Going Back to Iloilo

AUGUST 14 - 16... I went back to the Heart of the Philippines---Iloilo with two of my team mates, Akina & Miko. Our mission: handle two events with media invitees.

August 14: weather was cooperative as the sun smiled after taking cover behind dark clouds a few days back. it will be my team mates' first time in Iloilo. as usual, i was early at the Terminal 3 eluding the rush hour traffic from the east. upon arrival at the departure area, i immediately noticed some push carts with our brand on it. cool! i usually take my morning meal at Kopi Roti but this time i let my companions choose where they want to eat. As soon as they both arrived, we just decided to dine in Kenny Rogers. i had their corned beef breakfast and partnered it with pineapple juice. upon going to the boarding gate after our hearty meal, we met the (company) officers that are boarding the same flight with us to Iloilo. Our chairman was also present and greeted us with all smiles! When we arrived in the province, we checked-in our hotel first and refreshed ourselves, then off we went to do media rounds. visited the offices of Bombo Radyo, The Daily Guardian, ABS CBN, and Panay News. We personally invited them to attend the two events we're holding for the next couple of days. it was already evening when i got the 2nd advertorial approved and it was just then that i have called it a day. King, Miko & I decided to spend dinner time inside Smallville and Miko & I tried this "Medical Spa" within the area. I wasn't really impressed with their 'relaxing massage' which i availed.. feels like my little daughter stroking my back--- yeah, THAT SOFT. Interestingly though, they got our BP first before going to the massage routine. i guess it's the difference being labeled as a 'medical' spa. i was offered to take a shower but i turned down the offer since i just took my shower in the hotel prior to getting there. anyway, it was our first day.

[caption id="attachment_3079" align="alignnone" width="150"] one of the hundreds of pushcarts in Terminal 3 featuring Lancaster New City & Bellefort Estates[/caption][caption id="attachment_3078" align="alignnone" width="150"] the sign tells you what NOT to do[/caption]

August 15: woke Miko up and we headed to the breakfast buffet area. i didn't eat a lot compared to the previous times i was in the hotel. just had a cup of fresh brewed coffee blended with milk, that green juice which i forgot the name, and just had adobo with garlic fried rice. after fixing ourselves, we, together with Akina, headed to the venue of the ground breaking ceremony. we waited for our invited media guests and stayed with them throughout the event.

[caption id="attachment_3085" align="alignnone" width="300"] Corp. Comm. team with friends from the Iloilo press[/caption]

after the event, we needed to prepare for yet another event the following day. but yeah, i didn't forget my most important obligation of the day: attend worship service! there are numerous road and bridge repairs in Iloilo right now so traffic's a nightmare. i took a cab telling the driver to take me to the locale of Jaro. Coming from Hotel del Rio, the cab driver suggested we go to Iloilo City locale instead. i agreed and just told him to take me where traffic's lighter. so it was my first time to attend the worship service in the locale of Iloilo City, which the driver says, it's the biggest in the province. after the service, went to see Akina & Miko, then we had dinner in Smallville (again).

[caption id="attachment_3086" align="alignnone" width="274"] BG: the beautiful house of worship of Iloilo City Locale[/caption]

August 16: a bit excited for this day. we are about to complete the "Gift of Knowledge" turnover to the 3rd school-recipient which is Bolilao Elementary School in the town of Dumangas. First two school-recipients were Alapan 1 Elementary School in Imus, Cavite, and Nueva Victoria Elementary School in Mexico, Pampanga. Miko & I joined Shawn for breakfast. When Akina was ready, she and Miko went ahead to meet the press, while i rode with Ms. Tani and Sir Gus at a later time. it was an hour drive to Dumangas from the city and we were greeted by a welcome banner just before the school entrance:



everyone was very hospitable. the students were greeting us from left to right. the teachers welcomed us warmly. the ceremony started with some students performing the opening prayer and they also led the singing of the Philippine National Anthem. then a series of talks followed and finally the turnover of the e-learning facilities. everyone in the room was happy. and the kids were excited to try the facilities after the turnover. the package includes the following: Netbook preloaded with K Channel educational videos, optical mouse, external speakers, Automatic Voltage Regulator (AVR), and a 32" LCD TV. the gift of knowledge is really priceless. the travel all the way from the city is very much worth it. on our way home, we visited the so-called 'oldest' (Catholic) church in the province located in Dumangas. after the event, off we went to the airport to go back home--- Manila. :)

updatesss...

so much for the daily updates... i really can't commit to the daily blog update. getting the context of a famous verse, it says "the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak." it's my 2nd failed attempt to update daily, first one was in 2011 when i launched my own 365 days project. then this one (for this year, actually). well, a lot of things happened and most of them occupied my time. it's either i'm too tired to update after a day's work or i just wanted to allot my time to my two girls when i get home from work.

