Scumbag On A Mission

I was lazily checking my mail yesterday around 4 pm when my phone rang. It was my Dad, checking to see if i was safe. i didn’t have an inkling
of why until he told me — a bomb exploded in Glorietta 2.

You
might think I’m over-dramatic but my blood ran cold when he told me; I
could barely understand the rest of what he said. after I assured him
that I would stay away from the malls for the next few weeks and hung
up, I quickly looked up more information on news sites and i couldn’t
believe what I was reading: 8 dead, 70 injured (the count eventually
climbed to 9 dead, 119 injured, as of the time of this post).

I was just there 2 days before the explosion. And ironically, I remember
being annoyed at the lazy "security check" that the guards do — they
put a stick in your bag and they don’t even look into it. Sometimes
they even just hit your bag with the stick. I remember thinking: "This
is so useless. If I were a terrorist, this is where I’d put my bomb."

I’ve never been more sorry to be proven right.

I thought: I’m always at that mall. I’m always there alone. It could have been me.

It just got me thinking…you never know when God is going to take you. Those people probably just woke up and said "I think I’ll go to the mall today" and ended up dead, just hours later.

Life is so fragile…live each day like it’s your last.

PS - Pics taken from www.abs-cbn.com

    The primary purpose of a female support system is this: They are there to be what you are to them, when you become the exact same thing that you hate when they are being stupid.

    Every girl needs girl friends. No matter how many male friends you have, nothing will ever compare to the giggle marathons and boy-bashing sessions over chips, dip and fattenning desserts.

10 COMMANDMENTS OF GIRL-FRIENDDOM:

1. Thou shalt not steal a fellow girl friend’s man. (punishable by death, or an eternity of horrible acne and bad breath) Same goes to stealing a cute top from the rack that your girl friend saw first.

2. Thou shalt not let ANY man get between you and any member of your circle.

3. Thou shalt remember to show up for get-togethers. No lame excuses!

4. Thou shalt not willingly let a member of your pack keep on dating a jerk, no matter how gaga in love she is. You need to keep her in perspective. True, she probably won’t listen to you until she comes crying after finding some thongs in her boyfriend’s car, but trust me…the "I-told-you-so" urge passes. And so will her blindness. Usually.

5. Thou shalt not tell your girl friend that she needs to lose weight, unless she really wants serious advice.

6. Thou shalt not take sides against your girl friend, even if she is wrong. Remain neutral and impartial. Take the time, instead, to reason with her.

7. Thou shalt not exasperate your circle by being stupid over a man for too long. Come on, they have their limit, too, you know. A year is quite enough, thanks!

8. Thou shalt make your friend gorgeous and drag her out for a night on the town when she’s depressed. Note: resistance will be great indeed, but she’ll thank you later, when you’ve burned the gray sweats and dressed her in killer heels and a mini.

9. Thou shalt be patient and understanding at all times. You’d hate to be reminded of what an ass you were when it’s your turn to be on the receiving side.

10. Thou shalt give the guy who hurt your friend dirty looks at all times. Leak a story that you’ve hired someone to whack him. You won’t even need to do it. Just scare the stuffing out of the douchebag.

Today’s a day like any other, but something made it special.

On September 23, 2005 (two years ago, today), Raymond Deodato Magkamit Lorenzana decided he couldn’t live without me in his life. (Haha)

It’s the first time a relationship has lasted this long — for either of us. And although things haven’t been perfect, the ride has been so easy. We rarely fight, we get along so well, and we trust and accept each other, imperfections and all.

Eymon (or RL, to a lot of you) is the first boyfriend I’ve had who really gets me. He gets that I’d be happy to receive flowers even though I keep saying I prefer something else. When I use a specific tone to say "Hunnnn…." he automatically goes, "You want Mr. Kabab no?" He knows the difference between me being really mad and me being a brat. He’s the first guy who, in spite of my independence and feminist ideals, still insists on taking care of me, without robbing me of my pride.

We met under slightly…unusual circumstances. We already made a pact that we would only come out in public with our true love story on our wedding day (if and when it happens) because then we could just laugh about it.

When I first met him, I had no idea that this goofy, semi-nerdy and then-skinny guy could make me so happy. We became friends instantly, and eventually it developed into something more. I recall random moments…our first real conversation over pancakes and coffee, that long, philosophical discussion after breakfast at Something Fishy, the first time he held my hand, the sunset on the beach (he obviously reads my blog).

