Dear Divine 29APR2010

29 April 2010

Dear Divine,

In the midst of some developments in my work, which are not necessarily positive (I will tell you about it some other time), and the craziness of the elections that is coming up soon, I think of you. And I think of the ordeal you are in. I pray.

But in times of a friend’s despair and/or illness, it seems so unfair to say “kamusta ka?” Because really, I know already that you are not OK, I know already that you are in some pain and given a choice you would rather be healthier, up and about and helping out in the elections – perhaps through PPCRV or NAMFREL. You have always been active like that, full of energy and passion for the country.

And so I’d rather just speak to you about my thoughts and hope it distracts you from feeling your pain and renew a sense of hope in the change that is about to unfold in our country.

I’m thinking now, if you were up and about you most probably will discuss with your student volunteers in SACSI, the elections and the presidential candidates. I know for certain you will urge them to think seriously about their vote and learn about the candidates. I am sure of this because late last year, a student of yours visited my multiply site and left a comment on my blog regarding early electioneering of politicians.

So here it goes. My thoughts now are on the value of getting to know my candidates, especially my president.

Why is it important for me to know what the platform and plans are of the presidential candidate I will vote for? One reason is because I need to know where he plans to take my country and if I am one with him in his plans.

A few friends have talked about the highest government position as seeing it as a place for someone who is a true hero. To which I was able to reflect - “Perhaps the desire to have a HERO to lead us is so romantic in nature. It's so ‘up’ there, so ideal and even "mythical" to a certain extent. When I believe, what we need is someone Grounded and do not see himself as a Hero. For it is not merely saving by a particular person that we need - we need a DIRECTION and we need someone that can LEAD us properly to the course of salvation (for lack of a better term). We need somebody who is passionate enough to DRAG us toward that road, if that's the only way.”

Same goes for those running in the Senate or for the Mayor for our particular city. All those positions and the people who will sit there are contributory to the path where we will go.

I still haven’t chosen, to be particular for the position of President I still have 2 choices. For Senators I only have 3 sure votes for now. There is so much studying that has to be done and I only have a few days left.

This is getting long and so I must get back to my studying and you should be resting. I will write again soon. Let me know if you have been doing some studying as well and share them with me. 

I miss you. Stay strong, eat well, take your medicines, get well soon. Remember, I owe you a "knickerboxer." 

Hugs.

Kang 

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Divine Benitez is good a friend of mine, a friend from Jesuit Volunteers Philippines (JVP), who is ill right now.  For those who know her and know what she is going through, we really need your prayers and support. You can contact JVP in any Ateneo for more details. For those with kind heartswho just pray for GOOD HEALTH, in general - please include her in your prayers. Divine is a kind, generous and young Filipina who has been such an active social development worker for about 6 years now - 2 years as a volunteer and about 4 years as a project officer for a social action office in Ateneo de Zamboanga. 

I SMILED TODAY

 There a few things that made me smile (or even LAUGH) today and I thought I'd share. 

1. A TV AD - Insomnia attacked and so I was up late last night. And one of the things I caught on TV was this Presidential Candidate's new TV AD. I swear it totally made my Sunday! it was HILARIOUS!

Get this, about 5 people were circling around, chained to each other with Collar chains even. And out comes the savior - Jamby Madrigal. I can't really describe it, you have to watch it to understand why I almost died of laughter watching it. 

2. A HELMET - I don't like the motorcycles that invade the streets of the metro. Personally I think there are just too many of them. And most of the motorcycle drivers I see do not respect traffic rules. Worst, a motorcycle caused me a road accident last year and the driver rode off unscathed - evil man. I still hope he suffered a major injury in his leg from that accident. 

So it totally made me smile to not only see a motorcycle driver wear a PROPER/RIGHT HELMET but also had his SON wear the right HELMET himself. Most drivers usually use the wrong spare helmet - they use bicycle ones, worst no helmet at all. So it was nice to see a father (I assumed he was his son) make sure his son had the proper helmet. GOOD JOB!

3. A FULL LUNCH TABLE - It was nice to see a full lunch table at work today. It's been awhile since we, Center For Governance - CFG (and a couple of friends from the other center) ate together. Our schedules have been crazy with people having field work at some other place or holding a training outside the office or out for a vacation. Our Center is the noisiest in our office, so it was nice to bring back the life in the canteen today.  

4. HOME BEFORE THE SUN SETS - I try my best to go home early every Monday. Just so I can start the week a bit healthier. So I can "try" to set the tone of not needing to work overtime the rest of the week. Though if I think about it, I do not think I've had a week in the office that didn't require me to work overtime atleast once that week. So going home early at least once a week, preferably on Mondays will do, for now. 

My Take on this "PERYA"

I have to say my take now, because Elections are coming soon and I for one am not the type who doesn’t speak her mind. In hiatus from writing/blogging for free (I need cash for my writing –kaya penge raket!), I shall do my duty as a Filipino who actually cares for her country and spread the sentiments of my peers regarding the 2010 elections. (okay maybe the claim that this is also the sentiments of my peers is an overstretch but what the heck). 

