BIRINGAN CITY-- A city beyond reality

Grabe. Sobrang creepy yet interesting ng story na ito about BIRINGAN CITY IN SAMAR. Read. http://m.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=333214640066827&id=289243791130579&set=a.316915645030060.82774.289243791130579&__user=100000072486486

Cut the greed, not the green. Save trees!

SM has uprooted more than 8 trees as of April 10, Tuesday. Workers began cutting at about 10pm Monday night, April 9 according to Baguio residents on Twitter. And from that moment on, dozens of concerned citizens marched to the area to mo nitor the so-called "midnight murder of trees". Since January this year, baguio residents have been campaigning against the decision of SM Development Corp to remove 182 trees from Luneta Hill as part of its extension plan. The mall is planning a 7-level open air retail, dining and entertainment site. The expanded area on Government Pack Road will be 76,000 square meters. Unfortunately, the expansion plan has been approved already by their City Mayor Mauricio Domogan. As of now, the protests still continue. The spirit of the people's concern to save the life-giving earth bears up even more. Since Monday evening, citizens have flared on Twitter over SM's uprooting of trees. The hashtag #SaveBaguioPineTrees is now the top trending topic as of posting time, along with other two related topics. Court vs. SM On the same day SM released the statement, a Baguio court issued an order to stop Sm from further cutting trees-- a temporary victory for protesters. Now, the battle goes on. The protesters and all other concerned citizens stand firm and unite with nature against the opponent side, the greedy SM Baguio. Truly, this expansion project is a devastating enemy of nature. But as we all know, proven and tested, NO ONE CAN WITHSTAND THE NATURE'S FURY. With almost 200 trees gone, lives are at stake. We are still hoping that SM would set aside the greed they have and realize how destructive the after effects will be. Also, let's be one with those protesters who fight for nature. Let us all have high hopes that this murder finally ceased down and rest.

The sweetest honey-- LOVE

He introduced Love to me. He unleashed the true meaning of love. He unearthed the magic in it. And he did all this, by SIMPLY loving me, faithfully.

