LUPANG HINARANG

FARMERS’ PILGRIMAGE for CARPER

Why a Farmers’ Pilgrimage for CARPER?

The historic journey of the Sumilao Farmers by walking from Bukidnon to Manila paved the way for their eventual victory after 12 long years of struggle. Their experience leaves prints of hope and inspired other groups to make their own pilgrimage. The same is true with the Banasi and Calatagan farmers who, inspired by the Sumilao farmers’ struggle, walked for more than 444 kilometers from Camarines Norte to Manila and from Batangas to Manila, to claim their lands under agrarian reform.

Their successful campaign exposed the Achilles hill of the landed states and brought agrarian reform to the forefront of national concern. CARP had reached its 20 years of implementation on 15 June 2008, but congress seemed indifferent to the calls of peasant groups to extend and reform CARP. It even disregarded the resounding call of the 79 Bishops for the passage of CARPER. The only thing it did was to issue Joint Resolution No. 19, which only paralyzed CARP, short of killing it.

Calls for an urgent and coordinated response from peasant movements, AR advocates, the Church and Civil Society are overwhelming. The Church, through the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) is very consistent in calling for a legislation that will extend and reform CARP. Bishop Pabillo’s hunger strike is a testament to this.

The primary aim then of the Farmers’ Pilgrimage for CARPER is to contribute to the wider agrarian reform struggle to pressure congress to pass CARPER before June 30, 2009. The strategy is to raise the consciousness of the public to take concrete actions and as well as for the farmers to lead the cause by taking the pilgrimage for CARPER.

Considering the time element, 50 Sumilao farmers and other groups will have a caravan from Bukidnon to Visayas, and shall start their walk at the Banasi area in Bicol. The Sumilao farmers will encourage the locals that they shall pass through to join the pilgrimage. It is expected that the pilgrims will increase after every diocesan forum. The core pilgrims shall be joined by the Banasi Farmers upon reaching Banasi, Bula, Camarines Sur. They shall also be joined by the Calatagan Farmers when they reach Batangas. The increasing number of pilgrims shall continue their walk to the House of Representatives in Manila to converge with other farmer groups.

PILGRIMAGE UPDATE

11 February 2009

Today (11 February 2009) marks another historic journey of landless farmers to justice and equity. It is on this day that they embark on a pilgrimage to Manila to pressure congress to extend and reform the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).

As a kick-off salvo of their campaign, a CARPER Forum was held this afternoon within the 50 hectares of land that was reclaimed by the Sumilao Farmers from San Miguel. The choice of the place deliberate as it symbolizes victory of the poor and marginalized farmers against the powerful and influential San Miguel.

Atty. Jan Perry Eugenio, legal officer of BALAOD Mindanaw, provided the framework of the forum, and presented the salient provisions of CARPER. After the discussion, there was an open forum. Mr. Rene Penas of the Sumilao farmers read the “Citizen’s Petition to the Congress of the Philippines to Pass the CARP Extension with Reform Bills (House Bill 4077 and Senate Bill 2666)”.

The petition was signed by around 150 participants who attended the forum. The pilgrim-farmers hope to get as many signatures to sign the citizen’s petition in order to show to congress the overwhelming call for it to do its constitutional duty of extending CARP with the necessary reforms.

Bishop Honesto Pacana was present in the forum. He first read the letter of Congressman Ernesto Guingona of the 3^rd district of Bukidnon expressing the support to the campaign. He also expressed his disgust over Joint Resolution No. 19, which effectively cancels the distribution of 64 percent (64%) of new lands which are set to be covered by CARP as well as halts the distribution of all lands that are being processed for distribution under the compulsory acquisition mode.

“Joint Resolution No.19 must be stricken down as it violates Constitutional mandate of just distribution of all agricultural lands,” said Bishop Pacana.

