Giyera ng mga Carinderia

ISANG MAIKLING KWENTO. WALANG DAYALOGO.
Copyright 2009 mula sa sulatin sa Filipino
This story is fictional and any similar happenings are entirely coincidental
Any illegal replication of the content is strictly prohibited (pero kung legal, ok lang)
See posters and print ads for details
If symptoms persist, consult your veterinarian

Sa isang bayan na nagngangalang Quesadilla, may isang ale na sikat dahil sa kanyang pritong manok. Siya si Aling Julie-B. Patok na patok ang kanyang carinderia, na KFC o Kanto Fried Chicken, sa kabataan, mga matatanda, at mga tambay na lawlaw ang tiyan. Malakas ang benta niya tuwing tanghali dahil yun ang oras kung kailan kumakain ang mga trabahador, bodegero, at mga baklang manikurista sa sikat na salon na Salon-ganisa.

Isang araw, naging matumal ang benta. Alas dose na ngunit wala pa ring kumakain ng kanyang mamantikang manok at umuusok na kanin. Medyo sumisilip na sa mundo ang mga usok sa namumulang tenga ni Aling Julie-B. Maya-maya, nakita niya si McDonna na may dala-dalang goto na abot sa bayan ng Tondonut ang bango. Tinanong niya si McDonna kung saan niya nabili ang kumukulong goto. Sinabi ni McDonna na nabili niya ang bumubulang goto sa isang bagong carinderia sa dulo ng bayan ng Quesadilla. Nang marinig ni Aling Julie-B ang mga salita na lumabas sa naglalaway na bibig ni McDonna, nagpasya siyang puntahan ang carinderiang iyon. Tumayo si Aling Julie-B mula sa kanyang maliit na upuan, binitawan ang pantaboy ng langaw, pinatay ang telebisyong nagmimistulang radyo sapagkat tunog na lamang ang lumalabas, ipinaubaya ang carinderia sa pamangkin niyang si Tuding, at tuluyang umalis upang bisitahin ang bagong karibal.

Matapos ang limang minutong lakad mula sa Kanto Fried Chicken, narating na ni Aling Julie-B ang kanyang hinahanap na carinderia. Tiningan niya ang carinderia. Bago, malinis, at doon kumakain ang mga baklang manikurista, na halatang-halata na napapaltusan ang mga chismosang dila dahil sa mainit na goto. Tiningnan naman ni Aling Julie-B ang plywood na tinapalan ng tarpaulin kung saan nakalagay ang pangalan ng carinderia:

"G. Congee's Goto Heaven"

Sa unang basa pa lamang ng pangalan ay masasabi na niya na kabataan ang nagmamay-ari ng gotohan. Sunod niyang tiningnan ang nagpapatakbo ng nasabing gotohan. Isang dalagita; Maganda, maputi, at halatang-halata ang kurba ng katawan. Hindi niya pinansin ang itsura ng dalaga ngunit ang reputasyon nito. Medyo nainis si Aling Julie-B dahil sa mabilis na asenso ng dalaga. Kaya't umalis siyang nakakunot ang noo. Lalong nadagdagan ang kanyang inis nang makaapak siya ng isang basang chewing gum at napadapa sa gitna ng kalsada.

Habang ginagamot ni Tuding ang mga galos ng kanyang tiyahin, nag-iisip naman si Aling Julie-B ng paraan kung paano mapaalis si G. Congee at mapabalik ang mga patay gutom na kostumer. Habang nag-iisip, nasulyapan ni Aling Julie-B ang poster ni Arnold Schwarzenegger at ni David Hasselhoff na nakaholding-hands at nakapose na parang nag-eendorse ng Avon products. Dahil sa kakaibang poster na iyon, naalala ni Aling Julie-B ang kanyang tatlong makikisig na kapatid, sina Baliwag, Andok, at Bugong. Dali-dali niyang inutusan ang tatlo upang sugurin ang Goto Heaven at ubusin ang lahat ng kasangkapan. Nagsuot na ng ninja costumes ang Julie's Angels at tuluyang gumayak para sa karumal-dumal na plano. Umupo si Aling Julie-B sa kanyang maliit na upuan at binuksan ang radyong telebisyon. Nakangiti na si Aling Julie-B nang may biglang kumatok sa kaniyang marupok na pinto, si G. Congee. Malungkot ang dalaga. Sinabi niya kay Aling Julie-B na aalis na siya sa bayan ng Quesadilla sapagkat hindi niya gusto ang pagtingin sa kanya ng mga kostumer niya. Hindi niya rin gusto ang lokasyon ng carinderia sapagkat malapit ito sa estero at tambakan ng basura. Humingi ng paumanhin si G. Congee sa pag-agaw ng mga kostumer ni Aling Julie-B, tsaka tuluyang naglayag paalis sa bayan ng Quesadilla.

Naramdaman ni Aling Julie-B ang awa nang tumalikod si G. Congee at patuloy nang naglayag patungo sa bayan ng Alabangus upang magsimula ng panibagong carinderia. Bagama't naawa si Aling Julie-B kay G. Congee, natuwa naman siya dahil babalik na ang mga suki niya at magiging malakas na naman ang benta niya. Tinawagan niya ang kanyang "Julie's Angels" at sinabi na huwag nang ituloy ang plano sapagkat umalis na si G. Congee. Matapos kausapin ni Aling Julie-B ang kanyang mga kapatid mula sa kanyang tamagotchi-sized SiPhone, pumunta si Aling Julie-B sa kanyang "Kanto Fried Chicken" upang linisin ang carinderia, patayin ang mga pesteng daga, at maghanda para sa panibagong bukas na darating.

"Alas siyete na po mga kaibigan, atdapatgumisinggisingnakayosapagkatnapakaganda..."

Pinatay ni Aling Julie-B ang AM radio ng kanyang asawang si Mang Donalds. Bumangon si Aling Julie-B mula sa kanyang salumpuwit, pumunta ng kusina, nagtimpla ng kape, pinatay ang langaw, nagluto ng itlog, at kumain ng agahan. Matapos lamunin ang agahan, agad-agad na pumunta sa carinderia si Aling Julie-B upang ihanda ang mga manok, harina, at toothbrush. Matapos ang mabigat paghahanda, binuksan na ni Aling Julie- B ang de-tukod na bintana. Masarap ang simoy ng hangin. Malamig at hindi maalikabok. Tumingin siya sa umagang langit at naramdaman niyang nginitian siya ni Haring Araw. Tiningnan naman niya ang mga batang naglalaro, nagpapadala ng diyaryo, at pumopotpot ng pandesal. Habang tuwang-tuwang pinanonood ang mga batang kasinlilikot ng mga inapakang uod, biglang may isang mamang sumigaw. Mabigat, matipuno, at nakakabingi. Lumingon si Aling Julie-B sa pinanggalingan ng malakas na tunog. Muntik na siyang tumawag ng pulis nang makita niya na si Mang Tataho lang pala iyon. Napahinga ng malalim si Aling Julie-B. Nginitian niya si Mang Tataho at bumili ng limang basong taho, sabay alok na kumain sa kanyang carinderia. Matapos lagukin ang mga maiinit na taho, kinawayan naman niya ang mga lolo't lolang nagdidilig ng kani-kanilang hardin sabay alok na naman na kumain sa kanyang carinderia. Tumayo ng may pagmamalaki at ngumit ng abot-batok sabay sabi na magiging maganda ang araw na iyon.

