video credit: tellayiz of Youtube
Pacquiao stops scheduled brownout in General Santos City
7 minutes ago
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Sayaw Manila 4
Note: Some of my remarks maybe very mean but I am entitled to my own opinion. And you are too. :)
The 26th of January seemed so new for someone who never saw a dance concert in his entire life and practically never even witnessed a single good dance performance except of course from watching You Got Served.
Sayaw Manila 4 started with a doxology at 6:00 in the evening followed by the performances of UPM Indayog Batch 13B, Claret Hataw Dance Troupe, UP College of Public Health Artists’ Circle, PLM Scholar’s Inc, UPM Indayog Batch 13A, St. Scholastica’s College Danz Edge, UPM Indayog Jazz, La Salle Dance Company, UP College of Pharmacy Dance Troupe, UPLB Streetjazz Dance Company, and UPM Indayog Batches 7, 8, 9, and 10. After the feat of dances was a tender juicy hotdogs break.
Honestly, from the moment I entered the PhilAm Life Auditorium, I thought I saw a cultural dance. I just knew it was a doxology when I scanned the list of performances yesterday. One of the formations, if there was really an intention to form a cross, was really confusing. There was little coordination and I heard people laughing nearby.
The only dance I planned to watch was the Batch 13B of UP Manila Indayog and that is because of Onang’s presence. For the first time, I felt like a proud parent. I was just expecting to see some effort from this bunch but what I saw was more than that. I saw confidence.
I was starting to believe that my money did not go into waste so I decided to stay. The next performers were from the Claret Hataw Dance Troupe who were really good but were a bit overdoing girly dance movements.
Next was the Artists’ Circle’s spectacularly awkward performance. They were trying too hard to do Broadway. If I had no friends around while watching this new sequel of Enteng Kabisote, it may not have been tolerable.
The 26th of January seemed so new for someone who never saw a dance concert in his entire life and practically never even witnessed a single good dance performance except of course from watching You Got Served.
Sayaw Manila 4 started with a doxology at 6:00 in the evening followed by the performances of UPM Indayog Batch 13B, Claret Hataw Dance Troupe, UP College of Public Health Artists’ Circle, PLM Scholar’s Inc, UPM Indayog Batch 13A, St. Scholastica’s College Danz Edge, UPM Indayog Jazz, La Salle Dance Company, UP College of Pharmacy Dance Troupe, UPLB Streetjazz Dance Company, and UPM Indayog Batches 7, 8, 9, and 10. After the feat of dances was a tender juicy hotdogs break.
Honestly, from the moment I entered the PhilAm Life Auditorium, I thought I saw a cultural dance. I just knew it was a doxology when I scanned the list of performances yesterday. One of the formations, if there was really an intention to form a cross, was really confusing. There was little coordination and I heard people laughing nearby.
The only dance I planned to watch was the Batch 13B of UP Manila Indayog and that is because of Onang’s presence. For the first time, I felt like a proud parent. I was just expecting to see some effort from this bunch but what I saw was more than that. I saw confidence.
I was starting to believe that my money did not go into waste so I decided to stay. The next performers were from the Claret Hataw Dance Troupe who were really good but were a bit overdoing girly dance movements.
Next was the Artists’ Circle’s spectacularly awkward performance. They were trying too hard to do Broadway. If I had no friends around while watching this new sequel of Enteng Kabisote, it may not have been tolerable.
I don’t seem to identify the dance of Iskolars Inc. But I remember I enjoyed it. Next was one of my favorite performances that night, the dance of UP Manila Indayog Batch 13B. The girl who was tumbling and doing most of the stunts was really cute. I was just irritated with the guy in front who made all possible facial expressions while dancing.
This was followed by Danz Edge, the pretty girls who support piracy evident on their damaged CD. But among the guests, they stood out.
Next was “Akin Ka Na Lang”, a cute and comic performance again by the UP Manila Indayog. This was followed by the creative but scary jazz dance of the La Salle Dance Company and the good performances of the UP College of Pharmacy Dance Troupe and UPLB Streetjazz Dance Company.
