The Unbroken Reverie

...the spirit never ceases to flourish.

Monday, June 22, 2009

Youth, Fair Hope of Our Motherland

Written by Mike Gallego

Filipinos used to be like puppets on strings that were controlled by the Spanish rulers. They were obedient to each orders imposed to them without even knowing its actual purpose. They were ignorant and innocent to the injustices that were being done to them. Some even tried to be like the Spanish colonists in their thoughts, feelings, and approach in life, which sequentially ended in transforming their entire characters to new beings by acquiring even the culture and traditions of their exploiters. (This describes how colonial mentality works in the Philippines. Do you still remember Doña Victorina – the Filipina native in Noli Me Tangere who tried dreadfully to look like an Española?) To cut a long story short, the Filipinos were a depiction of a nation with a mesmerized and spellbound will.

These and more happened because we were deprived by our colonizers of our right to be educated in our own country, to be well-informed. They did that for the reason that they did not want us to see and realize the exploitation, oppression, and the abuse that they were doing in our country.

On the friar’s aim of obscuring Rizal’s message from the Filipinos, making them difficult to understand for the Filipinos (get how they’re making us idiots?), Jose Rizal cautiously instructed everyone who had received his novels, letters, and other compositions to preserve them so it could do its purpose and act as a sender of his message to the future generation. On Rizal’s manifesto written on December 15, 1896 (Manifesto to Certain Filipinos), he declared that education is important because through it and our supplementary effort, we may acquire a personality of our own, identity of our own, and this would make us worthy of the liberty that we are enjoying this day.

The youth as the fair hope of the motherland. This is Rizal’s vision for the youth.

The youth are advocates of idealism. Dreams, hopes, desires, and goals are more evidently expressed by the youth. That could be why Rizal depended very much on the youth. He believed that the youth is the key towards a great country. He also believed in education for the youth. In fact, a number of his letters, novels, poems, and even his manifesto mostly emphasize education. He believed that we can achieve unity and progress through education.

May the Philippines continue to bear heroic and daring youth, steadfast in eradicating the wrong ideas but opens himself to the steadfastness of his great mind, vigilant against deprivations of truth, justice and freedom. Belated Happy Independence Day!

P.S. Nevertheless, really, what is Colonial Mentality? – We have been hearing about it since we were young. It is the despised wicked mentality of Filipinos we have discussed in our HEKASI, along with Mañana Habit, Crab Mentality, and Ningas Cogon. Colonial Mentality, according to Wikipedia, is a concept that refers to the acceptance, by the colonized, of the culture of the colonizer.

Comment(s) - (3)
TOP

Friday, March 06, 2009

Francis Magalona

Written by Mike Gallego

Rapper, actor and TV host Francis Magalona, diagnosed with leukemia last year, died Friday at 12:20 pm at the Medical City hospital in Pasig City. He was 44.

He battled cancer for almost eight months before finally passing away. The immediate cause of Magalona's death was heart failure. He received his last sacraments before noon.

Last August, Magalona informed the noontime show "Eat Bulaga" via text message that he was suffering from leukemia.

The rapper even requested for blood donations to replace the blood he was using at the Medical City hospital in Ortigas Avenue where he was being treated.

"I have been diagnosed with leukemia and I am preparing for my treatment. Sa tulong ng Panginoon, kakayanin ko po ito," he said. "Abangan nyo ang aking pagbabalik. 'Di ko lang kayo 'miss'... LOVE KO kayong lahat."

Magalona was a regular host of the noon time show "Eat Bulaga."

Host Vic Sotto announced Magalona's demise during the show Friday and asked the people to pray for Francis.

“We will surely miss him, pati na ng buong industriya. We request everyone to pause for a moment of prayers for the eternal repose of the soul of Francis. Our condolences to the family. Kiko, we love you,” Sotto said.

The stars of the popular noontime show broke into tears as they prayed for the soul of Magalona.

The 44-year-old Magalona was the son of 1950's legendary actors and celebrity couple Pancho Magalona and Tita Duran.

Launched as a teen star in the 1980s, Magalona's career boomed with his hit rap song "Mga Kababayan," which was included in his album "Yo!" released in 1990.

He was also the voice behind the hits "Ito ang Gusto Ko," "Meron Akong Ano," "Mga Praning," and "Kaleidoscope World."

