The Most Important Relationship

"The most important relationship we have in our lives is with our selves".

And even though we are the only one who are present at every moment of our lives since birth onwards - this relationship can be the most difficult one to cultivate. This may be because society places such emphasis on the importance of being in a romantic partnership, even teaching us to set aside our own needs for the needs of another. Until we know ourselves, however, we cannot possibly choose the right relationship to support our mutual growth toward our highest potential.

By allowing ourselves to be comfortable with being alone, we can become the person who is independent and who knows what he wants in life. Perhaps at no other time in history has it been possible for people to survive, and even thrive, while living alone. But before one can successfully venture out into a higher level of relationship, a stronger character and well defined personal objectives and attitudes have to be founded. First, we have to build a stable fortress to rest ourselves financially, socially, and emotionally without or depending on somebody else for survival in any of these realms. With this freedom, we can pursue our own interests and create fulfilling partnerships with friends, business partners, creative cohorts, and neighbors.

Once we’ve satisfied our needs and created our support system, a mate then becomes someone with whom we can share the bounty of all we’ve created and the beauty we’ve discovered within ourselves. As we move away from tradition and fall into more natural cycles of being in the world today, we may find that there are times where being alone nourishes us and other periods in which a partnership is best for our growth.

We might as well need to learn to create spaces to be alone within relationships. When we can shift our expectations of our relationships with ourselves and others to opportunities for discovery, we open ourselves to forge new paths and encounter uncharted territory. Being willing to know and love ourselves, and to find what truly makes us feel deeply and strongly, gives us the advantage of being able to attract and choose the right people with whom to share ourselves, whether those relationships fall into recognizable roles or not.

Choosing to enjoy being alone allows us to fully explore our most important relationship—the one with our true selves.

The Opposite of Sex

A man is made for a woman, so they shall have kids and inhabit the earth. But is that all they are made for? Frankly, yes. But between the time a man and a woman meet and the time they fulfill the purpose for which they are created, their relationship would speak beyond the concept of unity and physical attraction. There are emotions involved, admiration, promises, sacrifices, dreams, companionship and so on. People needs someone not just to satisfy the flesh. It’s not just about having someone to display to other people. It transcends beyond the glitzy and regal wedding ceremonies. Aside from love, people needs guidance, care and happiness.

People needs companionships. Like all other relationship, there are superficial needs and there are what the hopeless romantics dream about. Having someone to talk to on boring nights, someone to dance with on the floor, someone to spend weekends in the day break, someone to cry on, someone to watch over you, someone to share with and listen to your innermost thoughts, someone to grow old with. Some say the superficial desires are just icing on the cake, the time spent dreaming together, while holding hands under the pale moonlight is the saccharine taste of the bread that substantiate the relationship.

Which should bring us to our psyche, if there are matters that engage two people more essentially than just frolicking in each other’s nakedness in bed, then, does gender really determines the right and the capacity to give genuine happiness to the opposite sex? To be happy, does a man always have to be with a woman and vice versa? To be satisfied, does it necessitate that you make love the conventional way? To make a relationship lasts, does it always require that you share your precious time with the opposite sex? To live a fruitful life, does two people always have to be married and exchanged solemn bows in witness of a priest? What does it take? Who does it take?

Love as a feeling, doesn’t require too much from anyone. Nothing dictates who to fall with or how or why. Nothing guarantees a long lasting relationship, not even if you are married to the most gorgeous woman on earth or the richest man on the planet. Happiness is not founded on conventions or straight rule; there is no rule for love and the pursuit for genuine happiness. Gender doesn’t define what would make someone contented and gratified. The hearts beat without anyone telling them to do so, same with love, it just happen between no pre-defined souls.

So who does make the noblest pair of all? No one. As long as you stay true to what you feel and that person feels the same way for you, as long as you don’t cause harm or indignation to others, as long as you enjoy being together not just as lovers but as friends, as family and as a partner, as long as you intend to keep each other for reasons beyond the three letter word, as long as you love each other then I wish you good luck and long live!

When Life Comes with an Expiration Date

If only I knew ahead! Nope. I am not talking about the climax of the latest summer blockbuster hitting the big screen but having the knowledge of when life has to end. Imagine, what would living life be like if we knew in advance the date when we have to face the reality of death? If we have the idea of when our last few hours will be, would we plan our burial in advance and start to mourn before our actual demise? Would we be more prepared and organized or more scared and pressured? Would be happy to accept our end or would we try to find ways to escape it?

The thought of putting an end date to our individual existence is difficult to comprehend. We would be reduced to nothing but to a mere commodity level, in the same cycle as in for a manufactured drug or bottled water or canned goods. Our birth certificates would come with a stamped expiry dates. All our actions, dealings and commitments will be measured and vindicated by our so-called “expiry dates”. The choice to go to school, what course to take, the age to start a family, the places to visit, resources to spend and just about everything that we need to say and do.

You will probably face a dilemma of who to marry between a gorgeous wealthy man who has a few years to live or struggling peasant who will stays besides you ‘till your last breath. You will probably have a hard time looking for the perfect job as companies may think twice in hiring someone who they knew they’ll have to pay early retirement or death benefits. If you go to the bank and apply for a loan, the bank will probably deny your application if they knew right away that you won’t have enough time to pay them back.