1. ate B was confined in the hospital for some days. all of us, her family, relatives & friends, were all waiting for an update from my brother in law's FB status saying "Just experienced calling 911." the status was just left as is for almost a day and people started worrying what happened to them. so it was my sister. she had abdominal pains after arriving to work and the pain was too much for her to take already. they called 911 and we all waited for the results. after a day, my sister already commented and updated us through an FB comment: "from inflammed apendix to raptured appendix when they opened it up. messy and toxic so i have to stay in the hospital for a few more days. they are trying to clean up my system so pampered ako ng atibiotics."

2. a few days after, it was my brother in law's turn to get hospitalized. his foot was hurting real bad during his performance in church and later on diagnosed with renal stones... no medicines to cure it but he was advised to abstain from salty food. i was inquiring if they have buko juice there and my sister told me that they only have cranberry. tutyal! but both of us agreed that medical attention there seems lesser efficient than the attention we receive here from our nurses and other medical practitioners. iba pa rin ang alagang Pinoy! even my sister agrees that the succession of medical attention requests really take so much time. parang ayoko tuloy maospital dun sa bansa nila.

3. nairaos namin nang maayos at matagumpay ang Ilustrata Residences at PRO-FRIENDS ka rin ba? media launch. success din ang naging presscon ng Open House TV show na idinaos sa 9501 sa may ELJ building ng ABS CBN. ito yata ang unang totoong presscon na ginawa namin at natuwa rin naman ang invited media friends sa nasabing event. at the day of the Open House presscon, I have guested in Mornings @ ANC. I was a bit nervous when i was interviewed because i wasn't briefed on what questions will the host throw on me. true enough, i was asked a question that we (Open House producer) never discussed even before. here's the segment exclusively shared here in my blog:


video courtesy of ANC

4. highlighting the week-long activity and kicking-off our company's crystal year celebration, we ended the week with a blast! the Run for eLearning was a big success as over two thousand registered for the run and more than a thousand actually ran in the event. It was participated in by our employees, business partners, other sponsors and outside runners. it was really exhausting but the result of the event was very rewarding. congrats to the fun run team! we still have a FREE lunch courtesy of the big bosses :D


[caption id="attachment_2950" align="alignnone" width="300"] the Run for eLearning will benefit three schools thru Knowledge Channel Foundation, Inc.[/caption]

5. brought home 2 choco velvet cakes for my two girls. been missing them since the busy weeks. and even our (Sunday) family day was cut short to give way to our holy supper choir practices. i'm just thankful that wifey is very understanding. i know how she misses our time together (just like i do). even my little girl can not hide how she misses daddy. whenever i get home, she just wanted me to stay by her side. she wanted to watch TV with me, she wanted to play with me, wherever i go in the house she's behind me... awww... how touching is that? and when i tell her "punta na nga lang si daddy sa office," she would beg me not to leave. *sniff* i hope Saturday work disappears soon. let's just have a compressed five-day work-week. go, HR!

looking forward to great days. we may not have enough to spend on grand vacations but the happiness we share everyday is priceless. but yeah, a good vacation should be rewarding. any sponsors out there? ;)

next long vacation: one month form now. i hope NO ACTIVITIES will pop-up at work during that time.

Monday, what's up?

it's a brand new week and headlines unite with the defeat of Manny Pacquiao to Timothy Bradley via split decision. while i admire Manny for every boxing performance, i can easily move on with his loss to his recent match, mainly because if it was a real defeat, then it'd somehow keep his feet on the ground. But some analysis say the match was just all about money. well, boxing is a business. sadly, the sport has to come to this point where fair matches should be driven by "some factors" and that the fans come to the losing end.

on another note, weekend was good. i got to run my first fun run event although it wasn't a full run, i get to realize i need to do more physical workout. unlike when i was in my previous job, i get to carry big boxes when i do inventory so i get a free workout even when working. running regularly is one of my "wants" but getting time out for this is the difficult part for me. now that i get to work six times a week, i only have Sundays for my personal stuff. and the day must also be divided with church and my family so planning to run got more blurry. that's why somehow, even if still unfit, i'm thankful that i was given the opportunity (since there are no other choices) to run for this sponsored event. i also realized that i need to get a good pair of (an all-around) rubber shoes. Ren was kind enough to take photos of the event. "Takbo Para Sa Kalikasan," was initiated by the provincial government of Cavite and was held in Trece Martires. this coming Saturday, another cause, this time for the senior citizens, will also be held in Cavite. the fun run will happen in Imus where our company also took part of as sponsor. I'm not just sure if I will be representing our company again to run, or maybe we can tap someone to run for this event while i do the documentation. whichever, both are okay to me.

