Druggista

Another year has come.  But realistically, I feel that nothing has changed.  Still feels, looks, sounds and even tastes the same as the previous years.  Maybe seculars invented this New Year celebration to instill a kind of hope and renewal of strength for the future because it really isn’t a new year.  The only thing new around this time of year is the calendar, to say the least. 

2006 is the year of the FIRE DOG.  Astrologers, Feng Shui experts and Tarot card readers are all busy dishing out their "abstract" predictions for the coming year.  Yes, very abstract indeed… Quite literally, they dish out predictions which have an array of possible interpretations and outcomes.  No wonder all of their predictions come true.  Ask any fortune-teller and they would refuse to give out names of people or specific events that would affect the future. 

All they do is make generalisations: 
That 2006 will be tumultous for the Arroyo administration because of the transition of government and the resiliency of the fragmented oppositions
That 2006 will again be marred by natural disasters but more specifically those with relation to fire and heat like earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and forest fires
That 2006 will be lucky for people under the Pig, Rabbit and Bull signs
That 2006 will be good for industries like real estate, construction and metalworks
That 2006 will witness a lot of showbiz break-up’s
That 2006 will be a year of changes and transitions

Ok, now that they have stated their predictions.  Here’s my 2cents worth on each one of them:
That 2006 will be tumultous for the Arroyo administration because of
the transition of government and the resiliency of the fragmented
oppositions
2c : The Arroyo government has been fazed with tough opposition ever since the start of last year.  There’s no reason to think that the fragmented opposition will let up in their efforts of inciting the people of the Philippines to another ridiculous uprising.  In fact, that’s what the Philippines is known for: Unseating a President, and then replacing it with a worse prospect.

That 2006 will again be marred by natural disasters but more
specifically those with relation to fire and heat like earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and
forest fires
2c: Volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and forest fires occur perenially with no specific tendencies.  Countries situated near fault lines and the Pacific Ring of Fire regularly experience volcanic eruptions and consequent earthquakes.  It would have been clearer if they singled out one specific location for a huge earthquake to occur.  Maybe they are reluctant to do so because of the "dilang-anghel" phenomenon.  Maybe some of them are silver-tongued? ?

That 2006 will be lucky for people under the Pig, Rabbit and Bull signs
2c: It could not have been more abstract than this.  I mean, how many people you know are borne under these signs.  Chances are, one of them will indeed get lucky this year.  And to make the prediction more abstract, luck is actually viewed differently by different people.  What maybe a boon to one maybe a bane to the other.

That 2006 will be good for industries like real estate, construction and metalworks
2c: Mayb this is their single most specific prediction.  But who knows? We’ll just have to wait and see if real estate and construction will indeed pick up.  Metalworks and metallurgy products are predicted to be on the rise next year, so let’s keep a close watch on the gold and silver market.

That 2006 will witness a lot of showbiz break-up’s
2c: What more can I say?! Watta a prediction! hahaha!!!

That 2006 will be a year of changes and transitions
2c: Another prediction with multifarious interpretations.  I believe that nothing in this world is constant but change.  To say that this year will be full of changes, is like saying that you’re gonna have your hair cut within this year.  The probabilities are just too high for it to even qualify as a prediction. 

Oh, I almost forgot… They also predicted that this year will be unlucky for people under the Dog sign.  I couldn’t believe it myself.  I thought that people were lucky on the year of their animal signs.  Apparently this isn’t the case.  It is only lucky for those people who have signs which are close or friends with the dog like the rabbit, pig and bull.  This is indeed bad news for all dogs out there (that’s me included).   Generally speaking, these predictions are but logical forecasts of the future.  So don’t rely on these stuff so much.  Life is what you make it.  Don’t worry dogs, we are going to be lucky this year.  Just do your best, make your mark, wag your tail and pee and sh*#t outside the house… hehehe:)   As I am writing this blog, I am overhearing the news on the tv. 
A huge forest fire has just spread across parts of northern Sydney, Australia and parts of Oklahoma.  Uh oh, I think their predictions aren’t exactly abstract after all…   
Happy New Year to all!

