Do Me A Favor

*Got a second? Kindly hype this look. I'm starting from scratch at lookbook. Thank you! And oh by the way, sorry for this frowning shot. I was in a rush at that time! I didn't bother to pose drop-dead gorgeously. Lol. Okay, no more excuses Dianne! Ciao!

Panibagong Kalayaan

Ilang beses ng napatunayan ng mga Pilipino ang katapangan at kabayanihan upang makamit ang kalayaan. Kung ating babalikan ang kasaysayan, naging uhaw na uhaw sa kaluwalhatian ang ating mga ninuno. Ngunit sa kabila ng lahat, salat man sa materyales at estratehiya, pagkakaisa ang kanilang unang naging susi upang mapagtagumpayan ang nasimulang laban.

Habang tumatagal, natututo ang tao ng iba’t ibang kakayahan at kaalaman. Kasama dito ang pag-unlad ng intelektwal na kahustuhan. Kaya’t kung susuriin nating mabuti, mula sa marahas na pagdanak ng dugo ng mga sinaunang bayani, may mga umusbong na mga listong bayani tulad ni Jose P. Rizal na utak at katatagan ang ginamit upang maikalap ang saloobin ng piping lahi ni Juan Dela Cruz. Hindi naging madali ang lahat para sa kanya ngunit siya’y nagtiyaga para sa kapakanan ng nakararami.

Marahil ika’y nakakaramdam na ng paninibago habang binabasa itong gawa ko. Mula sa mga mapang-Ingles kong mga akda, heto ako’t nagpapakabihasa sa ating pambansang wika. Pasensiya na. Sinadya kong Filipino ang wikang gagamitin upang mas matindi ang pagpapahiwatig ng tunay na kabuluhan ng napili kong paksa, kalayaan.

Habang ako’y nagninilay-nilay ngayon, napaisip tuloy ako, sino ba kasi ang nagpauso ng bayani? Bigla na lang ba itong umusbong dahil sa pagdating ni Magellan sa Mactan, Cebu? Paano ba? Paano nagkaroon ng mga datu? Alam na ba nila ang konsepto ng kayamanan noon? Kulang ba ako sa tapik ng historya o talagang may mga bagay lang na walang kasagutan? Sa pagpapatuloy, siguro, ang mga ito’y likas na sa ating salinlahi. Mahirap ipaliwanag kung paano sumibol ang mga kapita-pitagang Pinoy na tulad nina Emilio Aguinaldo, Lapu-Lapu, Ninoy Aquino, at iba pa. Tunay at taos sa kanilang puso ang pagtatanggol na kanilang ipinakita. Bagkus, ang katapangan at ang pagmamahal sa sariling bayan ay nakatatak na sa ating lipi.

Sa modernong panahon ngayon, samahan pa natin ng padating na Pambansang Eleksyon, wala sigurong makapagsasabi na tayo’y walang kalayaan. Napagtagumpayan na ito ng ilang beses. Ngunit sa totoo lang, para sa akin, hindi pa rin tayo malaya. Nakakagulat pero eto talaga ang sarili kong pagpapalagay. Sa paanong paraan? Oo, malaya nating naisasanay ang mga karapatang pantao. Malaya nating nasasabi ang anumang nasa ating damdamin. Malaya tayong pumili ng relihiyon. Malaya tayong pumunta sa saanmang lugar na nais nating puntahan. Malaya tayo sa maraming bagay. Ngunit, sa kabilang banda, magiging malaya pa ba tayo sa hawla ng mga mapagsamantalang lider ng lipunan? Maging malaya kaya ang bansang Pilipinas sa yungib ng kahirapan? Sa mga pagkakautang na lamang, sa laki nito, baka hindi magtagal at ibenta na ng pulitikong nasa gintong upuan ang sariling bayan na hahawlang muli sa buhay ng mga susunod na henerasyon. Kalayaan pa ba itong matuturing?

