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.)

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.

2 Cents / Reaction

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

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.

Modern Day Pharisees

I recently had a discussion with a friend about Christian Lifestyle. Actually, I tried hard not to pop his bubble but as he kept repeating, "As a christian, dapat lahat ng software/subscriptions mo original/legal", I reached my limit and disagreed. I told him,"You cannot go there. You cannot say as a christian. Paano kung legal nga netflix mo, pero panay blasphemy naman ang pinapanuod mo. Or legal nga lahat ng software mo cheater ka naman."

He didn't stop. He continued to agrue his point and so I was. We ended the conversation without agreeing to eachother, and I guess, we agreed to disagree. 

But it made me realize, given that he is a church goer, there is really a high possibility that there are a lot of self-righteous christians out there. Our argument is no different with "church goers being more holy than those who don't". I mean you can be a consistent church goer but a gossipper everyday, degrading other people's lives and the example goes on. I could list it all and take forever. 

I know we are not perfect and will never be. That's why church is there. That's why we constantly need Jesus. But please, since we are not perfect, the least we can do is avoid putting wordly classifications to our faith. 

Imagine a person trying his best to live a righteous life with Jesus, and you try to desensitize his faith by saying you are less of a christian because your software/subscriptions aren't legal, which he can't afford because he has no budget for it and he is prioritizing to supply the needs of his family. How dare you. Shame on you. You are worse than him using pirated software/subscriptions.

Jesus is more concern with your heart and your walk with Him than the worldly standard they have set for you to be able to fully accept you a christian. Your relationship is with Jesus is far more important than their opinion, please remember that when they look down on your faith. As long as you don't compromise your walk with God and Christlikeness, these modern day pharisees' hypocrisy rebuke is nothing but a clinging cymbal.

Innocence is Bliss

Someone asked me what is my happiest moment in life. I think most people would agree that their happiest moments were back when they were still a child. Of course, you would only know that once you are in the past-paced world of adults.

Once you are bombarded with responsibilities that come with adulthood you would realize that arriving at home from school with snacks already prepared by your mom and eating it while watching your favorite anime on tv, or the times when the school were suddenly postponed due to the bad weather condition that made you able to watch Batibot or Wansapanataym, your favorite child oriented shows, were actually the best times in your life.

It's also the only time where the whole family is complete without occasion. This hits big time to a large family, especially when you and your siblings are closely bonded. Because back here, where you are all grown-ups and your parents are old, is a different place already and all you can do is look back to those good old days. I hope we knew back then that it will be our good old days, perhaps we had took the time to savor those moments and forget the idea to grow old fast. It's funny that back then, we thought that we need to get old fast and be matured so that we can conquer the world and our aspirations immediately. We were wrong. We had the world back then.

Maybe that's why older generations love seing nostalgic things... because they bring us back to the time where we are genuinely happy. Such nostalgia that we can only look back to.

Indeed, innocence is bliss. So, to the younger generation out there, savor your family time. Enjoy the fleeting moment of being a child. Don't grow old fast. ☺️ Be silly with your siblings. Be present and enjoy the company of your parents. ☺️

Para Kay Bob Ong at sa Masugid na Tiga Basa ng mga Sinauna Kong Blog

Kamusta ka na Bob Ong? Dekada na din ang lumipas mula nung mabalitaan kong may bago kang librong isinulat. Nagsusulat ka pa ba? Namimiss ba kita? Oo, naman. Ikaw kaya ang nagudyok sa akin na posible pa lang maging manunulat kahit hindi nakapaloob sa teyoryang itinuturo sa literatura. Magsulat ka kung paano ka magsalita, parang ganun. 'Di mo kailangan pekein ang personalidad ng paglalahad mo ng istorya, parang ganun. 

