Hope is Contagious

I was bound to go home when I decided to take a simple walk in Quiapo to buy some pirated DVD's. I know it's not a good deed but I can't help it. It's cheap and you're gonna use it once anyway so why not buy it? But I'm not encouraging you to buy some. Still, original copies are the best. When I came to a movie stand where DVD's are sold like hotcakes (for it costs way cheaper than before), I saw this movie: Letters to God.

I'm not gonna right a movie review about it in this blog. I'll leave that somewhere in cyberspace. Instead, I'll give you an idea about the film. Its about Tyler, a boy with cancer, who writes letters to God. His letters were encountered by Brady, a mailman who's having struggles with his life. They entered each one's life and the story goes on. This is a Christian movie, as the title says, but anyone can benefit from it for in the end, you'll have that heartwarming feeling. Was actually teary-eyed when I ended the film.

I am thankful for these pirated DVD's for if it doesn't exist, I won't encounter Tyler's story.

Kaway ng Buhay

Sa araw-araw ako’y gigising, babangon at mabibingi sa pag-iisa. Bababa sa hagdan, maglalakad at maghahanap ng makakainan. “Ate isa nga pong Tapsilog, scrambled, takeout.” Bubuksan, titignan, at uuwi na para kumain. Pauli-ulit hanggang sa ikaw ay makilala.

Kinabukasan didilat ang mata, nagugutom at babalik. “Ate order ko po Tocilog.” Iaabot ang aking ulam na naka-styro at titignan: ‘Aba, alam na ni ate na scrambled egg ang gusto ko.’ Hindi ko sila kilala sa pangalan, at hindi rin nila alam ang pangalan ko. Ang alam ko lang, customer ako at sila ang taga-kuha ng order ko.

Pero iba ang nangyari ng minsan ako ay napadaan sa kanto para mamasyal, ordinaryong araw na wala akong inaasahan. Magkakasama sila at nagkukumpulan sa sulok. Dumaan ako ng nagtetext nang hindi ko inaasahan,

“Sir, good morning! Kain po tayo!”

Lahat sila bumati sa akin ng maaliwas, lahat naka-ngiti na pinaramdam nilang iba ang araw na iyon. Simple man ang buhay nila na may marangal na trabaho, sila ang mga taong hindi mo inaasahang magpapaalala sa’yo na ang simpleng mga bagay ay pinasasalamatan. At karapat dapat silang bigyan ng isang malaking pasasalamat sa magandang pakikisalamuha. Ang pagbating iyon ay ang “Kaway” ng Buhay. Salamat mga kaibigan.

Ako Naman

California Berry Frozen Yogurt
(Tomas Morato)

Biglaang pagkakaibigan, hindi inaasahan, walang pagaalinlangan, sarap ng pagkaalala. Maasim ka man sa panlasa pero depende kung alin ang pipiliin, gaya ng yogurt na ito hindi ko alam kung kelan ka tatamis dahil madalas kitang hawak na malamig. SANA AKO NAMAN...Salamat sa nabahagi mong oras.

An Open Letter to a Typhoon

Dear Basyang,

Hi there. I hope you're doing well, hmm I know you are. You've proven yourself already -- and I must say you were good at it. But I'm not here to tell you you've ruined most of my plans for today but instead, weird as it may sound to you, I seriously want to THANK YOU, big time.

Why the heck would I be thankful to your growling winds and home-wrecking powers? Why would I be happy you came at this most tempting time, when work demands the most from me? There are documents to be filed and collated, papers to be checked, and of course, a college to be accredited. But you came and everything turned its way to the opposite. None of those pushed through, I'm quite disappointed, but moreso, I'm very thankful.

Today I thought was going to be usual, but Basyang, in your unique way, you made it more special. Let me tell you how grateful I am that you came, in God's time I believe.

