Somewhere. Somehow. Someday…

Not all love stories end with “and they live happily ever after.”

Why do we have to feel pain? Why do we have to suffer? Why do we have to shed tears when somebody bids and say goodbye? Why do beginnings have an end? Why do we have to bump into each other then afterwards lose in the end? Why? Why? And why?

There are really questions that is left unanswered, stories left untold, letters left unopened and unread, poems left undone, feelings left unexpressed, and of course the famous promises left unfulfilled.

They say that in a relationship, one of the most hard thing to do is to say goodbye and letting go. It is as hard like breaking a diamond for the reason that you’ll never know when will you be able to pick all the pieces again. It is a fact that the people who were left behind suffers most and those who left them suffers less or not at all. But then again we have to accept the fact and cherish the memories of the love that’s meant to be, the love that was.

We may find ourselves alone, embarrassed, and feel the excruciating pain. But the question to answer is, do we have to dwell on that? Let’s be aware that, unfair as it may seem, thats the way love goes and thats how cruel life sometimes. That is part of the bittersweet drama of falling in love and risk taking. Everything will eventually come to its end without us knowing how, without us knowing when, without us even knowing why. But we have to remember that in this world nothing is constant but change. Painful as it is, for our own good, we have to forget even if it’s not because we want to but because we have to.

In the process of letting go, they say that sorrows come not as a single spy but attacks in battalion. Yes it’s true, because when you think that you are ready to face the said process, weird things happen. It seems that everywhere you go, whatever you do, every turn of your head, every beat of your heart, song you hear, move of your body, blink of your eye and even every breath you take always reminds you of that person. It’s more than like a stab of a knife, torment that is. And you know what seemed to be funny about the situation? Just imagine, there are billion people on earth and yet it seems you feel lonely and empty without the other. It’s like the whole world is uninhabited when in fact only one person is missing.

I don’t have a concrete idea if the said process of letting go is deserving to be called an “art.” But what I know is that letting go requires a skill or not a developed talent to endure , considering space and time. It has been a cliche that time heals all wounds, but it takes a little motivation on our part if we really want to be healed out of the experience. To accept the truth is vital and so much more important to believe on.

Sometimes we have to suffer if it would mean happiness for others and cry to temporarily let go of the pains. The system of love is really weird and unfathomable. Undeniably, sometimes we have to separate ways because of certain circumstances that is highly beyond our control. But we should also understand that like every beginning has its end so as with every dawn has its dusk. It’s something we can’t control, and something we have to accept and live up with.

But life has to go on. Goodbye doesn’t always mean forever. There will always be a place and time where questions will be answered, words will be spoken, letters will be read, poems will be recited in the night, songs will be sung in harmony, love will be expressed in solitude and promises will be fulfilled.

Somewhere. Somehow. Someday…

I LOVE YOU

What, in your opinion, is the most over-used idea expressed in a popular saying?

It’s what starry-eyed lovers whisper as they gaze at a Paris sunset, what 10-year-olds shout to their mothers as they sprint toward the already departing morning bus, and what teenage girls scream and squeal at their favorite Backstreet Boy. It’s supposed to be the deepest level of emotional connection between people, yet society has transformed it into a pop-icon phrase to be screened onto glittery fuchsia tank tops and written inside Hallmark cards with pastel kittens and butterflies dancing on the cover. The phrase, of course, is “I love you.”

But what could be wrong with overusing such a positive phrase? It seems there is so much hate in the world that “I love you” would be a breath of fresh air. The more a phrase is used, however, the less meaningful it becomes. When a person really means it, the phrase is so overused that the extraordinary meaning is lost.

Should the words used to describe my relationship with my grandmother be the same I use to address my French fries? I think not. And what about the lovey-dovey teenagers who cry out “I love you” during every class break while adoringly staring into each others’ eyes, yet never understand the meaning of the words they say?

The phrase “I love you” should be left only for those who fully comprehend and appreciate it, not for those with a two-week infatuation.

But how can we change the way this message is used, and the superficial meaning it has received? It’s not about allowing our hormones to speak for us or using the words carelessly. It’s about using the expression only when we have a truly special bond with someone. These words should only be used with someone whom we cherish and who can acknowledge the amazing union we have together. Otherwise, the meaning will be lost forever.

