I don't know if it's part of growing up, but I think I was happier and contented a few years back. I missed laughing out loud like there's no tomorrow. I missed chatting with friends with sense. I missed rendering service out of love and compassion. I missed crying out of joy. I so missed my Baguio years.
But I have no regret of my present status now. Maybe, life has just its own twist and delight. Or perhaps, I became too work-oriented that I failed to give myself a quality break. Or probably, I just forgot the meaning of happiness...
Last Friday, I became one year older. I feel blessed to be bombarded with birthday greetings and messages. (Thanks!)To capture the realization I've got from my wondering, I would say the Lord has impressed on me the distance I've traveled without Him. I am now trying to figure out how to bring back the joy of journeying together with Him, again... †
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Sunday, January 25, 2009
A stranger's Talk
Walking in the streets of Baguio City in the dark, cold night has always been my way of winding up. Aside from the physical benefit I get from walking, I am always engrossed in watching people’s activity and their dealings with one another. I consider this as a wonderful result of communication, a process where one can learn from the other. And I personally take each communication process an opportunity to listen to lessons gained from bitterness but surpassed with resilience.
I want to share my encounter with a single mom who tries to earn a living by selling Ukay-ukay products in the dim streets of Baguio City. I approached her out of curiosity, asking her where have all the other ukay-ukay vendors gone? She said they were instructed by the city government not to sell anymore in the pavements of the streets on night time. She failed to provide me further information of her comrades’ disappearance in the street. But she still persisted in selling used clothes; otherwise, she’ll go home with nothing to eat.
I was surprised when she’s been talking and telling me stories of her life. I did not know her, and she just met me right there. I got her complete name but let me just call her Andrea. I just told her my first name so we could address one another by name. We’re both strangers at that moment. And I think we became friends.
I came to know that she’s from Cebu, migrated in Baguio City more or less twenty years ago. She’s been separated with her husband for quite some time now, and she serves as the father and mother to her only child. Andrea speaks good English, very vocal, high-spirited, principled. I would say she’s gentle and sweet at the same time.
I got carried away with her story. I was flabbergasted with the trust she gave me. Andrea speaks from the heart. She’s not ashamed with her past; she’s confident to say she has moved on with her past relationship. She’s not even afraid to face tomorrow even alone. We talked for less than an hour until the policemen told her to vacate the area. Ukay vending is already forbidden in the pavements at night time. She has to leave and so I had to bid good-bye…
What a stranger’s talk with nothing to lose! It only requires willingness to listen and to learn, to respect and to trust, to consider others more highly than one self. It’s a simple talk that can edify a lowly-spirit like mine, who fervently misses to commune with the One who only searches the attitude of the heart. †
I want to share my encounter with a single mom who tries to earn a living by selling Ukay-ukay products in the dim streets of Baguio City. I approached her out of curiosity, asking her where have all the other ukay-ukay vendors gone? She said they were instructed by the city government not to sell anymore in the pavements of the streets on night time. She failed to provide me further information of her comrades’ disappearance in the street. But she still persisted in selling used clothes; otherwise, she’ll go home with nothing to eat.
I was surprised when she’s been talking and telling me stories of her life. I did not know her, and she just met me right there. I got her complete name but let me just call her Andrea. I just told her my first name so we could address one another by name. We’re both strangers at that moment. And I think we became friends.
I came to know that she’s from Cebu, migrated in Baguio City more or less twenty years ago. She’s been separated with her husband for quite some time now, and she serves as the father and mother to her only child. Andrea speaks good English, very vocal, high-spirited, principled. I would say she’s gentle and sweet at the same time.
I got carried away with her story. I was flabbergasted with the trust she gave me. Andrea speaks from the heart. She’s not ashamed with her past; she’s confident to say she has moved on with her past relationship. She’s not even afraid to face tomorrow even alone. We talked for less than an hour until the policemen told her to vacate the area. Ukay vending is already forbidden in the pavements at night time. She has to leave and so I had to bid good-bye…
What a stranger’s talk with nothing to lose! It only requires willingness to listen and to learn, to respect and to trust, to consider others more highly than one self. It’s a simple talk that can edify a lowly-spirit like mine, who fervently misses to commune with the One who only searches the attitude of the heart. †
Monday, January 19, 2009
DRUG WAR
The eradication of marijuana (Cannabis sativa) plantations in the hinterlands of Northern Luzon has been a consistent effort of the drug enforcement agency in the Philippines. Early last year, I personally witnessed the process of phasing out the illegal hemps grown and cultured in different remote areas in Santol, La Union and part of Kibungan, Benguet.
