Intense

We aren't doing any better from last night's rain. We're doing much worse now.

Metro Manila is flooded all around. I'm grateful that my house isn't flooded yet (given Manila's rep for flooding, in general), but I'm sure the story outside will be very different.

Click image to biggify =)

This was how Project NOAH saw my part of the city as of 1:20 PM-ish. By the way, Project NOAH is awesome, and much props goes to PAGASA-DOST for making this happen. We're at an intense level of rainfall, not to mention a RED warning being raised over the whole metro. 

If you're reading this, and you're outside the Philippines, please keep the people here in your thoughts and prayers. If you see tweets from the likes of @MMDA @PAGASA-DOST, @govph and the major media outfits, please retweet them so news about floods and rescue efforts can be spread. I think right now, the most immediate need for evacuation centers are food and drinking water, not to mention clothing. Rubber boats will come in VERY HANDY for rescue operations as well. 

This has been posted like crazy, but duplication is key for a crisis:

Ayala Malls and MOA are also open for people who are stranded due to the rain.

At this point, the key here is to just stay put and be vigilant, keeping ourselves abreast of what's happening around us. Also, don't goout unless you really need to. 

And for those who are associating the rain with the RH Bill, I feel sorry for the lot of you. I feel sorry that you didn't even consider that maybe our trash problem contributed to the flooding that's happening now. I feel sorry that you had to use your God as a cover for your cause. Most of all, I feel sorry for you because you see this "God" as a god who punishes people and takes pleasure in doing so. It's just...ugh. The least thing you can do is put off all of these banters and look out for your neighbor, whether he/she is pro-RH or not. 

Rainy days and Mondays (not connected to The Carpenters at all)

"The reason why people sing songs for other people is because they want to have the power to arouse empathy, to break free from the narrow shell of the self and share their pain and joy with others."- Haruki Murakami, The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle

I find that whatever frustration I have with work and life in general, I can always let loose with music. That is why I love my weekends, even if they are so taxing.

Last week was especially hard. Stuff at work didn't go as planned, and along the way I have lost all interest to watch The Dark Knight Rises (unless it's for free). I've had to battle a teeny bit of depression early Friday morning as well (no thanks to U2 sound tripping, but I still love their music to bits). 

But when there's music - especially if you're creating the music yourself, and not just listening to it - there's no other high I'd rather have. Of course, there's the high of watching a good movie, or reading a great book, but a music high is the ultimate high. If I'm involved, I always give 120% of myself, even if it means falling flat on the floor and getting bruised on one side, or getting cramps, or looking like a loon. When there's music, ever inhibition is thrown out the window. It's just me and my audience of One.

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So, everyone remembers Ondoy and Pedring, right? And, if I may go further back, Milenyo? All of these storms had one thing in common - they happened towards the last week of September. 

But tonight, we got a RED warning over the whole of Metro Manila. After tonight's class, I had to brave a flooded Taft Ave just to get home. I walked 50% of the way, then when I realized I couldn't go any farther due to the flood being above the gutter of the island along Taft, a tricycle came. I got a ride from where I was to San Andres corner Quirino Ave for P40, then took a sidecar from where I was dropped off going to Leon Guinto.

My feet got WET. I hate it when that happens. When I got home, I got the Lush shower gel and used it to scrub my feet. LUSH TALAGA ANG GINAMIT KO (your arguments are invalid XD). It was that hardcore. XD

Tonight, the rain comes and goes - which is a good thing. It's not an Ondoy, but I'm sure for a lot of people now, it may be a repeat, and my heart goes out to them. But all of this rain on August makes September even more unsettling. I really hope that the government has prepared. I think we have learned immensely from the past few years, and there are systems that are now in place that make dissemination of information faster than it was in years past (special mention goes to Project NOAH; I've been tinkering it and it's AWESOME). I just hope that people don't take warnings for granted, cause strangely, some still do.

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And, in light of this week's most anticipated vote, I leave you with this quote from my awesome great-grandfather (I wish!) C.S. Lewis from Mere Christianity:

People say, 'The Church ought to give us a lead." That is true if they mean it in the right way, but false if they mean it in the wrong way. (…) But of course, when they ask for a lead from the Church most people mean they want the clergy to put out a political programme. That is silly. The clergy are those particular people within the whole Church who have been specially trained and set aside to

 look after what concerns us as creatures who are going to live for ever: and we are asking them to do a quite different job for which they have not been trained. The job is really on us, on the laymen. The application of Christian principles, say, to trade unionism or education, must come from Christian trade unionists and Christian schoolmasters: just as Christian literature comes from Christian novelists and dramatists - not from the bench of bishops getting together and trying to write plays and novels in their spare time.

No truer words have been spoken. 

