Maganda talaga ang Hotel Husa Princesa, isang five-star hotel dito sa Espanya. Kasama ko si Juan Luna na maghahapunan doon kahit wala akong pera. Di bale, anu't ano man, gagawa ako ng paraan...
Ayan, parating na si Juan. Apat na buwan kaming hindi nagkikita. Apat na buwan na rin mula ng mapanalunan niya ang timpalak Exposicion Nacional de Bellas Artes na ginaganap kada tatlong tao dito rin sa Espanya. Sana may tira pa sa napanalunan niya para ilibre man lang niya ako. Pero matagal-tagal na 'yon. Baka tulad ko'y mahirap pa sa daga ang taong ito. Mukhang mahirap pa nga sa daga. Ano ba naman ang taong ito, hindi man lamang bumiste nang maayos-ayos para naman kahit sa pananamit ay magmukhang may sinabi siya. Hindi makatulad sa akin, tsk, tsk, tsk.
"Hi Juan! Kumusta ka na? Binabati kita sa pagkapanalo mo. Mahusay, mahusay!... Sige, pipili na rin ako ng makakain. Ano bang masarap? Ah, itong callos, mukhang masarap... Magkano ba ito, waiter?" *napaubo sa mahal ng callos* "Ah, 1000 pesos pala." *hindi makapaniwala* "Mahal nga..."
Hindi ko alam kung dapat kong tanungin si Juan kung may pera siya dahil pupulutin kami sa kangkungan kapag wala rin siyang pambayad...
"Juan, siguro mayaman ka na, ano? Malaki rin ang napanalunan mo sa Eksposisyon, di ba?.... Naku, 'wag mo nga akong biruin. Sa pananamit lang ako nagmumukhang mayaman. Pero IKAW na talaga ang yumaman at mayaman. *sabay halakhak* Naks naman... Ilibre mo naman ako. Mayaman ka na e! Sige ne, libre na..."
Naku, mukhang nagsasabi nga ng totoo ang mokong na ito. Paano na ako makakakain? Hindi lang ako nalipasan ng gutom. Panis na ito [ang gutom], kumbaga.
"Juan, *bumubulong* yung totoo, may pambayad ka ba kung sakali? Yung totoo lang, please?.... Wala? O sige, ako na ang bahala."
*dumating ang pagkain*
Lalagyan ko ng buhok ang callos ko. Hindi ako maaaring mapahiya. Kailangang magpanggap na SILA ang may kasalanan. Kailangang makaalis dito nang may mukhang maihaharap sa tao. Kailangang maipakita kong metikuloso ako pagdating sa pagkain at hindi panghihinayangang iwan ang isang five-star restaurant na gaya nito. MAYABANG ako. Totoo. Ayokong napapahiya. Di bale nang hindi makakain, basta't may nakakakitang kaya kong pumasok sa isang mamahaling restaurant, na kaya kong makipagsabayan sa kalakaran dito sa Espanya. Ayokong umuwi sa Pilipinas. Gusto ko silang papaniwalaing maganda ang buhay dito at higit sa lahat, nakakasabay ako sa agos.... Kaya bago pa makasubo itong si Juan, gagawa na ako ng eksena...
- J.P. Rizal
[pesimistikong] ambag ni:
VALENTON, Tresa M.
:P
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Baby, just say yes
"O Romeo, Romeo! wherefore art thou Romeo?
Deny thy father and refuse thy name.
Or if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love
And I'll no longer be a Capulet."- William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet, 2.2
Those are such lovely words from William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. You’re probably wondering why I quoted lines from that play. It’s only because my friends and I are going to re-enact Romeo and Juliet for fun.
Funny thing is, all of us are males. So who would be playing Juliet, you may ask? Well, my friends… I will spare you from deep pondering. I will be playing a woman’s role – that is, Juliet’s! I know, I know. Laugh all you want. People have been snickering whenever they learn that I’m going to be Juliet, and as silly as it may sound, I really don’t mind. Not that I’m gay or anything, but I’ve always found it interesting to act out as a woman in a play. How the female mind works is still difficult to fathom for me, and I’m hoping I would be able to decipher what the females are actually thinking by playing this role.
We were rehearsing for the play earlier when all of a sudden, the costumes were brought in. I was like, oh boy, now I have to wear the girly, cleavage-showing dress and lose my dignity. Why they chose me for this role, I still do not know. It’s probably because I’m shorter than most of my friends, and females are supposed to be shorter than the males anyway. Wouldn’t it be weird if Juliet is taller than Romeo? Anyway, I didn’t know that females had to wear complicated things inside. Corsets? Man, what a pain to wear! I was having difficulty breathing because it was a bit tight. Though I have to admit, it enhanced my perfectly-shaped body…
As I write this, I’m reviewing my lines for the play while listening to this awesome song. Love Story by Taylor Swift. The song goes something like this:
Romeo, take me somewhere we could be alone
I’ll be waiting, all there’s left to do is run
You’ll be the prince, and I’ll be the princess
It’s a love story, baby, just say yes
I seriously think it sets the mood for the play. Don’t you just agree? Anyway, I’m tired now. The bed has been calling me LOL.
“Good Night, Good night!
Parting is such sweet sorrow,
that I shall say good night till it be morrow.”- William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet, 2.2PC Magnaye Hi165-G
France Here I Come!
Today is June of the year 1883; I left Madrid to go to Paris to in order to study ophthalmology under the assistance of Dr. Louis de Wecker in order that I may be able to cure my mother’s cataracts when I go back home. At first I stayed at the Hotel de Paris but then moved to a cheaper hotel because of being low in cash. Like all other tourists, I was charmingly fascinated by the attractive scenery of Paris such as the beautiful boulevards, the Opera House, the Place de la Concorde, the Arch of Triumph, the Bois de Boulogne, the Madelaine Church, the Cathedral of Notre Dame, the Column of Vendome, the Invalides, and the Versailes. I closely observed the French way of life and spent many many hours at the museums. At this I became interested in mastering the French language. I could clearly remember that it was when I boarded the ship Djemnah, which was a French steamer that left Singapore for Europe on May 11 that I first attempted to converse in French, but then it wasn’t until today that I was able to use it again. Learning French for me isn’t all that difficult. Besides it will add up to the list of the other 21languages I am well conversed with namely, Tagalog, Ilokano, Spanish, Portuguese, Latin, Greek, Sanskrit, English, German, Arabic, Hebrew, Catalan, Dutch, Italian, Chinese, Japanese, Swedish, Russian, Malay, Bisayan, and Subanun. To learn a new language, I memorize five root words every night before going to bed. At the end of the year, I was able to learn 1,825 new words and these I never forget. Hope that my visits to other European countries would be as unforgettable as this one! =)
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
je suis fou de vous
I'm crazy for you.
Bonjour!
It makes me very emotional whenever I think about the women in my life. I have mentioned this before especially during my younger years with Segunda and the Leonors (there was another Leonor actually whom I also loved). But as I expected, traveling would not remove my fondness for the species. No heartbreaks, no heartaches would stop me from pursuing them. LOL (I discovered this acronym the other day). They are such fascinating beings that I can't help but be attracted. They move with grace that rival the natural movements of the waters by the shore. Their skin is without flaw, so smooth and soft to the touch. They are as beautiful as the mighty pearl of the orient-- they must have taken many years to perfect. God is amazing, you know.
I went on a trip to Europe with a few of my compatriots. It was a great learning experience... which I can discuss more extensively on another day, another blog entry. For now I will only talk about one thing. Women. LOL.
I really like women, and I am not ashamed to admit this. In my opinion, it is better if we openly express our awe to their very being. However, bounds are in place. You can either be slapped or admired. I choose the latter one, naturally. Suave.
