Speckles n Spectrum: Current Events

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No to Mining in Palawan

These are the words that welcome every visitor of the No to Mining in Palawan website:

Much has been said about it and like any other hot topics in the Philippines of course this one has its pros and cons. You may wonder if every Filipinos agree? Obviously not really and most people that are against the petition are...

Guess who?

... the locals.

If you were to look at the blog of Dr. Ortega's colleague you'll be enlightened on how some people repulse on the harm that mining brought to our environment particularly in Palawan. They said it had better their lives. Mining had been their families' source of income and no damaged had been done in their place because they are doing responsible mining.

First and foremost What is Mining?

Mining is the extraction of valuable minerals or other geological materials from the earth, from an ore body, vein or (coal) seam. The term also includes the removal of soil.

Mining of stone and metal has been done since pre-historic times. Modern mining processes involve prospecting for ore bodies, analysis of the profit potential of a proposed mine, extraction of the desired materials and finally reclamation of the land to prepare it for other uses once the mine is closed.

The nature of mining processes creates a potential negative impact on the environment both during the mining operations and for years after the mine is closed. This impact has led to most of the world's nations adopting regulations to moderate the negative effects of mining operations. Safety has long been a concern as well, though modern practices have improved safety in mines significantly.

Source: wiki mining

I know mining is also important for us because they give us essential things we use everyday. I'm also for responsible mining but in the case of Palawan...

According to Hagedorn, the ecosystem in Palawan, though, is fragile with the island's narrow shape and thin layer of topsoil that makes it prone to erosion, and this is one good reason why mining should be banned.

Source: abs-cbnnews.com

People should stop being selfish once and for all in this case. Mining has a long term effect in the environment and if we were only to think about the now maybe we will never reach tomorrow if everything will be destroyed by today.

For the people who work in the mining industries specifically in Palawan I know it's hard to find jobs now but it's not impossible to venture into something else that won't include mining for a living.

Please open your eyes and just this once don't just live at the moment, look up and envision the future, the future which will may not include you but surely will include your children and your children's children. You may need to feed your children now but you can always feed them some other ways.

Filipinos are ingenious and smart enough that I know we can always survive and thrive in shaky grounds but not that too literal if you know what I mean.

Hence I support the signature campaign that was launched after Dr. Gerardo "Doc Gerry" Ortega (a civic leader, environmentalist and broadcaster) had been shot in the head and killed in January 24, 2011.

No to Mining in Palawan needs 10 million signatures to make it feasible for the government to hear the cry of the people to stop mining activities in Palawan and help protect its natural resources. As of now there are already 1,343,116 signatories and still counting. So if you haven't signed the petition yet please go check their website for more info: http://no2mininginpalawan.com

My university organization that I will be forever part of supports it too and even had a booth inside the campus dedicated solely for getting signatures.

Now I will leave you with this video and I hope it makes you ponder and realize why we should all go sign the campaign:

God bless Palawan, Men save Palawan.

SM Little Stars

by kris10na ☮♥☺ Thoughts (0)

Sm Little Stars is the ultimate kiddie talent search open for all cute, photogenic/telegenic, charming, talented kids with pleasing personality ages 4 to 7 from June 13 to August 28, 2011 at different SM Malls nationwide.

Application forms are available at the Mall' Administration Office at any branch of SM Supermalls. The form can also be downloaded at www.smsupermalls.com

All applicants are required to make a purchase worth P200 on SM Department Store Children's Wear brands within the promo period thats from June 13 to July 17, 2011.

Audition Dates: July 2, 3, 16, and 17, 2011

Requirements:

filled-up application form signed by the parents
present proof of accumulated purchases/OR
original and photocopy of Birth Certificate
2 copies of 4R size picture - a close up shot and full body shot taken with light make-up

For more info just drop by at SM or visit their website. For interested parties in Bicol contact the event coordinator, Tita Sharona of Hair Majesty Salon.

Located in front of E-Mall and adjacent to Bolofers.

Takbo para sa Katarungan!

by kris10na ☮♥☺ Thoughts (0)

The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Camarines Sur Chapter organized a fun run dubbed as "Takbo Para sa Katarungan" also known as "Takbo Para sa Legal Aid" at 5:30am of June 26, 2011.

This is part of the fund raising project for the Free Legal Aid Program of the IBP - Cam Sur Chapter as mentioned.

Registration fee includes the race bib and this singlet .

The fun run is open for all who are able and physically fit.
There will be 3 race categories:

3 km (15 years of age and below)
5 km
10km

Entry forms must be signed by parents or guardians for minor participants.
Runners 16 years of age and above who wants to join the 3k will be allowed but not as a competing entry.
Registration period is until June 25, 2011.

For further inquiries call or text
09174087696 or 09082269161/4732042 (IBP Office)
or simply drop by at the 2nd floor of SM Naga foodcourt.

Disclaimer: I won't be joining the fun run but I support the cause.

Rizal, the Tagalog Hamlet

by kris10na ☮♥☺ Thoughts (0)

This is an exact replica of the post card sold then
that we submitted as projects
for Sibika and Kultura or Hekasi.

José Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda WAS my childhood hero next to my father. He had been an inspiration when it comes to my studies THEN. I think most kids back then admire him most because his portrait is in every classrooms and almost every school has a monument honoring him and his life was introduced and taught to kids as early as kindergarten (picture and name at least.)

I still remember when I was in 2nd Grade having a regular night time session of memorizing and learning 10 words from a specific letter in the alphabet. Let's say this Monday 10 words from letter A, tomorrow 10 from B, next 10 from C and so on. It was just my idea and my parents didn't even know about it. They were even wondering why I'm always with our bulky dictionary the whole time I'm at home even while watching TV.

But don't ask me now for I've never succeeded. Hay like reading all the books and learning a new language I gave up, I'm too young to waste my life racing with a polymath. I realized that when I reached high school so I wasted my time somewhere, on something different but I still love reading yet not so much that it had to be the center of my life.

Hey, this should be about Rizal not me. Sorry I forgot, got carried away on the nostalgia... haha.

So Rizal or "Pepe" as called by his family is the Philippines National Hero. (see wiki) The seventh child with 10 siblings, 9 of whom were girls. A son of Francisco Mercado Rizal, a farmer and Teodora Alonzo y Quintos both from distinguished families.

Indeed Rizal is a genius of his time, the Tagalog Hamlet. He can rival Shakespeare with his works and may be even more.

"A versatile genius, he was an architect, artists, businessman, cartoonist, educator, economist, ethnologist, scientific farmer, historian, inventor, journalist, linguist, musician, mythologist, nationalist, naturalist, novelist, opthalmic surgeon, poet, propagandist, psychologist, scientist, sculptor, sociologist, and theologian."

(see Jose Rizal: A Biographical Sketch)

I was able to memorize his biography then because of the projects in grade school and it paved my way to reach the Regional Press-Conference as a feature writer just writing about him. Yep, we have a great team along with my favorite teacher/coach Mrs. Clavo. That's why I heart Rizal that much those times but then Andres Bonifacio life came in full blown in high school and gossips and controversies encircled Rizal's life in college. He's still my hero but only next to Andres...

Andres Tormes, haha joke that's my lolo's name. (Oops don't visit me now, just suddenly remember you Tatay. Name recall that's about it. Peace! P.S. When are you all going to fetch me? lol)

Additional readings:

Genius has no country. It blossoms everywhere. Genius is like the light, the air. It is the heritage of all.

To live is to be among men, and to be among men is to struggle, a struggle not only with them but with oneself; with their passions, but also with one's own.

Filipinos don't realize that victory is the child of struggle, that joy blossoms from suffering, and redemption is a product of sacrifice.

The tyranny of some is possible only through the cowardice of others.

The world laughs at another man's pain.

He who would love much has also much to suffer.

I go where there are no slaves, hangmen or oppressors;

Where faith does not kill; where the one who reigns is God.

( see quotes by Jose Rizal)

I borrowed the title from this essay:

Rizal is the spirit of contradiction; a soul that dreads the revolution, although deep down desires it.

Miguel de Unamuno, philosopher-writer, in his essay "Rizal, the Tagalog Hamlet", in Rizal: Contrary Essays (1990)

By the way, Yo Lolo Jose, Happy 150th bday
and in case you're still too busy up there
you're a pretty cool icon now!

In case you would want to know, I know your famous line:

"Ang hindi magmahal sa sariling wika ay higit pa sa isang malansang isda"

I have a great excuse it's called globalization. I'm writing so that I'm relatable and everyone can understand me but I talk in my dialect.

Hmmm, Now I just want to ask you why did you write most of your writings in a different language, specifically in the mother tongue of the oppressors?

And in what language are your thoughts, mine is a pretty give away here in my blog... =)

FUTSAL Tournament

by kris10na ☮♥☺ Thoughts (0)

In a country who loves basketball it is just so right on time for Naga City to introduce a new game to the locals. Football isn't really that new. We've heard it from Europe and other parts of the world and some Filipinos are already playing it for years now but there's never really an official competition conducted for the love of football.

(Photo and Quoted Text source: Naga City Inter-Barangay Futsal Tournament Official Facebook Page)

Futsal, from its Spanish term Futbol (football) de Sala(indoor), is a type of football game where it is played indoors. It is a 5v5 format, which means 5 versus 5 players, where players will wear rubber shoes since it will be played not on the field but rather on a cemented/wooden floor. Special rules will apply for this type of football and a ball different from the regular football type will also be used, a smaller (size 4) and less bouncy ball. (see FIFA's About for Futsal)

Participants of tournament will come from the 27 Barangays that composes the City of Naga. The tournament will be available for Men and Women with the following age brackets: Under13, Under19, and Open.

The tournament will be held at LCC Naga located in Barangay Sabang, Naga City- a one-ride away from Centro. The tournament will commence on the 23rd of May 2011 and is projected to end on June 4, 2011, every 3:00PM until 8:00PM from Monday to Saturday.

