We Are Blessed

"I always deem of how they would live in the future when they cannot move forward both of their feet to the gush of the existent world."

Sometimes, I could not stop weighing myself against other people. I carry it out in the most dejected point in my life. It is not that I am not at ease with what I have in life bearing in mind the fact that my parents never fall short to provide. The purpose of that is not to take the life of other people who I compare myself with but to make me grasp that I am truly blessed.

In the process of realizing my significance, I always draw closer to the situation wherein I happen to be aware of the situation of the poor sector of the society. I always deem of how they would live in the future when they cannot move forward both of their feet to the gush of the existent world. I constantly ask myself if I could aid them with their current situation. I discern that I can, I’m just waiting for that chance to come and amend me to become a better person.

I am really frightened of what the future has for me. I would have to endure a lot of risks to carry on. If I, who study really hard now to prepare myself for the real battle, am uncertain of what will happen to me, what more for these people who are not sure of their lives in the present? How will they survive in the future if they cannot make a better plan for themselves in the present? How sad, isn’t it? But it is the veracity.

The documentary film of Ateneo entitled “Minsan Lang Naging Bata” made me think profoundly of how education revolves in all of us who are auspicious to have it. We, who are components of a respected academe like San Beda, should be gratified that we would not need to spare a time for work just to earn a living. Moreover, we must be more grateful that we did not become victims of child labor unlike those kids in the film who were forced by their parents to trade their education for work.

Such learning gives us a better possibility of getting hold of a brighter future. Once a person is successful in his fulfillment for a program in an institution, lots of job-opportunities and higher pay-schemes come into place as a result of the rigid work. However, if you were not able to embrace your guts, then you are wasting the opportunities that you could have had. If such things happen, look around. Think of others who aspire for your position more than you do.

As for now, when we all have is a diminutive idea of the circumstances that might take place in the next few years, we should be true to our principles in life. One must not be a mediocre in his/her studies. The purported excellence is not just for ourselves who study hard but also for our loved ones who for all the time succor us, the community where we fit in, and our future family that we envision. Above all, being true to our God-given education is itself a means of reverence to the Lord who blesses us all for here and eternity.

Sabaw Moments

Forced Early Bird

"Son... Gising na. Magrereview ka na. Dali!"

Dad did not stop shouting. He harshly shouted.. 'cause I won't be up in a snap if he didn't.

So there... He woke me up from a deep sleep, where I dreamt of lovely beaches, tireless parties, and all the more fun stuff I am familiar with.

"Darn. Panaginip nga naman. Crap. Finals week na pala."

It was a Monday morning. I had down pat that my mom's not home. I knew 'cause I felt literally cold. If mom was there, she would not allow the cold air, that comes with the aircon, to fill the room beyond the crack of dawn.

"Dad, no, 1:30 pa ang pasok ko..."

I took a glimpse at the wall clock and noticed it was only 6 o' clock in the morning.

"Badtrip. Sayang yung tulog ko." Then I tried to sleep again.

... "Ouch!" I recovered from a sleep in a snap again. "Malas! Puteks." My head hardly played with my bed's sarcastically comfy headboard. Thanks a bunch for the pain! I was kind of a freezing-statue in a moment. I then thought of my to-do list which I deem to be like an abuse for my body. Whilst at that moment, I looked at the aged-clock and found out that it was only 7:30 in the morning. I attempted to sleep but my eyes were wide open like those of an owl.

"Darn. Maybe this day's going to be really unlucky. I hope not."

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Informative Graffiti

After being done with my morning rituals, I headed to the study room to do something valuable for my car. I opened my computer, then iTunes, then burned a CD.

"Burn, successful! I have new songs for my car. I won't be sick with Situations, Breathing, etcetera etcetera and so forth."

My sister had spoken... "DAD! What's this?! ... Mom's gonna be really mad!" Dad, who was lying snugly on the couch watching his favortie news show, was silent, as usual.

"Will! Tignan mo to!" I hurridly walked to my sister and saw what she was ranting about. In the kitchen tile, above the sink, a reinforcement statement was written in bold and bloody red pen...

A - 10 - SHUN

AS PROMISED,

CLEAN AS YOU GO.

- PAPA

"Dad! magagalit si mommy! Pentel pa ginamit mo!"

"Wala naman mommy mo. Tawagan mo sa Taiwan at magsumbong. Don't worry anak. Nabubura yan. Ayan ah, maghugas bago umalis ng hindi mahirapan si Ludy."

"Yeah, right. Oo nalang." I tried and, factual... rid-off by damp water.

