Aside from being an art lover, I am especially interested about the show because a friend of mine, Hanna Theresa Rivas, is part of the cast. She won in last year’s National Modern Dance Competition duo category.

I already got a ticket. It only costs fifty pesos. I hope to see you there.

The show, I believe, is part of Kalilangan 2010’s public offering.  Check out Sir Avel’s Blog.

I got the photos above from Hanna’s FB account.

I AM not bitter.

(I hope that by the end of this post, I have fully convinced myself. Haha.)

Seriously, I have never been loveless because my heart has always been  filled with love — not for a single person but for the humanity as a whole. Haha.

Whaah! This is such a stupid post.

I didn’t know Erik Erikson’s developmental stages is this serious. Ugh. Intimacy vs Isolation. I hate it.

Here’s my list of tips on How-To-Survive February 14:

• Never listen to Smother Me by The Used.
• Change the tones assigned to people who used to be significant and never reply to their greetings or answer their calls. Text them later that you left your phone somewhere else.
• Change your calendar settings.
• Induce temporary amnesia but be sure you’ll go back to your proper state of mind when it’s time to.
• Keep all sharp/hazardous objects out of sight.
• Do your laundry.
• Tell your older sister to spend the day with his husband somewhere else and volunteer to do the babysitting of your nieces.
• Organize a charity event and spend the whole day with the less fortunate so you’ll forget your own misery. Lol.

Happy valentine’s day to everyone who believes in love and loves.

Okay. Watch this video to hear it straight from her:

I am not insulted by the message that Ms. Roces is trying to put across. The words she chose is definitely not right for a morning show.

She was right in saying that students should be inquisitive. As a teacher, I would always want my students to ask questions.

However,  her idea of the teacher feeding all to the information to the students is old school. In the modern classroom, the teacher is not the sole source of information. The teacher only facilitates learning by designing activities where the students would gain their own understanding of the subject matter.

There is therefore no need to insult your teacher if she doesn’t provide you with the information you need. In the Philippines public school system, not all teachers that teach a particular subject are specialists in that field. There are mathematics major who are made to teach other subjects including science and language due to lack of teachers.

Moreover, she said in an interview that she has the right to say whatever she wants to say. She should also know that she has to be responsible for whatever that comes out of her mouth. Well, what do we expect?

Written in red paint on empty rice sacks, they looked like one of those streamers that activists hang to express their grievances. The sight instantly caught my attention.

I looked closer to see what the streamers were all about. Alabel is not for Sale. Justice for the Market Vendors. I understood.

A Mega Market is being constructed in my hometown. It is seen to be the biggest public market in the province. The construction of which actualy spurred the stunted proposal for Alabel’s cityhood.

It is being constructed in the same place where the original public market is located. In the process, the existing stalls have to be removed and replaced with the new structures.

The Mega Market is more than 50% finished. In fact, the newly constructed buildings are now being occupied by merchants.

Isn’t it not good to see developments such as these in my town?

But why is there resistance?

The problem begins with the price that comes with owning a stall in the public market. A vendor muct go through the bidding process to be able to run his business. Most of these vendors cannot afford the price.

I was able to talk to some of the petitioners and one of the security officers. According to them, there is an ongoing case in the court. The affected vendors are demanding for relocation. They want to be given free stalls inside the public market in lieu of their demolished stalls.

The security officer told me that a temporary restraining order was issued. After the 72-hour period, the local government went on with the demolition.

All the stalls surrounding the old public market were already demolished, except for last row of stores along Pres. Roxas St. In that particular location, the petitioners attempted to bring the operation to a halt by positioning themselves in one of the stalls that was about to be destroyed by a backhoe.

In fairness to these people, the operation of their businesses has been affected by the construction of the public market. Since many of them cannot afford the price of the stalls, and given their small capital, I doubt if all of them that go back to business.

The question is, what can the government offer these people?

As I look at it, this is not a story of wanting to stop progress. It is about people clamoring to get their side heard by the government. I am hoping for a peaceful resolution of the problem. I am not against development. I am for the welfare of the marginalized.

MOURNFUL CHRISTMAS. That is how it would probably be for the families of the victims of the massacre in Ampatuan, Maguindanao that left 47 (as of this writing) innocent people dead.

I couldn’t imagine what kind of animals could rape and kill those innocent individuals, including a dozen of journalists.

