serendipity

Keep Your Fork

2009-01-25T15:11:00.000-08:00

     A Woman and Her  Fork
 
There was a young woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal  illness and had been given three months to live. So as she was getting her  things 'in order,' she contacted her Pastor and had him come to her house to  discuss certain aspects of her final wishes.

She told him which songs  she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like read, and what  outfit she wanted to be buried in.

Everything was in order and the  Pastor was preparing to leave when the young woman suddenly remembered something  very important to her.

'There's one more thing,' she said  excitedly.

'What's that?' came the Pastor's reply.

'This is very  important,' the young woman continued. 'I want to be buried with a fork in my  right hand.'

The Pastor stood looking at the young woman, not knowing  quite what to say.

That surprises you, doesn't it?' the young woman  asked.

'Well, to be honest, I'm puzzled by the request,' said the  Pastor.

The young woman explained. 'My grandmother once told me this  story, and from that time on I have always tried to pass along its message to  those I love and those who are in need of encouragement. In all my years of  attending socials and dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the  main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say,  'Keep your fork.' It was my favorite part because I knew that something better  was coming...like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie. Something  wonderful, and with substance!'

So, I just want people to see me there  in that casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder 'What's with the  fork?' Then I want you to tell them: 'Keep your fork ... the best is yet to  come.'

The Pastor's eyes welled up with tears  of joy as he hugged the  young woman good-bye. He knew this would be one of the last times he would see  her before her death. But he also knew that the young woman had a better grasp  of heaven than he did. She had a better grasp of what heaven would be like than  many people twice her age, with twice as much experience and knowledge. She KNEW  that something better was coming.

At the funeral people were walking by  the young woman's casket and   they saw the cloak she was wearing and the fork  placed in her right hand. Over and over, the Pastor heard the question, 'What's  with the fork?' And over and over he smiled.

During his message, the  Pastor told the people of the conversation he had with the young woman shortly  before she died. He also told them about the fork and about what it symbolized  to her. He told the people how he could not stop thinking about the fork and  told them that they probably would not be able to stop thinking about it  either.

He was right... So the next time you reach down for your fork let  it remind you, ever so gently, that the best is yet to come.

Nakaka-miss

2008-01-02T16:07:00.000-08:00

Na-miss ko na ang pagsusulat . . .
Nais ko ng taluntunin ang daan pabalik.

2007-11-15T17:43:00.000-08:00

M	Meek
A	Amorous
R	Relaxed
Y	Young
A	Amorous
N	Noisy
N	Nutty

Name Acronym Generator
From Go-Quiz.com

Ang Kagila-gilalas na Pakikipagsapalaran ni Inday

2007-08-28T23:41:00.000-07:00

Ma’am/Sir,

I hereby render my irrevocable resignation as your employee, effective today. It has been a pleasant stay in your company, but owing to personal reasons, I am compelled to move on.

I would like to thank you and your good management for the wonderful experience accorded to me during my stay in your company.

Yours Katulong,

Inday

“I believe that my trained skills and expertise in management with the use of standard tools and my discipline and experience will contribute significantly to the value of work that you want.

My creativity, productivity and work efficiency and the high quality of outputs I can offer will boost the work progress.”

- Cover letter ng resume ni Inday sa bago niyang amo

“A change in the weather patterns might have occured causing havoc to affected sorroundings. The way debris are scattered indicated that the gust of wind is going northeast . . . causing damage to the path it is going.”

- Sagot ni Inday sa amo nang tanungin kung bakit nagkalat ang basura sa likod ng bahay.

“As much as I want to indulge in the proliferation of such indecent and malicious information, I want to lift the stigma and aleviate the society’s perception of our profession.”

- Inday, tumatangging makipagtsismisan sa katulong ng kabilang bahay.

“Compromising safety with useless aesthetics, the not-so-well engineered architectural design of our kitchen lavatory affected the boy’s cranium with a slight boil at the left temple near the auditory organ.”

- sagot ni Inday nang tanungin ng amo kung bakit may bukol si Junior

“Physical stress and excessive work may result to serious damage to one’s body. It is therefore essential that once in a while we take a break from our usual routine to replenish the lost energy we once had.”

- sabi ni Inday sa Amo nung humingi siya ng day-off

Amo: Inday, di ba nanood ka ng D Buzz kanina?

Inday: Yes, bakit Ma’am?

Amo: Bakit daw umalis si Angel Locsin sa Channel 7?

Inday: Sometimes, people choose to leave not because of selfish reasons but because they just know that things will get worse if they’ll stay. Leaving can be a tough act, and it’s harder when people can’t understand you for doing so.

“Bloody hell!!!What the fuck did just land on my cutie top?! I mean I’ve spent all day just to make myself look fabulous. I think I’ll have this eewy thing removed in a whip wham of time!”

- reaction ni Inday nung matalsikan siya ng mantika habang nagluluto ng tilapya

“Potatoes when consumed in their raw state are rapidly converted to glucose that raises insulin levels because of its simple sugar. When cooked in higher temperature like french fries, they produce large amount of free radicals in the body, causing aging, clotting, inflammation, cancer, weight gain . . . one french fry is worse than one cigarette.”

- Sagot ni Inday sa amo nang tanungin kung bakit hindi siya nagluluto ng french fries

“It’s absurd! It was never a fact that he will inflict a fight. I can only imagine how you handle schizophrenic kids on this educational institution. Revise your policies because it sucks!”

- Inday habang kasama si Junior sa Principal’s Office. Tulala ang Principal

“Allergens triggered the immune response. Eosinophilic migration occurs to the reaction site and release of chemotactic and anaphylotoxin including histamine and prostaglandins, these subtances result to increase circulation to the site promoting redness.”

- Sagot ni Inday nang tanungin ng amo kung bakit may mga rashes si Junior

Amo: Nakita mo ba yung lunar eclipse kagabi?

Inday: The fact that a low pressure area is proliferating within the Philippine area of Responsibility added by intertropical convergence zone and southwest monsoon over the rest of the country, how can we possibly witness that natural phenomenon?

Amo: Sorry, sorry. Wala na bang sorry?

The Wooden Bowl

2007-08-23T22:36:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow, a week from now, a month from now, a year from now, we will not forget BUT surely we will remember the story of The Wooden Bowl. So, here
it goes :

A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in- law, and 4-year old grandson. The old man's hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered. The family ate together at the table.

But the elderly grandfather's shaky hands and failing sight made eating difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor. When he grasped the glass, milk spilled on the tablecloth.

The son and daughter-in- law became irritated with the mess. "We must do something about father," said the son. "I've had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor."

So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner. There, Grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner. Since Grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl!

When the family glanced in Grandfather's direction, sometime he had a tear in his eye as he sat alone. Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food.

The 4-year-old watched it all in silence. One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor. He asked the child sweetly, "What are you making?" Just as sweetly, the boy responded, "Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and Mama to eat your food in when I grow up." The four-year-old smiled and went back to work.

The words so struck the parents so that they were speechless. Then tears started to stream down their cheeks. Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done. That evening the husband took Grandfather's hand and gently led him back to the family table. For the remainder of his days he ate every meal with the family. And for some reason, neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled.

From this story, we learn, on a positive note, that no matter what happens, no matter how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.

We learn that we can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles four things: a rainy day, the elderly, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.

We learn that, regardless of our relationships with our parents, we shall surely miss them when they're gone from our lives.

We learn that making a "living" is not the same thing as making a "life"...

We learn that life sometimes give us a second chance.

We learn that we shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands. We need to be able to throw something back.

We learn that if we pursue happiness, it will elude us. BUT if we focus on our family, our friends, the needs of others, our work and doing the very best we can, happiness will find us.

We learn that whenever we decide something with an open heart, we usually make the right decision.

We learn that even when we have pains, we don't have to be one.

We learn that every day, we should reach out and touch someone.

People love that human touch -- holding hands, a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.

And Finally, Dear Friends, in our earthly existence,

We Learn that We Still ... Have A Lot To Learn

Better to Give

2007-06-06T17:13:00.000-07:00

A young man, a student in one of the universities, was one day taking a walk with a Professor, who was commonly called the student"s friend, from his kindness to those who waited on his instructions.

As they went along, they saw lying in the path a pair of old shoes, which they supposed to belong to a poor man who was employed in a field close by,and who had nearly finished his day"s work.

The student turned to the professor, saying: "Let us play the man a trick: we will hide his shoes, and conceal ourselves behind those bushes, and wait to see his perplexity when he cannot find them."

"My young friend," answered the professor, "we should never amuse ourselves at the expense of the poor. But you are rich, and may give yourself a much greater pleasure by means of this poor man. Put a coin in each shoe, and then we will hide ourselves and watch how this affects him."

The student did so and they both placed themselves behind the bushes close by. The poor man soon finished his work, and came across the field to the path where he had left his coat and shoes.

While putting on his coat he slipped his foot into one of his shoes, but feeling something hard, he stooped down to feel what it was, and found the coin. Astonishment and wonder were seen upon his countenance. He gazed upon the coin, turned it around, and looked at it again and again.

He then looked around him on all sides, but no person was to be seen. He now put the money into his pocket, and proceeded to put on the other shoe; but his surprise was doubled on finding the other coin.

His feelings overcame him; he fell upon his knees, looked up to the heavens and uttered aloud a fervent thanksgiving in which he spoke of his wife who was sick and helpless, and his children without bread, whom this timely bounty, from some unknown hand, would save from perishing.

The student stood there deeply affected, and his eyes filled with tears. "Now," said the professor, are you not much better pleased than if you had played your intended trick?"

The youth replied, "You have taught me a lesson which I will never forget. I feel now the truth of these words, which I never understood before: "It"s more blessed to give than to receive."

The Story of the Three Trees

2007-04-29T19:14:00.000-07:00

Once there were three trees on a hill in the woods. They were discussing their hopes and dreams when the first tree said,

"Someday I hope to be a treasure chest. I could be filled with gold, silver and precious gems. I could be decorated with intricate carving and everyone would see the beauty."

Then the second tree said, "Someday I will be a mighty ship. I will take kings and queens across the waters and sail to the corners of the world. Everyone will feel safe in me because of the strength of my hull."

Finally the third tree said, "I want to grow to be the tallest and straightest tree in the forest. People will see me on top of the Hill and look up to my branches, and think of the heavens and God and how close to them I am reaching. I will be the greatest tree of all time and people will always remember me."

After a few years of praying that their dreams would come true, a group of woodsmen came upon the trees. When one came to the first tree he said, "This looks like a strong tree, I think I should be able to sell the wood to a carpenter, "and he began cutting it down. The tree was happy, because he knew that the carpenter would make him into a treasure chest.

At the second tree the woodsman said, "This looks like a strong tree. I should be able to sell it to the shipyard." The second tree was happy because he knew he was on his way to becoming a mighty ship.

When the woodsmen came upon the third tree, the tree was frightened because he knew that if they cut him down his dreams would not come true. One of the Woodsmen said, "I don't need anything special from my tree, I'll take this one," and he cut it down.

When the first tree arrived at the carpenters, he was made into a feed box for animals. He was then placed in a barn and filled with hay. This was not at all what he had prayed for.

The second tree was cut and made into a small fishing boat. His dreams of being a mighty ship and carrying kings had come to an end.

The third tree was cut into large pieces, and left alone in the dark.

The years went by, and the trees forgot about their dreams.

Then one day, a man and woman came to the barn. She gave birth and they placed the baby in the hay in the feed box that was made from the first tree. The man wished that he could have made a crib for the baby, but this manger would have to do. The tree could feel the importance of this event and knew that it had held the greatest treasure of all time.

Years later, a group of men got in the fishing boat made from the second tree. One of them was tired and went to sleep. While they were out on the water, a great storm arose and the tree didn't think it was strong enough to keep the men safe. The men woke the sleeping man, and He stood and said "Peace" and the Storm stopped. At this time, the tree knew that it had carried the King of Kings in its boat.

Finally, someone came and got the third tree. It was carried through the streets as the people mocked the man who was carrying it. When they came to a stop, the man was nailed to the tree and raised in the air to die at the top of a hill. When Sunday came, the tree came to realize that it was strong enough to stand at the top of the hill and be as close to God as was possible, because Jesus had been crucified on it.

The moral of this story is that when things don't seem to be going your way, always know that God has a plan for you. If you place your trust in Him, God will give you great gifts.

Each of the trees got what they wanted, just not in the way they had imagined.

We don't always know what God's plans are for us. We just know that His ways are not our ways, but His ways are always best.

Alay na Tula ni Kuya Sam

2007-04-22T20:50:00.000-07:00

me-ann,

aking pipitasin tangkay ng kataga
kay bangong talulot ng panalinghaga
na namumukadkad sa pananariwa
upang maidulog sa natanging mutya

at muli sa hardin ng KAMAKATAHAN
pagbati ng galak ay nag-uunahan
upang mailuhog sa ating tahanan
ang saya at lugod para sa 'ting Me-ann

kahit na nahuli'y pilit humahabol
may tunog-gitara, trumpeta, at tambol
may kwitis na kislap ngayo'y 'sinasaboy
pagbati'y sariwa't di pa naluluoy!

Happy b-day Me-ann

Kuya Sam
04/20/07

Handog na Tula ni Kiko

2007-04-22T20:39:00.000-07:00

Kay Me-ann
By: Francis Monteseña

Huwag,

Huwag kang matakot.

Huwag kang matakot taluntunin

Ang daang nakalaan para sa iyo.

Iyan,

Iyan ay para sa ‘yo.

Di man piliin, iyong tupdin

Ang kasi ng laan sa iyong kapalaran.

Hindi,

Hindi ka mag-iisa.

Hindi ka mag-iisang tumahak

Sa ganitong landas, dalawa tayong tatapak.

Sundin mo ang takbo ng lahat

at pagdating sa dulo ng di masipat

Kapwa natin matatantong, mabuti,

Mabuti at pinili mong maglakbay ditong

Kasama ako.

04/19/2007

Balota

2007-04-13T02:11:00.001-07:00

Una si Pong, ang kamag-aral ko sa elementarya. Matagal na niya akong kinukumbinse. Alang-alang daw sa anim na taon naming pagiging magkaklase at magkatabi sa row one. Ilakad ko naman daw sa mga kamag-anakan ko ang pinsan niyang kandidato sa pagka- Vice Governor. Sabi ko, "titingnan ko." Aba'y humirit pa, huwag ko raw basta tingnan, kundi gawin ko.

Sa lalapit naman ang kamag-aral ko ng high school na si Egay, kakandidato pala siya sa pagka-konsehal ng aming bayan. Nagulat ako dahil para kakong masyado pa siyang bata para doon. Natawa pa ang loko nang tanungin ko kung bakit hiundi muna siya mag-SK. Andiyan naman daw ang tatay niya na ex-councilor ng bayan namin. Naiiling na lang akong lumayo. Tingnan mo nga naman, paano kayang aaktong konsehal ang isang magaling mangopya at kilalang pilyo. Akala yata'y panay pagpapa-cute lang ang mundo ng konseho. Sabi ko na lang "titingnan ko."

Nung Linggo naman, paglabas ko ng simbahan, sinimplehan ako ni Tiyo Gusting. Sino daw ba ang dadalhin ko sa pagka-Vice Mayor. Tahimik lang ako. Baka naman daw kalimutan ko pa yung pamangkin niya sa pinsan na asawang kauli ng inaanak ng bilas ng lolo sa tuhod ng namayapa niyang asawa. Bilang paggalang ko na lamang daw sa kaluluwa ng aking Tiya Ester ay dalhin ko na si Tangkad at sa hanay naman ng mga Senador ay bibigyan niya ako ng listahan. Yung Mayor daw na katiket ni Tangkad, huwag na huwag ko raw di dadalhin dahil kapag natalo iyon ay siguradong hihina ang sabungan sa amin. Ayun! Lumabas din ang tunay na motibo. Nasabi ko na lang na paiwas, "titingnan ko po."

Ah si Nanay . . . medyo mabigat ang hiling ng Nanay ko. Yung Ninong daw niya na kandidato sa pagka-Mayor ay susuportahan ng buong pamilya namin. Kasubuan na raw. Mangangatwiran pa sana ako pero pinandilatan na niya ako, sasama din daw ako sa pangangampanya. Wika kong paungol, "titingnan ko po." Nagkaroon pa tuloy ako ngayon ng problema. Mahigpit kasing magkalaban ang manok ni Nanay at ang bata ni Tata Gusting. Pareho ko silang iginagalang at ayaw ko silang biguin hanggang maaari.

Si Tata Gusting na mula pagkabata ay laging nariyan para sa akin. Ngayon ngang kaya ko ng gumanti ay ayaw pa ring tatanggap. At ang sabi pa niya, ngayon lamang daw siya hihiling sa akin. Si Nanay naman, bilang kanyang panganay, malaki ang paniniwala niyang maiimpluwensiyahan ko ang mga nakababata kong kapatid.

Pareho ko silang mahal, pareho ko silang iginagalang, haaay, pero paano naman ang gusto ko?

Only in the Philippines

2007-03-28T01:39:00.000-07:00

* Nakasulat sa pader:
"MARUNONG KA BANG TUMAHOL? ASO LANG ANG UMIIHI DITO!"

* along a highway in Pampanga:
"WE MAKE MODERN ANTIQUE FURNITURE"

* in a Baguio grocery:
"FRESH FROZEN CHICKEN SOLD HERE"

* in Cubao:
"NONE ID NOTHING ENTRY"

* on a parking lot:
"TAXI AND OUTSIDE CAR NOT ALLOWED"

* along Luneta Boulevard:
"BAWAL TUMAE SA BULEVARD"

* on Jeepney and Bus signs:
"BEFORE PAY, TELL WHERE GET THE ON BEFORE GET THE OFF"

* on a Flower shop in Rizal Avenue:
"WE SELL ARTIFICIAL FRESH FLOWERS"

* on a delivery truck:
"NOT FOR HERE"

* on window of a restaurant in Baguio:
"WANTED: BOY WAITRESS"

* A grafitti inside the cubicle of a ladies' C.R. in a university:
"PLEASE DON'T SIT LIKE A FROG, SIT LIKE A QUEEN."

* At a men's comfort room, above a urinal:
"HAWAK MO ANG KINABUKASAN NG BAYAN"

* at a construction site in Mandaluyong:
"BAWAL OMEHI DITO. ANG MAHOLI BOG-BOG"

* somewhere along San Andres:
"NO URINATING, ON THE OVER WALLS"

* vacant lot near makati ave.:
"DON'T PARKING"

* at an eatery in Cebu:
"WE HAB SOPDRINK IN CAN AND IN BATOL!

and this is the best of them all!!
* on a building somewhere in the Philippines...
"NOTARY PUBLIC TUMATANGGAP DIN NG LABADA KUNG LINGGO"

Sariling Wika

2007-03-28T01:28:00.000-07:00

Basahin nyo kung wala kayong ginagawa...

BAKA MAKALIMUTAN NINYO ANG SARILING WIKA... DI NAMAN KAYO LUMAKI SA IBANG BANSA...

