stemngif:figments

I am a strong believer in the enabling power of education. However, it is rather unfortunate that many in society are not given the opportunity to enjoy this right.

Let me speak of this problem within the context of the disability sector.

Based on World Health Organization estimates, there are 8.8 million Filipinos with disabilities (10% of the total population.) More than 90% are living below the poverty threshold.

Most have no formal education; less than 5% of disabled children are enrolled, 5% are able to finish high school and only 1% are able to finish college.

There are other factors that curtail our right to education: lack of accessible transportation, inaccessible schools, lack of inclusive education programs, social stigma towards persons with disability & rising education fees. Along side these, many of our disabled brothers and sisters have yet to muster the courage for self-acceptance.

With your help, our organization can continue to support more persons with disability in their education.

To date, there are four individuals who were able to graduate from college with our assistance. All of them have dedicated their professional careers in service of our sector, as employees in our organization.

You can do something to help us equalize opportunities for persons with disability (PWD) through quality education. You may want to provide scholarship grants or opt to help pay for matriculation fees. You may
even donate books for Special Education (SpEd) in public schools. What is most important is you do something to heed our call.

The right to education leads to the attainment of other human rights. This is therefore inevitable in our quest for full inclusion of persons with disability in the affairs of society.

Interested individuals may contact me for further details as to how they can contribute to this cause. Rest assured, I will personally make sure your help will be put into good use. Thanks in advance!

Sincerely,

kItz

Unspoken:
Rome, Nickel and Tanks

Something about having to know and understand the unspoken things about life… the unspoken truths there are to raw emotions, to unjust actions, even of
unconventional relations, draw me to write you, my dearest.

I miss you. Not just your physical presence, but more so, the comfort you make me feel,
inspite unspeakable wrongs I did; you forgave and care. I feel though that we
are constantly growing apart. This pains me.

But I made a promise never ever to hurt you again for my selfish ends. And so I rather maim myself, before I even get close to listening to the heartbeat on
your chest.

Then silence, months and months of silence.

You healed much faster… In time you’ve forgiven. It took longer for me to pardon myself. So, I made the promise. In so doing, it was inevitable to set limits; I think you knew what I wanted to avoid. You helped me build the necessary fortress. You nor I wouldn’t admit its there. But we both feel it, don’t we?

See, the dilemma is that we can easily be together, be seemingly comfortable with each other, again. But, nonetheless, many things remain unspoken. This was never my intention.

What binds me to you is the mere fact that you have forgiven and accepted me. You know me the most and I trust you, more than anybody.

In essence, I am now speaking my unspoken words. I am bringing down my wall. For what is it that needs to remain hidden from you? I think, nothing. I tried so bad to protect you from me; but I didn’t realize I was loosing you in the process.

How could I forget that you allowed me to hurt you just so I could be honest with myself
and learn to value you, even more? Now more than ever, we need each other. I am
willing to take risks together with you again, no matter how high the stakes.
We both wronged each other, but we learned a lot from those mistakes. Thanks
for everything.

I’ll talk to you soon—ingat.

Bruised

Black and blue banter his
silly flesh

bashed by hollow blows
humbling this bully

swollen… bloodless…

He picks not himself up.
He couldn’t.

He braced himself for what
he thought happened,

to distort his retort was wise
& prudent;

lest no bail shall come, oh
poor respondent!

He stretches, wide-open… Agape!

Et tu Brute?

And you too, Brutus?

Amen.

Dearest,

When was the last time you cried yourself to sleep? Not that I long for you to be emotionally distressed, enough for you to shed tears. Remember, you used to tell me, “such a beautiful release it is to strum one’s emotional strings; to bathe naked one’s soul with the swelling eyes.”

Yes, it truly is human nature. Mama’s babe cries hard upon his first choking gasp of air—and I guess, it pays, sometimes to be mummy’s teary eyed grown-up. It brings back a sense of a new beginning—much like a re-birth.

But it’s hard isn’t it?

In this contemporary time when many are in physical, emotional, spiritual, social and even internal pain, and many thus find a sense of comfort
in sobbing, shouldn’t I be thankful that I haven’t had found reason to cry?

As I grow older, I feel more fortified from the “sea of emotions” that I once attributed to life. Innocence lost leads to numbing out, I guess. It’s no pretty picture, but right now it is what I see.

I feel like singing now:
Hush little baby don’t you cry, mama’s go’nna buy you a Mocking Bird.
And if that Mocking Bird don’t mock, mama’s go’nna buy you a diamond ring.

Matter more than ideas has concerned me a lot lately. Not that I am focusing my energies into making myself rich. No sir! But, I hadn’t had the luxury of time to breathe-in figments. I miss doing this.

I remember myself cry every time I finish writing something which truly reflects my ideas– but not lately. No time even to write. How come, when I have owed much from this art, why have I deliberately allowed myself to find a block… a valid reason not to attempt writing.

Obsession for material concerns have taken control over subliminal forms of compulsion: writing, deep-breathing, praying… keeping attuned with self. I truly miss my self.

Perhaps, it’s not just me. Maybe even you, my dearest, had you had time to cry whilst someone goes to buy you something so you could just hush… Be a child. Pretend that your diamonds do not glitter. Cry your heart out.

Four days have passed since I sprained my left foot ankle. Finally, it is no longer swollen. Tomorrow I am back to work. Am I glad to have slipped on the bathroom floor, though I didn’t cry because of pain, I was forced to have time to my self… and finally, write =)

The foregoing is an old post. Might I suggest that you kindly read my latest entry titled, Unlikely Neighbour (link:)

http://stemngiffigments.blog.friendster.com/2009/01/unlikely-neighbour/

I’d also appreciate if you could write your comment about it. Thanks!

Full Circle

Humming steadily it turns, bladed blunted hurling blows

It bears tidings in the slumber’s half awakened;

Giving what should not be, said.

