Tita Cory

I would rather die a meaningful death
than to live a meaningless life.

~ Pres. Cory Aquino; 1986-1992

Ina.

Babae.
Pilipina.

Dilaw.
Laban.
Simbolo.
Pangulo.

Pag-asa.
Pagbabago.
Pagkakaisa.

Liderato.
Talino.
Integridad.

Kalayaan.
Demokrasya.
Pilipinas.

Minamahal.
Pinagdarasal.
Ikinararangal.

Salamat.
Paalam.

MARIA CORAZON COJUANGCO-AQUINO
January 25, 1933 – August 1, 2009

Ang sambayanang Pilipino, mangungulila sa paglisan mo.

Maktub!

One Sweet and Lovely Note

My father's own handwritten note --
one of the sweetest I've ever read!

Dance With My Father Again
Luther Vandross

Back when I was a child
Before life removed all the innocence
My father would lift me high
And dance with my mother and me and then
Spin me around til I fell asleep
Then up the stairs he would carry me
And I new for sure, I was loved

If I could get another chance
Another walk
Another dance with him
I'd play a song that would never ever end
How I'd love love love
To dance with my father again

When I and my mother would disagree
To get my way I would run from her to him
He'd make me laugh just to comfort me yeah yeah
Then finally make me do just what my momma said
Later that night when I was asleep
He left a dollar under my sheet
Never dreamed that he would be gone from me

If I could steal one final glance
One final step
One final dance with him
I'd play a song that would never ever end
'Cause I'd love, love, love, to dance with my father again

Sometimes I'd listen outside her door
And I hear how my mother cried for him
I'd pray for her even more than me
I'd pray for her even more than me

I know I'm praying
For much to much
But could you send back
The only man she loved
I know you don't do it usually
But dear Lord she's dyin
To dance with my father again

Every night I fall asleep
And this is all I ever dream


HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PAPA.
HAPPY FATHER'S DAY TO THE WORLD'S GREATEST!
THANK YOU AND I LOVE YOU!

Maktub!

Remembering You On Your Natal Day

Happy 92nd Birthday, Mamang Olive!

Maktub!

Remembering You On Your Day

"In prose and poetry, the depth of a mother's love has been immortalized times without number, finding as it does, its justification, not in fantasy but in reality."

~Perez vs. CA; G.R. No. 11870, March 29, 1996

A Song for Mama
Boyz II Men

You taught me everything
And everything you've given me
I always keep it inside
You're the driving force in my life
There isn't anything
Or anyone I can be
And it just wouldn't feel right
If I didn't have you by my side
You were there for me to love and care for me
When skies were grey
Whenever I was down
You were always there to comfort me
And no one else can be what you have been to me
You'll always be you always will be the girl
In my life for all times

You're always down for me
Have always been around for me even when I was bad
You showed me right from my wrong
Yes you did
And you took up for me
When everyone was downin' me
You always did understand
You gave me strength to go on
There was so many times
Looking back when I was so afraid
And then you come to me
And say to me I can face anything
And no one else can do
What you have done for me
You'll always be
You will always be the girl in my life

Never gonna go a day without you
Fill's me up just thinking about you
I'll never go a day
Without my mama

Mama, mama you know I love you
Oh you know I love you
Mama, mama you're the queen of my heart
Your love is like
Tears from the stars
Mama, I just want you to know
Lovin' you is like food to my soul


HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY, MAMA.
THANK YOU AND I LOVE YOU, TOO.

Maktub!

CCT/CT Class of 2008-2009

It is indeed fulfilling and rewarding to see ourselves march on the stage and receive the certificates as we bid goodbye to Bicol University on our graduation day.

Try to imagine what our first day in CCT/CT was like. Have you felt being at a crossroads when you enjoyed your sovereignty during high school days? Have you ever wondered about how will you be able to make friends easily, how will you adjust to the new environment and so on?

These were the same experiences and feelings we had during our first day in CCT/CT. Excited and nervous but full of curiosity what life would become after CCT/CT.

Our batch is composed of heterogeneous professions with different reasons of enrolling in CCT/CT. Some would like to take and pass the LET. Others enrolled because it’s a requirement in their profession. The remaining enrollees decided to take CCT/CT because of their passion to teach and willingness to become a teacher by heart.

