A random rush of summer blabbering

Hello there! So out of the blue I decided to open this blog of mine and found out that it has been roughly two years ago that I wrote my last blog. And yeah, if you'd care to read it, I was then an incoming third year student who feared almost anything that awaited him. It was actually a pact with myself about the things which I should and shouldn't do in order for me to survive in the program. Hehehe. Luckily, I managed to beat the odds bringing me to where I am now, ready to tell the tale. Char. But seriously, A LOT has happened since then. And when I say a lot, believe me that even the Great Wall is no match for its length and richness. Haha. 

If you're wondering why it's just now that I got the time to revisit this  little dainty blog of mine, beats me. I really didn't entirely stop writing because if you go to my Facebook now, you'll see that I am still writing stuff in a corner there called 'Notes'. I didn't find the need to update this blog from that moment that it occurred to me that Blogger isn't on trend anymore and what people now find hip is that photo-sharing app they call Instagram (mine's IG btw: heraldnotnerd) and a blogsite named Tumblr.

So yeah, you now probably get the idea that I'm just a bored soul right now trying to rummage through things from my past. I just finished watching a TV series called Suits and boy, it inspired me big time to proceed into studying Law after I pass the board. And speaking of board exam, six months from now I'm gonna take the CPA board exam and hopefully pass it. Oh God. The pressure. The anxiety. The #&*$&#. I can't even put a finger on what I'm feeling right now. Char. But seriously.

Sometimes I wish I didn't graduate with flying colors because if anything, it only adds a big bout of pressure to my CPA quest. Huhubells. Anyway, the review will start on May 26 and I'll fly to Manila by May 14th. My future roomie Michael helped me arrange and book my dorm and flight and there's no going back now. Huhu. But to be honest, the idea of just working immediately without taking the board and thus without license still crosses my mind. I'm not pressured at all about topping the board because I'm just not really cut out for such feat. I believe that if it happens, then it happens. I'm actually more pressured about just passing the board exam given the fact that we're very much handicapped in a number of board exam subjects. Of course, I wouldn't name those subjects here because doing so directly implicates some of my former teachers and the school itself which rewarded me my silver medal during graduation. Hehe.

So what's really on my mind right now? A lot of things. Both trivial and things of prime importance. I've been thinking about a lot of things lately like why on earth has Twitter not yet updated my account's user view. Goodness. I have been a lot more loyal to Twitter than anyone else and it just irks me that Twitter hasn't seen such goddamn loyalty. Another thing that keeps on bothering me is the fact that a friend of mind recently and accidentally discovered one of my nasty secrets and that I couldn't bring myself to hate her because she's just so kind and soft and angelic. Huhu. And yeah, did I ever mention about me not getting any graduation gift from my parents? Don't get me wrong. I'm not sulking over it. But maybe I am. Huhu. You see, I purposely didn't ask my parents for any Christmas gift last December and birthday gift last January thinking that I'd rather have my gift be given lump-sum during my graduation. And lo and behold, graduation came and there was no fancy gift in sight. Huhu. See? I'm not really sulking over it. But I might really, deeply be. Lesson: ASK and it shall be given. Don't pretend that your parents have the same deduction skills as Sherlock's for they never will figure out things you ask and express through merely implying them. Haha. And one more thing, I'm getting my passport on Monday for reasons I couldn't even fathom myself but which I believe my friend Janelle (remind me to write a separate blog entry about her lovelife soon--it's complicated, I tell you) could provide answers to--or answers for. God, even my grammar acumen isn't on a roll tonight. Haha.

Screw grammar, let's talk about love-life. Oh, wait. I forgot I didn't have any. Haha. Or maybe I did have but it wasn't as documented as Romeo and Juliet's. Haha. Enough with romantic musing. Well, you know what's one of the many regrets I have during my college years? The fact that I didn't muster enough courage to join The Crusaders. Huhu. And the fact that I only started going out of my cave and 'actually' socialize with my blockmates second semester of my junior year. Haha. Sometimes I would find myself thinking and daydreaming that maybe I was a transferee student in my college years and that I got to transfer to XU only in my third year (from Harvard, of course). Everytime my classmates would unearth throwback photos of our freshmen and sophomore years, I just wasn't there with them. Huhu. I always tried to avoid them and make little noise and little fuss as much as possible. But along the way, things needed to change.. and they did change because of certain people (remind me to write a separate blog entry for this one also. Haha!).