But the highlight of the first part of the program was the Noontime Show. People enjoyed it so much for they did not expect to witness a dance like that. It really defines novelty and the performers from the UP Manila Indayog Batches 7, 8, 9, and 10 managed to make it appear really good.
After the break were the performances of UPM Indayog Jazz, UPD Streetdance Club, UPM Indayog Batches 11 and 12, PLM Medthrob, UPM Streetdance Corps, UPM Indayog Alumni Association, UP College of Nursing Saliwan Dance Troupe, Sir Joey Ogatis and Nicole Sarausad, the Philippine All Stars, and the UPM Indayog Competing Team.
I was actually keen to see the next dance but what I witnessed right when I went back to my seat was just horrible. I don’t care if the guy singing is from The Philippine All Stars. I really don’t understand the audience fascination. Maybe the people were just shy to make the guest uncomfortable.
After suffering for more than 5 grueling minutes, I saw another disappointment. The UPM Indayog Jazz already performed what they did that night during our Freshmen Orientation in Fleurdeliz Auditorium. Even the next performance gave major discontentment. I have always heard high praises about UPD Streetdance Club. I am still hopeful that the ones who performed that night are their neophytes.
Thank goodness UPM Indayog Batches 11 and 12 saved the day! With all honesty, their dance was very competitive if Sayaw Manila were a competition. Honestly, Indayog was really competitive and they really looked like the host of the event. This was followed by a good performance by the Medthrob.
I also don’t seem to identify the performance of the UPM Streetdance Corps and the Street Beat. What I remember were the beautiful girls of the UP College of Nursing Saliwan Dance Troupe. Even though I didn’t like their mix of music, I enjoyed watching them.
The performance I enjoyed the most the entire night was from the UPM Indayog Alumni Association and it was because of Sir Joey Ogatis. Everyone did not expect him to be that cool. He intentionally stiffens himself while dancing but who cares. He was the life of the night.
After Saliwan, Sir Joey conquered the dance floor once more while dancing with a pretty lady, Nicole Sarausad. But again, after all the enjoyment, the Philippine All Stars performed a song number. But after a set of their breath-taking dance performances, I must say they were the best performers of the night minus the times when they hold the microphone.
In the world, there is always a common denominator. In this case, it’s love for dancing. It’s obviously not that simple to dance that good. Most if not all of the performers were really competitive. But there was no competition. I may be the only one doing it.
The finale was the performance of the UPM Indayog Competing Team. As the voice-over says, discipline, dedication, and passion, these were the values they live by. Now I see it in actuality. It’s a universal principle. Discipline brought them success, dedication lets them stay there, and passion unites them as one.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Monday, January 28, 2008
My First Tibak Experience!
by: Richard Jacob Dy Sumali ako sa isang rally. Maaaring iniisip ninyo, "Oh my God! Sumama ka sa isang rally! Ganyan ba talaga mga taga-UP? Mga activists?"
Ang sagot ko naman diyan ay "Tumahimik ka nga! Konyo ka talaga!" o di kaya naman "Ganyan ka na ba ka-shallow mag-isip?"
Pumunta kami sa Senado kanina sapagkat sinabi ng aming mahal na Prof Abaya na makikinig lamang kami. Ngunit may idea na kami na sasali talga kami sa isang rally upang ipagsigawan ang aming nararamdaman tungkol sa bagong UP Charter na ipinasa ni Senator Kiko Pangilinan.
Bakit namin ito tinututulan? Hindi dahil ayaw namin ng bagong UP Charter kundi dahil sa ang Charter na ito'y commercialized at mapagkunwari. Gagamit lang muna ako ngayon ng layman’s term para maintindihan ng maigi.
Ang pagbebenta ng mga lupain ng UP na hindi napapakinabangan sa kasalukuyan ay ipapagamit sa mga pribadong kompanya na willing tayuan ang mga ito ng mga establisyamento tulad ng Hotel de Ayala y Gokongwei at Call Center Galores. Ililihis nito ang Unibersidad as an academic to a commercialized institution.
Ang pangalawa ay bakit nakasaad lamang ang Unibersidad sa Pangilinan Bill as a national university instead of a national state university? Imposed na kaagad rito na dahil sa commercialization, unti-unting babawasan ng gobyerno ang budget ng UP sapagkat hindi na ito isang state university.
