300

Shot almost entirely indoors, the Zack Snyder’s film adaptation of Frank Miller’s graphic novel “300” brings memory of “Sin City”, the Quentin Tarantino (well, alongside Frank Miller and Robert Rodriguez) film adaptation of the graphic novel of the same; hip and visually remarkable. Artistic in its noir-ish quality, it’s truly a visual feast for the eyes. Fighting scenes are superb making all other action/war movies look like girls’ catfights (now that’s sexist). Never has an epic war movie been this violent, brutal, enthralling and eye-popping.

Yes it lacks character depth yet that’s something not expected of a movie like this anyway. This testosterone-charged flick gets you off your seats in intense excitement. Kickass fighting, fighting and more fighting is what this movie is all about. Though it may offer not much story to tell, its spectacle deserves awe and appreciation.

Based on fictionalized history, this ballsy film accounts the glorious and tragic battles of the 300 Spartans led by King Leonidas in the point of view of the Spartan soldier, Dilios, during the time Persian King Xerxes demands tribute and submission of all kingdoms. A Persian messenger heads to Sparta to relay the message. Outraged, Leonidas kicks the messenger down into the chasm alongside his men. Anticipating retaliation from Persia, Leonidas devices a battle plan he introduces to the priests who in turn consult the Oracle about it. The Oracle disapproves of the march against Persia but Leonidas dismisses this and prepares his men even without the council’s sanction. Thus marking the start of the many battles the nervy Spartans won mostly. Impressed by the Spartans’ victories by far, Xerxes approaches Leonidas personally promising affluence and power if only Leonidas will surrender. At home, Leonidas’ wife, Queen Gorgo, gathers support for Sparta to send reinforcements.

Violence here is massive in the stylized battles. Heads, limbs cut off, bodies pierced by spears and raining arrows and blood squirting immeasurably are all shown unrestrictedly and excessively as if it won’t be at the mercy of censorship.

Spartans here are depicted as the perfect warriors being very well-trained, fierce and fearless taught never to retreat or to surrender and dyed-in-the-wool to combat.

Growing up, Frank Miller first came across the Spartans when he saw the film “300 Spartans”. His subsequent research brought him to the clashes between Xerxes and the Greeks. His graphic novel “300” is mainly about the Battle of Thermopylae adorned with fictitious events and creatures/characters. The Persian King Xerxes is interestingly portrayed as an obscure individual with streamlined eye brows, longer nails, even wearing make-up different from what History books make us picture him.

The movie, more than just a battle, talks about sacrifice. Leonidas and his men are on a suicide mission. Knowing his 300 men can’t overthrow the Persian army, he still presses on knowing they will achieve something. Something that will soon unite and ignite the whole country.

The movie is also about giving the audience the chance to experience something different—the battles, the landscape, the feel. I don’t know how much of the film has been faithful to Miller’s “300” but the film looks handsome a compilation of meticulously accomplished images joined together to create a film.

Reminiscent of “Sin City,” this film with its excessive, never-before-seen, exquisite violence, aside from its noir-ish look, ear-breaching musical score and vainglorious, kick-ass turns of phrase, is a must-see. Daym yeah!

Thank you Lord

Even though I clutch my blanket and growl when the alarm rings, thank you, Lord, that I can hear. There are many who are deaf.

Even though I keep my eyes closed against the morning light as long as possible, thank you, Lord, that I can see. Many are blind.

Even though I huddle in my bed and put off rising, thank you, Lord, that I have the strength to rise. There are many who are bedridden.

Even though the first hour of my day is hectic, when socks are lost, toast is burned, tempers are short, and my siblings are so loud, thank you, Lord, for my family. There are many who are lonely.

Even though our breakfast table never looks like the pictures in magazine and the menu is at times unbalanced, thank you, Lord, for the food we have. There are many who are hungry.

Even though the routine of my job often is monotonous, thank you, Lord, for the opportunity to work. There are many who have no job.

Even though I grumble and bemoan my fate from day to day and wish my circumstances were not so modest, thank you, Lord, for life.

Amen.

Turning Point

You’re off the hook.

I’ve never really put much faith in all that “if you love someone, set them free” crap, as evidenced by everything I’ve done in my life up to this very moment, but I am determined to be happy.

Happy in this life.

And I love you. I mean, I always –--- I have always, always loved you.

But our timing has just never been right. And the way I figure it, time is no man’s friend.

So I have to get right with that and be happy now.

Because this is it.

I mean, this is all that we get...

I also want for you to be happy. It’s really important for me that you be happy. I want you to be with someone who can be a part of the life that you want for yourself.

I want you to be with someone who makes you feel like I feel when I’m with you.

So I guess the point to this long, run on sentence that’s been the last ten years of our lives... is just that the simple act of being in love with you is enough for me.

PGH SCANDAL

ACTUAL SENTENCES FOUND IN PATIENT'S MEDICAL CHARTS at PGH:

1. Patient has chest pain if she lies on her left side for over a year.

2. On the second day the knee was better, and on the third day it disappeared.

3. She has no rigors or shaking chills, but her husband states she was very hot in bed last night.

4. The patient is tearful and crying constantly. She also appears to be depressed.

5. The patient has been depressed since she began seeing me in 1993.

6. Discharge status: Alive but without permission.

7. The patient refused autopsy.

8. The patient has no previous history of suicides.

9. She is numb from her toes down.

10. While in ER, she was examined, X-rated and sent home.

11. The skin was moist and dry.

12. Occasional, constant, infrequent headaches.

13. Patient was alert and unresponsive.

14. Rectal examination revealed a normal size thyroid.

15. She stated that she had been constipated for most of her life, until she got a divorce.

16. The lab test indicated abnormal lover function.

17. The patient was to have a bowel resection. However, he took a job as a stockbroker instead.

18. Skin: somewhat pale but present.

19. Patient has two teenage children, but no other abnormalities.

*******

Sa PGH, may tinatawag na Central Block. Nandoon ang Radiology Department kung saan ginagawa ang mga X-rays, Ultrasound, CT Scan at Radiotherapy. Dito ko naobserbahan ang evolution ng mga pinoy medical terms. May mga pasyente o bantay na aking nasasalubong, ang madalas magtanong ng direksyon.

Mga Versions ng CT Scan:

1. "Dok saan po ba ang Siete Scan?"

2. "Doc saan po ba magpapa-CT Skull"

3. "Doc saan po ba CT Scalp"

4. "Doc saan po ang CT Scam?"

**********

Madalas akong mapagtanungan ng direction papunta sa Cobalt Room.

"Doc saan po ba ang Cobal" Yes, laging walang T.

Marami ang gumagamit sa term na Cobal. Saan napunta ang "T". Marami din kasing nagtatanong,

"Doc, saan po ba ang papuntang X-Tray?"

Conclusion: Ang "T" ng Cobalt, ay napunta sa X-Tray.