Abuloy --- bayad sa nahigop na kape at nanguyang biskwit sa nilamayang sakla.
Akala ---- alam na alam daw.
Aginaldo - inaasahan na makukuha sa araw ng Pasko na mas okay sana kung pera na lang.
Bakasyon - sandaliang pahinga sa trabahong hingal lang ang pahinga.
Bakit ---- tanong na laging mahirap masagot.
Bakya ---- tsinelas na may takong.
Baga ----- lutuan ng mga hindi makabili ng microwave.
Bagoong -- masarap na ulam ng mga walang maiulam.
Baldado -- hindi mamamatay-matay na mukhang hindi na mabubuhay.
Bale ----- suweldong inutang.
Kaaw ay --- ikli ng 'kaibigan na Inayawan.'
Kababata - dating gelpren na may ibang boypren.
Kabag ---- utot na naipon sa tiyan.
Kabayo --- hayop na sinasakyan ng kalesa.
Kalbo ---- gupit ng buhok na korteng itlog.
Dalaginding - dalagang hindi pa nagsusuot ng bra.
Dilim ---- liwanag na maitim.
E -------- ireng paseksi.
Gahasa --- romansang walang ligawan.
Ginang --- asawa ni ginoo na mukha nang tsimay.
Ginoo ---- inaasawa ni ginang na may inaasawang iba.
Gipit ---- kalagayan ng tao na suki na ng sanglaan.
Ha ------- sagot ng nagbibingi-bingihan .
Halakhak - tawang bukang-buka ang ngala-ngala.
Handaan -- magdamagan na palakihan ng tiyan.
Handog --- bigay na laging may kapalit.
Hipo ----- haplos na may malisya.
Hudas ---- tapat na manloloko.
Ibon ----- hayop na lumalangoy sa hangin.
Imposible - pagtaas ng unano.
Insulto --- walang hiyang biro.
Isda ------ hayop na hindi nalulunod.
Ita ------- negrong Pinoy.
La -------- ikli ng 'lalalalala' sa kinakantang hindi maalala.
Lalawigan - syudad ng kahirapan.
Langaw ---- kulisap na bangung-bango sa amoy ng basura.
Ma - ------- tawag sa gelpren na mukhang nanay na.
Malusog --- hitsura ng tumatabang balat.
Mama ------ tawag sa sosyal na ina.
Mano ------ kaugaliang Pinoy na nakapupudpod ng noo.
Mantika --- katas ng piniritong taba.
Maybahay -- asawang utusan sa bahay.
Nakaw ----- pagkuha ng walang pasabing 'akin na lang ito.'
Naku ------ ikli ng 'ina ko, ina na ako.'
Nitso ----- bahay ng mga patay.
Nobya ----- gelpren na laking probinsya.
Ngalngal -- iyak ng walang ngipin.
Ngisi ----- tawang tulo-laway.
Ngiti ----- tawang labas ngiti.
Paa ------- bahagi ng katawan na amoy lupa.
Paaralan -- dito itinuturo kung ano, alin o sino ang mapipiling bobo.
Panata ---- dasal na nakatataba ng tuhod.
Regla ----- masungit na panahon ng pagkababae.
Sabon ----- mabangong bagay na ipinapahid sa mabahong katawan.
Sakristan - utusan ng pari.
Sampal ---- haplos na nakatitigas ng mukha.
Ta -------- ikli ng 'tita' o lalaking may bra.
Tamad ----- taong hindi napapagod sa pahinga.

Kung Anu-Ano Lang . . .

2007-03-11T20:13:00.000-07:00

Hindi maganda ang pakiramdam ko lately, parang dumadalas ang paninikip ng kanang dibdib. Yung pakiramdam na parang may nakabara sa ugat. Nagpa-ECG ako last Saturday, walang available na doktor na babasa ng result. Plano kong mag-undertime one of these days para maasikaso na at ng hindi ako kinakabahan.
Nararamdaman ko rin, parang patuloy ako sa pagtaba. Ang laki na ng tiyan ko. Nakaka-conscious na tuloy.
Kahapon, nagkaroon ako ng pagkakataong kumustahin at makipagkwentuhan sa aking kauna-unahang kumare, si Millet. As usual, kinantyawan na naman ako kung kailan ako mag-aasawa. Pwede na raw umabay ang inaanak ko sa kanya na ngayon ay 11 years old na. Nang sa dadaan ang isa ko pang kumare, galing sila ng inaanak ko sa simbahan. Wala pang 10 minutes, dumaan naman ang isa ko pang kumare, kasama ang inaanak ko namang lalaki. Parang nagkalat yata ang mga inaanak ko ah!
Gusto ko na ulit tumula, kaso wala akong maisip na magandang tulain. Nagkakasya na lamang ako sa pagsusulat sa aking journal. Isinusulat ko lahat ng mga kakaibang ideya na pumapasok sa isip ko.

Hmmm . . .

2007-02-19T22:26:00.000-08:00

How important does a person have to be before they are considered assassinated instead of just murdered?
If money doesn't grow on trees then why do banks have branches?
Since bread is square, then why is sandwich meat round?
Why do you have to "put your two cents in".. but it's only a "penny for your thoughts"? Where's that extra penny going to?
Once you're in heaven, do you get stuck wearing the clothes you were buried in for eternity?
Why does a round pizza come in a square box?
What disease did cured ham actually have?
How is it that we put man on the moon before we figured out it would be a good idea to put wheels on luggage?
Why is it that people say they "slept like a baby" when babies wake up like every two hours?
Why are you IN a movie, but you're ON TV?
Why do people pay to go up tall buildings and then put money in binoculars to look at things on the ground?
How come we choose from just two people for President and fifty For Miss America?
Why do doctors leave the room while you change? They're going to see you naked anyway.
If a 911 operator has a heart attack, whom does he/she call?
Why is "bra" singular and "panties" plural?
Do illiterate people get the full effect of Alphabet soup?
Who was the first person to look at a cow and say, "I think I'll squeeze these dangly things here and drink whatever comes out!"
Why do toasters always have a setting that burns the toast to a horrible crisp, which no decent human being would eat?
Why is there a light in the fridge and not in the freezer?
When your photo is taken for your driver's license,why do they tell you to smile? If you are stoppedby the police and asked for your license, are you going to be smiling?
If Jimmy cracks corn and no one cares, why is there a stupid song about him?
If the professor on Gilligan's Island can make a radio out of a coconut, why can't he fix a hole in a boat?
Why do people point to their wrist when asking for the time, but don't point to their crotch when they ask where the bathroom is?
Why does Goofy stand erect while Pluto remains on all fours? They're both dogs!
If Wyle E. Coyote had enough money to buy all that ACME crap, why didn't he just buy dinner?
If corn oil is made from corn, and vegetable oil is made from vegetables, what is baby oil made from?
If electricity comes from electrons, does morality come from morons?
Is Disney World the only people trap operated by a mouse?
Why do the Alphabet song and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star have the same tune?
Why did you just try singing the two songs above?
Why do they call it an asteroid when it's outside the hemisphere, but call it a hemorrhoid when it's inyour butt?

Araw ng mga Puso

2007-02-13T00:44:00.000-08:00

Walang Araw Ang Mga Puso
Ni Francisco Montesena

(binasa ni Boy Abunda sa TV show niya na Homeboy noong Feb 14, 2006)

Walang araw ang mga puso.

Ayokong sukatin
sa talulot ng mga bulaklak
O tamis ng mga tsokolate
ang halaga ng pagmamahal.
Wala sa kulay rosas,
sa higpit ng mga yakap,
sa lamig ng paligid,
o dalas ng pagniniig.
Wala sa agwat
o lapit ng mga labi
kapag dumadampi;
Wala sa dalas ng pagyakap
O sa paulit-ulit na pagbanggit
ng “Mahal Kita”;
Wala sa mga nililikuang lugar
kapag darang sa sidhi
ng damdaming napupukaw;
Dahil ang puso ko
ay walang piniling araw
upang mangibabaw

ang tamis
ang kulay
ang lamig
ang init
ang halik
ang yakap

Kung may araw man ang puso,
Lahat ng ito ay pagmamay-ari mo.

Thus Spake Bum

2007-02-05T19:26:00.000-08:00

Sinong 'di Mawiwili

Lolito Go

Sangkap sa gayuma:

Isang kutsaritang katatawanan
Dalawa’t kalahating bote ng nimpas
Isang tableta ng harana ni Lito Camo
Tatlong bayong ng mga hilaw na pangako

Gayuma’y para kanino?

Para kay Pedrong nagpapagal
at napupuyat sa pamamasada
habang kumakaskada
ang laway ng pagnanasa
sa hiwaga ng ideyang
biglang-yaman

Para kay Mariang mamad na
ang mga palad sa paglalaba
habang umaatungal
ang mga anak niyang
mulagat na
sa pagdadalang-bulate’t kabag

Para sa mga panatikong paboritong ulamin
ng mga pulitikong
bukambibig ang pagbabago at paghahango
sa mga natubog
sa pusali ng karukhaa’t kamangmangan

Para sa mga taong kinakagat ng ulol na tadhana
at kinakasta ng kamalasan
habang sinasampal pa ng mataray
na demokrasyang
iilan lang talaga ang kinikilala

Bisa ng gayuma:

Laksa-laksang isdang walang palaypay
sa laot ng agaw-buhay na pangarap
Laksa-laksang ibong walang pakpak
sa alapaap na nagbabadya ng ulan
Nagkaumpuga’t nagkabalyahan
Pasugod sa tarangkahan ng ginayumahang…
Bitag!

Masusumpungan din nila ang langit,
Sa wakas!

Sinong ‘di masisisi

** Ang tula mong "Sinong Di Mawiwili" ay ang pinsan ng tulang matagal ko na sanang ginawa, tulang parang nasa dulo ng aking dila, tulang nag-uumalpas sa tuwing naririnig ko ang tila nang-uuyam na awit na iyan ni Lito Camo. Tulang hanggang ngayon ay hindi ko malapatan ng wastong mga kataga dahil sa pansamantalang pag-iwas ko sa pagtula.

Salamat Bum sa pagpapamukha mo sa akin ng aking karuwagan.

- Ate Me-Ann

Malulupit Na Pick-up Lines

2007-01-21T14:46:00.000-08:00

Para Sa Mga Singles out there . . . baka makakuha kayo ng idea. Tutal malapit na ang Valentine's Day

1. Minamalat na naman ang puso ko..
*** paano kasi, laging sinisigaw ang pangalan mo..

2. Ikaw ba may-ari ng Crayola??
*** ikaw kasi nagbibigay ng kulay sa buhay ko..

3. Uy picture tayo!!
*** para ma-develop tayo!!

4. Kung ikaw ay bola at ako ang player, mashushoot ba kita??
*** hinde, kasi lagi kita mamimiss..

5. Can i take your picture??
*** coz i want to show Santa exactly what i want for christmas!!

6. Exam ka ba??
*** gustong gusto na kasi kitang i-take home eh!!

7. Lecture mo ba ako??
*** lab kasi kita..

8. Centrum ka ba??
*** kasi you make my life complete!!

9. Miss pwede ba kita maging driver??
*** para ikaw na magpapatakbo ng buhay ko..

10. Mahilig ka ba sa asukal??
*** ang tamis kasi ng mga ngiti mo..

11. Pinaglihi ka ba sa keyboard??
*** type kasi kita..

12. I hate to say this but... You are like my underwear..
*** i can't last a day without you!!

13. Ibibili kita ng salbabida..
*** kasi malulunod ka sa pagmamahal ko..

14. Pwede ba kitang maging sidecar??
*** single kasi ako eh..

15.Me lisensya ka ba??
*** coz you're driving me crazy..

16. May kilala ka bang gumagawa ng relo??
*** may sira ata relo ko.. pag ikaw kasi kasama ko, humihinto ang oras ko..

17. Grabe nakakatawa yung mga pick-up lines noh?? hahaha! May alam ka pa bang iba?? Wala na akong maisip eh..
*** kundi ikaw..

18. I'm a bee..*** can you be my honey??

19. Nakakatakot di ba ang multo??
*** pero mas nakakatakot kapag nawala ka sa buhay ko..

20. Am i a bad shooter??
*** coz i keep on missing you..

21. Tatay mo ba bumbero??
*** kase your hot!!!

22. Naniniwala ka ba sa love at first sight??
*** O gusto mong dumaan ulit ako??

23. Mabilis ka siguro sa mga puzzle noh??
*** kasi kakasimula pa lang ng araw ko, pero nabuo mo na agad..

24. Excuse me.. Are you a dictionary??
*** because you give meaning to my life..

25. Bangin ka ba??
*** nahuhulog kasi ako sa'yo..

26. Pustiso ka ba??
*** kasi, can't smile without you..

27. Pagod na pagod ka na noh??
*** maghapon at magdamag kana kasing tumatakbo sa isipan ko eh..

28. May butas ba puso mo??
*** kasi natrap na ako sa loob, & i can't find my way out!!

29. Anung height mo??
*** ha?? pano ka nagkasya sa loob ng puso ko?

30. Hey, did you fart??
*** coz you blew me away!!

31. Sana "T" na lang ako..
*** para i'm always right next to "U"

32. Are you Jamaican??
*** kasi Ja-maican me crazy!!

33. Hindi tayo tao..Hindi tayo hayop...
*** bagay tayo...BAGAY talaga tayo...

34. Ako ay isang exam...
*** kaya sagutin mo na ako...

35. Alam mo bang scientist ako??
*** at ikaw ang lab ko...

101 Ways To Tell If You're Filipino

2007-01-18T21:44:00.000-08:00

You point with your lips.
You eat using hands and you have it down to a technique.
Your other piece of luggage is a balikbayan box.
You nod upwards to greet someone.
You put your foot up on your chair and rest your elbow on your knee while eating.
You think that half-hatched duck eggs are a delicacy.
You have to kiss your relative on the cheek as soon as you enter the room.
You're standing next eight big boxes at the airport.
You collect items from hotels or restaurants "for souvenir."
You smile for no reason.
You flirt by having a foolish grin in your face while raising your eyebrows repeatedly.
You go to a department store and try to bargain the prices.
You use an umbrella for shade on hot summer days.
You scratch your head when you don't know the answer.
You never eat the last morsel of food on the table.
You like bowling.
You know how to play pusoy and mahjong.
You find dried up morsels of rice stuck on your shirt.
You prefer to sit in the shade instead of basking in the sun.
You add an unwarranted "H" to your name, i.e. "Jhun," Bhoy," "Rhon."
You put hands together in front of you as if to make a path and say "excuse, excuse" when you pass in between people or in front of the TV.
Your middle name is your mother's maiden name.
You like everything imported or "state-side. "
You check the labels on clothes to see where it was made before buying.
You hang your clothes out to dry.
You are perfectly comfortable in a squatting position with your elbows resting on your knees.
You consistently arrive 30 minutes late for all events.
You always offer food to all your visitors.
You say "comfort room" instead of "bathroom."
You say "for take out" instead of "to go"
You say "open" or "close" the light.
You ask for a "pentel-pen" or a "ball-pen" instead of just "pen."
You asked for "Colgate" instead of "toothpaste. "
You refer to the refrigerator as the "ref" or "pridyider."
You say "kodakan" instead of take a picture.
You order a McDonald's instead of "hamburger"( pronounced ham-boor-jer)
You say "Ha" instead of "What."
You say "Hoy" to get someone's attention.
You answer when someone yells "Hoy."
You turn around when someone says "Psst"
You say "Cutex" instead of "nail polish."
You say "he" when you mean "she" and vice versa.
You say "aray" instead of "ouch."
Your sneeze sounds like "ahh-ching" instead of "ahh-choo."
You prefer to make acronyms for phrases such as "OA: for over acting or "TNT" for, well, you know.
You say "air con" instead of "a/c" or air conditioner.
You say "brown-out" instead of "black-out."
You use a "walis ting-ting" or "walis tambo" as opposed to a conventional broom.
You use a "Weapons of Moroland" shield hanging in the living room wall.
You have a portrait of "The Last Supper" hanging in your dining room.
You own a karaoke system.
You own a piano that no one ever plays.
You have a tabo in the bathroom.
Your house has too many burloloys.
You have two to three pairs of tsinelas at your doorstep.
Your house has an ornate wrought iron gate in front of it.
You have a rose garden.
You have a shrine of the "Santo Niño" in your living room.
You have a "barrel man" (you pull up the barrel and you see something that looks familiar. Schwing...)
You cover the living room furniture with bedsheets.
Your lampshades still have the plastic cover on them.
You have plastic runners to cover the carpets in your house.
You refer to your VCR as a "betamax."
You have a rice dispenser.
You own a turbo boiler.
You own one of those fiber optic flower lamps.
You own a lamp with oil that drips down the strings.
You have a giant wooden fork and spoon hanging somewhere in the dining room.
You have a giant wooden tinikling dancer on the wall.
You have capiz shells chandeliers, lamps, or placemats.
You have a Mercedes Benz and you call it "chedeng."
You own a huge van conversion.
Your car chirps like a bird or plays a tune when it is in reverse.
Your car horn can make 2 or 3 different sounds.
Your car has curb feelers or curb detectors.
Your car has too many "burloloys" like a Jeepneys back in P.I.
You hang a rosary on your car's rear view mirror.
You have an air freshener in your car.
You have aunts and uncles named "Baby," "Girlie," or "Boy."
You were raised to believe that every Filipino is an aunt, uncle or a cousin.
Your Dad was in the Navy.
Your mom or sister or wife is a nurse.
You have a family member or relative that works in the Post Office.
Your parents call each other "Mommy" and "Daddy" or "ma" and "pa."
You have family member that has a nickname that repeats itself, i.e."Deng-Deng, " Ling
Ling" or "Bing-Bing"
You put hot dogs in your spaghetti.
You consider dilis the Filipino equivalent to French fries.
You think that eating chocolate rice pudding and dried fish is a great morning meal.
You order thing like tapsilog, tosilog, or longsilog at restaurants.
You instinctively grab a toothpick after each meal.
You order a "soft drink" instead of a "soda."
You dip bread in your morning coffee.
You refer to seasonings and all other forms of monosodium glutamate as "Ajinomoto."
Your cupboards are full of Spam, Vienna Sausage, Ligo, and Corned Beef, which you refer to as Karne Norte.
Goldilocks means more to you than just a character in a fairy tale.
You appreciate a fresh pot of rice.
You bring your "baon" most of the time to work.
Your "baon" is usually something over rice.
Your neighbors complain about the smell of tuyo on Sunday mornings.100.You eat rice for breakfast.
You use your fingers to measure the water when cooking rice.

Friends Forever

2007-01-17T15:29:00.000-08:00

Try this!

http://www.sta.nus.edu.sg/~zhangjt/life/lovegame.html

* from Angel 24-7*

2007-01-14T21:35:00.000-08:00

They're Playing Your Song

By Alan Cohen

When a woman in a certain African tribe knows she is pregnant, she goes out into the wilderness with a few friends and together they pray and meditate until they hear the song of the child. They recognize that every soul has its own vibration that expresses its unique flavor and purpose. When the women attune to the song, they sing it out loud. Then they return to the tribe and teach it to everyone else.

When the child is born, the community gathers and sings the child's song to him or her. Later, when the child enters education, the village gathers and chants the child's song. When the child passes through the initiation to adulthood, the people again come together and sing. At the time of marriage, the person hears his or her song.

Finally, when the soul is about to pass from this world, the family and friends gather at the person's bed, just as they did at their birth, and they sing the person to the next life.

When I have shared this story in my lectures, a fair amount of people in the audience come to tears. There is something inside each of us that knows we have a song, and we wish those we love would recognize it and support us to sing it. In some of my seminars I ask people to verbalize to a partner the one phrase they wish their parents had said to them as a child. Then the partner lovingly whispers it in their ear. This exercise goes very deep, and many significant insights start to click. How we all long to be loved, acknowledged, and accepted for who we are!

In the African tribe there is one other occasion upon which the villagers sing to the child. If at any time during his or her life, the person commits a crime or aberrant social act, the individual is called to the center of the village and the people in the community form a circle around them. Then they sing their song to them. The tribe recognizes that the correction for antisocial behavior is not punishment; it is love and the remembrance of identity. When you recognize your own song, you have no desire or need to do anything that would hurt another.

A friend is someone who knows your song and sings it to you when you have forgotten it. Those who love you are not fooled by mistakes you have made or dark images you hold about yourself. They remember your beauty when you feel ugly; your wholeness when you are broken; your innocence when you feel guilty; and your purpose when you are confused.

If you do not give your song a voice, you will feel lost, alone, and confused. If you express it, you will come to life. We attract people on a similar wavelength so we can support each other to sing aloud. Sometimes we attract people who challenge us by telling us that we cannot or should not sing our song in public. Yet these people help us too, for they stimulate us to find greater courage to sing it.

You may not have grown up in an African tribe that sings your song to you at crucial life transitions, but life is always reminding you when you are in tune with yourself and when you are not. When you feel good what you are doing matches your song, and when you feel awful, it doesn't.

In the end, we should all recognize our song and sing it well. You may feel a little warbly at the moment, but so have all the great singers.

Just keep singing and you'll find your way home.

Sino Si Ederlyn?

2007-01-14T15:03:00.000-08:00

Christmas break noon nang makatanggap ako ng text message na inakala kong hindi para sa akin. Ang sabi kasi:

"Uy, invited daw tayo sa b-day party ni Ederlyn mamayang 8pm. Text-text na lang ha! Kita-kits!"

Sumakit ang ulo ko sa kaiisip kung sino si Ederlyn sa buhay ko. Nang may kalahating oras na at wala pa rin akong matandaang babaeng may ganoong pangalan ay kinumbinse ko ang aking sarili na ito ay pakana ng kung sinong nais magpatawa.