Although I have yet to find my fairytale ending, I have had my share of love stories. In Europe alone I was already able to charm about 5 women. Good times.
I was still in love with Leonor Rivera. She was my ideal woman. If my novel Noli Me Tangere would be real, she would be my Maria Clara. She was my all... I could not believe having another relationship with a woman would be possible after her. I tried my best to remain faithful to our love. She loved me. I knew that.
Still, I was able to meet Consuelo Ortiga, a pretty lady who was enraptured by my poems. I dedicated one that became my favorite, A la Senorita C.O. y R. I often visited their place in Madrid, although I had to back out when things started to get a little serious. What made things worse was my friend, Eduardo de Lete, was madly in love with her. Who was I to meddle with their lives? I was but a passing ship, as she was to me. Leonor's beautiful face reappeared several times in my mind...
I had news then that things with Leonor were not looking bright at home. I wonder if she had been getting my letters? That mom of hers probably kept it from her. Ah, what am I saying? This must be what it feels like to be bitter. If there's a lol, there must be a laughing softly? LS? Anyway, I tried to force myself to open up to other women. This news left me brokenhearted and I need to heal.
In London, I became a guest in the Beckett house. This was about the time I annotated Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas. I met a lovely blue-eyed buxom woman named Gertrude (see picture). She was the eldest among three daughters. Who knew that she were to fall fast for me. She was madly in love. It was very flattering. But things got out of hand and I couldn't handle the intensity of everything that I decided to put a stop to it. I gave her a carving as a token of our brief relationship. I hope she finds another man who could satisfy her. She's a sweet girl.
I went to Biarritz and stayed in Eduardo Boustead's home. There I met Adelina and Nellie, whom I befriended. We played fencing at Juan Luna's studio twice a week. Antonio Luna seemed to be courting Nellie at the time. They were pretty women, it was not surprising that many people were courting them. Nellie and I were getting close though, so I don't suppose Antonio wants to be my buddy anytime soon. LOL. He'd probably want to hit me when he got the chance.
In a Filipino party we had over at Madrid, something Antonio did caught me by surprise. I was expecting hostility against me... but lo, he attacked the beautiful, unpresuming Nellie Boustead. I grew livid. What was this man up to?? Was he gay?! Why would he dare say such foul words to a woman whom he claimed to love!? It was unheard of. I challenged this coward to a duel. Tomorrow, near the park. I could already picture the epic battle between me and this lowlife. Not long after my plan has been nearly fixed in my imagination, Antonio slapped himself into reality and apologized for everything. O Dios.
Continuing, Nellie and grew even closer after that. We had a sweet love that was always so pleasant. Things would have worked out, had it not been for her mother who did not want me, because I was a physician 'without enough paying clientele'. Also there was an issue with my religion. Despite my anti-prayle beliefs, I still believe in God. It is what I have always known. I believe that there is God and Christianity (as flawed as it may be in my homeland) is still what can save us. So I refused to be converted to Protestantism. It was bittersweet, but we remained good friends with good Nellie.
The cost of living in Paris was too high for me so I had to transfer to Brussels. Suzanne Jacoby and her sister were my very hospitable hosts. Here was another love story that quickly turned passionate. I loved her. It was as if we were careless teenagers very much in love. I had to move again eventually though, and this naturally broke her heart. It pained me to see her cry so much... but a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do.
Sorry, ladies.
Pepe
----------------------------------------------------------------
Darlene Haw
Bonjour!
It makes me very emotional whenever I think about the women in my life. I have mentioned this before especially during my younger years with Segunda and the Leonors (there was another Leonor actually whom I also loved). But as I expected, traveling would not remove my fondness for the species. No heartbreaks, no heartaches would stop me from pursuing them. LOL (I discovered this acronym the other day). They are such fascinating beings that I can't help but be attracted. They move with grace that rival the natural movements of the waters by the shore. Their skin is without flaw, so smooth and soft to the touch. They are as beautiful as the mighty pearl of the orient-- they must have taken many years to perfect. God is amazing, you know.
I went on a trip to Europe with a few of my compatriots. It was a great learning experience... which I can discuss more extensively on another day, another blog entry. For now I will only talk about one thing. Women. LOL.
I really like women, and I am not ashamed to admit this. In my opinion, it is better if we openly express our awe to their very being. However, bounds are in place. You can either be slapped or admired. I choose the latter one, naturally. Suave.
Although I have yet to find my fairytale ending, I have had my share of love stories. In Europe alone I was already able to charm about 5 women. Good times.
I was still in love with Leonor Rivera. She was my ideal woman. If my novel Noli Me Tangere would be real, she would be my Maria Clara. She was my all... I could not believe having another relationship with a woman would be possible after her. I tried my best to remain faithful to our love. She loved me. I knew that.
Still, I was able to meet Consuelo Ortiga, a pretty lady who was enraptured by my poems. I dedicated one that became my favorite, A la Senorita C.O. y R. I often visited their place in Madrid, although I had to back out when things started to get a little serious. What made things worse was my friend, Eduardo de Lete, was madly in love with her. Who was I to meddle with their lives? I was but a passing ship, as she was to me. Leonor's beautiful face reappeared several times in my mind...
I had news then that things with Leonor were not looking bright at home. I wonder if she had been getting my letters? That mom of hers probably kept it from her. Ah, what am I saying? This must be what it feels like to be bitter. If there's a lol, there must be a laughing softly? LS? Anyway, I tried to force myself to open up to other women. This news left me brokenhearted and I need to heal.
In London, I became a guest in the Beckett house. This was about the time I annotated Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas. I met a lovely blue-eyed buxom woman named Gertrude (see picture). She was the eldest among three daughters. Who knew that she were to fall fast for me. She was madly in love. It was very flattering. But things got out of hand and I couldn't handle the intensity of everything that I decided to put a stop to it. I gave her a carving as a token of our brief relationship. I hope she finds another man who could satisfy her. She's a sweet girl.
I went to Biarritz and stayed in Eduardo Boustead's home. There I met Adelina and Nellie, whom I befriended. We played fencing at Juan Luna's studio twice a week. Antonio Luna seemed to be courting Nellie at the time. They were pretty women, it was not surprising that many people were courting them. Nellie and I were getting close though, so I don't suppose Antonio wants to be my buddy anytime soon. LOL. He'd probably want to hit me when he got the chance.
In a Filipino party we had over at Madrid, something Antonio did caught me by surprise. I was expecting hostility against me... but lo, he attacked the beautiful, unpresuming Nellie Boustead. I grew livid. What was this man up to?? Was he gay?! Why would he dare say such foul words to a woman whom he claimed to love!? It was unheard of. I challenged this coward to a duel. Tomorrow, near the park. I could already picture the epic battle between me and this lowlife. Not long after my plan has been nearly fixed in my imagination, Antonio slapped himself into reality and apologized for everything. O Dios.
Continuing, Nellie and grew even closer after that. We had a sweet love that was always so pleasant. Things would have worked out, had it not been for her mother who did not want me, because I was a physician 'without enough paying clientele'. Also there was an issue with my religion. Despite my anti-prayle beliefs, I still believe in God. It is what I have always known. I believe that there is God and Christianity (as flawed as it may be in my homeland) is still what can save us. So I refused to be converted to Protestantism. It was bittersweet, but we remained good friends with good Nellie.
The cost of living in Paris was too high for me so I had to transfer to Brussels. Suzanne Jacoby and her sister were my very hospitable hosts. Here was another love story that quickly turned passionate. I loved her. It was as if we were careless teenagers very much in love. I had to move again eventually though, and this naturally broke her heart. It pained me to see her cry so much... but a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do.
