t understand Filipino, I suggest you have someone interpret this for you… that is, if you even give a damn.

DISCLAIMER PART 2:
Ang mga characters ay hindi necessarily existing. Hindi rin naman sila completely fiction. Kaya kung may matamaan man, bato-bato sa langit. At kung deadma ang ilan, mahiya ka naman. Don’t overreact, guys. Katuwaan lamang po ito.



VIA: Very Ignorant Animal
A Testimonial

I was born in the 80s. Kabilang ako sa libo o milyong mga batang binansagan nilang, EDSA babies. Pero ang article na ito ay hindi tungkol sa akin. Nasabi ko lang para alam ninyo kung ano na ang age ko ngayon, kung sakali mang abutin ng ilang taon o dekada ang buhay ng manuscript na ito. Para itong isang testimony about this girl I met.

Ang write-up nga na ito ay tungkol sa isang taong nakilala ko a few years back. Para na rin sa kapakanan niya, papalitan ko na lang ang pangalan niya. Itago na lang natin siya sa pangalang, Via. Dapat ay KAVI ang ipapalayaw natin sa kanya. KAVI, isang pangalan para sa lalaki na ang ibig sabihin ay “wise man, sage, o poet” in Sanskrit. Pero dahil babae siya, I’ve decided to rearrange the letters instead, omit some letters or just one, thus the name: VIA. Pasintabi lang po sa mga babeng (o binabaeng) Via ang pangalan… o sa mga may kilalang Via ang name. I come in peace po. Mamaya, malalaman ninyo kung bakit ito ang pinili kong alias niya.

Si Via ay isang college student nang makilala ko siya. Typical student na nagsusuot ng uniform, sumasakay ng jeep, may nakasabit na bag sa kaliwang balikat at bitbit ang ilang libro at binder sa kanang braso. Mahaba ang kanyang buhok noon – minsan nakaayos, minsan nakalugay. Akala niya siguro “hot” tignan kung nakalugay. Pero sa totoo lang, gusto mo siyang pahabulin sa suklay. Tama lang naman ang hitsura niya – not too short, not too tall, not too skinny, not too stout. Typical nga eh, pero minsan I ask myself, “bakit kaya feeling niya maganda siya?”


THE CLOSE ENCOUNTER

Nakatitig ako sa isang lumang bulletin board sa gym. Iniisip ko kasi kung paano ko bubuhayin ang isang plain sight. Masyadong dull, I told myself. Then she approached me na parang isang bula. Tila gusto niya akong tulungan sa decoration na aking pinaplano. Ngumiti lang ako sa kanya. Akala ko kasi noong time na ‘yon, matinong tao ito kahit na may hesitation and doubts ako sa unang engkuwentro naming... Nang tumagal, isa pala siyang, FC. Feeling Close. Simula noon sinabi ko na sa sarili ko, ayaw ko sa kanya.


MIRROR: A REFLECTION

Ngayon, mas malinaw na sa akin ang lahat kung bakit ayaw ko sa kanya. Simple lang naman. Galit ako sa mga taong social climber. Galit ako sa mga taong mataas ang tingin sa sarili, kahit na wala naman talaga silang binatbat. Galit ako sa mga taong akala nila’y magaling sila, pero hindi. Galit ako sa mga taong nagpapanggap na articulate, pero sa totoo lang, mas mabuti pang ‘wag na lang silang magsalita. At lalong galit ako sa mga taong mahilg mag-english na hindi naman keri. Siguro iniisip ninyo na ang yabang ko naman. Lahat naman tayo nagkakamali. Oo alam ko ‘yon. Pero iba kasi yung sablay ka nga, hindi mo pa inaamin, ipinagmamalaki mo pa sa mundo. Nakakaawa, pero nakakainis. Ito ang mga taong gaya ni Via na hindi marunong tumungin sa salamin. Hindi nila nakikita ang kanilang mga pagkakamali at kakulangan. Kaya pala feeling niya hot siya nang nakalugay ang mahaba niyang hair. Hindi po ate, hindi po talaga.