Living life and knowing it has duration is even harder to comprehend. We will all have our daily routines planned in advance, every steps and even every emotions, when to feel happy, when to feel sorry, when to feel sad. Carefully, we will select the best choices to make the best out of our limited stay. Freedom, as well as free will is compromised. One mistake or failure to meet some expectations can jeopardize our other plans and eventually our idea of a fruitful life will be ruined. Hope and faith is eliminated. Human character is dictated by self serving attitudes. We will bring our focus on making our individual lives before the “expiry dates” as worthwhile as possible.

What goes beyond our “expiry dates” is even more haunting and worrisome. After all that we have invested in life and making lasting bonds with friends and families, what happens to the memories that we are going to leave behind? Will they be erased just as our body is buries six feet under? Will we be remembered, will we be missed or will they recall us as just another old greeting card or a date in the past?

We can never find true happiness if knew our end. Each passing day will be a gram of sadness added in anticipation of our date of expiry. Life would revolve around our perfect plans making sure that everything is met and done before the deadline. There would be a billion islands as each will be preoccupied minding his own life span. Humanity will be lost. We will be guided not by faith, but by our own life designs. There would be no venue to celebrate the element of surprises.

Harmful Imperfections

Last night, I was talking to a friend and he asked about what’s the latest about me, I told him I have no friends here in Dubai, that I have difficulty tolerating my job and that I am feeling homesick again. He wasn’t surprised anymore hearing those things from me. All he said was “isip bata ka talaga”. Then I defended myself by saying “wala naman perpekto, lahat may kapintasan”. To that part he seconded, but his succeeding words are just too honest and painful to bear, “oo nga, pero yung imperfections mo iba, nakakasakit ng tao”. Then I was guilty in silence.

There are people on earth, much celebrated than me, who also have imperfections, but theirs are negligible and never overshadow their talents and the redeeming side of their character. Take for example our huge “stars”, Sharon Cuneta maybe well in singing and acting, but she isn’t a good dancer adding more are her imperfect pair of legs. Vilma Santos is such an idol in when it comes to the dance floor and acting as well, but her voice is terribly annoying. Nora Aunor, one of the country’s best actresses is also a prolific singer, but I’ve never seen her dance and hope to never see her do.

Even these people have imperfections, but they have never allowed their limitations to outshine what they do best. People are just so forgiving especially if they know that you’re trying your best to please them despite your inherent limitations. But imperfections of attitude, which can’t be said to be natural, is a ball to swallow. If habits and moods bear inequity and do more than just satisfying oneself but inflicting hurt and pains to others, it leaves an imprint that is difficult to erase even if you are the most talented or the most brilliant person on earth.

We all have flaws. To love someone unconditionally is to embrace his imperfections together with all his might. That’s love in its perfect sense. But when it blows out of proportion, acceptance of someone else’s imperfection shouldn’t be kept in the heart, when it has crossed beyond the boundary of what’s right and wrong, it is better jarred or jailed.

This Imperfect World

What makes the world perfect is accepting and loving somebody else’s imperfections perfectly. Gulay! I almost bled my nose and ears trying to discern what this perfectly phrased set of words truly means. All I know is that nobody is perfect and if you thinking of someday finding the perfect partner, the perfect job, the perfect family or your own perfect life, chances are, you’ll probably lose your entire age trying to pass the time for something that doesn’t exist.

Before, I used to complain a lot when my expectation for something or someone failed to live up. I thought everyone is like me. I dismiss the fact that everyone is unique and as such, not everybody could please me in the same manner that I couldn’t please all. It is not fair to think that other people will think in the same direction that we do, to assume that other people will take all the same food that we eat and to deem people to behave accordingly to what we have in mind.

The imperfections in our surroundings make this world perfect and what make us humans. Imagine not having any bully, bragging or irreverent house mates, or not having any silly or smelly Indians in your office, or not having too much empty pockets in your wallet, it would be so much of a bore not to have at least any one of that. To live in full satisfaction, without any discomfort and free from any anxiety, stress or obligation, is oh yes desirable but somehow bothering because you might be the only one in this world having that kind of luxury.

Now I begin to understand and respect such inequities. For sure, though not known to me, a lot of people also do feel displease and uncomfortable with my actions and reactions. So I should feel for them. It is inevitable and it is part of life. We all have imperfections and we just need to bear with each other’s flaws.

Crashing Down Before Taking Off

How about having your big dreams screwed up even before you started it, must be terrible and heart breaking. But what could be worst? It’s when you almost had it all and suddenly it vanished and taken away without any warnings. Life is really full of unexpected. Sometimes, the grandest of plan or ambition would be gone in a snap of finger or sometimes, in gradual more painful kind of ordeal. Either way, it’s a sad ending after all. In events like these, the least we could do is to be optimistic and believes nothing happens for no reasons and that God’s plan is always the best and perfectly timed.

It might be the height of disappointment and frustrations, just when you thought that it’s going to be there, she’s going to be there, you’re going to be there, and unfortunately it wouldn’t be realized anymore or at least at the moment. Gone! The excitement, the anticipation, the hope, the future, what we’ve founded in years, the eagerness that we’ve accumulated, has crashed down to our feet all at once.

