25 Years of Ziegrey Oris Balota: 25 Things to be Thankful For

This year and this month, I will be celebrating my 25 years of existence in this world. I don't know what's wrong with me or who pushed me to do this project, in line with the celebration of my life. It just so happened that apart from my favorite gerund, which is writing (hehehehe), I want to show myself how thankful I am for all the people that surrounds me, the things that I had loved for the past years and the reasons that made and make me smile.

And for this day, my first blog post for my special project for this month, simply entitled 25 Years of Ziegrey Oris Balota, I will be listing down 25 things that I am so thankful for. I think that this is the right vehicle to say "thank you" and show my appreciation to almost all of the things that I had, I have and I will have soon!

1. I am thankful for living in this beautiful planet.

Maybe I am the first person who would be very thankful for being a human. Plus, living in this beautiful planet in which most of the people are not looking beyond our planet. Yes, our planet is really beautiful and thinking that we're the only planet in the entire solar system or probably in the entire galaxy that has life. The only thing that lacks in this appreciation is to see its beauty by visiting the places I've never, and I really mean I've never been to. That's going to happen soon...

2. I am thankful for being a Filipino.

For the past 25 years, it is only the Philippines is my place, my community and my country! Not all nationalities might be perfect and as a Filipino, we're not always be perfect but proudly to say that we excel too much to almost everything! Filipinos are the best comedians in the world. Filipinos are the most talented in the world. Filipinos are the most creative. Filipinos are unique in personality than the other nationalities. And I am unique, I am proud to be a Filipino! I don't honor the term "Pinoy," instead, I am proud to say, I am a Filipino!

3. I am thankful for having this beautiful career called education.

Because of our neighborhood game "teacher-teacheran," it opened my mind that my career would probably be touching lives of young minds and that's being a teacher. I used to dream of becoming a chef, an engineer, and even an athlete, but it was my dream of being a teacher pushed me to where I am right now. Here in our country, teachers might known to be "low-salaried" workers but we have the noblest job of all. And when the days end, I always have a smile in my lips because another day of lessons and wisdom to my kids. Till the end of my life, I would be so proud and so uplifted to say that I am an educator.

4. I am thankful for being funny.

I may always ask for the center of affection because of my funny antics but thank you if you've laughed so hard. Because of my mom, I think I inherited her funny antics and that's why I became very funny too to my friends and colleagues. Maybe because of so many things that I've already experienced, all I have to do is to use as my source of funny moments and make it as the source of laughter. To put the stress away from almost everything, a dosage of laughter is needed and I think I can give it to them, and even to myself (hehehehe).

5. I am thankful for putting a smile on my face.

Aside from being funny, a smile is also noticeable to me. I may not have the perfect smile but a contagious smile is what I have. There are numerous reasons why I am so happy and I can't put it here. From the simple things to big ideas, I can't stop smiling.

6. I am thankful for having a healthy disposition.

Having a healthy disposition for me doesn't count having 180 pounds as my weight and my body mass index is indeed higher than expected. The only part of my body, which is not perfectly healthy is my eyes due to prolong use of computer and way too near watching TV. But the rest of my body, they are all okay. I do not feel anything bad inside of me and even outside of me. Now, I only eat less because I don't need to eat too much (well, unless if there's a celebration!). I am perfectly healthy, and still way to go for becoming a more healthy one.

7. I am thankful for making my friends feel secured through me.

Whenever they are in trouble, I am always there to rescue. Whenever they need someone to talk to, I am just a text or phone call or a Facebook chat away. Whenever they need company, I always say yes, but it depends on the place we'll go. I am so proud to be part of my circle of friends because I love them so much. I always think that I am their superhero because in they dire moments, they need me. I love it!

8. I am thankful for having an ability to listen and to love music.

As I write my latest masterpiece, I am listening to Vanessa Carlton's monstrous hit A Thousand Miles. My life has been a thousand-mile journey and while having that, music goes along with my journey. I am very vocal when it comes to loving music and hating for me it's noise. I am not particular with the singer but I began liking the singer because of his/her rendition of the song and at the same time, the message of it. Yes, most of the songs are about love but not too entirely about it. It has message, that's it and it keeps on playing and playing on my music player. Thank God for music!

9. I am thankful for being knowledgeable.

I thank my parents for being too pushy for me to finish my studies. I may not able to finish that if I am not willing to be knowledgeable. I can't be who I am right now if I am not insisting myself to study things about my career. I may not be an effective teacher if I am not too knowledgeable reading and studying the lessons for my students. And I can't be a writer, just like what I am doing now, if I am not knowledgeable enough to think some topics and even titling my article. Thank God for a virtue called "knowledge!"

10. I am thankful for the ability to touch lives.

Everyday as I go out from our home, I encounter hundreds or even thousands of lives. And those lives have different kinds of stories; some of them might be interesting to know and some of them might not be able to share what they have with them because it was not too okay. I am so thankful because even in a small way or maybe in a large amount, I can touch the lives of other people. One example would be by simply answering the question of a certain individual looking for direction. And of course, touching the lives of my students inquiring me on what to do in their exercises. Simple yet astonishing not only from me but to a life that needs an answer. That's the true essence of touching lives.

11. I am thankful for appreciating art.

I am so much appreciating this simple kind of artwork I only got from a blog. Indeed, it was full of vibrancy and life! And with my statement about the artwork, I could say that I have a taste in it. Whether it is known to be a natural art or an abstract one, it is still a talent, a skill, an exemplary work of art. If I became a rich man and I would have my mansion elsewhere in the Philippines, I would surely put it with lots of arts representing my gratitude on appreciating the works of art.

12. I am thankful for the books that I've read and gained so much from them.

I remember my grade school days getting so excited opening all of my textbooks and having an advanced reading for the lessons. I still remember the smell of a new textbook and looking for some new ideas (though most of them still the same). Right now, I love reading novels, encyclopedias, coffeetable books and so much more. And while reading, I am gaining so much just like some vitamins for my mind, my body and my soul. I can't stop reading, though right now we have interactive ways of holding a book. I still basing my reading in what we know to be classic and traditional, books! Nothing beats a person holding a book in his or her hands or keeping a book in his or her bag! Nothing beats!

13. I am thankful for Facebook, Twitter and the Internet.

This is I think the greatest invention of any intelligent person in the planet today and still be in the next generation. Facebook for having friends and Twitter for having the latest trends. These two kinds of social networking sites bring so much joy to us. Their aim is one thing, communication. If you still don't have these two sites, you're life is naturally boring and incomplete. Of course, these two giants will never be generated without the Internet. Aside from them, the Internet brought so many people into a much better life, especially in deals, transactions, knowledge, and other sorts. I really can't imagine our lives right now if we don't have these!

14. I am thankful for fashion.

Because of my non-stop reading of fashion magazines, I had already had in my veins about fashion. My good friends consulting on what to wear and what not to wear. For myself, I could say that I am also following the latest trends but I still insist that classics are the best. Fashion makes my life happy because I want almost everything to be look good and decent. My friends are so-called "fashionistas" and so am I!

