The Presidential elections are coming almost in full circle and some of my friends haven’t made up their minds yet on who they’re gonna put in position. However, my mind is already made up on who I will trust the 6 years of my future with. With the national elections coming just around the corner, sometimes I can’t help but wonder — are the Filipinos mature already when it comes to practicing their rights to suffrage? I have friends who seem to have no care on whoever sits on that coveted seat in Malacañang. And as an idealist as I am, I have to keep on reminding them not to waste the 6 years of their lives and they need to think twice before casting that ballot. We’ve had enough of political nonsense already. It’s time we elect somebody who can really make a change, a 360-degree change. I know it sounds like a cliche — that change thingy. But we have to admit, Filipinos are desperate for that fresh start. We have one of the best resources in Asia, be it human or natural but why do we lag behind? Our HDI or Human Development Index is comparable to that of backward countries such as Gabon, Sri Lanka, Suriname and Mongolia. Our index to business and political freedom is so low. What we need is someone who has a strong political will. Easier said than done huh. Well if Malaysia’s Mahathir Mohamad was able to transform a once swampland into one of the world’s most dynamic economy, I don’t see why we can’t. We need strong leaders who has visions of a stronger and more dynamic Pinas. Someone who can turn those visions into reality, someone whose platform is for the people, by the people and of the people. Another political cliche? I’m afraid yes haha. Well this is only a musing of an idealist. But sometimes our ideals can make a difference. Let’s not wait for others to act wisely. Let’s begin with our own selves. Let’s be responsible, let’s practice our right to suffrage. After all it’s mandated in our constitution. I guess if we want change, we need to begin the change in ourselves first. If you think that by not participating in the elections– because you don’t like any of the presidential bets, will not make an impact to your future. Well think again.
I saw some episodes lately of one of reality talent shows and I was struck by the unabashed display of talent, guts and well — stupidity. There are those who really have what it takes to be a “star”. And there are those who in the process become laughing-stocks of the public. I don’t get it really when it’s clear that people don’t have an iota of talent in their poor selves and yet they have the nerve to flaunt about their own “uniqueness”. Walking like a street moron is considered modelling, dancing 2 steps out of a 70s tune is considered a talented dancing, an English declamation with a Filipino pronunciation is a talent, acting like a crazed idiot is the “in” thing. Omg and omg again. These people consider these skills as their innate talent which the whole world should witness. Oftentimes we find them funny. But I find them most of the time moronic. Who in his right mind would appear in a national television, in the perusal of the judges and the public, talk trash and declare it as talented acting? Tsk. Sometimes I wonder if these people are aware that they’re just making a fool of themselves. I wonder if they are just plain desperate, something that they so desperately wanted to accomplish but were denied of the opportunity. And I guess now is the opportunity so they grabbed it. Or maybe they belong to those set of individuals who like claiming attention in whatever way they could.
I just came home from a drinking session with my friends and I was enjoying the ride on the way home. Well it was past 10 in the evening and there were less cars on the road. Something struck me, something so familiar and soothing. The smell of a late evening, the smell of home-cooked meals, the smell of a dense cool air, brushing on my cheeks. They remind me of those days when life was less complicated. Those childhood days I spent with my grandparents in the barrio. There’s a comforting feeling when you are alone in the middle of the night, doing nothing but just listen to the sound of the nocturnal creatures, savoring the sweet smell of fresh grasses, the smell of incense in the air. Amidst the hustle and bustle of everyday life, a respite is most welcome. Sometimes I wish of having a car so I can drive around during the evenings and simply enjoy the simplicity of life. No need to jostle in the crowd, no foul smelling smokes coming from old jeepneys, no irritating noises from annoying honking of cars nor the incessant chant-like calling out of street vendors to buy their wares. Just me, alone and quiet. Sometimes we forget to appreciate these things. The melodic sound of the cool breeze, whispering to your ear, enticing, soothing, calming your senses. The dark, starlit sky is enchanting. The vast blanket of clouds that often create an aura of mystery. I often wonder how it feels like to fly and see the world below. I live in a big city where time is of the essence. Where everyone is almost in a hurry. Where everything is fast-paced. Sometimes we forget to stop and just take a deep breathe, then clear our thoughts from worries and workloads. Live life one day at a time. Go back to the basics, appreciate the simple things that matter. Love your family, love your friends, and most importantly, love yourself.