Kudos to the City Government of Naga and to the organizers of this event for this is the first ever in the Philippines Inter-barangay Futsal Tournament. This will be a doorway for talented kids we have in the community for Football is a game where Filipinos can excel and be competitive even in the International scene or whatever --- this is fun, so let's just have some clean fun and say "NO TO DRUGS."

Hail Football and cheers to the future Azkals of the Philippines.

p.s. I've attended the opening program but forgot to post this immediately. Sorry for the late feature but you still have a chance to watch until June 4, better late than never =)

"Judas"

by kris10na ☮♥☺ Thoughts (0)

"She is trying to rip off Christian idolatry to shore up her talentless, mundane and boring performances,"

says the president of the Catholic League.

The tune features lyrics like: "I want to love you,/but something’s pulling me away from you/Jesus is my virtue, and Judas is the demon I cling to….I’m just a holy fool,/ oh baby he’s so cruel,/ but I’m still in love with Judas, baby.”

I don't know about you but the first time I read these lines during Holy Week through someone that said the song lyrics are disturbing her, well, I thought so too. But rereading it again now and listening to the song as well as doing some research on how people view it hmmm... I think I just changed my mind about the song. (see some buzz about this here and views here.)

Honestly, I'm not a fan of Gaga but I sometimes like to listen to her songs when there's nothing left to be played in my favorite playlist and I like the message of "Born This Way." Though I like how free-spirited she is and how she breaks social norms and being so brave to stand-up and be unique in a world full of confinements and stereotyping. Less to say I admire the boldness and freedom she's exuding but I'm waiting for her to drop the wild fashion sense and start being subtle in terms of clothing. Costumes for performances and music videos are fine but for shopping or everyday wear uh, uh. I know she's doing it to attract attention and she's great in getting people's attention. I even read once somewhere that she used to go bare-naked while playing her piano in a New York stage just so her audience will focus on her. I know it's her thing and that's what makes her unique but she's famous now I think she can return to earth and for ~~christ'ssakes~~ live like a real human. And if she's really aiming to be a role-model of the youth, and I guess she's already is for some well, it's just right for her to start thinking about how influential she is in today's children's mind and start living and doing it right.

So Judas is just another interesting song with a catchy beat that I wouldn't mind to listen to once in a while. About the lyrics, it seems the church is just being a baby with this. Being so touchy about the matter that it was purposefully release during the Lent but it's not really mocking anything. For me the song is just like a sinner's confession of trying to be faithful and good but being affected by demons. Admitting those stuff in a song is not a mortal sin, it is way better than priests molesting children and hiding in their holy cross and still preaching about loving them in God's way. What do the church do about this? Well, they just shuffle the parish assignments of the offender and keep them out of public view. Now those are the things they needed to comment on, as for this talentless gaga as they said but stirring controversies on their church, this is nothing compare to their inside controversies so I might say who are the real hypocrites then?

Living Beyond the Size Zero Ideal

by kris10na ☮♥☺ Thoughts (2)

This is weird but with all my blog categories I actually find it most difficult writing about myself. To think this is my first week of blog programming and I'm already having a hard time coming up for today's personal post... darn.

It's really hard to write especially if I'm so darn happy. Happiness blurs my thinking caps. Although I wanted to avoid negativities in my blog and I like to write about happy thoughts but writing in a state of bliss is not much too ideal for coming up a sensible post. But I have to stick to my rules and I'm going to try and brake barriers on my writer's block today.

I slept it through and now what? Still struggling for this post. I'm thinking of just posting a Osama Bin Laden is Dead entry but I don't really like posting things in my blog just for the sake of ramping up my blog traffic. I admit there are things I copy and pasted from other websites for the sake of establishing a reference and I don't write things that isn't in my interest or I haven't carefully analyze. It's nice to increase your page views but I won't really stoop down to that level of degrading myself on just riding on with the hype. Besides there are no elaborated facts to prove this for now and the news said President Obama will give a statement later today about the matter.

And this is what differentiate my blog from other bloggers and I'm proud of it. I'll make sure that what I have here are things that you won't see in just another website by providing original content whenever possible. I've read in another blog that you will rarely see a blog or a post titled "My Life" get high page views but I really don't care. I won't exchange my values for the price of web traffic, I'm blogging for personal reasons but if people like to visit my blog it's all fine with me and it's a plus if they took some time to comment on my entries. I'm extra grateful for that.

Hmmm... ok, I'm just going to make this all fun and light so anything sensitive and personal you might find here just shrugged it off and laugh about it for all wounds are healed so no worries I find it all just good to reminisce and smile about. Maybe we can all learn a few things on these, hope so.

Since I'm all set for fashion blogging I'd like to talk about why on earth would a plus size like me wanted to join the army of skinny fashion bloggers? Disclaimer: I'm not joining the LookBook. I like checking it out but I don't think I'm up for that challenge: everyday look post, branded stuff, different places, poses, etc. And I can't find someone who would like to do the photography for me of course for free, I won't really waste money for this and for the fact that I'm not good in projecting in camera unless I'm the only one in the room that's why my better pictures are all taken by me. Besides I think those are for model wannabes and well, they all look like real models and most of them are anyways. Didn't I tell you I am more of a photographer wannabe and I like to be The Sartorialist one day. (Oops this is supposed to be a secret, sorry it slips) Street Fashion watch in Bicol. Watch out people, hope you won't think I'm a weird stalker taking your pretty photos.

