Ben-Hur

My last days of December 2008 was spent here at Cebu City with my youngest brother. He was given cash as Christmas gift by my mother to buy new shirts and a pair of jeans. So off we went visiting malls and searching for the best “fits” for him. After the hassle and bustle (roaming malls is not really my thing), we hurried to go rest in my room.

We had dinner at a nearby barbecue stall and went to my Ramos barkadas for some drinks of beer. Although my brother is still in high school, I allow him to accompany me with these gatherings because I believe that exposing him to “realities” of life will be better rather than restricting him to have drinks with other people. I think that the more we restrict youngsters with their “new-found vices”, the more it will drive them to be rebellious. I want my brother to discover new things with me and thus be guided on what's really right and wrong. Actually, I am also learning from the process of teaching him the more important aspects of life.

Although I haven't been to Church for a while, I made it a point that we attend the mass that day so that I can impart to my brother that going to church should be part of his Sunday (if not everyday) routine. So off we went to Sto. Rosario Church which I have grown to love back from my College days at USC. The reading that Sunday was about the Holy Family. And the officiating priest during his Homily simply called families who have eleven children with them at the mass. He called it sort of a "Bring Me" game and promised to give a price of P500 from his pocket. Since no one approached him with eleven children, he proceeded on to call: "families with 10 children- nobody came up the pulpit; families with 9 children- still nobody came up; 8 kids- nobody stirred; 7 kids- nobody came yet; 6 kids- still none; at the count of: “5 kids! Bring me five kids, with father and mother...” At last, a throng of kids moved in front of the altar with the youngest carried by the mother. The people clapped their hands and the family received the P500 gift which the priest doubled to P1,000 so that the whole family can go to Jollibee after the mass, as he said. He then continued on to preach that the purpose of his “bring-me game” is to encourage people to hear mass as a family.

“How many of you comes to mass with the whole family?” This question still rang in my ears as the priest gave us his last blessings when the mass ended. What with everyone's busy schedules, it is in fact very rare that my own family goes to Church together. I myself find some excuse every time my Mother asks us to accompany her to Church. I made a resolve then to make it often to mass. And thankfully enough, I haven't skipped Church for three consecutive Sundays now. Not yet, anyway. So the mass we attended that day was really enlightening not only for my brother but for me, as well.

Pollyanna Book Review: Right On!

A good cousin asked me to write a review from any book for her English class. Because she's a good girl- a trait she obviously inherited from me, I gladly agreed despite my busy writing career. Aheem.

Pollyanna Book Review:

It may seem unsuitable to be reviewing a book with children as the main audience in a College Sophomore class. However, upon reading Pollyanna by Elizabeth H. Porter, I decided to feature it because of the universal theme it brings. People from all walks of life can readily relate to the simple game of life called, “The Glad Game” which Pollyanna has managed to infect to the inhabitants of Beldingsville, Vermont- the story's setting and where everything unfolded for the innocent life of our dear heroine, Pollyanna. Thus, this all-time favourite from Elizabeth H. Porter is able to appeal to all audiences, young and old alike. It encompasses a message which is relevant for every one's life all around the world.

With so many challenges these days, one can easily succumb to temptation and choose the easy way out. In fact, based on what I've observed most Filipinos specifically Cebuanos, are becoming shallower by the minute, choosing easy money rather than work hard for it. Young people for one, seems to be caught in the web of happy-go-lucky existence. Late night clubbing, drinking sessions, hanging out in malls and making aimless chatter with Barkadas are becoming a trend. One way or another, this has to stop. And I know each of us can contribute even with just small steps, in imparting values once again to the youth.

Moreover, the onset of the Internet greatly influence the way Filipinos think, act and shop, as well. It seems everybody is in a frenzy to buy the newest model of cellphones, clothing style and the latest accessories available. What every Filipino seems to be forgetting is how to be thankful for what they are given with. Being part of the youth, I know we can make a difference by deviating our interests to other money saving pursuits instead of getting "in" with the trend. Yes, we have our own struggles, what with the recent accumulation of economic crisis, but if we compare our present situation with that of other warring countries, the Philippines is definitely a safer place to live in. As long as we get to exercise our freedom of speech and of choice, indeed we are still lucky citizens. Therefore, the story of Polyanna is just right on time with our present Filipino lifestyle today.

Summary of chapters in order:

The plot mainly opens when Pollyanna arrived to her Aunt Polly's big house on the top of a hill. Nancy, the housekeeper feels guilty that the little girl's assigned room is no more than the attic of the house, as instructed by her mistress. No sooner than the new gal was bouncing with happiness despite the inconvenience of her situation. It is later found out that her life centers around the belief that there is always something to be glad about however hard and futile a situation is. This “Glad Game” was taught by her father when she wished to have dolls but got crutches instead through the missionary barrel. It encourages the players of the game to look for the advantages of a situation, rather than focusing on the negative side. The glad game is all about being contented with what you are given and just be happy with it.

Eventually, Polyanna transforms people around her and the way they see things. Much of it was due to “The Glad Game” which she effortlessly managed to introduce to the uneventful little New England neighbourhood. Although Aunt Polly was the most unyielding one to the Glad Game, she eventually softened up especially when she married her former lover, Dr. Chilton.

Pollyanna's never ending jovial mood was put to the test when she encountered an accident which left her legs paralysed. For days, she felt so down and cannot bring herself to think of things to be glad about. Fortunately, the neighbours she had helped before came steadily, visiting her in Aunt Polly's house. They keep encouraging Pollyanna not to lose hope because she had made a difference in their lives through her relentless optimism. Soon, she found strength to play the Glad Game again by thinking that at least, she used to have legs. ***

This is a story about the advantages of having a positive outlook of life. To always find ways to be glad despite difficult circumstances. Thus, this book should be read to kids the soonest they can understand it and to make young Cebuanos and Filipinos be aware of Polyanna. The lessons, kindness and respect as embodied by the good natured Polyanna should be instilled in children and everybody for that matter. It is just right to say that this book spans the test of time, age, religion and race. So, the next time an accident or drawback happens in your life, think again. Think of Pollyanna and her Glad Game. You might actually become good at playing it.