Two years later, and he’s still goofy and nerdy, although no longer skinny. And I love him even more.

My best friend and confidante, my balancing weight. He doesn’t complete me…but he’s the best supplement I could have asked for.

Hun, I don’t know what the future holds for us…but no matter what, whether we end up together forever or not, I want to grow old with you as a big part of my life.

Thanks for everything.

Happy Anniversary!!!

Ranting, ranting.

Everybody knows I hate plastic people. (Seriously, I would respect you a lot more if you just came out and said you didn’t like me rather than smiling through your lying teeth)

But did you know that that isn’t the only way in which I love to hate PLASTIC?

Have you seen what the number one waste problem is in the city? Have you seen how much of this plastic junk is stuck in our drainage openings? Not only is the stuff virtually indestructible for a few hundred years, we can’t even burn it away without polluting the air. As my NATSCI prof said…plastic is one of the greatest (and worst) inventions of man.

Number-one reason…JOLLIBEE.

I mean, come on. I try my best to do my part in keeping plastic use to a minimum, but they INDIVIDUALLY WRAP EVERYTHING! Even when I tell them not to. And then they give me this stare like I have "LUNATIC" stamped on my forehead when I tell them to take my drink out of the little plastic bag that I’m gonna have to carry in my hand anyway. I absolutely do not understand why they have to place the fries inside a bag, then place THAT bag inside ANOTHER bag with my burger. It’s such a waste! And the workers there don’t even understand when I explain I’m trying to save plastic.

Think about how many plastic bags Jollibee churns out each day…and, even worse, they still use styrofoam containers!!! Think about how much garbage that is per day…just because of french fries.

Is it really so hard to use paper bags? Or reusable containers that you can take home? People here just aren’t considerate enough about the environment.

Just something to consider the next time you’re eating at a fast food joint.

PS - RECYCLE!!! You can use plastic bags to line your wastebaskets. Don’t just crumple them up and toss them. Refill your water bottles. Reuse washable plastic containers. And above all, DON’T LITTER! It really doesn’t take a lot of effort, just a little concern for the planet.

PPS - We all learn about this stuff in Elementary school, but for some reason, almost everybody litters. It’s disgusting. I wish I could do what my teachers would do to students caught littering…they’d make ‘em wear a HUGE sign saying "I am a Litterbug." HAHA!

    Don’t get me wrong — I’m all for women being independent, strong, smart, and driven. But there’s one thing I’ll always be old-fashioned about…I will NEVER brazenly put the moves on a man.
    Modern women everywhere will probably roll their eyes at this and say: "Wait for the guy to make the first move? BO-RING!"
    Nevertheless, I still go by the adage taught to me and my cousins at a young age by our aunties…

CHASE HIM UNTIL HE CATCHES YOU.

    Yup. The old playing hard-to-get routine, while moldy-old, is still highly effective. Any man can attest to that. The thrill of the chase still keeps his attention locked in. Be too available, too eager, and yeah, you’ll most likely snag him…but not for long. What you think will become a long-lasting relationship will probably just turn into a fling. It’s just too easy.

    Unfortunately, I’ve noticed a shocking change in the way young girls operate now.

    Here’s what I, as a sixteen-year-old girl, would have seen as "flirting":
    Through SMS –
    Boy: Can I tell you something?
    Girl: Sure, what?
    Boy: I’m thinking about you.
    Girl: Haha, really?
    Boy: Yeah. What about you?
    Girl: Hmmm…secret!

    And here’s a concrete example, as told by a co-worker of mine a couple of years ago, of what her thirteen-year-old niece defined as "flirting":
    Girl: Hey, do you have abs?
    Boy: Yeah.
    Girl: Can I see them?
    (Boy lifts shirt)
    Girl: Nice. Can I touch them?
    (Girl touches boy’s bare abs. The rest is history)

    Isn’t it sad? When did our culture become so Americanized that children as young as this can be so brazen?
    No wonder we live in a world where Hip-Hop artists throw the exploitation of women right in our faces. No wonder we see videos on MTV that depict scantily-clad girls being led around on leashes. Even the next generation is growing up with a warped sense of decency and self-respect.

