We’re all protective to our loved ones.We all know that. Just imagine a scenario where someone, who you don’t know at all, suddenly approached your mum, dad, girlfriend or boyfriend and punched his/her face or told him/her the most embarrassing and derogatory statements you’ve ever heard in your life. I’ll bet most of us we’ll retaliate, perhaps punch back or hit this stranger really hard to the point that he would wish he shouldn’t have been born in this planet.Why do we react in such a way? I believe that because of our love to others, we put always assure them that they will always be safe whenever we are around. But think about this, while we coin ourselves to be our loved ones’ shield against harm, who shall protect them from us?I bet you didn’t get it. Here’s the thing, the scenario above is unlikely. Except for rare instances like some real crazy people who attack others randomly, no stranger would really bother hurting you or your loved ones. But hear this,
TheGREATEST PAIN THAT CAN BE INFLICTED ON A PERSON WILL NOT COME FROM OTHERS BUT FROM THOSE CLOSEST TO HIM.
For example, a tricycle driver cursing me on the street, well, it really won’t matter much. In fact, I’m the kind of person who will just give him the cold shoulder.But the greatest pain I have ever felt in my life did not come from anyone who I did not know, but from those who were so close to me. Will you ever feel betrayed by a classmate or colleague who you’re not even close with? I bet not at all. But what will you feel if your closest friends who you thought to be as brothers or sisters turned their backs on you on a time you needed them most? Or you mom, dad, kuya or ate calling you “Bobo” and “tanga” or by your girlfriend or boyfriend calling you “panget”.These things would really wreck your heart. I for one felt betrayed, abandoned and mocked, not by enemies but by those who I loved the most. The pain these events in my life brought me was so unbearable and it came to a point that I wasn’t able to blame anyone but myself.
Who shall protect the children from the verbal and physical abuses of their parents? Who shall protect the people from the corruption and negligence of the government which sworn to be the people’s defendant? Who shall protect a wife from her husband who left her for another woman? Who shall protect the kids who were raised with parents who argued day and night? Who protected Jesus from the suffering He endured for the people who He loved so much?
In this world, the one person who has the greatest potential to hurt your loved ones is no one else but you. Your love is the sharpest spear that can pierce through your loved one’s heart. Yes, you can be their shield against harm, but who can really protect them from you?
** Special thanks to Kuya Carlo for the wonderful realization
I'm selling a slightly used but in perfect condition TOSHIBA SATELLITE A200. The specs are as follows:
- Windows Vista Home Basic - 120 Gig Hard Drive - Intel Pentium Dual Core 1.73 ghz - 1 Gig RAM - 15.4tft screen -DVD,multirecorder,wifi, bluetooth
You may also look over the net if you want more details. I'm selling it for P35K. Please text at 09176935976 or you may leave me a message here if interested. Thanks!
Nowadays, it is so amazing how ordinary people show how good they are to others. We do not see this often and I would really say, I was blessed with few opportunities to knew a handful of people who are very nice even in their simplest ways.
Just a couple of weeks ago, I rode a jeepney en-route to balintawak on my way home. I did not notice I did not have money in my pocket except for a 200-peso bill. Thinking it's ok, I gave the bill to the collector (this terminal has its roster of collectors to prevent any riders who will not pay fare). Surprisingly, the collector did not accept my money simply because he did not have enough coins and bills to give me as my change. Well, the 200 peso bill is only what I got so the collector asked me to alight the jeep and have my bill changed somewhere. When suddenly, a woman of around 40 to 50-year of age, knowing the dillemna I was in, paid for my fare without even me asking. I gave her a nice thanks and she replied "walang anuman iho". I don't care if it was a measly 8 pesos she gave but the very help she extended to me was so unbelievable and heartwarming. I did not even know her name but her simple deed is what I will surely remember.
Just a while ago, on the same terminal, I rode a jeepney having the same route before (I was heading home). Learning a valuable lesson of having coins ready in my pocket, I paid 8 pesos. The guy in front of me on the other hand, gave his fare to the collector but apparently, it was only 6 pesos. He then talked to me and said "Boss pwede makahiram ng dalawang piso?" I gave him 2 pesos. Was I destined to be on a very similar situation again? I find it really funny but then again, what mattered most are the small, simple yet life-moving deeds of wonderful people I was able to meet.