Francis M left behind is wife Pia Arroyo and their eight children - Unna, Nicolo, Francis Jr., Isabella, Elmo, Arkin, Clara, and actress Maxene Magalona.

Comment(s) - (2)
TOP

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Mr. United Nations

Written by Mike Gallego

Alright, I have managed to start a new blog entry. Well, alright… the Mr. United Nations pageant in our school was held yesterday. Of course, I would not write about it if it did not get my attention. I will make this short and to the point.

The Social Studies and Communication Arts Education areas of the high school department really worked hard and did their best for this project. I am just a bit disappointed because someone who is very gifted and qualified was not favored by the judges to be included in the top 7, but they made someone who did not show any talent or wit but an awful attitude be in the top 7.

Here are some of the seven questions I remember from the judges during the Q&A portion, the candidates’ answers, bonus my simple annotations and own answers:

If you had the privilege to talk to the newly elected president of the United States, Barrack Obama, what would you tell him, and why?

The candidate said that he would ask Barrack Obama how is it like to be in a non-democratic country, because someday if he, too, becomes a president like President Obama, he will have an idea of what is it like. – Is the U.S. of A. a non-democratic country? And I am not sure if knowing what it is like will help me when I become a president. If I am asked the same question, this will be my answer:

The United Nations, International Monetary Funds, and World Bank have begun such population control programs as conditions for the assists that they give. Barrack Obama, being one of the most influential and powerful persons in the world, I think he has the voice to these world-governing organizations. I will ask him to impede the passing of inhuman laws being commenced as coercion in trade of their helps.

What is the best thing about being a Filipino that you can truly be proud of?

The answer of the candidate, who is a friend, was that if he has something to be proud of as a Filipino, it is his family values, because it makes a foundation for making good decisions later on in our lives. – The Filipino family values are truly something that we can be proud of as Filipinos. I think he was just not able to elaborate his answer well. By the way, I chose to have a different answer:

The realities that are happening in our country right now really bite. Philippines is a country with too much problems; dirty, poor, corrupt, and whatnot. But, in the face of all these apparent problems, they still make every effort to see its bright side. Filipinos are optimistic that they never lose hope that one day it will rise from the ashes like a phoenix. Filipinos trust in God that they do not give up on the problems they encounter. FAITH. Faith connects us with God, gives us hope, and makes us persistent… something that lasts and is enough to sustain all of us. We have strong faith, and that is something that we, Filipinos, can truly be proud of.

You are aware of the loss (or decline) of the nationalism of the Filipinos. What should you do to counteract this and reinstate nationalism in our people?

The candidate’s answer was: “I would help in improving our environment.” – Say what? I think he got really nervous when the judge told him that it was a difficult question, that’s why he wasn’t able to think of a good answer.

Every Don Bosco school in the Philippines is known for its mission in forming tomorrow’s servant-leaders. Don Bosco is a school where students have the chance to exercise and develop their ability to lead by spearheading organizations and programs they want. Maybe, as a student, I can take advantage of this opportunity by organizing activities which may awaken my fellow students’ nationalism once more. Who knows, to greater extent, maybe I could summon a greater activity that would involve other different schools or even the whole nation.

If you could be in somebody else’s shoes for one day, who would it be and why?

The candidate said he would like to be Mahatma Gandhi, because he was a great man who contributed a lot to the freedom of his country and did many great things for its people. – I really like his answer. But I wasn’t thinking the same. As for me:

I am happy and grateful with what God has made of me and just by walking in my own shoes. I believe, that if in a way or another I could make a difference, I would find that way myself. But if I really had to, I would choose to live somebody’s life who has more difficulties and pains than I have. It would be a very great learning experience for me.

I think all the candidates were beyond doubt qualified in the said competition. They all got the looks, the talent, and the wit. I believe they all had a great time. Congratulations to all the Mr. U.N. and to our S.S. and C.A.E. areas for an indeed spectacular event.

Thanks to Beyond Human Perception for the pictures.

Comment(s) - (6)
TOP

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Kill the Bill!

Written by Mike Gallego

Here is an informative video about the so-called "National Suicide Bill":



Poverty in our country is not because of overpopulation. The cause why our country is poor should be attributed to other reasons like our leaders’ insatiability, mismanagement, corruption, lack of discipline, and immorality.