VIA AND ROMY

Minsan na siyang naging malapit sa best friend ko. Apparently, bukod sa pagiging isang ilusyonada, isa rin pala siyang linta. Dikit kasi ng dikit. At ang kawawang best friend ko, bilang isang lalaki, naakit naman ang loko. Itago natin sa pangalang Romy… as in Romy Diaz. Dahil.. wala lang. naisip ko lang.

Matagal ko nang kilala si Romy. May pitong taon na ata? At kahinaan talaga niya ang sweetness ng isang babae. Kung naging malandi lang ako, matagal ko na sigurong naakit itong si Romy. Pero ibang klase itong si linta… este, Via pala. During that time, may nobyo ang gaga. (Oo, may pumatol, drugs ang sinisisi ko. Joke lang.) Hindi ko nga alam kung anong nakita ni Romy sa kanya bukod sa porsha’t bogelia niyang nakaratay sa mga mata ni Romy. Mahal nga daw niya. Maniwala ako. “She’s driving me crazy,” wika ni Romy. Talaga nga namang mababaliw ka sa kanya. Ni hindi mo nga maintindihan minsan kung anong sinasabi niya. Madalas sa mga chat at text nila, nag-e English si Via. Si Romy naman, alam naman niyang mali-mali ang grammar ng iniirog niya, wala pa rin siyang care. Tsk tsk tsk. Love is blind nga naman. Pero dito ko lang napatunayan na Love is also deaf and mute. Tama rin pala ang grupong Salbakuta nang ipinagsigawan nila sa buong Pilipinas na tanga ang pag-ibig. Stupid Love!

Isang madaling araw sa McDo, sinabi sa akin ni Romy habang kumakain kami ng Sausage McMuffin, “I’m over her!” At ang nasabi ko na lang ay, I doubted, ika ni Via [na ang ibig talagang sabihin ay ‘I doubt it’] Ang sabi ni best friend Romy tapos na daw talaga ‘yon. Naku po! After a few days o weeks pa ata, nang magkita na naman kami sa McDo, inamin ng loko na hindi pa siya over dito. Mabuti na lang hindi ko naluwa ang Longganisang nginunguya ko. May mga inamin si Romy at tama nga ako. Isang full-pledged linta si gaga. Ang sabi ko naman, tara, inom lang ang katapat niyan. Sky to limit! [Isa na namang classic Via statement na ang ibig talaga niyang sabihin ay ‘sky’s the limit’]

Tumagal din ng one year, more or less ang kabaliwang ito. Mabuti na lang, natigil din. Nagising na ang kaibigan ko. Siguro binalikan ni Romy magbasa ng dictionary o dinalaw siya sa panaginip ng mga SV Agreement [Subject-Verb Agreement]. Thank heavens!


AND I THOUGHT THAT WAS THE END OF IT

Natapos na rin sa wakas ang lovesick moments ng kaibigan ko. Time to move on, ika nga. Pero hindi lang talaga ako maka-move on sa mga natutuklasan ko tungkol kay Via. Nakakalat ang mga friendster at blogs ang kanyang mga “obra” kung tawagin niya. I can’t help but read Via’s entries. It was so bad napapamura na lang ako, if not laugh at it till tears fill my eyes. Sakit sa headache ang mga entries niya. I swear, gusto ko na talaga siya regaluhan ng dictionary… o kaya bigyan ng scholarship para makapag-enroll ulit siya ng grade 1 for refresher grammar shit. Baka sakaling mag-improve ang drama ng lola mo. Ang sama na siguro ng tingin ninyo sa akin. But take it from me, subukan niyo lang basahin, baka mapanginti pa kayo.

Di naglaon, pati facebook ay na-invade na niya. Subukan man niyang i-correct ang mga entries niya… pucha, mali pa rin. Kawawa naman ang mga teachers niya noon. Sorry po mga Sir at Ma’am, mukhang may naipasa kayong student na sapilitan lang, tama po ba?

At kaya ko nga po ito naisulat mga kaibigan. Dahil bumalik sa aking ala-ala na may nakilala pala akong Via noon. Kung tutuusin, kawawa si Via. Dahil nagiging pugad ng laugh trip ang kanyang mga web pages. Naisip ko lang, may nagsasabi kaya sa kanya ng katotohanan? May naglalakas o maglalakas loob kaya na magsabi sa kanya na tumingin na muna sa salamin?

