pitong pisong bayani

Gaya parin ng maraming gabing galing ako sa trabaho, wala na naman ako sa bahay at kumakain kung saan (dun kami sa paborito naming pinagpapabentahan ng garlic chicken, kain todamax). Matapos kong tsibugin peyborit kong binawangang manok at magpakabusog hanggang sa halos di na ako makatayo (wala akong kunsyensya, ang mga kapamilya ko halos wala nang kinakain, at malalaman ko pa pagkarating sa bahay na may tinira pa sila para sakin.. whoa! kaka-touch), tinamad na kami't nag-ayos para umuwi. Habang naglalakad papunta sa sakayan ng jeepney eh naisipan kong bumili ng kape sa kalapit na Dunkin Donuts (shet, promotion.. penge talent fee!!). Gaya ng dati, kahit pagod na ako eh di ko pa maatim na matulog dahil marami pa akong pag-aaralan (studious kasi ako, akalain mo yun?!). Pero di gaya ng dati, may special plans pala si Lord para sa akin ngayong gabi. Hindi naman na magiging angel na ako ngayong gabi (although mukha naman talaga akong anghel sa personal. oo, maniwala ka.. kundi..) o maging isa sa mga malokong superhero na ipinangangalandankan ang kanilang colored na briefs gaya ni Superman or magiging singer na nagsisisigaw ng "Good evening Aranetaaaaa!!!" oramismo. Ngayong gabi, plano pala ni Lord na maging tagapagtanggol ako ng naapi't tagapangalaga ng kaayusan ng mundo. Pero pauso ko lang yung huli..

Matapos kong bilhin yung kape ko na sinamahan ko na lang rin ng isang donut para maging value meal at makatipid ng pitong piso (ito ang magiging pamasahe ko ngayong gabi papunta sa terminal ng tricycle na papasok dun sa kung san mang lupalop ako nakatira), eh nagawi na ako dun sa sakayan.. Nakita ko itong isang bata -- mga nasa elementarya, medyo loose ang damit at may malaking bag sa likod -- na nakikipag-usap sa isang tricycle driver. Di nagtagal pag-uusap nila, iniwan sya nung langyang driver kasi di ata nagkasundo sa bayad. Kaya ayun, sa lamig ng gabi eh nag-antay ulit ang bata ng masasakyan. Ako naman, dahil di naman ako mahilig makialam sa mga bagay-bagay sa mundo, eh naghintay rin ng masasakyan.. papara minsan ng tricycle, makikipagtawaran, tapos iiwan ang driver habang nag-iisip, at minsanang iniinom ang mapait na kapeng nabili sa Dunkin Donuts (pangalawang beses ko nang binanggit to, tsk. bayad! bayad!).

Habang nasa kalagitnaan ako ng pagtri-trip ko sa mga mukhang perang driver eh lumapit saken yung bata.
"Lagao ka rin kuya?", tanong nya.
"Oo. Ba't ikaw, san ka?"
"Sa Lagao rin, sa may Capareda Street."
"Ah okay. San banda, papasok ka pa ba o sa kanto ka lang?"
"Sa kanto lang po."
"Sige, sabay na tayo. San ka ba galing?"
"Kukuha sana ako ng uniform, kaso sarado na yung patahian.. Sumali kasi ako sa isang skateboard competition, may libreng uniform."
"Ah okay."

La na kaming imikan nung bata. Makalipas ang ilang minuto eh kinausap nya ako ulti. "Di ako pinasakay nung driver kanina kasi raw eto lang bayad ko." sabay bukas ng palad at ipinakita sa akin ang barya niya. Mentally, binilang ko. Anim na piso. Sa loob-loob ko, lintik na driver, piso nalang kulang, di pa pinasakay?! Amfutek. "Hayaan mo na yun," kako, "ako na bahala sa iyo." (kahit kasi di nya pa sabihin, di naman ako ganun katanga para di makuhang nagpapatulong siya) Bigla ko naalala nun na meron pala akong isang donut, kinuha ko't iniabot sa kanya. Tinanong nya ako kung ano ba daw yun.. kako, donut, sayo nalang.. (busog naman kasi ako't pag dinala ko yun sa bahay eh alam kong pag-aawayan lang yun ng mga kapatid kong mga pataygutom na gaya ko)