Why Fashion blog?

Simply because I'd like to make a point that size doesn't matter, ok, fine it does sometimes but hey, that's why I'm here. I'm going to prove that being a plus size doesn't mean you'll get stuck in a plain old boring men's shirt, big pants and shorts outfit and fashion isn't just for people with dollars on their pockets. Being you is priceless and creativity doesn't cost much. So live life and celebrate the beauty of it. Take it from me, I've learned that in a hard way.

I once been too depress about my size last year and I know that many too are experiencing it so I'd like to be brave enough to let others know that they're not alone on the battle. People always talk about changing yourself but you can never deal or fix something if you're not going to face it first. Exercise might be a solution but it won't be in some extra cases so the best advice I can actually offer is acceptance. Acknowledging the fact and dealing with it by making the most of the situation.

Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass It's about learning to dance in the rain

When I was 55kg and measures 34-27-38 people were teasing me that I'm fat. Now that I almost double that stats they're all like "Oh my you're so fat." So what's the fuss then? The only difference is the word "SO" and yes SO what? I'm still prettier than most of you. I can always choose to start loosing weight but you can never fix your fugly faces in this lifetime. (Oops, crap. Shut up you wench. Ha ha. I sounded like a self-absorbed overweight piece of sheyt.)

Well this is what they say about me "you're pretty, you just need to lose weight." At least now I know that they actually find me pretty. On second thoughts maybe it's just a consolation not to hurt me much. Pretty to sugar-coat the word Fat. Honestly, this doesn't bother me anymore. But I won't be a hypocrite I still want to lose weight of course but I always joke about it when told to exercise "Yeah, I will tomorrow, not now because it's already late in the day."

Last year, my big 2010 where I fattened up like a pig I got too depressed that just after 3 months of hibernating my favorite clothes don't fit anymore. Right now let's live in the present tense shall we? I've gathered myself and face the odds. Sold my pretty clothes (hu hu) and start hunting for plus size fit. I'm a plus size, overweight, obese, fat, anything you would like to call it but it won't stop me for being myself and enjoying the world. I embrace what's now and I make the most of what's at hand. I'm raising the plus size banner and waiving the freedom flag. Forget about those who'd like to discriminate and make fun of our size, they're not worth it. It's either they can't afford to buy food, they're bulimic or they have their metabolism working so fine but don't envy them they probably don't have a life too that's why they waste time and keep picking on you.

Just for the record there are Size Zero debates going on in the Fashion World. They are banning size zero models and preferring healthy looking models now. (see Skeletons on the Runway) But this still doesn't eliminate the truth that I need to lose weight but it sure is better for every women for we can't all be skinny as hell like those professional models but we can always be ourselves and dress up like real humans.

I haven't seen real plus size fashion blogger yet if there's any those were people that write about fashion but never really post their own pictures... why is that? I don't know.

Disclaimer: I'm not a professional stylist, fashion editor or whatever fashion guru people you have there. My fashion blog will just be a personal stuff. I'd like to collect things for everything about fashion, tips, dresses, styles and anything goes. I'm also going to post a lookbook-ish entry every 3rd Wednesday of the month, please be kind to my plus size post. Hear this "I am not a Model, I'm just a bad role model." (another crap, sorry, can't help being bitchy...hehe)

When someone says "How do you actually manage to carry yourself in that dress?" I simply say because this is me and I love being me. When am I supposed to dress this way? When I'm all wrinkled and 60? I don't think so. It's not like I'm showing too much skin. I know the rules so I won't make that mistake of breaking it.

It's a given fact that I am fat but it's an accomplishment and my sort of good deed for myself that I can look good in any size I'm in. It's better to be fat and fashionable than skinny but fugly. There's no excuse for not loving yourself.

(photo credit)

Edit:

I change my mind about lookbooking and I've searched for plus size bloggers and I've found about 31 present in Lookbook and a few more in Chictopia and I was like, so I consider myself plus size? Darn, they're really huge, so ok, I'm petite plus size compare to them bahaha...

But it's so fun looking at big girls with pretty fashion sense and oozing personality. I know it needs guts to be out there and it takes a lot of 'em.

Kudos to all the big girls celebrating life and fashion! Cheers!

The Royal Wedding

by kris10na ☮♥☺ Thoughts (2)

I share the same sentiments with you dear, Enough!
(see Frowning Flower Girl rules Internet)

So how's your day that finally this is over? Probably not yet since there are postmortem buzz still about this Windsor Knot. I must say I'm a bit neutral... wait... that's at first then it turned into annoyance for I felt this had been overly sensationalized months before the actual event.

Well, I admit I'm never a fan. But I'm a curious cat and I especially wanting to see the cakes more than the dress. Oh well, sorry I'm more of a foodie in this case since I know that the dress will probably be boring. I'm basing from Princess D's and for the fact that they can't wear gowns that will show their arms in Westminster Abbey and I'm not a big fan of wedding dresses.

