Pending Passions

To praise his work would be redundant, and although he definitely deserves to be written about (again) and his work complimented and taken in the highest regard, I will not be filling this post with what most people write about (I think) after they meet one very inspiring author. As some people know, Mitch Albom just visited the Philippines. On February 23, 2014 (that's today, as I write this down), he graced Ayala Center Cebu with his presence. We all know Mr. Mitch. We know his books and have read them, so like I said, I won't dwell on that. What I will talk about is the conversation that ran through my head during the, what, two- to three-hour wait. The question I had to answer was this: "What should I say to this author that would actually make an impact?" My musings went like this: Hi, Mr. Mitch. Hello, sir. Thank you so much for being a writer. Thank you so much for choosing to be a writer and being an awesome one. Hello, sir. Thank you for ch...

Once upon a time, a man died for the woman he loves. Yes, sounds tragic, doesn’t it? Sounds like a Nicholas Sparks novel. But in this day and age, that’s what it means to love, isn’t it? To be willing to give up everything, including your life, for the one you love. Well, this man died. But first, he loved. He loved extraordinarily. It was almost insane. Normal people would likely choose who they love. Normal people would have standards that are more likely impossible to meet. Normal people do not easily give up everything for someone who doesn’t even seem to notice them. Normal people. But he wasn’t normal, no. He wasn’t normal at all. You see, he loved a woman, like men ought to do. You could say the lyrics “I knew I loved you before I met you” applied to him. He loved her way before they met, way before she even knew he existed. He loved her in the most profound way. What way is this? Well, have you ever tried loving someone who ignores you? Someone who intentiona...

I'm getting married! Hah! I can't wait for you all to read this rather extensive discussion on  how it all happened. It’s weird and abrupt and totally something I would just make up. No. I’m just kidding. I’m not getting married (not yet, at least). But you have to admit, I caught your attention, right? J Picture from here There has been an onslaught of creative video proposals lately, and it’s been filling cyberspace to the rim. We see people singing and dancing, lip syncing and dancing, lip syncing and trying to dance, doing short films, renting out theaters and cafes and ice skating rinks and offices, all for that special event—that one moment when the future groom asks his future bride, “Will you marry me?” (Or for the truly romantic, “It would be an enormous privilege for me to spend the rest of my life loving you. Would you grant me the honor of being your husband? Will you marry me?) So I’m just going to lay this out here and now. I have nothing against al...

I've been thinking lately of a time when I actually become an author. An author who has published novels and chapter books and even children’s books. An author whose books can bring tears to readers’ eyes or make them laugh while in public transportation or give them something to think about days after they turn the final page of my book. An author remembered. But then I think, Do I actually want my name to be there? I guess it’s more preference than requirement. An author’s byline is the author’s choice, right? And this brings me to the deliberating mindset I have right now. Pseudonyms In a way, I like the idea of hiding behind a name. Knowing Lemony Snicket hid behind that name has kept him mysterious and loved (and I’ve only recently found out that his real name’s Daniel Handler and that he is, in fact, still . . . wait for it . . . alive!). Using another name can give me access to stories around me without having the people think that “Oh, she might use my words i...

12. It's not too late to turn life into a musical. 11. It's easy to be in the same place as someone and still not be with someone, easy to keep quiet and still hear the noise in your head. 10. Friends come and go. True friends come, go, come, go . . . 9. Ignorance is bliss. Being ignorant by choice is stupidity. 8. Conferences don't change people. People change conferences. 7. When people disappear, they usually don't want to be found. When they are found, they usually are better off gone. 6. Drugs kill people.  5. Planning is more enjoyable than the actual execution. 4. Weddings are awesome.  3. Coffee is not more important than your cell phone and house keys. Priorities. 2. Typhoons pretty much look like the inside of my room when I don't clean up for, like, a month. 1. Rising from adversity is a process that doesn't just take a hop, skip, and some clicking of the heels. The song from the famous movie  Land Before Ti...

"But go, tell his disciples and Peter, 'He is going ahead of you into Galilee. there you will see him, just as he told you'" (Mark 16:7). *The verse above is a reminder for me not to forget what I'm supposed to be writing about.* See What Drugs Can Do? First of all, my condolences to the family and friends of Cory Monteith. I'm sorry for your loss, and I pray that you find comfort in the One who has a plan for everything through everything. I'm also sorry for harping on the topic of Cory's death like this. there must be a million other writers out there talking about it and how drugs can steal a person away from his full potential. And although I don't exactly have the facts straight, I guess there's no better time than this to talk about how this world is turning into a death trap. And maybe somehow Cory's death can eventually save other people's lives. A Natural Response I was scrolling down my FB's news feed when I fi...