I just had my connecti0n restored (thanks to my manipulative hands lolz) after more than 24 hours of no internet connection. I was actually horrified at the thought of not being able to access my emails, my facebook account– oh no my crops will wither in Farmville, and not being able to update my blogsite. These thoughts actually might sound so shallow, well there are those who can barely eat and make ends meet but here I am, actually freaks out at the thought of not having an internet connection. Well whatever, hahaha. It just dawned on me that technology, whether I like it or not, is part and parcel of my existence already. And I think everybody will agree, that it plays a vital role in making our lives easier and more comfortable. Communication is so lightning fast nowadays because of internet access. We get to know what’s the latest buzz– whether it’s about politics, entertainment, economy. Same thing happened to me when my cell phone messed up. I felt that the blood drained from my body, like I was doused with a very cold water– you know that feeling like when you got kicked on the stomach. I guess my pc and my cp are two of my prized possessions, materially speaking haha. Well, internet and sms are interwoven with our daily lives. Even the ordinary street sweeper has a cell phone, even my aunts in the barrio have internet access (dial up only but atleast). We all want to be part of the global community, to be up to date on the happenings around us. Even my mom can’t live without internet. I remembered one time, I mentioned to her about finding a bigger place. She was like “that place better have internet connection and phone so I can contact you anytime”. Hahaha, it may sound funny but in our world today, having an internet connection is no longer a luxury, it’s already a necessity. And same goes with the cell phone. It’s an important and cheaper way to communicate. One SMS is only 1 peso. You can use programs like Skype or YM in talking to your loved ones for free. I remembered my converstion with a good friend of mine. She told me her mom is chatting always (she’s like in her 50s haha), and she even has a Facebook account! Whoa! Well oldies don’t wanna be left behind, do they? Hahaha. I guess I made my point here. It’s not as if we worship technology, it’s just they are so important that life is a little bit better with them around. Now don’t be surprised if you see me collapse to the floor if something happens to my PC or cell phone…I’m just kidding, but you’ll never know haha *winks*
I happened to come across an email from a friend of mine with the following message: nd q na magsugot ya na in2on nya ko. Translation? I won’t allow him to fool me. When you look at the context of the message there’s really nothing wrong with it. But if you read again, the format is pretty obvious –in a form of text message omg! I actually reprimanded this friend of mine and told her I won’t read her e-mails if she won’t write them properly, in the correct form and grammatically appropriate. A bit harsh? I really don’t think I am. My grammar is not perfect either but it really irks me to see text messages on e-mails. I understand why we have to create word shortcuts when we send text messages, because of the limited space in our cell phones– add the fact that it’s not really fun pressing those keypads for quite some time with only your thumb. But word shortcuts on e-mails? Urgh! I don’t see any reason why we have to conserve space and since basically e-mail connotes electronic mail so the basics of writing a letter still apply. If you’re not sure about the spelling, well there’s always the spell checker — for grammar, you will be notified if the sentence is not composed properly. What I’m trying to say is, how will we be able to improve our composition skills if we hide behind cropped words? Writing is easy so let’s not be lazy and get those fingers of us some practice. Word shortcuts are for text messages, they are not meant for e-mails, let’s leave it that way.
Well I have to say the word unfortunately, JINX. There, it’s already out in the open. Denotatively speaking, it’s a state or spell of bad luck. Sometimes it’s too coincidental to be ignored, like when you had an accident because a black cat happened to pass in front of you on the way to work or you failed in the examinations because you didn’t wear your lucky undies. Well, the mind has a very unique and powerful way to make things possible. If you think that if you can make things possible, well you actually can. They say everything is a state of mind — mind over matter. But can we really be jinxed? Like we can’t get that one thing we want because somebody already preceded our thoughts. Can it really create an impacting effect in our lifestyle? What if we live by it, what’s gonna happen to us then? Are we really responsible for our fate or are we too dependent on the actions of other people that whatever they do definitely affect our lives no matter how damn hard we tried to live it the way we want to?
