A scary yet discriminatory beliefs in our Barangay.
Being raised in a remote place in Bukidnon, it was not surprising how my neighbors believed in supernatural being like manananggal and most especially vampires. There was one rumor in our place that this old woman probably 50 years of age was a vampire. What made them accused her where in fact she was not that typical vampire who possessed a very intimidating visage as we could see in movies and whatsoever.I mean, she couldn't be a vampire, she was very approachable and upon looking at her, you would probably said she was beautiful and pesentable despite of her age. The vampires as far as I knew were afraid of light. they disguised as human, they were immortals who could live for how many centuries. A cold blooded immortal who could read your thoughts and could predict what will happen in the future. Vampires could move from place to place in a blink of an eye and I don't think so she possessed all those stuffs. She was really an ordinary woman who couldn't dare to do cruel acts like sucking one's blood and eating human organs for survival. She could not really did that thing. Why? because she never ever qualified to be a vampire.


That popular notion reached her but I didn't knew how she reacted. She was still calm as if nothing was going wrong.


I admitted that before,I felt intimated and even threatened but upon growing up I realized that I should not.


Perhaps I had this idea that they only used her to scare their children not to wander especially in the evening. It was very disappointing then how they destroyed one's moral for personal interest. I hope they would consider that...



It was funny how ignorant my people in Bukidnon but I could not question them for accusing her, for believing such thing because it was their ideology and I could do anything to change it. Maybe someday they would realized their mistakes and probably asked for forgiveness for what they had done to " Annie", our neighbor.

POLITICS

As a student in political science, the word or idea that occupies the largest part of my brain is the word politics and some other words in relation to this word. Politics as defined is the art and science of Government, It deals with public affairs and that is the distribution of goods and services to satisfy the demands of the public. What's the common pitfalls of misinterpreting the meaning of politics is often it is equated to the words governance or governments which tackle different scope and concept in the science of politics. Politics is only a concept or a term which refers only to the political system in the allocation of resources for the welfare of the entire populace.

Conflicts will arise as the individuals are not satisfied to the services of the government, as they complain if the government officials are not responding effectively to their clamors and demands but let us consider that we suffer from the scarcity of resources so it is expected that all our demands to the Government will not be fully given. In this situation, politics then in another definition is the art of preserving social order as the Government finds some alternative to resolve the conflict being presented.

Politics is omnipresent in our society. The moment there are negotiations between individuals or among individuals, the moment you convince your friend to accept your point of view on some matters, it is politics. The crossing of ideas and concepts and ideologies to meet a unified and integrated and generalized ideas and concepts and ideologies, it is politics.

Politics is not bad as it is defined but it can only be so if the one who practice or execute will use his power and authority and influence to deprive the real essence of politics and instead alleviate himself to the wealth of the people.

Effective Inspiration... "CRUSH"!?

I remember the time when I was a young fellow, haha...Being a graduate from a Barangay Elementary school, I usually received blatant discrimination from my new classmates in high school who were a graduate from central school more advanced than my school. There was this boy, my crush, confronted me and thrown some degrading words like who am I to excel in class I am just a graduate from a no standard institution. I was trampled on in another sense. I was deeply hurt because he was someone of value to me and all those inhumane stuffs were coming from him? what a pity to myself. Not only him who treated me like stupid lass in our school, some, I noticed on the way they looked at me as if I am someone of no value and no standard and whatsoever it were in their minds I didn't know. All I knew was that they didn't like me and they didn't want me to excel in our academic subjects. (laughs).

Well as the one being degraded of course I felt some crashing pain and anger in my heart. But later on I realized that I am becoming the box office queen in our class. All my actions and ideas were very monitored and I felt this responsibility of studying hard, of burning my midnight candle to sustain my popularity. I was just kidding but really it was the way I viewed the situation back then. Feeler! right?( laughs)

I also remembered one of my classmates labeled me "amming girl" because I usually uttered "am" word when I loosened  my ideas in reciting. Well I could not blame her power of observation. She was right anyway. And again because of that very disappointing label, I also felt the eagerness to eradicate those words in my vocabulary. Every evening I read a lot of books, reading them aloud and discussing what it contained to practice my speaking ability. I also faced the mirror and lectured myself as if I am a teacher. It was a tedious process to erase  manner of speaking but I did it though there were some errors still on the way I speak but as long as I achieved something out of those intimidating label, It was all that matter.