Inside the Circling sense of whispers

Few men have drawn true words.

Still they went on unabated, thirst quenched;

At that moment, unheard.

Listen:

Seldom I go alone, along the clear path that leads before

Naught that faith has failed convictions

Nor has Life been amusingly bitter.

Gallantry has had its limits

Amidst the misty cold barren lands

Though grand visions have altered illusions

Allusions turned wrong, long before this.

But What was left uncaught in tides of peril

When death has scorned the calling

The places gone, faces reveal

Why souls can always believe

No manner, nor matter, It shall live.

Poet can never act what words can play and do:

feel and breathe,

trees consume and chew.

*Kindly read the first comment, thanks*

(9-22-06 park canteen at the Prov. Federation
of Persons with Disability)

Events in one’s life bring about our precept and percept of
reality. A barrage of experience makes and breaks the realities that bind life. 

Let me tell you about two couples, one I saw a couple of
years back and the other, I observed for merely a couple of minutes yesterday.

Its not nice to stare and observe persons with them
realizing that you suddenly became curious of their presence and have decided
to watch them intently.

But it is a bit different
when for instance you were able to witness what I saw a few years back in a
crowded place, such as a public hospital where at any point you must be
thinking at the back of your mind– How many people in this ward have contagious
diseases? What time will the nurse call my name it’s been hours since I
arrived… He looks pitiful. His wife is apathetic.

I hated going to Philippine General Hospital, or any
hospitals for that matter. But I had no choice but to be there, waiting for the
nurse to call my name, thinking about other people’s illness, then suddenly out
of no where the couple caught my attention.

She smiled piercingly at me as her eyes met mine. It was a
blinding smile.

He never said a word, he would if he could. But she was
constantly talking, whining about how her husband deserved what he got and how
tired she was of having to take care of him in such a useless condition.

I felt for him but I didn’t want to be like him.

Some people who were in the orthopedic section were intently
listening at her, most seemed uninterested. It hit me then that it must be very
hard to grow old and be handicapped at the same time.

The world has a funny way of revolving. It takes unassuming
moments and turns them into timeless pictures. And I just had one more taken
yesterday with a couple who didn’t care while I looked at them as they went on
with their lives in complete darkness.

They were parents to two beautiful young children, a boy and
a girl. Both were preschoolers and yesterday was their class excursion together
with their parents.

The family of four didn’t enter the park. They stayed behind
in the canteen for their snack.

By pairs they approached the cashier to say their orders—the
young girl with his dad, the boy with his mom—that was when my reality was shattered
to my delight!

With their young brood as their guides the couple made their
way to the concession stand and back to their tables to be served. It was a
case of the young leading the adult, the blind adult at that.

I had the urge to go introduce myself to the couple and
thank them for making me see through their disability but I didn’t. Instead, I
smiled at their young girl and she smiled back.

For someone who has lived by the Cartesian philosophy (Cogito Ergo Sum: I think therefore I am), life’s latest revelation may seem contradictory, even foolish to me. But, if it begs me to count myself as a fool, if indeed my life’s philosophy is all wrong, then let it be. For I wish to live a purpose-driven life centered on the Giver: of life and of purpose.

I have acknowledged how, as a fresh high school graduate, I had to have one year to myself to put things into perspective. Perhaps behind the unpreparedness to move forward was the absence of purpose. I was misguided by how popular culture defines success: material possession, greatness and power. I wanted then to be given the opportunity to be
‘successful’ in the same terms but the means weren’t there. I was defiant and
had to stop.

Little by little, I accepted the limitations that were all part of life. I developed
an appreciation for self-construction and was therefore eager to go back to school
for further improvement. I dreamed to become a lawyer inspired by the
impeachments proceedings against then President Erap. Political Science was
therefore favored as a preparatory degree for Law.

And so it was my aim to excel in academics—my own figment of success, my sense of purpose for four years in college. I figured if it is in academics that I can consider myself an achiever, might as well give it my best.

Looking back, there was a time when because of this dream of becoming an achiever, I
was in a way selfish. But indeed, education, a Christian education at that, dispels and enlightens minds towards righteousness. Service to community was therefore the balancing equation that truly made a difference in me. For once withdrawn, I now come to understand how human acts uplift and even inspire others to be a difference.

It is therefore clear that none of the humble achievements in the four years I stayed
in university came only from my own determination. For, I too was inspired by
countless lives, strengthened and challenged by others in society.

‘Success’ is no longer the augmentation of wealth, power or fame but rather it is finding
meaning in the littlest of things: in the kindness of a stranger, in the
soothing breeze, in relationships of people, even in grave mistakes that we are
able to learn from.

As beings in search of meaning to life we aim not to lionize ourselves but allow others, instead, to acknowledge our Creator’s glory through us. For it is only in Him that we become meaningful specks of life. As Marians we ought to bear this in mind. May God’s providence be with us.

Response on behalf of the TOSP finalists of
Region02, February 27, 2006

To the organizers of this
year’s TOSP search, distinguished members of the panel, heads and administrators
of the participating schools, guests, our dear parents and family members, my
dear friends, ladies and gentlemen: a pleasant afternoon.Allow me to share an
anecdote used by the Abraham Lincoln in one of his closing arguments in a case
he got to handle as a young lawyer.

A farmer one day was
sitting in his front porch when suddenly his youngest son came out from the
barn yelling. “Father! Father! The hired is in the hayloft with big sister, the
hired man is pulling down his pants and big sister is lifting up her skirt.”Bemused of what the boy
was saying, the father tried to stop him from his next lines. “Now, now, my son” he
said as he desperately tried to calm him down. But the boy got more restless
and was about to have a tantrum, until finally the father gave up. “Ok tell me
what you saw.” He said.

