Nurturing an Illicit Affair

She is having an affair with a married man. That is how it sounded to me. Though no details were given (just reading between the lines), I can sense she is into it already. She said she is happy with the way things are, content of what is there, not asking for more. She told me she does not have the guts yet to tell me what she wanted to tell me. In time, she said, perhaps I will not be spared of the details. She seemed very happy, or content with the situation now that dying is all right.

I told her I do not need the details. It is okay if she would not disclose those things I do not need to hear. I don’t know why I told her that. Perhaps I am a little bit scared of what I would hear, or of the effect on me, or of what I would think of her as. Frankly, I love her as a friend. I don’t want to blemish the relationship I have with her because of her personal affairs. Those are not the only things I should regard about her. She is a unique individual capable of bringing smiles on people’s faces. She is a listener, too, and an intelligent one, sharing her bits of wisdom to circumstances.

Not knowing really what the situation is, out of true concern, I told her that she should remember that whatever we do, we must not step on anybody’s shoes, or deliberately hurt other people. I also told her that all things that we do, good or bad, have their own consequences, explaining that we usually wonder why this or that thing is happening not realizing that they are the consequences of what we have previously done. In addition, I continued telling her that repercussions always come late, or during the times we expect them the least.

She listened ardently when I mentioned that when we love, we should not give ourselves entirely, we should save a certain percent for ourselves. Women are vulnerable especially when a man does everything to show his love. Women are not very particular with the physical appearance but on how a man shows his love. Therefore, we should leave something for ourselves always so that if things did not work out right, we still have a spare for ourselves and will be able to get to our feet again.

I did not insist on, or rather, I don’t have plans knowing what the real score is. I already know. I am somewhat happy that this friend trusts me but I am also worried. What she is doing is not justifiable but I still respect her. I believe that we are all liable to our own “illicit affairs”, be it with our job, with our living standards, or with anything we do that is unlawful or forbidden. That is why we are not to judge. But I pray that those accounts that I have shared with her will give her hints in her daily brawl with life and with the situation.

When the time comes that she is ready to tell me, I will listen, and will definitely rebuke her. But there will always be space for reason and understanding.

When the Going Gets Tough

What would you do when the turn of events did not work as expected? And people are relying on you?

My initial reaction most of the time is to panic silently. Then I shut myself off from the world and ponder alone. The trouble with me is I cannot concentrate with noise around and be able to come up with a solution if people are buzzing endlessly. I face the problem squarely in a room, in a comfort room, in an aisle, or wherever there is silence.

They say two heads are better than one, even during moments of jam. It only works for me with Papsie’s presence. He is the only person who gives me that assurance that everything will be fine – even without the words. He is truly a dependable husband, son, brother, and friend in spite of his disability. You see, my husband is a stroke victim, paralyzing the left part of his body. But despite the ill-health condition, he treats life with a sunny disposition. Perhaps that is where I get the strength and not be enervated from the difficult situations we encounter. I pride myself of having a husband like him. Second from God, who always braces me with His words, Papsie never leave me during difficult situations.

Without Papsie by my side, during situations where he cannot be there to help, I settle an issue alone, from deep thinking, talking to myself, within the confines of a room, or a place that could provide the silence that I need. I would emerge calm, firm, but open-minded. I am very slow to react in the course of circumstances, though panicky inside, and would react accordingly after mulling things over.

Others would definitely ask what if the situation requires an immediate resolution. That would depend on the gravity of a situation and that is where my weakness comes in, I am at the mercy of the situation and of people who likes to take advantage of it. Mostly that would be those situations where my decision would be influenced or swayed. And those are moments I would wish that Papsie is there.

Sing Me a Song

I love music. It is like therapy. Tunes make me happy or sad, depending on their agreement to my mood. There had been a time when my passion to books was switched to my obsession to music. Probably the lack of ready cash could be traced as one of the culprits. I could listen to music anywhere anytime unlike books which you could not readily have when you do not have cash or ready money. I was always coy before and that is one factor, too, that getting the book I wanted is really a struggle. I find it hard to borrow books from others. I would prefer to borrow from the library but I could not own them and make them stay with me for longer periods of time.

