AGAIN. it's been a very long time since i updated this and funny enough, it's during october where many events had happened that i did not post here. :P well, i guess ive been too busy and in addition to that is the presence of my tumblr account.
October was fun. There were 10 days that it wasn't because people i love just had to go to COPAR, but it was all fine na again after they came back. :)
Right now, classes for the second semester have started and I am just so happy. I was not able to enrol for the continuation of my MA this sem, but.. i am now a professor at PHCM, that's why I am just as affected as the students. :)
Yesterday was my first day and it was really fun. :) During my first class, I entered the room late while the students were laughing and chatting and they did not mind me.. until i went directly to the teacher's table and told them to stand up so we can pray. I heard the young students say "akala ko estudyante". :)) During class, I saw other students outside the classroom, looking at me saying "grabe, ang bata nga!".
After I introduced myself to the students and told them I was instructed not to tell them my age as some of them are even older than me, one male student asked: maam steph, nkapag-debut na po ba kayo? -- ARYYYT! :) haha.
What amazes me is that young as I look, the students were all so attentive. They listen to what I say and threw compliments at me pa before they left. :) I guess I will enjoy this job a lot. :)
Monday, November 8
Saturday, September 25
think..
if you think making up stories about me can make people believe that i am that kind of person you’re talking about, it probably can. if you think imitating me will make it look like we are of the same level, it probably will. but if you think you can PULL me down, compete with me, make me play the kind of dirty games you play and give up.. THINK AGAIN! :)
Tuesday, July 20
because of you :(
I will not make the same mistakes that you did
I will not let myself
Cause my heart so much misery
I will not break the way you did,
You fell so hard
I've learned the hard way
To never let it get that far
Because of you
I never stray too far from the sidewalk
Because of you
I learned to play on the safe side so I don't get hurt
Because of you
I find it hard to trust not only me, but everyone around me
Because of you
I am afraid
I lose my way
And it's not too long before you point it out
I cannot cry
Because I know that's weakness in your eyes
I'm forced to fake
A smile, a laugh everyday of my life
My heart can't possibly break
When it wasn't even whole to start with
Because of you
I never stray too far from the sidewalk
Because of you
I learned to play on the safe side so I don't get hurt
Because of you
I find it hard to trust not only me, but everyone around me
Because of you
I am afraid
I watched you die
I heard you cry every night in your sleep
I was so young
You should have known better than to lean on me
You never thought of anyone else
You just saw your pain
And now I cry in the middle of the night
For the same damn thing
Because of you
I never stray too far from the sidewalk
Because of you
I learned to play on the safe side so I don't get hurt
Because of you
I try my hardest just to forget everything
Because of you
I don't know how to let anyone else in
Because of you
I'm ashamed of my life because it's empty
Because of you
I am afraid
Because of you
Because of you
I will not let myself
Cause my heart so much misery
I will not break the way you did,
You fell so hard
I've learned the hard way
To never let it get that far
Because of you
I never stray too far from the sidewalk
Because of you
I learned to play on the safe side so I don't get hurt
Because of you
I find it hard to trust not only me, but everyone around me
Because of you
I am afraid
I lose my way
And it's not too long before you point it out
I cannot cry
Because I know that's weakness in your eyes
I'm forced to fake
A smile, a laugh everyday of my life
My heart can't possibly break
When it wasn't even whole to start with
Because of you
I never stray too far from the sidewalk
Because of you
I learned to play on the safe side so I don't get hurt
Because of you
I find it hard to trust not only me, but everyone around me
Because of you
I am afraid
I watched you die
I heard you cry every night in your sleep
I was so young
You should have known better than to lean on me
You never thought of anyone else
You just saw your pain
And now I cry in the middle of the night
For the same damn thing
Because of you
I never stray too far from the sidewalk
Because of you
I learned to play on the safe side so I don't get hurt
Because of you
I try my hardest just to forget everything
Because of you
I don't know how to let anyone else in
Because of you
I'm ashamed of my life because it's empty
Because of you
I am afraid
Because of you
Because of you
Sunday, June 27
Political Will or Arrogance?
By Sonnie Santos, Blog Watch
P.Noy got mixed reviews from his first press conference after the proclamation. The nation witnessed a leader who can display political will, but others thought that this was arrogance.
The resolution of the incoming President to replace Bangit has been viewed by some as arrogance because of how the matter was handled by his camp. The people surrounding P.Noy has been lambasting the appointment of Bangit and called for his resignation, lest he may be relieved. While there is no question that P.Noy has the prerogative to hire and fire, and to chose people who enjoy his trust, there is a "professional" way to do it.
What is wrong with Bangit?
Except from the person who appointed him, and his statement given to media, as a soldier, what crime did he commit that merits public humiliation?
Yes, he may have opted to submit his courtesy resignation and avoid heading on with the incoming President, but again, there is a professional and dignified way of requesting a person, who served our country and risked his life to protect our territorial integrity and democracy, to step down. I believe we owe respect and honorable exit to public servants who served their country well and committed no crime. Likewise, civilian supremacy is not an excuse to disrespect the military.
In "change management" we are not only dealing with processes and machines but also people. Processes and machines can be upgraded and replaced anytime and expect no direct consequences. But people have emotions. People have friends and families, they have spheres of influence. While Gen. Bangit may have handled the embarrassment professionally [so far], and may opt to just fade away, we can not expect the same reaction from his friends and relatives. People may have chosen to be quiet right now, pero sabi nga nila eh "bilog ang mundo".
Because of this, the Aquino administration may have to regularly watch its back. The time and resources that will be spent on issues like this is better channeled to free the country of corruption, as promised in his campaign.
