Sa Food Court (From my 2006 Notes)

Heto na naman ako sa food court ng Ali Mall. Gaya ng dati, magsusulat na naman ako ng aking mga kawirduhan habang hinihintay ang 8:30 night trip ng Isarog na mag-uuwi sa akin sa Naga.

Ganitong-ganito rin may tatlong taon na ang nakakaraan. Wala pa ring pinagbago ang Ali Mall. Tambayan pa rin ito ng mga biyaherong tulad ko. Noon, kahit alam ko kung saan ako dadalhin ng bus matapos ang walong oras ng pagtulog sa biyahe, tila wala pa ring katahimikan ang aking pag-iisip. At kahit alam kong may pamilyang nakaabang sa akin sa bus terminal upang ihatid ako sa aming tahanan, alam kong babalik ako dito upang magsayang ng oras sa mga mall, sa MRT, sa mga sidewalk, sa mga sinehan at mga overpass ng Maynilang pilit kong inaangkin. Babalik ako para magkunwaring dito ako nababagay.

Tatlong taon din yun. At tatlong taon na rin ang nakakaraan noong huli akong umupo dito sa Food Court at sumumpa na hindi ko na babalikan ang bawat lugar na nagpapaalala sa akin ng mga tagumpay at kabiguan ko sa pinili kong landas.

Ang totoo, makailang ulit na akong bumalik dito sa food court. Ngunit sa pagkakataong ito, masaya na ako. Alam kong kahit ilang beses pa akong maghintay dito, mayroon akong babalikan, doon kung saan ako masaya, doon kung saan laging may naghihintay sa akin at nagmamahal ng walang kapalit, doon kung nasaan ang puso ko.

Isinulat noong September 1, 2006 sa Food Court ng Ali Mall, Araneta Center, Cubao, 6:30-6:54 ng gabi.

My 101 Korean Experiences (happy, funny, sad, interesting, shocking, etc.) in the IYF World Camp, June 27 to July 17, 2011

1. First night at Daegu Lincoln House, the first time I learned about the common bathroom

2. The common bathroom, and waking up as early as 4:30 a.m. for me to take a shower alone, which was not always successful

3. Walking barefooted in the IYF buildings

4. When someone used the slippers I left at the entrance. Since then, I almost always hand-carried my slippers wherever I went to.

5. Sleeping on the floor without pillows

6. When I realized the two adapters I bought from the Philippines do not fit the outlets in Korea

7. Borrowing an adapter so I can charge my laptop and camera

8. The array of street food downtown of Daegu and the free taste of food at the department stores/malls at Daegu and Seoul (Lotte, Shinsegae)

9. The rows of food stalls in the markets and the vendors in the streets of Daegu and Seoul

10. Kimchi…kimchi… and more kimchi. I still had the stomach to eat them in the first week. In the next weeks, when there were more choices (especially in Busan), I had to politely say no kimchi, please.

11. Chopsticks, which will I try using once in a while from now on

12. Korean boys carrying girly handbags

13. High school girls in their skimpy uniform

14. The Korean wrestling match, which I won with ease

15. My newfound friends, Truth 5, and our escapades, boredom, struggles and friendship which started at Daegu

16. Our cool Truth 5 volunteers, Sin James and Kyoung Won Lim

17. A gift from Kyoung – a Korean name for me – IM DONG HO - for which I am very pleased and thankful

18. Jepoi’s (a.k.a Jepuri) winning Korean speech

19. Jepoi coaching Kyoung in English

20. Migs (a.k.a. Mix) sleeping at every opportunity

21. Migs and Niko’s smoking sessions

22. Niko being all over the place

23. Picture-taking with Niko at the Lincoln auditorium, with the red chairs at the background

24. Herman… where is Herman? a. Holding the kawayan b. Fixing his bangs c. Taking photos of himself. Peace Herman!

25. Boom’s exercises

26. Sin James: “You (Jepoi) are very kind. And Boom…also very kind.”

27. Kyoung: “May muta ka.”

28. The walkout of James

29. The long walk to Nakdonggang River

30. The Hahoe Mask Museum and Mask Play at Andong Village, Daegu

31. The convenience I experienced at Centum Hotel, Busan

32. My roommates at Centum Hotel, Jihnan Kim, Jason Hyedong and another friend (I forgot his name.)

33. My new Korean, Indian, Nepalese and Filipino friends – Truth D3!

34. The buffet meals at Centum Hotel and BEXCO.

35. The most delicious burger I have eaten so far – Double Bolgogi at McDo!

36. When fellow Filipinos Rolando Bolanos and Manuel Martinez and I ate ramen at 7 Eleven, and when Manuel accidentally spilled his soup on my shorts