I saw how these fully-grown marijuana plants were cultivated, well-nourished with all fertilizers – proof that there ARE indeed protectors and masterminds behind these lucrative “agribusiness.” But the operatives failed to catch one; the site seemed to be left unattended, or probably, cultivators found their escape elsewhere. Nevertheless, those illegal hemps were burnt into ashes, and the operatives just carried some stalks as evidences.
That battle put into flare illegal hemps worth P28 million pesos, exclusive of other marijuana bricks and seedlings confiscated in the area. The operation labeled as Oplan Apol Green Scorpion was a three-day journey of combined elements led by Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), Philippine military, air force, intelligence units, and other anti-drug enforcers. It was a risky, all-sweat, operation all for the sake of putting into halt illegal drug operation in the country.
We had the chance to meet face to face with the members of the community in the area. We were never in the position to judge any one in the community as cultivator, or something to that effect. They might just be victims of coercive power, and no recourse to fight back. (I want to emphasize that I was in the area, and I could speak from my own heart and judgment whatever info and pulse I gathered from them).
The drug enforcers tried to have a fruitful discourse with the community members. They shared to them why these marijuana plants had to be eradicated, that there are laws enacted and provided for the punishment of (law) breakers, and protection for the tipsters and allies of positive advocacies. Apparently, the community has a problem worth-considering by the people in power.
The Nature speaks nothing less of the beauty and peace of the area, a haven for nature lovers, ideal for those who seek solace. But the community has a problem. People there are in need of farm-to-market roads for the transport of their produce. They lack electric services, they need medical assistance, decent shelter and education. These are all left unnoticed because people in power seem to be blind about their situation. They are busy trying to earn the nod of the majority, probably, to remain in power and keep hold of their hidden interests. I do not know how to describe them any more….
The reality is that they are in need, and righteousness in governance if transformed into action should address these needs.
RECORD BREAKING
After two months, anti-drug enforcers launched another operation tagged as Oplan “BUNTOTPUSA,” a six-day operation which started January 14 in the disputed boundaries of Ilocos Sur and Benguet. According to the report of PDEA Region 1, the operation yielded to the destruction of 170 MILLION worth of marijuana plants, the biggest so far in the history of marijuana eradication in the Philippines.
The operatives seem to relate the cultivation of these plants to the members of the communist rebels. According to their intelligence reports, communist rebels are sighted in said areas providing protection for the cultivators of marijuana plants. And so operatives of the government call their existence and alleged connection to the marijuana cultivation as narco-terrorism.
This latest effort of the oplan buntotpusa was commendable in nature. They arrested one cultivator in the area and was charged with the violation of Section II of Article 16 Cultivation or Culture of Plants Classified as Dangerous Drugs of RA 9165 otherwise known as the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Even the PDEA Region I Director Roberto Opeña is strong in its stance: “Our directive and objective is to win the drug war, and we are tapping all our partners to wipe out the enemy. We are not afraid of who they are or their cohorts and financiers.” I say more power to him… (to be continued) †
I saw how these fully-grown marijuana plants were cultivated, well-nourished with all fertilizers – proof that there ARE indeed protectors and masterminds behind these lucrative “agribusiness.” But the operatives failed to catch one; the site seemed to be left unattended, or probably, cultivators found their escape elsewhere. Nevertheless, those illegal hemps were burnt into ashes, and the operatives just carried some stalks as evidences.
That battle put into flare illegal hemps worth P28 million pesos, exclusive of other marijuana bricks and seedlings confiscated in the area. The operation labeled as Oplan Apol Green Scorpion was a three-day journey of combined elements led by Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), Philippine military, air force, intelligence units, and other anti-drug enforcers. It was a risky, all-sweat, operation all for the sake of putting into halt illegal drug operation in the country.
We had the chance to meet face to face with the members of the community in the area. We were never in the position to judge any one in the community as cultivator, or something to that effect. They might just be victims of coercive power, and no recourse to fight back. (I want to emphasize that I was in the area, and I could speak from my own heart and judgment whatever info and pulse I gathered from them).
The drug enforcers tried to have a fruitful discourse with the community members. They shared to them why these marijuana plants had to be eradicated, that there are laws enacted and provided for the punishment of (law) breakers, and protection for the tipsters and allies of positive advocacies. Apparently, the community has a problem worth-considering by the people in power.