---
I find Noynoy's pronouncements on this issue very shallow to the point of sounding petty and petulant -- at 50, he still talks and reasons like an 11-year-old brat. Just because Gen. Bangit was appointed by Pres. Arroyo -- for whom he has no love lost, and appointed allegedly past the election ban deadline -- Noynoy is singling out the military chief for his petty revenge at Arroyo. Bangit would not have risen to a general's rank if he has not laid his life on the line countless times while on the battlefield as a young soldier, or sent his men to battle knowing that some of them would not come back alive. Bangit is a real-life hero already. He has proven himself. Noynoy still has to make his name. Can't he show some respect instead of signs of vengeance, vindictiveness, grandstanding and immaturity? He should remember that despite his wide lead over Erap, he was elected as a minority president -- meaning 6 out of 10 Filipinos wanted someone else to lead them. A dose of humility would do him a lot of good as this nation's leader in the next 6 years.
P.Noy got mixed reviews from his first press conference after the proclamation. The nation witnessed a leader who can display political will, but others thought that this was arrogance.
The resolution of the incoming President to replace Bangit has been viewed by some as arrogance because of how the matter was handled by his camp. The people surrounding P.Noy has been lambasting the appointment of Bangit and called for his resignation, lest he may be relieved. While there is no question that P.Noy has the prerogative to hire and fire, and to chose people who enjoy his trust, there is a "professional" way to do it.
What is wrong with Bangit?
Except from the person who appointed him, and his statement given to media, as a soldier, what crime did he commit that merits public humiliation?
Yes, he may have opted to submit his courtesy resignation and avoid heading on with the incoming President, but again, there is a professional and dignified way of requesting a person, who served our country and risked his life to protect our territorial integrity and democracy, to step down. I believe we owe respect and honorable exit to public servants who served their country well and committed no crime. Likewise, civilian supremacy is not an excuse to disrespect the military.
In "change management" we are not only dealing with processes and machines but also people. Processes and machines can be upgraded and replaced anytime and expect no direct consequences. But people have emotions. People have friends and families, they have spheres of influence. While Gen. Bangit may have handled the embarrassment professionally [so far], and may opt to just fade away, we can not expect the same reaction from his friends and relatives. People may have chosen to be quiet right now, pero sabi nga nila eh "bilog ang mundo".
Because of this, the Aquino administration may have to regularly watch its back. The time and resources that will be spent on issues like this is better channeled to free the country of corruption, as promised in his campaign.
---
I find Noynoy's pronouncements on this issue very shallow to the point of sounding petty and petulant -- at 50, he still talks and reasons like an 11-year-old brat. Just because Gen. Bangit was appointed by Pres. Arroyo -- for whom he has no love lost, and appointed allegedly past the election ban deadline -- Noynoy is singling out the military chief for his petty revenge at Arroyo. Bangit would not have risen to a general's rank if he has not laid his life on the line countless times while on the battlefield as a young soldier, or sent his men to battle knowing that some of them would not come back alive. Bangit is a real-life hero already. He has proven himself. Noynoy still has to make his name. Can't he show some respect instead of signs of vengeance, vindictiveness, grandstanding and immaturity? He should remember that despite his wide lead over Erap, he was elected as a minority president -- meaning 6 out of 10 Filipinos wanted someone else to lead them. A dose of humility would do him a lot of good as this nation's leader in the next 6 years.
Wednesday, June 2
plans.
work has officially started. miss dependent, no more. :)
right at this moment i am defining T-I-R-E-D! :|
but really having a good time, enjoying work and very happy meeting new people and professionals. :)
still undecided whether to enroll this sem in order to continue my graduate school studies or file LOA for the mean time.one thing is certain, i am going to finish my MS HRM at any expense, as in NO MATTER WHAT. i just don't know when. :P haha
i also have plans of taking up paralegal. have to inquire when classes would start soon. it's like a law school or something. i'll be taking up all law subjects but i will not be an "attorney" but a legal consultant. and if i do like it, i'll pursue law na din. :)
soo. goodluck tlga STEF!
right at this moment i am defining T-I-R-E-D! :|
but really having a good time, enjoying work and very happy meeting new people and professionals. :)
still undecided whether to enroll this sem in order to continue my graduate school studies or file LOA for the mean time.one thing is certain, i am going to finish my MS HRM at any expense, as in NO MATTER WHAT. i just don't know when. :P haha
i also have plans of taking up paralegal. have to inquire when classes would start soon. it's like a law school or something. i'll be taking up all law subjects but i will not be an "attorney" but a legal consultant. and if i do like it, i'll pursue law na din. :)
soo. goodluck tlga STEF!
Thursday, May 27
Tuesday, May 25
oh my, GLUED! :)
pic taken during the finals game (1) of the LK guys, also known as "WALASTIK". :)
game was supposed to be at 6.30, but SK officials acknowledge Filipino time so the game started na at 8.30, which became the reason why yiam, fats and i had to go home during the half-time.. not allowing us to witness the chaos. :P haha
missed them so much. hope to do this a lot more often. :D
Monday, May 24
officially a fairview girl. :D
moved out of veterans village last sunday (may 16) to transfer to a newly-built, bigger and more colorful house in an exclusive subdivision in fairview. admittedly, it's been hard adjusting. especially that i got used to getting all my needs in mere seconds since everything we need back then used to be steps away.
i super miss my friends in vetville. but i am happy that we still manage to keep in touch. i am now closer to yiam's house (in bulacan) but almost an hour away from the others.
we did not have internet connection for a week since we had to do requests of this and that for transfers/billing address and the like. so here's a list of the changes that happened and what ive done/ been doing over the week.
* i now cannot sleep with lights off. haha :)) really, it scares me that i am living in a house that has not been blessed yet.
* been crying every night, thinking of thw what-used-to-be's.
* been taking a bath almost 5 times a day. i really don't know why.
*been sleeping early (10pm) and waking up at 9am. so not me.
* been busy attending job interviews, having a hard time choosing which job will fit me and my interests and which is the most convenient.
* been making friends with neighbors. :P
- i was able to watch several basketball games of my vetville friends.
- attended their victory party.
- attended annika's birthday party (which was on the same day).
