What makes you, as a Filipino, happy?

I stumbled on a very simple, yet hard to answer question while reading News updates in FB. I clicked on Mojo's blog link and it got me thinking... How does being a Filipino make me happy?

Ano nga ba? Or should I say, dapat ba akong maging proud of being a Filipino?

My country, is dysfunctional for the past decades. From a foreigner's point of view, it is a ticking time bomb. There are so many things that are not in order. Sabi ng mga kaopisina ko, " Malaysia is less safer than Singapore, but cannot be worse than Philippines, right?". Nakakalungkot man isipin, at mahirap man idigest, pero there's a ring of truth into it.

Graft and Corruption, pollution, crab mentality... These are just some things that make my country ugly. And these are some of the factors that make other Filipinos despise the country they were born in. But not me.

I have said this many times and I would say this over and over again. Sa Pilipinas ko gustong tumanda at magtayo ng pamilya. Babalik at uuwi pa rin ako sa Pilipinas. Bakit?

Because my fellow Filipinos brought me up to a culture I don't see in most nations. Allow me to enumerate.

Respect for elders: No matter how successful you have become in your career, it is intrinsic in most of the Filipinos the respect they have for the elders. The continuous usage of "po" and "opo" has been instilled to us since the first time we started talking. During family reunions, and you have dozens of relatives, you will go around first and pay respect to your Lolo's, Lola's, Tito's and Tita's by "pagmamano". And this respect doesn't end within Filipinos. You will feel the respect even while interacting with other races.

Compassion: Filipinos by nature, are compassionate. I have seen people sharing what they have to others, even if they don't really have much. They provide a support system when things seem to crumble. The offer a flicker of light when everything around you turns dark. They give hope when you have nothing to hold on to. Filipinos overseas could attest to that. A fellow Filipino's smile can give you warmth on a cold winter's day.

Survivor: How many times have we been hit by calamities? How many times have we had our fair share of economic crisis? Countless. But each and everyone of us never gave up. Each and everyone of us rised up from every tribulations that have come and become better people. We perservere, we work harder, we sacrifice. Unending optimism and faith that someday, things will be better. That little by little, our meek country will shine again and show the world what Filipinos are truly made of.

Talent: The Filipinos are very talented. They are flexible and creative. They can work on any type of jobs and excel on them. The dedication and determination to deliver something in its utmost excellence is something that I find in the work that Pinoys do. Most professionals don't settle for mediocrity.

Family: Wherever life will take a Filipino, he will never forget his family. Most Filipinos will have their own "extended" families. From their friends, to their friends' own families. They will look after each other. Their families would remain steadfast even if the rest of the world walks out on them. And, despite how long they have been separated from each other, the bond remains strong and endlessly talk and pick up where they left off...

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Other than the rich culture and the values intrinsic to Filipinos, another thing that makes me proud is Philippines' natural beauty. The breath taking sceneries, the land and marine biodiversity, will remain unparalleled by anywhere else in the world. I have seen some parts of the Philippines in different perspectives (high up in the mountain or down below the sea) and I always fall in love with it.

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Yes, Philippines may be dysfunctional and can be damaged beyond repair. Despite my country's imperfection, I love my country. And I stand proud to say (more than happy) that I am a Filipino. Sa isip, sa salita at sa gawa.

...kapag ginulo ka ng pag-ibig...

Marami kang iniisip, naiisip at gustong isipin. Pero mas gusto mong malaman ng lahat ng tao ang lahat ng kabangagan mo. Wala lang. Magpapansin. Umasang may mag-rereply sa senseless thoughts mo. Mag-advice. Magsabing, "Oo.. naiintindihan kita.." Pero ayos lang sayo kahit di nila basahin to. Bakit pa? Sino ka ba? Nakakadiri. Ayaw mong tuksuhin ka nilang, "yuck!! Ang mushy mo pala!!"