Dissolved | Mixing and matching

This Monday, I got the biggest scare of my grad school life. My Copywriting class was dissolved.

DISSOLVED. This was unheard of during my undergrad (you pretty much should expect a full class almost all the time with the sheer size of CBE), and so when it was announced. I thought, "Now what the heck am I supposed to do now? MY MISCELLANEOUS FEES ARE JUST AS HIGH AS THREE UNITS OF LOAD, AND NOW I AM DEPRIVED OF ONE SUBJECT?!"

There was a lot of drama that involved going to the Department, the Registrar's Office, and the Library (trip to the latter wasn't related to requesting for a special class, but simply to return the equipment I borrowed, which should have been used if weren't for the announcement). I don't know if I was high on something, but when I came home I didn't eat even if I was hungry, and it took me a long time to get to sleep, and I woke up before 4AM, which was waaaaay too early. 

To cut the story short, today I got an email that the class has been made regular again. /sigh  But seriously, I cannot endure again the drama of a dissolved class. Ayoko na.

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Okay. Hot topic on the Internet this week - the Bayo ad. How quickly did we move on from the Coronanovela, people? XD Anyway, I digress.

I don't find the add offensive. I just think it is poorly worded. I am 100% Filipino, but if you've seen me, I can easily pass for another Asian race: Chinese (I get this all the time), Korean (which intensifies when I am beside one, or heavens, if I sing a K-pop song), and surprisingly, Japanese (now this I find kind of odd, cause I fangirl Japanese people, and I don't look like them at all. But when I dress like one, let's just say that it's a story for another time. XD). I'm pretty sure I could also pass for Malaysian.

I bring this up because of this: How do you define what the "Filipino" race is, to begin with? As early as Grade 1, we were taught that our race primarily sprung from the Ita, Indones, and Malay. They were immigrants, and not indigenous to the land. Add to that the 333 years of Spanish colonization, which resulted into the mestizos and mestizas. Oh, and let us not forget the chinitas and chinitos as well, cause the Chinese thrived during the colonial period as well. 

What's my point? I think that the Filipino race has ALWAYS been mixed from the very beginning. Yes, there are some theories that there were indigenous people prior to the arrival of the I, I, and M - but it's simply theory. The point is, we have been mixed and matched from the start pa lang. Almost everyone has claim to Spanish blood (I have, for one. No verified claim for Chinese - yet!) that it's hardly anything special - unless, of course, you are almost pure-bred mestizo. 

Anyway, this isn't really a big deal (for me). If I have to break down my mix, I'll have to say I'm 57% water, 20% Lasallian, 10% mad, and 3% Trekkie. 

I laugh at mixing and matching. I do what I want. 

What it takes to be better

It's quite interesting to think that even if information is now more accessible than ever before, that people are still misinformed/do not have the info they need, and make sweeping generalizations out of what little they know. I do this a lot of times, and for every time I've done it I realize that I do not know it all, and there's not a chance that I will know it all. I can give my opinion on certain issues or things, but I cannot generalize the entire world based on my thinking alone.

I say this because this right here happened. It was a simple reblog that didn't mean any harm; it was a statement of facts. Then, the original poster messaged me, which caught me by surprise. You could see with the way that I replied that I wasn't so pleased. I haven't gotten a message back, by the way. (I'd like to see him try.)

It's this kind of selfish thinking that's causing the problems of this country. It's always me first rather than me last. It's not the world - it's my world. People in government would rather amass ill-gotten wealth first rather than deal with third-world problems. Forgiveness is given so easily, but the lessons learned from dispensing that forgiveness are so easily forgotten. Our own comfort comes first rather than the comfort of those who aren't comforted.

The National Anthem suddenly comes to mind - ang mamatay nang dahil sa 'yo - isn't that the epitome of selflessness? We know this by heart, so why is this so hard to do?

Loving this country is a struggle for me - it's a love-hate relationship, if you will. Voting and paying for my taxes is pretty much as far as it goes. I don't like to wear nationalistic shirts, nor do I buy them (if you give me one, I'll probably not wear it too often. Baka gawin ko lang na pambahay.). As a friend aptly puts it, "nationalism is not a shirt", meaning your nationalistic shirt doesn't necessarily equate to your level of nationalism. As for me, I don't want to wear something like "100% Pinoy" or "I♥PH" and be a hypocrite about it.

But ask me about Rizal, and the fangirl in me will come out. Ask me to go to Intramuros or Rizal Park (which is quite near my house), and I will surely bring my camera. But, if you ask me to translate this passion into current affairs, I will shy away from it. I can talk about it, but my interest will not last long.

What I do not do is impose this way of thinking upon other people and say that this is how "the whole country" is thinking. That's stupid.