*********

7:00 am. Nagbigay ang kasamahan kong doktor ng Instruction sa bantay ng pasyente, "Mister, punta po kayo sa Central Block at magpa-schedule kayo ng X-ray ng pasyente ninyo."

3:00 pm.

Kadarating lang ng bantay.

Nagalit na ang Doktor, "Mister, bakit naming napakatagal ninyong bumalik?

Pina-schedule ko lang naman ang X-ray ah."

Sumagot ang bantay, "Eh kasi po Doc, ang tagal kong naghintay sa gate, haggang sabihin ng guwardiya na sarado daw po ang Central Bank kasi Sabado ngayon." (Nasa Roxas Blvd ang Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, at sarado nga naman yon kapag Sabado)!

***********

Nang mag-rotate ako as intern sa Pediatrics ng PGH, mahal na mahal talaga ng mga nanay ang kanilang mga anak na may sakit. Pilit nilang tinatandaan ang mga gamot at tawag sa sakit ng kanilang anak.

Doktor: "Mrs. ano po ang mga gamot na iniinom ng anak niyo?"

Mrs 1 : "Doc phenobarbiedoll po."

Doktor: "Ah baka po phenobarbital. " (Gamot sa convulsion ang phenobarbital)

**********

Doktor: "Mrs. ano po ba ang antibiotic na iniinom ng anak ninyo?"

Mrs 2: "Doc metromanilazole po."

Doktor: "Ah baka po metronidazole. " (Gamot sa amoeba ang metronidazole)

************

Ang tawag sa recovery room ng PGH ay PACU (Post-Anesthesia Care Unit)

Doktor: "Mrs., tapos na po ang operasyong ng anak ninyo, punta na Po kayo sa PACU.

Mrs 3: "Eh Doc, saan po sa Paco? Sa may simbahan po ba o sa may palengke?

***********

Doktor: "Mrs. ano po ba ang sinabi ng dating doktor kung ano daw ang sakit ng inyong anak?"

Mrs 4: "Eh Doc sabi po niya Tragedy of Fallot.

Doktor: "Ah baka po Tetralogy of Fallot (Isang Congenital Heart Disease ang Tetralogy of Fallot)

************

Biglang nagtatarang ang isang nanay at sumigaw. Mrs: "Scissors! Scissors! Nag-sciscissors ang anak ko, Doc!"

Doktor: "Nurse, diazepam please, nag-seizure ang pasyente!"

*************

Doktor: "Mrs. ano daw po ba ang sakit ng anak ninyo?"

Mrs. 6 : May ketong daw po.

In-examine ng doktor ang balat ng pasyente. Wala siyang makitang senyales ng ketong. Tumawag pa siya ng isang Dermatologist para mag-examine nang husto. Wala talaga.

Doktor: "Mrs. sigurado po ba kayong ketong ang Sakit ng bata?"

Mrs : "Eh iyon po ang sabi ng doktor niya dati. Mataas daw po ang

ketong sa ihi dahil may diabetes."

Doktor: "Ah ketone po yon! (Ang positive ketone sa Ihi ay senyales ng kumplikasyon ng diabetes.)

**************

Doktor: (Sa buntis na mrs. na nagle-labor)

"Mrs.pumutok na po ba ang panubigan mo?"

Mrs:"Eh Doc, wala naman po akong narinig na pagsabog." (Hanep!)

My Little Walled Heart

I built walls around myself, tight, closed in walls, so it's like a real small room.

And I put in a door to my small room that I lived in. And every now and then I allowed someone to come in and stay for a time.

Once I let them come in it meant that they had a piece of my heart. That for that time I cared for them and loved them.

During that time they had the power to make me happy and they had the power to make me sad. But, after a while, I would make them leave my small room. And once they exited they were gone. They no longer held their power to bring me joy and they no longer had the power to sadden me.

It was done.

Complete.

Of course I allowed some to simply stay. They came and they didn't leave. I didn't want them too. I enjoyed having them in my little walled in heart and I wanted them to stay. These people made things good for me. They added to me. And I cared for them. They brought me laughter and tears. They fill in the walls around my heart with happiness and love.

I want them there. I want them in my heart for always.

I care about these people so very much and I know I always will.

Marvin Analyzed

Where my soul originated:

You come from the Ocean. You've always been drawn to the sea, the sound of the waves, the crystal blue water, near the sea is where you belong.

Marvin, definition: The Progressive, Unconventional, Determined Freedom Fighter

While the name Marvin creates the urge to be creative and original, we emphasize that it causes a restless intensity that defies relaxation.

This name, when combined with the last name, can frustrate happiness, contentment, and success, as well as cause health weaknesses in the solar plexus, and tension or accidents to the head.

Your first name of Marvin has given you a quick, analytical mind…

You are creative, versatile, and imaginative. However, independence, positivity and the urge for action and progress are such strong forces in your nature that you find it difficult to control them.

You feel happy as long as headway is being made, but as soon as you are obstructed or your individuality and freedom of action are restricted, you experience an intense nervous reaction.

Moods of depression can result during which you become sarcastic and stubborn in your attitude toward everyone, especially to those in closest association with you.

This is a name that produces a great deal of emotional adrenaline and hyperactivity. It may not be appropriate for a naturally restless individual.

Health: D
Financial Potential: A
Professional/Job Success: A
Relationship/Compatibility: D
Charisma/Sex Appeal: B+
Communication Ability: B-

The influence is primarily masculine whether this name is used for a female or male.

Gump & Company, Forrest Gump sequel?

It worked for 1976 Best Picture winner Rocky, so who knows? Maybe a sequel to the 1994 Oscar champ isn't such a crazy idea after all.

Forrest Gump may help illuminate more of 20th Century history. DarkHorizons.com reports producers Steve Tisch and Wendy Finerman are reconsidering the script for Gump & Company, a sequel to Forrest Gump.

The script was written six years ago by Eric Roth, but ended up on the shelf, while Forrest Gump's creator, novelist Wilson Groom, worked out disputes over royalties from the original film adaptation. Now that the issue is settled, Gump may run again.

The storyline is set to pick up several years after the end of the first film. Gump's shrimp fishery has gone out of business, and Forrest will be an unemployed single father who somehow manages to be at the center of the most important historical events, this time of the 80's and 90s. Apparently the storyline even has him meeting an actor by the name of Tom Hanks.

Hanks and Gary Sinese are part of the planning, but no decisions have been made as to whether the sequel will be made, and if it is, who will star.

Waiting in vain

So it's been a little over 3 months now since that fateful day where my life turned upside down and that which I held as a constant suddenly became far too unsteady. Though I try to mask my uncertainty in a veil of confidence, at times like these, I can't help but wonder where I go from here.

If three weeks ago you had held up to me the freedom I now have, I would have very seriously considered grasping at it. And yet now here I am such a short time later with the very thing I used to desire, and all the feelings I once had have vanished. Freedom is no good when the desire to use it is lost.