The non-implementation of CARP triggered the conduct of this action. He stressed that there is a need to pressure the government particularly our legislators. He challenged our legislators to respect the rights of the farmers and uphold the law and set aside their interests as landlords. He ended his speech by assuring the participants that during the last Bishop’s meeting, they all agreed that the church will give its full support in this initiative. He likewise inspired the people by describing the pilgrimage as “Ray of Hope”, for this action will benefit not only the few but the entire country. And for this, it is expected that the support of the Filipino people across the country is at hand.

He also encouraged the pilgrim-farmers to be steadfast in their commitment, and assured them that his prayers are always with them.

The message of Peter Tuminhay of the Sumilao Farmers was also very emotional as he expressed their commitment to support the campaign on CARPER. Once again, the Sumilao Farmers will go out on streets. This time, it is not only for themselves, but for the other farmers who up to now do not own the land they are tilling. He stressed that the Sumilao Farmers will not stop to participate in public actions as long as injustice exists in our country.

DAR Region X Regional Director Felix Aguhob was also present and assured the farmers that the Department of Agrarian Reform supports this campaign.

PARO Celestiano of Bukidnon on his part closed the forum with warm wishes for the success of the pilgrim-farmers pilgrimage for CARPER. The forum ended around 4:00 in the afternoon. The Sumilao farmers who will join the pilgrimage shall be spending the night with their families and prepare for tomorrow’s caravan and forum to be held in Cagayan de Oro City.

In preparation of the long pilgrimage, the Sumilao Farmers and other farmers in Bukidnon performed a ritual yesterday to ask the spirits to guide the pilgrim-farmers as well as the staff of BALAOD Mindanaw and other support groups who shall join the long pilgrimage.

The ritual started at 10:30 in the morning until 2:00 in the afternoon. The family members of the pilgrims also joined the ritual performed by Datu Nicanor Tuminhay, Marcelo Salagiya, Bernabe Ligmon, and Anao Baloan and made their own prayer for guidance. After the ritual, they shared a community meal.

Two farmers from Davao del Sur also arrived yesterday to join the core pilgrim-farmers all the way to Manila. Farmers from Agusan del Sur are also expected to arrive and join the pilgrimage.

Later in the afternoon, an orientation and internal preparation was conducted, especially to those who have not joined the “Walk for Land, Walk for Justice” campaign. But, this new chapter of their wider struggle will still not be easy for those who joined the 1,700 walk. Like anybody else, they are not immune to long for their family and loved ones, said Rene Penas.

Yet, despite the expected long drawn struggle, the pilgrim-farmers are ready to leave everything to fight for everything that matters to them – their land.

WHAT CAN BE DONE FOR THE PASSAGE OF THE CARPER BILL?

· We should push Congress to perform its constitutional duty of enacting a law extending CARP with the necessary reforms especially those contained in House Bill 4077 and Senate Bill 266 at the soonest possible time.

· We must push Congress to revoke Join Rsolution No. 19 in order to give way to land acquisition and distribution through Compulsory Acquisition.

· We should resist and block anti-CARP bills like the Perfecting Amendment Bills proposed by Congressman Villafuerte

· We should continue our struggle of relentlessly upholding the rights of the farmers and farmworkers in order to promote the principles of justice and equity enshrined in our Constitution

· Strengthen our collective resolve and commitment and work to expand agrarian reform constituents to support the nationwide call to extend and reform CARP

25 Random Things (joining the bandwagon)

1. I was Little Miss Anito (don’t even ask), Little Miss SM, but I wasn’t allowed to join Little Miss Philippines…My parents convinced me to not embark on a journey in show business by bribing me with two Nintendo Family Computer Games, Popeye and Donkey Kong Jr.

2. My childhood sweetheart is the kid in the 500 peso bill, giving flowers to the soldiers. He went to the seminary, went out and didn’t go to my 18^th birthday. He claimed to have courted me back when everyone was crushing on him (grade 4) but I only found out in college. I got angry because I could’ve had bragging rights if I had known that we were hanging out after choir practice because he was into me. When I was in nursery I had a love team whom I only remember now as the classmate I used to call Shaider.

