lonewulf

job hunt, mad hunt (by princess karen golveque)

Youngblood

Job hunt, mad hunt By Princess Golveque

Philippine Daily Inquirer First Posted 00:19:00 04/22/2008

By now I should have job offers piling up to the ceiling of my apartment in Manila. Or so I once thought, but apparently life isn't going to be easy for Little Miss Me.

I am a product of the Philippine Science High School in Quezon City. I had one of the highest academic standings when I graduated from the University of the Philippines, Los Baños, with a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering. So I thought I wouldn't have a hard time finding a job that pays big bucks. In fact, I sort of expected job offers to come to me. I thought doors would open, but no, that didn't happen.

I grew up very optimistic about my future. But reality struck hard. And I am stumped. Now, all I can say to myself is, "Welcome to the real world, Princess!"

No matter what grade I got in school, no matter what clubs/organizations and awards I can write down in my resumé, I cannot seem to find that one dream job that contains the following: a huge paycheck and opportunities for travel and leisure! My dreams have been crushed.

During my very first interview (a mock interview, they said, but an interview nonetheless), Mr. Interviewer asked me at one point with a stern expression on his face, "Why are you giggling?" But I couldn't help it; I wasn't expecting the questions he was asking. You should have been there, it was absolutely hilarious. I did not mean to be rude, but I have the tendency of blabbering incoherently and laughing out loud when I am nervous. It's a bad habit, I know. Nothing to be sorry about but certainly it was a story to tell. Now I try to control my fits of giggling, and I haven't been reprimanded like that since then. Still it was quite a learning experience. This was my pre-graduate period and I am thankful I've outgrown my childishness. Well, almost...

To go to an interview, I take public transport to preserve my funds, which are being depleted fast. And since I have no idea where the heck I'm going to, I tell the driver my destination, the one written as the company address. And what do you know, when you get off, you ask around and they tell you that you have just been either dropped off too soon, or too late. Most of the time, I get dropped off too late. Four times, I have had to walk back to find the office I wanted to go to. Is this karma? Have I been bad?

I have walked under the scorching heat of the sun, mindless of the hordes of people milling around or going about their own business. Wiping the sweat off my face, I have silently looked for the building I was supposed to go to for another interview, another nerve-wracking, vocabulary-hunting (read: highfalutin) conversation. With a big smile plastered on my face (not that I'm being artificial or anything, it's just that you want to give the right impression and all), I would go inside the company building.

Sometimes, when you thought it couldn't get any worse, it happens. The moment you step up to the building guard to inquire, you realize that you have left your ID at home!

After finally securing a valid ID (I just got my driver’s license last November), I seem to have developed this habit of forgetting to bring it with me. And so, with all the charm I can muster, I have tried to talk my way out of the situation with the guard. Good thing I can be charming if I set my heart to it. (Wink! Wink!)

I have been told that the hardest question I would have to answer during a job interview is, "Tell me about yourself." But after being told to do that 15 times, I have gotten the hang of it and words just flow smoothly from my mouth.

Right after an interview, I would always walk around for a time. I find such after-interview walks therapeutic; they help me soothe my nerves. Besides it allows me to see some new sights so that my mental map of Manila is now almost filled up.

I like to think things through and recall what had just transpired in the interview room. Oftentimes I critique myself and think of what I could have said better to please the interviewer. In one interview, I should have told the manager after I realized that I had not done very well in the exams, "You see, Ma'am, I'm not so bright, but I am diligent!" That might have improved my chances of getting hired. And I have filed the idea away in my brain to be taken out in some future interviews!

The 15 interviews I have had built up my confidence in a way that was far more effective than my 15 years of schooling. It's amazing how 15 weeks can change you. I wouldn't have dreamed of walking in the corridors of a smoothly polished corporate office. Sure, I had big dreams, but all were so theoretical and quite difficult to grasp. Walking up there and facing the prospective buyer of your amazing self, you can't help but feel drained afterwards. I have found that selling myself is not an easy thing to do.

Maybe this is just another postgraduate syndrome. But I am beginning to feel as if I am just another face in the rapidly growing army of unemployed or underemployed junkies of our time. Opportunities seldom come. And whatever does arise, you cannot just grab it because you have certain plans you want to pursue. Or something you want so badly is keeping you waiting for it. But whatever the reasons, the fact remains that finding a decent job in this country can be downright disheartening.