I struggle with where I'm supposed to head from here. I want a monogamous relationship with someone, and nothing is holding me back from it, but yet any relationship I get into will surely be unable to escape the fact that I don't want another boyfriend. In my heart there is room for but one boy, and though he has chosen to vacate at present his place remains.

In a way everything has changed, and yet nothing has changed. Protocol no longer binds me, but my heart refuses to move on.

If I were assured the fortune of my wait, I would endure it joyfully. I am confident, yet insecure. I want that which I had, and yet I have no way to assure myself that it is something I can reacquire. What if it isn't, and I spend my time here in vain, waiting patiently for that which will never be mine?

I hate not knowing. I hate not being able to reach out and affect the situation. I hate that nothing will change for months. I hate not being able to just sit down with him, and let his confusion and insecurity drain away. I hate the separation. I hate not being able to think, "That boy loves me, and one day he's going to marry me."

What is it that says things have to be this way? Is the situation really so dire that being apart is the only course of action? Why can't we work through this together, helping each other and supporting each other as we grow and change? Change is not something to be scared of; it's something to embrace. Of course we'll change, and be much better as a result. Was our relationship so tenuous that it could only survive if we had stayed exactly as we were?

Where do I go from here? Do I hold out in my confidence, sure that what we had is what I really believed it to be? Do I move on? Can the two mix? Is it possible to move on while holding out? What would that be? How could I possibly embrace one person while in my heart holding a spot for another? How is that fair to any party involved?

In my insecurity I find solace in facts. Fact: I am in love with an amazing boy. Fact: I believe we're meant to be together. Fact: I believe that despite his confusion he'll be able to find nothing to compare with what we had.

Time progresses. People change. Situations change. Confidence waivers. Only my feelings remain.

They will remain forever.

My Local Celebrity look-alike

My Celebrity look-alikes

Strangers in the Background

Have you ever look at a picture of yourself and see a stranger in the background?

Looking at this picture with my friend Mitch (taken at 6780 building, parking lot) made me wonder how many strangers have pictures of me...

How many moments of other people's lives we've been in...

Were we a part of a stranger's life when their dreams came true? Or were we there when their dreams died?

Did we keep trying to get in --- as if we were destined to be there? Or did the shot take us by surprise?

Just think, you, me, we could all be a big part of someone else's life and not even know it.

Makes me think...

Walt Disney's First Black Princess

The Walt Disney Co. has started production on an animated musical fairy tale called "The Frog Princess," which will be set in New Orleans and feature the Walt Disney Studio's first black princess.

The company unveiled the plans Thursday at its annual shareholders' meeting in New Orleans.

John Lasseter, chief creative officer for Disney and the Disney-owned unit Pixar Animation Studios, said the movie would return to the classic hand-drawn animation process, instead of using computer animation that has become the industry standard. He called the film "an American fairy tale."

"The film's New Orleans setting and strong princess character give the film lots of excitement and texture," Walt Disney Studios Chairman Dick Cook said.

The movie will be scored by Randy Newman, who also wrote the music for Disney's "Toy Story," "A Bug's Life" "Toy Story 2," "Monsters, Inc." and "Cars."

Newman performed a song from the score for the shareholders.

John Musker and Ron Clements, who co-directed "The Little Mermaid" "Aladdin," and "Hercules" will co-direct the movie. The pair also wrote the story for the film.

Disney said its new animated princess Maddy will be added to its collection of animated princesses used at the company's theme parks and on consumer products.

Know Me More

1. Would you marry for money?
--> No. I have lots of money. I need love. And love is something money can’t buy.

2.Have you had braces?
--> Nope. I have great teeth. Hehehe.

3.Could you live without a computer?
--> hell yes. It’s not a necessity.

4.If you could live in any past time period where would it be?
--> dark ages. sooo romantic. and so dead.

5. Do you drink enough water?
--> yep. The body is made up of 70% of water and I make sure I sustain my body with it.

6.Do you wear shoes in the house or take them off?
--> barefoot. aaaah the cold marble floor.

7.What are your favorite fruits?
--> apples and strawberries

8.What is your favorite place to visit?
--> The Church

9. Are you photogenic?
--> yes. Sometimes I wish I could be a photo for a day so I could frame myself up in the museum. hahaha

10. Do you dream in color or black and white?
--> damn confusing vivid colors.

11.Why do you take surveys?
--> well, I want people to know me. kahit bits of info lang.

12.Do you drink alcohol?
--> Everybody does.

13. What is the most beautiful language?
--> Language of the heart.

14. Do you like being kissed when you are asleep?
--> NO. I prefer to fight back.

15. Do you like sunrises or sunsets the most?
--> sunset. sobra. the colors. The beauty. haaaayyyy

16. Do you want to live to be 100?
--> NO DAMN WAY! i wanna die looking good and not all prune-like and wrinkly. LOL!

17. Is a flat stomach important to you?
--> I am so striving for that. =)

18. Are you tolerant of other people's beliefs?
--> yep. Everybody is entitled to their own opinion. Just don’t push it too much dude!

19.When you watch movies at home, do you like the lights on or off?
--> ay sus. who ever heard of watching movies with the lights on?!

20. Do you believe in magic?
--> No. not everything "magical" is real. most of them are illusions to make us believe they are.

21.Do you think you can draw well?
--> No. Stick figures lang. Hehehe. I’m such a “righty.”

22.Do you like to watch cartoons?
--> hell yeah!

23.At what age did you find out that Santa Claus wasn't real?
--> I never believed in Santa Claus but I believe in the magic of Christmas.

24. Do you write poetry?
--> yes. Scroll down and you’ll see.

25.Do you snore?
--> i dont unless after sex or sobrang pagod... studies show na mas nagsosnore ang natutulog ng nakatihaya... around 80% ata. or something. Then 60% pag nakatagilid. pero almost 10% lang ng nakadapa. eh nakadapa ako matulog. LOL!

26. you sleep more on your back, front, or sides?
--> nakadapa... so ON my front! LOL!

27.Would you rather have a poodle or a rottweiler?
--> a silly looking jack russell.

28. Are you basically a happy person?
--> yep. in a very dark sort of way. LOL!

29.Are you tired?
--> not one bit.

30. Did you drink anything with caffeine in it today?
--> nope. walang grande wet warm quad ristretto vanilla cappuccino sa bahay.

31. Have you ever met the one off the internet?
--> LOL. mai pen rai.

32. How many phones do you have in your house?
--> phones? 3. ang line? isa! LOL!

33.Do you get along with your parents?
--> sorta! sila ang di maka get along sa akin!

34. Do u smoke?
--> a lot!

35. If you're gonna talk to someone today, who would it be?
--> myself. I’d tell him to move on, be happy and enjoy. LOL.

Forever Friends

Sometimes in life, you find a special friend. Someone who changes your life just by being a part of it.

Someone who makes you laugh until you can't stop. Someone who makes you believe that there really is good in the world.

Someone who convinces you that there really is an unlocked door just waiting for you to open it.
This is forever friendship.

