trade deficit and how to solve it, when a social worker meets an economist

After the study tour of VOA to Perez, Alabat Island, I was hanging around with an undergraduate student of economics from Kyushu University. We had some reflections about the trip and about the sociology and economy of Perez, Alabat Island.

All photographs by ACCESS intern, Aya  Takahashi.

"Students are needed on the field, 

they are the ones who have the knowledge that needs to be applied." - Kuya Tito

We both agree that the discussion time was too short that it was bland, and had a bitter after taste. He thinks we should have not just concluded with the two ways to define poverty but how to solve it.

Sari-sari store at Perez town proper, selling goods each family needs.

"Trade deficit" is what economists pertain to the situation wherein the economy of a geographical location cannot stand on its own. In the case of Perez, there is trade deficit, since people buy goods from neighboring towns a boat ride away from the island. They couldn't even produce what they need on their own locality, and that they exchange what they need for higher prices from another place.

Perez and its wealth: natural and human resources.

Yet, there are so many resources in Perez that people in there could use. Salt can be taken from the sea while vinegar could be made out of coconut water and even rice washings. (I recently reasearched about it and found this. The next time, I go there, I want to show / teach them how to.) People hasn't learned this and hasn't discovered it too, or probably gave up making little industries because they have succumbed to coco farming, rice farming and fishing which are the 3 most common livelihood opportunity at the island.

The economist told me his realization that education at Perez is patterned over what people would need to be enrolled in colleges or universities. However, most of them could not even finish high school and step into college, thus this knowledge becomes abstract and useless Learning about chemistry, biology, physics and algebra is important but what's more important is to learn how to survive. The economist thinks education at Perez and Alabat Island should concentrate more on science and mathematics of surviving life at the island. What's practical has been neglected and taken for granted over what's abstract. I couldn't agree more.

We need to help each child become a scientist for the people.

What's more is that, people like to eat meat and use "magic sarap" at every cooked food they prepare, which is beyond necessary. If people would plant vegetables in their backyards, they could have enough food to eat, and better yet vegetables to share and sell at the local market. However, people has concentrated on coco-farming, copra-making and act as 8-hour laborers just like people in the city. There could have been better life for them if they lived freely, scientifically and critically by cultivating land and growing produce they eat rather than export / trade.

Here's a memory of our interview with a coco-farming family.

Their dream is to rebuild their house, and make it stronger but poverty hinders them.

In the end, we had this vision of a community wherein people at the island have vegetables and fruits at their backyards, where people share or sell their salt and vinegar to neighbors and where people only use money for education and medication rather than "magic sarap".

Thank you for all the learning at Perez. Truly, everyone could be a teacher.

the two ways to define poverty (VOA tour to Perez)

Over the long weekend (Thanks to Chinese New Year! Kung Hei Fat Choi!), VOA (Volunteers of ACCESS) had its first organized short tour to Perez, Alabat Island, Quezon. It's in this trip that Kuya Onin's camera has shown its getting old so pictures are from my fellow VOA members, Aya and Wakana. ;)

What we did in Perez were...

Play with children.

Interview with coco farmer

Interview with fisherman

Participants also did home stay, with one person each home stay family. In this trip, it was second time that I heard the view that the objective of home stay is not clear and uncertain if it would help participants understand poverty. However, in my case, when I did home stay in rice farming village in Batangas and with a fisherman's home at Perez, I felt isolated from my comfort zone at sleeping time. Thus, the feeling of being lonesome and hopeful to change the place where you're in at the moment spurred. Probably, for Japanese students, the experience would be more compelling and surely "you'll never know it unless you try"

Roamed around town proper.

Play with children, for these little people possess in themselves a universal language.

Ate delicious food made by our fellow volunteer, Masa.

And lastly, play with Macho. <3

In the morning of our last day in Perez, we had a little reflection and discussion of whether "Perez is poor or not." Though it was limited time, it was nice to hear opinions of same-aged people and see the similarities and differences of our points of view. Most said Perez is poor but not as poor as other places like Africa. More so, poverty's sense of meaning is different if you look into other people's mind. Some would say it is when people have "less freedom" or "lack of choice" while some would say, it is when people "don't have electricity in their houses, could not eat thrice a day nor could send their children to school". More over, some would say, poverty is when sadness has struck your life chronically and that happiness beyond the limitation of material abundance is wealth.

