Welcome The Year 2010 With A Left Hook

As the hours slowly crawl to embrace the first day of another year, I bet people now are having different takes on how things will be in 2010. This uncertainty is somehow empowering to each of us who are clinging to that slice of hope that the coming year will be much better-- which really means favorable to each individual. Though we always, sometimes annoyingly, hear optimistic yearning for a prosperous year, we are actually crossing our finger at our back and are hoping against hope.

I believe this is one aspect of our human existence that I find remarkable. It is an undeniable fact that we as a race are resilient and stubborn in a praise-worthy manner. Our brute nature has taught us to be more fierce when badly hurt. Not to back down from any challenges and to stand our ground fight back. We get up after every tough fall and wrestle harder.

No scandals are going to stop us because of shame. No significant deaths are going to make us loose hope for a better tomorrow. Instead, we somehow feed on the deaths of influential people to fuel our rage against injustice and inhumane activities. Not even natural calamities can put out the fire in our hungry souls.

We always see it through the storm (literally, sometimes) not just as individuals but as race. We always survive-- even if barely in some occasions. We always prevail.

The Year 2010 is at our doors. Are we going to get it? Or is it time to throw that white towel in surrender?

Merry Christmas to Whoever You Are

Few hours ago I was with my girlfriend and her mom in Robinson's Supermarket in Imus, Cavite. As we expected, it was like the end of the world for the people rampaging the stalls inside the supermarket. I can't even move an inch without brushing shoulders with these insanely excited and , for some, panicky citizens.

Honestly, I enjoyed the sight of people going about the place trying to grab the ingredients for their carbonar, getting more Nestle Creme to complete their fruit salad or buko pandam for desert, or just buy a pear-shaped ham to make the Noche Buena special. The mere fact that these people still find a reason to make this day extra special warms my heart. I can just imagine what each of these people have been through for the past months (some could have had some rough times) and yet the spirit of Christmas can still be felt within them.

Christmas is spent in different ways by different people all over the world. Cultures influence how it is celebrated but faith makes the big difference.

So how do you celebrate Christmas? Do you even know why you're celebrating?

Experiencing Christmas

It's almost here.

The world anticipates it's coming every each year. Like one's birthday, it can't be stopped or even postponed. We may be able to ignore it but it can still be annoyingly present. After all that has happened within the year-- the good and the not-so-good-- it has always become the source of hope and inspiration for the people.

During this season, our tired and beaten soul bathes in the bliss that it somehow offers. It has become the food for our starving soul. Our refreshing glass cold of water-- or your favorite softdrink-- after being exposed to the scorching heat of the sun. The 13th Month Pay after working like screwed-up dog for the entire year for your boss. I believe you can already picture what I want to say.

For years, Christmas season has invigorated our souls. It has fueled our determination to do better. It made us see our dreams crystal clear just when we thought it already escaped us. When you almost find yourself quiting, Christmas comes and helps you up to stand your ground and prepare for the battle ahead.

So it would be a pity if we let this Season of Hope to pass without letting it heal and recharge us. The year that will come might not be as nice as this year. That is if this year has been nice to you even. Fill your armory with the upgraded weapons to have an edge facing what lies ahead.

Experience Christmas. Recharge.

Thankful and Honored

This baby was unattended for the past months. The months that have passed were really note-worthy and some were memorable to me. A lot of things have happened and yet not even a mention of these things on this blog. I admittedly neglected this "baby" of mine.

In spite of what sorry mistake I did of not updating my blog and feeding it with my happenings, it didn't give up on me. Somehow, this site seemed hopeful and wanting for me to scribble my life on these pages once more.

It's making me feel needed here in this side of the world.

For the months that have passed this blog site maintained the PageRank of 2! I know for non-newbies, this rank is not that much. But I expected the rank to throw tomatoes at me and make me non-existent to the Web. So I was really amazed and thankful that my blog has kept it's faith on me to get my groove back.

The world is just waiting for me. It could just be waiting for you too.

Seize the day!

10 Years After...

It seems forever since the last time I posted anything here. The hibernation was really premeditated.

A lot of unforgettable and regretful events happened for, what, a month or so. Events that I plan to share with everyone(referring to those who chance on reading this) as life takes its course. Perhaps I was just overwhelmed by the chain of events that disturbed the stillness of the my river.

Soon I'll share these to you.

The Day Lola Tele Said Goodbye

One of the sad reality in life is death itself. It is probably one the hardest way of saying goodbye to someone we hold dear. The thought that the person who's going to pass to the other side might not even have a chance of coming back is such a mother of heartbreakers.

It was after lunch of July 24, 2009 when I got a message from Sheril telling me she'll pick me up in a couple of minutes. She was at work but she had to go to her Lola Tele's house in Paranaque. So in just a few minutes I already packed a few clothes and some stuff. Indeed, she was already in my apartment in less than 10 minutes. But I noticed she was all teary-eyed.

Her mom let her know that they had to go to Lola Tele's house since it could be the day lola will breath her last.

On our way to Lola Tele's place I've been trying to prepare Sheril for what might happen. But I thought, "Who am I kidding, for sure nothing will comfort her once the dreaded moment would come for Lola Tele to say her goodbye to the people she is gonna leave behind." Lola Tele has become my only lola left since both my lolas from my parents have long been gone. And now loosing the last lola I know could be one sad and painful experience me too.

We were already near Lola Tele's house when Sheril's cellphone rang. She was driving so I had to check who the person on the line was. Her cousin's name registered on the phone and it was then that my heartbeat raced like hell. She grabbed the phone from me and answered it. And there it was, one of the agonizing pain Sheril might ever feel. She was almost drowned in tears while she was screaming in pain for her lola and kept asking why Lola Tele didn't wait for few minutes more. There was nothing I could do since I was also in tears and fighting to control myself not to drown in the sorrow since we were still on the road.

Lola Tele's body was still warm when we arrived at her house. Some of her children and her grandchildren were already at her side, lamenting and crying their heart out, grieving for their beloved lola. One of the tita's even suggested that we try to revive her although they've already tried several times even before we came. Then after a few minutes, all the children came one at a time, rushing and crying.

Later that afternoon, we had to prepare for her embalming and funeral services. I had the chance to be there for the family and glad that I did considering they are my second family here in Manila.