When I was in high school ‘til college, I really do not mind the lyrics in a song. If the piece sounded good to my ear, I would consider it as a favorite even if the song does not have to do anything with me, with what I believe in, with what I feel, or with what I don’t feel. It had changed somehow when I had a boyfriend – you know, the type of feeling that every single thing that passes, even music, or a song, has something to do with being in love.

At present, I am very particular with the lyrics. I discovered, one time, that my 15-year old daughter was singing a rock song, which was contrary to virtues that I impart. A song was played one time and I grabbed a few lines while it is being played. I told my daughter that she should not be singing that song because it is a vain song disbelieving God. In fairness, the song has a good tune.

My ears are not fixed to one type of music – it could be classic, pop, rnb, jazz, love songs, emorock, anything as long as it catches my attention and then it makes me sing to the tune.

Here are samples of a variety of songs that the tunes I like except for their lyrics (they do not have anything to do with me):

1. Californication by Red Hot Chili Peppers
2. Still Reminds Me by Anngun
3. As We Kiss by Session Road
4. Could be Wrong by MYMP
5. Torete by Moonstar
6. I'm a Slave for You by Britney Spears

7. In the End by Linkin Park

8. Elevation by U2

Here are samples of songs that I enjoy listening to:
1. Last Kiss by Pearl Jam
2. Survivor by Destiny's Child
3. Who the Hell are You by Madison Avenue
4. When a Woman by Gabrielle
5. Head Over Feet by Alanis Morissette
6. Change the World by Eric Clapton
7. Two Steps Behind by Def Leppard
8. Every Little Thing He Does is Magic by MYMP

*if you are interested with the lyrics you can click the name of the song

Sing Me a Song

I love music. It is like therapy. Tunes make me happy or sad, depending on their agreement to my mood. There had been a time when my passion to books was switched to my obsession to music. Probably the lack of ready cash could be traced as one of the culprits. I could listen to music anywhere anytime unlike books which you could not readily have when you do not have cash or ready money. I was always coy before and that is one factor, too, that getting the book I wanted is really a struggle. I find it hard to borrow books from others. I would prefer to borrow from the library but I could not own them and make them stay with me for longer periods of time.

When I was in high school ‘til college, I really do not mind the lyrics in a song. If the piece sounded good to my ear, I would consider it as a favorite even if the song does not have to do anything with me, with what I believe in, with what I feel, or with what I don’t feel. It had changed somehow when I had a boyfriend – you know, the type of feeling that every single thing that passes, even music, or a song, has something to do with being in love.

At present, I am very particular with the lyrics. I discovered, one time, that my 15-year old daughter was singing a rock song, which was contrary to virtues that I impart. A song was played one time and I grabbed a few lines while it is being played. I told my daughter that she should not be singing that song because it is a vain song disbelieving God. In fairness, the song has a good tune.

My ears are not fixed to one type of music – it could be classic, pop, rnb, jazz, love songs, emorock, anything as long as it catches my attention and then it makes me sing to the tune.

Here are samples of a variety of songs that the tunes I like except for their lyrics (they do not have anything to do with me):

1. Californication by Red Hot Chili Peppers
2. Still Reminds Me by Anngun
3. As We Kiss by Session Road
4. Could be Wrong by MYMP
5. Torete by Moonstar
6. I'm a Slave for You by Britney Spears

7. In the End by Linkin Park

8. Elevation by U2

Here are samples of songs that I enjoy listening to:
1. Last Kiss by Pearl Jam
2. Survivor by Destiny's Child
3. Who the Hell are You by Madison Avenue
4. When a Woman by Gabrielle
5. Head Over Feet by Alanis Morissette
6. Change the World by Eric Clapton
7. Two Steps Behind by Def Leppard
8. Every Little Thing He Does is Magic by MYMP

*if you are interested with the lyrics you can click the name of the song

A Leader should be the First One In and the Last One Out

We were a little late this morning to church. We managed to take a seat on a pew where there is no fan to ventilate us. They must have had it repaired because last week it was not working.

There are other late comers. Actually, some came when Father Buddy was delivering his sermon already. That is the part that we would not afford to miss. We truly delight in listening to the homily. It was like going home filled with God’s glory. Especially with Father Buddy.

