A Shout Out

"May today there be peace within. May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith. May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content knowing that you are a child of God. Let this presence settle into our bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and everyone of you." — Santa Teresa de Jesús

I found that message in my in-box and it warmed my heart to know that somehow, somewhere, I was able to positively touch another person's life to the point that that person thought kindly of me, reached out, and sent me that beautiful message. And I appreciate how not all forwarded messages are "chain mail", and I must admit that some messages come at such an appropriate time that it sends chills down my spine.

This is just a shout out to all Wonder Women out there, and to the ones who help make you wonderful. In the busyness of each day, while you try to make sure that everything is in place, juggling event upon event, and keeping at bay the rainbow of emotions that is going through you, may you still find peace within - knowing that even at your lowest or loneliest point, God will never leave you. Be blessed.

Repost: My Life According to the Eraserheads

Using only song names from ONE ARTIST, answer these questions. You can't use the band I used. Try not to repeat a song title. It's a lot harder than you think! Repost as "my life according to (band name)" Tag your music loving friends!

Favorite Local Band of all time:
Eraserheads!

Describe yourself:
Fruitcake (Fruitcake)

How do you feel:
Ligaya (Ultraelectromagneticpop)

Describe where you currently live:
Smallroom (Aloha Milkyway)

If you could go anywhere, where would you go:
Trip to Jerusalem (Fruitcake)

Your favourite form of transportation:
Waiting for the bus (Cutterpillow)

Your best friend is(are):
Pare Ko (Ultraelectromageneticpop)

Your fear:
Sumtingevil (album unknown)

What is the best advice you have to give (pwede bang receive? hehe):
Palamig (Carbon Stereoxide) or Easy Ka Lang (Ultraelectromagneticpop)

Thought for the day:
Huwag mo ng Itanong (Cutterpillow)

How I would like to die:
With a Smile (Circus)

My soul's present condition:
Alapaap (Circus)

My motto:
Wala (Carbon Stereoxide)

First posted on Facebook.

Thoroughly enjoying my cup of Starbucks VIA™ Ready Brew Columbia blend! My take on it? Starbucks VIA™ Ready Brew is an awesome addition to Starbucks' already wonderful offerings!

Note, it doesn't taste like any over the counter instant coffee. In each cup of Starbucks VIA™ Ready Brew, you get to enjoy the fresh aroma and the rich and exquisite taste of Starbucks brewed coffee at a price that is more affordable (than most cafe bevs) and at a time and place of your choice. Whether you're chillaxing at home or shaking off a busy day at the office, Starbucks VIA™ Ready Brew gives you great coffee any time and any where without the hassle of a coffee maker or press :)

Goodbye crowded cafes, hello Starbucks VIA™ Ready Brew!

Not on One Man's Shoulders

It's been more than a hundred days since our eventful national elections. 100 days after and the country has already been placed in the global spotlight. 100 days after and people are beginning to grumble.

The grumbling does not surprise me. I was born in the 70's so I've had my fair share of presidents. And I've seen how they've muscled their way into power or how the public raised them on a pedestal declaring their chosen leader as the nation's savior.

Savior?! What?! As a people, why do we cling to the drama? Why does the Filipino look at himself as a damsel in distress always needing someone to sweep him off his feet and save him? Oh for crying out loud!

We as a people have had the same problem regarding our leaders and how we see ourselves - it's that we expect him or her to change our lives in an instant. Bad news, bros, that will never happen. Because our "salvation", "freedom", and the improvement of our lives cannot be depended on one person alone. With islands reaching 7,107 and a population of more than 90 Million, it is impossible for one man to bring our country together. Instead of placing the burden of kinship and deliverance on one man's shoulders, we should take it upon ourselves to reach out and yes, touch somebody's hand to make this country a better place - not only for foreigners, not only for the rich, but for the masses and for the children - our future.

So what do we do?

