RH BILL: My Stand While Kneeling Down

I don't think my faith in God and my support for the RH Bill are mutually exclusive. Frankly, it is precisely this faith that pushes me to believe that people should be allowed and, more importantly, be given the OPPORTUNITY to live a life of quality. It is this great appreciation for the blessing that is life that convinces me to dream that the RH Bill, although OBVIOUSLY not a panacea, will strengthen the Filipino family and uphold this sense of responsibility for the future of the next generation.

 When I am asked to kneel and pray the anti-RH  Bill prayer during the Holy Mass, I do kneel and thank God that He has given me the free will to pray my own prayer and the discernment to stand my ground for what I believe is right not only for me but for my country.

We need to give the next generation a fighting chance.

 Pass the RH Bill NOW.

The Deviant Love

Some stare into each other’s eyes,

while we take quick glimpses and sideway glances.

Together, they dream of forever,

Yet we, for what seems like forever, dream of “together.”

They hold hands,
and instead, we hold hearts.

And when they make love,

we wait to see what love will make of us.

#thoughtbubbling #realityeverafter #Photords #introvertmindextrovertheart #BenCabMuseum #Photography #museums #paintings #photooftheday #digital #digitalphotography #Poetry #LegallyBlunt #LegallyGrunt #RealityEverAfter #writersofinstagram #fastfoodfiction #buttonpoetry #listen #findyourvoice #instapoet #shortform #instapoetry

>This is what democracy should be all about, having the right to vote your candidate without being judged for it. If we honestly believe that the other is making a mistake in voting his candidate, let that person commit that mistake. If these candidates really want a better Philippines, they should be able to help even if they lose. That is how true public service should emerge. Kapit lang, PILIPINAS.

Want to Help?

The Ateneo Law Student Council would like to inform everyone that we are accepting donations for typhoon victimes and their families. Please bring rice, canned goods, clothes or anything that you feel can help. We will be accepting donations starting today, June 24, 2008 at the small LSAC room. Thank you in advance for your help.

Please pass.

GOT HEART?

message forwarded by Ona from Lai Tuba of GOT HEART Foundation:

"Hello, I am currently doing community work in the fishing community and I am in need of a lot of help. This coming school year, kids are once again going to school. For only P1.100 you can already sponsor one child for an entire year. The school also needs help with school supplies, and materials for the children to use. Let me know if you want to help. Thank you! :)"

If you guys want to help, let me know.

On the Ateneo School of Law Student Council Elections

Yes, we have to vote on platforms. Yes, we must think before we vote. Yes, sometimes, even if we know what we should do, we vote for people JUST BECAUSE. That sucks.

Yes, we are taking it seriously. Well, at least I am taking it seriously. Yes, I think the Student Council is a vital part of a student's life in the law school. Yes, sometimes we all dream of an efficient council only to be disappointed by their inability to deliver.

But I still am voting. I refuse to waive my right to having a say on who should represent me. They say they want to be of service, and I won't say no to an offer which only demands of my approval.

I dont know what's going on through the candidates' minds, but if there's one thing i'm sure of, they want to win. When I go to the Meeting de Avance tomorrow, I will look for that PASSION that only someone who wants it sooo badly can exhibit. I don't want them to be funny but I want them to be fun. I might vote for them "just because" but I will make sure that "MY JUST BECAUSE" will justify my decision.
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the election is on Thursday, March 16.

Buti na lang Friday Night...

Last night, my friends and I went to this forum in Ateneo dubbed as "Military, Democracy and the Law". It was a very interesting forum because it aimed to connect the importance of the military in the chaos that we are in. I have never been a fan of violence, may it be needed or not; there was a even a time when I found myself contemplating on what I would do if I had to kill someone attacking me. I knew that at that moment, I would think twice. I dunno, I guess I just don't like the idea of getting someone hurt, even if it involves self-defense. Anyway, I had fun [how original!] in the forum. Did I just say that? Who in his/her right mind would actually say something like that? Fun at the Forum? argh. I am really transformed.

