‘Bye’ and ‘Hello’ with a BANG!!!

The –BER BANG!!!

I was awaken  by the blinking lights nearby just a few moments before realizing it was my cell phone. Half-awake, I checked the small clock on my study table beside my bed.. oh it was 12 am. Why does my phone so busy?

 Aha! It was no ordinary 12 am.. it’s 12 am of September.. so what? Nah-uh..Not my birthday. It was the start of the –BER month!!!  And my phone was flooded to “death” (to bat-empty) with the “Advance-Merry-Christmas” greetings from friends, acquaintances and clanmates (I’m a proud member of the Harry Potter Clan of the Philippines). Oh yeah right.. I almost forgot.. it signaled the “coldest-warmest” days were starting (“coldest” ‘coz rainy days and “warmest” because of the festive atmosphere is yet to come).

Much more greetings welcomed me as I step our classrooms and on the way home, we passed by some establishments starting to put up their Christmas decors.  Christmas carols reigned the radio stations and some TV programs flashing the countdown and their joyous ,meaningful and colorful station ID’s

The LOUDER BANG!!

And the December scenarios were far more exciting. A lot more to expect. More hymns of “jinggom bells” (as those kid carolers loudly sang it), more luxurious Christmas decors, the Christmas BONUS for the employees (and sometimes the thirteenth month pay was given that early). Malls were filled by myriads of shoppers. Christmas parties here. Christmas parties there..  and of course the traditional exchanging of gifts.!!

And, well, who would dare to take even just one absence in the “nine mornings”. The Misa de Gallo caused the chapels and churches literally overflowed with people. Filipinos are mostly Catholics so the practice of keeping vigil for nine days consecutively is no rare to most of us. It is the simplest sacrifice in preparing our every hearts to be the manger Christ, the savior.  And for whatever reason, it was the only nine days of the year that churches needs extensions and more chairs. The rest of the year, it’s either the churches are filled or just halfway full. The very reason why one priest once included in his homily to celebrate “Misa de Gallo” in all the days of the year. J

And after that nine mornings, the most anticipated “Noche Buena” is prepared after a 10pm  Holy Mass. Food was served in abundance to be shared by the whole family in the Christmas eve. Now one thing I’ve noticed is that “last-minute-shopping” thing like buying groceries on the 24^th of December believing that because it’s the last day of mall operations before the Christmas break, there would be fewer shoppers, but, alas, I have to fall in line just to get a cart and start shopping and another ages spent to wait for my turn at the cashier. Hahaha. I never thought of the possibility that I have the same belief with some 1000 people. J so I think next time I wouldn’t consider “last-minute-shopping” as a nice choice ‘coz it’s the most challenging choice ever!!! Hahaha.

And starting from the 26^th of the month, beach resorts  and resto’s would be rarely empty that you’ll have your reservations mostly rejected. This is because those are the common venues for Family Clan Reunions.

The LOUDEST BANG!!!

                Aside from the 21 gun salute at the Luneta Park as the Philippines used to celebrate the death anniversary of the greatest Filipino once existed.. the Philippine National hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, fire crackers are already fogging the streets. While traffic jams most likely to occur to the streets where stalls of fireworks and firecrackers are located.

                It was not a Filipino thing really, but we derived it from the Chinese. Believing to lure in good vibes and luck and “shoo” away the bad ones. Whatever it is really, the thing there is it made the New Year’s eve more colorful and festive!

                And when the clock hits 12am of January, the atmosphere was merrier. You’ll better shut-up for a while; you cannot talk amidst the varying decibels of bangs everywhere! The colorful fireworks display filled the sky and smokes filled the open air.  As usual, being  superstitious, food  is again served in every Filipino table.  Even those that are not so well-of, never let their table empty. Otherwise, it was believed to have caused your table be empty for the rest of the year. As for us, we are just six in our family, but we had “thirteen round fruits”, the ham, fruit salad, macaroni salad, buko pie, chocolate cake, pancit bihon, steamed fish, various chocolates, leche flan, beef steak, softdrinks, wine and more importantly, WE HAD EACH OTHER. We offer all these to the New Year, with all the hopes that it will bring the same abundance and togetherness all throughout the year. And we shared the food anyway, to those whoever pay a visit the next day.

                Well, it was “one year” after December 31^st .. welcome 1-1-11!!!!!!

River Companion

I walked along the river

It was calm and cold there

I feel I could shiver

Blowing my hair was the zephyr.

I stopped for I suddenly see

A girl in front of me

Crying, helpless, I can see

She’s probably pleading in me.

Pathetic, yes she was

If only I could calm her

If only I could make it last

If I am just stronger.

In that cold misty night

I want to help her fight

The nightmare that’s killing her being

If I don’t fear, if I’m just braver.