As much as I'd like to continue on and write about what my dulling brain is still capable of thinking and remembering, my numbing butt and sleepy eyes dictate otherwise. So I guess that's enough for now. It's just so unbelievably sweltering right now in here and the TV's playing a rerun of an MMK episode about Charice's life--which I don't give a damn about, I'd rather watch our dog try to catch and kill some flies. 

I'll write soon. And when I say soon-- it could mean nothing more but eons from now. Ciao!

Always,

Herald

Illuminati

NOTE: I listen to mainstream music. But I have nothing against religion. I believe in God. 

You probably heard of Illuminati--some cult of sort that is allegedly infiltrating the mainstream media to spread satanic messages and stuff. I heard of 'em. A million times. For some times, I was utterly swayed to believe that such really do exist. But for other times, I'd see myself being indifferent. So getting down into business, here's my thoughts and personal opinions about this Illuminati thingy:

I really haven't done much research about this Illuminati but I do know that Illuminati savvies would say that in order to see proof of its existence, all I gotta do is watch today's popular music videos on Youtube and tada, Illuminati! They say that when you critically watch those music videos, you'd eventually see some symbolism which according to critiques, are satanic in nature and ultimately, anti-Christ. I gotta tell you, I'm a huge fan of Jessie J [Adam Young, The Script, Ed Sheeran as well] not just because her songs got like the best lyrics in the world (ha!) but because after watching some of her interviews, I couldn't help but be in awe for her fiery passion for music. So for some random person [who knows little about Jessie J] to say that she's an Illuminati minion right into my face, it really made me blow my top. Sometimes, what draws us to loving a song is not just its pleasant-to-the-ears melody and beats, it's also the blossoming liking and profound knowledge that we have for the artist who sings that song.

With this to consider, I have several questions to ask. Why do people instantly judge an artist base solely on his/her music video without even having a background check of that person? Without even trying to exert that little effort to know that person more? I mean, c'mmon! For all we know, that artist may have been through a lot of struggles in life--maybe a loved one of hers/him died, maybe he/she was constantly been bullied when he/she was young and stuff like that. And, to dismiss all these realities of that artist's life and judge him/her as an evil's puppet just by some crappy video you happen to click on YouTube? I believe that's not fair at all. My point here is: Don't hate and don't judge unless you know that person personally...because that person has his/her fair share of pains and struggles in life too. And maybe music is the only way of expressing these bottled-up feelings.

Second question I wanna ask is: since almost everyone in the music industry is being suspected as being involved in this Illuminati thingy, then who's left for us to look up to? Who are these saintly artists left whom we're ought to listen to? I mean, people who claim that Illuminati exists obviously target the more popular music icons that we have today. So how about the not so popular? What sets the Illuminati people apart from the non-Illuminati people? How can we distinguish them? It's just not fair to set as criteria a 'goat's head in a music video' in order to sort the good guys from the bad guys.

If the music videos serve as proof of Illuminati's existence, then I'd like to also ask: who creates these mvs? I know that the artists themselves have a hand in conceptualizing the whole shoot, but I believe the greater responsibility ultimately lies in the directors' shoulders. Does that mean these directors are Illuminati minions too? If yes, then does that mean even the logistics people, the janitors [who cleaned up the shoot's mess] and everyone who in one way or another contributed to the creation of the music video... are they Illuminati guys too? I don't think so.

Another thing that keeps disturbing me is: Some of the artists who are accused of being part of the Illuminati cult are also involved with charity works, some even have their own charitable foundations. If faith in God is more clearly manifested in deeds, would these charitable works count for nothing? People may say these are merely cover-up for the artists' evil identities. But guise or not, action still speaks louder than words, ain't it? Also, claiming to spread the word of God at the expense of accusing other people of evil works? I definitely can't judge; I can only pray to God for enlightenment.

Lastly: what one doesn't know will not hurt him. So, if an uncivilized caveman from the hinterlands  of Mount Arayat happens to hear Gaga's 'Judas', would that already cause him to sin? Maybe. Or maybe not.

But you know better.

(Note: Definitely unedited. If you spot some you know, sorry :p)

A sepia afternoon in the farm

Perched on our truck, my family, cousins and I hit the road for our farm in Gaboc to deliver some stuff there. And I bet you know what happened next:

Strike a pose.

Jump.

Smile.

Click!