3. I was first honor from Kinder 1 to 4^th year high school. Perfect attendance from Kinder 1 to fourth year high school except in kinder 2 (had chicken pox) and grade 1 (little miss SM). My achievements substantially decreases as I grow older.

4. I used to bully my playmates into playing Office-officean instead of bahay-bahayan. I stopped playing Chinese Garter in Grade 4 because I started growing breasts.

5. I joined Center for Pop Music Philippines when I was in high school, Performance Artists’ Circle in college. And is planning to join PBB Celebrity Edition while waiting for the 2009 Bar Results.

6. I was a choir member, dated a choir member and was in love with a choir member. Trauma ito.

7. Ironically, i have really low self esteem. I rejected a lot of good guys because I couldn’t bear the thought of people asking why he’s dating me. I see my crushes as men who are out of my league. That’s why I get disheartened when I find out that they like me pala.

8. I love being alone. I don’t like big groups. I feel more productive alone. I do things in my own time, through my own way and I don’t like asking for help.

9. I cry at the silliest of moments. Cannot fake crying when needed (i.e. plays).

10. I dated a warlock. And a stalker. And a creep. And a loose shirt-wearing guy. And a bisexual. And another bisexual. And A lot of artists. And an artista. Oh, and my bestfriend. A lot of other frogs. I am an official freak magnet. Liban lang kay Boyps. Hehe.

11. Bea Alonzo was my schoolmate. We used to be in a dance group together. My friend, Ivee beat her in a beauty pageant. Haha. But she’s a nice girl. Sitti Navarro was my schoolmate too. I used to be more popular. Kidding Sitti. Hehe

12. I cried in my junior prom. I cried in my senior prom.

13. I hate flats. I love stilettos. I hate jeans because I don’t fit in them nicely. I used to be really baduy with my hiphop clothes, bad hair highlights and staple cap . Now I’m just a little baduy.

14. I’ve never been thin my whole life. I blame it on my really slow metabolism. In short, di ako matakaw. When I was in grade school, I always get the “kinakain mo yata ang pagkain ng mga kapatid mo” joke because both of them, despite their really big appetite, are skinny.

15. I love watching movies and tv shows, pause them and take down quotable quotes. I love FACE OFF. My Bestfriend’s Wedding never fails to make me cry, every single time.

16. When I’m in class, I write things that are bloggable.

17. I like everyone, even those who have hurt me. I never get angry.

18. I am very spiritual. i go to mass every Sunday. I pray all the time. I feel bad when I see old people begging for money.

19. I am scheming. All my crushes become my friends because I want them to be. I ignore my crushes intentionally when I see them in parties and loooove to tease them to other women. Projection kung projection.

20. My first dream was to be a ballerina, then I realized that I’m fat, then I wanted to be a newscaster but feared that I might be required to go to dangerous assignments. So, I decided to be a lawyer. I was in grade three when I decided to be in the legal profession.

21. I took Economics because I thought it was all about supply and demand. Nobody warned me that it will be 4 years of calculus. The only college entrance exam I took was the UPCAT. I didn’t go to the UST exam because I didn’t want to miss class. (refer to perfect attendance item)

22. I only said I love you to a guy twice in my whole life. The first one was the biggest disaster. (refer to Proposal letter blog entry)

23. I only asked a guy to go out with me twice. The first one was, again, a total disaster. The second one was a mystery. I never had sex in my life. Not even close to having sex. I am very conservative, contrary to popular belief.

24. I only pay 50 pesos for my haircut. I cut my own bangs. I tweeze my own brows, I wax my upper liphair, I do my own manicure and pedicure. Kasi wala akong pera.

25. always have issues during exams. So….. the bar exam will be a really big challenge. Mejo High maintenance ako pero , I love guys who can “Maintain me.”