Siguro naman, by now, gets niyo na kung bakit ko pinili ang alias para sa kanya. Isa kasi siyang makata sa sarili niyang mundo. May sarili atang English book o Grammar book ang lola mo. Nananalo siya sa sarili niyang Spelling Bee at may sariling dictionary. Viationary, patay tayo diyan!


PARA KAY VIA AT SA MGA NAKAKAKILALA SA KANYA

Kung totoo ka man at mabasa mo ito. Please lang. Shut up if you can’t express it properly. Or better yet… Magtagalog ka na lang. Nasa Pilipinas naman tayo, maiintindihan ka rin ng kapwa mo Pinoy. Hindi yung parang you’re tryingso hard to sound smart, hindi mo naman kaya. Peace out!



Sorry feeling ko bitin. Nabitin rin ako sa pagsusulat ko eh. Pero kasi, na-realize ko na tama na itong mga naisulat ko. Siguro naman I've made my point. Uulitin ko lang. Bato-bato sa langit, ang tamaan.... hindi ka kasi tumitingin eh!

After almost a month of planning, finally, we did it!
It was like a reunion or something... or whatever you wish to call it. But for me (and my friends), it's really a celebration of MUSIC!

COMPOSITION: Lyrics (The first letter dated 22 April 2009.)
It started out with one simple chat over YM... and after nearly two weeks the series of emails began. With the subject "hoy! musikero ka ba?" we were able to accumulate 49 entries discussing the logistics and other details. Thank God for Gmail, it was easy for me to track these emails down. Haha.

COMPOSITION: Notes (What's a song without the Melody?)
I'd like to call it, "The Guest List" (of the Red Carpet), lol! I believe that each one in this list has a note to play in our song of friendship. Keeping this in mind, we were able to widen our circle... creating the best song there is! The band.

THE SONG
Finally, May 9 came. I actually had to work first before meeting up with them. When we entered the realm we'd like to call Noisecurb, the magic started. Hearing the first hit of the snare and the cymbals, creating this unpredictable beat... the first strum of the guitar, with rhythm that flows naturally... the first heart-pumping thud of the bass, pounding here and there... even the feedback from the microphones, that pretty much was all over the four corners of the room... My soul can't bear the excitement! Our hearts started to beat as one. It felt like we weren't there as individuals... We became one with the music.

Here's our line up: (in no particular order)
Alanis M. - Perfect
Sugarcult - Memory
Paramita - Carousel
Session Road - Eager Angels
Moonstar88 - Migraine
Cranberries - Linger
Parokya Ni Edgar - Silvertoes
Eraserheads - Superproxy
...and a few more I couldn't remember...

It was one of the best three hours in my life. No Par Value lives for music!

Just a little history...
No Par Value was born during the first quarter of 2007 (guys, am I right?) to join the college battle of the bands, with original members Alex, Topeng, Fed and Arnold. (Did I miss anyone?) NPV won first place, of course. For the rest of the story.. just let them narrate :P

For No Par Value covers, please visit the following pages:
http://www.youtube.com/user/ramonfelipe2004
http://www.youtube.com/user/watashiwa19
http://www.youtube.com/user/NoParValueGroup

Moving on...

THE AFTER PARTY
Centerstage was the next stop to meet up with the rest of the gang. It was six full hours of KTV! No wonder our bill ... ah never mind, too painful, huh? But it was all worth it... who's with me?! =)
What was amusing here was there were no stereotyping sh*t whatsoever. The selected songs varied from classics to OPM, from duets to rock bands, from boy bands to RnB... basically, everything under the sun (or the KTV's collection, no pun!)

CURTAINS CLOSED
From one of our favorites; a few lines from the song Memory by Sugarcult:
So get back, back, back to where we lasted.
Just like I imagine.
I could never feel this way.
So get back, back, back to the disaster.
My heart's beating faster.
Holding on to feel the same.

I closed my curtain, smiling at each memory of that night. When hearts beat as one. When souls collide. When one song was sung by those I love. This friendship is certainly bonded with different melodies, building up to one beautiful harmony... til the very last note.

