Look Ma, no bruise

I've been thinking on whether to write something about the Olympics, as it's held here in Canada, and it is one of the main events this year (or month). This is also a part of history that would be read and learned by students every year as well (By the way, I congratulate all the winners in the competitions, most especially the Canadian athletes.). But then again, I wanted to remind myself that in February 1986, Filipinos gathered at one place to free themselves from the terror of the late and former President Marcos.

It's a shame that I haven't been born when this event took place. I could only savor the feelings through books, videos and stories of my parents and the elders who were a part of this revolution. 

Being the dictator and the former President of the Philippines for twenty years, Ferdinand Marcos ruled the people and kept them in fear through arrests and assasinations one after the other. Those were very dark times. The citizens had no choice but to follow orders for their family and themselves can disappear all at once. Marcos controlled the country just like how a master controls his puppet. For his first term in 1965 though, he was able to establish the Philippines as one of the richest countries in South East Asia. Unfortunately, power prevailed in him when he tried to run for the third term, thus declaring Martial Law in September 21, 1972. However, when Senator Benigno Aquino Jr. went back to the Philippines in August 21, 1983 after a three-year exile in the US, he was assasinated after stepping out of the airplane. Aquino was the only person brave enough to fight back that caused his imprisonment and banishment from the his beloved country, so his death was a huge impact to the people, losing more of their faith on the Marcos administration. Snap elections were held in early February 1986 to see if Marcos still has his 'loyalists' who support his regime. One result had him winning against Corazon Aquino, Ninoy's wife, while the other result favored the latter. People were appalled; and in the 22nd a resistance started where hundreds of thousands of Filipinos from all walks of life gathered at EDSA (Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue), protecting the military officers who rebelled against the government. Masses and prayer vigils were held everyday. Unarmed civilians kept coming in, supporting this massive revolution that would hopefully oust the dictator. There was no trace of any violence except for a soldier that was accidentally killed due to a discharged gun. Hours turned into days. Young women handing out flowers to the soldiers in tanks as they were about to pass through them. People flashing the "L" sign using their thumb and index finger (L means laban or fight in english).

And then, at the night of February 25, a miracle occurred. The first family and his allies left for Hawaii. Earlier that morning, two inaugurations for Aquino and Marcos were held. A nationwide celebration was about to happen.

Here's a video that I'd like to share with you regarding the EDSA revolution in 1986: 

Twenty-four years sure feels long, but for those who were a part of it, it is definitely a memory worth reliving for.

And in the words of Ninoy Aquino (who will never be forgotten and forever remembered),

The Filipinos are worth dying for. 

I hope everyone would make a wise decision this coming election in May.



First image was taken from People Power: An Eyewitness History, The Philippine Revolution of 1986. © 1986 Monina Allarey Mercado, Manila, Philippines

Really?

I was browsing a realty magazine my mom took after stopping by a bank, and when I reached this page, I scoffed. Seriously? They're actually selling these t-shirts? So let me show you what it looks like so you can understand what I mean (Please pardon the feeble attempts, whatever you think they are.). 

So the advertiser is a local radio station, and I have nothing against them, for the record. Red Cross is also one of the best organizations in the world, so contempt for them is not felt either. But what irks me is the shirt. I mean, really. Whoever thought of designing the shirt like this must be joking. I ♥ Haiti? I HEART HAITI? Are you serious? Why would you even print something like this, when most North Americans (okay, probably the world, as it's applicable) don't even know what their situation was before the earthquake. I admit, I have never even heard of Haiti in my whole life, but I do have some knowledge in geography that some people don't (no offense, but that's true). I think this is a very good cause of course, selling clothes with the money proceeding to the Canadian Red Cross. But selling it with this design? It's just stupid. Like what I blurted out after seeing this ad, "This is BS. This is complete and utterly BS.". Pardon the language, but that's what I feel. Okay, for me, I would never wear this shirt, even if someone paid me a hundred dollars, or if someone bought it for me, for it would make me a hypocrite. A country I've never heard of before in my whole life undergoes a terrible ordeal, and for helping them, I get to wear this shirt that proclaims my love for them. *sigh* To you, whoever thought of doing this, I'm disappointed. Another print could've been better, like, "Let's help Haiti", "Give some love to Haiti", "Haiti needs you", or "Stop saying FML, think about Haiti", that sort of message. It doesn't come as patronizing and hypocrisy, which I think is what the message "I ♥ Haiti" implies, especially if you're not a Haitian.

