Sunday, January 27, 2008

on losing something (thirty-two weeks working)

this is a story of friendship.

of me and my old phone, that i don't even know what model was.
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my sister introduced me to it - my old phone. it was something she gave me for christmas - her phone, handed down to me.

therefore, it was something i really never wished for. i had something else in mind. but i got no choice because i was still dependent at that time, and anything freely given to me was a blessing.

so the friendship began. out of nothing, into something.

at that time of course, the handed down phone was cooler than my first nokia 5210 cellphone... but not so cool against the new camphones available. but i was fine with that. at least i had a phone that was, at least from my point-of-view, new.

that was what mattered to me three years ago.

the handed-down phone had a built-in fm radio, and other features that was more advance than those of 5210 - calendar, stopwatch, countdown timer, tone composer, and integrated phonebook (haha.. advance pa tong mga to para sa kin dati...)

for three years, that one-sided friendship between me and my phone had been very memorable.
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three christmas' eves. three new year's eves. three birthdays. one graduation. a lot of company interview calls. at least three job offer calls.

these were only some of the events we had shared. more importantly, between those events, some calls and messages were made and received - from petty to normal to important to life-threatening.

my old phone was there for me.
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last christmas, i bought a new phone for myself as a gift, a nokia 5310 express music - way cooler than my old phone. too much way cooler.

from the very start, me and my 5310 already have a connection. it was something i really wanted for myself. i've researched about it. and it was something i paid for with my earnings.

let's just say we are more compatible than my old phone. in other words, the other old phone was overshadowed.
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despite having a replacement, i still kept the old one as my second phone. i bought a smart sim card to make it of use.

but slowly, my old phone became useless to me becaue i only know a handful of people who are with smart.

until there came a time when the only feature from the old phone that was useful to me was its alarm clock.
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i lost my old phone last week, tuesday.

it may have slipped from my right side pocket while i was on the jeepney.

and there, i realized what i lost.

true. you don't realize the value of something until it's gone.

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with the phone, i lost some important contact details. i failed to transfer them, since it would be done manually, given that the phone is outdated.

my collection of quotes were also there, from different kinds of people who are important to me. all kinds of quotes - from mushy to friendly to gory to weird.

memories lost.

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during those first hours of lost, i felt an odd feeling of fleeting strength. as if something really important was taken out of my system. odd.

for an old cellphone, i should not be feeling that way, but i did.

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i realized how i became careless with the old phone.

i recalled the days when it was the sole thing that is important to me.

and when its replacement arrived, i became neglectful of it.
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maybe it is for the better.

sometimes something has to go.

all we can do is accept the fact that it is gone.

and move on.

Sunday, January 06, 2008

the series (seven months working)

seven months now, twenty-seven entries written, this is the twenty-eight.

what has this series achieved besides all the obvious drama in it...
1. the series has become my outlet of negativity. i was able to let it out of my emotional system to move on week after week after week.
2. the series has documented every happening in my life relevant to my work... some may be happy... some may tragic... but hey, it's still interesting and surprising in my part, that i have something to share to all of you every week.
3. the series has made me exposed everyone's concerns. perhaps, this is the most fulfilling part, especially when you guys leave your comments of support, that somehow i was able to shout out the exact feelings that you have. somehow, this has motivated me to continue writing, not only for my sake, but for everyone else as well.
4. the series has made me more open. i became more honest to people that i meet. i even let my officemates read my posts, for them to know me more.
5. the series has somehow helped me lay down all the issues i have with work. some officemates have been concerned about my negativity, and therefore, approached me to talk about it. and after that, my relationship with them has been harmonious.
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so there, to all of you who spent time reading my previous posts and commented about it.. i give you my appreciations.

a new year of work has begun.
till my next entry.