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THEOLOGY and its "supposed to be Group work"

10:00 A.M. - Our conversations through text were...

"Dude, William here, how's our Theo na?"

"Dala ka ng laptop and CD. I could not send the output sa email mo e."

"Oh? For what? USB nalang. Ketch... Copy ko nalang using USB."

"For Theo" (What? Of course, I know swempre!)

"I know, bakit kailangan? Nagawa na ba ang video? Okay meet nalang at 12pm. I'm here pa sa house."

"Now nalang tayo magkita." (HUH? 10am na, can't fly.)

"Dude, di pa ako nakakaligo. 11:30 nalang."

As agreed, I'll be getting the output of the contents, that my Theomates should have done last Saturday. I drove really fast overtaking those big yet turtle-like trucks from my house to Mendiola so as to be true to my words regarding my time of arrival at San Beda.

I saw them sitting and cramming near the grandstand. They welcomed me nicely. Their place was filled with crumpled reviewers and techy laptops.

They all smiled at me. "Hello kuya!"

"Hi! Tara. Copy ko na yung ilalagay ko sa video."

"Kuya, wala pa kaming ginagawa. Hindi dumating si Ketchup nung Saturday e. We texted him pero hindi siya nagrereply" My senses wanted to disbelieve of what I have heard. I looked at Ketchup and he was smiling hugely to somehow conceal his wrong deed. I asked again. "Di kayo nagkita nung Saturday? Anong lalagay ko sa video?" "Ayun na nga, kuya." We all paused for a while. Another girl has spoken.. "Ay kuya. Nagsubmit na lahat ng grupo. Ngayon daw pala deadline nun. Ay tapos. Nagquiz kami kanina. 30 items. First and last quiz natin for the finals." I did not even give comment. My nerves were idle and my mouth could not murmur a word.

Relieved for a while, I said.. "Guys, ask kayo ng extension kay ma'am." We had nothing to do and waited till 1:30. We parted and went to the buildings where each has a class.

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Good things

1:30 P.M. I was not late, fortunately. I asked one of my classmates in Business Mathematics of what were we having at that very moment. "We're going to have our final test today." I just said thanks and rested my wits for a second. I then deemed.. "I wish I had passed the pre-final exam."

Everybody was not at their usual state. Our professor, who was in an elegant violet corporate attire, banged the door. "Guys, we won't have our finals today. I could not locate the test papers. We'll have it on Thursday. Before we leave, I'll make an announcement first." I was really really really interested.

"Cruzana, Ranai, Imperial... You are exempted from taking the test."

"Sweet! Saya."

A seatmate had spoken, "Talino talaga nito oh. Galing. (Ehem. HAHAHA. Hindi naman!)"

I went out of the classroom and headed to the faculty room. I talked to our Theo prof about our video. Sweet! Dude! She permitted us to pass our work tomorrow, 17, which is my favorite day. She also allowed me to take the quiz tomorrow at 10:30. I drove home without the expected long face. I also had in mind the song Fortune favors the brave. Oh well, it was super highschool. Good idea! Highschool should take me back! Nahhrway.

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Guess this is long enough. I have produced tired readers, I suppose. Thanks for reading. Now I'm gonna review for tomorrow. Have fun tonight.

- William

Mahabang Blog

HELLO.

My mom’s departing to Taiwan today. Like GIVE ME A BREAK! She did not even give emphasis as to when she would leave.

MONDAY - Mom: Di'ba I have told you already that I'll go to Taiwan for a corporate meeting? It would be on a Sunday.

FRIDAY - Mom: Kids, I'm gonna leave on Sunday.

And just last night, SATURDAY, in Shangri-La - Mom: Bukas na pala ang alis ko. Parang 'di ako excited.

Today, SUNDAY, the very date of her departure - Mom: Yan! Excited na ko. (WHAT?! Dun lang siya naexcite?)

Ako naman. WAIT. WHAT? Tomorrow na ba yun? Now that I believe that I'm HEALTHIER, my main concern is this.. WHO'S GOING TO COOK?

Those that have potentials:

Not our super tamad stay-in, stay-out maid. Why call her a helper if she could not even perform her function? Laba, hugas, plantsa (then sunog mga damit 10x)... Is that a maid? MAN! I'm not complaining but, di'ba, why not add cooking? Kahit yun lang! Enough. She's scary nga pala. Goosebumps.

My dad... ASAAAAAAAAAA BOYYYYYYYYYYYYYY! No Comment. Scientist kasi dad ko e. Like he puts gulay in an Adobo dish. What can you say?