When you're down and the world seems dark and empty, your forever friend lifts you up in spirit and makes that dark and empty world suddenly seem bright and full.

Your forever friend gets you through the hard times, the sad times and the confused times.

If you turn and walk away, your forever friend follows.

If you lose your way, your forever friend guides you and cheers you on.

Your forever friend holds your hand and tells you that everything is going to be okay.

And if you find such a friend, you feel happy and complete because you need not worry.

You have a forever friend, and forever has no end.

Jonathan Fragata

Jonathan Fragata

I hate Jon! Don’t you just love to hate people who seem to have it all? Perfect teeth... Perfect hair... Perfect abs… I hate Jon! hahaha.

Jon is the baddest good guy I know. The perfect balance of someone who is reliable, responsible, and totally real, yet knows that a little immorality can be good for the soul. Someone who does what has to be done, yet still has a suitcase of bad-boy stories to brag about to his grandchildren one day. Naturally on the wavelength of the abstract, he seems to be on a deeper level of understanding than most people I know. You can talk to him about anything and he guards secrets with his life.Jon never fails to amuse me. Heck, nobody surprises me, (and scares me to death) with what he can do, what he can blurt out, and who he can brawl with (hehe, my apologies for the term), just like Jon does. But the good thing about that is that he can do all these for his friends. That makes me very lucky indeed (for I can't afford to have him otherwise... hehe).

Jonathan Fragata is one heck of a daring, bold, courageous young guy.

While Sigmund Freud believed in psychoanalysis, Jon believed in getting off one’s bottom and living life…

While Sigmund Freud said it’s about the past, Jon says it’s about today, it’s about the future: where we’re going not where we’ve come from.

Jon, I really am thankful for the friendship we share. I have learned a lot from this lad who possesses so much courage to do whatever he thinks is necessary, even if it may be unconventional to some most of the time. But come to think of it, to a certain extent, don’t we all wish to have such audacity too?

Today Jon, I want to thank you. Not for anything special, but just because you have a great personality that makes you pleasant to be around. Not just because you are so much fun, but because you know when and how to be serious. Not just because I feel like I can talk to you about pretty much anything but because you make friendship seem like no work at all, and even though that's the way it should be . . . Not every friendship is easy.

Although there are so many wonderful things about you . . . I want to thank you most of all for just being you. Because when you are just being you, it's so naturally comfortable being me.

Dude, I may not have been that expressive, but I truly am grateful for the friendship. Please continue to be my friend, as you will always find me yours.

And when it seems you have no where to run, when it can’t get any worse… when you need a shoulder, when there is no one left to turn to… I will be here… as I always have.

Marvin

On Reading

I collected those long, melancholy lists of the great books that high school English teachers passed out to college-bound students, and I relied on having consumed those serious litanies of books as a way to ease my way into the literary life.

Even today, I hunt for the fabulous books that will change me utterly and for all time. Great writing sticks to your soul the way beggar's lice adheres to your pants cuffs after a walk through untended fields.

I find myself happiest in the middle of a book in which I forget that I am reading, but am instead immersed in a made-up life lived at the highest pitch.

Here is what I want from a book, what I demand, what I pray for when I take up a novel and begin to read the first sentence: I want everything and nothing less, the full measure of a writer's heart. I want a novel so poetic that I do not have to turn to the standby anthologies of poetry to satisfy that itch for music, for perfection and economy of phrasing, for exactness of tone.

Then, too, I want a book so filled with story and character that I read page after page without thinking of food or drink because a writer has possessed me, crazed me with an unappeasable thirst to know what happens next.

All through my life I have told myself -- no, ordered myself -- to read more deeply, read everything of consequence, let the words of some new writer settle like the dust of silica into the ledges and sills of my consciousness.

Bad Days

I was functioning, moving forward, solving problems one at a time, but it was as if the very ground I walked on, the air I breathed was precarious and new. As if everything had changed, because I had changed.

I knew better.

I knew that no matter how bad you feel, or whatever horrible thing happens to you, that the world just keeps on going. The rest of the world doesn’t even realize that the monsters are eating your heart.

A long time ago it used to bother me that I could be in such confusion, such pain, and the world just didn’t give a shit. The world, the creation as a whole, is designed to move forward, to keep on keeping on without any one individual person.

It feels damned impersonal, and it is.

But, then, if the world stopped rotating just because one of us was having a bad day, we’d all be floating out in space.

Philippine Election 2007

Legislative and local elections are to be held in the Philippines on May 14, 2007. Positions being contested include half the seats in the Senate. The 2007 Elections are known as the Philippine midterm election as the election date falls half-way through President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's current six-year term.

All the seats in the Philippine House of Representatives are up for grabs. Representatives are elected for three year terms. The duly elected legislators of the 2007 elections will join the elected senators of the 2004 elections and will comprise the 14th Congress of the Philippines.

Most representatives win seats by being elected directly, the constituency being a geographical district comprising of about 250,000 voters. There are 212 seats in total for all the legislative districts. There are also seats for organized representation of special minorities. Such representatives gain one seat for every 2% of the total number of votes in the national electorate, but are limited to three seats. Local elections for governor, vice governor, mayoral posts (provinces only) and mayoral posts in Metro Manila are up for grabs as well.

TEAM Unity

TEAM (Together Everyone Achieves More) Unity is a coalition composed mostly of supporters and erstwhile critics of current Philippine president, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Team Unity seeks to take several Senate seats in oder to ensure the passage of President Arroyo's legislative programs and also to protect her from any impeachment attempts by the political opposition after the midterm elections.

Genuine Opposition

The United Opposition Coalition was created by Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay on June 2005 to unite all politicians who wish to impeach Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. The UNO started scouting candidates for the Senate as early as October 2006 to claim a large share in the Senate seats. On January 2007, UNO started short listing its nominees after a large number interested personalities wanted to join the opposition. The UNO has changed its name on February 12, 2007 at the Club Filipino in San Juan, Metro Manila to "Grand and Broad Coalition" (GBC). On February 15, 2007 the group changed its named again to "Genuine Opposition" after a meeting with Senate President Manny Villar in his office in Las Piñas. Though the Senate President Manny Villar and Senate Majority Leader Francis Pangilinan are running under the Opposition, they remain Independent Candidates like in the Philippine general election, 2001. Then on February 28, 2007, the Genuine Opposition dropped Francis Pangilinan as its Adopted Candidate.

Moving On...

I'm moving on... and if I feel the need to cry, it will not be for the heart ache you've made, but for not we might have, not for the regrets that I have nor of the anger that I felt, but I will cry because of the love that I was never able to share, with the one guy I fell for.

I will cry for the love that was lost, and not for the guy who left.

I am moving on. I'll try to wake up in the morning and smile and think not of why you left, but that once you stayed. No, don't try to reason with me, this is too much... I will try not to think of you, but when I wake up in the morning I ask myself if somehow you are also awake.

I have my own life to lead and my own life to think of.