Atlantis: Lost, Found and Almost Lost
The Lost City of Atlantis, according to Plato’s account, is an ancient, now-submerged, highly evolved civilization which had ships and aircraft powered by a mysterious form of energy crystal. It was believed to have existed 9,600 years B.C. and after a failed attempt to invade Athens, Atlantis sank into the ocean in a single day and night of misfortune. Nobody really knows whether the account of Atlantis is based on facts or fiction, but who cares. Come September 24, 2008, where there was nothing but sea five years ago, a three-mile-long island with fronds radiating from the centre and right at the crest, in prime position, the 395 feet towers of the Dubai Atlantis Hotel emerge slowly through the heat haze.

It was touted to be the emirate's most extravagant hotel to date, built at a cost of 750 million pounds. It covers an area of 114 acres or roughly the size of 64 Wembley football pitches and features 1,539 rooms with prices starting at £228 per night for a standard double and rising to £15,000 for the Bridge Suite. It also boasts a tremendous volume of water, 60 million liters, including the rides and aquariums – enough to fill 24 Olympic-size pools. Its resort facilities brag 8 rides, including the 1½ mile river ride. It has 17 restaurants, three from Michelin-starred chefs and lastly a marine park boasting of a 65,000 specimens of aquatic animals, twice as many as the London Aquarium.

But even before the public take a glimpse of Dubai’s newest superlative offering, a mega resort based on the Lost City of Atlantis, a fire broke out in the lobby of the mammoth Dubai Atlantis Hotel. Glad the fire was contained early so that no further damage was sustained by the hotel aside from the damage in the lobby’s exterior ceiling. Management guarantees that the hotel will open as scheduled.


The Essence of a Woman
“The origin of a child is a woman...”, that statement of Miss India Sushmita Sen warranted her Miss Universe crown in 1994. It was her eloquent response when asked what for her the essence of being a woman was. Truly it was applaud able, a restatement of an undeniable fact that we all came from our mothers, after feeding and developing inside her womb for nine months. During that period, she took full care of herself knowing someone else, a young life, was depending on her for everything. For nine months, she carried us through her every where, her every time and through all her emotions. At some point, she abandoned her job so that she could prepare herself well for our imminent dawn outside her womb. Then her most painful shrieks marked the instant we breathed on our own, as a life separate from her. It was probably the most blissful moment of her life. Seeing her newborn see the world.

Unfortunately, not all pregnancies will come to fruition. In some cases, pregnancies will have to be halted if will jeopardize the life of the mother for some health reasons. A discontinued pregnancy resulting from miscarriage is one big frustration to absorb especially if the cause is due to some carelessness or accident. Not all women are blessed with the opportunity to bear a child, depending on age and health conditions. So if chances for conception come and those chances are wasted without any justifiable reasons, it becomes a heart wrenching grief for parents and sometimes requiring the couple, especially the mother to even go through some psychological and counseling programs. Giving birth is not just about meeting expectations but looking forward to something that completes a man and a woman. To lose it by any way unnecessary, is something I hope, never happens to anyone.

Beloved
Losing a loved one is probably one of the most painful ordeals one has to go through. What makes it more excruciating is when we have almost bonded with that person like we are one. But what if the person who’s supposed to promise you to stay with you through thick and thin, through joys and hardships was taken away from you even before he has made the promise to do so, would you feel sorry or rather be thankful? Sorry because you won’t be able to start a life together just as you have envisioned or thankful that he was gone even before you have invested more profound emotions, at which point the pain and sorrow is much deeper and lasting.

I have an officemate before and she had a boyfriend for years. After the guy graduated from college, they planned of settling down. But just when they thought they were heading to a blissful life together, with promising careers ahead, the guy was diagnosed with cancer. He had undergone medical treatment but to no avail. Months after the diagnosis, the guy gave up to the big C. It was a heartbreaking event for my friend and I believe to everyone who knew what they had gone through. It is just so sad to know that sometimes ill fate comes to those who are good and loving. There are so many bad guys out there who roam freely in all their glory and they are not even seem to be punished for their committed crimes. Then this young soul who could have offered so much for this rotten society was taken away without any just and visible cause. Not only that it is unfair, but to my friend who had lost almost half her life in loving him, it just came too drastic and too soon.


Graduation
I was watching news last night via TFC, a high school graduating student was killed in a frat initiation ceremony. His body was found lifeless in an abandoned area, together with his family’s hope and dream that someday he would salvage his family from the poverty they are in. Many cases of unjust and untimely demise have swept people who almost had it, those graduating from studies, those getting ready to marry, those preparing for their first job, those who are going abroad and many others.


Either by accident or intentional causes, the drama in abruptly losing someone you are counting on is like a little bird learning to take flight and suddenly was cut off his wings and died. Things like these solicit so much from questioning minds and wishful thinkers. Why does this need to happen right to them right now and if only I could turn back the hands of time. Just when things are going slowly towards success, suddenly it’s would never get done.


