An afternoon with Snow White

The forest draws strength from your weakness. 

– Huntsman in Snow White and the Huntsman

Even  a bad movie can give us something to think about. Snow White and the Huntsman is not really that bad, it’s just boring, like “Oh there’s nothing new here. It’s just a subtle mash-up of a bunch of other stories.” I watched the movie with Mani, Eunice, Gerald, Kim and Michelle.

We thought it would relieve stress after that brain-damaging exam from Sir Tikki in Advanced Accounting. But it wasn’t the movie that relieved our stress -- it was us watching the movie together. If I watched the movie alone, I wouldn’t have appreciated it fully. Well, honestly, up to now I still don’t. Haha. But watching the movie with my friends made it worth my while. Our occasional remarks and criticisms of the movie were just funny.

So, if you’re feeling down after an exam which you have prepared for days and still not ace it, MOVE ON! Life doesn’t end there. There’s still another quiz, another exam, another chance. Let’s just do our best every time because chances are limited. Just because we did not do well in an exam doesn’t mean we can't do well in our relationships with our friends and family. Spend time with the people who make your life colorful.

Study Buddy Haide

My Sunday afternoon has never been this academically productive. Thanks to Haidebols! :D

Meet Haide Meru. She’s a great study buddy. Aside from the fact that she is naturally good in academics, she’s really nice and she is willing to lend you a hand in studying. She is smart and so genuine. She’s been through some tough stuff but she never fails to smile and laugh so hard and loud.  Beware, though, because while studying, she might be singing pop songs that are so last year. But she does it in a low volume so it’s not very distracting.

Exams are fast approaching. If you find yourself having a difficult time studying on your own, try doing it with a study buddy. You don’t have to study in big groups because there is high probability of lesser efficiency. But remember, the most effective study habit is that which is paired with the determination to ace the exam. So, whether you do it on your own or with your friends, it ought to help you pass. Yeah, maybe I have to tell myself that as well.

Happy studying friends!

Jesse Robredo

As we commemorate the 29^th death anniversary of Ninoy Aquino, we are once again saddened by the loss of another great Filipino leader in the person of DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo.

Robredo’s advocacy was that of good governance. He initiated the transparency of records of the local government in Naga City where he was mayor for several terms. He roamed the streets in simple slippers, jeans and shirt checking on how Naga City was doing and even helping collect garbage occasionally. Not even his Harvard education raised his ego a bit. He was dear to the people. In fact, he established the “people’s council” of Naga City to allow the people to express their views and be heard. This way, the people felt that they are a part of the progress of Naga City, which I find very commendable.

We salute you Sec. Robredo. Your memory lives – not on the basis of yellow ribbons tied everywhere but on the basis of your good works. No offense meant to the Aquinos and the yellow ribbons but I believe what needs to be remembered in an important date like this is not the yellow ribbon. That is just so Trapo. What needs to be remembered is the martyrdom of Ninoy, the fighting spirit and faith of Cory and the good governance of Jesse Robredo.

The death of these great leaders may be reason for us to mourn but I guess it may also be a way for us to really appreciate their good works. You know how we are: we can’t fully appreciate people and their works until they’re gone. Their works are a symbol of hope for progress for the Philippines. Let’s continue what they have started and keep moving forward.

http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/370498/robredo-s-body-found

Ah la la la Life is Wonderful

Life is a joyous walk home. We can choose to make it brisk and alone or we can choose to share our life with others. Either way, we get home. But what joy is it to take the walk home alone? What delightful story would we tell our Father, then? Wouldn’t it be better if we walked home with a friend and know, at the end of the day, we are all safe at home? It only adds to the joy of walking, the joy of homecoming.

Life is like day. We can choose to make it gloomy or we can choose to make it bright. Either way, it passes. The difference is that while an ordinary day ends, life, if we know just how to live it, never has to end. But what pleasure is there in a gloomy day? Wouldn’t it be wonderful to be a source of sunshine, of positive energy, of inspiration? It only makes the day brighter.

Life. It’s beautiful. I believe the best way to live life is to have it built in Christ.

Life is Wonderful

Isulong ang wikang Filipino!

At dahil buwan ng wika ngayon, naisipan naming magkakaibigang kumanta ng OPM sa covered walk sa loob ng campus.

Ekonomiks lang ang may pasok noong araw na yun at pista pa sa Palo, Leyte. Eh, hindi pumasok si Marsha (yung kaklase naming taga-Palo). Wala raw silang handaan. Pano na lang ang tanghalian namin? Minabuti naming kumain na lang bago pa kami mahimatay sa gutom. 