This is probably the worst killing incident I’ve seen so far. Worse, the likeliness that justice will be served is very dim as the suspected mastermind, aside from being a powerful clan in ARMM, is a close ally of the President.  Not only are they allies, the President must be indebted to them, looking at the result of the 2004 election in the region.

I join the journalists and other concerned citizens in the country and around the world in condemning this act. The Arroyo government should not tolerate it; its loyalty must be to the Filipino people and not only to the powerful few. This is not merely an issue of political rivalry but a grave violation to the sanctity of life.

Photo from http://www.nationalpost.com

THE THOUGHT of me being deeply loved by someone never crossed my mind. I have always seen myself in solitude because I don’t think I measure up to the Prince Charming that girls of my age dream of. I have always believed that girls await their Knight in Shining Armor and I don’t know what bad luck is it that I only came in a tee and an old pair of jeans and sneakers.

That was all before I met her (she’s an avid reader of my blog, so I won’t mention her name here). It was barely seven years ago and I was a struggling college freshman then. She’s heard of me from her classmates who have become my friends in some pre-college workshops. The first time we met at the corridor before my first class–in which we were classmates–I saw a tinge of fascination in her. With me? Uhm, I didn’t want to presume but it was most likely that way.

Later on, she told me that she really was fascinated with me and that she saw and liked the distinct kind of person I am. I concluded that there really are things that only girls like her can see. I have always been thankful for it.

When she looks at me
I know the girl sees things
Nobody else can see

All of the secret fears inside
And all the craziness I hide
She looks into my soul
And reads me like nobody can

As days passed by, we’ve become closer to each other, even more intimate than friends. She was there at the beginning of my aspirations and had always been with me in my attempts to achieve them. She uncovered my eyes to the beauty that I have never seen in me. She made me realize that I can do more than what I thought I am capable of doing. It was her faith in me that made me believe I am special.

Come what may, she believes
And that faith is something
I’ve never known before
Come what may, she loves me
And that love has helped me open a door
Making me love myself a little more

She texted me one time, telling me she was waiting for me at a gazebo near the cathedral. When I came to the place, I saw her smiling at me. Her eyes were filled with eagerness as if there was something very important that she wanted me to know. She did not waste time. She braved herself, came right up to me, and told me that she loves me. I knew it took her a lot of courage to tell me straight in the face, knowing her personality. I was quite dumbfounded and embarrassed at the same time. I was happy with all she did for me but it was her best friend that I was falling for.

We hugged and silently spent the rest of the afternoon together as if only our souls conversed.

When I turn away
She knows those are the times
There’s nothing she can say

Nothing that anyone can do
And so she lets me live it through
And when I’m in my darkest hour of uncertainty
She just simply lets me be
And goes right on loving me

Years went on and we each lived our separate lives, entered into relationships, and discovered what else there is to life. We met once again at a fast food chain and chatted about how we faced life after college. We also looked back at the past. Our reminiscence brought us to the gazebo near the church. She told me once again that her feelings for me haven’t changed.

Unfortunately, the situation is definitely not the same.

* * *

I AM certain that a lot people here in Southern Mindanao are taking a backward glance at their own love stories that have been made sweeter and more memorable by songs from the soft-rock duo of the 70’s and 80’s, AIR SUPPLY, who are about to serenade us next week.

My personal love story above that inspired by the song Come What May is my entry to the What Air Supply Song You? Blog Contest pulled off by GenSan’s most prolific blogger, Bariles of GenSan News Online Mag and sponsored by Dreamworks Ventures and Grab-A-Crab Restaurant

The contest is inspired by the upcoming Air Supply Concert in GenSan, on October 2, 2009 at the Lagao Gymnasium, General Santos City. Here’s the concert poster for more info:

The Air Supply in GenSan Concert is a major production of Dreamwork Ventures Inc.’s Platinum Concert Series 2009, in cooperation with the City Government of GenSan, the GenSan City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc., ABS-CBN.  Other partners are Grab A Crab Restaurant, MISO Hardware, San Miguel Corporation, Coca Cola Bottlers Inc., East Asia Royale Hotel, Coffee Dream, Giacominos, NY Fries and Dips, Giacominos, Gaisano Mall of GenSan and Gregoria Printing Press.

The activities scheduled today include the inauguration of  government projects in the different barangays, tree-planting at the septage treatment facility and in school sites, opening of the agri-fishery fair, thanksgiving mass, fireworks display, and acoustic concert.