Princess Golveque, 22, earned her Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering, cum laude, from the University of the Philippines, Los Baños.

hundred islands, pangasinan... wohooo!!!

hehe.. sorry tagal na ako di nakapagupdate ng site..

anyway, katamad din magpost ng pics.. so icocopy ko nalang ung link ng pics na pinost ni jed.. hehe... check nyo na lang..

http://engarde.multiply.com/photos/album/21/Impromptu_Vacation_Hundred_Islands_Panggasinan#

ang saya-saya!! hehehe

in the meantime...

months ago i came across this literary piece that i found moving. so i copied it at the back of my notebook only to be forgotten about later.

just this morning, as i was rummaging through my cabinet searching for whatsits, i accidentally found that literary piece and read it as if the first time. i never thought id hear my own voice in the words written across the paper. then my heart cried.

MEANTIME GIRL

she's the one you call when you're bored because she makes you laugh. she's the one you talk to when you're feeling down because she's willing to lend an ear and be a friend. she's not the one you call when you need a date to your company's Christmas party, or to go dancing on a Saturday night. she's the one you spend time with between girlfriends, before you find "The One". You know, the one who you keep around in the meantime.

She's not one of the guys, not a tomboy, but you don't look at her as a "real" woman either. She's not bitchy enough, moody enough, or sexy enough to be seen in that light. She's too laid-back, too easily-amused by the same things your male buddies are amused by. She's too understanding, too comfortable. She doesn't make you feel nervous or excited the way a "real" woman does. But she's cool, and nice, and funny, and attractive enough that when you're lonely or horny and need intimate female companionship, she'll do just fine. you don't have to wine and dine her because she knows the real you already, and you don't have any facades to keep up, no pretenses to preserve. You're not trying to get anything of substance out of her. She's not easy, but you know that she cares about you and is attracted to you, and that she'll give you the intimacy you need. And you know you don't have to explain yourself or the situation, that she'll be able to cope with the fact that this isn't the beginning of a relationship or there's any possibility that you have any real romantic feelings for her. It won't bother her that you'll get up in the morning, put on your pants, say goodbye, and go on a date with the woman you've been mooning over for weeks, who finally agreed to go out with you. she'll settle for a goodbye hug and a promise to call her and tell her how the date went. she's just so cool... why can't all women be like that.

But deep down, if you really think about it (which you probably don't because to you, the situation between the two of you isn't important enough to merit any real thought), you know that it's really not fair. You know that although she would never say it, it hurtsher to know that despite all her good points and all the fun you two have, you don't think she's good enough to spend any real time with. Sure, it's mostly her fault, because she doesn't have to give in to your needs. She could play the hard-to-get bitch like the rest of them do, if she really wanted to. But you and she both know that she probably couldn't pull it off. Maybe she's too short, or a little overweight, or has a big birthmark on her forehead, or works at Taco Bell, or just really not that type. Whatever the reason, somehow life has given her a lot of really great qualities but has left out the ones that men want (or think they want) in a woman. So she remains forever the funny friend, the steadfast companion, the secret lover, and you go on searching for your goddess who will somehow be everything you wanted in a woman.

you'll joke to her that she should be the best man at your wedding, and she'll laugh and make a joke about a smelly rental tux.

she doesn't captivate you with her beauty, or open doors with her smile. Mainly she blends in with the crowd. She's safe. She doesn't want to be the center of attention and turn the heads of everyone in the room. But she wants to turn someone's head. She wants to be special to someone, too. We all do.

She has feelings. She has a heart. In fact, she probably has a bigger and better heart than any woman you've ever known because she has a front-row seat to The Mess That Is Your Life, and she likes you anyway. She obviously sees something worthwhile and redeeming in you because although you've given her nothing, absolutely no reason to still be around, she is.

Anyway, yeah. I'm a Meantime Girl. Been one more than i care to admit. I don't know the reason, really, and at this point i don't even care. i just want to let every guy know who's ever had a good fortune to have a Meantime Girl that we may be fun, but we cry, too. A lot. And someday we won't be around.

(shit! i'm a Meantime Guy) sheeesh! (--.)

PLEASE DO READ

Dr. Martin Bautista nais gamutin ang 'sakit' ng trapo sa Senado

FIDEL JIMENEZ, GMANews.TV

03/16/2007 | 07:00 PM

Sa kabila ng marangyang buhay sa Amerika at magandang takbo ng negosyo--ano nga ba ang nagtulak kay Dr. Martin Bautista para bumalik sa Pilipinas at kumandidatong senador sa ilalim ng isang partidong Kapatiran na hindi naman kilala ng tao?

