At 22: Happy. Hopeful. Loved.

After five years of birthday celebrations in Los Banos, nakapag-celebrate din ulit sa bahay. I miss.

Thank you, Lord for blessing me with kind, loving, and wonderful people. I am beyond grateful. Please bless them, too. 

 Thank you also for the overwhelming birthday greetings from Facebook and Twitter. I did my best to reply to all birthday tweets and to like all the birthday posts on my timeline. I've read them all, and I am thankful for remembering and virtually celebrating with me. 

 It has been a year of surprises, of success, of happiness, of love, of adventure, of travel, of milestones, of wonderful memories. 

 Thank to everyone who have been a constant part of my life for this past year.

I thank my ever supportive family for never giving up on me and for helping me in creating a better version of myself; my BFamily for the friendship worth keeping and for the stories worth telling; my UP ComBroadSoc family for bringing out the best in me and for molding me to be the person that I wanted myself to be; to my college friends for the joyful memories more than the cramming; and to my fellow Barangay Ginebra fans, my Ginebra friends and fellow sports enthusiasts for bringing color to my life and for allowing me to have an avenue to share my passion. 

 On my 22nd year, I aim not for perfection but for the right, to move not for greatness but for the good, and to strive not for success but for genuine happiness. 

 And in all these things, God shall be exalted and glorified. 

I'm almost there...

I'm so close. So, so close. Sasablay ako next year pramis. Magtutuos tayo next year, outside world. ♥ 

May qualifier nga pala ito. 

*Assuming I pass all my subjects this semester*

HAHAHAHA! Konti pa. Konting tambling pa. 

=)

Because girls talk sports, too.

Girls talk sports, too.

That’s what I say every time someone takes a girlie sports aficionado as “just” a cheerer-type of fan. For someone who takes sports as a passion and as part of her lifestyle, being dubbed as “just” a cheerer-type of fan won’t make the cut. It actually stings quite a bit, if you ask me.

Some of the best girls I know has the word “sports” written all over their faces. No, not literally. But yeah, you get it. Girls who bleed sports actually take pride for being one. And not even a flagrant foul penalty 2, or a technical knockout, or even a red card, will sway them away from their love.

Yeah, we go, girls! We talk sports, too. Take it from someone who knows. Or take it from someone who kinda knows and share it to everyone who wanna know.

So, if you’re a girl and you love sports, you’re gonna dig this blog site. Seriously. I know, because I am, too.

This is for you. For me. For us. For the love of the game. x

Check this out! =)

Fact Check.

"We are ending the backlogs in the education sector, but the potential for shortages remains as our student population continues to increase. 

Perhaps Responsible Parenthood can help address this."

This was said President Benigno S. C. Aquino III during his 2012 State of the Nation Address (SONA), his third in his term.

First of all, let me just point out that this year's SONA by the president is by far the most appealing and most thoughtful address he ever delivered since he assume office. After listening to what he has to say last year, I think that it lacks more information especially on the education aspect of our nation.

This year, I'm glad that he told the Filipino people all his plans to improve the quality of education in our county, especially of course with the increase in the national budget of state universities and colleges. If the budget for 2013 will be approved, I believe that it will truly be a great help to everyone who do not have enough money to go to school. Money should not hinder an individual to receive education.

But what I want to focus on right now is what President Aquino said about Responsible Parenthood.

For one, I really did hope that President Aquino discussed the Reproductive Health Bill instead.  As it was stated in bworldonline.com, "The term 'Reproductive Health,' which is the subject of international agreements, is wider than 'Responsible Parenthood,' and in some countries is taken to include access to abortion." I believe that I would have been better if he used the term "Reproductive Health" to point out our problems in overpopulation and its connection to the increase in our student population resulting to backlogs in our education system.

I do believe in what President Aquino stated. Indeed, no matter what the government do to improve the situation of our education here in our Philippines, it wouldn't have that much of an effect because of the continues increase in the number of students who needs to receive proper education.

However, I would just like to point out that maybe, this all just boils down to proper information dissemination about responsible parenthood, but must be backed up by passing a bill. The House Bill 4244 or "The Responsible Parenthood, Reproductive Health and Population and Development Act of 2011" could just be the solution that we are all waiting for.

Personally, I am Pro RH Bill because I am Pro life. I want every lives to be as equally great as what the rest of us are experiencing. I am saying that RH Bill is pro life because it will allow access to the much needed information not just on birth control but most especially on maternal care.