37. The Samsung Motors, where there are more machines than people. It was like watching the Transformers!

38. When we went to Hyundae Bay, and some of my team mates tried to throw me to the ice-cold water. They failed hahaha… But I lost my camera cap.

39. My jumpshot at Hyundae beach

40. When Hans requested me to sing I Believe-Tagalog version, while he sang the Korean version

41. When Jason blushed upon seeing and talking with a pretty girl hehehe…

42. The hair and skin vanity of Koreans

43. Drinking Max and soju with some Truth 5+1 friends one night at a bar along Hyundae in Busan

44. The subway ride from Centum to Hyundae

45. Being sad upon reaching Daeduk Retreat Center (from bed to floor again hehehe…)

46. The ice-cold water at Daeduk Retreat Center

47. When Pastor Cho caught me staying in our quarter during the mind lecture because I had to take a bath and washed some clothes

48. The IYF shirt which I washed three times

49. The cancelled water rafting

50. The world class performances of the Gracias Vocal Ensemble and Orchestra

51. The superb Nessun Dorma performance

52. The African way of saying “more”.

53. The repeated dance routines of the Righteous Stars

54. The repeated Chinese, African, Chinese and Korean cultural performances in the multiple opening ceremonies in different cities. I never got tired of watching the African dance over and over again.

55. The fantastic Samgo-Mu (Korean Drum Dance) performances

56. The awesome taekwondo dance-exhibition

57. The dramatic (and usually late) entrance of the VIPs

58. The balloon art workshop

59. The Wild River ride

60. The76th floor of the Woobang Tower

61. Ock Soo Park

62. Ock Soo Park’s interpreter and other interpreters in the mind lectures

63. Kkkkkkkkkkkkkk…

64. Pastors Cho and Nam

65. The challenge of staying awake during mind lectures in the morning, afternoon, evening and late evening. I think I was successful at some point, considering No. 66.

66. Many people sleeping during mind lectures

67. The all-Filipino meetings and mind lectures

68. The premature departures of many Filipinos

69. The Korean-Filipino interpreter who speaks Tagalong better than many of us

70. The pali-pali expression, which honestly got into my nerves

71. Questions like, “Are you righteous?”, “Are you a sinner?”, and “Are you saved?” which I honestly answered

72. Fellow Filipino Anna not wanting to talk to her teacher and to answer questions on No. 71.

73. IYF’s idea of change of heart

74. Walking, touring, shopping in the rain

75. Few attempts not to attend the mind lectures

76. The sauna and the orange clothes given to us

77. The happy pork barbecue lunch with my Truth D3 friends. It was the last lunch I shared with them. And I ate a lot!

78. Our kind pastor in Truth D3

79. Finding our bus…

80. The many and long bus rides, and the happy and meaningful interactions along the way (usually with Rolly, Manuel, Jinhan or Seung-woo.

81. Transferring my heavy luggage from one bus to another, from one venue to another

82. Arirang… a-ri-rang… a-ra-ri-yo… a-ri-rang… go-gae-ro…neo-meo-gan-dah…

83. You Raise Me Up song

84. Sorrow song

85. Sharing my experiences with Truth D3, with an interpreter

86. Korea’s cleanliness

87. Koreans’ road discipline

88. Koreans’ love of country and patriotism

89. Korea’s story of economic development

90. Koreans’ love of native language. Being unable to speak English well should not be an embarrassment. It’s just reflective of their love of Hanggul. I just wish many of us, Filipinos, are like the Koreans on that point.

