Kwento Mo sa Pagong: We should learn from previous disasters

(This was one of the activities on my online course)

CoVid 19 - Biological Hazard 

This hazard has taken so many lives worldwide because (1) we were surprised by how highly contagious this virus was, (2) doctors and scientists took much time researching on how to counteract the virus, and (3) hospital capacity became so limited. The vulnerable, which are those who have pre-existing medical conditions, the elderly, and the children, are the majority of the casualties.

But, after 5 years, I think we have learned on how to correctly and systematically respond to the threat of Covid 19. With the combined efforts of the different government agencies, local to national level, and with the cooperation of the public, we are standing up again as a nation.

Going through pandemic has taught us many things, like adapting to the new normal. One example of this is that many institutions now are practicing work from home set-up, teleconference meetings, remote set-ups, that even the DepEd and the CHED have included the said set-up in their curriculum. Now, we have become somehow resilient to the threat of future pandemic because we already know what to do, as long as we enhance and develop these learnings and systematic approach to ensure strengthened actions on DRRM for biological hazards.

West Ph Sea - Anthropogenic Hazard - Societal and Conflict 

For more than a decade now, the West Ph Sea has become the reason of conflict between Philippines and China. It has also become an international issue because China is obviously claiming Spratly Islands and Scarborough Shoul without a legitimate reference. The very reason why some countries are siding with the Philippines.

What made this hazard less a disaster is that we just let China do its thing with the West Ph Sea. There is no recorded casualties as of writing. However, this will change if a strong willed leader will step-up and claim what's really ours. But, if we are afraid of the result of a strong willed leader's decision against the action of China, we might wake up one day to a country that is not entirely ours anymore.

With this analysis, the only DRR measures I see for this hazard is not just having a strong willed leader but also wise and discerning one. And the role of the people? To vote for that kind of leader.

Remarkable Part: Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell

 

This book is the second book that I have read which doesn't follow traditional narrative format. The first one is The Traveler of the Century (I have a blog post of it too here). Both made me reread sentences to fully understand the scene. But, that's not a flaw, rather it gave them unique identify and made a contributing step to enrich literature. Man, they set the bar high, specially the Cloud Atlas.

Although, the book is good as a whole, I only find remarkable lines at the latter part, and here are they:

I love that Cloud Atlas emphasize on what selfishness and vicious acts will lead humanity to. Extinction. Repetitive extinction. And not until we learn, we will always, always get the same result. 

I hope many people, especially leaders, read books like this. 

booXthatleaveamarkMIBF2024 Entry

The very reason why I find old preloved books so alluring and irresistible to buy is not just because they are way cheaper but rather, they surprise you in so many ways that you will feel good about yourself for spending so little yet you acquired treasure in return. One thing that buying pricey new books cannot give you, or at least for me. Not to mention that old books smell better. 😁

But, perhaps, one major factor that led me to prefer preloved books than buying new ones, is that I grew up reading incredible short stories for free. Where else? At school.

Reading heartwarming short stories at a very young age, inspired me to write my own too. "Perhaps, I can also make people feel emotion, particularly sadness, with the stories I write", I told myself during elementary days.

Sad stories make people realize more in life, or so I thought back then. Perhaps, because, most short stories featured in our reading books have sad endings and I was greatly influenced by them. Actually, I forgot their titles but I still know their sad endings and how it made me feel hurt and do better in life to avoid their endings.

Moving up to High School, oh my, the novels have much more depressing storylines 😅. From Ibong Adarna to Florante at Laura to Rizal's. Name it! How do you want to feel hurt? High School mandatory novels have different ways to do so. And then, there I was creating sad poems and short stories because they stir up something in the readers' heart. People make a move when they get hurt. Whatever it is I wanted to fuel the movement.

College came, I was more exposed to literature. The Iliad, Shakespeare's, and the Greek Myth were some of the storyline that amazed me (even until now). Well, because I was brought up to love sad stories anyway.

Yet still, I didn't spend a peso to read all of them.

And the first time I did. It was around P500 or P800 (I already forgot). It was because of the hype. And I thought I'm going to be reading a very good novel. I will not name the title and the author, but it was a famous filipino writer who conducts free script writing training/workshop. And I was dismayed. Well, maybe it was just me, because this writer is famous nationwide and he has existing fandom. I felt bad for the money I spent.