Dumating ang tanghali, ang oras na kinasasabikan ni Aling Julie-B buong araw. Hinanda na ang mga pritong manok, inilabas ang umuusok na kanin, at tsaka iwinagayway ang panaboy ng langaw. Pinatugtog pa niya ang theme song ng Voltes V upang umakit ng mga kostumer.

Tumunog na ang mga kampana ng simbahan, senyas na alas dose y medya na, ngunit wala pa rin ang kanyang mga suki. Mag-aala una na ngunit wala pa rin ang mga baklang manikurista...

...yun pala'y hindi na pagkain ang habol, mga papa na pala.

Biglang pumasok lahat ng ideas sa loob ng utak ni Aling Julie-B. Naisip niya na mag tayo ng panibagong parinderia, pinaghalong parlor at carinderia! At ang ipapangalan niya sa kanyang hybrid na establisamento:

"PASUBO (Parlor, Suman, Bopis)"

50 things I want to do before I die

Napakaiksi ng buhay. Tama ako diba? Kahit na kaya nating mabuhay ng walumpung taon, parang bitin pa rin para magawa natin ang mga gusto nating gawin sa buhay. Marami tayong pangarap. Ngunit, palagi lang talagang natatakbuhan ng oras ang takbo ng buhay, parang Road Runner vs. Gary the Snail. Habang ako'y nagrurubik's at kakapanood lamang ng 2012 conspiracy videos sa YouTube, naisip ko kaagad ang mga gusto kong gawin, at ililista ko lahat ng naisip ko.


1. Magsub-17 sa Rubik's Cube
2. Maging valedictorian sa High School
3. Kumain sa Taco Bell at Italiannis
4. Matulog ng isambuong araw
5. Magtryout sa basketball varsity
6. Magdownload ng at least 4 gigabytes na kanta
7. Bumili ng 16 gigabytes na memory stick sa PSP
8. Maangkin itong laptop na ginagamit ko
9. Kung hindi man maangkin, magpa-assemble na lang ng Quad Core na CPU
10. Magkaroon ng PS3
11. Magkaroon ng at least 20 comments sa blog ko
12. Maging 100 million ang value sa Friends For Sale
13. Magkaroon ng class standing na at least 73.00
14. Makabili ng V-cube 5, V-cube 6, at V-cube 7
15. Makabili ng DIY kit sa Cube4You
16. Matutong magDotA
17. Magsub-10 sa Speed Stacks
18. Matutong magluto ng steamed rice
19. Magluto ng microwave popcorn
20. Makadunk ng basketball
21. Magkaroon ng at least 22 inches vertical leap
22. Matutong sumayaw na parang Michael Jackson
23. Mameet personally ang U.S. Dream Team, RP Powerade, at Smart Gilas
24. Magpa-autograph kay Bob Ong
25. Mawala ang kalyo sa paa ko
26. Mabasa ang lahat ng libro ni Dan Brown
27. Matutong maggantsilyo
28. Magpresident sa isang club
29. Magkaroon ng matinong trabaho
30. Makapunta sa ibang bansa
31. Maikot ang buong Metro Manila sa isang araw
32. Malinis ang buong area ng SM Mall Of Asia
33. Bilangin ang kotseng naka-park sa SM Mall Of Asia
34. Magkaroon ng banda
35. Matutong tumugtog ng Triangle
36. Makahawak ng bagpipes
37. Umimbento ng hovershoes
38. Maisagawa ang invisibility cloak
39. Maglaro ng basketball sa Araneta Coliseum
40. Makaisip pa ng sampung bagay na pwedeng gawin bago mamatay
41. Makapag-upload ng Angels and Demons sa uTorrent
42. Mag-upload ng sampung videos sa YouTube
43. Makatapos ng Challenging Sudoku sa loob ng sampung minuto
44. Makita ng harapan si Bigfoot
45. Umubos ng sabaw gamit ang toothpick
46. Lumunok ng isang shot ng hot sauce
47. Kumita ng 100 pesos sa tong its
48. Makapagpatayo ng sariling restaurant
49. Makabili ng Jeepney
50. Bumunot ng 5 buhok sa kili-kili ng ibang tao


Ang dami no? Marami pa nga akong gustong gawin eh. Hindi ko lang malista ngayon kasi gusto ko nang matulog. Magrurubik's muna ako ulit para makaisip pa ng limampung bagay na gusto kong gawin bago ako mamatay.


Napakahalaga ng buhay. Ito ang pinakamagandang regalo na ibinigay sa atin ng Diyos. Kaya mga bata, tandaan, huwag i-hostage ang estatwa ni Mama Mary para lang bigyan kayo ni Jesus ng bike.


"Time is Gold. But the Clock is Plastic"
-Filipino Words of "Wisdom"

Bakit may mga taong matatalino?

Kilala sila Albert Einstein, Sir Isaac Newton, Leonardo Da Vinci, Patrick Star, Spongebob Squarepants at Joshua Miguel Potot bilang mga taong may angking katalinuhan, maliban lamang sa pinakahuling pangalang nabanggit. Marami silang naitala sa libro ng kasaysayan sa pamamagitan lamang ng mga simpleng bagay tulad ng mga letra, mansanas, kulay, bato, pinya, at Rubik's Cube na nagtulak sa kanila para gumawa at ipakilala sa mundo ang kanilang tagumpay. Pero bakit nga ba may mga taong matatalino?


Sabi ng karamihan na walang taong mangmang. Ngunit, bakit napakalaking porsyento ng kabataan ang bumabagsak sa klase? Alam kong hindi basehan ang mga marka para masukat ang katalinuhan ng isang tao. Marami naman kasing mga sanhi kung bakit bumababa ang mga marka ng mga kabataan ngayon. Unang-una, ang teknolohiya. Hindi na naaasikaso ng mga kabataan ang kanilang pag-aaral at tumutunganga na lamang sa harap ng kompyuter magdamag, laging nakikipagtext sa mga kaibigan, at nag fa-final fantasy [turuan niyo naman ako niyan]. Dahil dito, nadidikit na ang mga kabataan sa mga kagamitang ito. At binubunga nito ang isa pang sanhi ng pagbaba ng marka, ang katamaran. Nawawalan na ng gana ang mga kabataan mag-aral. Ang gusto na lamang nila ay maglaro, magkompyuter, at higit sa lahat, magkompyuter.


