Para sa Makabagong Bayan

May paniniwala ako subalit hindi ako deboto na sagradong Katoliko. Hindi rin ako ‘yung tipong kumakausap sa mga tao na tangan ang bibliya at tila ba nagsesermon na pastor. Subalit sa araw-araw na nagigising ako mula sa mahimbing kong pagkakatulog eh alam ko kung paano ihiwalay ang tama sa mali sa perspektibong naaayon sa makabagong panahon.

Sa isang balita ngayon eh sobra kong naalala ang mga eksena sa sinakulo. Habang ang lahat ng mga tao ay nakamasid sa entablado eh isang tanong ang ipinaabot ni Ponsyo Pilato. “Ano ang nais niyong gawin ko?” Ang mga tao naman ay buong lakas na nagwikang, “Pakawalan si Barabas at ipako sa Krus si Kristo.”

Nag-trend pa sa Twitter ang hashtag na #FreeCarlosCeldran, and tanong ko sa mga tao eh “teka, bakit ganun?”

Viet Nam Fiasco

One thing good probably about me is that I can write. I just wish that this would also go viral, just like the  other infamous video clips.

Subject of this article is: I don’t know which one will I shoot? I don’t know if the problem is with the Cebu Pacific airlines or the Viet Nam International Airport.

Here’s my story:

I arrived at the gloomy Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Vietnam around 8:00pm or about four hours before my 1:00am flight back to Manila. Immediately, I looked at the many monitors situated in airport to check the status of my trip, which bore the number 5J752. Unlike the other flight status, the CebuPac flight still didn't have any remarks.

2012 Trips

I can proudly say that 2012 had been a very busy year for me, at least in terms of traveling. From the country’s capital in Manila to some places north, some areas in the south and even some other nations, which are more than a thousand miles from here. What did I find out? Well, at least I realized some things that no books or any other publication can offer. I found another life.

Of Loneliness and Failures

It was like being part of the top finalists of the hottest reality search in town. There were contestants and of course the judges who would screen all the people who would be qualified in the position that they were searching for.

I was called first and with all the best that I thought I could show, I tried my luck and performed in front of the judges.

Imagine how you will prepare if there is something that you really want to have. Weeks before the judgment day, you will even mark your calendar so as you won’t forget the special date. Days before the event, you will make sure that everything that you needed are well taken care of. Hours before the most awaited moment, you will feel very excited thinking to yourself that perhaps, this is your day.

After waiting for a very long time, my name was called and immediately, I found out that I was among those who were evicted from the game.

I experienced a lot of things in life. I’ve had my unexpected victories and share of failures, and I just always tend to move on. However, if it is something that you really want, moving on seems to be one of the hardest parts. Even if you are physically okay, your mind will tell you otherwise and will pull all the negativity in you that you will try to imagine why the world has forsaken you.

What’s more disturbing is when you find out that no people can stand beside you while you suffer one of the most downgraded periods of your life. When your morale is low and you have nobody to boost your confidence, you try to assess who you are with and what they are to you.

I find out that I have no permanent friends, only casual colleagues who will be present at certain times. This may be harsh, but at least, I can move on in 2013 bearing this in mind.

I might have been evicted from the reality show. Perhaps the ball isn’t still in my court.

The Year That Was

Year 2012 defines what I want to do with my entire life. I would forever look back at the year thinking that most of what I will be doing in the future will definitely be rooted from the lessons that I've learned during the previous year.

23 for 23

Here are 23 random things that I realized, am realizing and will realize about life, as I embark on the 23rd anniversary of my existence in this world

1. People change and there's no such thing as 'forever'

2. The real best things in life are either free or very costly

3. Waste your time by inspiring people to waste their time for the same reason

4. Always be bold and never be afraid

5. Learn. Learn. Learn

6. Know your priorities

7. Find entertainment in everything that you do

8. Cry if you feel you have to but smile more often

9. Don't just read. Explore

10. Be honest with yourself

11. You study to apply what you have studied

12. Everyone and everything can be unique

13. There is no such thing as absolute freedom

14. Always weigh the possible consequences of all your actions before doing it

15. You are smaller than a dot in this world and seem invisible to the entire universe. Be humble

16. Dream high and try all your best to achieve it

17. Sexual desires are part of life but take it responsibly

18. You are the captain of your ship and the master of your soul

19. You only live once

20. Whatever happens happens

21. Just enjoy life as if you're in a blockbuster film

22. Love yourself and be contented

23. Nothing is set in stone so just keep on moving forward.

P.S.

Special thanks to those 15 people -4 of my relatives; 3 from the '12 Gods'; 3 friends; 3 workmates; 2 classmates- who greeted me, through text, on my special day. I have never expected anything.

Something Spooky

Author's Note: Sometime in June when I was browsing the ‘maps’ application of my gadget named Drew, I suddenly bumped into an interesting barangay number. It is 666, the bible’s anointed ‘mark of the beast’. What interests me more about the barangay is that it is pointing at the National Museum. Right there and then, I started to research about its story. Fortunately, I managed to interview its Chairman and found out a lot more juicy information about the barangay’s existence. Below is a copy of the article I wrote, which is published in a national publication.