Para Sa'kin na Low Self Esteem

The Bottom Line

You have charm and smarts that add up to one unbelievable person. Celebrate you.

In Detail

A friend has been chiding you for being too hard on yourself, and they are right. It's time that you realized just what a rock star you are! Beating yourself up over something that happened in the past (that you can't change now) doesn't do anything except hurt your self-esteem. It also keeps you from taking important risks in the future. You've got to be honest with yourself today. You have all the charm, good-looks and smarts that add up to one fantastic person. Pat yourself on the back.

ICONcert

WHAT IS THE QUESTION? The first crucial question to ask is where can we find our country in the exercise of one’s citizenship. We can debate ad nauseam along this direction but we propose a more inward looking type of reflection through the following questions which we can pose to ourselves individually or as an organization. “Why do we find ourselves in these desperate and appalling conditions?” “What has been my role as a Filipino citizen?” “What am I doing that adds up to the difficulties of the nation?” “What can I do to improve?” “How can I change?” “Where can I start?”

HELP MAKE Citizenship by Good Example [CGE!] WORK. Be one of us! Let’s celebrate our response! On February 21, 2009 , the Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan (SLB) will have a concert entitled “Pinoy Ctzen ICONnect ICONcert” at the Ateneo de Manila High School Covered Courts. This is to jumpstart our communal effort towards building the nation. We will gather the youth from Metro Manila and nearby provinces for an entertaining and engaging campaign that will fire them up once again towards love of country as did Dr. Jose Rizal, Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo and Andres Bonifacio in their youth.

The CGE! Movement is thrilled to welcome an impressive array of talented artists to help us spread the CGE! message. Included are Itchy Worms Band, the Philippine Allstars, Noel Cabangon and other performers.

The Key Staff consists of international theater trainor and artist Terence Guillermo as Stage Director, UP Filipiñana Dance Troupe Artistic Director Van Manalo as Choreographer, multi-awarded videographer Joel Barquez as Multi-media Director, and award-winning composer Atty. Dulce Punzalan as Musical Director.

It promises to be a spectacular evening and we encourage everyone to tune in and join us. There is great need to drum up awareness on the importance of the campaign and why is this so, because more and more people especially the young members of our country are less involved in socio-political concerns. Recent youth surveys show that the youth are more inclined to be “non-joiners” when it comes to exercising their civic duties and responsibilities. Let this be a wake up call for all Filipinos. Through an effective and engaging media campaign in the form of indie-rock music and dance, we hope to communicate the CGE! mission to the country’s “Fair hope of the Fatherland.”

Tickets are sold at P200 (student price) and P400 (regular price with CGE! Album CD). For inquiries call SLB at (+632 426 5968) or please send SMS to (+63 908 2429733). Thank you.

Optimism Entry

...because i will never stop trying until that exact moment that the impossibility is clear.
...i know that the little things will matter in the end.
... i don't have to explain myself because i have my own reasons.
... if in the end, it will prove to be a futile attempt, i will be happy that i said yes to the ride
.
ang bottom line, kung meron man may crush sa akin sa law school, magtapat ka na please? haha (inside joke with Ipe, Dial, Nancy)
pero di naman talaga un ang point ng entry na'to... fine, pwede rin.
I am not dubbed as the eternal optimist for nothing.
fight lang Eunice. you're nearing the end of the road.

Prelude to the end…

of the beginning.

So our tears flowed

Without saying a word

Without thinking of our

goodbyes. It was a hug

most apt, a bandage

to our bleeding hearts.

The man talked about

Hope. Of wounded souls

And of once beating

But now suffering

hearts. The moment

was abruptly started.

A call. A message.

It was the end

of the beginning.

We are not going

To be together.

A series of flash

backs. Of misplaced

optimism. Of pats

on the back and silent

smiles. We knew

this was coming.

We just dreaded

That it’ll be

Too soon.

No letting go

Tears will flow

No more. Today

Is the day that we

Stand our ground.