Then the cam's batteries went low. Poor thing. :p

PS: I don't know why I made the pictures sepia. Just felt like doing it. Looks vintage though. lol

Of books and of a Western feel

After hanging out with some of my high school friends in our alma mater today, I thought of revisiting The Library-- a sort of private library in our town owned by a man named Mr. Hooyer. It's actually just a few minutes' walk away from our school. So I went there. Alone.

When I arrived there, I noticed that it actually hasn't changed drastically. The arrangement of the books, furniture and fixtures was pretty much the same as when the last time I saw them. The smell and the feel, still the same. Hmmm. I miss this place. The books. The magazines. The landscape outside. The paintings that ornate the walls. The carpet. The Western ambiance that pervade in the place. Everything!

I swear I could pore over every single book of this library for the rest of my life. :p

PS: Sorry for the low-quality pictures. I used my phone's camera :p

No need to be angry

Those eyes. They really pierce.

So I bought this black angry bird beanie hat today.

And heck--I don't know why.

Maybe for a Halloween party next month?

Squandering much. :p

It's okay not to be okay

So while I was doing my random clicking and viewing on Youtube few days ago, I stumbled upon this piece of good music by Jessie J—Who You Are. I watched the song’s music video and at first, I thought it was going to be dull. I was like, ‘Aha! So someone can actually make some scrappy music video by just plainly facing the camcorder. Lemme try this myself and let’s see.’ But as the song continued on and the lyrics started to become clear and comprehendible to my ears, chills started running down my spines. I was then like, ‘Damn! Jessie just did it again.’ And I remembered her previous songs: Price Tag, Nobody’s Perfect, and Who’s Laughing Now. All of which conveyed a certain special message. All of which left a deep impression on me (which I believe is a trademark of a good and beautiful music :p).

So if you’re now feeling low, stressed, defeated, and you think the whole world is closing in on you... that everyone’s sabotaging against you--- take a break. Soothe your soul. Serve your ears with some good music. It’ll help. Somehow. :p

MV link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2WWrupMBAE

Who You Are

by Jessie J

I stare at my reflection in the mirror:

"Why am I doing this to myself?"

Losing my mind on a tiny error,

I nearly left the real me on the shelf.

No, no, no, no, no...

Chorus:

Don't lose who you are in the blur of the stars!

Seeing is deceiving, dreaming is believing,

It's okay not to be okay.

Sometimes it's hard to follow your heart.

Tears don't mean you're losing, everybody's bruising,

Just be true to who you are!

Who you are [x11]

Brushing my hair, do I look perfect?

I forgot what to do to fit the mould, yeah!

The more I try the less it's working, yeah

'Cause everything inside me screams

No, no, no, no, no...

(Chorus)

Yes, no's, egos, fake shows, like BOOM,

Just go and leave me alone!

Real talk, real life, good luck, goodnight,

With a smile, that's my home!

That's my home, no...

No, no, no, no, no...

(Chorus)

“It's okay not to be okay.” Hmmm. Is that a smile I'm seeing on your face right now? Oh yes it is. :))

PS: SEMBREAAAAAK na namo! Bleeehh! XDDDD

Cooking prodigies

Yum yum yum.

Since Junior Master Chef Pinoy Edition aired on Philippine TV, my weekends began to be filled with aromatic smoke-filled kitchen-esque imaginations of myself peeling vegies, grinding spices, boning fishes, chopping, slicing, sauteing... cooking! Well, truth is, I really can't cook. Good thing I'm still capable of imagining! Anyway...

The kids in JMC really amaze me! I mean, I can often hear them utter jargons which are peculiar only for professional chefs. And honestly, even at my age now, I still can't manage to cook an egg properly. But here they are, displaying their cooking prowess and proving each episode that cooking--for them-- is as easy as breathing. * envious * At their tender ages, they already seem to know how to cook every sort of edible things-- from pastries to desserts to foreign dishes to outta-this-world delights! UH-MEY-ZING! Each episode is just so mouthwatering. Each dish they manage to pull off every challenge is just so heavenly to watch! Nakakatakam panuorin. Surely, they do know their stuff.

The following are my bets in JMC:

Bon apetite! :)

Finding peace behind the clouds

Incessant bombings and killings. Burgeoning corruption and poverty. Chaos--unending chaos.

I turned off the TV. It totally bored me to see all those recurring news regarding our country. Humanity being torn between good and evil, with evil almost embracing victory.

Everything’s just way too disheartening. Way too confusing.

