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Is Honeyval Worth It?

Last year, Joan and I decided to “adopt” a World Vision kid. His name is Honeyval, a third grader from Visayas. The program helps the children by providing support for their education. Our contribution will eventually go to buy Honeyval’s uniform and school supplies. World Vision gave us his picture together with a short profile. He also wrote us a letter thanking us for our support.

This endeavor made me feel that I was helping others and really doing my part to give back to the community - at least for a couple of months. Soon, I realized that it wasn’t enough. I know the 5K+ contribution a year is a bit small considering both Joan and I contributed to it. But what I’m referring is more than just the monetary value of our contribution. Heck, it’s easy to donate 1M to charity given enough resources. More than just the number of zeros your write in the check, helping others is about taking a part of yourself and freely, though oftentimes hard, giving it to those in need. I believe true charity cannot be achieved without some degree of self-sacrifice.

Now, I don’t really feel that I am not genuinely helping Honeyval. I feel that I’m just doing this so that at least I can say to myself that I am helping others. A way of tapping my own shoulder to remind me that I’m doing a noble act but deep inside I know that I’m only fooling myself. Reaching out to those in need means getting your hands dirty. Offering not just your money but also exerting effort and most importantly, giving up your precious time.  Sacrificing a bit of yourself makes the effort meaningful. With compassion comes sacrifice. With sacrifice comes charity. With charity comes fulfillment. And with fulfillment comes happiness.

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On How to Make the World A Better Place

Here are my suggestions:

Free MRT Ride for Senior Citizens. Stored value tickets can be bought for Php 100.  You can use this to ride the train as long as it still has credits in it. Thing is, you don’t always maxed out your Php 100 credits since train fare ranges from Php 10 - 15. Oftentimes you end up with less than the minimum fare available. The good news is that you can still use your card one last time going to any station it serves. But instead of using it, why not donate the card? These donated cards will be given to Senior Citizens provided they present proper identification.

Reward Points for Charity. I lost my wallet recently. Aside from my IDs and ATM/credit cards, I also lost my points reward cards from the grocery/department store, frequent miles and bookstore. Whenever I’m in a checkout counter paying my purchases, the cashier always asked if I have a point card. I wish there’s something we can do on that soon-to-be lost points so it won’t be put to waste. My solution? Donate it to charity. Since you don’t have your point card with you, you can opt to donate it to your choice of charitable institution that the establishment supports. Collected points under that institution will be use to help their cause.  Card holders can also transfer points from their card to their selected charity as an added feature.

Common People Poster. Go outside and look around you. I’m sure you’ll notice posters of government official regarding their new road paving projects, greetings for the graduates of class 2008, important healthcare announcements and even a big signboard welcoming you to their barangay or city. Honestly, I’m sick seeing their faces. It’s good that they have ongoing projects to better improve the area that they are serving but do they really have to flash their faces? Since the money that funded those projects mostly came for tax payers money, why not use a regular-tax payer face in the poster? Wouldn’t it be cool to see Manong’s picture, the famous barber near your place and a tax payer, in the poster saying that he’s a “part owner” of the project. It can have a line saying “katulong ako sa tagumpay ng proyektong ito” [I helped in the success of this project]. I believe that would give Manong a sense of pride and ownership for this contribution in the society.

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Backwards

I was halfway on my almost an hour commute to work this morning when I noticed that I wore my polo shirt inside out. I immediately rearrange my collar to cover the obvious shirt label flashing near my nape and covered the second label on the right side of my waist.

We have a saying that when one is lost, wearing their shirt inside out can help find their way. Am I lost? Maybe subconsciously I am.

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Back From Hiatus

It has been more than seven months since my last entry. Lots of things changed during the course of that period. I visited two countries for example.

I miss talking to myself. I’ve been overwhelmed with noise and the never ending busyness of work that I no longer hear me talking to myself. I should do this more often. Well, how many times did I said to myself that “I should do this more often”?

I have a lot of things to say. I just hope I can find a time to finally put those words - and emotions - in writing. We’ll see…

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Lyrics That Moved Me

Tripping hard, falling down onto the ground
’cause I can’t stand up and I can’t fall down
’cause I’m somewhere in the middle of this.
Dishwalla’s Somewhere in the Middle

Suppose I said
You’re my saving grace
John Mayer’s Not Myself

You are my sweetest downfall
I loved you first
I loved you first
Regina Spektor’s Samson

Now your world is way too fast
Nothing’s real and nothing lasts
And I’m aware
I’m in love but you don’t care
Goo Goo Doll’s Big Machine

Too much silence can be misleading
You’re drifting I can hear it in the way that you’re breathing
We don’t really need to find reason
Because out the same door that it came well it’s leaving
It’s leaving
Jack Johnson’s No Other Way

I’m trying to make a move just to stay in the game
I’m trying to stay awake and remember my name
Keane’s Everybody’s Changing

Though we have not hit the ground
Doesn’t mean we’re not still falling
Maroon 5’s Nothing Lasts Forever

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Rx

Nasathera, 4 times a day for 4 days. After that, Flumocil dissolve a tablet to a glass of water and drink once every night.

Try to rest and don’t strain yourself too much. Follow that advice and I’ll call you in the morning.

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Can’t Not

Can’t not. Things that I’m itching to do but as of this moment, can’t. Some silly activities that seem easy to accomplish that doesn’t require enormous budget and well planned preparation but rather time.

Here’s the list.

Someday I will.

Note: Accomplished items are crossed-out.

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Homework

Below are the things that I have to go through everyday on my may to work.
Note: My morning rituals are not included and all values are just an approximation.