Sacrificing our moral values and eternal well-being of our country for the presumed economic stability in the future will only set our nation in a more disturbing problem than we are experiencing now. We should not abandon the moral values and laws that the Supreme Law Giver has given us.

Comment(s) - (2)
TOP

Saturday, September 13, 2008

Batingaw (The Bell)

Written by Mike Gallego


The “Batingaw” is a short film about a man who is in search of oneself. It is a story of a man who is looking for the perfect place where he can be genuinely free, serene, and happy; but ends up, to the same, where plastics, bottles, broken vessels, empty containers and the like stops. It is a place where the people, who live there, rely on the wastes of Metro Manila. My impression of the place, as someone who is used to comfort, is hopeless. I will never want to live there, because I do not think that I can ever be happy in that place. It is amazingly astonishing to see someone who is there smiling and laughing; happy. It makes me think on what can make a person truly happy.

There is a popular saying that states that the people, in order to be happy, only need to have bread and circus. Having bread and circus could mean having all the things that you need (nourishments) and want (entertainment). The people in the dumpsite may not or may only have a little of those things, but we can see the smiles and the laughter in their faces, and call them happy. There are some people who are not happy even if they have much of these things. They are closer to modernization than the people in the dumpsite, and so the affinity for them to get the factors of alienation of modern people is larger. They are bombarded with so many new trends and innovations everyday, that they already forget the sounds of their own hearts; what they really want. They lose their focus because of so many needs and wants that the world offers them. Greed and arrogance blur their main purpose in life. That is what makes them unhappy.

People can have bread and circus, but still be unhappy. Some people do not have much in life, but they are happy. Happiness only depends on how a person perceives life. The more a person seeks out for material things, the unhappier he becomes. “The Beatitudes” (Mt. 5:3-11) speaks about the perfect happiness and inner peace that is supposed to be enjoyed by the soul in heaven. It speaks about simplicity and focusing on God. Simplicity means having the ability to live with bread and circus without asking much, and putting God in the center of your world; surrendering your all to Him.

Thanks to Jesuit Communications Foundation for the video.

Comment(s) - (2)
TOP

Saturday, August 23, 2008

Ninoy in Us

Written by Mike Gallego


I am a hero. I do what I believe is right. I do what I believe is good. I fight for justice. I fight for freedom. I am a hero. In a big way, in a small way. In my own way. I am a hero. I am Ninoy.

Twenty-five years ago, a man named Ninoy Aquino fought nobly for a cause he believed in. He was a man who believed in heroism, in justice, in freedom, and he committed his life to upholding these values in a manner he thought would be for the greater good.

This man Ninoy lived bravely. And in his conviction and courage, he died a hero.

Beginning August 21, 2008, we commemorate the 25th death anniversary of past Sen. Ninoy Aquino, a man who battled against repression during the Marcos regime. His fatality roused the Filipino people, who were once discouraged and terrified by the military rule, to march in the streets and shout for justice and freedom. He must be the source of pride, courage, and inspiration of the Filipino.

This celebration reminds us to take personal and communal duties as citizens on bringing justice and authentic freedom for which Ninoy surrendered his life. We must continue our struggle for the development of our nation. We should not lose hope for our country. We should prove the whole world that our heroes, like Ninoy, did not die for nothing. Let us show the world that, truly, “the Filipino is worth dying for.”

“I could have opted to seek political asylum in America, but I feel it is my duty, as it is the duty of every Filipino, to suffer with his people especially in time of crisis. I never sought nor have I been given any assurances, or promise of leniency by the regime. I return voluntarily armed only with a clear conscience and fortified in the faith that in the end, justice will emerge triumphant.”

- Benigno "Ninoy" S. Aquino, Jr.

Comment(s) - (0)
TOP

Friday, June 06, 2008

Trance Sports

Written by Mike Gallego

Sorry, I have not been updating lately. I have been very busy and I did not really have anything to write; except now, of course.

Let me have a short recap, for now, on what have been happening to me lately. At least I am blogging about myself, again, now. I have been hooked with trying out some sports like paintball, badminton, wall-climbing, and my trance-sport which is wushu since the last day of the Summer Enrichment Program in Ateneo.