Ang pangatlo ay ang pag-angkin sa husay at talento ng mga mag-aaral ng Unibersidad. Magagamit nga ng mga iskolar ng bayan (the term!) ang mga facilities ng mga commercial establishments NGUNIT maaari nilang angkinin ang mga produkto o output ng mga ito.
Kung sa tingin ninyo ay walang naidulot ang rally ng mga Political Science Freshies at ibang mag-aaral ng UP System ay nagkakamali kayo. YOU ARE GRAVELY MISTAKEN. Naisulong kanina lamang ang isang DEMOCRATIC UP CHARTER sa tulong nina Senadora Jajajaja-JAMBY Madrigal atbp.
MABUHAY ANG MGA ISKOLAR NG BAYAN. BOW!
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Incubus at Araneta on March 9
The local band Up Dharma Down will be their guest.
video credit: ecor80 of Youtube
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Ang Aking Kasaysayan
By: Richard Jacob Dy
Noong 1991, dahilan sa kainitan ng Gulf War, ay pinayuhan ang mga Overseas Filipino Workers sa Kaharian ng Saudi Arabia na umuwi muna sa kanilang lupang kinagisnan upang maiwasang madamay sa kaguluhang nagaganap dulot ng digmaan. Sanhi ng pagbabatid ng Kaharian ay lumapag ang isang behikulong pang-himpapawid sa Paliparang Ninoy Aquino sakay ang aking amang nagngangalang Muslimen Amerila Dy, isa sa mga tinaguriang makabagong bayani ng makabagong lipunan ng Pilipinas, pasan ang pananabik sa kanyang iniwanang pamilya. Sa mga panahong iyon ay binuo ako ng aking ama’t ina.
Bumalik na ang aking ama sa kapatagang buhangin upang ipagpatuloy ang tungkuling sinimulan sapagkat humupa na ang matinding giyera.
Ako ay ibininhi noong ika-7 ng Nobyembre sa magkatulad na taon ng digmaan. Ako’y binati at tinanggap ng mundo na tila isang munting anghel na handog ng mga alapaap. Ayon sa aking nakatatandang kapatid, hango raw ang aking ngalan sa isang artista at isang tauhan sa banal na kasulatan ng mga Kristiyano. Ang pangalan ko ay Richard Jacob Dy.
Tulad ng mga karaniwang paslit, ako’y pinasuso, pinahikab, pinapalo, pinapanood ng “Batibot” hanggang ako’y natutong mag-aral, maglaro, at makidaloy sa agos ng panahon. Mula sa aking pinagbinhiang Lungsod ng Quezon ay tumungo kami sa dakong timog – sa mundo ng mga Suha, Mangosteen at Durian, ang Lungsod ng Davao.
Sa pitong taon kong pamamalagi dito ay sabay kaming lumaki ng pagyabong at pag-unlad ng kalungsuran. Nag-aral ako sa pinakamahusay na paaralan ng Lungsod, ang Davao Christian High School.
Lumaki akong walang inaasahan at pinapangarap bukod sa taunang pag-uwi ng aking ama. Pinananabikan ko ang mga Fila Shoes at Atlas Books na kanyang dala-dala. Hindi ko maikukubling masarap sa pakiramdam kapag nalalaman ko ang panibugho ng aking mga katabing intsik sa baon kong White Toblerone tuwing rises. Ipagkakait ko pa ba ang pakiramdam na ito, ngayong ngayon na nga lamang ako mas yayaman sa kanila. Ngunit gaya ng lahat ng bagay na pansamantala lamang, pansamantala rin ang pagtatarok sa saloobing ito.
Nagbago ang lahat ng aking kinagawian nang mabigyan ako ng pasaporte, bisa, at maleta. Taong 2001 nang tumungo kaming mag-iina sa kinaroroonan ng aking ama. Sa una’y nangibabaw sa akin ang imahinasyon sapagkat inakala ko na mabubuhay kami sa isang malaking abentura at ako ang abenturero. Ngunit nang nakarating na ako sa Saudi Arabia ay nanawagan ang mundo sa aking kamusmusan at ipinakita ang lantarang kabihasnan. Malalawak ang mga kalsada, may mga matatayog na gusali, at naka portabol na radyo-telepono ang karamihan sa mga tao.