    Girls, respect yourselves. There’s nothing wrong with being coy, mysterious, and seemingly UNATTAINABLE. It’s not being a prude. Wait and see…men will respect you for it, too.
    Men who want it easy are bad news. It’s the REAL ones who stick around even after a long run. When it’s the right time, it’s a good man who will catch you.

A popular Christian book on dating by Joshua Harris called I Kissed Dating Goodbye hit the shelves years ago, and, as expected, it was a huge controversy.

Many non-believers posed the question: How are we supposed to find the man/woman of our dreams if we don’t date?

Joshua Harris was adept at explaining the sanctity of marriage, of keeping ourselves pure and holy in the Lord’s sight, and of waiting for God to appoint the time when He reveals the ONE that He’s created for you. I found myself enraptured by his beautiful stories of first kisses at the altar, finding the love of his life while remaining a virgin, etc.

I must say, for a time, I bought it all. But coming across many experiences and heart-wrenching stories I’ve heard from people of all walks of life, I found myself disagreeing with some parts.

OK, while I find myself rebutting some of the statements made in the book, I would like to state that I am not saying Joshua was wrong in his sentiments and in his intent to urge Christian singles into leading lives of righteousness. I just think that the world’s social standards have understandably shaped a few of his ideas.

But I digress, in a largely non-Christian world, some of the statements can be extremely dangerous.

For example, in one of the chapters, Joshua shares a dream that he once had. He had a vision of himself at the altar, and his bride comes down the aisle. After she takes her place beside him, several other girls walk down the aisle and stand at his other side. The bride asks him what the meaning of it was, and his dream-self said, "These are all the girls I’ve dated in the past. I used to be in love with them, but I love you now. I gave them a part of me, you can have whatever is left." (or something to that effect)

OK, from a very objective point of view, here’s what idea forms in the mind of a young person: I AM DAMAGED GOODS IF I’VE DATED SOMEONE BEFORE MY FUTURE SPOUSE.

Will this stop the young person from dating? Of course not.

Will it make him/her think that he/she has to stay with her partner even if they’re not right for each other just so they won’t become DAMAGED GOODS? YES!!!

And this mindset is the exact same reason why there are so many girls WHO STAY IN BAD RELATIONSHIPS. I know what defenders of the book will say — if you had exercised better judgment in the first place…an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, etc. The fact of the matter is, PEOPLE WILL DATE. That’s what humans do, we want to experience things for themselves, whether you accept it or not. Only a very small minority will actually have the capacity to abstain from it. And instilling that idea that they’re taking something away from their future spouse by dating beforehand is absurd, and will make them feel like they have to marry the first person they ever go out with.

What kind of guy would feel cheated and judge you for the single reason that you’ve dated before? I’ll tell you — a possessive, insecure guy. A guy I would never date, and much less consider marrying.

Same reason why girls cling to the men they lost their virginity to…they are afraid of the social stigma that comes with being "impure" on their wedding night. For crying out loud, past is past! Isn’t that what the message of salvation is? That once you’ve been forgiven, all your past transgressions will be washed white as snow? Why is it that people still pass judgment on girls who aren’t virgins? (They don’t quite show the same for men, but that’s another rant for another day)

I’ll be frank. I naively lost my virginity to a man whom I thought I would marry and ended up hurting me more than anyone ever has. And even though his infidelity and dishonesty had become known to me, that whole "You’re dirty because a man has touched you, and now nobody else will want you" made me cling to and run after him. I kept going after him even though he was no good for me because I didn’t want to be DAMAGED GOODS.

It took me a long time to realize that my worth has not diminished in the least because of what I’d done with this man in the past. I’m still the same person. And now I’ve gained the experience and wisdom to intercede for women who go through the same thing. I always tell them, "Don’t ever think you’re worthless. A man who holds the past against you DOES NOT DESERVE YOU."

I don’t regret anything in my life. God allows all things to happen for a reason, and it will all work together for good. My boyfriend accepted me, past and all, and loves me for everything I am and was. My tortured experiences led me to become mature and to grow in wisdom, which has made me a better partner for him. I thank God every day for leading me out of the darkness. No regrets.