• Our country's been suffering from gross drought for quite sometime now. It's just undeniably hotter in the Philippines these past months, and it's almost draining most of our water resources, and then you came. You don't have much of the rainfall but still, you helped a lot in giving us some water we've been praying for months now.
• You made me use my blankets again.
• And also my favorite jacket.
• I finally got some decent nap! I woke up early but when I found out classes are suspended, I just rolled up in my sheets again and slept for another bunch of five or so hours.
• I was forced to buy some food to store for the next few days (like bread, canned goods, etc) and that means I won't have to always eat out -- more savings for a wageless person like me.
• Sister and I bonded again after quite some time! Since we didn't have anything to do after dinner, we just talked about, well, basically everything.
• Even if you cut electricity out for almost 24 hours in our area, it didn't really bothered me because, as stated, you were airy enough. I couldn't just imagine how would I look like if your cool breeze wasn't there and there wasn't electricity. I surely don't want to soak in my salty sweat.
• Since electricity was out, laptop's dead since last night, Globe and Sun networks were down (inside our apartment, that is. tsk), I decided to read a book. I haven't read a book in a while, I mean a real novel, and not like the usual books I was into for the last three years or so (no bad vibes for you Snell, DeLisa and the gang), and I was able to finish it in I think, about 8 hours straight. So good job right there, Basyang!

Those are just some points I saw when Basyang came. Surely she hasn't been all good but as the day went for me, she wasn't as bad either. I took the chance to rest, contemplate on what she might bring to the environment, and do something worthwhile. I've been busy these past days and thanks Basyang for giving me, and our country, a break.

p.s. When will Popoyng come? Just kidding. Anyway, goodluck on your future trips!

Much Love and Respect,

Isang Minuto

Musings on the Road

Traffic has always been part of my life since I was in grade 1 – the time I learned that the road outside our village isn’t as friendly as what I thought it was. There’s too much pollution, noise and threat for your life. And too much stress if its raining (just like today). But I’ve come to embrace all these facts. That I’ve become comfortable with it. So much that every time I sit on a jeep, I am able to come up with my own monologue – about me, or about the people around me. Whether to appreciate or simply be sorry for having them with me. Or plan with my other self about the things we want to do on the coming weeks, on my next birthday, on the next out-of-town, or on the next Christmas party (and come up with the most creative cheer so we can enjoy another round of Pinoy Henyo). Questions come and transect my cortex. Sometimes confusing, but lately enlightening (especially these past few weeks where my reservoir of hope and good outlooks in life is draining). Whatever it is, all these years of commuting have taught me how to use this time in a better way.

Being in traffic is one of the things that people really hate. But I’ve been thankful for these moments.

Who Will Save Me?

I want to meet the old me -- the spiritual, God-fearing, non-judgmental, helping/serving/Utopic me.

I've been lost for the longest time and with my career right now, I thinking I'm starting to be redeemed. I was introduced to St. Josemaria Escriva and I'm thinking of actually making him part of my professional career. The main objective of the group is to help young professionals be saintly in their daily lives, and I know God worked that He made me know the group just now.

I want to devote some of my time to something else, and I'm thinking this might be the perfect "past time", the perfect something to do out of work. I'm very positive about this, and I'm more than optimistic with myself on this.

Maybe St. Josemaria's the one to save me from being lost for years. But on second thoughts, I, alone, can save my lost self. St. Josemaria and the group are just there to help.

A Story thru Their Words

These past few weeks, I’ve been really down suffocating myself with tears. Last night I had a breakdown, and there are people who will be there for you regardless of who they are; a long time friend, a past teacher, a stranger, person you met just once, someone you met on the net, and your bestfriends. Their words will tell you my story...

The Alma Mater: With all honesty, I don’t know how to respond. This has been your concern since college and I thought you have recovered. I don’t mean to be biased, the mere fact that your father was hurt, only means that whatever you told him had a significant impact on him.

Take time to recover, then talk. I suggest you initiate. Humble yourself. Walang sumbatan for 22 years. You just told na ginapang mo ang pagkatao mo, aren’t you proud of that?

