YOLANDA – and its aftermath to (some) people

This blog post might seem a bit too late, but I did intend to write post scripts, when the ’storm’ is finally much more calm. Tough I have been quite active on my facebook account about how to help and all other things about #YolandaPh; my fascination with behavioral psychology is really at its heights.

So let me start…

Here’s a rundown of how this very strong storm had changed even the country’s political and social landscape – with concentrations on these people.

PNOY (The President)

I was never a fan, but he has been doing quite good in the first few years in the office (and so I give him credit for that, click here ) until the recent weeks. Coming from Ateneo myself, am aware of this man’s status in the learned society. He is, as we call him, OC when it comes to details. He disregards wrong information and is really pissed by wrong and bad media. This gives him a good (and not so good) status.

One, he took the police’s statement that almost 10,000 died. It was a rough estimate and it was wrong. He made a good impression by stating that it could be less, so to not put further bad effects. What he did wrong? He fired that man off his post. Was it too much? Well, for a staff who was there at the city where thousands were killed, he was simply being honest and fair. Was he wrong? Yes but to fire him for simply stating a possible fact that made the world ‘listen and look’ at us far more caringly? – NO. 

Secondly, he said Tacloban was not prepared - and I say yes. But granted the region’s leaders, was that statement a statement or a political bashing? The Romualdezes took the storm like a simple thing, and it pissed me off as well. For one, an ex-executive of Cebu was able to evacuate a total of 1500 people out of an island to safety; how come Tacloban, which has been historically hit by calamities of this magnitude took a calm approach. Is the governor liable, YES. But with the president’s political bashing, too much! While he was lambasting the also affected officials, where were the reliefs? It took four days before the innocent survivors received one. Galing Galing naman nun, PNOY. Talk about real #Priorities.

Lastly, he took over the mission to help only after bashing (and blaming) everyone else and, here’s the fun, only until the international media started to talk negatively of him. Now, the question, did he really intend to help primarily because he is RESPONSIBLE AS WELL? Or simply because his image is way going down?

My ratings: DOWN.

KORINA SANCHEZ

She has lost her credibility long before this event, but her incident with CNN’s Anderson Cooper placed her even below mud. She has been quite very good on TV but is really off on DZMM since Binay and the rest of their rivals. Making a not so needed bad comment on a reputable anchor on the field, haha , nah sistah, way too much. Would I ever believe her, hell no. Has she lost her media reputation – yes!

My ratings: Get another life!

TED FAILON

I won’t talk much about this guy because am not well researched really, but his current HAHAHA comments on the PAG-ASA personnel l who died on the field during the typhoon was not just below the belt but is a serious indicator of his low view on the morality of things. Why blame the person who died while serving well? Pag-Asa did not do anything stupid this time, he did. The agency lost a personnell, he laughed about it. Now tell me, is he worth our trust?

My ratings: konting ingat, p’re.

***

And since all these guys have further lost their rather not so good reputation, here’s some who inspires…

The AETAS

Get the news here : 

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=733458500001813&set=a.324763030871364.95523.312800398734294&type=1&theater)

(Kara David's facebook)

I need no more words.

These are poor people with a good heart….

Marvel

https://twitter.com/philredcross/status/405359602381754368/photo/1

(posted by RED CROSS on their twitter account)

a person with disability who inspired me to be better, to continue living…

THE FILIPINO PEOPLE

for further help:

 http://www.rappler.com/move-ph/issues/disasters/43300-reliefph-victims-typhoon-yolanda-help

Need I say more? 

From the millions donated, to the labors freely given. 

SALAMAT!

is there really heaven

When I was still a kid, I was a special kind, all because I was my mom’s son. I was never like the others, I was among the others. I have had special needs – and wants. Am not allowed to go out the house and play under the sun like any other kids, I still remember sneaking out during siestas, when mama is but asleep. I was, well, truly taken great (not just good) care of my mom.

And tonight I really wish she’s alive. I miss mama so much, and I miss being special.

After she passed away, my life really turned around. The kid who was spoiled with everything he needed, and wanted became a pick pocket (yes, I was) and started stealing from people for food. He became much of a disgrace, a dirty disgrace.

Soon after, I was picked up from the miseries of life by my brother, who became my guardian. Though I wish he took a harder hand on me, he gave me a better life. A better future awaits, or so to speak.

But life yet again is testing me, and here I am again, asking if there really is heaven.