- co-authored a new love team (yiam and ron). haha
i super miss my friends in vetville. but i am happy that we still manage to keep in touch. i am now closer to yiam's house (in bulacan) but almost an hour away from the others.
we did not have internet connection for a week since we had to do requests of this and that for transfers/billing address and the like. so here's a list of the changes that happened and what ive done/ been doing over the week.
* i now cannot sleep with lights off. haha :)) really, it scares me that i am living in a house that has not been blessed yet.
* been crying every night, thinking of thw what-used-to-be's.
* been taking a bath almost 5 times a day. i really don't know why.
*been sleeping early (10pm) and waking up at 9am. so not me.
* been busy attending job interviews, having a hard time choosing which job will fit me and my interests and which is the most convenient.
* been making friends with neighbors. :P
- i was able to watch several basketball games of my vetville friends.
- attended their victory party.
- attended annika's birthday party (which was on the same day).
- co-authored a new love team (yiam and ron). haha
Saturday, May 15
pretty funny.
what's funny with the news today? noynoy doesn't want to take the oath of office from CJ Corona. he has begun his downward spiral because of ignorance, vindictiveness, and incompetence. he is not yet commander-in-chief and he demands who the outgoing president chooses to lead in the judiciary. oh! and don’t blame me, I did not vote for him. :))
i get needy.
I don’t have a fear of commitment - I have a fear of abandonment. We all screw things up; I screw things up, especially with the people I love. I get needy, I get moody, I get distant, I want to be too close, I get confused. I don’t understand all of it but I keep pushing because I hope in this thing - the universe. There’s no way I’m the only person out there who wants something this bad. If I want it, someone else out there must, too.
Mother Teresa
“People are unreasonable, illogical and self-centered. Love them anyway. If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Do good anyway. If you’re successful, you will win false friends and true enemies. Succeed anyway. The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway. Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable. Be honest and frank anyway. The biggest person with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest person with the smallest mind. Think big anyway. What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight. Build anyway. People really need help but may attack if you help them. Help people anyway. Give the world the best you have and you might get hurt. Give the world the best you’ve got anyway.”
Wednesday, May 12
we missed the flight. BUT HE GAVE US HOPE. :)
As I write this, I am holding back tears. It is not because I don't like Noynoy Aquino, nor because I think Erap being allowed to run again and now come second in this race is a joke, but because about 90% of my voting countrymen allowed a good thing slip through their fingers... yet again.
I read a comment someone posted on the GT fan page that said the Philippines will never cease to be a third world country, because the Filipinos keep thinking like one. It's a tragedy that we repeatedly refuse to acknowledge our islands' limitless potential. By electing the same kind of people over and over again to lead our nation, we are consciously closing our minds and hearts to a new era in politics; where mudslinging and dirty tactics can become obsolete. It really is a shame.
Sour graping is the easiest thing in the world. I could whine, complain and write angry hate notes and messages about how stupid, inane and terrifically idiotic we've now made ourselves out to be. I could congratulate the 12 million Filipinos for damning us to 6 years of shame, blame and online games. There are so many delightfully snarky things I could say that would probably make me feel better. But this time, I won't. Why? Because this time, I've learned how to.
Throughout his campaign, Gilbert Teodoro was often praised by many, both in the public and private sectors, for his brilliance, integrity, capability and positivity. It was due to these qualities that he received support from me and over 3 million Filipinos across the country. Though we did not soar as high as we wanted to, it was in the few feet above the ground that I, and I'm sure my fellow "Gibonians" will concur, learned valuable lessons in politics, leadership and more importantly, in life.
Of these lessons, here are 10 that I will always remember... and treasure.
1. Stop the negativity! Take responsibility! One of the things Gibo was most commended for was his commitment to maintain a positive campaign throughout the period. Not once did he stoop down to sling the mud back, he would only wipe it off his shoes. His focus was on bringing his voice and platform to all areas of the country, to give us the chance to discern and make the decision based on that knowledge. No matter how dirty the arena had become, everyone still wanted to shake his hand.
2. The world keeps spinning and so should we. "Society does change." Gibo said this in one of his sorties, when he talked about addressing the material needs of people today. In an ideal society, people should be content to live within their means and capabilities. But unfortunately, reality begs to differ. The times, they are a changing, Bob Dylan once sang, and it will continue to do so whether we like it or not. The ability to adapt and adjust can no longer be considered an option, for it is fast becoming a necessity.
3. It's not the what. It's the how. Another thing Gibo was often praised for was his practical take on traditional and modern day issues. His platform attracted many because his proposed policies and solutions seemed "doable". In fact, there were no promises made to put an end to the problems that have been haunting our country for decades, if not centuries. After all, an idea is one thing, but its execution is another entirely.
4. Not all bad grass come from the same seed. We civilians have this idea that all government officials are the same: corrupt, self-serving and power hungry. But after listening to Gibo speak in one of his sorties about how corruption can be eased through incentives and rewards for good behavior, I realized that there still are public servants who actually WANT to serve the public.
5. Shit happens. But you can always clean it up. Throughout his stint as Secretary of National Defense happened two tragedies: the Typhoon Ketsana and Maguindanao massacre. His response to these disasters, while not perfect, was still commended by those who actually knew what the heck was going on. Even during the campaign, when many a time was he frowned upon for these unfortunate events, not once did I hear him point the finger at other people. What I admire is that he took responsibility for his actions and did what was best at the time to appease each situation.
6. There are many things we can compromise. Integrity is not one of them. Being a member of one of the most powerful political machineries in the country, it would have been easy to engage in the crossfire that happened between several of the candidates. Everyone wondered why he refused to denounce his ties to PGMA, even though people were saying they would vote for him if he would. Why not compromise, I, like many other Filipinos thought? Then, during one of his sorties, I heard him say that there is nothing on earth that is worth ruining his father's name, and his son's future. Right then and there, I understood.
7. Freedom, contrary to its root word, is not always free. So don't waste it. We are the only fully democratic country in our region, yet, we are one of the least progressive. This is something I've heard him stress over in many talks and forums. We actually have the right to say when we want change and when we've had enough. Sometimes, we don't appreciate how lucky we are, that we have the freedom of speech, the freedom to choose our religion and elect our leaders. It's up to us to make decisions for our future and the betterment of country. And luckily, it will ALWAYS be up to us.
