Speechless

Nakahahapong umaga.

Ilang buwan na ang nakalipas nang huli akong magmartsa patungong entablado sa pagtatapos ng aking kolehiyo.

Ngayon, heto ako't humaharap sa panibagong kabanata ng aking buhay. Kung minsan ayaw ko nang sariwain pa ang nakalipas. Pero kusa talaga itong bumabalik kapag naiwan kang nag-iisa. Maaring sa bahay, sa banyo, sa opisina o 'di kaya nama'y sa bus, sa jeep. At kahit saan pang sulok ng mundo hindi mo namamalayang lumilipad na naman ang iyong diwa. Gaya nito. Nitong ginagawa ko.

Ang totoo talaga niyan ay wala akong magawa sa mga oras na ito (I may sound so weird, but it's true). Nakakabagot nga e. Hindi ko alam kung pabor ba sa akin ang tadhana o medyo minalas malas 'ata ako sa pagpasok nitong 2010. Paano ba nama'y, simula nitong Enero hanggang ngayon ay nararamdaman ko pa rin ang kakulangan, este ang walang kakuntentuhan sa buhay.

Abril pa lang nagbilang na ako ng mga poste. Kasama ang aking mga kaibigan sinubukan namin maghanap ng trabaho sa mga malalaking kompanya sa siyudad. Sa una'y tila ilap sa 'min ang mga pagkakataon. Mag-a-apply kuno sa call center. Sa unang salang sa mga interview pagkatapos maipasa ang ilang set ng exam, tatawagan ka muli para sa mga susunod mong gagawin. Kami naman 'tong sina tanga -- aasa. Sabay 'ayan na ang final assessment. Ang resulta? Re-apply after a month. Peste! Isa. Dalawa. Tatlo. Sige apatin ko pa. O di kaya sampu na. Ilang buwan kong nilunok ang mga ganitong sitwasyon. Sa una'y naroon ang pag-asa. Pero kapag nangako na sila na kunwari'y tatawagan ka na lang. Unti-unting maglalaho ang iyong apog na ilang taon mong inensayo sa paaralan.

Minsan nga pauwi na ako galing sa isang agency na pinasukan. Dahil lubhang umasa at nabigo. Sobra akong nanlumo. Hindi ko alam kung pa'no ko ikukwento kina Mama't Papa. Na tulad ko ay may positibong ekspektasyon sa akin. Pagdating sa bahay. Ilalapag ang gamit. Hikab. Kakain lang ng konti sabay iidlip. Ipagpaliban na kung ano man ang ayaw ipabatid.

Hindi ko alam kung kanino ako maiinis kung bakit ganito ang aking tadhana. Sa pamilya ko ba na umaasang maiiahon ko sila sa kahirapan (kaya tila nauudlot). O sa mga manghuhula na sinabing makakapag-abroad daw ako at yayaman. O di naman kaya sa aking sarili na walang kakuntentuhan sa buhay. Ganunpaman, anumang ang maging mukha ng aking kapalaran, hiling ko pa rin ang gabay ng Panginoon. Ayaw kong maghintay ng tulad ni Juan. Ayaw kong mangarap pa, gusto ko gawa agad. Ayaw ko ng ipagpabukas, gusto ngayon na.

a thank to a twenty-one year of struggling

These passed few days; I have been into lots of works. It seems that I was drowned into it and had no time to take a deep breath just awhile. I became so busy that even my first day on earth was almost forgotten by me. I wouldn’t remember it if people in the surrounding wouldn’t remind me about it.

Yes, finally this is my 20 years and 364 days of living. Just hours are remaining then the following day will be my debut. If asked me what stuff I am wishing for, well, I would say nothing.

Anyway, I didn’t even notice that last year was the turning point of saying goodbye to adolescence and yes to maturity. Maybe, I haven’t oriented myself with what that age should act like. Honestly, it’s just recently when I have finally admitted myself being enough matured, being adult. Yet still I am a child at heart.

As I flash back to review such almost 21 years of memories, let me guys take this opportunity to express my gratitude to all of you.