Whatever our reasons are, we all experienced hard work doing paper works like FS and portfolios that really enhanced our knowledge in teaching. Being a CCT student gives us an opportunity to learn and discover the pillars of becoming an effective and efficient teacher. We have explored the many avenues of trial and errors, the grace to make mistakes, the fun to have arguments and lively participation of the class during the discussion and still make good memories along the way.

As what our graduation song says “The Last of All Days,” ready or not time has come to an end. But this is just a beginning that will open for a new journey for all of us – to take the challenge of advocating the endless pursuit of knowledge. We will all make a difference in the lives of our future students. We will cherish those times spent with us by our professors and mentors who devotedly shared their knowledge to us. We must bloom wherever we will be planted. We will use the wisdom as our weapons on becoming if not the best, productive educators for the years to come!

We are the CCT/CT 2009 graduates - jolly, friendly and smart chatters. It’s really fun to be with this batch!

Write-up by Ate Sharon.

Maktub!

Cinderella's Drinking Buddy

Sigh, another wasted day! I'm still sleepy and definitely not feeling well. :(

At 4 pm yesterday, I was surfing the net for some stuff before going to school. While online, Peach told me that Francis wants to spend time with us since he will not attend his class. And by spending time with us, I know that what he actually mean are shot glass, pitcher, iced tea, pulutan and Mr. GranMa, and not just meeting up and chat about anything under the sun. With that idea in mind, I texted Francis "May klase ako, 'tol. Pero kung mapainom ka tas may pwerteng pulutan, pwede man baga mag-absent." (Got class bro. But if you're going to sponsor a drinking spree coupled with delicious finger foods, I can cut class.) See how easy-to-get I am! Exchanging my class with a drinking session. Very wise decision, huh? Tsk, tsk. Poor me.

And so, Peach and Francis came over to my place and welcomed the night with a liter of Mr. GranMa and 1-whole roasted chicken. As time passes by, we had a few good laughs, gave updates about ourselves, talked about others and of course, bragged a lot. Hahaha. Alongside those things, Mr. GranMa is gradually being consumed. Soon, the last shot was taken. BUT, the story didn't end there. The night is young and so is the effect of the alcohol in our body. Eheh.

Soon afterward, we decided to find another place where we can have our washing. For those of you who do not know what washing is, it is the part of a drinking session wherein you drink a round or two of beer after a 'hard' one. And by the term itself, washing is done to make something clean, meaning, it should 'make someone feel better' so to speak. However, based on several experiences, washing only worsens my dizzy feeling and eventually causes me to puke my gallbladder out - the reason why I really don't get why it is called as such. So if anyone out there knows the rationale of this apparently ironic drinking activity, kindly enlighten me. Eheh. Anyway, to continue with my narration, Peach and Francis wanted to sing the night away so we went to Myrnel's because they have a karaoke machine, aka video-singko, there. While we were there, we sang a couple of songs while gulping a round of beer or two. As the night grew a little older, we were told that it is time for the last order and so we agreed to pay the bill instead of making another order as the place will soon be closed. BUT then again, the story didn't end there. Yes, the night grew older but not enough to make us sympathize with it.

And so, we decided to go to another venue with a karaoke machine for another couple of rounds of beer. The agreed place? Peñaranda, Aircon Edition (the one in front of the infamous Lady Anne Disco Bar). While on our way, we pulled over at Tiya Bita's Fine Dining, aka Foodstep and Jollibombay, for our late dinner, then proceeded to Peñaranda right after. There we spent several hours singing, drinking, laughing, singing, drinking and laughing (Mr. Papacologne slash Folded and Hung slash Reebok indeed made our night! He's the man. Rofl). At 4 am, we left the place and proceeded to Biggs' Diner for a cup of coffee. After an hour, we parted ways and went home.

Whew, what a night!

But why Cinderella's drinking buddy, you mas ask? It is because I am making another resolution for myself (a follow up to my previous resolution). Can't wait until New Year for this one. From now on:

Alcohol intake stops at 12 midnight.

Yes, you read it right. I want to keep myself from drinking alcohol past 12 midnight. If I can't stop drinking, at least I should put limit to it. I assume this is easier than limiting the number of bottles that I should drink or that I should only drink beer. I can still stay beyond 12 midnight though but will just have to drink anything but liquor and devour the finger foods. Eheh.

Are you in doubt if I can make it? I, too, am in doubt. But you see, it has been more than 3 months now since I made a resolution regarding smoking (which I am faithfully abiding) so I guess, this resolution will not be that hard to keep. Hope it really is. Anyhow, I'll stand by it, slowly and steadily.