From Gold to Gone
August 18, 2008, It was a heartbreaking moment for over 90,000 Chinese spectators in the Bird’s Nest. Liu Xiang, the first Chinese man to win an Olympic track and field gold medal in Athens in 2004 was again back on track and billions of avid Chinese were eager to witness Liu Xiang bring the country more honor at the Olympic Games. It’s the moment Liu Xiang and the entire nation of China have looked forward for years.

But even before he got into his starting position, a painful expression in his face had raised an ominous feeling. His next move shocked the huge crowd at the stadium into silence as he tore the paper with his number off his leg and walked gingerly towards the tunnel, he dropped out of the race after a severe right foot injury, leaving the Summer Games' host country without one of its biggest stars — and far and away its biggest star in track and field. Though initial reactions of the Chinese were swift and supportive, many were still disappointed because the olympic chances four years in the making had just been wasted by excessive pressure and training.

Boremeter

What is inevitably the most boring thing to do in life? Well for me, it’s work, it’s my work. I don’t know how to explain it, but the moment I sit my ass on my table, I just wish that time could travel as fast as lightning so that I could go back home and do the things I love to do, like cooking, talking, watching television and blogging. I had never been this way before. In all of my previous jobs, I have always been so excited to come to the office and do my assigned responsibilities. It really didn’t matter if I was being paid less, the important thing was I enjoyed what I was doing and I felt productive.

Boredom, according to Wikianswers, is the state of mind where you cannot thik of what to do

In my new job, something is bringing the ennui down from my head to my eyelids. It’s not for doing something so boring, but for doing nothing at all. See I just turned a month old in my job and I am still getting acquainted with my tasks, so it’s all reading and learning stuff. I am a busy person, when I am not busy with work, at least I get myself busy with something or someone else.

When I was still with San Miguel (SMC)l, whenever boredom strikes me, building SMA or SMB, popularly known as SM Megamall Bldg A and B is just a stone throw away.

Presently, I don’t have anything to do in the office but I can’t show to them. So the pretention level is up to the highest level. That’s the horrifying ordeal that I need to go through every time I report to the office. I am being paid more actually compared to all my previous jobs but even the hefty pay could not impede my sight from closing its windows. Going to the comfort room more frequently than I should, black coffee and hot chocolate couldn’t do much good. I am freakingly bored and my work, or should I say no work – is freakingly boring and is putting me to a punishable hibernation.

I would rather be dumped with an enormous work load than to be paid for doing nothing. Call it nobility, but it is just the way I see things from a personal and professional viewpoint.

The Boremeter
Not another scientific measuring equipment, but how I call the degree of indulgence in my mold-producing and nap-inducing nature of work. Here’s my daily itinerary: I arrive in the office usually between 8 to 8:30. It will take me 5 minutes to start my desktop, 30 minutes to check on and reply to my mails, usually I create long morning emails to my friends in the Philippines. I get three 10 minutes bathroom break where I do everything I can to revive my sane self. I get usually 2 cups of hot choco. The rest, almost 3 hours pretending that I am busy, 2/3 of it I have to battle boredom and tediousness before I have my lunch break.

It is a painful task to pretend that you are busy with something
where in fact you are not. It’s guilt-ridden and crazy.

During the afternoon, I have to win over a more bloody confrontation with boredom and drabness. That’s 4 long hours of prolonged agony. Feels like I am being subjected to a survivor test. Thank God at least for this session, I am getting 3 ten minutes bathroom interruption, 2 cups of hot chocolate and minimum of 5 minutes of landline conversation. The rest is crucial, a death defying clash with the most tiresome activity of all – inactivity.

A Love Story

“Mabuti pa ang saging, may puso.” Ouch! Tinamaan yata ako don. Oo nga noh? Binalikan ko lahat ng previous entries ko at wala ngang ni isang love story akong naisulat. Hmmm…Bakit nga ba? Mas mabuti pa ba talaga ang saging kesa sa akin. Hindi naman siguro. Ayoko lang kasi ng dramatic na entry, na kadalasan din ay corny, na minsan namn ay OA, oh love! Where art thou? Pero sige, for a change, here comes a love story mula sa aking hindi masyadong malikhaing "imahinasyon". *Liar mode*

"Unang tingin pa lang niya sa akin, nabasa ko na sa kanyang mga mata na may gusto siyang iparating, Umiwas ako. Natakot. Hindi naman kasi pangkaraniwan ang lugar na kung saan kami nagkita. Baka may makapansin sa amin, ano pa ang isipin. Makalipas ang ilang oras na pagliliwaliw, nagpasya akong lumabas na at umuwi ng bahay. Umuulan noon, wala naman akong dalang payong o kung anong pantakip ng ulo man lang. Naghintay ako sa mataas na silong ng mall na yun. Maraming iba pa ang nagpapatila rin ng ulan. Maingay ang paligid, sinasabayan pa ng walang tigil na chismisan ng mga taong nasa likuran ko. Nakakainip. Mag alas onse na nang gabi non. Gusto ko ng magpahinga. Kapagdaka’y napatingin ako sa aking tagiliran, may isang taong nakamasid sa akin. Hindi ako pwedeng magkamali. Siya yun. Siya ang taong nakita ko kanina at iniwasan. Sinundan ba niya ako? O nagkataon lang? Di naman siguro kasi ilang oras na rin ang dumaan mula ng unang nagtagpo ang aming mga paningin. Malamang nagkataon lang at pauwi na rin siya. Wala rin siyang dalang payong.