I DESPISE.Watching all the political advertisements on TV. If I were going to be strict I will choose the candidates that had the least exposure on TV. They are not able to present their platform and experience in the 30seconder ads so it has no use to me. Touch my emotion once, that’s enough. I do not need to be bombarded by your songs, by what your ancestors have done and by how you have bastardized some of the “used to be” nice/good songs. And most of the politicians are not good looking, hello?! Tired from work, I'd rather see something good on TV, not ugly people. It's like the chaos they created with that PBB couple, sorry friends who are fans of them, I cannot stand watching more than a couple of minutes of those two, of people who are not necessarily good looking. Now I completely understand why the most famous celebrities have to be beautiful, at the very least pleasant looking.  For I don't want to see Ugly people on TV. I want to be entertained and feel good, enough with the Ugliness. My gosh! 

I ABHOR. The use of children in campaigns, whether related to the candidate or not. The least we can do for our children is not to expose them to the chaos and "perya-like" scenario of campaigns. What would it do to their formative years recalling a mass of people screaming and shouting, shaking their hands and taking their pictures? They do not understand the words during rallies. They would learn much more if they read their books and played with their toys at home.  Much more, what is the additional value of singing on TV and singing a song about a promise that you might not be able to deliver? Is it the 15 second of fame that will most probably be forgotten in a year or two? Were they even paid for the ad and did they get certification from the Department of Labor? And don't even get me started with the use of women dancers in skimpy clothes!!!    I cannot give RESPECT to a person who cannot show the least amount of RESPECT to others, especially to WOMEN. If you just needed entertainers, they can atleast be more clothed. 

I'M TIRED. Already of the forums and  interview of politicians. They just repeat themselves. I value more the investigative or magazine shows that scrutinize the lives of the candidates. Atleast that makes them more real and unrehearsed. A few more days left until elections, MEDIA - please give me more information and something new. 

I AM NOT. Voting for Noynoy nor for Villar, I will say that now. So please stop texting me you darn people! Both people I know and some random numbers. Please also stop from tagging me on notes on FB that campaign for them. I'd be interested to read articles on PERLAS, GIBO and GORDON instead but kindly just invite me and not tag me. 

I AM SADDENED.  By how dirty our streets look right now. I really don't appreciate seeing so much posters and stickers. There's absolutely nothing artistic about seeing a random person's face and his name all over the metro. And so I don't like seeing them as I travel around.  It's like those MMDA art that flock EDSA- whoever declared them as art is crazy plus let it be known that I consider them eyesore.  I wish MMDA just repaint them. Shallow as it may seem, most of what the MMDA has done and been doing for years now are some of the reasons why I am not voting for BAYANI.

I SHALL. Do my proper and serious research on the candidates now. Elections is coming soon and I better make my list. I don't want to over vote. 

Easter is Hope

Today we celebrate one of my favorite Catholic Events. I love it with the same level as Christmas - less the gifts and the parties. Easter truly brings Joy to me.

There is much Joy after the 40 days of waiting. There is Happiness in the realization that after the terrible suffering of Christ on Good Friday, Sunday has come and His pain didn't go in Vain. There is great Peace, amidst a bit of Guilt, in the fact and in remembering that Christ has died to save us from our sins and allow us to renew not only our Faith in the Lord, but moreso to renew our spirit and live better lives that can truly symbolize the love of God for us.

(Yey, Christ is smiling in heaven now. In college, a good friend sketched a picture of Christ smiling, similar to the picture here. I still carry it with me around and it makes me smile all the time)

Easter truly is about Hope and the opportunity to start anew. It is such a great gift that demands great and careful use. And although the challenge to live a better life is not at all easy, it is with delight that we/I heed this challenge. Kung anu-ano ngang mga challenge and adventurous tasks kinakaya natin, ano ba naman itong "simpleng" hiling ng Panginoon. Kung kaya ng iba, kaya din natin di ba?

Yesterday and last Friday, our (JESCOM) lenten TV special was aired on ABS-CBN. It was a reflection on the 7 capital sins and how it is still very true in the modern world we live in. Although admittedly the first reason for watching it, on my end, was to view our full work - I also really wanted to have some time of reflection and raise my awareness on how much I have been a sinner.

Not to be boastful, and in no way actively committing the sin of "Pride," I believe I haven't really been bad. In fact I think I'm generally a "good girl" (though my sisters can disagree, hahaha)  but I have been neglectful. I have also been quite pessimistic and in many instances have complained a lot. And these are just some of the things I have been reminded of.

But I guess one of my main realizations is that- Truly when one has been made AWARE, even if the reality is painful, one can have the OPPORTUNITY to CHANGE and BE BETTER. And therefore my prayer, now that EASTER has come - that even in my busy and toxic schedule,  may I always take time to sit and be silent; to have a time of reflection so I can always make myself more aware of the realities of my being and be a step closer to becoming a better person and in turn properly heed God's Call to truly be His Child.

As always, I pray that my how I live my life, how I deal with people be a constant Thanksgiving to God.

Rejoice and Be Happy friends for EASTER has Come, HOPE has been Renewed. Happy Easter!