9th National Ayala Young Leaders Congress

... a gift from the Ayala Executives to the successful passers of the Ayala Young Leaders Congress 2007

Wow! This is really a year for me. I've just learned it from our dean this morning that I qualified for the 9th National Ayala Young Leaders Congress.

With this, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the following people:

To Mam Virgie, our Mass Comm. Program Coordinator, thank you for nominating me and believing on my skills and potentials.

To Mam Elvie Balinas, our coucil adviser, what can I say? I've made it because of your thoughts.

To Dr. Bella Panlilio, our dean, this is for CAS. Thank you so much for believing in me.

To Mrs. Gwendelyn Oronce, how can I thank the woman who believed in me and made me realize the true essence of leadership.

To Kuya Jon, thanks for letting me realized the art of leading. (Remember PACSA '06)

To Tin and Ben, I love you guys!

To my classmates, especially to Analou, Spring, Marianne, Joowon, and Analou again, hay, gosh! I can't believe this.

Thank you for all the blessings you have shared to me.

To Kuya Paul, wow! Thank you sa mga tips and advices.

To my parents, this is my surprise for you.

To Dennis, ahmahmkoh! I've made it.

To the Argonauts batch inclding Mykel-KASAUF, thank you very much.

To Mrs. Sylvia Soriano, thank you very much for all the thoughts whichh you have shared to me.

To the Ayala Foundation, to the Ayala Executives, I'll not fail you for your decision. I'd be sincere to this mission.

To Jehovah God, I know you're the reason for all these. Thank You so much for always being on my side.

SURVIVOR CHALLENGE: HOW TO SUCCEED A SAD CHRISTMAS!

Why suffer the bad stuffs of your life during Christmas when there are fun shots you can spot.

It is really frustrating when you see people who are having so much fun amid the cold breeze of the season when you are there celebrating the tons of problems you are experiencing. Indeed, the season of Christmas is drawing nearer to the curtains. But, still, you've got and still attached with so many problems.

It's quite insulting when you hear children at your doors singing Christmas and holiday wishes when you are there crying alone for your boyfriend have just broke up with you. You want to give them coins, but the more they become happy and energetic, the more you become irritated.
But hey, don't think that the Earth has turn it's back on you. Mate, it's not yet the end of the world. At least for this season you become happy and gay. Yes, you may be having dozens of dilemmas, but my mate, this is not yet the end of all. There's always reason to celebrate life and enjoy Christmas. How, here it goes:

EAT TILL THERE IS. The celebration of Christmas means the preparation of many foods. Why not eat and try different delicacies instead of drowning yourself to the pool of problems you have. worry no more if you're thinking of your diet. Whether you're thin or thick, you are simply beautiful. Anyway, you'll not have these foods after Christmas. So, while there's more and a lot more, you take advantage.

BE A CHILD FOR ONCE. Lucky those children are for they seem to have no problem at all. They always laugh and just cry whenever they are hungry. Other than hunger, they seem to have and live in a Utopia world, a perfect society. So why be a child even this Christmas. Join the seven's and eight's as they sing and dance the night's carols.

SHOP 'TILL YOU POP. Go to malls and refresh yourself. It's for free anyway. But if you've got the money from your sugar daddy, shop the best stuffs in the malls. By shifting your attention to your personal needs, I am sure you're sadness will leave you.

GIVE A GIFT. There's no more merry and fulfilling thing to do than to give something to somebody. Think of the important and special people in your lives and thank them through a simple but symbolic gift. The fact that you remembered them is something for them. In that way, they'll also make you feel special, which will sooner give you happiness, in return.

FIND AND MAKE LOVE. Merry are the people who have someone special in their lives. Happy are those who attend the Misa de Galo with their partners eating putos and sipping hot chocolate during early morns. If you're sad, then find yourself a partner. Friendster is there to give you more guys and gals. And when you find one, make him feel special as he will make you very special as well.

ATTEND PARTIES. Being with you're friends, you're neighbors or you're relatives during the saddest and lonesome moments of your life is very much healing. The matter that you know they are there to help you is really something. To be gathered with them, attend Christmas parties and family reunions. Don't just confine yourself at the four corners of your dark room. Remember, being alone is dangerous. You might have just done something gratifying for you, but sinful to the Lord God (ehehe).

