Game Not Over

Life is not a spectator sport; win, lose or draw, the game is in progress whether we want it to be or not.

So go ahead, argue with the refs, change the rules, cheat a little, take a break and tend to your wounds.

But play hard.

Play fast.

Play loose and free.

Play as if there's no tomorrow.

Ok so, it’s not whether you win or lose its how you play the game, right?

Kwentong Langgam: May Lablayp Din Pala Sila

May nasalubong akong pulang langgam kanina.

"O, saan ka papunta?" tanong ko.

"Dyan lang sa may kanto. Susunduin ko gerpren ko, " sagot ng langgam.

"Pwede palang magka-gerpren ang tulad mo? Worker ant ka lang di ba? 'Kala ko yung mga nagkaka-gerpren lang eh yung mga yumayari sa reyna nyo..."

"Aaah, dyan kayo nagkakamali. Kahit naman worker lang ranggo namin, may karapatan rin naman kaming ma-inlab," mabilis na tugon ng langgam.

"Eh paano mo nalalaman kung sino ang gerpren mo sa daan-daang langgam na nasasalubong mo araw-araw?" muling tanong ko.

"Sus, para kang hindi MBB grad! Shempre, pheromone tsong. Actually, bawat isa sa amin ay may unique na pheromone...'kumbaga sa pabango eh signature scent ba. In fact, I'm wearing a Chanel Pheromone right now!" pa-konyong tugon ni langgam.

"A, ganun ba? Medyo na-sense ko nga. Mukhang naligo ka sa pheromone ah! O, sige, bilisan mo at baka mainip gerpren mo sa paghintay sa 'yo sa may kanto. Mahaba-haba pa itong lalakarin mo."

"Kaya nga eh...baka pwedeng maki-hitch sa sapatos mo?"

"No problem. Sige kapit ka lang. Mga ilang hakbang lang naman ito para sa akin eh," tugon ko.

Kumapit si langgam sa nakalawit na sintas at umakyat sa aking sapatos. Maya-maya ng kaunti ay may natanaw nga akong naghihintay na isa pang langgam sa may kanto. Ito na nga marahil ang gerpren na naghihintay dahil nakita kong sobrang na-excite itong langgam na ngayon ay nakabitin na sa dulo ng sintas ng sapatos at handang bumaging na ala-tarzan sa direksyon ng kasintahang naghihintay.

Napasigaw na lang ako ng "Sandali!!!", nang biglang umigkas itong si langgam at napailalim sa suwelas ng aking sapatos. Huli na ang lahat at kahit bakas ni langgam ay hindi ko makita sa sementadong kalsada. Ni impit na hiyaw ay hindi nakatakas mula sa naipit na nilalang.

Samantala, ang kasintahang langgam ay nanatiling nakatayo sa tabing kalsada habang ang hangin ay nagsimoy Chanel Pheromone. At nangilid ang luha sa aking mga mata hindi dahil sa tapang ng halimuyak na pumalaot sa hangin kundi dahil sa nasasaksihan kong pagluluksa ng isang pusong naulila.

Autopsy on a Spoiled Girlfriend

No cracks, no fractures, no missing bones whatsoever.

Taxi cabs were her favorite way to go around the city. The boyfriend would open the car door for her and assist her while getting off the vehicle. She would take his offered hand like a princess getting off a lovely carriage. She would tell his boyfriend, "That's what boyfriends are for." Her boyfriend would nod in approval, kiss her on her forehead and smile. Her every step was watched. Her boyfriend is her safety scout. Sweet.

"If you don't take care of me, I'll break up with you."


No pulled, strained muscles.

She did not suffer from any forms of fatigue. Her life was a bliss. No need to rush to a convenient store to grab a midnight snack. Her boyfriend would offer his phone and she would call the delivery hotline. And on those days when it was not possible to have the food delivered, he would buy it himself, not minding the time nor the weather. No need to go to a spa to relax. He would light an essence lamp and ask her to lay on her tummy. He would then sooth her tired muscles using his bare hands. He was not really good at this but it pleased her. "That's what boyfriends are for," she would think.

"Buy me food, or else I'll break up with you."


Perfect condition, from mouth to the intestines.