The Philippines Today: A Disaster?

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The Philippine sis such a great place to live in. blessed with abundance of natural resources and other natural wealth that are of great importance. People are united in one goal; that is, to make and show the world that the Philippines is worthy to be considered a paradise, a paradise where people live in harmony with the standards not of people or person but of God. Filipinos are people who have enormous care for one another. They always see to it that in everything they do, it is something that will bring benefit not only to their selves but also to others. The fang of selfishness is really deactivated. Leaders are candid, thinking for the common good and not of their personal interest. They are treating with high-regard the interest of the people and not of themselves. Leaders are also aware of their responsibility that is to give what is due to the Filipino people and for the Filipino people. Leaders and the mass have the general idea of loving this country and never forsake this country. Truly, this place is a living paradise like Eden in the face of the globe.

But that was before, that’s HISTORY. The Philippines is very different today. You can really see how it changed, like a friend that once you have been acquainted with and after several years evolved to something unrecognizable. If I were to say my reply the moment this country will say “hi” to me, it would be “subalit Ginoo, hindi kita kilala”.

It is really sad to know that this country is not the country we once knew. It really makes me think in a melancholic way how this country changed to something closer to what I consider a chaotic place, when I fact before this is said to be a paradise. Questions are really bothering me, lingering on mi mind, making me think, confusing me, letting me grab my pen and a paper for me to write. What is happening to our country? Philippines, what is happening on you?

On Terrorism…

Bang! Bang! Bang! The sound of guns may it be in Luzon, Visayas, and more often here in Mindanao. Firing guns of our Armed Forces, military, PNP, and the rest of the governments security allies and the always-called or termed “terrorists”—the NPA’s. We can see Filipinos war against Filipinos, killing their brothers and sisters; kids of different ages, innocent civilians, and more others that are not suppose to experience and be victims of this tragic scenario. It is riotous to know and see how these people kill each other when in view of the fact as Filipinos, as citizens of this country; we are bound to love and care for each other. Its like caring for a family member. I am not familiar of the conflict that is said to be the cause of this outrageous war, but where is your religion my dear brothers and sisters? Is it eradicated? Or shall I say, you have lost your learning of how to value the greatest gift; our life? Where is your conscience? Do you like seeing your co-Filipino dying or dead? For God’s sake! Let us stop this and change this to something that is right; where shedding of blood will never be experienced. For we as Filipinos are one.

“Bomba sumabog 14 patay, 100 sugatan”, “a bomb threat was received by the AFP”, “ Usaka 11 anyos nga bata ug iyang inahan, biktima sa pamomba”, these are just few of the lines that you’ll hear over the radio news centers and TV broadcasting networks. Bombings is everywhere in the country, killing Filipinos, putting at risk the lives of those who are innocent, and destroying good homes of citizens. Is this what we call unity among Filipino people? Is this the product of the teachings of every religion we have in this country? Are we supposed to be happy because we have killed our brothers and sisters who are innocent of our unknown strife? For crying out loud! Whatever feud you (terrorists) people have against the government I believe that there is always a solution to that. We can always find ways to settle such conflicts and not impose revenge directly and terminating innocent lives. Bombings have brought disastrous occurrence on us. It’s incontrovertible that it also affected the Philippine fragile economic condition. Thus, we should find ways to stop this for us to be able to live a secured life, free from all the threats of national security.

On Prostitution…

And here comes the urge of prostitution. Youth, underage or more than eighteen, seen along the streets and dressed fascinatingly, in a way that the so-called “customers” will notice and easily detect them. These people sell their body and soul just to earn a living. For them to eat three times a day, clothe their selves, and most probably live life. Awful, isn’t it? But this is the reality along the streets of every city during night time. “Prostitutes” flocks to the streets to find people who can help them in their needs daily, tuition at school, and the rest of its reasons. Is this moral? Can we consider this something to be respected? Can we see on this as something worthy to be called a “Filipina”?