Di nagtagal eh nakasakay nga kaming dalawa -- ako at yung bata na pinapapak na ang bigay kong donut.. marami kaming kasabay papunta rin sa Lagao, isa nalang at puno na ang trike.. habang binabaybay namin ang daan eh wala kaming imikan nung bata.. marami kasi akong iniisip (sobrang ogag ng braincells ko, kung kelan ako pagod, saka marami akong naiisip.. gusto ata akong i-torture). Nang malapit na kami sa bababaan niya, iniabot niya sakin ang bayad niya sabay sabing "Kuya, eto na bayad ko oh.." Itinaas ko ang kamay ko sabay sabing "Naku wag na, ako na bayad sayo." "Huh? talaga?" tanong nya. Gusto ko siyang sigawan na ako na manlilibre pero nagpakahinahon ako't nagwikang "Oo. Ako nang mamamasahe para sa iyo. Okay?" Matapos nito'y pinahinto na niya ang driver at bababa na raw siya.. alam kong di siya sanay sa ganito at ako rin eh hindi (kasi naman kahit sanay akong magpaka-hero sa mga uod, lamang dagat, at iba pang hayop eh di ako kelan man nagpaka-hero ng ganito sa isang tao). Nasiyahan lang ako kasi alam kong bukal sa loob niya ang pagpapasalamat sa akin nung pababa na siya. Dalawa o tatlong beses? Di ko na alam kung ilang beses niyang sinambit yun pero ang sarap pakinggan.

Ang gaan ng loob ko matapos ng eksenang to (feeling ko nga eh sobrang nagliliwanag ako't nagkaron ng halo nung oras na yun). Kahit na sanay na ako manlibre ng kung anu-ano at inaabot pa ng ilang daan o libo nagagastos ko sa panlilibre eh di ko pa to naramdaman.. iba pala talaga ang galak na naidudulot ng sincere na pagtulong at pagpapasalamat sa tulong na nagawa mo. Kahit na di kami magkakilala at tanging alam lang namin sa isa't isa eh pareho kaming nakatira sa Lagao area, at alam kong skaterboarder sya't anim na piso lang pera niya pauwi sa bahay nila, at ang alam nya lang lang saken eh isa akong lalaking ubod ng gwapo, matipuno ang katawan, matalino, umiinom ng kapeng sobrang pait, namimigay ng donut at nanlilibre ng pamasahe; alam kong magkatali na buhay namin.. (sharks naman, parang mag-jowa o mag-asawa) Siguro makakalimutan nya ako isang araw (subukan nya lang, papapatay ko sya) pero alam kong paminsan-minsan eh maaalala nya ako at ang kadakilaan ko (alam kong magagawa nya yun, nakita ko kasi kung pano niya ako o ang tricycle lingunin nung nakaalis na kami't siya naman eh naglalakad na papunta sa kung san mang bahay nila) at siya naman eh habang-buhay kong papasalamatan sa pagtuturo at pagpapalasap sa akin ng sarap ng pagtulong at pagpapaalam sa akin na pwede ako maging superhero kahit di nakalabas ang brief ko't sa pamamagitan lang ng pitong piso.

Surely, I'll be in GenSan for the 2nd Mindanao Bloggers Summit

Mark have always been so ecstatic with the event he and other great people are brewing up -- the 2nd Mindanao Bloggers' Summit. He could not resist to invite me every time we get to text each other. Convinced as I am but battling with the need (and want) to attend a training on coral taxonomy to be sponsored by the GEF Coral Reef Targeted Research Project at the Bolinao Marine Laboratory of the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute, I said yes but with a certain condition: that my decision will rest on whether on not I'll get accepted for the training.