So how do we define poverty then? This is where the two ways to define poverty enters.

One is, relative poverty (the subjective one).
Keyword: "in relation"

which measures poverty through the feelings of happiness or contentment of a person in his or her life. For example, a person may be materially unable than another one, but he or she might think his/her life is better since their family is together, their traditional values preserved. On another note, a middle class student may feel he is poorer than his/her classmates since s/he doesn't own the things others own.

Relative poverty is commonly used in surveys wherein opinions of people whether they feel their life is getting better or worse is checked. It's one way for government to know if development is felt by its constituents.

Another one is, absolute poverty (the objective one).
Keyword: absolute equals zero or poverty line

In the realm of social welfare and development studies, a concise and measurable tool to define poverty was invented to know who and where the poor are. In contrast with relative poverty, absolute poverty marks the demarcation between who is poorest of the poor, poor, middle class and upper class. A clear example is explaining that a family earns only 2 dollars a day, thus is considered poor.

During the study tour to Perez, I realized these concepts are nothing if you study it inside the four corners of the classroom. Understanding is abstract and vague if you haven't seen what is outside and real. At the last day, I realized these 2 ways to define poverty are nothing but concepts and what's more important is how to solve the inequality between the land-owner and coco farmer as well as the boat owner and the small fisherman.

Studying isn't practical at all, if we don't use knowledge as way to improve and enhance or invent social technologies to alleviate poverty. Knowledge would be mere concepts, floating in the air and gradually die out, such as the field of philosophy.

So much for thinking, it's time to go say goodbye to Perez.

And these three sure had great time on the boat to home.

Goodbye and see you again Perez!

the pros and cons of being a UP student

"Buti na lang Kring, hindi ka mayabang kahit tagaUP ka."
"It's good that even though you're from UP, you didn't turn out to be boastful Kring."

That's what remained as a memory of today from a jeepney ride with a colleague. It also left me wondering why most graduates of UP are seen as boastful or arrogant. I think, they're just doing their best, and are hated for it. It's no difference from people of other schools that have boastful creations too. However, it is the stereotype that coming from a prestigious university makes one righteous and arrogant.

"Matapang, matalino, walang takot kahit kanino." We were taught to speak out our opinions and ideas, without being afraid. We were trained to sacrifice our sleeping hours to finish our term papers, thesis, reaction papers along with a bucket of reading list, in that hard work was always equal to a good mark and a happy feeling inside of fulfillment. It was made clear to us that "there is a time for work, and a time for play". We were taught to exert all the best in what's within us, to every work at hand.

This is just but one con of being a UP graduate. Yet this is not of heavier weight at the shoulder. To be a graduate of UP entails a series of proving one's self uplifting "honor and excellence" and being very careful of each move so as to preserve the name of the school, your name is connected to. At times, there might be some instances when you're asked to stretch your duties, just because you could do better than anyone else. And though, one hasn't the agenda to lift one self, a UP graduate is most often compared to graduates of other school. Believe me, it is but also a difficult life-long task of patience and humility.

But let's also look back to the PROS.

Like me, with no any other achievement in other realms of life such as sport, being a graduate of UP is the only saving grace where I get my confidence to make my dreams come true. Being a graduate of UP opens your doors to endless possibilities, if you carefully choose your path to go and doors to enter. Have you heard of the tutor website where only students or graduates from UP are admitted? In my three years as a worker, I experienced proof that a UP graduate doesn't have any difficulty looking for a job since he or she if from UP. But of course, one will be, because UP has already equipped him/her to do well.

Another good thing about UP and its culture is its organizations and clubs. In our freshmen and sophomore years, we all tried to enter organizations and clubs and has undergone a series of emotional, mental turn down of challenges. As I look back, I went to my Art Studies class one morning with my eyes puffed because of tears, as I just finished my final interview with the International Club of UP. My classmates consoled me that morning saying that "we all go through with it, but the best part is being accepted as a member." As I prepared myself for an interview with DSWD months back, I looked back to that day and I compared it. If it haven't for that "hell day" as an applicant of ICUP, I haven't nourished the self-esteem in me to be just myself in interviews and just tell what is in my heart and mind without considering if I get accepted or not. Fortunately, in both interviews, I passed.

