Maraming Salamat, 2015!

Nauuso ngayon sa mga posts sa Instagram, Facebook at kung kasya man, sa Twitter, ang mga mensahe tungkol sa mga magaganda (o kahit pangit man) na mga karanasan, pangyayari at selebrasyon ng taong 2015. Ako, gagawa ako ng simpleng blog para lamang magpasalamat sa mga taong naging bahagi ng aking buhay.

ANG AKING PAMILYA

Masakit man dahil sa taong ito ay iniwan na tayo ni Tito Pe (Alfredo E. Oris), hinding-hindi natin siya malilimutan. Siya na ang magsisilbing anghel natin na titingin sa atin at magdarasal para sa ating lahat. Kayo ang naging sanhi ng aking inspirasyon. Kayo ang aking lakas. Maraming salamat.

Hindi ako sanay na magpasalamat ng harap-harapan sa inyo ngunit alam niyo na siguro ang pagmamahal na aking ibinabahagi sa inyo!

Ang tanging hiling ko lang para sa ating lahat ay napakalusog na pangangatawan at walang sawang biyayang kung maaari'y maibagi Niya sa atin.

ANG AKING MGA KAIBIGAN

Aaminin kong hindi karamihan ang aking mga kaibigan. Ngunit para sa akin, aanhin mo man ang maraming kaibigan kung hindi ka naman nila kakilala mula ulo hanggang paa. At sila iyun. Ang dalawang grupong aking kinabibilangan.

Para sa aking mga mahal, ang Fantastic Six Plus, maraming salamat sa walang sawang pagtawa sa aking mga biro, sa walang sawang pag-intindi sa aking ugali, sa walang sawang pagpapasensya sa aking mga kamalian at sa walang sawang pagmamahal bilang inyong kaibigan. Nagkaroon man ng hindi pagkakaunawaan sa pagitan namin ni Marky, naniniwala pa rin kayo na balang araw ay magiging maayos ang kung ano man ang sa amin. At siyempre pa, higit akong natutuwa dahil napabilang na sa atin ang pinakamamahal nating sila Adrian at Melai. Nahihiya man sila at paminsan-minsa'y nagpapaubaya, binuksan natin ang ating mga kamay at isinama sa ating magandang samahan.

Sampung taon na tayong magkakaibigan. Nalampasan na natin ang sinasabi nilang "pitong taon" at sa pagkakataong ito, ang pagkakaibigan natin ay selyado na. Wala nang makakasira pa. At sama-sama tayo hanggang sa ating huling hininga!

Para sa aking mga kapatid, ang Teacherrifics, maraming salamat sa mga kuwento, biro, pasensya, suporta at higit sa lahat, pagmamahal. Hindi man tayo magkakasama na sa iisang bubong, ang Ann Arbor Montessori, nananatili pa rin tayong matatag anumang pagsubok ang mga nangyayari. Ang iba sa ati'y may pamilya na, magkakapamilya na, mag-asawa na, mag-aasawa na at patuloy na umiibig, nagpapatunay ito na ang ating pagkakaibigan ay subok na sa tibay at subok na sa tatag. 

Lahat tayo'y nakisimpatiya sa pagkawala ng ina ni Theresa at sa ina ni Onin na asawa ni Julie Girl. Lahat tayo'y nasasabik na sa pagdating ni Zayelle, ang unang anak nina Theresa at Joel. Lahat tayo'y nasasabik sa kasalang Chris at Julie at Kuya Frank at Ms. A. Lahat tayo'y naligayahan sa pag-uwi ni Lyrize mula sa Jeddah at sa muling pagsasama nila ni Yuan. Lahat tayo'y nagalak sa mga bagong kompanyang naging bahagi sila Andrew at Lyrize. At ako'y nagagalak dahil sa unti-unting pagbabalik ng ating pagkakaibigan, Rachel. Nawa'y magtuloy-tuloy ang magagandang balita at pangyayari sa atin at sa ating mga pamilya. Nawa'y maging handa tayo, pisikal man o emosyonal sa kung anumang pagsubok ang maaaring dumating sa ating pagkakaibigan.

Maraming salamat dahil kayo'y aking naging mga kaibigan.

ANG AKING MGA KAIBIGAN SA TRABAHO

Hindi kumpleto ang isang araw sa Far Eastern University kung hindi ko sila nakakasama at nakakakuwentuhan. Ang aking mga kapatid sa Interdisciplinary Studies Department na sina Ma'am Basil, Sir Kenneth, Sir Jeno, Sir Joey, Ma'am Emi at Sir Jorge at sa aming pinakamamahal na pundasyon at sandigan, Sir Manny, maraming salamat sa pagtutulungan, sa mga tawanan, sa mga kuwentuhan at sa mga karunungang inyong ibinabahagi. Inspirasyon ko kayo sa aking pagtuturo. At kung ano man ang ating mga kapalaran sa susunod na taon, nawa'y hindi tayo bumitiw sa samahang ating nabuo.

ANG AKING MGA MAG-AARAL

Sa inyo na naging kasama ko sa loob ng apat na sulok ng silid-aralan, maraming salamat sa mga hindi malilimutang pagkakataon na ako'y inyong naging guro. May mga pagkakataon man na ako'y nagalit o nagsungit, patawad. May mga pagkakataon man na kayo'y natawa sa aking mga biro, salamat sa masasarap na tawa. May mga pagkakataon man na ako'y nakatulong sa inyo, walang anuman! May mga pagkakataon man na kayo'y may natutunan sa aking mga aral, ako'y nalulugod at natutuwa!

Misyon ko na ibigay sa inyo ang nararapat na karunungan na maaari ninyong magamit sa mga darating na araw. Pahintulutan ninyo akong maging bahagi ng inyong buhay-estudyante, sa mga leksyon, proyekto, riserts, pangkatang-gawain at kung ano pa man. Kung oo man, maraming salamat at magiging maganda ang ating samahan. 

At sa Far Eastern University, maraming salamat sa pagkakataong maging isang propesor. 

2015 ay naging akin, nawa'y sa darating na bagong taon, maging akin ulit ito. Ika nga ng isang kasabihan, "You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream." 

Toodles, 2015!

Hello, 2016!

Mga larawan mula sa Facebook account nina Cacai Tandingan, Julie Ann Cory Jimenez, Sir Emmanuel Gonzales, Jenorie San Agustin at sa Far Eastern University (official).

Hey Bro... Haha!!!

Catchy title it is but definitely not funny (funny-walain!!!)...

Once again, I'm here with my brouhahas to tell something about something, or to write something about something...

Bet you didn't know that second semester in FEU is ongoing but I still feel the vibes of the semester break and APEC week (vacation). I don't know if I can disclose this but since it is a "national" issue somehow on Twitter, some students and even classes are still having a hard time with the schedules and class lists. Adjustment period is already over but still some students are having problems with their classes. I am also having a hard time finalizing my teaching load and my class schedule because of some unavoidable changes within the system. Hopefully, everything may come in order as fast as possible.

Nevertheless, I feel I will have a good semester at this time. New set of students and I guess, better set of students unlike the previous one which it gave me so much pain and trauma! I will be teaching Public Speaking (a first time!), Technical Writing, Research Writing, Academic Writing (others call it College Writing) and my most favorite, Literature! May God bless me in this semester!

Probably I am the last person in the world which still use this phone as my mode of communication to my family and friends. But six years ago, this was my dream phone. Back then, this was still considered as the most intelligent phone because you can do anything in it. You can do notes, plan events and meetings, take photos, listen to radio, record a video, sync to other phones and other outstanding stuff. But it's already 2015, and still, this is what I use as my official mobile phone.

Don't worry, I am planning to buy a new one (of course not like this) next year because I need to go with the times. Every time I'm with my friends, somehow I don't put this out not because I am embarrassed with this but because I'm not going with the flow with them. They own smartphones which are touched by the fingers and they can do Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and the Internet through it while my phone cannot do those. But again, I'm very glad because this "dream phone" became my phone.