First of all, I want to thank those people who greeted me days ahead. With your hugs, smiles and touching messages, I am almost full.

To my classmates, co-writers, teachers and mentors, thank you for imparting me your stories and perspectives. What guts I have now are one thing that I should be thankful about.

To my enemies, you guys serve as my motivation why I strongly keep in touch with GOD every time I call upon Him, asking His helping hand so as for me to face the world’s challenge with no doubts and fears.

Of course, to my best friends, not to mention them all, I extend this gratefulness to you for those four years of meaningful bonding we’ve been through. If somehow there were so many things I missed with the group and wasn’t able to justify my being a friend, kuya, a buddy, then pardon me. Thanks for the claps, praises, feedbacks, attentions, and recognitions. With you, I now have the courage to face all my endeavors, may it be best or worst.

To my beloved family --- Ma, Pa, ate, kuya, cousins, Titos, Titas, a billion of thanks for giving me such inspirations, strengths and hope to keep in this right track. Thanks for believing and cheering me up toward my set goals through thick and thin. Just keep on my side.

Above all, to Almighty God, this thankfulness is also for you. There would be no such wonderful years, no blessings without your presence, and guidance. Continue your blessings to us throughout the coming years.

For this new chapter of my life, I’m hoping to see you once again making the upcoming years more fruitful and brighter as we hand in hand embrace the challenges of God’s greatest gift.

Again, I thank you.

One Eternal Love (Photo-Essay)

Worth P16, 000 copper wires recovered from stealing

A 37-year-old supervisor sued an employee after recovering a kilo-copper wire from the latter at ENOMOTO Gateway Business Park, Brgy. Javalera, Gen. Trias, Cavite, Monday, August 17.


Based on the report of Police Sr. Inspector Isagani Calunding, General Trias Municipal Police Station Police Community Precinct 1, Leah Romero, Human Resources Supervisor of ENOMOTO, filed a case against Rommel Martinez, 24, resident of Brgy. Amuling Mendez, Cavite, and also a member of staff, for thieving a scrap of copper wires from the company last Sunday, August 15.


The complainant further detailed that the incident came about 8 a.m. when a security officer named Romeo Payopay found out Rommel conceal the said property using a private car’s compartment. The security guard then reported the thievery to the company’s management.


Upon the police investigation, the copper wires were said to weigh more or less 37 kilos and worth sixteen thousand pesos (P16, 000).


The Municipal Police Investigation Office already sent the case to the Regional Trial Court. The suspect is now being charged of crimes of “Qualified Theft”.

Go Beyond The Usual

To my dearest fellow youth,

We are apt to know that at our ages, we are still in the learning process. Parasites as we are in this contemporary society. Our community, in every aspect, feeds us more and more yet in return we somehow unconsciously deprive them with our concerns. I understand you my fellow. But if we were to reason out as such unreasonable, it would be so illogical.

It’s been my 20 years of living yet there’s nothing I have proven in this world. I myself admit that there are many things in life I must first prioritize. Nevertheless, it is a big disgrace to our country the fact that the nation’s call for us is being ignored, and sooner will be forgotten by us. That Rizal’s expectations from us are almost left behind without even given little considerations. That our motherland’s noble dreams are almost gone with the wind.

Mind you my dearest colleagues. The Philippines is at its crucial moment. Our beloved land has not yet gained its unity and prosperity. Rumblings stomachs grow in numbers. The state is then constantly poverty-stricken.

Yes, we consistently advocate for a nation’s betterment but we lack deeds to do so. Too various social movements we partake in, yet grafts and corruptions are never weakened rather become more clear and present dangers in the society. We have these banners along Mendiola and Edsa Shrine while calling those crocodiles to resign. Yet the same figures are still hanging on the palace.

Come on dude! Our land is sick, and sooner will be dying. Could you imagine the Philippines without competent and genuine leaders? What would be our land with no concerned citizens? No youthful actions?

Guys, our country needs us. How I wish that what our nation can do for us is what we also can do for them in return. Do not wait for the country’s downfall to come. Let’s once-in-a-while leave our self-concerns and priorities. Be selfless. Try to put our feet in these unusual shoes as we take this life-size social responsibility. We can do a lot of things to rebuild our flag once more. Just go beyond the usual. Papers and ink are no better-equipment to kick out demons. The best means for this real change is just at our hands.

