Are all of these things make sense?

We are living on a planet called earth. Each of us has their own stories to tell. My story is about my plans for life. Digging up from its most inner core, I admit that I’ve been so persistent to be the best version I can become. The way I see things, I want to do it in a way that I could attain the dream achievement of my life.

So I asked myself, “Are all of these things make sense?” At first, I doubted myself if I can really pursue what I wanted in life. I was trying to create different conclusions asking myself about my future plans. At the end of the day, we all lay down in bed  and say ” Life ” is what we make it.

I did face dramas, all the craps, failures , frustrations, criticisms, and other bullshits in life that made me realize that “SHIT HAPPENS” indeed. In fact, I am used to it by now. In my almost 19 years of existence, I realized that life is on how we really deal with it.

I keep on reminding myself that everything is according to God’s perfect plan for my life. Even though problems come along and obstacles pave its way to me, I will never be afraid to conquer it all because I trust God. I have all the issues in my life that could slow down my life’s progress but, how could I deny the fact that God is with me? That I just have to trust on Him and rely to whatever circumstances I might encounter, knowing He is with me. I am thankful for this life He give to me.

Even though, it is not perfect, I still choose to follow Him. He knows the way and the truth in my life. Challenges in school makes me wanna scream and give it up. But the promise of good future of Christ motivates me a lot.

Perseverance is essential in order for us to attain good results. But before anything else, I still make it to accept the fact that life on earth is a temporary journey that will come to pass. What matters most is our relationship with the One above who made us feel the happiness, the love, and the sorrows here on earth. Living is easy. In the past, myself used to struggle on things I thought that really matters the most.

As I went along my quest, I found out that this is not my final destination yet. Towards good goals in life, determination is a must. The heart needs to be heard, and our desires in life need attention. Equipped with perseverance and hard work are just recipes to reach our dreams.

The things I’ve lost in the daily battles of my life do not matter anymore. Because, I only gain in life. According to Job 1:21, “21 He said, “I was born with nothing, and I will die with nothing. The Lord gave, and now he has taken away. May his name be praised!”. Now, I come to my senses and concluded that this is the truth. The medals, awards, money, properties, and jewelries, I cannot bring all of these when I die. That’s why, material or worldly things don’t matter. What matters most is on how we turned out to be. Being molded by God’s grace and His will for our life brings us to wherever we are today.

Every decision I make, I always make it to the point that I let God know about it. I asked God if this is the right thing to say or to do. I always wanted to make God as daily part of my life. I may not know what the future beholds, but all I ever believe are the promises of Christ. According to Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you, plans not to harm you but to prosper you, to provide you a future and a hope.” I hold on to the words He left for me. I should not worry about what tomorrow comes for tomorrow will worry about itself. So let him have your worries and cares for He is always thinking about you and watching everything that concerns you.(Peter 5:7).

In everything I wanted to do, I want to be happy. But being happy for myself is not the only thing I need. My greatest achievement in life is to make my parents happy. Oh, seeing their smiles and their laughter soothes my heart. And the most important thing of all, is to please God glorifying His name in every single day of my life. I love God, and I am not ashamed to tell the world how I feel. I’m trying to live life to the fullest, enjoying every moment, giving value to every little conversations with the people I meet and of course, in top of all, to love, and to feel love. Everything else makes sense to me now. It is clear to say…LIFE IS SIMPLY AMAZING. 

Frat-Sor Violence

Enduring almost seven weeks of rigorous hazing–paddling, face-slapping, body-punching and worse–and he/she became a respected brother/sister for it.

Fraternities, sororities and other organizations has become a staple in the Philippines education system. Unfortunately, some practices present today in fraternities defeat the purpose of brotherhood and camaraderie. Frat-Sor related violence has become rampant and is subjected to hazing and inhumane acts.

Man as a social being, is definitely in need to belong in a family, group, tribe, club, organization or community. For some who seeks the allure and exclusivity, brotherhoods or sisterhoods, fraternities and sororities, street gangs, military units and secret societies are held for that special sense of belonging, kinship, and bonding- as for the promise that membership in this different kind of community of men and women will guarantee lifelong benefits, privileges, reassurances, and advantages in the long run. In return, one accepts the ethos of a brotherhood/sisterhood, following set of ideals, and commitment to a code of silence.

Young people who were interviewed observed that there were benefits to be earned by joining a fraternity/sorority: “For social purposes” (Shera Mortejo, UPV); “To have connections and affiliations”(Zsareena Zabala, UPV); “To boost self-esteem” (Sean Labastida, UPV); “For them to have people to rely on especially in times of troubles” (Arniel Lisondra, MSU-IIT);  “To have another family. To belong. To fit in. To be loved” (Lala Calle, UPV);  “To gain acceptance and feel some kind of belongingness. Some also join for quest and thirst for power” (Syrine Podadera, FEU); “Promised protection & security, social elevation” (Clyde Aguillon, UPLB); “To not feel alone.”(Dan Borongan, UPV); “Peer Pressure”(Aizel Divinagracia, USC); “They can’t find love with their family” (Davy Abella, USC); “Sense of “damayan”(Dua Uriarte, SU); “Personal preference- maybe their parents were fratmen”(Emman Aller, UPV); “They feel safe and settled that they have people who share similar beliefs and values”(Jessa Temelo, UPV) “To gain respect”( Kenneth Baay, SPUS); “Sponsorship and solid connection” (James Luchavez, UPV); “It is one way of being cool”(Gabriel Lerona, UPV); “For greater circle of friends and the benefits after college like easy job application”(May Ann Ybañez, UPV); “Academic support”,(Joeylyn Terania, UPV); “To be able to learn and use the learnings as an instrument to give service to fellowmen, having a family and fun activities” (Kulit 5th)