Sino si Ederlyn, ang tanong ng lahat ng pinadalhan ko ng text na iyon. Tinawanan ko na lamang. Naloka nga ako nang magreply ang isa kong kaibigan from Naga, oo daw pupunta daw siya. Susme, nagkataon palang may kakilala talaga siyang Ederlyn! Kung hindi ko pala binawi ang joke ay malamang nagpunta siya sa bahay ng Ederlyn na iyon.

At kung inakala kong doon matatapos ang isyung Ederlyn na iyan ay nagkakamali pala ako dahil nang pumasok ang taong 2007, may natanggap na naman akong mensahe:

"Sa lahat ng pumunta kagabi, maraming salamat. Sa mga hindi naman nakapunta, okei lang. Sana lang nag-text kayo at makabawi next time."- Ederlyn

Hehehe, muntik rin akong makumbinsi na may Ederlyn ngang umasa sa pagdating ko sa birthday niya. Alam kong tulad ko rin, ang mga kaibigan ko ay naghihintay ng bagong development sa istorya ng misteryosang babaeng ito.

"Ang ganda mo pala sa personal! Salamat sa pag-imbita ulit - Tirso

At nagkaroon na yata ng bagong twist, lumitaw na may nakarating naman pala sa birthday party ni Ederlyn.

Nang nakaraang Biyernes, natanggap ko ito:

"NAGBABAGANG REBELASYON. Madaming nagtatanong. Kinukwestiyon ang pagkatao niya. Handa na siyang humarap sa publiko at sagutin lahat ng katanungan sa kanya. Ilalabas na rin niya ang kanyang hinanakit sa diumanong nilangaw na b-day celebration niya. EDERLYN babasagin ang katahimikan. EKSKLUSIBO, Sa LINGGO, LIVE SA THE BUZZ!"

Hay, ano naman kaya ang kasunod nito? Hehehe. Abangan natin ang susunod na kaabanata

Answer: Me-Ann

2007-01-01T16:38:00.000-08:00

Isang nakakalokang forwarded message ang nakatuwaan kong ipadala sa mga kaibigan ko.

If "Me-Ann" was the answer, what would be the question?

At eto ang sagot ng ilan:

Liza: Sino ang sweet Lola na walang asawa?
Tet: Sino ang true friend?
Chat: Who will turn a boring statement into something funny and naughty?
Vonn: What's fun when mixed with artistic poetry?
Gex: Sino ang national bestfriend?
Rejie: Bakit? (na sinagot ko ng "kasi!")

From Ate Joy's Journey In Life

2006-12-11T18:57:00.000-08:00

Galit Ako sa Lalaki

Galit ako sa lalaki
na nanliligaw
nang di-totohanan
babae’y pinagpupustahan.

Galit ako sa lalaki
na nang-aabuso
ginagamit ang pagkamacho
sa kanyang panggagantso.

Galit ako sa lalaki
na mapagsamantala
pag-ibig ay dinadahilan
matugunan lamang ang tawag ng laman.

Galit ako sa lalaki
na laging tumatakbo
sa responsibilidad at pangako
hindi nagseseryoso.

Galit ako sa lalaki
na di nagpapahalaga
sa Sakramento ng Kasal
papel lamang ang tingin niya.

Galit ako sa lalaki
na di marunong gumalang
sa asawang mapagpala
ito pa’y winawalang-bahala.

Galit ako sa lalaki
na kung umasata’y parang hari
utos ay di nababali
wari siya’y di nagkakamali.

Galit ako sa lalaki
na di marunong magbalik
ng pagmamahal ng asawa
turing niya ay alila.

Galit ako sa lalaki
na utak ay makitid
sa paliwanag ng iba
di nakikinig.

Galit ako sa lalaki
na di marunong tumanggap
ng kanyang pagkakamali
pilit pang dinidiretso ang baluktot at imbi.

Galit ako sa lalaki
na nananakit ng asawa
sa konting pagkakamali
umiigkas ang kamao niya.

Galit ako sa lalaki
na di nagsisimba
may oras sa lahat
maliban sa Diyos na sa kanya’y Lumikha.

At eto ang sagot ko . . .

Galit ako sa mga lalaking walang paninindigan,
Sa mga lalaking sarili lang ang kayang pahalagahan;
Silang madalas maipagkamali ang pag-ibig sa tawag ng laman,
At walang awang nagsasamantala sa ating kahinaan.

Galit ako sa mga lalaking hindi kayang tumanggap ng pagkatalo,
Sa mga lalaking hindi marunong makinig at magpahalaga sa damdamin ng mga babae;
Silang mahilig mang-insulto at mabilis kung humusga.
Mga lalaking ang pag-iisip ay nasa dulo ng kamao.

Ang tanong ni Ate Joy, man-hater daw ba ako? Hehehe, halata po ba? Well, hindi naman.

Tawanan Tayo

2006-12-05T21:30:00.000-08:00

* "Noodle! Noodle! Noodle!"

- Manny Pacquaio on Deal or No Deal

* "Hindi lahat ng hinog matamis"

- Pigsa

* "Siguro nga hanggang dito na lamang. Siguro nga hindi na ako magiging sentro ng atensiyon mo. Ok lang, masaya na akong nasa gilid lang ng paningin mo"

- Muta

* "I Love You Pacman. Tulungan mo kami sa aming mga problemang pinansiyal. Pahingi ng balato."

-Send this to 90 friends and nothing will happen. Promise, effective ito, na-try ko na. Wala talaga.

* "Butterfly din ako, brown lang ang pakpak."

- Baklang Ipis

*Complete Version:

Tatay: Anak, bili ka softdrinks.

Anak: Coke o Pepsi?

Tatay: Coke.

Anak: Diet o regular?

Tatay: Regular.

Anak: Bote o in can?

Tatay: Bote

Anak: 8 oz o litro?

Tatay: Punyeta! Tubig na lang!

Anak: Natural o mineral?

Tatay: Mineral.

Anak: Malamig o hindi?

Tatay: Papaluin na kita ng walis!

Anak: Tambo o tingting?

Tatay: Hayop ka!

Anak: Baka o baboy?

Tatay: Layas!

Anak: Ngayon o bukas?

Tatay: Ngayon na!

Anak: Hatid mo ako o hindi?

Tatay: Papatayin kita!

Anak: Sakal o baril?

Tatay: Baril!

Anak: Sa ulo o tiyan?

Tatay: Peste ka!!

Anak: Ipis o daga?

Tatay: Waaaaahhhh!

* Problemado ka ba at walang pera? Heto ang sagot diyan. Just text NANAY PENGE PERA at i-send sa number niya. And dali di ba?

*"Oo, inaamin ko, sila'y mga yakal, lawanit, apitong at narra. at kami'y saging lamang. Pero maghanap kayo ng puno sa buong mundo, saging lang ang may puso! Saging lang!"

- B1 at B2

*Prayer of the romantically, desperate, delusional or merely hopeful:

"Lord, If siya na, please let everything fall into place, pero kung hindi po siya, siya na lang kasi please?"

*Ayaw mo bang pumasok bukas? Just type:

WORK OFF at isend sa boss mo. may chance ka pang magka-memo at ma-meet ang buong HRD staff. Kaya't magmadali, text na!

*"Pinag-aaral kayo ng inyong mga magulang para matuto, hindi para maglakwatsa." Quotable quotes by:

- Manong Guard

P.S. No I.D., No Entry. Bawal ang naka-tsinelas!

* Bakla nagkukwento tungkol sa boyfriend niya:

"Ang sweet-sweet ng boyfriend ko. Bago kami matulog nilalagyan niya ako ng plastic sa mukha. Kapag hindi na ako makahinga, tinatanggal na niya. Proud ako sa kanya kasi siya ang nagturo sa aking magtipid. Kapag nga kumakain kami sa labas, ulam lang niya pork chop, ako ketchup. Nakakatuwa pa sa kanya, hindi siya nanghihingi ng pera, kusa na lang siya kumukuha sa wallet ko. Kaso hiwalay na kami. Yung mga kaibigan ko kasi, sinisiraan siya. Malikot daw ang kamay. Siya lang nagpupunta sa bahay ko, nawala pa yung ref. Iniisip ko naman na-misplace ko lang."

*Meron ka na lamang 6 na oras para maging TAO. Kung gusto mong ipagpatuloy ang pagiging tao mo ay i-type lang ang MALIGNO OFF at isend sa 2870.

Salamat

2006-12-05T18:07:00.000-08:00

Sa wakas ay nakaraos kami nang matiwasay sa ginawa naming pagtatanghal kagabi sa ika-21 anibersaryo ng LIRA. Marami rin ang pumuri sa aming folio. Kami raw ang batch na pinakamarami (ngunit hindi nangangahulugan na pinakamagaling, hehe, ika nga ni Sir Rio). Kami rin daw ang pinakahandang batch sabi ni Ron.

Kabisado ko ang aking tula, dangan nga lamang sa dami ng pressures ko sa maghapon pati ang alalahaning baka hindi ako umabot sa conspiracy (ipadala ka ba naman sa meeting sa makati ng 4pm, na walang kasiguraduhan kung anong oras ang tapos, hehehe) ay kinailangan kong basahin ang dala-dala kong kopya. Kitang-kita ang panginginig ng aking mga kamay (hirap talagang paglabanan ng kaba).

Marami sa mga kilalang makata na kasapi rin ng LIRA ang nandoon sa Conspiracy kagabi, hindi ko na iisa-isahin dahil baka may malimutan ako, hehe.

Masaya ang gabi lalo na nang isa-isa kaming tawagin upang tanggapin ang katibayan ng aming pagtatapos (sa wakas!). Ito ang bunga ng aming anim na buwang paghihirap.

Maraming salamat sa lahat ng lecturers/panelists na walang sawang gumabay sa amin. Sa mga LIRA members na sa tuwina ay nagpapaalala kung anu-ano ang mga dapat naming tandaan. Sa bumubuo ng SIGLO na talaga namang nagdulot ng kasiyahan sa akin tuwing Sabado at Linggo, mapa-palihan man o lecture.

Sa inyong lahat, maraming salamat po.

Ano man ang kalabasan ng deliberation, hindi ko kayo makakalimutan.

Ponder on this . . .

2006-11-21T16:59:00.000-08:00

Confucius says "Be a Lotus. Which means no matter how ugly, how evil and how sinful everyone around you might become, do not allow yourself to be stained. A Lotus remains beautiful even as it lingers in the filthy waters of the pond. Don't be contaminated, do not be influenced by worthless means. Remain radiant among the shadows of darkness."

- Be a Lotus. It has to start with one to fill the pond with more . . .

IV Narra '94 Get Together - November 11, 2006 - Guilbert's Place

2006-11-20T22:16:00.000-08:00

LIRA @ 21

2006-11-20T22:11:00.000-08:00

Ang Batch 2006 fellows ng Linangan sa Imahen, Retorika at Anyo, kasama ang ilan sa mga premyadong makatang miyembro nito.

LIRA 21
Pagdiriwang sa ika-21 taon ng isang premyadong organisasyon sa panulaang Filipino

Ang ika-21 anibersaryo ng Linangan sa Imahen, Retorika at Anyo (LIRA) ay ipagdiriwang sa 5 Disyembre 2006 sa Conspiracy Bar (sa Visayas Ave. tapat ng Shell, Lunsod Quezon), 6:00-9:00 ng gabi. Kaalinsabay ito sa paglulunsad ng Ang Una Naming Siglo, kalipunan ng isandaang tula ng 20 fellows na sumailalim sa anim na buwang palihan ng LIRA sa taong ito. Tampok sa gabing ito ang pagtatanghal ng mga tulang kabilang sa folio at iba pang pagtatanghal muila sa mga batikan at baguhang makata.
Ang LIRA ay organisasyon ng mga makatang nagsusulat sa wikang Filipino. Itinatag ito ng Pambansang Alagad ng Sining sa Panitikan, si Virgilio Almario (kilala rin bilang Rio Alma), noong 1985.

Sa mga palihan ng LIRA nagmula ang mga kilalang makata tulad nina Mike Coroza, Romulo Baquiran, Vim Nadera, at ang magkapatid na Roberto at Rebecca Añonuevo. Kabilang din sila sa mga nagbibigay-panayam sa taunang palihan o workshop na isinasagawa ng organisasyon, na bukas para sa mga nagsisimulang makata.

Life Explained :)

2006-11-14T20:37:00.000-08:00

On the first day, God created the dog and said,
"Sit all day by the door of your house and bark at anyone who comes in or walks past. For this, I will give you a life span of twenty years."
The dog said, "That's a long time to be barking. How about only ten years and I'll give you back the other ten"?
So God agreed.

On the second day, God created the monkey and said,
"Entertain people, do tricks, and make them laugh. For this, I'll give you a twenty-year life span."
The monkey said, "Monkey tricks for twenty years? That's a pretty long time to perform. How about I give you back ten like the Dog did"?
And God agreed.

On the third day, God created the cow and said,
"You must go into the field with the farmer all day long and suffer under the sun, have calves and give milk to support the farmer's family. For this, I will give you a life span of sixty years."
The cow said, "That's kind of a tough life you want me to live for sixty years. How about twenty and I'll give back the other forty"?
And God agreed again.

On the fourth day, God created man and said,
"Eat, sleep, play, marry and enjoy your life. For this, I'll give you twenty years."
But man said, "Only twenty years? Could you possibly give me my twenty, the forty the cow gave back, the ten the monkey gave back, and the ten the dog gave back. That makes eighty, okay"?
"Okay," said God, "You asked for it."

So that is why for our first twenty years, we eat, sleep, play and enjoy ourselves. For the next forty years, we slave in the sun to support our family. For the next ten years, we do monkey tricks to entertain the grandchildren. And for the last ten years, we sit on the front porch and bark at everyone!

Life has now been explained to you. Go forth and do good stuff!

Kumustahan

2006-11-14T14:58:00.000-08:00

Last Saturday (Nov. 11, 2006), nagkaroon ng Get Together ang IV-Narra batch 94. Finally, natuloy din! Out of 66, 15 lang kaming naka-attend. Ako ang nag-organize kahit thru text at phone calls lang, wala kasing time para mag-ikot pa. Isa pa'y alam ko namang hindi rin sasama kahit mag-commt. Ang venue namin - Guilbert's Place sa Tabang, Plaridel, Bulacan.

Sa totoo lang, kapag married na lalo sa case ng mga babae, parang nililimitahan na nila yung mga sarili nila na mag-aatend sa mga get together at reunion. Kaya hindi na rin ako nagtaka na hindi na nagreply yung ibang mga nanay sa text ko. Tutal ang uasapan naman namin ay walang pilitan, basta kung sino lang ang makarating.

5pm ang start, so andun na agad kami ni Yam (soltera ding tulad ko, hehe). Itinext ko silang lahat na "asan na kau, d2 na kmi." Kapag nagtext back at magtanong na "talaga? sinu-sino na kayo?" ay hindi na ako sumasagot. Mukhang effective dahil maya-maya lang ay isa-isa ng nagdatingan. Tinitingnan ako nang masama, pero syempre explain ko na paparating na yung iba.
Sumilip ang dati naming class adviser, si Sir Jojo, happy siya na makita kami na nagkakatipon-tipon. Usually kasi, nagkakasama-sama lang ang ilan sa amin lately kapag may namamatay na magulang o kamag-anak ang isa sa aming mga dating kaklase. May kasama si Sir na isang estudyante niya sa kasalukuyan at isa-isa kaming ipinakilala. Nakakalungkot lang na yung mga hindi nakatapos kong classmate eh hindi kagandahan ang pagpapakilala niya. Napansin ko na bahagyanng nagyuko ng ulo ang mga ito.

7pm nang dumating si Roniel, ang aming class president, birthday niya nung araw na iyon so inulan siya ng kantiyaw. Kasunod niya maya-maya lamang si Vhic na pinagnasaan niya nang matagal-tagal din naman. Andun din sina Joseph (ang wife niya ay sa Lebanon nagtatrabaho sa kasalukuyan), si Mareng Lanie (ang aking optometrist), si Mareng Rhea na isa ng dentista, si Prisco na isa ng CPA, si Russel, (ang kapit-bahay kong mapang-asar) na waiter naman sa Annabelle's Restaurant, ang beterinaryong si Gil nakarating din katabi niya sa upuan si Pareng Reggie, sa kaliwa ko ay si Ronaldo a.k.a kalabaw (ang pambato naming swimmer noong high school). Si Josie na hanggang ngayon ay tinutukso pa rin nilang Inang ay pasalamat kami at nakahabol. Inihabilin niya muna ang kanyang 3 anak sa kanyang mga biyenan. Ang asawa niya ay nandun din sa lugar na iyon that night, nakahiwalaya nga lang ng table sa amin.

Kahit konti lang kami ay sobrang ingay pa rin namin. Masyang binalikan ang mga kulitan, asaran at tuksuhan ng nagdaang high school life. Kinakantiyawan siyempre ang mga wala pang asawa. Sa kaliwa ko ay kwentuhan ng mga nanay habang sa kanan ay asaran. So sa kanan na lang ako at nakipag-asaran. Nagkatawanan ang lahat nang ibuko ni Mareng Rhea na dahilan lamang pala ni Marlow na ma-traffic kaya wala pa siya, ang totoo pala'y ayaw payagan ng Misis niya, hahaha! Hindi ko na lang kinulit dahil kung pupunta siya ay siguradong aalaskahin lang siya ng mga kalalakihan.

Hindi pa nagkakahiwa-hiwalay ay kinukulit na nila akong next month daw ay ulitin namin. Susme, namihasa naman ang mga ito.

Nakalalasing pala ang iced tea at malakas pala ang tama ng kwentuhan at pakikipag-asaran sa mga dating high school classmates dahil kinabukasan, may hang over pa rin ako ng masasaya naming biruan at tawanan.

Ano na?

2006-11-02T19:02:00.000-08:00

Nasaan na nga ba ako? Kailan nga ba ulit ako huminto nang matagal-tagal upang mag-isip, magmuni-muni at makalikha ng kahit ano lang na akda. Ah, matagal na rin yata, o maaaring kailan lang, basta ko na lamang ba hindi natatandaan o ayaw ko na lamang isipin?

Hindi ko na halos natitingnan nang matagalan ang repleksiyon ko sa harap ng salamin sa pagmamadali sa umaga. Pagdating sa opisina, nagtataka pa ako kung bakit sumasakit ang tiyan ko, anak ng . . . nakalimutan ko palang mag-almusal! Minsan ay nagtampo na rin si Tatay dahil biruin mo nga naman gumising pa siya nang maaga para lang ipagluto ako ng almusal ("Pero Itay, hanggang kailan ko po ba uuliting, hindi ako mahilig sa sinangag?")

Sa text ko na lamang kinakausap ang mga kaibigan ko. Kung hindi umagang-umaga (habang sakay ako ng service) ay sa hapon (sakay ulit ng service, pauwi naman). Minsan, naisisingit ko sa gitna ng meeting, kapag antok na ako, hehehe. May mga napapangakuan ako na dadalawin pero up to the last minute ay naiiba ang plano dahil kinakailangan kong pumasok ng Sabado. Alam kong sumasama ang loob nila, well, nakakasama naman talaga ng loob iyong one week before ay ia-announce mo ng pupunta ka pero babawiin mo lamang pala.

Minsan, habang naliligo o kaya sa harap ng salamin, o habang naghuhubad ng contact lens , bigla kong itatanong sa sarili "para saan ba ang lahat ng ito ha, Mary Ann?"

Bakit nga ba para akong nagmamadali? Bakit tila ayaw kong huminto kahit sang saglit? Reklamo ako ng reklamo pero patuloy pa rin sa ginagawa. Ayaw ko raw kuno ng routine pero ano itong nangyayari?

Normal pa naman siguro ako. (See, kahit dito, hindi na ako sigurado).

Ever Wondered

2006-10-16T17:55:00.000-07:00

Why the sun lightens our hair, but darkens our skin?
Why women can't put on mascara with their mouth closed?
Why don't you ever see the headline "Psychic Wins Lottery"?
Why is "abbreviated" such a long word?
Why is it that doctors call what they do "practice"?
Why is it that to stop Windows 98, you have to click on "Start"?
Why is lemon juice made with artificial flavor, and dishwashing liquid made with real lemons?
Why is the man who invests all your money called a broker?
Why is the time of day with the slowest traffic called rush hour?
Why isn't there mouse-flavored cat food?
When dog food is new and improved tasting, who tests it?
Why didn't Noah swat those two mosquitoes?
Why do they sterilize the needle for lethal injections?
You know that indestructible black box that is used on airplanes? Why don't they make the whole plane out of that stuff?
Why don't sheep shrink when it rains?
Why are they called apartments when they are all stuck together?