Maaagos ang lahat ng pagbabago

Ilang beses na rin namang nasasambit na Walang permanente sa mundo. Sus. Paulit- ulit na parang sirang plaka tayong pinaalalahanan ng mundo sa katotohanang ito. Naniniwala ako dito. Pero ang alam ko, walang permante-- maliban sa pagbabago, at pagdedeaisyon. At bakit ba, kahit nangungulit na ang katagang ito ay hindi tayo marindi at gindi tayo matuto... Tulad ko. Tulad mo. At tulad rin ng iba pang umibig na umasa sa habangbuhay na tagpo. "Sabi ko sa'yo, walang forever. Lahat naman ay natatapos, mabuti na rin at aware tayo na matatapos din tayo someday. Basta, sulitin na lang natin habang tayo pa, ngayon." Isang mabilis na taon narin pla ang lumipas nang panindigan ko ang mga linyang iyan habang magkausap kami ni Manuel sa telepono. Alam naman namin na may posibilidad na matapos kami at tanggap namin iyon. Kaya, hindi kami nagsasabihan na mamahalin namin ang isa't- isa habang porreeebbeerr. Isang kaulol-an ang "I love you, FOREVER" para sa aming dalawa. Ang bilis nga naman ng panahon, pati kami nagpaagos sa daloy nito. Maraming nagbago... "Tandaan mo,mahal kita habang buhay.Hindi kita ipagpapalit at hindikita iiwanan.Tayo ang panghabambuhay.Hinding-hindi ako magsasawa sayo FOREVER". Lintik. Kasabay pa ng mga suyong ito ang marami pang mga pangako na "forever". Hindi narin namin namalayan na sobra na pala naming minahal ang isa't- isa na umabot sa puntong nabali na namin ang pinanindigan namin na mga kaulol-an noon. Parang umikot ang mundo namin Sa pag-ibig ng bawat isa. Hindi namin namalayan na nanalig na kami na poreber nga kami. Nang tumagal, nabuo na ang mga pangakong walang iwanan. Masaya kaming magkasintahan, walang duda. Parang umikot ang mundo namin sa saya... Saya, na akala naming panghabambuhay. Isang malaking pagsampal ng tadhana ang sumalubong sa relasyon namin makalipas ang isang taon. Kinailangan naming maghiwalay. Uulitin ko: Kinailangan.Naming.Maghiwalay. Alam mo yun? Ginawa niyo ang lahat para kalabanin ang katotohanang walang porever, pero sa huli, tadhana parin ang nagwagi. Sa huli, kahit gaano pa kamakapangyarihan ang pag-ibig niyo, talo parin kayo. Sabi ko na nga't wala namang masayang tagpo na kasama mo hanggang langit. Napakaraming pangako ang napapako, iilan lang ang lumulusot. Lintik. At siguro, masaya na rin ang tadhanang nakatitig sa amin ngayon. Sabi niya, hindi kami pwedeng tumagal, kung baga sa load, expired na ang panahon na dapat kaming magkasama. Sa totoo lang, SOBRANG MASAKIT! Sobra. Sobra. Napakasakit. Kasi, expired man yung panahon naming dalawa, yung nararamdaman namin buhay na buhay- nagliliyab pabsa pag-ibig. Walang batik na maiikokoksider mong dahilan para di na namin mahalin ang isat isa. Masakit. "Alam mo,matapos man tayo,wala akong pinagsisisihan. Sobrang solb na ako sa napakadaming ala-ala na binuo nating dalawa. Basta, pag naghiwalay tayo,wag tayo malungkot, at least diba, minsan sa buhay natin, nagkaroon tayo ng sobrang sayang relasyon-- yung relasyon nating dalawa. At least, for once in our lives, we met and shared a great magical love." Mula noon, palagi akong pinaalalahanan na nothing really lasts forever. What we can only do is do the best we an to appreciate what we have at present. Isang malaking pagpapahalaga. Napakalaking bagay noon. Pahalaahan mo ang bagay na nasa iyo pa, at kahit pa mawala ito, pahalagahan mo parin ng walang pagsisisi at pagkayamot. Pasalamtan mo dahil sa ala-alang nabuo. Ganoon lang ang buhay. May darating. May pagbabago. May aalis. Pero ang pinakamahalaga, anong ala-ala ang nabuo simula ng dumapo ito sa buhay mo? Sabi nga, hindi mahalaga ang destinasyon, ang mahalaga ay ang proseso ng pagpunta mo doon. Nga pala, may isang bagay akong nais idagdag. Hindi man ito maitutugma sa karamihan, pero isa rin itong katotohanan. Wala namang permanente sa mundo, maliban sa pagbabago at pagdedesisyon. Ngunit, may isang makapangyarihang elemento, ang pag-ibig. Ang totoong pag-ibig ay maaring kumupas, ngunit kailanma'y di maglalaho. Kung ito ay totoo, mananatili ito habambuhay. Kung ito ay totoo, nagiging permanente ito.

Sun Sets.

Photos taken by me.

Well, I really love to watch how the sun sets... It reminds me of accomplishment of something and a promise of tomorrow.

:)

Paano nga ba magalit?

Sa labing-anim na taon kong binuhay sa mundo, may isang bagay ang hindi ko pa rin mabigyan ng kahulugan.

Ano ba ang ibigsabihin ng GALIT?


HIndi ako naghuhugas kamay sa mga sandaling ito. Pero ayon sa pagkakaalam ko at pagkakatanda ko, hindi ko pa naranasang magalit ng may pakiramdam na galit at naghahayag ng galit sa aking kinagagalitang tao.

Sige nga, bigyan muna natin ng depinisyon ang salitang ito.

Ano nga ba?

Marami na ring nagsasabi sa akin, na kaya ako nabastos, nabubully, dino-down ng karamihan, inaasar, kinukutya, inaapi ay dahil una sa lahat, hindi ako marunong magalit. Hindi ko alam kung totoo ba itong komentong ito. Kaya daw ako hindi siniseryoso ay dahil sa palaging hindi ako naggalit kahit na sumosobra na ang ginagawa sa akin. Ewan.

Nalulungkot ako sa totoo lang sa mga pangyayari na hindi ako sineseryoso. kaya nga minsan, sinusubukan kong magalit, sumigaw, magmura, mangutya din, pero palaging palpak, palagi akong natatawa sa sarili ko. kaya ayun, hindi na nman sineryoso. Sinusubukan kong lumaban, pero.... Sinusubkan kong manakit, pero...
Sinusubukan kong magtampo, pero.... Sinusubukan kong magalit, pero...