In this coming 2010 election, I am encouraging you to be part of the Youth Vote Philippines. This is what we are waiting for. Let’s now prove to dear fatherland that the youth is really the hope of the nation. Every single vote counts. Just a few clicks on the Net will right after grant us the so-called real change. Change is that we, as juvenile, and the rest of the countrymen are craving for.

Hope to see you there!

Yours truly,

Concerned fellow

Impolite as I am

It was a quite heartbreaking scenario.

People inside the four-cornered room were waiting for others to come. I thought I was almost late in the commotion. But when I had found out few mates in the venue, I just realized that I arrived earlier. Some were bored. We didn’t have any idea of what would be happening in the future. But I was one-hundred-one-percent sure that the scenario would look as if we were in the trial court. All of us were suspects.

Almost an hour was gone; the students were just about complete while the guest speakers were not yet around. Then in just a couple of minutes the commotion began. This was all we’re waiting for. This was it.

Silence seemingly covered up the entire class. It was quite serious. Neither chats nor any unnecessary gesture were tolerable anymore. At that moment, the class adviser swiftly broke the set-up’s stillness. She then interrogated us. The entire statement from both parties at first went on smoothly. As it reached farther, it became more scorching yet interesting to talk about. It was my turn to then break my silence. I couldn’t defend the rest of the class nor even myself. I was a little bit of nervous, so I had to be mindful of my words and deeds. The must-be manner to speak out everything which I knew would be right. All eyes were on me as I was little by little narrating the past. As I expected, my conviction was considered by them unreasonable. Nevertheless, I admitted that fact --- they’re my teachers and we’re their students. I guessed then that the feud was over. Our fight after all was apparently wasted.

The hearing still went on. Now, it was the turn of another speaker. As she talked I seriously listened to her. I had my first hint if what would be the content of her speech. My guess was exactly right. She then once again opened up our never-forgotten conflict. The way she tackled the issue seemed so degrading in my part. I could never defend myself again. I quite felt so numb. Yes, I myself really knew that I was the one she was pointing out. Definitely it was I. She claimed, not even in the class but to other instructors, that I was impolite. And for being as such, I, as a journalist, no matter how good in academic, in the long run would no longer be successful. She strongly quoted it. How I wished to be invulnerable in that moment just not to be hurt after eating those despairing words. Which for me it was never a foul of mine. I thought I would not cry after all. But swear I did. I couldn’t stop myself from doing that so. I could never pretend anymore. Acting in front of my confused classmates, that I was not that person the teacher referring to, was really hard. So I let my emotions burst out. I tried to defend myself once more. This time around everyone was ready to hear my side. Then I started to narrate what was really happened before:

We had our newsletter in a certain subject. I was assigned to be a writer in our group. I was about to inscribe my article but the facts given me were so confusing and incomplete. So I tried to appoint my news gatherers to then confirm that information. Since the teacher whom they interviewed and gathered the facts from was close to our class, I thought that it would be easier to ask more questions. It just happened that one of my news gatherers was somewhat afraid of this teacher. So she never wanted to go back just to ask the interviewee for several times. I understood if that was she felt like. So I decided to look for the interviewee. Then when I found her I grabbed the opportunity to have this ambush interview with her. Afterwards, my confusion was quite answered. Minutes were gone I went to the faculty to look for the same person. Unfortunately, she wasn’t there. I saw my two other instructors. They told me that the person I was looking for got mad at me during my interview with her. She said that I was rude and very impolite when I approached her. I was suddenly shocked and shamed if I really did it to her. I then reflected what was happened minutes ago. Then I realized that maybe the way I approached her was never a journalistic manner. So I heartily accepted it if that was how she really saw it. What I did was to apologize.

“You didn’t apologize; you just said impolite nga po ako ---”.