91. The story of kimchi being a symbol of Korea’s survival during the country’s difficult times

92. Koreans’ top sports interests - baseball and football

93. The Korean TV programs shown on the bus, which I tried to understand from the characters’ actions hehehe…

94. My homestay with cool company Donghee Park and Yeong Myeong Choi

95. The homestay snack (second dinner, actually) - pork feet, fried chicken, eggs, watermelon, corn, etc.

96. Donghee Park’s great enthusiasm to serve his duty in the army next year

97. Yeong Meong Choi’s drawing of army (himself being on duty in the army as part of the Special Forces) on his message for me

98. Shopping at Namdaemun and Dongdaemun, Seoul, with only 50,000 Won left

99. Eating noodles at Namdaemun and conversations at Dunkin Donut with Julius Levy Bunsol, Sheena Anne Melody Salvador and Jason Cutaran.

100. Saying goodbye to my D3 friends while Gracias Choir was singing “Time to Say Goodbye” at Seoul Capitol Park

101. The entire IYF Korean experience, which, despite some not-so-met expectations and minor inconveniences, challenged my tolerance and patience; strengthened my personal faith and humbled me; and opened my heart a bit more to build friendship that transcends cultural differences and language barrier. This, I believe, is the change of heart that I experienced in Korea.

Vietnam, a Country, not a War (12 Things I remember about the ASEAN+3 Capitals Youth Festival in Vietnam)

My list of good memories of Vietnam and its people is pretty long, but these are some things that I remember about my stay in Hanoi, Vietnam on October 5 to 9.

1.The 36 cramped streets at the old headquarter in Hanoi, which were never emptied of people and motorbikes
2. The motorbikes (and the heavy traffic they cause), which would remind me of Vietnam every now and then
3. The Trung Nguyen coffee which is pretty strong! My officemates liked it :)
4. The colorful and beautiful Áo Dài costumes, which make the Vietnamese girls even prettier; and the popularity of the conical hats in this modern age, which I find amazing
5. The language, which if mispronounced, would not be understood hehehe... And the people's love of their own language :)
6. Tortoises as a symbol, that were everywhere we have been to
7. The long ceramic street wall and the paintings on the streets
8. The highly organized Vietnamese Communist Youth Union, and the festive mass dancing of the youth
9. The Red River, the ceramic village and the Long Bien bridge, and the history behind them
10. The most important treasure of Vietnam: the people, their sincerity and hospitality
11. The Vietnam Dong which made me a millionaire (Check Peso to Dong exchange rate.)
12. The variety of food at Sunway Hotel restaurant and the grand buffet at Sen Tay Ho

Speech, UNC Elementary Graduation 2012

Thank you Dr. Dante. That was a generous introduction. Ma’am Nel, by the way, was my good Science teacher and adviser in Grade 6 almost seventeen years ago. Bilang isang alumnus ng UNC Elementary Class 1995, malaking karangalan po na tanggapin ang imbitasyon na maging speaker sa importanteng okasyon na ito, at tanggapin ang hamon na mabigyan kayo magandang mensahe sa inyong pagtatapos.

Executive Vice President Dr. Lourdes S. Anonas, again Elementary Principal Dr. Nelia R. Dante, faculty, staff and administrators, graduates, parents, guests, ladies and gentlemen, good evening.

One day during the Linggo ng Wika in 1990 (hindi pa kayo pinapanganak), Ma’am Fe Valenciano asked me to give an intermission number in a small class program. I sang the nationalistic song Isang Lahi before my Grade 2-A classmates. Ma’am Fe was happy with my performance that she brought me with other singers in the Elementary to a popular local radio station here in Naga to sing on air. That time, AM radio-listening was a popular habit of Naguenos so many of our neighbors, my friends and relatives tuned in to the station to hear me sing.

Yun ang kauna-unahang pagkakataon na may isang tao, maliban sa aking pamilya, na nakitaan ako ng potensyal, naniwala sa aking kakayahan at nabigyan ako ng ‘break’ para ibahagi ang aking sarili sa ibang tao. From then on, I was inspired to hone my talent by memorizing song after song and practicing hard with my mother as my mentor, Ma’am Fe as my talent manager, and our old karaoke as my constant companion. The next time I sang, I stood on this same stage before UNC and Naga City public during a Foundation Day outreach. And in the succeeding four years, I sang in many other venues and occasions here and outside the campus. I can still recall the feeling every time I sang before the public. It was beautiful.