Let’s stop being prejudiced about people based on their relationship status or the number of exes they’ve had. Instead, let’s encourage each other to build and nurture our relationship with Christ so that everyone can see for themselves the holiness that God requires. Leave judgment up to the Lord; we, in our individual imperfections, have no right to do otherwise.

Now that I’m 23. people have started asking me when I’m going to get married, and I always answer…when I’m 30, I’ll think about it.

That answer always precedes arched eyebrows and a huge "THIRTY?!? BUT WHY?!"

Let’s face it, I am at the age where people are starting to get married, just because. Not due to some unforeseen event that would be deemed by some to be shameful outside the bonds of marriage.

A few friends from high school and college have been proudly displaying their glittering diamonds, engagement announcements and wedding pictures on their profile pages. Their faces are so bright and expectant, blissfully awaiting the joint life that they are about to have with their respective partners.

Or are they?

And that, people, is why I am jealous.

Yes, I’m jealous. Not of the fact that they are getting married, but the fact that they have the capability to make that decision. That they can just say, to hell with it all, I love you, you love me, and we want to spend the rest of our lives together.

When is it that you realize the person you’re with is THE ONE? How do you choose among the billions of people on Earth the one person you’re meant to be with? How can you just dive into a life-altering decision with a huge smile on your face? Don’t you know that this is the person you will be arguing over wallpaper patterns and curfews with? Don’t you realize that you will be raising a child with this person? Will they be a good parent? Will they love you when you’re old and fat? Will they stick around through the bad times?

I just can’t imagine making such a decision this early in my life…I just can’t. I’m too afraid of making the wrong one.

Not that anyone has asked me, OK?! But I just wonder, when the time comes…will I be able to battle that fear and just…let go?

I wish I could be as carefree as I was when I first fell in love, before all the hurt, before the real world was revealed to me, forever destroying the beautiful facade that I had built for myself as a child about what love is. But that’s the price to pay for wisdom and experience. Loss of a fantasy.

I wish I could just fall backward onto a blue towel on the grass like in that old Nestea commercial, knowing full well that I could smash straight onto the hard ground, battered and bruised.

If only I could be certain that that blue towel would turn into a sparkling pool of water to envelope me as I fell. Will I ever, ever feel that way?

I am appalled that the aptly named Manila Standard Today has not issued a
single apology for the remarks of its writer, Malu Fernandez. If such
views have indeed become the standards of Manila, we’re in deep doo-doo.

Elitists like Malu Fernandez who think that their blatant show of
intolerance for their perceived "lower classes" are just an expression
of their "acerbic wit" are the reason for the growing gap between the
poor and the rich. There is no more compassion.

She, who has probably been sitting pretty all her life, has the nerve
to make snide remarks about friendly OFWs who were just being
hospitable on the plane. She, who even deigned to say that economy
class was beneath her, while travelling IN economy class, just shows
what bigots priveleged people can be.

Vicious put-downs about hard-working women trying to make a better life
for their families IS NOT WITTY. It is not even remotely funny.

Unfortunately, I’ve noticed that even the middle-class citizens in the
country look down on their family helpers. I cringe every time I hear a
guy comment about a homely girl: "She looks like a helper! Day off ba
nya ngayon?"

It is bigotry people. Don’t be a part of it. Join the fight.

To read the original article, click here.
To read more about the boycott, click here.

    First and foremost, I’d like to make something clear: I am a Christian. I love Jesus. I’ve been saved by grace through faith in Him alone. I’ve accepted that unworthy as I am, He died to pay the price of my sin, and that no amount of my works can bring me eternal life.

    Now that I’ve made that clear, I’d like to ask this question: Does this mean that if I read and endorse Harry Potter books, I will be condemned to hell?

    I came across this article that lashed out at the Harry Potter series, stated that it is of the devil, and that Christians who think that it is harmless are stupid.

    OK, here are my two thoughts on it: one, I am not saying that Harry Potter is completely harmless, and two, I am not saying that it is completely evil either. I do not agree with the article that states Harry Potter promotes Christian values, and I dont agree that "Harry Potter is evil and we should
not endorse such wickedness."

    On point number one, I know that J.K. Rowling’s work has had a profound effect on children, mainly because they become so enthralled by witchcraft at a very young age. Wicca has indeed become more and more popular in recent years than ever before.