Sorry, ladies.
Pepe
----------------------------------------------------------------
Darlene Haw
Monday, April 27, 2009
excited na ako mag eurotrip!
¡Hola! Me llamo Señor Jose P. Rizal. Soy filipino.
Hallo! Ich heiße Jose P. Rizal. Ich komme aus Philippinen.
Nagtataka siguro kayo kung ano ang ibig sabihin ng mga nakasulat sa itaas ano? Ganyan ako magpapakilala gamit ang salitang Espanyol at Aleman. Pupunta kasi akong Europa kaya kailangan kong sanayin ang aking sariling magsalita na gamit ang mga wika nila. Siyempre marami pa silang ibang wika ngunit uunahin ko na lang ang dalawang nabanggit sapagkat sa tingin ko ay mas mahalaga ang mga iyan. At aaralin ko rin naman iyong iba pagkatapos kong mag-empake.
Sige, ibabahagi ko na lang muna sa inyo ang mga dadalhin ko papuntang Europa:
Unang-una, kailangan kong magdala ng mapa. Baka kasi mawala ako doon. Dayuhan pa naman ako sa lugar na iyon.
Pangalawa, dadalhin ko ang aking camera, laptop at aking mga kagamitang pangsining. Siyempre, kailangan ko ang camera upang makunan ko ng picture ang mga tanawin doon. Ang aking laptop naman ay para makapagsulat ako ng mga blog ko at upang makakonekta pa rin ako sa internet at makapag-e-mail ako sa pamilya ko, mga kaibigan at pati na rin kay Ferdinand (Blumentritt). Kailangan ko rin ang aking mga kagamitang pangsining para makapagpinta ako atbp. kung sakaling ako ay ma-bore na. Magandang ideya siguro ang ipinta ang aking sariling portrait tapos ang nasa background ay mga magagandang babae, este, magagandang tanawin. (vain!)
Pangatlo naman ay siyempre ang aking mga damit at mga personal na kagamitan. Kailangan akong magmukhang magandang lalaki (macho!) sapagkat sa pagkakaalam ko, maraming mga magagandang chicas sa Europa. Sana naman maraming makipagkilala sa akin. At sana ay may dalawa, o sige na, kahit isa man lang na mapaibig ko.
Dadalhin ko rin pala siyempre ang aking coat, hat at ang aking suitcase. Hindi ko dapat makalimutan ang mga ito sapagkat hindi makukumpleto ang the Jose Rizal get-up kung wala ang mga iyan.
May nakalimutan pa ba ako? Itext niyo na lang ako ha? Sige hanggang dito na lang muna. Hanggang sa muli!
Adiós.
Hallo! Ich heiße Jose P. Rizal. Ich komme aus Philippinen.
Nagtataka siguro kayo kung ano ang ibig sabihin ng mga nakasulat sa itaas ano? Ganyan ako magpapakilala gamit ang salitang Espanyol at Aleman. Pupunta kasi akong Europa kaya kailangan kong sanayin ang aking sariling magsalita na gamit ang mga wika nila. Siyempre marami pa silang ibang wika ngunit uunahin ko na lang ang dalawang nabanggit sapagkat sa tingin ko ay mas mahalaga ang mga iyan. At aaralin ko rin naman iyong iba pagkatapos kong mag-empake.
Sige, ibabahagi ko na lang muna sa inyo ang mga dadalhin ko papuntang Europa:
Unang-una, kailangan kong magdala ng mapa. Baka kasi mawala ako doon. Dayuhan pa naman ako sa lugar na iyon.
Pangalawa, dadalhin ko ang aking camera, laptop at aking mga kagamitang pangsining. Siyempre, kailangan ko ang camera upang makunan ko ng picture ang mga tanawin doon. Ang aking laptop naman ay para makapagsulat ako ng mga blog ko at upang makakonekta pa rin ako sa internet at makapag-e-mail ako sa pamilya ko, mga kaibigan at pati na rin kay Ferdinand (Blumentritt). Kailangan ko rin ang aking mga kagamitang pangsining para makapagpinta ako atbp. kung sakaling ako ay ma-bore na. Magandang ideya siguro ang ipinta ang aking sariling portrait tapos ang nasa background ay mga magagandang babae, este, magagandang tanawin. (vain!)
Pangatlo naman ay siyempre ang aking mga damit at mga personal na kagamitan. Kailangan akong magmukhang magandang lalaki (macho!) sapagkat sa pagkakaalam ko, maraming mga magagandang chicas sa Europa. Sana naman maraming makipagkilala sa akin. At sana ay may dalawa, o sige na, kahit isa man lang na mapaibig ko.
Dadalhin ko rin pala siyempre ang aking coat, hat at ang aking suitcase. Hindi ko dapat makalimutan ang mga ito sapagkat hindi makukumpleto ang the Jose Rizal get-up kung wala ang mga iyan.
May nakalimutan pa ba ako? Itext niyo na lang ako ha? Sige hanggang dito na lang muna. Hanggang sa muli!
Adiós.
Distant Lands...
To travel the world and see the vast splendor it holds is but a dream many wish for.
I know that seeing the giant Pyramid of Giza, walking on the ancient stones of the Great Wall of China, or even an up close view of intricate details preserved in the beauty of Taj Mahal would be enough for me. Then again, the idea of stepping on foreign soil sounds exciting enough.
To do this I would have to leave my homeland.
Don't get me wrong, I love my country. That's why I believe that the answers to her freedom lies in distant lands. If I'm able to continue my education in a place where knowledge is not kept within avaricious hands, then maybe I could bring back hope to my countrymen.
Europe sounds good right now. I could actually learn more about the Spaniards there. But where exactly in Spain should I go? Probably the more advanced and populated cities. Perhaps Madrid? Or Barcelona? It doesn't matter, so long as I get to establish myself there. I'll have to watch my spending there though. I know that Mom and Dad can give me enough money here from Laguna, but I'll have to spend it wisely for food and accommodations. I'll have to do something for mom as well. Her eyesight's getting worse. We all know that Mama Doña Teodora can't have bad vision! This means I should study more ophthalmology there. Not to mention they would have better equipment there. Time to pursue my profession. Might as well make the most of my visit. France sounds like a good start, then maybe Berlin later on... or Leipzig! Hmmmm... We'll see.
During my stay, I mustn't forget that my duty is to my country.
I could continue my works there as well. "Noli Me Tangere"? Hmmmm... sounds good to me. I could probably have it published there.
I'll have to plan some more.
PERSONAL NOTE:
*explore and learn
*further ophthalmology studies
*help mom
*finish novels
*meet foreign girls
*establish international ties
*SAVE THE HOMELAND!
-J.R.
_________________________________________________________________
Paolo Banaga
Sunday, April 26, 2009
“Tap before you get hurt.”
May mga taong nagtutulakan samantalang ang iba’y naghihilahan. May mga nakahiga samantalang ang iba’y nakatayo. May mga taong magkapatong. May ilang hawak ang isa’t isa sa leeg na para bang nagpapatayan sila.
BLAG! Sandaling katahimikan. BLAG! Don’t forget to slam!
Iyan ang eksenang napapanood at naririnig ko tuwing nagagawi ako sa isang kuwarto sa ikalawang palapag ng kanang bahagi ng gym. Dito, maglalaro ka nang walang suot na sapatos o tsinelas. Dito, maaari kang humiga at magpagulung-gulong. Dito, nakadarama ako ng matinding kaba dahil maaari akong mabalian ng buto anumang oras. Ito ang Dojo ng Judo.
