holding back? what's that?

I can deal with anything. Just let me know what I’m supposed to be dealing with. But how does...

Sat, 02 Feb 2013 03:44:44 -0500

I can deal with anything. Just let me know what I’m supposed to be dealing with.

But how does one deal with something that cannot be labeled as anything?

It’s cramped and messy most of the time. But it’s...

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 22:13:04 -0500

It’s cramped and messy most of the time. But it’s ours. This is home.

The human fear of being irrelevant and unimportant — most felt with the person who means so...

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 00:53:32 -0500

The human fear of being irrelevant and unimportant — most felt with the person who means so much to you.

"I choose to have faith in you"

Sun, 27 Jan 2013 10:20:13 -0500

“I choose to have faith in you”

- Me, 27Jan2013

Sometimes “actions speak louder than words” is overrated. Saying things out loud has...

Sat, 26 Jan 2013 02:13:18 -0500

Sometimes “actions speak louder than words” is overrated. Saying things out loud has unparalleled impact, too.

officialiwrotethisforyou: http://www.iwrotethisforyou.me/2009/02...

Sat, 19 Jan 2013 02:16:25 -0500

officialiwrotethisforyou:

http://www.iwrotethisforyou.me/2009/02/best-way-to-run-into-traffic.html

“Dad, I want to be a writer.” “Darling, be realistic.” It’s sad how...

Fri, 18 Jan 2013 23:30:55 -0500

“Dad, I want to be a writer.”

“Darling, be realistic.”

It’s sad how many of us are led to believe that certain dreams are not “realistic” hence we are dissuaded from pursuing them.

I would rather use the term “feasible.”

Dreams of being a creative artist (Forgive the term. I can’t seem to think of any other. Suggestions are most welcome.) is just as real as wanting to become a banker, lawyer, doctor or IT specialist. The issue, I believe, lies in the sad reality that a career down the “artistic” road is not as profitable as the more “realistic” ones. And, for many, financial stability MUST come first for the sake of survival.

For some, a compromise between their real dreams and practicality is achieved. They have a day job and they pursue everything else during their free time. The desire, though still there and very much alive, is somewhat quenched. Lucky them. Or unlucky them, if you look at it in another way.

Then there are those, however, who remain restless. A compromise is not enough.

Schools in this country have the tendency to forget that being so science-centric. Families often overlook that, too. And I feel for the children and adults who are boxed up and regarded as disappointments/outsiders/whatever they’re called just because they do not fit into the norm. They end up underdeveloped or resentful or, worse, lost.

It is a calling that is very real and hard to put out. It will draw you and, yes, haunt you. It can be suppressed up to some extent, but killing the dream is tantamount to killing a person’s spirit.

I guess what I’m trying to point out is that do not discount others’ dreams just because it doesn’t look like yours or it’s impractical.

A dream is a dream.

I walked the streets of Ateneo. Visited the dorm. Chatted with very old friends. Prayed and basked...

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 21:41:07 -0500

I walked the streets of Ateneo. Visited the dorm. Chatted with very old friends. Prayed and basked in the glory of the Church of Gesu.

And it felt like coming home.

Finally. I have my own set. Found then in a used books sale. In...

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 21:13:23 -0500

Finally. I have my own set. Found then in a used books sale. In mint condition and already has so much character.

When you reach that point that you no longer care if you get anything back in return. All that...

Sun, 13 Jan 2013 02:13:04 -0500

When you reach that point that you no longer care if you get anything back in return. All that matters is that the person getting his life together and giving him all the help he needs to do that.

The lyrics may not be the most profound, but her voice is...

Sun, 13 Jan 2013 01:14:00 -0500

The lyrics may not be the most profound, but her voice is lovely.

STAY - Yuna

Did I make a mistake giving you my heart
I didn’t seem to notice ‘till we fell apart
You got a little scared oh when I found out
You were building something with somebody else

Hold on a little longer you say
Begging me not to go
We should give it another try

I know you want me for the long run
These girls you only want them for fun
Let me lay the rules out for you

I won’t stay
Unless you change your ways
Not another day
Will I be a fool

And if you change
It might be too late
I might not feel the same
About you

Am I wasting my time tryin’ to figure out
All these girls on your phone, are they friends of yours?
I’m imaginin’ all the things you do
If I give you your freedom would you stay true

Say all the things that you used to say
Your hopes and fears all over again
We will give it another try

Please tell me why you want me to stay
Prove to me that you are a changed man
Help me to trust you again… again

I should’ve started reading him years ago

Sat, 12 Jan 2013 23:12:57 -0500

I should’ve started reading him years ago

Belfry and parols (star-shaped lanterns) on New Year’s...

Fri, 11 Jan 2013 03:10:30 -0500

Belfry and parols (star-shaped lanterns) on New Year’s Eve

How can that not get to you?