The child on the brink of
his tears said “I fear both of them will pee on the hay!” The father replied:
“My dear boy, you may have all the facts right but you’ve reached a wrong
conclusion.” The jury roared with laughter and Lincoln won his case handily.

Why begin with such an
anecdote?You see when I learned of
my being nominated to the search for TOSP I was doubtful that I would even
qualify—but I was determined to give my best shot nonetheless.Two weeks ago, on a
Thursday, my two friends from Saint Mary’s received confirmation that they were
qualified for the panel interview. I waited for mine, but none ever came that
day.

On the onset I felt as if
the time I spent preparing for the search was wasted. But as acceptance sunk in,
I felt humbled knowing that my best wasn’t sufficient enough. I must move on
with the conscious desire to further my abilities and get over my weaknesses: I
am not a failure in this sense, I told myself. I also took consolation in the
thought that I welcomed the challenge of proving myself; unfortunately, it was
not yet my time. And so I thought.So when I received the
call from Dr. Calvan I was surprised, a bit upset because by that time my mind
was set for the series of examinations which I am suppose to be taking at this
very same day. But honestly speaking, despite the fact that I was to receive
the invitation two or three days from the rest, I never totally gave up: For
deep within me I was nurturing the hope that maybe, just maybe—I will have word
in time for the interview; and I did!.The child in the anecdote
perhaps took years to have grasped that his deduction of what he saw was wrong
inspite the clear evidence that his young mind allowed him to appraise.

I thank God for yet
another opportunity given me, an opportunity for me to doubt myself: my
abilities, frailties and accomplishments, and to later prove myself wrong.

Having been chosen as one
of the TOSP finalists of Region 2 is an honor that redounds to people who
continue to shape and re-shape the person who I am: My family, especially my
siblings, relatives, especially my cousins, teachers and friends: both old and
new.

More than the recognition
given us, however, is the onus of leaving up to the expectations of an outstanding
student.

My life as a student had
a dramatic change when in 4^th year high I learned of Rene Descartes’
Cogito Ergo Sum, I think therefore I am. Such Cartesian philosophy had been the
guiding principle of my life. Naturally dubious of anything and everything it
gives me the assurance that a reasoned, rational “methodic doubt” to quote
Descartes is but expected of each of us.

Thus I passionately
pursue doubting myself, other people, even my faith as I plod on in search of
the truth about my existence.

Every realization is coupled
with a responsibility; a responsibility to share such realization with others,
to inspire them to act accordingly so that a humane, just and dignified
co-existence- a shared concept of co-existence becomes a reality.

As a political science
student, it is therefore my responsibility to have an objective understanding
of what is really happening in the government and society. It is imminent that
I explain to others the underlying implications of ousting PGMA through extra
constitutional means during this very critical period in our country’s history.
It is highly practical that I preach that corruption is not merely practiced in
the government rather we all are capable of such an act: in school when we
cheat our way through quizzes and exams, at home when we tell lies to our
parents, brothers, or sisters, or when we tolerate or even join our friends in
their vices.

Similarly as biology
students must endeavor to make medical breakthroughs available to humanity, as
education students forward quality instruction and learning, as student nurses
should choose to serve the impoverished Filipinos before going abroad, as
accounting student must choose to uphold honest and transparent statement of
accounts: we are all beckoned to respond to the call of idealism amid crises
that hound our country.

It may take decades
before we see every Filipino in a descent light but this should not impede our
hopes, it must all the more inspire us to do something to curb the present reality.

As citizens of this great
nation, as outstanding students and as Christians we must choose a proactive
stance in response to present-day challenges.

We can only do so much,
but let us bear in mind that a greater power beyond our comprehension is at
work. Let us pray that He guides us and gives us His grace so that today may
indeed usher in a better tomorrow.

Mabuhay tayong lahat! Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!
Maraming salamat po.

Youth’s idealism
has forced me outside my comfort zone. Lately I found myself repeatedly
confronting one of my worst fears, speaking before a crowd.

It is man’s nature to satisfy his curiosity.
Fearful as he may be, he braves his fears to be able to satisfy his wonder, his
figments.

If we were to believe Darwin, man’s curios instincts enable him to
adapt effectively to his changing environment, and in the end, ensure his
survival.

Evolutionary psychologists would however
consider fear, at a healthy level, as part of nature’s design of protection. It
is fear, embedded in the mind, which dictates us to approach curiosity with
caution.

Imagine the fear that must have filled the minds
of Columbus’ crew as they set sail for the East, awaiting their fall to the
great abyss of the flat world; or that of mine as I speak in front of a crowd—
for a second or two, Bilbo’s ring would have been handy!

Overcoming
fears is a life-long process: children grow-up and overcome their fear of the
dark, teenagers tend to flock together for fear of rejection and adults keep on
their toes for fear of failures.

One
of the writers for this publication invited me to join her in a write shop
sponsored by the secondary school where she is an alumna. Both of us were to
lecture on campus journalism. In particular, I was asked to talk about
editorial writing and prepare an activity for the participants, afterwards, and
she was assigned feature writing.

After
having attended a leadership seminar together with some SCC (Student Central
Council) officers, I felt it necessary to carry out what we learned— ‘respond
to the call of voluntarism’ and inspire others do the same. Her invitation was
a perfect opportunity to do just this, except for the fact that such situation
calls for a firsthand encounter with fear.

‘I
was called to this congress since I am a leader in crisis caught between
priorities, idealism and limitations…The wisdom imparted by our speakers is
indeed a fueling station that will help us go the extra mile to effect a
difference in our selves, in our community and the country, at large.’

I
remember myself uttering these lines in front of my co-delegates in Tuguegarao.
It was my sincerity when I spoke those words that defeated my reluctance and
compelled me to join Karen and the high school students of Saguday, Quirino.

My
lecture was not perfect. I still had the jitters as I spoke. But I knew then
that I was on my way to further improvement.