Anyway, hindi naman ako sumulat para lang kamustahin ka kasi malabo namang sumagot ka at malaman ko ang kalagayan mo. Pero, gusto ko lang malinawan at masiguro sa sarili ko na hindi naman siguro madumi ang isip ko no... Pero kasi, pareho ba tayu ng iniisip dito? 👇

Dahil ito ang pinakapaborito kong libro mo, binasa ko ulit. Ngunit ngayon, may mga detalyeng kagaya niyan, na ngayon ko lang naunawaan ang subtle meaning, kung meron man. Pero sinadya mo 'yan. Please,aminin mo. 😅 Marahil nga ay hinulma na ng panahong lumipas ang aking pag-iisip kaya kung ano-ano na ang napapansin. 😅

Hindi ko pa tinatanong ang iba kung anong palagay nila diyan sa talata na 'yan. Dumeretso ako sa'yo, sa may akda. Kahit alam kong 'di naman aabot ang liham na ito sa iyong lingid.

At sa'yo na masugid na humahalungkat ng aking mga panunulat. Ikaw naman ang pangalawa kong tatanungin... Anong naunawaan mo sa talatang iyan 😅? Nagpapasalamat na din ako dahil dahil sa'yo, nanunumbalik ang paghanga ko sa sarili ko sa mga nailalabas kong salita/talata/pag-iisip sa pamamagitan ng pagsusulat. Parang pwede kong sabihin, "I was a good writer 10 years ago." Pero hindi ko 'yun alam 10 years ago. Ngayon ko lang naappreciate na talaga palang may potential ang mga sinusulat ko.  Tama lang palang inilathala ko ang mga iba kong panunulat dito sa world wide web.

At sa mga hindi naniniwala sa akin, pasensyahan tayo, patuloy akong magsusulat. 🤪 Magsusulat na lang ako ng magsusulat kesa maging decipherer. Kaso, bakit ganun, kahit ayokong magdecipher kusa itong inihahain sa aking harapan. Pero, hindi na nga ako magdedecipher, isinusuko ko na. 'Ba naman the last time I did, saan ba ko pinulot at nakarating? Tulad nitong, liham kong 2in1, kung san-san na nakarating.

O siya, iiwan ko na lang ang isa sa remarkable lines ng kwentong ito. Halos ang buong istorya naman ay remarkable. Kaya nga paborito ko ito, ngunit kung hihingi man ng remarkable line, isa ito 👇 (Hanggang sa muli, Shalom)

"Mga bata pa kayo. Pag pinaniwalaan...

Remarkable Scene: Moving Series

Moving is a superhero themed k-drama series. Just like Umbrella Academy, it was originally from a webtoon. And just like Umbrella Academy, I came to love the story primarily because of the quality of background music and sound bites they meticulously used. The story line just came second.

For me, the remarkable scenes are found at the latter episodes. It is also where the moral and heart of the story takes place.

The latter episodes give us the pov of the villains from the north; how they come to know their power; how their power have been discovered; and why they attack the heroes of the south. And it's sad. Sad to the point that I sympathize with them than the heroes.

I will not be posting here all the remarkable scenes, but here is one of the best: 

Let me know your thoughts too after watching this series.

I'm sorry it took me long to make a stand with you, Johnny Depp

 Uh-uh, not my Johnny. 

I didn't know the man personally. I am just a fan who adores him from a distance. I don't know anything about their relationship nor how and what really went wrong. But I know, that they both have lapses, it's not just Amber.

For a girl to act like that, his partner perhaps fell short of the girl's definition of love and relationship. Perhaps Johnny had failed her somewhere on the line. But to treat your partner like that doesn't justify it. It doesn't give you the right to be abusive of your partner just because he always fall short of your expectations. And to devise evil against him is a big no-no. You don't do that to the person you love. You just can't.

It makes me wonder if she really had loved Johnny. 

It's a good thing the truth are all coming out. I adore Johnny, but it is only now I took a stand with him, now that the evidences of violence to him has been given. Because I thought it's not right for me to make "sawsaw" on their private relationship I know nothing about.. 

But now it's clear that this isn't about making "sawsaw" on their private relationship anymore, nor standing up with Johnny because you're a die-hard fan. It's speaking up against domestic violence. And we should fight against it and make a stand. Domestic violence should have no place in any homes. Regardless of the gender, no one should be a victim of it.