"…every wise man’s son doth know, ……., journeys end in lovers’ meeting"
- William Shakespeare

The Philippines has now become the unofficial rally capital of the world.  Yeah, give it up!  Thanks to our prudent and discerning president, rallies are a commonplace now in Manila.    
I am quite amazed of our people’s resiliency, or is it plain stupidity.  Why can’t we just follow simple instructions: NO PERMIT, NO RALLY.  Its very simple english, in fact even grade schoolers could easily correlate this to their NO ID NO ENTRY rule.  But yet, different human rights organizations still press on with their racketeering on the streets.  They say that it is freedom of speech and expression, but I say that this is freedom abused.  I thought, that the freedom of speech was instilled to nurture a society which would respect the ideas and thoughts of the people FOR the betterment of the whole nation.  What good has these rallies brought to our nation?  Nil.  Instead, it promotes more polarity between party groups.  More divisiveness among our government.  And more hatred to the people.  So what’s this freedom of speech for?  I do not understand really.  But thankfully, there’s this almighty invention to stymie these pointless debacles.  It is the government’s new secret weapon against terror!!! THE INVINCIBLE WATER CANNON!!!!
Wherever there’s commotion, you can always rely on the WATER CANNON!!!  With its mighty gush of water, it drives the unruly back.  Its justice is blind to social and poilitcal standing.  It is fair and equal to all.  With the WATER CANNON, if you’re one of the crowds, then you will get wet.  My apologies to the priests and most notably to former Vice-President Guingona.  Your theatrical performance was Oscar-award worthy, yet it was not good enough for the blind justice.  Therefore, for your excellent performance, I award thee with the dubious distinction of becoming the only vice president dozed off with a WATER CANNON. hehehe… Praises for this wonderful invention.  Who could have been the first to use the water cannon as a crowd dispersing medium.  He should be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. It is so much more economical than to train a bunch of corrupt policemen.  It is so easy to use: just fill it up with water, aim then fire away!  It is very efficient, it does what its suppose to do (to disperse) without bloodshed and arguments. Don’t ya’ll agree it deserves a nomination for a Nobel Peace Prize next year?
The Water Cannon — a simple solution to a complex problem. 

It’s a fact of life that when you grow older, you’ll meet a lot more people, you’ll experience more things and you’ll think of a lot more things that had not gone in your head before and then you’ll realize in conclusion that life is short.  In fact, it’s very short.  Think about it… We are schooled from prep to college.  That’s approximately 18 years of life devoted to education.  All those education provided was for us to be prepared to face the REAL world.  But are we?  After schooling, we try our best to find a good job in an economy of rising inflation rates.  Well, let’s say we did find a good job.  So we toil for let’s say 5 years.  That’s a considerable amount of time in a company considering the rapid rate of change the 21st century is now experiencing.  Now before you know it, you’re already well into your mid-twenties.  And now you’re faced with a big dilemma.  Will you continue working like a horse and continue to sustain yourself with this meager salary, or will you venture out and try the business world for greener pastures?  (I forgot to mention in the beginning, that this article is not too applicable to those who have a substantial family heirloom)  Eventually, given the state of economic crises we are constantly in, the individual will realize that doing business will ultimately be more reliable and suitable for his current needs and future family life.  So now he ventures into the business world.  With a limited capital on hand, he searches for the most profitable yet legal business he could find.  He will initially enter into a "safe" business in which profits though not that substantial but a certainty.  As a Bisayan saying goes: "Bahala’g gamay basta kanunay."  So, he will relish in this state for another 5 years given that no other bigger opportunities befall upon him.  Well by now, our commoner is already into his thirties.  And unless you give yourself up to celibacy, this age is considered as the marrying age.  The over-the-calender-age. (For women and some men its much earlier, for some, marriage is just not meant to be; but to make our discussions more general to the common man, we’ll take thirty as the standard age for marriage.)  This age is where we all have to look for someone besides our dreams.   This age is where character will win over beauty.  Where housekeeping and child-rearing skills will win over style and fashion.  Where compatibility will win over affinity.  Where practicality will win over serendipity.  And where most importantly, agape love will win over all other loves.  Whether we’d face it or not, all our dreams of our ideal partners will not be realized.  He/She will remain embedded in our ideals.  Embedded in our minds on what a perfect partner should be, but in which one should never attempt to compare his mate to.  After a year or two, if both are blessed with fruifulness, a child will be born.  Behold!  The fruit of your labors and fantasies!  The crying of the child as he enters this world signals the start of the most challenging phase of your short life — Parenthood.  Two main reasons why this is a challenging stage:  First, you would have to appease and feed the raucous and hungry mouth of your baby each and everyday of his childhood.  Not only is this tedious work but also bothersome to say the least.  Second, you also have to contend with your supposedly-better-half — your spouse.  Now I’m not a marriage counselor of sorts, but at this point they’re bound to be fights.  Fights are inevitable in married life.  It’s also at this point that I would want to reiterate the point I made earlier of needless comparisons.  Because familiarity breeds contempt, and as passion and communication wanes, bitter comparisons and caustic words will only do more harm to an already damaged relationship.  Now it is important for the preservation of the marriage, to resolve matters as quickly as possibly.  Never let the sun set with an unsettled argument.  After a long and weary fight, and agreement is at hand, it is always a good idea to make good and passionate love.  It strengthens the bond, they say.  Regardless of whether a second child will or will not be born, the juggling act between work and family life will render him oblivious to the passing of time.  Unknowingly, he is approaching the age of depression and anxiety.  His mid-life crisis.  The age of forty. 

