Life- the greatest bully

News from CNN speaks of an eleven-year old boy who allegedly committed suicide in his own home. The cause of the suicide says media is repeated bullying in school. Despite the healthy relationship the boy has with his family, the pressure of school bullying must’ve been too much for him to handle and lead him to such an act.

Just like in the US, Philippine schools also have cases of bullying though not as rampant as the latter’s. Generally speaking, bullies in are characterized by their domineering personality, their ability to point a trip at you and to get everyone to laugh at you. Usually, these people lack attention from people who are supposed to supply them with it (i.e. Parents, family). Besides environmental factors such as a family problems and conflicts, the psychological nature of these people should be taken into account .So it’s generally a psychological thing (see article in same blog), and it needs to be dealt with immediately by trained professionals.

I can say that as a former bully victim, it’s not easy knowing that somehow, somewhere, sometime, these people would pounce on you, push you around and pinpoint the ultimate trip against you. Those conventional bullies who use brute force to get what they want, money, assistance to test questions, and all sorts of gratifications are a tough thing to go against in my Elementary and High School days. There are also those unconventional bullies whose use of sharp words and piercing insults prove to be an irritant everyday. I found out that whenever I went silent; they’d prey on me more and make me feel like I’m even more of a loser. However, time came that I had enough and I fought against this sort of stereotypic mess I was accustomed to. In order to fend off the conventional bullies, I studied martial arts, particularly Taekwondo and a bit of Jiujutsu from my dad (who beat me up most of the time anyway, so there). My days as a varsity Taekwondoin proved to be a successful deterrence to their physical torture of my person. Of course, this did not stop their verbal trips against me, so I busied myself in my childhood passion—paleontology. I also studied basic biology and environmental science, which helped me get my mind off their destructive prose and careless slurs. However, something in me was not satisfied, I thirsted for vengeance so badly, for retribution. So in college, I joined the Taekwondo varsity team and eventually, the greatest circle of friends I’ve ever made, the Lyceum Debate Society. All the while I thought I could get back at these bullies by telling them who I became and what I was able to accomplish, suddenly, all that want and thirst for retribution disappeared. I was where I want to be. I felt safe. I guess that’s what I wanted all along.

Now, however, I face the toughest bully I’ve ever seen—Life. Life can be so deceitful sometimes; it can be gracious and unforgiving, generous and unfair. Although I agree that life can be good sometimes, most of the time, you can die out there. I proved that in my search for a job just a few days ago. I saw people working their asses off for a living, staying in long lines in order to apply for a job and get rejected in the end. I was disheartened knowing that somehow, somewhere, I may be rejected. How can I go against such a formidable opponent?

Then, in an epiphany in the form of a corny flashback featuring my Taekwondo falls and glory moments, debate disasters and strokes of genius, Manny Pacquiao and Rocky fights, Spartan courage and shields, Naruto hormonal outbursts and instrumentals that raise your fighting spirit, I realized that I’m being taught to stand up against it all—to never give up.

Also, I learned this lesson, if life bullies you, go to your Dad. He’ll tell you what to do, or at least, somehow, if you make the right choices, everything will be okay.

Kerygma–Pokerface

Knock knock!!

 Who’s there??

 Kerygma.

 Kerygma who??

Kerygma, kerygma no you kerygma pokerface.

In honor of the person who likes this song so much.

Ding dong!!

What’s in your head, zombie?

There have been several versions of the apocalypse that have been presented in the media, others factual, like the climate change that has been taking place in the whole world, others based on human-influenced factors, like nuclear war and the existence of terrorism. I’ve always been a fan of survival horror and yes, I guess I’ve been watching a little too much zombie flicks like Night of the Living dead, Dawn of the dead, I am Legend and the Resident evil Trilogy, I’ve been playing a little too much Left 4 dead and I’ve probably spent so much of my time reflecting on the curves and mindsets of the scantily clad women of the Resident Evil series. But I guess what’s so scary about this type of apocalypse is its plausibility. I’m not saying climate change isn’t plausible, and nuclear war, I’m saying, it’s something that’s just plain scary because we’d all be dying some gruesome death courtesy of our once living human relatives. After reading this post, you’d probably tell me: Get a Life.

Here’s how I think it would happen:

As we’ve seen in the movies and as we hear in games’ stories, a sort of virus has evolved or is created by some corporation that immediately kills its host and implants upon it an instinct to kill the nearest living thing, probably as some food source. Imagine how the rabies virus should evolve or is enhanced. The ordinary rabies virus can turn a once loyal family pet, into a bloodthirsty, violent beast. Imagine what an enhanced form of rabies virus can do if it were able to do the same with humans. To make matters worse, if it was created by human hands, this sort of thing can be sold to terrorists and there’s obviously nothing to stopthem, unless of course, we give in to what they want.