Going back to the classroom scenario, this was the remarkable line of the teacher who first urged me to be an unethical journalist. My apology, which I insisted I had already asked from, was another claim of hers saying that she never achieved it from me. I really felt so bad. I was almost speechless afterwards. The rest of the class witnessed how this instructor described me as worst impolite. I didn’t get her point of opening up that matter in the class. Was it for me to be embarrassed? Or to let people realize how stupid was me, so they sooner avoid me?

She could have talked to me about it personally, instead of imparted it with others. Was that manner also ethical? Very unprofessional I guess.

I really didn’t deserve that adjective. I thought I was on the right track after all. I was taught to be polite and to treat others with utmost respect. But so sorry, it wasn’t.

How dumb I am.

Well, the activity we had taught me something that is ethical. I believe, though I was judged to be bad-mannered, somehow I could prove to everyone that in this profession I still have this so-called humility and esteem.

I will never forget this thing in my life.

One thing that I should do now is to move on. Stand up and fight again!

This Is How I See It

To claim that I am a writer is a lie.

Writing indeed is not my passion though I love to write. I am neither a correspondent nor a social analyst-wannabe but I do analyze current events. Though I do have concerns and do criticize the government, I haven’t joined any propaganda yet nakedly haven’t walked along the Edsa Shrine while consistently asking the president to resign. For I am not also political conscious to be an activist. I am nor a director, a production manager, a scriptwriter, or even a cameraman. But I still want that a certain story somehow in favors me.

I am neither in those professions all-wrapped-in-one nor also to target at least one title. Yet I am into a Mass Communication course.

My convictions may seem so paradoxical but that’s how I see it.

I am just so expressive. To express is then enough. Being as such does not mean a claim of being a jack-of-all-trades. This is how it goes like: things in mind should be spoken out and not let it be remained as ideas. Words do not have to be words at all, but shall be put into actions. Concepts are into tangible outcomes. Dreams are into realization.

Online journalism over its conventional type

If one were enough expressive then one could be a journalist. Even if he only had a pen and paper he still could make a scoop, that is, if he would just explore and be resourceful enough. Just like in photography, one could be a photographer if he himself would experiment shots.

In minds and hearts, therefore, professions do not require a person with high standards unless his keen interest forces him to do so.

In the field of journalism, a real journalist is guided by the constitutional laws. He follows a code of ethics in the exercise of his profession. Once he enters this kind of business he then agrees and applies the terms and conditions. So when he commits mistakes he shall pay for it.

When we talk about journalism it basically pertains to newspapers. A good newspaper shall consider criteria such as integrity, accuracy, responsibility and leadership. Thus, if a journalist works in accordance to the given ethics he is then being controlled by it. His convictions may be possibly forbidden as he writes it. For in any case, the articles’ content still depends on what the constitution states. In other words, this constitution somehow dictates the writer what to ethically write. Nevertheless, it is still beneficial not only to the publication but also to its community’s betterment.

As innovation constantly shapes our contemporary society, we are now being engaged in various new communication gadgets. With this, the traditional journalism can now be operated electronically, as it is so-called online journalism. Unlike the conventional one, blogging, in particular, produces easier and more accessible ways of searching information. Just a few clicks on the net will right after take a user to his desired sites. It features as more interactive as it lets people react through posting their feedbacks and suggestions after have read articles. The setting is like a spoon-feeding wherein knowledge is in reach of people. Another good thing is that one could also make his own blogs or websites where he could shout out his critiques without asking consensus from professional media practitioners or whatever is written in the constitution. Having this is not a means of rebellions which one could practice indecency and defamation. Traditional journalists often do not consider bloggers to automatically be journalists. This has more to do with standards and professional practices than the medium for they are much more liable for such things as libel. However, online journalism offers people a more convenient interaction and not a demonic profession. As online journalists or bloggers, accuracy, fairness, and good taste in reporting news must still be observed.

In overview, online journalism is an alternative medium. It is not to replace the traditional one but to suggest people a more efficacy, accessibility and convenience in terms of information-gathering, communication, interaction and expression. Knowledge in journalism cannot only be learned scholarly but sometimes outside world feeds it a person greater. As I have said, one could be knowledgeable, and all it requires of you is to explore and experiment.

Think of it.