Wasted Relief.....

Such was the horror that struck Albay when super typhoon Reming went to pay a visit there.

It's been a year since Reming caused such devastation which led to thousands of people dead and left homeless. Schools and gymnasiums, then weren't even enough to shelter the inflicted folks of the storms. Much more was the food and clean water. Roads were closed and other goods were scarce.

My brother at that time was in Tabaco, Albay. And with all roads, out of Tabaco, closed, my brother, together with some friends who also live in Sorsogon, took the long trek home by foot, where they faced the the aftermath-horror of the mud flow tragedy. Lucky for them my dad and my uncle found a way to enter Legazpi.

I was here in Manila with my mom when it all happened. And though I'm from Sorsogon, I felt life sucked out of me as I saw the distressful state of the people there. The loss, the cold nights and hunger.....

A year after the agony.... A year after the whole nation gathered to place comfort..... a year since then, I faced the television to discover such disappointment......

Earlier this evening, I was about to make myself a cup of coffee (yes, coffee at night--I'm like that since college), when the flash report showed which got me and my mom's blood boiling. At the mention of Daraga, Albay, and the issue there, I felt like crying--with disappointment and anger. Such a waste--after discovering the piled packages of relief goods stored from last relief operation, which are now useless.

WASTED!

There boxes of canned goods and sacks of rice. Packages of blankets and other stuff that could have been used. But the food, alone, left there in that storage to rot instead of feeding the hungry, was a huge waste. Discovering such a pile to have expired last July, was really the biggest disappointment. After all, there are still many people needing those things, especially those times, when food was the number one priority.

If they were planning to store they should have checked the expiry dates. Then again, why were they storing large amounts of goods if there were still plenty to feed? Wasted....truly WASTED!

Let this be a lesson.....

Taking Blogging Seriously

Writing is my first love....

I honestly believe that being a writer runs in my family. It is a passion passed on from one generation to the next. A passion, whether influenced or not, comes out with every stroke of a pen, or clicking of the keys of the keyboard.... This is one hobby I can't get off my system since I was young....and I don't care whether it is related to my specialization I got in college or not.

Since I was young, I have enjoyed writing starting from the poems where is tells strories of some unlucky guy or a triumphant feeling I have. Thanks to my Ate Ophie, who's a writer as well, for showing me this addicting and fun craft, which my mom claims as something that not all are able to do.

Everytime Ate Ophie's work gets published on a magazine seems like a trophy for me that I wish, one day, I will have as well. She was a freelance writer and reading her works made me thought of making something worth posting one day.....High School gave me that chance alright.....then college.....

It's been more than a year since I graduated from college. With me just staying around the house, as I wait for a reply regarding my applications, I make use of valuable time by reading, and of course writing. And finally getting connection to the internet, I found a way to get my works published--if they do get published....

It was going to be a long wait, that I knew, as I passed manuscripts to certain publications (magazines and tabloids), yet, as I started joining an online community, I found a way to design plan b.

Plan B may also be a long wait as well before I see my efforts materialize, with regards to earning that is. Still, I went for it knowing that at least I see my work published for everyone to read. This is blogging....

I started first with friendster. Not only did I get in touch with friends and relatives, I also got to enjoy blogging for the first time. Knowing that it will just be read by friends (and if lucky by friends' friends), I started craving for more. Something that I, myself, can take in more seriously--thus I joined blogger....

As I presently write this newest post on my blogger blog, I hope, just like back in school paper days, I may able to entertain and inform readers from every age as I continue to practice my passion.....And hope that it might help me earn as well.....

Oh...in addiction--I mean addition--I joined Myspace,where like friendster, I also have a blog....

Happy surfing--and reading--and blogging......

In Memoriam of Merry Making

Yesterday, cemeteries have been packed with people visiting the graves of their departed loved ones. Besides the usual rosaries, candles and flowers, most of them are holding containers of food or guitars--for their picnics. Everywhere there are relatives hugging and laughing, each telling how they've been since the last time they all saw each other. There are even those who brought along pillows and blankets agreeing to stay there for the night ( Though this year it seems there are fewer groups who did that ). There maybe some who doesn't understand as to why Filipinos celebrate All Souls Day this way still, we do it anyway ( Unfortunately we stayed in the house and just lighted candles and prayed).