I took part in the tree-planting activity early this morning with Junior Ecologist Movement (JEM) members at the Septage Treatment Facility (STF) in Barangay Bagacay.

The area is part of the Calminda Watershed, which is a protected area.

The JEM has always stressed that we do not only plant trees but grow ones.

The clearing behind us was planted with several mahogany  saplings.

Engr. Allan Rivera of the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office has always worked with JEM in its activities.

IN THE afternoon, we attended the Thanksgiving Mass and also visited the Agri-Fishery Fair.

Each barangay showcased their local products as well as those that are sold abroad.

For those who do not know it yet, Alabel is the home of the famous Sarangani Bay Bangus that are exported in various countries in both frozen and processed form.

Ms. Christine Gay, Ms. Eljay, and Sir Rolando

My co-teachers and I also went to the carnival and enjoyed some street food.

Be a Fan!

See who’s coming to join the MinBizCon and what are in store for those who’ll attend the two-day conference.

The Mindanao Business Conference is the biggest annual gathering of the business leaders and government policy makers in Mindanao and the Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore-East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) region.

For those who are attending the MinBizCon, here are the recommended accommodation in Koronadal City:

NOTE: Deadline of booking/reservation is on August 15, 2009 to avail of discounted rates.

Avoid the RUSH… Reserve Now!

Contact the Secretariat, SOUTH COTABATO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY FOUNDATION, INC. Door#8 Siena Bldg., Rafael H. Alunan Avenue, City of Koronadal 9506, South Cotabato; Telefax No.(+6383) 228-5435.

***

By the way, for those of you who came here via Google in search of fast cash payday loans, you came to the right place.

The 18th Mindanao Business Conference will serve as a venue for entrepreneurs and business leaders, as well as government policy makers from Mindanao and from the Brunei Indonesia Malaysia Philippines – East-Asean Growth Areas (BIMP-EAGA) Region to meet and to synergize for the development of the island’s business landscape.

The 18th MinBizCon will be highlighted by a two-day gathering on September 17-18, 2009 at the Fit Mart Mall Convention Center.

This year’s theme, “One. Global. Filipino. Rising Above the Global Challenges”, emphasizes the Mindanao’s Business community’s vision to move ahead and further strengthen its alliance with global partners.

In the conference proper, Government Resource Speakers such as Hon Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr, Secretary of National Defense, Sen. Francis Joseph ‘Chiz’ G. Escudero, and Sen. Edgardo J. Angara have already confirmed their attendance, among others, who will talk on Mindanao’s vast investment potentials, acceleration growth, and bright prospects.

Participants are expected to see a clearer picture of Mindanao in terms of business opportunities here and to gain insights on the direction the island’s business sector is headed to.

Aside from the two-day conference, local entrepreneurs will also get the chance to showcase their products and services through the Trade and Travel Fair, which will run from September 14-20.

In order for entrepreneurs to interact and establish business connections with each other, a Business Matching will be held on September 18 at the convention site.

For those who want to take their time out and explore South Cotabato’s natural wealth, which includes the famous Lake Sebu and the 25-hectare Blooming Petals flower farm in Tupi, there are tour packages available for as low as Php 700 per person.

Golf enthusiasts may also participate in the Golf Tournament, which will be held at the Kalsangi Golf and Country Club, Polomolok, South Cotabato.

For more information, check out the official event website courtesy of the South Cotabato Chamber of Commerce.

SCRAP HR 1109. Let Arroyo finish her term in 2010.

I’m not a lawyer. I have not studied the Philippine Constitution in depth, either. I cannot talk about the constitutionality of the constituent assembly but I believe that the House Resolution that paves the way for the Constituent Assembly is nothing but the administration’s show of strength as it holds the loyalty of the majority of the members of the House of Representatives. How else could they take advantage of the number of congressmen on their side than to use it to spur Charter Change that may extend Arroyo’s term?

I have talked to someone who fought against Marcos and she told me that she is seeing today the same game that the late President played more than two decades ago. She also told me that the people behind the Arroyo administration today are old-timers in the game called manipulation.

I can see greed.

What actually prompted me to write this post was an article on Philippine Daily Inquirer that quoted Executive Eduardo Ermita saying that we should keep mum about the Con-Ass and observe if it really has something to do with the upcoming elections.

What the hell is he talking about? He wants the people to keep quite in the corner and wait for doom to come! Come on, we’ve been through this before. The Filipino people will never again let the ghosts of the Marcos dictatorship haunt us again.