What kind of message does it convey when you wear a shirt that says " I ♥ a certain country or place" anyway? Doesn't it mean that you're showing your love for that country? That you're trying to be nationalistic or patriotic of your own country, that you're proud to be one of them, to belong in this race or nation? Or, if you're from a different race, you still have the freedom to wear a shirt about another country because you like it's culture, people, and history. That you're very interested, and would like to know more about them, to be a part of their people. You care for their welfare, and your love for the country is the same as how much you love yours. So for wearing this shirt that they're selling, you would like to know more about them, you're trying to be a part of their culture, a nationalist who appreciates the country of Haiti, when you've never even heard of them before in your whole life until the earthquake happened. I would understand if a person who's wearing (or buying) this is aware of Haiti, of their situation, and is concerned of them. But, if you really want to help them, there are millions of ways to do that as we all know, not just by adding another piece of clothing in your bulging closet. I just can't see the point in doing this, unless you really want people to think you're a humanitarian. 

Now, I'm done with this matter, I've released my rants and frustrations, so I can be at peace and get on with another. Oh hey, now that I think about it, they probably designed this just in time for Valentines day. It is after all, today, and it might just mean that you want to show your love for Haiti, with no underlying meaning whatsoever. Please. Who am I kidding. And who are you kidding. 

Kung Hei Fat Choi to everyone. Tigers, its your year. Dragon, I'll be waiting for you in two years. And Canadians, wasn't the Winter Olympics opening last Friday night awesome? 

very creative, indeed

So I was browsing the fan photos of a fanpage in Facebook, when I came across one of the funniest and creative pictures I've seen. You might probably not fully understand it if your not a Filipino, but if you are, I'm pretty sure these pictures will crack a smile in your face.

I now introduce you to the Pinoy Transportmers, designed and creatively thought by a Filipino under the name konserns (and this is his website, where he spoofs other movies as well). Now, obviously these are inspired from the movie Transformers, and if you ask me about what I think about this franchise, I think the special effects in the movies were executed very well, as expected of Michael Bay. However though, there are some things that I found disappointing, which I won't go further anymore, so I can proceed to these Transportmers. The word 'transport' (which I think you know what it means) is used because these vehicles are the usual means of transportation of a typical Filipino that you see on the streets. (So some of it may not be of interest to you, or you have no idea what it means, so please pardon the creative works if they don't make sense to you.)

The Auto-todas

holding on for dear life

How do you face forward when all you can ever see is the past? You want to look at the bright future ahead, but all you can think about is going back to the past that you were once a part of, wanting to belong to a place that you're not sure if you're still accepted. True, the past is what shaped you for who you are now, but you also have to accept that you can never go back to change the way things they are. That's that, and you have nothing to do about it.

Everyone knows that you can't really change the past, or furthermore, go back to the past to change it. People you meet come and go, and, if one day, you lose them and never get a hold of them, who's to blame? My guess is that time did it, for it just comes and goes, not caring in the world who they hurt or affect the most. Hmm, who else is there to blame? The person? I guess so, for time and experience has made the person for who they are now, not who they were before. And time shows up once again to change your life. Sure, the feelings and memories mattered a lot, but that was the past, right? No matter how much you think you know that person, once you've been apart from each other for a long time, when you meet again, everything will be different. Unless, you both held on to it. Not wanting to lose what you have gained, you hold on to it. Distance is one of the biggest factors for ruining a relationship (and not just for couples, I tell you), as some people know, but like I said, it really does depend on whether they want it to work or not. If, at some point, you never wanted it to happen, and things just happened the way they are, who is to blame? Destiny? Fate? His plans? Is that how it works, or the other way around?

Going back to what I was talking about, the past is what makes a person who he is right now. He is different from others because he saw, felt and experienced something that others haven't. He met people that others haven't met, and he thinks this is an advantage on his part, for this is what makes him happy the most. But when the time comes for him to let go of that memory, I guess that would be the time for him to look forward into the future. But he would struggle to retain those memories, for him to not lose his identity and his past. It's hard, but that's just how it is.

I love Paulo Coelho, and I've already read four of his works (which I might write about in the future). I just thought of sharing this quote that I came across when I read Brida a while ago:

Finding one important thing in your life doesn't mean you have to give up all the other important things.

However you want to interpret it. Hope everyone would have a wonderful year ahead. 

the usual

I was thinking whether I should post this or not; then I thought, what the heck, I might as well do it, even though I'm six days late. After all, this is a new decade in the 21st century and this doesn't happen very often.

Resolutions were never for me, and now that I think about it, I never really made one in my life. Eh. Who cares. What I am sure though, is that this will be a different year than the rest.

A few days before the last day of the year, I had mixed feelings of anxiety and excitement. Don't some of us feel that way? Scared of what will happen to us in the future? Afraid that things will not turn out the way we want them to be? But then, I'll tell you what some of the people in my life told me: Have fun. Don't think about it; for now, be happy. Face the challenges head on and what's to come, either good or bad. And lastly, enjoy.