15. I am thankful for the gift of tongue.

I may not be one of the most-favored hosts in our institution but whenever a hosting job is landed on my lap, I always take it as an opportunity. I don't know when would I be hosting an event in which I really dream of but I know it will come soon. Why not for a corporate one? Indeed, I would be really bring out the best in me if they could consider me. Hosting is a difficult task but an exciting job, I guess?

16. I am thankful for the best foods I had eaten.

This is what I want, a buffet table in front of me showering different kinds of table. From Asian fusion, to contemporary American, to luxurious European and our own Filipino, it's got to be a great appetite if you have them to your stomach. I admit I eat large amounts of food, but why resist. I take them as a blessing, it gives me so many nutrients and it brings me into a paradise of not thinking any stressful ideas and work. For my birthday treat, I'll go to a buffet restaurant and dive myself in heaven's glory of food!

17. I am thankful for appreciating even the simple and little things.

Since I started earning money and buying all of the things I wanted, I did forget how to appreciate the simple things or gestures. But when I started looking the other way, having a small amount of effort by a student or a little piece of letter from someone makes me smile all day. A simple pat on my shoulder from a friend brings my weary life into full motion. Let's all appreciate life from the simplest to the biggest and then pay it back with a big hug and smile from your heart! I would surely do it again and again!

18. I am thankful for being an intelligent televiewer.

Let's be honest; one way of releasing stress is turning on your television and browsing the channels over and over again just to reach your most interested program. Good thing MTRCB already committed to make the Filipino viewers more intelligent than before. I do watch programs that can give me quality entertainment and at the same time, fruits of wisdom on what to do and what not to do. I hate bad news like murders, corruption and all those nasty things. What I watch are the programs that makes me laugh, makes me think about a certain situation twice and makes me stronger to understand about the world.

19. I am thankful for the people making me laugh so hard.

My best buddies, my dudes, my brothers and sisters, my colleagues, my favorite comedians and my mother, they are the people who make me laugh so hard that my tummy really aches and my eyes becomes watery. When a storm comes to my life, what I do is I go to them and ask them to make me laugh so hard. In that way, temporarily I forget what I am thinking and I keep on laughing and laughing.

20. I am thankful for loving English and back.

I really made a good choice choosing English as my major. Right now, I don't know if I really mastered the language but based on my previous works, I think I did. It makes me a better English teacher whenever my colleagues ask me how to pronounce, what's the correct usage of the word, what's wrong with their sentence, what possible words to be used and so much more. And because I have the job of perfecting and editing their work, I also need to perfect and edit myself in using the English language. I truly believe that English is hard to utilize and understand; it's a matter of loving it. I might say it also to Mathematics since it's considered my waterloo.

21. I am thankful for the gift of understanding.

One gift of the Holy Spirit to us is the gift of understanding. If you don't have this gift, how can you understand the things happening around you. Good thing I have this, though some things might be really hard to understand but you have to courage to do it. I understand what's going on with my life and if I still persist it, nothing would surely happen in my life. I understand why is our country like this. Maybe some thing or someone is doing a mishap so it is still like this. We don't know how come we understand such things but I can say that the gift of understanding sees it all.

22. I am thankful for my alma maters.

Three institutions that nurtured my ten years of basic education and four years of higher education. My childhood days are from Saint Francis School (now San Francisco de Sales School). In this institution, I was the victim of bullies, and I am also became a bully. It was only about playing, trembling because of some teachers and learning. My transition from a kid to a teenager are from Liceo de San Pedro. I thank them for making me a devout Catholic because of so many prayers. And my fruitful years of college are from Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila. Here, I experienced a lot and I mean a lot. How to be okay if you failed, how to finish a project in just a snap (read cramming) and how to become an independent person by just doing your school works alone. Now, I am getting prepped up for my master's degree and I'm still considering De La Salle University or Philippine Normal University. I can't wait for it!

23. I am thankful for my dearest friends.

No words to describe my friendship to them and their friendship to me. I can't imagine my life without them. No words and I love them so much!

24. I am thankful for my family.

A family of six, that's us. We may not be as perfect as it may seems but I could say that my family is really perfect in His eyes. My two older sisters already have their own set. And now, we're only four being left in our home sweet home. Still, we're so happy and blissful every time my sisters, together with my nieces and nephews, having so much fun and bringing back the glory days of our family. Good thing our family are still intact, healthy and can withstand almost all of the problem (which is a normal thing to a certain family!). Thank God for giving me a very warm, quite serious and absolutely and nerve-wracking family!

25. I am thankful to You!

You are the reason why I am existing in Your beautiful creation called Earth. You are the reason why I have hands to write loving posts like this. You are the reason why I have a mind to think of fruitful words to be written here in my blog. You are the reason why I have a very beautiful family and friends. You are the reason why I became a teacher. You are the reason why I keep on laughing, smiling, crying and appreciating life. You are the reason why I have 25 things to be thankful for. All of these are for You!

"If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is 'thank you,' it will be enough."

This is more than enough "thank yous" that I need to say. For the past twenty five years of my life, I only said thank you that is like this. I am so gratified with what happened to my life, to my career, to my family and friends and to our planet. After twenty five years, so many things might happened, either good or bad. What's important is that you should be thankful because you experienced it, you overcame it and you're happy about it.

I will never ever forget to say "thank you!"

I'll start today!

Thank you!

Toodles!!!

The Marky Mark: The Things I Remember About You

You would never know how much I am so proud of our deep kind of friendship. Nearly ten years of fun and laughter, sad and sorrow, intrigues and controversies (hahaha!), nothing beats the friendship that we do have. I am so excited to make a blog post exclusively for you, since it is your birthday! And every time we see each other, all that we do is always talk and talk about the past, the present and the future of our lives.

For this blog post of mine to your life, let us have a "time travel" for the wackiest, saddest and most amazing things happened in both of us and with our other friends as well. As I saw your Facebook page, most of our dear college friends remember your birthday as a "TV special," since you are the only PLMayer who once celebrated his birthday on the rooftop gym of the Avancena High School (I don't know but so far, that's what I know).

Your 19th birthday. July of 2007 (?)

Let's begin our time travel with this picture:

I remember the days that you were striving in studying. There were moments that you did not know where to get money for your stuff. You needed to have a part-time job just to suit your basic needs and of course, your education. And we, as your friends, come to the rescue. This was taken in one of our college days and from the looks of it you were happy even if problems were coming on your way during those times. I've seen you doing so many things from being a working student in a fast food chain, in a hamburger stand and a member of the panel of judges in a national lottery draw just for money. Now look at you, my friend! You've been to so many places and have so many things you wished you had before and now it's in your hands. Sometimes, I feel envy in you with your travels in and out of the metro but you told me that I should be inspired because all of those hardships that you've done were all paid off. Now, you have a very good job and a master's degree (here we go again) is waiting for us to happen!