Ang kalayaan ay hindi lamang nasusukat sa kung gaano mo naipapahayag ang iyong sarili o sa kung paano mo nagagawa ang iyong mga kagustuhan. Ito ay labis na tumutukoy sa kasiyahan at galak na matagal ng ninanais abutin ng isang tao. Pormal man na naihayag ang kalayaan ng mga Pinoy, mananatili pa rin itong nakakulong sa maduming kamay ng mga tinuturing na tagapanguna ng lipunan. Pagmamalasakit, pagmamahal, at katapatan sa bayan ang dapat matutunan ng mga pinuno upang ang lahat ay maging malaya sa anumang aspeto ng buhay.

“At ngayon tilay’ malapit na ang kalayaan
Sa kuko na dala ang dilim eh bakit ako naaaning
Tuwing humihiyaw ang damdamin ng salinlahi ko
Iisa ang tunog sa pulso at yapak ng kapwa ko siraulo”

- Kalayaan by Bamboo

Juan for a Juan

(OMG! Sorry for including this article so late. I forgot to post this! Anyway, I think it could still be valuable.)

As I was having fun viewing profiles on Facebook, I found very significant information:

“Juan has been regarded by the Philippine Red Cross as the "biggest typhoon in the last 20 years" and described it as a "Category 5 Super Typhoon." International reports have said Juan was the strongest tropical cyclone of 2010 so far.”

October 11, 2010; without any warning, the whole country was alarmed again for the damaging hurl of a typhoon. The winds blasted the roofs of many homes at particular provinces. Much more, rain poured and sabotaged various jobs, classes, and businesses. Truly, such calamity was a burdensome circumstance. One may never know when it comes; one may never know how to intercede in order to survive and have a chance to live properly and safely.

Living in a jam-packed modern world, anything is possible. As obvious, people are intelligent enough to make innovations. They can discover and invent everything what they can think of. Breakthrough hastens in a greater extent. Regarding this, is there a point in your life (considering Juan) you imagine people finding a specific approach to prevent calamities such as typhoons? Actually, keeping them from happening is impossible. Nonetheless, there are causes that we should be aware of and we should try to get rid of completely. Global warming, as known by almost all of us, is a major cause. Global warming makes typhoons more powerful, disparaging, and hard to predict. If it’s the underlying cause, then what we have to do is to thwart it from occurring. How? A lot of factors are considered – burning, fossil fuels, deforestation, abuse of Earth’s resources, unsustainable way of life, etc. Also, if ever we can’t remedy the increment of it that may lead to calamities; we have other ways to minimize the harmful effects. The answer is caring for our environment. And we can care for it by simply having DISCIPLINE. Yes, we are living in a modern era impacted with knowledge and dexterity. However, we should know our limitations. We should not abuse what God gave to us. This world is a gift from Him and we should know how to maintain its beauty and use.

Others say that the occurrence of natural phenomena or catastrophes is a punishment from our Almighty God and is inevitable. Well, differently, I think, God gave us a wonderful world not to let us suffer from misfortunes or extreme privations. We have the capability to influence it. As I had read on a blog, God is love and not destruction. It’s not true that tragedies are punishments. These are lessons that wake us up and let us realize that we are forgetting our responsibilities as humans in earth. Let us compose a move that will respond to our Mother earth’s dilemma.

As Filipinos, we’re already used with these detrimental devastations. A number of calamities wipes yearly in our country. It really is ironic how we can still smile after those tragedies. We don’t lose hope. We still try to build a new beginning. And as Juan tested our strengths as Filipinos again, let us stand once more and shout that typhoons or anything like Juan can’t divide and wreck the whole race of Juan. J

The Pageant.Ü

(After all these years, when I remember this highlight in my life, I always grin. It was a wonderful experience. Anyway, this would be my last entry for today. I didn't post the whole thing. It's just a part of what I wrote last September 27, 2009. I hope that it would inspire those young ladies who aren't confident enough to show what they have. You're beautiful, you should always have down pat that in your mind.)

....

Well, I was a first-timer, but I proved that I can make it. So for those who are planning to join in any beauty contest, here are my personal tips:

1) If you are nervous, go! Cry and shiver weeks before the pageant. After that, seek pieces of advice to a person whom you know you could trust. Tell all the boggling and confusing things you have.