If con is the opposite of pro, is Congress the opposite of progress?

If flying is so safe, why do they call the airport the terminal?

Paano Kung . . .

2006-10-03T16:02:00.000-07:00

Mamamatay ka na ngayon
Nakahanda ka ba?

Kung ang puso’y sumambulat
At ang mga piraso’y humalo
Sa mga bubog ng salaming
Mababasag dahil sa pagbangga,
Ng bus na iyong sinasakyan
Sa kasunod nitong trak.
Hindi ka ba manghihinayang?

Nasa loob ng pusong iyan
Ang damdaming pilit ikinukubli,
Ang mga katagang hindi pa nasasabi;
Mga salitang hindi ka sigurado
Kung dapat pang isiwalat.

Kung ang mukha ay maipit sa bakal na upuan,
Ang bibig ay hindi na maibubuka,
Nasa loob pa naman niyan ang dilang
Magpapahayag sana ng mga pangako.

Kung sa pagpupumilit mong tumayo
Ay maiwan ang kaliwang hitang madadaganan
Ng bigat ng sasakyang nabuwal,
Sayang . . . naguumalpas sa katawang iyan
Ang pagnanasang manatili sa kanyang tabi.

Iaasa mo na lamang ba sa sariling kaluluwa
Ang pagpaparamdam?

Know Yourself Better

2006-09-21T18:43:00.000-07:00

Take a piece of paper and write down the answers. Don't think over the questions. Write down the first thing that comes to your mind when you read them. Usually, that is the correct interpretation. The analysis is in the end....

Situation:

You are in a deep forest... as you walk on you saw an old hut standing there.

(1) What is the status of the door?(Opened/closed)

You enter the hut and see a table.

(2) What is the shape of the table?

(Round/Oval/Square/Rectangle/Triangle)

On top of the table there is a vase... in the vase there is water.

(3) How much water is it filled up with? (Full/Half/Empty)

(4) And what is the vase made of?

(Glass/porcelain/clay), (metal/plastic/wood)

You walk out of the hut. As you carry on your walk in the forest, you see a waterfall from far, there is water running down.

(5) What is the speed of the water?

(Choose a number ranging from 0 to 10)

Some time after the waterfall... you step on something hard on the ground... as you look down...you see glistening gold in color. You bend down and pick it up... it is a keychain chained with keys.

(6) How many key /keys you see hanging on the keychain?

(Choose a number ranging from 1 to 10)

You walk on and on... trying to find your way out... suddenly you saw a castle.

(7) What is the condition of the castle? (Old/new)

You enter the castle and saw a pool of murky water with shining jewels floating on it.

(8) Will you pick up the jewel? (YES/NO)

Next to the murky pool... there's another pool... with clear water and money floating on it. . .

(9) Will you pick the money? (YES/NO)

Walking to the end of the castle there is an exit... you proceed to walk out of the castle. Outside the exit, there is big garden, you see a box on the ground.

(10) What is the size of the box? (small/medium/big)

(11) What is the material of the box?

(cardboard/paper/wooden/metal)

There is a bridge in the garden some distance away from the box.

(12) What is the bridge made of? (metal/wooden/rattan)

Across the bridge, there is a horse.

(13) What is the color of the horse? (white/grey/brown/black)

(14) What is the horse doing?

(still and quiet/nibbling grass/running about)

OH NO!!! There is a tornado coming... some distance from the horse.

You have 3 options: WHAT DO YOU DO?

(i) run and hide in the box?

(ii) run and hide under the bridge?

(iii)runto the horse, ride on and gallop away?

Here are the interpretations:

(1) The door:

a.. opened door - you are a person who is willing to share

b.. closed door- you are a person who is keeping things to yourself

(2) The table:

a.. Round/oval - any friends that came along, you will accept and trust them completely

b.. Square/rectangle - you are a bit more choosy on friends and only hangout with those whom you think are on the same frequency

c.. Triangle - you are really very picky about friends and here are not many friends in your life

(3) Water in vase:

a.. Empty - your life is not fulfilled

b.. Half filled - what you want in your life is half fulfilled

c.. Full - your life is completely fulfilled and good for you!

(4) Material of vase:

a.. glass/clay/porcelain - you are weak in your life and tends to be fragile

b.. metal/plastic/wood - you are strong in your life

(5) Flow of waterfall:

a.. 0 - no sex drive at all

b.. 1 to 4 - low sex drive

c.. 5 - average sex drive

d.. 6 to 9 - high sex drive

e.. 10 - gone case!!! super high sex drive!!! Can't live without sex...

(6) Keys:

a.. 1 - you have one good friend in your life

b.. 2 to 5 - you have a few good friends in your life

c.. 6 to 10 - you have a lot good friends

(7) Castle:

a.. Old - shows that your last relationship is not a good one and is not memorable to you.

b.. New - your last relationship is good and it's still fresh in your heart.

(8) The jewel from the murky pool water:

a.. YES - when your partner is around you, you will flirt around with others.

b.. NO - when your partner is around, you will stick around with him/her most of the time.

(9) The money from the clear water pool:

a.. YES - even when your partner is not around you, will still flirt around with others.

b.. NO - even when your partner is not around, you will still think of her and will be loyal to her, not flirting around with others.

(10) The size of the box:

a.. small - low ego

b.. medium - average ego

c.. big - high ego

(11) Material of the box (outlook of the box):

a.. cardboard/paper/wooden(non-shining) - humble personality

b.. metal - proud and stuck up personality

(12) The material of the bridge:

a.. metal bridge - have very strong bond with your friends

b.. wooden bridge - average bond with your friends

c.. rattan bridge - you are not in good terms with your friends

(13) Color of the horse:

a.. white - your partner is pure and good in your heart.

b.. grey/brown - your partner is only average in your heart.

c.. black - your partner doesn't seem to be good in your heart and appears to be bad sign.

(14) Horse action:

a.. still and quiet/nibbling grass - your partner is a very homely and humble person.

b.. running about - your partner is a wild type person.

This the last but most important part of the test. From how I ended the story... a tornado approaches... What are you going to do?

There are only 3 options:

(i) run and hide in the box?

(ii) run and hide under the bridge?

(iii) run to the horse, ride on and gallop away?

What will you choose? Now, the above is signified by these things:

a.. tornado - problems in your life

b.. box - you

c.. bridge - your friends

d.. horse - your partner

(i) So if you choose the box, you keep your problems to yourself whenever you are met with problems.

(ii) or if you choose the bridge, you will go to your friends whenever you are met problems.

(iii) or lastly if you choose the horse, you seek your partner whenever your partner whenever you are met with problems.

Know The Story Behind The Story

2006-09-19T16:00:00.001-07:00

One day, I was giving a retreat to a bunch of bigwig executives.

As a whole, the group was very happy to be there.

Except for one guy -- one of the vice presidents -- at the back of the room. If horses suffered from menopause, that was what he looked like: He snorted around, kicked his hoofs about, creating dust clouds everywhere. While all were listening to my talk, he'd stand up and walk around, disturbing everyone, chatting with people and munching chip!

Obviously, he didn't like being there.

I guessed he was forced by the company's president to attend the retreat.

This menopausal horse was getting to my nerves, so I approached him after my talk.

The evil laboratory in my brain provided me with a few opening lines to use.

"Let me see...You became VP by marrying the owner's daughter, right?"

"You're a VP? Does that stand for Vile Personality?"

"So, what Al Quaeda cell do you work for?"

"Are you by any chance demon-possessed?"

Of course, my favorite was..."Hi, are you having hot flushes?"

Thankfully, I didn't choose any of the above. Instead, I took him aside and sincerely asked, "Hi, brother. How are you?"

After some awkward moments, his story came pouring out.

"Last month, my wife was diagnosed to have cancer," his voice trembled, "and the doctors don't know how long she will last. I hate being here because I want to be with her every waking time I have."

He wept like a baby.

Suddenly, I felt tinier than a virus.

Can anyone step on me and squash me, pleeeease? I deserved it.

I said, "Brother, can I pray for your wife right now?" He nodded.

I laid my hand over him and prayed for her healing.

You won't believe what happened next.

For the rest of the retreat, the man was as attentive as a contemplative nun.

I learned two lessons that day:

One, I'll never call anyone (even in my mind) a menopausal horse again.

Two, I need to know the story behind the story. Without it, making judgments is insanity.

********* DEAR LORD, we pray that we shall never judge a brother's actions until we know his motives. It is better to err on the side of charity than to misjudge anyone. Remind us that the faults we see in others' lives are sometimes true of us. May our expectation of others be tempered by an awareness of our own weakness. Lord, help us to lovingly build up one another and show kindness for your honor and glory.

Know The Story Behind The Story

- Bo Sanchez

10 Rules To Be Happy

2006-09-19T15:51:00.000-07:00

Give something without strings attached.
Do an act of kindness and forget it.
Pray.
Smile more often.
Work with beam and vigor.
Look intently on baby’s face and marvel.
Spend sometime with an aged.
Say “thank you.”
Plan as though you’ll live forever.
Live as though you’ll die tomorrow

sms

2006-09-11T19:19:00.000-07:00

... Don't ever try to understand everything. Some things will just never make sense. Don't ever be reluctant to show your feelings. When you're happy, give into it; when you're not, live with it. Don't ever be afraid to make things better, you might be surpised at the results. Don't ever take the weight of the world on yopr shoulders. Don't ever feel threatened by the future. Take life one day at a time. Don't ever feel guilty about the past, what is done is done. Learn from any mistakes you might have. Live a happy life ! :)

Know Yourself From These Situations . . .

2006-09-11T11:47:00.000-07:00

Look at the following scenarios:

A) Two people trapped in a lift.
B) Nobody in a deserted village except yourself.
C) Pollution of any kind (to the sea or land etc.)
D) Buildings - collapse / fire disasters / natural disasters.

Which one u felt is the most miserable?

Interpretations:

A) Two people trapped in a lift:
You feel a bit inferior about yourself. But you can actually differentiate between the "black" against the "white" very well. However when it involves personal feelings, you are in a total mess!!!!

Love life:
You can manage a one two one relationship but when too many competitors or targets appeared, you will tend to panic and ruin everything instead! Do not process the ability to flirt around. Try not to be a boring lover.

B) Nobody in a deserted village except yourself:
You are basically a person who enjoys looking back to the past. A very emotional person indeed. Easily influenced by the people or surroundings around you. Eg. if the society is sad about the death of Princess Diana, you will also share the same sentiments or when watching a sad movie.....like Titanic, you will be so engrossed in the movie
that you ended up being sadder than the main casts in the movie !!!!!

Lovelife:
Very Messy! Are you a very confused person? Sometimes you like to be left alone, Sometimes you want to be love,
Sometimes you need her/him, Sometimes you don't?? Does it sound familiar? You better sort out about yourself before you cause another party to be in pain for you.

C) Pollution of any kind (to the sea or land etc.) :
You are suitable to go into politics cos u are able to differentiate between wrong from right pretty well and plus........you are very decisive.

Lovelife:
However when it comes to love, you are very INDECISIVE......and so you are not suitable to fall in love. As in similar to You sometimes need him/her, sometimes you don't......same advise ! ! You go think it over and better not hurt another innocent party ! !

D) Buildings- collapse/fir disasters /natural disasters :
You are a person who is full of ambitions and creativity. You are very concerned about changes in the issues around you. You are also a very temperamental person. Mood swing tend to be your cup of tea.

Love life:
You are very easily attracted to the opposite sex ..........and the good thing is:
You are also a "hot target" among the opposite sex. You can easily attract the opposite sex... Basically a very "Popular" lover. Sometimes you'll just wonder why so many people like to chat with you. A very "PEOPLE" person!

36 Christian Ways To Reduce Stress

2006-09-10T20:29:00.000-07:00

An Angel says, "Never borrow from the future. If you worry about what may happen tomorrow and it doesn't happen, you have worried in vain. Even if it does happen, you have to worry twice."

Pray
Go to bed on time.
Get up on time so you can start the day unrushed.
Say No to projects that won't fit into your time schedule, or that will compromise your mental health.
Delegate tasks to capable others.
Simplify and unclutter your life.
Less is more. (Although one is often not enough, two are often too many.)
Allow extra time to do things and to get to places.
Pace yourself. Spread out big changes and difficult projects over time; don't lump the hard things all together.
Take one day at a time.
Separate worries from concerns. If a situation is a concern, find out what God would have you do and let go of the anxiety. If you can't do anything about a situation, forget it.
Live within your budget; don't use credit cards for ordinary purchases
Have backups; an extra car key in your wallet, an extra house key buried in the garden, extra stamps, etc.
K.M.S. (Keep Mouth Shut). This single piece of advice can prevent an enormous amount of trouble.
Do something for the Kid in You everyday.
Carry a Bible with you to read while waiting in line.
Get enough rest.
Eat right.
Get organized so everything has its place.
Listen to a tape while driving that can help improve your quality of life.
Write down thoughts and inspirations.
Every day, find time to be alone.
Having problems? Talk to God on the spot. Try to nip small problems in the bud. Don't wait until it's time to go to bed to try and pray.
Make friends with Godly people.
Keep a folder of favorite scriptures on hand.
Remember that the shortest bridge between despair and hope is often a good "Thank you Jesus."
Laugh.
Laugh some more!
Take your work seriously, but not yourself at all.
Develop a forgiving attitude (most people are doing the best they can).
Be kind to unkind people (they probably need it the most.) ]
Sit on your ego.
Talk less; listen more.
Slow down.
Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the universe.
Every night before bed, think of one thing you're grateful for that you've never been grateful for before.

GOD HAS A WAY OF TURNING THINGS AROUND FOR YOU. "If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31)

Bulaan

2006-09-10T16:30:00.000-07:00

Habang papalapit ako sa aming bahay,
Papalayo naman ang loob ko kay Inay.
Dinig ko sa isip ang kanyang tungayaw,
“Pagpapalain tayo dahil sa atin Siya dadalaw.”

Nang papasok ako sa tarangkahan,
Papalabas naman ang mga nagsipagdasal.
Umaapaw sa tao ang munting tahanan,
Paroo’t-parito ang mamang nakasaklay
Amoy langis ng niyog ang paligid.

Nagkulong ako sa silid,
Habang naglalakbay ang aking malay.
Alam kong sa mga sandaling ito,
Kung hindi ka manghihilot ay manghuhula
Iniisa-isa mo kung sinu-sino ang sinungaling;
Nakikiapid o hindi lubos na nananalig.

Maya-maya’y ikaw ang Mahal na Birheng
Manghihikayat na magrosaryo,
Sasalit ang Diyos Amang magsasabi
Ng nalalapit na paghuhukom:
Kandila, asin at benditadong tubig
Ang magiging kalasag.

Nang lumabas ako ng silid,
Pumapasok sa iyong katauhan ang Sto. Niño
Pinuno mo ng munting halakhak ang bawat sulok
Patalon-talon, iniikutan ang maibigang taga-sunod-
Ibinubulong ang masuwerteng numero
Binabasbasan ang tiket ng lotto.

Sa aking pagtalikod,
Humarap ka kay Inay
Buong paglalambing kang humiling
Ng nais mong hapunan.

Kadena na lamang ng paborito kong aso
Ang aking nagisnan.

My Personality Profile

2006-08-31T17:03:00.000-07:00

Your Personality Profile

You are dignified, spiritual, and wise. Always unsatisfied, you constantly try to better yourself. You are also a seeker of knowledge and often buried in books.

You tend to be philosophical, looking for the big picture in life. You dream of inner peace for yourself, your friends, and the world. A good friend, you always give of yourself first.

The World's Shortest Personality Test

What Animal Am I In My Past Life

2006-08-31T16:57:00.000-07:00

You Were a Zebra

You tend to see life in black and white - clearly without filters.

You enjoy being part of a group while maintaining your individuality.

What Animal Were You In A Past Life

The Five Factor Personality Profile

2006-08-31T16:47:00.000-07:00

Your Five Factor Personality Profile

Extroversion:
You have high extroversion.You are outgoing and engaging, with both strangers and friends.You truly enjoy being with people and bring energy into any situation.Enthusiastic and fun, you're the first to say "let's go!"
Conscientiousness:
You have high conscientiousness.Intelligent and reliable, you tend to succeed in life.Most things in your life are organized and planned well.But you borderline on being a total perfectionist.
Agreeableness:
You have high agreeableness.You are easy to get along with, and you value harmony highly.Helpful and generous, you are willing to compromise with almost anyone.You give people the benefit of the doubt and don't mind giving someone a second chance.
Neuroticism:
You have low neuroticism.You are very emotionally stable and mentally together.Only the greatest setbacks upset you, and you bounce back quickly.Overall, you are typically calm and relaxed - making others feel secure.
Openness to experience:
Your openness to new experiences is low.You're a pretty conservative person, and you favor what's socially acceptable.You think that change for novelty's sake is a very bad idea.While some may see this as boring, many see you as dependable and wise.

The Five Factor Personality Test

Routine . . .

2006-08-24T16:23:00.001-07:00

Stressful masyado ang buhay ko lately...

Umiikot sa meetings, reports at deadlines.
Hindi na ako makahinga sa dami ng kailangang kausapin.
Natatakot at minsan ay naiirita na ako sa tuwing tutunog ang telepono or bubukas ang pinto.
Bawat tao ay abala, maaaring makapagpabagal sa anumang tinatapos ko.
Nakalimutan ko na kung kailan ba ako huling nakipaghalakhakan sa mga office mates kong ayun at subsob din ang mga ulo sa kani-kanilang reports.

Minsan, naiisip ko kung mabagal lang ba akong magtrabaho o sadyang madami lang kailangang tapusin.

Nakukuha ko na kasing mag-uwi ng mga makakaya kong gawin sa bahay.
Isinisingit ang pagtatrabaho tuwing gabi habang nakikipagtawaran sa pagsulpot ng antok.
Late akong natutulog ngunit kailangang gumising nang mas maaga.
Pati ang pamangkin ko na nais maglambing at makipaglaro, nabubulyawan ko na minsan para hindi magulo ang ginagawa kong paper works sa bahay.

Ang araw ko ay nagsisimula sa paggising ng 3:45 am. . .

5:05 ay nag-aabang na ako ng jeep from Guiguinto to Tabang
5:15 ay sakay na ako ng Shuttle Service papuntang opisina.
6:05, nasa PAGC na ako, sisimulan ang medyo magaang na mga trabaho. Dito na rin ako nag-be-breakfast.
Mga alas-7 ay ngarag na ako, patingin-tingin na sa wall clock.
8:30 pa ang dating mga kasama ko sa office, hulas na ako nun.
Kung hindi sa harap ng computer ay nasa tabi ako ng telepono, fax machine o photocopier
12;25 pm ay lalabas para kumain, babalik ng 12:40, balik sa computer, oopps, maaalalang kailangan munang mag-toothbrush
Work ulit hanggang 5:20
5:21, ihahanda ang mga paperworks na hindi natapos para ilagay sa plastic folder na kulay blue (na araw-araw kong dala papasok at pauwi!)
5:30, bababa ng building para hintayin ang Shuttle Service
Sasamantalahin ang 1 hour mahigit na biyahe para magparamdam at mag-text sa mga kaibigan (na napangakuang pupuntahan pero hindi naman nagagawa), sa nakatatandang kapatid (na ang laging tanong ay kung busy ba ako or kung may pupuntahan ba ako sa Sunday), sa mga pinsan (na palaging nagtetext kung kailan ba ako pupunta sa kanila) sa mga kumareng (nagsasabing miss na ako ng inaanak ko) at sa mga dating kasamahan sa trabaho. Hindi ko pa naisesend ang ibang messages, nasa Tabang na pala ako at kailangan nang bumaba.
15 minutes na biyahe from Tabang to Guiguinto.
3 minutes na lakad hanggang sa bahay.
Sasalubungin ni Kyle at Micah, ibibigay ang pasalubong sa kanila.
Magbibihis, magdi-dinner, maglilinis ng katawan, magtatanggal ng contact lens.
Suot ang eye glasses, kukuhanin ang blue folder, gagawin ang mga inuwing paper works habang nasa harapan ng TV
10-11 pm (depende sa bulk ng inuwing trabaho)itatabi na ang blue forlder, ihahanda ang mga gamit para sa kinabukasan.
Ise-set ang alarm sa 4:00 am (3;45 am sa totoong buhay dahil advance ng 15 minutes ang relo ko).
Magdadasal, mahihiga, pipikit at matutulog.
Minsan kapag sobrang stressed, nagigising ako ng around 2am at hindi na muling nakakatulog, nakahiga na lang para hintaying mag-3:45.

