I knew her.
Two years.
The first, very promising.
The second, reality stepped in.
They say,
to know someone
...for real!
Wait,
...until they tasted success,
...until they have power!
Power of love
is worlds apart from
Love of power
I am
Power corrupts completely
Position of leadership
...magnifies everything.
All our values...
All our flaws...
All our strength...
All our weakness...
All our joys...
All our pains...
All our composure...
All our insecurities
... are suddenly up on the screen!
Would you like to be someone
... to be emulated?
... to be abhorred?
Lord, please raise leaders...
Lord, please raise followers, too!
Wednesday
Friday
the 5 years that flew by so fast
All I wanted to be after college graduation was to be a CEO. That's it. But I never knew that my journey would have a U2ish arc on it.
Almost 6 years ago, I let go of my sure yet uncertain but definitely excited, "Yes..." to an escalating tug towards being part of the academe. It was past midnight, October 2002. I was channel surfing, then "Dead Poet's Society" dropped on me. And I said, "Here we go..."
By March 2003, I wrote my very first matured, fully aware and serious resignation letter to open myself to what my heart was telling me to do. By April 2003, I facilitated my first class as a full-time faculty at the School of Industrial Engineering and Engineering Management of Mapua Institute of Technology in old Intramuros, Manila.
And seemingly, time stood as it flew so fast. I guess this is what happens when one listen's to one's heart = )
I have my share of heartbreaking stories of students.
Been approached by parents of graduating students. I was asked and requested if I can pass their struggling and confused children so that they can march. I had to painfully say, "No..."
I hear my friends tell me that they love their children so much that they are willing to shield their kids to all the hurt and pain of this world but is that the right way to go? Are we not disabling them?
I had front row seats also to students who were excellent and promising in a year and suddenly do a 180 degree turn towards anonymity. Some "fell in love" and had their hearts broken. Some were simply abused by the people they trusted and then left behind with tears on their eyes. Some, recovered very fast. Some, romantically held on and made a home with their misery as their youthfulness fade away. Lord, do they even know that we only pass this way once?
I was also privy to a number of family struggles. Children of "broken" homes. Children of hurt people continually hurting other people. Some of these students find refuge in their studies. At least, in the classrooms, when you get the right answer, you will be rewarded. When you put the effort, you will reap a harvest of good things. Something that they do not see when two older people tell them that they still love one another but it could not work anymore.
A number of students of this same situation take their lot in life differently. They take it as their excuse to rebel and abuse themselves with alcohol and I do not even want to know anymore. They have so much anger mixed with so much vulnerability that they open themselves to prowling wolves.
But not all are "Maalala mo kaya" stories. Most, are blessings that keep professors forever young or should I say, youthful! = )
They bless you unknowingly with their honest remark, with their unexpected gratitude.
It is very rewarding to have contributed to a life, to a journey of another person. It is very rewarding to have enabled an environment where students could honestly see themselves and awaken in them that hazy... that glimmer... that spirit... that faint sound...that whisper...that side of them that says to them, "you can do better than this..."
I'd like to believe that once learning facilitators have enabled students to see this and be aware of this side of them, what happens next are simply grades.
It even does not matter if they get a 5 or a 3. What matters is that they realize that this grade was important because this was a defining moment in their lives.
Lord, may we always, as learning facilitators, allow our students who gave us the privilege to be part of their lives, define themselves.
With this, the 5 years flew...
Almost 6 years ago, I let go of my sure yet uncertain but definitely excited, "Yes..." to an escalating tug towards being part of the academe. It was past midnight, October 2002. I was channel surfing, then "Dead Poet's Society" dropped on me. And I said, "Here we go..."
By March 2003, I wrote my very first matured, fully aware and serious resignation letter to open myself to what my heart was telling me to do. By April 2003, I facilitated my first class as a full-time faculty at the School of Industrial Engineering and Engineering Management of Mapua Institute of Technology in old Intramuros, Manila.
And seemingly, time stood as it flew so fast. I guess this is what happens when one listen's to one's heart = )
I have my share of heartbreaking stories of students.
Been approached by parents of graduating students. I was asked and requested if I can pass their struggling and confused children so that they can march. I had to painfully say, "No..."
I hear my friends tell me that they love their children so much that they are willing to shield their kids to all the hurt and pain of this world but is that the right way to go? Are we not disabling them?