this week, my family gets to stay in Mandaluyong for a couple of days. it means i'm near my work place. Yay! i can get longer sleeping hours! and yes, living-rich mode, haha! i'm looking forward to bring my two girls in one of our projects in Cavite tomorrow. we'll be doing some preparations for a BIG event by mid-week. it's holiday tomorrow in celebration of the country's independence day but we need to work. well, at least my colleagues are nice enough to offer me to take my two girls during our ingress. :)

busy days ahead... as always. but being busy is better than doing nothing at all, right?

for an hour

Now in its fourth year in the Philippines, Earth Hour again aims to engulf the entire country – from Batanes to Tawi-Tawi – in darkness. The hour-long event, which was birthed in Australia in 2007 and embraced by the Philippines in 2008, was created to empower people to address climate change via a 60-minute switch-off. Earth Hour 2011 differs from all previous observances by focusing on what citizens can do beyond the switch-off.

“Earth Hour is a simple act that emphasizes both the ease and importance of adopting energy-efficient practices and lifestyles,” says Earth Hour National Director Atty. Gia Ibay, who also leads the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF-Philippines) Climate Unit. “Given ever-increasing energy demands, we must be mindful of the need to control human-induced global warming by adopting smarter and more responsible energy practices.”

The Philippines topped global Earth Hour participation levels for both 2009 and 2010. Ten million Filipinos in 647 towns, cities and municipalities switched off in 2009, while 15 million Filipinos in 1076 towns and cities joined the 2010 switch-off. Over a billion people from 128 countries participated in Earth Hour 2010 – marking it as the largest environmental event in known human history.

- Earth Hour Pilipinas

Earth Hour Pilipinas

Mula nang ito'y pasimulan tatlong taon na ang nakalilipas, nakuha ng Earth Hour ang imahinasyon ng mundo sa pagiging pandaigdigang kaganapan na nakamamangha. Binigyang-inspirasyon ng Earth Hour 2009 ang may isang bilyong tao sa may 4100 na kalunsuran at 88 bansa upang magpatay ng ilaw. Mahigit 10 milyong Pilipino sa 647 na bayan, lunsod at munisipalidad ang nakibahagi rito--- higit na marami kaysa saan mang dako sa daigdig. Sa taong ito, hangad ng Earth Hour Pilipinas ang pakikibahagi ng higit 15 milyong PIlipino sa mahigit 1000 bayan at lunsod sa buong kapuluan. Sa buong mundo, nakapagpahayag na ng pakikibahagi rito ang 807 kalunsuran at bayan sa may 82 na bansa na sakop ng bawat kontinente ng mundo.

(mula sa wwf.org.ph/earthhour)

makibahagi tayo! ;)

Observing World AIDS Day

What is HIV?
HIV is a virus that attacks the body's immune system - the body's defence against diseases.

Are HIV and AIDS the same?
No. When someone is described as living with HIV, they have the HIV virus in their body. A person is considered to have developed AIDS when the immune system is so weak it can no longer fight off a range of diseases with which it would normally cope.

How is HIV passed on?
HIV can be passed on through infected blood, semen, vaginal fluids or breast milk.

The most common ways HIV is passed on are:

* Sex without a condom with someone living with HIV
* Sharing infected needles, syringes or other injecting drug equipment
* From an HIV-positive mother (to her child) during pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding (but with effective treatment and care the risk of transmission can be greatly reduced)

Is there a cure for HIV?
No, but treatment can keep the virus under control and the immune system healthy. People on HIV treatment can live a healthy, active life, although they may experience side effects from the treatment. If HIV is diagnosed late, treatment may be less effective.

How can I protect myself and others from HIV infection?
Always use a condom when having vaginal or anal sex. You also may want to use a condom or dental dam during oral sex although the risk of transmission of HIV is much lower... Never share needles, syringes or any other injecting equipment.