Hindi nakikita ang katalinuhan sa isang papel. Hindi ito nakakain; at mas lalong hindi ito nabibili [sana nabibili ito, please lang!]. Katunayan niyan, ang mga taong nabanggit sa taas ay nagmula sa miserableng kabataan. Lalong-lalo na si Mr. E-equals-M-C-squared.


Marami sanhi kung bakit may mga taong matatalino. Maaaring makuha ito sa mga magulang.Maaari ring lumaganap ito sa mga taong "mangmang" at maging matalino! O diba? Magic! Si Alberto Einstein-o ay isang makulit na bata. Bumagsak siya sa mga asignaturang matematika, agham, at Sudoku. Ngunit, dahil sa kanyang pagiging matanong at "curious", natulak siya upang sumubok ng iba't-ibang bagay na kanyang mahawakan at makita, tulad ng compass (yung north-south, hindi yung lapis-ikot), at DotA. Dahil sa pagiging matanong niya, siya'y naging isang malaking personalidad sa mundo ng agham, katulad nina Isaac Newton at Mrs. Chua. Ika nga nila, "Marunong ang nagtatanong; pinagtanungan mo, hindi marunong; nagtanong ka pa!".


Ang tao ay matalino sa ibat-ibang paraan. Merong matalino sa pasinungalingan, matalino sa patalinuhan, at matalino sa mangmangan. Peksman! Sa pagsagot lamang ng mga simpleng tanong o sa pagtulong sa mga taong may malalaking problema, tulad ng paghahanap ng isang butil ng bigas sa isang kilometrong dalampasigan, ay natatawag ka nang matalino. Huwag kang magpaapekto sa mga taong tumatawag sa iyong mangmang dahil hindi naman talaga totoo na ikaw ay ganoong uri ng tao, maliban lang kung tikman mo yung tae tapos matutuwa ka dahil hindi mo natapakan.

Ondoy

Bumaha ba sa inyo nung Sabado; Setyembre 26, 2009 para eksakto? Kapag ika'y taga-Luzon at nabasa mo ito ay marahil binaha kayo ng mataas o mababa. Grabe no? Isang mahanging gabi naging maulang araw. Hindi naman ako nagdadrama pero, wala lang, wala talaga akong matalakay [ngiti]. Akalain mong sa sobrang daming araw na umulan, doon mismong araw na iyon ibinuhos ang drainage system ng langit. Talagang katiting lang na oras lumabas yung araw nang mahigit tatlong linggo. Tapos nun, parang bumalik ulit yung panahon ni Noah, mas kinulang nga lang sa time span.

Mga tatlong linggo na umuulan dahil siguro sa sunud-sunod na tropical depressions at bagyong tumatama sa ating mga dalampasigan. Bawat umaga, makulimlim [ang sarap tuloy matulog!]. Bawat tanghali, makulimlim. Bawat hapon, makulimlim. Bawat gabi, maku-- madilim. Talagang hindi tinamaan ang ating bansa ng sinag ng araw. Parang nawala yung araw sa watawat natin. Pero, may mga minuto namang lumabas yung malaking bituin; tsaka mababalutan ulit ng mga ulap na parang cotton candy na nalaglag sa putikan.

Ayun! Sabado ng tanghali. Nagtaka ako "tanghali nga ba?". Ang dilim kasi, tapos yung orasan namin, 12:48 P.M. Huh? Walangyanghanepasyet! 12:48?! Tanghali?! Sabagay, malamig naman. Napasarap yung panonood ko nung Ratatouille sa Disney Channel. Maya-maya, biglang nagfluctuate yung kuryente. Normal lang naman pag maulan. Maya-maya ulit, nawala yung cable. Normal lang din yan pag maulan. Nag-PSP muna ako para medyo mawala yung bagot at yung tahimik na atmosphere sa bahay. Maya-maya, nawala yung kuryente. Medyo weird kasi hindi naman palaging nawawala yung kuryente sa amin kapag umuulan. Sinilip ko yung bintana. Medyo baha. Bahagya lang naman. Nag-PSP ulit ako. Isang oras na lumipas. Tinawag ako ng kapatid ko. Yung baha daw, nasa harap na ng garahe. Hanepangwalangyangsyet! Nasa harap na?! Isang oras, nasa harap na?! Dun na ako naelibs. Ang hina ng ulan, pero bumaha. Tsaka ko lang nalaman na sobrang lalim na pala ng baha. Dun sa tapat ng gate, hanggang tuhod. Dun sa gate 1 ng Alaska, hanggang bewang. Dun sa loob ng Maintenance Power Plant, hanggang leeg. Dun naman sa Puregold, lagpas tao. Wow! Lagpas tao. Ngayon lang ako nakakita ng baha na lagpas tao. Tapos, nalaman ko na tatlong-kapat na ng Luzon ay baha.

Grabe yung kinalabasan nung baha. Sarado ang Puregold. Sarado yung DIY shop. Sarado Chowking. Buti na lang at hindi nagsara yung Ting Qua Qua. Stop ang operation ng Alaska. Grabe ang kapal ng putik sa kalsada. Kaelibs talaga. Nakakaawa nga lang yung Puregold. Sayang yung mga paninda. Sarap pa naman nung Zagu nila. Tsk.

Who Wants To Be A Multi-Millionaire?

Bill Gates, Lucio Tan, Henry Sy, Warren Buffet, Jollibee, Ronald McDonald, at Colonel Sanders. Ano ang pagkakapareho ng mga pangalang binanggit? Hindi lahat nerd, hindi lahat enterpreneur, at lalong hindi lahat tao. Sila ang simbolo ng kayamanan at kaperahan sa ating komunidad. Sino ba naman ang hindi yayaman sa pag-imbento ng sikat na software, pag-aari ng iba't-ibang establisamento, pag-aari ng mga higanteng malls, o simpleng pagbenta lamang ng mga malalasang manok, samahan mo pa ng malinamnam na gravy. Sarap!


Nasa dugo na natin ang maging maalam pagdating sa pera. Gagawin natin ang lahat makakuha o kumita lamang ng kaaya-ayang halaga ng pera; maging masama man ito o talagang hindi pangkaraniwan. Kadalasan, nakatutuwa talaga makita ang mga Pilipino pagdating sa paghahanapbuhay kapag wala talaga silang pag-asa makakuha ng trabaho. Talagang pahirapan, talagang pasikatan, at talagang kakaiba. Walang ganyan sa states!