I had front row seats also to students who were excellent and promising in a year and suddenly do a 180 degree turn towards anonymity. Some "fell in love" and had their hearts broken. Some were simply abused by the people they trusted and then left behind with tears on their eyes. Some, recovered very fast. Some, romantically held on and made a home with their misery as their youthfulness fade away. Lord, do they even know that we only pass this way once?
I was also privy to a number of family struggles. Children of "broken" homes. Children of hurt people continually hurting other people. Some of these students find refuge in their studies. At least, in the classrooms, when you get the right answer, you will be rewarded. When you put the effort, you will reap a harvest of good things. Something that they do not see when two older people tell them that they still love one another but it could not work anymore.
A number of students of this same situation take their lot in life differently. They take it as their excuse to rebel and abuse themselves with alcohol and I do not even want to know anymore. They have so much anger mixed with so much vulnerability that they open themselves to prowling wolves.
But not all are "Maalala mo kaya" stories. Most, are blessings that keep professors forever young or should I say, youthful! = )
They bless you unknowingly with their honest remark, with their unexpected gratitude.
It is very rewarding to have contributed to a life, to a journey of another person. It is very rewarding to have enabled an environment where students could honestly see themselves and awaken in them that hazy... that glimmer... that spirit... that faint sound...that whisper...that side of them that says to them, "you can do better than this..."
I'd like to believe that once learning facilitators have enabled students to see this and be aware of this side of them, what happens next are simply grades.
It even does not matter if they get a 5 or a 3. What matters is that they realize that this grade was important because this was a defining moment in their lives.
Lord, may we always, as learning facilitators, allow our students who gave us the privilege to be part of their lives, define themselves.
With this, the 5 years flew...
cinemalaya
I'm a movie buff.
Right now, I can't wait to see Dark Knight. Been reading all the reviews and it's consistent across the board. From what I read, its a transcendental film. I think I will enjoy confirming that review.
Well, passion transcends everything. Including the actor himself.
Last night, my friends from way-back-teenage years and Beb went to the main theater of the Cultural Center of the Philippines to watch and "critic" Baby Angelo. Actually, it's more proper to say to appreciate the thespian skills of our friend, Jojit Lorenzo. (It was also a pleasant surprise to see and meet Ms Rapunzel Hernandez again. Now, not just a student and a commercial talent but as an actress.)
For all its worth, the film "Baby Angelo" is clean. I mean, the story rolled on smoothly. The shots were utilitarian. Maybe that's the look they were trying to get = )
I know Jojit personally. Maybe that will explain my initial struggle in trying to figure out the character he is playing. All in all, it is the subtle ways of acting that made me appreciate the film from the first frame up to the last. It's the ability to say one thing and mean another. It's the ability to keep a serene front as one holds the vile and strong feelings inside. An interesting way to keep the story's tension.
On another level, it is an amazing time to be in cinema making again in the Philippines. It seems that societal angst that brought out the cinematic gems of 1970s is back.
We are truly creative when we are pushed to the wall. I love these situations. No wonder, this year's Cinemalaya has 77 entries. A fact that confirms a creative time and it also does not hurt that the technology in story telling is becoming accessible, cheaper, to a larger audience.
Societal angst brought about by challenged economy is very good for the creative people = )
Indeed, every situation has a silver lining. And we only see it when we make the effort to look.
"... everything works out for the good..."
Right now, I can't wait to see Dark Knight. Been reading all the reviews and it's consistent across the board. From what I read, its a transcendental film. I think I will enjoy confirming that review.
Well, passion transcends everything. Including the actor himself.
Last night, my friends from way-back-teenage years and Beb went to the main theater of the Cultural Center of the Philippines to watch and "critic" Baby Angelo. Actually, it's more proper to say to appreciate the thespian skills of our friend, Jojit Lorenzo. (It was also a pleasant surprise to see and meet Ms Rapunzel Hernandez again. Now, not just a student and a commercial talent but as an actress.)
For all its worth, the film "Baby Angelo" is clean. I mean, the story rolled on smoothly. The shots were utilitarian. Maybe that's the look they were trying to get = )
I know Jojit personally. Maybe that will explain my initial struggle in trying to figure out the character he is playing. All in all, it is the subtle ways of acting that made me appreciate the film from the first frame up to the last. It's the ability to say one thing and mean another. It's the ability to keep a serene front as one holds the vile and strong feelings inside. An interesting way to keep the story's tension.
