DEAR FRIEND 1, 2 AND 3

Dear Friend 1,

I exactly understand how you’re feeling…been there. Everything right now is like a roller coaster ride… the ups and downs as well as the twists and turns seem to direct you to a nowhere destination. But as I have told you, focus more on what is important and not on what is temporary and fleeting. The good thing about life is that it is a cycle. We have the chance to be better. A friend once told me that the best way to move on is to forgive. It is hard, but who said it is easy? It is a process… and we can start by forgiving ourselves.

Just hang in there.

Dear Friend 2,

Ending a bad relationship doesn’t mean starting a new one… give yourself some time to breath, contemplate on the things that happened and put yourself back together. You see, I learned that there are some things (and the most important ones) that just can't be yours no matter how hard, eager or relentless you are. It just doesn’t fit. I guess you know that already but you just did not take the hints. Why? I guess you and I both know the answer to this question...you would rather absorb the pain than see the person you care about move away and far from you. But I want to tell you this… we have to learn our lesson, if it is the hard way then, so be it. If the shoe does not fit, why force it?

We can’t give what we don’t have. So I say, learn to love yourself first before you share it to others. If you feel like your heart is in void, don’t expect that others will fill that space. Love is a celebration of gratitude. You enter into a relationship because you have so much blessings already and it is your turn to give it back.

Dear Friend 3,

Finally, Facebook status: Is in a relationship. I am super happy for you. Enjoy every moment of it and take good care of yourself and your partner. Four years of being single, am I correct? I guess the reason why it took God that long to find you a partner is because He was so busy writing your perfect love story :-)

MY FAVORITE MOVIES

Whenever I feel sad or exhausted or if I just want to gain my strength back and function again “normally” and be inspired to perform at my best, I watch these movies over and over again. Catharsis!

If you guys haven’t seen these films yet, I suggest you grab a copy now and enjoy the magic of these titles. Some may consider these movies "baduy and jologs" but I couldn't care less :-) Movies, according to Stanley Kubrick (he directed the films such as Eyes Wide Shut, The Shining, etc.)  should be more like music - a progression of moods and feelings. The theme, the logic behind the emotion and the meaning of the film should all come later. 

So again, baduy or not baduy...jologs or not jologs... it doesn't matter. The important thing is, it touched us, made us think and left a significant memory  (may it be fear, joy, or kilig) instead of just becoming a time pass.

AM A SUPER PROUD BROTHER

I am a super proud brother!

My sister, Judith S. Eballe, whom I love so much, is now officially a Law Enforcer after passing their final training. Am happy about this news because I know very well how difficult the training was. You see, after my sister passed the Law Enforcement Licensure Exam, she taught first at Liceo de Cagayan University before she applied in the Philippine National Police. Thankfully, she got accepted in the PNP and has to go through a lot of rigorous, rough and physical screenings and trainings. Am just relieved and happy that it is now over. Her batch “graduated” last November 15 and they are the newest addition to the PNP.

Just to share with you guys, some few years ago, my family were not sure about my sister’s decision to study Law Enforcement due to several factors like it's a male dominated profession, or it's risky, or due to its stained reputation in the community. However, my sister did not second guess her choice although she had her share of jumping from one course to another.

Before she finally decided to study Law Enforcement, she was a student of Computer Science. However, she did not found her niche in that course. My mother wanted her to study Nursing however, she was never interested in that course. It was in Law Enforcement that she found her place where all of her ideals were fused into a single capsule of thoughts, theories, and practices. It was in this course where she was challenged to perform her best.

My sister, like me (ahemm) is an achiever. When she was still in school, she set realistic goals and worked hard on it. Come graduation day, my sister was awarded as the Outstanding Intern of the Year for the pioneering batch - an all male batch.

In her on-the-spot, written interview, she was asked to describe herself. Am pasting the full text of her answer so I can just brag to everybody how smart my sister is:

            “One thing that I am proud of myself is that I am a leader. I was able to prove it during my college days when I served as a student body officer in our department. I am enthusiastic to work and dedicated to tasks assigned to me. I "walk the talk" and I show it through the actions and decisions I make. I practice humility by accepting that I do not know everything but works toward educating myself and the other people around me. Also, I am into sports like basketball, taekwondo, volleyball and track and field thus, I am very good team player and I value teamwork. Indulging myself with sports makes me appreciate the importance of rules and regulations, of victories and losses. Lastly, I am an achiever both in work and studies thus, I work and pray hard to achieve my goals.”

Langga, I told you this and let me say this again: “Liwat ka nako. I am so proud of you!”

TOTALLY GLEEK-OUT!

And I thought am not hosting that night.

Well, I was wrong.

30-minutes before the show, my good friend Teacher approached and informed me that the host for the second elimination night can’t attend the event due to a client visit (it was the same case as last week since the Aegis Idol host have to attend to their clients and town hall.) Since I love Teacher and given the time constraints that we have, I said "yes" to her request. ‘Twas a good thing that I was wearing something “presentable” that day – a checkered ¾ sleeves polo from F&H, faded jeans from Bench and white shoes from Linea.