Are those what it looks like seems popping out?

It turns out that it was fine. Classy, simple, elegant but there's one thing that bothers me about the dress. Take a look at this pic --->>>

Maybe I'm being a little conservative but hey aren't they? No sleeveless gown and no kissing inside the church but these --->>>

Uhm, maybe it's padding but still they should have double check it so it's not that vivid even if it's not what it seems to be, right? Enough of that I think I'm being senseless here.

Why did I actually waste my time with this? Because it's the hype, probably but I've other reasons too. I've tons of questions and I want answers so here I am. And I think all the socialites in the world are social climbing to actually be invited into this event. Uhm, not really worth it, I don't know but I'm neither socialite nor wanting the invites. Watching them going crazy over the live feed in the net is more of my thing for I can comment and ~~make fun (?) of silly stuff (?)~~ Ha ha.

It's not a secret that this is the most famed existing monarchy and like any other I'm much curious of some stuff they do, yes just SOME traditions and all that.

Here's my list of differences from our tradition here:

1. Exchange Vows - we usually do it at the end of the ceremony but them it took place at the start. Maybe to make sure no one changes their minds until the end perhaps? He he

2. There's no "Speak Now Or Forever Hold Your Peace" line coming from the priest. For sure if this was asked a lot will raise their hands, crazy little girls dreaming for prince charming peeps, eh?

3. No wedding godparents or Primary Sponsors and also no Secondary Sponsors. (see Philippine Wedding Entourage for the complete list)

4. The groom and bride are not seated in the middle of the altar. They look like just another guests sitting along with the nuns in a little corner. I'm curious what's the purpose of the 2 nuns sharing the same space with them?

5. The rings aren't from the ring bearer. There's no ring bearer I guess. There's just flower girls and little boys in little uniforms. Perhaps the rings are too expensive to let a little boy carry those, eh?

Did Lady Gaga design Princess Beatrice’s hat?

6. Everybody's like wearing hats. We're not even allowed here to do that inside the church. This is the weirdest of all >>>

Would you believe there are 14 Facebook pages that pop up dedicated to this royal wedding hat of Princess Beatrice... tsk.tsk. (see Cthulhu hat a bold choice for royal wedding)

7. There are no images of saints or Jesus in their church. They are Anglicans and they obviously don't do the sign of cross either. Don't ask me about the religion please.

8. This wedding is actually pretty simple if you're not going to count the hefty price tags of everyone's clothing. But compare to our tradition here that spends thousands for decorating the church, Westminster Abbey is elegant but simple enough. There are no adornments like tons of ribbons and bouquets of flowers on the aisle just the red carpet.

9. No arms baring.

10. Yes, we all know NO "you may kiss the bride." They said it's just a Hollywood thing and not British royalty's.

After the boring wedding. Yes I found it boring so do Josh Groban well, maybe or else he wouldn't felt sleepy , right?

The real reason why I was watching is to get a glimpse of the food, yeah especially the cakes and all I got are text... aargh! (see The Lunchtime Reception)

Good thing I fell asleep writing this entry and now when I woke up pictures are all over the net of the wedding cakes... yey, that's all I'm after for all this hype. (will be posting the pics and recipes on my food entries maybe next week)

Some people are actually smirking on the Duke of Cambridge for choosing a not so fancy groom's cake for his wedding. (see Chocolate McVities Biscuit Cake)

I've learned a few more things about a tradition. I don't know if it exist too in some other countries this is the first time I've heard of this.

Many brides include something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue in their wedding getups. (see Kate's very fancy something old, new, borrowed and blue)

If it were here in my country probably there will be people striking against the wedding after all they are spending people's tax money in this expensive wedding while England's is not past yet recession aftermath. Millions had been spent for the security alone and it must be really hard now seeing the royals choosing a cheap champagne to serve over an important personal event. Even royal blooded princesses need to be on a budget. Nice to know we're not alone on that side.

And for this embedded live streaming video of the Royal Wedding at the bottom of my entry... hmmm, I'd like to see it here just for a little keepsake... ha ha and best wishes to the newly wed. Hope it last, make the expenses be worth it. Royalty or not it is the love that binds the marriage that is most important.

Watch live streaming video from royalwedding at livestream.com

HBD Shakespeare

by kris10na ☮♥☺ Thoughts (0)

"William Shakespeare takes credit for being the only playwright to have no less than five of his plays simultaneously appearing on Broadway."
(The actual number was four.)

— Comment in article about Broadway in The New York Times

(photo credit)

William Shakespeare was the son of John Shakespeare, a successful glover and alderman originally from Snitterfield, and Mary Arden, the daughter of an affluent landowning farmer. He was born in Stratford-upon-Avon and baptised there on 26 April 1564. His actual birthdate remains unknown, but is traditionally observed on 23 April, St George's Day. This date, which can be traced back to an 18th-century scholar's mistake, has proved appealing to biographers, since Shakespeare died 23 April 1616. He was the third child of eight and the eldest surviving son. (see full article here)

This is actually the first time I've taken the time to read about Shakespeare's life after I see someone tweet about his natal day which leads me to this website. I'm not much of a fan and I was amazed of so many people, bloggers in particular are actually mesmerized by him and that includes a little girl, yes, maybe about 10yo quoting one of his works, memorized by heart.