The sermon was about Jesus as the Good Shepherd. He had effectively related it to his narrative about his experience with the leaders of the seminary. It was about the time when they as seminary students joined movements against the Marcos regime. Their destination was in Mendiola. And then some of the students were from the Visayan and Mindanao regions. The leaders had successfully brought them to the place of the event but after a while, there was commotion. Twelve students were missing and the leaders had run off first to the seminary leaving the students behind. One of the students was able to come back after four days. He got lost in Manila.

Father Buddy said that it was a lonely thought that those leaders who should have taken care of their flock had fled first for their safety and leave the group alone. "A leader should be the first one in and the last one out," he stressed. Wonderfully said, isn’t it? I nodded my head in agreement to every bit of statement he uttered. Especially when he said that a lot of government leaders today only care for their mouth or for their belly.

Being a leader really is not easy. A leader should act what he or she says. His actions should reflect what he rightfully believes in. He should be able to act on matters that require his decision. Jesus is the perfect example.

Like Father Buddy had uttered, "We should not follow a leader if he leads us to the wrong path. He does not deserve to be a leader."

Square Peg in a Round Hole

It is common scenario in workplaces that a superior resigns, or an employee is promoted, or an applicant is hired. These are inherent in a system. That is, we ordinarily deal with these procedures in our work environs.

What is frustrating sometimes or most of the time (depending on the management style) is the genre that is chosen – incompetent, inefficient, unskilled, lacking, incapable, senseless bunch of square pegs in round holes. Employee dreams that those newly hired, appointed or promoted individuals would deliver efficiently, would contribute to the facilitation of work, or would even raise spirits of dedication, commitment, integrity, and responsibility. But he ends up frustrated and hopeless.

Each company is like a government wherein those people who rule or govern make and enforce laws, the same way that those who manage a company make and enforce policies. And we wonder why implementation is a difficult task when they had devised those policies. And we wonder still if it is just mere compliance to standards or norms. Or just prestige. Those appointed and favored because of their lengthy services adapt this kind of management.

The same way with those hired or promoted employees who gained favor because of influences not because they are fit for the job. They are useless morons who thrive because they are backed up. They are usually the kind who brags without anything to brag, who grabs credit from deserving workers, who cannot perform because they are in default of the necessary intellect, skills and experience, and who lacks the required understanding to do a job satisfactorily and professionally.

How then would a square peg fit in a round hole? It can never fit. The structure that the hole supports could not be strengthened with a substitute that cannot serve its purpose.

Di Ko Inakala

Noong nakaraan, ikinuwento ko ang pagigiging matatakutin ni Daryl. Pero ngayon, ang katapangan naman niya ang ikukwento ko na di ko inakala.Noong nakaraang linggo ay nabuo na sa isip ko na ipaalala kay Papsie ang tungkol sa pagpapatuli ni Daryl. Binanggit ko ito nang matatapos na ang linggo. Sabi ni Papsie, malamang daw na sa Martes ng susunod na linggo dahil coding ang sasakyan. Hindi rin pala pwede dahil pupunta si Daryl Jules sa iskul.

Noong Miyerkules ay natuloy ang pagpapatuli ni Daryl. Sa totoo lang, e hindi ako mapakali sa trabaho ko nang araw na iyon dahil sa naiisip ko na matatakutin si Daryl at baka hindi matuloy ang pagtuli. Napipiktyur ko kasi na biglang mag-ba-back-out ang aking bunso at sabihin kay Papsie na umuwi na sila. Natatakot din ako sa posibilidad na dahil sa sobrang takot e hindi umipekto ang anaesthesia.

Umalis sila nang maaga noon. Tumawag ako sa bahay ng mga alas 11 na ng tanghali. Si Daryl ang sumagot, walang bahid ng takot, sakit o pag-aalala sa boses. Sabi ko, “O, anak, kumusta na?” “Mabuti naman, Ma,” sagot ni Daryl. “Natapos na ba?” tanong ko. “Opo,” muli niyang sagot. Sabi ko sa wikang Ingles, “So, how was it?” “Okay lang,” wika niya. “Me pain ba during the operation?” pag-aalala ko. “Konti,” ang kaswal na sagot. “Congratulations, ha!” Tumawa si Daryl.