Later is never late... :=)

The popular past time of everybody when New Year comes is to make resolutions. Since most of my resolutions in the past just bubbled out of thin air, I'm making it short this year. And that is, to write as many entries as I can here in this blog of mine. After all, being an avid thinker ought to have a lot to say about stuff, right? So, please bear with my late “entries" from last year. Here goes:

Moalboal Chrismas Party Outing:
(December 13, 2008)



Although still sleepy, I forced my body out of the bed to make a quick bath. My wristwatch read 7:15am. Assembly time is supposedly from 7:00-7:30am but I know I can still manage it. After all, we are still Filipinos, eh?
However, due to this manana habit, my Christmas party outing started out bad because when I reached the hired bus, all seats were already occupied and left me no choice but to sit near the bus' windshield which is beside the driver. Good for me, huh!
After two hours of a seemingly very long journey (the air conditioned bus was really slow), we finally arrive at HK Beach Resort, which our company rented for the duration of the overnight Christmas party. After settling ourselves at different assigned rooms, we had a sumptuous lunch of hot, crispy lechon which every body really savored especially since we are all hungry by that time. A short program followed with our in-house band and with some FP employees participating in the singing.
Nothing much happened except that I got a bad case of hangover even though I didn't drink beer with my normal dosage. So when night came for the Christmas party, I was just pretty crumpled in the writer's room suffering from headache and other hangover aches. Whew! What a way to celebrate a company Christmas outing. As they say, “Usab pa ka Briyce?” -- “Di na jd. Ka usa na lang!”

Blue Reef Outing:
(Some date on September)

Well, I can roughly summarize this outing into a few lines:

a) This is the day that the Katols manifested themselves into drunks, jealous guys, heart breakers as well as heart broken species in FP.
b) Talented employees really made their presence known during this company get together, too.
c) When this company outing finally ended and the time to go home came, one of my most memorable nights happened. You see, uhmmm... well... I'm running out of words here...
d) So, see you on the next post for our next company outing, a'right?-- *Winks!*

Break-down!

Ahhh... The smell of the holidays is soothing my senses... I'm now excited to spend my Christmas break at my hometown. Hmmmm.. The thought of home cooked meals like Buwad and Utan Bisaya is really making me itch to go home. Right now! The taste of beer is another enticing prospect that I'm looking forward for my vacation. But the most wonderful thing of all is, I don't get to work any more! No more waking up early (9:00 am is way too early for me), no more scratching my head (without the itch), no more researching and writing non-quality articles just because the quota is now 3,500 words in one day! Not to mention those pesky LTV's! My, my... this year's Christmas break will certainly be a breath of fresh air. Whew!

All Saints/Souls Day 2008

October has come and gone and I haven’t really posted a real post. The scratchy feeling of writing something is nagging me again tonight. I kept meaning to really write about the past national holidays (All Saints and Souls day) but it is now mid- month that is why I call this entry some sort of cramming.

Well, let’s start with my homeward journey to Cebu’s northernmost town, Bogo City. Naturally, during these special holidays, the North Terminal is ready to explode with passengers, all in a hurry to get to their respective destinations. A distinctive Filipino tradition is that whenever there's a special holiday being celebrated, it is instinctive and natural to go home to their own provinces. For me, the required travel also means a slight vacation on the side especially since Bogo is haven to wonderful, scenic beaches. In fact, the northward journey which starts from the town of Consolacion is jotted with beach lots and properties all along the coastline. Some towns such as Danao, Carmen and Catmon can really boast of sandy, white beaches located just along the national road. It is because of these roadside attractions that I am able to enjoy the trip despite of the heat and smoke of fuming buses and other vehicles. When we reach Lugo, vendors along the road offer us with Budbod Kabog, a local delicacy made of corn extracts which is really mouth-watering once you get the hang of it. At last, we reach Brgy. Lapaz, passed along the Shrine of Mary Immaculate, and the Municipal Hall of Bogo greets us just located at the left side the road. This is the first landmark which signals that you are approaching the Bogo proper.

Thankfully, the three hour ride to my good, old home town was over and I finally hit home. However, all my folks were already at the cemetery paying respects to our dear departed ones. My brother even texted me to follow them if I can still manage it. But the heat and dust from travel never fails to make me dizzy that is why I choose to go home first. Anyway, my plan is to visit the cemetery and light candles on November 2nd to avoid the bulk of people generally expected to make their visits on the 1st.

I had a good sleep after which a good home made meal (thanks to my Ma's ever homey cooking skills :=)). When night came, I spent some time with friends hanging out in Bogo's Pantalan, it's the ever popular tambayan of Bogohanons. I chose not to make out most of the night since my younger brother is with me. We made our way home at around 12:00 midnight. I was up early the next day. I have to pack my things again for the trip back to Cebu City. But first, I went to my Aunt's burial place, lighted candles and said a prayer, hoping that She's in a safe place with the angels above together with all of my departed folks.

Once again, I sat in a Ceres bus for the ride back to where my work, responsibilities and life are. I'll be missing my family, friends and of course, good old Bogo. But for sure, I'll be back for the next big celebration- Christmas! Definitely, another trip worth looking forward into.


XS: Time, time, time! I realize now that if only I could give up my drinking sessions, I would have access to ample time for writing.