On Phil-China Dispute

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My dearest Senators,

I know it is with good intentions that you urge the government to buy weapons in case war breaks out between China and our country. I see it is an immediate action that should be made, given that the ruling Communist Party had called for a ‘small-scale war’ to end the dispute. It is not only the lands and the citizens you aim to protect, but also the pride of the country for it boosts morale and shapes the future of a nation. Only one can emerge victorious from a war. The other is left in broken pieces.

Our nation does not need war, and maybe not even Scarborough. We need great leaders who think before they speak and act on their every word. We need leaders who are not corrupt, leaders who are honest and reliable. We need leaders who will show the youth that war may bring victory but never will it bring peace, that communication is what is needed to fix a dispute. Most of all, we need leaders who will not sacrifice the lives of our soldiers for a piece of land.

In the event that war breaks out and Philippines win over China, what would we do with the riches of these islands? It is true that these island may bring wealth and recognition to the country. But what about those whose lives were lost during the battle? Their families will never rejoice over such claim if they have lost their loved ones. Men who are treated like toy soldiers, who can be replaced in the field once they are gone. You may tell me that it is the obligation of a soldier to fight for his country, but is it fair to ask for their lives in exchange of an island?

To you Senators and the men of the Communist Party, a ‘small-scale war’ will end such dispute. But you see, however small a war is, there will still be lives sacrificed. And unlike in Nintendo games, these men will not have another chance to live. They will not have another chance to see their families, to play with their kids and watch them grow up. It is so easy to call for war when you are not the one who will fight the battle.

A smart man knows how to win a war but a wise man knows how to prevent it.

Sincerely,

someone who still have some faith in the government

"Whoever said that love cannot be proven with poems does not know how to compose one."

Valentina

"Before writing for other people, you must first write for yourself."

Valentina

A Letter To Myself

Dear me,

I know you are frustrated right now because that long-ass post at which you poured your heart and soul into was gone in a blink of an eye, thanks to Safari crashing just before you click publish. But don’t worry, remember things happen for a reason. God may not have wanted you to share those thoughts yet. So relax, and just write a letter. :)

I am so proud of you. It’s been two years since that awful break-up and a year ago you fought so desperately to forget and be appreciated by some other guy. You did it, sweetheart. You prayed hard for this day to come. You believed, and now you live it. You are happier and prettier, stronger and more independent. Not sexier, but at least you’re a young woman with a great sense of how you want to live your life.

You changed. You know you changed. Somehow you loved that change. You embraced it whole heartedly, knowing that with this change comes a new perspective in life, new challenges. Keep faith, darling. Your faith was what saved you, and your faith is what will save you at the end of time. You have doubts, but that’s okay because you strive to understand and deepen your knowledge, you look for ways to reconnect and strengthen your faith and your relationship with God. One day you will have the answers. Just believe.

I know you’re happy. Finally you learned to love yourself first. Do not let pride get in the way of love, yet do not let love strip away the pride with which you stand. Love has its consequences, but you know better than to let it violate your pride and dignity.

Always seek love and strength from your family. They will be there no matter what, you know that. And give them the best that you got. I know that nowadays, they are the center of your life, and that is good, but don’t let that get in the way of pursuing your dreams. They will be happy for you in whatever decision you make as long as it’s for the better. Be brave enough to make a change, you know that’s what your heart wants.

You may long for love and affection from a partner, but keep faith that God will send you the right man in the right time. Everything falls into place as long as you trust in the Almighty.

You are a wonderful person. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. You will hear a lot of things from people around you, don’t let them get into you. Don’t let them put you down, you can do great things, my dear, maybe more than what they can do in their lifetime. You just have to believe and act on every opportunity there is.

Be brave, young lady. The world is full of dogs, but let the wolf inside you guide your way. Don’t be tame and boring, be wild and adventurous. Be the stronger canine, be the better person.

You are beautiful, don’t forget that.

You are the moon. You are the wolf.

Sincerely, me

On Family

By Charriz Dominique Babao

A lot of teens nowadays complain on how their parents impose strict rules to them, but if I were in their shoes, honestly, I wouldn’t.

They say that the family is the basic unit of society, where we, as a child, are cared for and loved the most. But this definition does not apply to my story.

My parents got separated when I was six. My mom left me in the care of my dad and my dad, because he had to work, had to leave me under the supervision of my grandmother. Growing up without a mother is difficult. As a kid, I always envied my friends who have their moms come to school to bring them lunch, fetch them after class, get their report cards or braid their hair, while I grew up with my dad who buys me bags, shoes, and toys that were for boys. I even remember having a collection of Yugi-Oh! Cards and Beyblade. I even had a girl crush during sixth grade. My aunt on the other hand started buying me girly stuff - that’s when I began to change and so did my dad. I began liking boys at school and my dad began liking other women too. That was also when he started to lack the time, the effort and the attention.

I don’t know what happened. Maybe my real father was abducted by aliens. But of course, he wasn’t.