You know how some people randomly walk into your life and they...

Fri, 11 Jan 2013 03:03:29 -0500

You know how some people randomly walk into your life and they stay there forever? That’s what happened to us five.

It sucks when you hold yourself back out of fear, when you settle for writing in your journal,...

Sun, 13 May 2012 10:40:34 -0400

It sucks when you hold yourself back out of fear, when you settle for writing in your journal, posting in some hidden blog, or worst, keeping it to yourself.

I wish I could tell you I miss you and I want you next to me as often as life would allow it.

Reminding someone how much you need them. Sometimes we underestimate its power. Some even find it...

Tue, 01 May 2012 04:24:36 -0400

Reminding someone how much you need them. Sometimes we underestimate its power. Some even find it repulsive. But I say it’s one of the greatest expressions of a person’s love for another. It’s one of the biggest risks you’ll ever take in your life and one needed to be taken if you are ever to truly love and be loved.

Photo

Tue, 01 May 2012 03:55:35 -0400

At Starbucks:

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 13:13:41 -0400

Starbucks Guy: What's the name?
Me: Primrose Everdeen.
Starbucks Guy: *prepares order* Primrose Everdeen!
Me: I VOLUNTEER!

Memories of Philo Oral Exams

Sun, 12 Feb 2012 08:20:00 -0500

I am starting to sense that silent panic and anxiety that run through every senior as February kicks into full gear. The last push is always the hardest. Seniors, take one thing at a time. Next thing you’ll know, everything will be over.

Almost 2 years ago, I had my last Philosophy oral examinations. Philosophy 104: Ethics with Anton Sevilla. Until now, I clearly remember how it went. Maybe because it was the most nerve-wracking of all my oral exams.

I was asked which reading I liked best among all that we did in the semester. I said Kant’s and started explaining how Kant is not really that formal and rigid. Blah blah blah.

(The following account is very near to the real thing as I wrote it down after I had my orals.)

Prof: Ok. About Autonomy, why do we have to treat people as ends [and not just means to an end]?

Me: Because people have value.

P: Ok. So why do we have to recognize their value?

Me: People deserve respect. They’re human beings. They have value. Would you want that to be done to you? To be used? I don’t think so.

P: So why can’t you just protect yourself and use others? That can be done.

Me: But, sir, that disrespects others. It disrespects their being humans.

P: So why do we have to respect people? Why do we have to be good to people?

Me: Sir, WHY NOT? HAHAHAHA. (I honestly laughed. I was obviously getting frustrated. It’s one of those things that seem so self-explanatory and it was nowhere in the discussions in class. I wanted to pull out my hair.)

P: Hahaha. I get what you’re saying. Instinctively, you KNOW you have to be good to people. But why should you follow that knowledge?

Me: (Much silence from me.) Sir, what makes you so sure that if you use others, they wouldn’t use others, too? I mean, it’s a vicious cycle. Our society today is dominated by a gamitan system and we can’t seem to get out of it. The least you can do is try to get out of that system and cycle and show people that it’s good not to use others. At least try to make a change.

P: Ok then. So given our society today, what do you think is the kind of society that Kant wants?

Me: Sir, we’ve talked about this before. Kant doesn’t want a uniform society. He doesn’t want the same or equal outcome. He wants an authentic society, where people are responded to according to their personality. I think that’s what Berdyaev wants, too. Respond to the personalities and make a personality of your own. The tension and paradox will exist, but you have to thrive in it.

P: All right. I think we can stop now. Thank you, Karla.

Surprisingly, I hadn’t used up the 12 minutes allotted for the exam.

Me: Sir, I finally figured out how everything is connected and what all the philosophers we took up are saying: make ethics your own. Only you can say what is GOOD MORAL (I think Christians choose to believe that goodness is Jesus) because your situation is unique. Sure, there are values floating around already, but you can “bend” them to apply them according to your situation. “Good” changes, in a way.

Because I am Witnessing How Shaky the Prosecution Is

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 06:06:16 -0500

The impeachment cases our country has seen in the last few years is a testament to what kind of society our politicians are promoting and catering to: the one that likes a show.

The Philippine government is exactly like a telenovela. The “api” get their revenge on the long standing/prevailing/dominant “kontrabida.” Well, at least that’s how they want to present it.

It’s a waste of energy, all of this (CJ Corona trial.)

No. Scratch that.

It’s important to go after those who may have wronged the country and its citizens. But when your case is based on a guy being rich (someone who’s bad money before he was a lawyer), the increasing net worth declared in his SALN, and a bunch of other suspicions (which they have been called out for by Enrile and Cuevas just today), should this come before more urgent problems in the Philippines?

Philippine politicians, if you want to put on a show, do it some other time when our country can afford it.