No, I won't even think of you while I'm eating my breakfast wondering if you're doing the same thing, because sooner or later I know you will.

No, never again will I go to the comfort room and lock myself in, just to have some privacy to sadly think of you, cry or do some foolish things because of you.

I've had enough. I'll try to hold back the tears when I think of you. I'll just try to smile. And no, never will I again think of you last, when I go to sleep. Sleep is my only rest, so please don't plague me in my dreams.

I will give my affections to any guy who is in need of it, but not my heart because I still am trying to get it back from you. I will give him the love that you never wanted, the kiss that I so longed to give you and the words that once was yours. Worthy or not worthy of it, at least he's here, you're not.

I am moving on, hoping that the next thing would be letting go.

Moral Fashionistas

Have you ever seen an old photo of yourself and been embarrassed at the way you looked? --- “Did we actually dress like that?”

We did.

And we had no idea how silly we looked. It's the nature of fashion to be invisible, in the same way the movement of the earth is invisible to all of us riding on it.

What scares me is that there are moral fashions too. They're just as arbitrary, and just as invisible to most people. But they're much more dangerous. Fashion is mistaken for good design; moral fashion is mistaken for good. Dressing oddly gets you laughed at. Violating moral fashions can get you fired, ostracized, imprisoned, or even killed.

If you could travel back in a time machine, one thing would be true no matter where you went: you'd have to watch what you said. Opinions we consider harmless could have gotten you in big trouble. I've already said at least one thing that would have gotten me in big trouble in most of my eighteen months of work, like what placed Galileo in big trouble when he said it --- that the earth moves.

Nerds are always getting in trouble. They say improper things for the same reason they dress unfashionably and have good ideas: convention has less hold over them.

It seems to be a constant throughout history: In every period, people believed things that were just ridiculous, and believed them so strongly that you would have gotten in terrible trouble for saying otherwise.

Is our time any different?

To anyone who has read any amount of history, the answer is almost certainly no. It would be a remarkable coincidence if ours were the first era to get everything just right.

Confessions of Love

This entry is prompted by the noblest of impulses so don't misunderstand the noble mission it is going to convey.

When I met you, as if by a God-sent blessing, I thought that I saw a light of soft understanding.

What had come over me?

I was not like this before.

Yes before I met you, I lived a peaceful life. I could go and return home and feel no trouble. But now, I am disturbed mind and soul.

It cannot be my imagination or is it that love has struck too deeply and that I must pay sacrifice for what is asked of me? I have tried to restrain myself. I have tried to stifle my longings knowing that I am not even fit to grace your side.

But Cupid's orders are imperative.

Who am I to battle the call of fate? I know that when I saw you, Cupid had marked me for his victim. Yes, it is love that has taken root in my heart. But I have been so foolish to hug delusions to my heart.

I should not have persisted even when I saw the shadow of your winsome smile.

Let me console myself that I have loved you in name only, a way that lingers only in imagination, in mere dreams, in fantasy, the creation of mind. Here I am still longing for your attention.

I love you!

Always take care.

Captain America Dies

Captain America has undertaken his last mission --- at least for now. The venerable superhero is killed in the issue of his namesake comic that hit stands Wednesday, the Daily News reported.

On the new edition's pages, a sniper shoots down the shield-wielding hero as he leaves a courthouse, according to the newspaper.

It ends a long run for the stars-and-stripes-wearing character, created in 1941 to incarnate patriotic feeling during World War II. Over the years, an estimated 210 million copies of "Captain America" comic books, published by New York-based Marvel Entertainment Inc., have been sold in a total of 75 countries.

But resurrections are not unknown in the world of comics, and Marvel Entertainment editor in chief Joe Quesada said a Captain America comeback wasn't impossible.

Still, the character's death came as a blow to co-creator Joe Simon.

In the comic-book universe, death is not always final. But even if Captain America turns out to have met his end in print, he may not disappear entirely: Marvel has said it is developing a Captain America movie.

Wrong Move

Life is like a game of chess, in which there are an infinite number of complex moves possible.
The choice is open, but the move contains within itself all future moves.

One is free to choose, but what follows is the result of one's choice. From the consequences of one's action there is never any escape.

Along life’s track we do make wrong moves. We do commit mistakes.

But maybe our mistakes are what make our fate. Without them, what would shape our lives? Perhaps if we never veered off course, we wouldn't fall in love, or have babies, or be who we are.
After all, seasons change. So do we. People come into your life and people go. But it's comforting to know the ones you love are always in your heart...

And if you're very lucky, just a bus ride away.

My last star has fallen...

In what seemed like one split second I lost what I held most dear to me... at the mere blink of an eye it was all gone... so I ran after you, and held on as tight as my tiny hand could grasp.

Already weak from all the torment I could not allow myself to let go.

Love that once shined so bright turned dark and angry...

I loved you more than I ever dreamed of loving someone. You were the last star in my big lonely sky. My only dream ever to come true...

But now you’re going to end up like all the rest.

I tried...I tried so hard.

But my love isn't enough anymore. I will never forget you.

My last star has fallen...

Babies May Think Deep Thoughts

Baby may not be saying much at five months but she could be thinking deep thoughts.

Researchers have found that five-month-old babies can comprehend concepts for which they have not yet learned words, thus answering the age-old question: Which comes first, an idea or the language to express it?

"How do we think about the world before we are corrupted by culture and the world?" One way to learn is to look at babies.

Researchers found that 5-month-old babies being reared in English-speaking homes were able to grasp the difference between a loose fit and a tight fit - putting a pencil into a plastic cup, for instance, versus stacking a second cup inside the first. By showing that babies growing up in English-speaking homes are sensitive to the distinction, the researchers demonstrated that some forms of thinking do precede language.

Moreover, infants seem to share fundamental ideas about the world around them that languages later alter.

Babies can learn any language but eventually lose the ability to detect foreign sounds - this is partly why it is difficult to learn a second language at an older age.

However, humans don't lose the ability to learn distinctions in meaning.

Mature Love

Contrary to Nina’s “I don’t want to be your friend”, I am not going to hate him because you want me to. I am not going to be mean to him just because he was mean to me. I am not going to fall out of love with him, just because he fell out first.

I am going to sit next to him… I am going to talk to him… I am going to be his best friend.

Unlike you, I do not hate him for what he did.

I am not mad,

I no longer hurt.

I do miss him … sometimes more than others … today was one of those sometimes. I miss talking to him, I miss hugging him when I get my SuperSup award. I miss sharing everything with him.

I don’t miss being with him really; I just miss him being there. I want him in my life and if I have to come home every night and cry myself to sleep because I am not the person who makes him happy, I will.

But I will not hate him…

I will not be mad at him…

I will be his friend.

Ride On

Anyone who imagines that bliss is normal is going to waste a lot of time running around shouting that he's been robbed.

The fact is that most putts don't drop, most beef is tough, most children grow up to be just people, most successful marriages require a high degree of mutual toleration, and most jobs are more often dull than otherwise.