I don't know but even though I like literature and writing in general Shakespeare bores me and his work is "Greek to me". I'm not fond of old English (I used to and have tried to learn and understand it but now I just don't want my life to be that complicated) and theatrical plays so long I can't just finish reading them and it makes me sleepy. I like Romeo and Juliet but only because of the movies then I got tired of the tragic story. See? Told you I'm not really the intellectual type.

But I know he's also one of the people who inspires me to write and I got here a few of my favorite Shakespearean quotes to ponder upon and I don't really know why I'd say happy birthday to Shakespeare, people don't even know the actual date of his birth ??? But fine I already did on twitter and fb so calm down you guys and yeah it's on the title of this post... toinks!

A fool thinks himself to be wise, but a wise man knows himself to be a fool.

All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players: they have their exits and their entrances; and one man in his time plays many parts, his acts being seven ages.

Being born is like being kidnapped. And then sold into slavery.

Better a witty fool than a foolish wit.

Brevity is the soul of wit.

Fishes live in the sea, as men do a-land; the great ones eat up the little ones.

Hell is empty and all the devils are here.

If music be the food of love, play on.

There are still a lot more but it will take me forever so if you're craving about some Shakespearean quotes you can check everything Shakespeare here or for complete list of quotes and direct links from its main sources or works go here.

And I found this one strange and funny thing about him:

Incidentally, he left his wife his "second-best bed" in his will, which has had historians scratching their heads for centuries. (see full article here)

"Banal na Aso, Santong Kabayo"

by kris10na ☮♥☺ Thoughts (10)

Lyrics | Yano - Banal Na Aso, Santong Kabayo

It's Holy Week and I don't know but "Banal na Aso, Santong Kabayo" is always the first song that comes to mind. From what's happening nowadays it seems this is the perfect theme song for Lenten Season.

It seems Lenten Season had been very different. People were all like treating it as a "vacacion grande", well, it is sort of but with all the hype about those fancy vacations they seem to forget the real essence and meaning of the occasion. This is supposed to be a week of reflection, of penitence, and of changing our ways but it seems it had turn out to be a great drinking spree.

Old traditions are still here. Good? Sure but not until you hear what's beyond the stories now of events. The church seemed to start turning our religion into a big money-making business. Just take a look with the Easter Angels. According to older generation Easter Angels were chosen because of their health. The more sickly the kid, the more they're picked to be part of that event because they said it cures them. It was like they are offering their kids to HIM and in turn HE blessed them with good health.

Now? If you don't have much money don't expect your child to be an Easter Angel. It seems it had become a privilege for the wealthy.

Pasyon. Passion of the Christ used to be a solemn prayer that are sung it is still is but people actually ask money from Government Officials for sponsorship. And in some areas it seem they're just making it an excuse for permission to conduct gambling events along with the reading... tsk.tsk.

What about those who let themselves crucified literally? Used to do it out of pure faith. Now? Purely fake. It seems some are doing it for the money. Foreign media had been paying these people for a scoop. (I've watched an exposé of this somewhere on TV, can't remember the exact channel but it was a full-length documentary about this issue.)

"Season of Seasonal Faith" according to one of my friends' fb status. Truly it is. Because after this week those who have been crucified in the cross, done bloody penitence, the ones who went "Visita Iglesia," most of them (I am not saying all) they're going back to their normal life. Some will attend Sunday mass regularly but just like in the song after the mass they will go on with their old self. Cursing people, hurting others, lying, stealing and all the bad things that you can think of.

I don't go to church now but I attend "Healing Mass" on TV. I don't consider myself religious now but I am very much spiritual. I still consider myself Catholic but not really hardcore. See I am supposed to give up internet for a week according to the Church's Lenten guide but I won't. I reflect everyday through my blog, this is my way of doing my faith. I pray and talk to HIM every moment I can and I don't think I really need to tell everyone about that. I am not like "Willie Revillame" I don't believe that I need to tell anyone whether I am a good person because for sure they'll know that on their own.

"Being powerful is like being a lady. If you have to tell people you are, you're not."

---Margaret Thatcher.

I would like to use that quote changing powerful to being good or being holy or whatever that is. You don't declare it, you just accept it and go on with your life. It really doesn't matter whether people know or not it is what's in your heart and soul and my faith I believe is between me and my GOD.

And one reason too. I don't want to be a parasite with HIM and I am very much sorry that at the moment I am to my mother. Forgive me for that. I treat HIM like my best friend. I tell all and never leave anything behind, HE knows the unedited version of my life through my prayers and it's not because I know I can't hide anything from HIM anyways but because I wanted to and I trust HIM.