I bought this caramel syrup from Starbucks today to have my very own caramel macchiato at home and at work. Yippe. So after the show, Mom and I tried it. Ahh.. I so love it! So the effect of coffee was to get me hyper. And so I was. This is good because I intend to write and do a couple of things first over the night. But now that I'm starting to get the move on (work, more writing and all those stuff), I suddenly felt sleepy and tired. The effect of coffee on me is really... poor? lame? undefined? It's not even decaf! Oh my. Will I ever trust coffee again? *sighs*

(hehe, ang laki ng probema ko, kape lang pala. tsss!)

Peace!

Mr. Chris Lowney, motivational speaker, renowned author of “Heroic Leadership” and former Managing Director of JP Morgan, is once again coming over to the Philippines to launch his new book, “Heroic Living”. He will also be giving talks and workshops on leadership.

In this connection, we would like to invite everyone to be part of his talk slated on March 26, 2009, Thursday, 5:00pm to 7:00pm and on March 28, 2009, Saturday, 9:00am to 12:00nn at the Auditorium of the Ateneo Graduate School for Business at Rockwell, Makati City. This scheduled talk on heroic living is specially tailored for public officials, government executives, and leaders alike.

To defray cost, we will be charging Six Hundred Pesos (P600.00) per participant; that includes a copy of his new book (Heroic Living) which we are selling at Three Hundred Pesos (P300.00).

We hope you can join us and find the way forward through HEROIC LIVING!

For further inquiries, please call us at the Jesuit Communications office at 426-5971 to 72 local 114 or 112.

Deep Sigh.

Some months ago, when Papa (my grandfather) was still with us, I would visit him in the hospital and hear his stories. Then came August when he was brought to the ICU in the state of coma. When he had awaken and regained his strength, I can once more hear his stories.

One of them was one of a kind. He was lying sick in bed. Someone came in to take care of him. It was Francis Magalona, he said. I found it bizarre that Papa dreamed of Francis M (of all people) until I heard the news that he was diagnosed with Leukemia. I believe that somewhere in the oblivion, they bumped in to each other. Papa narrates then that Francis even helped him clean up his mess.

Papa joined our Creator last September 2008. Francis brought tears to the country this March. In my prayers, I would talk to Papa and tell him, "Papa, magkasama na ba kayo diyan ni Kiko? Pakisabi naman po 'Salamat.' Mula sa mga nagmamahal sa kanya."

So I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Francis M - even in the midst of oblivion, he is still a one-of-a-kind Filipino, full of compassion for his countrymen. To dear Francis Magalona, for being an inspiration to all Filipinos, I salute to you and your Pinoy art. Astig maging Pinoy.

Good job, Kiko. Well done.

Once there was a famous flag of three kingdoms that laid on the moon that faces the sky; and four princes that stand side by side who wanted to reach the moon that faces the sky.

But the four princes had to defeat the three kingdoms first!

So they did.

The first kingdom was the weakest; and it was easy for the four princes to get pass through it.

The second kingdom was the widest, yet pale and feeble; the four princes just glided smoothly through it.

The third kingdom was not as weak as the first and not as wide as the second, but the toughest. The four princes didn’t mind so they crushed its rocky surface… until they finally reached the moon that faces the sky.

But the four princes that stand side by side weren’t content just by reaching the moon that faces the sky. Every chance they get, they travel through the three kingdoms of the famous flag… until they had the moon that faces the sky all to themselves.

***A short story (or whatever you wish to call it) while devouring my Chicago Cheesecake at Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, Trinoma branch. Dated 28 February 2009, 11:20 AM.

Last week, my sister's friend asked me to participate in a survey by coming up with a one-par essay carrying the theme: thinking before falling in love. Without really thinking, here's what I've written:

Paano ba umibig ang mga Pinoy?
Tapat. Wagas. Totoo.

***

February is indeed the most romantic month of the year. Thus, for our pre-Valentine celebration, Jesuit Communications Foundation Inc. (JESCOM) is treating avid listeners of USAPANG KAPATID on DZMM to a live interview with one of the country's most awarded scriptwriter - Mr. Ricky Lee.

