Mum

Like a river that runs deep is silent
So as the past days stealthily went

The the father and son reunited
The good old ways and the good old days...
The new pages and the beautiful changes
The mending and the ending

The big gathering
The immense blessing
The higher calling...

The big leap and the great plunge
That, which was finally let out
The uncertainties and the ambiguities
The waiting...
The longing...

Yet again I see great things unfold
The river flows... silenty.

The


The mockingbird and the ultimate
The unexpected invitation
The addition
The surprising swap
The heart-wrenching ride

The excitement of waiting and thrill of things coming
The big leap... would the water be calm or would the waves give their angry welcome?
The randomness of mind the heart that puts color to everything

I wish I can spell them all

Grow Old With You

I'm going to sing this song in my wedding. That's for sure!

KASAMA KANG TUMANDA

Itong awiting ito
Ay alay sayo
Sintunado man to
Mga pangako ko sayo
Ang gusto ko lamang
Makasama kang tumanda

Patatawanin kita
Pag hindi ka masaya
Bubuhatin kita
Pag nirayuma ka na
O kay sarap isipin
Kasama kang tumanda

Ibibili ng balot
Pag mahina na tuhod
Ikukuha ng gamot
Pag sumakit ang likod
O kay sarap isipin
Kasama kang tumanda

Chorus:

Sasamahan kahit kailanman
Mahigit kumulang di mabilang
Tatlumpung araw sa isang buwan
Umabot man tayo sa three thousand one

Magmukha mang bruha
Paggising sa umaga
Pupunasan ko pa ang muta mo sa mata
O kay sarap isipin
Kasama kang tumanda

Paglalaba pa kita
Matapos mamalantsa
Kahit abot abutin
Man ako ng pasma
O kay sarap isipin
Kasama kang tumanda

Chorus:

Sasamahan kahit kailanman
Mahigit kumulang di mabilang
Tatlumpung araw sa isang buwan
Umabot man tayo sa three thousand one

Loves na love parin kita
Kahit bungi bungi ka na
Para akin ikaw parin
Ang pinakamaganda
O kay sarap isipin
Kasama kang tumanda

At nangangako sayo
Pag sinagot mong oo
Iaalay sayo buong puso ko
Sumangayon ka lamang
Kasama kang tumanda

"Kilig"


Call me corny but this movie really fascinated me. It was very light, funny and cutesy and will give you a couple of heart-tickle. You don't have to take it seriously but you'll get few lessons about love and relationship -- like love doesn't count.

Niceties

May latest Mindanao trip was awesome. My most adventurous so far. We went looking for 'Solo' papaya farmers and traders. After two provinces and six towns, we found out that the 'Solo' papaya farms there were almost gone. We will be exploring South Cotabato next.

I met with my long-time friend and my 'inaanak' in Cagayan de Oro City. Time is too short. We were supposed to talk about our coming high school reunion on December but with all the catching up -- the changes in our lives and stuff, we almost forgot about the reunion. Louise, my 'inaanak' is such a charming kid. He enjoyed me carrying him in my shoulders.

Me, Louisse and Shine

That


I dreamt about her all night. It was about that day. I was all so giddy and nervous. In my dream I was asking for advice from a mentor. I have been making preparations. This is it...

Sleep-Walk


Wide awake.

Mind commands body to sleep. Body won't submit. Stubborn.

Juggling the white, red and blue ball. Perfect balance. Perfect throw. Looks like a good show. I think it is but the balls disagree.

I didn't mean to cause your catastrophe. The looming cloud. The pouring rain... the pouring rain. I promise to hush the thunder. I promise you now.

Déjà vu


Weird things happen... It's almost a deja vu. Same story and same characters, but now roles have switched. A story with no victors. A story with a predictable climax and an uncertain conclusion.

That disease. That which "tears not only its prey but also its own raging heart."

It's so the same but so entirely different.

Unexpected.

This will end soon. Soon...

Random


I can smell Cagayan de Oro. It has been four months since my last Mindanao trip.

I have been spending late nights in the office. I despise it before but now I'm enjoying it.

Last Saturday evening was a surprise. My once newly-found-friend asked me out for dinner. In the new Italian restaurant. In the expensive new Italian restaurant. Bill was P 780.00 but it wasn't about the price. Not even the food. It wasn't as enjoyable. It was the conversation.

Later that night I had coffee with another friend.

And after that, another friend joined me in the office. I was asleep the whole time we were waiting for the thesis students to finish their data gathering. I only had three hours of sleep the day before and this is my sweet revenge.

Then came Monday.

And now it's Wednesday...

The week after next is gonna be a new month. Almost the end of the first quarter of '09.

Tomorrow is going to be tomorrow again...