It was hard for me to handle situations back then but I had no choice but to view those stuffs as a compliment in order for me to keep going or else I would be suffocated in an area full of humiliation without even acting to overcome the situation.I thanked those who discriminated me before because in their very painful words I learned and stand to prove that I'm not worthy of their accusations. My gratitude to my former crush who contributed a lot in both pains and gains in my life. You dig up to the core of my heart that keep it beating and pumping and now continually burning for another challenge to conquer. Thank you Jovann Glenn.

Hostage Drama in Manila

I, deep in my heart blamed the system of governance we had in the Philippines. We had the enacted constitution here in this institution yet, sometimes we, Filipinos especially those in public service disregard its establishment. As promulgated in the Philippine codified constitution, every individual should not be deprived of life, liberty and equality without due process of law nor any individual be denied in the protection of the law(Art. 3 sec. 1), now come to think of it, Does the Government unit provided Mr. Mendoza due process of law?.He was denied and worse the police officers even arrested his innocent relatives. If ever you will be put in his shoes, quite sure you will also be agitated. I've read an article stating that the fault of one man should not put in the others, a very true statement that the fault of Mr. Mendoza should not be put on to his relatives also.
I'm not protecting Mr. Mendoza indeed I despised his brutal actions. He did lost his moral and dignity as awarded police officer in the Philippines. I pity his conduct but if he was given due process, maybe he will do such cruelty.
Whose to be blame then?
The answer is in our instinct...We had different perspectives and analysis about the case and one thing, I cannot impose what perspective in you nor you can impose your perspective in me..
we cannot bring back the time and the best thing for us to do is to move on and accept our lapses providing that that thing will never happen again in the Philippines. Lets take it, though its hard, as a lesson and a message to all of us especially to the Government officials to provide even more safety environment by proper police training and of course gadgets like ammunition and armed combats for the use of the police authorities during training and actual operations.
Does media also had lapses in the detailed coverage of this police operation?
Yes, they had and it's up to you how you interpret their lapses.
My condolence to the victims of the hostage drama and to the family of Mr. Mendoza. I know it's painful to lose your loved ones. Let us pray and I know someday, wounds will be healed in God's grace and mercy...God bless us all brothers and sisters.

DEPTH OF GRATITUDE

I just saw the frofile picture of my eldest ate in the facebook and I felt guilty of how she looked. I never recognized her at first, she did changed. I saw from the picture the tired looking lady with a faked smile. It seemed that she was carrying all the burdens of the world. I saw deep within her eyes how tiresome her work in Dubai. She did sacrificed herself just to send me and my elder ate to college. If only I could help her carry some of her burdens. But I could not. All I could contribute is prayer and seriousness in my studies.

I wanted to apologize for all my lapses here in the Philippines. Spending sometimes unnecessary things and others. Sorry for being lazy sometimes in my studies, sorry for everything. Te if ever happen you'll able to read my blog someday, I want you to know how I appreciated your efforts and sacrifices abroad. How I work so hard to compensate your efforts and how I pray every now and then to keep you safe and protected in God's grace and mercy. You're the reason why I'm here in this institution, why I able to pursue my dreams despite our economic status and forever I owe my life to you for giving me the oppurtunity to study. Thank you for being my ate and I'm very proud of you. You're the best among the bests ates in the world.

I miss you very much te...I miss our bonding as two very close sisters...I'm looking forward to see you next year November 2011...love you very much, tambok...hehe...