Life is like an old time journey...

Delays…
Sidetracks…
Smoke…
Dust…
Cinders…
And jolts…

… Interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas, and thrilling bursts of speed.

The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride…

So, ride on…

Lisa Guerrero

Best friends hang tough. They don’t come with ‘Fragile’ stickers and are not easily scared off, or ticked off.

Best friends help you out whenever they can, make time for you even when they don’t have any, and trust your friendship enough to say ‘no’.

Best friends are cross-your-heart-and-hope-to-die, good-times-and-bad-times, borrow-anything, tell-you-everything, trust-you-with-their-deepest-darkest-secrets, always-and-forever friends.

And Lisa? You don’t have to ask that. She will always be one of my best friends. =)

Lisa always wear a sweet smile that never fails to brighten up my day… she manages to transform a not-so-nice mood into a good one, without even trying. This lady is pretty tough. She's definitely on her way up that corporate ladder! Imagine, a trainer at such a young age and in such a short period of time. (Now, you beat that!) =)

Whenever I see corporate clothes, I am reminded of Lisa. The killer office get-up/power dressing is indicative of this woman's incomparable passion to succeed. Probably one of the most resolute and determined people I know, she has her definite plans set, and she is positively on her way to realizing them.

Lisa is also a living proof of that Nike advertisement tag line -à JUST DO IT. I bet she knows what I mean. =) Hehe.

To say Lisa is a die-hard romantic would be an understatement. She just follows her heart. She won’t settle for the second best. She knows what she wants and gets them or better yet gets HIM. Hehe.

Another thing, mediocrity isn't in her dictionary, because whenever she's engaged in an endeavor, she always gives her all, and ensures that her output is the best she could come up with. She's so passionate and driven; you'll be inspired to work hard as well.

Lisa sees no point in looking back at what she didn't get done. She chooses, instead, to acknowledge where she is and where she wants to be; then determines what steps it will take to get her there --- I bet my bottom dollar she’ll get there… with flying colors… in time. =)

There’s no point in being redundant. ---> She’s just the best. =)

One-Night-Stand

I’m not looking for sex. Hell no. I cannot sleep with someone I don't love.

I enjoy foreplay, gibberish, pillow talks, cuddling more than the real thing. And the reason I said if I sleep with you, will you love me is because I understand bi-guys lately have been so hooked to it they follow the sex first before anything rule.

Much as I abhor that, I cannot but just ask ok, if I sleep with you, will you love me?

DO NOT GET ME WRONG! IM NO HOE! I'M THE HOPELESS ROMANTIC TYPE who feels the heart first before the skin!

Again, I’m looking for good-looking/younger/ boyish/maamo/ innocent-looking bi-guys who are into relationships, who could possibly love me after the night is over.

I do not want to wake up alone. No players please. No invites for one-night-stand --- this all just saddens me with the thought that people have frog leaped into intolerable wanton.

PLEASE!!!!!

I Miss You

I miss you when something really good happens; you're the one I want to share it with.

I miss you when something is troubling me because you're the one who understands me so well.

I miss you when I laugh and cry because I know that you are the one who makes my laughter grow and my tears disappear.

I miss you most when I lie awake at night thinking of all the wonderful times we spent with each other for those were some of the best and most memorable times of my life.

I guess, sometimes, when you hold out for everything...

you walk away with nothing.

Fear

My mom told me once that when you're afraid of something, what you want more than anything else is to make it go away.

You want your life back to the way it was before you found out that there was something to be afraid of.

You want to build a high wall and live your old life behind it. But nothing ever stays the same.

That's not your old life at all.

That's your new life with a wall around it.

Your choice is not about going back to the way things were. Your choice is about hiding, or about going right to the heart of the thing that scares you.

Time and Tide

There is something wrong with me.

Seriously, I used to be able to get all sorts of stuff done each day and still have time, most days, to relax afterwards. In fact there were some days when I could just lay around, read, watch TV, or whatever, sometimes to the extent that I'd actually get bored and wonder just exactly what I could do with my time. Those days are gone, though, and something must be wrong with me because I sure don't understand what could have changed about the world to make this so.

Sure, when I look at it closely there are some things that are different. The biggest is the Internet. I spend a lot of time surfing and reading on the net, usually in the night once my shift starts and ends not until the morning of the next day. (Hey I work graveyard, =) that would explain it. LOL.) That probably accounts for at least 3 hours a day and more like nine hours a day. Still, it seems I should have more time.

Maybe television should be blamed, but realistically I probably watched as much TV as a kid as now - at least as far as shows I watch with dedication every week. I don't count just having the TV on to watch something in the background. I easily admit that the TV is on much more often now than as a kid, largely due to the varied offerings of cable, but I don't see this as sucking away my time. I can take TV or leave it.

I also see myself losing time because of some of my obsessive-compulsive activities. Really, though, these things are more disconcerting than they are really consumers of time - they bother me more that I have them and can't avoid them than they bother me because they consume a whole lot of time.

Yes, they take up time from my day, but not a lot, and certainly they rarely keep me from doing something else. I expect I lose maybe an hour a day from this sort of behavior, maybe more on some days, but that's still not a huge dent in my available time.

The biggest difference between now and those "olden days" when I used to feel like I had more time, is that I'm older. Huhuhuh. I am 23 already. Yes, being in my early twenties has made me, physically, slow down a bit. ( Excuses!! =) LOL).

Some of that's due to the effects of age and some is due to being out of shape and some is due to the fact that I do not have an inspiration to do anything, but the effect is the same - I don't have the energy to move and do the things I love to do. But not having energy doesn't seem to equate with not having time. It's not like I sleep more because I have less energy. I may even sleep less now than when I was a kid, actually. Getting older seems like the biggest issue, but I can't see how it really makes any difference.

And really, I can't find any reason at all that I don't feel like I have any time to relax - or even enough time to do what needs to be done. I wonder if it will always be this way? Will I retire, sometime around being 80 or something, and find once again that I have all sorts of time on my hands, or will I still be struggling to keep up with all that has to be done.

I certainly hope that by then, or more hopefully well before then, that I can find extra time in the day to wind down and enjoy myself. I need to make up for a lot of such lost time, and I'm looking forward to having it again.

Frog Prince Charming?

You've got to accept the fact that life isn't a fairy tale… things aren't always happily ever after.

Things like magic wishes, Prince Charmings and true love don't happen in real life. Magic wishes come from money, Prince Charming's a shallow idiot with a bad haircut and overpriced clothes.

And true love?

Ha, true love is one-sided, Ace. You love her, she loves someone else. She loves you, you love someone else.

Never quite works out does it?

So you end up with some actor pretending to be your true love.

Real considerate of someone to let you know reality was like that before being thrown into it.

'If you wish, it'll happen.' Well, wish in one hand and crap in the other and see which one fills up faster.

Welcome to reality.

Enjoy your stay.