The great Dona Zenaida Oris Balota will celebrate her 60th natal day on the 21st of December. I'm very excited, not because she is already 20%-discounted in all transactions, but it's her Diamond birthday (feels like her Jubilee year) and together with my siblings, we're very excited to celebrate it with her. We're not actually the typical "pa-showbiz" when it comes to celebrations but we're very glad she is able to reach sixty!

I told her that if for instance she was able to have a work, probably she's already processing her retirement. I knew the real reason why she let go of her dream to become a career woman; nevertheless, she chose the career not all woman can easily become successful, to become a mother!

I'm not a fan of One Direction so forgive me in using this picture for my next brouhaha.

It is like this, I usually include myself to a group of friends which has fancy names. During my high school days, I belonged myself to a group simply called "Cool Friends." Then in college, we formed a group called "Fantastic Six" and this was during our thesis-making moments. We playfully write it as F6 something like a key from the computer keyboard (for I have no idea what is its function). As we go along, we became "Fantastic Seven" or "F7" because a good friend became an addition to our circle. I remember we were playing our name as Fantastic Six Plus One. Then for some reasons, we went back to F6. The member of this group consist of myself, then my best friend forever Imelyn Blanco, my best buddy Andrew Quisumbing, my sister Cacai Tandingan, my daughter Charlyn Aranar and my best friend through thick and thin, through highs and lows and through ups and downs Mark Lester Pabilando. Now, my good friends, Adrian Pitel and Mary Melanie Sumaria are also included in this circle. A good friend, Sherry Mae Santos, also became part of our circle.

For our traditions, we celebrate our birthdays with Kenneth being the first and Chacha being the last. We always have the "German Moreno-ish" style of birthday celebration, Mark's birthday and yours truly. And the yearly PAMORNINGAN, in which we watch any Metro Manila Film Festival movie (we always choose Resorts World Manila) and then we eat at someplace until the next morning comes.

Then when I got to Ann Arbor Montessori Learning Center, I became part of another friendship circle and this consist of my best buddy Andrew (aside from being classmates in college, we used to be colleagues in AAM), my brother-from-another-mother Yuan, his wife and my soul sister Leelyput (Lyrize as her real name), my professor friend Chris (which we lovely call Tarroching), my beautiful sister Theresa, my powerful and inspiring friend Julie Girl, my sexy kumare Miss Arlene, my lovely friend Ms. Adona, my friendship Ms. Joy, my dear friend for keeps Alexia (Rachel as her real name), the dancer and Canada girl Sidiney (Sydney as her real name) and my dear brother Sir Phil. We call ourselves Teacherrifics due to the fact that we're teachers and at the same time, terrific. It all started when myself, Lyrize, Alexia, Andrew and Sir Phil went to then newly-opened Starbucks Coffee near the Presentation of the Child Jesus Church in BF Homes. Originally, we were meant to be called "Mondayrrifics;" back then when we usually go out on a Monday night! Then the whole thing started when we went to Ms. Adona's house (a story no need to retell) one Monday night then it became Teacherrifics.

Within our group, we also came up with certain groups. The group of Ms. Arlene, Ms. Adona, Theresa and Julie Girl with the lovely Ms. Angie was back then circle of friends. Andrew somehow comes with them during his first year of teaching at AAM. Then, I involved myself to the group which by the way, we're not yet really considered as a group. Then Yuan, Andrew and myself started another group called Ze MOA Boys, with Alexia as the one who gave us the name. She was also our "honorary" member due to the fact that she frequently comes with us. The name came from SM Mall of Asia because before, we frequent the mall to unwind, until the wee hours of the morning. Then based on the photo above, a new set of group is being formed as Midnight Memories. It started only this year when the Anots, myself and Andrew went to someplace (okay, Resorts World Manila and the usual Starbucks Coffee) and had some fun during the midnight. We were not sentimental nor nostalgic about our pasts but we just wanted to have good memories during midnight.

They are not only my barkada, they are my brothers and sisters. So no "friendship overs."

And here they are:

The Fantastic Six with Adrian and Melai (honorary members???)

The Teacherrifics

"A strong friendship doesn't need daily conversation, doesn't always need togetherness, as long as the relationship lives in the heart, true friends will never part."

I may not be the best friend you can have, or I may be your worst friend but I will not fail you. There are moments in which I will but I'm trying my best to fix it, because hands down, you are my dear friend. Here in my heart and everybody knows that you'll be very special no matter what happens. We may have shortcomings, or even the worst fights that may prolong to over a month or even a year, it's only just a phase.

Hey bro, these are my brouhahas!!! Hope you like them!!!

Toodles!!!

(photos courtesy of Google, my Facebook account and Melai Sumaria's Facebook account as well...)

The Original Brouhahas of Ziegrey Oris-Balota

Hello... It's me!

Sounds like Adele...

Well, I wanted to return on how I really write my brouhahas. Short-pieced anecdotes about what and how I feel as of the moment. And I'm ready...

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Last Friday, I watched "A Second Chance," a film by Cathy Garcia-Molina with John Lloyd Cruz and Bea Alonzo. It was the sequel of "One More Chance" shown way back 2007. For the first film, they were only boyfriend-girlfriend relationship which had a turbulent situation of breaking up, moving on, and hoping for another rekindling love. Well, they did and that's how their second film happened. This time, they were already husband-and-wife tandem, which had shown again its ups and downs. Including their dreams which were not achieved: dream house, family, famous engineering and architecture firm and a happy marriage. Then suddenly, an idea popped out on my mind; just like Popoy's mindset, "what if?" 

What if I got married, I have my partner with me, sleeping beside me but looking at the other side of the coin, why am I sleeping with this person right next to me? What if our compiled dreams that we both planned did not pursue, or worst did not happen? What if that person is not really who is suited for you? What if we don't need to get married? Then a one-liner said by the character of Janus del Prado awakened me, "duwag ka kasi!"

Indeed, marriage is not simply wearing a traje de boda and celebrating with fabulous wedding concepts and of course, love. Marriage is a sacrament and it needs to be amplified every day as possible! There may be different ways, possibly a million or even billions of ways, of making marriage as strong as possible but no couple wouldn't define it. It's because each couple has a different way of making their marriage successful. Before stepping in and before saying "I do!" you have to be a million percent of preparedness because a new chapter will soon begin and it will end for you have no idea when.

Soon enough, if it's allowable and at the same time all people think about love as same as how we look at it.

________________________________________________________________

Before, I wanted to vote Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago to become our country's next president since Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte didn't want to run (for his own good but vague reasons). In all presidentiables that we have, only Senator Miriam has the edge. But when Mayor Digong announced that he was (finally) about to run, apologies are on table but my vote will definitely for him.

Since his pronouncement, lots of criticisms were thrown to him including the famous cursing to the Pope in which according to some, media had hyped the issue but not the entire speech he made during his proclamation soiree at a hotel in Manila. Another was when he announced to the whole world that he was a "womanizer." Indeed, that's not cool but as a modern Filipino with a matured mind (sort of), why should I delve that issue to his beautifully-recorded leadership in the city of Davao. Another famous issue about Mayor Digong was the merciless justice of killing criminals. I highly doubt that he will put justice to his hand without even deciding about it. Unless otherwise to those criminals who don't need some trials. 

Then a colleague asked me about my announcement (wow!) that I'll vote for Duterte: "Why are you going to vote for him?" She was really skeptical about Duterte and with the issues encircling him was I guess her proof to me not to vote. I just answered simply, "It's because of his leadership."

I haven't been to Davao City. I can only attest through observations about the people, the city itself and the stories of Davaoenos. Indeed, they are very proud of their city. We're not sure if Mayor Digong can make the Philippines like Davao City but let's see. 

And most probably, we should learn as Filipinos not to fully depend our lives to the government. It's their responsibility to govern us, but we also have our own responsibility with each other and within ourselves.

#Duterte2016

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I cherish every moment when some of my students and former students ask help for their projects, thesis and papers. I also love how they ask me to recommend them for their on-the-job training, or for their very first work. With that, I pray for them that soon they will be at their very successful careers in whatever endeavor they wanted to.