A
week later, three staff members including myself, found ourselves talking this
time to the pioneer journalists of Saint Jerome’s Academy in Bagabag. Till
this day, I feel good for the young journalists whom we had the pleasure to
teach and share our advocacy for responsible journalism.

In
life, each of us has his hurdle to get over. We should be willing to take on
the challenge of doing things the best way we can in spite the fears or
frailties that may be inherent in us.

Rest
assured however, as I myself can attest, there will always be impossible feats
that we have to face, nonetheless—When it is true that a wheelchair cannot
climb stairs, friends will always be there, ready to carry us beyond those
obstacles. Bear in mind, despite our shortcomings, at that end of each day what
matters most is that we did the best we can.

Pick stones dropped on
the trail of traditional politics 

Last July
31, 2005 the municipality of Bayombong hosted the
very first youth parliament ever to be held in the province. The cost for
holding the one-day event was 100,000 pesos.

The
purpose for this youth consultation was indeed laudable, despite the
cost-cutting measures of the municipality, it was thus given priority and
generous funding (we were told).

I for
one was excited to represent the Marians together with Genesis Bicera, SCC
President, and some high school student-leaders of the university. At last the Sangguniang
Kabataan (SK) members of the municipality had something different and
better to offer.

After
having aired our grievances about the governance of the municipality and duly
instituted a Parliament; having ratified the constitution-and-by laws of the
Youth Development Council (YDC), delegated members to such and discussed
possible projects to pursue, all has remained a blissful promise.

In a
conversation with Mr. Oliver Chancoco, the SK Municipal Federation President,
he said that his office is doing what it can to come-up with youth-oriented
projects that would help improve not just the plight of the youth, but the
municipality’s condition as well.

He
admitted however, when he already has formulated project proposals with regard
the YDC, budget-constraints and absence the approval of the YDC’s
Constitution-and-by-laws by the National Youth Commission, the YDC has yet to
wait before further action.

For
those who believed (and still do) that the Youth Parliament could have been
more than a show of political ambition and that the youth of Bayombong can be
united as one for the cause of informed, participatory and responsible
governance, let us not be impeded by factors that we have no direct control
over.

Fr.
Rhonie Aquino challenged the youth leaders of Region 02, quoting Alfred North
Whitehead, “A social system is kept together by the blind force of instinctive
actions and of instinctive emotions clustered around habits and prejudices.”
According to him, the Filipino youth has the “tremendous capacity for action”
but we must be willing to change the system which has become an impediment for
us to “build relationships.”

Undesirable
things that have taken root are indeed painful and tedious to remove, much less
alter, but we must nonetheless, by benevolent and responsible means, take
action and effect change.

The
youth must dare be different in Philippine politics, either as an idealist
in its bureaucracy or an educated and avid critic of it.

It is
only when we acknowledge our role in the process of progress and act
within the confines of law that we become the stronghold of hope for our
country.

the two days i’ve spent in st. paul tuguegarao was a blast! (the first regional leaders congress)

the guest speakers were brilliant (and most are famous– luli arroyo, bam-bam aquino, anti-graft chair etc. etc.)

but to top it all were the very friendly paulinians-
i have to say, of all universities i’ve been, you guys were the most hospitable.

i’m looking forward to seeing you again.
go cagayan youth leaders!!!

lloyd- as always, salamat…

My response:
Indeed, it is through God’s design—Devine providence—so to
speak that each of us are called to greatness…

It is an honor both to address you and speak in your behalf
on this blessed occasion.

Two weeks ago, I was told that I am to be a member of the
delegation representing St. Mary’s to the first regional youth leaders’
congress.

Unlike many of you, however, I wasn’t exactly thrilled about
it.

Don’t get me wrong. You see, the very reason why I was
chosen as a delegate is also the same reason why I had second thoughts of
coming. I felt guilty of the fact that we are due for publication on the 27^th
and as the e-i-c, as the leader, I should be there to make certain that
everything is up to shape prior printing.

Then came word that I was appointed by no less the acting
president, Dr. Evangeline Escobar to do the honors of giving the response
today. To cut the story short, my presence here became imperative—in spite the
fact that I need more coaching in oration: here I am barely maintaining my
composure to speak.

As student leaders, I am sure there are many instances when two
equally important tasks are before us and the least that we can do is
compromise. Are we to prioritize academics over our responsibilities as leaders?
Should we sleep eight hours or less just to meet the demanding expectations we
set ourselves to achieve?

And here lies the providence I was talking about.

You see, in our desire to create positive changes- we
sometimes become impatient, self-abusive, and in the end slowly we realize we
are loosing the vigor and passion for leadership.

I was called to this congress since I am a leader in crisis
caught between priorities, idealism and limitations.

Enlightening and moving were the words of the Hon. Aquino
who brought back to me the humility and power of little things—that small
sincere actions that we consciously desire and do, the small heroic acts as
simple as abstaining from cheating—it is these small acts of humanity, of
voluntarism, of leadership that will eventually but surely bring about the metanoia that we so desire.

The wisdom imparted by our speakers is indeed a fueling
station that will help us go the extra mile to effect a difference in our
selves, in our community and the country, at large.

On behalf of the delegates, I applaud the noble cause for
which we were brought together in brotherhood and in unity of action.

To the supreme board of students, the administration of
Saint Paul University and most especially the DSA, our heartfelt gratitude for
taking it upon yourselves to initiate this catalyst—more so the hospitality
that truly made us feel at home.

My brothers and sisters the cred of a true leader is not
measured merely by what he has accomplished in his lifetime but more significantly
what his life has paved way for the generation and generations that come after
him.