How To Stay Young

2006-08-14T18:31:00.001-07:00

We all need to read this one over and over until it becomes part of who we are! It may be a good idea to post it on our refrigerators as a constant reminder.

1. Try everything twice. On Madams tombstone (of Whelan's and Madam) she said she wanted this epitaph: Tried everything twice...loved it both times!

2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down. (keep this in mind if you are one of those grouches;)

3. Keep learning: Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain get idle. "An idle mind is the devil's workshop." And the devil's name is Alzheimer's!

4. Enjoy the simple things.

5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath. And if you have a friend who makes you laugh, spend lots and lots of time with HIM/HER.

6. The tears happen: Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. LIVE while you are alive.

7. Surround yourself with what you love: Whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.

8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.

9. Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county, to a foreign country, but NOT to where the guilt is.

10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.

11. Forgive now those who made you cry. You might not get a second time.

On Tears

2006-08-14T18:09:00.000-07:00

"There was a study done where a control group of 100 people were divided into two.

50 people watched a very funny, tears-of laughter type movie. 50 watched a very sad and tears of compassion type movie.

At the end of the sessions researchers collected the "happy tears" and the "sad tears" with eye droppers.

They found that "happy tears" are made up of brine...salt water and not a great deal else.

However the "sad tears" were found to contain the very same chemicals and enzymes that are found in tumours, ulcers and other such lumps and bumps and sicknesses through out the body.

This test concluded that the body, when crying in sadness etc is literally flushing out all of the toxic-chemicals that accumulate and are a part of the sadness /heart ache experience.

Therefore if one holds back those tears, those toxic-waters will find somewhere else to deposit themselves.....and prolonged lack-of-crying-release will guarantee that the body will accumulate a huge amount of internal pollution and toxicity that should have been released through the tears........is it any wonder that the eyes sting so much when we hold back our tears?"

May We All Be Coffee

2006-08-14T17:29:00.001-07:00

A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.

Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to boil.

In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil, without saying aword. In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl.

Turning to her daughter, she asked, "Tell me what you see." "Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied.

Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft.

The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard boiled egg.

Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma. The daughter then asked, "What does it mean, mother?"

Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity - boiling water. Each reacted differently.

The carrot went in strong, hard , and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak.

The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened.

The ground coffee beans were unique, however, after they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.

Which are you?" she asked her daughter. "When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?"

Think of this: Which am I?

Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?

Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, ... but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and hardened heart?

Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you. When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest, do you elevate yourself to another level? How do you handle adversity?

Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?

Akda ng Iba

2006-08-13T16:17:00.000-07:00

Isang bagong kakilala
Ang nagbibigay saya
Ako’y naiintindihan niya
At naiintindihan ko rin siya

Maski hindi pa siya nakikita
Siguro ito ang mahalaga
Ang ibigay ang pagtitiwala
Sa kapwa makata…

Binibining Mary Ann Cariquez
Salamat sa iyo
Pagkat tinanggap mo
Ang pakikipagkaibigan ko…

Nawa’y tanggapin mo
Abang tulang ginawa ko
Tanda ng pakikipagkaibigang totoo
At pasasalamat na rin sa iyo

At dalangin ko
Na lumawig pa ito
At inaasahan ko
Makilala rin ang iba sa grupo…

Ma Luisa O Felicia
April 21, 2006@ 8:20am

Diwata ng Bulakan
(Kay Me-ann Cariquez)

Raul Funilas
26 Abril 2006

May isang diwatang buhat sa Bulakan,
Ehemplong dalagang laging kalulugdan;
Ang katribung kulay ng ligating balat
Nanggaling sa liping dapat na mabunyag.
Nang makilala ko sa tipang internet,

Celfon ang ugnaya't sari-saring graphics
Ang sumasalimbay sa ulap-busilak;
Ragasa ng tuwa'y may impit halakhak.
Isang pagkikita ang takdang maganap,
Quizbee na naghanap sa may Power Book House
Upang asembleya'y tuparing may puso.
Elising 'binigay ang kanyang pangakong
Zigzag na salitang pameryenda ay Coke

2006-08-13T15:55:00.000-07:00

Got this from my email . . .

Instructions For Life:

Give people more that they expect and do it cheerfully.
Memorize your favorite poem.
Don't believe all you hear, spend all you have and sleep all you want.
When you say "I Love You," mean it.
When you say "I'm sorry," look the person in the eye.
Be engaged six months before you get married.
Believe in love at first sight.
Never laugh at anyone's dream
Love deeply and passionately.
In disagreements, fight fairly. No name calling.
Don't judge people by their relatives.
Talk slow but think fast.
When someone ask you a question you don't want to answer, smile and ask "why do you want to know?"
Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk.
Call your Mom.
Say "bless you," when you hear someone sneeze.
Whe you lose, don't lose the lesson.
Remember the three R's: Respect for Self, Respect for Other & Responsibility for all your Actions.
Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.
When you realized you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
Smile when picking up the phone. The caller will hear it in your voice.
Marry a man you love to talk to. As you get older, his conversational skills will be as important as any other.
Spend sometime alone.
Open your arms to change but don't let go of your values.
Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
Read more books and watch less T.V.
Live a good honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you'll get to enjoy it a second time.
Trust in God but lock your car.
A loving atmospehere in our home is so important. Do all you can to create a tranquil harmonious home.
In disagreement with lovedones, deal with the current situation. Don't bring up the past.
Read between the lines.
Share your knowledge. It's a way to achieve immortality.
Be gentle with the earth.
Pray . . . there's immeasurable power in it.
Never interrupt when you are being flattered.
Mind your own business.
Don't trust a man who doesn't close his eyes when you kiss him.
Once a year, go someplace you've never been before.
If you make a lot of money, put it to use helping others while you are living. That is wealth's greatest satisfaction.
Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a stroke of luck.
Learn the rules then break some.
Remember that the best relationship is one where your love for each other is more than your need for each other.
Judge your success by what you have to give up in order to get it.
Remember that your character is your destiny.
Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon.

My Princess

2006-08-08T17:07:00.000-07:00

20 THINGS I KNOW ABOUT HER:

1. "Tetet" comes from Princess, Vivienne Sherryl sa totoong buhay. Princess dahil nag-iisang babae sa tatlong magkakapatid.

2. She loves to cook.

3. At masarap ang kanyang mga luto.

4. VAIN (as in!) may iba't-ibang klase ng bath soap, shower gel, shampoo, conditioner, cologne, lotion, etc.(depende sa kanyang mood). Kaya hindi nakapagtatakang kahit uwian na from work eh mabango pa rin siya.

5. Mahilig sa color white: blouse, t-shirt, pants, shoes, bags, etc.

6. Mahilig sa pictures (lahat na lang ng anggulo gustong kuhanan!)

7. Ms. 5S eto. Hate niya ang mga nagkalat na sapatos sa hallway, ayaw niya ng alikabok or kalat at lalong naiirita siya sa mga falling hair sa shower.

8. Nagpapaka-mature! Pinipilit maka-relate sa mga kwentong beyond her age.

9. Mahilig tumulong kahit madalas siya na ang naiipit, sige pa rin.

10.Parang siya ang panganay sa bahay: sa pag-iisip ng solusyon sa problema at sa pag-iintindi sa pamilya.

11. Madaling ma-fall. Haay, wish ko lang dumating na ang right guy para sa kanya.

12. Malakas makiramdam (mana sa akin!)

13. Mahilig mag-analyze ng behavior (influence ko?).

14. Super friendly (kinakaibigan ultimo barkada sa labas ng barkada ng barkada niya!).

15. Mayroon siyang twin brother.

16. Kinakabahan kapag naririnig ang pangalang "Noel".

17. Pa-cute (sobra!). Minsan kapag hindi ko na ma-take, iniiwan ko na lang muna siya.

18. Malambing.

19. Mahilig kumain.

20. May themesong habang naglalaba at naliligo :)

Kung may isang tao sa Dorm 3-Ladies na palaging andyan para sa akin nung nagtatrabaho pa ako sa TIPCO, yun ay si Badet (tawagan namin! derived from the word "bading" yata. Eventually, pati sa office ay badet na rin ang tawag sa kanya ng boss ko). Madalas di ko na kailangan magsalita dahil alam na niya kung kailan ba ako may PMS or nabad-trip ako. Galaw pa lang ng mga mata ko, alam na niyang may inookray kami. Sobrang sarap magluto (swerte ng mapapangasawa niya), malambing, pasaway, makulit minsan pero thoughtful at palaging maaasahan. Sobrang family oriented tulad ko, pero mas martir sa akin. Di ko napi-feel 'yung age gap namin dahil nakakarelate siya sa akin most of the time. Di ko kelangan mag-pretend pag siya ang kasama ko dahil alam kong matatanggap niya ako. Kahit madalas ako mag-NO sa mga gusto niya, naiintindihan niya. Minsan sobrang ka-guilty na nga dahil alam ko nagdadamdam din siya although hindi niya sinasabi. I'm proud to be her friend. I'm proud that despite her age, maganda 'yung outlook niya sa buhay. Ang swerte ng nanay niya - may anak siyang katulad ni Badet, ang swerte ng Kuya at kakambal niya - may Princess silang naasahan at ang swerte namin ni Mark dahil may TETET kaming andyan . . . (eto yung una kong testi sa friendster niya, hehehe)

Grabe, super miss ko na ang babaeng ito. Nasasabik na talaga ako sa amoy ng sinigang niya at sa lasa ng baked macaroni (nang mag-birthday ako sa Dorm, ipinagluto niya ako nito!) na madalas naming pagsaluhan before sa Dorm 3. Paulit-ulit kong binabalik-balikan sa aking isipan ang mga eksena ng paghingi niya ng powdered soap kapag nauubusan siya; ang mga litanya niya everytime nauunahan siya sa pagpila sa washing machine (may make face pa iyon) o kapag hindi man lang pinagkaabalahang tiklupin ang mga damit niyang hinango ng kung sino man sa dryer (eh kasi naman, kapag siya ang nakakatapat ng damit sa dryer, maingat niya itong itinutupi, ayun nag-expect masyado); ang pamimili namin sa palengke ng Madapdap (parang siya ang nanay at ako ang anak, taga-bitbit lang ng pinamili); ang paghihiwa ko ng mga recipe na kanyang iluluto (dahil hindi niya papayagang ako ang magluto, hehehe); ang pagbabaon namin ng mga niluto niyang almusal (part ng pagtitipid, syempre); ang paglalaro ng badminton (take note, sa tennis court kami naglalaro!) at ang seryosong pagjo-jogging (seryosohan talaga dahil gumigising kami ng 4:30 am After two sessions, ayaw na raw niya, mas masarap naman daw talagangn matulog. Sus, palpak ang plano niyang magpapayat). Nakatutuwang alalahanin ang mga kwentuhang walang humpay sa piling nila Mark, Gener, Guanzon, Jologs, Big Boy, Loren, Ungas at iba pa; kung paanong pagtulungan naming alaskahin ang supladong si Mark; kung paanong magkatuwang naming okrayin at laitin si Putik at ang mga karakter na kinaiinisan namin kapag pumapasok sila ng canteen. Natatawa ako nang lihim kapag sumasalit sa isip ko ang mga pagkakataon ng pagparada niya ng kanyang mahubog na katawan habang naka-swim suit (hindi ko alam kung paano magre-react, hehehe) o pantulog na mickey mouse. Nakararamdam ako ng kahungkagan sa tuwing may palabas sa sinehan na nais kong panoorin dangan at walang makasama; kapag may hinaing sa pamilya o sama ng loob sa trabaho dangan at wala ang pares ng pamilyar na tengang laging nakalaang makinig at umunawa. Tuwing may sumusubok sa aking pasensiya o may nagpapakilig sa nakababagot kong buhay-pag-ibig, sa mga sandaling may nagpapalito at nagpapagulo. . . Sa mga pagkakataong naghahanap ako ng makakausap, ng makikinig, ng uunawa, ng kakampi . . . hinahanap ko siya sa aking puso.

2006-08-06T01:02:00.000-07:00

Napanood ko na ang "Sukob." Sayang nga lamang at hindi si Bes ang nakasama ko (hindi kasi nagkatugma ang aming mga schedule), buti na lamang at andiyan ang ate ko.

At dahi may hinahabol kaming oras, pumasok kami sa kalagitnaan ng movie kaya medyo nakawiwindang.

Inilarawan sa pelikula ang pamahiin tungkol sa magkapatid na ikinasal ng sukob sa isang taon. Ngayon ko lamang narinig na sukob din pala ang tawag kung nagpakasal ka ng hindi pa nakakapagbabang-luksa ang namatay na mahal sa buhay. Kakaiba nga lang ang approach ng Star Cinema dahil nagawan nila ng katatakutan ang nasabing pamahiin. Taliwas sa nakagisnan natin na malas ang kakambal ng isa sa magkapatid na nakisukob sa taon. May ilan din akong mga puna:

1. Ang bata na nakadamit ng puti na parang sa flower girl at lumalabas kapag may mamamatay, hinanap ko kung kasama siya sa entourage (either kay Diana or Santy ba), pero wala. Mas natandaan ko tuloy siya kesa kay Bryan na napaka-ikli ng role.

2. Kapansin-pansin ang pagloloko ng kuryente at pagpatay or pagkislap ng mga ilaw bago lumitaw ang bata.

3. Kasunod ng pagkamatay ng ilaw ay ang paghangin nang malakas at ang pagpasok ng maraming tuyo at maliliit na mga dahon. At yun nga, kasunod ay ang paglabas ng bata bilang hudyat na may mamamatay na naman. (Feeling ko tuloy ay nagiging predictable). Hindi rin consistent kung ang pagpapakita ba ng bata ay sa mga piling tauhan lamang habang nag-iisa or kahit may ibang kasama.

4. Maraming pamahiin at lumang paniniwala ang ipinakita sa pelikula. Mga pamahiin kung nakatakda na ang kasal at mga karaniwang ipinagbabawal. Hindi rin nawala ang character ng medium (na kailangang may 3rd eye)at syempre ang pamosong albularyo sa kultura ng Pinoy.

5. Ang pamosong albularyo na sa simula ay akala mo siya ang sagot sa lahat ng gulong nangyayari na sa bandang huli ay takot rin naman pala.

Ipinakita lamang na minsan, kahit anong ingat natin, kahit anong iwas na makagawa ng lihis sa nakaugalian at nakagisnang pamahiin at mga paniniwala, may mga bagay pa rin tayong hindi nakakayang kontrolin. Mga bagay na lingid sa ating kaalaman. Hindi sa sinasabi kong mali ang maniwala sa mga pamahiin at matatandang kaugalian, nasa tao naman kasi talaga iyon.

Sa kabuuan, nakagugulat at nakatatakot rin naman ang ibang eksena. Ilang beses rin akong napatili. May mga pagkakataon ring natawa ako at maraming beses na nagtaka. Madalas ko ring ibulalas sa ate ko ang mga salitang "sus, sabi ko na nga ba eh."

Pagmumuni-Muni Ng Isang Baliw

2006-07-27T22:25:00.000-07:00

Hindi ako preso, huwag ninyong ikulong. Kasalanan na ba ngayong kausapin ang sarili? Sa mundong walang pakialam, krimen na bang habulin ang sariling anino at dito makitalamitam? Ipinagbabawal na ba ang pagkausap sa dingding at mga sulok? Ang paliligo ba ay banal na bagay? Bawat tanong ba ninyong wala namang paki sa akin ay marapat lamang na tugunin?

Ang pagsamba ba sa ipis ay di makatarungan? Hindi ba't pangkaraniwang bagay lamang ang paglalaro ng sariling laway? Ang pagkausap sa mga kaibigang hindi nakikita, bawal na rin pala? Aba'y kailan pa? Ang mga yabag at kaluskos na nararamdaman at naririnig ko, ayon sa doktor, ay walang basehan. Ang mga bulong at dikta ng kung sino ay hindi dapat pakinggan.

Ngunit kanino dapat makinig, aber? Sa mundo ninyo na manhid at walang pakialam sa tulad ko o sa sarili kong mundo kung saan ang lahat ay may saysay?

At eto pa, hindi daw magandanng tingnan ang pagkakamot nang paulit-ulit sa katawan ko na wala ng pagsidlan ng galis.

Nais ninyo akong kumilos nang tama at mag-asal tao sa makahayop na pagtrato ninyo sa akin at sa lahat ng kauri ko. Matanong ko nga, bakit ninyo ako kailangang katakutan? Bakit pinandidirihan at iniiwasan?

Kami daw ang salot. . . pwe!

Sumalangit Nawa

2006-07-25T21:58:00.000-07:00

Kayong nagsisigawan at nagtatalo,
Ikaw na kunwang nakikiramay;
Silang ang habol ay libreng biskwit,
At kapeng mahihigop habang nagsusugal.

Sa kabiyak na hindi nagdadalamhati,
Abala sa pagsusuma ng makukubra;
‘Wag kalimutang iawas ang mumurahing kabaong,
At himlayang di pa napaplatadahan.

Sa limang anak na pinalayaw,
Mula sa katas ng pinagpawisan;
Ni hindi man lang nag-abalang magsalitan,
Sa paglalamay sa abang bangkay.

Sumalangit nawa ang inyong mga kaluluwa,
Sa sandaling sapitin ang kalagayan ko ngayon.

May 09, 2006

Huwag Ka Na

2006-07-25T21:56:00.000-07:00

Huwag ka ng magkunwang malambing,
Pagkat di ako sanay.

Huwag mo na akong pagsilbihan,
Pagkat di sa’yo bagay.

Huwag ka na ngang mag-alala diyan,
Pagkat di pa naman ako mamamatay.

Huwag ka ng magtangkang ako ay patawanin,
Pagkat kahit pagngiti di ko kayang gawin.

May 22, 2006

Nangungulila

2006-07-25T21:24:00.000-07:00

Nakangingilo ang langitngit
Ng tarangkahan nang ako ay
Pumasok, mabibigat mga
Hakbang, sumalubong ang pusang
Kapansin-pansin na pipis ang
Tiyan, hindi nga napakain
Maghapon, mahinang ungol lang
Ng aso ang narinig, walang
Sapat na lakas na ikawag
Ang buntot, at kinatamaran
Maging ang pagtahol.

Wala ang umaanging kanin
Kaya pala ay malinis ang
Kakalanan, lubhang mataas
Ang salansan ng platong gamit,
Nagmamantika ang lamesa
Nagkalat ang mga upuan;
At ang paligid ng kusina’y
Malansa, pagtingin sa labas
Lanta na ang mga halamang
Hindi marahil nakuntento
Sa hamog ng madaling-araw.

Binulaga ako ng bunton
Ng mga labahin, apaw na
Ang basurahan, naka-upo
Sa di kalayuan ang isang
Matandang lalake, may matang
Mapanglaw, garalgal ang tinig
Sa aki’y bumaling, nagwika,

“Pangalawang araw na’y ‘di pa
umuuwi ang nanay mo.”

May 08, 2006

Ayoko Na Munang Tumula

2006-07-25T21:23:00.000-07:00

Mailap ang mga salita, di ko mahuli,
Walang buhay ang mga kataga;
Lima, anim, walong pagtatangka,
Di ko mapagtagumpayan.

Nagkalat ang tinta, nitong panulat,
Nanunumbat, sa aki’y nag-aakusa;
Umiingit ang mga papel sa paglamukos,
Nag-aaklas pagkat basurahan ang kasasadlakan.

Nanginginig ang mga kamay,
Dinampot ang lapis;
Mariing isinulat sa panibagong pahina,
Sa tagal ng pagkakadaiti’y naputol.

Tumingin sa kawalan, naghanap ng imaheng,
Maaaring pagalawin at paglaruan;
Sariling anino ang nakita,
Nagtatanong, may tinging nangungunsensiya.

Ayoko na munang tumula,
Baka totoo ang sumpa.

May 03, 2006

Muhi

2006-07-25T21:20:00.000-07:00

Ang muhi ko’y ibinalot,
Ibinuhol nitong takot
Inihagis ko sa laot
Bago pa magsilbing salot.