Sa lahat ng kaibigan mong humihingi ng advice tungkol sa pag-ibig, ang sinasabi mo lang palagi, "Tange, kalimutan mo na lang yang nararamdaman mo. Korni mo e. Ang OA mo pa. Guguluhin lang nyan buhay mo." Ang sasabihin pa nila sayo, "Talaga? Buti ka pa, wala kang lovelife. Di ka stressed. Di ka kinakabahan palagi --" "At di ako mukhang tanga."

May na-offend ka na naman. Pero pakialam mo ba sa kanila? Totoo naman a.

Tapos bigla mong mare-realize, may problema ka na rin pala. Hayop talaga. Gusto mong sumigaw. Bakit may nanggugulo na rin ng buhay mo ngayon? Ang dami mong crush, grabe. Yung isang classmate mo sa Math17, isa sa Hum1, dalawa sa Geog1, dalawa sa PE2, isa sa Math100 at isa sa Chem16. Si Mike Bravo ng Maroons, si George Chia ng Blue Eagles, si Kogore ng Shohoku. Si Dao Ming Shi at si Mei Zhuo ng F4. Si Enrique Iglesias. Si Legolas. Si Ron Weasley.

Sixteen. Imagine?

Pero di naman nila ginugulo ang buhay mo.

Ayos lang di ba? Kaso may isang taong di mo maintindihan kung bakit kahit anong gawin mo, talagang ginugulo pa rin niya yung buhay mo. Para siyang mangkukulam. Kahit saan nakikita mo siya. Inalis mo na noon yung pangalan nya sa phone mo. Kaso sinulat mo pa rin yung number nya sa diary mo. Engot ka talaga. Tapos nilagay mo ulit sa cell mo. Tapos inalis mo ulit kase nainis ka. Naihagis mo pa nga sa kama mo yung phone mo e. Tapos naisip mo wala rin namang epekto kung nasa cell mo siya o wala. kaya nilagay mo na lang ulit.

Tapos binura mo na talaga ngayon. Panahon na para kalimutan na talaga sya --- naiisip mo.

Okay na? Hinde. Mas malala.

Na-memorize mo na kase yung number nya. Tsk tsk tsk. Naaawa ka na talaga sa sarili mo.

Naiinis ka pa kapag sinasabi sayo ng mga kaibigan mo, "Nakita ko sha sa A.S. kanina." Asar na asar ka. Sabay sigaw with matching facial_____expression, "PAKEELAM KO?"

At magtatanong sila ng isang tanong na matagal mo nang hinihintay na sagutin sa harap ng maraming tao: à "Baket? Ayaw mo na ba sa kanya?" Tatahimik ka muna. Parang si Lei sa harap ni Tang Chin. Magbubuntung-hininga. Tititigan silang lahat na naghihintay ng sagot mo.

Biglang magkakaron ng split personality disorder, ngingiti at magsasalita: "Sino yon?" Nagandahan ka sa ginawa mo. Effective. Wow, para talagang di na nya kilala. Biglang makikita mo siya. Ayun. Mabubuwisit ka talaga. Maaalala mo yung mga panahong pinagmukha ka niyang tanga. Yung panahong kailangan mo siya. Yung panahong iniwan ka nya sa ere. Yung panahong tinalikuran ka nya.

Masisira ang araw mo. Wala ka sa mood makipagtawanan. Sisigawan mo ang kaibigan mong natapakan ang white rubber shoes mo. Gugustuhin mong balatan ng buhay ang lahat ng taong nagtatanong kung bakit ka wala sa mood. Hihilingin mong mong makapag-teleport ka papuntang Egypt.

At bigla mong maririnig ang isa sa mga kaibigan mo, "Ganyan talaga pag in-love." May background pang mga palihim na tawa. At sabay-sabay silang kakanta ng --- Why do birds suddenly appear.

Di ka makakapagsalita. Mararamdaman mong umiinit yung tenga mo, yung leeg mo, yung mukha mo. Bigla mong maiisip ang pinakaepektibong palusot, ngingiti at magsasalita, "Sino yon?"

