July 24, 2008

“We should let go of things that we need to let go, as God wants us to truly let go. Trust Him in the things we have no control over. And always remember that we are blessed and there will always be better things ahead when we’re down.”

- a pact between me and a “virtual friend”, who is more real than those within my reach…

An Eastern View Of A Western Love: Thoughts From The Filipino Author

Raymond Neil Torres is my college mate and barkada way back in 1997 at De La Salle University Dasmarinas. He’s a great companion and a good friend; one of my “best friends” in Cavite. He’s now working in Ohio as a chef (wow! ang lapit sa BS Biology ah!) Being a “balikbayan”, I’m proud that he still keeps his Pinoy values despite being exposed to Western culture and “westernized” ideals. And I think that makes him a one-of-a-kind Pinoy!

Here’s what Raymond tells us about his recent creation, “Western Promises”

This poem was rather spur of the moment. What really drove me to write this was the western concept of divorce. I’m quite proud of the last 10-12 lines of the poem when it really goes “BOOM!”

Some people don’t notice the effects the western culture has on us. There are differences in opinion when it comes to morality. And, Filipinos, being the xenocentric people that they are…oftentimes adopt rather than incorporate these differing ideas, usually turning into what some would coin as an “Americanized” Filipino. (Of course there are others in different countries with relative descriptions, but for this topic we‘ll focus on American culture.)

Candle On The Water

We used to sing this song in some of our Catholic Masses back in highschool.  I’ve heard this isn’t a Christian song, but instead a soundtrack from a Disney film.  A lot of people probably isn’t familiar with this song “Candle on the Water”, but it’s actually a great song.  One of my all-time favorites (being a fan of musical plays and all that). 

I found a video remake of Final Fantasy VIII which features this song as background.

Well, enough intro.  Here’s the video with the song “Candle on the Water”.  Enjoy!

I’ll be your candle on the water,
My love for you will always burn.
I know your lost and drifting.
But the clouds are lifting,
Don’t give up you have somewhere to turn.

I’ll be your candle on the water,
Till every wave is warm and bright.
My soul is there beside you.
Let this candle guide you,
soon you’ll see a golden stream of light.

A cold and freindless tide has found you,
don’t let the stormy darkness pull you down.
I’ll paint a ray of hope around you,
circling the air lighted by a prayer.

I’ll be your candle on the water,
this flame inside of me will grow.
Keep holding on, you’ll make it,
Here’s my hand so take it,
look for me reaching out to show
as sure as rivers flow,
I’ll never let you go,
I’ll never let you go,
I’ll never let you go…

 

On Trust and Politics

“It’s not about rules; it’s about those who can bend the rules and those who can get away with it.” – Annika Rei

Ponder on those words, and tell me what you think…I know one way or the other you have your own experiences about this.

Aminin.

The Hero Within

Being a superhero is so cool, like Spiderman or Superman or Batman or Robin… Or so I thought. I mean, it’s cool to have super powers but minus the costume please! Personally, I feel uncomfortable with the thought of seeing a crime fighting freak swinging from tower to tower in Ayala Ave wearing red tights. I don’t know about you guys but I think it’s kinda creepy. *shrug*

But here’s the good news! We can be heroes without having the embarrassment of looking like clowns!

How? Well, ever heard of Dylan Wilks? No, he’s no costume designer or surgeon. Just read on and you’ll get my point.

Recently I read an email forwarded to me by a friend, about an interview by Bro. Bo Sanchez (Sheperd’s Voice) with Dylan Wilks, who at the age of 30 became the 9th richest person in Great Britain! This reformed gentleman had spent seven years of his life (and quite a big part of his fortune) working for the Filipino poor, after spending most of his years in immense wealth and comfort. That was such an awesome feat that compelled Bro. Bo to conduct this special interview.

What really struck me in that interview was the reason why Mr. Wilks made a sacrifice to help our needy, and loving it in the process. To think that he came from the other side of the world! (literally speaking). His reason was because he realized that HE COULD HELP. Now that’s a powerful insight. And what’s more touching is the way he described the Filipinos.

Bro. Bo: What did you see in the Filipino..?

Mr. Wilks: You’re hardworking. You’re always laughing, always eating, always singing. Even in your problems. You’re loyal. And honest. Sure, there are exceptions. But generally, that has been my experience.

Boo-hoo-hoo! I think I’m gonna cry! Those lines made me feel so special yet so guilty, because there was a point in my life when I thought being a Filipino (or a Filipina in my case) was the worst thing there is in my life. Probably because watching too many crime news everyday, perpetrated by squatters and politicians alike, had corrupted my judgement. And yet this man, Mr. Wilks, a total stranger to our land, saw something that I never would have realized on my own.

Mr. Wilks: If you take a golden nugget and kick it on the floor for 400 years, afterwards you won’t be able to see much gold, just mud. This was what happened to the Filipino… for 400 years you were slaves and then you suffered under dictatorship and corruption. This is where the crab mentality came from; I don’t think it’s a natural Filipino quality because everyday I see the gold under the surface of ordinary Filipinos. If we wipe away the mud by bringing hope and being brothers to one another in bayanihan, the gold will shine through and the world will see it.

It’s amazing how a single act of kindness can change thousands of lives. For someone like Mr. Wilks, who was blessed with human comfort and wealth, it was his compassion to help that made him fulfill his mission, and compress oceans and archipelagos down to an arm’s reach.

There is indeed a gold — a hero — in each and every one of us, Filipino or not. The important thing is that we find it, and use it. So stop, look, and listen to your heart. Those super powers might just be resting in there. And for you Mr. Dylan Wilks, thanks so much for being a hero to all of us, and “mabuhay po kayo!”

Have a great day and shine on, my friends.