June 20, 2006

Barikada

2006-07-25T21:17:00.000-07:00

Isang kaluluwang ligaw
Ang nagpumilit makaalpas
Sa hanay ng kapulisan
Pinaraan upang kaipala’y
Saklutin ng kakaibang takot

Nakabibinging katahimikan
Nakadududang kapayapaan
Atubili, ngunit walang mapagpipilian
Kundi tahakin ang landas
Daang iilan ang nangahas tumapak

Abot-tanaw na ang puting gusali
Napakaraming hadlang
Masusing inspeksyon
Sandaling interogasyon
Binulatlat ang pagkatao

Pinapasok sa lugar na guwardiyado
Binalot nang kakaibang pagkabalisa
Higit na nakakatakot sa loob
Pagkat hindi lahat ng panganib
Ay nasa labas . . .

Noon lamang ako nakakita ng ganun karaming bilang ng mga pulis. Lubhang nakakatakot. . .

Pahingi

2006-07-25T21:14:00.000-07:00

Hindi ko sinasadya,
Napadaan lang naman
Wala kasing ibang mapuntahan
O, bakit kayo tumahimik?

Kitang-kita ko ang bilis ng kamay,
Lumikha ng tunog ang plastik
Na pilit ninyong itinakip
Sa pagkaing pinagsasaluhan.

Prutas kaya? O tinapay?
Pumikit ako upang hulaan
Pigil ninyo ang pagnguya
Ang damot . . . pahingi naman.

June 01, 2006

Hindi ko matandaan ang eksaktong edad. Lubha pa nga akong bata noon ngunit alam na ang depinisyon ng "karamutan."

Ina Namin

2006-07-25T21:12:00.000-07:00

Nakita na naman kitang dumaan,
Bitbit ang timba at batya
Kipkip ang labahin ng nagdaang araw;
Hinubad ng mga mahal na pasakit ang dulot,
Mapangheng salawal ng apong kinahuhumalingan.

Halos mamalimos sa pambili ng sabong,
Panlinis ng kanilang pinaglibagan
Padaskol kang hinagisan ng barya;
Di natigatig, pinulot mong isa-isa,
Ganyan ka ba katibay?

Kahapon ay iyong kaarawan,
Nakaligtaan kang bigyan ng pambili ng ulam
Asawa mo’y maghapon kang pinaliguan ng mura;
Tanging isa sa apat na supling ang nakaalala,
Nakangiti pa rin. Di ba nauubos ang iyong pasensiya?

Wala ng pagsidlan ang gatla ng iyong mukha,
Mga mata’y nakukulapulan na ng katarata
Mabuway at mabagal na ang bawat hakbang;
Ngunit sige ka pa rin sa pagkayod,
Di ka ba napapagod?

May 26, 2006

Nasaan Ka Na?

2006-07-25T21:08:00.000-07:00

Paling na ang balikat ng magtataho,
Puro alipunga na ang daliri sa paa ng labandera
Ngalay na ang bewang ng magsasaka;
Bisig ng panday ay naghihina na
May sore throat na ang giraffe.

Wala ng lakas ang kamao ng boksingero,
Hindi na maiangat ng karpintero ang martilyo
Pasmado na ang plantsadora;
Mga mata ng mananahi’y malabo na,
Tamad na ang langgam.

Nakasimangot na ang payaso,
Napagliligaw na ang kartero
Nandidiri na ang basurero;
Katawan ng bumbero’y pawang paso at lapnos na'
Malat na ang aso.

Color blind na ang manikurista,
May hydro phobia na ang mangingisda
Mainit na ang mga kamay ng hardinero;
Ahente ng punerarya’y patay na,
May arthritis na ang alimango.

Nalulula na sa ere ang piloto,
Takot ng pumalaot ang kapitan ng barko
Mababait na ang pulitiko;
Mga abogado’y nagsasabi na ng totoo,
Baldado na ang alupihan.

Payat na ang baboy,
Wala ng panghihinayang ang mga butiki
Matatalino na ang biya;
Mga kuliglig kung gabi’y tahimik na,
Sawa na sa panghuhuli ng daga ang pusa.

Ngunit di pa rin kita nakikilala,
Nasaan ka ba?
Kailan kita makikita?
Pakiusap naman, magparamdam ka . .

April 17, 2006

Ang Buhay Sa Loob

2006-07-25T21:07:00.000-07:00

Isang nakalimutang lugar, sa may Mariveles, Bataan,
Tagilira’y dalampasigan, guwardiyado ang harapan;
Ang inabandonang gusali, ay pinipilit panahanan,
Mga silid ay nilulumot, papel ang tanging hinihigan.

Gigisingin at huhubaran, sama-samang paliliguan,
Mapalad kung masasabunan, pinagpalang mahihiluran;
Magbabanlaw nang mabilisan, saplot ay nagkakaubusan,
Papipilahin kapagkuwan sa inaasam na agahan.

Gamot kailangang inumin para sa ‘ming ikagagaling,
Mga sugat na nagnanaknak, sana ay bigyan rin ng pansin;
Maglalaro at maglilibang, kakausapin ang salamin,
Hahabulin mga anino, makikipagtalo sa dingding.

Estudyanteng nangakaputi, ako naman sanang mapili,
Sa silid ko’y iyong ilabas, kahit na nga ba sasandali;
At ang lahat ng katanungan, sasagutin nang buong liksi,
Palamig at biskwit mong bigay, sapat na sa ‘king magpangiti.

Dagsa ang nakaaalala tuwing sasapit kapaskuhan,
Bumabahang mga pagkain at damit na pinaglumaan;
Maya’t-maya’y may kumakamay ‘pag papalapit ng halalan,
Para namang ang boses namin dito sa mundo ay may puwang.

Ambulansiya na walang ingay, di mo na ako malilinlang,
Alam kong ang lulan mo ngayon, magdadagdag sa aming bilang;
Pamilyar niyang pag-atungal ay hihintayin ko na lamang,
Kapag boltahe ng kuryente, katawan nya’y pinadaluyan.

Pamilya ko, nasa’n na kayo? Lubha na raw akong magaling,
Panglimang sulat ng ospital, bakit di nabibigyang pansin?
Inay, Itay, nagsusumamo, Ate, Kuya, ako’y sunduin,
Lumipat na nga ba ng bahay? Umiiwas ba kayo sa ‘kin?

April 17, 2006

KAMAKATAHAN

2006-07-25T21:02:00.000-07:00

Ka-ma-ka-ta-han . . . lilimang pantig na nagbubuklod sa paparaming bilang ng papausbong at kilalang makata at manunulat sa loob at labas ng Pilipinas. Mga alagad ng sining na nagmula sa iba’t-ibang orientasyon, may kani-kaniyang paniniwala at estilo sa paghabi ng kanilang mga obra ngunit bukas ang isip na tumanggap at magbahagi ng kaalaman na naglalayong makatulong at higit pang mapaunlad ang panulaang Filipino kaalinsabay ng pagsulong ng bawat sarili.

Isang sanktuwaryo . . . kublihan ng mga nalulungkot at may pusong sawi, kanlungan ng mga damdaming umiibig at tagpuan ng mga masasayang kaluluwa. Dito ang lahat ay maaaring maging bida, ang nag-iisa at malayo sa mga mahal sa buhay ay makasusumpong ng makakasama. Ang walang imik ay pakikinggan at ang nagdadalamhati’y aaliwin. Kataga, salita, mga tula ang nag-uugnay sa bawat kamakata sa elektronikong pamamaraan.

Kamakatahan – tahanan ng mga nilalang na binibigkis ng pagkakaibigan, paggalang at pagtanggap sa bawat isa. Ang mga makatang may nais ipahayag, ipabatid, ipaunawa at isiwalat sa ibang tao, sa mundo at sa lipunang ginagalawan ay dito ninyo matatagpuan.

April 10, 2006
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kamakatahan/

Lahat Ay Gagawin

2006-07-25T20:59:00.000-07:00

Kung iyong tatanungin itong aking puso,
Kung gaano kita kamahal
Maging handa ka kaya sa isasagot ko?
Nakalaan ka bang ako’y paniwalaan?

Nakahanda akong pahirin ang naglalakihan mong mga muta,
Kung nais mo’y titikman ko maging iyong mga luha;
Magsisiksik ako sa pawisan mong kili-kili,
Kakamutan ko ang likod mong kumakati.

Gugupitan ko maging patay mong kuko,
Mamasahihin ang paa mong pasmado;
Sipon ma’y papahiran ko nang may pagsuyo,
Pagtitiisan kong masdan ang tinga sa ngipin mo.

Lalanggasin ko ang sugat mong sariwa
Tutulungang hanapin ang mata ng pigsa
Patay na libag mo’y kukuskusin hanggang sa mawala
Magboboluntaryong linisin loob ng iyong tenga

Bagong gising ka man, ika’y kakausapin,
Tulong-laway mo’y di bibigyang pansin;
Balakubak ma’y magkalaglag, akin itong papalisin,
Alipunga sa paa, mabining hahaplusin.

Magbubulag-bulagan ako sa tibak mong taglay,
Kaligayahan kong madantayan nang makalyo mong mga kamay;
At kung kulaniin, magsisilbi mo akong gabay,
Hinding-hindi ako iiwas sa pagtalsik ng iyong laway.

Iimisin ko ang mga mumo sa iyong pisngi,
Hihipan ang tabi-tabing agihap sa iyong labi;
Sisikaping alisin saludsod sa daliri,
Bubunutan ng pilikmata maging iyong guliti.

Buhul-buhol mong buhok, aking susuklayin,
Paglobo ng iyong ilong, hindi ko uungkatin;
Naglilintugang tagyawat, iingatang salingin,
Palalampasin pati na inilabas mong masamang hangin.

Hindi ako matatakot mahawahan ng kulugo,
Aayusin ang kilay mong sabog at magulo;
Pulu-pulo mong buni aking gagamutin,
Anan mo sa mukha, mayat-maya’y hahaplusin.

Sa mabuto mong dibdib, matutulog nang payapa,
Sa patpatin mong katawan, ako’y magtitiwala;
Hindi magrereklamo, matusok man nang matulis mong baba,
Matuluan man ng iyong pawis, sa akin ay balewala. . .

December 02, 2005

The Gift

2006-07-25T20:55:00.000-07:00

Once in our lives, we receive gifts,
Gifts of different sizes and shapes
With colorful ribbons, beautifully tied;
Cards neatly attached.

And the same thing did happened to me,
A gift was given unexpectedly
Without special occasion, for reason I don’t know;
And I swear, I’m not excited about it.

The gift has no appeal to me,
I’m afraid, it was given out of mockery;
With plain gift wrap, unartistically done,
And from my disgust, from an anonymous sender.

I opened it, I saw bitterness,
I became acquainted with cold and distant existence;
'Became familiar with grief and loneliness,
Coming from an aching heart.

As I examined the gift, I saw bandages,
A clear proof that it had survived so much wounds;
I’ve touched visible scars,
Some are healed, most are kept untreated.

I found myself nurturing it with words of encouragement,
Showering it with praises and motivation;
Keeping its company, morning and night,
Providing it with reasons to go on with life.

Still, I fight hard not to get attached to it,
But as time passed by, to care for the gift, I just can’t resist;
It’s so vulnerable, yet, struggling to appear strong,
And eventually, its happiness seem dependent on me.

I used to live a less fulfilling life,
Enveloped with selfishness, insensitivity and too afraid to get hurt;
The gift’s understanding, patience and maturity earned my trust and respect,
It has transformed me to become more human – able to care and love.

I believe, God sent me this gift,
For me to realize how special I am;
The gift I truly appreciate,
May it stay there for keeps!

December 01, 2005

Para kay J. at sa mapanlinlang niyang pagkatao. Maraming salamat. Madami akong natutuhan.

Umaasa, Naghihintay, Nagsusumamo

2006-07-25T20:53:00.000-07:00

Naghihintay ang lupa sa pagpatak nang maiinit kong mga luha
Sabay sa hanging amihang may kakaibang lungkot na dala
Apat na sulok ng silid, saksi sa aking pag-iisa
Sa pagbabalik-tanaw, karimlan ang kasama

Pagbaling sa salamin, sarili’y tatanungin
“Bakit kaya?” “Anong mali sa akin?”
Pagdaka’y sa larawan mo, atensyon ay ibabaling
Pakatititigan, paulit-ulit na kakausapin

Mapapabalikwas mula sa kahimbingan nang malamig kong higaan
Babalewalain ang pagal na katawan, maging ang magulong isipan
Isasantabi, sikmurang halos di nalamnan
Sarili’y lulunurin sa pagdadalamhati’t pagdaramdam

Paningin, saan mang sulok ibaling
Maamo mong mukha ang nasasalamin
Mga awitin sa radyo, kahit ano pa ang tono
Nagpapaantak sa nagdurugo kong puso

Bawat oras, baon ko sa gunita
Hinahangad na marinig ang tinig mo sa tuwina
Saksi ang telepono sa paghahangad kong makausap ka
Kahit isang saglit lang, bayaan mo sana

Sa aking pag-iisa, sarili lang ang kasama
Sinasambit pangalan mo, sa may tabi ng bintana
Binabalik-balikan, masasayang ala-ala
Sa saliw ng bunting-hininga, kasabay nang paglalandas ng aking mga luha

Mapagod man ang araw sa paglubog at pagsikat
Maubos man ang tubig sa malawak na dagat
Heto pa rin ako naghihintay sa’yo ng tapat
Patuloy na aasang tayo pa rin sa wakas . . .

November 18, 2005

Para kay R. at sa kanyang nawalang pag-ibig.

Tanikala Ng Kahirapan

2006-07-25T20:52:00.000-07:00

Tinangka ng yayat na batang saluhin
Ang tira-tirahang mga pagkaing
Inihagis ng mayamang bata mula sa sasakyan
Hindi naabot ng kanyang kamay, natapon sa daan . . . kinain pa rin!

Ang pagnanakaw sa pinapasukan ay naging napakadali
Para kay Juan, dito'y walang mali
Kinukuha lamang nila ang para sa kanila
Na pinipilit angkinin ng mga mapagsamantala

Murang katawan, kinakailangang ibilad
Makakain sa oras, iyan ang tanging hangad
Tulog sa araw, buhay na buhay kung gabi
Sa malaganap na AIDS, takot ay isinasantabi

Edad walo nang magkaroon ng karanasan
Sa kamay ng tatlong pedopilyang dayuhan
Ang nakalulungkot, naging paulit-ulit, may basbas pa ng magulang
Gulong isipan, luray na katawan

Sabihin na ninyo ang nais ninyo
Sa pagtutulak ng bawal na gamot, pamilya nami'y desidido
Pantawid-gutom nami'y nanggagaling dito
Pangangailangan ba namin kung saka-sakali'y maibibigay ninyo?

Nakatakdang tumestigo sa kontrobersyal na kaso
Nagnanais makatulong, katarunga'y maiwasto
Nang sa lalapit si Attorney ng kalaban
Milyong pisong alok paano mapahihindian?

Ikawalong anghel ang paparating sa isang tagni-tagning dampa
Labandera si Nanay, lasenggero si Tatay, panganay ay di napag-aral
Maswerteng makakain ng dalawang beses sa isang araw
Kaya buhay na pumipintig, piniling kitlin na lang . . .

November 07, 2005

Villanelle

2006-07-25T20:45:00.000-07:00

Rosas Kong Katawa’y Di Maisarado

“Bawal umehe deto, ang maholi bogbog” – Mga Titik sa MMDA Urinal

Rosas kong katawa’y di maisarado,
Ang poste at pader ako’y hinahamak;
Namumuhi ako sa iyo Fernando.

Mapangheng tawiran ako’ng akusado,
Pinandidiriha’t tila isang ebak;
Rosas kong katawa’y di maisarado.

Sa nagmamadaling mga barumbado’y,
May kilig-balikat ang bawat umapak;
Namumuhi ako sa iyo Fernando.

Minsang may pumasok, lalaking armado,
Nanutok ng baril at plema’y dumanak;
Rosas kong katawa’y di maisarado.

Alanganing gabi’y haplos ko’ng sentido,
Nang pagparausan machong naka-T-back;
Namumuhi ako sa iyo Fernando.

Sa ganung labana’y ako ang dehado,
Ang make-up ko’y gasgas, lantiti sa lusak;
Rosas kong katawa’y di maisarado . . .
Namumuhi ako sa iyo Fernando.

Ikalawang Palihan

2006-07-25T20:20:00.000-07:00

Sa Kantina (may himig daw na malungkot)

Masaya ang lahat may ngiti ang baso,
Ang kaway ng pinggan tila sa payaso.
Walang makasabay, puso’y nagyeyelo,
Kutsara’y umiwas sa dantay ng mumo.

Buti pa ang tasa may katabing mangkok,
Ayun ang kaldero karamay ay sandok
Malagkit na biko kaniig ang niyog;
Ako’y nag-iisa kayakap ay yamot.

Unfortunately, hindi sila nalungkot.

Sa Kantina (may himig daw na nagpapatawa)

Tanghalian noon, lumikot ang isip,
Ang dalagang-bukid kasayaw ang dilis
Alimango’y habol ang sugpo ng sipit;
Baldadong talangka, pandalas ang tangis.

Umingos ang tasa sa katabing mangkok,
Ang kaldero nama’y tinugis ng sandok
Ang pilyong tinidor ako ay sinundot;
Biglang napadilat, tuloy sa pagngalot.

Sad to say, hindi sila natawa.

Mga Awit

2006-07-25T20:15:00.000-07:00

SA ANAK NA ITINATANGI

Kaligayahan mo’y tangi kong pangarap,
Ibibigay lahat kahit pa maghirap
Pababaunan lang kap’rasong paglingap
Bago nga magsara ang mga talukap.

AKUSADO

Sige sa paghalik, pamilyang dumalaw,
Iyo ngang hinubad, maskarang halimaw
Nagpapakabait, tila ba papanaw
Di ba’t bubunuin marami pang araw?

Mga Dalit

2006-07-25T20:12:00.000-07:00

INAHING ASO

Pagala-gala ang iba,
Malungkot kung nag-iisa
Sa sandaling maging ina
Bumabangis, kumakasa.

KALABASA

Ang anak mo’y nagdalaga,
Pag-upo ay kinakaya
Habang ikaw na ina n’ya
Sa paggapang nagdurusa.

LANGGAM

Pantal ko’y napakalaki
Namumula, nangangati
Wala ngang makasasaksi
Sa lalasaping higanti.

KUMPISALAN

Takbuhan ng nagsisisi,
Luluhod at magkukubli
Nakayukong magsasabi
Mangangako na mabuti.

GAMU-GAMO

Munting hayop na nalito,
Sa nanay niya ay nagtampo
Sinuway ang bilin nito
Sa ningas nagpaka-abo.

BALIMBING

Limang mukha sa ‘sang ulo
Mabait nang nasa kubo
Iba nang nasa palasyo
Alin nga ba ang totoo?

Mga Tanaga

2006-07-25T20:08:00.000-07:00

ANINO

Kasunod sa pagbaba,
Kasama sa paghiga
Nang lingunin ang mukha
Agad itong nawala.

LUHA

Tubig na pinagpala,
Hinihintay ng lupa
Malalaglag na kusa
Kung matuyo ay muta.

GAGAMBA

Mga munti mong binti,
Gamit sa pananahi
Gamu-gamo’y namuhi
Bitbit mo sa pag-uwi.

BOTE

Naglalatang ang muhi
Leeg ko’y mababali
Nasaid na ang ihi
Ako ay isauli.

PARES NG SAPATOS

May dila, walang kibo,
Pagsilbi’y walang hinto
Kasama ang kalaro
Lakad, takbo at upo.

PLUMA

Kakampi sa pagsuyo,
Kataga’y itinago
Ginamit ni Mang Kiko
Nagmulat sa ninuno.

Is There Really A Prince Charming?

2006-07-25T19:54:00.000-07:00

A lot of girls grow up thinking that a Prince Charming roams the skies and the plains just waiting for that special moment to zoom into their lives, snatch them up and carry them away from a world of shrouded gloom to one of white, wedded bliss.

When girls flower into womanhood, they are always a bit shocked to discover they are Cinderella or Snow White, and the man they thought was Prince Charming really turned out to be Prince Clod.

Marianne had lived a life like Cinderella, sweeping parking lots for a dollar at age eight, trying to provide for herself and her baby brothers as her mother lived daily tackling a mental illness. When she had just passed her teen years, she met the man she thought was her Prince Charming.

She met him where she was a waitress, and he enthralled her. A musician with a successful band, he seemed to have the widest, most endearing eyes when he spotted her. And why not? She looked as sweet as Cinderella, blonde-brown curls, emerald green eyes and a face that echoed of innocence and love, which was really the look of an awestruck teenager.