8. Peace, on the other hand, is always free. So please make use of it. One of the main points of Gibo's platform was, and always will be, peace and unity among our 7,000++ islands. We are a diverse archipelago, rich in culture and heritage, and that is something we should be proud of, not hate. We often hear of the problems in other poor countries when in fact, we have the very same problems right next door. Though it is a very popular answer among aspiring beauty queens, that doesn't make it any less crucial. Peace should always be a priority in this, and any country.
9. The importance of a legacy. Of all the times I've heard him address the people's fear of him playing a puppet to PGMA, Gibo always says one thing: that he is still young. What he meant by this was that if he had been given the chance to lead, after his 6 years in office, he would still have many years to show face for; which he would not jeopardize for his sake, and more importantly, for his family's sake. After all, we can think of many ways to gain money and power, but we only have ONE life to live and ONE legacy to leave.
And last...
10. Love our country. This may be the simplest lesson, but nonetheless, it was something I deeply needed to relearn. In this day and age, we are more exposed to the outside world than ever. I'm not scared to admit that there have been a number of times when I felt ashamed of being a Filipino, in a country so afraid of change and innovation. Ashamed of our penchant for favoring people for who they know over who they are. Ashamed of our blatant backwardness, especially when compared to our neighboring countries. But the moment I heard Gibo speak about his vision for the country stirred in me a feeling of patriotism that I never thought I had. In the few months that I displayed my belief in his candidacy; I had also, willingly, displayed my belief in my country.
Despite the grief I feel for the outcome of this year's elections, strangely, I cannot escape the feeling of hope and pride that continues to swell inside me. Looking through the facebook pages of fellow "Gibonians", it's easy to see that there was something new, exciting and inspiring that was born out of all this. And I know that whatever was awakened in all of us is something that cannot be easily abandoned, or forgotten.
Though he's said before that this is the last time he expects to run for public office, I sincerely hope that for once, he said something he didn't mean. I hope, no, I insist that he runs again in 2016, because he owes all of us the opportunity to see his platform, ideas and vision become our reality. Throughout his campaign, we were introduced to a new breed of politics and contrary to what the new first lady (sorry, it slipped) has said, the Green Team volunteers were NEVER paid.
So Mr. Teodoro, if you ever get to read this, please consider giving us the chance to vote for you again. That is the only payment I seek.
Oh yeah, and thanks for the lessons. :)
(http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=391346557129&id=579555170)
I read a comment someone posted on the GT fan page that said the Philippines will never cease to be a third world country, because the Filipinos keep thinking like one. It's a tragedy that we repeatedly refuse to acknowledge our islands' limitless potential. By electing the same kind of people over and over again to lead our nation, we are consciously closing our minds and hearts to a new era in politics; where mudslinging and dirty tactics can become obsolete. It really is a shame.
Sour graping is the easiest thing in the world. I could whine, complain and write angry hate notes and messages about how stupid, inane and terrifically idiotic we've now made ourselves out to be. I could congratulate the 12 million Filipinos for damning us to 6 years of shame, blame and online games. There are so many delightfully snarky things I could say that would probably make me feel better. But this time, I won't. Why? Because this time, I've learned how to.
Throughout his campaign, Gilbert Teodoro was often praised by many, both in the public and private sectors, for his brilliance, integrity, capability and positivity. It was due to these qualities that he received support from me and over 3 million Filipinos across the country. Though we did not soar as high as we wanted to, it was in the few feet above the ground that I, and I'm sure my fellow "Gibonians" will concur, learned valuable lessons in politics, leadership and more importantly, in life.
Of these lessons, here are 10 that I will always remember... and treasure.
1. Stop the negativity! Take responsibility! One of the things Gibo was most commended for was his commitment to maintain a positive campaign throughout the period. Not once did he stoop down to sling the mud back, he would only wipe it off his shoes. His focus was on bringing his voice and platform to all areas of the country, to give us the chance to discern and make the decision based on that knowledge. No matter how dirty the arena had become, everyone still wanted to shake his hand.
2. The world keeps spinning and so should we. "Society does change." Gibo said this in one of his sorties, when he talked about addressing the material needs of people today. In an ideal society, people should be content to live within their means and capabilities. But unfortunately, reality begs to differ. The times, they are a changing, Bob Dylan once sang, and it will continue to do so whether we like it or not. The ability to adapt and adjust can no longer be considered an option, for it is fast becoming a necessity.
3. It's not the what. It's the how. Another thing Gibo was often praised for was his practical take on traditional and modern day issues. His platform attracted many because his proposed policies and solutions seemed "doable". In fact, there were no promises made to put an end to the problems that have been haunting our country for decades, if not centuries. After all, an idea is one thing, but its execution is another entirely.
4. Not all bad grass come from the same seed. We civilians have this idea that all government officials are the same: corrupt, self-serving and power hungry. But after listening to Gibo speak in one of his sorties about how corruption can be eased through incentives and rewards for good behavior, I realized that there still are public servants who actually WANT to serve the public.
5. Shit happens. But you can always clean it up. Throughout his stint as Secretary of National Defense happened two tragedies: the Typhoon Ketsana and Maguindanao massacre. His response to these disasters, while not perfect, was still commended by those who actually knew what the heck was going on. Even during the campaign, when many a time was he frowned upon for these unfortunate events, not once did I hear him point the finger at other people. What I admire is that he took responsibility for his actions and did what was best at the time to appease each situation.
6. There are many things we can compromise. Integrity is not one of them. Being a member of one of the most powerful political machineries in the country, it would have been easy to engage in the crossfire that happened between several of the candidates. Everyone wondered why he refused to denounce his ties to PGMA, even though people were saying they would vote for him if he would. Why not compromise, I, like many other Filipinos thought? Then, during one of his sorties, I heard him say that there is nothing on earth that is worth ruining his father's name, and his son's future. Right then and there, I understood.