After the forum, we kind of got confused as to where we're going. We've been going straight home for the past few weeks that i guess we are silently giving each other some signals that WE SHOULDNT BE GOING HOME especially if the FINALS WEEK is just around the corner. Our first option was to go to this CMO Acoustic Night thingy at the LSAC office. But according to reliable sources, t'was over. We ended up with a plan of drinking at GOod Earth. We should've known better, since it's a Friday night, we shouldnt have expected Rockwell to be the "deserted" place that is usually is during normal days. We didnt have a table to go "merry on". That's when we went to Starbucks. No not to drink coffee, we knew we're not gonna spend another Friday night in Stabucks. Can I just say that it made me remember the "BLACK FRIDAY Protest" which I find uhmm, pointless? We were just waiting for a group of people to leave so we can invade err, get their table. But t'was to no avail. Therefore, we went to Grams.

Ok, when I said drinking, it wasnt really the "I'm getting dead-drunk" tonight type of thing. T'was the "WE NEED BEER! COME ON LET' DRINK!" type. Just one bottle and we will be satisfied. Good for us, JV was in a "celebratory mood" so he ordered, Nachos, Onion Rings and Steak n' Fries... ON HIM! woohoo. [guys, ON HIM. He paid for it. Don't imagine him with Nachos, fries and onion rings all over his body, that is GROSS!] You know what's the weird part of it all? We seemed to have lost our ELOQUENCE with beer, so there were lotsa awkwardly silent situations while we were drinking. Kasi naman, ayaw pa sabihin ni Hazel kung sino napupusuan nya. Hehe.

Then we decided that we were sweating like crazy so we went to Starbucks for the Aircon. How bakya no? Pero syempre, something FUNNY had to happen. When we went back to our "reserved couch" there was a gay couple sitting in front of us. Paano ko ba ipapaliwanag? Hmm... kasi un couch was facing the glass wall, and outside that glass wall was another table. I dunno if you guys can imagine how AWKWARD and EMBARRASSING it was for us and more for the gay couple, the only thing that's stopping us from really knowing them is the glass. Parang aquarium ang dating. I swear, I almost died laughing! Basta FUN FUN FUN. Natatawa din sila sa amin kasi obviously, na-conscious kami, na katulad nila ay napapanood din naman nila.

After a few minutes, we got bored so we decided to walk to Ateneo [again] to find out if the party's still on going. Uhmm, wala na. Madilim na. So, nagpagod lang kami.

We bumped pala into Jots on our way home. Mukha syang tulala kasi natapon daw nya un Frap nya. Di parin sya nagbabago, magulo parin at nagtatapon ng mga bagay-bagay. Hehe. Pero t'was great to see him again. Namiss namin sya. Aba. Sayang nga, we coudlnt stay. Well we could, pero pagod na kaming lahat.

Overall, t'was a really great night. Notwithstanding all the booboos.. hmm, It's always nice to goof around. FINALS na alam ko. Err...

Ahh... Quitters.

Japhet went to Starbucks yesterday and well, we got to watch Brokeback Mountain with my Law school peeps. T'was fun, fun, fun. I think it's an ok film. Not the best but it's interesting how ironic the facts are and how heartfelt was the pain the the "wives" of these men had to go through. As usual, we waited for the makeout parts [there's no point in hiding it!] and well, we had to rewind the whole thing because the "contrast" setthings of the projector made the makeout scene soooo dark that all we can make out of it are the moans and well, the physical "game" that were kind of "apparent" in the sound. Interesting, interesting film.

I wish I know how to quit you. Nice. It made remember some quote I read a few years ago...

"Rehab is for QUITTERS."

Astig no?

ANyway, this morning, i went to L'oreal's office with Melo, Haze, Yvie and Shem to be a part of s "focus discussion group" about a new product that Loreal's trying to introduce to the market. It's called Lumi-oil and it's actually a leave-on conditioner that's made for all different hair textures. It's a brilliant idea, because i dont think a single conditioner could actually solve the problems that different hair types have. GOod. Tailor-made ika-nga ni SHem. Then we had lunch at Pizza HUt. Walang punchline, kinukuwento ko lang. hehe.