If there are pluses, there are also minuses. There are gray areas in which one shouldn’t forget. Often, the violence is meted out with measures of restraint. But one too many times it is dispensed with savage and unrestrained brutality, with pledges beaten to a pulp. And sometimes, in the name of fraternity, death occurs. The underlying fact is that the term called “hazing” can possibly account during any Fraternity or Sorority initiation rites. Basically, it has been a practice as a part of the initiation rites to be conducted. It’s a form of conditioning that, in theory, is said to teach pledges the meaning of authority and loyalty (by bullying them into submission), foster camaraderie among new recruits (by collectively subjecting them to pain and humiliation), and make them value the privilege of being accepted into the brotherhood (by making them work hard to get in).

Even though that these seem like noble intentions, the problem with hazing is that it can get too far. Sometimes, these traditions are left in the hands of late teens and early 20’s college students which is to say that they are unsupervised young adults that might be drunk and lack knowledge of how much physical and psychological torture the human body can tolerate. As a matter of fact, 82% of deaths from violent hazing involve alcohol.

Men and women are willing to suffer through the hazing rituals of physical and psychological abuse for that fraternity/sorority. Heavy doses of both can result to extreme degrees of physical violence and degrading insults. The so-called “Neophytes” are meant to humble pledges to their “Lord Masters”.

The consequences of psychological abuse are often hidden. But sometimes, after the hazing, beneath the seeming normalcy, there is a lifetime of psychological scars or wounds that never heal.

For physical abuse, the marks are visible, usually caused by the most common form of abuse in the tradition of hazing that is “paddling”- MUCH WORSE THAN IT SOUNDS, MUCH MORE THAN A PADDLE. The consequence is often inflicted with brutality, almost always, causing the part of the body to “ube”- the vernacular for the bloody bruising. In the name of  frat/sor, the ability to endure the brutality is considered a measure of bravery, resolve, and worthiness.

Taking the risk is not that easy to fall into. A lot is being said and written about the recent fraternity hazing incidents that killed a student and severely injured three others from the De La Salle University—College of St. Benilde, and critically wounded another from the University of the Philippines. Fingers are being pointed, legislative bills are being submitted, investigations are being conducted, and lawsuits are being filed.

Numerous incidents happened in the Philippines with Frat/Sor issues. But in that case, one should not put the blame mutually on all existing fraternities and sororities. As the government seeks to form a task force to ban frat/sor, many reasons compromises it because fraternities and sororities have a place in society. Besides, fraternities provide for various human needs — a surrogate family, a place for young men and women to forge friendships, bonding, and trust, a milieu of kindred spirits, a place to experience community. It is the hazing that is the unnecessary ritual, and the deaths from it so senseless.

Despite the deaths and known risks, some sororities and fraternities continue with their conspiratorial regimens of torture. Despite having been criminalized by Republic Act 8049 more than a decade ago, the deaths continue. Despite “zero-tolerance” edicts and sound bites, when hazing season comes around, schools and universities turn a blind eye, waiting for the next death—when it becomes the occasion for the usual public outcry, condemnation and condolence.

Droplets of Rain

August 15, 2014

❤

High above from its deepest shines the warming glow of sun. Spinning through the wind, catching the sun’s little particles and chasing the clouds. Frozen valleys cloaked within the vast tip toe, stories behold in sights of an eye.Colorful bliss ran down my veins, seeing the oceans crawlin’ under my feet. Carved in my heart is swollen grace and joy. Wonders of life, golden tree fruitful blessings abided the light tempting shadows. As droplets flow thru the meddow, crunches of growls despite the oddness it brings. Grudges fades, collided with freedom as it flees flawlessly. Rain, Rain, Rain, ain’t you got nothing to say, express your love in a warm way. Stop the cryin’ showers, broken sunshine blossoms at dawn. New beginnings, new love, new life.. Rainbow smiles after the rain. Lil droplets, oh little bitty ones, your beauty is beyond compare, I’ll never see what a man can foresee, this feelin’ can’t go wrong , this feeling is in fire, I come to close my eyes, and feel the breath of life.

Parang Kailan lang?

Sobrang tatag ng aking isipan ngayon sa mga maraming kapana-panabik na mga mangyayari sa taong ito. Noon, pawang isipan ko ay gulong-gulo sa mga eksenang masyadong madrama. Ngayon, mas pinapatatag ko ang anking kaloobang mag-sumikap nang makatapos sa pag-aaral. 