2) Criticisms will always be there. Just stand tall and ignore them. You are not a perfect person but with the imperfections you have, you could motivate yourself to go on and show what you really have.

3) It's a beauty pageant; not a model search. Yes, you should practice modeling but don't focus more to that thing. Modeling has only a little percentage to the pageant. Beauty and brain are the really important aspects. Focus more on harnessing yourself in answering questions using the English language. How? READ! READ! READ! Practice speaking in English. Again, how? Think of possible questions and answer them. Don't stop until your answer is not good enough. In pageants, you need wisdom; you should impose a quality of a role model and as being it, you should know how to impress people by imparting a great knowledge.

4) At the pageant, boost your confidence but not to the extent that people will comment "ANG YABANG NAMAN NITO." Exemplify humility. As my HS English teacher told me, imagine yourself as a princess sharing love and wealth. Imagine the whole place covered with color pink to relax yourself. Again, in pageants, you are imposing the qualities of a role model. Be humble! Be yourself! Okay?

5) PRAY! Before the pageant, I went to the cathedral. I prayed hard and I told God, "God, I believe that you would never give me an obstacle that I can't surpass to. I know that this is a stepping stone to a new purpose in my life. Help me. This is not only for me but also for my friends, family, supporters, and most especially for YOU." While I was in the middle of my prayer, the caretaker of the church said "Oh, tapusin niyo na po yang mga dasal niyo, magsasara na ang simbahan." [Comedy! haha. :))] So after that, I went to the candle room and lighted 5 candles, 1 for the criticisms, 1 for my friends and supporters, 1 for my Alma Mater, Osias Colleges, 1 for my family, and 1 for our Almighty God. Just pray okay? There is nothing impossible if you have God in your heart.

So what is the sitch about this event in my life? Well, I learned that in every challenge God may give you, there's a new purpose. Grab all the chances. And if the results are good, smile and stand tall but remain humble, simple, and as what you are.

DIANNE SALAZAR

Toxic ba kamo?

(This one is based from a personal experience. I was like "Do i really need to finish all of these stuffs?" Others always say that being a leader and an organizer as well in the class encounters MAJOR MAJOR responsibilities. I knew that and I was used to that kind of thing. Rushing, doing this, fixing that, organizing, etc. But nevertheless, i didn't regret. I enjoyed everything. I loved that spending-tic-tocs for the benefit of the whole; for the success of an event. I had fun working with the other officers as well as with the whole class. I will miss them. Anyway, here's the flow of the day I considered as "toxic")

Start (feb. 24, 2011 8:00am)

