Sayonara, Blogspot

I just finished transferring my blogs here to my renovated wordpress site. It's a bit sad and nostalgic, yet at the same time I feel excited and energized.

I will always be grateful to this platform, Blogspot, where I trained my (pro)verb(i)al wings.

That said, this will be my last blog entry (for now) here.

Keep in touch and hope you'll continue reading my blogs at the new site!

God bless you, and thank you so much!

The Tragic Dilemma Called "Two Free Tickets for a Single Guy"

So yeah, I love getting free movie tickets from Ayala Cinema's Sureseats. Being a loyal movie patron (and site/promo stalker), I often am a recipient of their freebies. As one of my favorite quotes go: "Chance favors the prepared mind." (Louis Pasteur) 

Ah, but with great gifts come great responsibility — and having two free tickets to an awesome movie is a difficult challenge for a single guy like me. What should I do with the other ticket??? And what will others think about what I did with the other ticket???

Here's the cycle of thought-choices that run through my head each time:

Though-Prints of a Dangerous Mind

I love walking, but I easily get bored — so I make it a point to bring my FM radio-capable mobile phone [because I don't have a smart phone or mp3 player] whenever I would go out to exercise. It also helps keep me updated with what's new and trendy with the music industry, or to stumble across some obscure sounds that a wayward radio jock happens to appreciate.

This morning, I got audibly waylaid by Ice-T's "Lethal Weapon".



Can our minds really be that dangerous?

Defining Internet Freedom: a crowd-sourced Magna Carta

This is a good read on a better alternative than the controversial CyberCrime Bill (RA 10175).

Defining Internet Freedom: a crowd-sourced Magna Carta

As a blogger-wannabe and an active social media user, I fully support Senator Miriam's bill.

I hope we who thrive and survive through the Internet will be able to truly unite in backing up this proposed legislation.

Tao Lang Po... Ba? (Are We Really "Just" Human?)

I just read this article about a padjak driver who died, and just like the writer - trying to find blame is so tempting, so easy, so... natural.

Source: www.interaskyon.com

Sometimes it's so easy to fall into a trap of prejudice, hiding behind 'protocols', 'precautions', and other social/bureaucratic red tape to avoid taking responsibility or simply show concern to someone in need - dubious or sincere.

And yes - I'm not talking about the guards (who actually had more heart in this story) or those who were around the scene. I'm talking about us: you and me - wouldn't we have acted with the same indifference?

For Tatay - on Fathers Day

I'll be turning 32 soon— but no matter how old(er) I get, I always feel like a kid when I'm around my father. Not that every memory of him is rosy - he is as faulty as any ordinary father. But I guess it is his very imperfection that makes me proud of him.

Why I Love The Rain

Don't get me wrong: I love summers as much as everyone else - and share its angst as much as others do. 

But rainy days hold so many memories for me, some of which I am grateful to still remember. And it also holds so much meaning to me, probably a by products of all those sweet, melancholic collective of introspective moments I spent out in the rain.

F.A.C.E. to WIN! (CampTalk for FIT to WIN 2013)

Our church had its first Family Camp (with a youth camp extension), and I had the honor of being one of youth's speakers (though I honestly, I suck at plenary talks). 

Our camp's theme was "Fit to WIN". It's so easy to talk about fitness nowadays, with all the health and wellness focus of our society and generation. Physical, emotional, relational, intellectual, moral and spiritual fitness. It's everywhere. 

But, what does it really mean to be fit to win?

What are we trying to win at all?

To be fit to win, I believe we need to have the FACE to WIN. "FACE" stands for 'Focus [to win]', 'Aim [to win]', 'Commit [to win]' and 'Engage [to win]'.

Creating My Own Lessons from GraphikaManila2013

Attending Graphika Manila 2013 wasn't part of my plans — especially budget-wise. I also was hesitant: Why should I bother listening people talk (or brag) about [their] creativity? [insert semi-bitter tone]

But yeah, against financial practicality (and after really praying about it — I'd need some divine intervention to get the funds), I decided to go. Amazingly, a friend provided the much-needed amount for me to afford it... in FULL! I was pumped.