Others, they blame you why they flunked with their studies. Obviously, these are some students in which they put the blame to their professors and these are some students which they are very careless with their studies. There is one good example: my former student who keeps on harassing and threatening me why I failed him in our subject. This is his premise: I told him that his grade was okay. As a student, I shouldn't just make it cool that my grade will be okay. Of course, I need to work harder for my next set of studies. As a disclaimer to this situation, I said "okay" to him because his midterm grade is "passed." Now, I don't know how he took it. 

He was now asking me why I failed him. And there are obvious reason that I showed him. Now, if he still doesn't understand it, it's not my problem anymore.

And those are the kinds of students which I have no idea about their future. Especially those students who just come to school to do nothing and not doing their responsibility which is to study and be somebody. Going back to my students who are asking for recommendation letters and help for their thesis, I would love to see them growing, acting and succeeding. And with those success, I would brag myself that a part of theirs is me.

________________________________________________________________

There is another anecdote that I wanted to write but instead, I'll put it in some series of haiku.

Someone has returned

And it is not really cool

Afraid to see it

Two hands intertwined

One heart's calmly demolished

The eyes will just close

I wanted to cry

But my heart doesn't allow

So it means I'm fine

Did you even see

That I'm truly existing

Or just normal thing

It's another scene

This shall pass, yes I should know

But what if, what if

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Thank you for spending a little amount of time reading!

Toodles!

Happy Thoughts! Happy Thoughts! Happy Thoughts!

That's my mantra for tonight!

By the way, hello and this is my blogsite, which the last time I wrote here was barely four (4) months ago, and it was all about my predicament. Now, I'm shouting and singing in my mind "happy thoughts, happy thoughts, happy thoughts!"

Prior to this, my former student showered me with threatening messages. I will not delve much to the messages but it was too much endearing! Now, a new semester came and new set of students are coming along. I don't know what's going to happen but I'm still looking forward for a brighter, better and more memorable semester, unlike the last one. As what I will imply, "MAKE THIS SECOND SEMESTER BETTER THAN YOUR LAST!"

And he wanted me to report because I made his life miserable. I always do this: as much as possible, I shouldn't make the life of someone become miserable because I am not entitled to do that, because we have this word: KARMA. At the same time, he was bickering me with so much drama. Without him knowing, he's making it more complicated. Oh well, I just wanted this to forget and pray for my former student to have an enlightenment in his heart (as much as I wanted to understand him).

My good friend and I are now in the state of coldness because I failed one of his agenda. I just don't understand that I am not a friend here but part of the "agenda." The mistake is I don't have budget. But it was blown out of proportion (well, it's me don't worry). The only thing that I wanted is understanding. Understanding the situations each of his friends have. But, with thinking of happy thoughts, I still want this to end and come up again refreshed.

This is the "nth" time I failed to come to my dream place, Baguio City. At 28, I still don't know what kind of a place Baguio is. But I know soon enough, if given another chance to have a vacation I'll go there and explore, with or without (hopefully) someone to come with.

I am getting bored on what I am doing. I am pushing myself to do more but I guess my "teaching" skills are becoming wear and tear. Every time I listen to music, read books, engage to conversations, react to different issues, watch films and videos, and experience what life is, I want to put them into creative writing. Just a little bit of push, probably I'll be there. I wanted to become creative but I am scared, though criticisms will teach me! Anytime soon, I'll claim it!

Happy thoughts!!! Happy thoughts!!! I just wanted to fill my mind with happy thoughts!!!

Because I deserve to be happy and have a happy life, no matter what!!!

Toodles!!!

Nagtatanong Pa Rin Kung Bakit?

Hindi po ito isang maikling kuwento o titulo ng isang bagong pelikula na aking sasaliksikin. Hindi rin po ito titulo ng isang tula o isang awit. Isa po itong tanong. Tanong sa mga taong maaaring makapagbigay sa akin ng napakagandang sagot.

Sa loob ng pitong taon ng pagtuturo, ngayon lang ako nakaranas ng sobrang pagod. Maraming bagay kung bakit ako napapagod: pagbiyahe ng halos tatlong oras mula Muntinlupa hanggang Maynila, paggawa ng mga lesson para sa mga estudyante ko, pag-iintindi sa iba't ibang ugali ng mga estudyante pagdating sa pag-aaral, pagsuway sa mga makukulit at walang tigil na kadaldalan ng mga bata, pagsigaw, paghampas sa mesa, pananalita na ng mga masasakit na salita sa mga estudyante para lamang umayos at ang higit sa lahat, ang pagtanggap sa anumang sasabihin ng mga estudyante sa iyo, maganda man, lalo na kung hindi.

Sa hindi mabilang na pagkakataon ay nagalit na naman ako sa isang klase. Ang scenario: binigyan ko sila ng instruction na basahin ang ibinigay kong hand-out tungkol sa Writing Clear and Effective Sentences sa loob ng sampung (10) minuto. Isa na lamang itong pagbabalik-aral dahil siguro nama'y noong sila ay nasa sekundarya o kahit siguro elementarya ay alam na nila kung papaano magsulat ng mga pangungusap. Imbis na mag-aral, nagdadaldalan, naghaharutan, nagsisigawan. Nakailang saway na ako pero tuloy pa rin. Kahit ako'y nagbabasa rin para naman sa aking pag-aaral ng MA. Ngunit wala pa rin. Bilang ganti at para na rin masukat ko ang kanilang "kagalingan," ay nagsagawa ako ng graded recitation. Ganito ang sistema: kung walang masagot, may gradong 0; kung mayroon pero hindi angkop para sa aking tanong, may gradong 60; at kung maganda ang pagkakasagot, may gradong 80. Nagtawag ako ng mga pangalan, walang nakasagot. Ano ang sanhi? Hindi nagbasa. Ano ang dahilan? Nagdadaldalan. O maaaring, wala na silang pakialam kung ano man ang mangyari sa kanila.

Hindi ko na sasabihin kung anong course ang kanilang kinukuha, pero sila'y mga nasa unang taon ng kolehiyo. Take note! KOLEHIYO. Sa pagkakatanda ko noong ako'y nasa unang taon ng kolehiyo ay hindi kami madadaldal, kahit pa nagkaroon na kami ng mga kaibiga't barkada. Gumagawa ako ng mga takda para sa susunod na klase. Pumapasok ako sa klase kahit kalimitan ang aming guro ay hindi nagpapapasok. Iniisip ko ang ipinambayad kong matrikula dahil kailanga'y ito'y mapalitan ng karunungan. Kung ano man ako noon bilang first year college student ay sa tingin ko'y wala namang pinagbago sa ngayon, dahil kung ano ang first year college student noon ay first year college student pa rin ang dapat na i-akto ngayon. Natatandaan ko ang sinabi ng aking kasamahan sa trabaho na huwag na huwag mabanggit ng mga estudyante ngayon na mayroong generation gap ang mga guro ngayon sa mga kabataan ngayon. Ito lamang ang magandang banat! Ano man ang sabihin mo, at ibato mo, estudyante ka pa rin!

Sa loob ng isang linggong pagtuturo ng English Communication Arts and Skills ay ayaw ko tuwing Lunes at Huwebes na ang oras ay mula ika-3 hanggang ika-4 at kalahati ng hapon at ang mga buong araw ng Martes at Biyernes. Ito kasi ang mga araw na walang isang pagkikita namin ay hindi ako magagalit. Ito kasi ang mga araw na kung saan nasisira ang mga gusto kong mangyari para sa klase ko. Ito kasi ang mga araw na kung saan mas gugustuhin pa ng mga estudyante ko ang lumiban sa klase kaysa pumasok. Lunes at Huwebes ng ika-3 hanggang ika-4 na kalahati ng hapon at Martes at Biyernes, na dati'y normal at nakakatuwang mga araw sa aking isang linggo, sa ngayo'y ayaw kong dumarating. Aaminin ko, hindi ako nagpapapasok minsan dahil iniiwasan ko sila. Iniiwasan kong magkasakit. Iniiwasan kong magalit, manigaw at mamahiya! Siguro'y tuwang-tuwa sila dahil hindi ako pumapasok pero sila rin naman ang mawawalan. Siguro'y tuwang-tuwa rin sila na hindi pumapasok sa klase ko ngunit, sila rin naman ang mawawalan.