Hurt by the turn of events, I have no other choice but to keep a rather stronger heart. It is hard living the life I live, granted that hope is yet again, seemingly, fading away. Kung alam mong isang araw darating yung panahon na mabubulag ka, na maaring iiwan ka din nila, na maaring ang buhay mo ay magiging isang malungkot na kwento – kakayanin mo pa ba? When all you ever wanted was to sing and laugh and cry with your family. When all the things you ever wanted to do was to simply be happy with them, pero mukhang hindi mo na magagawa dahil magiging pabigat ka? Where do you draw strength from?

When all your life gusto mo lang maging okay ka, maging masaya with not much but enough, matatakot ka bang malaman that one day you might not be really be able to even take care of yourself? Masakit isipin ang bawat sa sagot sa mga tanong ko, but day in, day out since September, sila na ang tumatakbo sa utak ko.

There was a time that the pain surged and all I ever wanted was to die, and find out if there really is heaven. Pero takot din ako, at ayokong mamatay nang talonan. I still want to win in life.

Pero may mga araw at gabi talagang gusto ko na lang din sumuko…

and perhaps answer that question about heaven’s existence.

Siguro doon, mas masaya, mas magaan ang buhay.

Siguro doon, hindi na ako mabubulag…

Siguro doon yayakapin akong muli ni mama and tell me it’s alright..

Siguro doon may aakay din sa’kin, sa aking pag iyak…     

(This post was written on a rather emotional phase, pardon my drama, but I just want to let it out)

the truth sets everything free – even ...

There are many things in life that’s hard to express.

Hindi madaling magsulat ng real emotions towards a person you might like, or hate.

Hindi rin madaling sabihin sa taong gustong gusto mo na, well, gusto mo sya.

Kung may sakit ka din tulad ko, hindi din madaling sabihin sa lahat ang mga ayaw mo, ang mga peeves mo – kasi nga naman, arte lang – baka ganun isipin nila.

Kahit gaano ka na kagalit sa gago nyong kapitan o di kaya sa babaero nyong Mayor, di mo naman magawang sabihin sa facebook – try mong maCyber Crime Law.

Maski gustong gusto mo nang umamin kay pudra na wis mo talaga bet ang girl na nirereto nya dahil si pareng George ang bet na bet over to the bones mo talaga, eh kalma lang, baka ma deads pa si papa sakaling mag big reveal ka anytime.

Saklap noh?

I stumbled upon an Instagram post from Ryan Chua days before, and it has this thought.

(see original post here: http://instagram.com/p/gGE-LnQWp7/)

If you all really think that HONESTY is a virtue, why?

Napaisip ako. It got me thinking na baka nga, to be honest is not at all, or always the best way to be.

Come to think of it, there exists bliss in the ignorance of certain things. Perhaps others simply have to put another person into the picture and realize that maybe, just maybe, shutting up is the best. Not saying is the best. It has not always been dishonesty when you are not, well, primarily honest, maybe sometimes it is called being civil, being educated. It is like putting the blinders on, so that not a person outside could see the dirty laundry inside. It is simply, censorship – in a far more complicated way.

I have my share of stories, of MY personal experiences when I simply have not been honest – for the better. It has kept many of my, mostly filial and business relationships intact. I have a few friends with whom I know I have not been truly honest with, but we’re really thick now, so why risk breaking the relationship. In short, I have been wiser, I have to.  

Here is the catch though.

None of my closest friends, as in none, have been DISHONEST with me, nor have I been.

My closest of friends know not everything about me, but everything that stirs concern, no matter how hard it may fall on them, I have never kept. I have a few people in my life that appreciates the brutality of an honest friend, a friend that knows when to speak – and how to.

You see. I think the two sides on this actually give us benefits. Using them well only depends on, who else, but the user. The world is a wonderful place, but it is partly evil for a fact, thus playing with HONESTY is one thing that has no general rule. Granted all these, tantya tantya din ano?

The truth sets everything free – even evil. So speak carefully. 

moments

WE LIVE FOR A MOMENT, 

not for a life time.

This thought has been bugging me, well quite noisier lately. 

In the absence of a clear future for me, 

nothing really comforts but the thought that today, 

at this very moment, 

I could be happy. 

The passing days have been tormenting knowing that most of the dreams I have had are slowly fading with my vision. 

But I take perfect solitude and calm in the thought that this too shall pass. Funny how my opening line came into my mind. I was, of all places, at the loo for you know, and then IT came in. Para san pa nga ba ang buhay ko? There are dreams fading, but now new ones are also getting in. I suddenly remembered my mom and how early she left - and how i survived it. The time after her passing and the moment I have completely moved on. I remember the things I used to cry over with - and how funny they seem now. The funny concerns I have had when I was in high school and how stupid they seem now. 