Ayos na sana, kaso di mo naisip na mali yung statement mo. At bago mo pa mabawi ang sinabi mo, sasabihin na nila, "Baket? Me sinabe bang pangalan??? Yak!! Halata!!!"

Feeling mo masusunog na sa init yung mukha mo. Kahit anong pilit mong kalimutan siya, mabilis talagang kumalat ang balita. Minsan naglalakad ka. May masasalubong kang dalawang taong di mo kilala. sila. Titingnan ka, mula ulo hanggang paa, at maririnig mo ang isang bulong: "Yan ba?"

Grabe, ang ganda na naman ng araw mo.

Di mo na lang papansinin. Kahit nakikilala mo na sila. Isang araw naman nakikipagkwentuhan ka sa isang ka-block mo. Gwapo. Niloloko mo pa nga tong taong to na siya na ang pinakagwapong taong nakita mo sa personal. Hehe, tawa nya. Ang saya-saya mo, biglang may dadaan sa likod mo na dalawang taong di sinasadyang naging pamilyar na sayo. Lumingon ka, at pagtalikod mo, nagsalita ang isa: "Pinagpapantasyahan e no." Sasagot ang isa pa, "Oo nga."

Oh hindee!!! Anong nagawa mo??

Titigil ka na sa pakikipagkwentuhan. Aalis ka na lang na punung-puno ng sama ng loob.

Naaasar ka sa lahat ng tao. Bakit kailangang pakialaman ang buhay ng taong ni hindi nila kilala? Bakit kailangang pagtawanan at ipagkalat ang mga bagay na di na dapat pinag-uusapan? Marami pang version yung mga naririnig mo sa kanila. Minsan ganito, "Siya yun." O kaya, "Ows? Yan yon?" Hayop. Marathon eavesdropper ka kase.

Kahit ikaw mandidiri sa iniisip mo.

At matapos mong malaman ang lahat ng bagay tungkol sa kanya, kahit yung nilihim nya at nalaman mo lang nung tapos na, naisip mong kalimutan na lang talaga siya.

One time nakipag-chat ka.

musta luvlyf?
meron b?
.wlang kwenta
ows? bkt? :(
basta. wla syang kwenta.
mahal mo?
huh?
mhl mo p rn un.
weh
honestly, mhl m p rn ba?
argh!
ewan
wlang kwenta pero mhl mo.
tsk tsk

Matitigilan ka. Tititigan mo yung monitor ng matagal.

am i ryt?
hey

Ita-type mo yung "gtg" nang di oras. May kasama pang "nys miting u" para di halatang nabwisit ka sa sinabi nya. Alt-F4. Disconnect. Shut down.

Asar na asar ka na talaga sa sarili mo. Di mo na gustong mag-teleport. Gusto mo na lang talagang ma-dissolve sa hangin.

Ikaw na ngayon ang nangangailangan ng advice. Pero walang kwenta lahat ng sinabi nila. "Kalimutan mo na siya." PAANO? "Wag ka kase magpapaapekto. Wag mo isipin yung sinasabi ng ibang tao." HA?!? ANG LABO!!! "Marami pang iba jan." EH SIYA NGA LANG EH!!! Aasarin ka pa kapag sinabi nilang, "Bakit di na lang si _____? Yihee. Okay naman siya ah." Ngek, ano yun, ganon lang kadali?

Nakatitig ka ngayon sa monitor. Pabalik-balik ka lang sa lyrics.com, sa CRS, at sa email composer mo. Nakakainis. Di mo na alam kung ano pa ang sasabihin mo.

Tama, bwisit sa buhay yang feelings na yan. May magtatanong pa, "Bakit mo ba yon mahal?" Wow pare, wala kang maisagot. Buti pa sa Math pwede kang manghula ng formula, pwede mong paglaruan ang solution mo. May partial points ka pa. Eh sa tanong na yon? Tsk tsk. Malabong mangyari yon.

At kung BS Love and Affection ang course mo, 'tol. mas mabuti pang mag-shift ka na lang sa BA Emotionlessness and Insensitivity habang maaga. Malamang magkita pa kayo don.