Life begins at forty, they say.  I cannot disagree more. I bet this phrase was not meant to be taken literally.  In a fast-paced society like the 21st century, people who are go-getters and risk-takers would vehemently reject this idea.  This phrase, I believe, was coined to signify that at mid-life, things are much more clearer than before.  At forty, you are supposed to be at the peak of your career.  You are supposed to be happily married with children.  You are supposed to be heading to a constancy stage in life.  A stable and mature life.   (If you’re over forty and reading this blog, and you have not accomplished the things I mentioned above, then fret not.  For I believe God has a better plan for you and He wants you to be different among the billions of people who go through the same experience.  But I recommend that you stop reading on.)       Forty signifies a plateau in a man’s life.  And where does a plateau eventually lead to?  At the end of the plateau,  it’s all downhill from here baby!!!  Now I’m not gonna go until the age of fifty and sixty.  Don’t worry…  I personally don’t claim to have experienced all this, for the mere fact that I am only in my twenties.  Neither am I claiming to be an expert in human relations nor a guidance counselor.  I just want to illustrate the transience of life.  Which brings me  to my main point of writing this long story.  First, let us look at the bright side.  Considering our age, we still have a relatively sufficient amount of time before reaching our plateau.  With time comes opportunity.  And with opportunity comes chances to improve ourselves.  Though problems might come to beset us, we must relish the fact that problems are there to serve as training grounds for improvement.   Problems provide us a chance to commit mistakes.  Mistakes are lessons we can always learn from.  As a beautiful quote goes: " There’s always something good that comes out of every life experience.  Good times become good memories.  Bad times become good lessons.  You can never lose, you can only gain in life!"  Secondly, most of us have the privilege of having the financial support from our parent’s hard earned money.  I like to view this support as a "fall-back" or an if-all-else-fails fund.  But we must use this advantage wisely, for we know that the money is only so much and they could only last so long.  Like fetching water while the well runs deep.  Lastly, I would like to challenge everyone reading this blog to start something.  Anything.  May it be in business, charity work, or even in your daily work.  Start something for the future.  Even in small incremental steps.  Because it is a series of small events that lead into a phenomenon.  Never let the fear of failure overcome us.  Remember, we are our own worst enemies.  Do not be afraid to be ambitious because the possibilities are always limitless.   