We have been struggling for the perceptions of foreigners on our women. When they hear the word “Filipina” it’s always associated or interrelated with the word “prostitute”. Are we going to concur or agree with this idea they have about Filipino women? No and never! Our women deserve a respect that is due to them. But how can we stop prostitution, when as what they say this is the only way they know to earn a living and survive? Think about this: can you sell your dignity, respect, and pride for amounts that will only make you live for one day? There are lots of ways in this world, just be vigilant and hunt for that something that will make you live a life without jeopardizing your dignity as human, and as a Filipina and Filipino.

On Drug Addiction…

Drug addiction is really getting rampant in our country. People of different ages, different walks of life, poor and rich, and etc are indulging into this thing considered to be prohibited. Drug addiction is one of the causes that opened other problems of the society like kidnapping, car napping, violence, murder, rape, and other outrageous and disgraceful crimes. But how could we stop this so-called drug addiction when people who are in the position which we think are the one who will find ways to overcome this dilemma are the one who is leading and supporting it.

Senators, Congressmen, Governors, Mayors, Brgy. Captains and even SK Federated officials are the one who are at the back of these manufacturers when in fact their job is to stop and if possible eradicated these drugs for it is really destroying the future of the youth. Shocking right? But it’s true.

I know as college students, we know what the effects of this prohibited drugs are. If we are in our right frame of mind, try to think and ponder on this thing: that drug addiction is not the solution to whatever problem you have. Say YES to Drug Education, but NO and NEVER to Drug Addiction.

On our “good servants”…

Here I am again tackling about the life of politicians. But please don’t misinterpret whatever message this is going to convey.

Graft here, corruption there. It is really sad to know that the money that is for the people have gone its way to the bank accounts of these “good public servants”. Yes it’s true that Graft and Corruption is one of the reasons why this country is suffering from the mud of poverty. Each year, billions of pesos are lost in the government’s fund and according to the grapevine the people don’t know where the money flew. Interesting right? Maybe we can ask our “good” public officials, where are the funds that are intended to be seen through projects, innovations, and more other that would be benefited by the majority of the Filipino people?

For sure these politicians have different answers for you. Answers that will really convince you but are deceiving you. I really don’t know what is happening with these people who are deeply blinded with the spark of wealth. They are not even thinking about the millions of Filipinos who are undeservedly suffering, from the anomalies made by these “good” people”.

I can really tell that you people are real “good” persons. Good in deceiving us, good in graft, good in corruption, good in making promises but afterwards none was realized, good in making brilliant projects but behind are intensive incongruity, very good, real good.

Now I want to ask you? Where is the sense of nationalism? The oath of allegiance not only to the state but to the people and for the people? You are considered from the moment you want to be elected people with the capacity to lead. You are called “candidates” the moment you run for election, from the root word “candid” meaning truthful to the promises, sincere to serve the people, and honest for the people. Where are you leaders of good will? Where are you leaders who are to help the Philippines and not destroy the Philippines? Where are you leaders? Where are you?

On what I want to say…

I am really disappointed with what is happening to this country that I loved so much. I am very disenchanted with the people whom I expected to put this country as one of the great nations all over the globe. I am sad to see people hungry, begging for food, intense poverty among the mass, and other undesirable effects that are brought about by these people we consider “good”. I am poignant to see women and also men selling their bodies for them to earn a living. It is really heartbreaking to find out that this country is decaying from its envied beauty before. It is distressing to notice that from the top we are being drag almost to the bottom.

But despite of these problems that we are facing. I am still hopeful that this country will stand and show the world that we deserve to be respected and be the greatest nation that we can be. I am still thinking positive that in this strife that we are having at the end we will be considered and declared the victor. I am optimistic to say that all these problems are like mountains that are being created for us to climb and climb and reach the highest peak for a better view of what we deserve to have and see.

Back to the question, Philippines Today: A disaster? My answer would be, no and never, if we will only be one and help one another to build an ideal nation that we dreamt having, then that dream is not far to reach. We are Filipinos, it is but right for us to help one another and be the nation greater than all the nations around this planet.

Kudos Filipinos!

What Is Love?

“What is love? This mystical, mythical question goes back to ancient time without a coherent answer. Each person’s experience of love is uniquely varied, and each person’s understanding of love is different from the next. Love varies from one period to another along the length of a human life; a person can have many loves, but each experience will be different from the next. Summing it up, or pinning it down, are both impossible.