The Nature speaks nothing less of the beauty and peace of the area, a haven for nature lovers, ideal for those who seek solace. But the community has a problem. People there are in need of farm-to-market roads for the transport of their produce. They lack electric services, they need medical assistance, decent shelter and education. These are all left unnoticed because people in power seem to be blind about their situation. They are busy trying to earn the nod of the majority, probably, to remain in power and keep hold of their hidden interests. I do not know how to describe them any more….
The reality is that they are in need, and righteousness in governance if transformed into action should address these needs.
RECORD BREAKING
After two months, anti-drug enforcers launched another operation tagged as Oplan “BUNTOTPUSA,” a six-day operation which started January 14 in the disputed boundaries of Ilocos Sur and Benguet. According to the report of PDEA Region 1, the operation yielded to the destruction of 170 MILLION worth of marijuana plants, the biggest so far in the history of marijuana eradication in the Philippines.
The operatives seem to relate the cultivation of these plants to the members of the communist rebels. According to their intelligence reports, communist rebels are sighted in said areas providing protection for the cultivators of marijuana plants. And so operatives of the government call their existence and alleged connection to the marijuana cultivation as narco-terrorism.
This latest effort of the oplan buntotpusa was commendable in nature. They arrested one cultivator in the area and was charged with the violation of Section II of Article 16 Cultivation or Culture of Plants Classified as Dangerous Drugs of RA 9165 otherwise known as the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Even the PDEA Region I Director Roberto Opeña is strong in its stance: “Our directive and objective is to win the drug war, and we are tapping all our partners to wipe out the enemy. We are not afraid of who they are or their cohorts and financiers.” I say more power to him… (to be continued) †
Saturday, January 03, 2009
Si Gamgamba at Si Ewan
Hindi mapakali sa paglambiti’t paghulma ng sopistikadong sapot ang isang gagamba tuwing nakahimlay ang araw. Mapaglaro itong paikut-ikot sa binubuong dugtung-dugtong na tulay na kanyang maituturing na kaligayahan. Kumpiyansa sa katiwasayan ng gabi, kanyang sinsamantala ang kakaibang lakas at kasiglahan, nagpapakita sa hindi nanlilisik na mata ng kalikasan, upang isakatuparan ang anumang gawaing hindi nagagawa, madalas, sa kaliwanagan.
Taglay ang mainam na reserba at mapotensyal na galamay, lalo’t higit sa estado ng katiyakan, kusang naglalabas ito ng makabuluhang sapot na hinuhubog upang maging isang matatag na pundasyon, parang makatang nagbibigay-buhay sa bawat katagang nagmumula sa kanyang madamdaming imahinasyon at ikinukumaps ng malayang kamay tangan ang panulat.
Madalas, nag-iisa. Tila binubukod ang sarili sa ibang nilalang upang protektahan ang kanyang himlayan, ang kanyang buhay. Pakiramdam niya’y malupit ang kalikasan at hindi mapagkakatiwalaan. Oo’t maaari niyang akuin ang teritoryo sa ganang sarili. Subalit sa kanya lamang sarili, sa loob-loob niya lamang. Sapagkat hindi kanya ang mundo. Nakikihati lamang siya at, sa katunayan, kapiranggot ang kanya at malupit ang kinasasadlakan.
Isa ‘yon sa pinagkaiba nitong si makata. Para sa kanya, may potensyal siyang baguhin ang takbo ng panahon, ‘pagkat mas malawak ang limitasyon nito. Hindi siya nakikihati, bahagi siya ng mismong mundo. Sa isang pagbiyahe patungo sa ibang dimensyon, kanya na ang mundo – maaari niyang gawing paraiso o di kaya’y impiyerno. Maaari rin niyang kitlin ang sariling buhay o di kaya’y ialay ito sa iniibig. Simple. Hindi siya tao.
Madali siyang mabusog at magsawa. Kung malakas ito at kayang-kaya ang kalaban, tiyak uumbok ang kanyang tiyan. Kung talagang sobrang nangangasim ang kanyang sikmura, ni katiting ay wala siyang ititira. Kung may ititira man, itatabi niya ito. Pero kadalasan, hindi niya ito inuubos, nilalanggam… kasama niya. Kaiba ng bahagya sa natatawang makata. Madali rin siyang magsawa subalit mahirap mabusog. At hindi siya nilalanggam. Siya ang nanglalanggam pero iniluluwa kung hindi nagustuhan.