I miss going online. I dunno, it just helps me a lot to see the bigger perspective wheni get to write the things that are happening to me. It's way better as opposed to not being able to express what i feel and just breaking down in the process. ANg saya.

Mahal ko parin si Chris Daughtry pero si Taylor "gray-haired guy" ay unti-unting kumakatok sa aking puso. Isa syang adorable na nilalang.

Bakit ba?!

It's so weird, it seems like today's the day where we will be accused as apathetic elitists. It started in our Oblicon class, while my professor was teasing us as regards our being well-rested she uttered, "It's as if you guys went to the streets. You SHELTERED PEOPLE." Ayun. Then during our LOGIC class, our professor said, "It seems like the students don't care. Nobody has a stand! Palibhasa mga SOSYAL kayo." Uhmm, since when have I become part of the apathetic crowd? I refuse to accept this.

First of all, for the longest time, I've always been against the fanning of the fire that is "rich vs. poor". I still don't think it's the most pertinent point that we should exploit. And besides, I am not even a part of the upper-class, we're the middle-class and we don't aim for the lives of the povery-stricken people to worsen. It hurts me that people perceive us to be "brats."

Also, I felt bothered by Mia's CAB RIDE STORY... She said that the cab driver nonchalantly attacked her being educated by saying, "Kayo kasi, di nyo kami naiintindihan. Palibhasa ganyan kayo..." That's after the cab driver found out that she studied in La Salle and is taking up law in Ateneo. Is is a crime to be not poor? Since when has it become the standard of "love for country"? I am apalled by the amazing turn of events. Why are these judgments being thrown at us?

Hey, I am not an activist in the conventional sense. I went to UP too but I didnt feel like going to the streets simply because I don't believe it's the kind of activity that I could contribute to. I'd rather be accused of being apathetic [because I know that I'm not] than give in to the pressure of being labeled as an activist to satisfy other people's expectations. I never become a part of a system that I dont trust. I have nothing against activists as persons, what I condemn is blind activism. My Logic prof accused me of being a part of a group of people who fell into the trap of being stuck with the "majority". I still think that it's the essence of democracy... It may be true that change "MAY" start from a few small voices, but at the end of the day, we cannot always allow these small but loud voices to dictate what we should do.

The right to expression should never be taken away from us, but when do we stop? When do we draw the line from being a catalyst for change to being monsters of grievances? Let us not make fools out of ourselves.

This is my stand, the question is not whether or not we have other alternatives but it's more about finding the RIGHT WAY to achieve our goal of achieving the betterment of the society. My right way is to continue studying, aiming to become a better person, dreaming of being an entrepreneur in the future and a person who will embody the true strength of a Filipino.

Go on and rally guys. I'll go back to studying and we shall meet on the other end of the road. You maybe right, i maybe wrong... or we maybe both right for continuing to dream.

I Lack the Wit.

I lack the wit to write about the things that transpired during the long weekend. Maybe it's because of the fact that almost everyone's been talking and yeah, writing about it that i find it totally pointless to embark on another "discussion" about who's to blame in the turmoil that we, Filipinos are in.

It's far too humiliating. And annoying. And disgusting. And uhmm, the list goes on and on.

There really is no one to blame. Just blame our far too-wide streets for being too conducive to really big rallies. Blame Fort Bonifacio for being so open to the media and for being tolerant enough to allow the aggravated Marines to ask a few questions about their Commandant issues. I repeat, blame Fort Bonifacio, not the officers, just the place for being too accessible. Blame Malacanang for being so attention-grabbing that people tend to crave for just a glimpse of how amazing it is to get that much attention. Blame the Palace for being grandiose. It's a simple Bitch Factor.

People write about the possibility of Martial Law as if they even bothered to read how Martial Law can come to place... blame the law for being a boring read. Blame the camera for not shooting at the right angle which could've made GMA look more convincing when she said, "everything's under control."