(information above by the World AIDS Day website)

know more about Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) through the TRUST Family Program website.

climate change

hindi ko alam paano sisimulan ang post na ito mula nang malaman kong ang topic sa (Philippines) Blog Action Day ngayon ay tungkol sa climate change. marami kasing pwedeng talakayin sa usaping ito at kahit sino ay may masasabi sa isyu ng lumalalang pagbabago ng klima sa mundo.

ang pagmamalasakit ko sa kapaligiran ay nagsimula pa sa mura kong gulang--- noong nagsimula kong pangarapin na ang sapa sa tapat ng bahay namin sa K-6th, Kamuning sa lunsod Quezon, ay bumalik sa dati nitong kalagayan. malimit ikuwento ng mga tita ko sa aming magpipinsan na sa sapang iyon sila naglalaba at naliligo nang panahon ng kanilang kabataan. nakatunganga lang kaming magpipinsan dahil sa naririnig ng mga tainga namin at sa nakikita ng mga mata namin, parang ibang sapa yata ang tinutukoy nila. ang yamang-likas na pinakinabangan nila nang husto noong panahon ng kabataan nila ay pinakinabangan din naman ng henerasyon namin--- bilang tapunan ng basura. kapag tumambay ka sa labas ng bahay namin at magmasid ka lang sa mga kabahayan sa tabi-tabi, mawawala sa bilang ng daliri ang makikita mong plastic na naglalaman ng basura ang tila mga-UFO na lumilipad papunta sa sapa. at eto pa ang panalo: tuwing umaga ay makikita ang di-mabilang na balahibo ng manok na inaanod sa kawawang sapa. pilit kong inalam sa mga nakatatanda noon sa akin kung saan nanggagaling ang mga balahibo ng manok na iyon at iisa ang sagot nila sa akin: sa Nepa Q Mart! sa isip-isip ko, paano kaya puputi at lilinaw ulit ang tubig dito sa sapa? kahit yata budburan ito ng chlorox ay hindi na ito mabubuhay pang muli. ang tanging nagsasabi na may buhay pa ito ay ang kanyang patuloy na pag-agos papuntang kanluran.

may ilang ulit na rin sigurong tinanggalan ng basura ang sapa sa tulong ng barangay pero ang mga tao sa paligid nito ang talagang kumikitil ng buhay ng kawawang tubigan. nagtayo ng sabit-sabit na barung-barong sa mga gilid ng sapa, ginawang tuwirang tapunan ng dumi at iba pang kalat at hindi na nagkaroon pa ng pagsisikap na malinis itong muli.

noong kabataan ko rin unang natutunan na ang mga puno ay nagbibigay ng oxygen sa tao at ang inilalabas naman nating carbon dioxide mula sa hininga natin ang siya namang kinagigiliwan ng mga puno. kasabay noon ay natutuhan ko ang ibig-sabihin ng co-existence. hindi ko lang maintindihan kung bakit ang mga tao ay walang awa kung magpatumba ng mga puno gayong hindi lamang ito nagbibigay ng pangunahin nating pangangailangan gaya ng nabanggit ko na, ito rin ang tumutulong para maging matatag ang mga kabundukan natin bumuhos man ang malakas na ulan. speaking of ulan and kabundukan...

fast-forward to the future. taong 2007 nang mapatunayan ko ang lumalalang kalagayan ng mga kabundukan sa lalawigan na tinatahanan ko, partikular ang Antipolo. sa isang bahagi ng blog post kong ito, ikinalungkot ko nang lubos ang nakita kong kalagayan ng mga bundok sa may bandang Teresa, Rizal. mahigit dalawang taon pagkatapos kong i-post iyon, mas lumala ang kalagayan ng mga bundok ngayon (na nasa larawan) habang ang Timog Katagalugan ay nagsisimula pa lamang umahon sa pinsalang idinulot dito ng bagyong si Ondoy. hindi ko lang tiyak kung nakakatulog pa ba ng mahimbing ang mga kinauukulang nagbigay ng permit sa mga tao na may kinalaman sa pagkakalbo ng mga bundok na iyon para lamang sa pansarili nilang kapakinabangan. nakakapagngitngit kase walang kalaban-laban ang mga kawawang puno at bundok. at kapag naghigante naman ang kalikasan, apektado pati mga walang malay na tao. kung sana ang puntirya lagi ng kalamidad ay yaong mga nasa mansyon na kanilang tahanan at patuloy na nagpapasasa sa mga kawalang-pakialam sa kapaligiran nito, huwag lamang maging salat ang mga bulsa nila sa kahayukan sa kayamanan!

naalala ko, noong ako'y naglilingkod pa sa isang himpilan ng radyo bilang pinaka-una kong naging trabaho pagkatapos kong umabot ng diploma sa kolehiyo, inatasan akong mag-produce ng isang segment sa balitang pang-umaga. isa lang ang agad-agad na pumasok sa isipan ko: tungkol sa kalikasan. at tamang-tama. ang initials ng segment ay tugma sa initials ng himpilam namin: E.M. para sa Environment Monitor. Ito rin ang unang naging sarili kong segment sa radyo: ako ang producer, ako rin ang segment reader. sa bahaging ito ay nagbigay kami ng mga tips para mapigil, o kung hindi man, ay mapabagal ang global warming; mga updates sa kalagayan ng kalikasan sa buong mundo, mga balita tungkol sa climate change at kung ano ang magagawa ng tao sa bagay na ito, at panghuli ay tahasan naming iniuulat sa ere ang mga plaka ng sasakyan na sobrang magbuga ng maitim na usok sa lansangan. ito ay akma sa noo'y ipinapasang Clean Air Act mula sa senado ng Pilipinas (ano na nga ba ang nangyari dito?) na-miss ko rin ang propesyon kong iyon.