Hindi sanay si Ewan sa regular na takbo ng buhay. Kung may pagpipilian, hindi niya babaybayin ang kalyehong araw-araw niyang tinatahak. Kung dalawang tsokolate at isang pulburon ang nasa kamay niya, hindi niya uubusin ang dalawang tsokolate. Isang tsokolate at isang pulburon ang kakainin niya, at… ipapalit ang isang tsokolate ng ibang putahe. Sobrang hirap ng buhay ngayon! Alin naman dito, birhen o hindi? (ito talagang si makata, biglang umiba ng eksena). Dapat matikman niya muna (O, humirit pa). Sa kabilang banda, nagpapalit din siya ng damit araw-araw, gayong hindi araw-araw ay bago ang mga ito. Marunong siyang magtiis at magsakripisyo. Malambot ang kanyang puso sa mga nagmamahal sa kanya.
Samantala, masyado silang malikot at mapaglaro. Hindi magkandaugaga itong si gagamba sa paglalaro ng kanyang sapot habang si makata nama’y walang puknat sa kakasubok ng kung anu-anong bagay. Madalas pa ngang nilalaro ni gagamba ang kanyang tanghalian o hapunan, at kung siya’y nasa sanga o dahon, wala rin siyang pagod sa pagbaba’t pagtaas gamit ang matibay na sapot. Talagang malikot at mapaglaro ang isipan nitong si makata. Ibang klaseng maglarawan!
Sa kabila ng malikot at mapaglarong isipan, hindi ito sapat upang hindi mabahiran ng kalungkutan ang mukha ni Ewan. Hindi sapat na isipin na lagi siyang nagtatagumpay, na lumulundag siya sa galak, na matamis ang asukal, na may kiliti sa bawat iyak. Humuhupa ang imahinasyon. Lahat ng ito’y pansamantala lamang. Makapangyarihan ang imahinasyon subalit hindi nito magagawang palitan o dayain ang damdamin ng isang makata o manunulat. Hindi nito magagawang pwersahin ang isang manunulat na gawing masaya ang tema ng kanyang isinusulat gayong kalungkutan ang nasa damdamin nito. At hindi rin maaaring gawing malungkot ang tema ng kanyang susulatin kung ubod-galak na karanasan ang kanyang nais ibahagi. Kung maaari, isa siyang huwad na manunulat.
Sa kabilang banda, iisipin niyang mas mabuti ang katayuan ng isang gagamba. Wala itong mabilog na mata na kakikitaan ng hinagpis at dalamhati dulot ng mga taong nasa paligid nito. Walang luhang dumadaloy mula sa kanyang mata pababa sa pisngi hanggang sumayad sa lupa. Mabuti sana kung iisa ang kulay ng mundo. Gayunpaman, wala naman siyang tinig upang marinig ang lutong ng kanyang halakhak. Marami pa ring bagay na hindi magagawa ni gagamba sapagkat hindi siya tao, tulad ng sariling pagpapahayag.
Manatiling buhay, marahil, ang pangunahing layunin ng pananatili ni gagamba, bukod sa papel nito sa balanseng ekolohikal. Walang puwang sa kanya ang malawak na salitang pag-ibig, isang anyo ng ekspresyon. Wala siyang pusong nagdaramdam at nagagalak, ni di nga siya marunong manligaw. Hindi nga niya magawang mambola o sumambit ng katagang matalinghaga. Samakatuwid, nasa kinita ni Ewan na siya’y magiging makata ‘pagkat marunong siyang magmahal. Sabi nga ni Joi Barrios sa kanyang Minatamis at Iba pang Tula ng Pag-ibig, “bawat mangingibig ay makata.” Gayunpaman,, hindi lahat ng makata ay mangingibig at hindi namumusyaw ang may dugong makata kung siya’y namumuhi.
May dalawang bagay na maari nilang sang-ayunan. Una, sakop sila ng konsepto ng kamatayan. Si gagamba at si Ewan na kapwa may pagkakatulad at pagkakaiba sang-ayon sa ginawang pagsasalarawan ay parehong nakatakdang pumanaw. Ang mga nasabing deskripsyon ang siyang inaasahang katangian ni Ewan bilang isang nangangarap na manunulat o makata. Pangalawa, isang simpleng lohika na hindi makapagsulat si gagamba sapagkay siya’y insekto, at si Ewan ay tao. †
(This was written sometime in 2003. Pardon my forgetfulness, but I really can't remember the exact date when I wrote this piece.)
Taglay ang mainam na reserba at mapotensyal na galamay, lalo’t higit sa estado ng katiyakan, kusang naglalabas ito ng makabuluhang sapot na hinuhubog upang maging isang matatag na pundasyon, parang makatang nagbibigay-buhay sa bawat katagang nagmumula sa kanyang madamdaming imahinasyon at ikinukumaps ng malayang kamay tangan ang panulat.