Maktub!

Reckless Imprudence Resulting in Guilt Feelings

[Monday ; 4:25 pm.] While rushing down the street on my motorcycle to beat an enrolment deadline, I accidentally hit someone. A girl crossing the pedestrian lane got me stunned when she suddenly appeared right in front of my somewhat fast-moving vehicle. Good thing, I was able to depress the brakes strong and timely enough to keep myself from fatally injuring an innocent student. After the untoward incident, the girl, without saying anything or even looking at me, immediately walked towards the other side of the road where a number of people are standing by and waiting for a ride. While walking away, I was left asking her if she is alright. When no response was given to me, I parked on the streetside at once, got off my bike and looked for her in the crowd. When I couldn't find her, my guilt feelings grew stronger. Upon asking a couple of witnesses as to where she went, that was the only time when I learned that she already rode a passenger jeepney. Clueless about her condition and terribly feeling guilty, I just thanked God for saving the both of us from severe injury. And with nothing else to do, I then drove to school.

To the victim of my reckless imprudence, whoever you are, I'm so sorry my dear. I pray that no injury or trauma was caused to you by my carelessness. :(

Lessons learned: That even if you are already in the right place, you can still be in deep shit if you are there at the wrong time. That, from now on, I should drive prudently for the next untoward incident might be a disastrous and fatal one. And lastly, that God is really good.

Again, I praise and thank you dear God!

Maktub!

Saintly Shower

November 1, 2008 is a wet, flooded and muddy All Saints' Day at Bicol Memorial Park, Legazpi City. The rain poured down heavily for a couple of hours, causing a lot of people who usually spend time with their dearly departed ones until midnight or morning the following day to go home early.

As soon as we arrived at the cemetery, we placed several bouquets of flowers at the tombstone or tomb marker, lit some candles, offered prayers and recited the rosary for the eternal repose of the soul of our beloved deads, especially the soul of Papa. After a couple of minutes, the sky slowly darkened, drizzle followed and eventually started raining cats and dogs. Armed with an umbrella, I attended a mass celebration at 7 pm under the rain. The priest anchored his sermon to the verse of Matthew 16:26 which says:

"What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?".

He also mentioned that even if we spend 24 hours at the cemetery, offer lots of flowers and lit a dozen of candles, they will all be inutile and of no good if we can't say a prayer for the souls of our dearly departed ones. It struck me and made me realize that yeah, we spend time at the cemetery but spend only several minutes in prayer. What a shame. Sigh! Although the rain halts once in a while, it didn't completely died down until around 8:30 pm; but still, drizzle periodically poured down throughout the night. Minutes later, we drove home to avoid being caught by another downpour. Besides, we can always pray at home!

Maktub!

Magayon Carwashed D' Chef's Matadors

We did our best but I guess our best wasn't good enough.

[Deadlock situation with eight seconds remaining on the clock.] A flashing coast-to-coast lay-up drive by Kuya Choy of the Magayon Carwash team blew our much awaited victory celebration away. Although a bit disappointed, we enjoyed the good game tonight. Everyone had fun and sweat really hard. Going to the finals and reaching a do-or-die Game 3 is defnitely not bad. After all, there is nothing at stake whether we win or lose. Sour graping? Perhaps. Eheh. Well, better luck next time.

To all those who played for the team, especially Fire & Ice, Air France and Yoy, sorry guys, we didn't make it.

What's next?
How about another sports/game?
Hmm.. Airsoft, anyone? Eheh.

Maktub!

September: A -Ber and Bar Month

The 1^st day of this month traditionally opens the Advent season here in the Philippines. The moment the -ber month sets in, decors, cards, carols, foods and anything related to the Yuletide season also begin to grow everywhere like mushrooms. Celebrating Christmas season the Filipino way is said to be the longest (starts as early as September 1 and ends as late as January 31), the merriest and the most vivid around the globe. But while September marks the opening of the five-month celebration of the Advent season for most Filipinos, bar candidates see it otherwise. Not only is September a –Ber month but it is also a Bar month, the dreaded Philippine Bar Examination that is.