All Marianne could think was: He loves me. He loves me. He loves me.And this was true at the time. With the speed of a stallion, the man grabbed her up in his arms and carried her off to marriage. Everything was perfect as far as Marianne was concerned. She had a nice home and enjoyed watching her husband play in his band. She felt loved and adored for the first time in her life. Move over Snow White. Here she comes. And she was about to have a baby.

She didn't know about the other women.

The two were also ill-fated in another way. They had not only wedded each other, but they wedded their recessive genes. When her first son, Loren, arrived, Marianne knew something was wrong. He didn't respond to sound. For a year, Marianne struggled and consulted with doctors who told her nothing was wrong.

But finally a specialist announced that Loren was deaf and that there was nothing she could do. She sobbed for the first two years of Loren's life while her husband kept saying that their son was just fine. Doctors assured them that another child wouldn't suffer such misfortune. But when Lance was born, they soon learned the newborn was deaf, too.

The walls of their already strained marriage, which stood on a young girl's fairy-tale dreams, cracked, but they caved in when Marianne grew angry that her husband didn't want to learn to communicate with his two sons.

He left that to her. She learned sign language as quickly as possible. Her husband wasn't interested. When he talked to the boys, he treated them like they were dogs, patting them on the head, barking out a word or two.
She took her sons to her husband's parents' house. His parents ignored the kids.

She took her sons shopping. Clerks gasped when her sons made grunting sounds. And now, she knew about the other women. Sometimes her husband didn't bother to come home. Her friends quit calling her and Marianne felt a biting loneliness.

The stress and the loneliness began to destroy Marianne. She sucked down alcohol like it was water. She fed and clothed her sons, put them to bed, but refused to leave her home. She thought about slashing her wrists.

"Imagine, when your friends and your own family don't bother to want to learn to communicate with your sons," she explained. "You don't have to know sign language. Kindness is a language. We all understand it. When you see a child like this, don't act shocked. Don't gasp and walk away. The message you send to a child is: 'My God, you are a freak.' Reach out your hand and smile."

Smiles, hugs and kisses are what saved Marianne's life. Lance and Loren's eyes were pools of adoration and love - a true love. The type Marianne had never experienced in her life.

It became apparent to Marianne that she could squander her own life away with alcohol and panic attacks, but she couldn't waste her sons' lives like this. She buckled down and went back to school to earn a high school degree. She got a job with an insurance firm and saved her pennies.

The better she felt about herself, the prouder she grew of Loren and Lance. She started bringing them to visit with her co-workers, who showered them with kindness. It was time for her and her boys to leave their house, cut ties with the father and move on with their lives.

One day, her sons came with her to work, and when she walked into the office of the insurance manager, a man named Eric, she found Loren sitting on his lap. Eric looked up at her, and the skies began to tumble. He said these simple words: "I feel like an idiot. I'd love to talk with your son. Do you know where I could go learn sign language?" Marianne thought she would faint. Not a soul had ever asked her before if they could learn to communicate with her sons. She was shaking inside as she explained to Eric that if he was really interested, she knew where he could learn. It seemed better not to believe him, but he showed quickly he wasn't kidding when he enrolled in the class and began to sign words of hello to her in a few days.

When the kids came in, he took them for walks along the pier near their office. Often she went along and watched Eric, who was becoming a master of sign language, talk and laugh with her boys as no one else had before.

And each time her sons saw Eric they brightened like the sun and stars in the sky. She had never seen them so happy. Her heart twitched as though it were being strummed. She began to fall in love.

She didn't know if Eric felt the same until they left work together one evening and took a stroll out on a pier above the Pacific Ocean. He signed to her that he was in love and wanted to marry. Marianne's heart danced with joy.

The couple moved into a small town and opened up a thriving insurance business. They had two more children, Casey and Katie, neither of whom were born deaf, but both learned sign language before the age of five.

And at the happiest moments of her life, Marianne would wake up in the middle of the night, her ear burning in pain, and begin to sob. Her behavior was inexplicable because she couldn't think of a time when she felt more loved or happy.

Eric would run his hands across her hair, hold her chin and ask her what was wrong. All she could say was: "I don't know. I don't know." He held her for a long while. Weeks went by and Marianne continued to wake up sobbing.

Then, like a lightning bolt, she woke up knowing the answer. She cried to Eric, her "knight in shining armor," that she wasn't doing enough to help deaf children in the world. She was supposed to help them find their place in society. She was supposed to teach the world how to communicate with these children.

Eric wrapped his arms around her and said: "Let's do it."

Together they formed Hands Across America - "It Starts with You" - an organization that encourages the public to learn sign language and has started making educational videos that use both deaf and hearing children together.

So if you ever have a chance to talk with Marianne and ask her if there is any truth to fairy tales like Cinderella and Snow White, she'll probably say she's learned a lot about such stories in her lifetime. She's likely to say: "There sure are a lot of Prince Clods out there. But there sure are some Prince Charmings, and there are really a lot of Cinderellas, too."

Diana Chapman

Is There Really a Prince Charming? Reprinted by permission of Diana Chapman. ã 1998 Diana Chapman

Pare-Pareho Kayong Lahat!!!!

2006-07-25T19:45:00.000-07:00

Teka, teka, teka, huwag mong sabihing ako na naman ang pakay mo? Utang na loob! Aba, mahiya ka naman, gabi-gabi na lang iyan ah! Ano kamo? Baka hindi ikaw ‘yun, baka kamukha mo lang? Kahit na, basta ayokong makakita ng kahit sino sa kauri mo. At tsaka ikaw, ang tindi mo rin naman ano, ni wala pa ngang alas-sais ah!? Parang gusto ko tuloy maniwalang pare-pareho kayong lahat. At iisa lang ang tingin ko sa inyo, mga MAPAGSAMANTALA!!!

Anong iba ka? Huwag ka ng magbagong-puri at magmaang-maangan pa, wala na rin naman eh, hindi mo na ako mapapaniwala. Isa pa, sanay na rin naman akong masaktan nang paulit-ulit, kaya sige na, ano pang hinihintay mo. Kunin mo na ‘yung gusto mo at maaari ba, pagkatapos mong masiyahan, umalis ka na!

O, bakit natigilan ka? Siguro, napag-isip-isip mong tama ako noh? Teka, teka, ‘wag kang umiyak diyan. Please stop it, okey? Mababaw lang ang luha ko. Sige na, medyo naniniwala na ako. Oo na, iba ka nga sa kanila. Pasensiya ka na sa mga nasabi ko kanina, nabigla lang ako. Masyado lang akong nadala ng mga sitwasyon. Ha?! Naku, salamat! Salamat at naiintindihan mo ako. Ano? Handa kang makinig sa mga problema ko? Talaga?! Nakakahiya naman ata ‘yun. Ano k’se eh, alam mo na, pinagdududahan kita kanina. Sigurado ka, hindi sumama ang loob mo? Iba ka nga, huh! Pero teka, bago ako mag-kwento, kumportable ka ba diyan sa posisyon mo? Sigurado ka ayaw mong maupo? Ah, sanay ka naman. Sige, ikaw ang bahala.

Ano kasi eh, itong mga panahong ito, masamang-masama ang loob ko. Alam mo kung bakit? Feeling ko kasi wala ako ni isa mang kaibigan. Hoy, hindi guni-guni ‘yan ha! Lahat kasi ng lapitan ko, puro abala, wala na silang oras para sa akin. ‘Yung iba naman, akala yata, mangungutang ako ng mangungutang, pinagtataguan ako. ‘Yung bestfriend ko na akala ko ay super loyal sa akin, ayun, naaalala lang ako kapag nag-aaway sila ng boyfriend niya! Daig ko pa nga si Ate Charo sa dami ng humihingi ng mga payo. ‘Yung kaibigan ko since elementary, hindi na rin nagte-text. Kapag nakikita ako, panay ang hingi ng sorry. Palagay mo, maniniwala ako? Hindi yata! Meron pa ngang isa, panay ang pangako ‘nung college kami na hindi niya raw ako makakalimutan kahit kailan, aba’y kanina nang makasalubong ko, kung hindi ko pa ikinuwento ‘yung paraan kung paano kami nagkakilala noon eh hindi ako matatandaan! Ang sakit nga eh! Ang sakit-sakit! Hindi eh, talagang masakit sa loob! Alam ko namang kaya ka ganyang magsalita dahil hindi ikaw ang nasa lugar ko di ba?

Ang isa pang ikinasasama ng loob ko, pinakisamahan ko naman silang lahat. Lahat nga ginagawa ko para sa kanila. Anu-ano ‘yun? Ang mga pansarili kong kaligayahan, isinasakripisyo ko. ‘Yung sarili ko, kinakalimutan ko pansamantala, at higit sa lahat, madalas akong magpakababa. Tapos ngayong ako naman ang nangangailangan, wala silang lahat.

Huwag ka ng maawa sa akin. Sobra-sobrang awa na nga ‘yung nararamdaman ko ngayon para sa sarili ko eh. Kasama ko lang pala sila sa saya. Sa lungkot, ako na lamang palang mag-isa. Sabagay, lahat naman yata talaga ngayon MAPAGSAMANTALA. Kita mo nga, pati ikaw, napagkamalan ko kanina. Pasensiya na ulit ha. Nag-iingat na kasi akong magtiwala, mahirap na. Alam mo kasi, kadalasan, kung kailan malapit at hulug na hulog na ang loob mo sa kanila, at saka ka iiwan sa ere. Ang saklap! Sasabihin mo sa sarili mong, sana sinaksak ka na lang! Talaga? Naranasan mo na rin ‘yun? Ang sakit di ba? Kaya naman pala naiintindihan mo ako. Pareho pala tayong biktima. Oo ba, sige mula ngayon, friends na tayo. Oo, walang iwanan!

Teka, inantok ako dun ah! Matulog na ako? Eh paano ka? Babantayan mo ako? Wow naman, ayoko ‘nun. Ang mabuti pa, ikaw na lang muna ang matulog at ako ang magbabantay sa’yo. Ayaw mo rin? Pwes, sabay tayong matulog! Ayan. Goodnight, my friend! Sweet dreams! Papatayin ko ang ilaw ha!?

K-kaibigan, ikaw ba ‘yun? Teka, teka lang, huwag ka naming magbibiro ng ganyan. W-wala sa usapan natin ‘yan! Nangako ka, remember? Aray! Ang kati nun hah! Aray! Aray! Bakit naman sa tenga pa? Ummmm! . . . sa wakas, napatay rin kita. K-kaibigan . . . akala ko ba iba ka? Sabi mo kanina di ba? Sabi mo, hindi ka timawa sa dugo. Nagtiwala naman ako. Kapareho ka rin pala nila, MAPAGSAMANTALA! Alam mo, sayang . . . lalo lang sumama ‘yung loob ko.:’(

Salamat Kay Glenda

2006-07-24T16:35:00.000-07:00

Nang pauwiin kami last Sun mula sa LIRA, sinabi ni Sir Rio na suspended ang klase sa UP kina-Lunesan dahil papasok na ng bansa ang bagyong si Glenda.

Nang gabing iyon, iyon hindi ako mapakali. Naghihintay ng announcement kung mayroon man. Nag-aalala kasi ako. Maagang dumarating ang service namin kung Lunes. Sana kung mag-a-announce sila ay ibaba naman sana ng gabing iyon. Nakatulugan ko ang paghihintay. Pinilit ko kasing makatulog sa kabila ng pangungulit ng pamangkin ko. Sukat kung kailan ako nahihimbing ay sasakay sa likod ko. Pasalamat na rin ako sa kanya nang bandang alas-onse ay magising ako sa pangungulit niya at naging daan upang mabasa ko ang text ni Bes. Wala nga raw pasok ang government employees maliban sa nagbibigay ng health at safety/security services. Para akong nabunutan ng tinik. Sa wakas! Pwede akong magising ng tanghali. (Ang babaw noh?)

Past 7 na ako bumangon mula sa higaan
Nagbreakfast ng sinangag (no choice walang kanin na luto eh)
Ang natirang dinuguan ni tatay ang inulam ko (the best, habang tumatagal ay lalong nagiging malasa)
Tinapos ko ang aklat ni Sir Bobby Añonuevo - Pagsiping sa Lupain, mga koleksiyon niya ng tula, plano kong isauli na ang aklat na ito kay En sa Sabado
Kahit malakas ang ulan sa labas, nagpalit ako ng maong shorts at niyakag ko ang aking ate na pumunta kami sa palengke (narinig ko kasi ang inusal ni nanay na masarap daw ang talong at tuyo kung ganitong maulan)
Nagdaan muna kami sa Internet Cafe, sumilip kung may importanteng mail (wala naman masyado)
Nakipagtawaran ako sa palengke (katulad ng madalas kong ginagawa every Sunday nang wala pang LIRA)
Umuwi kaming putikan pero masaya
Pagdating namin sa bahay, may tubig-baha na sa daan. High tide na daw.
Nilaro ko si Micah hanggang kami ay magkapikunan, hehehe (1 year and 3 mos old lang po siya)
Nagbunot ng mga unwanted hair
Nag-pedicure
Nagsulat
Muling nagbasa
Kumain ng maraming kanin at hinalabos na alimasag at pritong talong nang naka-kamay, sobrang nabusog ako! Dessert namin ay abokado.
Nagbasa ulit
Nang antukin ay natulog (2 hours din yata)
Kinulit na naman si Micah hanggang mapaiyak
Meryenda time
Sinubukang gumawa ng assignment (pero wala rin)
Dinner
At natulog

Salamat kay Glenda, sobrang na-appreciate ko ang Lunes na ito. Hindi ako nakinig ng SONA, hindi rin ako nanood ng balita tungkol sa pananalanta ng bagyo, ang alam ko lang ay masaya ako sa araw na ito. Sana bukas ulit . . . (abusado, hehehe)

Unwanted

2006-07-18T16:54:00.000-07:00

Naipamigay na ang baru-baruan,
Bigkis at ang lampin na pinaglumaan.
Ang pintig ng buhay sa sinapupunan,
Hindi namalayan, hindi naingatan.

Matindi ang kapit, anghel na mapilit,
Gamot isinuka, nagtanim ng galit
At nang iniluwal, dulot ay pasakit;
Gumanti sa inang buhay ay nabingit.

Gatas na tinimpla ang tanging kasama,
Ang mapangheng unan, kayakap sa kuna.
Tigmak na ang lampin nasaan si Kuya?
‘Susubong daliri tuwing nag-iisa.

Sa lambing ay hubad mailap sa yakap
Init ng kalinga lelong ang nagmulat;
Tuwing nadarapa, ama ang bubuhat
Hanap ng tiyahin sa tuwing lalayas.

Pansinin niya dili habang nakaratay,
Naghain ng sulyap ni walang inusal
Malamig na sabaw ang tangi niyang alay;
Pabaon sa inang ngayo’y agaw-buhay.

Kumpisal Ng Isang Kabit

2006-07-18T16:52:00.000-07:00

Sinusupil ko ang ngiti
Sa tuwing pagbubuksan ka.
Kasinluwang ng mga yakap ko
Ang pag-asang nag-uunahang umahon.
Ligaya ang katumbas
Ng dilim na masasalamin
Sa iyong mukha.
Lingid sa iyo’y ipinagdiriwang ko
Ang manaka-naka ninyong pagtatalo.
Mas malalim na alita’y
Higit na maliligayang sandali
Sa piling mo, sa pagitan natin.
May impit na dalanging
Manatili ka ng magdamag
Dito sa tabi ko.

Lumilipad yaring isip
Habang ikaw’y naghihinga
Ng kanyang mga kakulangan.
Sinasadya kong lasingin ka
Ng mga paglalambing,
Inaasam na sa paggising
Ay limot na siya.
Palihim kong pinuputol
Ang kamay ng orasan,
Upang di dumating
Ang hudyat ng paghihiwalay.

Kung maaari lamang sagkaan
Ng tamis ng pagniniig ang pintuan,
Upang di mo na hangaring umuwi.
Ngunit alam ko
Masarhan ko man ang pinto,
Siguradong wawasakin mo ang bintana.

Something to Ponder

2006-07-17T20:25:00.000-07:00

GEORGE CARLIN (His wife recently died...)

Isn't it amazing that George Carlin - gross and mouthy comedian of the 70's and 80's - could write something so very eloquent. ..and so very appropriate.

A wonderful Message by George Carlin:

The paradox of our time in history is that

we have taller buildings but shorter tempers,

wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints.

We spend more, but have less;

we buy more, but enjoy less.

We have bigger houses and smaller families,

more conveniences, but less time...

We have more degrees but less sense;

more knowledge, but less judgment;

More experts, yet more problem;

more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much,

spend too recklessly, laugh too little,

drive too fast, get too angry,

stay up too late, get up too tired,

read too little, watch TV too much,

and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our Values.

We talk too much, love too seldom,

and hate too often...

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life.

We've added years to life not life to years.

We've been all the way to the moon and back,

but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor.

We conquered outer space but not inner space.

We've done larger things, but not better things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul.

We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice.

We write more, but learn less.

We plan more, but accomplish less.

We've learned to rush, but not to wait.

We build more computers to hold more information,

to produce more copies than ever,

but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion,

big men and small character,

steep profits and shallow relationships.

These are the days of two incomes but more divorce,

fancier houses, but broken homes...

These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers,

throw away morality, one night stands, overweight bodies,

and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill.

It is a time when there is much in the showroom window

and nothing in the stockroom.

A time when technology can bring this letter to you,

and a time when you can choose either to share this insight,

or to just ignore or hit delete.

Remember:spend some time with your loved ones;

because they are not going to be around forever.

Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe,

because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side...

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you,

because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart

and it doesn't cost a cent.

Remember, to say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones,

but most of all mean it... A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt

when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment

for someday that person will not be there again

Give time to love, give time to speak,!

And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:

LIFE is not measured by the number of breaths we take,

but by the moments that take our breath away.

What a Week!

2006-07-14T03:45:00.000-07:00

Haaaay, sa wakas natapos din ang 3-day seminar/workshop namin dito sa office. . .

Masyado ako nangarag dun! Kung pinagdugtung-dugtong marahil ang mga ginawa kong pagpanhik-baba mula sa conference room ng PAGC pababa sa MIS o sa Supplies Office ay maaari akong makauwi sa Bulacan, hehehe.

Napapagod talaga ako ngayon, as in! Physically at mentally nga eh. Kagabi, 2am na akong nakatulog kapipilit magrevise ng isang dating tula at gawing soneto. Drained na kasi talaga ang creative juices ko. Susme, 2am na eh wala pa rin akong mabuo, tinulugan ko nga! Kani-kanina ko lang natapos ang tula ko. Wala, hindi ako confident dito. Bahala na bukas. Sana, maganda ang mood ni Sir Rio, book launching naman niya eh, hehehehe.

Parang lumulutang ang pakiramdam ko, sa puyat siguro. Haaay, anong oras naman kami mauuwi ngayon nito. 7pm na sa wall clock, hindi na naman ako makakapag-dinner nito. Lately kasi parang mas masarap matulog kaysa kumain. Goodluck sa health!

Ikatlong Palihan

2006-07-10T01:11:00.000-07:00

Nang nakaraang Sabado, sa kabila ng pagmamadali ko ay na-late pa rin talaga ako pagpunta sa UP Diliman. Nakapaikot na ang mga silya nila nang ako ay pumasok, pang-labingdalawa na rin ang tula ko, at medyo naka-ingos na rin sa akin si Sir Rio. Ayaw na ayaw niya kasi ng late. To conquer my fear, umupo ako sa silyang malapit sa kanyang inuupuan. Nagparinig na siya, masama raw ang kanyang pakiramdam, malamang ay maninigaw raw siya. Kaya naman takut na takot ang naunang nasalang.

Ang hirap naman talaga ng pakiramdam na ang tulang isang linggo mong pinag-isipan (napapanaginipan ko na nga eh) ay kakatayin lang dito. Kailangang makatugon sa mga hinihingi ng takdang-aralin. Inaasahang ang lahat ng natutuhan ay makikita sa aming mga tula (sabagay, agree naman ako sa bagay na ito) kung hindi ay hindi na babasahin ang tula mo.

Hiningan kami ng tulang nanggagagad, naglalayong magpatawa at nagsasalaysay ng isang pangyayari sa loob ng tren. Magaganda ang mga tulang binasa ng ilang fellows at nakakatawa ayon sa aming pamantayan ngunit hindi sa pamantayan ni Sir Rio. Susme, walang tula siyang pinalampas. Ang lahat ay may puna. Ang tula sa ibaba ang aking ipinasa. Nakakatawa naman daw. May ilang mga suhestiyon siyang ibinigay at may mga punang nakatulong upang mapakinis ko pa ang tula ko.