Go on. Let's start another finger-pointing festival. I think we should come up with a Finger-pointing Holiday. Let's dress our fingers up and indulge in a day of extravagant finger-pointing or maybe a night, think LuvaPalooza. We can call the event, "Finger-lickin'" and make KFC sponsor it, or "Dalirian" or uhmm, "Turo-turo". Perfect, "Turo-turo" will not only embody our food but also our political culture. Maybe we can make another record, the biggest number of people engaging in a finger-pointing event ever! Although we've been doing it for the longest time, at least we can rechannel it into something positive. That'll be the best therapy for us. After all, Olympics are made to prevent wars right? Maybe, just maybe, this festival will exhaust us.

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http://eunicemonsod.blogspot.com

PROCLAMATION 1017

First posted 01:16pm (Mla time) Feb 24, 2006
INQ7.net


MALACAÑANG PALACE
MANILA

PROCLAMATION NO. 1017

PROCLAMATION DECLARING A STATE OF NATIONAL EMERGENCY

WHEREAS, over these past months, elements in the political opposition have conspired with authoritarians of the extreme Left represented by the NDF-CPP-NPA and the extreme Right, represented by military adventurists--the historical enemies of the democratic Philippine State—who are now in tactical alliance and engaged in a concerted and systematic conspiracy, over a broad front, to bring down the duly constituted Government elected in May 2004.
WHEREAS, these conspirators have repeatedly tried to bring down the President;
WHEREAS, the claims of these elements have been recklessly magnified by certain segments of the national media;
WHEREAS, this series of actions is hurting the Philippine State--by obstructing governance including hindering the
growth of the economy and sabotaging the people's confidence in government and their faith in the future of this country;
WHEREAS, these actions are adversely affecting the economy;
WHEREAS, these activities give totalitarian forces of both the extreme Left and extreme Right the opening to intensity their avowed aims to bring down the democratic Philippine State;
WHEREAS, Article 2, Section 4 of our Constitution makes the defense and preservation of the democratic institutions and the State the primary duty of Government;
WHEREAS, the activities above-described, their consequences, ramifications and collateral effects constitute a clear and present danger to the safety and the integrity of the Philippine State and of the Filipino people;
NOW, THEREFORE, I Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, President of the Republic of the Philippines and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested upon me by Section 18, Article 7 of the Philippine Constitution which states that: " The President…whenever it becomes necessary,…may call out (the) armed forces to prevent or suppress…rebellion…, " and in my capacity as their Commander-in-Chief, do hereby command the Armed Forces of the Philippines, to maintain law and order throughout the Philippines, prevent or suppress all forms of lawless violence as well any act of insurrection or rebellion and to enforce obedience to all the laws and to all decrees, orders and regulations promulgated by me personally or upon my direction; and as provided in Section 17, Article 12 of the Constitution do hereby declare a State of National Emergency.
IN WITNESS HEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Republic of the Philippines to be affixed.
Done in the City of Manila, this 24th day of February, in the year of Our Lord, two thousand and six.

GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO
President
Republic of the Philippines

EDSA Revolution: A Worthy Struggle

 At this particular point I time, a lot of Filipinos are engaged in their own conversations revolving around what we have become after the EDSA Revolution. Sadly, although the People Power Revolution, for a time, was perceived as a triumph of democracy, at present, it has become a constant reminder of how we have failed in achieving progress, or fell short in fulfilling our potential as a nation. After countless debates, and an infinite number of celebrations, our "victory" has become, to the younger generation, an empty achievement. It's a sad development, and unless we try to understand the responsibility that come with this bloodless revolution, we, as a people, will remain to be unworthy of the gains that a democracy can give to its truly deserving protectors. Let us keep our dignity intact, fellow Filipinos. Let us fight for the freedom that our predecessors have gifted us with. #NEVERforget. -

"The People Power (R)Evolution, @LegallyBlunt #SocialCommentary #thoughtbubbling #realityeverafter #introvertmindextrovertheart #Photords #Pilipinas #LegallyBlunt #Photography #blackandwhitephotography #BlackAndWhite #photooftheday #Philippinestagram #Filipinos #LegallyBlunt #LegallyGrunt #RealityEverAfter #writersofinstagram  

On Everything.