My aunties...

Mom did ask my titas to cook for us. My two titas declined for some whatever reasons. Al--right---. Fine.. Thanks anyway..

Okay. So settled. My Tita Hazel, mother of uber kulit Henri, volunteered. Thank you. Thank you. So much. So much. TO THAT! You'll have a reward! Food is like the most important what-so-ever-need for me right now. Kidding aside, there, we won't have a problem anymore. Somebody who is fortunately a wife of a chef is gonna cook for us! YEHES YEHES YEHES! No more payat moments. Wait, am I too obsessed with foods? So be it.

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On the other hand................ HAPPY NAMAN.

I'm getting more and more and more and more and more and more and more excited for March 27 to come. My sister's, of course, is going to graduate. Assumptionista's success, I would say. AND - - - - - - - - - My GUYS, Erika, Mae, Cheng, Jhela, Armand, Ken, and the other two, will go to PUERTO GALERA! A first for me, anyway. We will be staying at Buri Resort and Spa, which is like a WOW one, for 3 days and two nights. And of course the beach party, homme and femme.

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Mom just.. kissed my cheek.. and said Bye. See you Thursday night. Okayyyyy. I'll miss her.

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That's all folks. Thanks for reading. I'll review na for the final exams. :D Happy Summer!!

Mom

I love you. :)

The Real Remedy

Financial turmoil, as seen, has been an erratic problem of the world right now. People lose their jobs as a result of losses and unnecessary over-spending that companies have incurred the past years. Some have had a direct impact on their consumption. As to whatever they have had as a lifestyle, buying luxurious stuff and the like might be separated from them as an effect. It is more likely that nobody wants it since nobody benefits from this kind of situation.

As to what the speaker have stated, the remedy to this kind of turmoil is none other than reformation of several laws like more increase of taxes that would be levied to people and other laws that I think might not even affect the issue. My stand to this and what I have had in mind is people should keep on spending. It does not necessarily mean to spend for the sake of comfort but consume more wisely of what we think we might need in life. For example, some insurance companies are executing their operations or have executed their operations already since everybody is scared of making an investment. It is currently seen that no one would even like to acquire insurance. It is either they are scared that the company they trust would close and might not return their investment or they deem that it is not exceptional to get insured in turbulent times like this.

It was explained in economics that in order to keep the economy stable, the flow of money cycle should be stable. Like what I have said, continuous consumption would lead to better demand for products and therefore still make companies profitable. This is very evident in the crisis we are experiencing now that amplified around the globe starting from America. After rumors of bankruptcies, people panicked and started hoarding money, or saving on a personal level. This in return worsened the scenario of financial institutions in America, closing large banks and companies.

But then, people should keep in mind that they should spend wisely, buying goods and services they only need and they can only afford. Another problem encountered in the American Crisis is the lack of the people’s initiative to pay their debts. They buy expensive products like iPhone, iMac, a Ferrari car, etc. using their credit cards or make a loan from different lending services. As a result of this lack of initiation, interests grow and they would not be able to pay it.

"If you cannot change the situation, change your perspective on it." People should stop blaming the government. I appreciate the efforts that the government does to annihilate poverty. But then I believe that these efforts are indeed far from impeccability yet. Knowing that the government’s effort isn’t enough, what should we do then? People should renew their minds and start thinking how to help themselves instead of repeating history all over again. Our country has seen lots of EDSA movements already. Our constitution has been to a lot of changes in history. Yet, we are still facing the same problems all over again. The best thing each citizen can do is to aim for providing personal welfare. People should start working and moving. I believe it’s no longer the government’s decision to make them poor. It is theirs. It’s their choice not to work or not to study.

Nothing Without You

I swear I won't be physical to you again.

Thanks for coming in my life.

I surely am happy with its current direction.

I don't know why you changed me.

It's not with your melancholic tears that move me but the totality of you.

I don't know.

Whenever we have to resolve something, you cry...

and instead of seeing me cry back..

I can't hide my smile with such a happy teardrop...

Knowing that I'm in front of a loyal person that I know I could be with forever.

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UPDATED: 6/22/2010. God changed me. Nobody else can do that. You know who I can be with forever? It is the Lord. He is worth the tears. Whenever I cry, God comforts me. He delights when you cry to Him from your heart. He looks at your heart so do not try to be hypocrite showing others that you love God and yet, deep down, you are not.

How San Beda Gave Me A College Twist

"My 17th day of being a Bedista. Oh yeah, everthing's changed. The life that I'm having here is so much different with what I had in Mapua..."