Binibini

Hinagod ang buhok inayos ang gusot;
Binasa ang labi, sinipat ang pulbos.
Pagpanhik ng hagdan, dibdib mo’y tinutop,
Magarang sandalyas dinig ang kalatog.

Ang iwing alindog madaming nabihag
Pumito ang sekyu nang ika’y mamalas;
May mamang kumindat, ang mata’y nangusap;
Naglabas ng dila, totoy na may bikas.

Sa paghinto ng tren agad kang sumakay
Ang mga lalaki’y nagpilit sumabay;
Sa dibdib mo’t hita, lahat nakatanaw,
“H’wag munang iibis,” ang iisang dasal.

May di nakatiis, dibdib mo’y sinalat,
Bigla kang tumili. Kamao’y umigkas.
Binugbog ang pilyo at wig mo’y nahubad;
Ang peklating ulo . . . sa lahat tumambad.

Natawa ka ba? Hindi pa diyan nagtapos ang Sabado namin. Kung bakit naman kasi itong si Sol, naisipang gagarin ang Bahay Kubo. Ayun, nagka-idea tuloy ang Sir Rio. Palibhasa'y maagang natapos ang palihan, pagkatapos ng aming tanghalian muli niya kaming binigyan ng exercise. Gagarin daw namin ang kantang Bahay-Kubo. Bahala raw kami. Basta kailangan daw ay sa tonong nagpapatawa.

Ang hirap kayang gumawa ng tula kung nape-pressure ka at nalilimitahan. Wala namang regular na tugma't sukat yung Bahay Kubo eh. Pero siyempre, puwede mo bang ikatwiran iyon?

Una kong naisip ay ang Bahay ni Gloria, ilalarawan ko sana ang mga halimaw doon na sari-sari. Ngunit ayoko namang lumikha ng eskandalo dahil sa mga ilalagay kong personalities sa tula ko. Hmmm, isip pa ng konti. Wala talaga akong matapos. Puro simula lang. May naisip ako pero baka kung ano naman ang isipin nila. Pero bahala na, wala talaga eh. Kuwela naman siguro. Ipinabasa ko kay Kuya Sam, mukhang nangiti naman siya.

Bahay Puta, kahit munti

Kahalayan doon ay sari-sari

Bugaw na mapilit, bebot disisyete

Baklang bihis-babae.

Mamasang na Lola, 'pinataas ang palda

Utos sa dalaga

Magsayaw ng bomba

D.O.M. lalapit, 'lalabas ang kwarta

Ang hindi mapili'y bubuntong-hininga

Isinulat ko pa ito sa pisara at ang lalong nakakahiya eh ipinakanta pa talaga sa akin. Susme, may mga natawa naman. Nang maupo ako ay tinitingnan ako ni Sir Rio. Bakit ko daw alam ang mga bagay na ito. At napagdudahan pa akong dati raw siguro akong nagtatrabaho dito, hehehe. Pambihira, common sense na lang kasi.

Ano naman kayang kapalaran ang naghihintay sa amin sa darating na Sabado. . .

Moving On

2006-07-06T22:38:00.000-07:00

Got this from my dear friend Tet:

It is human nature to get attached emotionally to something or someone, but at one point in our lives , no matter how much crippling the pain will be, we just have to let it go. It is mind boggling, emotionally taxing for it has become a part of your whole being, but the heart is deceiving so it is not wise to cling on or trust what your heart is telling, so learn to let it all go to spare yourself from devastation. Life is too short, learn from your mistakes and move on for there are far greater things waiting for you. . .

Diskuwento

2006-07-05T20:30:00.000-07:00

Habang naghihintay ng masasakyan sa harap ng SM North Edsa, biglang may humintong lumang fx sa harapan ko. Iwinawagayway ang karatulang Tabang-Malolos. Dagli akong sumakay at naupo sa tabi ng driver, ayokong lumugar sa gitna, baka maipit na naman ang balikat ko. Sa likuran naman ay nangangawit ang mga tuhod ko. Naglapitan ang mga barker, sinita ang driver. Mayroon daw nakapila sa likuran nito, matuto daw itong magbigay, ang ibig ay pababain ako. Bago ako makapag-isip ng tamang gagawin, pinaandar na ng driver ang fx. Pilit kong isinasantabi ang takot, paano na kung wala itong maisakay bukod sa akin? Nag-aagaw-dilim na noon.

Lampas na kami sa pilahan nang magsalita ang driver. Pauwi na raw kasi siya, ayaw niyang magpagabi dahil baka hinihintay na siya ng misis niya. Naibulalas ko na lang na sana makakuha pa siya ng pasahero sa daan. Pero wala talaga, lampas na kami sa Muñoz ay wala namang pumara. Naaawa ako sa kanya lalo na nang sabihin niyang mag-a-abono pa siya ngayon ng pambayad sa toll fee.

Nang mapagmasdan ko ang driver, mas namayani ang awa kaysa takot. At sa aking pakikipag-usap sa kanya, nakuha ko agad ang profile niya: 69 anyos, byudo, may 6 na anak sa namayapang asawa at may mga binata ng apo. Tipikal lang di ba? Pero nang malaman kong nakisama siyang muli sa babaeng 30 anyos na ngayon at nagkaroon ng 3 anak dito, kung saan 6 na taon ang panganay at 8 buwan ang bunso, yun ang medyo nakapanlulumo. Halos habol na niya ang kanyang hininga habang nagmamaneho pero kailangan niyang kumayod upang may maipantawid-gutom ang bagong pamilya. May 3 anak din sa una ang babaeng kinakasama niya sa kasalukuyan kaya kailangan niya talagang magsipag. Matindi naman daw ang pananalig niya sa Diyos at alam niyang hindi siya pababayaan.

Hindi ko maiwasang mag-isip, paano na kaya ang tatlong anak niya kapag nawala siya? At eto pa, tuwing linggo lamang siya nakaka-ekstra sa pagmamaneho dahil ginagamit ng anak niya ang fx. Karaniwang kita niya kung malakas ang pasada ay P 700.00. Pilit ko mang sumahin sa aking isip, tila yata hindi sasapat ang halagang iyon sa isang pamilyang ang 2 bata ay nag-gagatas at nagda-diaper pa? Proud pa siya habang nagkukwento na hindi naman daw maselan ang asawa at anak niya, noodles, gulay at kanin ay magana pa rin silang kumain.

Medyo mahaba ang biyahe nang gabing iyon. Marahil dahil tila pagong ang aming takbo. Pamaya-maya'y natitingin ako sa driver, sa totoo lang kasi ay nag-aalala ako na baka hindi na niya kayanin ang pagmamaneho at kung saan kami pulutin. Buti kako at nakikita pa niya ang daan. Ang sagot ba naman eh, medyo nakakakita pa naman daw siya.

Nang pumasok na kami sa Bulacan, tinanong niya kung saan ako nakatira, sumagot naman ako. Napag-alaman ko na sa Pandi pa pala siya uuwi. Nakiusap siya na baka pwedeng sa Balagtas na lamang siya mag-exit para makamenos ng toll fee, ihahatid na lamang daw niya ako sa mismong bababaan ko. Pumayag naman ako, nakakaawa na kasi talaga. Medyo madilim at di ako pamilyar sa lugar na dinaanan namin kaya naman tahimik akong nagdarasal. Hanggang sa nakita ko na ang traffic ng Bocaue, sige pa rin sa kwento ang matandang driver, nakikinig lang ako at pamaya-maya'y nagpapahayag ng pagsang-ayon o pagtutol. Mukhang nawiwili sa pagku-kuwento, hindi niya namamalaya'y lubhang marami na siyang nasasabi. Sa kabila ng paulit-ulit niyang pagsasabing malapit siya sa Diyos at malakas ang kanyang kapit sa Kanya, sumasalit ang kawalan ng pag-asa sa kinakaharap na sitwasyon. Minsan na nga rin daw niyang inaway ng todo ang kanyang kinakasama para lumayas na sa bahay niya pero walang epekto.

Pagdating sa C. Mercado, kung saan maaari na siyang lumiko upang umuwi, pumara na ako. Ibig kong sumakay na lamang ng jeep na maghahatid sa akin sa amin. Ngunit mapilit ang matanda, naipangako nga raw niya sa akin na ihahatid niya ako sa mismong babaan ko upang di na mamasahe, hindi niya raw inaasahang papayag ako na sa Balagtas kami magdaan tuloy ay naka-menos raw siya. Nabaitan raw siya sa akin.

Wala pa yatang 5 minuto ang natitirang byahe, ngunit sinulit ng matanda ang kuwento. Balik na naman siya sa paulit-ulit na pagsasabing malakas ang kapit niya sa Diyos at alam niyang hindi siya nito pababayaan. Ayokong tumingin sa mga mata ni tatang, dahil kabaligtaran ang aking nasasalamin.

Naglalakad ako papasok sa aming tarangkahan, iniisip ko sino nga ba sa aming dalawa ang naka-diskuwento?

Ang Panalangin

2006-07-05T15:43:00.000-07:00

Naulinigan ko ang kasiyahan ng pamilya ng aking kapit-bahay. Nang kanila akong mamataan, kinambatan ako ng ina,

"Halika, dali! May ipaparinig ako sa iyo." Agad na tinawag ang pangalawang anak nasa tatlong taon marahil, pinatayo sa ibabaw ng kama at inutusan.

"O anak, iparinig mo na si Tita Nini yung dasal mo."

Agad namang tumalima ang inutusan, tumingin muna sa akin at nakangiting pinagsalikop ang dalawang kamay nang tila nagdarasal, bahagya pang nakapikit. Hindi pa nagkasya, lumuhod pa sa kama.

"Jesus, pahingi po ng pagkain para sa amin nila Mama. Sana po palagi kaming padalhan ng maraming damit at sapatos ng Papa ni Kuya Billy (kapatid nila sa unang asawa ng kanyang ina). Si Papa po na andun sa kulungan, sana gawin mong pulis, Amen."

Hagalpakan ng tawa silang lahat ng nakarinig. Nakatingin sa reaksiyon ko.

Mukhang napahiya ang ina, "eh si Billy kasi, siya ang nagturo niyan."

"Bakit naman ganung dasal?" ang nausal ko na lamang.

Slam Book

2006-07-05T01:15:00.000-07:00

From Elementary to Highschool, I've been fascinated with stuff like these. Well, this one shouldn't tell you that it covers the in and out of me . . . but will definitely tell you a lot of things about me. I hope you people like it and know me well.

Updated July 2006

Name Mary Ann

Location Bulacan, Philippines

Languages I Know Filipino & English

Birth date April 19, 1977

Star Sign Aries

Describe yourself Sensitive, a keen observer, straightforward, sincere, value relationships, always seek opportunities to build meaningful connections to people I have come accrossed with

Email I use The Most mcariquez@yahoo.com

Hobbies Creative writing, poetry, reading, playing badminton

Hates Liars, user

Turn-ons Soft music, sensible conversations, sense of humor, books, smiles

Turn-offs Conceited, late comers,

First Thing You Notice Eyes

Allergies Inconsiderate and possesive people

Terrified of Darkness, being left alone, being bitten by dogs

Addicted to Internet, mobile (texting), books

Color Blue

Dishes Native & Italian

Non Alcoholic Drinks Fruit shakes, juices, Zagu (with Bes)

Drink/Smoke? No

Actors Piolo Pascual (solid!)

Hollywood Movies If Only, Harry Potter Series, Shrek 1 & 2, Shatter, 51st Date

Scarry or Happy Endings Happy endings of course

Songs Grow old with you (Adam Sandler), I need you (Leann Rimes), Bluer than blue (Regine Velasquez), All the love in the world (The Corrs)

Kind of Music soft, R & B

Favorite Books Harry Potter Series, Tuesdays with Morrie, Hope for the Flowers, A child called "It", The Lost Boy, A man named Dave, Bob Ong books, Og Mandino books

Believe in . . . God, Love, Destiny, Promises

Scariest Moment 2004, when my father told me he couldn't breath

Unforgettable Moment March 2006, an encounter with "The Snatchers"

People I Wont Forget (In no particular order) Emar, Emma, Kim, Divine, Mrs. Lapeña, Mrs. Viray, Mhira, Mhedy, Melai, Sir Jojo, Bryan, Sir Dionisio, Malou, Deo, Niel, Yam, Reggie, Vhic, Rhea, Vangie, Me-Ann, Amy, Ate Leah, Ma'am Olive, Dick, OBG, Ate Nini, Marlon, Chat, Alan, Cecille, Hazel, Maricel, BJ, Lando, Ate Gina, Noi, Jun, Millet, Mylene, Luz, Michael, Mark, Loren, Tetet, LMP, MCDR, Sheila, Let, Jaja, Guanzon, Jhay, Liza, Tom, JPM, Ruth, Olive, Cathy, Kuya Francis, Teacher Pinky, Teacher Mommy, Henry, Noemi, Cristy, Gene, Gara, Sir Rani, Sir Mike, Ogie, Vonn, Tata Raul, Ate Joy, Don, Amin, Jilo, Ms. Beth Reyes, Ms. Punongbayan, Madel, Luz, Ate Indan, Kathleen, Jeff, Alfred, Mona, Raquel, Jocelyn, Via, Celeste, Dave, Dolores, Didi, Rei, Esmie, Nerrie, Glenda, Janet, Jayson, Jem, Joann, KZ, Kuts, Liza B., Ate Luisa, Jologs, Sid Erlick . . .

Philosphy in Life We are responsible of what we do, no matter how we feel; What is essential is invisible to the eyes

Secret Ambition To become a writer, hehehe

Next Birth Myself:)

Chocolate or Vanilla Chocolate

Pets Dogs, Cats, Iguana

Hugs or Kisses Hugs from lovedones, kisses from dear one

Thoughts About Opposite Sex They always wanted to be understood; they always long for someone who will listen to them; they love receiving praises

Snellen Test

2006-07-04T18:14:00.000-07:00

Kagabi, medyo na-frustrate na naman ako . . . Hinubad ko ang contact lens, as usual para guminhawa ang pakiramdam ko. May nakaabang na towel sa kandungan ko para sa tulo ng solution at posibleng paglipad ng lens. Sus, mentras nag-iingat ay saka naman bibiruin ka ng kapalaran. Nailagay ko na sa container ang hinubad ko sa kaliwa pero nang binabanlawan ko na ng solution ang galing sa kanan kong mata, bigla ko itong nabitiwan. Tigas ako ng hanap - sa braso, sa towel na nakasapo, sa sahig sa tapat ko, sa damit kong suot. Nagpapaka-independent as usual dahil hanggat maaari ayaw kong ipakita ang kahinaan kong iyon. Pero wala talaga, ayoko namang isipin na bukas ay papasok ako na isa lang ang malinaw na mata Pinakiusapan ko na ang ate ko na paki-turn off ang electric fan dahil baka liparin ang hinahanap ko. Pinakisuyuan ko na rin siya na tulungan ako sa paghahanap. Medyo nagpa-panic na ako. Mawala na ang lahat, wag lang ang contact lens ko.

Habang pinapasadahan niya ng kamay ang mga posibleng pagbagsakan ng contact lens, bigla akong may nakapa sa kaliwang binti ko. Ang contact lens! Malapit na siyang ma-dry dahil medyo matagal na ring hindi nakababad. Dagli ko itong kinuha, nilinis, inilagay sa sisidlan at agad isinara. Hay, buti na lang. . .

Hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin ba ako nasasanay? Hindi ninyo naman siguro ako masisisi. Lumaki akong hindi yata nakaranas ng 20/20 vision (lately ko lang narealize iyan). Grade 1 ako ay hindi ko napapansing nahihirapan akong makakita nang malinaw kung malayo sa pisara. Kapansin-pansing, kinakailangan ko pang makiupo sa gawing harapan para lang makaagapay sa lecture. Tuwing pababasahin ako sa chart kapag reading, hindi ako masyadong makasunod, bumabawi na lang ako sa written exams. Madalas akong makaramdam ng pagkahilo pero binabalewala ko lamang. Minsan kahit dumaing ako, hindi naman masyadong napapansin dahil hindi ko sila makumbinse. Sa tuwing manonood ng tv, ugali kong maupo sa malapit nito at kung hindi man ay ikunot ang noo upang makita nang malinaw ang pinapanood. Grade 5 na ako nang mapagpasyahang ipacheck-up ang mga mata ko, malabo nga raw sabi ng doktor, kailangang magsalamin. Ang una kong grado, 200.

Nang una akong magsalamin, awkward talaga. Naglalaro pa ako noon eh, so ang pagsasalamin ay naging hadlang para sa mga outdoor games. Kakaiba rin ang tingin sa iyo ng karamihan, mukha raw kasing nerd. Imbes na makipaghabulan at makipagpatintero, nagbabasa at nagsusulat na lang ako. Nang sumunod na taon, napaghihilo na naman ako, nang ako'y ipa-check-up, tumaas daw ang grado ko. 400 na ngayon.

Mas makapal na ang salamin ko, mas dumarami ang nang-aalaska. Ganun naman yata talaga kapag bata ka pa, tingin mo sa lahat ay laro. Taun-taon ay nagdodoble ang grado ng salamin ko, pabigat ng pabigat at nalilimitahan na ang pagkilos ko, unti-unti na rin yatang nadevelop ang inferiority complex ko.

Third year high school na ako nang isuggest ng doktor na subukan kong mag-contact lens, para mapigil daw ang pagtaas ng grado (naiisip ninyo na ba kung anong grado na ng mata ko by this time?). Pumayag ako. Mas maginhawang di hamak kaysa salamin pero kailangan ng ibayong pag-iingat. Bawal ang mahabang fingernails, kailangang palaging maghugas ng mga kamay sa tuwing magsusuot o maghuhubad ng mga ito. Kailangang panatilihin ang kalinisan ng sarili at ng sisidlan ng contact lens, pati ang tamang paggamit ng mga gamot at solution. Yearly rin ang pagpapalit ng contact lens at totoo ang sabi ng doktor, napigilan nga ang pagtaas ng grado.

More than ten years na akong nagko-contact lens. Nakailang palit na ako ng brand pati ng solution. Ang high school friend ko na si Lanie ay ganap ng Optometrist at isa ako sa kanyang mga pasyente. Bigla ko na lamang naramdamang may kakaiba sa loob ng aking mata. Sa tuwing tatangkain kong isuot ang contacs ay kumakati ang loob ng aking mga mata, magluluha at iritable na kaya huhubarin ko na lamang ito. Nagpagawa na ako ng ultra thin (ultra thin na naturingan, pero ubod pa rin ng kapal) na salamin para pamalit dito. Dumating na sa puntong hindi ko na talaga ito maisuot. Sobrang hirap dahil nasanay na ako. Mahirap bumalik sa salamin lalo't ganun kataas ang grado, masakit sa ulo at ang hirap magtrabaho. Nang magpa-check-up ako, may mga butlig daw sa loob ng talukap ng aking mata. Binigyan ako ng pamatak at ibalik ko raw after two weeks. Makalipas ang dalawang linggo, hindi pa rin daw tuyo ang mga butlig. Lumipat na ako sa ibang doktor.

Sabi ng eye specialist, na-irritate nga raw ang mga mata ko. Hindi na raw ako maaaring mag-contact lens. Kung ipipilit ko raw ay baka mabulag ako. Salamin lang daw talaga ang solusyon. Kaya wala akong nagawa. Balik salamin ang drama ko. Ang makapal kong salamin.

After one year ng pagsasalamin, at pagdalangin kay Sta. Lucia, nagpa-check ako sa kumare kong si Lanie. Sinubukan kong muling mag-contact lens at naging matagumpay naman.

Mahigit isang taon na naman akong balik contact lens, naging maingat na ako this time. Hindi na ako natutulog na suot ang aking contacts, ipinapahinga ko na nang mas mahaba ang aking mga mata at regular ang aking check-up.

Napakahalaga ng paningin, hindi ko masabing pinabayaan ko yung sa akin. Hereditary yata. Isa o higit pang myembro ng bawat pamilya ng aking kamag-anak both sa mother at father side ay mga naka-salamin.

Subconsiously, alam kong andiyan lang sa tabi-tabi yung malaki kong takot . . . ang magising isang araw na pinagkaitan na ng paningin.