This maybe late (and I don't need to remind myself of it), but have yourself a great year, and try not to stumble or fall. If you do, that's alright. You're only human. We're only human. You can always rise up again. And also, have fun.

Cheers! 

(posted without permission of my friend's hand)

His Last Farewell

It was around 7 in the morning of December 30, 1896 at Bagumbayan, Manila when a Filipino named Jose Rizal died under the hands (or in this case, guns) of the Spanish soldiers. A death that opened the eyes of the Filipinos that rose to the Philippine Revolution which made the Spaniards flee the country of our mothers.

I decided to write this to commemorate the Philippines' National Hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal, for today is his death anniversary (I'm on the other side of the world, so technically I'm 14 hours behind, and right now, as I publish this post, it's midnight over there, the 31st of December. A day late but early for the first day of the coming year. But whatever. At least I remembered him. And also, I get to remind myself of his heroic acts and his inspiring works.). He was considered our National Hero through his unselfish heroic acts and pacifist ways of approaching the enemy. Publishing his works which were mostly poems, he was able to reach out to his fellowmen which motivated them to fight for their freedom. And he's a damn good writer, I must say, for I've read some of them (not in Spanish, in Tagalog, but all his works are in Spanish), and he's pretty smart for someone who graduated at an early age.

But most probably his best works are his two novels, Noli Me Tangere (Touch Me Not/ Huwag Mo Kong Salangin) and El Filibusterismo (The Reign of Greed/ Ang Pilibustero), which instigated the Katipunan (an association of anti-Spanish Filipino revolutionists) to attack the Spaniards. He had other literary works as well, poems and sayings that he wrote since he was a kid, which all speaks nationalism and patriotism. I have read both novels for we studied them in junior and senior year in high school (a curriculum requirement), and I think that Noli (here's a good background) is better than El Fili for the latter is too dark for Rizal's taste, unlike Noli which has hints of romance.

You can also watch the movie Jose Rizal (highly recommended, I must say) that was released in 1998 if you really want to know more about his history. Either you can buy it or watch it online, but if you did like it (and I really hope you would), you can just buy it for it really is worth every penny.

Alright, I'm not showing this to the world to let them know how Spain conquered and molested my country for 333 years. It was the past, a part of history, and I completely understand that. Heck, I don't think Filipinos still have these repressed feelings against all the conquerors of our Motherland. There's no bitterness anymore, just the sheer pride that we have for our forefathers who protected us and the archipelago that stands today. I know that there are also some ordinary and unrecognized Filipinos who serve the country in their own ways that would surely make Rizal proud. Sacrificing their blood, tears, and sweat, just for the sake of their homeland. Wonderful, isn't it? Well, I just hope that some of our leaders would get the hint.



A/N: These are facts, I tell you. A part of the Philippine history. I'm just not sure (more like accurate) on some of the information. For example, I'm not really sure (okay, I forgot) if it was because of El Fili and Noli that started the Katipunan. It might have been before that. These Filipinos were violent and have a thirst for blood. Nah, just kidding. I respect them a lot, just so you know. It's just that my brain's a bit rusty; I haven't studied Philippine history for years (not that long though, at least I remember some things). 

Also, the title post is inspired from his last poem, Mi Ultimo Adios (My Last Farewell), his last literary piece written the night before he was killed.

happy holidays :)

So here's another poem that I made three years ago, inspired from a person that I had once met. Now, don't think that I'm talking about you when you don't even know who I'm talking about. This is just between me and my former self, and now that I think about it, I regret writing this for I never really meant to do this to him. I never knew him personally, we weren't close enough for me to know his true self, but hey, at least you were able to leave me a memory of you. And in all honesty, I am thankful that I met you.

Well, let's get this going, shall we? All this cheesiness is starting to make me gag.

Naked Eye

Like a class clown entertaining his audience with his feeble jokes.

Like a court jester buying the queen's affections through his own ways.

Like a famous person who's admirers worship the ground he walks on.

Like a rock artist who's got a long line of tickets wanting to be his friend.

A lucky man, indeed.

No one can refute his notions.

No one can spoil his name to the highest.

No one disdainful enough can be his friend.

And no one can stand up against him, even the queen.

For he thinks that when he talks,

time stops.

all eyes are on him.

and no one can say a word.

For he knows that he controls everything and everyone in his hands.

For he doesn't care who he hurts, as long as he still looks good.

Pretty egocentric, if you ask me. And pathetic too.

It's a pity, for portraying this coveted role and no one, not even his worthy friends has ever seen him shed off his clothes.

But then again, we may never know. He may have already shown his skin at some point.

© luraaa

08.05.06

2:00 am

Note: If we've met, please do not take this seriously. This was written years ago, when I was a teenager going through the typical stages of adolescence. And if we haven't, then, don't take this seriously as well.