Monday, April 30, 2007

Visual DNA

Monday, January 09, 2006

avatar: pepe

Ikaw ay isang kabataan na hindi man naliligaw ng landas, ay hindi naman malaman kung anong daan ang tatahakin. Ikaw ay nakakulong sa isang imaheng iyong tinaggap, ngunit hindi naman talaga inasahan mula sa iyo.

Buong buhay mo ay naging masunurin ka sa mga nais ng iyong magulang. Hindi man nila direktang sabihin ang kanilang mga nais para sa iyo, batid mo ito sa iyong muni at hindi mo sinasadyang matupad ang mga ito sa mga hindi inaasahang pagkakataon. Natapos mo ng maluwat ang iyong mababa at mataas na baitang ng pag-aaral taglay ang mataas na marka at parangal. Subalit unti-unti mong nakita ang mga pagkukulang sa iyong buhay. Batid mo ang matinding kalungkutan na iyong nadarama.

Hanggang sa magsawa ka na sa imaheng iyong tinaggap, ngunit hindi naman talaga inasahan mula sa iyo. Hindi ka nila inaasahan na maging precocious, kaya ng matuklasan nila ang iyong talento at kapasidad ay sinuportahan ka nila upang matamo ang pinakamatagumpay na tahakin para sa iyong kinabukasan. Dahil dito ay napaniwala mo rin ang iyong sarili sa mga taglay mong kakayahan.

At ngayon, nasa kolehiyo ka na, taglay ang akala ng iyong kagalingan, na balang araw ay may magagawa ka at mapapatunayan - hindi man para sa iyong bayan, ay para sa iyong pamilya. At higit sa lahat, gusto mong patunayan ito sa iyong sarili.

Subalit hindi pumanaw ang kalungkutan at pagkasawa. Dumating ang araw na ayaw nang tumanggap pa ng iyong isipan ng mga teorya, ng paliwanag. Pakiramdam mo na naintindihan mo na ang mga mahalagang bagay na dapat unawain. Ito ang mga bagay na hindi makikita sa mga aklat na paulit-ulit na inuukit sa iyong bagot na bagot na pag-iisip, “maximize profit, minimize cost”. Ang ruta na dapat raw bagtasin upang matamo ang karangyaan, at kung sinuswerte ka ay “kapalagayan ng pag-iisip”, daw.

At dumating na ang araw na nais mo nang kumawala sa imaheng iyong tinaggap ngunit hindi naman talaga inaasahan mula sa iyo. Mula noon, ay tinalikuran mo na ang intellectual complacency. Mas ninais mo ng lumikha ng mga bagay. Yung mga bagay na mula noon ay itinuturo sa iyo. Para sa iyo, ang mga aral ay dapat isinasabuhay upang makatulong sa iba, upang makapagbago ng buhay.

Subalit hindi mo alam kung paano mo magagawang makatakas sa imaheng ito. Buong buhay mo ay inasahan ka bilang isang taong bihirang magkamali. Subalit, nais mo ngayong subukang magkamali upang matutunan ang mga mas mahahalagang bagay sa mundo na dapat mong matutunan. Subalit takot kang sila’y mabigo. Takot ka ring mabigo.

Oo, ikaw nga ang dating bata na punong-puno ng pangarap. Ang bata na siguradong magpapalipad sa kanyang saranggola ng pinakamataas. Subalit ikaw ay nagbago. At ngayon ay nais mong maging karaniwan, upang matakasan ang lungkot ng iyong pag-iisa.

Ang kalayaan, iyong napagtanto, ay makikita mo lang sa pag-unawa na kahit ang mga taong tinitingala, ginagalang, at tinutularan, ay may kanya-kanya ring kamalian na buong tapang nilang ginawa, tinaggap, at pinagbago. Higit sa bantayog ng tagumpay ng mga iniidolo mo, nais mong mas kilalanin sila bilang karaniwang taong tulad mo rin ay nabuhay na puno ng suliranin at bumangon upang maging kung sino man sila ngayon.

