HAPPY BIRHDAY, LANGGA PANGET!

My sister and I during her graduation. We look so much alike :-)

Wow! It has been an awkwardly long time since I updated this space. It’s not that I don’t have any pieces to write about, I was just drowned with a number of activities in the office that needs my concentration. For a while, I couldn't get any word out of myself but luckily, I was able to bounce back that’s why this entry came about. Work has been demanding this past few days and I have to press myself to the same level of pressure my work is asking from me.

Anyway, today is my sister’s birthday and I want to dedicate this entry to her. I already posted an entry about her before (Click here to visit "Am a Super Proud Brother) and I expressed in that article how proud I am as her brother. Judith is a loving and generous sister and everyday, I am thankful to God for giving me such a blessing. My sister and I are so tight and I have my parents to thank for raising us that way. I can still remember when we were still in high school…my sister and I usually wear identical shirts during school activities. Also, am the spendthrift between the two of us and she usually lends me her allowance when am out of money to spend.

‘Twas year 2001 when my family really struggled with our finances – our business went south and my dad got retrenched from his job. Our financial setback took its toll when my sister had to stop schooling so I can continue mine. ‘Twas really difficult, heart breaking in fact however, my sister never complained. She stayed home for two years waiting for me to finish. She was always hopeful that am going to make good with my studies and would eventually end up with a good job so I can send her to school. I did not fail her. After graduation, I took the job offered to me as a journalist in a local daily in Cagayan de Oro and used my salary to support my sister’s education.

My sister took Bachelor of Science in Law Enforcement and she is, like me, an achiever. She graduated top of her class and was awarded as the Outstanding Intern of the Year of the pioneering batch – an all male batch. Fast forward to today, she is now a law enforcer.

Let me close this entry by sharing to you the closing statement of her speech when she was asked to speak to the graduating class of 2009.

                “You might be wondering why I chose Law Enforcement. Well, for a variety of reasons and I can enumerate them to all of you one by one. Point by point. However, I do not want to hold you for a long time. That's why in a nutshell, let me tell you this. If you are a person who still believes in hope; hope that law enforcers are the catalyst of peace and order, a channel of change, the pillar of public safety, the embodiment of integrity, an individual who never cheats just to get what he or she wants—then this course is definitely for you. Because in the end it's still all about the public and service.”

Happy birthday Langga!!! Mama, Papa (who’s in heaven now) and I love you so much!

BETTER

While I was trying to rest my head from writing and editing the office e-mailers, I searched YouTube and listened to the good old songs from Boyzone and came across this unfamiliar song entitled, “Better.” Yeah, you can crucify me but this is the first time I've heard of this track made famous by Tom Baxter. And honestly, I think everyone should be able to listen to this poetry. The music, lyrics and message are powerful on their own. You see, am a Boyzone fan and watching Steo in the video is just sad :-(

"Better" is now part of my all-time faves and I guess I'll be listening to this for quite a while. If there's a take away or lesson I learned from the song it is that it really doesn’t matter who you love. Love after all is all-inclusive no matter who it is.

Now, go and click on the vid and enjoy!

BETTER

Our love has changed, 

It’s not the same, 

And the only way to say it 

Is say it

It’s better. 

I can’t conceal, 

This way I feel, 

For all the time we spent, together, forever

Just gets better. 

See what I’m trying to say is 

You make things better 

And no matter what the day is, 

With you here  it’s better. 

I’ll stand by you, 

If you stand by me. 

I think time that I, reveal it, 

‘Cos I believe it 

It’s better. 

See what I’m trying to say is: 

You make things - better 

And no matter what the day is, 

With you here - it’s better. 

Ooooh the more 

I talk to you 

The more in love with 

Every thing you do 

Doo doo doo doo doo doo 

See what I’m trying to say is 

You make things better 

And no matter what the day is, 

With you here it’s better. 

Our love has changed 

It’s not the same 

And the only way to say it 

Is say it 

It’s better 

THE WONDER YEARS

If there’s one show on Earth that I would live to watch over and over and over again, hands down, it would definitely be The Wonder Years. Although The Wonder Years tells the story of young Kevin Arnold who lives in a suburban neighborhood in 1968, for people my age, The Wonder Years has become the mirror of what its like to live in the 80’s. The show captured the pain and triumphs of youth and each episode of the show would leave a smirk, a smile and an indefinable warmth associated with the wonders of being young.

I guess the magic of the show can be attributed not only to how tight-knit the cast are but more importantly, the brilliance of the message and moments of each episode. The last episode of the show was entitled, “Independence Day” and personally, ‘twas one if not, the most poignant ending I’ve ever seen. The show reminds us of what our life is all about. You see, The Wonder Years is part of my happy memory and I got so connected with the characters that watching the finale is always bitter-sweet. I own a downloaded copy of the series and it is always a “WONDER” to see the show over and over and over.