On another level, it is an amazing time to be in cinema making again in the Philippines. It seems that societal angst that brought out the cinematic gems of 1970s is back.
We are truly creative when we are pushed to the wall. I love these situations. No wonder, this year's Cinemalaya has 77 entries. A fact that confirms a creative time and it also does not hurt that the technology in story telling is becoming accessible, cheaper, to a larger audience.
Societal angst brought about by challenged economy is very good for the creative people = )
Indeed, every situation has a silver lining. And we only see it when we make the effort to look.
"... everything works out for the good..."
the entrepreneurial cab driver
This one is totally unexpected. I'm glad it was a pleasant one.
I ride cabs and I love chit-chatting with the drivers to see how they see the world behind the wheel. I thought I met them all already. I mean, I've met Mr Pogi (those cab drivers who like to share their prowess with women). I also met Mr AM (those cab drivers who have readily embraced the opinions of AM commentators thus their very angry disposition in life). I also met Mr Sweat (those cab drivers who have unique and totally unforgettable smell). I also have met Mr Hardworking (those cab drivers who would have those nano second naps on the wheel.) I also have met Mr Contract Star (those cab drivers who are opportunistic in a bad way). I also have met Mr Sana Masakyan ko uli itong cab na ito (those cab drivers who simply love their jobs, a blessing to others) But I was wrong. And I'm glad I was wrong.
About two Saturdays ago, I met Mr Entrepreneurial Cab Driver.
I just came from a bank and hailed a cab to go to Imaj in Makati. As I sat in the front seat and as ready myself to stike a conversation, I noticed boxes of brownies placed on top of the emergency hand brakes. That's odd = )
As we spend along, I was surprised when the driver offered if I like to buy some brownies. He said that it was his wife who made it. According to him, his wife learned it from a seminar held in their barangay and he was just being a loving husband and helping the wife help the family during these economically trying times.
I bought the story and I bought a box for 70 pesos. I know that's a bit overpriced for a box of brownies but I'd like to "encourage" him to continue this and I was simply impressed.
From a standpoint of closing a sale, I was a captured audience. The average time commuters spend inside a cab is the holy grail of one-to-one guerrilla marketing.
Personally, I prefer that cab drivers work for their tips and show they deserve some additional money rather than telling me a story about how life is hard and how unfair the governement is and on top of that mag papakonsensya pa by saying, something like "buti pa kayo sir, nakakapag-taxi pa..."
Well, I do understand their predicament that's why in my own little way I give a little on top but I rather hear and see someone try something else, something different, something felt and sincere like Mr Entrepreneurial Cab Driver.
Here's a possibility for those entrepreneurial minds, what if this very economic challenge that we are in today makes us consider ways we never would have bump into when things are easy and rosy.
What if Mr Entrepreneurial Cab Driver is a new channel of distribution for comfort food products?
Think about that.
Lord, thank you for making me meet Mr Entrepreneurial Cab Driver. I was blessed by his courage, his never-give-up attitude.
I ride cabs and I love chit-chatting with the drivers to see how they see the world behind the wheel. I thought I met them all already. I mean, I've met Mr Pogi (those cab drivers who like to share their prowess with women). I also met Mr AM (those cab drivers who have readily embraced the opinions of AM commentators thus their very angry disposition in life). I also met Mr Sweat (those cab drivers who have unique and totally unforgettable smell). I also have met Mr Hardworking (those cab drivers who would have those nano second naps on the wheel.) I also have met Mr Contract Star (those cab drivers who are opportunistic in a bad way). I also have met Mr Sana Masakyan ko uli itong cab na ito (those cab drivers who simply love their jobs, a blessing to others) But I was wrong. And I'm glad I was wrong.
About two Saturdays ago, I met Mr Entrepreneurial Cab Driver.
I just came from a bank and hailed a cab to go to Imaj in Makati. As I sat in the front seat and as ready myself to stike a conversation, I noticed boxes of brownies placed on top of the emergency hand brakes. That's odd = )
As we spend along, I was surprised when the driver offered if I like to buy some brownies. He said that it was his wife who made it. According to him, his wife learned it from a seminar held in their barangay and he was just being a loving husband and helping the wife help the family during these economically trying times.