I tried paintball at the Global Gutz paintball activity area at the back of the Armed Forces Headquarters in Taguig City with a couple of friends and ex-schoolmates. It was so fun and cool at the same time. Shoot here, shoot there; shoot anywhere you want. Paintball lets you discharge your anger, stress and fury to somebody. For those who love actions and fun-filled activities, this game could be right for you.

Need to relax your brain cells? Step out onto wall-climbing or badminton. Those games are physically tiring, definitely; but they could also be mentally relaxing. It enables you to think not as much of your problems and focus only on the shuttle cock or at reaching the top.

Two of the top rock climbing walls and gyms in Metro Manila can be found in Makati City; the Planet Rock of my former school, Colegio San Agustin-Makati features its 1,000 meters climbing surface and the Play Underground Wall Climbing Center at the Powerplant Mall in Rockwell with a premier wall-climbing area and rebound trampoline. Badminton centers, on the other hand, are available at the country clubhouse of your villages.

Wushu has been my dream or trance-sport since I was a kid. It is actually the martial art that Jackie Chan and Jet Li do; cool huh? I finally had the chance to perform this sport when a Chinese friend of mine, who is a member of Alabang Wushu Club, brought me to one of the few Modern Shaolin Wushu athletic centers in the Philippines, the Alabang Country Club. The trainings and choreographies were exhausting but generally it was fun; no doubt about it. Now, who wants to have his ass flying-kicked?

At present, my body is in pain, but everything was worth it. Anyway, I still need to do a few things later. I wish I will be able to update soon.

Comment(s) - (0)
TOP

Thursday, May 15, 2008

English Proficiency for Global Competitiveness

Written by Mike Gallego

Heard any good news lately? Awhile ago on TV Patrol World, they said that the Filipinos' proficiency in English language has gotten through and better in the previous two years. The said report was based on the assessments and studies conducted by a popular research group in the country, the Social Weather Station or the SWS. The survey made few months ago showed that the skills of the Filipinos to write and speak using the English language improved by over 10 percent in year 2006 to 2008, and that the Filipinos are also willing to improve their lives by improving their competence in the English language.

Another good news for the Filipinos in the field of verbal communications. Another Filipino, following Patricia Evangelista, 16 year-old Gian Dapul, won the English Speaking Union’s International Public Speaking Competition held in the United Kingdom last May 9, 2008. Gian, so they say, awed the panel of judges and spectators with his splendidly amusing deliverance of such a strong and lucid substantial speech during the contest. He bested 57 other competitors from other nations and made it to the top.

Our world today is really a world of competitions joined with new discoveries and innovations. Our present world is really moving and changing so fast, and as such, greater challenges have been laid before us. With this reality, for us, Filipinos to be globally competitive, our knowledge and proficiency of the international language is required.

For some years, the Philippines was well-known as the only English-speaking country in Southeast Asia. The fluency of the English language came from the Americans who once occupied our coasts. In that period of time, we stood at an advantage from our neighbor countries. We got a lot of profits because we could speak the language that most developed countries use. Filipinos had already been capable of persuading foreign investors to set in our country even before other Asian countries realized the need to train their citizens in utilizing the English language to be able to converse with other countries and increase their economies. That is why we held a great promise of development during those times.

After some years, we shifted to use our national language as the medium for instruction in school, government facilities, and everywhere with our belief that people would learn better and they would become more nationalistic. The advocates of the English language, then, suddenly had to give way to those who are in favor of our native language. Language, indeed, became an issue.

Well, it does not mean that if we use the English language, we are less nationalistic. We have been using Filipino in our lives for several years already and we have actually seen its effect. We could say that it had not really made a significant difference in terms of the students' rate of learning and development in our country. I think, it is about time that we embrace the use of the English language once more so we could be more competitive globally.

Surely we have to move back to square one as we try to regain the edge that we lost. Right motivation and proper attitude towards the acquisition of the English language will undoubtedly help us become confident and adept in the language. Stop neglecting the English language, let's use it.

Comment(s) - (12)
TOP

Friday, February 29, 2008

Get up and Live!

