Defining myself as a Person...

There is a saying that you cannot serve two masters at the same time. Well, this does not have to be the absolute truth. So, how can you get the best of both worlds? In relation, complying on both academics and extracurricular activities at the same time is a tough thing to do but somehow challenging and an important thing to comply with. At first, I meet the terms of extracurricular activities for the only reason that it associates improved grade point average and to strive for higher educational aspirations. But as I go with it, I found another reason why to do so, and that is, in anyways, it helps me to improve many things like time management, vision, physical stamina, social life and control.

One significant experience I can share is being a member of our school’s dance troupe called Saliw. I remember what our club adviser used to say, “No guts, No glory!” Yes, she’s right! To dance with the feet is one but to dance with the heart is another. We move not to empress but to express. We have joined many dancing competitions such as Street dance, Folk dance and Sports dance. In every competition we bring home the bacon, bacon of pride and of new experience we had. I dance because I believe that it gives me up to the rhythms of all life and dance is an art that imprints on the soul, it is with me every moment, and it expresses itself in everything I do.

Another experience was when I joined on pageants to represent my alma mater. I participated on Lakan at Lakambini ng Kalikasan in Dumaguete during The Youth for the Environment Summer Camp (National Level) and I got 2^nd runner up and Best in Talent. Next, I joined Ginoo at Binibining Agham and I got the Best in Talent, Best in Indigenous Costume and the title in the Division level held at General Trias, Cavite and got 3^rd runner up in the Regional Level held at Sinoloan Laguna. In each time I hit the stage, trying to get the crowd, I think of those people who believe and trust me that I can win this. Joining in such pageants, I thought of a principle, that is, “We have bigger battles to face than beauty pageants. But the only way that we can tackle these problems is by uniting against them, not judging each other on a platform”.

Joining Camps also counts. I used to go camping as part of my extracurricular activities. I had joined Youth for the Environment Summer Camp in Dumaguete and Baguio, Regional Science Camp in Bacoor, Cavite and Sinoloan, Laguna, Survival Camp in Silang, Cavite and a lot more. While camping I learned new skills and responsibilities that either doesn’t exist in the city and at our home. Camping is also a great way to see the country and the world. It is also a very good way to meet new people. Finally, camping promotes sportsmanship, independence and camaraderie among us youth.

And these are significant experiences I had and accomplishments I have realized, that have helped to define myself as a person.

Tayong Dalawa

“Some people live for the fortune
Some people live just for the fame
Some people live for the power yeah
Some people live just to play the game”

-Alicia Keys

When I initial read the question, this soap opera of the Kapamilya tv program came in my mind, known as “Tayong Dalawa”. It shows a battle of wealth, happiness, and sorrow that engraved into the lives of the main characters of the story. The show begins by recounting the parallel stories of Marlene and Ingrid. Though they come from different strata of the social ladder, the two women have one thing in common -- they both loved David Garcia. But because of Marlene's profession as a prostitute, David chooses to marry Ingrid and cuts all ties with Marlene. Both Ingrid and Marlene get pregnant, and both give their son the same name: David Garcia, Jr. Marlene calls her son JR, while Ingrid calls hers Dave.

The parallelism of the lives of Marlene and Ingrid continues in the lives of their sons, who meet and become best friends without knowing about their intertwined lives. Both men go to the Philippine Military Academy in Baguio City to train as cadets. However, like their mothers, they also fall in love with the same person, Audrey King.

The plot thickens when the characters discovery that JR is the son of Dave's father. Ingrid is appalled by this revelation primarily because she has been against her son's friendship with JR from the very beginning. With this, she begins to revert to the suicidal tendencies she developed in her childhood. Despite his wife's response, Garcia Sr. promises to provided for JR and his family to make up for the years he wasn't there for them. To make things worse, David Garcia Sr. is killed and the two families he left behind had to sort things out for themselves.

Many things Ingrid and Marlene come in parallel. Especially when they struggle for the love of one man, there set foot the battle of two mothers who desire to give the best for their family. They showed the viewers why do some people derive pleasure from the misfortunes of those who are exceedingly blessed than they are. Their happiness comes from the misery of the other. Whenever one is in depth of her problems, the other sees it as a blessing. Also, most of the time, they were the one who gives problem to that of the other.

These two characters of “Tayong Dalawa” only reflect the lives of many people today who wants to be ahead on someone more blessed than they are. As a resolution, we should not view the misfortunes of others who we think are more blessed than us because this will not be a basis of our true happiness. Instead, be happy for them and view it us an opportunity or an inspiration for us to be like them.

Dessert or Disaster

In situations wherein a person has all the authority, disaster arrives when he uses it for cruelty. That would be the simplest explanation.

For some people, they think in this approach: if you have money or the power, you have everything. People who have the power are the ones who we often call the “blessed” ones. But sometimes, they exceed their limitations, thus, using their power to get and have more, knowing that they are already hurting others or even their selves. That’s the point where the disaster comes in, or we may also call the “bad karma”! Yes, they have the power, but without them knowing, their power deteriorates slowly and slowly until there is nothing left for them. Only in that time they would realize what they did and so the regrets would keep haunting their minds. But sadly, it’s too late.

The prospect lies in our hands. You are free to do good things and you are also open to do bad things. But at the end, there would be only one choice for us. It’s either dessert or disaster.

Can This be Love

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” -I Corinthians 13:4.

Love, love, love. For me, love is what we all need. There should be the four key aspects of love. First of all is kindness. By being sensitive to other peoples' problems and needs, we make life better for everyone involved. What you may feel are seemingly insignificant acts of respect or kindness may mean a great deal to someone else. I remember the time when I helped an old man ride a bus. At first look, he does look pitiful. That’s why that’s just how I want to help him. With just simple ways, I know that this will mean a lot to him, and will mean a lot to me. After helping him, I felt just feel so happy.

Next is compassion. People who are hurting need compassion and help to make it through life. They tend to look to those closest to them or who have authority over them for support and encouragement. Show others that you genuinely understand and respect their needs and concerns by listening well and making a concerted effort to see issues from their point of view. Also, be genuinely transparent to others. Share what’s on your mind and let people see your genuineness by telling them your story including the high and low points. You should also encourage them to talk about their interests, dreams and hopes for the future. Be sensitive and allow people to vent their frustrations. Look for ways to help ease their pain and overcome hurts. Then, always treat people fairly and with respect and dignity. Your behavior sets the expectation others will have of you, so follow through on any good intentions. Most of all, being compassionate can make you feel better.

Another is joy. We can say that love is true when there is happiness. Happiness is just the thing why people become more stable or stronger. This bond makes you communicate well making love more complex. There will be no love if a couple or a group has many misunderstandings or even no happiness within themselves.

Lastly, love is true when there is freedom. It can be defined as the capacity to determine your own choices. Lovers should give oneself or the other the freedom they need to fulfill their lives.

As implied by the Corinthians, love is everything. Love is true indeed, when everything works, so magical and mysterious, a factor which we all need, a true love that will bind us all to God’s hands.

Chala and I

Me and Chala!!! This was also gotten before the prossession... Another sign of vanity..

Karen and I

Here we have Karen Vie San Juan. Another proof of vanity!!! Wooohhhooo

Jenna invaded

In the Picture, you can see Rohnnel Vinn Papa on the left, Jenna Cuapiaco in the middle and me on the right side. Hehehe...