<->: Welcome to Megalotto 6/45! Our jackpot for tonight is P45,382,912.
<">: Wow! Ang laki ng premyo ngayon! [sabay tingin sa ticket]
<->: Alright, let's start! First number is 1......
<">: Ha?! Mga numero ko yan! Yes! Panalo ako! Woohoo!
<=>: Medyo mali ka ng konti honey.
<">: Bakit naman?
<=>: Replay yan eh!
<">: [hinimatay]


Kitams? Ganyan talaga mga Pilipino. Sadyang nakakatuwa. Sa sobrang excited eh hindi na nararamdaman ang paligid. Talagang nawawala sa sarili kapag napakalaking halaga ng pera ang pinag-uusapan. Pero sino nga naman ang hindi magiging pabaya sa kanyang kapaligiran kapag nanalo ka ng 45 milyong piso sa bente pesos na ticket.


<->: Welcome back to Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?. We are now in the jackpot question. Wala na pong help na natitira para sa ating contestant. Wala na rin pong choices sa question na ito. 10 seconds po ang time. Ready ka na ba?
<">: Reyding-reydi na po [sabay hinga ng malalim at bahagyang napautot]
<->: Alright, ang tanong mo ay... [sabay may tunog]... Kung ang 10+1=11, ilan ang kamay mo?
<">: [sa sobrang kaba, hindi na nakaisip] Sampu!
<->: [buzzer] Sayang talaga, ang tamang sagot ay dalawa. Dahil mali ka, you'll go home with nothing.
<">: Ano ba naman ito?! Una sa lotto, ngayon dito naman.


Isa pa ito. Wala nang mas susunog sa pag-asang mananalo ka kapag sumali ang oras. Dahil sa sobrang kaba, naiisip natin na parang 1 millisecond na lamang ang natitira. Mas lalong nakakaba at mas lalong nakakatawa; sa lagay na halatang hindi pinag-isipan ay kung anu-ano na ang mga nasasagot natin.


<->: 39 balls na po ang nakukuha natin. Isa na lang upang manalo ng jackpot na P1,000,000.
<">: [nag-iisip at binubulong sa sarili] O-69! O-69!
<->: Sa mga waiting po dyan at malapit nang bumingo, heto na po. Sa letrang O....
<">: [nag-iisip at binubulong parin sa sarili] O-69! O-69!
<->: Sixty--
<">: 69! 69! 69!
<->: Eight!
<+>: BINGO! BINGO! BINGO!
<->: Bingo na po mga kaibigan!
<">: [sabay sabi sa sarili] Lord, dyis pesos na lang po, pamasahe lang.


Ito talaga ang pinakamatindi sa larangan ng paswertihan. Wala nang mas nakakasuklam at nakakapangilabot kapag limitado ang mga tyansa at kalaban mo sa premyo ang mahigit isandaang taong naghahangad din maging milyonaryo. Talagang iihawin ka ng buhay, lalo na kapag malapit ka nang manalo.


Marami pa tayong paraan upang kumita at maging kasinghalaga man lang ng kurbata ni Bill Gates. Talagang gagawin natin ang lahat, makamit lang ang hinahangad na milyon upang guminhawa man lang tayo mula sa ating mga problema at pasakit sa ating buhay; kahit gaano man kahirap o kahihiya nito.


HOROSCOPE:
Virgo: August 22-September 22
September 14, 2009
- Pumunta ka sa Block 6, Lot 9, Auburn Hills Village, Baranggay Kawili-wili, Diliman, Quezon City dahil may magbibigay sayo ng P100,000,000 cash. Ngunit, bilis-bilisan mo lang dahil hindi lang ikaw ang Virgo sa mundo.

Napansin mo na ba?

Sabi sa mga iba't - ibang survey na tayo raw mga Pilipino ay isa sa mga pinakamasasayang tao sa buong mundo. Totoo naman, palagi nga naman tayong nakakakita ng mga taong tuwang - tuwa sa mga kwentuhan, usapan, at mga corny jokes. Sa lagay na isa nga tayo sa mga pinakamasasayang tao sa buong daigdig, masaya ba tayo na tayo ay mga Pilipino? Masaya ba tayo sa bansa natin? At higit sa lahat, may prinsipiyo at respeto pa ba tayo sa pula-asul-puti, sa araw at tatlong magigiting na tala? Para kasing nilalabag natin ang nilalaman at saloobin ng Panatang Makabayan pag nasa bansa, at napakalaking karangalan ito pag tayo ay nasa ibang bansa. Ano ba ang pinapakita natin?


Napansin mo na ba ang mga tambay sa kanto, bilyaran, sari-sari store, at sabungan? Pansin natin kaagad na puro beer, alak, at sigarilyo lang ang nasa loob ng kukote nila. Nagagawa pa nga nilang dumura sa mga gilid - gilid, sumabay sa asong umiihi sa tabi para may masisi, at laiitin ang mga taong natatakot at mas mahina sa kanila. Pero, sa mga mapapalad na makakapangibang-bansa, mapapansin natin na hindi nila kayang gawin ang mga kanilang pangkaraniwang gawain. Ano ba ang pinapakita nila?


Napansin mo na ba ang mga kaskaserong tsuper ng mga bus at jeep? Grabeng harurot! Talagang walang sinsantong kotse, mamamayan, at speed limit sign. Hindi lamang yan, sa itim ng usok na nagmumula sa mga malalaking tambutso sa likod ng mga behikulong nasabi ay halos wala nang makakita sa kalsada na nagsasanhi ng mga malulubhang aksidente, at binabawasan ng patinggi - tinggi ang mga buhay ng ating kabataan na magsisilbing kinabukasan ng ating bayan. Ngunit, pag sila nama'y nakakuha ng trabaho sa ibang bansa bilang tsuper, nagagawa naman nilang sundin ang mga patakaran ng bansang kinatutungtungan nila. Ano ba ang pinapakita nila?


Napansin mo na ba ang mga "uber" class na mga babae aka "kikay girls" ngayon? Alam naman natin na sila ang mga uri ng tao na maituturing maykaya at nasa mataas na estado ng pamayanan. At mas lalong alam natin na sila ang mga uri ng tao na sa isang tingin lang, alam na natin na halos lahat ng ari - arian dito sa lupa ay meron sila. Madalas natin silang makita na may pink handbag, high-tech gadgets, engradeng damit, at palaging tumatambay sa iba't - ibang coffee shops. Sa unang tingin pa lang, halatang pinapakita nila na lahat ay meron sila. Ngunit, hindi naman nila kayang gawin na magdala ng bayong, gumamit ng tsinelas na gawa sa abaca, at bilhin ang mga abanikong gawa sa iba't - ibang probinsiya sa bansa. Ano ba ang pinapakita nila?