She was well-fed. Where to eat, what to eat.. it was her choice. Her every craving was satisfied. He would also introduce her to restaurants and plates she had never tried before. She would think it was fantastic. She would gain weight and think that was her boyfriend's fault. He would smile and tell her that how attractive she still was. Compliments. That's what boyfriends are for.

"Tell me I'm the prettiest or we're through."


Clean lungs. Healthy heart.

There was no way second-hand smoke could have harmed her. He was not a smoker. He lived a healthy life and so did she. He would take her to the country side and she would enjoy the sunshine and fresh air. He had to suspend several business trips so they could go together. Because according to her, that's what boyfriends are for.

"Let's go, or I'll find another boyfriend to take me there."


No signs of depression.

Hers was a worry-free life. Before she could even detect the problem, he already resolved it for her. She was trained not to care, not to worry about almost everything. Worrying was his job. That's what boyfriends are for. He would be sick but he would tell her not to worry. He would buy and take his medicines all by himself. She would be sick and he would worry to death. A simple migraine and he would panic.

"Make the pain go away, or you'll lose me."


She was in perfect health the night he left her and yet she was found dead the following morning.

One day I decided to quit...

I quit my job, my relationship, my spirituality. .. I wanted to quit my life.

I went to the woods to have one last talk with God.

"God", I said. "Can you give me one good reason not to quit?"

His answer surprised me...

"Look around", He said. "Do you see the fern and the bamboo?"

"Yes", I replied.

“When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them. I gave them light. I gave them water. The fern quickly grew from the earth. Its brilliant green covered the floor. Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo…”

“In the second year the Fern grew more vibrant and plentiful. And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo.” He said.

"In the third year, there was still nothing from the bamboo seed. But I would not quit. In the fourth year, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed…”

"I would not quit." He said.

"Then in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. Compared to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant. .. But just 6 months later the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall. It had spent the five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive. I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle."

He said to me. "Did you know, my child, that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots."

"I would not quit on the bamboo. I will never quit on you.“

“Don't compare yourself to others..." He said. “The bamboo had a different purpose than the fern... Yet, they both make the forest beautiful." “Your time will come,“ God said to me."You will rise high!"

“How high should I rise?" I asked. “How high will the bamboo rise?" He asked in return. "As high as it can?” I questioned. "Yes." He said.

"Give me glory by rising as high as you can."

I left the forest and bring back this story.

I hope these words can help you see that God will never give up on you.

He will never give up on you.

Never regret a day in your life.

Good days give you happiness. Bad days give you experiences; both are essential to life.

A happy and meaningful life requires our continuous input and creativity. It does not happen by chance. It happens because of our choices and actions. And each day we are given new opportunities to choose and act and, in doing so, we create our own unique journey.

Keep going... Happiness keeps you Sweet, Trials keep you Strong, Sorrows keep you Human, Failures keep you humble , Success keeps You Glowing, but Only God keeps You Going!

Love is...many small pieces of you (and more)

Yesterday, everyone (but me) was out on a date. People were busy spending their money to celebrate their love, declare their love or prove their love to their better halves. While the whole world is busy loving, I decided to write about love instead...

LOVE IS...

Calling you every day, just to hear your voice.

Dancing on the side of the highway, just to have an excuse to hold you close while I’m stressed.

Kissing you when you have cough, and not ever caring if I catch it too.

Never letting my eyes wander from yours, even when we’re naked.

Telling you I love you every chance I get, even if you already know.

Not playing that song every single time you ask, because I don’t want you to get sick of it.

Screaming myself hoarse at one of our friends, just because he made you upset.

Telling you about my past, even though I do my best to forget.

Enjoying your faults as much as your good points.

Being unable to sleep without you in my arms.

Liking the friend that makes you happy sometimes, even if I think he’s a flirt.

Not screaming like a sissy when your mom calls me, even though she scares the shit out of me.

Crying as I leave town, even though I know I’ll be back.

Knowing how beautiful you are, even when you don’t feel like it.

Going at your pace, and then being slightly molested when you felt ready.

Dropping everything I want to do with a smile on my face, for something you want to do.

My heart melting when you answer the phone, even if you’re half asleep and grumped.

The best moment of my life being there when you cried, and I was able to hold you and tell you everything was alright.

Singing for you because you like it.

Telling you to call me whenever you want, even though I love to sleep.

Smiling like an idiot every time you tell me how much you like me.

Rubbing your nose with mine, just so we’re touching.