Now, since I am quite sure that I will not be able to attend the said training, I've already give in to Mark's request and will attend the said summit given the opportunity. Hell yeah, I am convinced and thrilled at the prospect of having to attend the 2nd Mindanao Bloggers' Summit although I am still a newbie in the blogosphere.. Surely, this will be one hell of an experience. One worth the time. One that you'll surely can't afford to miss, especially when you've been living in GenSan since birth like i do (lols!)..

And, before i forget.. Here goes the 2nd MBS' sponsors and summit partner we've got to thank also.

CO-PRESENTERS:

NOKIA (Philippines), Inc.
Mayor Pedro B. Acharon, Jr.
Congresswoman Darlene Antonino-Custodio
ABS-CBN Regional Network Group
Mindanao Bloggers
Bariles Republic

GOLD SPONSORS:

ACLC-Skeptron Ventures, Inc.

SILVER SPONSORS:

Asia United Bank
NoKiAHOST.COM
Family Country Hotel & Convention Center
East Asia Royale Hotel

BRONZE SPONSORS:

Digital Filipino
Pacific Seas Seafood Market
Shalom-Crest Wizard Academy
Prints and You
Sta. Cruz Seafood, Inc.
Dellosa Design Builders, Inc.

on ragged leaves and brittle twigs

So while being bored and walking at the garden around our house, i chanced to see and stumbled upon these rare treasures.. on a small kalamansi tree (i am not quite sure if i should call it a tree since it's only about one foot tall, anyhoo, since I've already qualified it as small, so I'll let it be a tree), I've noticed two brown caterpillars (both have white bands and a small projections around their soft bodies) secured on the the leaf axils of the leafless tree. Seeing their dire situation, having left with no leaves to eat and being exposed to a number of detrimental factors, my mind raced on strategies to save them. I pondered that since i found them in a kalamansi tree (a leafless tree at that), if ever I'd rescue them and put them into safety, i ought to ward them in yet another kalamansi tree (God, I can hardly believe myself to have such logic. *laughs*).

Then, i remembered that we've got this tall kalamansi tree near our gate. Without thinking twice, i lowered myself and with the aid of a small stick that i found in the stack of rotting leaf litters, i slowly picked up the bigger one, careful not to puncture its mushy body. Slowly, i stood up and walked briskly towards my target while keeping watch on the fragile individual on the stick. Once there, I've strategically put the little organism on the apex of a small branch where leaves were lush and where I can always see them every time I check. After which, i rushed to get the smaller caterpillar. Again, I put it at the apex of a branch adjacent to that of the other caterpillar. And so, they're set. Confident that they'll be just fine in their places, I continued to marvel around our garden and set off for another enriching, novel, and heroic adventure. But after a few minutes of walking and stopping over seemingly interesting things, I got tired and thought that I guess God wouldn't mind me resting. Besides, I've already had my share of heroic stunt for the day.

Days passed and I've come to forget about my little caterpillars. Then, earlier this day, a butterfly, sporting vivid yellow green and black wings, flew in front of me. Right then and there, I was reminded of the caterpillars I've saved a few days ago. With a sudden burst of excitement and euphoria, and with a camera in hand, i rushed to see and take a picture of them ( sadly, my cam's battery was about to get depleted, so i rushed to take their pictures and ended up with this ludicrous image [see picture at the left]). Among the raggedly eaten leaves and about to drop its share of excreta to nourish the soil, i saw one of them. On the other branch, however, I was astonished to see how one have grown so fast and so big even for only a couple of days. Smiling, I took a photo (the one you see here) and rushed back home to prepare to go to work. It's already 9:00 in the morning and I am friggin one hour late for work. But who would mind being late? For these two mushy and frail caterpillars, I'm their savior and hero, and for that, I'm one proud papa.