Sa unang dalawang taon ko sa disyerto ay nag-aral ako sa International Philippine School in Al-Khobar kung saan masasabi kong isang magandang kasinatian ang aking pamamalagi. Sa paaralang ito ay hiwalay na nagdadaos ng klase ang mga babae sa mga kalalakihan. Aking mga kababayan ang kapwa mag-aaral.
Taong 2003 nang lumipat ako sa Al-Andalus International School. Dito ko naikalag ang tanikala na pumipiit sa aking mga talento’t kakayahan.
Maituturing ngang napakasuwerte ko sapagkat kahit hindi marangya ang aking pamumuhay ay hindi naman ako naghihikahos upang makapag-aral, makapaglakbay, at mapunan ang kumukulong tiyan.
Kung ano ako sa hinaharap ay ipinagtatanto ko pa rin. Ang katanungang ito ay talinhaga, bugtong, at palaisipan para sa akin.
Bumalik na ang aking ama sa kapatagang buhangin upang ipagpatuloy ang tungkuling sinimulan sapagkat humupa na ang matinding giyera.
Ako ay ibininhi noong ika-7 ng Nobyembre sa magkatulad na taon ng digmaan. Ako’y binati at tinanggap ng mundo na tila isang munting anghel na handog ng mga alapaap. Ayon sa aking nakatatandang kapatid, hango raw ang aking ngalan sa isang artista at isang tauhan sa banal na kasulatan ng mga Kristiyano. Ang pangalan ko ay Richard Jacob Dy.
Tulad ng mga karaniwang paslit, ako’y pinasuso, pinahikab, pinapalo, pinapanood ng “Batibot” hanggang ako’y natutong mag-aral, maglaro, at makidaloy sa agos ng panahon. Mula sa aking pinagbinhiang Lungsod ng Quezon ay tumungo kami sa dakong timog – sa mundo ng mga Suha, Mangosteen at Durian, ang Lungsod ng Davao.
Sa pitong taon kong pamamalagi dito ay sabay kaming lumaki ng pagyabong at pag-unlad ng kalungsuran. Nag-aral ako sa pinakamahusay na paaralan ng Lungsod, ang Davao Christian High School.
Lumaki akong walang inaasahan at pinapangarap bukod sa taunang pag-uwi ng aking ama. Pinananabikan ko ang mga Fila Shoes at Atlas Books na kanyang dala-dala. Hindi ko maikukubling masarap sa pakiramdam kapag nalalaman ko ang panibugho ng aking mga katabing intsik sa baon kong White Toblerone tuwing rises. Ipagkakait ko pa ba ang pakiramdam na ito, ngayong ngayon na nga lamang ako mas yayaman sa kanila. Ngunit gaya ng lahat ng bagay na pansamantala lamang, pansamantala rin ang pagtatarok sa saloobing ito.
Nagbago ang lahat ng aking kinagawian nang mabigyan ako ng pasaporte, bisa, at maleta. Taong 2001 nang tumungo kaming mag-iina sa kinaroroonan ng aking ama. Sa una’y nangibabaw sa akin ang imahinasyon sapagkat inakala ko na mabubuhay kami sa isang malaking abentura at ako ang abenturero. Ngunit nang nakarating na ako sa Saudi Arabia ay nanawagan ang mundo sa aking kamusmusan at ipinakita ang lantarang kabihasnan. Malalawak ang mga kalsada, may mga matatayog na gusali, at naka portabol na radyo-telepono ang karamihan sa mga tao.
Sa unang dalawang taon ko sa disyerto ay nag-aral ako sa International Philippine School in Al-Khobar kung saan masasabi kong isang magandang kasinatian ang aking pamamalagi. Sa paaralang ito ay hiwalay na nagdadaos ng klase ang mga babae sa mga kalalakihan. Aking mga kababayan ang kapwa mag-aaral.