Madalas, nag-iisa. Tila binubukod ang sarili sa ibang nilalang upang protektahan ang kanyang himlayan, ang kanyang buhay. Pakiramdam niya’y malupit ang kalikasan at hindi mapagkakatiwalaan. Oo’t maaari niyang akuin ang teritoryo sa ganang sarili. Subalit sa kanya lamang sarili, sa loob-loob niya lamang. Sapagkat hindi kanya ang mundo. Nakikihati lamang siya at, sa katunayan, kapiranggot ang kanya at malupit ang kinasasadlakan.
Isa ‘yon sa pinagkaiba nitong si makata. Para sa kanya, may potensyal siyang baguhin ang takbo ng panahon, ‘pagkat mas malawak ang limitasyon nito. Hindi siya nakikihati, bahagi siya ng mismong mundo. Sa isang pagbiyahe patungo sa ibang dimensyon, kanya na ang mundo – maaari niyang gawing paraiso o di kaya’y impiyerno. Maaari rin niyang kitlin ang sariling buhay o di kaya’y ialay ito sa iniibig. Simple. Hindi siya tao.
Madali siyang mabusog at magsawa. Kung malakas ito at kayang-kaya ang kalaban, tiyak uumbok ang kanyang tiyan. Kung talagang sobrang nangangasim ang kanyang sikmura, ni katiting ay wala siyang ititira. Kung may ititira man, itatabi niya ito. Pero kadalasan, hindi niya ito inuubos, nilalanggam… kasama niya. Kaiba ng bahagya sa natatawang makata. Madali rin siyang magsawa subalit mahirap mabusog. At hindi siya nilalanggam. Siya ang nanglalanggam pero iniluluwa kung hindi nagustuhan.
Hindi sanay si Ewan sa regular na takbo ng buhay. Kung may pagpipilian, hindi niya babaybayin ang kalyehong araw-araw niyang tinatahak. Kung dalawang tsokolate at isang pulburon ang nasa kamay niya, hindi niya uubusin ang dalawang tsokolate. Isang tsokolate at isang pulburon ang kakainin niya, at… ipapalit ang isang tsokolate ng ibang putahe. Sobrang hirap ng buhay ngayon! Alin naman dito, birhen o hindi? (ito talagang si makata, biglang umiba ng eksena). Dapat matikman niya muna (O, humirit pa). Sa kabilang banda, nagpapalit din siya ng damit araw-araw, gayong hindi araw-araw ay bago ang mga ito. Marunong siyang magtiis at magsakripisyo. Malambot ang kanyang puso sa mga nagmamahal sa kanya.
Samantala, masyado silang malikot at mapaglaro. Hindi magkandaugaga itong si gagamba sa paglalaro ng kanyang sapot habang si makata nama’y walang puknat sa kakasubok ng kung anu-anong bagay. Madalas pa ngang nilalaro ni gagamba ang kanyang tanghalian o hapunan, at kung siya’y nasa sanga o dahon, wala rin siyang pagod sa pagbaba’t pagtaas gamit ang matibay na sapot. Talagang malikot at mapaglaro ang isipan nitong si makata. Ibang klaseng maglarawan!
Sa kabila ng malikot at mapaglarong isipan, hindi ito sapat upang hindi mabahiran ng kalungkutan ang mukha ni Ewan. Hindi sapat na isipin na lagi siyang nagtatagumpay, na lumulundag siya sa galak, na matamis ang asukal, na may kiliti sa bawat iyak. Humuhupa ang imahinasyon. Lahat ng ito’y pansamantala lamang. Makapangyarihan ang imahinasyon subalit hindi nito magagawang palitan o dayain ang damdamin ng isang makata o manunulat. Hindi nito magagawang pwersahin ang isang manunulat na gawing masaya ang tema ng kanyang isinusulat gayong kalungkutan ang nasa damdamin nito. At hindi rin maaaring gawing malungkot ang tema ng kanyang susulatin kung ubod-galak na karanasan ang kanyang nais ibahagi. Kung maaari, isa siyang huwad na manunulat.
Sa kabilang banda, iisipin niyang mas mabuti ang katayuan ng isang gagamba. Wala itong mabilog na mata na kakikitaan ng hinagpis at dalamhati dulot ng mga taong nasa paligid nito. Walang luhang dumadaloy mula sa kanyang mata pababa sa pisngi hanggang sumayad sa lupa. Mabuti sana kung iisa ang kulay ng mundo. Gayunpaman, wala naman siyang tinig upang marinig ang lutong ng kanyang halakhak. Marami pa ring bagay na hindi magagawa ni gagamba sapagkat hindi siya tao, tulad ng sariling pagpapahayag.