Paulit-ulit mong sinasabi sa sarili mo na wala ka na talagang pakialam sa kanya. Pero bakit pag nakikita mo siya, natitigilan ka pa rin? Minsan, kaibigan mo na yung nagsasabi sayo, "O, kala ko ba wala na?"

Tatawa ka na lang. Lalakasan mo para di mahalata yung teary eyes mo. Di ka na naman makakapagsalita. Litong-lito ka na. Di mo alam kung bakit nga ba ganon. Kung bakit ka apektado. Kung bakit nagbabago ang lahat pag nandiyan siya. Kung bakit gustung-gusto mo siyang bigyan ng nerve cells para maramdaman niya ang lahat. Lahat.

Ngayon, ipapadala mo to sa mga kaibigan mo, sa mga ka-block mo, at sa iba pang taong wala talagang pakialam sayo. Sa kanilang lahat, di mo alam kung sino talaga ang may tiyagang tapusin ang ganito kahabang senseless na mensahe. Di mo rin alam kung sino talaga ang mag-iisip para sayo. Di mo alam kung sino ang maaapektuhan.

Somehow, gusto mong ma-disconnect ka na lang bigla. Maubusan ng internet credits. Sabugan ng pc. Mag-brown-out. Biglang mag-collapse. Umiyak. Malunod. Maging ipis. Uminom ng Skele-Gro. Mabagsakan ng asteroid. Maglahong parang bula.

Kase, tama yung sinabi ng naka-chat mo. Sinasabi mong walang kwenta, pero mahal mo. . . . . . . .
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.... Sobra.

taken from PEYUPS

Nice Guys Finish Last

It’s amazing that assholes can get girls. Actually, now that I think of it, it’s not that amazing. They are assholes at heart, but to meet girls they lavish their undying love. IT’S A CHARADE. They act nice, friendly, and they listen until they get into what they’re after. Their prey thinks they are in love with them, however when they realize what assholes their predators really are, they pretend like the asshole is really nice inside. The girl tries to change the asshole into a nice guy, but assholes will always be assholes. She gets upset and goes to the nice guy to complain about the asshole. But she claims to love the asshole now this is where the theory begins. She doesn’t want to look like she is easy so she wont dump the asshole right away, instead she will stay with the asshole. Girls are idiots. They don’t realize that the nice guy has been there all along. He never had to pretend to be a good guy to get girls because he is naturally like that. However, girls don’t see it for some reason or another. They look at the nice guy as a friend, a trusted companion to whom they can tell their sad story to about their asshole boyfriend. But the nice guy isn’t THAT naïve. He was trying to score with the girl he listens to all along. The problem is that since he is a nice guy he keeps listening. Since girls get attached to things that pay attention to them, they think of the nice guy as a friend. A FRIEND. They don’t say, Oh he’s hot or I want to have his children about the nice guy, they just want the emotional support. When they get the emotional support from the nice guy, they don’t need it from the asshole. The nice guy gets the worst end of the stick while the asshole gets all the action. I am starting to wonder if being a nice guy is really the route to take to get action I have been down this path for all of my post-pubescent life and it has gotten me NOWHERE at least not in the women department. Perhaps another reason why girls fall for the asshole is because assholes ignore the girl they are with. The women wonder, Why isn’t he paying attention to me? so they explore why. They poke and prod and get closer to the asshole. They start to get easier with each attempt to get closer. The asshole finally says, I’ve let this beauty dangle long enough, time to boat this bass. It is then he puts on his charade and the girl feels like she has won him even thought all she has won is an asshole. Once you have gone down the path as a nice guy or a listener you can’t turn back. The girl will always go after the assholes because there are always nice guys there to listen. Once you realize that you are a listener you cant do anything about it just pack up and close shop. There is no way you will get into her pants ever. There is and never will be a situation where the nice guy will get the girl he has a crush on. It just doesn’t work like that. The girl wont come to her senses and realize what an asshole her boyfriend is like in the movies instead she will just go after another asshole, and unless you stop being a nice guy, she will never go after you. Women complain that there are no nice guys in the world. Right. They are obviously not looking hard enough because there are nice guys EVERYWHERE!!!! Girls aren’t looking for nice guys they say they are but they’re not. They are looking for the perfect asshole, but there is NO SUCH THING as the perfect asshole. All in all, the nice guy gets the shaft. To all the girls out there with boyfriends that don’t treat you with respect, that don’t listen to you, and that don’t care about you I say this; look next to you. The guy that has been standing next to you the whole time is the guy you have been looking for. He is what you want your asshole to be like. He knows more about you than you know about yourself because he has listened to it all...