Ang Dojo ang lugar kung saan pinag-aaralan ng mga Judoka - tawag sa mga nag-aaral ng Judo - ang itinuturong galaw o technique ng kanilang guro na karaniwang tinatawag na Coach.
Sandali lamang ang unang pagkikita ng aming klase sa Judo. Wala pa kasi kaming Gi na dapat naming isuot kapag klase ng Judo. Tiningnan lamang ni Coach kung naroon lahat ng mga nakalista sa talaan ng mga estudyante, binigyan kami ng kopya ng maikling kasaysayan ng Judo at kanyang ipinaliwanag, at pinaalis na rin.
Sandali rin lamang ang ikalawa naming pagkikita. Kinuha lamang niya ang sukat ng aming Gi, hiningi ang aming bayad at pinaalis na rin. Binigyan niya kami ng freecut noong sumunod na pagkikita dahil hindi niya pa kami matuturuan sapagkat wala pa kaming Gi. Nang dumating na ang aming Gi, tinuruan niya muna kaming itali nang maayos ang aming sinturon at sinabi niya sa amin ang mga dapat at hindi dapat gawin kapag nasa loob ng Dojo at kapag naglalaban na sa sparring.
Naging masaya ang mga naunang pagkikita namin hanggang sa tinuruan niya kami ng Judo roll. Una yaong sinubok ng aking kapareha. Nagawa niya naman ngunit hindi raw wasto sabi ni Coach. Noong ako na ang susubok, KLOK! Nakarinig ako ng isang tunog na hindi ko alam kung saan nagmula, ngunit narinig din pala iyon ng aming Coach at agad niya iyong nakilala. Nagmula pala ang tunog sa katabi naming kaklase na sinubok gawin ang roll ngunit mali ang kanyang porma maging ang bagsak ng kanyang katawan kaya sinalo ng kanyang kanang balikat ang buo niyang bigat at dahil dito ay nawala sa ayos ang kanyang buto. Binigyan kami ni Coach ng ilang mga paalala ukol sa paggawa ng roll at saka tinapos ang aming klase sa araw na iyon dahil kailangan niyang dalhin sa ospital ang estudyanteng naaksidente. Natakot na ako sa Judo simula noon.
Lumipas ang ilang araw ng Judo. Naituro na sa amin ang mga Osae Komi o mga posisyong maaari mong gamitin upang matalo mo ang iyong kalaban, at nagsimula na kami sa sparring. Natalo ko naman ang aking kalaban noon at naging masaya ako sa aking pagkapanalo. Sunod naming pinanood ang laban ng aming Coach sa isa naming kaklase. Nagulat kami at namangha sa bilis ng labanan nila. Wala pang isang minuto ay tapos na ang laban dahil napatumba kaagad siya ng aming Coach. Nilabanan naman siya ng isa pa naming kaklaseng si Juan. Masaya ang naging labanan nila. Naghiyawan ang lahat nang makita namin ang tap ni Coach kay Juan. Ipinahihiwatig ng tap na iyon na sumusuko na si Coach sa kanilang labanan. Gaya nga ng sabi niya, “Tap before you get hurt.”
Unti-unting nawala ang takot ko sa Judo at bumalik ang aking interes. Simula noon ay naging masaya na ang bawat araw ng Judo sa akin at tila bitin pa ako sa isang oras ng aming klase. Naisip ko na maikli lamang ang aking pag-aaral ng Judo kaya hindi ko dapat sayangin ang panahon upang maging masaya sa isports na ito.
Wala naman pala talaga akong dapat na ikatakot sa Judo dahil wala namang kinalaman ang Judo sa kung ano man ang mangyayari sa akin. Kung mabalian man ako ng buto, kasalanan ko iyon dahil may mali sa proseso ng paggawa ko nito.
Hindi tayo dapat matakot na sumubok ng mga isports o laro na labas sa ating comfort zone o yaong hindi natin mapili dahil maraming maaaring mangyari sa iyo na ikinatatakot mo.
Masaya ang Judo. Subukin niyo ito.
- J.P. Rizal
_________________________
Darlene S. Madlangbayan
BLAG! Sandaling katahimikan. BLAG! Don’t forget to slam!
Iyan ang eksenang napapanood at naririnig ko tuwing nagagawi ako sa isang kuwarto sa ikalawang palapag ng kanang bahagi ng gym. Dito, maglalaro ka nang walang suot na sapatos o tsinelas. Dito, maaari kang humiga at magpagulung-gulong. Dito, nakadarama ako ng matinding kaba dahil maaari akong mabalian ng buto anumang oras. Ito ang Dojo ng Judo.
Ang Dojo ang lugar kung saan pinag-aaralan ng mga Judoka - tawag sa mga nag-aaral ng Judo - ang itinuturong galaw o technique ng kanilang guro na karaniwang tinatawag na Coach.
Sandali lamang ang unang pagkikita ng aming klase sa Judo. Wala pa kasi kaming Gi na dapat naming isuot kapag klase ng Judo. Tiningnan lamang ni Coach kung naroon lahat ng mga nakalista sa talaan ng mga estudyante, binigyan kami ng kopya ng maikling kasaysayan ng Judo at kanyang ipinaliwanag, at pinaalis na rin.
Sandali rin lamang ang ikalawa naming pagkikita. Kinuha lamang niya ang sukat ng aming Gi, hiningi ang aming bayad at pinaalis na rin. Binigyan niya kami ng freecut noong sumunod na pagkikita dahil hindi niya pa kami matuturuan sapagkat wala pa kaming Gi. Nang dumating na ang aming Gi, tinuruan niya muna kaming itali nang maayos ang aming sinturon at sinabi niya sa amin ang mga dapat at hindi dapat gawin kapag nasa loob ng Dojo at kapag naglalaban na sa sparring.
Naging masaya ang mga naunang pagkikita namin hanggang sa tinuruan niya kami ng Judo roll. Una yaong sinubok ng aking kapareha. Nagawa niya naman ngunit hindi raw wasto sabi ni Coach. Noong ako na ang susubok, KLOK! Nakarinig ako ng isang tunog na hindi ko alam kung saan nagmula, ngunit narinig din pala iyon ng aming Coach at agad niya iyong nakilala. Nagmula pala ang tunog sa katabi naming kaklase na sinubok gawin ang roll ngunit mali ang kanyang porma maging ang bagsak ng kanyang katawan kaya sinalo ng kanyang kanang balikat ang buo niyang bigat at dahil dito ay nawala sa ayos ang kanyang buto. Binigyan kami ni Coach ng ilang mga paalala ukol sa paggawa ng roll at saka tinapos ang aming klase sa araw na iyon dahil kailangan niyang dalhin sa ospital ang estudyanteng naaksidente. Natakot na ako sa Judo simula noon.
Lumipas ang ilang araw ng Judo. Naituro na sa amin ang mga Osae Komi o mga posisyong maaari mong gamitin upang matalo mo ang iyong kalaban, at nagsimula na kami sa sparring. Natalo ko naman ang aking kalaban noon at naging masaya ako sa aking pagkapanalo. Sunod naming pinanood ang laban ng aming Coach sa isa naming kaklase. Nagulat kami at namangha sa bilis ng labanan nila. Wala pang isang minuto ay tapos na ang laban dahil napatumba kaagad siya ng aming Coach. Nilabanan naman siya ng isa pa naming kaklaseng si Juan. Masaya ang naging labanan nila. Naghiyawan ang lahat nang makita namin ang tap ni Coach kay Juan. Ipinahihiwatig ng tap na iyon na sumusuko na si Coach sa kanilang labanan. Gaya nga ng sabi niya, “Tap before you get hurt.”