marami pang pwedeng talakayin ukol sa climate change. sa ngayon, ang hinihiling ko at maging ng maraming Pilipino, ay para sa mga nakahandang maglingkod sa bansa sa darating na mga taon. sana ay bigyan ng kaukulang pansin ang seryosong isyu na ito ng ating kapaligiran. sa bawat pagkilos natin sa panahong ito ay nakasalalay ang kaginhawahan o kasawian ng mga susunod na henerasyon--- henerasyon ng mga anak natin o hanggang sa mga apo pa, kung kakayanin pa tayong tiisin ng mundong patuloy nating pinahihirapan.

kung hindi dito, saan pa tayo maninirahan?

paying attention to mother nature

without researching, reading, or paying attention to news or features about climate change, one can easily observe that weather over the years has become weird. just here in Manila, early April this year, it's been raining like the wet season has formally started. then we already experienced a couple (and more) typhoons. when the sun shines, you can't last under it for even just ten minutes otherwise you'll get barbecued.

since people in Manila experience only two seasons, wet & dry, hearing a news such as melting ice caps may not have a strong impact but when you read the articles discussing these things, one may pause and take a look fast forward to the future and wonder if we can still enjoy what mother nature will offer us in the next few years. especially that earlier news already warned us about this alarming "developments".

for us, and our future children, it's time we put our acts together and do as much we can to pay attention to mother nature--- get everyone aware about climate change and in our own little way, save the only world we can call home.

With this, I am now promoting a Youtube video entry from a kababayan for Oxfam's 48 Hour YouTube Cannes Lions Ad Contest. The contest aims to choose a short film that will encourage people to sign up an online petition for world leaders to attend the UN Summit for Climate Change on December 2009 in Copenhagen.



- - - - - - - - - - - -
you may help Katrina win in this contest. To vote for her video, just go to www.youtube.com/canneslions and search for "thecheshirecatgrin". When the video shows up, click the 'thumbs up' sign. Thank you, everyone!

(the author of this blog thanks ederic for the heads up about this cause)

VOTE EARTH

YOUR LIGHT SWITCH IS YOUR VOTE

This year, Earth Hour has been transformed into the world’s first global election, between Earth and global warming.

For the first time in history, people of all ages, nationalities, race and background have the opportunity to use their light switch as their vote – Switching off your lights is a vote for Earth, or leaving them on is a vote for global warming. WWF are urging the world to VOTE EARTH and reach the target of 1 billion votes, which will be presented to world leaders at the Global Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen 2009.

This meeting will determine official government policies to take action against global warming, which will replace the Kyoto Protocol. It is the chance for the people of the world to make their voice heard.

Earth Hour began in Sydney in 2007, when 2.2 million homes and businesses switched off their lights for one hour. In 2008 the message had grown into a global sustainability movement, with 50 million people switching off their lights. Global landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Rome’s Colosseum, the Sydney Opera House and the Coca Cola billboard in Times Square all stood in darkness.

In 2009, Earth Hour is being taken to the next level, with the goal of 1 billion people switching off their lights as part of a global vote. Unlike any election in history, it is not about what country you’re from, but instead, what planet you’re from. VOTE EARTH is a global call to action for every individual, every business, and every community. A call to stand up and take control over the future of our planet. Over 74 countries and territories have pledged their support to VOTE EARTH during Earth Hour 2009, and this number is growing everyday.

We all have a vote, and every single vote counts. Together we can take control of the future of our planet, for future generations.