BE BEAUTIFUL. Make your problems you're magical mantras to make yourself feel better and be beautiful. After all, if you're beautiful, no one will think you're problematic.

FORGIVE AND FORGET. The spirit of the season of Christmas is when you let you're enemies join you in your celebration. Yes, they did something to you, but forgiving them will be very helpful. Isn't a pleasure when you're there and o'k to everyone?

Christmas is the right moment to celebrate life. The right time to be happy and forget all the bad stuffs of your life.

These may be little and simple thoughts, but I hope, they'll help.

PINOY SPICES

Juan dela Cruz will never be like Uncle Sam, nor John Bull.

I have friends who have been to Europe, to Land Down Under, and some have experienced the bright nights of New York. Some said perfumes from Paris are really first-class. One said that the Australian terrier( a small short-legged grayish wirehaired of Aussie origin) is definitely unusual. Frankfurts from Germany and chocolates from U.S. are really delightful said by another friend. But, never did I hear them saying........."Filipinos are like the people of France, of New York...............!".

There are a multitude of spices that savor Filipinos to become special from the odds. Aside from the fact that Filipinos are genuinely handsome, there are still pure x-factors which draw Juan dela Cruz as a distinct character. Some traits may be noted as the plus factors; some are observed disagreeable, and lots may be labeled as amusing.

Input a 64- dollar question: which Filipino traits are noted as plus factors?

TRYING HARD. At first sketch, this may sound unpleasant. But, use the term in a lighter manner that it can build up the entire Filipino nation. Filipinos, though in the middle of this economic's stratum of competition still try to rank Philippine products in their greatest height. Foreign goods may ever be scattered along the islands, but never will the native ones be forgotten.

THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME. It is so finical, that with all the offers of the technological era and the indulge of the teen's world, still a family that is bonded with God's heartstrings, remains. Through centuries, the Filipino family has proven its closer ties that it vindicated itself to be stalwart and stronger versus the forces of worldly immorality.

VIVA LA SENORA. HALA-BIRA, HAAAAAAPPY FIESTA. My 16-year stay in this country has made me said that this nation's culture is the richest among all. The cultural continuity in social attitudes which was cast-off by other countries is still on the line of its legacy. Sinukwan, Moriones, Maskara, Sinulog, Pahiys and Panagbenga, just some of this country's festivities which incessantly fire their race towards the arts and humanities. Aside from these festivities, are the old practices of showing values appreciation and manner decorum in the heart of a pure blooded Filipino.

Hospitable. Pakikisama. Utang na loob. Regionalistic. Some other Pinoy spices that make us diverse.

Inscribe another 64- dollar question: which Filipino traits are the messy ones?

PIRACY IS THE BEST POLICY. Filipinos are renowned for their "gaya-gaya system". They sometimes tend to minimize the value for intellectual property rights. An existing scenario is the nature of the sphere of piracy. CDs, VCDs, DVDs, thesis documents, inventions, and even talents are being pirated.

DOG STYLE. Some dogs are hated for their impertinent manner. Same tale goes to Filipinos. To urinate or micturate on public places such as walls or treewards is a messy act of a dog which a Filipino does. To go deeper on this issue, Filipinos are indifferent with dogs when they just go with the flow without even knowing the real stands of controversies. Being associated on rallies and strikes for two heads of Manuel Roxas and shouting and screaming are just a typical zarzuela.

CRAB MENTALITY. Black propagandas. The Republic of the Philippines. People pulling others down to their deepest grounds. Combine them all, the dubious puzzle will be revealed. Like the lazy crabs, Filipinos will do all, in whatever manner, just to get their desires.

There are quite a number of Filipino traits which may appear negative, but in other ways, become funny. Stuffs like:

DEBT FOR DEATH. During Christmas, New Year, and Barrio Fiestas, Filipinos are assiduously visiting house to house to borrow money for a possible celebration. Imagine, just to feed the mouth of others, they will risk their possible income. Then comes the day that they will hide themselves from the collectors. "Anak, sabihin mo pumunta ako sa bangko ha!", sort of a practical excuse.

KANTANOD. Originated from a Fray Botod, Padre Damaso stated that Filipinos are fond of going to occasions where they are not officially invited. What is more embarrassing is that they even take out foods, stuffs, and utensil (I mean spoons and forks) secretly.