And, yes, not my Johnny. You don't do that to my Johnny. 

Sincerely Mainit-ang-ulo-kay-Amber,

One of Johnny Depp's number 1 fans.

(Yes, madami kaming nagkeclaim na number 1 fan niya)

Remarkable Scene: Star Wars Series

For some reason, after watching the latest sequel (The Rise of Skywalker) of the latest Star Wars Trilogy, I decided that I'll make some time to watch the whole series. 

I have watched just one Star Wars movie before this, and I was pretty much young to remember the details or the story of it (Phantom Menace, Star Wars Ep 1). So I never quite understand pretty much most of it while watching the last sequel. 😅

And now, obviously, since I have made this blog, I got the chance to watch the whole series. If you are planning too, here's the chronological order of the whole series:

I must admit that Star Wars Series are pretty much amazing. And now that I get to understand the story, it is now officially included in my favorite movie series, together with The Lord of The Ring, and The Hobbit, Narnia, Pirates of the Caribbean.

One of the most remarkable scenes is on Ep. III, where Luke and his Father (Anakin) defeated Palpatine. I like how redemption and forgiveness were portrayed here. It's like reminding us that it's never too late to be a better person; to ask forgiveness from pur past mistakes and sins. And these lines, were so remarkable:

Luke: No, I'm not gonna leave you here. I got to save you. 

Anakin: You already have. 

But my most favorite among it's series is Ep. VIII. I literally clapped my hands upon learning the twist at the end--- making it my favorite scene and episode and thus, the very much remarkable scene for me. Not the lines, but the whole scene. 

Anyway, here are the quotable lines I find worthy noting down:

"Fear is the passage to the dark side

Fear leads to anger

Anger leads to hatred

Hatred leads to misery"

-Yoda, SWEP1

"That's how we win. Not fighting what we hate but saving what we love."

-Rose, SWEPVIII

And if you are looking for a Star Wars Collectibles, I am selling book series, trilogy and stand alone, and you can check them out here: Star Wars Book Set

Thank you and may the force be with you. 💕

Remarkable Part: Muling Nanghaharana ang Dapithapon ni RM Topacio-Aplaon

Ito na marahil ang pangalawang libro na akda ng Pilipino na nagkaroon ako ng interes basahin ng isang upuan lang. Hindi sa literal na natapos ko ito ng isang upuan, kundi 'yung mayroong pagnanais na ipagpatuloy mong basahin ang kwento hanggang sa matapos ito. 

Kung nasusubaybayan niyo ang mga book reviews o reaction ko, marahil ay alam ninyong umaabot ng ilang buwan, mayroon pa ngang taon kapag nagbabasa ako ng nobela. Well, to be honest, maiiksing nobela lang din naman 'yung natatapos ko ng agaran, kagaya nitong MULING NANGHAHARANA ANG DAPIT HAPON ni RM Topacio-Aplaon na overnight ko lang nabasa (natulog ako ha).

Bukod sa hinihimok ng nobelang ito ang mga manunulat na muling magsulat o huwag bumitaw sa sining, mayroong tatlong "remarkable" na nagustuhan ko sa istorya. Hindi ito mga linya o excerpt, katulad ng iba kong nagawa sa book reviews, kahit mayroon naman. Kundi yung para sa kabuuan ng pagbasa ko dito.

1. 'Yung may namagitan sa dalawang bida ngunit hindi kinakailangan may mamagitang halik o higit pa. Gusto ko 'yung nagkaroon ng respeto ang manunulat sa dalawang character na parehong may unresolved issues at hindi niya ipinilit magkaroon ng ganuong relasyon. 

2.  'Yung kahit maliliit na detalye maiimagine mo na parang nanunuod ka ng pelikula na mayroong extreme long shot, wide angle, extreme close up at iba pa. 