"Sobrang katiwalian sa gobyerno. Nakita namin na sumasama na ang buhay sa Pilipinas at bilang Filipino, kahit gaano karangya ang buhay namin sa Oklahoma, meron kaming pananagutan sa bayan natin at sa mga kababayan ko," pahayag ni Bautista sa panayam ng GMANews.TV sa kanyang tahanan sa New Manila, Quezon City.

Nakapagtayo ng sariling klinika ang mag-asawang Martin at Sylvia Tan sa Guymon, Oklahoma noong 1998 at tinawag nila itong Specialty Clinics of St. Anne. Gastroenterologist si Martin, 44 taong gulang, at pulmonologist naman si Sylvia, na tubong Bacolod City.

May apat silang anak na babae: Katherine, 13; Victoria, 12; Andrea, 6; at, Leticia, 4.

Sa nakalipas na tatlong taon, pabalik-balik din sa Pilipinas at Amerika si Dr. Bautista para sa medical missions at free clinic sa Bacolod.

Anak siya ni Andres Bautista, isang abogado na tubong Hagonoy, Bulacan, at Lilia Donato, isang maybahay na tubong Vigan, Ilocos Sur.

Ang kapatid niyang si Susan ay matagumpay na rin sa San Francisco, California, at si Gabby ay nasa San Francisco. Dean sa Far Eastern University (FEU) naman si Andres Jr. at abogado ang dalawa pang kapatid na sina Jose at Tinine.

Sa aming panayam kay Dr. Bautista, bakas sa kanyang pananalita ang galit sa tingin niya ay masamang pamamalakad ng mga "trapo" (traditional politician) sa pamahalaan na mistulang ginawang negosyo ang pulitika.

Makailang ulit niyang binanggit at ipinagdiinan na ang talamak na korapsyon sa gobyerno ay dapat nang matigil dahil ito ay pumapatay ng mahihirap na Filipino. "Ang dami nating kababayan na namamatay dahil walang pambili ng gamot, walang mainom na malinis na tubig, walang makain."

Pinasaringan din niya ang mga senatorial candidates ng Team Unity ni Pangulong Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, partikular ang aktor na si Cesar Montano na iniulat sa media na sinasabing "nagtampo" sa administrasyon matapos hindi maibigay ang ipinangako sa kanyang P200 milyon panggastos sa kampanya.

Bagaman itinanggi na ni Montano ang nasabing ulat, iginiit ni Bautista na dapat ipaliwanag ng pamahalaan kung saan nito kinukuha ang mga panggastos ng 12 kandidato sa Senado.

"Kung talagang gusto ni Montano na magsilbi sa bayan, hindi niya dapat sinasabi sa media na milyun-milyong kikitain niya sa pelikula ang nawala dahil sa desisyon niyang kumandidato, " pahayag ni Bautista.

Iskolar ng Bayan

Si Bautista at ang kanyang asawang si Sylvia ay kapwa nagtapos ng medisina sa University of the Philippines (UP). Bilang "iskolar" ng premier state university, sinabi niya na malaki ang utang na loob niya sa bayan na nagpaaral sa kanila.

Kaya naman nang magtungo sa US pagkatapos ng pag-aaral noong 1989, hindi sumagi sa isip niya na manatili doon ng habambuhay.

Ipinagpatuloy lamang niya ang masusi pang pag-aaral sa medisina sa State University of New York - Brooklyn mula 1990 hanggang 1996. Nabigyan ang mag-asawa ng sertipikasyon ng American Board of Internal Medicine upang makapanggamot sa Amerika.

"Nagbigay ako ng kundisyon sa sarili ko para hindi na umuwi ng Pilipinas," pagtatapat niya.

"Una, kung magkakasakit ako ng malubha like heart attack, kung hindi magiging maganda ang negosyo namin o kaya naman magkakasakit ang mga anak ko. Thank God dahil hindi nangyari ang tatlong ito at ito ang naging sign para magpasya ako last year na magbalik na sa Pilipinas,"aniya.

Bagaman 17 taon nang naninirahan sa US (7 taon sa New York at 10 taon sa Oklahoma kung saan nagtayo siya ng klinika), kahit minsan ay hindi inisip ni Bautista na isuko ang kanyang Filipino citizenship kapalit ng US citizenship.

Sinabi ni Bautista magawa nilang mag-practice ng kanyang propesyon sa loob ng 17-taon sa bisa lamang ng working permit.