Gusto ko nang suungin ang malakas na ulan para lang makauwi, pero baka naman ako’y magkasakit at mabasa ang aking Hush Puppies na sapatos, sayang naman kakabili ko pa lang. Habang ako’y nakatayo sa aking napapagal na mga hita, nararamdaman kong ang tao sa tagiliran ko ay nakamasid sa akin, na para bang naghihintay na siya’y aking sulyapan din. Nilingon ko siya kunwari ako’y may hinahanap, siya’y nakatingin nga ng malagkit at nakangiti ng parang isang walang muwang na kabataan. Isa isa ng nawawala ang mga tao sa waiting shed dahil patigil na rin ang ulan. Ewan ko ba, pwede na sana akong umalis pero nagdalawang isip ako. Sapakin ko kaya ang sumusunod sa akin, wari ko. Pero huwag, sayang naman, napag isip isip ko, may hitsura naman pala siya.

Tunghayan ang buong kwento.

The Patient

I might have been sleeping in the bushes when God showered his gift of patience to mankind. Maybe I might have taken so much already that I have rested my case and took it upon myself to quit the line believing that I have acquired all that I needed to have. I was wrong. Of all the things that I could have equipped myself with when all my bastion of strengths fails, I have missed patience and humility in my basket. I often lose ground, flying away and searching for home.

Patience, according to WikiAnswers, is the ability to endure waiting, delay, or provocation without becoming annoyed or upset, or to persevere calmly when faced with difficulties.

One Sweet Day

Sometimes, what makes something special isn’t because we have it, too often we realize that something or someone is special when we no longer have it in our hands. It is when we miss something that their value and essence comes to our senses. While we still have them and everything is just within our reach, we don’t seem to care, to mind and to give a damn. We hardly show any appreciation thinking that they will always be there. What we forget is that it wouldn’t be forever.

So when they are no longer here or when we’re no longer there, when we leave or get left behind. In so many ways and with so many reasons, but the end feeling is rather fixed, frustrated, sorry and hopeful. Frustrated because we failed to acknowledge the things that make us happy and wanting to do so when we no longer have the time. Sorry because they might just be waiting for us to open up yet we have not taken any step and rather allowed pride, hate and indifference get in the way of things. Hopeful that we get another chance to stay close and cherish the moments of togetherness or just simply be given the time to say what we want to say or show what we feel inside.

The song “One Sweet Day”, performed by Mariah Carey in collaboration with Boys2men breathes the same message of how we take things for granted until it’s too late. The song stayed for fourteen weeks at the number one spot of the Billboard’s Hot 100, making it the song that have stayed the longest in that chart. Why is this so? Because many people can relate to the song and the message that it wants to impart – that we usually take for granted the little things that have been an integral part of our lives – our family, our friends and all sorts of material things that make up for our lives’ convenience and it is only when these people and things are gone that we realize that we love them, need them and treasure them.

So how do you solve it? Make the people you loved and special to you feel that they are truly special. Honest words could be enough if do not wish to exert much effort to let them know that they are special to you . When was the last time you said ‘ I love you” or “thank you” to your parents? When was the last time you said sorry to your enemy or whoever you feel you have wronged to? When was the last time you said to your friends that you are happy when you are with them? When was the last time you mentioned that you cannot go on living without your wife or husband? Just let them know. When everything has been said, all that would follow is everything that needs to be done.

Don’t let little things make you blame yourself in the end. Say what is on your mind. When someone is dear to you, show them how you feel. Appreciate all the goodness that God has given you. Learn the lyrics of “One Sweet Day” and apply it right on, so that you won’t have to say to anyone after some time “Sorry, I should have told you, all I wanted to say, assume that you’re always be there. But now it’s too late to hold you, coz you’ve flown away, so far away..”

40 Dirty Little Secrets

[ONE] Who was your last 3 texts from?
Can’t remember, I delete my inbox right after I read the text.

[TWO] Where was your default picture taken?
comfort room.

[THREE] Whats your last name?
Madrid

[FIVE] Does your crush like you back?
none at the moment

[SIX] What is your current mood?
contented

[SEVEN] What is your moms name?
Elsa

[EIGHT] What color shirt are you wearing?
black semi fit

[NINE] If you were to go on a reality TV show, which one would you go on?
Pinoy Big Brother

[TEN] Are you imagining anyone naked right now?
wth? haha no not exactly

[TWELVE] Ever had a near death experience?
not really

[THIRTEEN] Something you do a lot?
Daydream

[FOURTEEN] Angry at anyone right now?
nope

[FIFTEEN] Do you want to see somebody right now
yes

[SIXTEEN] What piercings do you have?
ear

[SEVENTEEN] When was the last time you cried?
Just last week, I got sick and was miles away from home