This was taken in Gusaling Katipunan, near the library and I asked you to pause on a floor polisher. After I took that picture, all of us (Kenneth, Llewy and I) burst into laughs because of you. I still remember the time you were being poked fun by our classmates. One example would be our best buddy. The time that you had your hair cut off and turned into semi-bald hairstyle, he was so shocked seeing you like that and he tagged you as "Bibeth!" I didn't know if you were offended or not and we didn't see that you were hurt. And so, our other friends called you "Apo Bibeth" since we made a so-called clan. And another thing was, they were making fun of you because of your skin color. During our first days of college, I would be very honest that it  your skin color was the first to be noticed by many. And I was part of those people saying not-to-nasty-but-still-offending remarks about you (sorry!). But now, look at you! You are a dashing debonair! Even though you gained so much weight, still you look nice and presentable in front of your students or every time we meet! You're no longer "Bibeth!" but "bet na bet!"

These are your pictures with some of our friends and I remember you for being too close to each and everyone. Some say you were very touchy; others were saying you're too sweet. Whatever they say, those are true (except for the touchy issue!). You've touched our hearts and our lives because of your funny antics (Ma'am, where's the beach [but pronounced differently]) and your leadership skills when you became our Block President. You've managed us so much that our Christmas Party was probably one of our most memorable parties. And yes, the culminating activity which was your idea, too! No wonder most of your friends and students applauded you in whatever you are doing. Just ignore those people who wants to put you down, the most important thing is that you are doing the good thing!

Here you are, embracing someone in which we don't know. Anyways, I am so happy for what you are right now. You're already teaching in college and began making your name (although there are still rumors, controversies and intrigues hooked with your name, hehehehe!) at the academe. I am one of the people, especially your barkadas, who is so happy for what you've reached and achieved. From the time you were nobody, you are now considered somebody in your own league! I think that with those moments you've had before, lessons have learned and still you are learning from it.

You are no longer Marky, who was once called by our bully classmate "Epson" because of you putting yourself in the scene and by someone who has a very funny voice, screaming you out "umalis ka nga dito!" and the guy who was just only saying goodbye to his friend but unknowingly banged himself in one of the tubes in Round Table. You are now the Marky which I consider my best friend. Good luck to your dreams, aspirations and most of all, love life! Hahahaha!!!

Happy 24th Birthday, Mark Lester Alipio Pabilando. May God bless you with so much fun, joy, blessings and unlimited happiness in your life.

WOW!!!

Happy Birthday Marky!!! We love you!!!

Toodles!!!

The King of Comedy is Part of Our Lives

As of this writing, the King of Comedy has already laid to his final resting place at the Heritage Park in Taguig City. I was eagerly watching together with my mother and I really feel the solemnity and at the same time, melancholy of the whole scenario, in which I never expected that. Dolphy is at the scene, in which we used to see him giving us a hearty laugh because of his greatness in comedy. But now, I don't know and we don't know where we will lead after this. Privately, the interment was done with a simple march, opening of casket, buckets of tears, flying of doves and the most important part of all but the saddest part, the laying of the remains of the King to his niche. As what his son Eric Quizon had said in one of the eulogies they had celebrated for him, "Comedy is dead. Long live comedy!"

Sayang Mang Dolphy, we never met inside of this church!

I could say that we have the same denominator of the King. How could I be so proud to say that we are both devotees of Our Mother of Perpetual Help in Baclaran. I am just an ordinary devotee so I traverse the thickness of people every Wednesday, while he is the King so he goes every Tuesday night or midnight to Wednesday. I only started in 2009; probably he started long way ago. And our one common thing, we know the prayers included in the novena. Both of us highly believe in the powers of prayers especially to Our Mother of Perpetual Help. Since I learned that Dolphy was also one of the known showbiz folk who was a devotee, I was wishing if I could see him. Sadly, no chances was happened. I know in my heart that whenever I go to Baclaran just to say my prayers and make a wish to Our Mother, he will surely be part of it. And the whole Baclaran community will surely miss him, being part of Her prayerful devotees.

The Puruntong Family

The Kosme Family

Dolphy became part of our own homes, too. I would ask my parents if they were watching John en Marsha, but said not really much. RPN 9 during my childhood days replayed some of the best scenes of the longest running sitcom in Philippine television. My brother, who has autism, was so fixated with Channel 9 andevery afternoon, we were watching that together. He even continuously imitating the famous line of John Puruntong's mother-in-law, Dona Delilah "Kaya ikaw John, magsumikap ka!" Numerous people from all walks of life have said that the Puruntong family had been mirrored as what the Filipino family is. And for almost two decades of giving us an idea of what the Filipino family is, through thick and thin, John Puruntong became part of our lives. By giving us lessons of struggling, we were inspired and kept on moving forward despite problems coming along the way. The sitcom ended in 1990 and I never had any idea which I remember (not before the replays were made). Speaking of the word "along," early 90s was the beginning of another family sitcom made exclusively to the King of Comedy, Home Along Da Riles. I still remember the schedules of this sitcom: first it was every Wednesday 8:00 pm then changed to Thursday with a same schedule. Same concept as of his most successful sitcom, the difference is the location of the story, the side of the tracks. I can still remember the names of the kids of Mang Kevin Kosme: Bill, Bob, Bing and Baldo, together with Estong as their cousin. And also Aling Azon as Mang Kevin's former-lover-turned-sister-in-law-turned-wife (Mang Kevin's wife is Aling Azon's twin sister Sion), Maybe, Roxanne, Mang Richie and so much more. The lessons of having a very positive outlook in life though living in degrading life was the main focal point of the show. And for the next eleven years, the Kosme family became part of every Filipinos. Probably your family has the same thing as what Mang Dolphy had in TV.

His death's cause was due to his prolonged pneumonia that became chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and also because of acute renal disease. He was 83 and on July 25th, he would have been 84. Others have said that reaching that kind of age is already a bonus. But I guess for Dolphy, he still have a lot of things to be done despite of his old age. He truly believes that the whole nation still needs him to entertain us. He has been part of our daily lives since 1946, and for almost seven decades of entertaining us, he done it all greatly. July 10th, I was at home with my parents and my sleeping brother when I saw on DZMM Teleradyo that the Comedy King is already dead. Right before that news, I only heard from 24 Oras that the health condition of the King is doing great and comes to an OK status. Maybe God has the best thing in His mind and He then maybe prepared us to this situation. The atmosphere in the entertainment industry is totally different seeing different celebrities crying and reminiscing the times they were together with the King of Comedy. And also added to the atmosphere were millions and millions of fans pouring their love and support to the immediate family that Dolphy left here on earth. We know down from here that you are so happy that the Lord is already seeing you and being with you. You are now on what we know here as the "happiest and most peaceful place" everyone could see soon. 