Tired of watching such dismal scenario, I went outside our house. I gazed at the boundless blanket of blue sky above me, tried my luck to seek anything that is possibly there... and prayed. But what could this be that I’m trying to seek? This that I’m deeply longing and praying for?

The fathomless dome above me seemed to be nothing more than a virtual empty space. Yet despite the void that it is, is the presence of a feeling of calmness... a peculiar tranquility giving off an aura of security... but what is this feeling?

I could hardly distinguish this relaxing mood enveloping my very being. What could this be? What could this be that seemed to brush off every dust of weariness that I feel? What could this be that completely silenced all the wailing and the whining inside of me? What could this be that rejuvenated my soul so gloriously?

My consciousness, with all its might, tried to conjure up a reasonable explanation for what it was.
Then my mind fell into one judgment: Peace.

Yes! It should be peace that I was feeling right then. Yes, PEACE--this elusive remedy I was long been searching for, which from out of the blue I suddenly discovered in the midst of my soul-searching. This peace which arrived with an entourage of angels. This that would finally bring solace and relief to my disheartened feeling and enlighten the confusion within.

Oh PEACE! I love this feeling! But if it does exist, why do most people still choose bombings and killings over amicable measures of achieving their goals? Why do politicians still believe that corruption is an effective resort to cultivate and amass wealth? Why do masses of people still have to wallow in poverty’s lair?

Why don’t people just simply dig up the happiness from the simple things? Why choose to listen to an ugly orchestra of divisions, hatred and selfishness when we have the option to sing gleefully in the symphony of brotherhood? Why don’t people just stare at the sky and read behind the clouds the invisible signboard which reads “PEACE” hidden in its vast nothingness?

After mulling this over, I found myself hoping: hoping that people may learn to discover PEACE in their hearts; hoping that people may see the million little things around them worth grinning at; hoping that people would find time to look up at the sky and learn to seek PEACE in their solitude; and finally, hoping that people may learn to kneel in worship and extend both their joy and misery to the one true King of Peace, the Almighty!


Ad majorem dei gloriam!

Dora the explorer meets Herald the grown-up whiner

Can we truly consider DORA as an explorer? Fearless and fierce? I mean, if she’s really an explorer, then I’m sure she’s the lamest in the roster.

Okay, I know I’m just being too hypocritical and a whiner here, but probably brought about by the deficiency of topics to write about, poor Dora has now just become my victim to be subjected into my unnecessary scrutiny.

This morning I happened to watch a complete episode of DORA The Explorer (Tagalog version) aired on ABS-CBN simply because I have no other resort to placate my boredom.

Annoyed with its infantile script (all in poor Tagalog translations) and almost nonsensical storyline, I suddenly muttered to myself:

“Oh, Dora! When will you ever grow up and learn to decide for yourself? You’re supposed to be a valiant, fearless ‘explorer’ bound to overcome all odds with your instincts and sense of independence, not a little princess who is still baby-sat at age what, 8 or 9, and who is accompanied by an equally stupid monkey!”

Yeah. I know it’s only an animated show for kids. So why am I so affected with its stupidity? That I am not sure of!

* thinking *

Well, how about this? Maybe... maybe it’s just that I’ve grown more MATURE (oh really?). Precisely! That explains it! That explains why I can’t stoop to Dora’s level without being uncomfortable. It's like this. An adult, or let's say someone who has a more matured thinking, should get irked with childish things. Little girl crying over her broken doll. Little boy endlessly bugging his mother to buy him a new toy. Quite irksome!

And since I've grown more mature now, it goes without saying that I, too, should also be irritated with her-- with her stupidity I couldn't comprehend and with her big head!

That’s it! Dora’s just a kid who still needs to perch herself in a safe environment to gain security and comfort. Dora is just a child whose hands are still tightly clutched on the railings in order not to fall. Dora is an explorer in her own little world of fantasies. She needs Boots and the audience to decide for her.

But I ain’t like Dora. I just happen to live in the REALITY. A reality which can be fierce and unforgiving at times. A real world with real characters and real experiences. A reality which has now made me more mature and grown-up in the way I view life. In my world, I’ve learned--and still am learning--to be wise with and responsible for my decisions... decisions and their consequences that no one but myself could be held accountable for.

***

Geez! I owe you one Dora for unexpectedly giving me a whole new spectrum of understanding about reality and maturity. :p

An inspired writer wanna-be

After reading some really beautifully-crafted articles written by some of my seniors in the university, I suddenly had this I-also-want-to-be-like-them feeling, and was obviously inspired because of their works. And with a profound admiration for their passion in writing, I then just found myself secretly setting a goal to which my “amateur writer’s life” will surely be tied up with.