Ang pinakamasaklap siguro na maaaring magawa sa akin ng mga estudyante ko ay baligtarin kung ano ang tunay na nangyayari! Lalo na't nalalapit na ang pagkakataon kami ay kanilang ie-evaluate sa pamamagitan ng website ng aming pamantasan. Katulad na naman kami ng isang malinis na puting papel na may maliit na dumi. Ang dumi ang magsisilbing dahilan kung bakit may pangit kaming marka mula sa kanila, na sa tingin ko'y hindi nila nakikita kung ano ang mga puti na nasa papel. Para siguro sa ibang estudyanteng napagalitan ko, napahiya ko, nabulyawan ko, at naibagsak ko (raw), mabibigyan ako ng mababang marka. Mangilan-ngilan lang siguro ang magbibigay na tamang grado. Wala kasi silang pakialam sa nararamdaman ng kanilang guro. Para sa kanila, ang importante'y maging masaya lalo na kung kasama ang kanilang mga kaibigan.

Eh siraulo ka pala eh, binibigyan mo kami ng sakit ng ulo! Una sa lahat, bakit ka pa nag-aaral kung ang nais mo lang pala eh masarap na buhay! Maghanap ka ng punong namumunga, humiga ka doon at hintayin mong mahulog sa iyo ang inaasam mong bunga! Ibig sabihin, maghintay ka ng milagro sa buhay mong paibaba ang pagbugso! Nagsasayang ka lang ng halos isandaang-libong-pisong pangmatrikula mo! Huwag na huwag mong isusumbat sa amin na kung hindi dahil sa binabayaran mong matrikula ay hindi kami sumusuweldo! Kung nakakaintindi ka lang ng patakaran ng mga eskuwelahan o pamantasan pagdating sa pasuweldo ay malamang, sumuko ka! Wala ka talagang pakialam kahit ang iba sa ami'y napapagod na sa pagdala ng mga bag, paggawa ng mga leksyon para sa inyo at paggising ng pagka-aga-aga para lamang pasukan ang klase ninyo!

Okay! Nadala lang ako sa aking matinding emosyon.

Pasensya na kung may mga masasaktan o may mga matatamaan. Kung tutuusin, nag-ugat lamang ito sa walang tigil kong pangungunsinte at paninigaw sa mga estudyante ko.

Sa loob ng pitong taon sa pagtuturo, nais ko munang magpahinga bago man ito maging walo. Pero paano kung ito talaga ang nakasanayan kong propesyon. Paano ako makakalipat ng industriya? Mayroon kayang malapit-lapit na propesyon o industriya sa pagtuturo? Hindi ako si Superman na malakas! Sa totoo lang, nakakapagod!

National Teacher's Month pa man din pero ito ang nararamdaman ko. Maliit, nababastos.

Nagtatanong pa rin ako kung bakit ganito?

Toodles!!!

28 Years of Being Ziegrey Oris-Balota

This blog post will not be as formal as how I am supposed or expected to do. This will just be me. This will just be about how I live my first 28 years.

It was just an ordinary August 31, 1987 when my dearly beloved mother, the Dona Zenaida Oris Balota birthed me out of this world. I don't know the exact time of my birth but it happened at PGH. A lot of things happened from then on. Crying episodes, best funny moments, hardships and trials, and most of all, how to love. For the past 28 years, it has been what happened to me and while it's happening, I was learning and still learning.

How is it being Ziegrey Oris-Balota?

I guess first, it is about being true (somehow) to myself. I am very emotional (just like how my BFF, Imee described me) in all things, in all aspects, in all situations. I am sensitive with the words you utter (right, Marky! I'm sorry!) and sometimes, I need to decipher what you really mean about it, which leads to trouble. I am a dreamer, I would love to be like this or like that. The problem is, I only dream without making it into reality. But God really moves in mysterious ways. He leads me to a someplace which I never dreamed of or imagined of. Just like in FEU, I thought of teaching in college but not in as grand as Far Eastern University. I'm already in my third semester with them, with full of vitality, stories and experiences. I am in love with the idea of love, the ideas and ideologies of being in love, that's why I guess still now I don't have someone with me. Or maybe, soon enough, sa tamang panahon.

I... am... gay... Gay which means being funny. Gay which means much higher than being happy. Gay which I'm just showing who the real me. Anyways, I don't need to elaborate, expound and discuss about this. I know how I feel and I know how it feels and its nothing wrong. I am a writer (obviously). I know how to begin and create but I don't know how to continue and finish. I think I am creative but am I really for this? Dr. Baytan will surely backfire me if he'll read my papers. I want to be versatile, both in creative and scholarly writing. I am a traveler on a shoestring. I prefer driving alone (except in Metro Manila) with ample amount of money and food and listening to my favorite radio shows and music. I prefer walking around elsewhere just to know what's going on on that place. If given a chance to have big amount of money, I'd go to Amanpulo, Balesin, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, Dubai, London, Paris, Vatican City and New York City.

I need to earn a thousand mile before I forgive someone. It would take days, weeks, months or years to let go of what happened. Still, it will linger whenever the thought strikes me. I became a gullible person, especially with makeshift stories which I don't know why to use them? I always say ah talaga and it makes me a bit tanga to believe. I am such a loyal person, to my family, my dearest, closest, best friends and to my pet dog Jabba The Doggie (yeah, that's its real name!). Whatever happens, I'm there. Whatever which is wrong, I'm just one chat, text or call away. I may have a handful of friends plus the neophytes, I always make it a point to listen to them because that's how I think God gave me such task. I guess I'm also surfacing false humility. I know the task but I'm afraid to do it. I know the answer but I'm afraid to raise my hand. I know what to do but I'm afraid to be tagged as nagmamarunong. Safest answer would be it's okay to be safe but no. Somehow, I'm dealing with some challenges but only in the beginning. Towards the middle part until the end, it will be half-baked.

I am a fan of Kris Aquino, Meryl Streep, Nora Aunor, Vice Ganda, JOWAPAO and the #AlDub phenomenon! And I'm not like the other fans who bashes another icon. I am like Switzerland, a neutralized fan which I know their ups and downs, their good and bad, their awesomeness and irateness. #AlDub is my source of happiness. They made old songs new theme songs for the couples. They made single people wishful in forever. They made noontime viewing a lot more interesting than in prime time. They made the idea of love go back to its traditional roots of pagpapahirap. And it made Alden Richards even more handsome; it made Maine Mendoza instant icon of simplicity with beauty and wit; and it made Wally Bayola the best stand-up comedian since Jon Santos and Willie Nepomuceno (in my honest opinion!). I regained my love for OPM, which for now, are not copycats of American, British and Korean popular music. I prefer the originally composed music than revivals. I prefer seasoned performers jiving into new kinds of music and I prefer newly-hired performers performing old-school music of the 70s and 80s.

I'm still thinking of a perfect angle whenever I am about to be photographed. I don't know if it's a profile view or frontal. Or just how some of the "Baes" of Eat Bulaga's recently finished That's My Bae do their posing (why I don't find cute). I love to read but as much as possible, the knowledge I will get will be productively used in my teachings and other readings. Going back to my Literary Masterpieces class, I need to practice reading a book for a week, just how Kris Aquino read a book. In just a blink of an eye, she's already done a more-than-10-chaptered book! I would like to become somebody, an icon, a famous one but I don't know where to look for my niche in this world! Still, I'm not sure how to handle people if they will love you or even hate you! I just wanted to be famous because I did something good for the society. Probably by writing a beautiful story, or creating a new idea, or benchmarking a new way of thinking to the people.

I am not perfect. I am not a perfect friend, son, co-worker, teacher, citizen and a child of God. As much as I wanted everything to be perfect, but I, myself can't be treated as perfect because I'm not. And that's how it is being Ziegrey Oris-Balota. And for the next couple of years, I will be who I am, no expectations, no qualms and no inhibitions.