I know that there are people out there who love this country unconditionally, in spite of its many imperfections. There are people everyday who risk their lives to defend this country and make it their job. There are still honest people in the government who remain honest in spite of the backlash and bad reputation they're receiving. There are people who have not lost heart and continue to innovate and receive acclaim, then give the glory back to this nation. These people are better than I am.

It is with posts like those I have linked that spark whatever Pinoy pride I have in me. It provokes me to ignite the fire and keep it burning (It shouldn't go out to begin with.)  It also keeps me on my toes that I should always be thinking, always be seeking, always be keeping an open mind, and be aware that in the vastness of this universe, I am but a tiny specimen in it, but one of 6 billion strong and special who have a soul.

I emailed my Congressman

Here's something I learned during my last LLFP (Lasallian Leadership Formation Program) that I'm putting to practice. I emailed my Congressman asking him to rethink his stance on the RH Bill. I'm publishing my email to him in the blogosphere for easy access. =D

BTW, my congressman is Amado Bagatsing. I'm hoping I get a reply since I posted my email address, plus I think my letter to him is very civil.

Doomsday

If you're like me who passes by the intersection of Osmeña Highway and Buendia on a semi-regular basis, you must have seen the Judgment Day billboard that hung above the PNR. The same ad was also placed in the Pasay Road PNR; I'm pretty sure it's present on other areas as well. (I wish I had a picture, but you'll simply have to imagine it for now, hehehehehe)

I usually do not pay any attention to rapture predictions, especially those that specify a date. I think there are more pressing matters that require immediate attention, such as the RH Bill. There was a time (I think, in high school) when I took these kind of things seriously. It probably didn't help that I studied in a school that was so gung-ho about these things that, being a teenager, I was easily dragged into the craze.

But last time I checked, this same person who's saying that the world will (start to) end on May 21, 2011 made a doomsday prediction sometime during the 90s as well. Obviously, it didn't happen, and said person attributes it to a "mathematical error". It also doesn't help that pretty much every prediction that the world will end on a specific date or in such-and-so month/time have passed without so much of a sign of God putting an end to all things. =/

I guess...what I'm trying to say, is this: will the world be a different place if we knew when the day or hour will judgment day be? Will this mean that people will try to live godly lives? Will crime rate go down? Will we not be fighting over the RH bill and instead foster unity?

But honestly, it doesn't matter if we know when the world will end, because these things should be the pursuit of every individual, because we already are in the end times. I'm no Bible scholar but if you've read your Bible, Jesus has mentioned the signs, and He himself said that we should be alert and on our guard, because no one will know when that time will come. (Mark 13:33) Thus, now is the time to prepare.

And here I leave all theology (cause I'm not one a theologian [ETA: epic typo fail LOL] myself), and go back to (Christian) practicality. There is no use fussing over doomsday because (1) it will surely come and (2) there's no reason to fear it if you know God in a personal way.

If May 21 passes without so much of a major miracle that could only be attributed to the end of days, then I'll probably be blogging an "I TOLD YOU SO" post, just for the fun of it.

Who are we fooling?

So we're back here again
Tiptoeing round the edge of the end
Wondering who will be the last to admit
That we're finally over

Turned twenty-one on the day that we met
Terrible shoes and plausible threads
It's funny how sad the funny things get
As you grow older

Better or worse but what else can we do?
And better or worse I am tethered to you
If it's not either of us tell me
Who are we fooling?

I love the art of biting my tongue
I tired of trying to guess what was wrong
Both agreed on where we should go
But not how to get there...

--- Brooke Fraser, Who Are We Fooling

One of the most beautiful songs in this album, and a song that I can definitely relate to at this point in my life (except for the beautiful tangle part, but I still find it beautiful...).

Thank you God, that at this point in my life, my happiness is something that you consider valuable. I will take hold of that truth. Today is the day.

No, I do not make it my business to scare men off

This may look like a rant post, but what this really is is me taking a stand.

One of my most dreaded questions is this: "Bakit wala ka pang boyfriend?" I hate it as much as I hate pimples or skin asthma; maybe even more. I hate it that my being single is like a required topic whenever I'm around. I hate it that I have to muster all available patience and self-control (which is, admittedly, not much) in order not to say something that would embarrass myself, my parents (if they're there), or whoever is there. Most of all, I hate it that almost everyone who asks this question is always hinting that it is me who has a problem, and even if there's someone present who knows me well, they could not even speak up for me.

Okay...maybe the second part about defending me is over the top, but you get the point.

Almost everyone who has asked me the boyfriend question told me that I may be "scaring guys off", or maybe I'm "too intelligent" for them, and even this: "do you prefer women?". If you cannot read it from my facial expression during that time, then read this: I find all of these offensive.