I was suppose to have to a Balud Project presentation to the group of Fefe in UPdil. I wasn’t able to present the project but I discovered something that I wanted to have all this time. Never have I though that this day, through the words of one person, will allow me to reclaim myself from the nothingness it was dwelling on for so long. I am writing this to attest that I am back, alive and free.
It all started with songs, joyful ones which at first will make you wonder what they are for. I must admit, I wasn’t comfortable. But I don’t know, the rhythm and the voices were so enchanting that unexpectedly, I found myself going with the beat and singing with the rest of the group. I knew that there was something strange and I liked it. It was just me and Mer, Fefe had to go to EEE department for some thesis consultation. I did not feel alone nor unaccepted by anyone. I felt like I was there, by destiny and by faith.
And then came the main part of the programme. Kuya Carlo, a pastor at his 34-year of age, stood up and started uttering words which, not even on my wildest imagination, would hit me like bullets directly puncturing my vulnerable heart. And yeah, his preach was quite long but every word he said, every story he shared and every issue he touched, was a testimony how deaf and insensitive I was to the call of the guy above. I must admit, I am not a religious type of person, an average easy-go-lucky nerd who studies just to pass and hopefully get to land on a job which will make me rich in the near future. Boring life, isn’t it? Although I attempted countless of times, I never read the bible. I just know He’s up there, no more, no less. I always pray, oh yes, but my prayers were empty. I don’t know how you would call me. But for me, I didn’t care much to things which I don’t even see. Call me a moron for being such.
A coincidence, fluke or simply a twist of fate. No matter how you call it but I thought it was the reason why I was there, listening. But later on, I realized I always thought everything was a mere product of chance and none of which came from destiny.
Have you ever searched for some solution to your problem, and at the end of the day you realized that the road to this solution is so long and then you decide to stop and surrender? And since you were not able to find a solution and deemed that the problem, in fact, was unsolvable in that sense, you would resolve to nothing but to blame. Ah, a perfect example of my entire self. Blame myself, blame others, blame the situation or even blame God. Amidst the problems our country has to face today, what do Filipinos resort doing? Spray paints on Petron’s stations for the high oil prices, make silly caricatures of Gloria for the plummeting condition of the country, rally into streets and ask every one in the government to resign. I must agree to Kuya Carlo, all of these are bull. Since we cannot find any solutions to all of our problems, we always get out of the confinement of our comfort. We always exclude ourselves from the problem. We always seek solutions outside but not inside. We always think that we are supreme and perfect and thus, we are not the problem. And I must admit, I was once a part of those who shared the same perspective.
I fell short and I did not want to look back. Because looking back meant taking every shit I have done in my entire life. I ran, ran and ran. And by doing so, I lost myself. I cannot even define who I am or even what I am. I was completely lost. I felt my life was going nowhere. Guess what, it really did. Life is nothing unless you can define who you are. Remember Simba from the Lion King? He had exactly the same situation. He knew he had the responsibility to rule the kingdom but he became reluctant to go back because of his past. He felt as if his father left him alone. It only took a hit from Rafiki for him to realize that we have an option on how to deal with our past: either by always running away from it or learning from it. Later on, Simba came back and fulfilled his responsibilities.
Like Simba, I did not know any better option to deal with the past than by running away from it. But I was getting tired. I needed a refuge. This day told me where to get it. A chapter in the Book of Revelations said something like “I will knock into the door of your heart, if someone opens it, I will enter and live with you forever”, just what if, is it possible that my heart was just locked all this time? Was this because my rotten habit of getting away from the past? Was this because I was always looking for answers apart from my self? Was this because I patronized ideas and beliefs which my nature was not made for, and thus my soul rejects like my body vomits them? I guess, all this time I knew the answer was a yes. It was a sad but at the same time enlightening realization. The fact that my conscious mind finally communized with my heart, was a blessing, at least for me. And then for those who wanted to open their locked hearts for God, we were asked to raise our hands. I raised mine, my eyes were in tears. I have never ever experienced such emotions before. I wanted to stop but I finally submitted.