Let me finish this blog with a prayer of gratitude:

God, thank You for allowing me to live,
Allowing me to breath fresh air,
Allowing me to watch entertaining things,
Allowing me to love people who surrounds me,
Allowing me to listen to music,
Allowing me to walk to wherever I wanted to go,
Allowing me to say what I feel,
Allowing me to think hard for a solution,
Allowing me to taste the food I dream to eat,
Allowing me to meet a lot of people, and
Allowing me to choose the best people for me,
Allowing me to love and wait, or wait and love,
Allowing me to laugh the funniest moments,
Allowing me to cry the saddest moments,
Allowing me to know what I wanted to know,
Allowing me to talk for what is right,
Allowing me to see colorful things,
Allowing me to discover new things,
Allowing me to reminisce my mistakes, and
Allowing me to learn from them and start anew,
Allowing me to kiss the people I love,
Allowing me to love the people I kissed,
Allowing me to experience once-in-a-lifetime,
Allowing me to take some rest,
Allowing me to count all the blessings,
Allowing me to sleep soundly at night, and
Allowing me to give another day to live.

Sounds like showbiz, but I would like to thank all of my friends who have been with me for the past 28 years. Some may gone, some may leave but only the rest who stayed are stronger than I expected. Thank you to my family who has been the strongest wall ever. I may not be as showy as with other families but who needs it if by simply looking at them beautifully makes yourself leaned against. And of course, to God, through Jesus and Mary, for loving me unconditionally. I don't know how they reciprocate it but I truly feel their presence.

Happy Birthday to me!!!

Toodles!!!
 

The Week of Hanash and Other Brouhahas

It's back! My brouhahas are back and I am very much excited to tell everything that happened to me, in spite of so many trials (?) and predicaments (?) that have thrown to me.

TM BL 17 - They are the last class that I met. It was only yesterday, July 23, 2015 and I believe, they are the record-holder of my first harsh opening (meaning with matching pamamahiya and stress-related reprimands). This student, which is already nineteen years old, does not act according to her age. And she was proud of that. By looking at her, I was thinking of what the heck have happened to most of the youth today. Especially the new students of the university I am teaching right now, thinking that college is independence. But when the time that their grades are fluctuating and plunging, their seriousness becomes them. And after all of what you did to them, the best thing that they will remember about you is the way you treat them pretty bad. Well that's life.

For this class, which I will meet Mondays and Thursdays at around 3:00 pm, we'll have a fruitful semester. And welcome to my class.

SPEAKING OF YOUTH - One of my colleagues have asked me, "Sir, normal lang ba talaga sa mga bata makakuha ng mababang grade?" Like what happened in my first quiz, the lowest equivalent grade that my student got was a whopping 8% and this grade will be seen in his record. Oh yeah, it's English but with a grade of 8% for his first quiz is an absolute example of negligence. Another thing is the way they talk to you that seem pretty familiar. I asked an English question; they'll answer you either none or in Filipino. What I told about them in college, it should be treated professionally but they're not. Some of the students are not treating their studies well-deserved. So what I answered to my colleague about his question if it is normal for a student to got a very low grade in his/her quiz, I said, that's the youth of today. At the end of the day, they are the ones who will suffer.

PBB - And this leads to my next portion, one of my most hated program on prime time TV. No need to elaborate but it mirrors how the youth moves and shakes nowadays. They only think of becoming stars and sensations but hollow inside. Gone are the seasons of PBB in which they get real persons with real stories and real situations. If I will be ABS-CBN, instead of using PBB to get new artistas, why not to return Star Circle Quest.

On a happier note...

THE MOST HANASH BIRTHDAY WHICH GOT EVEN BETTER AT 27 - Whenever my dear friend Mark Lester A. Pabilando celebrates his birthday, it must be the best that even German Moreno will shrew. We celebrated it just like a new year celebration with countdown, cakes and some eerie appearances (you know what I mean guys!). We played Category Game with fun and laughter (mga tinapay o pastry na nabibili sa bakery: egg sandwich; mga uri ng kasalanan: ang mahalin ng teacher ang kanyang estudyante!!!). One of us shared her story of a failed but learned experience. Our swimming escapade while the Holy Mass is on going, with matching stories about the different Kapamilya and Kapuso with Kapatid stars. Our Tagaytay journey from Starbucks (near Kontiki) and we continued our Category Game (mga putaheng ino-offer ng Kontiki Bar and Restaurant, mga coffee flavors ng Starbucks). Mark's dinner treat to us at Merben Carinderia in which our issue with "bawal diligan ang halaman" and I am thinking why would some customers think of watering the plants while eating bulalo and sisig?

It has been a tradition to all of us to celebrate the birthday of Mark. Mark also considers us as his family. This has been a cliche that our friendship will never be complete without the Mark's bonggacious birthday celebration because apart from my birthday, Kakai's food trip, and our year-end pamorningan, all of us are expecting for a grand celebration that only Mark can actually think and do. That makes Mark really special to us because what he only wants is to make his celebration fruitful, grandiose and memorable as always. This is why we created a new word for this, "hanash," which means... I don't know exactly the meaning of it. Maybe the same meaning with "kembular," and "chenes." But during the entire celebration, it is best suited with us.

And this is what we call "friendship beyond many years!"

And when I look at this picture, all of the negatives found on the first part of this blog paid off...

See you again next time!!!

Toodles

My Lenten Reflection: About Courage

Today is Holy Wednesday, April 1, 2015. My reflection will be about being courageous.

Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord!

- Psalm 27:14

I am not sure yet but there will be a big decision I need to think, rethink and rethink again. It will be for myself (something part of my "upgrade") and for my family as well. Maybe you already have an idea but I believe, I will be eating what I've said before. But again, it will be something better. And, I'm not yet sure.

It is not easy to choose a decision that will benefit a lot. I need a lot of courage to take plunge into it. Tons of courage are needed because it will somehow affect a lot: family, friends, people who have known me (others have forgotten me) and the likes.

I also tried and tested my courageous acts in some many ways. When my mother was on a brink of danger in 2011, our family was really courageous to face it. With lots of prayers and optimism, my mother became better and stronger up until now! When I started my M.A. studies in 2013, I was also thinking if it was a good idea. I even had a bad start with my grades, but with courage to face all the challenges given to us by my dear professors, I made it with flying colors (at least!). 

I still remember the time that I became really courageous while fighting with my kababatas. I became a victim of bullying here in our village because I was touted to be gay. In every corner of our village, even in our street, I was blubbered, disgusted, mocked and played fun with the bastards. No choice about it, I just face them but without saying any words. I just let them poking fun at me because at the end of the day, I will be the one who's going to be on top.

I am courageous. In all problems, it is easy to say that I am prepared but again, I will be prepared because I have the courage!

Toodles!

My Lenten Reflection: About Temptation

Today is Holy Tuesday, March 31, 2015 and what I will reflect is about temptation. A lot of people are experiencing this, especially those who do not know how to say "No."

"No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. - 1 Corinthians 10:13

Whenever I have money, I always tell myself to be, as much as possible, frugal. Or if not, control myself to buy some things. I'm not actually into shopping; I'm into eating. I want to divulge myself into different restaurants trying new to palette. When I feel hungry, I just go to a nearby fast food. When I want to eat just for nothing, here comes Siomai House, Lugaw Republic, Turks Shawarma, Hen Lin and so much more. I am so much tempted to eat because it is my joy.

Here I am in front of the computer. Aside from checking everything nonsense on Facebook and Twitter (which has nothing to do with my own life), I love watching YouTube, for no reason at all. Because of this, I spend a lot of time staring in front of my computer, doing nothing but to watch. I forget my duties, and I don't even help with my household duties. I am so much tempted with the bright world of Internet and I don't know how to control or even stop.