Iyong pinapanalangin na makawala ka sa seldang kinakukulungan mo ngayon, makita ang tunay na halaga ng buhay, harapin ang iyong mga takot na nakataas-noo, at sa wakas ay magawa mo ang pinakamahalang bagay na iyong buong-pusong pinapangarap, sa harap ng maningning na sikat ng araw.

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reaction paper in PI 100 (Rizal)

Monday, December 12, 2005

Silang mga Gising at Maingay...

Sino ba naman ang hindi maiinis kung ikaw ay magambala sa iyong pagkahimbing? Hindi ba’t masarap umidlip? Alam ko na ang pinakasimpleng bagay na ninanais mo ay isang payapang paligid, na kung saan ay maari kang matulog at magpakalulong sa isang daigdig ng pantasya at panaginip.

Si Kristo.

Marahil kung nasa panahon ka niya, at ikaw ay naisilang bilang isang Hudyo, marahil isa ka na sa mga nagpapako sa kanya. Aminin mo. Kung ngayon ay aktibo ka sa iyong relihiyon at matibay ang paniniwala sa iyong Diyos, marahil ay hindi ka basta-basta maniniwala na may isang anak ng Diyos na darating. Hindi mo ikakaila ang relihiyon na mayroon ka. Hindi mo sasabihing mali ang isang bagay na pinaniwalaan mo buong buhay mo. Alam mo na ang mga bagay na nakagisnan mo na ang siyang tama at nararapat. Alam mo na dapat lang na mamatay ang isang tao na nagkukunwaring propeta. Hanggang sa magising ka sa isang katotohanan, na maari ka ring magkamali. Pero syempre, hindi ako ikaw. Katoliko ako. Ika’y Hudyo.

Si Rizal.

Marahil kung nasa panahon ka niya, at ikaw ay naisilang bilang isang Espanol, o isa sa mga nabihisang maging Espanol, marahil isa ka na sa nagnanais na ipabaril siya sa Bagumbayan. Aminin mo. Kung ngayon ay nasisilaw ka sa ganda ng Amerika at Europa, na halos walang kahulugan ang iyong pagka-Pilipino, marahil ay maiinsulto ka rin kapag may umapi sa isang bagay na matagal mo nang hinahangaan. Hindi mo makikita ang kamalian ng sistema. Hindi mo sasabihing, walang exploitasyon na nagaganap sa paligid mo. Alam mo na ang mga bagay na nakagisnan mo na ang siyang tama at nararapat. Alam mo na dapat lang na mamatay ang isang tao na taksil sa iyong nakasanayang lipunan. Hanggang sa magising ka sa isang katotohanan, na maari ka ring magkamali. Pero syempre, hindi ako ikaw. Pilipino ako. Ika’y kolonyal.

Si Sison at ang CPP-NPA.

At ngayon, panahon mo na ito. Ikaw ay naisilang bilang Pilipinong umaasa ng kapayapaan, marahil isa ka na sa mga nagnanais na makulong ang mga taong binansagan mong terorista. Aminin mo. Kung ngayon ay kuntento ka na sa mga nakikita mo, o kung hindi man ay nagnanais manahimik na lang, marahil ay isa ka sa mga taong nandidiring maging bahagi sila ng iyong lipunan. Hindi mo matatanggap ang kanilang mga pinaglalaban. Hindi mo sasabihing, tama ang pagbabagong kanilang hinihingi. Alam mo na ang ang bagay na nakagisnan mo na ang siyang tama at nararapat. Alam mo na dapat lamang silang makulong, dahil sila ay kabilang sa mga salot ng lipunan. Sila ay mga terorista na pumapaslang ng inosenteng buhay. Ngunit paano kung magising ka na lang sa katotohan na sila pala ay mga simpleng tao lang na nagnanais ng totoong pagbabago at pag-unlad mula sa gobyerno. Isang bagong Pilipinas na wala nang pang-aapi. Isang tunay na Pilipinas na iyong matagal ng pinapangarap. Hindi ko sinasabi na sila lang ang tama, at tayo ang mali. Nais ko lang ipakita na huwag natin silang agad husgahan. Alamin natin ang mga datos. Pakinggan ang kanilang pinaglalaban. Tanggapin natin ang katotohan na maari tayong magkamali. Pero syempre, hindi ako ikaw. Gising ako. Ika’y tulog.