Written by Mike Gallego

Sorry for not blogging. Wanna know how my friend is now? Doing good and I think he has totally forgotten about all his defeats. I realize he is just an amazing young man and I really admire his capacity to withstand all the trials (ruined friendship, parents’ separation, issues in school, etc.) that come his way; no matter how excruciating and thorny.

Two weeks ago, I got handpicked by our department principal in school herself to be the emcee for this year’s CEAP – NCR of Msgr. Gerry O. Santos General Assembly that was held at our school, particularly in Savio Auditorium last February 16, 2008. Day before, I asked the physics instructor, Mr. Chua, to give me some tips and advice on how to hold or facilitate a program, since it was only the first time that I would face many students from various schools in NCR as an emcee. There were not less than 100 representatives from more than 25 schools attended and I was a bit pressured in the beginning of the program. Again, it was my first time.

I had so much fun during that day for I was not only an emcee but also a receptionist – slash – workshop facilitator – slash – mass lector; besides, I got to realize a lot of things from the talks of Jess Paul Pasibe of Simbahang Lungsod ng Bayan and the “Master of Hapag,” Joey Velasco.

Jess Paul Pasibe spoke about the “Corruption of Truth” that is currently taking place in our country’s government. JP Pasibe suggested in his discussion that everyone should go behind Rodolfo “Jun” Lozada’s sense of right and wrong, conscience in other word. Jun Lozada, as we know him, is the star witness in the ZTE broadband deal anomalies. His assertion has enthused memories of other people’s allegation of graft and insatiability in the government, and was able to instigate the spirit of a lot of people to voice out and act in response.

While the “Master of Hapag,” Joey Velasco gave a short but inspirational talk which actually moved our viewpoint of an actual hero. He also showed us a heartrending – slash – awe inspiring video, which narrates the story of the modern day heroes, the destitute children, in his painting, “Hapag ng Pagasa”.



According to Joey Velasco, a real hero must not hinder our faith but help. Modern day heroes are those usual people we see often around. They struggle with many of the same tribulations and temptation that each one of us faces each day but still strive to live under His cross. Velasco christen his paintings as the story of our own redemptions. They tell us of who Jesus Christ is, who others are and even who we are. Joey Velsaco’s works of art would surely touch everybody’s heart for the reason that each child in the painting tells a different story.

After a week, I was picked again to be the host for the Quiz bee in Math with a, umm... I am not sure how should I classify him… moving on, and Technical Quiz bee of the Inter – Don Bosco School Academic, Technical and Pastoral Festival. Now you could say that I took in two weeks of emceeing. Speaking of Quiz Bee, we did not get the top place during the Pastoral Competition.


With Mrs. Medina (left); during the Technical Quiz Bee (right).


With Julian, AcaTechPas season.

Before I overlook, last January 26, 2008 was the Grand Alumni Homecoming of Don Bosco – Mandaluyong. The night was sponsored by HS Batch ’83. There was a free buffet and free entertainment by Retrospect and DJ Jon Tupas. The Don Miguel Solaroli Digital Library was also open that night so we got to enter and take some pictures inside. Went there with my friends after we spent time in St. Paul Pasig annual fair: RePRESENT.


By the way, the FRIEND I was talking about in the beginning of this entry and the previous was I. See you, friends!

Comment(s) - (4)
TOP

Monday, December 17, 2007

Keep Christ in Christmas!

Written by Mike Gallego

"You better watch out... you better not cry! You better not pout; I'm telling you why... Santa Claus is coming, to town!" - Sa araw ng Pasko. sino nga ba talaga ang talagang dapat nating pagka-abangabangan? Sino ba siya, na tunay na makakapag-pawala ng ating kalungkutan at makakapag-bigay ligaya sa atin? - Siya si Hesus, ang Kristo... nakalimutan mo na ba?

Sa tuwing sasapit ang kapaskuhan, dumarami ang ating pingkakaabalahan; pagbibigay, paghahanda, pagpaplano, pamimili, pamamasyal, pagpapahinga... na sa dami ay nakakalimutan narin natin ang tunay na diwa ng Pasko. Natanong mo na ba sa iyong sarili, kung bakit tayo kailangang mamigay ng regalo sa tuwing sasapit ang Pasko? Ano ba ang kahalagahan nito? Ano ba ang ibig sabihin ng Pasko?