Gusto umano niyang maging halimbawa sa iba pang Filipino na nasa abroad para magbalik sa Pilipinas.

"Nais kong isipin nila na iisa lang ang bayan namin at hindi nila yan maiaalis kahit pa gaano kaganda ang lagay nila sa bansang kinaroroonan nila . Kung iiwan natin ang Pilipinas sa kamay ng mga trapo, ano na lang ang mangyayari sa bayan natin," dagdag pa niya.

Hinikayat ni Bautista ang mga global Pinoy na umpisahan nang bawiin ang ating Pilipinas sa mga trapo sa pamamagitan ng pagiging aktibo sa electoral process.

"Ang nangyayari, ang mga trapo they make a living out of politics. Kumikita sila at ginagamit nilang parang franchise ang pulitika--parang cottage industry ng kanilang pamilya. Kailangan ihinto natin ito dahil masama, nakamamatay ang korapsyon," pagdidiin niya.

Sinabi pa ni Bautista na ang pagbabalik niya sa Pilipinas upang ialok ang sarili sa mamamayan bilang alternatibong kandidato ay maliit na sakripisyo sa kanyang parte kumpara sa sakripisyo ng iba pang "iskolar" tulad ng mga youth leaders na sina Lian Alejandro, Ed Jopson at Rolando Olalia, na pawang pinaslang.

Plataporma

Bukod kay Bautista, kandidatong senador ng partidong Kapatiran sina Atty. Jesus Zosimo Paredes at Atty. Adrian Sison. Sa tatlo, si Sison ang pinakamatagal nang kasapi ng Kapatiran.

Pangunahing adbokasya ng Kapatiran na ibalik sa sentro ng politika ang Diyos, pantay na katarungan, pagbabalik ng moralidad sa mga pinuno at ang dangal para sa mga mamamayan.

Ayon kay Bautista, walang sapat na pondo ang Kapatiran kaya malaking tulong sa kanilang kampanya ang kontribusyon na bigay ng mga tao.

Katunayan, ipinagmalaki niya ang "10 pisong" coin na iniabot sa kanya ng isang matandang ginang nang mag-ikot sila sa Tutuban, Maynila kamakailan.

Dahil sa mga kontribusyon ng karaniwang tao ay nagsisilbing "stake holders" ang mamamayan sa kanilang kampanya.

"Nagbibigay ng motivation sa amin kapag nakikita ang mga tao na natutuwa kapag nalaman nila na may kandidato na katulad namin na hindi trapo. Sa Bacolod nga may naglabas pa ng kartolina na nakasulat kamay ang Kapatiran," kuwento niya.

Nang tanungin ang tsansa nilang manalo, sinabi ni Bautista na hindi sila nangangambang matalo dahil wala naman silang malaking halaga na ginagastos.

"Puwede mo kaming tawagin na talunan kung umatras kami dahil natakot kami sa laki ng pondo ng ibang partido o kaya dahil natakot kami na hindi mabibilang ang boto namin dahil kay (dating election commissioner Virgilio) Garcillano. Pero, hindi kami aatras at tiyak na mananalo kami dito," diin niya.

Sa mga pinakahuling survey, nasa pang-28 posisyon si Bautista. Mas mataas ang kanyang puwesto kumpara kay Jamalul Kiram na kasama sa Senate slate ni Pangulong Arroyo.

Kung mananalo, sinabi ni Bautista na ang isyu ng kalusugan at edukasyon ang pangunahin niyang tututukan.

Bagaman pabor siya sa parallel importation ng mga gamot, mas makabubuti at makatitiyak na ligtas ang mga gamot kung dito na ito sa bansa gagawin.

Gagawa rin siya ng hakbang na maibalik sa national government ang health services dahil mas lalong lumubha umano ang serbisyo ng kalusugan lalo na sa mga lalawigan nang ma-deregulate ito sa local government.

Kwento ni Dr. Bautista, noong umuwi daw siya sa Pilipinas ay nahirapan siyang kumuha ng driver's license at mag-practice ng kanyang propesyon. Labis na pahirap daw ito sa mga katulad niyang OFW na gusto nang bumalik at manatili na sa Pilipinas.

Kaya't kapag naihalal daw sa Senado, bibigyang pansin niya ang kapakanan ng mga OFWs.

Kailangan din umanong dagdagan ang mga text book, class room at guro para maitaas ang kalidad ng edukasyon sa bansa.