In tonight's news, they aired the story of this morning's activities in Angono, Rizal's cemetery. Just like yesterdays views in other cemeteries here in Manila, there were merry makings from left to right. The only difference Angono had was that the celebration was more like a fiesta. Part of their programme for the day was a "raffle" for the people who were there, and games for the kids. Now theirs was more fun....

Now, others may ask why we Filipinos celebrate this way....

In an interview with one of Angono resident who was also present in the cemetery this morning, here's what she said: "We really celebrate All Souls Day in November 2 here in Angono. We have fun altogether for we rejoice with the fact that our loved ones are finally at rest and with our Creator in heaven...."


It is a custom for us to visit and pray for our departed loved ones during All Souls Day, but it is not also bad to have fun while staying in the cemetery. True, we enjoy ourselves not only because relatives come together during this period--it usually takes events like these to finally have a reunion--but rather because of faith itself. Filipinos are known to be religious (no matter what religion we belong to), The fact that we very much believe that there is heaven gives us the joy for our departed loved ones as we have prayed for them to the Lord. Truly they are at peace....

Racing Towards Success

Tonight they finally showed what I've been waiting for after they have announced it last night in PBB (Pinoy Big Brother).

Last night may have been the nomination night and things were pretty tight with the housemates. It was there second nomination night and after the first two-in-one housemates, Marylain and Jen, of the twenty six K, left the house the night before, things were more serious than the last week.

But besides the announcement of the nominees for eviction, and the big surprise of Kuya (Big Brother) on the shows host, Toni Gonzaga, being the second house guest, things became more exciting (and nervous) with the disappearance of Gabby Dela Merced, the racing goddess of PBB's season 2 Celebrity Edition.

As her fellow housemates got worried with her being MIA, Gabby Dela Merced was on her way to Subic to attend a racing competition.

Earlier, the race was shown.....

For Gabby to have only practiced at a new course (which she's not familiar with) just that day, being able to go to the fourth spot was considered good, as they said. And, so, without further ado, the race began....

Gabby was doing pretty well. At the start on the race Gabby was already at the fourth place, 'till she has gained her way on third. But as she tries to get pass the other zooming cars upfront,

Gabby's car, on the ninth lap, got an engine problem.

The team tried to get it fixed, changing the engine within the limit of two hours. They finished it alright and found a problem with the battery. With only one minute to go before their limit for pit stop ends, Gabby's team successfully made the car running, thus the goddess zoomed her way into the tracks.

Gabby won the first as she soared her way on the twelfth and final lap.

"All odds were against me, but the universe was still good to me...."

With these words that Gabby said in the confession room, after coming back from Subic, I was reminded at how God was indeed good.

Just like every living creature, life, for us is a race. There may be times when we met holes and bumps, and like Gabby, engine problem, still if we believe and persevere, we will not just see victory, but definitely take grasp of it.

Right now, things may not be going according to my plan, but I know this pit stop is worth it, for I intend to finish my own race, with God as my coach--and win it.....

Making Use of Valuable TIME

One has to choose whether they make lives boring for them or not.

I choose the latter....

It's been more than a year since I graduated and came back here in Manila. Honestly at first I find it boring as I wait for a reply from where I submitted my application. It took me months before I got a call and passed their exam. Unfortunately, wanting to be assigned at Sorsogon where I graduated college, I have to wait for yet another call for my assignment.

I'm stuck in the house with only books, television, and radio as my way of fighting boredom.

And only lately did I get a connection at the Internet.

Now I'm starting to enjoy being couped up in the house....especially in my room....though there are still times, I must admit, I wish I were outside and hanging out with friends.

Time is gold they say. If every second counts. Every breath we take are gifts to make....I have to make use of it....

Lately I've been having fun answering questions at yahoo answers. As they say "Be a better brainiac". I must admit, though I started just recently, I'm having a great time--made me feel smarter too (hahaha). And with the feel of being smarter, I saw my need to enhance my skills which I think I'm rough at.

With all access to information here on the web, I surf away searching for the right site to help me with the things I've been having problems with.

They say that in every disadvantage comes an advantage. Right now, with all my friends having work while I stay in the house, I take on the advantage for making myself better than before. I just hope it materializes soon.

Or maybe it has.....

New and Improving....