Building a Bridge

I always witness my mama and papa quarrel to the extent of having physical injuries on the part of my mama and seldom to my papa. There was one time my papa punched my mama that caused separation between my two parents. Life is a hell for me without the presence of both. I was extremely affected at those time. I was angry to my papa why he did those to mama. But I realized that I had no right to blame anyone. I am only 11 years old and was innocent about the situation. I didn't even know the cause of misunderstanding. I just kept my mouth shot and continued life despite everything.There in the house, life was cold and useless. I didn't want to eat nor wanted to exist. I had no one to lay my problems because my brothers and sisters were busy in their life as if nothing happened and I didn't want to open it to my friends. I was alone carrying the burden on my own. One time I talked to mama if there's a chance to go back to papa and talked to papa if there's a chance to be with mama for the sake of us, their children. there was no positive response. Didn't know if what am I doing can worsen the situation or can cause again war between the two important warriors in my life. Call me selfish and self-centered. Don't care. All I wanted those time was to build again our broken dreams as one happy family. I was so damned obsessed to bridge the gap and frantically looking for a plan to do it. I'm in a hurry to do it and I realized things cannot be solved quickly as I wanted. It took almost two months to settle the problem. My mama and papa talked privately about their condition and saw the bad effects especially on my part about their separation. For the sake of me and my brothers and sisters, they came up with the solution to build again our family. I was so happy being the youngest at those time. It was the happiest moment in my life, to see my family together again, happy and intact and alive.

bridging the the gap between my parents is I considered as the biggest role I performed in life and will never be tired to perform again if the same situation happen. God is so great. He let me to experience it in order for me to value family, the source of my strength and courage to adapt and accept and fight the ups and downs in life. Many realizations I learned from the past and will always be thankful to God and family for making me strong and positive thinker despite what happened . ....Hope to impart lesson to the reader... Thank you....

The Mysterios Mountain

While reading, I was given the appropriate view of the mountain, Mt. Apo. Its was clearly described that gave me the whole picture of what the mountain looked like though I was not there. I can relate the reading through my own experience there in my hometown, Bukidnon. I myself experienced the magnificent feeling of being in the mountain. I always climb Mt. Pulog during Semana Santa, fasting, sacrificing, Praying and repenting to Almighty Father for all the sins I've committed in life. Though it is not as big as Mt Apo but reaching its top is somewhat like an achievement and oppurtunityfor me to take a look to some Places in Bukidnon and of course to see and witness the beauty of nature created by our almighty Father. In top, I can feel the very very fresh air that relaxes my entire body, the clouds that is almost reachable, the trees and some flowers that ceases my pain and sorrow. How I wish to stay there because there? there's always peace and silence that I really really wanted especially in times of difficulties....
In this coming Semana Santa, I still planning to climb Mt. Pulog hoping that through reaching it, I will be born again, painless and fresh and ready to start and live life to the fullest...

Personal Reaction

Saying " Thank you" is a sign of appreciation for an act given heartfully. Yet many people forgotten its value and instead judge a person based on what is visible to the eye. In the story, I felt disappointed on the part of the students, families and shoppers who were there degrading the scruffy old man because of the man's physical appearance. They were not aware that what they showed indicates how uneducated they are. why? because for me education and personality can be measured not on the knowledge per se but on one's behavior, how he manifests himself to diverse culture, how he acts or interacts accordingly, how he shows good values to others as he values himself. The problem with these "people" are they are too blind because of their education or status quo to the point of making a boundary that separates them from those who are less fortunate in life. That instead of helping the society through their education, wealth, influence, they even worsen the society using that boundary. That saying " thank you" develops a standard which must be addressed only to people with a high attainment in life, All I can say that instead of humility, they develop this certain kind of Pride having a certain qualifications and standards...I hope other people realize and change that kind of set up...I hope so...

Louis Armstrong - What a wonderful World music video

"The Difference between Possible and Impossible Lies in a Persons Determination"-Tommy Lacorda

It simply means that achieving something beyond usual is a choice which is determined not by circumstances but by one's own will. Impossibility arises when someone is aiming too high and viewed in one's perception that the assurances of reaching is below average. It all depends in one's guts and determination how he takes the risk and continue his mission or stick to what he believe that it is really impossible without even acting or trying. I guess, that's it, the only difference does not lies in the possibility or impossibility itself but in one's decision and determination whether or not to take the risk of trying.
These circumstances happen to me every now and then. That sometimes I feel the odds of achieving something because it was already in my mind set the impossibility of reaching. That sometimes I'm not growing nor learning because of the fear to dive in. It was later that I realized that I was wrong, absolutely wrong.
One experience...
I was an ordinary girl who lived in a remote place somewhere in Bukidnon. I haven't had a clue what was the world looked like outside Bukidnon. Illiterate in modernized gadgets, Knew nothing how the city looked like. I was 13 years old, an innocent girl who believed that mingling with the city people, studying in a big university, adapting to another cultures and beliefs were impossible for me to cope. As time fades, experiences gathered, knowledges acquired and parents inspired, I took the risk of exploring the different world far from my world, far from my belief and understanding, of all the tears invested I found myself growing and learning, and surviving to the world which I thought was impossible to reach. For some people they don't had a hard time adapting places to places but for me it was a big deal that later through determination, I found myself with them, mingling and laughing and sharing. I was so happy...Weird story but it was true how I viewed the world back then....