Another Box

Forrest Gump once said: “Life is like a box of chocolates, you’ll never know what you’re gonna get.” But, I say: “Life is like a box of chocolates: a cheap, thoughtless, perfunctory gift no one ever asks for.” --- Unreturnable because all you get back is another box of chocolates….

Another box of cheap crap..

So you're stuck with this mostly indefinable whipped mint crap, mindlessly wolfed down when there's nothing else to eat during lunch break or a game.

Sure, once in a while you get a peanut butter cup or an English toffee, but it's gone too soon and the taste is fleeting.

In the end you're left with nothing but broken bits of hardened jelly and teeth-shattering nuts, which if you are desperate enough to eat, leaves nothing but useless brown paper wrappers.

Keep going, keep living, and it will get better.

I've been there... haven't you? You know your relationship can use some fine-tuning, but for the most part you feel secure. Think again. Before, during and even after a break-up you get to find out just how selfish the 'dumper' is. The deceit, the crushed dreams and hearts. It really does hurt and it seems that life will never, ever be the same. But it will.

The bad thing about getting dumped or abandoned is it costs us our self-esteem. We feel a full tidal wave of rejection bring us to our knees, sucking the wind out of our sails. We form an inner-hate and get caught in a self-destructive mode. We create within ourselves intense feelings of rejection, isolation, and a profound loss of love, acceptance, and control.

When we are dumped it creates a grief that is far more intense than the loss of love through death. With death the person who has died has not consciously elected to withdraw their love for you. You get a sense of closure and finalization. Death has no possibilities of changing its mind! But when we are dumped the person has made the decision to withdraw from you and desert you. They have rejected you, turned their back to you, and, often times, moved on to someone else.

Getting 'dumped' hurts like hell. It sucker-punches the air out of us and leaves us feeling alone, lost, and hopeless. We lose our very selves when the person we love makes the conscious decision to leave us.

The grief of being abandoned can quickly progress to extreme sadness, self-doubt, insecurity, and fear. Abandonment drains our self-esteem. It can lead to depression, addictions, compulsions, and uncontrollable anxiety or panic attacks. In extreme cases, some are left with suicidal thoughts. If left unresolved, abandonment can interfere with - or even prevent - any healthy future relationships. Once in this cycle, we will often find ourselves abandoned over and over again, as we become either blocked from fully connecting to others, or struggle with extreme-attachment for fear of being abandoned again. We may accept abuse and infidelity, just to avoid feelings of abandonment. Sometimes we remain in a panic-like state of obsessiveness and hyper-vigilance towards our abandoner, or inner focused on our own pain and hurt. We often carry with us feelings of being deserted, needy, and demoralized. Eventually, our lack of self-control makes us feel like a victim within our own creation, causing self-hatred, harm, or injury.

Curing the grief that surrounds you is to find happiness within you. Sounds impossible, but it isn't. It is not only very possible, it has been there all along. If it weren't, you would have curled up in a ball at the foot of the one who left you, and died. And, yes, you might have felt that way, but did you do it? No! Because you still know, buried deep inside of you, that your ex was not the be-all to your life. And how do I know that? You have the courage and the desire to 'continue on'. You believe in you, you have faith in life, and you are aware of your capacity to love again. A new and better life is not only possible, not only probable, but also a plain and simple fact.

You hurt, right? Well...look at it this way. You loved someone. You loved them very much. And they abandoned you. You thought the world of them and they crushed your heart and stole your dreams. Wow - so much power they have...to be able to inflict such heavy and massive destruction to your well-being. Your ex is the first thought in your head when you wake and the last when you go to sleep. And this constant dwelling confuses you. You actually come to believe that you love them and need them far more than you actually do.

Let me point out that many who make the choice to leave and end a relationship do not set out directly to cause hurt and pain. Their main goal; is to find happiness and personal fulfillment, not to directly cause hurt to someone they care about.

But it still hurts.

I "HEART" You

I realized after several failed relationships that the word "love" is very difficult to define. It means many different things to many different people. Not only does each person think differently on what "love" is, but there are so many different types of love that it's really hard to pinpoint a simple statement.

I believe we were all born with a need in our heart that says, "Love me!" We are all searching for something that is missing in our hearts. Someone to "mesh" with, that perfect “WHATEVER” that will fulfill that empty spot in our heart - whether through sports, relationships, jobs, hobbies, etc…

If I love my boyfriend, this means that I do all in my power to make him happy and expect nothing in return. If he were to love me, he would do the same. Imagine that, the world walking around with people totally content and happy in their relationships!

How many times have I heard someone say, "This is a partnership, I do 50% and you do 50%". Boy, that means that you are only going to be satisfied 50% of the time! How horrible. What if (let's dream for a little bit here) we said to our partner, "I am going to give you 100% of myself and I expect the same in return?” Aren't we still saying, "I expect a partnership"? Aren't we saying that you need to uphold your part of this partnership, and I'll uphold mine?

I need to add that "love" isn't expecting something from someone or something. It shouldn't be the focus - that of receiving something. It's giving. Have you ever heard the song, "Love is a Verb?” Webster's defines a verb as: "... expressing action" Therefore, if we look at love as an action, we really can't be sitting back waiting for someone to shower us with affection or whatever else it is we are expecting.

Shouldn't it be the other way around? If "love" is an action (which I think it is), we would then look at it as doing something for the object of our affection as opposed to receiving.

Love is more than sending flowers, holding hands, or any of those sweet things that look like love. Love, true love, is a commitment. It’s the continual putting up with one another and always looking for the best in them even when they are annoying you. It’s realizing that no one is ever going to be perfect, but not letting that bother you. It’s about loving a person for their imperfections as much as their good qualities.

Also, don't you find that we are searching for someone to love us in the way WE think love is? Let's say we perceive love as someone who is always with us, never leaves our side. If our loved one needs to go to the restroom, and asks that we not follow them in, does that mean they love us less?

Think also on this... Are we basing our FEELINGS of loving someone on how he or she treats us or how we emotionally FEEL about someone? Do we fall in love with someone because they treat us a certain way, they say just the right words, behave in a way that produces deep emotional feelings within us only to fall out of love because they stopped treating us that way? Go a step further, did they stop loving us, so we stopped loving them - or vice versa?

Shouldn't we "love" WHO a person is as opposed to what they do? I love this person because they are good and decent, they treat people with respect, they are hard working and honest. NOT, I love this person because he/she focus' all his/her attention on me and he/she makes me feel wonderful!

To love someone regardless of how we FEEL about them would take a lot of grit. It's saying that despite how I feel at this very moment - the fact that I am so totally angered at what you just said or did - I'm going to respect you as a person and love you as I should.

I really don't think society sees this as love. I think they want to see it as insanity. In this world full of the "gimme" mentality and self-love, you would hear things like, "Divorce the jerk, and leave him/her if they don't give you this or that." Is love getting all my needs met? Is it that selfish?