My life has never been the same because of these experiences which began on that single moment of inspiration when someone believed in me. That moment happened in Elementary. I should also tell you that I was one of the fastest runners among the boys in my class. This fact was obvious during our aragawan-base. I used to win in the games of text/card games and marble games – you know jolens quick or touch quick. But our teachers Like Ma’am Maritess Taday were also quick in confiscating our cards. I am not sure if you still play these traditional games. Baka puro na lang PC games.

I am sure that you also have your own stories of success, dreams, friendship – your first ambition, your first group, your first crush, your first fistfight, your first educational tour, your first moment of inspiration. Sa inyong pagtatapos, napapanahon lamang na inyong alalahanin ang mga makukulay na karanasan sa elementarya.

As you remember your experiences, you may also go back to the lessons you learned in Elementary. Tandaan ninyo parati ang mga natutunan ninyo sa Elementarya sapagkat magagamit ninyo ang mga aral na ito nang pang-habangbuhay.

Let me explain this. When a high school student has poor study habits (tamad mag-aral), that student must have been lazy in Elementary, and was not properly motivated to be serious in studying. Or, when a college student is a bully (mahilig mang-away), more likely that student has been a bully back in elementary and was not well-disciplined by teachers or parents. Or when a politician cheats in the elections or steals money from the people (mandaraya sa eleksyon o kurap), that politician must have forgotten an old saying which is first learned in elementary: Honesty is the best policy. (Sana ‘pag tumanda na kayo, kabisado ninyo pa rin ang linyang iyan sapagkat hindi naman yan magbabago sa high school, sa college o kahit graduate na kayo.)

I gave you these examples of possible consequences if one is not well-formed, disciplined or motivated in elementary, or if one forgets the lessons in elementary. Pero sino ang hindi nakakalimot? When you grow old, you may forget which the hottest planet is in the solar system, who the characters are in children’s stories, or the short and long methods to solve math problems. But keep in your hearts the lessons which are more important than these knowledge or grades. True, it is impressive for a person to have a college diploma and many awards, to be knowledgeable, to wear decent clothes, and to speak English and Filipino fluently and convincingly in public (Mataas ang pinag-aralan, maraming alam, magaling magsalita). Are these the most important things in life? Ito ba ang mga pinakamahalagang natututunan ng isang mag-aaral sa Elementarya?

The novella The Little Prince says no. (Have you read The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery?) The book says that “What is essential is invisible to the eye.” Ang mahahalagang bagay ay yaong hindi natin nakikita o nahahawakan. It invites you to see with heart the more important things in life like time with family, friendship, attitude. Hindi iPhone or iPad. Hindi mamahaling rubber shoes.

Harry Potter agrees with the Little Prince. For Harry, Hermoine and Ron, love of family, loyalty to friends, the good and the truth are more important than any amount of popularity and magic or power.

Finally, Doreimon shares his own opinion. (Kilala ninyo ba si Doreimon?) He told Nobita: “Hindi mo kailangan ng superpowers para magkaroon ng kaibigan”, para maging mabuting tao, para maging tunay na masaya.

The truth is, the most basic and important values are learned in Elementary (meaning at school and at homes- sa eskwelahaan at sa tahanan). It is in this level that young people are taught about basic values: honesty, discipline, love of country, care for the environment, love of God. Tinuro ba ang mga ito ng inyong mga guro sa elementarya? Pwes, huwag ninyo itong kalilimutan.

After summer this year, you shall be in high school where some things shall be different. In high school, you may become more conscious of materials. You may realize, for instance, that your classmates are rich, and you are poor. They have more baon than you have. They have iPhone or iPad, and you do not even have a cellphone or desktop computer at home. There are conditions in your family that you cannot change and you just have to accept for now. But your material inadequacy, yung kakulangan ninyo sa material na bagay, should not be a source of your insecurity or a reason for envy. At para sa mga nakaaangat sa buhay, the good financial status of your family should not give you the privilege to belittle or put other people down.