7. Freedom, contrary to its root word, is not always free. So don't waste it. We are the only fully democratic country in our region, yet, we are one of the least progressive. This is something I've heard him stress over in many talks and forums. We actually have the right to say when we want change and when we've had enough. Sometimes, we don't appreciate how lucky we are, that we have the freedom of speech, the freedom to choose our religion and elect our leaders. It's up to us to make decisions for our future and the betterment of country. And luckily, it will ALWAYS be up to us.
8. Peace, on the other hand, is always free. So please make use of it. One of the main points of Gibo's platform was, and always will be, peace and unity among our 7,000++ islands. We are a diverse archipelago, rich in culture and heritage, and that is something we should be proud of, not hate. We often hear of the problems in other poor countries when in fact, we have the very same problems right next door. Though it is a very popular answer among aspiring beauty queens, that doesn't make it any less crucial. Peace should always be a priority in this, and any country.
9. The importance of a legacy. Of all the times I've heard him address the people's fear of him playing a puppet to PGMA, Gibo always says one thing: that he is still young. What he meant by this was that if he had been given the chance to lead, after his 6 years in office, he would still have many years to show face for; which he would not jeopardize for his sake, and more importantly, for his family's sake. After all, we can think of many ways to gain money and power, but we only have ONE life to live and ONE legacy to leave.
And last...
10. Love our country. This may be the simplest lesson, but nonetheless, it was something I deeply needed to relearn. In this day and age, we are more exposed to the outside world than ever. I'm not scared to admit that there have been a number of times when I felt ashamed of being a Filipino, in a country so afraid of change and innovation. Ashamed of our penchant for favoring people for who they know over who they are. Ashamed of our blatant backwardness, especially when compared to our neighboring countries. But the moment I heard Gibo speak about his vision for the country stirred in me a feeling of patriotism that I never thought I had. In the few months that I displayed my belief in his candidacy; I had also, willingly, displayed my belief in my country.
Despite the grief I feel for the outcome of this year's elections, strangely, I cannot escape the feeling of hope and pride that continues to swell inside me. Looking through the facebook pages of fellow "Gibonians", it's easy to see that there was something new, exciting and inspiring that was born out of all this. And I know that whatever was awakened in all of us is something that cannot be easily abandoned, or forgotten.
Though he's said before that this is the last time he expects to run for public office, I sincerely hope that for once, he said something he didn't mean. I hope, no, I insist that he runs again in 2016, because he owes all of us the opportunity to see his platform, ideas and vision become our reality. Throughout his campaign, we were introduced to a new breed of politics and contrary to what the new first lady (sorry, it slipped) has said, the Green Team volunteers were NEVER paid.
So Mr. Teodoro, if you ever get to read this, please consider giving us the chance to vote for you again. That is the only payment I seek.
Oh yeah, and thanks for the lessons. :)
(http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=391346557129&id=579555170)
Saturday, May 8
mom's day. :)
okaay. planned this the afternoon before mother's day. my sisters rosanna and stella left for batangas yesterday (with my tita) and totally forgot about mother's day. they only realized it when they were already there. haha. :P
shoti, raziel, stacey and i had to wake up at 5am to accomplish everything. we knew she'd be waking up early today coz dad's leaving for bulacan at 7. as we were dividing task, mom went down to go to the comfort room and saw the four of us awake - with no reason. coz the moment we heard foot steps, we put all the food (uncooked yet) under the table. :P she asked us why we were so up early and we were like: uuhh, it's hot, we can't sleep. then she went up to go back to sleep. whew!
raze was in charge of the preparation of the foods we need to cook. i was in charge of the frying (hotdog and bacon) and the food presentation. stace was assigned to cook the sinangag, and shoti the run man. :) everyone cooperated even if we all feel like going back to sleep. after 10mins since mom went up, we heard foot steps again and thought mom could not go back to sleep na. good thing it was our dad. haha :) he was just as excited as we are to give the surprise to our mom.
after preparing everything, we went upstairs and woke her (mom) up. :) she did not see what was in our hands and went back to sleep, so we shouted "weeehhh". she looked at us again, saw everything and said: thank you. i love you. :)) aaawww!
"Mother is the name for God in the lips and hearts of little children." - Willian M. Thackeray
Wednesday, May 5
HEEY.
a message for Y-O-U. :))
(excerpts from a song)
watcha been doin? watcha been doin?
been long since ive seen you around
how you've been feeling? how you've been feeling,
that you can't bring me down?
all that stuff about me,
can't believe
all the lies that you told,
just to ease your own soul.
but i'm BIGGER than that,
no, you don't have my back,
can't believe
all the lies that you told,
just to ease your own soul.
but i'm BIGGER than that,
no, you don't have my back,
hey, how long till the music drowns you out?
don't put words up in my mouth.
don't put words up in my mouth.
hey, how long till you face what's goin' on,
cause you really got it wrong.
cause you really got it wrong.
i'm a mess girl for sure,
but all i want is some fun,
"Hollywood" sucks you in,
but "it" won't spit me out,
Whoa Whoa,
(*let "hollywood" represent something else, e.g. good friends/fame)
but all i want is some fun,
"Hollywood" sucks you in,
but "it" won't spit me out,
Whoa Whoa,
(*let "hollywood" represent something else, e.g. good friends/fame)
hey, how long till you look at your own life,
instead of looking into mine?
instead of looking into mine?
hey, how long till you're leaving me alone,
don't you got somewhere to go?
don't you got somewhere to go?
proud to be GLUED. :)
well. it started this morning. when i read a message from a guy from some 3years ago. it says, "sino yun friend mo sa glued na groups? type ko cya.. yung maganda".. then suddenly, i was reminded of the incident that happened years ago. where that guy started to court me and i didn't mind until a friend approached me and shared to me a secret. surprisingly, it was about that same guy, who according to her was also courting her. being the concerned friend that i was, i let her read all the text messages the guy sent me and we felt disappointed that the guy had to do that to us, of all people. my friend actually tried to confront the guy as i did too and guess what? he told us that: i am not courting her, she's lying! like, what the hell? are you seriously telling me that my friend is lying to me? the friend that i have known for years (she's included in the glued pic)? get a life, coz we are not buying your words..