"Dapat bigyan ng mataas na sahod ang mga teacher which is the most noble profession at hindi mas mataas pa ang sahod ng domestic helper sa Hong Kong o Taiwan," aniya.

Anuman ang mangyari sa kanyang kandidatura, sinabi ni Bautista na mananatili na siya sa Pilipinas kapiling ng mga asawa at apat na anak na babae.

"Kapag namatay ka na, hindi ka huhusgahan ng Diyos sa dami ng kotse mo sa garahe. Huhusgahan ka kung ano ang nagawa mo sa kapwa mo," aniya.

"Hindi sapat na mabuhay lang para sa sarili, meron tayong pananagutan sa ibang tao. At sana sa eleksiyon na ito, magising na ang mga tao," pagtatapos ni Bautista. -

Chok Alba

guys, nawala po last week ang cp ko...

gggrrrrr... so, in d meantime, dito nyo na muna ako kontakin.. sa friendster account na to...

or sa

thegreatnoel@hotmail.com

remus_lupin37@yahoo.com

noelco@lycos.com

noelco.multiply.com

09274347133 (kay rej, uplb street jazz)

09158157146 (kay gene, uplb tubaw)

09155091051 (kay jap, uplb samapi)

or puntahan nyo ko baker m-th 6-8 or sa bahay na lang hehe... *************************

P.S. PLEASE, pakimessage po ung CONTACT NUMBERS nyo.. thanks!!

owtuowtu

sumikat na naman ang araw. hindi ko alam kung ilang beses pa uli ito sisikat. naiinis na ako. nababagot. ang bawat pagsikat ng araw ay nangangahulugang may ilang oras na naman akong mabubuhay. ayoko na. pakiramdam ko'y nabubuhay ako sa maling panahon. pakiramdam ko nakakulong ako. hindi ako makagalaw. kelangan kong tumakas. kung saan, hindi ko alam. hindi ko rin alam kung papaano. mukhang hindi rin naman posible. <buntong-hininga>. ayan, sumikat na naman ang araw. tumitindi na ang init ngunit hindi ito tumatagos sa lamig ng nararamdaman ko. sana bumalik na lang ako sa nakaraan. uhhmmm... mga tatlong taon pabalik mula sa kasalukuyan. sa panahon kung kelan inaantay ko ang bawat pagsikat ng araw. kung kelan nasa ayos ang lahat at hindi mahirap ngumiti. kung kelan maghapon lang akong payapang natutulog sa yakap ng aking minamahal. at magdamag ko naman syang pinagmamasdan habang nagpapasalamat sa panginoon sa ligayang aking nararamdaman. <buntong-hininga>. ayan, sumikat na naman ang araw. isang simbolo ng kawalan ng pag-asa. sana sa susunod na paglubog nito ay makatulog ako at di na muling magising pa.

AYOKO NANG MABUHAY...

[ANG PABORITO KONG PASTIME]

EVERY NIGHT IN MY DREAMS I SEE YOU…

Bzzzt… Bzzzzt…

ISN’T SHE LUCKY? BUT WHY DOES SHE CRY?…

Bzzzt… Bzzzzt…

Dear Dr. Love, matagal na po akong…

Bzzzt… Bzzzzt…

PARA SAYO ANG LABAzzzt…

Bzzzt… Bzzzzt…

HETO AKO BASANG-BASA SA ULAN, WALANG MASISILUNGAN, WALANG MALALAPITAN…

Ayan! Nakahanap din ng matinong kanta.

Ang pakikinig sa radyo na siguro ang pinakapaborito kong pampalipas-oras. Dito, nagagawa kong mapakinggan ang mga kinagigiliwan kong kanta. Pati ang malalamig na boses ng iniidolo kong mga DJ at mang-aawit ay nasusubaybayan ko rin. Masarap talaga makinig ng radyo. Nakakaaliw na, libre pa!

Sabi ng prof ko, mga emosyonal lang daw ang nakikinig ng radyo. Yung mga taong walang nagmamahal kaya’t ginagawa nalang bespren ang radyo kung saan paulit-ulit nilang pinakikinggan ang pare-parehong love songs at break up songs na lalo lang nagpapalungkot sa kanila at syang nagiging dahilan ng kanilang pagiging suicidal.

Pero hindi ako naniniwala sa kanya. Ang totoo, masayahin pa nga akong tao. Kahit wala akong syota. Hindi ka naniniwala? Ano ka ba, ang sarap-sarap maging single! Tingnan mo na lang ako, hindi na nga ako nakatali sa anumang relasyon, buong-buo ko pang nagagamit ang oras ko.

