Having fun

It's amazing how people can come up with funny things in the way life is being lived. I think its the way Filipinos are in just making things entertaining to somehow get out of that rigid lifestyle that we live here as cadets.

After watching a soccer game between PMA and Benguet State University this afternoon, I was confused why one of the players (a classmate of mine) kept on shouting "W." I thought this maybe some play or code that they came up with so that their opponents will not be able to know their tactics in the game. Later on I learned that "W" actually meant pass the ball. In the past days, my classmates (especially those crazy about soccer) have been addicted to the PC Game FIFA (I do not know what year it is). Apparently the command for passing the ball is W on the keyboard... that explains why he was shouting "W" during the actual game that he had.

In another incident, another set of my classmates were laughing their hearts out because one of them uttered the name of another classmate that they do not like. I learned in our conversation that they have this agreement never to say the name of that classmate of ours. If one violates that agreement, that person buys a liter of Chuckie Chocolate Drink (this is actually a cadet favorite). The agreement in itself is silly, its like characters in Harry Potter saying "He who must not be named." More sillier are the antics they do to have each other say the name of that classmate. They conspire with each other so that one will unknowingly say the name of that classmate then he'll buy them Chuckie. Just imagine two of them coming up with some elaborate plan complete with props and all just to make the other one say that dreaded name. I wonder how my classmate (the one that must not be named) would react if he learns of this scheme?

Well, those are bits of stories that amused me awhile back. My situation here is not that fun as other people's life are but I guess we tend to have our way in having fun. Just before I came here to type this entry my roommate asked me this question: "Ano daw ang kotse na maarte?" His answer was "eh di honDA (with the emphasis on DA to make the point of maarte)". Then he had his follow-up... "Ano naman ang mas maarte?"... "eh di mazDA." I'm still laughing now because of this joke... ha ha... just forgive me people....

God Bless you all...

Amusing Blogs: Underside

The usual practice that I do when recommending blogs in my blog is that I first write a review before their blogs appear on my recommendations, but after reading the comment of Nina on my Rantings entry, I realized that I have not yet written my review for her blog which I have been visiting quite often these weeks. Here it is.

I think I have shared this thought very often but I'll say it again, I believe that the way people compose their words reflect the kind of personality that they possess. With this, I mean that with every choice of word, to the way they are ordered, this reflects the person that the writer is whether he or she writes this patterns voluntarily. This was my take with the blog of Nina, a prolific writer who makes good analysis on issues only that (as my usual comment on her blog) I think she has the tendency to look more on the negative aspect of things rather than see the beauty of it.

I chanced upon her blog through another online blog/pal and was impressed with the confidence that she exudes with the way she expresses her ideas. It is not very often these days that we find writers who are able to be true express the kind of truthfulness that does not wish to impress people. I think the beauty of her writing style lies on that truthfulness and that entertainment that she provides with her witty remarks and observations. I have to say that I do not necessarily agree with her ideas on certain topics especially when she exposes the glaring SAD realities of this country. The thing that worries me is that because she just writes so well, people will believe that our country is that bad despite of the advances (although little at least nag aadvance) that we have been experiencing in many aspects.

I admire her independence of ideas and her observant nature although I am still hoping that she understands my point and will try to look at the brighter side of things more especially when writing about the state of this country.

Visit her blog at http://underside.wordpress.com/

Rantings

I would have written about something different when I decided to sit and type a blog entry, but because of the e-mail I wrote just before I finally went to my blogger account, I changed plan-- here it is.

The holidays brought me to several instances when I really have to ask myself about the things that I want in for myself. Maybe its the feeling that we get when a year is about to end and we contemplate on the things that we did the previous years. On my case, I also had to deal with the joy of passing my Physical Fitness test and finally seeing the possibility of graduation come 16 March. But to think about all the things that I wanted to do has lead me to ask whether or not the person that I have become through the years is leading towards the things that I want or am I just fixated on goals that I have decided long ago to pursue not realizing that I might not be the same person in the coming years.

This issue was brought about by the my father's constant bugging regarding a girlfriend... or even a fling as he would want it. My father's dialogue now when he gets the chance to talk to me is that "May girlfriend ka na ba?" In previous occasions, I laugh about this queries but then this time, it just makes me think of the things that I wanted to do especially on this area of my life.

Some people follow this blog because of the few occasions that I write about my love life (or the lack of it). I have heard of one person actually looking forward to what will happen to my crush of all time and then another calling me with names that mainly compose of words hopeless and romantic and its many derivations (like romantically hoping). But really, there just comes a time when we are fully convinced that this is how things should be done, but at the back of our minds feel that we should have done it another way and maybe got the result that we wanted. It becomes a dilemma between convictions and emotions, about submission and active pursuit. More often, I find myself wondering if indeed the way that I have become as a person was indeed the way I wanted it to be or is it that I am just making myself believe that this is the way I wanted myself to be in the first place since I do not have a choice anymore since this is what I have become. It is a battle inside my head that questions the very person that I am.

But love is not supposed to be putting me in this situation. I should delight on all the things that have happened to my life and be happy how I have surpassed the things that have come my way. I should have no regrets for everything that happened made me the person that I am right now. That is, psychologically speaking because deep inside me is that question if the things that I have done where the right actions in those situations. Yes people, this is more about love. I do not regret doing many of the things that I have done even if some of it has caused pain either to me or the people around me. My feelings right now are focused more on my regrets over the opportunities that I allowed myself to miss, the chances that I did not take all because I was believing that romance is not an active pursuit but rather it is a gift from God, somehow I am becoming impatient waiting for that gift.