And then, I met stories of Bob Ong. Now this man (presumably) really moved me not just to write but to become a writer myself. And this is the first author that made me save money to buy his books. But I must admit, I have read most of his books by borrowing friends'.

Anyway, why do I tell all of this? (And I hope you're still reading this entry 😅) because I want to make a point that, we might not realize it, but every book and story we read plays a vital role into becoming or shaping who we are as time goes by. All of the books and stories we had read had left a mark on our soul. Some subtle, some are obvious, some you don't even realize but it's there, somewhere.

I love the touch of sunlight on my skin perhaps because of the stories of the Aetas I read on childhood who were bullied because of their skin color and made me realized that it's not nice to bully and having dark skin is not something to be ashamed of.

I chose and married the love of my life because I became wiser by reading tragic love stories and chose to learn from them. (But mostly because I am sure he is the one, so unless you're sure, don't.)

I am how I behave and think today because somehow, partly, it's because of Bob Ong's Macarthur. And perhaps, his writings had greatly influenced my own style in writing. Also he had me looking for other Filipino authors who have skills in writing stories that make people feel and move... and led me hoping to be one of them.

But this time, after reading all the books that left a mark on me in different ways, I don't want to write sad and depressing stories anymore. Rather, I want to make stories that aid people to write their own survival story or at least lead them into survival. Darkness is a scary place, I'd like to provide a torch. Just like how I found one when I needed it the most.

P. S. I still won't buy pricey new books, so joining this gives me a pass to enjoy them without spending a dime, presumably I got picked as one of the winners 😅

#booXthatleaveamarkMIBF2024 entry

(Two years later commentary: Olats 'tu. Pero nireread ko, ayos naman for posting dito sa blog site ko. Naguluhan siguro yung jury kung ano yung books that leave a mark. O malabo at puro kwento na ginawa ko.)

Nandito sa gedli, payapa

 

2009 nung napagpasyahan kong gumawa ng account sa FB. Kanina napagpasyahan nilang i-disabled ang account ko sa 'di mawaring dahilan.

Ganun lang kadali.

Ewan ko kung maibabalik pa 'yung account ko, pero neknek nila, dahil hindi ako magmamakaawa para ibalik nila 'yun o magbabayad para maging verified account. Isang bes ko lang susubukan, kung ayaw nila edi fine, they lost me forever. 

Excited na din akong maexperience ang mundong walang Facebook. Duh.

Anyway, available ako dito sa mga blogger/blogspot account ko kung interesado ka pa ding makipag interact sa akin. I have 4 blog sites here on blogspot/blogger, look for  them inside "about the author" diyan sa gilid to view all. Also, I am part of the website ditokayshellan.com and very much excited to talk to you on that platform. 

I have also X and Tumblr accounts, comment down a title of a book then I will share you my account name on those socials. Masyadong makalat ang X account ko, early warning na yan ha.

And, if you know me personally and wondering where you can reach me easily, I have Viber and Whatsapp account, see you there. (Ayoko sana ng whatsapp kasi meta din yun, pero mas active dun ang mga mahal ko sa buhay.)

Gusto ko lang din gamitin ang blogpost na 'tu para iappreciate ang mga mahal ko sa buhay na nag-adjust para makakonek pa din sa akin. Well, alam ko naman na hahanapin nila ko. Ganun kataas ang confidence ko na one of these days, may magmemessage sa akin at kilala ko na agad sila. Hindi ako nagkamali. Mga kaibigan ko sila pero itinuturing ko na na mahal sa buhay. Una, e dahil sa mga pinagsamahan; pangalawa, dahil nakita na nila yata ako sa lahat ng istado ng buhay ko mula pagkanene na immature, hanggang sa adult na immature 😂 at sa mga pinagdaanan kong 'di nila ako iniwan. They've witnessed my darkest days and chose to stay. More than half of my existence kasama ko na ata  sila. I'm happy that I have a small circle of true friends na sigurado akong ikekeep ako kahit anong mangyari. Parang sa movie na 3 Idiots, nung sinabi ni Amir Khan na may dalawang idiots na maghahabap sa kanya. Ganun din kataas ang confidence level ko. Ikikeep ko din sila, kahit anong mangyari. Wait. Naging kadramahan na 'tu na parang entry sa Maalaala Mo Kaya 😂 pero ganun nga siguro talaga, you will know who your people are. Naalala ko tuloy, gumawa ako ng tula about diyan:

Pero in this case, alam ko na agad kung sino sila.