Mr. Lee has written more than a hundred film scripts since 1979, and has bagged over 50 trophies from different award-giving bodies. His name has reached international as well with films shown in world renowned Film festivals like the Cannes Toronto Film Festival, Berlin Film Festival and such.

Para kay B (o kung paano dinevastate ng pag-ibig ang 4 out of 5 sa atin), his first novel was launched last November 2008 and is distributed by Anvil Publishing. This Saturday, let us take a deeper cruise in to the heart of the author of this touching masterpiece.

Tune in to USAPANG KAPATID with Fr. Nono Alfonso, Sr. Bubbles Bandojo, and lay mother Betsy Fuentes, this Saturday, February 7, 10:30 pm to 12:00 mn on DZMM 630 KHz.

As you grow older, you'd realize that the meaning friendship changes even without you knowing it. There are some you can keep, and sadly, there are others you can't. You will have your shopping buddies, your chitchat chums, your eating partners, your go-crazy pals; the list goes on. But the most important and the rarest are the ones you can trust your tears with. Not all of your friends can take care of your tears. Some may not even see you crying. And it's just sad when you realize this during that time that you don't have anyone to share these tears with.

One simple thought I learned during Papa's (my grand dad) wake was that a good friend can not be gauged with how many times you smiled together, laughed at each others' stories or, eaten ice cream and cake with. Good friends are the ones seeing you when no one else could, crying with you, or being with you while you’re embracing the pain. These are the times when you need them the most… and when you can see them there with you, then keep in mind that these are the friends worth keeping.

RE-POSTING from Rica's Blog. Haha. Just for fun! =)


If a man wants you, nothing can keep him away. If he doesn't want you,
nothing can make him stay. Stop making excuses for a man and his
behavior. Allow your intuition (or spirit) to save you from heartache.
Stop trying to change yourself for a relationship that's not meant to
be. Slower is better. Never live your life for a man before you find
what makes you truly happy. If a relationship ends because the man was
not treating you as you deserve then heck no, you can't "be friends". A
friend wouldn't mistreat a friend. Don't settle. If you feel like he is
stringing you along, then he probably is. Don't stay because you think
"it will get better." You'll be mad at yourself a year later for staying
when things are not better. The only person you can control in a
relationship is you. Avoid men who've got a bunch of children by a bunch
of different women. He didn't marry them when he got them pregnant, why
would he treat you any differently? Always have your own set of friends
separate from his. Maintain boundaries in how a guy treats you. If
something bothers you, speak up. Never let a man know everything. He
will use it against you later. You cannot change a man's behavior.
Change comes from within. Don't EVER make him feel he is more important
than you are...even if he has more education or in a better job. Do not
make him into a quasi-god. He is a man, nothing more nothing less. Never
let a man define who you are. Never borrow someone else's man. If he
cheated with her, he'll cheat on you. A man will only treat you the way
you ALLOW him to treat you. All men are NOT dogs. You should not be the
one doing all the ending...compromise is a two way street. You need time
to heal between relationships...there is nothing cute about baggage...
Deal with your issues before pursuing a new relationship. You should
never look for someone to COMPLETE you... a relationship consists of two
WHOLE individuals... look for someone complimentary...not supplementary.
Dating is fun...even if he doesn't turn out to be Mr. Right. Make him
miss you sometimes... when a man always know where you are and you're
always readily available to him - he takes it for granted. Never move
into his mother's house. Never co-sign for a man. Don't fully commit to
a man who doesn't give you everything that you need. Share this with
other women and men (just so they know)...You'll make someone smile,
another rethink her choices, and another woman prepare....

The weirdest thing just happened. It's now 2:25 AM... So while working, an old friend YMed me and I haven't seen him for three years. He buzzed in just to say:

"don't stress yourself too much. konting tyaga lang.. just don't overdo it, 'kay? cge, just checked my e-mail. take care always"

Okay.. so is God telling me to take little break for a while? It feels good to get something like this when you're in the middle of stress. It's like God is using our family, our friends, or even our long-lost friends to become His angels to get His message across... or to simply comfort us while we're in our daily battle.

Yeah. Everything's gonna be okay. Sigh.