Nang umuwi ako, ikinuwento ng buo ni Papsie na humanga siya sa anak niya. Sampu raw kasi ang naka-schedule na tutuliin ng araw na iyon. Apat lang silang natira. Galit na galit daw ang isang tatay doon sa apat na batang kasama niya dahil wala ni isa ang gusto nang magpatuli. Iyon namang isang nanay e di kinayang kumbinsihin ang anak na magpatuli. Nagtulung-tulong na raw sila sa pang-uuto, wala pa ring nangyari. Nang matapos si Daryl na tuliin (at wala siyang kasama sa operating room) balewalang naglakad palabas at para daw hindi tinuli. Karaniwan kasi, makikitang iika-ika ang mga nagpatuli. Sabi ng doktora, “Hanga ako diyan sa anak niyo, dinaan lang ako sa kuwento!” Sabi naman ni Daryl, “Kelangan ko rin kasing libangin ang sarili ko, Pa, he he”

Bago pa man mangyari ang operasyon eto ang sabi ni Daryl sa wikang Ingles, “Eventually I will be circumcised and i have to face it.” Naihanda na rin pala niya ang sarili niya. Naisip ko, responsableng indibidwal pala ang anak ko. Sabagay, may mga desisyong kagulat-gulat si Daryl, mga pahayag na hindi mo aakalaing manggagaling sa isang 12 taong gulang na bata.

Di ko talaga inakala na matapang din pala siya. Kung gaano niya hinarap ang pag-aalala niya sa paliligo sa dagat, ganun din ang ginawa niya sa araw ng pagpapatuli.

What Age Do Boys Need to Be Circumcised?

My 12 year-old son was insistent before after graduating from elementary to be circumcised before the start of high school. That was last year, and he was only 11 then (he started early). He was anxious that he would be branded supot if his classmates would know. I asked him how it would be known. He answered that they might touch it and from that would determine he was not circumcised yet. Calmly, I explained to him that if somebody attempts to touch him he might as well ask that person if he is gay and that would prevent that person from touching him. And that sort of appeased my little boy (which is bigger than me now).

The thought of my son undergoing the circumcision procedure is really anxiety-laden. I was really worried then that he might be too young for it and could experience trauma because of the pain. It was a nagging question to me – what age do boys really need to be circumcised? Are there no limits like those of girls and women that they should not be pregnant younger than 18 or more than 30 years old, which are risk zones?

I learned that there is no definite time or age for the circumcision procedure. It can be done right after birth which is routine and very common in the US, or eight days after birth as practiced by the Jewish in their Bris Milah ceremony. It can also be until 7 years old in the Islam religion, or never at all which is evident in China, Japan, Northern Europe and modern South America.

In the Philippines, it is a mixture of some of these practices. Some would like their young boys to be cut at once after birth. But oftentimes, circumcision is done before the boys get to high school.

Today marks Daryl’s day into manhood. He got circumcised this morning. Papsie told me that he did not hesitate and walked peacefully from the operating room the same way as he did before he was cut, with these words before they set off to the clinic, "Eventually I will be circumcised and I have to face it."

Before I finish this off, I would like to tell you my personal belief on my decision of having my son circumcised. It is not because I am religious adhering to the Old Testament’s practice as a sign of the covenant between God and Abraham and his people. It is not because of cosmetic reasons done by the natives. It is more of medical consideration of guarding my son to a variety of diseases. Though this is not proven and opposed by detractors of its veracity, I believe it plus a combination of piety and preparation of my son to manhood. I consider more the benefits than the harm.

NOTE: Done properly, circumcision takes from three to 10 minutes. Each procedure begins with the same first step: the foreskin is separated from the glans, to which it adheres tightly in infants. Next, a clamp is applied to shield the glans and crush the foreskin where the cut will be made, in an effort to seal blood vessels and prevent bleeding. © 1993-2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

What Age Do Boys Need to Be Circumcised?

My 12 year-old son was insistent before after graduating from elementary to be circumcised before the start of high school. That was last year, and he was only 11 then (he started early). He was anxious that he would be branded supot if his classmates would know. I asked him how it would be known. He answered that they might touch it and from that would determine he was not circumcised yet. Calmly, I explained to him that if somebody attempts to touch him he might as well ask that person if he is gay and that would prevent that person from touching him. And that sort of appeased my little boy (which is bigger than me now).