Mabuhay po tayong
lahat! Diyos ti agnginna kakabsat! (God bless)

so you thought you’ve changed?! d*** it! you havn’t…
its either you tire up to exhaustion and manage to get up early
in time for class… or be idle… either way,
can you see the point? that glimmer of hope?

sure you do.
but. deliberately you veer away-
what’s done is done…
leave your ego behind!

to senator raul roco, to whom my vote for the presidency was given, i thank you for reinforcing the youth’s role in nation building. it is your ideals in governance that i will try to live by, guided by education and my personal convictions in life. in your passing, may the Lord be your guide and may you continue to pray for our country, especially for the youth.

could i possibly make a living from being a stand-up comedian? nah! that’ll be too pathetic
for me- hehehheh but this doesnt mean my writings should be void of humor- here are two of
my attempts: (these are original ones so please…. NO PIRACY!)

Morning Calls

I was fixing-up for school one day when my nephew
entered my room for his usual morning visit. I
tried a new hairdo and asked his opinion
"does my hair look better than yesterday?"
He replied disapprovingly, Cocka-doodle-doo looks better.
I then got a lump of gel and styled my hair upwards instead.

For Heavens Stake!

The angels and saints in heaven gathered for their
annual quiz-bee competition. The title gourmet
saint/angel was at stake. In the final difficult
round, an angel and two saints, one Christian the
other Jew, were battling it out.
"For our final question" thrilled Saint Peter,
"what food would best commemorate the Lenten season?"

All three hurriedly wrote in their clay tablets:
The angel’s answer was: FOOD FOR THE SOUL: SONGS AND PRAYERS
The Jewish Saint wrote: UNLEAVENED BREAD AND BITTER HERBS
The Christian Saint’s answer got the most applause:
FAST-FOOD: BURGERS AND FRIES c#p

Funny how
a smile, after the long days of summer, communicate how much we miss our
friends as we finally meet them during the first day of classes. Kuya Ariben
and I may not be the best of friends but this doesn’t stop us from having good
conversations especially on politics. During the first day of school both of us
were very eager to talk about the political instability that has been looming
over our country.

Early on
our conversation, I learned that he had entered the Philippine Marine during
the latter weeks of summer. He even showed me his ID containing his picture, a
glimpse of pride and honor clad in the Philippine Marine uniform.

It is known by the Cogito Politicos (Political
Science majors) that in terms of political ideology he is a leftist and I a
rightist. So imagine how I felt when after showing his ID, he said “Kahit
ganito ang Administrasyon sinusoportahan ko parin ito.” –Such figment was
enough inspiration for this article. 

The philosopher
Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel (1770-1831) once said, “whatever is real is
rational.” Hegel proposed that truth is reached by a “continuing dialectic, in
which a concept (thesis) always gives rise to its opposite (antithesis), and
the interaction between these two leads to the creation of a new concept
(synthesis)”. Hegel gives a defense of the idea that Reason rules history: “The only thought,” he said, “which
Philosophy brings to the contemplation of History, is the simple conception of
Reason; that Reason is the Sovereign of the world; that the history of the
world, therefore, presents us with a rational process”.

A pattern has been established. In
the name of Democracy, every six years a President is elected. In the name of
the people’s sovereignty, two “duly” elected Presidents were ousted from
office. The cause of which is corruption. Is such cycle once again unfolding
before our very eyes?

Corruption is a multifaceted
phenomenon. However it is a sad misnomer that we think of corruption only in
terms of governmental affairs.

Every Filipino is perhaps aware
that the prolific operation of Jueteng during the incumbency of President
Estrada triggered his downfall. If any, commonsense should dictate that no one,
no matter how lowly, should ever again cling to such false hope that provided
Erap the dismal means to plunder our country and lead its economy to further
ruins. 

Sad to say, the same issue has
lead many to doubt this administration’s sincerity and competence. To make
things worst, an expose, which alleged PGMA’s fraudulent electoral mandate has
surfaced. Together, these issues, among many others, challenge her
Administration’s legitimacy.

A government by the people
necessarily reflects the common character of that people.

By questioning our President’s
legitimacy we must not fail to question ourselves as well: Is civil-society doing
its part to ensure the success of this government which it depends from so
much? 

I believe that majority of us fail
our civil obligations. Jueteng’s resurgence in Bayombong alone would prove
this.  

The church had been adamant
against gambling, particularly Jueteng. Still a majority of its members have a
nonchalant (deadma) attitude towards the moral and social implications of such
activities.

We already knew before hand that
Jueteng operations were once again picking up— Why did we have to wait orders
from the National Government (after the scandals surfaced) before seriously
acting? Perhaps the civil-society is not as sincere and competent as it should
be.

Everyone is also well aware that
the electoral proceedings in our country have a shaky integrity. But how many
of us bothers to stand guard over the votes that will inevitably determine the
kind of leadership that all of us will have to submit to?

We knew about the high probability
of electoral fraud, why be surprised of the possibility that PGMA might have
cheated her way to victory?

There is no doubt in my mind,
given the tolerance of a Filipino towards the many evils of corruption, that he
would not bother think of the consequences of one, two or twenty votes omitted
in favor for a political candidate; that is until he is almost obliged (by the media) to realize the impact of these "small" details. Like a Filipino student wouldn’t bother to
cheat in a major exam—“it is better to cheat than to repeat”—he is just so self
conceited to realize that cheating in class desensitizes him towards other
forms of corruption. For his act of cheating is equally evil as the act say, of
a public engineer who pockets a portion of the funding for infrastructure
projects or that of a president who was seated in office through fraudulent
means.

The difference perhaps is the scale. Yes, we often forget that small
things, small actions, in the long run become the defining factor of life.
Small can indeed be terrible.

I am of the opinion that the
challenge to this Administration’s legitimacy is only secondary to the question
of Democracy’s existence in our country. As protoplasm is elementary to every
living matter, Rule of Law is to Democracy. 

if the president is ousted with
extra-constitutional means this would not reinforce the spirit of EDSA but
quite the opposite—the rise of the tyranny of the majority: the tyranny of
those who disregard the power of the few, the
insignificant, the definitive force.