[EIGHTEEN] What was the reason you cried?
I missed my mother’s care

[NINETEEN] Who are your heroes?
family

[TWENTY] What is the one thing you notice about the opposite sex first?
face

[TWENTY ONE] American Pie or Superbad?
American Pie

[TWENTYTWO] What' are your biggest fears?
Losing myself and losing a loved one

[TWENTYTHREE] Where is your ex?
back in the philippines

[TWENTYFOUR] Would you ever take them back?
We’ve moved on

[TWENTYFIVE] Do you still watch kiddy movies or TV shows?
animated films yes

[TWENTYSEVEN] speak any other language?
Just English & Filipino

[TWENTYEIGHT] WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SMELL..?
the scent of mist

[TWENTYNINE] Describe your life.
Full of excitement & mystery

[THIRTY] Have you ever kissed in the rain?
nope

[THIRTYTWO] What are you thinking about now?
I’m starting a new job, a bit nervous

[THIRTYTHREE] What shouId you be doing right now?
nothing

[THIRTYFOUR] whats your favorite memory?
many to mention

[THIRTYFIVE] What are you listening to?
The song “Realize”

[THIRTYSEVEN] Who was the last person you yelled at?
im a soft spoken person

[THIRTYEIGHT] Do you act differently around the person you like?
yes

[THIRTYNINE] What is your natural hair color?
blackkkk

[FOURTY] Who was the last person to make you smile?
im a jolly person, little things do make me grin

100 Mostly Useless Questions About Me

1. Are you an innie or an outie?
When i’m in the province, I am contained
When I’m in manila, I explore the wilderness

2. Have you ever written a song?
Just in my mind

3. Can you make change for a 100 peso bill right now?
I can’t. I’m in Dubai right now.

4. Have you ever been in the opposite sex's public toilet?
Yes accidentally, glad no one’s inside.

5. Have you ever written a poem?
Yes, see it in my previous blog entries

6. Do you like catsup on or beside your fries?
On. Then shake it.

7. Have you ever been a boy/girl scout?
Nope. Waste of time.

8. Have you ever written a book?
Maybe someday.

9. Have you ever broken a mirror?
Nope, we don’t have a mirror. Lol

10. Are you superstitious?
Nope. I’m the least likely to believe in superstitions.

11. What is your biggest pet peeve?
Someone who’s always late.

12. Do you slurp your drink after it's gone?
Nope. No bottoms up.

13. Have you ever blown bubbles in your milk?
I don’t drink milk.

14. Would you rather eat a Big Mac or a Whopper?
I hate burgers.

15. Have you ever gone skinny-dipping?
Nope. Always bathe in the house.

16. Would you ever parachute out of a plane?
Why not? I am a man of air.

17. What's the most daring thing you've done?
Pose nude on the internet.

18. When you are at the grocery store, do you ask for paper or plastic?
Whatever.

19. True or False: You would rather eat steak than pizza.
False.

20. Did you have a baby blanket?
I don’t remember.

21. Have you ever tried to cut your own hair?
Yup, only the bangs.

22. How did that turn out?
Hideous. Parang bunot!

23. Have you ever sleepwalked?
Nope.

24. Have you ever had a birthday party at McDonalds?
Nope. Wala kaming pera.

25. Can you flip your eye-lids up?
Yes.

26. Are you double jointed?
How’s that?

27. If you could be any age, what age would you be?
18. So that I could go back in college and make up for all my misses.

28. Have you ever gotten gum stuck in your hair?
I am short haired. Nope.

29. Do you ride roller coasters?
Yes, especially the 360 degrees loop.

30. What's your favorite carnival ride?
Octopus! Gives me headache!

31. What is your dream car?
CR-V.

32. What is your favorite cartoon of all time?
Astroboy

33. Have you ever eaten a dog biscuit?
Nope.

34. If so, would you eat another one?
Nope.

35. If you were in a car sinking in a lake, what would you do first?
Open the door and try to get out.

36. Have you ever ridden in an ambulance?
Nope.

37. Can you pick something up with your toes?
Of course.

38. How many remote controls do you have in your house?
Three.

39. Have you ever fallen asleep in school?
Nope. I was always wide awake.

40. How many times have you flown in an airplane in the last year?
Three.

41. How many foreign countries have you visited?
One.

42. If you were out of shape, would you compete in a triathlon if you were

somehow guaranteed to win a big, gaudy medal?
Nope.

43. Would you rather be rich and unhappy, or poor and happy?
Rich and unhappy. I have always been unhappy.

44. If you fell into quicksand, would you try to swim or try to float?
Float.

45. Do you ask for directions when you are lost?
Yes.

46. Have you ever held a Mexican jumping bean?
Nope.

47. Are you more like Cinderella or Alice in Wonderland?
None of the above.

48. Would you rather have an ant farm with no ants or a box of crayons with broken points?
Box of crayons.

49. Do you prefer light or dark bread?
Whatever.

50. Do you prefer scrambled or fried eggs?
Sunny side up.

51. Have you ever been in a car that ran out of gas?
Nope.
52. Do you talk in your sleep?
They say.
53. Would you rather shovel snow or mow the lawn?
There’s no snow in the Philippines, we don’t have a lawn either.