Knowing how to behave, and just not wanting to around you.

Making you laugh, and feeling like everything is right with the world when you do.

Feeling like everything is right with the world whenever you speak.

Always wondering if there is someone better for you, but knowing there’s no one better for me.

Making jokes at your expense during monster movie night, and then feeling like shit about it for days after.

Finally growing the balls to tell you how much I love You.

Writing every fluffy thing I ever have, while thinking of you.

Making a stupid list of ways that I love you, just because I wanted to surprise you.

Watching chick flicks, and liking them because they make you happy.

Not caring about the you-know-what, but giving you a reason to never do it again.

Apologizing for being an immature asshole, as often as I can.

Seeing fireworks, the heavens open up, and angels singing hallelujah, all from a kiss.

Not forbidding you from hanging out with the idiot, even though it does make me a little jealous.

Trust.

Riding home in silence after leaving your house, just so I’m not distracted and can think about you in peace and quiet.

Using you and peace and quiet in the same sentence.

Meaning “same here” every single time I say it, and not just saying it to be agreeable.

Picking an argument because I love to hear you win.

Never letting you win, but losing anyways.

Always ignoring the outside world for a three hour IM conversation about nothing.

Hanging on to your every word as if it were my life, because it is.

Knowing you’re the one.

Being more than ready to say “I do,” whenever you are.

Love is YOU... many small pieces of you and more.

YM CONVERSATIONS (ISSUE NO.2)

Him: Buzz

Me: Buzz

Him: Happy Valentine’s Day!

Me: Happy Valentine’s Day din. =)

Him: Sinong date mo?

Me: Wala.

Him: Ikaw pa.

Me: Ganun. Wala nga talaga. Kanina I went out with my agents. Nag videoke kme sa Maru Bar sa may Makati Avenue. Late na din kme natapos kaya kakauwi ko lang.

Him: Miss mo na ko noh?

Me: Ok lang. hahaha. Gawa na pala yung gripo sa bahay. Hindi mo na ako kailangan ipag-igib ng tubig sa labas. At may na discover akong kainan na masarap, super affordable pa, hindi ka na mamumulubi.

Him: Mabuti naman ipinaayos na ni kuya. Saan naman yang kainan na yan? Masarap ba talaga? Mas masarap pa syo?

Me: Oo nga eh. Ewan ko dun, basta isang araw bigla na lang may tubero sa bahay. Gago! Wala ng mas sasarap pa sa kin. Hahaha.

Him: Sino ng boyfriend mo?

Me: Wala.

Him: Nakipag break ka sa akin tapos wala ka pa ding boyfriend.

Me: When I broke up with you, I just wanted some time to think things over. Gusto ko lang talaga mag isip. Gusto kong malaman kung tama pa bang ipagpatuloy yung relationship natin. Hindi naman ako nakipag break para mag hanap ng iba. Hindi ako naki pag break dahil may iba na. Mali naman kse yung iniisip mo eh.

Him: Masaya naman kse tayo. Wala naman akong nakikitang problema, kaya hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit kailangan natin maghiwalay.

Me: Sorry.

Him: Naging masama ba ako syo?

Me: Hindi. Ano ka ba naman. You were amazing. In fact, napaka swerte ko nga syo eh. Hindi ko nga alam kung paano mo ako natagalan. You are by far the best blessing God has ever given me and I'm so happy that he gave you to me to love. Even though I don't deserve all that you are to me and all that you do for me, I want you to know that I am so very grateful for you. I'm so grateful for all the wonderful memories we have shared throughout those wonderful months: all the smiles, laughter and even the tears. Loving you has made my life come alive. Some people go through life and never live it: I mean REALLY live it. But I thank God that He let me really live my life to the fullest by giving me you. You light up my world and show me things I never dreamed I'd see. Thank you for all that you do for me and all that you have given me.

Him: Mahal mo pa ba ako?

Me: Hindi naman nawawala yun eh. Hindi basta basta. I think, once you love someone, you will always love them even if you are not together anymore.

Him: Sabi na love mo pa yung mga exes mo eh.

Me: Yeah, pero hindi na same intensity as before. Siguro more of concern na lang. Kung may mangyaring masama sa kanila, I’m sure mag wo-worry pa rin naman ako.

Him: Wala ka talagang date?

Me: Wala nga po. Bakit ba ang kulit mo?