I fell short, yes, but I learned from it. Thanks to the one man who patiently knocked and knocked in my heart’s door, keen for the door to open. Today, it finally opened.
Thanks to my true friends who made me experience a wonderful blessing that will surely reshape my life hereon. To everyone who has read this, words might not be enough to describe the wonderful experience I have been through. Right now I am pretty sure, He is knocking to you. Solutions to our problems sometimes cease neither to be seen nor to be felt. But this should not be the reason to diverge our seeking to outside. The answer might be right there inside you.
My mind, my heart and my soul are finally at peace in the loving arms of God above. God Bless, friends!
Pilipinas Shell is looking for an intern. An On-the-Job Trainee placement within the Shell organization gives you the opportunity to test your abilities on genuine business challenges. Shell offers undergraduates the chance to experience practical work to complement the theories learned from the classroom. We believe that application of what was learned in school is needed to deliver an output. To ensure that you get the maximum benefit, your placement will be tailored to your specific abilities and interests and includes two-way evaluation. Qualification is as follows:
-College students preferably from reputable schools such as DLSU, UP and ADMU
-Candidate must be taking up any Engineering course
-Preferable internship period is from 6 to 12 months
-Willing to be based in Pandacan
-Highly knowledgeable in basic Microsoft office Programs such as Word, Excel and Powerpoint
-Has basic knowledge on drawing software such as Adobe Photoshop
-Has basic knowledge in programming (Visual Basic, etc.)
-Has basic knowledge on the Global Positioning System (GPS)
-Has good oral and written communications.
-Has good project management skills
-Self-motivated, independent, analytical and result-oriented
A reasonable allowance will be granted during your stay inside Shell while accomplishing the project. Shell's internship programme is a chance for you to see what you're capable of and gain some real experience. It also gives you the opportunity to find out whether you and Shell are right for each other. If you are effective and efficient, then you could be one of our possible recruits
Kindly include the following when applying:
a) Letter of Endorsement from the school stating the period of availability as an OJT, how many hours of OJT are required to complete and whether or not your OJT is on a full-time or part-time basis.
b) Resume emphasizing academic and non-academic achievements
We experience failures, we all fall and the hardest part is no one's an exemption. But what differentiates us apart is our ability to accept, face and overcome these failures. No matter how failures entail us to be rigid and blunt on our perceptions on our future, we don't have much of a choice. We all have to keep moving forward. Often times, we fail to realize this. Instead of moving forward, we keep on dwelling on the past. Last saturday night I watched the movie "Meet the Robinsons". It made me really smile. Lewis was very "me". It is really funny really but hey, I dreamt of becoming a scientist of the future. I also had my "invention notebook" but not as complex as Lewis'. I did not grow up in an orphanage however. Lewis got lots of friends and he was admired for his intelligence and creativity. I believe I was at some point, enjoying the same "light". The story was so simple but the lesson it gave me was beyond words I can utter. The only difference is that there is no Wilbur to whisk me away from this world and show me the future. Sigh. I guess I just have to figure the future out my self. Too bad, time travel isn't here yet. Lewis eagerly wanted to see his mom who gave him away and that motivated him to invent his machine. And after all of the hardships and adventures he has been to, he finally had the chance to meet her but he chose not to. Instead, he decided to leave the past and look into the future. So what's the connection in my life and in our lives? I always keep on pushing to turn back time and change the past but why did Lewis declined to do the thing he always wanted to? Perhaps things happen for a reason and we really don't have to go back and seek to change evrything we did for the simple reason we really can't and maybe we really shouldn't. To make ourselves complete, we should not rely on the entirety of time but instead let our clarity define who we are and who we should become. Like Lewis, treasure every moment of our lives for every little moment we cherish constitute us.
From now on, only the heart will matter, I would not hold myself in the past but I will shape my own future, I will keep on moving forward...
I am so grateful to be nominated as one of the best LA reps! Thanks everyone for the support!
We were asked to answer some questions and since I really don't have anything new to be posted, I'll just post my answers to the questions. Hehe. Thanks again!
Name one project/program, that you are most proud of and why?