The Filipino who sincerely calls
for reforms in a Democratic setup listens to reason and not to the impulsive
dictates of passion.

He must realize that the ends
doesn’t justify the means: If it were true that PGMA connived with a COMELEC
official to rig the elections, the only apparent evidence of which is a tape
containing wiretapped conversations which is deemed immaterial or inadmissible
in the court of law—then until such time that there be material evidence pointing
to such effect, he must stand firm by his leader. He should remain faithful to
the system that has declared the legitimacy of his ruler: since this is the very
system that he himself defines with every action that he does in his everyday living.

If he believes this system needs
major changes, he must make those changes apparent in himself. Take solace in
the thought that every pixel makes a difference in the bigger picture of life.

theoretical physics abounds with awe-inspiring
mysteries:

relativity theory suggests that events -whether or
not they may seem spontaneous- are in fact bound
to happen in such specific manner.
-the past, present and future are one and thesame:
they are mere figments: synanymous and intertwined.

quantum theory on the other contradicts this
school of thought and posits that space, time,
energy and matter are causal forces– malleable,
uncertain, free-willing.

the thing is-
both theories are well accepted and grounded in
science.
i admitt, i can’t (for the moment) expound on
their ’scientific’ explanations-
but i guess the science to them are revealed when
one’s soul has understood the implications they
abound…

definitely, i advocate the quantum theory!
how about you? c#p

it has often been said that everyone is connected to everyone, atleast in some peculiar way…

there is merely 6′ of separation between us: the six degree connection, so to speak.

and so i decided to put this theory to test-
a few clicks of my fave things-
some friend requests sent-
and now ‘the wait’- c#p

I had a fitting sleep last night.
Perhaps it was reason that was bothering me even in the deepest recesses of my subconscious.

21 years prior this day, was reason conceived or was I
merely ‘chance?’
Was it chance that I was to have a degenerative neuromuscular disease, apparently
from a recessional gene?
Was it reason that I was misdiagnosed to have ‘mild’ polio as early as the age
of two, even though such term to describe polio is unknown to medicine?
Was it chance that I am to develop an obsessive-compulsive personality? (lol!)
Or maybe reason, that keeps me asking?

Everything is uncertain.
Yet in make-believe, we make things certain. no, we are not deceiving our
selves, nor any body for that matter.
Because in the process of believing, we have to allow reason to take its
course.
Reason, much like the universe, is a humbling mystery. yet the challenge to be
humbled by that mystery is not an easy task.

I find reason in the littlest of things.

I used to see my stamps, coins, paper bills, rocks or any of my collection as
my reason-
until eventually they became less important to me.
But still, I keep them. because they remind me of how much my I owe my
childhood years.

I used to go to church every sunday.
Until it became clear that sunday was not the only day of the week that I
should be conversing with Him.

He often tells me to go to church, but I reason out instead.
He never gets tired of reminding me though. And yes, conversing with Him is
never boring!

I used to fear thunder and lightning.
That is until I felt the pitter-patter of rain while riding
my bicycle on the streets as lightnings struck and thunders roared.

Yes, I was able to do both; when I was still the boy everyone
called ‘kitten’ now they call me ‘kitz’.

I used to fear death.
But living has given me a first-hand grasp of dying:
Both constitute uncertainties, pains, and in these
negativities lurk comfort.

Now however, I choose to find reason in people.
Strangers, acquiantances… they’re all the same.
I find in them the chance to understand reason—

I don’t give every reason the same amount of importance.
Assigning varying degrees of meaning to people allows
me to feel comfort, threat and acceptance.

Imagine then the grief when someone who I have considered
my life’s reason turns out more of a passion!

It’s a disaster basically.

It is as if everything has turned out all wrong!
Everything I chose to consider as truth turned out to be insincere…

No one is to blame but myself-
Having been blinded by emotions and their misleading ambivalence,
I was required to pay dearly.

Everytime we commit something wrong, we abhor reason and
cling to passion.
That is not to say that passion is all wrong. They are
neither the darkness that leads us astray, nor the signage that point to the
right directions. They are the spice of life…

Since then on, I chose a path that I liken to a monk who is
fasting or a Moslem who is undergoing an endless Ramadan, or an unleavened
bread.

The path I now tread is reason free from passion. c#p

Stemngif:Worlds
Apart

"THE SOLITARY ROAD"I thought to myself as we were whisked by the car from our hometown of
Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya to Subic, Olongapo
city. It has been several years back in my childhood days when I last visited the
place. It didn’t take me long to notice how progressively different the place
has now become.

I
couldn’t help but entertain some thoughts, figments, as we wound our way
up the lush green, pristine hills of Subic.

You see, I was pretty much enjoying the view, the fresh air and nature’s
orchestrated sounds but deep inside me, I was contemplating about the similar
winding mountains of the Sierra Madre—with its strikingly peculiar barren
spots.

Two
weeks ago, a press release from Malacanang said that LAKAS-NUCD officials were
apparently financing illegal logging operations. The President gave Secretary
Mike Defensor two months to put an ultimatum to these dismal activities, the
report added.

Development,
they say, comes at a price. We have paved roads cutting across mountains, we
have beautifully furnished homes, we make money from lumber; but what is in
turn, lost?

True, the Sierra Madre
Mountains are now much easily traversed thanks to macadamized roads, but the
almost barren backdrop of the place and scattered fumes of smoke, signaling
“kaingin” at a distance are truly disheartening scenarios.

My architect friend
shares much of my sentiments. He
said, “Subic, despite modernization and
progress still gives nature her due.” Indeed, sustainable development, as
embodied in Subic, is not a far-fetched reality: it takes our fervid desire,
however, to rise up to the challenge of being our Father’s co-creator coupled
with the sincere political will of government officials, to truly make a
difference in progress.#

…But
before anything, here’s mine.