And so I arrived at work at exactly 9:57a.m., very, very late but was really exuberant and filled with good aura nonetheless.. I am so excited to the prospect of having those caterpillars undergo drastic change in morphology through metamorphosis and eventually become a full-pledged butterfly, ready to struck the world in awe and marvel over its flamboyant wings and charm every organism with its subtle and care-free flight.

badly needs help

It is with deep consternation to learn that the earth, ironically, has been housing and nourishing, for hundreds of years, a creature that does more harm than good. It is a creature that threatens not only its own extinction but, worse, the destruction of earth itself. It is even more alarming to learn that it is us.

Man’s activity coupled with his negligence has brought himself (and the earth) into the brink of foreboding and irreversible danger. His selfish deed, especially those that brings comfort to him, overlooks the welfare of other living organisms. Today, it has brought issues that are of global concerns, such as air and water pollution, and even triggering the now apparent climate change, as well as other significant environmental changes. Among these major concerns are the ozone depletion and the supposedly valuable Greenhouse effect.

Those matters were largely an effect of the industrialization of the countries that were equipped for advancement and “development”. However, setting and meeting their goals of “development” have reached the extremes. Man has developed chemicals and compounds that are indeed beneficial to him but brings menace to the environment. He has made the chloro-fluorocarbons (CFCs) where the chlorine (its by-product) attacks and causes the depletion of the ozone (a layer in the atmosphere that reflects harmful ultraviolet light). Consequently, man had also invented vehicles and machines that make use of fuels and other non-renewable energies that emit large amount of gases. These gases “clog” at the atmosphere, escalating the Greenhouse effect or the trapping of absorbed heat from the sun.

Obviously, ozone depletion was one of the adverse consequences of man’s oblivious deeds. With it, he is now held liable of his actions. He is now facing the threats posed by the depleted ozone layer such as the intrusion of harmful ultraviolet light (especially UV-B). As a result, UV light may suppress man’s immune system, increasing his susceptibility to diseases. It may also cause him blindness and make food production suffer.

Moreover, the Greenhouse effect is an issue that should be resolved as well. The Greenhouse effect is a natural process wherein radiant energy enters the earth and the resulting heat is trapped by a layer of gases (termed as Greenhouse gases, which is composed mainly of carbon dioxide, methane, etc.). It is with this trapping mechanism that life was made possible, for without it the earth will be too cold to support life. But as of man’s interference, as a result of air pollution, more carbon dioxides and other greenhouse gases are expended into the atmosphere, trapping more heat. This extra heat causes ocean expansion and the melting of ice in the Polar Regions, resulting to an increase in seawater level; chaos in agriculture and fisheries; and ultimately, the climate change.

These seemingly horrible things could have been avoided had man been careful and sensitive of his actions. It may be a cliché, but, still “prevention is better than cure”. Given the situation, man has nothing to do but exert extra efforts for preventing further destruction and spoilage of our resources. Better yet, he must find ways to actually reverse the result of his actions. Initially, he can start with small things (in any way, great things start with small beginnings). He must promote the use of fuel-efficient vehicles and the use of PUVs instead of private transport; ban the use of CFCs; stop illegal logging and deforestation; use renewable energies; and the conduct of growing of trees activity. Also, he must not debate between saving the environment and progressing towards development. Instead, he must gear towards sustainable development. Further, he must disseminate information regarding the adverse effects and the possible solutions to the problems at hand, penalize some if not all “environment offenders”. And finally, work as well as live in harmony with nature.

Our Life-Blood

The forest is an integral part of the earth’s ecosystem and holds great responsibility in the maintenance of its balance. It has long been a resource that is of great significance to man and his proliferation on earth. The forest has been, and continues to be, one of man’s sources of food – be it plant materials or meat; natural products that may be used as dyes, flavorings, fragrances, stimulants, hallucinogens, insecticides, poisons, and as therapeutic agents; raw material for paper manufacture; and mostly, a source of lumber for his shelter.

Nowadays, with the world and its inhabitants being threatened by climate change, the forest’s (specifically, trees’ and other floras’) ecological role enters. It is a fact that where vegetation is lush, it can convert large amount of carbon dioxide (one of the most prominent of the greenhouse gases) into oxygen, and thus tagged as the “lungs of the earth”. It also houses wide arrays of flora and fauna that are either endemic and/or diverse, which are there for the pleasure and “disposal” of mankind. Also, it is valued for their capacity to regulate water vapor, control drought, erosion, and flooding, and the recycling of nutrients as well.