Aaaannnnnd, if you'd like to indulge yourself some boring stories, go to my wattpad account named shellaseven. See yah around!

O eto, proof of existence wearing my favorite haircut: 

See yah around!

And if you're wondering, no, hindi na ako gagawa kahit kailan ng another FB account.

Ay may YouTube account nga pala ako, @ditokayshellaB, subscribe and stay connected. Pero kung ayaw mo, okay lang din naman. Hehe. Shalom! 

Serotonin Producer

Apparently, there is something more effective than the rays of sunlight and going outside can give you -- soaking in the presence of God or in a more understandable statement, communing with God / spending time through talking about everything under the sun with your Maker.

There are times that staying at home gives you comfort and peace of mind, but I don't know if you have already noticed this that staying too long inside a place where sunlight cannot reach you will lead into feeling unexplainable tiredness or in my language "nawawalan ng gana sa buhay". I advice that if you ever start feeling that way, go out. In hale the air of outside and soak yourself under the rays of sunlight.

But, as I have mentioned earlier, soaking in the presence of God is more effective. It will definitely lighten your emotion and produce a joyous spirit the moment you spend your time in His presence... appreciating all His glory and faithfulness in your life. He is the real producer of the so-called serotonin.

And if you have doubt with everything I say here, experience it yourself. And I pray that you get to encounter the real Producer of the so-called serotonin and start towards a life where you have a relationship with Him, if you have not yet. Shalom! 

Kwento mo sa Pagong: Wealth, Fame, Power

Kung meron man magandang naidulot ang advancement of technology ngayon partikular sa kakayahayan nito pagdating sa online connection, isa siguro sa top list ko ay ang pagkakaroon ng pagkakataon makamtan ng kung sinuman ang kayamanan, katanyagan, kapangyarihan. 

Iba't ibang online platform ang nag-ooffer sa'yo ng tatlong bagay na ito, na para bang sinasabi nila "ikaw ang bahala sa trip mo, ikaw din ang gagawa ng paraan para makamtan 'yang tatlong K, basta gawa ka account sa amin".

Tumataas siguro ang kilay mo at napapatanong na bakit maganda ang tingin ko sa bagay na ito. Isa lang ang sagot, "kalayaan sa sistemang nagkukulong sa mga maliliit na tao".

Dati, kung sino lang ang gusto pasikatin ng mga producers o ng mga matataas na tao, sila lang ang binibigyan ng mga pagkakataon. Ngayon, ang daming nagsisikatan na mga bagong pangalan lalo na sa larangan ng OPM. Grabe, ang dami palang totoong talentadong Pilipino na nakakagawa ng mga ganuong klaseng awitin na madalas ay sila mismo ang sumulat. Mga makakatang mang-aawit. 

Dati, TV, Radio, at Newspaper lang ang nakakahakot ng advertisement o product endorsement, ngayon, kahit mga simpleng tao na kung tawagin ay vlogger/blogger/content creator na madadami ang followers. At take note ha, pagkakagaling din naman magsi-arte at magpatawa. At ngayon, ang mga mass media na nga mismo ang kumukuha sa kanila para makahatak ng viewers o advertisement.

Dati, pwede pang ikulong ng mass media sa sistemang mga malalaking tao lang ang nagpapatakbo ang creativity ng bansa. Ngayon, hindi na. May kalayaan na ang kahit sino makamtan ang tatlong K, hindi mo kailangan lumapit sa kung sino. Madalas nga ngayon, sa mga trending sa social media na kumukuha ng maipapalabas ang mass media.