God will not allow to be tempted beyond what I am able. I know God watches me and it seems He doesn't know how will He tell me to stop. I need to focus, which I lack. I need to prioritize, which I don't know how. Maybe God has been thinking of a proper way to tell me but He fails to reach me. Temptation is a evil thing to concentrate on but still, I am into this. It already overtook my life.

I need to escape with this kind of temptations. I am becoming larger because of food. I am becoming negligent because of the Internet. I want to have lots of focus. I need to rest, or even to stop. I don't like temptations because it makes me forgetting what I need to do, which is to follow God! Whatever He wants me to do, I will do it without giving a second look!

It's not easy to desist what I've done for quite some time. But for Him, I will do it gradually to continuously.

Toodles!

My Lenten Reflection: About Patience

Today is Holy Monday, March 30, 2015 and this is one part of my series of reflections. For now, I will be talking about having a lengthy patience.

"For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise. - Hebrews 10:36

I hate waiting. For me, waiting wastes so many precious time. When I wait for my friends to come, I don't like long hours because every minute is wasted. I don't like bratty or naughty kids, especially during hearing mass. I don't like heavy flow of traffic because it is too hard to just waiting then an inch of movement will be done. 

But it was said by the Bible that for me to have need of endurance, I will be receiving a promise. Good things come to those who really wait. The best thing that I could use as an example was my sudden entrance at Far Eastern University. Last year, I was waiting for a perfect time what kind of company am I going to be in? I've been to different companies, did my interviews and demo teaching but they always turn down. When this opportunity came in, I grabbed it. I was waiting for this to happen, then suddenly, it happened. 

But it was actually in FEU when I experienced the blow of patience. I only got my salary in September, in which I was with them already in July. I only had my identification card with employee number in August. God really tested my patience and thankfully, I survived. Admittedly, there was a time that I wanted to quit because nothing's really happening with what I wanted to happen. Luckily, there were many good friends of mine who said to keep holding on. Now, I regained my patience.

A lot of actions will define how patient are you. Love, studies, everything, it needs a lot of patience. I am still waiting for the perfect one but for now, I set that aside. I am still waiting for the perfect time to finish my MA studies because a lot of people are too excited for me to finish (which is really amazing!). I am still waiting for that good sign from God if I will grab the opportunity or not. I am planning a major thing for my career and I still see the possibilities and disadvantages of it. 

In return, patience is indeed a virtue. God made us to wait for what He wanted for us. I may be challenged with my short-measured patience but it was a good one! It managed me to become stronger, wiser and more patient in terms of dealing people. The best thing to be done to make yourself more patient is to pray. Pray to Him that He may give you tons and tons of patience especially nowadays that every single detail in the planet can be a stressful one.

Toodles!!!

That Dress and Other Brouhahas

Seriously, a dress which has a controversy in its color and design is one of the trending topics on Twitter or should I say, the world?!?!

Hello guys! I'm back and I just wanted to shout out some brouhahas that I faced this week, including the controversial things we really don't need to make a really big deal!

WHERE DO BROKEN HEARTS GO? - A very good catchphrase from the movie That Thing Called Tadhana (which until I now, I'm not yet watching it) was iterated using Tita Whitney's song. Kris Aquino used this song while writing her spiels about the lost romance she had with Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista. Perhaps those who have watched That Thing Called Tadhana already made this song as their national anthem, for those who have lost their romance.

The big question for this is, where do really broken hearts go? Baguio? Sagada? Manila? Rome? (again, quoted from the movie!). I would like to try if the time comes I'll be heartbroken. If that person is within the parameters of my life, I would exclude myself from that place. If we are working on the same company, I will be the first one to resign just to be able to move on. There's no other safer place to hide the broken feelings but outside of the building. I'll go to a different church which we never had heard a mass, probably talk to a stranger (better they are really okay and not gang-ish) who would probably hear my cries and woes. Then I'll go to a different mall, which we never had tried visiting, doing massive shopping (for as long as I have money). I'll go to a restaurant, same which we never tried eating, munching myself with different kinds of food. I'll make sure that the food I will be ordering is totally different from what we normally order. Then I'll get some tickets and go to a place, apart from the very usual Baguio and Sagada, in which no one would surely know what I truly feel when heartbroken. I will take the business class (if it's available), in which only few people can join me to a trip, few people will only understand what I truly feel. Probably Mindanao, thousand miles away from Manila, thousand miles away from heartbreaks! Davao... General Santos... Siargao... Camiguin... Cagayan de Oro... Or most likely, Asia or Europe but not Paris. Why? Paris is known for the City of Love, and it will only remind me of so many things. Asia, I would prefer Cambodia, or India, or Maldives which solitude and melodrama are allowed to be with me, thinking and acting how to deal with them then pushing them to the waters. Europe, I would like to try the trains, and going around the continent. Still, I will avoid Paris. Or at the Caribbean, swimming in their beaches, alone, during night. If I finished all of these things, most likely I'll be a bit fine because that thing called heartbroken may go but it will leave a bruise. Anyways, there are now scar removing cream and that's a new person that I will get accustomed of and blossomed into a newly-opened front cover of the book.

Truthfully, I tried how to become heartbroken and it was not really cool to experience. Those kinds of heartbroken are not really true-to-life but still, I managed to feel them. I was wounded, then scarred, but hey, my life is still moving on. They were only just pages of my book which I need to stay on then turned next. How I wish!

I want you to finish reading my blog before I turn to you the music video of Tita Whitney's Where Do Broken Hearts Go?

JAM - As of this writing, Jamvhille Fernando Sebastian is in its weakest state battling against lung cancer. According to his brother Yexel and also from the kind hearts of their family and friends, Jam of the successful YouTube sensation Jamich is now on life support since yesterday, February 26th. A lot of fans, friends and his own family are in full prayers as all of them are already accepted the fact that Jam is already tired of fighting. Apparently, according to social media rounds and through his brother's Facebook account, miraculously Jam was awakened after almost twenty-four (24) hours of sleep. He even tried to write "I love you all" in a piece of paper, shown by his girlfriend Mich Liggayu (his partner in Jamich). The doctors have already said their piece regarding Jam's condition that his body and health are continually getting slimmer chances of surviving.

I remember in 2012 when I saw them together while shopping in 168 Shopping Mall in Divisoria. I was with my dear friends when I told them that I saw Jamich. They even wanted me to get a photo with them, being a true blue fan. It is because of the song, By Chance (You and I) by JRA and their very first short film, with the same title that I truly fell in love with them. It is very simple, they are only showing how much they love each other. Not only that, they also create beautiful and creative stories about love, friendship, decisions and family. They became very popular because of their videos uploaded through YouTube and made them one of the most popular artists. They got interviewed in many talk shows like Gandang Gabi Vice, Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho and Rated K. Well, modesty aside, they got involved in many issues which include the ten thousand likes and the recent controversy (when Jam is already with cancer) of the iPhone 6.

Then the fans of Jamich went really shocked when news about Jam having early stages of lung cancer. They decided to undergo chemotherapy treatment but it made the health condition of Jam worse. Rumors had told that because of the lifestyle Jam has (smoking and drinking) made him sick. He even clarified that the reason he got the disease was because of his poor lifestyle of stress and sleeplessness. Mich even did a very romantic idea of asking Jam to marry her; something like the very first, as far as love is concerned. Days have past and the condition of Jam became worse. Lots of liquid have been drained from his lungs that made him a lot sicker. Then lots of celebrities have managed to visit Jam like Vice Ganda, Karen Davila, Jhong Hilario and Kris Aquino. By the start of 2015, he's very thin and deteriorating. And according to his brother, Yexel, his girlfriend Mich and his family, they already decided to let go of Jam for his unending struggle.

As a fan, I really don't know what to do to an idol in pain. He proved to me that love really exist! I don't want to let him go but what can I do if God wants him, finally, to let Jam rest. The only thing that we could do, I could do is to pray on whatever might happen to Jam. In the end, he already lived a beautiful life. It was such a beautiful life! But then again, Jam has been a good example of how a warrior should be. He is already wounded, tired and tormented but he still continue to fight! God bless him and love shall prevail!!!