Taong 2003 nang lumipat ako sa Al-Andalus International School. Dito ko naikalag ang tanikala na pumipiit sa aking mga talento’t kakayahan.
Maituturing ngang napakasuwerte ko sapagkat kahit hindi marangya ang aking pamumuhay ay hindi naman ako naghihikahos upang makapag-aral, makapaglakbay, at mapunan ang kumukulong tiyan.
Kung ano ako sa hinaharap ay ipinagtatanto ko pa rin. Ang katanungang ito ay talinhaga, bugtong, at palaisipan para sa akin.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Evolution versus Creation
By: Richard Jacob DyAs you walk through the noisy halls of the university, you could perhaps hear debates on evolution vs. creation, the topic that will never cease to intrigue us. Evolutionary theory is so appealing that it is labeled as “fact” by many people. Seldom defend Creation, as most holier-than-thou scholars believe is just a matter of faith.
Evolution is tantamount to naturalism, the idea that eliminates the need of a higher being in the progression of nature to its present condition. THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS INTERRELATION OF EVOLUTIONISM AND CREATIONISM. Either you believe that God created everything out of nothing or consider the Godless Evolution which states that from a tiny speck of pure energy and through the extensive genetic alterations in the living molecules in successive generations came the present living things.
Creation teaches us that natural selection is of actuality but upward evolution never took place. Evolution tells us that upward evolution came about through natural selection and a series of mutations. However, mutation in known history has always caused horrific complications and never even suggested a slightest hint of upward evolution.
Creation teaches us that God created the cosmos with the diverse forms of life out of nothing. Evolution tells us that from a tiny speck of pure energy, matter evolved into what is known to exist today. But as we all know, the mechanism of the Theory of Evolution contradicts the Second Law of Thermodynamics. And what did the scientists say about the mechanism of that tiny speck of pure energy? That it is yet to be determined by science?
Creation is not just a matter of faith. It isn’t even a theory. It is a fact. If you don’t consider a portion of the Bible as truth, then you conveyed disbelief to its totality.
photo credit: www.biblia.com
Woohoo!
By: Richard Jacob Dy
Time and again, we use the word “woohoo” in conveying extreme happiness more often than not in online interaction. We use the word habitually but it appears as if we really do not know why we use it. An ordinary man in ordinary instances would think of it as some sort of weird yahoo. An obsessed “The Sims” gamer would consider it as a word pertaining to sex.
Where did this globally-used word really come from? What is its sense? Does the word really have a sexual undertone or is it just a mere expression of ecstasy?
Maybe the word really implies sex or perhaps it’s really just a mere term for bliss. But the real question is “Is that it?”
As of January 13, 2008 in the urbandictionary.com, the meaning of “woohoo” with the highest rating (thumbs up minus thumbs down) is “woohoo” as extreme satisfaction. The meaning with the second highest rating is “woohoo” as a term for sex in the Sims 2 game in order for Maxis to keep it rated Teen. Other meanings with average and low ratings are “woohoo” as an expression of someone who is very excited, a term for ice cream in reference to Girl Scout camping, and another name for the male genitalia.
In 1959, The Rock A Teens released the song “Woo Hoo” which happened to be well-liked in the 1950s. The song was later revived in 1996 by the Japanese band, The 5.6.7.8’s, whose version gained tremendous popularity after it was featured in Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill.
In the forums of geekculture.com, there is an entry on “woohoo” originating from the sound frequently heard at rock concerts.
There is a prospect that rock and roll is the origin of the word in view of the fact that this genre of music is often stereotyped with people head banging while shouting woohoos. Crowd in rock concerts express their “extreme satisfaction” by shouting words like wooooooo and hoooooooo which perhaps eventually became what is identified these days as the famous slang word, “woohoo.”
“Woohoo” is safely defined as an expression of extreme satisfaction used in response to a situation or condition.
“Woohoo” cannot be utilized in stating non-superlative happiness or satisfaction. It cannot as well be used in expressing solitude or any forms of sadness. It is important to note that the word is basically to express the excess in excessive happiness.