Manatiling buhay, marahil, ang pangunahing layunin ng pananatili ni gagamba, bukod sa papel nito sa balanseng ekolohikal. Walang puwang sa kanya ang malawak na salitang pag-ibig, isang anyo ng ekspresyon. Wala siyang pusong nagdaramdam at nagagalak, ni di nga siya marunong manligaw. Hindi nga niya magawang mambola o sumambit ng katagang matalinghaga. Samakatuwid, nasa kinita ni Ewan na siya’y magiging makata ‘pagkat marunong siyang magmahal. Sabi nga ni Joi Barrios sa kanyang Minatamis at Iba pang Tula ng Pag-ibig, “bawat mangingibig ay makata.” Gayunpaman,, hindi lahat ng makata ay mangingibig at hindi namumusyaw ang may dugong makata kung siya’y namumuhi.
May dalawang bagay na maari nilang sang-ayunan. Una, sakop sila ng konsepto ng kamatayan. Si gagamba at si Ewan na kapwa may pagkakatulad at pagkakaiba sang-ayon sa ginawang pagsasalarawan ay parehong nakatakdang pumanaw. Ang mga nasabing deskripsyon ang siyang inaasahang katangian ni Ewan bilang isang nangangarap na manunulat o makata. Pangalawa, isang simpleng lohika na hindi makapagsulat si gagamba sapagkay siya’y insekto, at si Ewan ay tao. †
(This was written sometime in 2003. Pardon my forgetfulness, but I really can't remember the exact date when I wrote this piece.)
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Newscasts
YearEnd Report: I happened to waste my time surfing the site of gmanews.tv and thought of posting the links of my major reports aired in national newscast. For those who missed watching me, you can have a glimpse of what I'm doing in the region with the following links:
http://www.gmanews.tv/video/27846/10-Koreans-die-in-car-crash
http://www.gmanews.tv/video/31406/QTV-Police-destroy-marijuana-plantation
http://www.gmanews.tv/video/31395/Marijuana-plantation-in-La-Union-Benguet-destroyed
http://www.gmanews.tv/largevideo/related/31425/Govt-authorities-seize-hectares-of-marijuana-plants
http://www.gmanews.tv/video/31425/Govt-authorities-seize-hectares-of-marijuana-plants
*(these were two same stories aired in different news programs of gma7)
http://www.gmanews.tv/video/27846/10-Koreans-die-in-car-crash
http://www.gmanews.tv/video/31406/QTV-Police-destroy-marijuana-plantation
http://www.gmanews.tv/video/31395/Marijuana-plantation-in-La-Union-Benguet-destroyed
http://www.gmanews.tv/largevideo/related/31425/Govt-authorities-seize-hectares-of-marijuana-plants
http://www.gmanews.tv/video/31425/Govt-authorities-seize-hectares-of-marijuana-plants
*(these were two same stories aired in different news programs of gma7)
Sunday, October 26, 2008
The Challenge of Rebuke
It comforts me to know that someone understands me, even the complaints I have carried all through out my adjustment period for more than six months now. I am grateful I have friends who believe in me, who trust me, who show both the good and ugly in me. Though it’s hard to accept rebuke, it is better than hidden love, indeed.
But what’s the good of such admonition if I won’t heed on the challenge of deliberate change? I admitted I was spiritually “stagnated” the past months. I confessed I have been tempted of all kinds, and have sinned many times. But what I have gone through, I could say that I was mindful all along - the consequences of my actions, the trust that might be lost, the character that might be tainted with malice.
Grace. Gracia. Panangasi ya Katawan. It fuels me to breathe like a regenerated one. But right now, I am restless, tired, exhausted. It seems I am moving and acting without joy and sacred hype. But like a wounded soldier, I will rise. I accept the challenge to end this “game” of faith, to finish the good fight. But I can’t do it myself. I need YOU. †
But what’s the good of such admonition if I won’t heed on the challenge of deliberate change? I admitted I was spiritually “stagnated” the past months. I confessed I have been tempted of all kinds, and have sinned many times. But what I have gone through, I could say that I was mindful all along - the consequences of my actions, the trust that might be lost, the character that might be tainted with malice.
Grace. Gracia. Panangasi ya Katawan. It fuels me to breathe like a regenerated one. But right now, I am restless, tired, exhausted. It seems I am moving and acting without joy and sacred hype. But like a wounded soldier, I will rise. I accept the challenge to end this “game” of faith, to finish the good fight. But I can’t do it myself. I need YOU. †
Sunday, September 14, 2008
broken-heart
I regret my coward act of not showing and telling her my true feelings. There’s no such thing as secret love, indeed. And so I have to suffer the pains of great memories we’ve been through as friends, as she’s now with somebody else.