Tila di pa nakuntento sa pananghalian, naghahangad pa rin kaming may umanyaya sa amin sa kainan sa Palo. Tumambay kami sa covered walk at kumanta nang kumanta ng OPM. Yung kantahang wid peelings. Nilalakasan pag walang dumadaan at hinihinaan kapag mayroon. Sa kasamaang palad, walang dumating na paanyaya. Hanggang sa naisipan naming sumuko na lamang at umuwi. 

Hindi lang pala tunog ng calculator ang alam naming pakinggan. 

Hindi lang pala silid-aklatan ang kaya naming tambayan.

Hindi lang pala sa pista may kasiyahan. (bitter lang)

Pero hindi namin ito mararanasan kung ang ginawa namin noong araw na iyon ay ang pangkaraniwang ginagawa namin sa silid-aklatan tuwing nag-aaral para sa Advanced Accounting. Marami pang dapat maranasan sa buhay. Hindi naman nagtatapos ang lahat sa Accounting. (In English: "There is more to life than Accounting". Haha, di natiis. Isulong ang wikang Filipino!)

Bad day?

Each of us may have our share of rough days -- fights with friends, bad quiz or exam results, bad hair days for girls, guys being rejected by girls (basted), the list goes on. Sometimes, we tend to let these get the best of us and fail to recognize the things that have been going well for the rest of the day. Well, I don't really know about you but that's how I am most of the time. But if you're with me on this, I think it's best to remember that:

The good stuff could come in any form.

A household after a really bad day

We had this household at McDonald's Main. These are not really good shots but what's important is the memory of it. 

I was hesitant to attend this household for reasons I couldn't quite figure out. I'm really glad I ended up attending this household. It made me feel better because after a rough day, I was given the chance to recount the blessings I received for the past few days. And I found out there was plenty to be grateful for.

Receiving a gift on a really busy week

Tin2x gave me this book by Bob Ong a month after my 19th birthday as a present. I wasn't really expecting it. She just inserted it in the bag with the shirt she borrowed from me a long time ago. I received it while I was so busy with the preparations for the JPIA night this year. Amidst all the frenzy, she managed to put a smile on my face which had every reminder of me being haggard. Thanks again Tox. 

I recommend you get hold of this book. It's really nice but you know how Bob Ong does it. His way of writing may not always get the best feedback but the points he draws could really hit you hard. MacArthur tells the story of misunderstood Filipino youth.

A bad day doesn't have to be all bad. There is always something good in every day, in every week, in every life. But it's hard to see with eyes alone. Look with your heart. Then, thank God for such blessings and for a heart that sees beyond what the eyes could see. 

Funny picture

I just can't get over this picture. HAHAHA!

What you say about others tells more about you than it does about them.

That might sound familiar. Here is proof. hahaha... Sometimes, we tend to talk badly about other people behind their backs. But no matter what we say to make them look bad, we always end up looking worse. Take it from me XD

So, every time you think of backstabbing someone, think about this picture. 

Photo courtesy of Kay. I love you Kay :D

Life is simple

Today, I looked at my crush straight in the eye when I passed him by. I didn’t actually smile. I just looked at him and he looked at me too. Haha, why is it so hard to muster a smile? OMG, nagdadalaga na si Gwen.

Late bloomer much? Did you know that kids in elementary school these days already have boyfriends/girlfriends? Everything is speeding up. NO, wait, we’re speeding things up. Whatever happened to childhood?

Well, you know, we can’t simply blame this on the media – TV, Internet, etc. They have freedom and they’d do everything to earn money. What do you expect? Banning that McDo commercial of a little girl asking a little boy for McDo fries won’t really do much.

 I’m not saying that they should launch it again, though. I’m just saying that the media isn’t so bad. In fact, it could be a source of interactive learning – good learning, that is. What needs to be emphasized is parental guidance among children who have access to media.

But here’s the catch: parents are simply too busy these days – working to earn more. Who has time to watch TV with their children? Blah blah blah. It’s been said and written over and over. I wonder if any parent heeded the advice.

I guess I can only sum it all up in six words: 

LIVE A GOOD AND SIMPLE LIFE.

You don’t need to have a mansion to have a good family.

You don’t need a good status to find someone who would truly love you.

You don’t need a high-paying job to be looked up to by your children and friends.

You don’t need rich people surrounding you to find true friends.

You don’t need to go to a luxury resort to find peace.

See? Life is simple.

Sure, we need to work to survive. But let us not lose sight of what is really important in life -- of the key to real happiness. 

"Most of the things we desire are expensive but the truth is: the things that really satisfy us are free: LOVE, JOY, LAUGHTER, and GOOD RELATIONS."

One more thing. Most people may seldom notice it but the truth is that a sustained relationship with God is what we all want and need. Think about it. Know God and experience real joy.