In the first place, hindi ko nga alam kung dapat nga ba ako magalit.
Ano ba ang galit?
Paano ba magalit?

Nagagalit na ata ako sa sarili ko. Lintik.

Buti ang batik mas nakakakuha ng pansin.

Sa isang puting tela, ang kapiranggot na mantsa-

Sa makinis na papel, maliit na marka ng tinta-

Sa malinis na dingding, kapiranggot na kulangot-

Sa makinis na mukha, butlig na tighiyawat-

Sa mataas na marka, mali ang nakikita-
Sa magandang katauhan, pangit ang puna-

Mga tao nga naman. Kung ano pa ang maliit na batik, ayun pa ang mas napapansin-

Ayun ang mas nakakapgbgay ng malaking epekto.

Sabi nga sa prinsipyong yin-yang, dapat laging balanse. Ngunit sa kahit anung balanse mo, parati't laging may batik na magmamarka sa pagiging imperpekto nito. Hindi na mababago yun. Wala namang perpekto. Ngunit bakit,sa tuwng pagmamasdan at kikilatis tayo ng kahit anumang bagay, lugar, tao o pangyayari o kung anupa, lagi na lamang yung maliit na batik/dumi/mantsa/mali na yun ang siyang binibigyang halaga?

Paano na yung natitira? Echapwera!

Sa isang puting tela, 95% nito na ang maputi,mabango,malambot,kaaya-aya. Ang natirang 5% sa telang iyon ay namantsahan ng putik. Sa unang pagtingin, di mapapansin. Ngunit pagtapos suriin ang mantsa sa tela, tila ba nagbabaliktad ang katotohanan. Doon na lamanh tinuon ang pansin, nalimutang may 95% pa na maganda.

Sa isang tao, kahit anu pa ang kabutihan o kagalingang ipakita at ipamals niya, sa una papalakpakan siya at pupurihin, ngunit, hindi maaaring lumipas ang kalahating oras na hindi pupunahin ang batik sa kanyang pagkatao. kalilimutan ang maganda sa kanya, babatikusin at pupunahin ang pangit na katauhan niya.

Sa isang relasyon na napuno ng saya at pagmamahalan. habang nasa ilalim ka pa ng mahika neto, nabubulag ka sa nararamdamn mo. Ngunit pagkamulat mo, natapos kayo, ang masasayang pinagdaan ay ibabaon sa limot (minsan pa nga'y itinatanggi) at yung pangit at masakit na ala-ala, yun pa ang babaunin.

Sa buhay, maraming biyaya pero pag dumating ang problema, wala na agad pag-asa.

Mga tao nga naman. Tayo nga naman! Kailan ba natin matutunan na magpahalaga sa mga bagay na karapat-dapat naman talgang pinahahalgahan. Kailan tayo matututo na pumuri at hindi kumutya? Kailan tayo matututo na pumalakpak nang hindi umubulong na pangit na salita? Kailan tayo titingin ng may pagtanggap at hindi paninira?

Sus. Ewan.

May kanya-kanya tayong batik na taglay, nakikita at napupuna... Sa aking palagay, isang malaking pagtanggap ang kailangan. Pagbabago kung kinakailangan. Ngunit ang pinakamahalaga,

HUWAG TAYONG MANINGKIT TUWING MAY MAPAPANSING MABUTI, IMULAT PA NATIN LALO ANG MGA MATA, AT MATUTONG MAGPAHALAGA.

Pagpapaulan

Dalawang batang magka-akbay 

sa silong malaking salakot

walang takot sa ambon- ulan

o sa mangkuk- mangkok na butas sa daan.

Maaari ngang sa buwan napagmasdan

itong pangitaing hindi taga-mundo

kambal- sa -tainga, apat ang mata

dalawa ang ulo, apat ang paa—

Ngunit, mahirap mapagkamalan

ang pilyong hagikhikan ng mga bata

at ang marahang suray-kembot nilang

hiniram sa pusang nagdadalang- kuting.

Sa katuwaan ko’y hindi na napansin

ang iniingatang sapin nitong katawang sakitin

hinyaan na lamang ang mga patak

unti- unting sumisinsin, bumibigat…

Basa nga pala akong 

ipinanganak sa mundo

at sa hapong ito

Iniluwal muli ako!