Many people give themselves over to this mystery, but while love can produce the most tender and delicate feelings in anyone’s soul, it alone can open a window in the hearts of a very few. A simple analogy might be that of spring water which satisfies an extremely thirsty soul. Imagine, in the intense heat of midsummer, a very thirsty shepherd, using both hands to scoop the running water from a roadside creek to drink with a joy that satisfies his thirst. Such a sensation is beyond compare. Similarly, when a tired and weary person returns home from far away, he says to himself, ‘Finally, I have come home,’ before stretching himself out on his bed to rest. This joy, too, is beyond compare. Again, when a writer who has been up all night working puts the last full-stop at the end of his article; this, too, is boundless consolation for the heart. These all are phenomena of love. In fact, love is a sort of deeply pleasing satisfaction, but with various manifestations. It defies explicit definition.

Khalil Gibran gives us an extremely vivid description: “For even as love crowns you, so shall he crucify you. Even as he is for your growth so is he for your pruning. Even as he ascends to your height and caresses your most tender branch that quiver in the sun, so shall he descend to your roots and shake them in their clinging to the earth. That is to say, love can occupy the deepest places of your mind, shake the foundations of your life, and force you to leave your native land. “Gibran uses a real life image to describe it, precisely because it is so difficult to give an explanation.

A profound understanding of the process is even more difficult. Everybody has a different explanation and a different definition regarding the love they experience. The majority of people can suddenly fall in love with a stranger. If you ask them what they see in their lover, sometimes they can’t give you a clear answer. But the fact of their regard for each other is indisputable. Regardless of the secret mystery of love, it is a process in your feelings and in your heart. Love, too, always manifests itself in the body. Love will appear repeatedly in your life. In fact, the Gibran description of love is also talking about a solid, concrete form of love. Still other forms of love exist secretly in a human life.

Love is a kind of performance of the self, a satisfaction of the self; love is a kind of need, or is a much-needed satisfaction. Love is a kind of tendency toward both secret transformation and public transition. No matter what, if you fall in love with an actual person, you can feel your body making various unexpected changes. You might also realize that changes are taking place in your thoughts as never before.

In brief, as a living human being with a soul, it is impossible not to fall in love in the course of a lifetime. Love is like the sunshine; no matter how tightly you shut down your heart, the sunlight will find a way to shine into it. Love’s process is unstoppable. Therefore, my advice would be: Don’t waste your precious time trying to define the meaning of love. The best definition is already in your own heart and mind.

We All Just Want To Be Loved!

“Love is patient… kind… does not act unbecomingly… is not provoked… does not take into account a wrong suffered… believes all things… hopes all things… endures all things. Love never fails.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-5, 7-8.)

Love as defined by Webster’s dictionary is a profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person. When you love someone you care not only care about them as a person, but also about their well being. When your love is hurt, you also feel hurt. When he/she is in pain you also feel pain. Both of you feel what the other feels. His/her physical and emotional problems is not only his/hers, but yours as well. To be in love means to care about that person so deeply that your life would not be complete without him/her. The fact that you cherish one person so much is a blessing to some, as well as a gift.

Sometimes people confuse happiness with actually being in love. They think that because they are happy, that they are in love. When in fact for the most part they are just happy with the idea of being in love and spending the rest of their life with someone. Many people break up and get divorces. Sometimes it makes you wonder if they were even in love to begin with. So many times people rush into relationships and become involved way too quick.

I once have a friend who wrapped up his world in a girl, that he forgot the most important thing- himself. He forgot about pleasing and making himself happy because the whole time he was constantly doing things to please her. She claimed he loved him and was extremely happy, but in actuality I believe she was in love with the idea of what he could do for her to make her happy. She was not in love with my friend because love does not mean being selfish.

When someone loves another person, they are not always concerned with what they can get out of the relationship; they are concerned with what they can put into it. Being happy with a person does not always mean that you are in love. I think you find this most in young relationships. I know in my case I thought that I was so in love and that I could never find that certain someone to make me feel the way that person made me feel. I was devastated for some time but come to find out later, I was not in love to begin with.

Benjamin Franklin once said, “If you would be loved, love and be lovable. Love is something we are all in at least one time or another in our life.” We want someone to love us unconditionally who we are, not for the looks and other physical aspects of it. That may sound conceited, but sometimes you see people constantly talking about so and so because of their looks when they don’t even actually know the person. I believe that the personality and morals of a person make them the most attractive of all.