I am in search of the perpetual future which seem to proceed paradoxically with time.  Realizing that as time progresses, this futuristic state of idealism is also equally distancing itself farther and farther away from the present.  It is my journey into the infinity.   Something always greater than what the mind can fathom.  The search has been long and arduous, but it has not worn down my spirit.  Because deep inside of me, a resplendent and reactive glow of resiliency and determination fuels me into propulsion.  Bringing me to new heights.  To the space of unknown dimensions.  It is pitch black, but I can still see through it with the luminous glow.  What caught my eye in the distance, even provided additional stimulus to the propulsion.  There, just like a hundred meters away, was the cosmic dream I was searching for.  This spectacular sight was enough for me to continue this journey for a hundred more years.  Even as it may continue to drift away as I move forward. 

No more dictatorship!  You have already ruined me.  You shall not be obeyed any longer.  You shall not be tolerated anymore.  Because they are words without meaning.  Music without melody.  A person without his soul.  And Love without its touch.  What is good in it?  Therefore, I shall cease to be the credulous and apprehensive child I once was.  Stopping and asking on every turn.  Not knowing that the other doesn’t know. 

So I shall become a new creature.  Unafraid and impassioned of everything!         I shall spread my wings and conquer the World.   For these wings were given but never used.  Gone are the days of apathy and mediocrity.  Everything will be put into good use.  Every part striving for excellence.  And everything will be different…  Life will be full of fervor, color and sound.  Emotions will abound.  Love will be given and received.  Life and its beautiful splendour will be everywhere.  Life will be beautiful. 

Is it just me or everybody else, but I feel that there is a growing tension around people’s head to get out of the country.  (Just look around and observe at the number of students wearing nursing uniforms, they’re increasing exponentially!)

Is it just me or everybody else, but I think that the Arroyo tape recording is blown out of proportion. (Just look at the local news channels, and you’ll see how eager they are covering the Congress hearings amidst their futile debates and laughable proceedings.  The tape they were playing is even undecipherable to say the least! The heck if she cheated.  Like we didn’t know that elections were supposed to be like that.  Let’s get on with our lives please.)

Is it just me or everybody else, but I think that the only job market available for today’s fresh graduates is the callcenter.  (I’m not against job outsourcing, but what happened to the other professions?  And like they are going to make Cebu the ICT sector of the Philippines, boy that will surely diversify the options of incoming college students!  I see the future graduates of the next ten years to be either: a nurse or an IT personnel) 

Is it just me or everybody else, but I think that I’m putting too much emphasis on things I cannot control.  Oh well, I better stop typing now and leave everything as they be.  I do believe that oftentimes problems are resolved by themselves. 

Recalling long ago, how it must have been

All the imagery and melody, making a beautiful scene

Couldn’t believe I was standing and talking to you

It was really too surreal, and yet it was true

If I had known that it was to be the last

I could’ve done much more and asked what I longed to ask

Why had you come in the first place?

When all of this is going to waste

I have conjured all the possible answers,

But nothing seems to make sense and matter

For now it feels like a distant mem’ry

Your voice an echo, and your face a li’i sketchy

Now you are nowhere to be found

Try as I may to search all around

Used every means to get to you

But it seems that nothing had got through (to you)

I only wish that you’d tell me why

The reason you decided to fly

So that at least I may live my life with resolve

Knowing that you had given me a chance at love.

How short life is… With a sudden turn of events, someone overflowing with youth, energy and laughter can very quickly become incapacitated and then no more.  No more.  The end for this life.  How fragile we are. 

Like a straight right from a boxer, you can’t see it coming.  And then when you’re reeling in the canvass, only then will reality slowly set in.  By the time you realize it, it’s already over. 

Today, a friend of mine died.  It was very tragic and sorrowful.  Still young and full of ambition, her death was certainly far-fetched to say the least.  But sadly, it did happen.  Her life was only to last until today.  And now, she is no more…   She was still present in our weekly fellowships the last week.  Everything seemed to be just fine.  And then suddenly news of her being ill was quickly circulated through text message.  They said she was vomiting blood and feeling very weak.  Then like a withering flower, her condition worsened by the hour.  By then, she was transferred to the ICU.  And by that time, my friends had an uneasy and bad feeling that she is slowly losing grip of her life.  (Three years ago, I had a friend who also died not long after being admitted in the ICU).  The following day, before high noon, she was pronounced dead.  And just like that, a beautiful soul has just been taken away from us.  Just like that, she now becomes a distant and pleasant memory.  Just like that, the world has become an even more ephemeral place than ever before. 