VOTE EARTH by simply switching off your lights for one hour, and join the world for Earth Hour. (text taken from this link.)

bangungot ng kahirapan

naglalakihang mga malls, iba't-ibang uri ng sasakyan na nagpapasikip sa mga kalye, mga estudyanteng tambay sa mga mamahaling coffee shops... kung titignan ko lahat yan, mapapa-isip ako kung talagang mahirap nga ang bansang kinalalagyan ko sa ngayon. pero pagbaling ng ulo ko sa isang sulok ng lansangan, kahalo ng mga taong nakasuot ng signature shirts ay makikita ko rin ang mga batang narumihan na ang damit sa kalsada nang ilang araw (o buwan pa), mga buhok nilang hindi man lang madampian ng suklay, kumakatok sa bawat sasakyan upang manghingi ng limos, pangkain man o pang sugal, at ang pinakamasaklap nito--- ang ilan ay sumisinghot ng rugby. hindi ba dapat may nangangalaga sa mga kawawang batang ito? ayaw kong magturo kung sino ang may higit na pananagutan subalit hindi ko maiwasan na ibaling ang suliranin ng "kahirapan" sa pamahalaang siyang dapat na unang kumakandili sa mga mamamayang nasasakop ng pamamahala nito. oo nga't ang mga magulang ng mga batang-lansangang ito ang siyang unang dapat na umasikaso sa kanilang mga anak pero bunga na rin marahil ng mahabang taon na pagkalugmok sa kasalatan, hindi sila nabigyan ng pagkakataong maturuan ng tamang diskarte sa buhay. sabi nga ng karamihan: "kung sino pa ang mahirap, siya pang maraming anak." totoo ito. nakakalungkot tignan na sa bawat gilid ng riles ng tren, makikita ang dikit-dikit na mga kabahayan na kung huhulugan ng isang palito ng posporo na may sindi ay maaaring magliyab ito sa isang iglap. ilang parehong tanawin rin ang matatagpuan sa mga gilid ng ilog, ilalim ng tulay, at maging sa mga hangganan ng maaayos na subdibisyon at may umuusbong na mga barung-barong. ito ang larawan ng kahirapan at hindi ito basta-basta matatakasan kahit pa takpan ng malaking telon para lamang mapaganda ang imahe nito sa mata ng mga banyaga.

mahaba-habang panahon din na ako at ang aking pamilya ay nanirahan sa isang lugar na matatawag nating squatter's area. dahil sa iyon ay panahon ng kabataan ko, wala kaming maraming problemang inaatupag. at bagama't ang bahay namin ay nakatayo sa lehitimong lupa na pag-aari ng lolo at lola ko, nasa kadikit ng mga bakod naman namin ang mga bahay na pinagtagpi-tagpi ng iba't-ibang kahoy at yero. masikip. halo-halong amoy. maingay. BUHAY ang paligid.

sa tuwing lalakad kami ng mga pinsan ko sa masikip na kalye, siguradong madadaanan namin ang isang tumpok ng mga nag-iinuman na tila yata araw-araw ay hindi nauubusan ng ilalamang alak sa sikmura. sa pagdaan sa makipot na eskinita, pagnaka'y malalanghap ang amoy ng nakaka-adik na marijuana. minsa'y gigisingin ka ng mga sigaw ng nag-aaway na kapitbahay, kasabay ng kalampag ng mga nagliliparang plato at kubyertos sa maninipis na dingding ng kanilang bahay. sanayan lang yan.

ganun lang ang buhay. sisikat ang araw, abala sa kanya-kanyang gawain. madalas makikita lamang sa maghapon ang mga tao na tila naghihintay lamang sa paglubog ng araw. at pagbaba ng araw sa kanluran, buhay pa rin ang lansangan. masusumpungan ang mahihinang ilaw ng bawat barung-barong at laksa-laksang kabataan na hindi magkamayaw sa paglalaro sa kalsada. may ilang mga nakikita ako na nakabihis ng magara, subali't sa barung-barong din nakatira. kaya minsan na ring sumagi sa isipan ko: hindi kaya ang kahirapan ay bunga lamang ng maling pagpapahalaga sa buhay? hindi kaya ang kaginhawahan ay makakamit sa pamamagitan ng tamang prayoridad? maaari namang umahon sa kahirapan kung itutuon lamang ang isip ukol rito. ito ay napatunayan na rin ng maraming matagumpay na tao sa kasalukuyan na kung uusisain ang pinagmulan ay natupad sa kanila ng literal ang kasabihan sa wikang ingles na: "from rags to riches."

may ilang tao na rin akong nalaman ang kanilang kwento sa buhay. isa rito ay ang kwento ng isang binata na namasukan bilang tagalinis sa isang tanggapan. bagama't salat sa kaalaman, hindi siya nagkasya sa ganung gawain lamang, inalam niya ang iba pang gawain sa tanggapan na pinapasukan at unti-unting pinagyaman ang kaalaman. napuna ng mga tagapanguna sa tanggapan ang angkin niyang kasipagan at nakita ang lubos na pagsisikap sa mga gawain. inilagay sya sa isang posisyon sa opisina. nag clerk. at dahil sa pagsusumikap niya, tumaas pa ang kanyang posisyon. dahil sa karanasang ito at pakikipag-usap na rin sa iba't-ibang tao, natuto siyang makipag kalakalan. sa ngayon ay marami siyang natutulungang tao, naipapasok sa tanggapan ng kaniyang mga negosyong naipundar bunga ng pagsisikap at pagtitiyaga.