I was hurt. I blamed myself for that ‘loss’, for not doing anything to have her. I did crazy things to move on. And I was surprised because I’m hurting myself to the limits, for more than two weeks now. My first broken-heart experience, indeed, but I opt to stop my litanies here. I am done and over with my self covenant of waiting for her. She has decided, and I am free.
Lessons learned: enjoy being in solitude, and enjoy being with somebody you feel like hanging on; always forgive yourself; wish the person all the best, don’t curse; pamper yourself with a fresh bath every night; just cry when you feel like crying, and smile afterwards; love the Lord still...
" I never knew until that moment how bad it could hurt to lose something you never really had. " ~ From the television show The Wonder Years †
I was hurt. I blamed myself for that ‘loss’, for not doing anything to have her. I did crazy things to move on. And I was surprised because I’m hurting myself to the limits, for more than two weeks now. My first broken-heart experience, indeed, but I opt to stop my litanies here. I am done and over with my self covenant of waiting for her. She has decided, and I am free.
Lessons learned: enjoy being in solitude, and enjoy being with somebody you feel like hanging on; always forgive yourself; wish the person all the best, don’t curse; pamper yourself with a fresh bath every night; just cry when you feel like crying, and smile afterwards; love the Lord still...
" I never knew until that moment how bad it could hurt to lose something you never really had. " ~ From the television show The Wonder Years †
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Good News & Bad News
My night duty was over. The moments of seeing cadavers, blood, wrecked vehicles, sleeping police officers, commercial sex workers during raid, etc. have come into halt. I can now rest my pathetic eyes during night time, and I can now read my books again, hehe. It’s both good and bad news for me.
It’s bad news because I’ll be annoyed again with the scorching heat of the sun during coverage (arte, hehe). It’s time again to be pressured in beating the deadline for the afternoon newscast. I’ll be forced to adjust my eating habit. I can’t wear a jacket anymore, except on rainy days and typhoons. But then, these can all be good news depending on perspective.
It’s good news because I can now go out for night life (where? hehe). I can meet again my sources. I can set appointments for interview. I can see Amianan staff more often. I can watch movies on marathon basis (as in?hehe). Well, adjustment time again, but definitely, I’ll be missing both day and night practices.
What is important is that I should enjoy every course of the day, every camera roll, every story I cover. When I see good news in this bad news world, then, I am blessed because I am not missing the point of life as I see the positive side of life. Indeed, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven (Ecclesiastes 3:1, NIV) †
It’s bad news because I’ll be annoyed again with the scorching heat of the sun during coverage (arte, hehe). It’s time again to be pressured in beating the deadline for the afternoon newscast. I’ll be forced to adjust my eating habit. I can’t wear a jacket anymore, except on rainy days and typhoons. But then, these can all be good news depending on perspective.
It’s good news because I can now go out for night life (where? hehe). I can meet again my sources. I can set appointments for interview. I can see Amianan staff more often. I can watch movies on marathon basis (as in?hehe). Well, adjustment time again, but definitely, I’ll be missing both day and night practices.
What is important is that I should enjoy every course of the day, every camera roll, every story I cover. When I see good news in this bad news world, then, I am blessed because I am not missing the point of life as I see the positive side of life. Indeed, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven (Ecclesiastes 3:1, NIV) †
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Lessons learned
Happy 2-monthsary… hehe. Yup, yeap, it’s more than two months now that I am working as a correspondent. Congratulations
But I am quite exhausted; not a complaint but a natural feeling of a human being. It’s not the work per se, but actually the details within the work. And absolutely, I would say that this job that I have now is the job that I prayed for, and the job that I like, the job that I am still learning to love. Oh, yes, it’s a process of loving this kind of work, and so far, I am enjoying the journey of growing in love with my work.
I just want to share some lessons and realities that I encountered for the past months as a correspondent. First, even though I want to effect change in the story that I want to make, I just can’t help but cover the event as it is because I know my limitations. I cannot involve directly with the pleas and concerns of the people involved especially faces and hearts so deeply in need. I cannot curse people who blatantly violate the rights and simplicity of the marginalized in my story, otherwise, I may be judged bias. I can hide my partiality but not my empathy.