Seldom
do we realize how much life has given us… how much it has yet to give… At
times, I find myself wondering “what’s next for me?”

It is a
campus journalist’s dream come true to be appointed “editor” at one point in
his life. It is my honor to be of service to the Marian community while at the
same time sharing my passion of writing with you.

My
thanks to the Marian advisers and staff members for the support and understanding
they have been showing me. I acknowledge that I have flaws that need
perfection, with them however, I believe, the hurdle will be less daunting and
definitely fun!

My
apologies to Lloyd Alexander Adducul, my good friend, whose name was unintentionally
omitted in the Editorial Board of the MARIAN FOLIO despite his unwavering
effort in the publication.
* * *
Provincianos most likely belittle themselves in terms of the education
they receive compared to that of those who have the means to go to urban universities.
I appeal to them to discard such wrong idea:

It is
true that compared to the urban sprawl’s educational facilities, our school has
yet to come up with similar or even better ones that may indeed make us more
highly competitive individuals. However, facilities are just one of the many
factors contributing to a good education.  Each of us has the capacity to
compensate for what seems to be lacking in terms of laboratory equipments,
computer software, books or what not.

It all
boils down to self-initiative: faith, ingenuity and dedication equally hone
one’s skill and credibility.
* * *
When I usually ask someone what he or she thinks of THE MARIAN, one answer
strikes me the most. “Pro-Admin kayo kasi wala na kayong ipinapublish kundi mga
accomplishments ng university”.

No
offence taken with this impression; however, in behalf of the staff, I assure
you that this is not true.

It has
been the life-long policy of the publication to uphold responsible journalism:
speaking of issues with the plain and simple truth. Most of the time, we share
to you the recognitions and accomplishments received by our school and our
schoolmates, as well as the improvements that occur in the campus, for these
are sources of inspiration for all of us to learn from and must be grateful
for.

This
doesn’t mean, however, that your concerns are not worthy of our attention.

Pertinent
issues that have far-reaching implications to our school life are definitely on
top of our priority list. That’s why, THE MARIAN’s first issue for the second
semester has something new in store for you. Consider this our response to your
clamor for change—

This
issue of THE MARIAN is also the birth of the Marian Investigative Bureau. You
can expect that every time you read THE MARIAN, MIB will always be there to
present you broader topics, provocative issues and action-oriented views. c#p

“When you report, you are, in a
way, writing. When you organize your notes, you are writing. Even when you sit
quietly over coffee, contemplating your next article, you are writing. Writing
is an act of mind at least as much as an act of pen or keyboard.”
–Carl Sessions Stepp

Nothing puts a smile across a
writer’s face than somehow knowing in his heart that his words are transcending
mere ink and paper to make contact with a total stranger whom he may never have
the occasion to be with, in person. This is how I feel every time I read
someone else’s work, be it a novel, a poem, or a three-worded climactic phrase.
Such thought I would well prioritize in my humble attempts to write.

These days, most of us would
consider NEWS as brutally violent, intolerably sensationalized or generally NEGATIVE.
This is the trend indicated by a Time/CNN poll. "75% of respondents agreed that the news media is "sensationalistic"; 63% found it "too negative"; and 73% said they are "skeptical about the accuracy" of the news they are recieving".

As you scour the broadsheets of
daily newspapers, while watching news reports on television, upon turning on
the radio, or by merely surfing the net- chances are, you would have come
across the murder of John Doe, the Philippine economic spiral, or the
ill-gotten wealth of General Juan dela Cruz — but none would be graver than
the gruesome tale of the abductees in Iraq as they undergo barbaric
decapitation under the watchful lens of the Al Jazera News Network.

Critics would point out that televised news are the ones dominated by stories of violence. In comparison to violent crimes, stories about the government (11.3%), economic/business (7.9%), health (7.1%), education (3.5%), children (.6%), the environment (2.0%), science (.2%), and the arts (.5%) are less frequently reported.
(www.mediascope.org/pubs/ibriefs/ ltnv.htm)

If these constitute information
dissemination, as we know it today, are we then imperiled by the media?

As I was drawn to the intrigue and
genuine feel of the documentary, Bowling for Columbine by Micheal Moore, where
he attempted to search reasons for the violent behavior of Americans as
illustrated by the shooting spree of two students from Columbine, one thing
became clear to me. When there are other factors which directly influence one’s
violent tendencies, the media, in particular, is probably most guilty of
harboring such negativity– the media and its principle of, “IF IT BLEEDS, IT
LEADS”, a potent poison fueled by profit.

Experts admit that the rate of which
violence-oriented images are shown have far-reaching consequences. A study
published by Mediascope, identified three primary risk factors associated with
viewing media violence: learning aggressive attitudes and behaviors; emotional
desensitization toward real world violence; and increased fear of being
victimized by violence, resulting in self-protective behaviors and mistrust of
others.

It is however unfair to generalize
media in such a dismal category. We must not forget that JOURNALISM is a
DISCIPLINE, much more than a viable source of income. In the Philippines,we
have seen an evolution in the field of broadcast journalism. GMA-7 News and
Public Affairs has been spearheading this revolution and has been bringing
pride to the Philippines
as they continue to be acknowledged in various International Award-Giving
Bodies, such as CNN and the Peabody Awards, for their excellence in journalism
and emphasis on “Serbyisyong Totoo”. The news programs of the station are good
standards by which we can appreciate balanced, trustworthy, and responsible
reporting.

The nature of a news report is
that it is straightforward in delivering information. It is for this reason
that news writers and reporters are almost expected to have an emotional
detachment with the story they are conveying. It is not that they are being
indifferent of what they are seeing, rather such stance is to clear their heads
and give them focus on facts essential to the explanation of the scenario,
minimizing the possibility of having their emotions evoke drama or exaggeration.
In this context, perhaps a compromise can be made even in the coverage of an
intrinsically negative event, such as a hostage taking, a drug bust operation,
or the execution of a death convict, if a news report would rely more on
appropriate words to give us the real picture and less on footages to speak for
themselves— let alone, unedited, unregulated precarious images.