I am one of the millions of Filipino bloggers who are now writing about the King of Comedy. Each message of the bloggers has something to do with how deeply we love Dolphy. For me, I would end my post with one of the songs from the Novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help entitled "Mother of Christ:"

Mother of Christ, Mother of Christ

What shall I ask of thee

I do not sigh for the wealth of earth

For the joys that fade and flee

But Mother of Christ, Mother of Christ

This do I long to see

The bliss untold which your arms enfold

The treasure upon your knee

Mother of Christ, Mother of Christ

I toss on a stormy sea

Oh, lift your Child as a beacon light

To the port where I fain would be

And Mother of Christ, Mother of Christ

This do I ask of thee

When to voyage is over, O stand on the shore

And show Him at last to me

I made the last two stanzas of the song in boldface because Dolphy already reached his last journey. And surely, Our Mother of Perpetual Help is waiting for him, standing on the shore and showing Jesus Christ to him. How I wish I am singing this beautiful song with the King of Comedy.

Yes, there would never be another great name as the King of Comedy. There is only one Dolphy! Thank you for the laughs, the tears, the joy and of course, the entertainment you've shown to us. You're surely part of our lives forever!

Toodles, Mang Pidol!

1928 - 2012

Sa Hindi Ko Maintindihang Dahilan

Hehehe... Parang title lang ng isang teleserye sa ABS CBN no? Bigla na lang akong napasulat ng may ganitong klaseng title dahil lamang sa isang bagay na bigla ko na lang inalala.

Dumaan ako sa isang pagsubok sa hindi ko maintindihang dahilan. As in hindi ko talaga alam kung bakit ganoong klaseng problema ang mayroon ako noon. Pinipilit kong intindihin sa sarili ko pero may lumalaban sa loob ko. May mga bagay na pumipigil na dapat tama na, tapos na, wala na akong magagawa pero ganoon pa rin. Ipinapasa-Diyos ko na ang lahat pero ganoon pa rin. Nagtatanong ako sa sarili ko, deserve ko ba ito? May problema ba sa akin? Lahat kaya ng tao, may ganitong problema rin? Ano bang problema sa akin? Karma ko ba ito? Hindi ko alam kung tanong ko ba ito sa sarili ko, o tanong ko ba ito sa Kanya?

Isang kaibigan lang ang nakapagpatino sa akin. Sa sobrang lugmok ko, bigla na lang akong napaiyak. Ngunit hindi lamang iyon ang pagkakataong umiyak ako dahil may nararamdaman akong mabigat sa puso ko, maraming beses na. At sa pagiging emotional ko, hindi na siya maganda. Hindi na siya nakakatulong at lalong-lalo nang hindi na siya nakakatuwa. Lahat na lang ng mga nangyayari sa buhay kong hindi maganda, kailangan kong harapin sa pamamagitan muna ng pag-iyak. Nakakapagod na rin mag-isip ng mga tamang solusyon na kailangan pa talagang haluan ng mga luha. Kung magpapatalo ako sa mga emosyon ko pagdating sa lahat ng mga bagay, wala ring mangyayari sa huli. Lagi akong talo, lagi akong lagapak, lagi akong kawawa. At hindi talaga siya maganda lalo na sa isang katulad ko na dapat ang ipinapakita, malakas ako sa lahat ng aspeto ng buhay. Hindi ka tao kung hindi mo kakayanin ang isang problemang alam ng Diyos kung bakit Niya ito sa iyo ibinigay.

Pero kapag sobra namang dami, kahit anong ipilit mo, minsan iisipin mo na lang ding tumigil na. Puwedeng titigil ka muna sa mga nakasanayan mong gawin. O sa mas malalang sitwasyon na ititigil mo na ang buhay mo dahil hindi mo na kaya. Nagkaroon ako ng ganyang klaseng sitwasyon na sa sobrang dami, bukod sa pag-iyak, gusto ko ng tumigil sa kung ano ang ginagawa ko ngayon. Marami nga akong kaibigan pero gusto ko man silang sabihan ng problema, oo't makikinig lang sila at magbibigay ng payo pero hanggang doon lang. Ayoko rin namang makasira ng moment na mga kaibigan ko na masasaya't kumpleto na ang buhay. Ayoko na rin umabot sa puntong kailangan kong magpapansin para na sa akin ang atensyon at ako naman ang pakinggan ninyo. Kung may problema ako, kung kakayanin ko namang solusyonan, siguro sa akin na lamang muna iyun. Kung hindi ko na kaya, ewan ko na lang. Nakakahiya rin naman kasi na nag-iiyak ako sa harap ng mga kaibigan ko.

Sana kung anong mayroon sila, mayroon din ako. Gusto ko lang naman na maging masaya. Ang mga opportunities, sana dumating na rin sa akin. Ang isang bagay na pinakahihintay ko, sana dumating na. Kasi gusto ko lang naman sumaya. Hindi ako naiinggit dahil isang malaking kasalanan ang magkaroon ng inggit at para maiwasan, kailangan kong gawin ang mga tamang gawain sa buhay. Maraming salamat sa mga kaibigan ko dahil laging sa oras na ganito, nandiyan sila. Masarap na sa pakiramdam kapag nagtatanong sila ng "okay ka lang ba?" at doon at bigla na lang akong napapaiyak. Doon ko napapatunayan na kahit hindi ko sila kaano-ano, ay handa silang magtanong sa iyo kung maayos ba ako o hindi. At higit sa lahat, nandiyan ang ating mahal na Panginoon na laging handang makinig at magbigay ng kung ano ang nararapat sa iyo. Siya na talaga ang bahala sa lahat.

Ako maayos na ako! At alam ko na rin ang dahilan kung bakit ganoon. Okay na siguro kung hindi ko nararamdaman ang care mo basta ang importante nandiyan ka lagi sa tabi ko. Maraming, maraming salamat!

At sa susunod Ziegrey Oris Balota, hindi lahat ng problema dapat iniiyakan. At marunong ka dapat maghintay at kung sakaling darating ang panahon na ikaw naman ang kakailanganin, huwag maghintay ng kapalit. Hayaan mong ang Diyos ang bahala sa isang magandang bagay na ginawa mo, sa kaibigan mo man o sa kapamilya!

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

Salamat sa pagbabasa...

At toodles!!!

Doors

Doors

Why do there have to be doors

'Cause when you walked right out that doors of mine

It made me wonder why there are tears

Where is the end to all of these tears

Where's the face that use to cheer me up

Girl, that makes me wonder

Why does my heart just keep on beating

Why do my arms just keep on reaching

To someone who's no longer there

What can I say besides I'm sorry

What can I say to change your mind

What can I do to make tomorrow yours and mine

Chairs

Why do there have to be chairs

It shows its empty now

There's no one there

It really makes me wonder

Why does my heart just keep on beating

Why do my arms just keep on reaching

To someone who's no longer there

What can I say besides I'm sorry

What can I say to change your mind

Why do I keep on holding on

A chance you'll walk back through the door

When my heart knows there's no hope anymore

Why do there have to be doors

Why do there have to be doors

:(

If Ever You're In My Arms Again

It all came so easy

All the lovin' you gave me

The feelings we shared

And I still can remember

How you touch was so tender

It told me you cared

We had a once in a lifetime

But I just couldn't see

Until it was gone

A second once in a lifetime

Maybe too much to ask

But I swear from now on

If ever you're in my arms again

This time, I'll love you much better

If ever you're in my arms again

This time I'll hold you forever

This time we'll never end

I'm seein' clearly

How I still need you near me

I still love you so

There's something between us

That won't ever leave us

There's no letting go

(No letting go)

We had a once in a lifetime

But I just didn't know it

'Til my life fell apart

A second once in a lifetime

Isn't too much to ask

'Cause I swear from the heart

If ever you're in my arms again

This time, I'll love you much better

If ever you're in my arms again

This time I'll hold you forever

This time we'll never end

We'll never end

My love will never end

'Cause we've got the best of romances

Deserve second chances

I'll get to you somehow

'Cause I promise now

If ever you're in my arms again

This time, I'll love you much better

If ever you're in my arms again

This time I'll hold you forever

This time we'll never end

If ever you're in my arms again

This time, I'll love you much better

If ever you're in my arms again

This time I'll hold you forever

This time we'll never end

This time we'll never end

This time we'll never end

:(

At 87, Do I Still Look Okay?