ORGANS FOR SALE. In certain points, this may be a sort of a serious topic......but on the other side, a bit facetious. Nowadays, flesh and escort services for a one- night stand are not the only life aspects which are bargained for a small scale price. The purchase of kidneys, lungs, heart, and even yellow teeth is not impossible. What if, the front teeth planted on you by your dentist is from that garbage collector you most hate............you'll never know.

GALING UK...........! Remember the teen star on a detergent ad pretending as if her cocktail outfit is from United Kingdom. This just speaks that Filipinos are a great pretender.
You may find it nice, irritating or sometimes, amusing, but one thing's for sure, "walang ganyan sa States."

xxx:liberated

Papa, enough please.

I want to live my life by my own example. I want to live for myself and not for anyone else’s sake, to grace every moment of my life with my own identity and uniqueness. I want to continue to believe in what I’ve got; to stay as I am and not change for anyone.

I really admire the influence my father has instilled in me. I admire him for his fidelity and compassion for my mother. I admire him for his sacrifices in providing us with all our needs. I admire him for surpassing the difficult challenges he experienced. I admire him for his intellect. His thoughts and ideals have molded me. Lastly, I admire him for being an instrument of God, for making me realize who I really am and what I’m supposed to be.

I witnessed how my father pressured my older brother while he was studying. My father was there to guide and direct him from his elementary, high school until his college years. But as days passed by, I noticed how my father was becoming too strict. My brother is a real genius: a regional champion in academic competitions, a national delegate in some conferences, and a Math wizard. However, these achievements are not enough for my father. I often hear him talking to my brother, how he should do his best and never allow himself to be at the bottom. I understand that my father did that because he simply wanted my brother to succeed in life.

As days passed by, the same story happened to me. I was a winner in some writing competitions. I was the editor-in-chief of our school paper, a delegate in some conferences, a winner in quiz shows, a student leader in college and an achiever in our school–but again these are not enough to impress my father. Now, I partly understand my father, but when will he stop pressuring us?

Now that I’m eighteen, I somehow realized how to live my life by my own ideals, making my own identity and doing what I want. I want to live my life without others dictating what to do and what not to do. I am already growing up. I already know what is right and what is wrong for me.

I truly believe that my father is an experienced man who has suffered from his past, and that gives him the authority to lead us. I admire him for that. But I also want enjoy life while I’m still young and strong. I want to stress though that enjoying life does not mean engaging in worldly acts of the youth today, like engaging in premarital and homosexual sex, use of drugs and alcohol abuse. What I meant by living my life is having my own preferences and prerogatives.

I want to live by my own example. I highly respect my elders for their past experiences. I’ve learned from what they have experienced but now I want to make my own example. This doesn’t mean disregarding the elders’ teachings. This means learning to live my life by my own decisions and assumptions.

I want to live my life for myself and not for someone else’s sake. I am doing things the best as I can because I want to succeed. I want to have my own identity and to leave a legacy when I die. I can’t meet these goals if I don’t do what my heart and mind dictate.

Another thing I realized now is that my father loves comparing us to other people. I am a unique person, created by God with different skills and talents. I can do things others can’t do. I do things my own way. I am totally different from my siblings, my friends, my cousins and other relatives.

Last, I can’t change for someone else. Sorry but changing for others is a disgrace on my part. I truly admire Arts Instructor Katherine Watson in the movie Mona Lisa Smile for she refused to change her personality, her beliefs and ideals. Like her, I am a person with strong and firm convictions that no one can challenge. Who cares if I don’t get the highest position or if I am not in power? Huh, to change myself for others, that is a no-no for me!

I would like to clear that I am not against my father. He is a well experienced man and he knows what’s best for us. He molded us well. My brother is still a genius and I can say that I am an achiever on my own. My younger brother just graduated valedictorian last school year. My other two siblings are doing well in their secondary years.

I just want to tell my father that I can’t always live my life following his teachings and orders. I also want to live my life with own options and ideals. But hey old man, I’ll never forget your words that have made us better persons.

I just wish Papa wouldn’t scold me for revealing his life to the public. (Hehe, I’m crossing my fingers.)

This article was posted at www.tinig.com.