I detest child deaths and maternal deaths.

I detest child and maternal deaths just as I detest the thought that there are thousands of Filipino children who do not go to school. I detest the thought that there are thousands of Filipino parents who cannot send their children to school. I detest that because of lack of access to information, many are not able to receive proper education.

Information on responsible parenthood, reproductive health, population and development are actually overflowing. It's just that not everyone have access to it. Access to information is just as important as having information readily available.

For our 2012 PBA MVP, straight from my heart

I have four huge exams this coming week, two radio scripts to write and produce, and three news articles to write... but that didn't stop me from folding all my handouts and re-capping all my highlighters for the 2012 PBA Leo Awards. 

Bahala na. Basta papanoorin ko ito.

After you won the Best Player of the Conference award four nights ago, I knew deep inside me that an MVP award is coming right at you.

Finally. The freakin' MVP award will be handed to you.

That's how positive I am for you, my dear Mark Caguioa, because championship or no championship, I believe that this year is the perfect year for you to bag that most-coveted award. I have been a Ginebra fan half of my life and although I didn't get a chance to cheer for you on your rookie year, that doesn't make me love and trust you any less.

I have seen you in all different hair styles and hair colors, in practice and in live games, in jerseys and in casual outfits, but never did I see you not giving your all. Every time you step in the court, that's you from hairdo to rubber shoes. That's you, hundred percent passionate, dedicated, and eager to win.

I actually did a lot of thinking after you were crowned as the 2012 Governors' Cup BPC, and I asked myself why will you not be the 2012 PBA MVP. Because Ginebra failed to enter the finals in all three conferences. Wow. Could that really spoil your moment? Our moment? I don't know. All I know is that I am expecting you to win. Ginebra fans are expecting you to win. Pambawi daw sa hindi pagpasok ng Ginebra sa finals.

Ginebra fans. Either others love us or hate us. There's no in between. I have been with my fellow Ginebra fans on Twitter through the @barangayginebra fan account and I've got to say that Ginebra fans really wanted you to win the MVP. It was not just an assumption coming from a spectator. We really did want you to win. I could go on and on and on about what the fans have to say. They even campaigned really hard to keep you on top of the MVP poll in pba.ph. Where else can you find a more passionate fan base than us? Only with Ginebra. *wink*

And then the moment of truth arrived. Sunday, July 29. Every Ginebra fan is anxious - on Twitter and on Facebook. #MC47forMVP tweets were all over my timeline and everybody is praying for a Ginebra victory tonight, even if our team is not even in the on-going PBA Finals.

The 2012 PBA Most Valuable Player was finally announced. Lots of words are running through my mind. But as I listen to your name being called, I wasn't able to say a word. Instead, I unknowingly closed my right hand and brought my right fist close to my heart. I can't believe it took you eleven years to get a hold of that MVP trophy. Maybe there really is no standard mathematical formula in getting the MVP. You just gotta have the talent, the passion and the drive, and then be in the best winning situation at the right time, together with the awesome-est fans who got your back.

And it took one talented Mark Caguioa and the Ginebra fans eleven years to get it all right.

If only I could stop the clock while you receive the award, just so we could savor and enjoy the euphoric feeling, I already did.

http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/photo-mark-the-spark-is-mvp

So raise that MVP trophy really high, our dear Mark. We may have wanted it more than you, but you deserve it more than anybody else.Your message to us Ginebra fans is very humbling and inspiring, and I can't help but shed a tear as you caught me in your smile while delivering your message.

I have four huge exams this coming week, two radio scripts to write and produce, and three news articles to write... and I am pretty sure that I will have no other choice but to cram (that's what I do best, by the way). However, I will never regret that I spent my Sunday night of July 29 watching the 2012 PBA Leo Awards at home while tweeting,

Finally! It's official! Mark Caguioa is your 2012 PBA Most Valuable Player!
— Barangay Ginebra (@barangayginebra) July 29, 2012

PS.

I asked the Ginebra fans on Twitter if anyone managed to have a reaction video while you receive your very first MVP Trophy, and check out what @keltwinks got for us.



   

Ito ang Lahing Ginebra.
 Thank you for being with Ginebra, Mark Caguioa.