3.  Na naiisip ko yung fiance ko kapag dini-describe ni Rafael ang dagat dahil ganuong-ganuon din ituring ng fiance ko ang mahika nito sa kanya. 

Marami pa akong nais isulat patungkol dito ngunit masyado nang personal para sa mambabasa ko (katulad nung No. 3) at sa tingin ko ay hindi na healthy iyun dahil magiging puro patungkol ito sa akin at hindi na sa libro. Kaya kung ako sa inyo, basahin niyo na at nang maintindihan ninyo ang pinanggagalingan ko. 

Sa maiksing salita, isa sa magagandang nobelang nabasa ko. Gayunpaman, hindi ako sang ayon na hindi na maganda ang Manila Bay. Marahil ay nagsawa lamang titigan ng manunulat dahil sa araw-araw nitong nakikita ito sa biyahe, ngunit maganda pa din ito, lalo na kung sasapit ang dapithapon. Tanungin niyo 'yung taong unang beses itong nasilayan. Pustahan. 

Hanggang sa muli.

P.S. Oo, mabagal ang Globe. Lahat ng network mabagal.

Kamusta Passion Mo?

Minsan pagod na 'ko makibahagi patungkol sa topic na 'to. Pagod na kong magbigay ng opinyon at ipalaganap na sa buhay dapat ipinaglalaban mo ang passion mo.

Kasi hindi madali. Baka gumagawa tayo ng "make believe" sa mga tao lalo na sa kabataan tapos sa huli madidismaya lang sila.

Kasi kahit ako dumating na sa puntong tinalikuran ko na yung passion ko dahil tingin ko, wala naman pinapatunguhan. Kailangan ko tumanda. Nandyan ang mga obligasyon na dapat punan; responsibilidad na dapat tugunan. Hindi na kasi tayo bata na meron gagamot ng sugat kapag nadapa; merong sasalo sa t'wing mahuhulog. Hindi ka na bata na laging inaalalayan. Kailangan mo tumayo sa sarili mong paa at para mangyari 'yun may mga bagay kang dapat bitawan katulad ng paghabol mo sa itinuturing mong passion.

Pero alam mo kung anong nakakatawa, kasi kahit sinukuan mo na ang passion mo hindi ito titigil na ipaalala sa'yo kung ano siya sa'yo at kung gaano mo siya minahal o minamahal kasi kahit tinalikuran mo na ito hindi naman ibigsabihin nun na tumigil kang mahalin ito. Kahit anong mangyari karugtong mo na ito; nasa iyo ito. Na may dahilan kung bakit inilagay ng Diyos 'yang bagay na 'yan sa puso mo. Huwag ka sana mapagod manalangin para dito dahil maniwala ka, hindi ka pababayaan ng Diyos. At sana kung hindi ka na naniniwala sa passion mo, wag ka tumigil maniwala na may plano ang Diyos sa buhay mo.

Hindi ko alam kung tama pa rin bang sabihin sa panahon ngayon na gawin mo ang passion mo. Pero ang alam ko, kahit hindi 'to sabihin manunumbalik ito sa'yo at nasa iyong desisyon kung ipaglalaban mo ito ngayon. At kahit hindi mo ito ipaglaban, manunumbalik pa din ito at nasa iyo pa din ang desisyon kung papansinin mo. Paulit-ulit itong babalik at paulit-ulit kang magdedesisyon.

Dalawang Sentimos ko sa Hindi Na Nga ng This Band

Kaya siguro dumadami ang broken family, broken relationship kasi mas nasesensationalized yung ganitong klaseng anggulo ng love story.

Huwag mong boyprinen o girlprinen o pakasalan kung based lang sa nadadama mong "love" ngayon ang dahilan. Instead, alisin mo yung "love" na 'yan na nadarama mo at tanungin mo ang sarili mo kung pipiliin mo pa din ba siya anuman ang mangyari?