Life's like that really, sakyan mo na lang. The fears that we have now would all be over and things would be better. 
Cliche, pero bahala na si Batman!   

I am afraid of what life has to offer because I really don't know what's ahead. And then it hit me, who really does know?

TRIP lang ang lahat, kaya dapat chill lang, kalma. 

Mabulag man ako o hindi, maging masaya man ang lovelife ko o hindi, what matters most really is 

how THIS VERY MOMENT is spent. 

As you know, tomorrow might not really any more come to me, so why fret. 

Let's LIVE, let's live in this moment!

***

to life, cheers!

WISDOM - from a three year old

I was browsing through my personal FB account 

when I stumbled upon this post from Mr. Kengkoy, a local brand for bags owned by a friend, 

and this actually made me reTHINK of the three years old that I was.

Funny how many life lessons we can learn from kids, eh?

So think back folks...

  

.. back when...

***

brenttzu

25 Things You Keep In Your Life That Are Only Holding You Back

(An original by: Charlotte Green)

1. The phone numbers of people that never, ever call you or text you first, and often don’t even respond when you text them.

2. Mean or uncomfortable exchanges with people — either in your text or internet history — that you occasionally go over and re-read because they make you feel angry and terrible all over again.

3. Subscriptions to online stores that you can’t afford, and which send you tons of emails and texts about the sales you should not be spending money on.

4. Bitterness over the things that your friends or coworkers have, that you might not be able to afford or have time for.

5. Expectations about having “the perfect” significant other, or someone who is going to make you feel better about yourself/fix your problems in a way you’re not able to do on your own.

6. Facebook friendships with exes that you have no interest in talking to again, and only keep around so you can occasionally stalk their new significant other.

7. Facebook friendships with people you don’t really know, don’t care about, and who post ridiculous things that always make you roll your eyes.

8. The idea that you have to keep up with all of your friends professionally, even if you don’t want the same things or have the same backgrounds, just so that you can impress them on social media or at parties.

9. Roommates who don’t respect your personal space.

10. Subscriptions to magazines that make you feel ugly, fat, poor, and unstylish.

11. Friends who only like to hang out with you or keep their plans when it involves drinking and spending a lot of money, and who otherwise aren’t that interested in being around you or hearing what you have to say.

12. A sense of entitlement about the amount of material things you think you deserve in life, especially when it’s much, much more than you need to be safe and comfortable.

13. Desire for name-brand and the latest version of everything, even when the generic brand or off-brand is just as good, or when you could get the item at an outlet store as long as you were willing to wait a season.

14. Pictures of you where you think that you look so much better in, and that you torture yourself with by looking at every day when you are feeling particularly ugly.

15. All of the old clothes and accessories that you no longer wear or use, which just clutter up your closet, and could easily be donated to people who would actually use them.

16. Junk food that you know you’re going to binge-eat if you keep in your cabinet or refrigerator.

17. People who constantly make weird comments about superficial things that make you feel really self-conscious.

18. The idea that you need to go to a coffee shop on the way to work every morning to get breakfast/coffee, when you could just as easily take two minutes to prepare things yourself most days and save hundreds or thousands of dollars a year.

19. Shame over the amount of debt you are living with.

20. Memories of the time that you label “the best time of your life,” which makes you consciously feel as though everything else you do won’t compare or will just be part of an overall downward slope.

21. Old medicine from when you had a minor surgery or dental procedure, which you will now just take recreationally even though you know that’s a terrible idea.

22. Resentment for your friends who are in happy relationships, because part of you feels like them having love success somehow means that there is less hope out there for you.

23. The idea that the amount of work you can do is directly correlated with how much time you spend at the office or how long you spend working at home. (A work-life balance, or being able to do more work in an efficient amount of time, is way more important than putting in overly long hours.)

24. Family members who make you feel terribly about yourself, who contribute nothing to your life, and whose only connection to you is genetics at this point.

25. Love for people who will never love you back, no matter how much energy you devote to caring about them and wondering what they’re doing at this moment. 

23rd

( I planned to post this on the 23rd of September, my birthday. But for reasons, I thought it might not be, you know, appropriate. But reading it again this afternoon, I have realized, this isn't really much of a self-pity post, it's my life now. so here you go...) 