A call for action

A reaction to Luis V. Teodoro's Journalism and Advocacy 101

I can't help but agree when the article said that "...no journalist can claim without lying that he/she is unconcerned with the issues that confront his/her community..."  I think that this is especially true with the mainstream journalism and media. Every time we read the newspapers or listen to the radio or even watch the television, we can see angles. Vested interests. Biases. This could be one of the very reasons why our country needs more development journalists. Development Communication graduates are trained to look not only the two sides of the story but also the sides of the people affected, implicitly or explicitly, by the issue. Journalism has to be much deeper than just writing a story. It has to be more than that.

It is also essential that journalists must not only lay down the problems but also have a call for action. The readers must be compelled to act with the issue at hand. Responsible journalism does not only focus on facts and figures but also on the solution to the problem. A good article for me is one that discusses the problem and that calls the attention of the readers to do something about it. Readers should not just read the news; they must participate in it.

"Knowledge is what separates bias from advocacy." I just want to emphasize this line for the article because this doesn't apply in journalism alone. We cannot advocate something if we do not know anything about it. For now, I advocate for a more intensive sports development program that could give more support to our young athletes that could be potential players under the Philippine flag. I put my faith in this belief because I trust that we have very capable athletes who needs financial support, morale boost and recognition.  

PS. The article is a must-read, whether you are a journalist or not. Read it here.

#TributeToJaworski

 

07.08.2012

I WAS PART OF THE HISTORY.

Change. Make it Happen.

A reaction to F. Sionil Jose's "Why are Filipinos so Poor?"

______________________________________________________________

I had to read F. Sionil Jose's article three times before I was able to write, or type, my thoughts. Maybe because I had to make sure I am in the right mood while reading the article. For one, I believe that this article is one of the best pieces that I have read recently. It seems like it has captured me right from the start and reading through it, I ended up asking myself, 'What have we done to ourselves?' 'What have we done to our country?' 'What have we done for our country?'

There are so many valuable points in F. Sionil Jose's article. But I will just focus on a few that really struck me the most.

On Education

...half of all grade school pupils dropped out after grade 5 because they had no money to continue schooling.

According to the article, that was from a survey some 15 years ago. This is just a very unfortunate fact that our fellow Filipinos had to give up education just because of money when in fact it should be accessible for all. Coming from the a teaching curriculum before I shifted to BS DevCom, me eyes have been opened to the reality that until today, money still hinders one's right to learning. There are so many issues that we could tackle under education but as the article stressed, these kinds of poverty, apart from the physical poverty or even economical poverty, are really the more important reasons as to why the Filipinos are so poor. Many of our countrymen are deprived from material possessions but for me, I think there are more Filipinos who are deprived from all those priceless treasures. Sad to say, there is literally a price that we have to pay to be able to have good education.

On 'Yabang'

This, for me, is also true. I could also be wrong, but I also feel like Filipinos value how other people see them individually. We pay attention to physical impressions so much that we sometimes forget that this is not the only thing that matters. We find multitude of ways to look 'sosyal' or classy but if only we could use that kind of resourcefulness to better things in life, we may not have to do so much to impress other people at all.

On Being Filipinos

I have never been more proud of being a Filipino, but I guess not everyone does. If only we could change our way of thinking that Filipinos are inferior to other race, we may not be in this kind of situation we are today. I believe that we are having problems with our being poor. I believe that this is because we have set our standards to that of the Western. Maybe, being poor is dependent on who do we consider as rich. And as I have already mentioned, it's not only material richness that matters. Well, not all rich are happy after all. But I believe that this all boils down to us being Filipinos and how we see ourselves. Not all government officials are blinded by money, as the article even cited examples of clean governance. Filipinos shine all over the world and we take pride in all their achievements. Overseas Filipino Workers are also highly commended abroad because of their hard work and perseverance. You see, we just have to appreciate our own greatness as Filipinos. Everything has to change from within. And only us Filipinos could make that happen.

It's hard to admit, but I think F. Sionil Jose's article said it all as to why are we so poor. As much as we want to shout to the whole world that it's not true, we know deep inside that this is all on us. It's time for us to stop blaming colonialism and start being united in having the strength to change for the better. This, for me, is the challenge imposed on us by the article.

Do we have what it takes to change ourselves? Let's think about it.

Summer Lovin’

S-U-M-M-E-R.

For most students, this six-letter word is equated with beaches and pools, out of town vacations, non-stop parties, and late night gimmicks. It could also mean additional academic time for those who are taking summer classes or internships, and then there are also those who are making their time worthwhile with summer jobs. But then again, there are also those people who are not really outgoing and would rather spend most of the much needed summer break to stay at home than to do all those things. And that was how Kaye Cabal opted to spend the two-month break from school.