Driving, I have said, is not that hard, so to speak. Unluckily for me, that opinion has changed as well. Crap! It's really a must to step on the gas so as to make my 30-minute promise. Like, when I was still driving to Makati, I normally leave the house 5 mins. before the time. Now, it has to be 1 hour before the time. La lang. Just to avoid the uncertain traffic and all. Good thing ayos ang parking ko sa loob. Kahit nanliliit sasakyan ko sa mga sasakyan nila. WHAT I LEARNED: Punctuality. Oo noh! Di na ko late ngayon. Promise. Well unlike in Mapua. I was always 10 mins. late. Lol. Days straight!

Prayers. "Pray for us thing", "That in all things, God may be glorified." Those are never forgotten in San Beda. It has to be a part of each class. So to say, I'm now in a Catholic School and everybody is sensitive when it comes to holiness. Hayun! Kahiya kahapon. I was asked to pray in our Psychology class. Inisip ko talaga, pano yun! Di ako Catholic. (for your info, I'm a Born Again Christian, Proud.) Then it went this way... Tinitigan ko lang sila muna. Didn't know how to start like they waited for 10 seconds before I finally murmured.. "In the name of.." Nakahinga din. Natapos ang pagdadasal at hindi ko masabi yung name ni St. Benedict.. Nakatitig lang sila and nagtataka.. I just said "That in all things.." Whew!.. Anyway, I now have a theo class people! WHAT I LEARNED: Enhanced holiness through my Theo teacher who discusses the lessons fairly. La kasing theology classes sa Mapua e, since nagmamadali.

Slippers, shorts, pants, t-shirts... The things that I wear are not even worn now for school.. Thanks to the uniform! MAKAKATIPID NA DAW SI MOMMY SA PAGBILI NG DAMIT! WAHAHA! ASA! Pero thank you sa mga pumupuri sa uniform ko. Ehem. Bagay daw sakin. ATA! Lol. WHAT I LEARNED: Simplicity and Being thrifty. ASA TALAGA!

Duguan ng ilong. Uso pala sa San Beda yun. Even pag nagbiro sila, in English. HAHAHA! Lalo na nung sa Marketing. Grabe. Parang may program pag nagrerecite. Read: "Markateing ace impowtant in the baseness." Shoot! Ganung accent. Lakas! Swempre nagrerecite din ako. In english. Pero walang accent no! :D WHAT I LEARNED: La lang. Sosyalan. Ayos. HAHAHAHA!

Sige wala lang akong magawa e. Gagawin ko nalang homework ko. Alam mo na. Kahit minors dito kelangan seryosohin. Shoot. Daming ginagawa. Sige. Ingat. :D

Misunderstanding

So Donnel and I already talked few days back. I'm posting here to clear things out. Donnel requested for this which I think is really fair enough.I'm announcing this to the public. It's fine now and I'm sure that he's gonna go on with his own life now.

Firstly, I got several comments from my previous post about the dilemma that I had with Donnel. I apologize for his friends to think that I could have not posted our conversation that we had in YM. That wasn't to humiliate him but it was regarded as a means of closure for the fight which did go differently to some of the readers of my blog.

You would, I suppose, understand a guy like for me for posting something like that... 'Cause first of all, it wasn't a simple hit for me... My personal life has been involved with it which I think was fully unethical. I'm kinda glad that, according to Donnel, he just had inquiries... Meaning, he just asked one of my friends about the things that he was supposing in his mind and not spread the thoughts that he had had. So different to what I thought. To what I said, regarding the "certified by one of his friends". All of which were information that I've gotten through my Mapuan friend who had talked to Lovely.

Bottomline... I'm doing this because I don't want to be classified as a person who loves to have enemies. I just love emo music.. That's it. So as to the tagline "Make good music, not war." Nonetheless, fighting isn't my thing. There are lots of things that will definitely make you busy. Study, any good stuff.. That would clearly make one be a YUPPY ( Young Urban Professional.)

As a Transferee

“Where? Not La Salle! And so not UP as well. Ohhhhh… Why not the second best right now in the CPA Board Exam? SAN BEDA!”

There are lots of anxieties that a transferee student like me has to face as he moves out of his old academe. Honestly, I didn’t know ‘til I decided to alter things for a better me. It did give me repeated nights of pressure and all the like just to choose which exciting school to enter. So then on, I thought of pursuing my current course and having the idea means that if I’d really like to opt the option to transfer, then it has to be a school that has, perhaps, the best system for that program.