Meron akong kaklase noon na laging tinutukso kase Grade Five na kami pero naka-shorts pa rin siya kase hindi pa kayang magpatahi ng pantalon. Nung mag-first year high school kami, lahit kami bagong-bago at puting-puti ang aming unipormeng polo, ngunit ang kanyang polo ay second-hand, medyo punit pa nga ang kwelyo. Pero hindi niya ikinahiya ni minsian ang kahirapan ng kanyang pamilya, bagkus naging inspirasyon niya pa ito para makapagtapos siya ng high school at kolehiyo at magtagumpay sa buhay. Remember, in succeeding in your studies, these material things are not the most important. Your hardwork, determination and resourcefulness would be the key to overcome the challenges and achieve your goals in high school. Hindi naman kayo kayang ipasa sa exam ng iPad ninyo o ng baon ninyo. Neither would these materials matter in your relationship with other people. Hindi naman kayo makakahanap ng tunay na mga kaibigan dahil sa pera ng magulang ninyo.

Remember this: Hindi kayo ang parents ninyo. Hindi ninyo pera ang pera ng magulang ninyo. Hindi baon ninyo ang sukatan ng kagalingan at pagkatao ninyo. You are what you do. You are your values.

I am not saying that you should be poor. Siguro ngayon pa lang naririnig niyo na ang magulang niyo na “Anak, magtapos ka ng pag-aaral kase ikaw lang ang pag-asa namin baling araw.” Eh talagang kailangan niyong makatapos ng pag-aaral at magkaroon ng magandang trabaho. Hindi ko rin sinasabi na that you have to deny yourself of the joys and convenience of new technologies. Kung kaya, walang problema, ‘di ba? Kung hindi kaya, huwag pilitin ni Mama o si Papa.

Here is the bottomline: In the future, you can be rich, but not greedy. You can achieve many things in life, but not through cheating or stealing. You can be happy without having to hurt other people.

I know that as young as you are, you have already seen enough on TV and internet the social realities in the country and in the world: unkindness, greed, corruption, environmental destruction, war and many others that are not the ideal world presented to you in elementary. In high school, you will become more aware of these realities. Sa high school, ang mga leksyon, ang mga relasyon, ang inyong mga nararamdaman, ang buhay ay magiging mas makulay, ngunit mas magiging mahirap at sabi nga sa Facebook, magiging complicated.

As you experience these, remember elementary and the lessons taught to you by your elementary teachers. Bear in mind, however, that being a UNC graduate entails the challenge to be BETTER than you are today. Hindi lamang kayo ordinaryong graduate; graduate kayo ng UNC. I believe that much was given to you; therefore, much more is expected from you. Sabi nga ni Spiderman: With great power, comes greater responsibilities. Be MORE.

Nung first year high school na ‘ko dito sa UNC, sabi ko sa sarili ko, hindi lang pag-awit ang kaya kong gawin. Kumakanta pa rin naman ako, ngunit mas nilawakan ko na ang aking mundo. Naging masipag akong estudyante. Nagbasa ako ng maraming libro. Sumali ako sa ilang organisasyon. Hinamon ko ang sarili ko bilang isang campus journalist o manunulat at public speaker. Sa palagay ko, nagtagumpay naman ako sa high school. In this University, I finished high school as one of the most awarded graduates in my batch. I became MORE in high school. This is also my challenge to you: if you think you did good in elementary, then you can do so much better in high school. Kung nagging medyo pasaway, maraming pagkakataon naman na bumawi sa high school.

This is my personal mission-vision which I would like to share with you: Today is a chance to be better than yesterday. Ang bawat araw ay pagkakataon na mas maging mabuting tao, estudyante, anak, kaibigan. The same challenge goes to you: Paano? Uulitin ko – ito ang unang hakbang: alalahanin ninyo ang mga karanasan at mga aral na natutunan sa elementary sapagkat magagamit ninyo ang mga ito nang pang-habangbuhay.

Finally, have a grateful heart. Always thank the people who have helped and accompanied you in your young journey: your parents, friends and teachers. As a fitting tribute to your elementary teachers, may I propose that all students stand and give your teachers a round of applause for their hardwork, patience and services. May I also request you to hug or kiss your parents in thanksgiving for their guidance, support and selfless love.

Hanggang dito na lang po. Salamat sa pakikinig. Mabuhay kayong lahat.