Hunger Games

(This one's raw. Forgive me for my writing.)

I'm happy God does not rule over our lives the same way Seneca did over the lives of the Tributes. 

Seneca wanted to see them kill each other.  God wants us to live harmoniously and love one another. 

Seneca wanted to control the tributes. God gave us the gift of choice and willpower. 

Life is no hunger games. Unfortunately, the world has become one big arena without us noticing it. We are so full of ourselves that we only want to end up being the victor through our own efforts -- even hurting other people and pulling each other down. We tend to forget that the evil one only wants to put up a good show by turning us against each other. We forget the innate goodness of our hearts. 

Life is a precious gift meant for us to keep and share with other people. It is not just a show. It flows according to how we choose to live it. But the odds are according to how God wills it. May the odds be ever  in your favor.

Hey, check out Alexander Ludwig (Cato) and Liam Hemsworth (Gale). Handsome, eh?

Two points

I was humbled by the result of our midterm exam in Advanced Accounting. I prepared well for it and I asked God’s blessing for it. My classmates and I knew it was the type of exam we really have to prepare for. I did my best during the exam but my best was two points away from passing. It was just devastating for me.

 I realized, though, that if I humbly asked for God’s help, then I have to be just as humble to accept whatever it is that He will give me. I don’t have to rebel against His will. I have to believe that there is a purpose for it.

Now that I think about it, I realized that it has been quite some time when I prayed for God’s will to be done. I was always asking for whatever I wanted.

I know now what Tim LaHaye meant when he wrote that being filled by the Holy Spirit is not a one-time event; we have to ask God everyday under any circumstance that we be filled with His Spirit. Right now, I need to ask for the Holy Spirit’s gift of meekness for me to be able to humbly accept the result of this exam.

I don’t have to wallow in depression and ruin the rest of the semester. I don’t have to feel bad about it because I did my best. I don’t have to feel good about it, either. I just have to be humble enough to accept it. Seriously, I’m tired of crying; time to move on.

Blue Moon

It’s a Blue Moon!

Blue Moon is a phenomenon wherein we experience two full moons in one month. It happens only once every three years, thus, the word ‘blue’ meaning rare.

The moon was shining bright, alright. But what could have been a beautiful night turned out to be one experience which could not be easily forgotten by anyone.

As UPians flocked to witness two events simultaneously held that night, a huge earthquake disrupted the night’s entertainment. It lasted long enough to scare people away and drive them out of the buildings. The 7.9 magnitude quake’s epicenter was in Eastern Samar and it was too strong that it reached my hometown in Mindanao. Tsunami alert levels were raised in Eastern Visayas and parts of Mindanao. My family back home already left for evacuation along with many of our fellowmen.

Meanwhile, in downtown Tacloban City, darkness reigned as power was still out. My housemates and I were told to prepare emergency things including blankets, clothes, flashlights, food and other valuables. So we did. We prayed and I know many other people out there did the same. We stayed up until electricity came back and the alert levels were lifted. Before going to sleep, we were warned of a possible aftershock, but as (kind of) expected, it did not come. There have been a number of Tsunami warnings in the past and, thankfully, it all came to pass without an actual Tsunami.

So, I guess, it is a reminder for all of us that sometimes a quake is just a quake. Maybe someday we’ll look back at this night and realize how little faith we have when we panicked instead of praying or how selfish we were when we prayed only for the safety of our loved ones and ourselves.

I hope we don’t flood heaven with prayers only once in a blue moon because every day we’re alive is reason enough to call on to God, thank Him for the gift of life and ask for His constant guidance.

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