In terms of the resolutions I have authored, I am most proud of those pertaining to the environment like the Greener Lasalle Resolution and the Institutionalization and Guidelines of the Environmental Steering Committee. Environmental issues are mostly left out and are often given less if not, no priority. What I envision is our university to become a role model of a sustainable community in the region and beyond wherein each policy and operation adheres to environmental standards. I envision a Lasallian community equipped with environmental know-how and is proactive in actions towards environmental protection. I envision a community, which influences other sectors to adopt, if not, make their own environmental policies. I envision the wordLasallian to be synonymous to protector of the environment. With these resolutions we have lobbied, I really hope that other than being vanguards of truth and accountability, we could also be vanguards of the environment.After all, Lasallians are known for the color green. I cannot think of anything greener than taking care of the environment. This will be our best gift as we approach 100 years of Lasallian existence here in the Philippines.
In terms of batch assembly project, I am most proud of the BALUD project. While we acknowledge that the project it is still on going, the steps we took in ensuring this project will be successful are reflections of the hard work and cooperation we have accorded. The project in itself is sustainable. The main goal is to uplift the educational situation in Balud Samar but in the end, it is hoped to that we are going to instill in the villagers on how to make the project self-sustaining. Through the project, we have shown that by linking with other schools and organizations like the Imperial Blue Cube of the Imperial College of London, the youth could really actualize social transformation. Discussions with our partners abroad, collections of books and solicitation for the project are still on going.
2. What has been your greatest achievement as a student leader? In terms of:
Promoting Student’s Rights?
Students have the right to adequate and safe facilities. Ultimately the university has the duty to provide complete facilities that will uplift and develop the students’ academic thinking and of being holistic. My greatest achievements in this must be the installation of electric outlets in the Engineering Walk. The difficulty of plugging laptops and other electronic devices in the engineering walk has been a common complaint not only of my batchmates but most of the engineering students as well. When I had the chance to sit on a PFO meeting, I really raised this concern and through Dr. Q, PFO acted on this quickly and installed the electric outlets as soon as they can.
I could also consider handling grievance cases as one of my greatest achievement. The reason for this is that I have gained a whole lot of experience and knowledge in dealing with issues as sensitive as grievance. I realized the difference between objectivity and diplomacy in handling these issues. As a student leader, I explained the case of my batchmates and made subsequent suggestions for possible changes in terms of teaching methods. In the end, I believe that I fought for the rights of the students by providing a legal and appropriate venue for them to air their concerns and concurrently by clarifying the side of the students. This case, I believe strengthened my batch mates’ belief on the credibility of the grievance procedures.
Promoting Student Welfare
In relation to adequate and safe facilities, the recent construction beside the Velasco building has brought tremendous complaints on the noise during class hours. Other than noise disturbance, we also observed some safety hazards on the construction site, which might endanger the lives of lasallians nearby. We made a letter to the legal counsel and a letter of complaint was forwarded it to the company. The company in turn, made some contingency measures and consequently halted the construction.
Partake in Social Transformation
Aside from the Balud Project, one of our greatest achievements I can say is that we were able to help a boy go to school for one year through World Vision. The real fulfilling part is when we raised money more than the amount we have expected because people eventually realized the importance of the project. The amount was enough to support his schooling for one year! And until now, the boy communicates with us through mail.
3. What was your greatest struggle as a student leader?
My greatest struggle as a student leader is the disappointment whenever we have something planned and yet it was not accomplished for whatever reason. The only thing I have in mind whenever we do activities and projects is to deliver something to the students, ultimately to my constituents. This passion of serving the students has not faltered since the day I entered SC The students are the ones who elected us into the position and it is imperative for us to be accountable to every agenda we have presented in our platform during our election. . That must be the reason why it is unbearable for me if a projects ends up unsuccessful or unaccomplished. Since there is team dynamics among our batch assembly members, this feeling of disappointment is a collective one. Reasons for having some projects unaccomplished may vary from one case to another, such as financial time and logistics problems. This disappointment does not however wane our passion to do better. We have treated each problem and challenge we have faced as a learning tool for everyone and this gives us the reason to do better the next time.
Slept at the bus and came in to work very very late. I got no enthusiasm to work neither to do just anything productive. My reporting is today and still I'm not prepared. Looking back, this week has been a roller coaster ride. I'm feeling something and geez it feels so heavy.