Ngayo’y itim na itim ang mga puso

tila basang uling ang katawan

at iunti- unti ang mga dahon

bagong usbong nang sila’y madatnan.

Sa pag- uwi’y hindi agad matutuyo

ang tumutulong katawan

Ngayon lamang ako nabasa ng ulan…

HIV/ AIDS IN ETHICAL PERSPECTIVE

We are now facing the leprosy of our century—AIDS/HIV.  Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, which corrupts the immune system as Human Immunodeficiency Virus spreads. And from Aristotle to St. Thomas Aquinas to Immanuel Kant, the basic ethical question still remains: What ought we to do? Thus, we are left to a more concrete ethical question: What ought we to do facing the AIDS, or its virus, HIV?

            Human sexuality is a constitutive dimension of human personality. In religious perspective, God has created it. However, these first humans had committed sins and the whole creation was negatively affected by it, including human sexuality. But then, through the salvation of Jesus Christ, human personality is redeemed and also human sexuality. As created and redeemed, human sexuality is good. Likewise, sex must be a language of life and love. Its actuation must be open to life and be an expression of true love. The problem is, man or woman abuses it. Thus, becomes (its abuse) an evil. As the misuse of human sexuality arises, the devastating consequences go along as well. Unfortunately, the virus does not affect human cells only. It places under question the way of viewing life, death, love, time, sex, oneself and others.

I.

“Mejor prevenir que curar”- it is better to prevent than to cure. Prevention must be the absolute weapon against AIDS. As I look at it, the only prevention I see is manifested through an integral education; integral education through which a person becomes autonomous and relational. It therefore implies a moral education which in turn entails sex education.

Sex education

            There is still an unending issue whether to pass the sex education or not (particularly in the Philippines). With that, the acquisition of correct information has been overtly hindered. The result, an unending increment of HIV victims as well. And worse, the lepers of this disease are youth ranging 15-24 years old.

            Prevention of AIDS begins with correct information to avoid useless anxieties and false security. We must unmask false security through proper integral sex education, which continues with the right moral education. Like for example the false security of using condoms. The principal reason against the use of condoms is that, it may promote the main cause of HIV. The public gives an impression that usage of condoms favors promiscuity in sexual relations. Without the true knowledge about this, the false outlook will remain.

But how can we obtain such proper education if the receivers of this knowledge close- mindedly refuse it firsthand? This is a problem. I think what we ought to do first is an enlightenment. What we need is an open mind. As long as the minds of these young continue to adhere to a false perspective, the education needed for prevention will always be beyond reach. We must be open to different perspectives through a journey towards ethical maturity. By the way of a genuine education that goes beyond mere information and training, with an inculcation of good principles we can established this knowledge to people.

            Sex education is urgently needed, particularly among the young. Rather, proper integral sex education should be at hand.

            The moral way to realize love through sexuality is the way of chastity.  Chastity is connected with the important cardinal virtue of temperance. It regulates sexual pleasures within limits of right reason and faith. As I see it, after such education, a chaste and disciplined behavior is needed for prevention. In a wider perspective, the general solution to the prevention of AIDS is the general solution to the basic problems of morality and immorality; that is a virtuous life- a prudent, temperate, just and courageous life. In addition, we must also be responsible- we must think beforehand and create decisions which underlie on a correct foundation. Then, be responsible for the outcome. We must take everything gradually and not be careless human beings. We have a great mind to make judgments and a heart to stand for it. Thus, as Basil Cardinal Hume said, the greatest hope against HIV/AIDS is the moral renewal of society. The bottom line, we need prevention against this disease through education and control.

II.

            It is imperative that the persons afflicted by HIV/AIDS should be responsible and not reckless in order to thwart the spread of the lethal virus they carry. On one hand, testing or screening the population is one of the strategies needed for deterrence. However, this strategy requires a great investment. On the other hand, they thought of isolation and confinement. However, it is still a debated suggestion.

            People look at the victims of this disease as lepers of the society. They view them as irresponsible beings punished by God for having an immoral and promiscuous life. Some think they are miserable and must be excluded away from society. In a cold and selfish society like ours, they are rejected and discriminated. This is a desolated fact.