Kaye Cabal is a junior student from the University of the Philippines Los Baños. She is a kind of person who would choose an all-day movie marathon alone at home over a day at the mall, or some sleepless nights watching the whole season of Revenge over a night out with friends. And summer 2012 was definitely not an exception as she decided to spend the summer break catching up with new Asian and American drama series that she didn’t get to watch last semester.

This self-declared couch potato can’t even give a number of how many movies and drama series she was able to watch over the break. She was just so happy that she had that much time to spend on one of her simply joys in life mainly because she is already expecting to have her internship next summer. Every time she is being asked as to why she spends hours and hours of watching all sorts of movies and drama series, she says that “there is just this magic that makes you want to have a happy ending just like in those movies and series every time you watch one.” She believes that every story has its own spark that never fails to make her believe in happy endings.

Aside from watching movies and drama series, Kaye also spent most of her summer online. Being a huge fan of Barangay Ginebra Kings of the Philippine Basketball Association, she handles one of the team’s unofficial Twitter accounts (@barangayginebra). She has been doing it since 2009 but according to her, last summer was the best times of her being an administrator of the account. Before, she was just only doing the play-by-play updates of the ballgames but last summer, she became more personal to the account’s followers. They frequently had Twitter games and trending topics which made it to the online news. Being one of the fans of PBA’s crowd favorite, she has never been more proud of being a sports enthusiast. To her, “a summer break without that experience is not to be called a summer break at all.”

But don’t get her wrong. Kaye did not spend the whole summer in her bedroom. She may have spent almost the whole summer watching and surfing the Internet, but she did managed to get herself out of the house, or out of her bedroom, somehow. She was able to go to Zambales in a weekend getaway with her family. And for her, nothing beats going somewhere for the first time ever especially since she was with her family. It may have only been for two days and one night, but it’s still one of the highlights of her summer.

There were also those special little moments during the break that Kaye will never forget. She cheered for Jessica Sanchez, made some beef tacos, and wore four shades all at once just to get a good look at the partial solar eclipse. She may not be the most outgoing person in the world, but she still made the most out of the summer break in her own way. She loved it, she enjoyed it, and for her, that’s all that matters.
________________________________________

*Written for my journalism class.

I rarely go out. But when I do...

First post for 2012. Soooooorry. The first quarter of the year has been the busiest months of my college life. Seriously. I am lucky to even get to post this entry. Hahaha! 

Anyway, today was the first time I went out (as in out, out) this summer and of course, where will I be? 

Manila! 

Nah, I didn't really went around Manila today. I was just at Mendiola, Manila. These pictures just made it look like I strolled the whole day.

It's also the first time that I used the monochromatic feature thingy on my camera. I'm glad I used it because I get to have the vintage feel that I wanted although I could also get that from Photoshop. :p

So many first times happened today. Yay!

I hope everyone is enjoying the summer. Even though I am just stuck here at home (with occasional getaways), I am really happy to have this much needed break. So much happened these past three months that I wasn't able to post here, even though I have made some attempts (ehem. drafts.)

And lastly, were you able to feel the cold summer nights last week? I loved it. :)

Cheers to summer 2012! XOXO.

***

So, the title of this post says it all.

These pictures actually started the vintage feel today. A really old model of a radio and a typewriter from the office of my mom. I always see these things every time I go there. I don't know why I took pictures of them today.

We went to Arias Street to check out an apartment. Since we are residing in Cavite and my brothers and my mom are studying/working in Manila, it's good for them to just live nearby during the weekdays. Last year, they were staying at Bicutan during the weekdays --- still far from school. So here, no more long rides home next school year, brothers! Welcome back to Manila after four years!

Here's one out of the three musketeers, Daniel! Go follow him on Twitter! Haha!

After I took these photos, I had a eureka moment! I'll collect street/road name shots from now on. Let this be my driving force to go out of my bedroom, then out of our house, and explore the world. Wish me luck! *game face on*

Arias Street is actually just in front of the Malacañan Palace. Awesome! And for a little trivia, here are 10 things you may not know about Malacañan Palace.

These shots were taken on our way home to Cavite. I do not know the name of the building on the first photo. I just took a shot on the red light. The second photo is the Millennium Clock in front of the Rizal Monument, Roxas Boulevard, Manila.

More shots on our way home. I took it from inside our car. It's cool that these photos were clear despite our not so clean windshield. :p

I rarely go out. But when I do... I am always happy. :-)