as i tell a friend a while ago about it, i started to ask myself again why would someone do that to us. did the guy had no balls and he wanted assurance that at least one of us would agree to be his girlfriend? or was it because he could not choose between two girls who almost have the same things to be brag? :D
anyway, i told the guy that he would not get anything from me if it's about any glued girl and he went like: buti pa si God nagpapatawad. and i was like: first of all, it is so unfair for you to even use God. second, we have already forgiven you, that's why i now manage to give you a smile everytime i see you. it is just that i know very well what you are capable of doing and i want to protect her (whoever she is he's referring to (coz everyone in the group, in my opinion is beautiful)) from that.
as i tell a friend about the whole thing, i showed him the glued pic and he was like "OMG". haha. and boom! im reminded again how proud i am of my glued friends. :) so let me introduce to you one by one my loving and loyal friends who won't take crap from other people thrown against any of the glued girls.
RUTH DECLARO
the brainy one.
ateneo law student, incoming third year.
KAMYL MENDOZA
the sweet one
presently employed as a CSR
STACEY CRUZ
the fighter
incoming 3rd year tourism student, scqc
FATS OFIANA
the sexy one
incoming third year HRM student, UST
JEAN PANESA
the athletic one
incoming third year tourism student, LPU
YIAM AL-TAWALBEH
the baby
incoming second year HRM student, TUA
-and finally-
STEPHANIE CRUZ (me)
the.. uhh. haha :) humble one (nalang. :P KDIN')
Tuesday, May 4
true enough.
"when you really believe in yourself,
you don’t have to bring other people down."
- GLEE
all the best (for the Philippines).
"a soldier goes to battle not because he hates the people in front of him,
but because he loves the person behind him."
GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES. :)
Monday, May 3
the appointed son of God. :]
THE APPOINTED SON OF GOD
PASTOR APOLLO C. QUIBOLOY’S
DECLARATION SPEECH
KJC Open Field, Davao City, Philippines
2nd May 2010
My fellow Kingdom citizens,
Filipinos around the world:
I stand here tonight,
mindful of the
great responsibility
that rests upon my shoulder;
grateful and humbled
by the deep trust
you have bestowed upon me
to be your guide
in making a very crucial decision
that will chart the
course of our nation.
Eight days from now,
50 million of us, Filipinos,
will be casting our votes.
And as it is
in the heart of every Filipino,
we all have been asking for guidance
in choosing the right leader
that will lead our nation.
The months that led
to this very night
have been with much deep contemplation,
even sleepless nights;
fervent prayers and constant communication
with the Father Almighty.
THIS NIGHT,
I COME BEFORE YOU
TO PROCLAIM THE
COUNTRY’S NEXT PRESIDENT.
But know this, I am not endorsing.
I am proclaiming
the Father’s Chosen President
for our beloved nation,
the Republic of the Philippines.
Being the Appointed Son of God,
sent in these last days
as the Father’s Emissary,
I am making it known that
it is the Almighty Father’s perfect Will
that He intervenes
in the political affairs of this nation.
A country that He so loves,
the nation that He has chosen
to be His New Israel,
where His New Jerusalem
is established.
In the past years
that we have gone through
tumultuous transitions of government,
yielding to
two people power revolutions,
I have seen that
more than ever before,
this country badly needs healing
from deep political wounds.
The task is beyond giving
palliative solutions
to the disease
that collectively ails us.
Fake and shallow attempts
to reconciliation are tantamount
to putting band aids
upon old sores, cancerous flesh.
What this country needs
is genuine healing
from political wounds
caused by divisions.
Change and healing
must begin from the
leadership and the leaders,
from the topmost ranks of government,
down to the grassroots level.
But we have gone the other way around.
Instead of bringing cure
to the canker wrought
by political conflict,
the coming electoral process
has inflicted fresh, new wounds
– deeper lesions that have
debilitated our condition
as an ailing people
resuscitated by temporal cures.
The wounds of cynicism and divisions
have gone deeper.
And it began from our nation’s leadership.
TONIGHT,
LET ME SOUND
THE VOICE OF THE COMMON FILIPINOS:
WE HAVE HAD ENOUGH STRIFE!
We have had enough hatred,
we have had enough
bitterness and disunity!
We can't afford
the same old dirty political games,
the same tactics
that pit us against one another,
that make us angry with each other.
Despite our differences,
in the sight of the Father Almighty,
there is no opposition or administration;
there are no rightists,
leftists or centrists.
After the elections,
we remain as one people.
We are all one nation.
All of us are Filipinos.
All of us sing the same anthem.
All of us salute the same flag.
There is a call for all of us
to bring our Beloved Nation
to a common purpose,
to a higher ground
of nobility and political maturity.
This is where we need
to be right now.
Embarking on political maturity,
we must learn to winnow
the chaff from the grain
in scrutinizing a leader’s platforms.
We must learn to be issue-based,
instead of being personality based.
I believe that this nation
will be able to take off.
This nation is going to be prosperous,
given the right leadership
at this crucial juncture in our history,
when we, as a people,
are headed toward a cliff.
Those yearning faces
are hungry and thirsty
for genuine transformation;
for a leader that will be strong;
that will bring and create
an atmosphere of positivity.
Tonight, we gather because
we have chosen hope over fear,
unity over conflict and discord.
We come to declare an end
to grievances and hatred
that for far too long
have strangled our politics.
I stand before you,
humbled by your trust.
Encouraged by your clamor for guidance.
The private messages
thousands of Overseas Filipino Workers
have been sending me
in the past several months,
asking for guidance,
have been answered.
Filipino people,
your cries and prayers
have been heard by the heavens.
The Father has given us a leader
who will rise above
personal issues
—a leader who exudes
political maturity and integrity.