I planned this year to be awesome – apparently it’s not.

I planned this coming birthday of mine as a blast, something worth remembering, but I guess this ain’t gonna be. I’d rather have a small, but meaningful, birthday celebration here at home. Pansit and some chiffon cake would be enough. But of course, I’d love to hear them sing happy birthday to me. Nothing much to expect; nothing much to look forward to; but should I say this would be my saddest birthday, I’d say no. this would be one of my most meaningful. And yes, this would also be something that’s really enlightened.

My family, the very family I have been so proud of has got issues, has got many little secrets that now I know. My sibs have got their issues too; all of them have got a thing or two that they keep dear to themselves. Others, with others. My niece and nephews are all growing, well, older now. And all of them promise a great future ahead. These things make my family, well, normal. It makes it complete – so perfectly flawed that I love it! These are the things that make my days, lately, full of reflections – and yes, new dreams.

Life at 23 is something that others look forward to. 

But do I have the courage now?      

(sigh) 

in the end...

(c) photo: http://instagram.com/pilyongbrenttzu

where do you stand?

Life has a natural way of eliminating the weak.

Survival of the fittest. Law of nature.

Sometimes I wonder when would my time be up.

But so much for that. 

I'd like to simply put a message across for the weekend. 

The weak dies, the fittest survive.

But in the world, its not always about strength or wisdom - or even faith.

The fittest is a survivor, a living contender in an on going battle.

Whoever holds that favours of the gods, of the society as of the moment gets the power.

But lots are going to hate the favoured, the fittest included.  

On the moment the tides changes, the fittest would know how to strike - and who to put to silence.

Photo (c) : http://martinwiklund.deviantart.com/

The fittest is part GOD, part evil,

and he knows just how to survive.

Ikaw? 

Where do you stand? 

let's try walking a different, better road.

I had a flood of good views on my facebook page when I posted a video today.

Well, for the sake of sourcing, I'd share here the original source which I have also tweeted.

As a young marketing con writing professional (gee I sound mayabang, lols), 

I really take delight in well crafted ads. 

This video is one of those. So without further ado, check this video first.

@heyGiorj ngayon ko lang to nakita #GoodVibes http://t.co/IPaJfIlFrl

— brent tzu (@pilyongBrentTzu) July 24, 2013

After watching it, I flooded my twitter with rather inspired posts, lols.

But seriously, this video's message is way too simple and yet so profound, living up to it is quite a challenge.

Who isn't tired of all the bad news, more so bad media in the country? 

Minsan it is just really inspiring to be called to respond to a rather unconventional move. 

Bakit nga ba hindi tayo maging mga good news?

amidst all the noise of life, there is nothing better than reading good news but by #BeingTheGoodNews

— brent tzu (@pilyongBrentTzu) July 24, 2013

So while others waste their time and lives blaming who know who (hello government, hello authorities);

let's try walking a different, better road.

#BeTheChangeYouWantToSee

#GOPinoy

mama was right

When you grow older, you’d understand better. 

Mama was right, as it turn out.

On my commute to work today, I was giving this a thought.

Back when we were kids, we are often told that kids would not yet understand; that we have to wait and grow old, old enough, for us to understand certain things. Turns out, they were right.

Mama was right in saying that the world would be bigger as we grow up but it would be less complicated. The magic of fairy tales would die but the wonderful reality of life would slowly unfold. Yes, the world would be bigger, opportunities would be brighter, and numbers of people would come our way; and so to say, the chaos would seem to be louder. But it really won’t, it isn’t.

As we grow older, we become simpler. We learn how to see things in perspective; we learn the value of things and people. Our real wants and needs are also affirmed and re-validated  We would want more from life – but less in number. Our dreams become clearer and our ways become firmer.

The confusions that our bed time stories once had would soon all be gone as we age - in soul. 

Mama was right. Be patient my friend, you too shall understand.

Have a great week a head folks!   

a puppy tail's tale

Once there was a curious little puppy that stays in a cozy little doghouse with his mom. Being an only pup, he learns almost every essential thing there is to learn from her.

One sunny day his mom told him to go and play on the grass. He obeyed in delight.

Running to and fro, he took delight in chasing little bugs and butterflies. When he grew tired, he was treated with a refreshing drink of water by his mom on the patio.

For the entire summer he enjoyed chasing things. He even learned that little kids enjoy throwing balls and sticks which he would then fetch and return. He gets little treats for doing so, like a cookie or a crunchy chip. Chasing things is rewarding, he learned.