You did it on your own before, why can’t you do it this time? You’re a talented person, that’s why I have always believed in you. Whatever your situation at this time will be a trauma until you learn to forgive, accept and let go.

You’ve made it this far. Now you’re telling me you’ll quit? As I’ve told you before never let your temper control you. The mere you’re hurting yourself and your family.

Kasi yan ang lagi mong pinaniniwalaan na mag-isa ka. Hindi ito competition na may kampihan. Learn to live on your own. You depend on your dad kasi ang condition mo dapat lang kasi pinabayaan kayo, tapos kung hindi makabigay nanunumbat ka. Learn not to depend.

The Believer: “He heals the brokenhearted & binds up their wounds. Psalm 147:3” Kaya mo bang ibaba pride mo para mag-reach out sa kanya? After all, dad mo siya. In humility, try lang talking to him. But if it’s not yet time keep still lang. If you have mustered enough strength, try mo lang. Who knows the tide might change? Baka dahil din sa miscommunication kaya kayo nagkaganyan. It’s okay to cry and alam ko mahirap na may misunderstanding kayo ng dad mo.

Calm down ka muna, baka kasi may masabi tayong nakakasakit na pagsisisihn natin sa huli pag may galit tayo sa puso. Cool down ka muna, sleep ka na. Then tomorrow, think things over and maybe ready ka na.

The Happy Guy: Masakit din kasi sa tatay ‘yong malaman niya na kulang ang ginagawa niya for you. Naranasan ko rin yan k ay dad, eksaktong yan. At least you were able to voice out, alam niya how you feel about the situation. Let things cool down a bit, then talk to him again. Me and dad we didn’t talk. My lola died and after nun, snap. Okay na kami. The loss compensated for the long discussions to forgiveness. Birthpains, it will teach you a lot. Trust me. Believe that there’s a greater plan somewhere there.

Family is one thing, your life is another. Unless you prove to them what a loss you are. Kailangan mo muna matanggap na they found their happiness in other places or people and so should you. Hindi naman sa kalimutan mo sila, but try to make the most out of the independence you have, which other’s don’t

The Supporter: I may never fully understand the situation you are in with regard to your relationship with your father pero through the years, I've come to realize that saying what you really feel towards a person esp. on a very personal level can do you a huge favor. For me, that is through a letter. Sabihin mo LAHAT ng gusto mo sabihin.

If your dad refuse to understand where your angst is coming from then I think it's time for you to tell everything to him. 'wag ka lang masyadong galit, ha? Try being calm about it. You' can't resolve things na mainit ang ulo mo. Isipin mo na lang that you're doing yourself a big favor. 'Wag na para sa iba, para sa'yo na lang at para sa ikatatahimik ng kalooban mo. From there, bahala na tatay mo.

The Hopeful: People won't get hurt or be affected if the person in question doesn't matter to them that much. Hurt usually comes from loving someone.

A Friend: Hey! dunno how to cheer you up really but yeah, think this way.. everything is gonna be alright! You'll definitely be okay because you’re strong! You'll get thru it. Whatever you're gong thru with people you disagree with will soon realized you're better than what it seems.

The Stranger: Sometimes we feel that way. In order for us to let go of it is to embrace it first. It's part of growing as an individual.

The Sweet Girl: First of hindi ka abala sa akin dear. Wish I’m there at your side ngayon. Hug tight, I love you so much.

The Dreamer: If you believe you've done wrong and went overboard, say Sorry... Mahal ka namin, poreber and eber...

Without these words, I might not have enough strength to continue my life now. A simple *hug* or the sweetest “I love you” are my comfort words, but I never expected that there are people who gives more meaning to what is given. There are reasons why we feel emotional but there are far more than that of what is light and blissful that we need to appreciate for it is not just strength, it is LIFE.

God, thank you for giving me the ‘persons’ of my life. THANK YOU ALL.