In contrast, I grew up to be humble because of UP because in UP it was an endless chase of knowing that you are the best, but meeting somebody else that is better than you. In UP, I learned my strengths, own talents and skills just as I learned my weaknesses, from the fellow UP students I earned as friends through the years. Getting a grade of 2.75 taught me that I could not pass, if I don't read. It is in my failures as a UP student, that I learned to become "everyone's student" for I am not as good as them. Everyone, even the jeepney driver, the farmer, the fisher folk or the child at your neighborhood, can be your teacher.

With my batch mates at UP. It was our last year.

It was time, everyone was both sad and happy.

Only one thing I hope is that, UP graduates shall be seen as ordinary people too, with emotions and could commit mistakes, just like them. But anyway, in life, everything always has its pros and cons, you just have to live with it.

to think globally but act locally

I seem to remember posting this before, right on the day that I learned what it really means. Yet, today, I was reminded by Kuya Fishy, the Japanese student who went to Mindanao from his homeland Japan, to help the Sendong victims. To read the news about him, click here.

To think globally means to see things or problems not only in the boundaries of geographical demarcations wherein you are situated, but to see things at a bird's eye view. To understand poverty means seeing povety as well as wealth of other neighbor nations and the world as a whole. If there is push and pull between rural and urban poverty in the Philippines, there is also a presence of the push and pull between the developing and developed First World countries.

However, to think this way it too abstract that you can't even understand anything. Today, Zenta told "to see things in a general view is seeing nothing at all." (I'm sorry if it wasn't verbatim for his words were more creative than mine.) I learned it through ACCESS.

That is why.. we must "act locally". Action should take place from the level of the person, of the group, of the organization, of the barangay, of the local government to the national level. Of course, each problem should be sorted and defined in its own specific term, and to be analyzed historically, before a solution maybe applied. (OMG, that's made my mind bleed a little). I just remembered, as I was letting time pass at Papemelrotti this afternoon, I read "When you see a hungry child, feed one. When you see a homeless family, shelter one. Hope begins with one."

Anyway, I'll try to make an example.

Perez, Alabat Island, Quezon

At Perez, Alabat Island, Quezon, fishing is one of the main sources of income of families below the poverty line. Yet, their problem not only involves lessening small fishes due to practice of dynamite fishing but more so, is the presence of large fishing boats from Taiwan, China and Japan. Because of these high-tech and large ships from other countries, abundance of fish to be caught by the small fisherman from Perez, is affected. Thus, the problem is not just because of the situation at the fisherman village but of international relations. This is to "think globally".

Small boat locally called as "bangka" used by small fisherman.

This was taken after Typhoon Santy struck the island.

Then, "to act locally" would mean getting each fisherman to know the situation. Well, actually, they already know but they are scared to take action individually, thus the role of community organizing enters. The action should come from the fisherman themselves first, although a move from the United Nations or lawmakers of Philippines is also important.

It was difficult for me to understand "think globally, act locally" when I was a sophomore student of BS Social Work. Yet, I learned it through experience. I wanted to explain it to others who have difficulty understanding it too. I tried. ;)

I also try to live this thinking "to think globally but act locally" by being a VOA member. By the way, we had meeting today and it was about short study tour to Perez, on January 21st to 23rd. I hope the weather would be fine because I don't want to be stranded at Atimonan Port again and reminiscing memories of Perez from the port. VOA thinks globally by having people of different nationalities think about poverty while, to act locally is to show these people poverty at the micro level of a fishing village at Perez, Alabat Island, Quezon.

Would you think they are poor because of the condition of their house?

Or would you think they are rich because of their smiles?

religion can be individually defined.

I got this picture from Yahoo News.

"That's scary" is what first struck my mind when I saw this picture. First, the maroon color illuminates a sense of mystery, of depth, of sacrifice and of poverty. Second is the mass of devotees that is just too many in that, every year, I expect injuries or deaths from this traditional religious event in Quiapo, Manila.

I've been a pious Roman Catholic as a child and grew up going to church every Sunday and attending legionary sessions before masses during Saturday or Sundays. However, as I have grown, my Catholic traditions have been diffused as a shadow. At one point in my life, I was an atheist. Until gradually in the present, I believe in divine intervention and more of the spiritual life as a life dedicated to achieving balance and equality in the world and restoring what once was good relationships between peoples

And as I see the devotees of the Black Nazarene, I somehow see despair. Would God want you to get injured or killed just to let Him know how devoted you are to Him? Would God want His people to offer Him  golds and diamonds, instead of kindness or humane living? I think not.