You know, what it boils down to is that there is a certain responsibility to loving someone. It is showing and feeling but also committing to respect, honor, cherish, etc., the person we care deeply about.

I don't think love dies; I think that pain and disillusionment stifle it. I think there are millions of people walking around saying they don't believe in love because they THOUGHT they loved someone and after being hurt stopped loving them. I really don't think this was love. Infatuation, obsession, ardor, lust... those die.

True love never dies, never ends.

True love is a determination to continue giving despite what anyone else says or does. The ultimate sacrifice.

The dying of our own wants and needs. Selfless.

Threesome Fun

'Friends.'.

A simple word isn't it?

It's uttered everyday to almost every person imaginable.

Who are your friends?

I used to think that friends were the people that you could laugh and talk to. Now I know that friends aren't that, they're the people that touch your heart. You could spend hours with them doing nothing at all and it can be the best time of your life, just because it was with them.

They're the people you can share your secrets with, cry with, laugh with, and just have fun with. They don't judge you or make you change. They accept you exactly as you are. They look at you and they see a great person, one they love spending time with.

You all share something in common and are tied together by memories, tears, laughs and smiles. You're tied together by love for the other.

Friendship is one of the greatest things in the world...

I find my time with my friends, the best times of my life. My friends are my heart, my soul, my fun, my laughter, tears, love and my life…

Love Letter

Dear Boy,

I do not know who you are, or where or when we will meet, but I do hope it is soon.

I pray that when we meet and fall in love, you will love me for me, and not hope for someone who is sexier or more handsome. I hope you won't compare me to other guys who may have brighter smiles. I hope that you will make me laugh, take care of me if I get sick, and be trustworthy.

I hope you will remember that I prefer roses to daisies, and that my favorite color changes with my mood.

Please know that my eyes aren't blue, they're brown, with flecks of navy.

Please know that I might be too shy to kiss you first, but please don't be afraid to kiss me. I won't slap you or push you away. I'm sure your kisses will be perfect. When we go on a date, please don't stress about where to take me; what's important is that I'll be with you.

If I cry, please know it isn't because of you, just hold me close and I'll heal quickly. And, if it is because of you, I'll heal just the same.

And if we decide to break up, please understand that I may be bitter, but I'd like to be your friend if you'll let me. I promise to remember that you have feelings too, even though you'll never admit it, and when you are ready we'll have a friendship.

Please tell me if anything I do bothers you, or if something just doesn't sit right. I would like you to always be honest with me. If I have a bad day, I hope you will shower me with confidence and smiles.

I hope you don't think that I'm asking too much of you. I hope you understand that I'm a little bit nervous and very scared. I wish I could tell you how or when we will meet, and if we will be in love forever. Every relationship is a new game of cards, and ...(sigh)...I've never been good at cards. But I will try my best to be kind and love you dearly for all that you are, without expecting too much from you.

Thank you for listening; this is all that I ask.

Yours always,
Me

4 RP Schools in Top 500 World Universities

Shanghai Jiao Tong University’s Institute of Higher Education has released its 2006 Ranking of World’s Top 500 Universities which is quite similar to the other rankings conducted by MIT and Stanford.

The top ten are:

1. Harvard University (USA)
2. Cambridge University (United Kingdom)
3. Stanford University (USA)
4. University of California - Berkeley (USA)
5. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (USA)
6. CalTech (USA)
7. Columbia University (USA)
8. Princeton (USA)
9. University of Chicago (USA)
10. Oxford University (United Kingdom)

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Four Philippine schools made it to the Top 500 this year (based from 2006) and they are:

1. University of the Philippines - ranked no. 299th
2. De La Salle University - ranked no. 392nd
3. Ateneo de Manila University - ranked no. 484th
4. University of Sto. Thomas - ranked no. 500th

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For the complete list, click this link: Top500

Top 10 Most Influential Fantasy Authors

Solar Flare came up with this list of 10 more Influential Fantasy Authors:


1. J.R.R. Tolkien

2. J.K. Rowling

3. Robert Jordan

4. Terry Pratchett

5. Terry Brooks

6. Stephen R. Donaldson

7. Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman

8. Raymond Feist

9. George R. R. Martin

10. David Eddings

God's gift of grief

Why do You torture me so? When will You ever let my hardships end? When will my endless suffering abate? Why am I so tortured?

"But, my child, I have given you everything you want. Why are you tortured so?"

Because, God... Oh wait, God, while you are here I want to thank you for my parents. My parents are such beautiful blessings. Thank you, God, for these wonderful gifts. Thank you for their wit and their charm. Thank you for their health. I will cherish them with every breath I take, and forever be grateful and indebted to You.

"You are most welcome, my child. But, please tell me - why are you still tortured so?"

Because, God... Oh, and God? I wanted to thank you, again! Thank you for the food on my table, and the roof over my head, and these many precious moments of my life. My life has never been better!

"You are welcome, my child. But, please, please, tell me - why are you tortured so?"

Because, God... My dear God? Are You still there? Good. I thought You might have left me. I want to thank You for this most latest blessing. This wonderful new man You have placed in my life. How did You know, God, that we would be so perfect for each other? How did you know that the time was finally perfect in both of our lives...that the time was right for us to meet?

"I know everything, my child. And you are most welcome. Thank you for your patience. But, please, please, tell me why you are still tortured so."

Because, God. I am tortured so because...because now that I have no worries, no griefs, no more battles to fight, and no more strife, I am tortured by the 'peace'. It is unnerving, baffling, and uncomfortable. Tell me God, how can I stop this endless torture and relax in my joy and the gifts You have bestowed upon me? Tell me, my dear God. When will my torture end?

"My dear child, don't you know that I send you 'grief' as my biggest gift to you? So that you may have sight to appreciate my other gifts to you? So that you may rejoice in the glory and not be blinded to your blessings. So that you may feel these gifts that I give you?"

Oh, thank You, God! I understand fully now! Of all my blessings, my torture is truly my biggest blessing from You, for without it I would not know of all my many other blessings!

Thank You, God!

Thank You for the gift of grief!

Don't Rely on Religion

I am not saying religion is bad.

When it turns men and women inward and helps them realize that they are great... that there is an ocean of love and silence deep within the heart, then it is useful.

But where it divides people against one another, where one person is led to believe that he is saved and another is damned, or where it leads a person to believe that true happiness will be found only in an afterlife, then it is harmful.

Each life on Earth is very precious.

It is a wonderful thing to be alive.

Old Love

The question is asked, 'Is there anything more beautiful in life than a boy and a girl clasping clean hands, and pure hearts in the path of marriage? Can there be anything more beautiful than young love?'

And the answer is given.

'Yes there is a more beautiful thing. It is the spectacle of an old man and an old woman finishing their journey together on that path. Their hands are gnarled, but still clasped. Their faces are seamed, but still radiant. Their hearts are physically bowed and tired. But still strong with love and devotion for one another.

Yes, there is a more beautiful thing than young love --- old love.