My game plan (as I would call it) is just to love everybody and wait for that whisper. Along the way, I will have to increase my "resale" value so that when the time comes it will be easy to make decisions like settling down, marriage and all this stuff. In the resale value thing, I think I am successful but the waiting is already getting into my nerves especially now that everyone around me seems to make it their mission in life to hook me up with some girl whom they believe is the answer to my prayers. Is it stupid of me to ignore all of these things and continue to stand on the belief system I have learned out of my faith?

This again is a piece of my ranting. Like many of the rantings I had, I will read this one in the future and laugh at myself because of this. I know this because I have had many occasions that are very similar to this one. What I am certain of right now is that I am still looking forward to the future. Someday it will happen and this blog will be the testament to all of it.

I love you people

On the Filipino soldier

I was researching for an assigment regarding human rights and reading so many articles about it I can't help it but react. Considering that it has been a while since I wrote anything political in this blog, I might as well write my take on this topic.

In the 9th National Debate Championship that PMA hosted last October, an issue that most colleged students who participated in the event was so interested on was that of the extra judicial killings. I was surprised that when I begin talking about this topic, they will gather around me as if I was some Lola Basyang, telling one of her famous fairy tales. I guess many people are interested on what members of the military think about these killings and perhaps other issues surrounding it.

I do not see the point why all the disappearance of these activists are blamed on the military. I do not wish to declare that the military is that perfect and has not done these crimes, in fact, I will be one person who will say that the military is very capable of these acts. What surprises me is that it would seem that it is only the military who has the capacity to commit these acts. In my little experience as a member of the country's armed forces, I find it disturbing how the public can be easily made to believe on whatever it is that they say or hear in our media. And this is not just about extra judicial killings, it can be anything under the sun. When someone from the left declares in television or in radio that something is the fault of the military (or this government for that matter), people receive this news with open arms without even bothering to weigh the facts behind these statements. Personally, I do not know much of the issue on many of the killings happening around the country, but clearly the public is being unfair in dealing with their Armed Forces.

Another thing that I observed is that people seem to distinguish the Human Rights of the soldier to that of an ordinary civilian. I hate it when people take the death of a soldier lightly while they march in the streets for the death of some civilian. Yes, I understand that soldiers were aware of the things that will happen to them when they made their oath to protect this country's people and constitution, but it does not make their death any different from all the others outside the military. Although they are soldiers, they, too, want to live a long life only that they have taken it upon themselves to use their life to protect more lives (your life that is). When they die, they also have their loved ones who will mourn. Their children will also become fatherless and their wives will have to raise the family as a widow. The point is, their rights is the same as that of any other person but they have placed these rights on the line so that you can enjoy yours. Let me just ask, have you ever heard of any human rights complain filed by a soldier against the enemies of the state? It's surprising how those who do not value our laws can use it against us and still get the people's support.

All in all, I would like to say that I am proud to be part of the country's Armed Forces. Ours may not be that ideal but I honestly believe deep in my heart that it is doing everything it can on its very limited resources to do its mandate. I implore everyone to at least give your soldiers the benefit of the doubt if to support them is really hard on your stomach. I admire how the Americans look so highly on their soldiers even if they do not necessarily agree with the cause of the wars these soldiers are fighting. In our case, we find itso hard to support our soldiers even if we also consider the enemies they are fighting our enemies.

Tagged

Niña tagged me on her blog so I am answering these questions.

How long have you been blogging?

I have been blogging since 2003. I did not know blogging per sec at first, I was merely experimenting with the internet. I then discovered Adobe Photoshop which I found very cool. I then uploaded my "creations" for people to see. In time I placed text until I realized that I enjoyed just writing my thoughts. I had a manual blog up until 2004, that means I just write from Word and then paste it on the HTML file for my website. When I went back to PMA in 2004 I had to stop because I wanted to concentrate on my training as a first year cadet (that is actually the hardest year). By January 2005, I was already well adjusted and in one occasion created an account in blogspot. That is the same account I am using up to now. So all in all I have more or less 5 years.

What inspired you to start a blog and who are your mentors?

I did not write formally before but enjoyed expressing my ideas whether verbally or in writing. As I said, I realized that the website I created for my Photoshop creations became boring so I started composing write-ups from stories, to ideas, later on I realized what I was doing was the thing they call as blogging. I do not have an official mentor but I think what inspired me to continue what I do is the sense of freedom I feel when I write every entry. Being in PMA with all the things that I am not allowed to do it just feels so good that somewhere in the Internet I can be myself. Plus of course, I like to read my previous entries realizing how I have grown as a person and just being amazed with how God is orchestrating the things that are happening in my life. I think, my blog would speak for itself as a testimony of faith.

Are you trying to make money online, or just doing it for fun?

I do not know how to make money online from blogging, but if I did I would, I think it wouldn't be bad to earn some money for doing something that I like doing. But generally, what I do is for fun.

Tell me 3 things you LOVE about being online.

First, I like the fact that when you are online you are somehow stripped of perceptions from people and that my blog becomes their sole basis of who you are as a person. The way people now can be so superficial that people judge us before they even know who we are.

Second, I like the freedom with blogging. I think there is joy at being able to just express what we think and not care so much about how people will react on our ideas.

Finally, I like that being online reaches more people than one can imagine. It is surprising how much one can learn from all over just by sitting in front of a computer.

Tell me 3 things you STRUGGLE within the online world.

I think struggle is a very strong word but let us just say, things that I do not necessarily like.

I do not like comments that are simply done because some people are kulang sa pansin.

I do not like spammers because clearly they have nothing to do with their pitiful life.

I do not like how people abuse their being anonymous online and then rant about why people can be so suspicious... hello... logic???

Now I am passing this on to George, Hanna, Emarrah and Tito Nui