And so to say, he enjoyed and mastered the art of chasing.

One night he asked his mom where happiness is. He got curious when he saw a poster that says "I am in pursuit of happiness". The little pup is determined to chase it too, if only he could know where it is.

His mom said; it is in your tail.

 

When morning came, he went running into the grass and started chasing happiness, his tail.

But to no avail, he took the entire morning trying to chase and catch his happiness but he ended up tired and exhausted. At lunch, he asked his mom why he can’t catch his tail, his happiness.

His mom said simply; there is only one way to catch your happiness; stop chasing and move on, then your happiness would surely follow.

#ThisIsWater

I graduated from Ateneo, and yes am saying that with a proud voice.

But after almost a year of working a day job, with a minimum wage in a city that I, day in and day out, hope am not living in, it has been clear to me, that a college degree (and an affluent and rather sheltered background) does not define the person that we are – more so, the person that we would become.

I stumbled upon GooglePlus a video edition of a commencement speech of a guy am not even so sure who, but is able to make a point so valid and true that I can’t help but share.

Watch the video first before continuing reading…

Knowledge is not everything. 

It is awareness that would turn life into the direction we have always wanted, but fail to reach because of our default ‘my-world-my-needs-my-rules-my-way’ view.

A good educational background, a comfortable and sheltered family live, and yes, even financial security during our younger years might have made us far more ego and self centered, that we fail to see the world the way it should be seen.

It has been and would always be a wonderful place, 

full of colors and possibilities, no matter what 

– so, let’s breathe a while, and see.

And yes, remind ourselves, that #ThisIsWater

#LightsOut

I don’t feel any taboo towards suicide. Sometimes, it is simply a brave surrender, a humble acceptance that things are supposed to end at that very moment. I have been and would always be a fan of Paulo Coelho’s Veronica Decides To Die.

I don’t see death as something that is to fear, especially once you have come at peace with yourself, your world and whoever you conceive your creator to be.

A family member took his own life a number of hours ago, and I went through his facebook account just now, and found his last three statuses quite assuring – and comforting.

Amidst the pain of losing someone, to know that he(she) might have come at peace with himself before his last hours is somehow comforting.

 ***

“ Last smoke before I go bro! ”

“ Smoke almost done in a few seconds it'll be dark ”

“ Lights out .. Peace out ... Ian out..#realtalk ”

*** 

 

Rest well man, ‘til we meet again.

What I Learned In Life Is //

What I learned in life is
a poem by  by Paulo Coelho

(c) http://lbosquejo.blogspot.com/

What I learned in life is,

That no matter how good a person is,

sometimes they can hurt you & because of this we must forgive.

It takes years to build trust and only seconds to destroy it ..

We don’t have to change friends if we understand that friends change..

The circumstances and the environment influence on our lives,

but we are the one who responsible for ourselves..

That you have to control your acts or they will control you..

That patience requires much practice.. that there are people who love us,

but simply don’t know how to show it..

That sometimes the person you think will hurt you and make you fall..

Is instead one of the few who will help you to get up..

You should never tell a child that dreams are fake, it would be a tragedy if they knew..

It’s not always enough to be forgiven by someone,

in most cases you have to forgive yourself first..

That no matter in how many pieces your heart is broken, the world doesn’t stop to fix it ..

May be God wants us to meet all the wrong people first before meeting the right one..

So when we finally meet the right one we are grateful for that gift ..

When the door of happiness closes, another door opens..

but often we look so long at the closed one.. we don’t see what was open for us ..

The best kind of a friend is the kind in which you can sit on a porch and walk…

Without saying a word & when you leave it feels it was the best conversation you ever had.

It’s true we don’t know what we have until we find it, but its also true,

we don’t know what we’ve been missing until it arrives..

It only takes a minute to offend someone, an hour to like someone,

a day to love someone, but it takes a life time to forget someone.

Don’t look for appearances, they can be deceiving, don’t go for wealth even that can fade,

Find someone who makes you smile, because it only takes a smile to make a day better,

find what makes your heart smile..

There are moments in life when you miss someone so much..

that you wish you can take them out of your dream and hug them for real..

Dream what you want, go wherever you want to go.. because you have only one life..

and one change to do the things you want to do ..

The happiest people don’t necessarily have the best of everything,

they just make the best of everything that comes their way.

The best future is based on the forgotten past..

You can’t go on well in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches.

***

and this poem has made it into my deepest prayers

awe-inspiring