I arrived at the venue at roughly 9:30AM, thinking "Hey, delegates are probably mostly artists — they're most likely to be late."

First Lesson of the day: Be EXTRA early on the next Graphika Manila conference.

Life is Too Short to be Impatient

A young friend chatted me up the other day, asking for a simple advise: should she stay with her current company who only offers her a small salary, or should she shift to a call center company where the immediate benefits is way better.

First of all, I have nothing against call centers. I respect their occupation and role in the society, being the recipients of our social ires — both valid and illogical. Sometimes you just gotta admire how their eardrums and brains can take the consistent pound-for-pound calls of irascible complaints, retarded questions, as well as the helplessly hurtful criticisms for their company (when it deserves merit).

But hey, I'm not talking about call centers.

Breaking Cycles, Becoming 2013

It's already 2013, and as I looked back in dismay - there were a lot of things I failed to do. Again.

As the year started in 2012, I was planning to buy myself some gadgets that I really, really needed. And so, I looked forward to the 13th month bonus (since my company doesn't give a Christmas bonus for us contractual employees). That included a graphic pen tablet (so I can upgrade my graphic design skills), a 1TB external/portable HDD drive, an affordable DLSR camera (or just the waterproof digicam, particularly the Olympus Tough haha), OR (yes, "or" not "and") a new mobile phone (or smart phone) - since the one I'm using (a simple but dependable Motorola phone) was just loaned from a good friend of mine years ago.

Alas, I didn't get a chance to buy myself any of these.

And somehow, thoughts of self-pity or self-chastisement creep up at nights, accusing me, "Why?!"

Yet, somehow God comforts me with the same question: "Why?"

Envy.

TheLoveStory: The Prodigal Puppy

[TheLoveStory is WINmakati's new church series which will run on December 2, 9 and 16, 2012. Here's my puppified version of what a love story means to me.]

Once there was an owner who kept a house full of wonderful pets. The owner was very kind. Every pet was loved and cared for. But the puppy was dissatisfied. He was envious of those Hollywood dogs, jealous of those pampered pooches on dog shows, and simply thought, "I'm an animal — I deserve a better dog's life!"

And so one day, he run away.

The Lame Blame Game

Just a year ago, Christopher Lao had been a target of netizens' criticism and ridicule over an amusing side comment captured on a news video reel. Just a few months ago, Carabuena sparked the outrage of countless Filipinos over a footage of him physically abusing an MMDA personnel.     

(As for Sotto's claims of being cyberbullied, HAH!)

And now, #AMALAYER.

The Many Horrors of a Semi-Adult Life

After a fun, brief (horrific) interlude at the Timezone videoke, a group of friends watched with me the movie "Sinister" at Glorietta. While I may not be the sturdiest when it comes to horror films, I'm not the kind to scare easily (though I am weak at gore). And yes, I admit that this film had me disturbed as much as "Insidious" did — except for the ending. Thank God.

Especially when you suddenly find yourself awake at 3:32AM after a few days, and the first thing your mind rivets to is that particular scene in the movie where the protagonist woke up...

Only to be succeeded overwhelmed by an equally terrifying thought:

"What if my friends uploaded that video clip of my horrible singing while I was offline?"

I started to pray.

* * *

Freedom Is Ours: An Adaptation

[The following piece is my parodized version of the famous declamation piece, "Vengeance Is Not Ours, It's God's" by Geronimo Sicam. Just my own twisted imagination of what can happen if our lawmakers don't amend the CyberCrime Law now.]

Likes, likes, likes. Share me a thought, a smile. Share me some photos to browse. I use the internet, so free, and so simple.

Why are you monitoring me? With my eyes I cannot see but I know that you are watching me. Why are you whispering to one another? Why? Do you know my father - offline? Did you know me five years ago, when I didn't have my Facebook account? Yes, five years of memories have passed. I can still remember the vast happiness I shared with everyone online. We were very happy indeed.