54. Have you ever played in the rain?
Frequent when I was younger.


55. Did you make mud pies?
Nope.

56. Have you ever broken a bone?
Nope.

57. Would you climb a very high tree to save a kitten?
Wish nia lang.

58. Can you tell the difference between a crocodile and an alligator?
I hate them both.

59. Do you drink pepsi or coke?
Coke.

60. What's your favorite number?
Five

61. If you were a car, would you be an SUV or a sports car?
SUV.

62. Have you ever accidentally taken something from a hotel?
I am not interested in not paired pair of slippers!

63. Have you ever slipped in the bathtub?
How I wish!

64. Do you use regular or deodorant soap?
Regular soap.

65. Have you ever locked yourself out of the house?
Someone always stays in our house.

66. Would you rather make your living as a singing cowboy or as one of the Simpsons voices?
As a singing cowboy.

67. If you could invite any movie star to your home for dinner, who would it be?
Angel Locsin.

68. Do you need corrective lenses?
Nope.

69. Would you hang out with / date someone your best friend didn't like?
No problem.

70. Would you hang out with someone your best friend liked, but you didn't like?
No problem.

71. Have you ever returned a gift?
Nope.

72. Would you give someone else a gift that had been given to you?
Done that.

73. If you could attend an Olympic Event, what would it be?
Athletics

74. If you could participate in an Olympic Event, what would it be?
Bowling

75. How many pairs of shoes do you own?
Two active.

76. If your grandmother gave you a gift that you already have, would you tell her?
Jokingly yes.

77. Do you sing in the car?
Yes.

78. What is your favorite breed of dog?
I have phobia with dogs.

79. Would you donate money to feed starving animals in the winter?
I don’t care.

80. What is your favorite fruit?
Pineapple.

81. What is your least favorite fruit?
Guyabano

82. What kind of fruit have you never had?

None that i could think of.

83. If you won a $5,000 shopping spree to any store, which store would you pick?
Guess.

84. What brand sports apparel do you wear the most?
I’m not brand conscious.

85. Are/were you a good student?
Best.

86. Among your friends, who could you arm wrestle and beat?
None.

87. If you had to choose, what branch of the military would you be in?
That’s a horrible dilemma.

88. What do you think is your best feature?
My eyes.

89. If you were to win a Grammy, what kind of music would it be for?
Pop.

90. If you were to win an Oscar, what kind of movie would it be for?
Biopic drama.


91. What is your favorite season?
Summer.

92. How many members do you have in your immediate family?
8 including me.

93. Which of the five senses is most important to you?
Sight.

94. Would you be a more successful painter or singer?
Painter.

95. How many years will/did you end up going to college?
Im not good in math

96. Have you ever had surgery?
Later.lol

97. Would you rather be a professional figure skater or professional football player?
Figure skater.

98. What do you like to collect?
None tangible. Experience maybe.

99. How many collectibles do you have?
A lot.

100. What one question would you add to this survey?

Am I still a virgin?

Ladies Choice

I am a Mama's boy, I admit. i rush to her side for everything that i need, when i was going to school, when i am sick, when i am hungry, when i arrived from work. Mother fixed everything for my comfort and convenience. I've been a mother's son and that's how it started.

I have a countenance of probable mischief and an attitude no one would ever loved. As far is work is concerned, you cant complain anything about me. Aside from that, well I am one hell of a sarcastic, self serving, conceited and stubborn guy. Not to be compared with anyone. I am no prince cursed into some hideous beasts just waiting for true love to knock off the spell. I was born like this and this way i will stay. I have shielded myself from the harsh reality of how cruel this world can be. I have guarded myself from getting to much hurt.

So i live alone, far from friends and associations. Just when i thought i could stay closed that way, people begun to explore and get fascinated by my mystery and uniqueness. The more i try to hide, the more they try to dig me up. I am not talking about male friends here, but girls. There seems to be something in me that isn't with the other guys, something that drives their enthusiasms, something that makes them feel so home and so happy. Something that i don't know myself.

I have no male friends cause i have never felt the need to have one, same for female friends. I am a snobbish to the highest level yet could be rewarded the congeniality award once in a while. That once in a while when i level myself with others and people take advantage of it, ladies especially. I have been taken advantaged of many times, while i was in my weakest and i just couldn't say no. So the list of female friends goes on and on, loving for what i am and hating me for what i am not.

back in college, i enjoyed most of my time freaking alone when a group of girls befriended me for simple reason that they wanted me to become their friend. I knew it wasnt exactly the right thing to do but i just thought of being nice for a moment as i wouldnt have to lose much anyway except maybe some of my precious time. It turned out to be not so bad afterall. Since then, i have shared a little piece of me with them and our friendship have grown stronger till now even though most have already gotten married and has started their own families.

When i started working, that was SGV in 2000, there were so many people that i could get close to, but i have preferred to be on own league. Then there was this young, petite and short haired girl who saw the good in the most annoying person that i was. First i was hesitant to deal with her on a personal basis, though we belonged to the same audit team. Since i didn't have a choice as i would have to deal with her most of the time, i let loose of of my inhibitions and soon enough i realized that she was helpful and sweet. Also, i came to realize that friendship transcends the superficial and backgrounds where we came from.