The second elimination night was dubbed as “It’s Glee Night” where the remaining Aegis Idol – Cebu 2010 hopefuls performed songs from the hit musical comedy-drama Glee. To be candid about it, I was really not prepared and also exhausted that day. I guess it mirrored on my performance. My Specialist, Aldz, said that I was not as conversant as last week and I even forgot the sequence or order of presentation of the contestants. But overall, it was still a fun night. Not to mention that I shared the stage with Maki Eve Mercedez, Queen 2010. She was gorgeous and charming and she handled the crowd very well.

Most of all, special shout-out to Paulie for being a reliable and amazing co-host. I just love her.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE EVENING:

1. Seeing Jo Cartalla (Aegis Idol 2008) perform again her winning song with a twist - a mash up of Home and A House is Not a Home. Jo, you are just divine.

2. Shared the stage with Maki, who looked regal that night.

3. Hosted the competition “impromptu"

4. Sydney’s version of Poker Face was crazy. She is my Aegis Idol 2010.

5. It rained on our parade, or something to that effect. :-)

Paulie and I reunited

Me surrounded by two beautiful deities - Maki and Paulie

Of course, Queen 2010 Maki Eve Mercedez

We didn't plan it but look at us, we were wearing the same shade

From left to right: The Dream Team - Aris, Hyde, Maki, Misty, Paulie, Josh and Max, Aegis Idol 2008 First Runner Up

Parang di pagod. Parang walang pinagdada-anan :-)

So happy to hear Jo sing again. One word for you Jo - DIVINE!

TOP THREE that night. From left to right: Helen, Mags and Sydney

I WAS ONCE A JOURNALIST

I was once a reporter in a local daily in Cagayan de Oro covering the City Hall, Capitol, Business and Life and Leisure beats. Admittedly, it was quite an adventure despite the meager salary. Yes friends, working in a newspaper or in the media may sound “glamorous” but the compensation is not enough to cover for your hospitalization just in case you meet an accident while covering a certain event. I was paid Php 5, 000/month and during that time, I was sending my sister to school. I don’t know how I did it, but I was able to support my sister despite the small amount I was receiving.

Although my day to day routine was a struggle, the experience working for Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro was something am very proud of. The company of the people I work with, most especially my editors and co-journalists was the reason why gathering and writing news feels noble. They were all reliable, ready to back me up when threats and/or intimidation chance on me.

You see, I had my share of libel cases. As a matter of fact, I got two although it was not served meaning, the libel cases were just bluffs to intimidate me so I could shut up and discontinue the” research” I was conducting for a sensitive story. 

In hindsight, it’s funny because I cannot remember anymore the exact article I was working on during that time. I guess I was trying to prove the graft and corruption case of a certain governor that resulted to the bankruptcy of the province. Again, am not really sure if it was that story, but no doubt, I was unwavering to uncover the truth. Blame it on my youth for being idealistic or blame me for wanting to expose the truth. Either way, I suppose I was doing my city/province a favor.

Let me end this entry by sharing some pointers to the aspiring journalists who want to work in the media particularly in print.

5. Don’t be scared to defend your story.

                I guess this was the legacy that my former editor-in-chief inculcated in me. Writing an article entails not only hard work but also conscience and integrity. A reporter’s story reflects who he is as a person.If a certain story was written to flatter and curry favor with someone (kissing somebody’s a*s), then the journalist writing it is tantamount to the sh*t excreted by that “somebody’s” bottom.

4. No story is worth a reporter’s life

                While it’s true that we have to defend our story, but please, don’t die for it and with it. No story is worth dying for. Learn to choose your battles and choose the battles you’re sure you’re going to win. As reporters, let’s keep our names in the byline and not in the headline most especially if the story is similar to what happened in Maguindanao. You know what I mean, ayt?

3. Always bring extra clothes

                Print is a demanding profession. Sometimes you cover stories outside your beat. I remember one time, I went to the office all dressed up since I was scheduled to cover Miss Cagayan de Oro. As the Life and Leisure reporter, it was part of my scope. The pageant was slated at 7pm. However, at around 6pm that day, a huge fire broke out and our police beat reporter who happens to be my close friend was absent.  Well, I guess you already know what happened next… I was at the fire scene, wearing my best beb and tackle (I was wearing a white, ¾ sleeve raglan shirt and light brown jeans) standing side-by-side with the firemen and fire victims, all sweaty, wet and dirty.

And yeah, I still covered Miss Cagayan de Oro later that night.

2. Always dress up

                I don’t want to admit this but most print reporters look as if dressing up is a taboo. Based on experience, I realized that sometimes, our sources judge and treat us based on how we present ourselves. Respect is practically owned based on how neat or smart looking we are.

                Now, don’t get me wrong. When I said dress up, I didn’t mean that you have to spend for the most expensive and up-to-date wardrobes.  Simply by looking neat and clean makes a huge difference –  it will make you look and act more professional and it upgrades your image in the eyes of others.

1. NO TO ENVELOPMENTAL JOURNALISM

               Whatever the case, situation or circumstance, always say NO.