Unti-unting nawala ang takot ko sa Judo at bumalik ang aking interes. Simula noon ay naging masaya na ang bawat araw ng Judo sa akin at tila bitin pa ako sa isang oras ng aming klase. Naisip ko na maikli lamang ang aking pag-aaral ng Judo kaya hindi ko dapat sayangin ang panahon upang maging masaya sa isports na ito.
Wala naman pala talaga akong dapat na ikatakot sa Judo dahil wala namang kinalaman ang Judo sa kung ano man ang mangyayari sa akin. Kung mabalian man ako ng buto, kasalanan ko iyon dahil may mali sa proseso ng paggawa ko nito.
Hindi tayo dapat matakot na sumubok ng mga isports o laro na labas sa ating comfort zone o yaong hindi natin mapili dahil maraming maaaring mangyari sa iyo na ikinatatakot mo.
Masaya ang Judo. Subukin niyo ito.
- J.P. Rizal
_________________________
Darlene S. Madlangbayan
Multo ng Nakaraan
Nakakagulat kaninang umaga.Naisulat ko nga rito sa kinagigiliwan kong BLOGSPOT ang tungkol sa bagumbago kong laptop. Habang binubutingting ko 'to kanina, napadpad ako sa aking Yahoo Mail. Parang binista ako ng mga multo ng nakaraan! Laking gulat ko ng nakita ko ang isang email ng nakaraan kong pag-ibig na itatago ko na lang sa pangalang Leonor Valenzuela.
Bakit nga ba multo?
Upang maintindihan ninyo, eto ang isang kwento.
[Cue music: Thinking of You- Katy Perry]
Scene: Ateneo times
Comparisons are easily done once you had a taste of perfection.
Jose: Ang saya, Segunda! Maglaro tayo sa tubigan
Segunda: Sige, Jose! Tara!
(slow motion basaan)
Like an apple hanging from a tree
I picked the ripest one
I still got a seed
Segunda: Ang sarap naman nitong hamburger!
Jose: Uh... may catsup ka sa pisngi.
Segunda: (Punas-punas) Meron pa ba?
Jose: Ah. Ako na, (kukuha ng tissue, pupunasan ang gilid ng bibig)
Segunda: (Ngingiti) Salamat, Jose!
Jose: (Ngingiti, bibilis ang takbo ng puso)
Jose: Segunda, may sorpresa ako sa'yo (hawak-hawak ang regalo sa likod, nakangiti)
Segunda: Ha, e, hinihintay na ako ni Manuel, Jose. Ikakasal na ako mamaya at madami pang gagawin. Maaari bang bukas na lang?
Jose: (Mawawala ang ngiti) Sige, bukas na lang.
You said move on
Where do I go
I guess second best
Is all I will know
Kadalasan, ang lahat ng mga "una" halos nagkakasabay lalo na sa larangan ng pag-ibig. Unang paghawak ng kamay ng isang babae, unang pag-akyat ng ligaw, unang tulang isinulat upang ialay sa nililigawan, unang oo, kauna-unahang pagbilis ng takbo ng puso, unang pag-ibig, at unang halik.
Ang unang pag-ibig at unang halik ay madalas na nangyayari ng sabay, sa iisang babae. Ngunit, hindi ganoon ang nangyari sa akin.
Umalis na nga si Segunda at nagpakasal kay Manuel. Napakalaking kakulangan ang naramdaman ko sa aking puso na hindi ko man lang nasabi sa kaniya ang pag-ibig ko. Nagpaka-emo ako ng onting araw lang naman at naglibot sa Pagsanjan kung saan ko nakilala si Leonor Valenzuela. Matangkad na babae, kabaligtaran ni Segunda. Naniniwala ako na mababago niya ang anyo ng aking puso.
Masaya kami ni Leonor. Pasulat-sulat ako ng mga liham na may markang nakikita lamang sa ilalim ng init ng kandila tapos pakipot-kipot siya ng kaunti. Nangyari ito hangga't papunta na ako sa Espanya.
Isang gabi yoon, kung aking naaalalang tama.
Sa bandang kagubatan, umiiyak si Leonor na ako'y tutungo na. Nagkaroon din naman kami ng intindihan kahit papaano. Buong-buo ang buwan. Saktong-sakto sa mga romantikong librong nabasa ko. Naririnig pa sa 'di kalayuan ang tunog ng mga pakpak ng milliong crickets kasabay ang pag-kokak ng mga palaka.
Saktong kilig lang.
Ako ata ang nauna.
Pero, sa halik na yoon, isang imahe lang ang pumasok sa isipan ko.
"Ano kaya kung si Segunda 'to?"
She kissed my lips
I taste your mouth
She pulled me in
I was disgusted with myself.
Isang multo. Isang bagay na hanggang ngayon ay pinipilit guluhin ang isip ko.
How do I get better
Once I've had the best
You said there's
Tons of fish in the water
So the water's I will test
Pero, ayos lang din na hindi ko nasabi kung tutuusin. Kung sakaling nasabi ko, baka hindi ko na nakilala ang labing tatlong babaeng sumunod pa. ;)
Currently listening to: Thinking of You- Katy Perry.
- J. Rizal
-------
Marion Causing
Thursday, April 23, 2009
First Day Funk
Habang ako’y naglalakad papunta sa aking silid-aralan hawak ang aking regform, hindi ko maitago sa aking sarili ang galak at kasiyahan na nanggagaling mula sa aking puso. Malinaw ang lahat sa akin, alam ko na ito na ang magiging simula ng aking pagsasakatuparan ng aking mga pangarap. Sa ngayon, ako’y handa nang matuto, handa nang manghinusay.
Nang aking tignan ang aking reloj de pulsera, ako’y nagitla na ilang minuto na lamang at magsisimula na ang aking unang klase. ¡Caramba! Dali-dali akong nanakbo dahil hindi ko ginustong mahuli sa unang araw ng aking klase. Takbo, takbo, pabilis nang pabilis. Hindi ko na napansin ang mga tao sa aking paligid dahil ang tanging nasa isip ko lamang ay kailangan kong makarating sa aking silid-aralan sa takdang oras. Pinilit kong tumakbo ng kaytulin, hanggang sa…. BLAG. Aray ko po! “Lo siento”, ito na lamang ang namutawi sa aking mga labi habang ako’y tumatayo. Sa aking pagmamadali, hindi ko napansin ang guardia civil sa aking dinaraanan. Masama ang kanyang tingin sa akin. Tinignan nia ako mula ulo hanggang paa. Mayroon siyang binanggit ngunit hindi ko narinig. “¿Perdone?”, ang sabi ko. Inulit niya ang kanyang sinabi, ako’y namutla at pinagpawisan ng malamig dahil sa kanyang sinabi. **P@!$%^?>, nasaan ang ID ko?** Sa hindi ko maintindihang dahilan, nabigyan ako ng hold order dahil sa hindi ko pagsuot ng aking ID sa unang araw ng klase.Badtrip naman. Hindi ito makatarungan. Marahil napag-initan lamang ako ng taong iyon dahil sa nabunggo ko siya. Hindi ko alam. Pero hindi ako papayag. Hindi pa ito tapos. Ngunit, dahil nga sa ako’y mahuhuli na sa klase, hinayaan ko na lamang siya at pinangako sa sarili na balang araw ay gaganti ako sa kanya.
Pagdating ko sa silid-aralan, haggard na haggard ako. Pinasya kong umupo sa bandang-likuran dahil mayroon nang nakaupo sa harapan. Kaya hindi ko gustong nahuhuli e. Dumating na ang aming guro. Hindi naman tumagal ang klase dahil nagpakilala lamang siya at kinilala rin niya kami isa-isa. Malugod niya kaming tinanggap sa universidad at nagbigay din siya ng konting tips upang magtagal daw kami sa Ateneo. Isa na dito ang pagsali namin sa organisasyon.