Despite of its popularity, “woohoo” is still not an officially accepted word but there is a hint that it will be in the prospect with the acceptance of “woot” in the Merriam Webster’s Dictionary.
photo credit: http://www.macinplay.de/bilder_news/WooHoo_Logo.png
Where did this globally-used word really come from? What is its sense? Does the word really have a sexual undertone or is it just a mere expression of ecstasy?
Maybe the word really implies sex or perhaps it’s really just a mere term for bliss. But the real question is “Is that it?”
As of January 13, 2008 in the urbandictionary.com, the meaning of “woohoo” with the highest rating (thumbs up minus thumbs down) is “woohoo” as extreme satisfaction. The meaning with the second highest rating is “woohoo” as a term for sex in the Sims 2 game in order for Maxis to keep it rated Teen. Other meanings with average and low ratings are “woohoo” as an expression of someone who is very excited, a term for ice cream in reference to Girl Scout camping, and another name for the male genitalia.
In 1959, The Rock A Teens released the song “Woo Hoo” which happened to be well-liked in the 1950s. The song was later revived in 1996 by the Japanese band, The 5.6.7.8’s, whose version gained tremendous popularity after it was featured in Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill.
In the forums of geekculture.com, there is an entry on “woohoo” originating from the sound frequently heard at rock concerts.
There is a prospect that rock and roll is the origin of the word in view of the fact that this genre of music is often stereotyped with people head banging while shouting woohoos. Crowd in rock concerts express their “extreme satisfaction” by shouting words like wooooooo and hoooooooo which perhaps eventually became what is identified these days as the famous slang word, “woohoo.”
“Woohoo” is safely defined as an expression of extreme satisfaction used in response to a situation or condition.
“Woohoo” cannot be utilized in stating non-superlative happiness or satisfaction. It cannot as well be used in expressing solitude or any forms of sadness. It is important to note that the word is basically to express the excess in excessive happiness.
Despite of its popularity, “woohoo” is still not an officially accepted word but there is a hint that it will be in the prospect with the acceptance of “woot” in the Merriam Webster’s Dictionary.
photo credit: http://www.macinplay.de/bilder_news/WooHoo_Logo.png
Political Coffee
By: Richard Jacob DyI find coffee shops conducive for writing my papers. Whenever I have to note down or write something, I tend to head towards the nearest Starbucks place in Katipunan where I currently reside. Even though the place is not as peaceful as my room in our house, I find myself extra productive in places like these where I suppose I could write a fine paper and sip good coffee.
A coffee shop influencing the quality of my work is without a doubt considered very political. I initially considered these as ordinary occurrences not knowing that I just transferred my power of decision-making to my comfortable environment.
When I said that I find coffee shops conducive places for writing my papers, it doesn’t mean that I crave for coffee all the time. It’s just very unlikely for a person to stay and enjoy the benefits of a coffee shop without buying anything. This is what the society projects and yes, it is indeed very political.
I spend not less than five hours in coffee shops. Within that span of time, call of nature is unavoidable. Fortunately, the Starbucks place in Katipunan has one comfort room which has specific urinals for the two sexes.
Even if we were never taught by our society to urinate in a specific urinal intended for our sex, the inevitable option of using uncomfortably built urinals for the sake of urinating is still very political.
Everything can be considered political. From the unnecessary collection of stickers for a Starbucks planner to the manner of almost gargling my Caffé Mocha Espresso are all deemed as political situations.
Having the choice to drink the coffee my own way and the impractical act of having the desired planner even though I hate the Christmas beverages are all persuasions of politics which formed an influential relationship between me and my given society.
photo credit: Starbucks
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Spider Fight!
By: Richard Jacob Dy
The young gambling eyes were fluttering of thrill and panic. A juvenile schoolboy rushed into the pavement and came back with a small stick, one that bears a resemblance to another from a broom made from midribs of coconut leaves. There were matchboxes, orange bills, and sickening hopes in each and every hands of the immature crowd.
The unharmed crimson lips speak vague murmurs. Heads and hands are hurried to each other’s ears but with loud whispers. Everyone began to modify their positions. All of a sudden, the most anticipated happening came. The crowd both jeered and applauded as the slender ash-gray spider was released from its match box compartment to the stick. The proud owner fed it with a feeble tiny insect. Unpredictably, everyone’s eyes were speaking dismally as the predator slowed-down after its lunch.