PNR FARE INCREASE - Another sad news but this time, for my pocket, coin purse and wallet. Since the beginning of the new year, I use PNR as my mode of public transportation going home to show my frugality. Imagine from Tutuban in Manila to San Pedro, Laguna will cost me P30.00, better than taking the LRT which is P20.00 from Doroteo Jose to Gil Puyat stations, then BBL bus ride from Buendia to Parkhomes for P41.00. It really cuts my budget in half. Last February 26, they got a public consortium regarding the increase of their minimum fare of P10.00 to P15.00. I saw the new matrix (which they will impose beginning March) that from Tutuban to San Pedro will cost P40.00.

They said that it was already twenty years when they got the last time increasing the fare. The said fare increase will benefit the maintenance of the railways, trains and others. The government shares the national budget to PNR with only a limited one. The government does not also subsidize the PNR unlike with its contemporary LRT. Looking at its dilapidated trains, old rail tracks, it is indeed PNR is already in the status of "really complicated."

Maybe it's time for me to change the course I am taking going back home. But hopefully, this will change as I always love to ride on a train.

THE DRESS THAT BECAME INTERNATIONALLY CONTROVERSIAL - They said it was the idea of optical illusion. Others even suggested that some people are having colorblindness. I just don't understand why it became an international sensation, er, controversy, er, trending topic on Twitter.

I am browsing what are the trending topics in the Philippines then I saw this, "White and Gold," and "Black and Blue." Then I saw the picture. It was only a dress, which I look at it as white and gold. Then it became a huge topic for debates and argumentation. They even tried to study the colors with the use of codes and pantones. They even used the art of photography in identifying the correct color. Even Taylor Swift joined the bandwagon telling the dress has black and blue color.

A certain Caitlin McNeill posted a photo through Tumblr asking her followers what the hell is the color of the dress. She even felt really insane but knowing what color does the dress display. Seriously, this has been a national issue, an international dispute perhaps in the world of fashion, arts, science and social media (read: Internet).

Thankfully, I made the issue a part of my brouhaha. As if the world really mind about this blog and as if the ones who got involved in this fantastic hash would mind reading this blog. Nevertheless, I don't even mind what the color of the dress is, the dress is not beautiful.

There you have it guys, the brouhahas that I don't need to get become really controversial. By the way, the music video of Where Do Broken Hearts Go? is here. Sing with me!!!

Toodles!!!

So Sick and Other Brouhahas

At this very moment, I am still pulling up some phlegm and watery fluid inside my nose. It all started this morning while I am watching the Oscars. Then it blew all the way, then I started to sneeze and sneeze and sneeze, until my body doesn't want to move. Meaning, I am sick. Because of rest, coffee and some rest, somehow it regained my strong capacity and now I have a chance to sit down and write anything in my blog.

Once again, I am returning to write here in my Brouhahas. Hopefully I could relive my love with the letters. I am not waiting for someone to make some comments or to become happy with the things I put here. It is just simply doing my responsibility, which is to write. In fairness, paulit-ulit ako! Pagpasensyahan, may sakit!

Anyways, here are some of the brouhahas which enveloped me this week (enveloped?!?!)

WATTPAD PRESENTS - Whenever I go to National Book Store, Powerbooks and Fully Booked looking for a new and good book to read, I sometimes glance with some of the stories made by witty yet creative young minds via Wattpad. It is a writing community in which users are able to post articles, stories, fan fiction, and poems about anything either online or through its application (Wikipedia). Most of its writers are teenagers with funky and artsy usernames. What really makes me feel astonished about them is they have a very good story line with nice turns and plots. Sa bagay, you don't need science or procedure in creating a beautiful story; what's important is experience, based from it.

Speaking of experiences, most of the stories that I tried to read are all about love, either true love or puppy love or unconditional love or whatever kind of love. Based from the titles, it is all about love. Examples are:

• My Facebook Boyfriend... For Real!!? by Anne Bernadette Castueras
• The Despicable Guy by Shirlengtearjerky or Leng de Chavez
• Operation: Break the Casanova's Heart by Alyloony or Aly Almario
• Three Words, Eight Letters, Say It, I'm Yours by GirlInLove or Jade Margarette
• Secretly Married by ForgottenGlimmer
• For Hire, A Damn Good Kisser by Beeyotch or Ariesa Jane Domingop
• Ang Boyfriend Kong Artista by ModernongMariaClara or Ella Laren

Because of its popularity, some film production outfits and television network made it alive. It also became a good vehicle for making new love teams for today's generation.

• Diary ng Panget by Denny - probably the very first Wattpad story which became a movie starring James Reid, Nadine Lustre, Andre Paras and Yassi Pressman under VIVA Films. This is the movie in which the love team called JADINE was born in 2014.
• She's Dating the Gangster by Bianca Bernardino - Star Cinema's first Wattpad movie starring Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla. Yes, Star Cinema answered KATHNIEL with this movie, which was a huge hit also in 2014.
• Talk Back and You're Dead by Alesana Marie - second Wattpad movie of JADINE from VIVA Films and Skylight Films. It also featured Joseph Marco.

TV5 came up with a week-long romantic drama series which they entitled it Wattpad Presents. Since September of 2014, they already produced nineteen stories in which it starred some of their brightest stars. Some of the titles which turned into a week-long drama series are:

• My Tag Boyfriend by Anjanette Bernales - starred Jasmine Curtis-Smith and Sam Concepcion.
• Mr. Popular Meets Ms. Nobody by Jewell Atienza - starred Mark Neumann and Shaira Mae Dela Cruz.
• Poser Story by Maxine Lat Calibuso - featured Chanel Morales and Akihiro Blanco.
• Almost A Cinderella Story by Soju - featured Eula Caballero and Carl Guevarra
• Diary ng Hindi Malandi, Slight Lang! by Francis Herrera - starred Isabella de Leon and Edgar Allan Guzman
• I'm In Love with A DOTA Player by Maria Cristina Lata - featured Mark Neumann and Shaira Mae Dela Cruz.

Also, ABS-CBN created a teleserye starring Nash Aguas, Alexa Ilacad and Ella Cruz. Entitled, Bagito, it is written by Noreen Capili, also known as Noringai. She also wrote Buti Pa Ang Roma, May Bagong Papa and Parang Kayo Pero Hindi.

During our Literary Translation class with Dr. David Jonathan Bayot, the great Dr. Soledad Reyes of Ateneo de Manila University came to our little abode to talk about translating great Filipino novels into English. I tried to ask her (with all might) about what can she say about the abundance of new kinds of writers via Wattpad. She said okay with it, noting the way it was written with correct plots and literary schemes. These kinds of books or stories can be accorded to what is popularly known as contemporary or pop fiction, aside from the fact that it is romance. 

Wattpad did not actually kill the popularity of Precious Hearts Romances and My Special Valentine, also known as pocketbooks but it only turned into different vantage point of romance stories. These makes the readers, even in my age, feel younger and more lively well, when it comes to love. It is a good idea to see the new breed of writers, even though their choice of genre is easy to comprehend relatable. In the long run, those writers might become literary genius not only known as number one bestsellers.

I've been wanting to try to write using Wattpad. If given a chance to make a username, I would probably use zieggiebalotee or HaveYouBeenInLoveHuh or even OggyThirtyFirst. Bahala na? What could be my genre? Can I create a love story mixed with politics, or suspense-thriller, or what everybody loves, homosexuality? Soon sa Primetime Bida!

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RYAN CHUA AND SEBASTIAN CASTRO - Because of my makulit mind while browsing Google looking for some couple photos, this is what I saw. I believe it was last year when Ryan Chua, one of the good-looking and fantastic reporters of ABS-CBN admitted through social media that he was (and still) in a relationship with the Peruvian-Japanese model Sebastian Castro. I only knew that they recently celebrated their first anniversary that Sebastian came from the U.S. earlier than everybody is expected. A YouTube video, uploaded by Seb (his nickname), shown how Seb surprised Ryan for their anniversary. Minus the smooches which is, of course, everybody will bash harder (why still very conservative?), that is the testament that love can happen to anyone. 