ang kahirapan. hindi ito mawawala kung hindi magbabago ang pananaw natin dito. dahil sa ang tao ay may kani-kaniyang buhay, ang awa ay nakalaan lamang sa mga paralisadong nilalang. habang may buhay ay may pag-asa. kailangan lamang nating kumilos, abutin ang mga pangarap at maging maligaya sa bawat pagpapasya na ating ginagawa sa buhay natin. sa ganitong paraan, hindi man tayo sagana sa buhay at masasabi nating natakasan na natin ang bangungot ng kahirapan.

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ang lathalang ito ay aking alay para sa Blog Action Day

World AIDS Day, Family Planning, At Sex Education

Noong Sabado ay ginunita ng mundo ang World AIDS Day. Mula nang ilunsad ang kilusang ito may dalawang dekada na ang nakakaraan, hindi pa rin ganap na nauunawaan ng karamihan ang ukol sa bagay na ito. Kaya marahil ay ikinampanya sa taong 2007 ang pagpapalaganap ng kaalaman ukol rito sa pamamagitan ng komunikasyon. Para sa ilang kaalaman, narito ang hango sa http://www.worldaidsday.org/hivf_hiv_facts:

> Ang HIV (Human immunodeficiency virus) ay karaniwang umaatake sa immune system ng isang tao--- ang pananggalang ng katawan laban sa mga sakit.

> Magkaiba ang HIV at AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). Maaaring ang isang tao ay HIV positive pero hindi nangangahulugang meron agad siyang AIDS. Masasabi lamang na nagdevelop na ang tao ng AIDS kung umabot na sa puntong napakahina na ng immune system nito at hindi na kayang pigilan ang mga sakit sa katawan.

> Walang lunas sa HIV subalit may gamot para panatilihing kontrolado ang virus na ito at malusog ang immune system.

Para naman maiwasan ang pagkakaroon ng HIV, narito ang ilang kaalaman mula sa http://www.worldaidsday.org/hivf_hiv_prevention:

> Hindi makukuha ang HIV mula sa isang taong HIV positive sa pamamagitan ng mga sumusunod: pakikipaghalikan, paghawak, pag-ubo, pagbahing, paggamit ng isang toilet seat, pagligo sa isang swimming pool, paggamit ng parehong kubyertos sa pagkain.

> Upang maipasa sa ibang tao ang HIV, narito ang ilang dapat iwasan: pakikipagtalik ng walang proteksyon (condom), paggamit ng isang infected needle sa ibang tao, pagsilang mula sa isang ina na HIV positive.

Sa ganang akin, iminumungkahi ko na lumagi sa pakikipagtalik sa isa lamang na partner.

Ang pagpaplano ng pamilya ay isang bagay na naimulat sa akin ng paaralan at ng mga ad campaign ng pamahalaan noon pa mang ako ay nasa high school pa. yun nga lang, hindi pa ganun ka-bukas ang gobyerno sa impormasyon ng iba't-ibang pamamaraan upang matugunan ang epektibong pagpa-plano ng pamilya. marahil ito ay sa kadahilanang malaki pa ang pasintabi (noon) ng pamahalaan sa simbahan (Katoliko). Sa ngayon, nakakatatlong taon na ang administrasyong Arroyo at ang bansa ay nababalot ng iba't-ibang isyu na may kinalaman sa politika. nakakalungkot dahil ang isa sa mga suliranin ng bansa ay halos hindi napagtutuunan ng pansin ng pamahalaan. isa sa maraming suliraning dapat na hinaharap ng masinsinan ng gobyerno ay ang patuloy na paglobo ng populasyon sa ating bansa. ako ay naniniwala na ang pag-kontrol dito ay may malaking maitutulong upang maging maalwa ang buhay ng mga Pilipino, hindi man ngayon ay sa hinaharap na panahon. natutunan ko sa basic economy ang kaugnayan ng supply & demand sa isa't-isa. akala ko pa naman ay ekonomista ang naluklok na pangulo subalit tila yata hindi nabibigyang-pansin itong aspetong ito. kung ang bawat pamilyang Pilipino ay may sapat lamang na bibig na pakakainin, hindi tayo hahantong sa pagkakulang ng pangangailangan: pagkain, pananamit, at tahanan. Isa rin ito marahil sa dahilan kung bakit mas ninasa kong maluklok sa pagkapangulo ng bansa noon ang katunggali ng kasalukuyang administrasyon na si Ping Lacson. sa lahat kase ng kumandidato sa pagkapangulo ng bansa noong 2004, si Lacson lang ang may konkretong plataporma ukol sa family planning. hindi man niya iminungkahing tularan ang one-child policy ng bansang Tsina, halos gayun din ang magiging patakaran sana niya ukol sa isyung ito. isang bagay na bago marahil para sa mga Pilipino at magiging mahirap sa simulang pagsasakatuparan nito, pero ang magiging resulta ay long-term. ibig sabihin, mararamdaman natin ang pakinabang sa mga susunod na henerasyon.