Him: Walang nag invite noh!

Me: Hahaha. Kapal mo. Meron noh. Ayaw ko lang talagang umalis. Mas ok na ko dito sa bahay. Teka nga, bakit ba ako ang tinatanong mo ng tinatanong? Bakit ikaw may date ka ba? Siguro may bf ka na noh!

Him: Hmmmmm...

Me: So, I guess meron nga?

Him: Yup.

Me: Grabe, mas nauna ka pa sa kin! Hahaha. Karma ko ba to? =( Kidding aside, I’m happy for you.

Him: Totoo?

Me: Totoo.

Him: I’m sorry ha. I never planned this. Nangyari lang.

Me: You don’t have to explain. Technically, you are single and eligible. =)

Him: Hindi ka galit? Promise?

Me: Love doesn’t come along every day. Kaya nga when it comes knocking your door, I think it’s but right to let it come in. The last thing I want you to feel is guilt over something that is supposed to be wonderful. I’ll always be here.

Him: Thank you Hon. I hope this time it’ll last.

Me: I hope so too.

Kung totoong “Truth Hurts”, gusto mo pa bang malaman?

Katotohanan... masakit, mahirap marinig, nag iiwan ng kirot sa puso.

Kung iisipin, lahat ay gustong malaman ang totoo pero madalas din, walang gustong makadinig nito... lalo na kung alam mong masasaktan ka... kung hindi handa ang iyong kalooban... kung hindi matatag ang iyong damdamin.

Minsan, nagsasabi tayo ng totoo, dahil ang katotohanan lamang ang tanging mayroon tayo.

Minsan, nagsasabi tayo ng totoo, dahil kailangan natin itong ilabas, sabihin ng malakas, galing mismo sa ating sariling bibig.

Minsan, nagsasabi tayo ng totoo dahil hindi na natin mapigilan ang ating mga sarili.

At pagka minsan...

paminsan - minsan...

Nagsasabi tayo ng katotohanan, dahil alam natin, sa kaibituran ng ating mga puso, na karapat-dapat nilang marinig kung ano ang totoo mula sa atin at hindi mula sa iba...

Dahil ganun na lamang silang kaimportante sa atin.

Baka Natutunaw Na Ang Ice Cream Mo

Nakakatuwang pagmasdan ang mga bata. Pala ngiti. Masiyahin. Malikot. Mapang masid. Tapat. Bata. Napaka inosente nila. Parang walang problema sa buhay. Hindi alintana ang pagtaas ng presyo ng mga bilihin o ang recession na nangyayari sa Amerika. Madaling magparaya at laging puno ng pag asa.

Ang sarap maging bata. Totoo. Kung babalikan ko ang mga nagdaang taon sa aking buhay, ang kabataan ko na yata ang maituturing kong pinaka makulay... ang pinakamasaya. Walang deadlines na hinahabol. Walang assignments or exams. Ang tanging problema lamang noon ay ang pag-inom ng gatas at pagtulog sa tanghali. Walang nag eexpect at walang nag dedemand. Malaya kang gawin ang iyong nais. Malaya kang magkamali at matuto. Hindi na nakapagtataka kung bakit marami ang gustong manatili na lamang bata habambuhay.

Kanina ay ipinagdiwang ang araw ng batang Kristo, ang Sto Nino. Sabi ni Father, ang Pilipinas lang daw ang natatanging bansa sa Asya na mayroong Sto. Nino kung kaya’t mapalad tayo. Sabi pa nya, ang itsura daw ng mga Pilipino ay mas bata kumpara sa kanilang totoong edad. Sa palagay ko’y tama doon si Father. Dala na ito marahil ng ating pagiging masiyahin.

Sabi ng lola, iba na daw ang mga bata ngayon. Hi-tech na daw ang mga gamit at laruan. Nakikisabay na sila sa takbo ng siyensya at panahon. Maaaring totoo, subalit nakakatuwang isipin na ang mga simpleng bagay na nakapagdulot sa atin ng kasiyahan noon ay naghahatid pa rin ng kasiyahan sa kanila ngayon.