But like her,

I’m defeated, outcasted, down and feared

I’m gloomy, I’m running away

From the pain that’s tearing me.

I look at her sad eyes

I feel like invading her thoughts

There I saw plights

Yes, she’s weary and so am I.

I want to talk

But I’d rather walk

I was alarmed she’s following me

I’m guilty so I faced again her plea.

Yes, she needs companion

And I feel being so

We stared each other

Eyes, thoughts were talking but no words to utter.

For a moment,

I came to know her

She’s not different from me

And we’re like each other.

I came to realize later

We have the same battle

To fight fear, the gloom, the pain

That’s like dagger, it’s tearing.

Just then I’ve found comfort

It’s the serenity that took us both

I’m relieved I’m not alone

Thanks for that river; I’ve met my reflection….

MY MAJOR, MAJOR what?

“I haven’t done any  MAJOR, MAJOR mistake…” Quoted the Miss Philippines-Universe Maria Venus Raj. The answer that made her one of the most talked about icons of the recently concluded Miss Universe 2010. She might’ve failed to bag the crown home but still, she brings honor to her native land, Philippines, by just making it to top 5. I’m a fan and I will always be.,

Well, inspired by such “MAJOR, MAJOR” quote, it made me think of some “MAJOR, MAJOR” things I’d love to share. And here they are:

My MAJOR, MAJOR embarrassing moments:

*to tumble down a wooden stair, catching the attention of some 200 people from an open gymnasium nearby. had i turned into a popping bubble?! (it was when I joined a journalism seminar/contest. Lucky, I won 2^nd place, it compensated the thing at least)

*to mistakenly play one wrong chord in a Holy Mass messing up one whole song. (oopss. Did the priest got mad? lol..glad the choir sang, still:)

*while drinking soda in a birthday party, a friend related a real funny joke, I wanted to laugh so hard yet the soda is still in my mouth…. (oh did it really run out of my nose??? Hell YEAH! Oh!)

*to be in the midst of the “wrong classmates” and a “wrong teacher” glaring like “who the heck are you?” just because I’ve entered a “wrong classroom”. (lessons: wake up early, avoid tardiness, don’t come rushing)

*turning the valve of a faucet in a resto, no water, turn it again, and again for the nth time, still no water. Only to find out it should be pressed! (did they see me? Oh!)

My MAJOR,MAJOR academic accomplishments:

*to be consistently on the honor lists during my elementary days.

*to be hailed class salutatorian of our batch (elementary years)

*to win the first time a science quiz bowl when I was in my 4th Grade.

*to bag the gold medal for two consecutive years in Communication Arts Fest

*to win and be qualified to the regional competition in Campus Journalism.

My MAJOR, MAJOR frustrations:

*to be able to play the guitar

*to be able to learn how to swim

*to be enrolled and to graduate a Journalism Course

My MAJOR,MAJOR food cravings:

*piñato (a local delicacy)

*paella (of Spanish derivative)

*chicken adobo (best when cooked by my mom J)

*mango float ( olalah!)

*pastel (a local delicacy from Camiguin)

*moist chocolate cake

*leche flan

*lechon (roast chicken or pork)

*spag.spag.spag (I love pasta!)

*lasagna (yum!)

*fruit salad

My MAJOR,MAJOR must-see places:

*Japan

*Spain

*Korea

*HongKong

*Taiwan

*Indonesia

*Thailand

*France

*California

*Nevada

*Russia

*China

*Germany

*and some local tourist spots of my very own PHILIPINES!

My MAJOR, MAJOR hated subjects:

*calculus!

*differential equations!

My MAJOR, MAJOR dreams:

*to meet the cast of Harry Potter Movies

*to meet JKRowling

*to meet some fave Korean Celebrities

*to circumnavigate Earth and to travel some must-see places before leaving the world

*to meet my soulmate! (haha)

YOU LOVE ME? YOU LOVE ME-NOT?

It was roughly ten years ago when I got my interest in music. I was able to join in a school band called "RONDALLA"  a band playing stringed instruments. It was my former classmate/friend who encouraged me because she said it was so much fun! I used to join in a lot of school stuffs before, mostly academic, that is why I want to try something new...

The first meeting with our trainer started afterclass but because I was one of the room cleaners I didn't made it on time. I was rushing and catching my breath when I reached the school's music theater. Glad he was in the mood, instructed me to get my instrument from a separated room not so far from the practice area. When I get there, I was kind of "oh, what to choose?". There were two identical instruments left there. Ugh! No choice. Got to pick either. 


Later the trainer told me it was called "octavina". Absurd? yeah. I don't know a thing about octavina. T'was terrible at first but later, amazingly, I was able to play it the way it should be. It's very similar to a guitar, differences are it's a little smaller than the original size of a guitar and it has 14 strings. 