***

I want to be a writer, not just someone who knows the proverbial subject-verb agreement and conforms to the complex set of grammatical rules.

I want to be a good writer. Someone who can put into a beautiful tapestry of writing my feelings and my thoughts. Someone who can make his hand and his pen smoothly work together like that of the formless water flowing so exquisitely in whatever kind of surface it may stumble across. Be it rough and rocky or level and smooth, it still can stream freely.

Yes, I want to be good in writing. To be good in letting my mind freely embody its repertoire of ideas into words. To be good at breathing life to a jumble of flowery words. To be good at aggregating my scattered and wandering thoughts. Yes, to be good at expressing myself.

***

I was just inspired. Sometimes, a little dose of inspiration is just what it takes to get me steaming with enthusiasm and drive me overly melodramatic about the trivial things. But hey, lemme make this clear, writing isn't a trivial thing for me anymore. Matter of fact, I just made a sort of an official statement, haven't I? :p

A clamor from someone gone mad while on a sembreak

Herald turns on the TV... and later gets bored.

He opens the ref for something to eat, devours it... and later gets bored.

He visits his Facebook account for a while... then he gets bored.

He picks a book, tries to open the first few pages... and he gets bored.

He surfs for anything on the internet... and boredom strikes on him.

He reaches his phone, texts something... and what’s new? Boredom paralyzes him.

He tries to sleep, dreams about nothing... and guess what, his soul still gets bored. Yeah, nothing is more boring and lifeless than having to float in some dreamless sleeps.

This is hell. He is doomed. The sembreak’s notorious BOREDOM SPELL is cast on him.

_____________________________________________________

Hellish. Deafening. Pricking.

This has been the track of my life in the past two weeks. And this has been how my SEMBREAK was softly killing me, torturing me... while I am helplessly caged in its powerful spell of absolute tediousness and dullness... which will inevitably lead me to an appalling state of nervous breakdown if situations were left unattended... gently driving me insane in the process, tormenting my very soul... until finally, such breakdown will be reached and the irrevocable spell will completely take over my reasoning... incapacitating me to a deathlike stupor!

And now, my only desire is for this sembreak to end... for this whole pervading pandemonium to bid its farewell. If sembreak would just draw to a close, I know I can break free from the spell. But how could I still have the faith to grasp to this little shred of hope if my mind’s utterly certain that the remaining days of this break would only serve to prolong the agony in an unimaginably hundred-fold efficacy?

Doomed.

***

Coming to terms with the changes

This is written FRIDAY, September 10, 2010 when I get to read again my previous "ON THAT BENCH" article simply out of mere boredom & ; loneliness.

Okay. Roughly three months ago, before classes opened, my brain was into a lot of imagining how going into college would turn out. I didn't have any idea to what college life would hurl at me, either sweet cotton candies directly on my salivating mouth or rough, hard stones aimed at my forehead. I didn't know. And it sent me that peculiar shiver down my spines. I was afraid of the unknown. I was afraid of COLLEGE!

Don't get me wrong. I am not saying now that COLLEGE is not that frightening and difficult afterall. With all honesty, college still terrifies me (in a major, major way!) and still gives me random moments when I could just pause and all of a sudden say: "samuk! lisura pud aning college uy! maypang high school sauna."

Well, it still is September afterall, barely 3 months since I first set foot on college's groounds. I still don't have any right to tell whether college is the COTTON CANDY or the HARD STONE that would hit any newbie here in college. But one thing is for sure: everything here in college is just the result of one's OWN determination and will. You actually reap what you sow, unlike in HS when everything seemed to be plainly spoon-fed (But I so love HS. I miss HS! huhuhu).

About coping up with college?! NOT EASY! You'd ask me now if I'm already fully-adjusted to it? LOL. I still certainly have a lot of "adjustments" to do other than the nosebleed-inducing adjustments we're making in accounting. Diverse people, demanding subjects, new teachers with *nakaka-OMG!* approach of teaching, very limited resource (specifically kanang KWARTA!) and how to budget allowance, paying visit to my hometown every weekends, totally boring life in the boarding house, housekeeping and stuffs--all of these and more are just part of my adjustments-to-do list! And so far, I think I'm bit by bit doing it with success (roll-eyes) !