I’ll see you at the end

Of this mocking

Road. I will hurry

Back to you, this

Is a prelude.

A prelude

To the end

Of the beginning

That never ends.

----------------------

To the ateneolaw2009 yahoogroup members.

To My batchmates.

To you who refuse to cry,

ako na ang iiyak para sa’yo.

Finding Peter Pan

from Peyups.com Contributed by dragfly (Edited by arwen) Wednesday, October 29, 2008 @ 12:28:19 AM Print | Send | Comment

So there I was, catching falling stars on my bed one night and contemplating on my longest ever crush on Peter Pan. Maybe if he were for real (and if dogs could really fly) I could too, if only I didn't know that while I believed so much on fairies, my fairies never did believe in me. I could not blame them; I never really took off the galaxies stuffed in my pockets, and I kept on catching more falling stars than I could hold in my hands. They must have thought that it was this weight that kept me anchored to the ground. I found pixie dust sprinkled inside my shoes, when I finally got off the bed. Only I didn't get that magical feeling in the movies, (the room did not echo "you can fly, you can fly!" ) It stung my feet instead, like when you sit on your leg for too long, stung my feet like having that funny bone on your elbow hit by the classroom chair. I liked wearing them anyway, for it reminded me of Peter Pan (and have I mentioned that I had the longest crush on him?) and I thought maybe if I wore these pixie shoes, by some good fairytale karma, he would appear. Even though it stung. (Even though I didn't know yet that later on, it will bleed.) Anyway I always kept my needles ready, just in case he drops by searching for his shadow. So then my window flew open, as I watched in awe as the second star to the right shone brighter and brighter, I ran to the sill and stood on the roof thinking of what it's like, face to face with your most elusive dream - must have been that same feeling in the wax museum when you're face to face with hollywood stars, only better. (as I have never really found wax a legitimate substitute for human beings - wax hands are too slippery to hold.) Peter Pan was more than a Michael Jackson. Heck, Peter Pan was far greater to me then even Elvis. I felt afloat. My feet began to leave the roof tiles - I was going to fly! I gave it one huge leap of faith, and I drifted into the endless sky. (And for the first time ever, like that cow in the nursery rhyme, I finally understood how it felt to jump over the moon) I didn't stay there for long though. Next thing I knew I was being pulled hard into the earth, plunging into the darkness underneath me. Down down down down down down It was a seemingly endless fall. How high have I really been? Down, down, down. Down, down, down, I couldn't have crashed harder. The moment I hit the ground I felt my bones dig themselves into my other bones, and the stars that I have held so dearly in these pockets fell all over the place, dug themselves into my skin, like shards of that full length mirror that used to hang in our old apartment, (along with those five years of bad luck multiplied by a thousand stars and a few dozen galaxies and the remains of the first dog in space) I had legitimate reasons to cry then, only I figured that crying is not as much fun as laughing, And so I did. And all of a sudden I realized that it takes more than pixie dust to fly. And while I thought that my fairies never did believe in me, I felt myself begin to rise. (I never found my Peter, but who am I to protest now that I'm in Neverland?)

You know you're fat when...

... someone who chooses to hide in the multiply id chubbychaser visits your multiply site..

Lord naman e.

ACP Hiphop Abs feat. Eunice : A Disclaimer

Ok, this i gotta do to save people from the disappointment that they'll eventually feel for having too much faith in me.

I am not the "instructor". I can never be. Kung alam nyo lang na nilalagnat ako everytime may attempt ako na mag sit-ups. Haha.

So, what's the real story? Ganito kasi.. One lazy morning, Reg texted me to ask if I can head the Hiphop abs ACP. I was kinda dumbfounded kasi nga. (See reason in the preceding paragraph. Then I got a follow up text from B. Nicka. I seriously said, I can't because of the following valid reasons:

1. I have never done any hiphop ab exercise.
2. I am not credible. (Have you seen me lately? Do i have great abs? I have no pack, unless you are willing to consider the layers of fat that I have.)
3. Nakakatawa.