Let us not quibble unnecessarily. We have enough diseases that could kill the lot of us, so we don't need violence to shed any more blood. Let's talk. Let's share our feelings. Let's make an effort to build bridges instead of burning them.

Treat each other as if he were your brother/sister. Whatever religion you're in, these are the basic tenets - love and respect your God, neighbor, and the land you live on. As individuals, we will have differences, instead of hurting each other for being different, let us embrace this diversity.

Let us follow rules. Rules are there for a reason. Fill up necessary forms. Follow traffic regulations. Queue up (huwag sumingit!). Let us step away from the padrino/palakasan system.

Take care of our precious planet. We have only one. Let us not wait for foreigners to clean up our esteros. Let us not wait for the LGUs to start clean up drives. Let us pick up our own trash, and avoid littering altogether. Reuse, Reduce, Recycle!

These are things that we can begin with. All it takes is a simple step. And yes, there are things that our government can do for us, but we must also remember that we as a people have a role to play and the responsibility is ours by birth and by right. To quote the late president John F. Kennedy, "ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country."



Sharing JFK's speech: http://www.famousquotes.me.uk/speeches/John_F_Kennedy/5.htm

Responsibility

The past few weeks have been traumatic for our country. But true to form, no one is taking responsibility.

There has been a lot of hate messages and mud slinging going around - towards the hostage taker, towards the media, towards the PNP, towards the SWAT, towards the administration, towards the DILG, towards the mayor, towards the vice-mayor, towards the usiseros... poop flying everywhere and everyone's saying the other person's poop stinks much worse then their own. Yes, true to form, a lot of people are yapping their butt-cheeks off, wagging their tongues, and pointing fingers.

So where does that leave us now? Be (one of) the most hated nations in the world? Be the laughing stock and butt of jokes for the next couple of decades? We're great at getting attention, and trying to divert attention. Must the KSP cling to the limelight?

The problem is, we seldom learn from our mistakes because we're too busy saving face, saving ourselves, and being "pasikat". Sigh. Let's not waste our time waiting for the "next big scoop" to get our attention. Let's not wait to jump on the next bandwagon.

Bangon Pilipinas!

Corruption in the Little Things

While on the bus on the way home, the bus driver's attention was called (several times) by the traffic enforcers (TE) - I was seated by the window on the row immediately behind the driver's seat. We were along Taft Avenue nearing the corner of Buendia. At the corner, the bus driver was stopped (well, not really stopped seeing as we were inching along our way) by the senior traffic enforcer (STE) who didn't look happy. He asked for the driver's license - the driver would make "pakiusap" - this happened 2 or 3 times - until the STE yelled "Lisensya!". The conductor got off the bus and tried to bribe STE who kept turning his back and walking away. A ticket was issued. The license was confiscated.

The bus driver and conductor kept yapping on the bus as they inched away from the curb, commenting on how terrible the STE was for being "masunget", "mayabang" and "hindi mapakiusapan".

Hearing their discussion made my blood boil. They were mad at the guy for enforcing the rules! They were mad at him because he didn't want to be bought! The only thing bad I can say about the STE is that he had a short fuse. But in the heat of the afternoon sun, with drivers and conductors trying to buy their way out of a ticket, who wouldn't have a short fuse?

That's corruption right there - bus driver and conductor wanted the easy way out. They wanted to get their way without having to pay for the consequences. But what they didn't anticipate is that there are still some people who cannot be bought - whose integrity cannot be swayed.

Walang corrupt kung walang mang-co-corrupt.

The Good Shepherd

The Gospel reading during the celebration of Good Shepherd Sunday came from the Gospel according to John 10:27-30, [Jesus said,] "My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can take them out of the Father's hand. The Father and I are one."

It is my fervent hope that in the coming elections, we - as a people of God - will listen to His voice. That we - as a nation of our Lord - shall be guided by His Will and not our own. That our public officials and most especially those running for positions of power will espouse the virtues and values of a true and Good Shepherd.