Secondly, it’s difficult to blame “uneducated” people when I see them in desperate situations, fighting with their fists but ended up losers. Some of these are victims of ignorance and unequal distribution of favor and wealth. I may just listen to them, sympathize with them, but I can’t just do mighty things for them to redeem their zeal. Nevertheless, I am thankful that with the kind of job that I have, I can inspire them, and trigger them to be hopeful and wishful.
Lastly, I learn to smile even though it’s not needed, and I learn to hide my resentment to those who are contemptible….
But I am quite exhausted; not a complaint but a natural feeling of a human being. It’s not the work per se, but actually the details within the work. And absolutely, I would say that this job that I have now is the job that I prayed for, and the job that I like, the job that I am still learning to love. Oh, yes, it’s a process of loving this kind of work, and so far, I am enjoying the journey of growing in love with my work.
I just want to share some lessons and realities that I encountered for the past months as a correspondent. First, even though I want to effect change in the story that I want to make, I just can’t help but cover the event as it is because I know my limitations. I cannot involve directly with the pleas and concerns of the people involved especially faces and hearts so deeply in need. I cannot curse people who blatantly violate the rights and simplicity of the marginalized in my story, otherwise, I may be judged bias. I can hide my partiality but not my empathy.
Secondly, it’s difficult to blame “uneducated” people when I see them in desperate situations, fighting with their fists but ended up losers. Some of these are victims of ignorance and unequal distribution of favor and wealth. I may just listen to them, sympathize with them, but I can’t just do mighty things for them to redeem their zeal. Nevertheless, I am thankful that with the kind of job that I have, I can inspire them, and trigger them to be hopeful and wishful.
Lastly, I learn to smile even though it’s not needed, and I learn to hide my resentment to those who are contemptible….
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Grow where I am planted
Wherever I am, whatever I do, whenever I will be, I should know who my real boss is. I should know why I should behave this way, why I should write this way, why I should broadcast report this way.
It was just a dream way back in college that an “impaired, lisping, loner” can become a reporter. And this dream came true just in time, just when I waited and prayed the most, when I needed direction in a confused and staggered blueprint waiting to be discovered. I asked of this, and it was given to me. Or should I say, it was given to me because HE is just simply good. :)
Working in the media industry, particularly under the contours of the best and most reputable network in the country, is a totally different field just to highlight the excitement, the thrill, the hype, the lesson, ethics and principles one can incur working within. But it is no different field when talking about where God puts me to influence where I am planted…
I am enjoying what I am doing right now as a reporter. Never mind the butter in the bread, aheemm for now (ano daw, hehehe). Thanks anyway for the psyche income triggered by the billboards, posters, and ads.
But I want to share about why the Lord has put me in this workplace. For almost a month now, I find it hard to find myself behaving in a manner worthy of Christ’s standard. I have no serious problem working with people inside; they’re all unique, well-crafted, wonderful individuals. I am just concerned with my own character, with the way they influence me, and I influence them. Do I still know that I should let my light shine, and not put it in the shed where my light is distorted and controlled? Do I still know that in everything I do, I should do it for God’s glory?
This is my wake up call indeed. I just hope and pray that the fast pace in the newsroom will not cause me forgetful that once in my journey, I was redeemed. From the simple use of words to dealing with people, I should let my light shine. No turning back… †
It was just a dream way back in college that an “impaired, lisping, loner” can become a reporter. And this dream came true just in time, just when I waited and prayed the most, when I needed direction in a confused and staggered blueprint waiting to be discovered. I asked of this, and it was given to me. Or should I say, it was given to me because HE is just simply good. :)
Working in the media industry, particularly under the contours of the best and most reputable network in the country, is a totally different field just to highlight the excitement, the thrill, the hype, the lesson, ethics and principles one can incur working within. But it is no different field when talking about where God puts me to influence where I am planted…
I am enjoying what I am doing right now as a reporter. Never mind the butter in the bread, aheemm for now (ano daw, hehehe). Thanks anyway for the psyche income triggered by the billboards, posters, and ads.
But I want to share about why the Lord has put me in this workplace. For almost a month now, I find it hard to find myself behaving in a manner worthy of Christ’s standard. I have no serious problem working with people inside; they’re all unique, well-crafted, wonderful individuals. I am just concerned with my own character, with the way they influence me, and I influence them. Do I still know that I should let my light shine, and not put it in the shed where my light is distorted and controlled? Do I still know that in everything I do, I should do it for God’s glory?
This is my wake up call indeed. I just hope and pray that the fast pace in the newsroom will not cause me forgetful that once in my journey, I was redeemed. From the simple use of words to dealing with people, I should let my light shine. No turning back… †
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