But I am still praying that one day my eagerness in attending mass in church will return soon. It has been my habit not to attend mass when I am disturb. It's like showing up to your best friend's house and all you can say while talking to her is "Okay" and then "pardon?" for your mind is wandering somewhere else, isn't insulting? It's never my habit to show up when all I can bring to the table are problems. They say Loneliness loves company but not me. I isolate myself when I only spell trouble for it make me more guilty drowning others into my pit, it's just isn't fair.

I believe that to be able to achieve true happiness, 10% will be prayer and 90% is all up to me. I'm working on it. I don't know but I feel ashamed to go to church and ask for material things, I think I'm the one who should take care of it and do the work not HIM. When it materializes I know and I've promised I'll definitely show up in HIS doorstep to celebrate with HIM and to thank HIM for all the guidance. But for now please EXCUSE me I have a life to live and I'm just ain't up for pretenses. I won't do it half-heartedly and never inside of a holy place. I'm maybe blogging during your "Walk of Faith" or maybe sleeping while you are all up early for the Easter Mass. So yes I am not HOLY during your HOLY week but my faith ain't SEASONAL either.

Just Like That

by kris10na ☮♥☺ Thoughts (0)

I just joked about wishing for my quick death in my last post (Be Careful What You Wish...) and at the strike of midnight signaling the next day someone had what I'm wishing for what to be like my death and that someone is a bit popular, young and promising. Obviously everyone felt it was too early and what with all the talent and future endeavors and stardom waiting for this kid went all wasted just like that in a snap.

But who are we to question who's above all of us. We don't know all HIS mighty plans laid out for each one of us. But I won't be coy that I felt blaming HIM when the same had happened to two of my family members. Yes, TWO and the first loss was the hardest to accept. It was the only time I got angry to HIM. I felt betrayed for I've been serving HIM for all I can remember in my little way since I was a kid and I thought we're friends. I only have two best friends at that time. One He denied me of spending my life for the rest of my life and the other one who made it possible. So it means I lost both two just like that in a snap.

Then came second death in the family it came along with a two-week notice, 3 hospitals and boom! She was 21 years old, just graduated a year before this ending and had been working in her second government company. Everything was fine until one night she went home with blood gushing from her nose and then from her gums and we all went panicky and rush to emergency and the rest was history just like that in a snap.

And I'm still here. Honestly I've been wishing for that NO joke, I am ready for that. People might think I am morbid but I am not. I don't have much interest talking about ~~DEATH.~~ But when people will ask me about it I wouldn't further discuss but you'll get an answer "YES, I am always ready for it, whenever, wherever regardless of what I am doing (hmmm, on second thoughts PLEASE not when I'm in the bathroom☺), happy or sad even if it would mean right NOW. Sure I don't think I really have to finish this blog post, YES I am ready just like that in a snap.

Morbidity aside (but I am not morbid, right?) maybe the reason of all this is because I wanted a shortcut, everyone seems to be heading that way anyways so why not be there first while I'm still sane and sound. And I confess I'm a bit selfish when it comes to this. I don't want to be left out. I'm tired of crying after everyone who's leaving. By wishing to be first I am kind for I know I'm causing more harm than good with people I am with and leaving them will set them free from burden and I know they'll feel more blessed than grieve without me and I like that, I mean I don't want anyone to cry for me. I wanted everything easy and I hate drama. (I'm serious.) Well, I am not saying I am not happy with my life now, sure it isn't perfect but it isn't that worst either but I am just too settled on going to the next direction that's why I'm kinda hurrying it up. I'm wondering why it seems this wish is too hard for HIM to grant, what's with that huh? I actually had a wishlist for that big day written when I was in high school. (Darn, this had been long overdue. Ha ha)

People may say because you still have work to do in this lifetime. I believe that so but nevertheless I wanted to be up there. To be honest (Haven't I been honest for all the entries in this blog, that I have to consistently use the word HONEST for emphasis?) I live life one day at a time. I don't have long term goals now (I know eyebrows will raise) but I am practical as well. (I don't know how you will handle too much contradictories in my life but yes it is possible.) I've incorporated Buddhist core teachings in my life thus I've learned to live without drowning in wants and desires. But I do have a wishlist, a mixture of material things and immaterial things that I can count using just my hands fingers. All of those are all up to me but this SNAP thing I don't think I can decide for that. I've tried twice but without HIS blessings I only commit sins and ruin myself becoming more unworthy to be in HIS place so I will just leave all of that to HIM but I still wish just like that in a snap.

I would rather live my life believing there is a God and die to find out there isn't than live my life believing there isn't a God and die to find out there is.
- Unknown

What is a Hero?

by kris10na ☮♥☺ Thoughts (26)

This is a subject or an area that I've been avoiding to tackle in my blog. I hate politics, No, I despises it and I don't want to dwell into this pit, muddy, dirty, soul draining world of greed and personal hidden issues. I have think about this, slept, analyze, slept again and after hours of deliberation I surrendered and my activist old self resurface.