The thought of my son undergoing the circumcision procedure is really anxiety-laden. I was really worried then that he might be too young for it and could experience trauma because of the pain. It was a nagging question to me – what age do boys really need to be circumcised? Are there no limits like those of girls and women that they should not be pregnant younger than 18 or more than 30 years old, which are risk zones?

I learned that there is no definite time or age for the circumcision procedure. It can be done right after birth which is routine and very common in the US, or eight days after birth as practiced by the Jewish in their Bris Milah ceremony. It can also be until 7 years old in the Islam religion, or never at all which is evident in China, Japan, Northern Europe and modern South America.

In the Philippines, it is a mixture of some of these practices. Some would like their young boys to be cut at once after birth. But oftentimes, circumcision is done before the boys get to high school.

Today marks Daryl’s day into manhood. He got circumcised this morning. Papsie told me that he did not hesitate and walked peacefully from the operating room the same way as he did before he was cut, with these words before they set off to the clinic, "Eventually I will be circumcised and I have to face it."

Before I finish this off, I would like to tell you my personal belief on my decision of having my son circumcised. It is not because I am religious adhering to the Old Testament’s practice as a sign of the covenant between God and Abraham and his people. It is not because of cosmetic reasons done by the natives. It is more of medical consideration of guarding my son to a variety of diseases. Though this is not proven and opposed by detractors of its veracity, I believe it plus a combination of piety and preparation of my son to manhood. I consider more the benefits than the harm.

NOTE: Done properly, circumcision takes from three to 10 minutes. Each procedure begins with the same first step: the foreskin is separated from the glans, to which it adheres tightly in infants. Next, a clamp is applied to shield the glans and crush the foreskin where the cut will be made, in an effort to seal blood vessels and prevent bleeding. © 1993-2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

When Admiration Becomes Fatal

We could not avoid appreciating unique qualities other individuals have. We appreciate the slender body physique of a friend who does not even exert an effort to work out. We recognize the silky complexion that God has bestowed to an acquaintance. We wonder at the richness of ideas a colleague has in expressing his opinions during a board meeting. We are in awe of how eloquent an exposition was written by a stranger in the blog world. We marvel at the strength of the connection between two lovers. Whatever form it is, we had definitely experienced admiration towards beautiful, excellent or marvelous people.

All of a sudden, the admiration overturned into envy. We are now green-eyed with envy. We suddenly find ourselves hating bosom friends silently, getting irked at the slightest remark which was innocently and honestly shared. We despise the act of constructive criticism and look into the archives of our minds the flaws that critic has and hurl surreptitiously counterblasts. We start to throw precarious glances because we could not achieve the aesthetic qualities that woman has. We panic at the lack of words to equal with that colleague who has an unearthly air about him. We attempt to seduce and wreck only to prove that there is no such strong bond that stays forever.

We may not be aware that we have passed this stage when admiration keeled over. This is when admiration becomes fatal. We should not idolize too much and forget the entity that we are – unique in our own special little ways. We should enrich the qualities that we have be it physical, mental, or moral, and try to impart them with the objective of motivating others to better their personality. Along with this, we should, instead of bragging explicitly or tacitly, be magnanimous of our own petty successes.

Very true, even though others would deny, admiration lets us forget about ourselves and be focused solely to that person or those persons that we admire. We tend to forget that these people can be just as ordinary as we are during moments of frailties. It is because we are all human prone to mistakes, misgivings, or helplessness. We are all human subject to God’s power, mercy and love.

Admiration should not be a way to venerate fellow human beings because worship should only be devoted to God. As always, excessive hero worship insults the magnificence of God. We can admire to a level that is just enough to motivate us to a value-added individual.

Ang Kanyang Pagguhit

Hindi ako nambobola nang sabihin ko na magaling gumuhit si Kay. Nasa kindergarten pa lang siya noon, 'lam ko na pag lumaki siya magaling siyang guguhit. Makikita naman kung paano ang paraan niya sa pagguhit kahit bata pa siya noon. May sarili siyang istilo. Ngayon, sisiw na sisiw lang ang pagguhit para sa kanya. Kumikita na rin yan. Kahit na maliit lang ang tinatanggap niya, nalalaman naman niya ang halaga ng pagtatrabaho. Pambili niya ng Candy magazines.

O, huwag kang hihinto sa pagbabasa, sige na at masdan mo...