The one thing that we have always wanted to be is in love. When it comes down to it, we all just want to be loved.

TEEN & SEX

The changing orientation of every individual develops and opens various unforeseen possibilities that may either corrupt or harness one self. In reality, one possesses no permanence, for life even is not inoperative. True that human will always search for something pleasant, enjoyable and satisfying.

Premarital Sex among teens is either way not an old story to us; this has been a customary issue ever since affecting at large most teenagers of different countries of different cultures and of different concepts, a moving truth that many holds no strength to keep one self from temptation and danger, from an instant indulgence of oneself, and to keep distant from a compromising situation and edge opportunities from too much delight of freedom. This is the record of how changes evolved among teenagers, a change where we become fatal and most of us end as criminals. A victim resorting to concession of one self and a criminal exceedingly responding to one’s fervor and passion.

We have learned that environment; age of partner and perceived family support may affect young people’s decisions to have sex. True enough that these factors don’t stand alone but with a receptive wall to every person. I always believe that we cannot gauge the maturity of every person that is why our parents are there to steer and serve the purpose of putting us into the best path, but in most cases, our parents may not be there to monitor or bequeath us the best advice to help us weigh our decisions, or bestow suggestive positive means for us to consider whenever possible. So I believe that we should take an open and positive allotment of respect among ourselves, otherwise when we scarcely take their thoughts and words; we deem that the rest of our actions will be fully taken charged by us, sometimes good but taken not seriously at times, and so teenagers end up weeping for a consequence brought after finding their newly discovered path.

Our environment unfolding and recounting every layers of our innocence, from the advancement of technology allowing our minds to be reached by unaccepted ideas and practices and overconfidence of media brought every young girls and boys into a deeper, more dangerous risk. Sex becoming a social partiality to teenagers has reformed them as less sensible, irresponsible individuals with no brighter eye looking for the future.

Age of difference becoming a consideration to this issue also comes with an immense rewind. I believe that number/age doesn’t matter in making pronouncement but it should be coupled with maturity and preparedness to liability. I openly do not spare myself from this issue as I have come across this set-up and I became an assassin of my own conscience and took menace of my future. Things I believe are the same for those who unfortunately came with an unexpected and startling responsibility after doing so, but in the end, we keep and we will remain track of ourselves and this is an unfolding truth for every individual be an adult or a teenager.

What is Love?

What is the one emotion that has everyone mystified? What is the one emotion that has started as many wars as it has ended? What emotion has had more plays, songs, and stories written about it than anything else? Love, that one emotion that makes enemies into friends and friends into enemies. So many legends surround this emotion, from the goddess Athena and Helen of Troy to Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.

Love comes in so many different levels, that it doesn’t appear to be the same emotion at all, but it is. There is so much to love, that it will be hard to put into this simple essay. It can tear people apart and make us do irrational things to bringing together entire nations. What can this emotion not do? It’s hard to tell, but there is a lot it can.

This emotion, bring tears to our eyes when something happens to our family members, friends, and pets. When we feel love ripped from us, as in death or being spurned by another, we do things we wouldn’t normally do, such as go on violent rampages, or mourn to the extent that our loved ones have to watch us constantly to make sure we don’t try anything like suicide. Some can move on, always remembering the lost loved one after a while, but others can not let go. These are the ones that need our love and support the most.

There are so many levels to love, that I can only express a few of them here. These are the ones we see most in life. Friendship starts this list off. Yes, it doesn’t seem like it, but we do feel love towards our friends, this is what helps us get along so well, and why we miss them when we don’t see our friends for a long time. It’s also why we hold certain friends over others no matter what happens. Sometimes, the bond between friends deepens to the point where a stronger bond of love is made, making them family.

Another level of love, are for our siblings and other family members. Even though we do things to our family members, and sometimes we don’t like some of our family, that bond is still there. It’s this family bond level of love that brought about the phrase, blood is thicker than water. We will do things for our brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, and children before we would even consider doing them for anyone else. Many wars have been started because of this family level, brother avenging brother or father, father protecting his wife and children, or even vice versa. This simple family bond can even extend to include our pets, amazingly enough, and that is a good thing.