About my grades?! Hmmm. Shaky, yet so far, I'm doing good! 'B' is my lowest letter grade in my midterm grades (accounting, of course, samok nga subject uy! hehehe). I just pray that everything would go smooth-sailing for the next weeks, months, and years until.... you know na!

About missing high school? Indeed the most difficult! Uhm (teary-eyed), I just keep on reminiscing the past, on excavating memories, on resurfacing the youthfulness of my HS life, and keep on praying, for I know that a time will come when the PAST would eventually just become a blurred vision in our memories. And I don't want that to happen. I'm keeping my fingers crossed: I want everyone to stay in my memory, to remember them as if it was just like yesterday. I miss the ISATONiX & my other former high school classmates; my teachers and mentors; the school guards and the frequent squabbles with them; the Mondays/Fridays flag ceremonies and Maam Chico's motherly rantings; the CATs' snappy commands and the elements' as-if-I-care response; Pogi's tempuras, fish balls, manggang hilaw and his wife; the quarterly settlement of clearances including proper haircut check-ups; the foodstuffs sold in the canteen; the many attempted ghost-huntings; the benches; the habitual chitchats, gossiping, teasing, fighting, cleaning (or maybe later), running, playing, giggling, dancing, singing, laughing, and more laughing plus more laughing ending up to more laughing --- I just miss 'em all! As in MAJOR MAJOR missing 'em all!

***

Anyways (still teary-eyed), in my three-month long college life, a lot has changed. I'm around good people here in college. Although they still intimidate me, I somehow could manage to squeeze through my wild, noisy block, block ACA! I was at first timid whenever I'm with the group knowing that we're only about five people who came from 'Nat'l High Schools', with the rest coming from semi-private or private schools (but then, who cares?). I'm also happy to befriend some XUHSians and other private-school-groomed students whom I initially thought were "maarte and all" but contrarily proved to be friendly and happy to be with! The teachers as well are nice. However, I don't know if I'd ever find a liking to our thick, unfriendly books (especially BIOLOGY)! Whoah!

Everything is just so unpredictable here. Life just go and continue under the sun with so many surprises. Personally, I'm still endeavoring to seek for them, for the surprises that could be beneficially life-changing. And in the process, I am overwhelmingly humbled and thankful for everything that has been endowed with me by the Almighty. With a thinking like this, I'll always be eager and braced up, not just to face life, but also to live life!

Ad majorem dei gloriam!

***

P.S. #1: I hope you find my writing improved! Hehehehe.We keep on writing compositions, essays and the like in our English class. =)

P.S. #2: It's utterly funny to think how long it took me just coming to terms with the changes. "KOLEHIYO NA MAN DIAY KO! LOL!" =)

O' Great Mountains of Sampiano

"Hoy, manlaag ta ilang Irene sa Sto.Nino!"

No one seemed to care about the idea.

No one even showed the slightest interest to accept this jurag-jurag scheme.

But before we knew it, we were already a group of seven riding in a white multicab headed to Sto.Nino. With only a scanty supply of food. No water. Just the enthusiasm to escape from the boredom prevailing at our respective homes. And of course, with the thrill and excitement of embarking into such out-of-the-blue scheme.

Well, the road when we got to Sto.Nino was all fogged by so much dust. The scorching heat of the sun was like opening every pore of my skin that it could really pierce down into my bones. But all of it was nothing compared to what was waiting ahead of us, the exciting unknown we were about to explore.

On the way to Sampiano (a sitio of Brgy. Sto Nino), the very location of our trek right below Sto.Nino itself, we momentarily dropped by at some stores along the dusty road to buy ourselves some stuff--ice water, bread, snacks. Of course, like someone who plans to enter a war, we also needed to fully equip ourselves for this tough battle.

Walk. Walk. Walk.

And now came the ultimate test… the real battle against nature.

We were on the cliff, right before descending the mountain. At the outset, we found ourselves on an amazing panoramic view of nature’s hidden beauty. With such rare façade, we took a brief halt and contemplated the breathtaking natural wonder that was laid right before our very eyes. It was such a gift – a heavenly sight of pure serenity.