There are lots of people who make you feel important and appreciated. In my opinion, this is where I get my strength to carry on with my life, from the love and support of people around me. That's why whenever conflicts happen, it often affects me tremendously. This week, I got the chance to look back and see the faces of people who make me complete. People who I consider to be the most special and most treasured. Yeah, I can say I invest a lot on my emotional relationship with other people. That's me. and whenever they say "goodbye" to go to another place or for any other reason, this heavy feeling keeps on recurring and I hate it. Why I am feeling this? Perhaps because I love these people that's why.
I am what I am today because of the people who gave me so much, who never treated me differently and who continuously love and support me no matter what. I owe them my life, no less. I miss these people so much.
This feeling is indescribable. Interesting but I really hate it.
Have you ever considered the feelings of those officers from batch level up to the executive level who have worked so hard just to give to the students the service they rightfully deserve? I am responding as an incumbent officer who gave so much just to be true to the mandate my batchmates have given me. I am disheartened, disappointed and offended. And yes, we may have a lot of shortcomings but at the end of the day, the only thing that matters to us most is what we have done for the welfare of the students.
The passion of coming up with something beneficial for the students has never faltered for the three terms I have been with the SC. I have worked with a lot of dynamic people, inside and outside the university whose ideas are beyond commendation. The SC is a venue where my objectivity and sense of service and leadership have really grown and developed. And for this, it is extremely disheartening to hear especially from an incumbent officer like you how SC “needs and deserves an overhaul of the type of leadership it has been under”
I believe that every organization is a sum of different parts and no matter how divided an organization might be, its performance should be reflective of EVERYONE’S performance as well. The idea of accountability is quite simple: it is a shared principle. If an organization is not performing well, it is clearly an accountability of ALL of its officers. If you’re saying that SC was not felt or needs an overhaul, you, yourself are accountable. Sadly, in your email, you were even the one who clearly pointed this out: “We are doing this because the students deserve accountability in the Student Council. The students deserve the truth.” Please allow me to disagree: No truth is suppressed. No truth is hidden. The Student Council has long been a vanguard of truth and justice and by all means, it will not hide or thwart the knowledge of truth.
Every political campaign, not only in DLSU, not only in the Philippines but all around the world, has its own share of hard-ball political tactics but nothing is more demoralizing than a smear campaign. The reason I see why this dirty tactics is likely to continue is because it often works. Yes, people might interpret it as mere “paninira” and yes you will say otherwise. But for a supposedly “politically-mature”, and “progressive” individuals, why try to win an advantage by embarking on negative aspects of your opponent or a policy rather than highlighting your own positive attributes or even preferred policies? Is this campaign not a blatant display of “TRAPO” politics?
This 2008 General Elections, the way I see it, is a microcosm of the usual Philippine elections. Political bickering left and right, mudslinging here and there but no clear and genuine reforms are presented to the Filipinos. In the same way in La Salle, members of some groups propagate reputation-tarnishing assertions without even presenting a clear and plausible platform that would address the issue, they themselves exaggerate. Worst, making statements which put the performance of SC in bad light without even presenting their own accomplishments are unacceptable and unprofessional.
If only these people who will run for the coming elections spend more time in selling themselves than trashing their opponents, then the students can start voting for candidates that they actually believe in.
If only this election could include more straight talks on prevalent issues and policies, then voters could possibly go to polls armed with logic rather than rhetoric and emotions
If the results of this election were decided by voters who were armed with truth, facts and information rather than by innuendos, then platforms could be accomplished.
Small things maybe? But if these are done, we could have a more responsible electorate. We could move our country forward.
If we want to help our country, we should start on our elections. The Filipino electorate is clearly evolving and developing into something more matured. The intelligence of the Filipinos, most especially Lasallian voters should not be taunted by campaigns, which embark not on platform but on political mudslinging. Mudslinging may have worked in the past but now with savvy voters most of whom are concerned with the direction they want to be in, this old and dirty tactic may find it very hard to get sympathy.
I am not for BLACK PROPAGANDA, I am not for SMEAR CAMPAIGNS.
HIGLIGHT OWN POSITIVE ATTRIBUTES and PREFERRED POLICIES.
CLEARLY, MUDSLINGING is immature and unprogressive. It is not the answer.