Truth be told, kabataan, we will fell out of love 'dun sa taong sinasabi mong mahal mo, but we can fall in love again if you work things out. It's a cycle: love, courtship, marriage, and you must both remain committed and faithful. Cycle sa same person you're in a relationship. Hindi 'yung kapag 'di ka na kinikilig, 'di mo na mahal, 'di ka na naarouse, iiwan mo na, iba naman. Kaya nga may kasabihan sa mag-asawa na dapat araw-araw magligawan kasi the spark will naturally disappear if not ignited.

Kaya kung hindi naman siya yung nakikita mong kaya mong panindigan kahit 'di na siya kamahal-mahal. 'Wag mo na jowain. 'Yun lang, nainis lang ako sa nampoprovoked na kanta pero, 'di ko sinasabing 'di maganda 'yung kanta nila.

Remarkable Scene: Guardians of the Galaxy

The world is too dramatic already, it's a plus point if a movie made you laugh genuinely.

I am not going to tell what's happening on the screenshots I provided below. Only the people who have watched will get why and if you want to know why, better watch this film.

1. I didn't get this scene until I watched it for the second time. And this made me like Starlord. 😂

2. "Who put up sticks on their butt? That's cruel."
😂😂😂

There are lots of funny scene in this movie that will make you laugh genuinely but these two are my favorites. :)

Mobile Legends Etiquette

It's been months since I started playing Mobile Legends: Bang Bang and so I have observed many things.

I have decided to make an etiquette list for this certain MOBA because this is what it lacks. Many are playing this game, even younger than 13, and I think they should learn some etiquette though these were just based on my observations.

I am not imposing these, but I am highly suggesting.

Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Etiquette
1. Avoid profane/sexual language/terms - As I have mentioned above, kids (17 YO below) were also playing this game. I know, it was their parents' job to keep them away from these apps but why not play a part by avoiding such language.
2. If your hero/character is already selected by other teammate, ask politely if you can have it instead. If he declines, tell him to use it well because you can 😅 - Do not trashtalk your teammate just because he declines. That's why you have to learn how to use at least 2 heroes/characters because not all the time you get what you want.
3. During battle, chat only when you are on ressurection count down - Do not waste your time chatting when you should be Pushing or fighting or backing up. Huwag masyadong madaldal. Or, enable your mic na lang.
4. Do not go on battle, especially rank mode, if your network signal is color red - You will be automatically penalized for going afk even if your teammates don't report you. Wait for your network to be okay before joining a battle.
5. Do not begin trashtalk, answer only when necessary - There were times you need to speak up, there were times to stay quiet, know the difference.
6. Support/Back up your teammates - Do not run away or ignore your teammates when he is in need of back up when you can.
7. Do not use a Hero/Character that you don't know how to use in Rank Mode - Do I really need to explain why?
8. Do not engage in a game if you are doing something - There will be a big possibility that you will leave the game intentionally.
9. Do not play if you have other things to do - please, know your priority. Studies first; Business first; House chores first, etc.
10. ANSWER YOUR GF/BF/PARENTS/SIBLINGS' CALL EVEN IF YOU ARE ON RANK MODE.

You are free to add on this list if you like. I might have missed something. Again, these were just suggestions, it's up to a well mannered person to do so. 😜

Remarkable Part: The Return of the Young Prince by Alejandro Guillermo Roemmers

I know you have clicked the link because you want to know this book's remarkable part. And I might just break your heart's expectation and admit that the title of this article is some kind of a click bait. Because there's no remarkable part. Well at least for me.

The Return of the Young Prince has a lot of life lessons, wisdom, and realization written on it but I'm pretty sure that we've heard or read it all before. It seems that the book is only repeating what we already know. The book's main message can also be found in any other book, the very reason it lost its remarkable part.

But don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that the book is a failure, it is still something I would recommend to a friend. It has things and values in life that we should be reminded of, only it's not very authentic.

Another thing, if you are a fan of the first book, The Little Prince, I suggest that you skip this sequel. A lot of emotions and presumptions brought to us by the story of The Little Prince will be scattered away by this sequel. I prefer to end the story of the boy bitten by a snake than the one written in this sequel.