He need not be
as seasoned as the others.
He need not be as popular
as his opponents.
He need not come from the top.
In fact, he rises from the bottom.
He may be a dark horse
that comes from behind.
He is the leader
after the Almighty Father’s heart,
for He has seen the heart of this man.
When negativity and mudslinging
was the norm of the day,
this man had these things to say,
“I don’t want to run a
campaign based on negativity.
A lot of people have lost a lot of things,
and we have to inspire them
to pick up the pieces of their lives.
I will run on a platform
aimed towards healing past wounds.
No more vengeance.
No more political bickering.”
This man stayed above
the fray of the
politics of negativity.
He stayed away from the
politics of hate and animosity.
He has kept himself on the
platform of high-caliber campaigning.
He did not dive into the
quagmire of traditional mudslinging.
He is the only candidate
that based his campaign
on positive change,
reconciliation, competence and solutions.
His platform is clear cut,
realistic and is centered on the Economy,
Education and Health,
Transparent Governance,
and Political Reform.
We need this man to become our leader.
In various occasions and
important events that drew
the course of his political career,
we have seen this man’s heart.
In rounding up the country
during the typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng,
he never used the advantages
he might have had
as a Cabinet member
just to edge out his political opponents.
He respected his office and his position.
We have seen the heart of the man.
In his stint as the
Secretary of National Defense,
he resisted the temptation
of turning his DND projects
into big media blitzes.
We have seen the heart of the man.
TONIGHT, LET IT BE KNOWN
UNTO ALL FILIPINOS
that the Almighty Father
has appointed a president
for this nation.
HE IS NO OTHER THAN GILBERT “GIBO” TEODORO.
Why Gilbert Teodoro?
I reiterate:
More than ever before,
this country badly needs
healing from deep political wounds.
We need a national leader
who is mature enough
to tear down the barricades
of hatred, cynicism,
negativity and division.
We will never rise up
if we continue to pull at each other.
And we need a leader
with a character strong enough
to face the challenge
of healing past wounds,
of uniting our people.
Gilbert Teodoro is that kind of a leader.
Gilbert “GIBO” Teodoro
stands to represent
the face of the new Philippines.
Not the Philippines
known in the Western world
as the nation of servants.
Not the Philippines known
in first world countries
as a land deserted
by its citizens
for lack of opportunities.
Not the Philippines
so embroiled in corruption.
But the New Philippines,
whose citizens are educated,
whose children are well-nourished,
whose people are competent;
whose leaders have something
between their ears and
can stand shoulder to shoulder
with the leaders of other nations.
He is our country’s modern leader,
a man of supple intelligence,
of shrewd discernment,
of positive outlook in life.
He is a strong,
young leader that embodies
the quality of a True Filipino Leader
we have been longing to have.
THIS IS WHY
THE ENTIRE KINGDOM NATION,
with the Father’s guidance
through His Appointed Son,
has chosen GILBERT “GIBO” Teodoro
for PRESIDENT.
With this proclamation,
I may either sink or swim.
But I know that this decision
is the best for our nation.
What has always been
in my heart is the welfare
of our people because
like every Filipino patriot,
like every hardworking laborer,
like every OFW toiling
under difficult circumstances,
like every selfless mother,
I love this nation more than myself.
What we will be facing
in the coming days,
not only before the elections,
but even after May 10,
is an uphill climb.
In this TRANSITIONARY JOURNEY
from the cliff of hopelessness,
divisiveness and defeat,
we will head toward unity,
healing and reconciliation.
For as the WORD OF GOD says
in Matthew 12:25,
“Every kingdom divided
against itself is brought to desolation;
and every city or house
divided against itself
shall not stand.”
WE THANK THE
ALMIGHTY FATHER
ON TOP OF THESE,
for in this uphill climb,
HE WILL BE WITH US
ALONG THE WAY.
The journey up may be
hard and punishing,
but we will be well,
and finish the trek.
GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES.
PASTOR APOLLO C. QUIBOLOY’S
DECLARATION SPEECH
KJC Open Field, Davao City, Philippines
2nd May 2010
My fellow Kingdom citizens,
Filipinos around the world:
I stand here tonight,
mindful of the
great responsibility
that rests upon my shoulder;
grateful and humbled
by the deep trust
you have bestowed upon me
to be your guide
in making a very crucial decision
that will chart the
course of our nation.
Eight days from now,
50 million of us, Filipinos,
will be casting our votes.
And as it is
in the heart of every Filipino,
we all have been asking for guidance
in choosing the right leader
that will lead our nation.
The months that led
to this very night
have been with much deep contemplation,
even sleepless nights;
fervent prayers and constant communication
with the Father Almighty.
THIS NIGHT,
I COME BEFORE YOU
TO PROCLAIM THE
COUNTRY’S NEXT PRESIDENT.
But know this, I am not endorsing.
I am proclaiming
the Father’s Chosen President
for our beloved nation,
the Republic of the Philippines.
Being the Appointed Son of God,
sent in these last days
as the Father’s Emissary,
I am making it known that
it is the Almighty Father’s perfect Will
that He intervenes
in the political affairs of this nation.
A country that He so loves,
the nation that He has chosen
to be His New Israel,
where His New Jerusalem
is established.
In the past years
that we have gone through
tumultuous transitions of government,
yielding to
two people power revolutions,
I have seen that
more than ever before,
this country badly needs healing
from deep political wounds.
The task is beyond giving
palliative solutions
to the disease
that collectively ails us.
Fake and shallow attempts
to reconciliation are tantamount
to putting band aids
upon old sores, cancerous flesh.
What this country needs
is genuine healing
from political wounds
caused by divisions.
Change and healing
must begin from the
leadership and the leaders,
from the topmost ranks of government,
down to the grassroots level.
But we have gone the other way around.
Instead of bringing cure
to the canker wrought
by political conflict,
the coming electoral process
has inflicted fresh, new wounds
– deeper lesions that have
debilitated our condition
as an ailing people
resuscitated by temporal cures.