hindi madali ang buhay natin ngayon. di tulad noon, magkaroon man ng isang dosenang anak ang mag-asawa, karaniwan lang ito. pero ngayon ay ibang kwento na. mahal na ang lahat ng bagay: bilihin, pagkain, tuition fee, gamit sa paaralan, allowance ng estudyante, gasolina, atbp. kaya isang mabuting bagay na ang bawat pamilyang pilipino ay matutong magplano ng pamilya. hindi lamang upang makaiwas sa sobra at sunud-sunod na gastusin, ang pinakamahalaga sa pag-aagwat ay ang pagkakaroon ng sapat na panahon at atensyon sa pangangalaga at pagpapalaki ng anak. harapin natin ang realidad. kapag sunud-sunod ang taon ng anak ay hindi gaanong nabibigyan ng sapat na pagkandili ang bawat isa. nahahati maging ang atensyon at oras, hindi lamang ang materyal na bagay na nararapat iukol sa kanila.

Maging ang aking pinaniniwalaang kautusan bilang Kristiyano ay sumasang-ayon sa pagpa-plano ng pamilya. matapos basbasan ng Diyos ang mga unang tao, pinahayo niya ito sa lupa upang magpakarami. Subalit kasunod ng kautusang pagpapakarami ay agad ring sinundan ng Diyos ng gabay ang tao na ito ay kanilang dapat supilin (Genesis 1:28). dito nagkakaroon ng bahagi ang pamamaraan ng mag-asawa upang magawa ang tamang pag-aagwat ng panganganak ng isang ina. hindi masama, bagkus nakabubuti para sa mag-asawa ang paggamit ng artificial methods sa pakikipagtalik upang matugunan ang tamang pag-aagwat ng panganganak. hangga't hindi iminumungkahi ng isang artificial method ang abortion o pagpatay ng fetus sa sinapupunan ng babae, maaari itong gamitin. ilan sa mga ligtas na paraan ay ang paggamit ng condom, pills at vials na ini-inject sa babae upang mapigilan ang pagiging fertile niya sa panahon ng pagtatalik ng mag-asawa. ang condom naman ay hindi lamang mabisang gamit para sa hindi pagbubuntis, ito rin ay mabisang gamit upang makaiwas sa STD (sexually-transmitted disease). pero gaya ng nabanggit ko sa unahan, pinakamainam pa rin na lumagi lamang sa isang partner upang maiwasan ang mga suliraning maaaring makasalamuha sa hinaharap.

kaugnay ng paggamit ng artificial methods, hindi ko iminumungkahi na gamitin ito ng isang lalaki at babae sa walang hanggang pagtatalik, kung kailan nila maibigan. laging tatandaan sana: lahat ng bagay na inyong ginagawa ay may katapat na responsibilidad. bagama't hindi ako pabor sa pre-marital sex at extra-marital sex, isang katotohanan sa panahon ngayon ang pagkakaroon ng ugnayang-sekswal ng mga tao sa iba't-ibang partner. ang nakalulungkot pa rito, karamihan sa mga kabataang nakikipagtalik na sa murang edad (15 to 18) ay hindi nauunawaan ang responsibilidad na kaakibat nito kapag ito ay nagbunga. ang sex ay hindi nilikha para lamang pampasarap. kung hindi mo kayang panagutan ang magiging bunga ng sandaling sarap na ginawa mo, huwag kang sasabak dito. isa pa, kapag dinapuan ka ng STD sa minsang pagkakamali mo, masasabi mo ring "nasa huli nga ang pagsisisi". sa modernong kaisipan at panahon ngayon, nananatili ako sa panig na ang pakikipagtalik ay pinakamasarap pa ring gawin sa taong mahal mo--- ang taong kasama mong binasbasan sa harap ng Diyos, saksi ang mga taong malapit sa inyong dalawa, at siyang kasama mo sa pagpaplano ng pamilya, pagpapalaki ng mga anak, at pamumuhay ng maligaya sa hinaharap.