It came and went


Valentine's day came and went and I'm happy I didn't post anything mushy on that day. One thing I was lonely about is I didn't get to sell roses. I could've earned something to buy me a new shirt. Hehehe. Ü

Chat


Her:
so ____, imagine, we can't screw this frendship up, you better not get carried away with the chismis about me and you..ahahahahaha

Him:
well ___, we don't screw our friends up

Her:
ahahahahahahaha

Him:
that's what i can assure you
:-):-)

Her:
ang panget pakinggan!! ahahahahaha

Him:
hahahaha
oo nga
hahahaha

Anonymous


Somebody has found this blog! Somebody I know.

I was a bit shocked when I opened my gmail inbox and saw email notices about some comments for manuscribbles. Four all in all by Anonymous. This is a personal blog and most of the posts are candid and I only make this known to chosen people though it's free-access. So I already anticipated that some people would find it and they could be some people I know.

Anyways, I think I know who Anonymous is. My clue? Chill.

Strange Strangers


I have a newly-found friend from a strange circumstance. I remember the line from the movie I just watched, "You never know what's comin' for 'ya." Indeed.

More and more, "kuya" is becoming a sweet music to my ears.

It's always good to make friends...

The Donald Duck Pout

Plans

The most difficult part in my MS application is writing my plans after completion of the degree. Can I just say that I wanna get married after I graduate? Oh plans! Many are the plans of man but ultimately, it's God's plan that prevails.

Here's what I wrote though:

The present environmental condition of the Philippines and the world at large is becoming worse by the minute. As a citizen of the planet, after I have completed MS Environmental Science and Management, I plan to focus on research and extension work. I hope to spearhead projects that would initiate efficient use of environmental resources in far flung areas of the country. I believe that this country is so rich in natural resources but either they are yet to be harnessed or they are being misused. Having raised in a poor province (Masbate), I have witnessed firsthand how environmental resources are used inefficiently. It's sad to note that there are provinces like Masbate that are rich in natural reserves yet remain poor. I believe that people needs to be educated and researchers should be bringing their output to these people.

Given the opportunity, I also would like to collaborate with international organizations and institutions in various environmental projects in the future. I am also open to holding a teaching position in an academic institution like UPLB.

Sound like a high school essay, eh?

Exercise


Witnessing (sharing the Gospel) is indeed an exercise to the Spirit. It rejuvenates the soul. It gives a believer a brand new strength. It makes one feel alive.

I went out with Eduard today to share the Gospel. He has been so eager to do it but haven't done it ever. He said he took courage last Sunday to go out on his own but for some reasons, he wasn't able to do it again. I can relate to the kid so I try to help him by showing him how, especially in approaching strangers. We approached a freshman this afternoon named Anton. After making a few introduction about the Gospel, I realized that he seemed to be familiar with it already and he told me he has already received Christ. I got his number instead and invited him to the fellowship. I hope he could come tomorrow.

On my way home, I met Glai who is also on her way to share the Gospel. Since I'm free for the rest of the afternoon, I went with her and shared to three ladies. One is resistant but I the other two were listening intently. I just hope they really received Christ because they prayed with Glai after I presented the Gospel to them.

It feels good to obey and to conquer yourself -- your laziness and pride. We'll go out again tomorrow. Me and Eduard.

Master


I have decided. Yesterday I went to Graduate School to get an application form for master's degree. It's the last day of submission of applications but they extended it till next week. The requirements are easy to comply than what I thought and I just need two recommendations. I'm going to take MS Environmental Science.

A week earlier, my undergrad thesis adviser told me to consider getting a scholarship from DOST and he mentioned it again yesterday with my boss listening. My boss was somewhat approving though it would mean I'll resign from my job because the scholarship is for full-time students. The scholarship package -- the stipend, book allowance, travel allowance -- is comparable to an entry level job for a fresh grad. Not bad.

I have been wanting a change in my current career situation and this decision will hopefully stir things up for me. This would also mean I'll be staying in the Philippines for another four years.

I'm happy I made an important decision before January ended. Tomorrow's February 1. What I'm looking forward right now is a break from my 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM routine.

'09

The 19-day break is almost over and when I woke up yesterday it's 2009. Now I feel like I'm in the middle of nowhere. I'm 26 and this year I'm going to be 27 and it scares the hell out of me! Technically, I'm jobless right now because my job contract ended last December 31. I still have to report to work though, with no pay, until the research study where I am involved gets adequate funding. Who knows when will it be?!

It's hard when you are single, you are professional, and you are penniless. There's a lot that I wanna do but I hold back because I I'm afraid to make wrong decisions and I am so limited. I'm caught between the reality of today and the uncertainty of tomorrow. Why does it have to be this hard?

I want a clean slate! I ought to have a new job. A stable one. A job where I will be properly compensated -- at the right time and with corresponding benefits. One that will allow me to grow professionally and will bring out my full potential. I want a job where I can see myself doing for another 10 years. I'm tired of "stepping-stones."

This is going to be my first major decision this 2009 and I should be able to put things together by the end of January. Time to get a good focus and be decisive.