            What we ought to do facing AIDS patient? We all have to be just to them and in solidarity with them. Justice and solidarity are the two basic ethical categories to respond to them. Moreover we should not be judgmental at all. What we need again, I repeat is an open mind. Human solidarity and Christian solidarity are universal. Nevertheless, genuine solidarity is addressed most especially to the oppressed.

Let us all be of good will to be in solidarity with HIV/AIDS patients.

III.

            Ethics is the normative science that guides us to live good moral lives. If it does not, it is useless. When we consider HIV/AIDS in ethical perspective, it is with the only purpose of helping us to become more responsible in facing this epidemic. What are essential are responsible disciplined citizens, able to execute moral values. We should be away from endurance anymore. We must be at side with correct education and abolish the insecurity we have regarding this matter. We must have the initiative to have enlightened open minds and be able to look at different perspectives. Let us take a step away from conservatism and a step closer to rationalism.

 Liberalism often has been obfuscated for so long and I think it’s about time to redirect the minds to a more open minded one; of course, with a right moral.

An outlook of wider perspectives and a stand for a right moral foundation can lead us to better enlightenment. Remember, it is not immoral to lean towards a liberal mind, it is necessary.

The ethical perspective of HIV/AIDS is an important dimension. We are challenged to be informed and be responsible. We are never too late unless

We let us be.

Pag- ibig

Kung sa pagdapo ng pag-ibig,

magiging ningas kugon lamang din,

mas mabuti pang iangkas na lamang ito sa

pupugayo sa kalawakan,

at itala sa tubig ang nararamdaman.

Pagtahan

Matang namumugto, saklolo wari'y di mahango
Pinaghalong puyat at pagkabalisa.

Higit sa lahat,
Pagretiro sa luhang inilabas.

Mabuti kung pagtahan,
lilisanin din ng sakit na nararamdaman.
Ngunit hindi...

Ang sakit ay patuloy na manunuot at babalot
sa pusong winasak ng
masalimuot na mundo.

Mabuti kung pagtahan,
muling manunumbalik ang pag-ibig,
angkas ng hanging hamog
at tuwirang hahaplos.

Sana sa pagtahan, sa pagpunas ng maalat na luha
Ikaw ay magbalik na.

Isang kambiyo ng hinga
tapos
hihimbing na muli sa pagtulog
ika'y kasama ko na.

Matatalim na mga Salita.

Mas mabuti na lamang na pakinggan ang naka-bibinging katahimikan. Ang katahimikang madalas na tinatakasan ng mga tao. Nakakatakot nga naman talaga ang katahimikan.

Walang duda.

Pero mas pipiliin ko pa ring pakinggan ito kaysa marinig mula sa’yo ang mga alitang unti-unting dumudurog ng puso ko. Mas gugustuhin kong takasan ang mga salitang sinasabi mo at harapin ang katahimikan. Nakakatakot man, pero hindi dumudurog ng puso.

Itikom na lang natin yung ating mga labi. HUwag na muna tayo umimik. Magpalamon muna tayo sa katahimikan.

Masyado ng matatalim ang mga salitang naguumalpas a bibig nating dalawa. 

Masyado ng masakit.

Hindi ko na kaya.

Tama na.

Someday, I know I will be.

Right now, I am so much full of various hopes and dreams for my future life. I admit that I am very idealistic, well, it's a product of wild imagination I guess. I enjoy creating different imagination and thoughts which are most of the time really beyond possibility. Anyway, dreaming is free, and I want to maximize it as long as its still is.

I know I will be a good journalist someday. I am not boasting or anything but I just really want to express what I know I can. And if I can do that, I will be. Get my point?

I never wanted to be a journalist before. For me, it's boring and lifeless. But after I had opened my eyes to a broader reality of the world, I have realized how amazing it is to become like one. I want to be a journalist someday. A journalist who will unleash the truth and bow down only to truth. I know mass media is a potent world to enter, especially if we speak of politics. Nevertheless, it is hurdleable.

What the Philippines lack is a true and compassionate communicator. A communicator who has an absolute love for truth and peace. A communicator who is able to present to the public how beautiful the world is in spite of what destructs it. A communicator who knows her only master-- God. A communicator who knows how to serve well her fellowmen-- the people.

I know I can. I know I will be. 
Someday.
Someday, I know I will be.