And yet through all of these blessings bestowed by the forests upon man, he exploits this resource with utmost carelessness and an unbelievable ignorance of what his actions may result to. He dares to cut trees extensively, again for his benefits – to meet the demands for lumber, raw material for paper, and to plant crops that are basal to his diet. With these, man depletes and destroys not only the forests but also leaves its residents bereft of their habitats, displacing them to places that are deficient in food and suitable shelter, and may eventually lead to their death. This distracts the stability and equity of the entire ecosystem, causing imbalance. This imbalance may lead to an undesirable and potentially perilous change – a change that more or less will lead to the annihilation of man and the death of all life forms on the earth.

To facilitate and rescue the rapidly diminishing forest cover, man should conduct activities that will augment the restoration and expansion of the previously cut and lost trees. Man should rather conduct tree growing activities instead of tree planting. He should be able to replace the cut trees with a seedling/sapling (preferably of the same species) right after logging. He must be aware and be able to share this awareness to other people. Lawmakers should pass laws that are more environment-friendly and that are more inclined to the conservation and protection of our environment. To sum it up, he must be sensitive enough of his actions and be held accountable of every problem his actions may and will inflict.

Sadly, though there are measures and advocacies done to conserve and protect our forest, it seems insufficient and inefficient. Perhaps, it is because man’s interests goes in conflict with these measures. The laws are there but either the gravity of the penalties is inconsequential or its implementation is inept.

But even through all of these, I believe that there is still hope for our forest. I am still positive of what man can do, especially when the need arises. I trust that a man makes a difference; in fact, only a man can make a difference! I still believe that he will be able to reverse the adverse effects of his deeds. And that his help, with an alliance to the forests’ capacity to mend itself, together, they will flourish and stand tall.

Hair Cut

With nothing to do, save killing some time by watching TV and texting, I resolved that I have to get rid of my hair, which by that time have grown long and started to annoy me.

For the first time in my life, I've had it cut by a probie. I've had it cut by myself (and with a little help from my younger bro -- who, for having tasked to cut my hair, was appalled).

..and so cut it, I (or shall i say 'we') did.

Little by little (that is in millimeters), my brother cut my hair. Carefully, and with the great patience (where does he get those?! He ought to share some to me.), slowly, he transformed my hair from mess to cleanliness. However, his slow and steady pace had made me impatient. Just then, i took the scissors out of his hand and went in front of the mirror. Cut, cut, cut,and cut I did. After an hour of painstaking and indiscriminate cutting, my bro polished my rather raggedly cut hair. Then, when both of us got content with my new hairdo, I took a bath.

Refreshed and euphoric, i dried my hair and went on to see myself in front of the mirror. Combing my hair to my desired style, i felt smug.

It is just the cut that i wanted.

Later..

I've always been time conscious. Time for me is important because as we all know, it is passing. It flies by so fleetingly, so elusive that it can only be captured by cameras through pictures. But then again, like time, cameras and pictures are ephemeral. Cameras and pictures may last longer then we may, still, eventually they’ll come to an end.

The times that have passed can’t be turned back, save from, perhaps through our memory palace. But then again, time is constantly moving; forward, it goes on and on. Never looking back, it leaves us behind with a "closed mind" and with an ultimate goal: to outdo us, to outlive us, to defeat all of us.

But then again, like time, my consciousness of its transience has passed. For a month now, I have been coming not later than 8:30. For a month now, only once did I come to work at a striking 7:58 am. My tardiness has accumulated and has equated to one and a half days of absence. I could only laugh at my own fate. With the meager salary that I am receiving, such tardiness won’t help a bit.

So now, I am waking up from this rather apathetic and oblivious state. Just today, I’ve made my move… I timed in at exactly 8:28 in the morning… Now that’s a change.