Panalo Conversation:

Marianne: Mamahalin mo parin ako kahit na malaki un braso ko?
Palits: Kahit maging kasing-tigas pa ng palu-palo yan.
Marianne: Kahit maging lumba-lumba ako?
Palits: Matagal ka nang lumba-lumba... pero kahit maging balyena ka pa!

Ana and Pi, di ako magpapatalo... Dont give me that look! Yes, I chose to watch Close To You over Brokeback Mountan and Pink Panther. But only because I refuse to be emotional, and I refuse to think and uhmm, I can't get enough of the song... uhmm, I dunno the title... basta. "Oh why wont you smile my only star..."

John Lloyd's adorable. I'm not gonna say anything intellectual because there is nothing intellectual about the film. T'was funny. Ayun. Na-bother lang ako kasi the whole time, tinutukso nila si Bea na mataba, eh di kaya sya mataba. Kaya maraming nagiging anorexic at bulemic eh!

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I got to chat with my charming buddy Sam. He's putting up his own resto at Pearl Drive and he's really excited about it. The resto's gonna be serving Indian food! Haay, IT'S ABOUT TIME! 'tis gonna open in three weeks, therefore... May bagong resto na MUST-TRY. It's nice to know that my friends are growing and are finding their passion. It always gives me positive energy to pursue MY OWN PASSION. Basta.
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Last Saturday was my sister's JS Prom. That's why I went home early, besides the fact that I was soooo sleepy. I didnt want to miss the opportunity to see her being the beautiful sister that she is. Nakaka-proud. In fairness, ang ganda na ng kapatid ko. At ang masaklap, SEXY sya. Opo, isa syang skinny, model-like entity. Ako lumba-lumba. Payn.
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Gotta continue my brainstorming for the Legal Writing presentation. Hay, andami pinapagawa! Special Power of Attorney, Minutes of the Meeting at ang revision ng What is an Ateneo Lawyer essay. Not to mention that our Logic Paper on Fallcies' due next week. Argh. Busy busy busy.
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I still am affected by the Leyte Tragedy. Ang bigat sa dibdib.
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Congrats to Viloria for winning his Boxing Match. Sikat ang Pinoy!

Above All... T'was a Tragedy.

I woke up this afternoon [yeah, i overslept, again!] to the voice of Manang Inday, our laundry woman. She was getting the dirty clothes from my room when my half-awake mind overheard her saying something like, "Manood ka ng TV 'nice, kedaming namatay sa ULTRA..." I was so startled by the word NAMATAY that I instinctively got out of bed and turned my TV on.

I all of a sudden remembered that my brother left this morning and I had no idea where he's headed. For a split second I felt fear. He goes to ULTRA once in a while because of his sport and since i'm pretty much out of the "loop", I didn't know that the event in ULTRA's Wowowee's First Anniversary. I felt relief when my sister said, "Ate, Wowowee un sa ULTRA, sa tingin mo ba pupunta dun si Kuya?"

I couldn't help but feel bad not only for the victims but also for the production staff of the show. I tried to find out why the stampede happened and there were a lot of hearsays, one of which was that someone from the crowd shouted "bomb!" thus startling the already agitated crowd. But as of the moment, all that the ABS CBN is saying's that the cause of the whole tragedy was the people who were at the back of the "line". They were allegedly pushing and desperately trying to be given the chance to get their passes. However, since the entrance was downward-sloping, the gate which was closed to calm the people down gave in, the people in front fell and the people at the back kept walking and pushing. I could not imagine how scared the children and the old women were. Just thinking of such a horrifying scene makes me close my eyes.

Some people say that this is a reflection of how poverty made the most out of these Filipinos. Some say this is a manifestation of man's desire for wealth. But for me, this is not the time for another finger-pointing, this is not the time for us to put it in the list of "BLAME THE GOVERNMENT FOR... _____". This is another call for us to be of help, this is a reminder that we never really know what God's plan is... But above all, T'was a tragedy.

Let's pray for the victims.