I was in the moment of truth. Sometime in 2nd week of October, after two days of having thoughts of transferring, we, Iris, Erika, and I, visited San Beda just to try our lucks out. It turned out at the end of the day that we were half-decided half-not. We went back to Mapua and learned that we hafta cancel the enrollment and get refund ‘til the second week or pay the whole tuition and leave if it was cancelled beyond the second week. So though we were 20% reluctant, we decided to go for it. The anxieties went in like flood just after that. Loads of requirements had to be made though. It was like we were having Amazing Race from San Beda to Mapua and Mapua to San Beda. Professors, who were our second mothers, talked to us regarding us transferring to another school. We saw our friends cry as we bid our farewells and let them understand that our group has no end, we would still meet. It was a promise.

Regrets went by to say its hellos. The rest was history. It’s like it was to test me or like hit my adversity quotient. There, I already proved that I’m fierce and strong when it comes to that. It’s a bit shameful to say that I’ve taken the DLSUCET twice just to pursue my course in that school. The first try was a failure and so was the last try. BS Accountancy in La Salle, perhaps, won’t fit me. So they say… Oh factual, I did pass a liberal arts course but not Accountancy which was really my only condition to transfer. So to that, it was still considered a failure. Giving me like another course from their Liberal Arts won’t gain my mom’s affirmation. (For your information, Mom only knows one course and its only Accountancy.)

Mom told me that it’s not for me. Oh yeah, I guess it really wasn’t for me. It was a bit depressing though. There I said “it WAS” and never will be a part of me now. Good thing that I have these people around me who give me driving force. They are my family, friends, past professors, you, and God. Thanks to them. So now, I found what’s really meant for me… It is to be a Bedista and yeah, and still take Accountancy. It’ll always be a part of me, right MOM?

Corporate Social Responsibility - Better Off Through Helping

I. Breakout Session on BPOs and CSR (July 17, day 2, Makati Shangri-La Hotel)

BPOs and CSR: “Addressing the Industry’s Unique Needs through CSR”

II. The session discussed how BPOs address unique challenges and issues faced by the industry through CSR programs. Several CSR programs of companies were discussed to somehow inform the public of how these kinds of CSR activities make an impact in the society.

Moderator: Ms. Catherine Ileto- BPA/P

Speakers: Ms. Beth Lui- Country Managing Director - Accenture

Mr. Dan Reyes – President - Sitel

Ms. Josie B. Gonzalez- Executive Director – Spi

III. I have had a different thinking towards Corporate Social Responsibility before. I thought of it as a way in which companies use just to strengthen their company name and to be known by many. I also asked during one of our Business Ethics classes if it’s possible for businesses to make abuse of the CSR just to be on the top. Good thing that I was able to attend the expo the following day. I completely understood what CSR is really intended for and what it really is. If I were not able to do it, perhaps, until now I still have that kind of obnoxious attitude towards CSR.

To be honest, I was not really aware about how big deal CSR is for an organization. I thought joining, let’s say for example, Gawad Kalinga is just a form of recreation and team-building. As what I have learned, CSR is being taken into action not just to improve corporate image of a certain company, increase sales, etcetera, but also companies do it with a heart and with intention of helping people.

The three speakers were really informative and enticing. They really captured my attention as they showed each of their CSR initiatives. Like, I hold to my seat impressed of how they were able to think of such. I really appreciated their CSR programs since, as learned, choosing everything for your CSR is a hard thing to do. Among them, I was so astonished with Ms. Beth Lui’s presentation. Hearing the name of your school as one of their first priorities for employment in Accenture was really good to hear to think that we are the second, next to La Salle, exceeding UP, Ateneo, and UST. Not just that, I really liked their initiatives to support the Barobaybay Academy, Samar. The idea behind “Maong para Makatulong” was a smart one. Accenture employees have been allowed to wear “maong jeans” every Friday with a fee of 50 pesos. To that, they were able to raise 1.7 million to sustain the expenses for the project. Another thing with Accenture that impressed me was their Project UMAK. They gave a set of IT curriculum to University of Makati. This will be a huge help with Makati’s aim to maintain the 97% literacy and helpful as well to those students who are incapable of paying for tertiary education in private universities.

Doing good should not only be seen in the CSR programs. It is therefore prevalent in the daily course of every business. CSR programs are not made to impress but its core is to share a part of the company’s heart. It is about the willingness of the company, and itself, as the amorous giver, extending its loving arms to the people in need in its area of responsibility, or better, to the whole society.