Pagkatapos ng misa kanina, pinagmasdan ko ang mga bata. May nag aayang kumain sa Jollibee (wala pang McDonald’s sa bayan namin), may nagpapabili ng ibon, may bugnot na at gusto ng umuwi at may nagpabili ng laruan sa plaza. Kapistahan na ng aming patrong Nuestra Senora de Candelaria sa Febuary 2, at gaya ng naka ugalian na, parating may baratillo sa bayan. Marami doong tindang kung ano ano na inaangkat pa yata mula sa Divisoria.

Kung tutuusin, wala naming nakakagulat sa tanawing ito. Ako man dati ay nagpapabili ng cotton candy sa tatay sa tuwing matatapos ang misa. Masaya na ako kapag may cotton candy ako. Dala dala ko ito hanggang sa bahay ng aking lola dahil dumadaan kami doon bago umuwi ng bahay para mag mano.

Sa gitna ng lahat ng ito ay may nakatawag ng aking pansin. Isang bata na may dala dala ng lobo. Nakakatuwa kung paanong hindi nya inaalis ang mga mata nya sa hawak nyang lobo na para bang kung titingin sya sa iba o di kaya’y pipikit man lang ay mawawala ito.

Mahilig din ako sa lobo noon. Simple lang ang mga lobo dati. Bilog lang. Ngayon kse ay kung ano ano na ang mga hugis. May hugis pagong, aso, buwaya, kuneho at pating. Hugis ni Godzilla ang hawak na lobo ng batang lalake. Tuwang tuwa sya habang pinagmamasdan ito.

Habang abalang abala ang bata sa pagtingin sa lobo at hindi nya namamalayan na natutunaw na pala ang dala dala nyang ice cream sa kabilang kamay. Mga ilang segundo pa siguro’y ice cream cone na lang ang hawak hawak nya.

Naisip ko, hindi nya kaya nararamdaman na tumutulo na ang ice cream? Bakit hindi nya ito pinapansin? Hindi ba pwedeng kumain ng ice cream at tingnan ang lobo ng sabay? Ano ba ang mas importante sa bata, ang ice cream o ang lobo?

Sa likod ng payak na tanawin na ito nagtatago ang mas malalim at mas mahalagang realidad ng buhay. Naisip ko, madalas ay gaya din tayo ng bata. Kalimitan ay abala din tayo sa pagtingin sa lobong hawak hawak ng ating isang kamay. Abala tayo sa pag abot ng ating mga pangarap. Abala sa mga bagay na sa ating palagay ay makapagbibigay sa atin ng lubos na kaligayahan sa buhay. Gaya ng mga lobo ngayon, iba’t ibang uri din ng lobo ang hawak ng bawat isa. May lobo ng pangarap, lobo ng trabaho, lobo ng kayamanan, lobo ng mga material na bagay, lobo ng panandaliang saya, lobo ng masamang bisyo, lobo ng bawal na gamot at ang napaka kulay na lobo ng pag ibig.

Ngunit hindi naman mahalaga kung anong lobo ang hawak natin. Ang mas importante ay kung paanong hindi natin napapabayaan ang mga bagay o mga tao sa ating paligid na sa huli’y siya namang tunay na mas mahalaga.

Ang sa akin lang, sana’y huwag natin mapabayaan ang ating mga pamilya dahil lamang sa kagustuhang abutin ang isang pangarap. Sana’y huwag nating isaalang alang ang ating mga prinsipyo sa buhay para lamang magkamit ng panandaliang kayamanan. Sana’y huwag mawala ang respeto natin sa ating mga sarili sa kagustuhang makuha ang lobo ng pag-ibig. Sana’y hindi maging huli ang lahat bago natin bigyang pansin ang ice cream na unti unti na palang natutunaw sa ating kabilang kamay.

Masuwerte tayo kung kagaya ng bata, pwede tayo ulit bumili ng panibagong ice cream. Masuwerte tayo kung pwedeng bumawi sa nawalang panahon. Masuwerte tayo kung may naghihintay pa sa ating bumalik dahil tunay silang nagmamahal sa atin. Masuwerte tayo kung hindi pa huli ang lahat.

Huwag na sana nating palagpasin ang pagkakataong makasama ang mga taong mahal natin sa buhay. I-enjoy natin ang bawat pagkakataong ibinibigay sa atin. Huwag sanang matunaw ang ice cream sa ating mga kamay dahil lamang abala tayo sa pagtingin sa hawak hawak nating lobo.

Ikaw? Natutunaw na ba ang ice cream mo?