Isa ako at ang aking pamilya sa mga sumusunod sa mga tradisyon tuwing Pasko, tradisyon na nga kasi ito. Namimili ako ng mga regalo para sa aking mama at papa, kuya, at mga pinsan (minsan pati sa teachers at classmates ko). Binabalutan ko pa ang mga ito ng magagarang recycled gift wrappers na mabibili sa mall at kuminsan ay may ribbon pa; pag tinamad, sa mall nalang ng pinagbilihanan ko papabalutan ang mga ito. Ganun din naman ang mama at papa ko sa paghahanda ng regalo sa kanilang mga inaanak na inaasahang dumarating sa ika-25 ng Disyembre; dagsaan ang mga magugulo, makukulit at maliliit na bata sa amin; mayroon din namang matatanda. (trivia: ang mama ko ay may 46 na inaanak sa binyag at 6 sa kasal; ang papa ko naman ay mayroong 23 sa binyag at 4 sa kasal). Sa dami ng bisitang dumarating, inihahanda din namin ang mga dekorasyon na sa tuwing dalawang taon ay parating bago. Ganun naging kamagastos ang aming Pasko.

Tungkol naman sa tradisyong talaga namang kinaiinisan ko, ang Santa Klaws! Ang pinakamalaking kasinungalingang dumarating at naghahasik ng lagim tuwing Pasko. Ang mamang may napakalaking tiyan kaiinom ng Coke at Beer. Una sa lahat, marami na ang napaniniwala na alam ni Santa Klaws ang lahat (all knowing), "he knows if you've been bad or good"; na siya ay may kapangyarihan (all powerful), "he rewards the good and punishes the bad"; nandoon siya kahit saan (fills all space), "he delivers all his present in one night"; at ang lahat ng mga ito ay kasinungalingan, "if the devil is the father of lies and Santa is based on lies, who is the father of Santa?", dahil ang Diyos lamang ang may alam, may kapangyarihan, at naroroon sa lahat (omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent).

Hindi masama ang pamimigay ng regalo lalo na at isa ito sa pinakamadaling bagay na gawin upang ipakita ang ating pagmamahal sa kapwa; gaya ni Hesus na ibinigay ang kanyang buong sarili sa atin upang tayo ay maligtas. Ngunit ang Kapaskuhan ay hindi parating tungkol sa pagbibigay, pagtanggap ng mga regalo at paggastos ng malalaking pera para sa mga dekorasyon. Ang Pasko ay lalong hindi tungkol kay Santa Klaws. Yun ang dapat natin maunawaan.

Ang pasko ay tungkol kay Kristo, ang pinakamalaking regalong naibigay at atin nang natanggap mula sa Diyos. Ang pagdiriwang ng kapaskuhan ay pag-alaala sa regalong ibinigay sa atin ng Diyos dalawang-libu't-pitong taon na ang nakakalipas. Ngayong Pasko, ating tanggapin ang regalo o biyaya na buhay na walang hanggan; bagay na nabili na Niya para sa atin, binalot ng buong pagmamahal, at inihain sa pamamagitan ng Krus.

Ipagdiwang natin sa piling ng ating pamilya, mga kaibigan at iba pang mga mahal sa buhay ang pagbaba ni Kristo mula sa langit upang maregaluhan tayo ng ating kaligtasan. Nawa ay magkaroon tayo ng isang maligaya at makabuluhang pagdiriwang sa darating na Pasko kasama ni Kristo! Meri Krismas!

Comment(s) - (6)
TOP

Thursday, November 29, 2007

Standoff!

Written by Mike Gallego

Many of my friends are asking me to give my opinion with regards to what happened in Manila Peninsula last night. Well, I wanna keep quiet for now. I'm not in the position to give any opinion about it because I don't really know anything. It's a tedious matter; besides, it's already over. Let's just focus on the positive corners and be thankful to God that He didn't let anybody to get hurt or injured during the Manila Peninsula Hotel Standoff; although, some got really frustrated.

Kids, we're still too young to mind and think about the issue. We can let it all alone to the adults for now.



BTW. After three months, I've finally made an update to my Silipin ang Sagot: http://tanongsasulok.blogspot.com/. I was a bit challenged in answering the questions I received through my FreedBack.

Comment(s) - (8)
TOP

Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)