Base - Ayala Ave
Travel Type: Walk
Steps: 695
Stairs: 0
Minutes: 9:48.785
My journey begins everyday after a final dub of light baby cologne on my polo. If my mp3 player were fully charged the night before, then my “angst” play list will accompany me on my almost-an-hour voyage. It’s refreshing to observe how people rush to their offices beating the traffic and trying not to be late. After two to three tracks of music, I arrive at Ayala Avenue loading area waiting for the bus that will take me to Buendia MRT Station.


Bus - Buendia Station Drop-off Point

Travel Type: Bus
Steps: 0
Stairs: 0
Minutes: 5:30.307
I’m picky when it comes to choosing a bus early this time. I want an air-conditioned bus that’s not crowded (well, there are plenty since I’m going out of Makati). I choose my seat close to the door but not next to the window. I also try to avoid seats that are directly above the bus’ tire. When I finally paid my fare and the conductor handed me the ticket, I have this habit of folding it into a small square and stuffing it underneath my seat making sure it’s still retrievable incase an inspector pops out to double-check.

Buendia Station Drop-off Point - Buendia MRT Platform
Travel Type: Walk
Steps: 172
Stairs: up - 43
Minutes: 6:40.746
Leaving my folded ticket in the bus, I get off the EDSA-northbound bus somewhere near the Buendia-MRT station. If the elevator is out of service, then I have no choice but to take the stairs. To avoid the bag inspection by the MRT security guard, I pretend to be busy texting somebody or making some faux-calls while avoiding direct eye contact with them. My journey in this leg is complete when I reach the floor marker for the 2nd door of the 2nd segment of the train. I used to ride in the first segment of the train until MRT implemented the gender segregation scheme (similar to LRT 1) last year where the first part of the train is allotted for women, children and disabled passengers only. Sometimes, I want to fake a disability (wearing an arm-cast or something) for me to be able to ride in that special area. Well, maybe some other time.

Buendia MRT Platform - Quezon Ave. MRT Platform
Travel Type: Train
Steps: 0
Stairs: 0
Minutes: 17:10.959
This is the most exciting yet the most frustrating part of my travel. Imagine riding a jam-packed train with your back on somebody else’s. If you’re lucky, you can end up in a sardine-squeezed train with a out of service air-con. In this scenario, you are literally breathing what the person standing right next to you exhaled. Add to that the smell of sun drenched sweat and the sticky arms of a passenger touching your arm or worst - your white shirt. If you’re asking for some consolation, bulk of the “smelly” passengers exit at Cubao station (6th station from Buendia). After that station, you can start to feel the cool air and can probably find an empty seat to give your tired feet some rest. During this leg its either I’m reading a book, playing my PSP or just listening to angst play list.

Quezon Ave. MRT Platform - Panay Road Tricycle Terminal
Travel Type: Walk
Steps: 275
Stairs: upstairs - 40 / downstairs - 104
Minutes: 4:07.471
I have this OC behavior that wants me to be the last person to get out of the train. When the train finally reaches Quezon Avenue station, I will be the last person to stand and walk out of it. By doing this I avoid falling in a long line at the exit and most likely have the elevator for myself. I will also grab some waffles (Spicy Tuna) if I’m in the mood for one.

Panay Road Tricycle Terminal - ELJ Building Mother Ignacia Entrance
Travel Type: Tricycle
Steps: 0
Stairs: 0
Minutes: 1:46.685
By this time I put away the book that I’m reading or my PSP (whatever I’m doing) back in my bag and look for my ID. Nothing special, just your usual tricycle ride.

ELJ Building Mother Ignacia Side - ELJ Mini Stop
Travel Type: Walk
Steps: 38
Stairs: up - 16
Minutes: 1:36.498
After the tricycle ride, I go straight to Ministop for my daily Nescafe Ice Coffee drink. April, one of the cashier and without a conversation, automatically gets me a cup and some tissues once she sees me enter the store. I pay for the drink (32 pesos) and prepare it myself.

ELJ Mini Stop - My Table
Travel Type: Walk / Elevator
Steps: 118
Stairs: 0
Minutes: 3:12.065
Sipping my iced-coffee, I head straight to our floor. If I’m early (before 8am) I need the guard’s access card to be able to enter the office. When I reach my table, I open my pc, crack my knuckles, flex my neck and start my 8-hour work marathon.

Quite ordinary. Going home is another story.

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No Problem, You're Welcome

What is the difference of “no problem” and saying “you’re welcome”?

You’re welcome. One asked for a favor and doing it is the most logical thing to do. It means you stole a bit of someone’s time but it will not cause damage in his schedule so it’s just ok. A typical response to “thank you”.

No problem. You drop whatever you’re doing just to extend a helping hand because more than the fact that you helped that person, you helped yourself a little in a way. You don’t mind the time and energy you exert on that endeavor and will gladly to do it when the situation requires it again. The satisfaction lies not by being the “hero” for the day but by seeing the smile in that their lips coupled with some wrinkles it their forehead and of course, the sound of the sweet and sincere “thank you”.

Just my two cents worth.

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Copy Paste

We were face to face almost two feet apart. I looked into her fresh-out-of-sleep eyes. Part of her long roasted-chestnut hair was in her right cheek and using my left hand, I gently tucked it in her earring-less ear. My left hand stayed there while I slowly hold her nape with my right. I can die at that exact moment but destiny had other plans. I moved in to kiss her. When my lips were halfway on its journey, she closed her eyes in anticipation of its arrival. I stopped when my lips were barely an inch away. I then closed my eyes and felt her breath gracing my face. I took a gulp of air and with it is her vanilla cologne with a mixture of brewed coffee. Then slowly, as if I was trapped in eternity, I kissed her.

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