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Chatting Vs. Blogging

I was introduced informally to chatting late 2003. I was not really interested because I do not know what to do and what to say, ignorant of the rules that I thought there were. Needless to say, I did not entertain the idea of going into conversations in a chat room. I perceived it (before I got hooked with it) as a waste of time.

Until one night, and I do not remember anymore when and what kind of night it is, I ventured into Yahoo's chat room. Aimlessly, I went to the general room. I waited there and observed. There was a group of people exchanging views, there are new people coming in and saying hello. I experimented with the icons, the features and I found it fun especially when you view someone else’s profile. It gave me a jerk when a chatter called my attention saying "Hi" and "how are you?’ It gave a fascination, like a little child being introduced what letter A looks like and how it is written.

And so it began – my addiction to chatting. I have met a lot of friends in the chat room. I have met a lot from different nations learning that we Filipinos should be proud of what we are and forget the mentality that we are inferior to those people in big countries. It was a challenge really to exchange ideas with different people but it was real challenge when you meet intelligent, interesting and charming Filipinos, who could expound on simple things, making your day bright and discovering brain waves that are similar to yours. It was real challenge also how you cope with brainless, vain, manic and nonsensical people.

But there is also danger in chatting specifically when you get addicted with someone. Though it is virtual exchange and you do not need to worry with the complications, it could play with your emotions, with your personality, with your beliefs and with your reserve.

I am not aware that there exists the latest craze called blogging. I am new to a site where you get to have a list of friends by invites (hi5.com) and being new I searched for Filipino friends and I chanced upon a Filipino radio researcher who is also a radio scriptwriter. I become interested and invited him to be included in my list of friends. He obliged in a message which mentioned his blog sites.

Being the inquisitive soul that I am, I ventured into exploring what blogging is all about. I discovered that it was about writing, which I have an addiction to. I discovered that I could have some sort of a journal or a diary. I am not fond of journals or diaries but I thought I could file my writings in this blogs. I found out that I could peek into other blogs or visit them frequently through the ‘next blog’ button. The ‘next blog’ button brought me to Ajay's blogspot of poems, one day, which then lead me to Rolly's blogspot and redirected me to Batjay's blogspot.

It was late December of 2004 when Geopoet invited me to view his blog sites. I am truly grateful he had given me the chance. It is a wonderful experience to blog really. It has opened to me vast consortiums of intelligent, sensible, unique and talented beings in a place we call Earth. It has enriched my vocabularies, multiplied my knowledge, honed my skills and sustained my values.

I cherish the joy that blogging is bringing me – extracting ideas from me which I never knew I keep. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr, son of the famous writer, Oliver Wendell Holmes, was quoted saying, "Man’s mind, once stretched by a new idea, never regains its original dimension." And I thought blogging is really cool as it records a person’s current idea that he could refer to anytime once it is overridden by a new idea.

Need I say that I love blogging now more than chatting?

Amoy Beybi

• 
  

  16 na taon na kami ni Papsie noong Abril 2, 2005. Tagal na, ‘no? ‘Ika nga ng isang blogger, ‘di ka pa ba nagsasawa?’

  
  


• 
  

  Ano ba ang dapat pagsawaan? Iyon bang halos araw-araw niyang pagsabi ng ‘I love you’? Iyon bang halik niya bago ako matulog? Kasama na ang mga yakap at mga pilyong bulong? Pagsasawaan ko ba ang mga malalanding haplos? Pati na ang dahan-dahang pagdampi ng labi (kasama na ang dila) sa tenga?

  
  


• 
  

  Dapat ko bang pagsawaan ang mga masasarap na luto? Lalo na ang pansit? Pagsasawaan ko ba ang intensyon niyang huwag akong malipasan ng gutom?

  
  


• 
  

  Palagi kong naririnig ang malakas na boses niya pag galit siya pero humihina pag ako na ang kausap, dapat kayang pagsawaan iyon? Ang dali niyang magsabi, "Mga bobo kasi!", pag nayayamot sa mga impertinente. Lima singko ang mura sa kanya na parte na yata ng pagkatao niya. Ni minsan naman e hindi ako minura o pinagsalitaan ng pangit. Kakasawa ba yun?