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Yaarhgh!!

Yesterday, April 8, 2009, at around 7.30 AM, a bunch of Somali pirates hijacked a Danish owned ship that was bringing a hefty bunch of humanitarian aid. The ship known as Maersk Arkansas was boarded by said pirates as it was passing the horn of Africa. In the boarding, one of the crew members took down one of the pirates whilst the pirates took hostage the captain of their crew. In an attempt to negotiate, the crew wanted to trade their captive for their captain. They kept their end of the bargain, but the Somali pirates don’t seem to want to keep theirs.

The Pirates of Somalia

There have been 66 attacks on some traveling ships in 2006 alone and these attacks seem to not stop. The current solution to this problem is the negotiation with these pirates in the hopes that they’ll be releasing some of their 250 captives in exchange with monetary aid and what-not. Obviously, this isn’t working and it’s fundamentally unacceptable to negotiate with what the International Community has deemed hostilis humanis generis—the enemy of mankind.

Let’s look at the reason why they’re called enemies of mankind: 1) They don’t owe allegiance to any country or state, 2) they pillage and rob innocent ships that they lay their eyes on, provided that these ships are considerably unprotected and 3) they’re basically pirates, they don’t have any cause to fight for, unlike terrorists who claim to have a worthy cause. They loot and plunder any ship they lay their wretched eyes on and they don’t live up to promises made with other states. They’re probably working for some warlord in his twisted goal of taking over some weird land in Africa.

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The Springtime of Youth

As I was walking the street to buy some Kalabasa and Sitaw for the Pakbet I was going to cook for dinner, I can’t help but notice a group of youngsters hanging around some of the PC shops, merrily cursing their way to a double or triple kill. After haggling with the tindera, I continued on, and I saw a bunch of teenagers slouching around in what must’ve been their friend’s place, idly chatting, and drinking like there was no tomorrow. Perhaps, there really is, for them, that is. It’s sad that not all Filipino youth are proactive, quite frankly, however, I think this virus known as apathy and indifference is being held at bay now and I think the spirit of nationalism is being revived.

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The Fire shadows I know

Okay, I thought it would be cool to showcase my talents in my blog, so here it goes:

These are drawings (concept art, if you must) of the Grand Chancellors of the LDS whom I know and have played an important part in my life. As one might see, they’re all wearing the distinctive robe of the hokage (the ninja leader of the hidden village of the leaf in the Naruto manga Series). It’s symbolic because Hokages (Fire Shadows) are the best ninjas to lead and manage other ninjas in their village. It’s essentially the same thing in the LDS; usually the best debaters are made the grand chancellors. Also, perhaps, much to the dismay of other people, I like looking at the LDS as a ninja village that I must love and protect at all times—my world, my perception.

Disclaimer: Anyway, if anyone should take offense in the drawings I made, then, well, I don’t know, tell me why and I’ll see what I can and must do.

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Can you say "Water"?

The Polar Ice caps are melting, adversely breaking away from each other, news reports say today. It’s ironic because it is in this day, April 7, that the whole world decided that both polar caps shall not be owned by anyone and that they may only be visited for scientific purposes.

As far as we know, this is all caused by the dreaded climate change which is brought about by the overwhelming presence of Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. We’ve been warned, time and again, by the media, environmental awareness groups and even politicians, that this phenomenon can greatly affect our lives, even to the extent of saying that we could be looking at another Ice Age.

I’d hate to say it, but maybe it’s already too late. We’ve damaged mother earth too much; I think she can’t see it in herself to forgive us anymore. Even if we say that she can rejuvenate herself, even with our aid (planting of trees, etc.), this sort of self-healing takes millions and millions of years for her to partially, if not completely, revitalize herself. Not too mention the thousands of species that have been extinct in their own respective habitats, each of which, are essential in the ecological balance of the whole place.

Perhaps we’ve been a little too greedy, maybe, a little too stupid to realize the consequences of our actions. I don’t want to sound negative, but if we continue with our insolence and abuse, we’re just shortening our days on this once wonderful earth.

I guess the best thing to do right now is support environmental movements, make mother earth know that you care for her. Reuse, reduce, and recycle, you know, all that cheesy stuff Captain Planet tells us to do. Walk or bike to a certain destination instead of using your car, you’ll lessen carbon emissions. The earth was once so beautiful; we should let the future generations enjoy it. Too bad, oh well, might as well ready that boat and oar—water world anyone?