They don’t make shows like this anymore. The Wonder Years was good old fashion entertainment that dealt with real issues that our youth face. When I look back now, it reminds me that things were a lot simpler then. I guess, we can say that the problems we had then are nothing to the things that kids deal with today. Times change and things change. To borrow the words of the shows finale: “Growing up happens in a heartbeat. One day you’re in diapers, the next day you’re gone. But the memories of childhood stay with you for the long haul. I remember a place, a town, a house like a lot of other houses, a yard like a lot of other yards, on a street like a lot of other streets. And the thing is, after all these years, I still look back, with wonder.”

MOVING OUT AND MOVING ON

Obviously, I haven’t written an entry for nearly three weeks now. I’m a busy man, you see. The past weeks have been a rollercoaster ride and some of the tasks that I need to accomplish demands so much of my time and concentration. The biggest job so far was moving to a new apartment. Yup! I recently transferred to a new place which is now very convenient because it’s closer to the office, the malls and chuches. I won’t go into the nitty-gritty details as to why I transferred. Suffice it to say that I felt so relieved with my decision to move out since the whole experience has been physically and emotionally draining.

In hindsight, if there’s one thing I learned from this experience it is that when you live with someone, everything isn’t always your way. According to an article I read online, sharing a place can be difficult especially with friends. Sometimes you think you know someone well, but once you move in with them, everything changes. Living together is not the same as hanging out. Once you share a common living space, all of the oddities and habits are revealed. And subsequently, it’s where problems or issues begin and could sometimes lead to the ending of friendship.

Right now, I am more appeased. I can rest soundly. I am no longer bothered and inconvenienced. I am happier.

After all that’s been said and done, I can honestly say that my moving out was all worth it.

THANK YOU, TEACHERS!

Early this evening I was able to view a video posted in my friend’s FB wall and it read “The Teacher.” The video spoke about the gravity of the teacher’s influence over its students. I realized, that sometimes, we can never tell what type of impact we may make on another’s life by our actions or lack of action. While I was watching the video, I could not help but smile as I reminisce the great days when I was entering from classroom to classroom to deliver my lessons. It was great alright and I could not trade the experience for the world.

Let me use this chance to give my full salute, gratitude, and most of all admiration to all the teachers I have worked with. I have spent nearly six years with you and those moments have been the best.

Teacher Janith, you are the most talented, creative, diverse, and daring PE teacher I have ever encountered. I will be forever in awe with your talent. Your patience, personality, and understanding lights up the room and motivates the people around you to do the same. You played a huge role in the lives of your students. They are what they are now because you left an impact to them. I personally thanked you for the friendship. Thank you for accepting me despite my imperfections. I am forever grateful to you.

Teacher Piolen, there was a time in our lives that we clashed but, look at us now. We have never been this close. I miss your enthusiasm with life. I miss your note worthy fashion sense, your laugh, your obsession with high heels just to gain a few inches, your burluloys like your earrings, necklace, and bracelets, and most of all the way you wear your hair...from black to burgundy...from short to very short. I also miss the way you dance. Nobody has ever beaten you when it comes to dancing. You just rock on stage. Not to mention, your singing prowess. When all is said and done, I just want to tell you Tser Pio that I extremely miss you. You take care always.

Teacher Odessa, more than being my friend, you are like a sister to me (older sister). You have been so honest with your opinions most especially in the things that I do. You complement the good things I’ve achieved without sounding like you are patronizing. Most of all, there was never a time that I felt like an outsider every time we see each other. You remained to be the same Ulay I know – the Ulay who is sweet, thoughtful, lighthearted and full of fun. I’m beginning to believe that you are my female version. Don’t worry, when you grow old and still without a partner, I will find time to date you. That’s a promise!

Teacher Leticia, I learned a lot from you. You're an example of a teacher who knows what she is doing. Your knowledge in your subject matter is admirable and it shows with how you live your life. Your students look up to you and I believe they want to be like you...bubbly, talented, straight forward, intelligent and most of all generous, loving, and understanding. You don't judge people. You know yourself very well which is why you are confident but still humble. I truly admire you Tser L.

Teacher Flor, you have been my second mother. You protected me and took me under your wings. I never had the opportunity to thank you. You have been teaching for so many years already and I can’t just imagine the number of lives you touched. Those lives, I believe, were changed because of your love and commitment. Tser, I miss you and the times we eat lunch together; those times that we eat barbeque with halo-halo. I miss how you tease me when I start to sing in my office adjacent to yours. I miss the times when you give me one peso because I don't have any fare for the sikad driver. With that, I am so thankful. Words are not enough.

And to the mentor who changed me inside out. The mentor who took me in Angelicum and believed that I can be a teacher. The mentor who, despite of my being amateur was so patient and taught me what she knows in all aspects. Teacher Genie, you are the best. With all honesty, I am who I am now because you inspired me to be the best of what I can be. It was you who gambled and took chances for me. When I was just starting, it was you who placed a path for me. When I need consoling you were there to keep me company. Tser Gen, please continue to be a light and salt. I am so thankful of what you’ve done to all of us and I will be forever proud that once in my life it was you who taught me the joys of teaching.

To Teacher Cecille – my beloved Ginang, Sir Ryan, Tser Annie, Tser Jasmine, Tser Janjelene, Tser Merelle, Ma’am Arlina and to all the teachers I failed to mention - THANK YOU!