I'm not scared of death, for I know I have lived my life the way I want it. I'm not rooting for Heaven since I was aiming to experience Heaven on Earth. I am not expecting life after death, since there isn't just enough evidence from science that we can, but I playfully believe in reincarnation and karma. I believe not in Jesus as King but Jesus as the first community organizer and defender of welfare of the many. I trust that the World was not made through creation but from the gradual evolution of the cosmos. I don't go t church on Sundays anymore, but I spend my Saturdays and some of my Sundays, with the less fortunate to make them feel someone cares for them, like Jesus. I define my religion or... I'd rather not call it a religion, but my spirituality.

This picture is also from Yahoo News.

What I see with the Black Nazarene is poverty, wherein people struggle to get their selves to the altar walking  in their knees, to make a sick relative healed. I see people, without any other ways to solve their problems (because they are just too poor to do so) cling to the word of God and His miracles. This worldview has been passed on to us in the more than 300 years that we were in the hands of Spain.

I am not saying we shouldn't continue these traditions, for I'm scared of being bashed as righteous. But, what I  hope people to do, especially on the bottom of the pyramid, is to reflect why they do so, and what made them do so. Isn't sitting quietly in prayer with one-on-one conversation with Him nearly enough to tell Him how much you love Him and trust your life in Him?

What has kept me in wonder for many years now is that of my Japanese friends' attitude of being helpful. They are not Christians and are definitely not Catholics, but they are humanitarian.

See other pictures from here.

how to walk the talk by organizing study tour to Japan.

So I have this crazy idea I wanted to share with VOA members yesterday yet I didn't just because I think it was crazy. It was on the first few minutes after waking up, on a Wednesday morning, that it dawned on me an idea to sponsor study tour to Japan for ACCESS's full time staff.

This was my very first visit / study tour to Perez with the first VOA members.

That first time I was asked by Kuya Goto "why do you think Perez is poor?"

I started to work in ACCESS in 2009 and I met more or less 135 Japanese in a span of three years. They all have met Filipino staff of ACCESS and I know at the back of their minds, they still have that memory of 12 days in Philippines, learning about poverty in a Third World country and finding the treasure of Filipino smiles. "Why can't we gather all the people that we love in one place?", asked Snoopy so then I asked myself that early morning if it was possible to make them meet again. I feel luckier that I could still talk with Japanese friends and acquaintances through the internet, but how about my fellow Filipinos who's unlike me spending the waking and close to sleeping hour of their day at the internet. The day they meet again, is a day filled with inspiration and reigniting the fire that was once lightened in Manila, Smoky Mountain, Perez or Pinatubo.

Memory from the first long study tour of ACCESS that I joined.

I fell in love with the concept of "study tour" at that time. 

It was August 2009.

I talk about "walking the talk" because for almost 3 years, I have been an advocate of equality between the Japanese and the Filipino. It is very "ideal" and for some, might be "unrealistic" and "unreachable". Yet, one step is to practice a principle on it's own home. Isn't it a little unfair that only the Japanese students learn from the Filipinos and the Philippines? In an ideal and equal world (that I want to live in), there are "no boundaries" and that any one can go to another country freely. However, the only problem and the only difference is money. Of course, Filipino staff can't go to Japan because they might as well use their money for the basic needs of their family such as food, shelter, health and education (Yes, clothing is a bit luxury).

I became very good friends with Tachi during that August 2009 long tour.

I learned that Japanese people are fun to be with, 
and that there is nothing to be scared with.

They are different people from the Japanese during the WWII.

Of course, fellow ACCESS Filipino staff have their best Japanese friends too.

Like Tomomi, Tinton and Shohei.

There might be negative differences of culture, but what's nice is to learn from each other. I've always heard from Japanese participants of study tour that they are surprised and touched with the smiles from children and every Filipino they meet in my home country, amidst the difficult life they face each day. Most of them also admire the Filipino's "close family ties" wherein, a parent's greatest happiness is making his/her son/daughter finish school.