It's been more than a year since I left Sorsogon. Ever since I left I have promised myself one thing--I'm going to be different. It was for me a time to say goodbye to the girl that always cried and had lost touch from individuality--I felt life was sucked out from me from things that I never understood during times when I was in college until now.

It's been a year of isolation....

A year of reflecting....

A year of self-discovery.....

It's time to say goodbye to the old me and in with the new.....

I saw me getting stronger again. Loving life once more. Figuring out what went wrong along the way. At first I thought of the many discouraging moments that has passed my way as I were staying there--Were these the reason why I stumbled? Why I feel so small? It was only when I realize that there was no one to blame except myself that I assured myself of something--it's time to set right to whatever I made wrong.

I saw how I've grown. It was time after all. I let myself be damaged by listening what others were to say about me and forget about my conscience. I refuse to do any wrong that I it turned out that I did it anyway without realizing it. I have caused myself to crack down because I tried to please others that I felt depressed by not doing what made me happy most--that I tried to be someone I'm not though in truth I was already perfect the way God wants me to be.

There are simply things that works out in a person and not for the rest. The most important thing I can do right now is to change myself (or regain myself) to the person my family can be more proud of.

I thought I have stepped out of the cocoon. I haven't after all. Right now I'm still in that stage as I do my best to be the girl who can face life's challenges more.

God promised us better days ahead. All we have to is believe.

I don't know when I'll be back in Sorsogon. In God's time I will. And when that time comes I know I'm not the girl they used to know--I'm new and improved.....

Half of the Shell....

It was 6pm when the light's went off in the subdivision....

AHHHH!!!! BROWNOUT!!!!!!

We ate dinner early at around 6:30pm. After tidying up the table and the dishes, my mom and I decided to stay at the terrace where we chatted along with a neighbor.

With the issues that are presently at hand in the nation (with regards to the explosion), I never thought the conversation would shift from something tragic to something romantic....and God knows how I loved listening 'bout it.

From the bombing, to the terrorist, to the Muslims, to Muslim refugees during the Marcos regime, to the relief operation, to the flashback at the time when boy and girl meets at the Red Cross where they were both assigned for practicum. (huh! that was long....)

As the candle flickers my mom told me the story of she cross paths with a boy named JIMMY....

My mom was on her first month in Sorsogon for practicum while for Jimmy it his was the last month. My mom's first week in Sorsogon was settled for orientation. That time it seems that all places where she could be possibly assigned for the practicum was full, but not wanting to be assigned further more, and thankful luck was on her side, she was then assigned to Red Cross where her friends assured her that it was okay to be there for at least "Jimmy" was there.

Ah yes..."Jimmy" that nice guy who was also in practicum.

My mom and dad met on the my mom's second week of stay. It was very funny actually. My mom at that time didn't know that there were rules concerning cleaning the place. The first person to arrive cleans the office. The first one to arrive was a guy who happens to be the med tech. But since he was the one cleaning (the rule) they thought he was a janitor. Next came this man who was wearing a hard cap and a t-shirt, both printed with the red-cross logo. He was immediately told by the first guy that my mom and the girls she was with are there for practicum as well.

The second guy was an inglisero (English speaking). For this he was concluded as the boss of the office, which later on was found to be nothing more than to be also in practicum (Jimmy)....

Jimmy turned out to be really nice (very accommodating) , but alas was also very testing (as in testing the newcomers). For their first week at red cross, one by one, my mom's co nurses were invited to walk a very long distance from their red cross office to where the group were to go until Friday came and it was my mom's turn.

Hers turned out to be different though. Jimmy invited her to go on a relief operation in Barcelona, Sorsogon (please note that the setting is still in the Philippines). The relief operation were for the Muslim Refugees.

There was a time when I lost faith on something after all the doubts I'm having 'till when I heard this story.

Moving on....As they do their services in Barcelona, one of the refugees broke a large shell into half and gave each to Jimmy and my mom. When those around saw this they began to tell a certain belief that they were destined to be with each other for no matter how far their distances or as time passed by, the two halves of the shell will always find each other. After hearing that all my mom did was joked.

After more than two decades since they were given the shell, I now sit typing this story away, regaining faith that I may have my turn to find my own half of the shell who's other half belonging to someone....

After all, Jimmy is the man me and my siblings call "PA".....

Love you pa and ma!!!!mwah!!!!