Blinking cursors waiting for attention. Nodding heads fighting sleep. Restless feet seeking adventure. Aimless wandering to not really anywhere. Another day ended; a new one will soon begin. Yet the day's tiresome, mundane routine has exhausted the life out of the girl. She walked to nowhere, wanted nothing, and had no one. So she went home. The crowd was packed. Apparently, there was a celebrity. She didn't care. What happened to me?  she wondered. In a time long past, she would have been the first to have waited, the first to have showed up to that gathering. Now she walked alone to the authorized and designated PUV stop. Seriously, this jeep can fit five more people?  Her musings might have deafened her if the driver's voice was only a bit softer. She scooted to the side and let someone else sit properly on the jeep's too-narrow seat. "You can make yourself comfortable. I'll be getting off soon," she told the girl who had to walk with careful de...

Elusive. That's what you are. Cunning. Clever. Downright hard to catch. You are there when I want you, but you are never there when I can have you. I desire you, but you are just too elusive. They told mE to pursue you. "It's not enough," I said. "It's never really enough." They shook their heads but smiled, knowing someday I will break my resolve. "Why don't you?" they asked again. I looked down and pretended not to hear. It was eXasperating. I was alone today. The throngs of people walked by, immersed in their own worlds. They looked happy. I smiled. I was happy, but I wanTed you. I shifted my bag on my shoulder. "I shouldn't," I told myself. "I should just go home." I followed my feet. My steps took me where I should not have gone. My steps took me to you. "Just once. Just tonight." That was it. I couldn't take it anymoRe. I couldn't wait, but they made me wait. I had no choice. You were pr...

One year ago, I woke up and got ready to fly to Cebu. We went to the airport, and I got on a plane. I arrived and got to my first boarding house. First in both senses: It was my first boarding house in Cebu. It was my first time to live in a boarding house. Since it was a Good Friday, most shops were closed. There weren't a lot of cars. I had to explore. I walked around. I crossed the street to Jollibee, which is always a reliable store. I walked around some more. Then I went back to my room. I didn't have any beddings, so yeah, I slept on a wooden bed with only the bedsheet to soften my bed. I didn't have my own fan. I had my laptop to keep me company though. I wrote a song. Then that was basically it. That was a year ago. A year later, that is, today, I woke up and rolled around on my very comfortable bed. I stared at the ceiling, the one that always seemed to surprise me with indoor rain, and wondered what I should do today. I finally got up and cleaned the bathroom....

Official photo? Every time we talk about graduation, this photo seems to pop up. Four years ago on this day, we stepped out into the real world, full of hope and excitement for the things to come. We stepped out and away from the portals that have cared for us and equipped us for what we might face. Futures were about to be taken hold of. Lives were about to change. A generation of beginnings was to be born. Four years ago on this day, we transferred the cord of our hats from one side to the other to signify our crossover from who we were to who we will be. Four years ago on this day, we graduated. For some people, leaving the confines of student life was simple. They had plans. All their dreams were lined up and ready for the taking. Some people had careers waiting for them. Others had a season of leisure and rest. Still, there were those who had no idea what to do next. Where do we go from here? What's next? I've had friends continue their pursuit of education (an...

I am no expert at traffic signs, but I'm pretty sure of what this sign means. So if this sign is pretty clear, then explain this. From Carlo Montoya's Flickr For some weird reason, I was drawn to writing about stop signs. Actually, lately I'm drawn to writing about any kind of sign. (Cue background singing: I saw the signs, and it opened up my eyes * Pitch Perfect version.) And to start my series of traffic-sign-inspired posts, let's talk about the No Stopping Any Time sign. Is it human instinct that we just want to break rules? Is it really that hard not to stop at a No Stopping Any Time sign? Does that sign just make us want to stop, contrary to what it actually means? Is there a program somewhere in us that steps on the brakes and suddenly halts us from whatever we're doing just to stare (mockingly) at the No Stopping Any Time sign? It's like saying to someone, "Hey, don't look now, but that strange person has been staring at you ...

She/He broke up with you. You got a failing grade. Your parents don't appreciate your efforts. Your friends make fun of you. You make fun of you. You have no idea what else to do. You just want to die. Well, let me tell you something--if you want to die, you will sooner or later. My advice for you is to choose later. This post is a rant, a sympathy and a challenge to all those who have attempted, will attempt or will attempt to attempt suicide. You're painting a very pretty picture of what you want, dude. READ ME.