One made an evil grin. His starving light-brown spider was on the loose to the stick. His grin left an ingenious message, that starvation is the secret feed formula to win the battle. The spider’s starvation increased its ferocity. In a split second, the ash-gray spider appeared to be hanging down in the middle of the stick. Shortly, it managed to scramble up and rushed to wrestle its opponent. The vicious light-brown spider fought back almost eating its challenger.
In a few minutes, they fought it out at the end of the stick. They were like Lion King’s Scar and Mufassa, battling it out at the edge of the cliff. Finally, the ash-gray spider fell from the rim. It lost the battle. The winners leaped in excitement. There were lingering applauds. You can hear no more jeers for there were only displeasures at the faces of those who staked for the latter. But these mixed emotions were only temporary. You can see once more the hopes in their eyes as two more spiders were released from their matchbox compartments.
photo credit: http://www.bulatlat.com
The young gambling eyes were fluttering of thrill and panic. A juvenile schoolboy rushed into the pavement and came back with a small stick, one that bears a resemblance to another from a broom made from midribs of coconut leaves. There were matchboxes, orange bills, and sickening hopes in each and every hands of the immature crowd.
The unharmed crimson lips speak vague murmurs. Heads and hands are hurried to each other’s ears but with loud whispers. Everyone began to modify their positions. All of a sudden, the most anticipated happening came. The crowd both jeered and applauded as the slender ash-gray spider was released from its match box compartment to the stick. The proud owner fed it with a feeble tiny insect. Unpredictably, everyone’s eyes were speaking dismally as the predator slowed-down after its lunch.
One made an evil grin. His starving light-brown spider was on the loose to the stick. His grin left an ingenious message, that starvation is the secret feed formula to win the battle. The spider’s starvation increased its ferocity. In a split second, the ash-gray spider appeared to be hanging down in the middle of the stick. Shortly, it managed to scramble up and rushed to wrestle its opponent. The vicious light-brown spider fought back almost eating its challenger.
In a few minutes, they fought it out at the end of the stick. They were like Lion King’s Scar and Mufassa, battling it out at the edge of the cliff. Finally, the ash-gray spider fell from the rim. It lost the battle. The winners leaped in excitement. There were lingering applauds. You can hear no more jeers for there were only displeasures at the faces of those who staked for the latter. But these mixed emotions were only temporary. You can see once more the hopes in their eyes as two more spiders were released from their matchbox compartments.
photo credit: http://www.bulatlat.com
Bakas ng Dalamhati
By: Richard Jacob DyHindi ako naliwanagan sa makukulay na mga lampara ng Chinatown o sa mga antigong porselana, idolo, at iba pa. Kahit ang mga magagarbong simbahan na sa una’y hinangaan, tila natabunan ng mga pahapyaw na mga titig kung saan tagos na ang kahalagahan ng aming munting paglalakbay.
Ang lamat ng hinagpis, pilit mang ikubli ng mga ngiti, ay tanto pa rin ang bakas ng libo-libong dalamhati. Nagtungo kami mula Binondo hanggang Quiapo na tila’y mga nanunuyang manlalakbay. At ano ang mga tanawin?
Mga mukha ng mga naluging negosyanteng intsik, mga matatandang nagtitinda ng mga bayong, mga musmos na nagbebenta ng mga rosaryo, mga kababaihang nanghuhula ng kapalaran, mga lalaking nagbebenta ng pornograpiya, ang mamang ketonging aking iniwasan, ang kahabag-habag na batang may matinding kapansanan, at daan-daang manlilimos na dinaanan.
Naaawa ako sa mga taong marangal na namumuhay ng di umaasa sa mga bente-singko sentimos na pinupunan sa kanilang mga palad. Ang mga taong hindi man lang madapuan ng kakarampot na kaginhawaan taliwas sa kanilang matinding pagsisikap.
photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nina/195341977/
Salamat Sa Gawad Kalinga
By: Richard Jacob Dyhttp://www.wya.net/i/Gawad%20Kalinga%20306.jpg
In the height of difficulties, people start to believe the inevitability of these crises thus resulting to the breakdown of optimism. Filipinos loose hope without even doing any help.