I bought the story and I bought a box for 70 pesos. I know that's a bit overpriced for a box of brownies but I'd like to "encourage" him to continue this and I was simply impressed.
From a standpoint of closing a sale, I was a captured audience. The average time commuters spend inside a cab is the holy grail of one-to-one guerrilla marketing.
Personally, I prefer that cab drivers work for their tips and show they deserve some additional money rather than telling me a story about how life is hard and how unfair the governement is and on top of that mag papakonsensya pa by saying, something like "buti pa kayo sir, nakakapag-taxi pa..."
Well, I do understand their predicament that's why in my own little way I give a little on top but I rather hear and see someone try something else, something different, something felt and sincere like Mr Entrepreneurial Cab Driver.
Here's a possibility for those entrepreneurial minds, what if this very economic challenge that we are in today makes us consider ways we never would have bump into when things are easy and rosy.
What if Mr Entrepreneurial Cab Driver is a new channel of distribution for comfort food products?
Think about that.
Lord, thank you for making me meet Mr Entrepreneurial Cab Driver. I was blessed by his courage, his never-give-up attitude.
Sunday
551
Beb and I eat out a lot.
Currently, our taste buds is in Italian-mode. For one, tomato-based products is good for the heart. Olive oil, too. Put in some soup to start the course, well, we are unto something.
Twice a month, we seem to be in the mood of trying out a new place but we order some similar stuff and some new ones. You know, just to find out how a place does one dish and eventually know which place serves the best kind of something.
For iced tea, try the bottomless from Rai-Rai Ken :- )
For really great pasta, you should have tasted the Olive Oil Angel Hair Pomodoro in the now closed Alda's. I swear, I can eat that pasta everyday. Well, so much for the walk down taste buds memory lane :- )
But over the past weeks, we were "led" to a really nice place. Serendipity. This place is in Manila. The restaurant is on the second floor of what used to be Ramada Hotel. If you're in the restaurant, you can see the cars and jeepneys passing by Pedro Gil = )
We order what the place consider "Must Trys" and ordered the usual "All Meat" pizza plus a banana shake and a Coke Zero.
As customary, I asked Beb for some alcohol for sanitary purposes and we waited and chatted until the food was served.
The soup came first. I had a seafood in tomato and she had mushroom soup. It was fabulous. Then, the "good for the heart" sandwich came. I loved it. She loved it. And then, the "usual" pizza . It was a pleasant surprise. We ate the food with total abandon until our stomach was full. This one is one of the better dinners we had in a long time.
But here's the best part of this 'gluttonous' adventure, it was only PhP 551 and I will use "only" because we had similar rewarding experiences and it cost us more than that.
Can't wait to go back there and try some other "Must Try". :- )
Lord, thank you for giving the means to enjoy the bounty of Mother Earth.
Currently, our taste buds is in Italian-mode. For one, tomato-based products is good for the heart. Olive oil, too. Put in some soup to start the course, well, we are unto something.
Twice a month, we seem to be in the mood of trying out a new place but we order some similar stuff and some new ones. You know, just to find out how a place does one dish and eventually know which place serves the best kind of something.
For iced tea, try the bottomless from Rai-Rai Ken :- )
For really great pasta, you should have tasted the Olive Oil Angel Hair Pomodoro in the now closed Alda's. I swear, I can eat that pasta everyday. Well, so much for the walk down taste buds memory lane :- )
But over the past weeks, we were "led" to a really nice place. Serendipity. This place is in Manila. The restaurant is on the second floor of what used to be Ramada Hotel. If you're in the restaurant, you can see the cars and jeepneys passing by Pedro Gil = )
We order what the place consider "Must Trys" and ordered the usual "All Meat" pizza plus a banana shake and a Coke Zero.
As customary, I asked Beb for some alcohol for sanitary purposes and we waited and chatted until the food was served.
The soup came first. I had a seafood in tomato and she had mushroom soup. It was fabulous. Then, the "good for the heart" sandwich came. I loved it. She loved it. And then, the "usual" pizza . It was a pleasant surprise. We ate the food with total abandon until our stomach was full. This one is one of the better dinners we had in a long time.
But here's the best part of this 'gluttonous' adventure, it was only PhP 551 and I will use "only" because we had similar rewarding experiences and it cost us more than that.
Can't wait to go back there and try some other "Must Try". :- )
Lord, thank you for giving the means to enjoy the bounty of Mother Earth.
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