So i replied and suggested Rimo. They both agreed that it's a great idea. I said, if kailangan ng tao, dadating ako.

Lo and behold. I am in the ACP Manual. I am the "our very own Eunice Monsod" that shall head the ACP feat. hiphop abs. THe horror of being the subject of tons of ridicule immediately surface. Got text messages and lots of promises if only to see me lead the way to great abs.

So there. I will still be there. BUT PLEASE, let's not get our hopes too high,.

I really thank the people who believe in me, ang love talaga ay blind. Trust and faith overflows.
BUt if there's anything I can promise, it's that we'll have lots of fun and well, we're gonna sweat it out, literally and figuratively..

Salamat David Tan. Salamat Dial at Gea. Salamat Lord.

Chronicles of JLErs

JLErs*

Pumasok ka na ba?

What: Jesuit Leadership Experience

Where: Capuchin Retreat House (imbento), Lipa, Batangas

When: January 30 – February 1, 2009

Why: Why not?

Motto: It is not the end, not even the beginning of the end… But it was the end of the beginning.

Yun e!

So what?

This is a collection of quotable quotes from the JLErs. If you’re looking for my learnings, this is not the blog about it. But if you’re looking for pieces of evidence that will prove how much fun we had, then read on.

Atty. Balane talked about the wonderful life of St. Ignatius a.k.a Iniego (assuming na ito ang correct spelling). It was an interesting storytelling session especially because, if you know Atty. Balane, he is very passionate about these things. Here are my favorite lines from his story.

(quote on how St. Ignatius chose to undergo another anesthesia-free surgery because of his vanity)

“… to martyr himself for his own pleasure.”

Eunice’s thought bubble: Sounds like love to me.

“Nothing succeeds like SUCCESS!”

Euns: Mabuti naman. Mahirap naman kung nothing succeeds like failure.

After Atty. Balane’s storytelling, we were asked to react on the talk, notice how the reactions seem to be almost always sound like the JLErs were still talking about love.

“It was worth the wait.”

“If it’s worth it, you have to give it your all.”

“It was an opportunity to learn.”

Enough with my love ramblings. Here are the funnier exchanges of ideas.

JLEr: (on change) Mahirap sya.

Faci: Mahirap? Bakit nakikikain lang ba sya dito ?

JLEr: (on answering some exercise questions) We weren’t able to tackle the question thoroughly.

Faci: So, nagchismisan lang kayo?

JLEr: We got enganged kasi on the quote that we got. (long explanation)

Faci: So, wala talagang sagot?

Panalo.haha

JLEr: My partner is _____, kilala ko sya kasi minaneho ko sya papunta ditto.

Too much info.

JLEr: ______ and I didn’t follow instructions but I can see that she’s an innate leader.

Irony nga naman.

Activities on LOVE:

Scenario: Everyone’s blindfolded , instructed to make an equilateral triangle out of the rope that was provided for them. (Equilateral pa lang numose bleed na yata mga tao, haha.. Math alert! Math Alert!!!)

JLEr #1: Let’s figure out first how long the rope is.

JLEr #2: (shouts) Oh my God, it’s LOOOONG.

JLEr #1: Please don’t say that while we’re all blindfolded.

Faci: What were your learnings?

JLEr: I realized that… love is where the fun is.

JLEr: I was touched because when I was trying to get through the hoops, people started helping me , they were trying to lift my foot.

Euns: (sa isip) Ganyan talaga ang love, umaangat ang paa mo.

JLEr: Sobrang daming tumulong, un ibanag-offer ng helping arm, helping hand… helping body.

HELPING BODY?

JLEr: Love? We can DO IT NOW. We can DO IT IN THE LAW SCHOOL.

Sabagay. Pag gusto mo na, gusto mo na talaga.