If you are reading this and you've asked me this question, or if you've said similar things to someone else, please explain to me this: why do you assume that if a young woman is single, that the problem lies with her?

Here's why I don't understand the logic of it: I have a lot of guy friends. I do not make it my business to scare men off, but I am also not lapping my tongue for a boyfriend. You may think that I do it old school, na hindi na uso ang Maria Clara ngayon, but you have to respect that I do things this way.

If you were in the Thanksgiving concert, I shamelessly tackled my being single in front of people whom I barely even knew. I am comfortable with my "status", or whatever you want to call it. Of course, I wonder how my life will be like if I had a boyfriend, but since he hasn't come I'll have to keep wondering. But more important than wondering is preparing myself for him, whoever he is. By faith, he will come. Until then, the waiting game has to be played.

But please...never, as in NEVER tell me that it is my problem, because I never saw it as mine.

And at this point, I will refer you to this fantastic article. I agree in the sense that this question is like an alternative to "kumusta ka" or what-have-you, only offensive. Although I do not share the same frankness of Pam Pastor (though her list of possible answers look very interesting), our sentiments are pretty much the same.

I'll try to end this in a positive note. The only people who have asked me this question that I felt good about were people in church. Though some still made snide remarks like the ones listed above, an overwhelming majority encouraged me to press on - that being single is a blessing inasmuch as being in a relationship, and that I'll have to wait and prepare myself until that person comes. This is what I need to hear, and I am fighting back tears as I type this. I don't need people who tell me that something in me is wrong, or my being single is punishment from God. That is a lie.

And if this is you, then I don't want to have anything to do with you at all.

Unwell

I dare not elaborate why. God created some to be dense, I guess. =/

I'll focus on the good stuff.




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As per memo #47 of DepEd, we are enjoined (which is a better-sounding term for required) to hang EDSA-related banners, tarpaulins, yellow buntings or flags in conspicuous places of the school. We decided to go grassroots and tied yellow ribbons on some of the trees in school. I purchased all of the yellow ribbons in National Bookstore at Paseo de Sta. Rosa yesterday. They only had two 45m rolls - for the sheer amount of trees we have here that wasn't enough. Had the DepEd memo been released earlier, we would have had time to deck more ribbons in school, and probably drape a yellow cloth somewhere in one (or both) buildings. So, given the time constraint, this is good enough, I guess. =P

People Power is no longer an event exclusive to this country. Other countries have been successful in their own "bloodless" revolutions. For this country though, I always wonder if the nationalism that EDSA has sparked in every Filipino is real...wait, that didn't come out right. Let's try this again: I always wonder if the brand of nationalism we now have began in EDSA and also ended in EDSA, cause the more I think about our sense of nationalism, the more I realize that Filipinos don't really have a firm or real sense of it. As a Pinay who has lived in this country for my entire life, I feel that my sense of nationalism is just skin-deep, and only penetrates further than that when I feel threatened.

Sure, we wear shirts that sport the Philippine Islands on it, or Ninoy/Cory what-have-yous, but these are but fads. When the fad has come and gone, and these t-shirts become basahan or what-have-you, or if Pacquiao is defeated or retired, what icon can we look to that defines our brand of nationalism? Yes, we speak out when our race is lambasted by some personality, but is this something that we do out of pride for our race and nation, or just pride for ourselves? I always wrestle with these questions, and I think I will not find concrete, lasting answers to these for a long time. Maybe time will bring the answer. A hundred plus years for a country is still young, after all.

I honestly think that Filipinos who live outside the country have a deeper sense of nationalism than those who are living here. I kind of envy those people - those who aren't ashamed to wear a Three Stars and a Sun Shirt in another country, or jackets that sport the Philippine flag. I honestly can't see myself wearing something nationalistic, except na lang if it's Team Manila merchandise. Everytime I see a shirt with Rizal on it I always find my wallet empty. Haaaay. One day, Team Manila Rizal shirt. One day.




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When I'm depressed in the bundoks, I try to find ways to divert myself from what I'm feeling. So this morning, I cooked breakfast. :p

Everything I needed to know about cooking omelettes I learned from playing Cooking Mama on The Green Menace (for those of you who don't know my gadgets, that's my iPod touch). XD

I had a salmon omelette for breakfast today. The salmon I had cooked on Monday, and since it's the last working day of the week, I usually dispose of my leftovers this way. This would have been perfect if I had cheese...

I love dark chocolate. I love Swiss Miss's Dark Chocolate Sensation. I love dark chocolate. Sana may makakuha ng hint diyan.

These two coupled with a good book, the cool February bundoks breeze and the song of nearby birds made a happy enough breakfast this morning. It's good to be thankful for quaint things like these.




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Thank God the week is done, I feel like a zombie gone back to life, back back to life.

Yeah men. /end Usher mode