At dahil single ako, nagagawa kong manood ng TV kahit anong oras ko pa gustuhin. Hindi ko nakakaligtaan ang bawat pakikipagsapalaran ni Lufi, ang kamay na bakal ni Yangkumi, at ang mga laban ni Eugene. Pati ang nakakakilig na bangayan nina TJ Han at Jillian Sha, ang mala-altar na mukha ni Juday, at ang mala-diyosang kagandahan ni Rosita ay napapanood ko rin.

O, kumbinsido ka na bang okey maging single?

Hindi pa? Eto.

Ngayong single na ako, nagagawa kong panoorin ang kahit na anong pelikulang gusto kong mapanood. Lahat din ng inaarkila kong CDs sa video shop ay mga paborito ko. Dati kasi, nong may syota pa ako, kalahati ng hinihiram ko ay mga Oscar-nominated films. Tapos ang kalahati naman ay ang kanyang mga paborito. Labs Kita Bilib Ka Ba? Luv Txt. Flames the Movie. Isusumbong Kita sa Tatay Ko. Enteng Kabisote. At kung anu-ano pa. Maging sa sine ay nakokompromiso rin ako sa pagpili ng pelikula. Kaya’t napipilitan akong pumasok sa Cinema 1 gayong sa Cinema 4 ko naman talaga gusto.

Haay… kaya mas masarap talaga maging single diba?

Ngayong kasi, sa tuwing nagmomood swing ako, anumang oras ay nagagawa kong dumiretso sa video shops at doon ibuhos ang lahat ng galit sa pagbugbog kay Chun Li at Dhalsim. At higit sa lahat, ngayong mag-isa na ako, buong-buong napapasakin ang allowance ko. Hindi ko na kailangang bumili ng tsokolate, bulaklak, bear cuddler, at kung ano pang bagay na wala naming katuturan. Ngayon, nabibili ko na ang mga bagay na gusto kong bilhin. Walang kahati.

Ngunit, kagaya ng lahat ng iba pang tao sa buong mundo, at malamang kasama ka dun, napagtripan din ako ng tadhana. Aba’y anak ng tinalupang butanding, napagtripan pa ako sa pinakahindi inaasahang pagkakataon. Isang text message lang ang kinailangan ng tadhana para guluhin ako. Isang text message na syang dahilan kung bakit ako umiyak, nagkulong sa kwarto, nakinig ng love songs, at kamuntikan nang naging suicidal.

Tititit… teeeteeet… tititit.

“ANO KBA. MAS MSARAP PRIN UNG MY NG-AALAGA SAU.”

Linsyak!

Oo na, panalo ka na! Masaya din naman maging single ah. Hindi nga lang sapat ang kaligayahang naibibigay nito para mapawi ang isang kalungkutang nananalaytay sa bawat hibla ng aking kaluluwa. Kalungkutang dulot ng pag-iisa.

Alam ko. Maaaring naaaliw ako sa mga bagay na nagagawa ko lamang kapag mag-isa. Ngunit mas masarap pa rin ang may kasama. Yung may nag-aalaga sayo.

Mas gugustuhin ko na rin sigurong hindi mapasaakin ng buo ang allowance ko. Gusto kong bilhin ang lahat ng pangangailangan mo na hindi na kayang bilhin ng baon mo. Gusto kong bayaran ang ilang kilong bigas na nauubos natin sa isang linggo. Pati na rin ang ulam, upa sa bahay, tubig, Meralco, at pati ang bayad sa pagpapalaba ng mga damit natin.

Kesa bugbugin sina Dhalsim at Chun Li sa tuwing magmomood swing ako, mas pipiliin kong maramdaman ang iyong pagsuyo, hanggang sa maging okey na ako ulit. At kahit pa lahat ng hihiramin ko sa video shop ay puro Jolina at Marvin, ayos lang. Magdamag naman akong may katabi sa sofa kapag magmamarathon na tayo. At may balikat pa akong masasandalan pag inantok na ako. Ayos na rin ang mabato sa panonood ng Volta sa loob ng sinehan. At least, hindi na ako mag-isang nanood at nanginginig sa aircon. Hindi na, dahil hahawakan mo ang aking kamay kapag ito ay nangangatal at babalutin mo ng yakap ang aking katawan para ito’y manatiling mainit.

