BITTER LOSER

Less than 50% of the total registered voters turned out in my village, yet at 4:00 o'clock in the morning the canvassing is not halfway through. I wonder why. 


FLASHBACK. A day before, every streets in our village became unusually busy with suspicious people lurking, some on their foot and mostly on a motorcycle with an endless supply of gasoline trying to complete the final phase of their EVIL plan. On the other side, people trying to prevent these mischievous activities are outnumbered, literally letting them eat the DUST.


I am one of those who still believe that the FILIPINOS still have a big chance of reforming its POLITICAL SYSTEM. I am one of the few believers of the possibility of CLEAN ELECTIONS until today.


I came to realization, that most people here in our village do not want HONEST leaders, they wanted leaders who would think of their PERSONAL GAIN first above anything else. They do not want leaders who has good moral values but those who can give in and join them during their drinking and gambling sessions on the streets. They do not want a leader who can DISCIPLINE and put things in ORDER but still prefers those who tolerate their wrong doings. They do not want leaders who will work WITH them but those who will let them work FOR them. They do not care if they have an absentee leader as long as they can get money from them.


Obviously, I am sad. It is very depressing to know that people prefer two hundred pesos over a good leadership for three years. YOU. Yes you who exhange your vote over a hundred or two pesos, do not blame the government if you will experience RED TAPE in one of your dealings with the barangay. Do you think you will get special treatment because of what you've done? Think twice. They'll never remember your face. Worst, if you'll demand they will be answering you back with: "NABAYRAN NA KA NAMU!". Do not demand for better roads, it is the last thing on their mind. Do not expect to see your leader in his three-year term, he is too busy for you.




If you want a clean and good governance, you should do have done your part. Do not make decisions that you will later regret.


To you whom I share the same sentiment, let us not allow that the corrupt system swallow us. Let us stick to our principle. One or two of our kind can still make that little difference.

“Corruption is authority plus monopoly minus transparency.”

A TEACHER's DAY SPECIAL

This is a collaborative writing of the author and her sister Lavinia for the World Teacher's Day Celebration. 

As we celebrate with the world a meaningful Teachers Day allow me to share with you the life of the greatest teacher I’ve known. He is our teacher and our hero. He is a spiritual and wisdom teacher who taught in parables and proverbs. As a teacher, He called His 12 disciples and gradually prepared them to understand the purpose of His mission. Some came to him enthusiastically while some doubted and questioned His abilities. Amidst all these, he continued his purpose on earth. 

Not like our teachers now a day, Jesus Christ had no advanced degree, no classroom, and not even an academia with formal degree. Technically He doesn’t fit the definition of a teacher. Yet I still consider him as the greatest teacher of all times. Why? One, He himself had been taught. He knew how important it was to listen. Second, He knew how to make things interesting to people. He explained things in a simple and clear way. He took time to teach grownups and even little children even if he was too busy.

They said that “A good teacher is like a candle - it consumes itself to light the way for others”. Most teachers become selfless for their students. I even know of some, who stayed single because of their passion to their profession.

It is about time, to pay tribute to a less appreciated job in the world! As one of Americas most quoted writer William Arthur Lard puts it “Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it”. It is indeed high time to express our THANK YOUS.

To us students, let us remember that there are more presents aside from the flowers and the material things that we give our teachers. Huwag po nating alisin ang ating respeto at paggalang sa kanila. At ang higit na makakapagpasaya sa kanila ay kung makikita nila tayo baling araw na matagumpay sa mga larangang ating tinahak!

Teaching is one of the noblest professions I know. To all the teachers, you did not just give tests but share life’s lessons to us. Not just grading us but guiding us, as we go in and out of the four walls of the classroom. Not only checking our attendance but also giving us time to grow and be the best we can be. Your work didn’t stop from giving us lectures and assignments but it transcends boundaries of ignorance and illiteracy. You added colors in us so we may live our lives to the fullest with great pride and sense of fulfillment. I know you care a lot about us. We are not just your students but you consider us as your own. Someday we’ll be able to bring back the goodness you gave us. And I hope time come that you’ll be proud to say that we are your life’s greatest achievements. 

Together, let us all give around of applause for our unsung HEROES!