After SGV, i transferred to San Miguel Corp., where i was first assigned at their male dominated sales office in Novaliches. There were only two girls in almost a hundred people working in that compound. Though i could recall how it got started, i became close to one of the ladies there and we would always ate lunch together and chat during idle hours.

When i was transferred to the Head Office on Ortigas, not one, but a handful of talented and charming ladies have become dear to me. Not that i didnt have a choice and they didnt have either, its just that there's something that pull them close to me. I am ridiculously funny and oftenly mentally troubled, but they just didnt see that. Instead, they were very understanding and appreciative.

When i retired from work and decided to go to Dubai. i want expecting my charm to follow me as well. In Dubai, there were not that many people that i could acquainted with, good for me, at least it wont left me shortchanged. When i found a job, i thought thats all i would gonna be busy with. I was surprised when i started going to church and walking through Dubai's busy sidewalks. I learned that there were still many more things to see around and that was all because of one lady that i have met in the office. That once invitation that was preceded by many more walks, talks and story telling.

And there are still many more women, ladies and girls, who in one way or another have become close to me either in the place where i work, where i eat, where i wait, where and through friends' friends. The pull factor that could never be seen always astonishes me. how in the world can they see the bright side in the darkest of my personality. I never wanted to have friends, but when people came to me to befriend me despite my incorrigibility, isn't it something that i should be proud of, or better yet, be thankful for. To be the ladies choice, among the many men, is a chance, i shouldn't miss.

Fire! Fire!

Its summer, needless to say, its time for beach, vacation, halo halo, Baguio and other cool things to get busy with. Summer brings in an overflowing joy to celebrate the heat and appreciate coolness that we forget to take precaution and ectra care against summer most unwanted company. Summer registers the most number of fire accidents than any other time in a year. This should bring us to realize that summer is not just about having fun in the sun but also being more careful and cautious of the dangers that could happen - fire in particular.

Fire is probably the worst tragedy that could happen to anyone. Fire destroys everything that comes its path. It brings down to ashes everything that we have workd hard for - our homes, appliances, important documents and worst - the lives of out loved ones. They say it is better to have thieves robbed off our house, at least they could take the house itself. But with fire, not only that it wont spare a single post, its flames could spread and destroys more houses if not put ous and contrl in time. Watching fire accidents reported on television, it must have been a terrible feeling to have lost everything to fire. What we have founded in years would simply be taken away in a matter of hours. Its completely unfire.

Most fire accidents happen due to negligence, the improper use of lighting candles and leaving unplugged and overheated electrical home devises. Not to be taken for granted is parental irresponsibilities for letting children play with matches and lighters. Though fire sometimes is made intentionally for recovering insurance claims or simply to drive away settlers squatting in somebody else's land, bottomline is, fire is never wanted and has the potential not only to damage properties but also to claim lives of innocent people. Fire prevention is an easy task. Few simple precautions could mean prevention of huge probable fire losses. All we need is to be aware and take extra care especially now its summer where the scorching heat is ironically catalystic to ignite and spread fire accidents.

So next time you go out and head to the beach, leave your house safe ans sound by unplugging all unused electrical appliances. By turning electricity off when not needed, you are not only cutting off fire chances but also conserving a much needed energy. To those using candles or kerosene fuels for lighting, make sure that the candles are placed atop a glass and away from curtains and places where it could easily be toppled by wind. To all parents, please exercise responsible parenting by orienting younger generations about the danger of playing with fire and that they shouldnt play with it. Remember, taking and applying these simple steps isnt just saving our own, but more importantly, the welfare of the community where we belong.

Ordinary People

I always thought I am different and unique. Growing up alone made me realized that I am one, that I can never be with people and I can live without them. Through desperation, I have harnessed all the potential that I have been given. After several years, I have achieved some enviable feats, graduating at the top of my class, passing the board exam, getting hired by top corporations and being able to travel abroad. What more, my passion for the arts and writing has been widely appreciated and never fails to astonish people who don't believe that there's an artist behind this sinister looking.

Many times, I wondered if I could just stay like this forever, invincible and independent, if I can just carry on with my work and never care for anything else. Sometimes I imagine how would it feels like to lose my head and be with the crowd, how it is to step on the ground and talk casually with old friends and contemporaries. They could be missing a lot without me. I could be missing much more without them.

I have already reached for some of my dreams. I have picked a few stars and somehow I have taken myself up there to such a lonely place, so cold and so lonely. I used to consider myself different and unique. But when you are up there, all things are in harmony, the river meets the ocean, the mountains embrace the fields and the clouds hug the earth. From a distance, we are all the same, no big or small, no ugly or beautiful, no poor or rich, no dumb or wise, we are all fair in His eyes.

We are all born naked, we all breathe the same air, we all need food and shelter, we all go to sleep and wake up in the morning. We all commit mistakes, we all tell lies, and we are all sinners. We all feel pain and we all feel fear. We laugh, we cry. We all need love. We all wish from the same star. We all build dreams. We all pray to one God. We are all equal. We are all common. We are all ordinary people.

All that we have is nothing from up there, our education, our careers, our riches, our achievements. We are but a mole in a speck. We are tiny dots in a huge circle. Individually, we don't matter, but collectively we make something out of the ordinary.