Let's have some good vibes... :)

Earlier, before going home, my friends and I went to SM Southmall to eat our lunches and have some bonding time of window shopping. My beautiful friend is looking for a power suit that she will use sometime this month. And with the brainy powers of my best buddy and I in terms of clothing, wardrobe and apparels (in short, fashion!), we helped her with ease and she gained some ideas on what to put on. We were at the jeepney when an old woman stretched her arms and ask for a ride going to our same destination. My best buddy and my beautiful friend tried to help her since she was on her age not to typical to load alone on a public transportation. She thanked us appreciatively and started talking to us. Next to her on our seats was another old lady in her late sixties. She told us, "mas matanda pa pala ako sa kanya." We insisted a question to her, "bakit po, Lola? Ilang taon na po siya?" She answered us with a responsive one, "mga nasa 69 na." The first old lady who went down from our jeepney also needed an accompaniment because she was also alone. Then we asked her, "kayo po Lola, ilang taon na po kayo?" We were delighted with her answer, "87 years old." We only said one known interjection, "Wow!"

She boasted to us that she still had the best memory in her head. She can still remember the time she graduated with a bachelor's degree of nursing at the University of the Philippines and she also pursued her graduate studies at U.P. with a master's degree in Public Health. She used to be a nurse in Manila Doctor's Hospital, Mary Johnston Hospital and other hospitals in Manila. And we were also in high spirits when she told us that she used to work as a nurse in the United States and Saudi Arabia. She was Top 6 in the local nursing board exam, in 1949. It was also a small world because some of her grandchildren studied in our institution where we belong to. But it was so long ago that her grandchildren were already professionals by their own. And yes, she only lives just a stone throw away from our institution. She told us that if we have time, we'll just try to visit her at her abode somewhere in BF Homes. And with her sharp memory, she knows the exact address of her residence, together with the house number, street name and the name of the village. Her name was Lola Lydia and I'm so happy to meet someone like her, whom at her age of 87 still rocks!

I heard so many stories about having that kind of age and still alive and kicking! My only grandmother, who lives in Binangonan, Rizal is already 95 years old, just five years before she becomes a centenarian! Even though she has loosened skin because of her old age, and already using a wheelchair because of her weak bones and muscles, still her mind is as sharp as a pencil. She still knows the names of my mother and my two uncles, though having difficulties with our names as her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The owner of the country's number one book store simply called National Book Store is indeed having an age of 90+ still managing it. She even handles the distribution of the books at their warehouse and does so much stuff for her business. And I remember the time that while my mother, my brother and myself eating in Goldilocks in SM Southmall, we were amazed that a 95-year-old old woman was celebrating her birthday. Many stories have been told, some were women, some were men, and some were partners having the same age and still having a good time together. Now, if I reached the same age of Lola Lydia of 87, do I still look okay?

I am in my near 25 and still I feel something okay. I tried having executive check up last summer vacation and all of the results were okay. The organs are good except one time that my blood pressure went up high to 150/110. It was not really normal for a person having this kind of age because I am still young. What Lola Lydia told us about her secret on living a life that is healthy and strong was eating the right kind of food, exercising, staying away from vices and the best thing, always being happy! She is correct! I always say that I wanted to reach 100 years old not thinking of what's going to happen with my physical characteristics, as long as I am going to see the changes of the world for the next 75 years. It might be hard but it's a good thing unlike others whom at the tender ages of 30, 40 or 50 years dies because of natural death or by means of accidents and whatever.

Vice Ganda wanted to die at an early age of 40, but Mama Kris Aquino asked her if he could add five (5) more years to his life. Vice Ganda reluctantly said okay so he was okay to rest himself in peace at the age of 45. My co-teacher once said that she wanted to exit in this world at an early age because she doesn't want to see herself looking old. My best buddy said that it is okay for him to live until 50 years old because he wanted to die fresh and youthful-looking (hahaha!). For me, I would like to see the changes that might happen in our world. I want to see if flying cars can be really true. I want to see the changes of my country and the people. I want to see the newest gadgets and newest computers that I could only see in science-fiction movies. And I want to see whose going to be with me as my future partner in crime. I want to see myself having a family of my own and my friends having their families of their own. I want to see what will happen in the future.

So yes, Lola Lydia. I'll try my best to be fit and healthy and happy. And I guess for that, I would have the best of my life in the next 50 to 75 years. I'll make sure that I'll reach 100. Maybe after 75 years if my blogspot is still alive, I would read this (hopefully my eyes are still okay at that time) again and see if I really achieve it! As of this moment, I'm having some difficulties about my life in which I don't want to put some words on to detail. I'm having a stressful work and I'm having problems with so many people. I don't know how am I going to deal with it but just like what Lola Lydia, Socorro Ramos and to my grandmother, they did. Looking at them, still alive and kicking, is a remarkable gift from God.

So at 25 years old? Mr. Ziegrey Oris Balota, do you still look okay? I could say no. Onward to 100!

Toodles!!!

Change Your Mind

There you are with your perfect way

You've got that little shine in your eyes

To hear one word would make my day

But there's no room for me in your life

Oh, you've got me down on my knees

Oh and in my mind I can see

How perfect everything could be

But you won't give us a try

But if I could change your mind

How would you want me?

Would you say you need me?

'Cause I need you now

I try to move on but your perfect way

Has got this little child asking why

But this world keeps spinning

As my heart stops beating

Is there still no room inside

Oh, you've got me down on my knees

Oh and in my mind I can see

How perfect everything could be

But you won't give us a try

But if I could change your mind

How would you want me?

Would you say you need me?

'Cause I need you now

If I could change your mind

(Please tell me I'm not the only one)

(Please help me believe I'm not the only one)

If I could change your mind

But if I could change your mind

How would you want me?

Would you say you need me?

'Cause I need you now

If I could change your mind

How would you hold me?

Would you stay forever?