In Recognition of Desire

Ever since I heard about the Anti-Epal Bill in Twitter, I fell in love with the idea. "Epal" is an old Filipino slang from "ma-papel"(whose rough translations vary with context, such as "attention hog", "show/spotlight stealer," "credit/compliment beggar," etc. I hope you get the general idea. Filipino idioms are a bit tricky). Although the bill had roots way back in 2004, it gained popularity because of its rather unabashed renamed title. This was in response to the proliferation of credit-taking tarpaulins of supposed projects, accomplishments and other opportunities to turn an entire area into a politician's image - figuratively, and in many cases, even literally.

But being "epal" is not limited to politicians. And it's not even limited to Filipinos. It is a prevailing subconscious attitude, a silent culture of insecurity. It permeates every aspect of our society: from the sibling rivalries vying for a parent's attention, to the selfish pursuit of academic excellence (not that it is wrong, but really – for what reason or goal are the best-performing students aiming for ever since?), and that philosophical quest for self-actualization. Even the church is not exempt from it.

There's an epal inside every one of us. A soft, demanding voice that whispers a thirst for appreciation, for recognition and for remembrance.

Farewell to Another Great Bicolano: Jesse Robredo

Death comes ever so suddenly, that sometimes the pain of our loss goes beyond our mere senses - like wounds to the soul, leaving behind not just a scar but a seeming emptiness that somehow seems to suck every ray of smile...

Yet there are people who, even in their death, manage fight back against that void - and with a preciously small fragment of a memory, turn around the gloom by reminding us not of what we had lost, but what every person leaves behind - a legacy, a memory of some distant yet perceivable hope, a reason to smile.

Happy Freedom Day!

Usually, we celebrate Independence Day with history lessons. Not that it's wrong, but sometimes we do lose sight of what history is supposed to teach us in the present. Like what did we become 'independent' about? What was "freedom" really mean?

As much as I'd love to go into etymologies, that is not the case of my blog. Rather, I wanted to reflect: what does freedom mean for me?

KuyAte Leadership: Cross the Bridge, Bridge the Cross

A youth once complained about his little bro being a crybaby, effeminate & liking girly stuff. My reply: "Where were you as his brother?"

It's nothing new. For the past weeks, we've heard of it: conflicts of views about homosexuals and homophobics. Of political rights and moral wrongs. Of third genders and sex offenders. And as much as we Christians must take a stand on what the Bible says, how can a world who has long slowly started to reject the word of God believe our arguments?

Where does homosexuality start? Is it really genetic, as some would insist? Is it spiritual (like a demon possession), as some religious extremists would claim*? Is it borne from psychological, environmental and social influences, which help them shape their personality and view of self?

[*As a Christian, I also share this view that homosexuality is also a spiritual influence. However, I believe that it is a personal choice, too; even if we try to exorcise that person - it will be to no avail unless the person admits and confesses to it being morally wrong, and allow Christ to work in that person's life. Our task then as Christians is to guide and bring them to that realization, not by force but by sincerity of motive which is the love of God, then believe in God's power to move in their lives.]

I am not a psychologist, nor am I an expert. But what I do know is that these people also need Christ, that His sacrifice also includes them, and that based on countless stories it is possible for them to change and rediscover the life that God has planned for them.

But that isn't what this blog is about. What I want to talk about is: where are you as a brother? Where are you as a sister?

The Relationship Market: Quality Control

I admit: one of the things I really get tired about in the Christian young adult world is the incessant need  for a series on "Love, Courtship & Marriage" (or LCM for those who grew up in the 90s). Sure, the "love" market gets crazier with age: a lot of 'prospectable' partners already are matched up or contracted (literally), some have lost their 'appeal' (or in desperate need to reclaim it), and others simply are running out of time.

Yup, contrary to the popular line, "Love can wait forever," let's face it: life can't.

What's keeping me or others from entering into a relationship? And what is pressuring me to enter one? I remember back in my teens how we would be asked, "What's your ideal mate/partner?" but never was I asked, "Why do you want an ideal mate/partner?"