They say that the family is the basic unit of the society, where we, as a child are cared and loved the most.

Growing up without one’s parents is hard. You have to decide for yourself. You have to teach yourself things because no one else would. You have to think fast, think maturely for at the end of the day, you have no one but yourself to count on. But later on, I realized that maybe it was a good thing after all that they weren’t around.

But it wasn’t a good thing, really. I just said that to make myself feel good because deep inside I know, they’re all I need - even if they’re the parents who’d put curfews and a lot of house rules.

So I wonder why a lot of teens nowadays complain on how their parents impose strict rules to them, because if I were in their shoes, honestly, I wouldn’t.

—- This was written by my friend, Cha, for a speech during our Oral Communications class. I asked her if I can keep her copy of the speech and fortunately she said yes. Personally, I think this is a great speech. It may not be formal and she could’ve used better words. But I don’t mind, because this speech moved me to tears. I love the fact that she, someone who doesn’t want people to see her weakness, shed her protective shell to show the class what really is inside of her. I’m really proud of her for being who she is now, flaws and all.

As I Lie Down

I lie down tonight
Under the translucent moon
As it whispers to me what is due
For a gentleman like you

I lie down tonight
The starry sky looking down
Upon a heart that is cold
As cold as the breeze of a winter night

A hopeful prayer to the heavens
To keep the love alive
That fire may ignite
On those hazel brown eyes

I lie down tonight
Feeling the warmth of your touch
And I leave you with kind words
To help you make a start

Tomorrow I am to be with the wise
Fear not the clouds for they will be kind
As the sun sets remember you were once mine
The dark sky will be a memory of time

(This is a piece I made for my supposed application to The Varsitarian under the Literary section. Pardon my lack of wit and depth for I am not an expert in poetry-making.)

Choose To Enjoy The Rain

Happiness is a choice.

This is something I tell myself everyday. Gone are the days when I ask God when can I be happy with life. Silly me. Happiness is not something we wait to happen in our lives, it is a choice we make along with other decisions that build up our character.

Of course there will be cloudy days along the journey of life, but it’s up to you to make it better. Choose to make it better. Appreciate the littlest of things in your lives. Think about the people you love and tell them how much they mean to you. Talk to God and tell Him you are thankful for another day He has granted you.

Whatever your problem may be, remember that every waking day is a chance to fix it. Every day is a chance to tell and show your family how much you love them. Every day is a granted prayer from God. Every day is another shot at life.

So don’t waste your chance, don’t waste your day.

Gray clouds may block the sunshine, but it’s your choice to enjoy the rain.

The Same Friarchy Rizal Warned Us About

“Infertile people can’t marry says Catholic Church” Read article here.

It’s a shame when a church leader quotes from the bible and puts it in a literal context. Marriage is not about pro-creating, it’s about love and the commitment you give to each other in the name of God. Do not distort the message of the bible.

I cannot say any more than this. I cannot believe the institution that has built the foundation of my beliefs is the same thing that slowly destroys it. I believe in God, but not in religion. Not anymore.

And I quote from Mahatma Ghandi, “I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”

2012: New Year’s Resolutions

1. Care less for the negative, care more for the positive.
2. Save up for long-term goals, not short-term achievements.
3. Go museum-hopping around Manila.
4. Take lots of pictures.
5. Make things happen.

The Most Amazing Love Story In The World

I think it’s amazing when you love yourself more than you love your partner or anybody else. Not the love that is self-centered, narcissistic and selfish. But the love which stems from a series of heartbreaking events and never-ending reflections on life, when you finally realize that it’s time to make yourself a priority.

Admit it, when you love someone, all you think about is that person. Everything should and will be for the advantage or benefit of the loved one. Yes, it’s good when you are in a healthy relationship where your love is reciprocated in the same intensity. But when you receive nothing from the loved one, it feels like there’s a black hole inside slowly sucking the life out of you.

And when everything’s over between you, would you know where to go?

It’s hard to pick up the pieces of the broken you, but even harder to know that now you are all alone on a strange new world. You spend hours, days, weeks, months forgetting and trying to build yourself up.

That’s why I feel like loving yourself is the most amazing thing in the world.

After a big blow, you only have yourself to help you cope up with all the misery of life. It may seem like your sorrow will never leave your side, but believe me when I say it will when you work hard for it.

There will come a time when you will realize that all your wasted efforts are not wasted at all. Because one of the greatest acts of man is to show their love for another. And when that time comes, you will finally feel an overflowing happiness and love for yourself. It’s when you can say that you have been selfish to yourself, depriving your needs to feel loved and be cared for.

It’s hard to love yourself. Humans have a constant need for company. But when you go past the borders of selfish reasons, you’ll see how different it is when you feel loved by yourself. It is an infinite feeling. Like all you’ll ever need is yourself, your family, and God. And that happiness is just around the corner, if we just take the time to turn round there.