Maging sa pagpapublish ng mga nobela o kwento, hindi na kailangan makipagpatintero sa "taste" ng mga publisher o pamantayan nila para ilathala ang kwentong mayroon ka. Madaming platform online na pwede maging daan para maihatid mo ito sa mga mata ng publiko. Sa wattpad lang, ang dadaming writers ang kinilalang magaganda ang kanilang mga akda. Kung hindi man pagkilala ang aim mo, kundi magbahagi lang ng kwento, madali na itong makamtan, may kalayaan kang i-post ito.

Kaya kung may mga kanta kang nais iparinig sa publiko, i-post mo sa YouTube o Spotify. Kung may art kang nais ishare, i-post mo lang. At kung tyatyagain mo, baka palarin kang makamtan ang tatlong K. At kung makamtan mo man, nawa'y gamitin mo sa tamang kalayaan.

Ganun din ang payo ko, kahit hindi mo nais makamtan ang tatlong K, ishare mo lang ang art at creativity mo, kailangan yan ng mundo o kahit sa rasong kailangan yan ng sarili mo. Binigyan na tayo ng pagkakataon na kumawala sa nagkulong na sistema sa atin nang ilang dekada sa pagpapahayag ng creativity, gamitin natin nang tama.

Kwento mo sa Pagong: Kafka

For the past recent years (tama bang pinagsama ko 'yung past at recent 😆) naging matunog sa feed ko si Kafka, kesyo nakakatrauma daw 'yung mga naisulat at magmumulat ang nga ito sa iyo sa perspektibong pagdududahan mo ang kasalukuyang reyalidad. Kahit paulit-ulit siyang dumadaan sa feed ko, hindi pa ako nagkakalakas ng loob na subukan magkaroon ng mga likha niya. Baka hindi ko pa kaya, sabi ko sa sarili ko.

Tapos, nabasa ko sa feed ang "metamorphosis" patungkol sa isang lalaki na naging insekto, na sulat daw ni Kafka. 

Natawa ako.

Alam ko 'yung kwentong 'yung pero 'di ko alam na tama pala ang pagkakaunawa ko. Nabasa ko ito, I think latter years ng elementary o early HS. Sabi ko, tama ba pagkakaunawa ko sa binabasa ko? Takang-taka talaga ako sa istoryang binabasa ko na isang lalaki nagising na kakaiba na ang katawan, pinagdudahan ko ang sarili ko na kako mali ang reading comprehension ko 😂😂😂 kasi parang sa naalala ko, ni hindi nagulat o naging concern yung pamilya niya sa pagbabagong anyo niya. So most probably mali ang reading comprehension ko 😂Nagtanong o tiningnan ko pa ata sa diksyunaryo ang ibigsabihin ng metamorphosis.

Fast forward, adult na ako. Ngayon na lang ulit narinig ang "metamorphosis" at ngayon ko lang nalaman na nakabasa na pala ako sa isa sa mga likha ni Kafka. Natatawa din ako, dahil feeling ko, mahal ang mga libro ni Kafka, pero bakit available ang kwentong 'yun sa bahay namin nung bata ako?

Ganuon nga katindi ang mga likha ni Kafka, sarili mong reyalidad ang pagdududahan mo, in my case ang kakayahan ko umunawa ng english story. 😂

Pero ngayon, siguro dahil sa tama pala ang pagkakaintindi ko sa kwento ng metamorphosis, alam ko na ang ipinararating nito, o baka hindi pa rin. Kasi parang ang daming alalahanin nung lalaki kesa sa mas dapat niyang problemahin ang pagbabagong anyo niya. Dapat iniisip niya paano siya makakabalik sa dati niyang form tas magpalit ng bago g pamilya 😂 o mamuhay na lang mag-isa at wag na balikan ang walang amor niyang pamilya. O baka, kailangan ko nang basahin iyun ulit para mas lubos na maunawaan.

'Yun lang.

2 Cents / Reaction

I cannot help but voice out my reaction upon reading the first few pages of the book Cloud Atlas.

Remarkable Part: The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill

Reading this book will open your eyes to the propaganda all around you. And will make you think twice or deep with how the society you are in works or how it programmed you to be a slave.

But, anyway, here's the remarkable part I found amusing:

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

Remarkable Part: Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank

Reading this book made me ask myself to why only now did I read this masterpiece. It's like, I meant in most part, I was like the wholeness of Anne Frank, particularly in the latter part of the book, she is writing my thoughts and details about me. And that made me conclude that we are so much alike.