Napansin mo na ba ang mga "enterpreneur" sa ating pamayanan ngayon? Sila ang mga dugong - bughaw, kumbaga, mga maharlika. Malamang, gawa sa ginto ang kanilang mga bahay. May plasma T.V. bawat sulok. Tubig ng toilet nila ay Pepsi. At baka nga, eh, shower nila pera. Para ngang ang bawat bulsa ng kanilang mga pantalon ay may perang hindi kukulang sa kikitain mo sa buong buhay mo. Sa ganitong uri ng pamumuhay, malamang, eh, napaka-enganyo ng kanilang kainan, yun bang parang mga kainan tuwing may appointment sa White House. Bawat order ay nakakabulol na salita at iba't - ibang spelling, tulad ng shish kabob/shish kebob/shish kebab/shish kabab. Ngunit, hindi naman nila kayang kumain ng mga pagkaing pagkasimpleng bigkasin tulad ng pakbet, sinigang, at ang napakasarap na dinuguan, sa publiko kasama ng mga mata ng sanlibutan dahil sa takot na masira at mag-iba ang pananaw ng mundo sa kanya. Ano ba ang pinapakita nila?


O, ano nga ba ang pinapakita nila? Kung alam mo, sagutin mo itong tanong na ito bilang isang mamamayan at matapat na Pilipino .....




..... NAPANSIN MO NA BA?

Dream Home

Marahil ay nakakita ka na ng bahay sa mga home magazines. Mapapansin natin na ang mga kagamitan ay parang kinulayan ni Michaelangelo, inukit ni Guillermo Tolentino, at halatang makikita sa bahay ni Boy Abunda. Pero lahat naman yata tayo gustong tumira sa isang magarang bahay. Nung bata pa ako, gusto kong tumira sa kahit anong bahay basta may swimming pool. Masarap sigurong tumira sa mala-world class gym na bahay ni Michael Jordan, sa high-tech manukan ni Jolibee, o di kaya sa bodega man lang ng bahay ni Bill Gates.


Pero, kung bibigyan tayo ng isang lifetime opportunity na magdesign at magpagawa ng sarili nating bahay ay malamang wala nang mga home magazines na kukunsultahin at kaiinggitan. Lahat na siguro ng bahay ngayon ay may automatic flush, escalator, amusement center, isanlibong helium balloons para makalipad, o secured secret compartment kung saan nagmamahjong ang mga Autobots at Decepticons.

Gusto niyo bang magkaroon ng ganoong bahay? Ako rin eh. Pero KUNG ako ang gagawa ng sarili kong bahay, ganito ang mga features:


- 10,000 sq. m lot
- 7 floors
- Bawat floor may 6 na kwarto
- Bawat kwarto my 2 C.R.
- Bawat C.R. may aircon at plasma T.V.
- Fingerprint lock technology
- May voice detection na doorbell
- Indoor pool complete with mechanical waves and 2 lifeguards
- 7 na katulong........ Bawat kwarto
- P50,000 ang monthly sweldo
- May 7 na plasma T.V. bawat floor
- May mini-sala bawat kwarto
- May playroom
- May mini-bar bawat kwarto
- May PS3, XBOX 360, at Nintendo Wii bawat kwarto
- May waterbed
- May waterfloor
- May waterfalls
- May engrandeng library
- May sinehan
- May bowling alley
- May sauna room
- May bingohan
- May ice skating rink (olympic size)
- May toy train na iniikot ang buong bahay
- May kumpletong Bose component system
- May Bose speakers sa kisame
- May high-tech kitchen equipment
- May mga chef ng KFC, T.G.I. Fridays, at Tuding's Porkchop
- May basketball court, gym, garahe na kasya ang 17 na monster trucks, may grotto na kasinlaki ng bahay, may 10 gwardya na nagpapatrol, Autobots lahat ng kotse ko, Royal Jet ang service, Aluminum ang pintura ng bahay, lahat ng nasa loob ay gawa sa ginto, dyamante, at chocolate, charmed ni Albus Dumbledore, kayang maglakad, tumalon, kumanta, at mag-pusoy dos.


Hindi lamang yan ang gusto kong ma-equip sa bahay ko, marami-rami pa naman ang dinodoodle ng utak ko. Pero kailangan din natin laruin ang laro ng buhay para makamit ang lahat ng yan. Speaking of paglalaro, kakapanalo pa lang ni Bumblebee sa mahjong.

Teleponong Pangkalawakan

Nauuso na ngayon ang UNLITXT, Everybodytxt, UNLICALLS, at kung anu-ano pang mga serbisyo na inihahandog ng mga telecommunications company. Marahil napakadukha na ng mga kumpanyang iyan kung walang mga serbisyong ganyan. Hindi rin nila yan ipapalabas kung wala rin ang pinagagamitan niyan, ang cellular phone, o ang patok sa kabataan ngayon, cellphone. [tanan!]


Nagsimula ang cellphone nang nangangalikot ng mga telepono at ina-upgrade ni Nathan Stubblefield. Naisip niya na kelangan ng mga tao ang telepono para makipag-ugnayan sa mga kaibigan. Ngunit, nagagawa lamang nila ito kapag nasa bahay, sapagkat may mga linya ang mga telepono, hindi nila ito madadala kung saan-saan. Inisip niya na lagyan ng "radiowave technology" ang cellphone para makatransmit na lamang ito ng mga frequency kahit saan man dalhin, maliban lang sa bundok. Bakit? Tingnan lang natin kung hindi mo mababali, mababasag, at makakain ang sarili mong buto sa kakahanap ng signal.


Ano sa tingin niyo ang unang nag-develop ng cellphone? Clue: Hindi Motorola, Nokia, Samsung, MyPhone, Sony Ericsson, o PLDT. Sirit? Na ang dugo mo? Sige na nga. Ang mga inhinyero ng Bell Labs sa AT&T ang nagdevelop ng kauna-unahang "radiophones" noong 1960's. Ginamit nila ang mga "radiophones" noong World War II para humingi ng tulong, back-up, at cheat codes para sa Metal Gear Solid 4 sa PS3. Dahil dito sa mga "radiophones" na ito nahikayat ang mga ibang kumpanya para madevelop ang unti-unting sumusikat na "radiophones".


Pagkalipas ng 40 na taon, ang mga tinatawag na "radiophones" noon ay patok na sa kabataan at hindi ginagamit sa giyera. Halos lahat ng kabataan ngayon ay may cellphone na. Ginagamit nila ito pangtext (emergency man, may pinariringgan lang, kay sweetie pie, para mang-ogags, at ang pinaka-importante sa lahat, mga jokes), pantawag (ng Jollibee delivery),pangkuha ng picture o video, pangtugtog (kung may music), pang-asar (mas maganda pag may music), o di kaya, pasahan ng mga kanta, pictures, themes, at mga-bagay-na-hindi-dapat-at-hindi-pinakikita-sa-mga-kabataan-ngunit-dahil-sa-sobrang-sipag-at-"pagkamadiskarte"-ng-mga-bata-ngayon-ay-lalo-nila-nalalaman-ang-ginagawa-ng-mga-malalagim-na-nilalang-na-nabubuhay-sa-mundo-ngayon.