Matapos ang klase, sama-sama kami ng aking mga kamag-aral na nagtungo sa lugar kung saan naroroon ang mga organisasyon. Kaydaming organisasyon ang tumatanggap ng mga bagong aplikante at hindi ako makapagpasya kung saan ako lalahok. Matapos ang ilang minutong pag-iikot upang magtingin-tingin, napagpasyahan kong sumali sa Matanglawin at CADS. Bakit? Una, kaaya-aya para sa akin ang tanawin ng Matanglawin. “Kailangan ang mga matang nangangahas tumitig at magsuri sa paligid. Kailangan ang isang tanglaw ng katotohanan sa gitna ng dilim na laganap na pambubulag at pagbubulag-bulagan. Kailangan ang mga kuko ng lawing daragit sa mga dagang ngumangatngat sa yaman ng bansa at ahas na lumilingkis sa dangal at karapatan ng mga maralita.” Sa pamamagitan ng panulat, malaya kong maipapahayag ang aking mga kuro-kuro tungkol sa mga mahahalagang bagay na nangyayari sa ating bansa. Maaari na rin akong gumanti sa guardia civil na iyon! Hahaha! Mapang-abuso sa kapangyarihan! Hindi ko papayagan ang kahit na gaano kaliit na power tripping tulad nun.Bago ko makalimutan, marahil nagtataka kayo kung bakit Tagalog ang ginamit ko para sa blog na ‘to. Sabihin nating ito na ang isa sa mga paraan ng aking pagsasanay upang maging magaling na manunulat ng Matanglawin.
Sa pangalawang organisasyon naman, bukod sa magaling akong sumayaw, *ehem ehem*, narinig ko na marami daw naggagandahang mga binibini sa CADS. Ay, sandali. Wala nga palang mga kababaihan sa aming paaralan. Isang kahuwaran! Hmpf! Kakalimutan ko na lamang ang pagsali sa organisasyong ito.
Isang napakahabang araw na dapat suklian ng isang masarap na pahinga.
¡Buenas noches!
¡Hasta otra!
- Jose P. Rizal
__________________________
Marie Antonette C. Roxas
Nang aking tignan ang aking reloj de pulsera, ako’y nagitla na ilang minuto na lamang at magsisimula na ang aking unang klase. ¡Caramba! Dali-dali akong nanakbo dahil hindi ko ginustong mahuli sa unang araw ng aking klase. Takbo, takbo, pabilis nang pabilis. Hindi ko na napansin ang mga tao sa aking paligid dahil ang tanging nasa isip ko lamang ay kailangan kong makarating sa aking silid-aralan sa takdang oras. Pinilit kong tumakbo ng kaytulin, hanggang sa…. BLAG. Aray ko po! “Lo siento”, ito na lamang ang namutawi sa aking mga labi habang ako’y tumatayo. Sa aking pagmamadali, hindi ko napansin ang guardia civil sa aking dinaraanan. Masama ang kanyang tingin sa akin. Tinignan nia ako mula ulo hanggang paa. Mayroon siyang binanggit ngunit hindi ko narinig. “¿Perdone?”, ang sabi ko. Inulit niya ang kanyang sinabi, ako’y namutla at pinagpawisan ng malamig dahil sa kanyang sinabi. **P@!$%^?>, nasaan ang ID ko?** Sa hindi ko maintindihang dahilan, nabigyan ako ng hold order dahil sa hindi ko pagsuot ng aking ID sa unang araw ng klase.Badtrip naman. Hindi ito makatarungan. Marahil napag-initan lamang ako ng taong iyon dahil sa nabunggo ko siya. Hindi ko alam. Pero hindi ako papayag. Hindi pa ito tapos. Ngunit, dahil nga sa ako’y mahuhuli na sa klase, hinayaan ko na lamang siya at pinangako sa sarili na balang araw ay gaganti ako sa kanya.
Pagdating ko sa silid-aralan, haggard na haggard ako. Pinasya kong umupo sa bandang-likuran dahil mayroon nang nakaupo sa harapan. Kaya hindi ko gustong nahuhuli e. Dumating na ang aming guro. Hindi naman tumagal ang klase dahil nagpakilala lamang siya at kinilala rin niya kami isa-isa. Malugod niya kaming tinanggap sa universidad at nagbigay din siya ng konting tips upang magtagal daw kami sa Ateneo. Isa na dito ang pagsali namin sa organisasyon.
Matapos ang klase, sama-sama kami ng aking mga kamag-aral na nagtungo sa lugar kung saan naroroon ang mga organisasyon. Kaydaming organisasyon ang tumatanggap ng mga bagong aplikante at hindi ako makapagpasya kung saan ako lalahok. Matapos ang ilang minutong pag-iikot upang magtingin-tingin, napagpasyahan kong sumali sa Matanglawin at CADS. Bakit? Una, kaaya-aya para sa akin ang tanawin ng Matanglawin. “Kailangan ang mga matang nangangahas tumitig at magsuri sa paligid. Kailangan ang isang tanglaw ng katotohanan sa gitna ng dilim na laganap na pambubulag at pagbubulag-bulagan. Kailangan ang mga kuko ng lawing daragit sa mga dagang ngumangatngat sa yaman ng bansa at ahas na lumilingkis sa dangal at karapatan ng mga maralita.” Sa pamamagitan ng panulat, malaya kong maipapahayag ang aking mga kuro-kuro tungkol sa mga mahahalagang bagay na nangyayari sa ating bansa. Maaari na rin akong gumanti sa guardia civil na iyon! Hahaha! Mapang-abuso sa kapangyarihan! Hindi ko papayagan ang kahit na gaano kaliit na power tripping tulad nun.Bago ko makalimutan, marahil nagtataka kayo kung bakit Tagalog ang ginamit ko para sa blog na ‘to. Sabihin nating ito na ang isa sa mga paraan ng aking pagsasanay upang maging magaling na manunulat ng Matanglawin.
Sa pangalawang organisasyon naman, bukod sa magaling akong sumayaw, *ehem ehem*, narinig ko na marami daw naggagandahang mga binibini sa CADS. Ay, sandali. Wala nga palang mga kababaihan sa aming paaralan. Isang kahuwaran! Hmpf! Kakalimutan ko na lamang ang pagsali sa organisasyong ito.
Isang napakahabang araw na dapat suklian ng isang masarap na pahinga.
¡Buenas noches!
¡Hasta otra!
- Jose P. Rizal
__________________________
Marie Antonette C. Roxas
Kurso at Diskurso
Kanina lamang, nagkuwento nga sa akin ang kaibigan kong si Ibarra. Mayroon umanong gurong lumapit sa kanya, hinaing ang biglaang pag-unti ng mga batang pumapasok sa paaralang pinatatakbo ng mga Prayle. Paano na ang kabataang pag-asa ng bayan? Saan na sila tutungo? Mayroon pa ba silang patutunguhan?