It is a fact that our country faces troubles but these were never inevitable. With 80 million hearts sharing the same sentiments with organizations like Gawad Kalinga, our nation will surely find its way to prosperity.
As a person, you need not to build houses or render care to orphans. No one will force you to put your hopes high or exert efforts that are selfless. But as a Filipino, whose country suffers from utter unevenness, you need to have a goal for your motherland. Mine was to at least help alleviate poverty during my lifetime.
Filipinos are hard-working, intelligent, kind and happy people. These are our assets. We have escaped 300 years of colonization and withstood decades of imperialism. We are Filipinos – as sturdy and resilient as narra and bamboo trees. But as years passed, we evolved into selfish puppies with colonial mentalities. We need to be moved. We need to have a goal.
Try to take a walk through the busy streets of Manila and maybe a goal would immediately summon up in your mind. After all, the rich history of our country and the heroic deeds of our countrymen do not really give the essence of who a Filipino really is. It is through the participation of one in building a bona-fide nation.
photo credit:
Sad to say at nagkaroon na ng factions ang Gawad Kalinga.
Pinoy Ka Diba? Gising!
by: Richard Jacob DyLikas na yata sa mga Pilipino ang pagiging matiisin. Pinagsamantalahan na nga ang kanilang mga yaman ay kalmado pa rin. Kinamkam na nga ang kanilang mga lupa’y hindi pa rin umiimik. Pinakialaman na nga ang kanilang mga kabuhayan ay naghahanap na lamang ng ibang ikabubuhay. Ngunit nang ilabag ng walang takot ng mga prominenteng elitista ang mga basikong karapatang pantao ay hindi na maitatago pa ng mga ito ang kanilang dalamhati sa labis na paniniil at pagsasamantala ng mga may kapangyarihan.
Ginagamit ng mga prominenteng mamamayang ito ang mga batas upang mapadali ang pagkamkam ng lupain ng mga payak na manggagawa. Ginagamit rin nila ito upang maiwasang maipamahagi ang mga lupain sa mga magsasaka.
Inaagaw ang kanilang mga saka at pwersahang pinalalayas upang maisakatuparan ang mga hungkag na proyekto ng pamahalaan.
May katwiran ang mga mamamayang ito kung bakit nagagawa nilang rumonda at ipagsigawan ang kanilang mga hinaing. Ngunit hindi ito maintindihan ng mga karaniwang Pilipinong nagbibingi-bingihan. Tinatawag silang mga abala at mga pang-gulo sa lipunan.
Maaaring iniisip ninyo ngayon na ano nga ba ang gusto kong mangyari at nakiki-epal pa ako. Simple lamang, gusto kong iparating na makapangyarihan ang mamamayan.
Ang pagliyab ng damdamin ay ang masidhing pagkamulat ng mga tao sa mga pangyayaring nagaganap. Ang mga naipahiwatig na mga balak ng mga Kastila sa lupa ng mga Moro ang nag-udyok sa mga mandirigma ng Mactan upang umusbong ang makasaysayang digmaan. Ang kawalang-hustisyang pag-garote sa Gomburza ang nagtulak sa mga Propaganda ng mga Illustrado at pag-aaklas ng Masang Pilipino. Ngunit ang pinakamakahulugang ebidensiya ng kapangyarihan ng mamamayan ay ang People Power Revolution kung saan walang konsepto ng masa at elitista, iisa lamang – mamamayan.
Di maikakailang makapangyarihan ang taong bayan. Ang mga Pilipino ay binigyan ng karapatan upang mamili ng sariling mga pinuno, makapag-labas ng mga hinaing ng malaya at kung makabuluhan at kinakailangan ay magsama-sama upang paalisin ang sinumang maniniil at magpapahirap.
Pinoy Ka Diba? Gising!
photo_credit: http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0S020lBAZNHjWgA1jKjzbkF/SIG=123u3r7dn/EXP=1200902849/**http://www.flickr.com/photos/trey333/397421973/
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