After 4 or 5 years of studying Law and 5 to 6 months of intensive review, thousands of bar hopefuls face the toughest professional licensure examination in the country every year. Covering seven hours of each of the four Sundays of September, the examinees squeeze their brains out and storm heaven’s gate with prayers in order to, as much as possible, answer logically the series of questions according to the examiner's fancy provisions of the law for eight different bar subjects (two subjects for each Sunday; one in the morning and one in the afternoon) while staying sane all throughout.

Today, my classmates and friends are a week shy from the first day of the 2008 Bar Exam. I am praying hard that their hard work and sacrifice be rewarded and eventually get what they truly deserve. I am crossing my fingers that they all hurdle the bar with flying colors.

Special regards to Mi, Jude, Dhet, Arl, Anie, Mitch, Joe, Ate Kay, Ate Kaka, Ate Donnah, Ate Myr, Ate Ivy, Ate Vivian, Ate Vilma, Ate Annie Marie, Ate Joy, Ate Rotch, Hadj, and Yen – my soon to be Lawyers.

..“It shall be done to you according to your faith."
Matthew 9:29

God bless to all my friends and schoolmates who are going to take the forthcoming Bar Examination and wishing everyone a spirit-filled Christmas season.

St. Jude, pray for us!

Maktub!

Finals: Chef's Matadors Vs. Magayon Carwash

Chef's Matadors are heading to the finals. Yahoo! With a covincing win (a 22-point lead) against the Nikko-Tin team, we snatched the championship slot. We were missing Fire & Ice though along with his clutch 3-point bombers; so, this one is for you, buddy. Eheh.

One more Yahoo! for my small time achievement for the day - I was able to successfully refuse a drinking session tonight. Eheh. Nonetheless, I'm looking forward to the 'big' celebration if we eventually emerge as champions in another best-of-three series. It is surely going to be one hell of a party. Woohoo!

Maktub!

Antolin Acuña Jr.-Fatima Pavia Nuptial on 08.08.08

August 8, 2008 – the opening of the most awaited Beijing Olympics and also the most awaited date of lovers Antz and Ting to take each other as husband and wife. At the St. Gregory the Great Cathedral, Antz looked great in an all-white coat and tie attire while breathlessly waiting in front for Ting who looked lovely in her wedding gown while promenading through the nave. Before the altar, the couple looked beautiful together. Having God as the ‘star witness’ of their unending love for each other, the two exchanged vows and rings, kissed and were wed. A simple yet elegant reception at The Concourse with family, relatives and friends followed right after. Hours later, the celebration concluded and the rest of the couple’s life together started.

By the way, I’m happy to be their Bestman (my first time).

A blessed married life to my dear friends, Antz and Ting. Cheers!

Maktub!

Just Quit It

Last night, we had a sorry loss in a best-of-three semis game for our supposed-to-be-friendly-but-turning-out-to-be-serious small time tournament. After the game, the Chef told us that we will just have a short ‘meeting’ at his place. About what? I do not know. I was a bit hesitant to go with them because I am having a weird feeling that it was going to end up meeting with Mr. GranMa instead. Nonetheless, I found myself driving to D’ Chef’s House. Upon arrival, I told Air France that I will not drink, and that I will head home right after the ‘meeting’. While seated, we had a ‘disappointed’ talk about what happened in the game and planned what we should do in the next game to win and consequently play in the finals. But my weird feeling wasn’t really weird at all. Mr. GranMa did sneak in and join our meeting. With an empty stomach, I regretfully found myself drinking and smoking. Tsk, tsk!

Okay, the temptation was so strong to resist so I told myself again that I will go home after we fnished the bottle. An hour and a half later, I was still sitting and drinking but was slowly getting dizzy. Good thing, the last shot was shortly coming. After a few minutes, the bottle was down. I really wanted to go but something’s holding me back. Unknowingly, Mr. GranMa called for backup. The next moment, I found myself continuously taking shots as the night grew old. Poor me; I went home lightheaded drunk. I even puked right in front of our gate. Fortunately, I still managed to drive home safely.

To cut the story short, I woke up this morning with a severe hangover telling myself not to smoke anymore and to, as much as possible, moderate my alcohol intake (save some reservations) for a number of reasons, hence, this post. And to cut it even shorter:

Quit smoking .

Drink moderately.

I know, some of you heard this resolution from me several times already but still find me doing the same thing over and over again. And I’m guilty of that. This time however, I’m not just going to do it verbally but I am also writing this post to serve as a reminder to myself. No promises, though. I know I can’t do this alone; help me help myself.

Maktub!