Dead

So they say the world will end at exactly 6 am today.

beautiful world.....at our backyard

It’s 3:20 am and I am wide awake. No, I’m not waiting for the end of the world to come. I’m downloading review materials for the exams I’ll be taking this year. While others MIGHT be preparing to meet their Creator, I am preparing to meet my future, trying to make sense of mathematical equations and jumbling ideas in my head.

The news yesterday featured some groups of people trying to tell the whole world to repent from their sins because thy kingdom will come. Soon. Very soon. As I sat in front of the TV, I began to wonder the propensity of such statements.

Much has been said about the end of the world. With all the calamities that take place these days, one cannot help but think, indeed, this woman called Earth will check in and throw the towel anytime soon. I imagine the world going dark, the sun turns into blood red as the skies swirl with black clouds spewing acid rain. The land beneath our feet trembles in great despair as the earth shakes unceasingly sending chills of terror down our spine. Lo and behold, those people called sinners swim at the fires of hell while gnashing their teeth endlessly.

Okay, enough. I think I have been watching too much movies lately.

But seriously, I don’t like it when things go nasty like people resigning from their jobs or like getting heart attacks because of the “impending danger” ahead. Fact is, nobody really knows when the world will end. Only God knows. Period.

I am not saying here that we should all go and just let loose. No, we should enjoy life but be responsible enough to take good care of this world. Hug and plant more trees. Yes, I do that. Why not? I love hugging trees. Literally in fact. After all, I’ve heard somewhere that there are two ways to leave a legacy in this world, bear a child or plant a tree. I have succeeded. I have planted more trees than I could ever count with my toes and fingers.

That’s legacy.

But on the other hand, it would be nice to think that every day is our last day on earth. Maybe then we could begin to thank the stars and the force behind everything for all the blessings we’ve received. Maybe then we will all begin to appreciate the good things we’ve had in this lifetime. Maybe then we’ll begin to reflect on the good, the bad and the ugly. It’s your choice.

So where was I? Ah yes, how to take care of Mother Earth. Throw our garbage properly. That’s another thing. I love it when I ride jeepneys and I see trashcans inside. It means people who are on their right mind would be ecstatic to dispose their garbage properly. Of course, those who throw their garbage aimlessly are bound to receive mountains of trash when flood during the rainy season sets in. Remember those lines at the TV ads before?

Ang basurang itinapon mo ay babalik din saýo.

It will be sweet revenge.

If there’s one thing I am so sure of. The world will end only if, yes, we all stop living, be lazy, and saunter like aimless ducks having a Sunday walk under the sun. We start to run amok and kill every single soul we meet at the slightest sign of aggression. That would be sure sign that humanity will go extinct.

Then we can all say with such fervor, adios patria adorada!!!

Boxing, Manny Pacquiao and Philippine Politics

Today, the streets in the Philippines are almost deserted.

The entire nation is on stand still. Pacman’s fight over Sugar Shane Mosley brings his countrymen to their TV screens as it is with his previous bouts in his boxing career. Pacman remains to be the best among the Filipino boxers throughout the country’s history so far.

I would have to confess that it's difficult not to like him. After all, he's one of our own kind. And even if Floyd Mayweather Jr. calls him “midget” and a “faggot”, fact is, the man brings honor to his nation. If there is one thing that I looked forward to, it would be the fight between Mayweather and Pacquiao.

If we want results, then let’s stop talking and start fighting.

Pacquiao vs Mosley

I don’t know just as when I’ve started to like boxing. Maybe because when I was growing up, I’ve been the only one in our family who watched boxing fights at the TV with my father. It comes as no surprise then that I also love wrestling. Do I sound barbaric? No, I’m not a violent person. I can’t put two and two together but I like pugilist sports as much as I love writing and cooking.

And I really have to say this. I admire and respect Manny Pacquiao as a Filipino and a boxer. But for goodness sake, he should leave politics behind!

I’m okay with Manny wanting to sing and all. I’m even okay with him doing the movies. But politics? I don’t understand why he should run for congress and yes, eventually wins it. I just don’t get the logic behind it. Inside the ring, he’s the king. Outside it, he’s a pawn. My respect starts and ends with his boxing skills. Politics in this country is such a dirty game that Manny Pacquiao should have been wise enough to stay away from wolves and hyenas.

They will eat him alive.

However, despite my misgivings about his political aspirations, I should give the man a thumbs up. He is willing to learn the ropes as he enrolled himself at the Development Academy of the Philippines under the certificate course on Development Legislation and Governance. It's a 10 day course that would at least give him an idea of what lies ahead. It's not enough but it's a start.

I don't know how he will fare in Phil. politics but I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I hope the wolves and hyenas won't get him.

Just my two cents worth of opinion.