From there, we took our first step in going down. With the beautiful Ms.Irene Gaspe as our ‘tour guide’, we started descending the very steep, barren mountain. The spectacular view around us entranced us so much that we forgot what we were getting ourselves into. But there was no chickening out now. And advancing together, we bravely passed the rocky, narrow paths going down of the mountain. It was so windy out there, that it seemed nature itself is whispering right directly into your ears. The grasses were strongly glued on the slopes as if they’ve been there from the very beginning. The birds were swaying gracefully with the wind, not even scared of the altitude of their flight. I hardly noticed the exact moment when I begun to envy those birds because they don’t need to feel what it was like to descend from the mountaintop. I could really feel my knees tremble so hard. Even my heart’s pounding was very much audible in my chest.

I could only wish that my eyes were blindfolded so that I wouldn’t be able to see the view below – the trees and houses which seemed to be so tiny like an army of ants in a constant parade. But no matter how I tried, I could still see the view below. I had to carefully watch my every step so that I wouldn’t trip down and end up rolling to the footsteps of this gigantic mountain. For now, I guess there is no reason at all to deny that I really do fear heights.

Down and down we went, and we even hardly noticed that we were nearing the bottom of the mountain. When we finally reached the base of the mountain, all we could think of was that: it was energy-sapping. Rappelling down the mountain was like an endless torture of the every joint of our bodies.

Nonetheless, the prize of making it down there was really an unforgettable treat for all us. It personally gave me so much relief when I saw the crystal-clear waters of the wide rivers that was literally stretched out to the far end of my sight; while the pure air that was enveloping us soothingly caressed our tired bodies. In my mind, I was certain of one thing: it was all worth it.

To burst the excitement out, we passed a narrow, long hanging bridge. The strong winds easily swayed the bridge, tremendously scaring us all to death. Things were made more severe when we got to see the river's fierce current right below the bridge. It actually made me nauseous.

It was about one o’ clock when we officialy passed the bridge and decided to take our lunch. But thirsty as we were, we decided first to seek for a store that would have to sell ice water or any other softdrinks that would quench our dry throats. Not far from the bridge and river, we came to the sitio proper of Sampiano where only few houses can be seen. It was very hot as the sun rose above us, when we finally found ourselves in a small store which luckily sells ice water and softdrinks. And there, at last, we were once again energized.

We also bought two cans of sardines that would somehow increase the very little food supply we had. From the sitio proper, we hiked again back to the bridge. This time, it was a lot easier for us to pass the bridge because we already learned the maneuver tricks the first time we crossed it. When we made it across, we then immediately devoured our lunch. We got to finish our lunch inside a small cave by the river.

By then, we were already so tired. But as they say, nothing’s gonna to stop us! We then enjoyed ourselves in the cool, pristine river as we started soaking ourselves onto it. We splashed waters to each other’s faces; started swimming against the current; and even challenged ourselves to dive into the deep portions of the river (but then decided not to). It was only Donessa and Maegan who did not plunge themselves into the water, maybe afraid of getting wet. But Al, Tisay, Ate Beth,Vevian, Wena, Jireh, Irene and I, hesitated no more in playing with the refreshing waters. With the magnificent view of nature as bonus, we savored every second of our swimming escapade in the river.

After all the enjoyment below, we then needed to hike up back to the top of the mountain. It was not easy returning home especially when you see right before you a mighty bulge of mountain you need to surpass. Just seeing it drains one’s energy. But in no time, against all odds, we made it back on top. So exhausted. Now soaked in sweat and even racing to breathe. But what counted for us back then was that we were able to successfully win over the battle against our nature trek.

As our consolation for this jurag-jurag plan, Irene’s family which resides at Sto.Nino, treated us with the delicious ‘lamaw’, a recipe of coconut flesh added with milk and sugar. It was just so revitalizing, so melting in the mouth. It really did satiate our growling stomachs after just finishing it off with nature’s strenuous challenge.

It was already dusk when we departed from Irene’s house. Few streaks of sunlight beamed to the dimming sky as we exhaustedly hiked (as in literally just walking) from their house, to wherever our feet would bring us, before we could catch a cab that would eventually take us home. And heaven’s luck! A cab rescued us. By then, our untidy figures were really a picture of poor barefooted beggars. YES. We really looked like beggars from the way our feet and clothes were dirtied and the worn-out expression that our faces were bearing.

Nevertheless, it was not on how tired we were, but on how much fun we had, that matters the most. We may then appeared to be so dirty and exhausted after that long day of jurag-jurag – but every scratch in our bodies, every ache we felt in descending and ascending the mountain, every drop of sweat all through this crazy adventure, and every fraction of time we spent together – all of it will be treasured deep in our hearts. Our happy and exciting EXPERIENCE out there was what matters most.