Hindi ko mawari kung anong kahihinatnan ng desisyon kong ito, basta’t ang alam ko lang ay ang aking pagtatagumpay ay magbubunga ng kasiyahan sa ‘king mga magulang na syang umagapay sa ‘kin para mag sumikap na igapang ako sa pag-aaral. Masasabi kong, malayo man ang aking pinagmulan, hindi rito nasusukat ang pag-asa sa’king puso na makapagtapos ng kolehiyo alang-alang sa mga taong naniniwala sa’king kakayahan. Higit kong inaalay ito sa Panginoong Diyos na syang nag bigay ng lakas sa’ken.

Hayyy. Next week na ang pasukan. Ewan ko lang kung ano ‘yung sasalubong sa kin, basta’t sa sarili ko, alam ko ang gusto ko. Papanindigan ko ‘to. Tatapusin ko ‘to. Kahit anong mangyari.

Marami narin akong narinig mula sa ibang estudyante na “UNDANG NA LANG KO”, OR “GIKAPOI NAKO”. Hindi ko kayang magbitaw ng mga ganitong salita sa buong buhay ko. Tanging sarili ko lamang ang makakatalo sa’kin kung magkaganon man sa oras na susuko na ako. Syempre, hinding-hindi ako susuko para sa ‘king mga pinapangarap. Sa buhay, pinapahalagahan ko ang meron ako ngayon… at pinapahalagahan ko rin ang mga ninanais ko sa hinaharap. ‘Di mawawala jan ang sariling bahay, lupa, swimming pool, negosyo, sasakyan, masaya at maginhawang pamumuhay. Naniniwala akong ang edukasyon ang solusyon sa kahirapan. Para na rin sa kinabukasan ng pamilya ko sa hinaharap, gusto ko silang makatikim ng masaganang buhay. Para sa’king mga magulang at kapatid, umaasa sila na ako’y makakapagtapos para makatulong na rin sa paghahanap buhay nang sa ganon ay ako ang magpapa-aral ng kapatid ko.

Malaking tulong ang pananalig sa Diyos at pagtitiwala sa sarili. Samut saring mga negatibo ang pinuno ko sa’king isipan noon nang ako’y naghihintay pa lamang ng resulta sa ‘king pag shift sa kursong gustong-gusto ko. Sabi ko noon nang nagfifill-up pa lang ako ng form before ako nagtake ng UPCAT, “ay, bahala sa Iloilo basta’t ang kursong gusto ko ang makukuha ko.” Kaya linagay kong first choice campus:UP VISAYAS, a.Chemical Engineering b. Accountancy. 

Kaya lang, ‘di ako pinalad na makapasok niisa samga pinili ko. Kahit nakapasa ako sa UPCAT, “DPWAS” naman ang resulta ng kurso ko o Degree Program With Available Slots. WEW. grave. Ang saya-saya ko talaga nun nung nalaman kong nakapasa ako. ‘Yun nga lang ang problema… 😦 is.. Kailangan ko pa palang mag susummer bridge sa Math nun kasi mababa ang kuha ko sa math. Kaya mas naging maaga ang pag punta ko sa Miagao, Iloilo. Ahay… hanggang natapos ang Summer Bridge Program sa Math, dun nalang ako sa dorm naghintay hanggang pasukan. Naghanap ako sa Registrar kung mayroon pa bang slot na available. Linagay naman nila ako sa BS in Fisheries. 

Naging okay lang naman ang 1st sem ko sa Fish, masaya naman at ‘dun ako sumuko sa pangarap kong maging isang Chemical Engineer. OH DIBA? *.*

Sa pagsisimula ng 2nd sem, parang may sumanib na spirito ng pag-asa sa’kin. Nang maging CS ako o College Scholar sa first sem, parang, may kung anong aura ang namuo sa ‘king damdamin na mag shift sa kursong gusto ko, at ito ang mga samut saring kadahilanan:

1. Ayokong tumanda na magsisi dahil hindi ko kinuha ang pagkakataong makapasok sa gusto kong kurso.

2. Ayokong ibalewala ang gusto ng sarili ko.

3. Gusto kong magtayo ng Winery sa Surigao.

4. Gusto kong maging isang Engineer.

5. Gusto kong magpa inspire sa kapwa kong kabataan na matutuong maghintay sa pinapangarap.

6. Gusto kong gawin ang mga gusto ko habang may panahon pa.

7. Gusto kong magpakatotoo sa sarili ko.

Ito, ang mga simpleng sagot kung bakit ako nag SHIFT. Alam kong, sa mga Fish Friends ko, sila’y nalulungkot, at naging happy for me dahil sa nakamit ko na sa wakas ang matagal kong pinapangarap. Hindi maipagpapalit ang tuwang nagmumula sa’king damdamin. Naway gabayan ako ng Diyos sa mga LONG EXAMS na aking susuungin. Alam ko sa sarili ko na sa bandang huli, ang lahat ng pinaghirapan ay mamumunga ng mabuti at kailangan lamang ng tyaga sa bawat panahong igugugol ko sa pag-aaral. 

MABUHAY ANG MGA ISKOLAR NG BAYAN. 🙂