Oh just leave me here to drown

If I could change your mind

(Change your mind)

If I could change your mind

(Change your mind)

:(

Selfish

I just don't understand

Why you're running from a good man baby

Why you wanna turn your back on love

Why you've already given up

See I know you've been hurt before

But I swear I'll give you so much more

I swear I'll never let you down

'Cause I swear it's you that I adore

And I can't help myself babe

'Cause I think about you constantly

And my heart gets no rest over you

You can call me selfish

But all I want is your love

You can call me hopeless (hopeless)

'Cause I'm hopelessly in love

You can call me unperfect

But who's perfect

Tell me what do I gotta do

To prove that I'm the only one for you

What's wrong with being selfish?

I'll be taking up your time

Until the day I make you realize

That for you're there could be no one else

I just gotta have you for myself

Baby I would take good care of you

No matter what it is you're going through

I'll be there for you when you're in need

Baby believe in me

If love was a crime

Then punish me, I would die for you

'Cause I don't want to live without you

Oh what can I do?

You can call me selfish

But all I want is your love

You can call me hopeless (hopeless)

'Cause I'm hopelessly in love

You can call me unperfect

But who's perfect

Tell me what do I gotta do

To prove that I'm the only one for you

Why do you keep us apart?

Why won't you give up your heart?

You know that we're meant to be together

Why do you push me away?

All that I want is to give you love

Forever and ever and ever and ever

You can call me selfish

But all I want is your love

You can call me hopeless (hopeless)

'Cause I'm hopelessly in love

You can call me unperfect

But who's perfect

Tell me what do I gotta do

To prove that I'm the only one for you

Selfishly I'm in love with you

'Cause I've searched my soul

And know that it's you

Selfishly I'm in love with you

'Cause I've searched my soul

And know that it's you

Selfishly I'm in love with you

'Cause I've searched my soul

And know that it's you

To prove that I'm the only one for you

So what's wrong with being selfish, selfish, selfish...

So what's wrong with being selfish...

:(

Wait For You

I never felt nothing in the world like this before

Now I'm missing you

And I'm wishing that you would come back through my door

Why did you have to go?

You could have let me know

So now I'm all alone

Girl you could have stayed but you wouldn't give me a chance

With you not around it's a little bit more then I can stand

And all my tears, they keep running down my face

Why did you turn away?

So why does your pride make you run and hide?

Are you that afraid of me?

But I know it's a lie what you keep inside

This is not how you want it to be

So baby, I will wait for you

'Cause I don't know what else I can do

Don't tell me I ran out of time

If it takes the rest of my life

Baby I will wait for you

If you think I'm fine it just ain't true

I really need you in my life

No matter what I have to do I'll wait for you

It's been a long time since you called me

(How could you forget about me?)

You got me feeling crazy (crazy)

How can you walk away?

Everything stays the same

I just can't do it baby

What will it take to make you come back

Girl I told you what it is and it just ain't like that

Why can't you look at me, you're still in love with me

Don't leave me crying

Baby why can't we just start all over again

Get it back to the way it was

If you give me a chance, I can love you right

But your telling me it won't be enough

So baby, I will wait for you

'Cause I don't know what else I can do

Don't tell me I ran out of time

If it takes the rest of my life

Baby I will wait for you

If you think I'm fine it just ain't true

I really need you in my life

No matter what I have to do I'll wait for you

So why does your pride make you run and hide

Are you that afraid of me?

But I know it's a lie what your keeping inside

That's not how you want it to be

Baby I will wait for you

Baby I will wait for you

If it's the last thing I do

So baby, I will wait for you

'Cause I don't know what else I can do

Don't tell me I ran out of time

If it takes the rest of my life

Baby I will wait for you

If you think I'm fine it just ain't true

I really need you in my life

No matter what I have to do I'll wait for you

I'll be waiting

:(

Thinking of You

Comparisons are easily done

Once you've had a taste of perfection

Like an apple hanging from a tree

I picked the ripest one

I still got the seed

You said move on, where do I go

I guess, second best is all I will know

'Cause when I'm with him (her), I am thinking of you

Thinking of you

What you would do if you were the one

Who was spending the night

Oh I wish that I was looking into your eyes

You're like an Indian summer in the middle of winter

Like a hard candy with a surprise center

How do I get better once I've had the best

You said there's tons of fish in the water

So the waters I will test

He (She) kissed my lips, I taste your mouth

He (She) pulled me in, I was disgusted with myself

'Cause when I'm with him (her), I am thinking of you

Thinking of you

What you would do if you were the one

Who was spending the night

Oh I wish that I was looking into...

You're the best

And yes I do regret

How I could let myself let you go

Now the lesson's learned

I touched it I was burned

Oh I think you should know

'Cause when I'm with him (her), I am thinking of you

Thinking of you

What you would do if you were the one

Who was spending the night

Oh I wish that I was looking into your...

Your eyes, looking into your eyes

Looking into your eyes

Oh won't you walk through

And bust in the door

And take me away

Oh no more mistakes

'Cause in your eyes I'd like to stay

Stay...

:(

Just So You Know

I shouldn't love you but I want to

I just can't turn away

I shouldn't see you but I can't move

I can't look away

I shouldn't love you but I want to

I just can't turn away

I shouldn't see you but I can't move

I can't look away

And I don't know how to be fine when I'm not

'Cause I don't know how to make a feeling stop

Just so you know

This feeling's taking control of me

And I can't help it

I won't sit around, I can't let him win now

Thought you should know

I've tried my best to let go of you

But I don't want to

I just gotta say it all before I go

Just so you know

It's getting hard to be around you

There's so much I can't say

Do you want me to hide the feelings

And look the other way

And I don't know how to be fine when I'm not

'Cause I don't know how to make a feeling stop

Just so you know

This feeling's taking control of me

And I can't help it

I won't sit around, I can't let him win now

Thought you should know

I've tried my best to let go of you

But I don't want to

I just gotta say it all before I go

Just so you know

This emptiness is killing me

And I'm wondering why I've waited so long

Looking back I realize

It was always there was never spoken

I'm waiting here

Been waiting here

Just so you know

This feeling's taking control of me

And I can't help it

I won't sit around, I can't let him win now

Thought you should know

I've tried my best to let go of you

But I don't want to

I just gotta say it all before I go

Just so you know

Just so you know

Thought you should know

I've tried my best to let go of you

But I don't want to

I just gotta say it all before I go

Just so you know

Just so you know

Just so you know

:(

Try

If I walk, would you run?

If I stop, would you come?

If I say you're the one, would you believe me?

If I ask you to stay, would you show me the way?

Tell me what to say so you don't leave me

The world is catching up to you

While you're running away to chase your dream

It's time for us to make a move

Cause we are asking one another to change

And maybe I'm not ready

But I'll try for your love

I can hide up above

I will try for your love

We've been hiding enough

If I sing you a song, would you sing along?

Or wait till I'm gone, oh how we push and pull

If I give you my heart, would you just play the part?

Or tell me it's the start of something beautiful

Am I catching up to you?

While you're running away to chase your dreams

It's time for us to face the truth

Cause we are coming to each other to change

And maybe I'm not ready

But I'll try for your love

I can hide up above

I will try for your love

We've been hiding enough

I will try for your love

I can hide up above

If I walk, would you run?