taken from: PEYUPS

...the one that got away...

...have you, ever in your life, had a "one that got away"?

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In your life, you'll make note of a lot of people. Ones with whom you shared something special, ones who will always mean something. There's the one you first kissed, the one you first loved, the one you put on a pedestal, the one you're with...and the one that got away.

Who is the one that got away? I guess it's that person with who everything was great, everything was perfect, but the timing was just wrong. There was no fault in the person, there was no flaw in the chemistry, but the cards just didn't fall the right way, I suppose.

I believe in the fact that ending up with someone, finding a longtime partner that is, does not lie merely in the other person. I can actually argue that an equal part, or maybe even the greater part, has to do with the matter of timing. It has to do with you being ready to settle down and commit to someone in a way that goes beyond the little niceties of giddy romance.

How often have you gone through it without even realizing it? When you're not ready to commit in that mature manner, it doesn't matter who you're with, it just doesn't work. Small problems become big; inconsequentials become dealbreakers simply because you're not ready and it shows. It's not that you and the person you're with are no good; it's just that it's not yet right, and little things become the flashpoint of that fact.

Then one day you're ready. You really are. And when this happens you'll be ready to settle down with someone. He or she may not be the most perfect, they might not be the brightest star of romance to ever have burned in your life, but it'll work because you're ready. It'll work because it's the right time and you'll make it work. And it'll make sense, it really will.

So that day comes when you're finally making sense of things, and you find yourself to be a different person. Things are different, your approach is different, you finally understand who you are and what you want, and you've become ready because the time has truly arrived. And mind you, there's no telling when this day will come. Hopefully you're single but you could be in a long-term relationship, you could be married with three kids, it doesn't matter. All you know is that you've changed, and for some reason, the one that got away, is the first person you think about.

You'll think about them because you'll wonder, "What if they were here today?" You'll wonder, "What if we were together now, with me as I am and not as I was?" That's what the one that got away is. The biggest "What if?" you'll have in your life.

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...my letter of resignation...

I am hereby officially tendering my resignation as an adult. I have decided I would like to accept the responsibilities of an 8 year-old again.

I want to go to McDonald's and think that it's a four star restaurant.

I want to sail sticks across a fresh mud puddle and make a sidewalk with rocks.

I want to think M&Ms are better than money because you can eat them.

I want to lie under a big oak tree and run a lemonade stand with my friends on a hot summer's day.

I want to return to a time when life was simple, when all you knew were colors, multiplication tables, and nursery rhymes,but that didn't bother you, because youdidn't know what you didn't know and you didn't care.

All you knew was to be happy because you were blissfully unaware of all the things that should make you worried or upset.

I want to think the world is fair.

That everyone is honest and good.

I want to believe that anything is possible.

I want to be oblivious to the complexities of life and be overly excited by the little things again.

I want to live simple again. I don't want my day to consist of computer crashes, mountains of paperwork, depressing news, how to survive more days in the month than there is money in the bank, doctor bills, gossip, illness, and loss of loved ones.

I want to believe in the power of smiles, hugs, a kind word, truth, justice, peace, dreams, the imagination, mankind, and making angels in the snow.

So . . . here's my checkbook and my car keys, my credit card bills and my 401K statements. I am officially resigning from adulthood. And if you want to discuss this further, you'll have to catch me first, cause........


....."Tag! You're it."

"...after all this time, i never thought we'd be here... when my love for you is blind..."