I was enraged upon hearing this current issue and I started questioning again what is happening to my fellows to ever come out of these kinds of ideas while questioning myself if maybe I am the close-minded one seems I think most of the time differently from others and I've a constant weirdness meter or checker for not belonging into stereotypes → my mom. Did I told you before we are two very different souls, physically living under one roof but walks in a different world, mind-set and everything else.

I just learned 2 days ago that Cong. Salvador Escudero, a crony leads a campaign and has already gotten 204 members of Congress to sign the petition to have Marcos interred as a hero and transfer him to the Cemetery of Heroes (see The Philandering Greedy Marcos a Bayani?)

Asking my mom about it, answering with obvious annoyance for being asked early in the morning (sorry, my bad) about this, she simply said: "I don't care about it. It's all up to them." A friend, a former activist told me, "There had been reconciliation so it's okay." Followed by a question, "Have you or your family been directly affected by Martial Law?"

My answer is No. There's no one in my family that had been directly affected by it, maybe, nothing that I knew of. But even though I am still against this petition. I don't need to be the actual victim before I need to condemn bad behavior or any evil things. I am claiming to be an armchair activist, still a little subtle than most activist, I live my life, Yes, I do have a life and I will never be the type now (I guess, I've been almost way back in college) who will go to the streets raising banners or will hike and live in the mountains just so the government can hear my side of the story. No, nothing like that. I am more fond of Rizal's "the pen is mightier than the sword" though I opt more for Bonifacio to be the National Hero since he's more well-rounded and had been a one-man DIY hero and he is a writer too in case some are not aware of that.

What is a Hero then?

We can find too many definitions but the most ideal of these that I found are these two:

a man of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities.
a person who, in the opinion of others, has heroic qualities or has performed a heroic act and is regarded as a model or ideal: He was a local hero when he saved the drowning child.

For me, a hero is someone that inspires you to be good, an ideal model of greatness, honor and morality. And no matter what we do the ex-President wouldn't fit that description.

"The petition is for him to be buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani... The prerequisite of which is that the person should have fought in the war ( World WarI and II) and should have been in government service. These are 2 things that Marcos did. It doesn't require a person to be rated whether he fought well or served the government well."

Alright, is that all? So maybe we should change the name of the cemetery into something else. For if it's all that there is behind the name "Libingan ng mga Bayani" I am 100% sure the one that coined the word hero or heroes didn't mean it to be just that and it sure means a lot more than that or why there is such a petition for this to bury him in there, for all I know the hidden wealth can always be use to afford even to make another cemetery even fancier and bigger than the Cemetery for Heroes. So why bother? Because for obvious reasons, it means a lot. Honor for the Marcos family and disgrace to all Filipinos whoever let this become reality.

(photo credit)

As I've commented on the petition page:

Declaring him as a hero will make us a laughing stock of the world. Our country had been well-praised for starting the people power movement and it was against this man. Now Marcos: a hero? It's like saying Hitler should be too or maybe even Osama bin Laden. tsk.tsk.

Well, I agree that we should move on now but moving on doesn't mean accepting what's wrong and making it look it is right just because it had been a long time. No matter what we've done, what's wrong is wrong and nothing can change that fact and make it right even time can't justify all Marcos' wrong doings. We can forgive him but it's insane to give him such honor and privilege to be on the heroes cemetery. It's like you would never let a criminal sleep with your precious ones and you will never put a tin can inside your jewelry box. Think about that...

If you have the same view help us trash this petition by signing here.

How Good People Turn Evil

by kris10na ☮♥☺ Thoughts (0)

On the on going corruption that's been happening in the Philippines and it seems there isn't a big fish that had been punished and sentenced to imprisonment maybe because of politics and connections and the last one just committed suicide choosing death after losing honors, tainting his reputation over alleged controversies. Now I don't know how we will be able to fix this, corruption seems to be a virus slowly crawling a person's veins one at a time and rooting there, growing as time goes by. Philippines just recently ranked #3 in the most corrupt countries in Asia and #3 in the world as the happiest just like ignorance is bliss. We know we are corrupt and we are happy about that, is that it? Haha. So how are we really going to cure that virus that had been eating up our system? Corruption doesn't exist only in the government, it is everywhere and even in school where we should all be idealistic and where we should learn all things moral, it's a pity it is existing there too. And I was so deeply affected and saddened to know the reality that even in SK (youth's election), as young as teens they are already practicing vote buying and dirty politics. I know April 9 was "Araw ng Kagitingan" and I just said from my last post yesterday that I am proud being "Pinoy" but I shall never say I am patriotically blind. We will never fix a problem by denying its existence and hiding them. This is the truth and rampant corruption is the biggest hurdle why we are still a 3rd world country up to these days. Alleviating corruption should be everyone's battle cry and should start within one's self. Let us all prove to everyone what Mark Gosingtian produced in his T-shirts: "Where I'm from, everyone's a HERO." And I don't think heroes are corrupt, don't you?

How good people turn evil is an article I've found in Maria Ressa's blog, former ABS-CBN's head of news department. She had given in this video her speech for MSD entitled The Courage to Do What’s Right the thin line where you cross from being good to being evil in just one quick decision.

Definition of Evil