If I stop, would you come?

If I say you're the one, would you believe me?

:(

Sila

It's 1:11 am when I started writing this important blog for the both of them. Maybe I was inspired lang sa lahat ng mga nakikita ko sa Facebook dahil sa mga updates, tanging ang pangalan nilang dalawa ang nakikita ko at puros mga pictures nila ang naka-present. Pero nakikita ko naman how lovely they are and how happy they are being together.

In two days time, aalis na siya because she will work out of the country. Magiging mahirap sa akin, lalong-lalo na sa aking kaibigan na makita niya ang kanyang kasintahang aalis ng bansa na hindi siya kasama. Try to imagine, you're just only handling a two-month-old relationship and then the next thing that will happen was a long journey of long distance relationship. Tama, may Facebook, Twitter, Yahoo! Messenger, Skype, Viber at kung anumang mga social networking sites ang nauuso ngayon para magamit for constant communication. Pero, iba pa rin ang feeling kapag nandiyan lang sa tabi mo ang taong minamahal mo. Iba pa rin yung feeling na kapag may problema ka, all you have to do is to tell it to him or her. Iba pa rin yung feeling na magkasama kayo, holding hands at sasamahan mo pa ng matamis na halik sa noo o sa pisngi. After Monday, panibagong yugto sa kanilang dalawa, ang mamuhay ng mag-isa. Though they continue to love each other, sadly speaking, the absence is still there.

Huwag muna tayong magkaroon ng mga "bad vibes," and let's look back how they started to become one. Noong mga panahong magkasama pa sila sa isang department sa aming institution, they became an item of being an instant loveteam. Sabi nila, marami raw silang pagkakapareho. Sa kanilang course na lang, nandoon na, bachelor's degree ang kay girl, master's degree naman ang kay boy. Umabot din sa point na naging mag-terno sila ng damit unintentionally. Marahil, puwede naman pero hindi puwede. Si babae, may kasintahan. Si lalaki, kakagaling lang sa isang matinding problema at sakripisyo sa buhay. It seems that they were bounded but they chose to use the other path. Umabot din ng maraming araw, linggo, buwan at taon at talagang hindi na nangyari ang akala nilang tamang pagkakataon. The relationship of the girl has been great since then and the boy already fell in love with another. Kumbaga sa dalawang kotseng tiyempong nagkasabay sa kalye, lumiko sa kanan ang isa, lumiko sa kaliwa rin ang isa. They don't know if they will meet again soon in that road.

There were so many instances na nangyari sa buhay nila then on. Si babae, hindi na nag-work out ang akala niyang "till forever" na relationship. Si lalaki, naging achiever in his own right, pero hindi siya naging matagumpay sa isang bagay na sinubukan niya. By the time that the girl went back to her roots, doon na nagsimula ang lahat. Ang dalawang kotseng unang tiyempong nagkasabay sa kalye at naghiwalay, nag-krus muli ng landas at nagkasabay muli. Ganoon naman yata talaga kapag hindi ka pa sigurado sa mga nararamdaman mo. The girl was too hesitant, the boy was very sure with what he feels. In an everyday situation, siguro mahirap intindihin pero I just learned from their relationship that you shouldn't look for one, you have to wait for the perfect one. Ika nga sa pelikulang Forrest Gump, "Life is like a box of chocolates, you'll never know what you're going to get!" Yung feeling na biglaan na lang, nagsama sila at nagkaroon ng isang pagkakataong hindi nila naiintindihan sa simula at nang dumating na ang panahon na heto na, wala na silang magagawa kung hindi ang maging masaya. They didn't expect much about the both of them. Katulad ng sinasabi nila, "it just happened!"

Ako, bilang kaibigang malapit nila, hindi ko lubusang maisip kung talaga bang puwede silang maging sila. Una, kasama ko sila sa aming "circle of friends." Pangalawa, nakilala ko sila kung paano sila magmahal at nakilala ko rin sila kung paano sila nasaktan. Ako, bilang kaibigan nila, of course, hindi ako naghahangad ng mga hindi magagandang bagay sa kanila. Pero siyempre, nandoon pa rin yung tipong natatakot ka na magkasakitan ang mga kaibigan mo dahil lamang sa hindi pagkakaunawaan. At ang huli, alam naman nilang dalawa kung gaano sila importante sa akin. Marami akong mako-consider na best friends pero isa sila sa mga taong lalapitan ko kung sakaling may kailangan ako. Naiisip ko naman na "if the need arises, just call me and I'll be there."

Sila. Yan ang tamang panghalip na bagay sa kanila. Sila means "they are together." Puwede ring "loving each other." Pero para sa akin ang pinaka-importante sa lahat, "they are trusting each other." Magiging halimbawa sila ng tinatawag na long distance relationship. Sa aking best friend forever, nagwowork, at sana sa kanila din. In my own belief, I can say that love is only at the first few chapters of a relationship, the next chapters down to the last is trust. How can you love someone if you lack trust. It will never move forward if what you only knew is to love and not to trust, that makes sense, right? Sa mga akbay na nakikita ko, sa mga ngiting nakikita ko, sana hindi lang dahil mahal niyo ang isa't isa kung hindi dahil pinagkakatiwalaan niyo ang isa't isa. Kung kailangang may magbago at willing i-let go kung ano ka noon, gawin mo. Love is needed but trust is required.

Natatandaan ko ang sinabi sa amin ng Values Education teacher ko noong high school na kung may hihilingin ka, huwag kang gagamit ng salitang "sana," dahil lahat ng hinihiling mo ay hanggang "sana" lang. Now, let's put in this way, magmahalan kayo ng wagas, sobra at lubusan. Don't treat each other as lovers, thus as the best of friends. Alam niyo kung gaano niyo kamahal ang isa't isa at kailangan ninyong ipakita sa buong mundo how much you love her and how much you love him, anupa't nasa magkabilang dulo kayo ng mundo. Kaya niyong paliitin ang mundo sa bawat pag-uusap ninyo, maiba man ang mga puwedeng maganap.

I am so proud with what you have right now, guys! Be happy everyday! Always be in love! And always have trust to each other!

Para sa iyo, Lyrize, mamimiss kita alam mo yan! Isang taon ka man physically wala dito sa amin lalo na kay Juanito, alam namin na through your voice and through your heart, you'll always be there! I'm telling you this, I can't wait for your next return here in 2013! Isipin na lang natin na mabilis lang ang isang taon kahit puwedeng may maraming mangyari, maganda man or hindi, hindi tayo magpapakaapekto! Mahalin mo ang kaibigan ko sa paraang kaya mo! Hahaha, ikaw na bahala, kaps!

Para sa iyo, Juanito, alam mo na! Nakita na kita kung paano ka magmahal at ipagpatuloy mo yan! Nabigo ka man noon, ngayon ang pagkakataon kung ano ang tamang gawin pagdating sa pag-ibig. At isa pa, be strong in almost everything and I mean everything! Ika nga ni Paulo Coelho, "Be brave. Take risks."