Marami ring disadvantages ang cellphone. Dahil dito, medyo napapabaya na ng mga kabataan ngayon ang kanilang pag-aaral dahil nagkakaroon na sila ng relasyon sa mga kapwa kabataan na ipinakikilala lang sa kanila ng mga pinsan o di kaya, kung kani-kaninong number na nakikita nilang mga vandal sa bus, armchair, o sa pintuan ng cubicle sa banyo. Nalalaganap rin ang konsepto ng "P-word" (tatawagin na lang nating "P-word" para sa mga batang makakabasa nito. Para naman sa mga batang makakabasa nito, ang "P-word" ay isang uri ng salita na dapat niyong malaman pag kayo ay 20-40 years old na.).


Maliban sa mga negatibong bunga ng mga cellphone ngayon, ito ay isang magandang imbensyon at dapat ipalaganap ngayon. Dahil sa sobrang laki ng reputasyon at demanda ng mga magagarang cellphone ngayon, nagbubunga ito ng mga bagong cellphone na parang ginawa ni Albert Einstein, Bill Gates, at ni Estong Tutong. Matalino, hi-tech, at maganda para sa mga matatanda.


Maganda pa ang kinabukasan ng mga cellular phones. Baka pagdating ng 2030's, may watergun na ang mga cellphone. Hindi na muli magsasayang ng P20 ang mga grade school at high school students para magbasaan tuwing intramurals at foundation day. Baka rin maging laptop na ang mga cellphone. Magagawa na rin natin ang mga gawain natin sa trabaho, mag-research, o mag-surf ng videos ni MoyMoyPalaboy sa YouTube. Ngunit, sa lahat ng mga serbisyong nailalahad ng mga kasalukuyang cellphone ngayon, sana marunong ako maglaro ng Metal Gear Solid 4.

The Starbucks Principle by: Nick Garcia (taken from Bakit Baliktad Magbasa Ng Libro Ang Mga Pilipino?)

Haven't you noticed how Starbucks has taken the place of Megamall, Enchanted Kingdom, and Jollibee? Today, Starbucks spells gimmick. Suddenly, everyone is mad about coffee, and is willing to spend a whopping hundred bucks for "one tall mocha frappe please!" or "I'll have one grande iced coffee please!". Everyone claims it's different, it's something else, it's to die for. Instead of catching a nice flick at the cinema, the Filipinos' new idea of fun is to voluntarily park their buns at the cafe and gulp all the caffeine they can.


No one knows exactly why Starbucks has become the hot spot, when what they serve is just foamed Blend 45 for crying out loud. Oh, try pointing this out to Starbucks fanatics (i.e. the likes of teeny-boppers and kikay girls) and you can expect getting attacked on how little you know about coffee, Get ready with answers like "Duh!, Starbucks isn't just coffee! They're ground beans and processed chocolate and skimmed milk! What do you know about that?"


They have a point there, though, because even in the United States, when you talk about coffee, Starbucks comes first. Their ingredients are never questionable, and if I'm not mistaken, Starbucks is an established-since-year brand. In short, Starbucks is the coffee authority. But it ends there. Starbucks is coffee, period. Certainly not a gimmick place of some sort, not convincing enough as an alternative for the mall. This, I repeat, is the case in the United States.


But Starbucks invades Manila and here it becomes an obsession. As you may have already seen, the interiors of Starbucks cafes are all designed to create a distinct ambience. Notice from the Italian-tiled flooring, to the cowboy-motif wall covering, to the fancy lamps, tables and chairs crafted like those only seen in home magazines. Of course, who would miss the complicated bar counter, behind which all the grinders and blenders are dislayed as if to remind you that they really do process your cappuccino.


I mean, who can resist frequenting a posh place like this? Instead of worrying about other important things, the typical kikay teenager puts on her best dress, and with her kikay friends, goes straight to starbucks where she orders "one tall caramel frappe please!" This takes time to prepare, which is fine. She feels rewarded by the fact that the ethical barista would shout her name across the room by the time her frappe is ready. After she claims it, she heads for the self-service corner where she takes excessive packets of extra sugar, extra cream, an inch thick of Starbucks tissue paper for souvenir. Then, she sits by the front window, hoping someone she knows would pass by and see her drinking expensive coffee. She takes remarkably small sips in order to prolong her stay, like a real smart-ass.


During the entire process, there is the obligatory flaunting of Nokia cellphones, the occasional eruptions o "yeah" and "sure" here and there. You get the impression everyone in the room is from the conyo sector. Pathetic as it is, the Starbucks atmosphere is so contagious that it simply brings out the social climber in one.


You have to admit that the Philippine franchiser-whoever he is-deserves credit. He's not certainly stupid. He sees through us Filipinos, and definitey knows how to flatter us. Mr. Starbucks is aware of the average Pinoy desire to be associated and considered among the elite because well, in reality, the average Pinoy is far from being that. The average Pinoy home is less attractive than a place like Starbucks. The average Pinoy meal is without garnishes. The average Pinoy environment is less comforting and convenient than the service of Starbucks.


But when in Starbucks, the average Pinoy is instantly made to feel he's in New York, or Las Vegas, or Paris, or anywhere else but Manila-one probable reason why we Filipinos buy this flick. We are total suckers for anything that is western concept. But Starbucks has gone beyond colonial mentality; it has become pure escapism. It helps us forgt about EDSA traffic jam, the hostages in Mindanao, and the decreasing popularity of Erap. In this age of harsh realities of poverty and chaos, anything that offers oblivion and temporary indulgence sells fast. No matter how costly it is.


With their little creativity in repackaging, Starbucks is no longer just coffee. It's already a religion. That we Filipinos practically worship that green logo with the exotic lady shows where we derive our strength to move on. It is the promise of Starbucks every pay day.

4 shapes of an Ace

Many of us consider the Ace as a lucky... umm... thing. Many consider it as the luckiest card in the whole 52-card deck. But the luckiest Ace for me is my family. They are the luckiest card in my life. There are 4 shapes of an Ace in the deck. I describe my family as the shapes of an Ace card.


The Ace of diamond resembles my father. Diamonds are girls' best friend, so does a king. My father is the king of the family. He is the one who makes the rules, keeping the family in shape, and keeping the family in order. He is a hardworking father. He wants the best for the family. Even though he works every day of the week, he can still find the time to spend the rest of his day with us. He is the breadwinner. He provides us "bread" and is a winning dad to us. He inspires me to be a great man one day and to be a great father to my own children in the future.