Anyway, this is just my opinion and mine alone. You could still see it on your own if our opinion matches regarding The Return of the Young Prince. Thus, let me end this article with one of the lines from this book, "It's strange how easily we assume that others must be going in the same direction as us." Alejandro Guillermo Roemmers should have thought of this too before deciding to write this sequel.


P.S
If there's one thing I like better in this sequel than the first, is that it acknowledges the existence of God. The writer mentioned many times the sovereignty of God and that is something great. 

Be counted. Practice your rights.

Days before the Barangay and Sanggunian Kabataan election I have decided not to participate. Simply because I didn't know who to vote. I don't know the background and the personalities of those running candidates. Consider this my fault for not knowing them so well but I believed it's not my obligation to do so. And before you feel bad for my reasoning, I must say that I indeed, voted.

Hours before the election, I suddenly felt the urge to practice my right as a citizen of the Philippines. I mean, this thing I'm letting me pass by is actually an opportunity to practice my freedom and it's a privileged one should not ignore. So there was I, asking my parents who were the candidates because they know some of them. That's when I realized that not knowing the candidates was not a valid reason for me not to vote. There are ways how to know them: ask somebody who does.

Aside from that, you are giving yourself the right to voice out whatever observations you may notice with the elected Barangay Officials because you have participated. You have the right to rant just in case they do something stupid. Yes, I'm a bit of an activist (but not rebellious), please bear with me. :D

This post is freaking late to encourage people to participate and vote but I am still posting this for the next election. Please use your rights and freedom. Be counted. Practice your rights.

Remarkable Part: Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Several months ago, the TV series of this book was released and have watched by many. And for quite some time it went trending on line. While I, who's not into "what's in and what's not", managed to ignore the hype -- the way I am ignoring Game of Thrones. Well, I don't know if ignoring is the right term, but seriously, I don't give an F ;p or they're just aren't my thing.

Anyway, a friend from work has a copy of the book even before the series came to life. I wasn't aware of it. I didn't know that Thirteen Reasons Why was originally from a novel. So, I asked her the difference between the two and which is better. She said, the series changed several things from the original story. And she suggested that I should try reading the novel and later compared it with the TV series.

And now, here I am sharing my thoughts regarding its remarkable parts... remarkable parts for me, of course. Who else will be the judge here?  ;p

1.

 ...money.

(Halfway reading this book, I started to question the story. Like, "Gosh, what kind of town / school is this? Why all the characters are evil? Lahat na lang masama ugali? Duh!" And then, finally, I read something like this. At least, the book still proves that there's still hope in humanity.)

2.

(I feel Hannah. People need to stop talking when they don't even understand what they're talking about: the subject or the situation. Sometimes we just think what to say, but obviously failed to feel. And the truth is, we become a sounding cymbals. It's so annoying. And sometimes, irritating. And that won't help anyone.)

3.

(This book didn't mention about God. Not even a single word about Him. What the book failed to tell as a whole is that people who go through situations like Hannah should surrender everything to God. Yes, give up! Give up and give all your burdens, heartaches, disappointments, failures, brokenness and everything in between. Give it up to God. Cry it all out to Him -- The Great Listener, The Father, The Comforter and so on. He knows what you are going through and He wants you to stop looking around you and fix your eyes on Him. You are seeking help almost to everyone except God. Hannah did look and seek help to people around her, although indirectly, and she keeps on failing. Why? Because people, or whoever that person is, they will eventually fail you at some point in your life. We do that and we are so good at that. But God will not. And the lines above, reminds me of God. This is a perfect representation of Him and someone who completely leans on Him. We should be that car and God is our owner. He is always around to fix you.)

4.

(This reminds me of my man. The only man, next to God, who tried harder and keeps on trying harder. And wouldn't it be nice to do the same with your loved ones? They will thank you in the end and you will probably thank yourself too. They will feel good, and you will too. It's a win win situation. :D)


So there goes your penny for my thoughts.  ;p
And by the way, I'm still not going to watch the TV series. So, will you do the comparison for me. :D