    I DON’T agree that the Harry Potter series is for kids. And not just because of the witchcraft, but because of the slight violence and teenaged themes, that should not be exposed to children. I think it should be a PG-13 book, and that parents should talk to their kids before, during and after they read it, to monitor their thoughts on the subject. Just like any PG-13 movie, right?

    Think about it…does this mean then that all Christian dads should stop watching those brainless action flicks with mindless killing and bold karate moves for fear that they should become violent? I’m sure they’d love to hear that. How about soap operas? Should Christian moms stop watching them to prevent them from being unfaithful and running around with their husbands’ brothers’?

    And also, on the note of magic and witchcraft, should we then not watch films like Wizard of Oz, Beauty and the Beast, Kazaam, Barbie and the Magic of the Rainbow, or let kids watch Dora the Explorer because she has a magic map or tell kids about Santa Claus and the tooth fairy? Can’t kids read the beautiful books of Enid Blyton or The Little Prince anymore because they are full of stories of magic and enchantment? Even C.S. Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia had magic in it, and C.S. Lewis was a Christian!

    If you say that real Christians should avoid all of the above, then I respect your beliefs. But I pray that just because you feel that you would be tempted by such things, you won’t just go ahead and judge others. We all have our different ways of fleeing temptation. There are some who are tempted by food, by the flesh, by money. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t nibble on chocolate once in a while, or smile at a pretty girl, or feel blessed when you receive your salary.

    Harry Potter, for me, is just what it is…a fun piece of fiction. I admit it, I love the books. They are an enjoyable experience, almost like being a kid again in a land full of nonsense and, yes, magic. Isn’t that what being a kid is all about? If these people who are so quick to judge even bothered to read one of the books, they would see that the protagonists don’t even perform spells that in any way resemble real witchcraft…they wave wands and say magic words, ride broomsticks and eat Chocolate Frogs and pumpkin juice. They do not cut themselves for blood and disembowel cats — the antagonists do those horrible things.

    I do not enjoy Harry Potter "for fear of persecution." I do not read it because I am "unholy" and that I want to dabble in the dark arts.   

    "There is NOTHING "holy" about Harry
Potter.  Holiness is "moral perfection."  Though we cannot live
perfect at all times (because we are human beings prone to disobedience and
anger), we are commanded by God to try to live righteously."

    Did it make my mother evil to give me those Enid Blyton books, which were my favorites as a kid, then? There’s nothing holy about those. There’s nothing holy about My Little Pony and Sesame Street either. Seriously, in my opinion, they’re making too big of a deal about it.

    Christians…I agree, holiness IS moral perfection. Guide your kids, let them grow in the Word of God so that they will know what is good and righteous in His eyes, and that they will not be swayed by the ways of the world. Your kids will always, always be exposed to things that are not of God. Your role is to encourage them to have a relationship with Jesus Christ, to grow in love with Him.

    All other things are secondary. Some things, even irrelevant.

    My reading Harry Potter does not affect my love of Christ in any way. To this day, I am still forever grateful for the grace that set me free.

    I am himantayon.
    I’m nosy and pakialamera.
    In short, I am a Friendstalker.

    I get a sick fascination from finding out what’s happening in other people’s lives. I spy on some people more often than others, depending on interest level.
   I’m not ashamed of it.

     I take a peek at almost every person in my friends list once a month, just to keep tabs on everybody. I’m usually pretty up-to-date with everybody who keeps their profiles up-to-date. I read every single survey bulletin with morbid curiosity. I now and then sneak a look at the dramas plastered across blog pages, eyes poring over the anguished words about betrayal and despair.

    It’s not merely fascination of the people themselves that keeps me in the habit. It’s the wonder I feel at life itself, how time changes paths, how it shapes people.
    I see an old classmate who used to be overweight and is now a sex kitten. I see the "guy who’d never amount to anything" now busy in medical school. I see the heartbroken girl who can’t seem to learn her lesson in men, as well as the jaded woman who loved and lost. I see the blissfully married couples, the strength in the single mothers, the sparkle in the eyes of those who have left the country. I see old friendships kept going, new friendships formed. I see families broken and children born. Family trips, beach outings, beautiful party dresses, goofy faces made with best friends.

    I knew all these people at some point in my life. And so many things have changed, so many things have stayed the same.

    That’s what it’s all about, right?

  Life.