The wounds of cynicism and divisions
have gone deeper.
And it began from our nation’s leadership.
TONIGHT,
LET ME SOUND
THE VOICE OF THE COMMON FILIPINOS:
WE HAVE HAD ENOUGH STRIFE!
We have had enough hatred,
we have had enough
bitterness and disunity!
We can't afford
the same old dirty political games,
the same tactics
that pit us against one another,
that make us angry with each other.
Despite our differences,
in the sight of the Father Almighty,
there is no opposition or administration;
there are no rightists,
leftists or centrists.
After the elections,
we remain as one people.
We are all one nation.
All of us are Filipinos.
All of us sing the same anthem.
All of us salute the same flag.
There is a call for all of us
to bring our Beloved Nation
to a common purpose,
to a higher ground
of nobility and political maturity.
This is where we need
to be right now.
Embarking on political maturity,
we must learn to winnow
the chaff from the grain
in scrutinizing a leader’s platforms.
We must learn to be issue-based,
instead of being personality based.
I believe that this nation
will be able to take off.
This nation is going to be prosperous,
given the right leadership
at this crucial juncture in our history,
when we, as a people,
are headed toward a cliff.
Those yearning faces
are hungry and thirsty
for genuine transformation;
for a leader that will be strong;
that will bring and create
an atmosphere of positivity.
Tonight, we gather because
we have chosen hope over fear,
unity over conflict and discord.
We come to declare an end
to grievances and hatred
that for far too long
have strangled our politics.
I stand before you,
humbled by your trust.
Encouraged by your clamor for guidance.
The private messages
thousands of Overseas Filipino Workers
have been sending me
in the past several months,
asking for guidance,
have been answered.
Filipino people,
your cries and prayers
have been heard by the heavens.
The Father has given us a leader
who will rise above
personal issues
—a leader who exudes
political maturity and integrity.
He need not be
as seasoned as the others.
He need not be as popular
as his opponents.
He need not come from the top.
In fact, he rises from the bottom.
He may be a dark horse
that comes from behind.
He is the leader
after the Almighty Father’s heart,
for He has seen the heart of this man.
When negativity and mudslinging
was the norm of the day,
this man had these things to say,
“I don’t want to run a
campaign based on negativity.
A lot of people have lost a lot of things,
and we have to inspire them
to pick up the pieces of their lives.
I will run on a platform
aimed towards healing past wounds.
No more vengeance.
No more political bickering.”
This man stayed above
the fray of the
politics of negativity.
He stayed away from the
politics of hate and animosity.
He has kept himself on the
platform of high-caliber campaigning.
He did not dive into the
quagmire of traditional mudslinging.
He is the only candidate
that based his campaign
on positive change,
reconciliation, competence and solutions.
His platform is clear cut,
realistic and is centered on the Economy,
Education and Health,
Transparent Governance,
and Political Reform.
We need this man to become our leader.
In various occasions and
important events that drew
the course of his political career,
we have seen this man’s heart.
In rounding up the country
during the typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng,
he never used the advantages
he might have had
as a Cabinet member
just to edge out his political opponents.
He respected his office and his position.
We have seen the heart of the man.
In his stint as the
Secretary of National Defense,
he resisted the temptation
of turning his DND projects
into big media blitzes.
We have seen the heart of the man.
TONIGHT, LET IT BE KNOWN
UNTO ALL FILIPINOS
that the Almighty Father
has appointed a president
for this nation.
HE IS NO OTHER THAN GILBERT “GIBO” TEODORO.
Why Gilbert Teodoro?
I reiterate:
More than ever before,
this country badly needs
healing from deep political wounds.
We need a national leader
who is mature enough
to tear down the barricades
of hatred, cynicism,
negativity and division.
We will never rise up
if we continue to pull at each other.
And we need a leader
with a character strong enough
to face the challenge
of healing past wounds,
of uniting our people.
Gilbert Teodoro is that kind of a leader.
Gilbert “GIBO” Teodoro
stands to represent
the face of the new Philippines.
Not the Philippines
known in the Western world
as the nation of servants.
Not the Philippines known
in first world countries
as a land deserted
by its citizens
for lack of opportunities.
Not the Philippines
so embroiled in corruption.
But the New Philippines,
whose citizens are educated,
whose children are well-nourished,
whose people are competent;
whose leaders have something
between their ears and
can stand shoulder to shoulder
with the leaders of other nations.
He is our country’s modern leader,
a man of supple intelligence,
of shrewd discernment,
of positive outlook in life.
He is a strong,
young leader that embodies
the quality of a True Filipino Leader
we have been longing to have.
THIS IS WHY
THE ENTIRE KINGDOM NATION,
with the Father’s guidance
through His Appointed Son,
has chosen GILBERT “GIBO” Teodoro
for PRESIDENT.
With this proclamation,
I may either sink or swim.
But I know that this decision
is the best for our nation.
What has always been
in my heart is the welfare
of our people because
like every Filipino patriot,
like every hardworking laborer,
like every OFW toiling
under difficult circumstances,
like every selfless mother,
I love this nation more than myself.
What we will be facing
in the coming days,
not only before the elections,
but even after May 10,
is an uphill climb.
In this TRANSITIONARY JOURNEY
from the cliff of hopelessness,
divisiveness and defeat,
we will head toward unity,
healing and reconciliation.
For as the WORD OF GOD says
in Matthew 12:25,
“Every kingdom divided
against itself is brought to desolation;
and every city or house
divided against itself
shall not stand.”
WE THANK THE
ALMIGHTY FATHER
ON TOP OF THESE,
for in this uphill climb,
HE WILL BE WITH US
ALONG THE WAY.
The journey up may be
hard and punishing,
but we will be well,
and finish the trek.
Together,
let us all pray for a peaceful,
clean and honest elections.
GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES.
GOD BLESS GILBERT “GIBO” TEODORO.
GOD BLESS THE FILIPINO PEOPLE.
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