Walang hinaharap na kinabukasan ang Filipinas sa mga garapal na paring katulad nina Damaso. Daig pa sa mga hayop ang turing nila sa ating lahi. Walang pakundangan sa paggahasa sa bayang hindi naman kanila. Walang habas sa pag-alimura lalo na sa sumusupling na pagkatao ng mga anak ng bayan. Unti-unting sinisira ng bulok na sistema ng pagtuturo ang kumpiyansa at matinong pag-iisip ng kabataan. Wala na nga silang natututuhan, dagok pa sa kanilang dignidad ang mga pasaring ng mga gurong [kung guro man ngang maituturing] Prayle. Animo silang mga diyos na nangangaral kapag nasa pulpito; kapag nasa klase nama’y waring mga walang-diyos kung makaasta sa panlalait sa mga batang tulad ni Placido Penitente. Maraming bata ang natatakot nang pumasok dahil sa bagsik ng pamamalakad. Sino ba naman ang matututo kung alam mong may nakaantabay na pamalo na maaaring magdulot ng hapdi sa alinmang parte ng katawan sa bawat maling sagot na lalabas sa bibig? Sino ba naman ang magiging “edukado” kung alam ng tinuturuang mababa ang tingin sa kanya ng nagtuturo? Hindi ba’t wala? Paano matututo ang mga bata kung ang wikang panturo ay wikang banyaga? Sapilitang ipinasasaulo sa kanila ang konsepto ng siyensiya, matematika, relihiyon, etika, atbp. sa wikang Kastila.
Ngayong magkokolehiyo na ako, gusto kong kunin ang AB Education. Kulang na kulang ang Filipinas sa mga gurong makapagbibigay-kaalaman sa kabataan. Nais kong kunin bilang major ang Pisika upang hindi na magdadalawang-isip sa pagsagot NANG TAMA ang mga mag-aaral na tulad ni Pelaez. Isang makabuluhang aralin ang Pisika. Sinosolusyunan nito hindi lamang ang mga problemang pang-matematika; binibigyang-kabuluhan din nito ang mga batas na likas tulad ng Law of Action and Reaction. Sa tulong ng Pisika, hindi lamang intelektuwal na aspekto ang nahahasa kundi pati na rin ang damdaming makabayan. Kapag may aksiyon--pang-aabuso sa karapatang pantao, nararapat na magkaroon ng reaksiyon-- rebolusyon. Nakapagbibigay ito ng analisis sa mga bagay na maaaring hindi tuwirang nakikita [dahil sa pagbubulag-bulagan] ngunit patuloy na nagpapahirap sa ating kapwa. Nais kong ipamukha ng mga anak ng bayan sa mga mapaniil na ang Filipino ay hindi pasusupil.
Bukod sa Pisika, nais ko sanang kunin bilang minor ang wikang Filipino. Nais kong mapanumbalik ang sigla ng mga mag-aaral sa pag-aaral ng wikang kanilang kinagisnan. Kasama ko ang mga magiging mag-aaral ko na lilinang sa wikang aming kinagisnan, ang Tagalog. Nais kong malamang ang adbokasiyang ito ay makapagdudulot sa mga kapatid kong Cebuano, Bicolano, Ilokano, Davaoeño, atbp. na linangin din ang kanilang sariling wika upang muli, ipakita sa mga Kastila na hindi natin basta-basta kalilimutan ang wikang kinagisnan.
Nawa’y patnubayan ako ng Poong Maykapal sa mga pangarap na ito para sa bansang Filipinas.
- J.P. Rizal
*****
ambag ni:
VALENTON, Tresa M.
Walang hinaharap na kinabukasan ang Filipinas sa mga garapal na paring katulad nina Damaso. Daig pa sa mga hayop ang turing nila sa ating lahi. Walang pakundangan sa paggahasa sa bayang hindi naman kanila. Walang habas sa pag-alimura lalo na sa sumusupling na pagkatao ng mga anak ng bayan. Unti-unting sinisira ng bulok na sistema ng pagtuturo ang kumpiyansa at matinong pag-iisip ng kabataan. Wala na nga silang natututuhan, dagok pa sa kanilang dignidad ang mga pasaring ng mga gurong [kung guro man ngang maituturing] Prayle. Animo silang mga diyos na nangangaral kapag nasa pulpito; kapag nasa klase nama’y waring mga walang-diyos kung makaasta sa panlalait sa mga batang tulad ni Placido Penitente. Maraming bata ang natatakot nang pumasok dahil sa bagsik ng pamamalakad. Sino ba naman ang matututo kung alam mong may nakaantabay na pamalo na maaaring magdulot ng hapdi sa alinmang parte ng katawan sa bawat maling sagot na lalabas sa bibig? Sino ba naman ang magiging “edukado” kung alam ng tinuturuang mababa ang tingin sa kanya ng nagtuturo? Hindi ba’t wala? Paano matututo ang mga bata kung ang wikang panturo ay wikang banyaga? Sapilitang ipinasasaulo sa kanila ang konsepto ng siyensiya, matematika, relihiyon, etika, atbp. sa wikang Kastila.
Ngayong magkokolehiyo na ako, gusto kong kunin ang AB Education. Kulang na kulang ang Filipinas sa mga gurong makapagbibigay-kaalaman sa kabataan. Nais kong kunin bilang major ang Pisika upang hindi na magdadalawang-isip sa pagsagot NANG TAMA ang mga mag-aaral na tulad ni Pelaez. Isang makabuluhang aralin ang Pisika. Sinosolusyunan nito hindi lamang ang mga problemang pang-matematika; binibigyang-kabuluhan din nito ang mga batas na likas tulad ng Law of Action and Reaction. Sa tulong ng Pisika, hindi lamang intelektuwal na aspekto ang nahahasa kundi pati na rin ang damdaming makabayan. Kapag may aksiyon--pang-aabuso sa karapatang pantao, nararapat na magkaroon ng reaksiyon-- rebolusyon. Nakapagbibigay ito ng analisis sa mga bagay na maaaring hindi tuwirang nakikita [dahil sa pagbubulag-bulagan] ngunit patuloy na nagpapahirap sa ating kapwa. Nais kong ipamukha ng mga anak ng bayan sa mga mapaniil na ang Filipino ay hindi pasusupil.
Bukod sa Pisika, nais ko sanang kunin bilang minor ang wikang Filipino. Nais kong mapanumbalik ang sigla ng mga mag-aaral sa pag-aaral ng wikang kanilang kinagisnan. Kasama ko ang mga magiging mag-aaral ko na lilinang sa wikang aming kinagisnan, ang Tagalog. Nais kong malamang ang adbokasiyang ito ay makapagdudulot sa mga kapatid kong Cebuano, Bicolano, Ilokano, Davaoeño, atbp. na linangin din ang kanilang sariling wika upang muli, ipakita sa mga Kastila na hindi natin basta-basta kalilimutan ang wikang kinagisnan.
Nawa’y patnubayan ako ng Poong Maykapal sa mga pangarap na ito para sa bansang Filipinas.
- J.P. Rizal
*****
ambag ni:
VALENTON, Tresa M.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Changes
Little did I know that moving to Manila was going to be one of the biggest changes in my life.
Back in Laguna, I was never really sent to a big school. My mother was actually my first teacher. As I grew older, my parents hired private tutors such as Maestro Celestino, Maestro Lucas Padua and Leon Monroy to impart their knowledge on me. When Leon Monroy passed away, however, my parents decided that it was probably the right time for me to be sent to a private school in Binan, Laguna. Paciano, my older brother, accompanied me to my aunt's house in Binan where I would stay as I studied there.
In that school in Binan, I was taught by Justiniano Aquino Cruz. Since my classmates often picked on me for getting high grades in Spanish, Latin and other subjects, I was often punished by our teacher who turns out to be a very strict disciplinarian. They would even make up stories just to get me punished! Pedro, my teacher's son, was the class bully and he ALWAYS picked on me. Can I help it if I was actually shining more than him in his own father's class?
When I was eleven years old, my father decided to send me to Manila to study there. He initially wanted me to enter Letran, but I ended up studying in the Ateneo Municipal. It was situated inside Intramuros, the Walled City. Growing up around green mountains and grassy fields, the stone walls of Intramuros came as a shock to me. It was a little gloomy, but a new environment couldn't hurt, right?