Alam ko na hindi habambuhay ay kailangan gising. Kailangan din nating matulog upang makapagpahinga ang ating pag-iisip, upang kinabukasa’y maging wasto ang ating mga desisyon. Ngunit hindi habambuhay ay kailangan din nating manahimik. Kailangan din ng ingay upang makalampag ang mga taong dapat kalampagin, upang mabago ang dapat mabago, upang magising ang mga tulog, at nagtutulog-tulogan. Sana sa ating paghimbing ay alerto ang ating mga isipan sa mga bagay sa paligid. Light sleep, ika nga. Ng sa ganon, kapag tumunog na ang alarm clock ng lipunan ay magising ka at simulan ang bagong umaga. Ng sa ganon, kapag nag-ring ang cellphone ng lipunan, ay iyong mapakinggan ang kanilang mga hinaing. At ng sa ganon, kapag nasusunog ang iyong bahay, hindi ikaw ang isa sa mga lalamunin ng apoy at galit ng lipunan. Isa ka sa aapula nito.
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Reaction paper in PI 100 (Rizal)

Friday, October 07, 2005

penniless

It was not a challenge at all.

For a weekend, in compliance with a school requirement, I have to restrain myself from excessive spending and must be able to survive with a minimum amount of money in my pocket.

Well. Honestly, I did not do the challenge that weekend.

Because I am living the challenge all my life.

Financially speaking, I am struggling.

I admit I am much more blessed than the least-fortunate-ones we know. I am from an earning family, living in a well-standing house, studying in the best school, and eating a decent meal twice a day. Based on that I feel I live a satisfying life. And I feel that it is enough for me to be happy.

However…

Here we go, the however stuff…

I admit that sometimes I am envious of the things my other classmates enjoy.

My everyday allowance is only 100 pesos which I have to budget for my daily fare, school requirements and personal stuff. Notice here that I do not include food in that budget list. And it is not even included in the personal stuff category. This is because of most the time I don’t eat lunch. I know this is wrong but it is the only way to budget such meager sum of money. My digestive system seem to be cooperating, I think that I am hunger-tolerant. But with those times that I feel I could no longer carry on, I would buy myself a 10 to 20 peso worth of snack, if is still have money, or if I have none, use my charm asking for my friends for a share of their snacks if they have one.

My only wish is to have my own money that I could budget and spend with no guilty feelings or whatever that I am spending my parents’ money for something insignificant.

I do not desire to be rich.

I only want to have my own.

Friday, September 30, 2005

waking up when september ends.

it was a horrible, terrible month, i believe.

and now finally im waking up tomorrow to a new day free from all the hassles of school work and organization stuff... although there are still few exams to reckon with... but at least the hardest parts are done and over.

my month began with the traditional hell week in the organization im applying for. although it was tasking and has required me a thick face to deal with my master's wishes... overall it was fun and challenging. this experience taught me a lot in gaining self-confidece and has earned me new friendships as well, with my co-applicants and other members.

then, everything just turned upside down when a whirlwind of case studies, exams and presentations came almost at the same time. not to mention a judo tournament that i have entered into to comply with my PE requirements. deadlines came one by one. until everything was gone.

it was the toughest semester ever. and sad to say, as early as now, i am having a glimpse of the loads of work i have to deal with again next semester. and im sure it will be twice as stressful as what i have experienced this sem.

as for now, i will be relaxing to death.

waking up from that nightmare is something am thankful for.

cheers to this semester... and for the next... goodluck.