Because My Lips Loves Red

There is something about leaving your comfort zone that gives you jitters.

It’s a natural reaction, those butterflies that float in your stomach. No, don’t get me wrong. Not that I haven’t done it before. I’ve always been a free spirit. I chart my own journey. Follow my heart. Rely on my instincts. Surround myself with a good dose of faith and prayers and, voila! I’m all set for whatever comes my way.

The more they tell me, I can't do it. The more I tell myself, I can do it.

Some people must have thought I am insane. To give up what I have and start a new life. Somewhere out there. Like from scratch. They asked me am I not afraid. I’m no robot. Of course I am scared! A little, perhaps. Who wouldn’t be, right? But I am not the person who gets so easily attached to material things. You work for a living, you don't live to work.

So, what am I doing now? Here's the catch. A few years back, I have been distracted with thoughts of giving up some things for someone. In fact I really did give up many things. You know, the familiar words you’ve often heard to people who’s been there and done that.

Yes, that was me. If there’s such a thing called as drug-crazed. I was love-crazed. It's like you opened a bottle of perfume, soak your senses in it and you forgot to put the cap back on. In short, you lose yourself, unintentionally. But yes, when you’re in-love you’re suppose to grow in the relationship and not expire from it.

But I’m good now. So good I want to jump and run all over the place and thank God a million times for giving me the opportunity to learn from my mistakes. In fact, the first indication that I was on the right track again was when I eventually felt that I looked so ugly because I chose to wallow in my misery rather than thank the stars for showing me the reality of it all. Looking back, I must have looked like a tea bag immersed in a cup of hot water for like eons, looking wrinkled and oh-so-ugly.

So I put on some make-up, comb my hair, put on my favorite jeans and high heels, head myself to the department store. I bought a fabulous red dress and all the trappings of a beautiful woman. That day, I dropped by the adoration chapel at the Cathedral once again and had a very nice and heartfelt one-on-one talk with God. I told Him, Father, I’m back. This crazy, lovable daughter of yours is back. Please give me the strength to accept the things I cannot change and give me a chance to see this world in a child's eyes again.

And God did tell me, “ Joyce, my dear, it’s high time for you to buy yourself a new red matte lipstick because the world needs your beautiful presence. “

In short,our kind Dad, just gave me an enlightenment, a light at the end of the tunnel. Now that I'm all good and I can take a look back at it with a smile on my face, I think I must have looked really foolish during those times. But no, I don't regret it. I'm glad I learned a lot from my mistakes. It made me stronger and more wiser. And always remember this, whenever I put on my favorie red matte lipstick and I'm wearing a red dress, it means, I'm up to something. I'm ready to slay dragons and monsters with a gorgeous smile on my lips, girl. Why red? Because red is such a vibrant color. It radiates with energy and all the awesome goodness of positivity. And yes, it kicks like red hot chili peppers.

After all, if I'm going to be a winner and get photographed at the end, I'll act the part down to the last details.My red lipstick got me covered.

I've made peace with myself and this is the last one that I need to do. For the love of me, myself and I, I want to make Joyce (the loving, funny, free-spirited, tough cookie part of me), happy by letting her fulfill her yearnings for adventures in life. I owe her a lot and this journey is the grandest of them all. It is said that bad memories are there to remind us that the only way to forget a bad memory is to create happy ones. This change of environment and meeting new people is a part of it all.

I mean business because I just had a haircut. When I'm about to make a life-changing decision, I always cut my hair. I like my hair fabulously beautiful. I take good care of it like a baby but when I'm about to go into something life changing, I give it a not just a snip here or there. I chop it off like pork chops. (Aside from the fact that it takes a lot of courage to keep a long hair like mine which weighs like one kilo.) Everytime I cut my hair drastically short, like a bob, my friends know, I'm up to something. It's like a rite of passage for me. A symbolic thing to do. And mind you, it works great for me. All the time.

So now ladies and gentlemen, all my bags are packed. I’m ready to go.

Just think of it this way, if leaving your comfort zones give you butterflies in the stomach because of the fear of the unknown, it also brings a certain excitement to the senses. Just think about it. The prospect of seeing new landscapes, meeting new friends, exploring a new world different from the previous ones you’ve been to, it is such an attraction to me that my heart almost palpitates.

The prospect of the idea that you will be out in the world, unfamiliar surroundings, charting your new course and just trying to figure out whether taking a train is better than taking a taxi to a place where you have never known whether your favorite cinnamon rolls are available, is something pretty challenging to me. When put in a situation where you have to survive and be happy, you have no choice, but to choose the right thing.

Choose life. Choose integrity. Choose faith. Choose happiness. No but’s. No if’s. No hesitation. No in-betweens. No whatsoever.