Tragic events like these make us ponder about our own lives.  Our own death.  The big question of when always comes to mind.  No matter about the how and why, for all of us will die in one way or the other.  But the timing is something all of us seem to have a difficult time accepting.  Death when anticipated is almost always easier to accept.  God though will always have HIS own plans.  And we are not in the position to question nor refuse.  When we learn to accept this, realizations start to creep into our minds.  We realize our insignificance.  We realize how transient life is.  We realize the things that we were pondering about the other day were not that important after all.  We realize that we are running out of time also.  We realize that we can only do so much before our time’s up.  We realize that it is NOW that matters and not tomorrow nor yesterday.  We realize that we have to run the race, fight the good fight and spread the WORD because ultimately this is what will only matter in the end. 

I have my own personal insights about this tragedy.  It is with sad and remorseful heart, to say that I haven’t even spoken a single word to this friend of mine.  And now, it’s all too late.  I saw her one time in a restaurant.  She approached the same ala carte section where I was standing.   I knew it was her the moment I saw her, but I didn’t even bother to greet her.  I knew that she recognized me.  But my coldness and introvert personality won over me.  And I just walked away.  Looking back, I don’t know if I could have made such a difference by greeting her.  But who knows?  Maybe she was waiting for me to strike up a conversation also.  Maybe she was waiting all this time to talk to me also.  Maybe I could’ve made her day brighter by a smiling "hello".  Who knows?  No one will ever know now…  Not me, and obviously not her.  Learned this lesson today:  Never take anyone or anything for granted.  If you want to do something, do it now!  If you want to say something, say it now!  Seize the day!  For tomorrow is too uncertain for today’s matters.   

It was noontime when I first saw her.  The sun was blazing hot, but under a foliage of shadows the sunlight was beautifully highlighting her hair.   A gentle zephyr blew into her hair and sensuous body like a harpist playing with his harp ever so delicately.  I could feel the cool breeze flow through me also.  The smell of her mild cologne was carried with the breeze, and it gave me a wonderful feeling. The elements all played well with her beauty.  And I was approaching her closer.  My eyes were trying to peer through her long black hair.  Trying to comprehend what made me so attracted to this girl.  As I pulled out my toothbrush, I couldn’t help but sneak a split-second glance at her.  She was busy doing her thing also.  Not wanting to be rude, I proceeded with my usual routine. Leaving the sink without saying a word to her, I could not help but look at her backside.  She was wearing a navy blue skirt with a white jocky-type blouse on top.  Looking down,  I can see that she wore a mid-high white socks with black leather slip-on’s.  She doesn’t even notice me around and she leaves without looking back.  Unaware that someone was looking at her.  The next day, at noontime.  Again, I saw her.  Again I’m dumbfounded.  And again I was mute.  Days passed until I no longer went to the sink after noontime.  It was the stage in life when everything’s pointless and unimportant — college life.  Being too busy on myself and my studies made me totally forget about her.  Amazing how things can make you so busy that you forget you’re living a life.  Of course, with a new environment comes new friends and new experiences.  All in all college was not that bad when I look back.  Fast forward now to two years after graduation, and the scenes of serendipity is starting to take over again.  Now in a totally different setting without the sink and the toothbrush.  I saw her again.  I could not believe it, but it was happening right in front of me.  Thankfully, the times had made me stronger and braver.  I could now converse with her and even invite her to go out.  Wow!  Funny how things can change over time.  Funny how small the world is and how easily people can come across each other’s paths.  Never thought of seeing her again in this lifetime or maybe like after 20 years and she’s already married to a stupid jerk, and she’s holding her children by their hands while yelling at them to stay in line.  (Geez, what a sordid image of a married life.. hehe )  Well, could it be destiny?  Fate?  Serendipity?  I’m not sure if its any of these.  But one thing I’m sure of, I’m glad of that single meeting we had together.  Call me shallow, but I believe that if every man has to do something for destiny to take part, I believe I have already done my part.  So destiny its all up to you now!   She’s all yours…