That's the thing about reading, it will somehow prove to you that you are not alone. That there is at least someone out there who thinks the same way like you do, not completely, but alike.

Anyway, here are the remarkable parts of the book: 

Circa 2008

I always doubt myself when it comes to my talent in writing. This is the only thing that I could really embrace and that best fits the answer to 'what is your passion'. But I am also one of those who doubt that I have the ability to write impactful message or perhaps, believe that my writings are nonsense. 

And today, again, I was reminded, that writing is really for me. And this time, perhaps, for the rare times. I would like to congratulate myself for writing beautiful messages and stories.

Let me be the one to say to myself that I am amazed with the words and thoughts that you are writing about. Shella, you are a great writer. I am reading stuff you have written from decades ago and I was amazed. And let me remind you that I seldomly get amazed with authors and writers, and yet, here I am left with pure admiration and awestruck with your writings from decades ago. So, keep writing. I know you are not writing for anyone nor awaiting for their applause but simply trying to express things out. So just do it like how you always do it, merely expressing.

Cosmic Colors

For the longest time, I'm not quite sure what my favorite color is. 

So, I just answer "madami" when someone asks of it.

But now, that I heard for the first time the color "cosmic orange",

I think I can finally put to words my favorites. It's yellow, but no, it's not yellow. It's orange, but no, not orange, it's blue green, but no, not blue green, its army green, but no, not army green. It's cosmic. The cosmic versions of every color. The colors we see in the sky; the colors reflected by the oceans and rivers. The ones we can't fully describe that would retain or contain the ethreal beauty when spoken. The cosmic versions of every color, leaving us awestruck with how creatively majestic the Creator behind them.

I've heard cosmic orange for the first time, yet it is certain that it has always been one of my favorites.

Confession of an Unknown Writer

 

I'm in the season where I need a reminder that though my pieces and works as a writer were never acknowledged or seldom commended, my worth as a writer is and will never be demeaned. 

And I know God heard these little cries of why nobody appreciate my pieces, so he kept sending people from time to time, especially when I'm questioning my worth as a writer, to remind me I have, indeed, talent in writing. The recent ones, though, I didn't expect to come from the prominent ones. 

But please don't have the wrong idea that I only write for attention, because, that's a hard NO. In fact, even when nobody appreciate my writings, I. Will. Keep. On. Writing. It's just sometimes, I go through phases like that because who in the humanity doesn't? And please, don't commend my writings just because you read this, because if my writings really impressed you, you should have told me that already. 

We never lose our demons...

There's a line from the movie Doctor Strange that I completely agree with, it says "We never lose our demons, we just learned how to live above them." 

I am saved by grace by the blood of Jesus. He is my Savior, I belong to Him. But I do know that being a Christian or a follower of Jesus doesn't make you completely live a life without sinning. Admit or not, no matter how long you are walking with God, you fall down sometimes. And He knows that, He is completely aware that You are bound to make mistakes from time to time. Because truth is, we never lose our demons, unless we are taken to Heaven where it cannot linger around anymore.

Why am I saying all of these? Well, I've made a list:

1. To help you understand the Christian life. To remind you that everytime you fall down and see yourself breaking the heart of Jesus, you must not listen to the voices condemning you. It's not the Holy Spirit's voice, it's the enemy's voice making you believe you are otherwise what God sees in you.

You must run back as immediately as you can to the arms of God, the moment you realize you have messed up. Straight back to Him. Fall down seven times and run straight back to God eight times asking for His forgiveness and grace. Because as long as we Christians are in the flesh, we are bound to sin. Your sin might be great but His love is Greater. He might discipline you, but you, as His sheep, will always be forgiven for your past, present, and future sins.

2. That you can express yourself and see God's truth in the what self-righteous chritians perceive as "worldly". Like perhaps, the one I quoted above might be misinterpreted by them, or me having this cover of the song Demons might make them raise their eyebrows, without seeing beyond the facade.