On my first day in the Ateneo, I saw that my classmates aren't Filipinos like me. Most of them are Peninsulares or the sons of Peninsulares. My professor was Fr. Jose Bech, a Jesuit priest who was kind of a lunatic because of his mood swings and weird humor.
Being a newcomer, I had to sit at the back of the classroom. I learned that you only move to the front row when you earn merit for doing well in class. We had this game back then, wherein we were separated into two groups: The Roman Empire and the Carthagenian Empire. We were at war with each other, and if we win a "war" we earn points so that we could move to the rank of the Emperor.
As I sat on my chair at the back of the classroom, I felt how determined I was to prove myself that even non-Peninsulares people could achieve what they have also achieved. After all, my mother and tutors have trained me well. I cannot wait to be the Emperor! We shall see in a few months, all right?
PC Magnaye
Hi165 G
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Of Friendster and Ateneo
Hello, Cyberspace.
I never expected to find so much use for this blog as a medium for releasing my thoughts and sharing it with everyone so fast. Masaya pala ito gamitin at napakadali pa. Nasanay kasi ako na panulat-kamay lamang ang gamit bilang pagtala ng aking mga kurokuro. Dapat ninyong malaman na hindi matahimik ang aking isipan sapagkat malaki ang pagnanais kong maibahagi ang aking mga kwento at prinsipyo sa kapwa Pilipino- sa henerasyon na ito o sa mga susunod man. Kaya ngayon ay masasabi ko na tunay akong nagagalak sa paggamit ko nitong teknolohiya (napakabilis ng pagunlad ng agham ano?). At hindi naman sa pagiging madrama, ngunit, ito’y, sa tingin ko, ang pagsisimula ng isang matagal at matamis na pagsasama. So before I proceed with my usual blather, I feel the need to give justice to this blog by giving a little background on it.
Rizallikesfriendsterandblogspot.
Not so long ago, my good friend Marcelo del Pilar, gave me what people call a Macbook Pro (13-inches, flat screen – see picture). Cool, isn’t it? It sustained my interest and for the past week I have been busy trying out different programs and settings on it. I also tested out the internet and was amazed at how information travelled at the speed of light (3 x 10^8 m/s). As I became more and more fascinated by this exchange of knowledge, my interest was used to direct me to different sites. One worth noting is www.friendster.com. At first, I could not understand the hype that my friends have built upon this. Once I joined though, I became hooked. The instant communication, the connectedness, the way I got to know my friends better got me interested. And because many Filipinos used this social networking site, it was my first public virtual hub for airing my views and to my delight, hearing what they thought about it. Believe it or not, I was able to sustain many debates there in friendster. My initial complaint was of the lack of attention people gave to things like grammar, but that, I realized, was forgettable. I cud typ lyk diZ poWh waKeke, yet the meaning transcends the form. It still came down to its ability to keep me connected with my people as we exchanged our opinions on worthwhile matters such as the condition of our country today. I sure do have a lot to say about that. I am a proud user of Friendster. It was there where rizalj, my virtual counterpart, was born. I feel that I should give it tribute, the same way I feel we should give our Motherland the respect she deserves.
Some call this jologs.
I call it nationalistic.
Add mo me poh mga koya at atehh! rizalj09@yahoo.com
So I was there just before typing up this blog entry when I came across these pictures in my brother’s page (Paciano’s).
Now I know what you’re thinking. (“What a handsome fellow.”) ;) Seriously though, for me, this picture gave me a new wave of memories. I had this portrait taken sometime in my youth, perhaps during my school years. I studied in the Ateneo Municipal de Manila with a Bachelor of Arts degree. It wasn’t the easiest thing to go through, I am telling you. Despite my self-imposed schedules that some people thought of as too much (study and reading until four p.m.; four to five, exercise; five to six social and miscellaneous obligations), one would think I would breeze through my schooling. Unfortunately (or should I say, fortunately), I had a bit of a challenge here. I remember the anger and extreme unsatisfaction I had felt during those years as I experienced first-hand, the discrimination and unfair treatment of the Spanish instructors on us, illustrados compared to the pure Spanish. They would let the peninsulares sit in front while the rest of us stayed at the back. There was an obvious preference for the Spaniards and the system of education was really defective. Through hardwork, I was able to get Sobresaliente in my subjects. Some of these were School year 1873-74: Greek, Latin, Spanish, Universal Geography; SY 1874-75: Latin, Spanish, Greek, Universal History, History of Spain and the Philippines, Arithmetic and Algebra; SY 1875-76: Rhetoric and Poetics, French, Geometry and Trigonometry; SY 1876-77: Philosophy, Mineralogy and Chemistry, Physics, Botany and Zoology.
On that fateful day March 14, 1877, I graduated from the Ateneo. ¿Felicitaciones? Honestly, it wasn’t my proudest moment. It did feel good to be able to survive because as I recall, we were only down to 12 graduates in my year. Still, I felt that I could have gone further, if only given the chance with a fair and good educational system. In the end I did not graduate on top, despite my numerous grades of Sobresalientes. Some Spaniard was given this honour. It made my blood boil. Well… not as much really. Mostly I just accepted this result because I knew, studying with this rigged system would be hard especially if you were a Filipino. It just ignited the spirit in me to strive for more. I wanted to learn despite these setbacks. I wanted to push for my education. It was a good thing I did this too. I think I have succeeded in overcoming the intellectual goals I have set for myself. I have also put it to good use throughout the years. If there was one thing it made me realize, it was that the power of the mind should not be taken for granted. This is one treasure that could never be taken from us. With this, we could change the course of our lives. We could create change that would create a better society, and eventually, a better country.
La sabia educación, vital aliento,
Infunde una virtud encantadora.
~ Jose R.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Darlene Haw
All for Freedom
I am writing right now after a long day of pain and suffering. I am forced to quit studying medicine at the Dominican University of St. Thomas because I was obliged by the faculty and clergy that I assimilate to their unjust system so that we, Filipino students not would be discriminated by the friars anymore. This I believe is unfair because I stand for equality between the Spaniards and the Filipinos.
With that my Kuya (older brother), Paciano, was also denied a degree from the school. He decided that the only path left for me is to continue his studies in Spain. This was a suggestion of Father Burgos that Filipinos should pursue their education abroad. I argued with him doing this without the consent of nanay (mother) and tatay (father) because they won’t accede to the plan but then my kuya said that if I study abroad, I would save more Filipinos with the knowledge that I would gain. Kuya committed himself to take care of the family while I furthered my education. I would also miss dearly my beloved Leonor Rivera who is my childhood sweetheart for 11 years. I would surely think about her charm and wit while we are apart and how I wish that she would wait for me that one day we might meet again and be one forever…
Monday, April 20, 2009
iQué barbaridad!
Did they deserve it? I don’t think so!
What if I tied you down, placed a thin nylon wire around your neck and tightened it… little by little… crushing your throat… till you couldn’t breathe… slowly dislocating your spine in the process… taking pleasure at your bloody gasps for help? iQué barbaridad!
Hmmmm…I felt that going for the Jesuit life didn’t seem right at the moment. I just couldn’t concentrate. I had to do something. They were so helpless. Their death won’t be in vain.
I’ll never forget that day.
Date was February 17, 1872, when three good priests: Mariano Gómez, José Apolonio Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora were unjustly executed on the grounds of subversion from the
This injustice will be made known. I’ll make sure it does.
But how?
I can write something. I’m good at that. But how can I do that subtly? I’ll find a way. Whatever I write, it’ll be in honor of them.
History 165
Paolo Banaga
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