What I’ve Learned in the batangas trip..

What I learned in the batangas trip..

In April 3 and 4, the Lyceum Debate Society went to Kaname-chan’s place in Taysan, Batangas for a summer getaway which we readily called a “leadership training program”. Incidentally, I learned a lot of things, 1) I learned the essentials of loving myself, 2) I learned that there are other people who are way more miserable than me and 3)na guwapo pala ako if I was whiter, or if I had a more plain complexion— to hell with the 3^rd one.

Insecurtity and low self-esteem are one of the most daunting problems young people face today, well, in particular, me (This is my blog.) In response to such problems, I was able to gain some insight as to how it happens and why, and the possible solutions to it. Acceptance is a vital part of anyone’s life, in certain cases, people really need it. I’m writing in terms of emotional acceptance, where people accept you for who you are and not for what you have, etc.

Without acceptance, there is the prevalence of low self-esteem, self-pity and eventually, if things don’t improve and depending on the environment the individual faces, apathy and selfishness may occur. However, the most important kind of acceptance is the acceptance of oneself, individually. The acceptance of oneself will eventually lead to the love of self and eventually to a more positive outlook in life.

 
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Taepodongs.. Again.

North Korea’s defiance- Enough

It’s enough that North Korea can’t feed its own people, has arbitrarily (though allegedly) abducted journalists and people from Japan and other states and continues to shy away from the family of nations, but when it defies the stipulations of the six-party talks it’s entered into, I say, get the lead out people. There’s no way NoKor’s going to live up to its promises.

Let’s look at what happened April 5, 2009, 11:00 AM, despite the six-party talks it has entered into which orders that it (NoKor) would halt its nuclear development program, North Korea launches a rocket over Japan that falls somewhere in its nearby sea. North Korea says it’s just a space exploration program, well, everyone knows that’s not true. In fact, why would any country push for a space exploration program when it can’t even feed its own people? What’s it going to do? Go to the moon and plant space potatoes? Maybe Kim Jong Il just wants a piece of some space rock and build a home there, or maybe the rocket’s purpose is to glorify him more by making it rain food or candy from the sky when it blows up in the sky, thus turning him into some kind of candy god.

Under the maxim, pacta sunta servanta, all members of the family of nations must adhere to the treaties they have readily entered into. To not be able to serve it should spell dire consequences. Well, consequently, North Korea doesn’t want to be a member of the family of nations and the hell it cares about being sanctioned and what-not. North Korea has proven itself unworthy of trust and quite frankly, I think we should stop wasting time and drop the hammer of indiscriminate justice on it.

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The Dawn

The Pianist

Gaara of the Piano

He entertains only two types of persons, those who are smart enough to match his intellect, or those who are so dumb; he gives way to help them. So far, no one has been able to argue against his principle of “the vagueness of love” and “the difference of perception”. So far, his is a world of growing up beyond his age and surpassing expectations. Wielding the authority over one of the most complicated arsenals of the musical world, the piano, the opposition must think twice before invoking his otherwise justified wrath.

The Cherry Blossom

Mendivine

Mild, carefree and beautiful, this siren seeks only one thing- to sing. She is the first love of the writer, bringing upon his world the very first signs of warmth and concern from strangers. She was the first to make him realize the ups and downs of the world. Although it brought him great misery and regret, the act of July 15, 2006 made the writer a stronger person. She was the entity who shattered the void of existence of the writer and was able to show him how to move on by loving selflessly. Her voice is as soothing as the Siberian winds, and brings nothing but stoic calm to its valued listeners.

The Rose of Northrend

Ana

The once quiet and mild-mannered little girl that the writer knew has now turned into a headstrong and calculating lady. She was a crying shoulder to everyone she knew, and one who would laugh at the most minutest of jokes, provided, that it made the one joking feel better. Strengthened by the trials of friendship, treachery, and being alone, this iron maiden shall no longer be a victim of sadness and loneliness as her aura brings forth joy and hope to all those who may welcome it. Being a siren like the cherry blossom, her voice settles the storms of sorrow and heightens the spirit.

The Analyst

Dave

Cold and calculating, he is more compassionate than his field of study, Engineering, suggests. He stands by his friends through thick and thin by his support and unyielding sense of spirit. His acuity in analyzing situations and how to deal with them matches that of the pianist and through his zeal and fortitude is able to apply them. So far, his archival search for all earthly knowledge of numbers, mathematical methodology and analytical formulas has sharpened his already formidable analytical skills.