A third level to love, is the bond that brings man and woman together. This level is among the strongest of them all. It is this level of love that has brought together kingdoms into nations in the past, and ended many great wars. It’s is also for the love of a woman that has started a few of our well-known wars, like the Trojan Wars of ancient times. It’s brought together families that have argued for years and years, such as in the Shakespearean play, Romeo and Juliet. Even though the two mentioned killed themselves in the end, it still brought their families together.

The last mentionable level of love is that bond between a mother and her children. There is no stronger, nor will there ever be. This bond starts from the very first tiny fluttering of movement and never ends, even after death of the child. A mother protects her children in the name of love, and directs them through life using it as the example to follow. Well, at least it should be. It’s because of her children a mother will work at a job she hates, just to make sure they have everything they could ever want or need.

The phrase, love makes the world go round is very true. It’s is our driving force, for what ever reason it may be. Poems, plays, and legends can only briefly touch the true meaning of love. We can only feel what that meaning is, and express it in ways only we can understand towards another. The true question we should be asking is not, what is life, but what is love.

What is love? I don’t know, but I’ll do what I can to express it in the best possible way that I can.

A Strange World

(Realizations of a once-in-a-while KID)

It has been said that in every stage in our life, we face a different world wherein the sum of our valuable learning will be applied. Every phase of our life entails a story that only us could make and only us could master to narrate. Every experience is a history that somehow would teach us on how to handle different situations. Thus, something strike into my mind saying that in every stage, every phase, every experience, it creates a total strange world for us to enter and battle with.

My childhood days is over. The cup of ice cream with a lollipop is no longer a thing for me. Those robots are no longer used but rather displayed. Matchboxes and different toy cars doesn’t seem to matter hitherto. But it implies something that somehow molded me: that even if those stuffs do not matter as how it mattered before, the history will tell a story of what and who I was, and what I have become and who I am at this very moment.

I grew up with an orientation that concerns the world of politics. No wonder that the goal sculpted in my mind is to become one of those people combating just to be seated, just to be called Congressman, Senator, Mayor, and be labeled Honorable. But as I started to internalize, think, and ponder on things, I saw something different, something not-so-good, something immoral, something not acceptable.

Before I viewed politics as a ground for true and genuine personalities to offer their selves to be with the people in solving economic problems and ensuring good life for all its respondents. But the time I was able to meet Mr. “politics” I was devastated. Much to my disappointment that this world of politics is an arena of killers and public traitors (of course not all, but almost all). They combat for greed, fame, money, and the rest of its evilness rather than for what they have promised “to be a public servant.” Serving for the purpose of personal interest is a total contradiction to what is expected from a person who is said to be a public servant.

I’ve known politics in a different desired manner. But I’ve met it in its real and present scenario, and to tell you, its better to eat a slimy worm than eat politics. Its poisonous! I don’t know why people who are said to be the servant of all are blinded with the spark of gold, tempted with pork barrels, fascinated with corruption. Disappointing. So devastating.

For how many times, I told myself not to talk about politics, not to write about politics, and not caring at all. But it’s a difficult thing for me to do. Why? For a simple reason that I just can’t sit and do nothing, say nothing, express nothing, and care nothing. When you do nothing, what’s the use of being a living thing? A rational human being? A responsible citizen? A Filipino! We have to speak for us to be heard. We have to act for us to see motion. We have to move for them to realize that we are not blind with certain things that are happening. It’s more than a responsibility, it’s adherence to the sense of patriotism: love for our co-citizen and for this country as a whole.

I am a youth, I am a dreamer, I am a visionary, and I am one of those who hopes and pray for this country to change! I may not know the real solution, but in my heart I know change is possible. One country with one vision will definitely take us to heights of sensation and greatness. Unity is what I’m trying to say. Unity is the key to fight corruption, unity is the a strength to win over poverty, unity is the answer to those who are in war, unity and only unity! Being united will draw us near to what we want to achieve and to what we want this country to be.

Let’s be one. Let’s be one! Let’s be one in changing this society, this country, for the better and for what is right. Let this country be not strange but rather a desirable one. Let’s make this country something we can be proud of, with a political system we can be grateful about.

God be with us!