My mother resembles the Ace of heart. Heart is famously known for love. She is the greatest mother that I have ever known, not only as a mother but also a teacher and friend. She loves us no matter who we are. In fact, she loves us so much that she also helps my father just to give us our needs. She is the one who gives us our allowance and budgets the family money. She spends money so wisely. She never give anything that she thinks isn't necessary for us. But if we can afford it, she would give it. She wants us to be happy and to think that the world is a fun place to live in.


Ace of clover is my sister. Clover, to me, is a young leaf that looks like it just sprouted from the ground. My sister is still growing up. She has a lot more to learn about the world she lives. She is still hooked in to toys, even though she is already a Grade 5 student. She also likes to dress up. My room looks trashed because of her scattered dresses. She also cries so loud. Every time I tease her, her cry sounds like a shriek. But, even though we always fight, tease, and bug each other, she will always be my pretty, little sister and I like her just the way she is.


The Ace of spades. It's me. I don't know what a spade resembles but I do know what my role is in my family. I am the one that would take care everything in our home whenever my parents are gone. I must take care of my little sister. I will substitute my parents in teaching my sister things she needs to learn. I know that I can't do all these stuff; that's why I will still need the help of my parents. I may not be a perfect brother and son, but I will try to be the best that I can be.


We all have families. They keep us up when we are down. They help us during our bad times. They give us all the things we need to survive. We are not going to live with them when we are grown up. That's why we need to spend our best times with them as much as possible; because in those times we can remember how great our families are and how they shape us to be great persons we can be.

The Principles Of Wasting Time

Wasting time is my favorite pastime. It is what I do when I am bored. Many people hate boredom. They hate to do nothing. That is why we have hobbies. Hobbies are something we do to have fun, entertain ourselves, or just simply killing boredom. It is where we express our likings on things and actions where we actually get a sense of happiness while we are doing them.


I love sleeping. A lot. It is my greatest hobby that I can share to you. I love to relax and roll around my bed. My bed usually gets cold because the two windows are near my bed, so fresh air is always going inside my room, and onto my bed. I spend nearly half of my weekends sleeping, sometimes even more. Whenever I get the opportunity to sleep, I will definitely seize it. That is why sometimes I like boredom. It is the one that lulls me into sleep. I don't know why I like to sleep, but, it surely helps me to be energized everyday. However, due to the long time that I spend sleeping, whenever I wake up, I feel sleepy again. Or is it just that I am a very sleepy person? I'll never know.


You'll never see me walking around the mall or someplace I go without my MP3 player. I am a big fan of music, although I don't use it at home. I am a follower of metal music. Most people say they are just noise, but they are not. They just focus more on their instruments and play them in a thrash way. They are music too. I mostly listen on bands like Slayer, Lamb Of God, and Metallica. They inspired me to listen to a new level of music. I thank them for bringing metal to myself and the society. I just hope many would realize the beauty of metal music many would listen to them. I hope.


Puzzles. Puzzling, aren't they? They are my brain gym. If we have a gym for the body, we also have a gym for the mind. They maintain proper functions of our mind. I am that person who loves to think. I sometimes create my own problems and solve them myself just for the sake of thinking. My favorite puzzle is a 3-dimensional cube puzzle which is solved by rotating its 6 sides, or popularly known as the Rubik's Cube. It is the ultimate puzzle and "time waster". It is also the best-selling toy in history. I can solve the Rubik's Cube at a fair time, but I will keep the exact average confidential. Besides the "Cube", I also love Sudoku. I have joined Sudoku contests around the school. They are my best mind workout. Puzzles aren't only one that I use to train my mind. I also read detective riddles. I like to use clues and solve the case myself, like a real detective. But I think they are puzzles too, in a more literative way.


The greatest hobby ever created is playing. No person in the whole face of the Earth has never played at least once in his/her life. All people do it. Kids, adults, senior citizens, and even priests play. I don't know how priests play, but I assure you they do. Playing is everything we do to have fun and be satisfied. Computers, sports, puzzles, drawing, and doodling are all sources and reasons we play. I even consider sleeping as a type of my playing habits. My mind always play, nonstop. It always plays whenever and wherever. I am proud of my 3-pound meat in my head because it is capable of extreme "multi-thinking". Yep, "multi-thinking". My mind always thinks something while it is thinking. I don't know why and I don't know how.


Those are some of my principles of wasting time. There are still more. A lot more. I can't enumerate or tell them all in here. I can't concentrate on them because my mind is "multi-thinking" again.

8 years as an Augustinian

Colegio San Agustin -Binan has been my home and source of education for 8 years. I know almost all corners of the institution, except for the teachers' section in the library. But I did not start my education there. I studied at Amazing Grace School for 2 years, namely, Nursery and Kinder.


I first stepped on the campus floor when I took my entrance test for Preparatory last 2001. I was going to enroll to Casa Del Nino when my mother decided to enroll me here because she thought that it was better for me to study here. When I got the result, I got a fair score. Fair enough for me to be recommended as a Grade 1 student. But my mom chose to let me study first on Preparatory. My first day as an Augustinian was on July 5, 2001. The classes on Pre-school Department were suspended because the building where we are going to stay are still under construction. I was an official transferee and a certified Augustinian. My first year was not bad. I was a studious kid back then. On my first graduation, I ranked 7th Academic Excellence. I consider that as an outstanding achievement for me since I was a new student. I soon thought that I can still manage this kind of excellent performance. But I was wrong.


Elementary is obviously different from Pre-school. It has a distinctive ambiance that told me that I can't continue. But I never gave importance to that. I gave importance to my education , not to what level I am stepping on. I kept telling myself that I can survive this, although I would need time to adjust to the new ground, new environment, and the new atmosphere. I was now an elementary student. I started off as a Grade 1 student. Many old students were there. My first Augustinian friends, some familiar and unfamiliar faces, and new students. During the first few weeks, I was a mess. I can't understand anything. But, as time goes on, I gradually get the hang of it. I understood the lessons. I can do so many different things that I wasn't able to do when I was still a pre-school student. 5 years later, I was, again, a graduating student. It was, again, a new world. So many lessons, so many projects, so many problems. But I got over them. I ended up graduating as the 9th Honorable Mention. That award gave me the though that I overcame all the struggles and obstacles during that 6-year-long elementary life.