After some weeks of sessions, we were told that we're joining a competition so we need intense training. To help us so, our trainer brought his selected students to our school to assist us. And that's how I met "Ate Wella". She was the one who first inspired me to learn how to play the guitar. She is amazing. But unfortunately, she wasn't able to train me for she has to watch over our training in octavina. She was instructed to do the polishing. And that was a frustration really. And because I have much greater concerns, I just let it be.


I was able to let it passed. But weeks after the competition, we're back to school at that time, I met another amazing guitarist in the person of our Math practice teacher. It had become his  trademark to start the class by rendering a song. He used to carry his guitar around. Another thing I couldn't forget about him is the song "GROW OLD WITH YOU" by Adam Sandler from the movie The Wedding Singer. Our teacher used to sing that song and that made the song my fave until now..




But until now, I still couldn't play it for I wasn't able to learn the guitar. Wonder if it really loves me. Why can I play the octavina? And during my high school days my papa told me to have keyboard lessons so I can be the choir's organist at our chapel. And yeah! I was able to do it! I can do the chords in the organ.. 

My papa really bought me one so I can enhance and practice well my music.

Why not guitar? I really find it very difficult. Maybe because I got little fingers. They couldn't play complicated chords (lol)..Though I already know the basics. I just have to learn more and more.. OR MAYBE IT IS NOT REALLY FOR ME..  OR MAYBE NOT NOW..

Yeah! Am still looking forward for the day that I could play "GROW OLD WITH YOU" with my own strumming.  I had one now.. and for now.. it would be an ornament in my room. :(

Anyway, I know SOMEDAY I CAN! :)
and that it will love me too, just as I love it.. :)

a dedication for my bestfriends.. i missed them.. :)

THAT CORNER..

It’s never empty and lonely

That corner where my mind flee

When my thoughts of you run happily

Your smiles, laughter, so lovely to see

In that that corner we always stay

In that that corner we’ll always be

Friends forever as you’ve promised me.

But cruel moments sometimes try to steal

Those memories that used dwell

Like treasures kept in that corner

But never will I permit

That the corner I used to keep

Will slip away or be buried deep

Because it’s one great possession

That I held and will hold along

As my life progress on.

That corner in my heart

Will never be torn apart

Hoping that corner will again

As real as it is way back then

I do miss you, my bestfriends… L

my first commercial building plan with Corel Draw 12

these are the first plans i have created using computer software Corel Draw 12.. it's a simple commercial building not so architectural,

 anyway that's already a work of an architect.. :)

this is the perspective

the front view elevation

the right side elevation

the rear elevation

the left side elevation

the beam lay-out plan

the floor plan for the first floor

the floor plan for the second floor

...and the foundation plan

i used them for our timber design subject (CE513).. :)

i'm looking forward of working with AutoCAD the next time around and maybe do some 3D images of my house plans.. :)

Image via Wikipedia

MY THOUGHTS…

…ON THE ENIGMA OF HUMAN SEXUALITY

As a devout Catholic, I have been guided by my faith. I do believe that man alone is nothing; that everything is created by the supremacy of God. Hence, I will have my conservative insights on human sexuality.

Everything governed by the natural law is supposed to what they should. If man is rational and dogs are irrational, therefore man is not a dog and vice versa. Having this in mind, I came to think that we should watch our actuations if they are in accordance to the race we belong.

The biblical text mentioned a Godly commandment not to commit adultery. This includes prohibition on fornication, pre-marital and extra-marital sex. Constantly changing partners of intimate relationship is no more than an habit of dogs. Let us not put down ourselves to a lower pedestal because we are rational creatures! And dogs? They have a state of mind inferior to mankind. Try not to be one.

When God said, “Go to the world and multiply”, it clearly implies that sex is on the purpose of racial survival. Hence, sex is mandated by God not by lust or any other human desires. It must be under God’s justification through marriage or holy union which both partners will remain partners that only death can separate.

The unjust philosophy on sexuality has developed flaws on socio-economic stability and serenity of the society. The growing trend of premarital sex on both adults and teens nowadays seemed to cause turmoil in the society. Issues on this matter has constantly been buzzing everywhere.

Those favoring such culture don’t seem to notice or care for the consequences. Say, the spread of STD’s (sexually transmitted diseases), issues on abortion assaulting the value of life and population explosion due to rapid birth rate that is eventually caused by alarming number of teenage and unwanted pregnancy.

See how wrong philosophies on human sexuality has become? It has already losing its real purpose. Well, it’s just very simple. Value yourself as a temple of goodness. Value marriage and put sex where it should be.

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