Nagising mula sa pitong oras na tulog.. tayo.. tingin sa salamin.. ligo.. bihis.. brush.. 10:00 magkikita sabi sa isip.. sa bagal kumilos ang aga na nga nagising di pa nagawang mag-breakfast at mag-makeup.. halla sige.. tali ng hair.. lagay hairnet.. Fix.. Punta school.. tinawag klasmeyt.. Hanap ng bus.. makipagtawaran, hanap materials.. wala makita.. ayun, gutom pareho.. nakakita ng mcdo kiosk, bili burger at float.. sa wakas nakakain.. lakad mula uniwide hanggang cervantes habang naghahanap materials.. bili cartolina, balloons, packaging tape, double-sided tape.. maglakad, maghanap.. Balik sa bahay, ayusin case study.. punta tinutuluyan ng klasmeyt, tumulong sa pagdikit ng mga cutouts.. tawag sa isang klasmeyt, balik ng bahay, magpalobo ng sangkatutak... balik school.. lagay ng banner sa bus, mamigay ng balloons sa section.. magcheck ng attendance.. nagmukha ng konduktor sa paniningil ng contri habang umaandar ang bus sa parade.. magbilang ng sangkatutak na barya.. pagkatapos ng parada, okay na sana, papunta na gym inutusan pa.. punta canteen, tinanong yung pinapasuyo may kumuha na pala! balik ulit sa gym.. nkpgrelax ng kaunti.. masaya ang program, nkka-inspire.. *smile* tapos na.. tayo, lakad.. magsama ng klasmeyt.. punta bayan, hanap ng regalo para sa mga teachers.. hanap dito, hanap diyan.. nag-abono sa bayaran.. punta SM bili ng additional na regalo.. dinala yung kasama naming bagets sa lil' people.. kain muna, kwentuhan.. lakad ulit.. pagkauwi sa bahay.. ang dami pa ring gagawin.. inayos ang attendance.. breakdown of expenses.. nkkbaliw.. then, nagtanggal ng tag price ng mga gifts, tapos nag-wrap.. ang dami. tape. gunting.. wrap.. lagay sa plastik.. check kung lahat ng mga teachers ng section mabibigyan.. Haay sa wakas mkkpgphinga na.. ayy! hindi pa! hindi pa tapos.. Magtext sa mga classmates about the schedule for tom.. halla, sige GM ng GM.. kahit anong network.. kumusta ang load? meron pa? Oo, si bunso nangungulit pagawa ng project.. haay, anong gagawin ko? tumatakbo ang oras, di ko namamalayan.. tapos SHOOT! Yung group project namin pala! Documentation, Mga case report, case study, profile, snapshots.. Compilation lang naman pero ang daming kulang.. halla sige, supply ng kulang na info.. learning derived.. malaria.. tuberculosis.. goal, philosophy.. random na ang nasa utak ko! nasagad na lahat! Pagod, wallet! Pasensiya! Utak! Hay. Sige type lang ng type kahit ano na lang mabigay ng neurons ko.. tapos biglang napangiti.. ngiting abot langit.. with matching gleaming eyes pa, yung totoo? Ayun.. sa wakas!! tapos na.. pagtingin ko sa orasan, 2:15 am na! MY GAAAAADDD.. madadagdagan na naman ang pimples ko.. Kaya people! goodnight na!

End (feb. 25, 2011 2:15am)

Lifelong Journey to Success

(i made this article a couple of months ago for a friend. i decided to post it here in my blog site to inspire other people to keep on striving for success regardless of the failures they had encountered. Enjoy reading!)

Each of us has different paths in life. Some may garner instant luck; some may weep and try hard before attaining a certain achievement. But still, life is life. Whatever happens, one must go on. Put forward your dreams, your future plans. Formulate your goal. Like what others always say, dreaming and hoping for something better is free. Aim high. Do what your heart tells you. Weigh everything you have in your mind. Never stop. Believe, move, and pray.

BELIEVE. Everything happens for a reason. You might encounter a great obstacle in your trail but don’t take it negatively. It’s just a challenge; a challenge that will encourage and motivate you to go on with the flow of life, a challenge that will ease your fears, a challenge that will make you stronger and tougher. Don’t let it knock your fears. Instead, stand up and surmise that something better will come along for you.

MOVE. Failure is inevitable. You must learn how to handle it. Don’t put too much pressure in yourself and never blame neither anyone nor anything when it comes to failure. Remember, you are the only one responsible for what you have and gain. Moreover, when it comes to failures, you must move. How? Reflect about your mistakes and weaknesses. Know the reason why you did and had those stuffs. Condition yourself to gain the assurance you need to go on. Make steps, plans, and ideals. Then, give surety that you can uphold those things.

PRAY. With God, nothing is impossible. Give Him a shelter in your heart. Raise all your queries in Him. Do your best and He can guarantee what you deserve. But, you should not only remember Him when you have struggles. You must also mind Him when you experience overwhelming blessings. You ought to always put God in your heart all the time. Like what the bible says “Do it all for the Glory of God.” He is the one who can listen to you anytime and anywhere. Just learn how to appreciate Him and He will give all the best for you.

Whatever problem you have in your life, you must dole out it with courage and patience. Like what my high school teacher told me, “Hindi ka bibigyan ni God ng pagsubok na hindi mo kaya.” Accept everything that is happening. Have down pat that all the situations arising in your existence reflect your own. Trash all your weaknesses and improve your strengths. Be good. And when that time comes, the time you achieve your greatest dream in life; stay simple, humble, and as what you are. And of course don’t stop trusting God. J