What a Wonderful World

Before hearing the music...This is the favorite song of my father. I was amazed how my father looked at life to its positive side despite of his big responsibilities having seven children in the family. My father is a good and responsible man, a man who never shows his real love to us, his children but never fails us to feel it. I love my father so much and I want him to know how I treasure his existence here on Earth. To my father, we, his children are the greatest thing that happen to him. Despite of his sufferings and sacrifices for us, he's still happy and contented and enjoys life and sing this song....What a wonderful world...

I hope I can inspire people to change their negative views in life about something or someone through this music...listen to it, open your heart and remember the happiest moment you spent with your father.....

Saving lives in the middle of Holocaust...
It's a noble act of a man who played a very crucial role to provide safety in the wilderness of human murder to the extent of putting his own life in danger. Tutsi Christians were degraded, discriminated and were systematically slaughtered by the Hutu who claimed Rwanda as Hutuland. Tutsi were regarded as cockroaches that must be killed. Despite this Rwandan Genocide, one man, with a heart that beat responsibly to needs of his people faced all the burdens, thus created miracle in safeguarding more or less 2000 Tutsi individuals.
This life threatening event caused so much traumatic experiences to the Tutsi people.This movie showed the injustice in the society wherein some races oppressed for personal interest. It portrayed how illegitimate the Hutu government was, Accusing the Tutsi for an irrational act against their government which was also part of their strategic plan to start and create conflict between the two races.But despite all the threats, it never dampened the desire of the Tutsi to spare all their lives and to conquer the Hutu. They did it.

(sigh)..What a cruel place to live in huh?..
This movie is the best movie I've watched because it entails the realities in our society wherein there's discrimination, isolation,degradation and deprivation of one's right to gain power, internal control and authority. Although obsolete right now. But even in this hopeless time, the spirit of brotherhood arise in each and everyone making things possible and free themselves from the oppressors. Helping each other is the only thing they hold in order to survive and they survived. The guts, wisdom,power, leadership, hope and cooperation makes the whole movie captivating,nurturing and amazing...

Hotel Rwanda Trailer

On Wings I Conquer

I really don't know the purpose of my existence.Sometimes I asked myself who really I am.I am Nikka but what brought me here in this semi-cruel place where I can picture out is the suffering of the people.Maybe I'm here to offer myself for the sake of others, to bring happiness to the oppressed and unhappy people, to see the world myself and offer what I can offer. I really don't know. I have no directions in Life honestly until I saw the situation in my family and was enlightened. They made a positive outlook in me and gradually changed my perspective towards life. In them, I gain strength and courage to have my own mission and determined enough to fulfill it. I begin to see the other face of the world now which is full of happiness, hope and courage that I never notice before. I begin to enjoy life and determined enough to fulfill my mission and raise my family from poverty. They are my happiness and the foundation of finding the real meaning of my life.
In fulfilling my mission, I've through difficult times. Sometimes I won, sometimes lost, terribly down, lose hope but I always take the risk to stand up and try it over again. Tears, sweat, strength are invested hoping the income would double the investment.I know that I'm still a centimeter to a kilometer that I should reach in order to achieve my mission in life and I know also that as long as I have my family who believes in me and of course the Almighty Father, my savior and redeemer, I can conquer all the burdens, hindrances, obstacles, hurdles,odds that may block my way towards achieving that goal.
I only have a simple mission in life and that is to raise my family from poverty through hard work, determination and education. It's amazing how I conquered all the bad dilemma I encountered and still on the process of experiencing it over again and at the same time conquering and surviving still despite everything. Survival is the only thing I hold to pursue what I ought to pursue. It;s just like the Parable Of The Eagle: On Wings I Conquer.