  
  


• 
  

  Hay… ang bango niya pag matutulog na! Ni minsan, kahit isang beses lang, hindi ko naamoy na mabaho si Papsie pag tumabi na sa akin sa kama. Gusto pa ngang maligo kahit na lango na o lasing na, ako na lang ang nagsasabing huwag na. Pero hindi pa rin siya nag-amoy mabaho. Palagi siyang amoy beybi, amoy presko, amoy unadulterated!

  
  


• 
  

  Ang alam ko ang mga pinagsasawaan e iyong mga abusado, walang galang sa asawa, mahilig mambabae, lagpas sa ulo ang bisyo, magaan ang kamay at kung anu-ano pa. Silipin ninyo ang mga kamuhi-muhing lalaki na isinulat ko.

  
  


• 
  

  Marahil dumadating sa punto ang lahat na gusto lamang ng thrill, ng excitement, ng mystery. Pero lumilipas lahat yan. Pag nilagay sa timbangan, ni hindi mangangalahati sa timbang!

  
  

Ayaw Niya Raw

>Si Daryl ang isa sa mga batang sobrang matatakutin. Buti nga nabawasan na. Noong maliit pa siya, madalas napupuyat ako kapag nakakapanood siya ng nakakatakot, o di kaya’y nakapakinig ng kuwentong kababalaghan. Sobra kasi ang lakas ng imahinasyon niya. Hanggang ngayong 12 taong gulang na siya, may mga pagkakataon pa rin na nauunahan siya ng pag-aalala o takot.
>Noon ngang Sabado de Gloria e bigla naming naisip na sumama sa swimming nina Kuya Pen. Masaya si Kay at si Daryl pero nang malaman ni Daryl na dagat ang pupuntahan nawala ang excitement niya. Paano nga ay kakatapos lang ng mga balita ng aksidente sa dagat gaya ng tsunami. Ganun din yan noong madalas ang mga balita tungkol sa mga bumagbagsak na eroplano. Hindi na lang daw siya pupunta sa ibang bansa. Ayaw na raw niya maging environmental scientist kasi wala sa Pilipinas noon pero kung pupunta pa sa ibang bayan e wag na raw kasi baka bumagsak ang eroplano. Tsk tsk nakakapag-iling ng ulo, di ba?
>Madali talaga siyang maapektuhan ng takot o pag-aalala. Nang makarating kami sa dagat. Sinubukan ni Papsie na enganyuhin na lumusong siya sa tubig. Noong una takot talaga siya at sabi niya doon na lang daw siya sa shore. Pinilit ni Kay (sobra naman ang lakas ng loob ng isang ito). Aba, napalusong si Daryl. Hayun at ayaw na’ng magpaawat. Ako naman ang nangingilo kasi sobra na sa 3 kilometro ang naabot nilang magkapatid dahil mababaw lang ang tubig.
>Nasunog ang balat ni Daryl. Ang itim ng mga braso ngayon. Nagbabakbak ang mukha, nasunog din. Paano kasi nawili – ayaw pa raw sa dagat!

16 years

According to an article, the 15th year anniversary was usually the first to receive serious gift giving within the family circle. The traditional list mentions crystal and the modern list mentions a watch. It was already our 16th year anniversary, the 15th had passed. No listings were there for the 16th, 17th, 18th and 19th anniversaries. But do we really need those lists?

We were not serious about these symbols, actually. We do not care the least about these symbols for anniversaries. Aside from the mediocre resources we have, we believe the opposite – that love does not have something to do with those material things. Not a single symbol could strengthen the bond. It is love itself that does it. And it is enough.

We clicked together. We read what is on the other’s mind. Do you notice how one will put the words to what the other has on mind? It usually happens. It is the bond we have. From the pout to the smirk, from the gloomy face to the jubilant expression, from the silence to the burst of laughter, we can translate. We always do.

We are each other’s strength, inspiration, refuge, glory, support, company, and the ‘bestest’ friend. We have misgivings. We fought. We disagreed. We kept silent because of pain. We pardoned each other. Then we love again and again. I do not see what they perceive as the poison there is in love. But we know that love is what had kept us together through the years and we always say 'I Will Be Here'.

Just like what Queen Elizabeth II quoted in a speech – ‘I think that everyone will concede that—today of all days—I should begin by saying, "My husband and I".

My husband and I stood the tests of times! (Though this is not an introduction but a wrap-up for my exposition on this wonderful 16th wedding anniversary.)