All in all, as we gaze back to that experience - to the mighty mountains and the white threads of rivers, we get to realize that LIFE, in comparison to our memorable nature trek, is also an array of challenges that we need to surpass. That is why, with confidence, we bravely swear to those majestic mountains of Sampiano:

“Whatever life has to throw at us, we will face it with valor and fervor… and then surpass it as victors, just like how we conquered you, o’ great mountains of Sampiano!”

We love PC!

[ For and by: Tisay. Herald. Al Savior. Jireh. Ati Beth. Glen. Maam Metot. ]

"When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it."

We just love Paulo Coelho. Him and his super magical, wonderful, life-changing, compelling, striking, endearing, inspiring, riveting, spellbinding books! Any positive adjectives? Name it! That's how we truly love his works, and the magic of his writings which never fails to alleviate our stress after reading his stories.

Well, I am writing this article not to sell Paulo Coelho but to at least share to everyone how good, or if not, BEST, his books are. There are surely many points in his stories which are really worth of contemplation. If you want, you can also list down the inspirational quotes that you'll encounter as you go over every leaf of these good books by PC.

The image above is the cover of probably his most famous book, 'The Alchemist', which was personally the first book of him that I read. But great as this one, all his other books will equally inspire and enlighten you in the exact same way they hypnotized us.

This piece of writing won't be long. I would just like to tell everyone, that like us, be inspired with Paulo Coelho's masterpieces as you'll soon discover in yourself how these wonderful stories touch the course of your life. =)

Meeting New Life With The 'Old' You

The contrails left by the afternoon jet in the bronze blanket of the atmosphere just above where I stood are now starting to fade and dispel along with the temporary farewell of the sun, as it is now ready to embrace the bleakness of the night.

I stood there, motionless, as I marvel at the few glitters suspended in the dimming sky, simultaneously beginning to twinkle before my eyes.

Few hours from this exquisitely beautiful dusk, I will have to bid goodbye to year 2009 – for a new year will freshly blossom, exuding the scents of everything it would bring in, and leaving behind all the trails of memories engraved during the entire sojourn of 2009.

Few moments from now, my life – and all our lives- will have to embark into another chapter of time and history – the arrival of year 2010.

Yes. New Year, new chapter – another journey to conquer, more challenges waiting to be won, and a fresh new life to be lived. New life, huh? I momentarily took a pause just for the sake of nothing else but to think and contemplate. Is it necessary to have a life anew in the onset of a new year? Like that of a cold-blooded snake shedding its skin in some particular points of its existence? I’m certainly uncertain about this thought.

Time unfolds as time itself passes, but the lives we used to have will always be the same lives we will be navigating in the future, despite the shifting of the seasons , the changes of time – of years, months, weeks, so on and so forth. It then reflects that despite these changes surrounding our consciousness, new life isn’t what it takes to be worthy of embracing the new year. Perhaps, it would be better to greet 2010 with your old self – your old ‘you’, which has endured the capricious waves of life’s vindictive, yet inspiring trials and experiences. It would be no less than the original and old ‘you’ who should gratefully welcome 2010 with the confidence and contentment that alas, year 2009 has just been conquered – mission accomplished! – and also with the fighting spirit and eagerness to do exactly the same with the new year 2010, to win over it!

Changes come and go. Our egos shift; our moods alter from time to time; our looks renew; hair grows and lengthens but then cut it whenever we feel like it. Just like a new leaf sprouting at the tip of a twig held by the strong branches of a mighty tree – very soon, that leaf will lose its color and vigor and will eventually wilt. Nevertheless, just directly where it dies off, a new leaf will once again bud and replace the dry, dead one. A cycle of changes.

Changes, then, are changing. They are transient because that’s they are supposed to be. And they surround us. But ourselves will always be ourselves no matter how we believe we might have changed. In this New Year, what we need to do is to remain as strong and as determined as we were before – because 2010 will just be strolling around for a while, we’ll never know how short it could be and how short it would be toying around and how playful it might turn out to. However, if we will just hold on to the faith and strength which propelled us to emerge as victors over the previous years, we will surely overcome the entire extent of unexpected things that 2010 has in store for us.

And before we know it, 2010 will just be another pretty fragment of memory buried deep within us... a jewel in the chest of treasured moments... a strip of jubilant period in the tapestry of this perplexing life – of course, with that peculiar joy and satisfaction for having just won over it, for having just won over another battle!

(dRama mOde... as alwayS! heheheh)