Sebastian Castro is actually Benjamin Brian Castro in real life. He is openly gay, with a viral video he shot for YouTube announcing that he is gay. He is also known for some of his music videos like the popular Bubble and Theban. The first time I saw the video, it was truly brilliant and very gay! And gosh, Seb is really a gorgeous man! Whenever I look at his face, you will forget that he's gay, even gayer than me! My good friend Mark Pabilando likes and loves him. He even made some headlines that once, he dated Enchong Dee but it is only a hoax story. 

Ryan Chua is Ryan Edward Lim Chua in real life. He was a graduate of Ateneo de Manila University with a degree of Communication, cum laude. According to his biography, he became the section editor of Ateneo's school paper The Guidon. Since he's a communication graduate, he landed as news reporter for ABS-CBN. Last year, he successfully finished his master's degree in international journalism at the City University London under the Chevening scholarship grant of UK. While he was studying for his master's degree, he and Sebastian met, started as friends then turned into something really serious, and that's love.

It was fun knowing this kind of relationship. Let's face it, they do not have a normal kind of relationship because obviously, they're both male. They're here in the Philippines, knowing the society who knows how to criticize not to simply tell opinions; in short, conservative. With their numerous pictures together, with some kisses and hugs, no doubt falling in love can be felt by everyone. It does not really matter who you are, what are you in the community or in the society, what nationality do you have and what kind of career you're jugging in, once love felt, you will melt. Ryan and Sebastian just show their love, affection and passion. It is friendship enveloped or covered with lots and lots of love. Ryan even mentioned that they had received many bashes from netizens after they decided to come out as a couple. Nonetheless, they reached their first anniversary. It only means to say that their relationship is much stronger than those people, educated or worst not educated, which they only know is to make the happiest people miserable.

Discreet or showy, these people are to be loved and shall be allowed to shout out their love! 

I pray for their relationship to become stronger, wiser and blessed! Besides, in this planet called Earth, what we only need is love, love and of course, love!

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ADVICE GANDA - I remember a segment of Vice Ganda's Sunday late night program Gandang Gabi Vice entitled Vice Advice. Together with his guest, they will be answering some quirky questions from the audience and they will give advice in all sorts. 

In It's Showtime, Vice Ganda once again created a new twist during their Sine Mo 'To segment. They are doing a parody of the movie That Thing Called Tadhana. Karylle is Angelica Panganiban's character Mace and Vice is JM de Guzman's character. There is one episode in which the character of Karylle say something about the break-up. Vice's character came to the rescue to tell about some hugot lines which can be related by everyone.

By the way, hugot lines became viral during the latter part of 2014 and this I believe became the theme of the movie That Thing Called Tadhana, directed by Antoinette Jadaone. A person becomes dramatic because of love then he/she will share a quote, phrase or proverb on dealing with love, most likely from their experiences or from any obvious reasons, thus being called hugot. May pinanghuhugutan kasi. A certain idea came from the deepest experience in life.

Here is the video showing Vice Ganda sharing hugot lines to those who got sick and tired because of love:

After saying some hugot lines, of course you will say, "Aaaaaaahhhhhh!!!" or "Awwwwwwwwwww!!!"

It only means to say natamaan ka!

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FIFTY SHADES OF GREY AND THAT THING CALLED TADHANA - Speaking of That Thing Called Tadhana, it raked more than 100 million pesos in box office. It really is "the ultimate hugot film of 2015." I still have no time to watch the movie so most likely, I would wait for someone to legally upload it on YouTube. Or better if my friends have already downloaded it so that I could ask for a recopy.

Another film premiered this love month is Fifty Shades of Grey. The worldwide phenomenon came to life with Christian Grey (played by Jamie Dornan) and Anastasia Steele (played by Dakota Johnson) sharing their own way of love story. But, it is not only a romantic movie but an erotic one, with lots and lots of sex scenes, on bed, on the office table, on the tub, and inside the Red Room of Pain! Good thing that I was able to finish the first book so that I could compare the film from it. Same with That Thing, I haven't watched it in cinemas. A lot of people have said that the distributors of the film here in the Philippines put some blurred and dark circles in the movie to avoid influences to the viewing public. They got disappointed, maybe because the glories are blurred and the treasures were covered with dark circles. 

I'll just wait for someone to upload it on the Internet or have their own copies so that I could recopy it.

If I have an extra income and still, they're both in cinemas yet, I will definitely watch them!!!

There you have it guys, these are the brouhahas I made while I'm sick!!! Please sickness, I don't need you!!! I need this...

Toodles!!!

This I Have To Say

Using my blog, I need to vent out some things that I have experienced, known and seen elsewhere.

I received a complaint about me from a very reliable source from one of my classes. I fail to come to their classes due to some unavoidable schedules. I am actually doing everything I need to do so to catch up on our lost meetigns. Admittedly, every time we will meet, I have important things to be done. I am very sorry for that.

I accept the complaint but hopefully, before they do the complaint, I want them to hear my part or complaint to them. I'm not saying I am a perfect lecturer but believe me, I'm doing the best that I can to satisfy what you want from me but it is you that you don't satisfy me a lot. And it is all about your attitude. Though you don't show it a lot but I feel it. Every time I go inside the room, I was not greeted. It even seems that I don't exist in front of the class. You never said "thank you," and "good bye!" And yes, when I teach, lots of noises are surrounded. If I talk, you talk. The things I talk about are important, but yours are somewhat hullabaloos and nonsensical knickknacks.

If I could be given a chance to make some complaints, I will complain about your pesky and imperious attitude. Don't be so political because I don't know one. Be what you have to be and know what you shall be, my student!

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I went to Ortigas last Friday and I saw this at the Billboardlandia, also known as Pasig River between Makati and Mandaluyong. That part of the riverside is dedicated for the billboards of Bench. And every time they put out their outdoor ads, expected it will spring different kinds of reaction. And this is one good example of many people plying EDSA giving reactions about the newest ad of Bench about showing different kinds of love.

A gay couple, Preview magazine's creative director Vince Uy and his partner Nino, was put on the newest Bench ad. It was a cool one because a kind of love is shown here, two people with same gender show what love is. It is shown with their two hands clutched. If you would notice on the second photo, the clutched hands of the two lovebirds have been painted black. According to Vince Uy, they do not have any idea who did the painting and the reason for painting it.

We are living in a very conservative country, putting religion on top of the reasons.  Conservative in its sense that the love of two boys (even two girls) are considered not cool. But the bottomline in all of this, they're just ads. It is all up to the people on the way they wanted to comprehend the message of it. Going beyond what it really looks like, it gives us a message about love. Another thing, it is only holding hands and it should not become a national headline. They look cute and they love with each other. Still, it gives a message, a message about love. I am not saying this because I am like them. But like us, we are also entitled outright to be in love!

Love does not have any rules to follow. Love does not need a perfect model to follow. Love only requires you to have the guts to be loved, to get hurt really and to get inspired on.

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This is actually true. The moment that everything became not okay not makes me feel not happy anymore.

Why is it that we need to feel, accept and understand some changes that we don't actually need? Even not expecting to? 

Why is it that for every changes, happiness is always at stake? 

For me, whenever I'm not happy, I don't push myself to the uppermost limits. I just go with the flow, waiting for something to get finished and then move to the next. It is not a good idea, of course, but I can't help. One reason is the culprit for all of this, not happy anymore.

If changes are as simple as closing your eyes for few seconds and then when you open it, it is all gone. If changes are really for the better and not to make it even worse. If changes will give me the reason to move forward but it is not.

Everything happens for a reason. May I know the reason why everything happens?

Let me share to you a simple message from a newfound friend: "...just keep on going. Look at the positive side of life." At the end of the day, you would realize, what are some things that made me happy? What should I do to make my life normalized and optimistic?

Now I know how, just keep on going. Changes are part of the journey. Unhappiness is part of the journey. And this journey will surely reach its end. And by reaching its end are also the ugly changes and unhappy will also have its end.

Just came out from my heart and my mind, and after this sentence, this will be done!

Toodles!!!