"One is loved because one is loved. No reason is needed for loving." - Paulo Coelho

Always be in love, kaps and dude!!!

Toodles!!!

The Return of The Brouhahas...

Yes, I missed it and I don't know if you've missed it. If you're not one of my latest counts (or readers) of my blog, then definitely you didn't miss my brouhahas. It's been so many days and weeks that I've never written a piece about what's happening with me. Pool of emotions have been felt these past few months that's why I did not write even a single brouhaha about me.

But then, after so it's here! Here are the list of things that had happened to me for a couple of weeks...

SCHOOL YEAR 2012-2013 is about to begin and I still don't have my prepared lesson plans for the first quarter in English 3 and 4. Yes, ladies and gentlemen! I am now part again of my first family, the Grade School Department. But before I positioned myself inside of our faculty lounge was a mouthful of heartache, pain, sorrow and even danger have been felt by myself, just for a single and simple wish: to be part again of Big School (also known as regular school!). And after a lot of pain that was given to me by those people, they gave me what I want. I don't know in what sense did they give it but what's important I am back with a vengeance. And also, lessons were learned with this scenario: I shouldn't expect too much in any aspect: career, love, friends and even your own self. I made a pact for myself that I will never do that again, not even close. New faces inside of our faculty lounge were seen and a new leadership by my dude (you know who you are, my friend!), it seems that the battleground for quality education in our institution and especially in our department is indeed amazing and brilliant! My mother even told me that I am going back to where I started, doing lesson plans and quizzes and so much more. I just say, I'm just returning to where I really loved the most.

DAANG HARI is love! My beloved idol on radio said that whenever she has problems facing on, what she does is she thinks, contemplates and answers her problems while driving. Indeed, driving is one way of de-stressing yourself with problems and other things that might need you to think of. For the past weeks, I've been thinking so many things in which I don't understand why was this happening. My friend told me that I need to find time for myself and therefore, I thought of going out with my car and raced myself all the way to Daang Hari. In Metro Manila, this is one of my most favorite roads to drive in. Beautiful landscape, less traffic woes and very provincial and quiet in nature, that's Daang Hari. If I will always bring my car with me to school, before going home I'll be trying to drive here and feel the simplicity of its beauty or whatever it has on its every kilometer or mile. And don't you forget to check out the newest branch of McDonald's. My whole gang had been there once and we knew we'll surely return there!

STREET FOODS might be thought by everyone that they were prepared without sanitation. But hey! The mosquitoes and other kinds of viruses and bacteria can flavor it more (just kidding, of course!). Here in the Philippines, I could say that I have the top three street foods that I want to eat, isaw or chicken intestines skewed in barbecue sticks, kwek kwek or fried quail eggs covered with orange goo and calamares or fried squid, also skewed in barbecue sticks. Whenever I eat them, it brings so much joy to me. I can call them my "comfort foods" but it's not always I eat them when I am weary. For as long as I thought that I want to try, I will go to the nearest street food stand and I'll be getting one! For isaw, if ever I smelled the smoke from the griller, most probably it will be an isawan. If there are so many people piling up a store, there must be a side car with kwek kwek or tokneneng as their product. And in near Manila City Hall (sorry, but I need to traverse the road to Manila), I can have a chance to taste the calamares also with side cars! Yes, they could be dangerous to our health, but who can resist the taste, right?

I love it when VICE GANDA says his current famous expression: PEEEEBEEEEBEEEE TEEEEEENNNNSSSSS!!! And yes, the kids of PBB Teen Edition 4 has "something-something" in their lives. I don't believe that the kids are all emotional when it comes to expressing what they feel inside of them. I believe that today's generation of youth are articulate and aggressive in their decision, especially in love. Imagine, for just one week of being together inside the Big Brother house and seeing each other for the whole day, they've been feeling something to the other, for just one week! How aggressive! Yes, you might take it against me but that's what I have observed! So we can't blame Vice Ganda making this expression a national treasure, PEEEEBEEEEBEEEE TTTEEEEEENNNNNNSSSSS!!! My best buddy and I take it as a good kind of humor. For instance, whenever there is a quick happiness of our certain friend because of aggressiveness, we say it with PEEEEEBEEEEEBEEEEE TEEEEEENNNNNNSSSS!!! Example: marunong lang mag-swimming, kinikilig na, ano 'to PEEEEEBEEEEBEEEE TEEEEENNNNNNSSSSS!!! Another example: porket mag-jowa na, kailangan binabakod na (another term for putting one's arm into the other person's shoulder or akbay), ano 'to PEEEEBEEEEBEEEE TEEEEEENNNNNSSSSS!!! So... Porket nakaka-8,300 views ka na, sikat ka na, ano 'to PEEEEBEEEEBEEEE TEEEEENNNNNNSSSSSS!!!

The ST. JOSEPH PARISH in Las Pinas is my newest discovery! Thanks to my newest partner, she explained to me so hard about the church and also her school, ST. JOSEPH ACADEMY. Yesterday, she became our instant tour guide showing to us her alma mater. She even remembers her previous classrooms and the whereabouts of it. I was pretty unsure with the security of the school because they let the outsiders go inside of the school, but anyways we're different because an alumna of SJA is with us. The whole structure of the school reminds me of the Philippine Normal University, because of its timeless beauty, classic yet sophisticated and of course, quaint and simple! The windows are with capiz shells which reminds me of old days that the city of Las Pinas still embarks. Most of the classrooms still not having air conditioned and they maintained it until today. I loved their grade school grounds because it was like you are on a maze. Good thing that we went to the grounds of SJA minus the students because it was their dismissal time. Afterwards, we went to the high school building and I saw their classrooms. It really has a feel of old school corridors but really steep and high. We went to the rooftop and I saw the majestic view of Manila Bay, Makati and Taguig skyline and Paranaque. We went also to their auditorium and it has a spooky feel because the lights were closed. After the trip, we went outside of the school and my friend gave us a taste of another street food called proven or chicken gizzard. And then, we went to the hear mass at exactly 6:00 in the evening. The other purpose of going to St. Joseph Parish was to listen to the world-famous Bamboo Organ but that time, it was not being used so it made me a bit disappointed. It was my first time to go to St. Joseph so I made a wish, and that wish is known exclusively by myself! Hehehe!

I always don't forget to put a SMILE in my face. And with that smile, it makes me HAPPY. Yes, you might wonder why am I happy? Somebody is putting a smile in my face. And yes, you might ask who is responsible for this. Secret of course! If things are okay and the time is perfect, I'll be giving you details but not as grand as what you're expecting. As what they say, mahirap na baka maging bato pa! And for this, I am thanking you for your job to me, putting a warm smile on my face and on my life (o-ha!!!)

Here you go my dear friends, colleagues and readers, my brouhaha for this week! Thank you so much for spending your time reading my posts which can make you realize one thing, it's so fun to write and so fun to read my brouhahas!

Good luck to me and to my colleagues for a new beginning of school year! And to you, :)

Toodles!!!