JLEr: (on a traumatic experience in rallies) Nakita ko ang mga kasama ko na lumuluha… kasi nga TEAR GAS.

Dialogue

Father: I didn’t have problems with sick Jesuits… well except that they just died.

JLEr: Kailangan mong ilagay ang malalaking bagay sa maliliit na package.

JLEr: With regard to the video clip, I think self-awareness is about humility.

Faci: Ah… San un?

“Sometimes, you have to get hurt to find out what you’re meant to have.”

Faci: Ok, so… any more reactions? Dito? (turo sa isang row) sa COMMITTEE OF SILENCE?

JLEr: Ingenuity is about humility too. Like in the video, ok lang kahit na sabihin mo na Hey, pukpukin mo kami!

JLEr: Schools should not reward answers but questions.

Euns: (kailangan kasi ipaalam na ako para magets e) We need the admin to encourage us to become more well-rounded people.

Fr. B: Well, it seems like you are very well-rounded.

Euns: Foul!

JLEr: (on the presence of CLV, Cande and Fr. B) I never thought I could address the trinity.

CLV: Well, at least we all know who the Father is.

JLEr: It was nice to hear the story of St. Ignatius because coming from La Salle, I am not aware of that story.

Fr. B: Well, when we talk about spirituality, we don’t only speak of Ignatian spirituality naman. Anyway, St. LaSalle is also in heaven no?

EATING QUOTES

JLEr #1: Bakit kaya walang sighting ng Capuchin brothers?

JLEr#2: San kaya napupunta un mga natitirang pagkain?

JLEr#3: Alam ko na. Siguro kinakain lahat ng mga brothers. Tapos kaya walang sighting kasi nga obese na sila lahat sa kakakain ng mga tira.

(May dumating na brother)

JLEr#1: E bakit kaya un di naman obese?

JLEr#3: Dude, kasi may exercise sya. Sya un kumukuha ng pagkain from the caf to the house.

JLEr#2: So, kailangan para matulungan natin sila maubos natin ang pagkain?

JLEr#1: Tama. Eat your food, pass it on. Yan ang advocacy natin.

JLEr#1: Wow men, pareho pa tayong mustard yellow ang damit. Para tayong Mongol Pencil at Cartolina.

JLEr#2: E bakit hinubad mo na un yellow jacket mo?

JLEr#1: E kasi, pag pareho tayo ng kulay para tayong love team sa That's Entertainment!

----------------------------------------------

To end my JLE Chronicles, I want to declare that the official theme songs of the whole thing are…

“You cut me open and I… keep LEADING, keep, keep LEADING LOVE.” (Bleeding love tune)

“Got to believe in MAGIS….” (Hulaan nyo kung anong tono. Heler)

--------------------------------

* A JLEr is someone who attended the Jesuit Leadership Experience. It is pronounced as JAILER hence the tagline, pumasok ka na ba? This term was coined by Mayco Romulo (I think).

First Letter to the REAL YOU

This love letter starts with a million pieces of thank you, delicately woven and kept inside my heart.

Our beginnings are slowly fast, vaguely clear and imaginarily real. The smiles that have invaded my once inactive lips owe it to the smallest of gestures, rawest of emotions and warmest of thoughts. You are rarely here, in the same way that I am rarely there. I don’t look for you, miss you or, even for a second, feel a bit of longing because there is no you…. There is no me.

Just us.

We have a “we” that has turned its back on time, space and norms, a “we” that laughs at silly utterances, abrupt “I love you’s” and human warmth. Ours is not human. It is warmth that travels through the heart. It’s not human, it’s supernatural, ghost-like. Our love does not speak of moments that end but of hello’s that reverberate through what is not seen but felt. Our love is a dream, a nightmare, a premonition.

It is everything but reality because what's the use of reality if we can together dictate the dances and songs of our dreams?

This letter ends with a million pieces of thank you, delicately woven and kept inside my heart.