I'm past that life. Because I now see God in everything. In songs they see as "worldly", in movies they want to get banned or that they don't approve of, in animes they claimed satanical, and so on... It's like I don't live and belong with their shallow belief anymore. I don't know how will you call it, but it's like I'm not part of their system anymore.

3. That yes, we never lose our demons, but we must learn to live above them. How? Jesus. A genuine relationship with Jesus.

You are free to check on your Bible for the biblical references of the things I say here. And you are free to rebuke me if you see something I say here that is not aligned with the Word of God and vice versa. Yes, folks, don't forget to always read your Bible, it's our daily armor. 

Shalom!

Huwag mo nawa makalimutan

 

Miracle and Pain Part II

"...but with this, am I wasting my miracle?"

We cannot let pain be the master of our life or us be the master of it. If your life is truly surrendered to Jesus, you got to give it up to Him too. I know it felt like you deserve that pain, but you are isolating that part of your life to the power of Jesus. You are disconnecting that part to Jesus. And you know it's wrong. 

So, we got to make the decision to let it go. Don't keep that pain. It's no longer yours the moment you have decided to have a personal relationship with Jesus as your personal Savior and Master of your life (Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23; John 3:16). It's up to Him to decide whether to heal that pain or keep it with you forever. Let him. If He wants that pain written in your heart, okay. If He wants you to completely be healed from it, okay. Just let Him have that decision. He has forgiven your past and perhaps right now, it's hard for you to forgive yourself, it's okay, but don't barricade that part of your life, allow Jesus to work on it.

It's not instantaneous, it is a process. And the first step is you deciding to give it up to God (Colossians 3:1-2 "If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on earth."). Put down all the barricade you have placed on that area. It's not yours to keep. It's okay to cry and cry and bleed everytime the thought of it comes to your mind but this time do it while allowing Jesus to work on it (Matthew 11:28-29 "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy ladden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your spuls."). It will get better whether he decides to let that pain stay with you or be healed from it. Because He never wasted pain. I know, I, too, will get better handling this pain. I have decided to give this up. It's not for me to hold on it anymore and I am giving it up to Him. I am not the master of this pain nor pain being my master. It's not for me to decide to keep this pain in my life forever. If Jesus will heal this pain, then be it, if He decides to make it stay with me, then be it. But it's completely up to Him. I know whichever His decision is will make me better and falls accordingly to the future He has for me that wouldn't waste the Miracle He has done, is doing, will be doing in my life (Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.").

Miracle and Pain

 "Don't waste your miracle on your pain. You deserve better." 

As I am passively waiting for what could be God is telling me to meditate on this Holy Week while being busy with other stuff as a thriving human, I came across the line above. It was from a series entitled Manifest. 

The person being told with the line above is haunted by her past: her past sins, regrets, lost. And yes, she is in pain that cannot be cured by ugly crying every night. 

And as I asked myself if this was really what should I be meditating this Holy Week, I am slowly accepting the fact that I, too, is in pain. And some of these pain, I have chosen not to heal from. I am firmly decided to keep this pain forever because it's okay for it to be part of me, or perhaps, it is part of me already and that's okay. Or perhaps, I can't forgive myself or I simply don't want to let go. But now, I am questioning myself if it's right. Because if God wants me to meditate on it, what could He be telling me about? 

The Holy Week is just starting. I will get back with part II of this blog if there are relevant insights that I should be sharing with you regarding this topic, because I would like to be of help too despite my circumstances - somehow a light in the dark, but for now, I think I am the one needing a torch to lighten my thoughts with me not letting myself heal. Because technically, it's pretty obvious... almost everybody is telling that we should let ourselves heal and forgive ourselves, but perhaps you can forgive yourself and still be hurt everytime the thought of those certain past suddenly pop up, because you cannot numb the pain, or perhaps you don't want to numb the pain. But with that, am I wasting my miracle?

Remarkable Part | At Night We Are Dancers by RM Topacio-Aplaon

 I couldn't agree more.

This is a heavy novel and it's not for the fainthearted. Actually, most of his novels are, (stop reading, spoiler alert) but this one, just like Topograpiya ng Lumbay, will never give you an ending that your soul longs for for the protagonist.

You can order here: https://s.shopee.ph/8UvJAQI3zl

You're welcome.