Kahit ma-miss ko pa ang Dragon Ball at Maging Sino Ka Man, katabi naman kita sa harap ng TV. Nag-aagawan man tayo sa remote control, at halos wala na tayong maintindihan sa palabas dahil sa palipat-lipat ito ng estasyon, kahit papano’y pareho naman nating napapanood ang mga palabas na gusto mo, pati na rin ang gusto ko.

At kahit pa mawalan na ako ng panahon sa pakikinig sa aking mga paboritong kanta sa radyo, ayos lang. Mas masarap naman pakinggan ang tibok ng puso mo. Lalo na kapag niyayakap mo ako’t hinahagod ang aking buhok habang magkatabi tayong nakahiga sa kama ko. At walang sawa nating pagpaplanuhan ang nag-aantay na hinaharap.

Masaya pag mag-isa dahil malaya ka. Pero madalas, napapagod din ang puso. Kelangan nito ng masasandalan.

Sana dumating ka na…

dalamhati ng buwan

dagat

basain mo ako

banlawan mo ang aking mukha

at nang walang makakasaksi sa mahahapding luha

na hindi na tumila sa pag-agos sa aking mga mata

dagat

dalhin mo ako

gamitin mo ang hampas ng iyong mga alon

para ipadpad ako sa kungsaang ibayo

ipamalas mo sa akin ang iba't ibang lugar

ang iba't ibang klase ng tao

hanggang sa magsawa ako sa kanila

at piliin na lang na habambuhay manatili

sa likod ng iyong mga alon

dagat

yakapin mo ako

balutin mo ang aking katawan ng iyong lamig

hayaan mong manigas ang aking kalamnan

hanggang sa hindi na ito makaramdam

ng kahit na anong sakit

ng kahit na anong takot...

ng kahit na anong pag-ibig.

Pinoy ka ba? Basahin mo to

What a moving article. i didn't write this but i find it meaningful enough to be posted on my blog. please read and reflect on the essay.

As you know, we have plenty of Koreans currently
studying in the Philippines to take advantage of our
cheaper tuition fees and learn English at the same
time. This is an essay written by a Korean student
I want to share with you.

My Short Essay about the Philippines
Jaeyoun Kim

Filipinos always complain about the corruption in
the
Philippines. Do you really think the corruption is the
problem of the Philippines? I do not think so. I
strongly believe that the problem is the lack of love
for the Philippines.

Let me first talk about my country, Korea. It might
help you understand my point. After the Korean
War,
South Korea was one of the poorest countries in
the
world. Koreans had to start from scratch because
entire country was destroyed completely after the
Korean War, and we had no natural resources.

Koreans used to talk about the Philippines, for
Filipinos were very rich in Asia. We envy Filipinos.
Koreans really wanted to be well off like Filipinos.
Many Koreans died of famine. My father's brother
also
died because of famine.

Korean government was awfully corrupt and is still
very corrupt beyond your imagination, but Korea
was
able to develop dramatically because Koreans
really
did their best for the common good with their heart
burning with patriotism. Koreans did not work just
for
themselves but also for their neighborhood and
country. Education inspired young men with the
spirit
of patriotism. 40 years ago, President Park took
over
the government to reform Korea.

He tried to borrow money from other countries, but
it
was not possible to get a loan and attract a foreign
investment because the economy situation of
South
Korea was so bad. Korea had only BR three
factories.
So, President Park sent many mine workers and
nurses
to Germany so that they could send money to
Korea
to
build a factory. They had to go through a horrible
experience. In 1964, President Park visited
Germany
to borrow money. Hundred of Koreans in Germany
came to
the airport to welcome him and cried there as they
saw
the President Park. They asked to him,"President,
when
can we be well off?" That was the only question
everyone asked to him. President Park cried with
them
and promised them that Korea would be well off if
everyone works hard for Korea, and the President
of Germany got the strong impression on them and
lent
money to Korea.

So, President Park was able to build many
factories
in
Korea.

He always asked Koreans to love their country from
their heart. Many Korean scientists and engineers
in
the USA came back to Korea to help developing
country
because they wanted their country to be well off.

Though they received very small salary, they did
their
best for Korea. They always hoped that their
children
would live in well off country.

My parents always brought me to the places
where
poor
and physically handicapped people live. They
wanted me
to understand their life and help them. I also
worked
for Catholic Church when I was in the army. The
only
thing I learned from Catholic Church was that we
have
to love our neighborhood. And I have loved my
neighborhood.