“What beauty and pain is life,
when all but foul prevail? When darkness falls and blackens the night; what
beauty and pain, a candle light.” The practice of JOURNALISM is a sacred
balance of FREEDOM and RESPONSIBILITY, tenets that brings forth the
enlightening truth in a dimly lit world. c#p 

“I am a
citizen of the world”. This sentence has a very profound meaning, especially
nowadays. It is no question that the two abominable World Wars, the unrelenting authority
of the United Nations, the “Diaspora” of many nationalities to other countries
in search of greener pastures, point out to us, how, despite the existence of
individual states, our planet is considerably, slowly, becoming one “borderless
society”.

The
notion of a borderless society may be scary for many. In my contention (this is
because), even with our awareness of its multi-faceted manifestations, we tend
to be careless of the underlying facts that are upshots of its existence. I for
one would admit that globalization entails a lot of sacrifice in the part of
individual states. But there is no discounting the fact, that this is also
necessary in the evolution of Politics, in the race for Political Survival. 

What is
then the best way to minimize the threat of “cultural death” for every country?
Clearly, one of the best ways to do this is by acknowledging the fact that we
are different from one another. In acknowledging each country’s uniqueness, we
tend to be more tolerant of their culture, respective of their eccentricities.

Diplomacy
has been “the name of the game”; and lately we have heard a lot about it with
regards the issues concerning Iraq.

Ever
since his abduction, Angelo dela Cruz has become a household name: a typical
Filipino who left his country to work in hostile grounds for that chance to
alleviate the condition of his family. Yet circumstances were not that kind to
him, or were they?

Ah,
yes! By all means he has now received more than anything he had ever dreamed of.

In
exchange for one innocent life, what have we got in return? First came the
waves of disappointment from the  U.S.(quite an expected reaction), followed by a “shame, shame!” from  Australia,
adding that Filipinos are ‘marshmallows’. Not so!

No
matter what the cost (literally and figuratively) of this saving act, we
Filipinos must be very proud that we chose to uphold the dignity of but one,
simple, person against a pointless death. 

The
human scale of the society is again given the proper attention it so badly
needs. In addition, this just goes to prove that a borderless society does not
mean of diplomacy as synonymous to dictatorship of who ever is the most
powerful among nations.

Rudolph
Smuntz was found of saying, ”A world without string is chaos.” In politics
this is very much true, though in a sarcastic way: a world “With strings
attached”.

Diplomacy
in Politics must be a relationship of mutual respect and understanding,
strengthened
through
time, nourished by a sincere interdependence among nations.
* * *

- It
was a blast! The fourth acquaintance party of the School of Public Administration and Governance was better than
ever. Their “autonomy” must have been the reason for their different level of
excitement, that day; after all it was high time that the SPAG start to form
and advance its own identity.

- The
opposing thumb is an engineering marvel that allows man to create and destroy
virtually anything. POLITICIANS sometimes would use it as one identifying mark
in their campaign gestures; but for the POLITICAL SCIENCE students who formed a
“coalition” after the formal party ended, it meant they were more than happy to
ponder politics and the mundane life, at least for the moment. Campai! That’s
‘cheers’ in Niponggo. c#p

             

“STEMNGIF” Do I have your attention? Perfect then, you may start
pondering about what that quoted word means. Obviously, that of course would be
the title of this column.

It has been around 7 years, since I wrote in my very last column way back in
grade school (grade 6, to be exact). I still hold close to my heart the fond
memories I had with the first batch of THE LITTLE MARIAN staff and with our
moderator, Sir Alex Pasion. I must regretfully confess, however, that whatever
it is I wrote about, before, had long been forgotten with the passing of time.
My exposure to writing, early on in life, serves me much. Although in high
school, this, I chose not to put in use, (as I did not apply to write for the
SPECTRUM) save during English classes in which, we toiled in countless hours,
writing a hefty number of compositions; one or two, were published in the
school paper.

Last year, I was again lucky to be given the chance to share my essay, entitled
“The Sport Enthusiast That I am”, with the MARIAN. I keep to myself, that is
until now, the pride that I have for my compositions. Actually, I keep intact
all rough drafts that I write, whether it be a simple poem, or an unfinished
short story; I value them much. Most of the time, though, these are “for my
eyes-only”; nothing personal or foolish about it, it’s just that, I worry much
about what others may think of them.

So, what am I doing here? You ask. The commonest thing for me to do when faced
with adversities or challenges or when I would feel like a stick-in-the-mud, is
to write; to scribble words; hours later, I would be feeling better. Writing
curbs my emotions in a rather, whimsical, subtle manner. It’s no wonder, that
by now, I have gotten over that apprehension. Am I intrepid? Not really, just
happen to have a dash of confidence… confidence that did not come easily.

My philosophy in life, is Rene Descartes’ “I think, therefore I am”. I was
drawn to Descartes’ line of thinking because of his simplicity of words. It was
in high school, in my World History class that I realized how much it counts to
reason. Often confronted with self-imposed questions, his words were an
affirmation to me that it was but right to doubt, to question, to dare be
different, then to have faith: in God, in yourself, and in others. This faith
made me open-minded, curios, yet at the end of each day, contented and
believing.

For as long as stemngif (roughly, inverted “figments”) put me in a state of
quandary, for as long as questions arise for me to reason-out to, for as long
as words stimulate the palate of my brain, I will forever be satisfying my
gusto to write. In my future columns, some of these thoughts, I will be sharing
with you.

My being a writer for the MARIAN, I owe much
to those who believe in me… For without them, this dream would have remained a figment
of my imagination. c#p