After graduation and a bi-month long summer, I found myself entering the golden gates of the High School Department. Most people say these are the best four years of our school life. But, I never looked it that way when I was a freshman. I didn't adjust that quick to the new level and new hardship of my education than on elementary. I was becoming a bit rusty during may freshman year. But, my friends gave me company, namely: Jeps, Nico, Josh, and Eduardo. They were my source of pride and joy. We always have laugh trips and, at the same time, we helped each other when one of us is down. They were the best part of my freshman year. But, tragically, I wasn't incuded at the recognition awardees that year. It was my first ever to spend an early summer. I was a bit disappointed to myself. But later on, I realized that I still have 3 more years to improve, 3 more obstacles to overcome, and 3 more given chances. After another bi-month long summer, I am now a sophomore. I find my sophomore year better than my freshman year, since I have already adjusted with the department and from my disappointing freshman year. My brothers and sisters today are awesome. Even if we are together for just 2 months, I feel like we have been together for quite some time. Many different faces but more familiar faces. I don't mind if there are different students. We are here to learn together, share together, and have fun together. I hope that this bond of my section and "siblings" will be stronger as time goes on.


My life in Colegio San Agustin has been great. I now feel what it is like to be a great part of the Augustinian family. But, I know that there are many more obstacles to overcome, more miseries and laughs, more faces to meet, more teachers to greet, more lessons to learn, and more experiences to remember. My journey in this institution is far from over. I hope that maybe my last 3 years in Colegio San Agustin would be as great as the experiences I got from this school, so that, whenever I feel dreadful during my college years, I can remember my great life that I have got from my great Alma Mater.

Bob's 3 books

I am the guy whom you'll see reading books in the bookstore but ain't buying. I love books. They were my source of joy before I discovered the infamous World Wide Web. For me, books are just like people. They have their own stories to tell. They are judged by their cover. They are not fully understood once not read. Every book is unique; so are people.

One day, my cousin gave me 2 books made by a man hiding in the pen name of Roberto Ong, aka "Bob Ong". Many people say that Bob Ong is just his pseudonym. Well, no one is sure except the publishers of his book, maybe. He has made 7 books. 3 story books and 4 essay-like books. He is that kind of guy who knows what is happening to his country and to himself. He is so good that he made them into books. He even made his own website, but he shut it down because he couldn't manage it anymore. I like him because of the way he writes his books. His books tells about everything that is happening to our country and its people. He is making us realize it by writing mostly the negative traits of our way so we can learn from it.

So here are my 3 favorite books:

First, Ang Paboritong Libro Ni Hudas. This book tells us the superstitious and unusual ways the Filipinos live. He even included a dead person (which symbolizes us) and God. The man doesn't believe in God at first because he doesn't believe in gods after all. Then on that long conversation, God finally explained to that man everything he should know about Him and himself. After the man understood, God gave him a second chance to live. This conversation tells us that God ALWAYS gives second chances and He knows more about everything than about everything that we know. Aside from that, this book has unusual articles that describes the traits ofthe Filipinos which cannot be classified as "good" or "bad".

Second, Kapitan Sino. This book tells a story about a repairman named Rogelio Manglicmot. He is a 25-year-old man who almost spent his working life inside his shop, which is filled with the things that he should repair. One day, his friend Bok-Bok gave him the idea that he has "special powers" when he saw the lightbulb hanging above Rogelio's head lit, when the electric power were off. He first sprung into action as a "ninja" because he covered his face with his t-shirt. Then, Bok-Bok and Tessa, his blind friend, made clothes for him. He is now ready to fight evil and save his barrio. Later on the story, a dreadful disease spread, where blood would come out of people's body. The doctor's found out that only Rogelio's blood can cure the disease. They extracted so much blood from him that he had lost all his power, as a human and hero, which led to his death. His friend Bok-Bok would later on continue Rogelio's deed as long as he can do it.

Last, and my most favorite, Bakit Baligtad Magbasa Ng Libro Ang Mga Pilipino? This book tells about EVERYTHING we Filipinos do. The way we live, our government, and our cultures and traditions. He emphasized there the positive and negative traits of Filipinos. He also stated there about his own understanding of a Filipino. He also told there about how the Filipinos live from sunrise to sunset. He wrote there about funny things about Filipinos. He stated that it was funny because Filipinos have good thoughts but they are having a hard time expressing them, which lead into funny results. From the middle until the end of the book, he wrote articles from his site, which is known as bobongpinoy.com. From that part of the book, it was kind of interesting. It was there where he stated about his feelings and perspectives about him being a Filipino. That part had a very srong impact me because most of them are EXACTLY what a Filipino truly is, although we don't realize.

Mr. Roberto Ong, for me, has the most inspiring books. His books can give much emphasis on how we act, how we think, and how we live. He taught me through his books about how I look and think about myself as a Filipino, as a hero, and as a person.

The Miracle Of My Life

The miracle of life. Amazing, isn't it? I know. Well, let me share you my story.

On the 1st day of September 1995, 2:00 in the afternoon, one baby boy finally felt the warm and bright light of the operating room, which is the first light he has seen. He still doesn't know what are the things, noise, smiles, and joy around him. He still doesn't know why was he born and what was his purpose for his family, life, and community. The next light he saw was the face of his mother, who overcame her 9 months of pain and labor. His parents gave them their first love as a mother and as a father to their first broodling while they are gifted by his sweet cry.


After 4 years of life, he still doesn't know much about anything, but he did learn how to read, write and understand. At least. Then, he learned about school. He thought of school as a place for kids, teachers, pencils, and papers; where they are taught about pretty much anything. Well, that child didn't worry much about that. He was so curious that he wanted to understand why he was studying, why there is a school, and why there is a need to learn. He wanted to look forward. He wanted to move forward. He was that kind of child who is so interested in his future, althought in every step of his childhood years, he doesn't care about his next step. He doesn't think about it. He doesn't care about the consequences, whether they were good or bad. He was just curious. He was still curious.


A decade of existence in this world, he slowly realize about his objectives in life, goals in life, and life itself. He is learning more and is still learning. He has a lot more to realize, a lot more to learn, and a lot more steps to take. He now know almost every basic statement in this world. He understands its fundamentals and is getting ready for the next challenge. He also know how to decide about his next step. He understands first whether it will be for the better or for the worse. He is starting to think independently, and is starting to try more things and gain knowledge from them. He still wants to know his world; and he definitely wants to know his life.


13 years of walking. 13 years of existence. 13 candles already blown. 13 wishes have been made, but only few were granted. He knew that those wishes must be done for them to be granted, but he only hoped for it. He already felt hardships in life. He already fell face down, wounded, and bled; all while walking life's long road and slowly learning more about himself, life, and its meaning to him and why he it was given to him. A new chapter will start. He will need to prepare for it. Prepare for its challenge and its joy.


After 13 years, I only learned two things: First, Life is a journey. We must cherish every day and don't worry about what's next. Just let it happen. Second, and most importantly: Life is a highway; and I don't want to ride it all night long.