Have you cried for the Philippines? I have cried for
my country several times. I also cried for the
Philippines because of so many poor people. I have
been to the New Bilibid prison. What made me sad
in
the prison were the prisoners who do not have any
love
for their country. They go to mass and work for
Church. They pray everyday. However, they do not
love
the Philippines. I talked to two prisoners at the
maximum security compound, and both of them
said that
they would leave the Philippines right after they are
released from the prison. They said that they would
start a new life in other countries and never come
back to the Philippines.

Many Koreans have a great love for Korea so that
we
were able to share our wealth with our
neighborhood.
The owners of factory and company were
distributed
their profit to their employees fairly so that
employees could buy what they needed and saved
money
for the future and their children. When I was in
Korea, I had a very strong faith and wanted to be a
priest. However, when I came to the Philippines, I
completely lost my faith. I was very confused when
I
saw many unbelievable situations in the
Philippines.
Street kids always make me sad, and I see them
everyday. The Philippines is the only Catholic
country
in Asia, but there are too many poor people here.
People go to church every Sunday to pray, but
nothing
has been changed.

My parents came to the Philippines last week and
saw
this situation. They told me that Korea was much
poorer than the present Philippines when they were
young. They are so sorry that there so many
beggars
and street kids.

When we went to Pasangjan, I forced my parents
to
take a boat because it would fun. However, they
were
not happy after taking a boat. They said that they
would not take the boat again because they were
sympathized the boat men, for the boat men were
very
poor and had a small frame. Most of people just
took a
boat and enjoyed it. But my parents did not enjoy it
because of love for them.

My mother who has been working for Catholic
Church
since I was very young told me that if we just go to
mass without changing ourselves, we are not
Catholic
indeed. Faith should come with action. She added
that
I have to love Filipinos and do good things for them
because all of us are same and have received a
great
love from God.

I want Filipinos to love their neighborhood and
country as much as they love God so that the
Philippines will be well off. I am sure that love is
the keyword which Filipinos should remember. We
cannot
change the sinful structure at once. It should start
from person. Love must start in everybody in a
small
scale and have to grow. A lot of things happen if we
open up to love. Let's put away our prejudices and
look at our worries with our new eyes. I discover
that
every person is worthy to be loved.

Trust in love, because it makes changes possible.
Love
changes you and me.

It changes people, contexts and relationships.

It changes the world. Please love your
neighborhood
and country. Jesus Christ said that whatever we do
to
others we do to Him. In the Philippines, there is
God
for people who are abused and abandoned. There
is God
who is crying for love. If you have a child, teach
them how to love the Philippines. Teach them why
they have to love their neighborhood and country.

You already know that God also will be very happy
if
you love others.

That's all I really want to ask you Filipinos.

Now I will second her/his curiosity. Is the
Philippines worth crying for.......

Who will shed tears for the Motherland .

Who will lend a hand to lift her spirit, to hold the
lonely Flag that symbolize her name.

If you love the motherland, you may want to spread
this message.

[the artist]

The filmmaker, like his fellow artists in different
media, has now realized that the artist is also a
public person. He does not work in isolation from
society. Instead of working alone in his ivory tower
he is a citizen of the slums, of the streets, of the
battlefield if need be. The artist is always a
participant. He tries to be true not only to his craft
but also to himself. For this is the supreme duty of
the artist to investigate the truth, no matter what
forces attempt to hide it. And then to report it to
the people, to confront them with it, like a whiplash
that will cause wounds but will free the mind from
the various fantasies and escapist fare that the
Establishment pollutes our minds with.

To the best of our abilities, and even if we
oftentimes fail, we want to do works that will hurt,
films that will disturb, films that will not make you
rest. For the times are really bad, and given times
like these, it is a crime to rest. We can not rest,
and we should not, while theres a fellow Filipino
starving in Negros, an Aquino or Galman crying for
justice, a salvage victim lying in a mountain of
garbage while a corrupt family rules the country
with uncontrolled power and wealth. While it is the
duty of the artist to work for what is true, good, and
beautiful, first we have to expose and fight for what
is wrong.

In these times when most of the media hide the
truth from us, when most of what we get from the
media are silly gossip and petty flesh and
sensationalized crimes, we go to the streets to find
out whats happening. We listen to those artists
who dare risk their lives and livelihoods, who
reiterate once more the utmost duty of the artist ---
that the artist is a committed person, that he will
always take the side of any human being who is
violated, abused, oppressed, dehumanized
whatever his instrument ---the pen, the brush, or
the camera.

-Lino Brocka
Artist as Citizen