And they learn it through first hand conversations with Filipino families, 
in the form of an interview.

This was our interview with a family who relies in coco farming for their living.

Like all other Filipino staff, I haven't been to Japan. Probably, if I go there I'd admire the big buildings, neon lights yet carefully preserved traditions of the Japanese. I would have to admire their discipline and "grace under pressure". I'd love to see sakura and yuki. Probably, every Filipino staff would have these things kept in mind before going to Japan. Yet, I want to know what I don't know yet.

Japan is something so close yet so far, for all of us.

What is there in Japan that kept the nation successful? What makes the Japanese the most disciplined people in the world? What made them value hard work and putting their hearts in what they do every time? How have they kept their Japanese traditions for so many years and continue to be loving their own? And more of list of questions...

When Japanese friends go back to Japan, it feels like it is something inevitable.

What's left are just memories and the hope that someday, 
they'll come back, just to nurture the friendship.

While on a jeepney ride, I was wondering whether Filipino students from UP, Ateneo or La Salle would be interested to join a study tour to Japan. In that case, I'd like to be a leader. Lol. But then, I need to be a participant too, first. And then... another thought came to my being of saving the money VOA gets from profit of organized 1 day short tours to Smoky Mountain and Perez and use it as fund for Study Tour of ACCESS Filipino Staff to Japan later. But then, only saving for fare would take more than 10 years, I guess. Lol. どしょうかな？Orz

"Why can't we gather all the people that we love in one place,

I know I could but there would always be some one who'll leave.

I know what I need. I don't need goobyes, I nee more hellos." - Snoopy

I told you. It was a crazy idea. ;)

the smiles of children is the greatest reward for hard work

私の仕事は大変疲ですけど、とてもたのしいです。

子供たちの笑顔は私の宝.

I know this blog post is a little late but I just finished writing the documentation report for the Pasko ng Batang Pinoy 2011 Grand Christmas Celebration yesterday at the office and it brought me to a very happy memory. I found a treasure that day and that is the smiles of children. 

These children especially requested me to take a picture with them.

Photo by Jenny Darish

As the event was nearing its end, I came across someone I didn't want to. But then, I tried to be casual and greeted that someone a "Merry Christmas". What I got was a sudden inertia of anger and hate. My mistake took a thousand wave of unfolds. The day could have been perfect except for that part. As I went back to my post in the sound system, I sat quiet and still for a while. A child passed by running... reaching for the balloon which other children were also trying to reach. They were blocking the projector and though it was my task to  tell them to stay away from it, I let them there. It was heart-warming to see their shadows on the big screen. They were having so much fun. If I had a camera, I would instantly take a picture of them. Though it wasn't a perfect shot, I would keep it since it washed away my comfortless feelings.

Children waiting for their turn, at the inflatables.

Photo by DSWD-Central Office, SMS.

The event was held last December 22, 2011 at Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City. Every office-mate was wearing their red shirt while the children were wearing their own colors. Yet, before the event, it was a week full of rush, frustrations, miscommunication, office-mates fighting over small things just because they're too tired. Actually, the behind-the-scenes made my heart beat stronger because of the work and challenges, than the event itself.

Me and my office mates sitting around at Lunch Time.

The only time that we had free time. xd

My Japanese friends Rulika, Zenta and Miori also went there but I felt anxious that I couldn't event take them around because I couldn't leave my post in the sound system. Rulika said she didn't expect that the event would be as big as she saw it that day. I mis-explained to them I guess, that the event was DSWD's, so it really is HUGE. There were 1,000 children who participated from 17 local government units of Metro Manila.

Me with the DJs. They let me be a DJ too, for a day. 

or to put it in other words, Sound Director. :))

Photo by Jenny Darish

President Benigno Aquino III was also there as well as his sister, Ms. Kris Aquino (and her children, Joshua and James). Here's a copy of his speech during the event - CLICK! Coco Martin, John Lapuz and Going Bulilit Stars was also there. Ms. Venus Raj, DSWD's ambassadress for children was also there to play games with the children delegates. There was also an inflatable playground, face and body-painting, food and of course, gifts.

The President lead the gift-giving.

And! It was nice to see the traditional dance called "Igal-igal" of Sama-Bajaus through their children. As I searched through the net, it is a widely accustomed dance of Southeast Asia with the body's movement metaphorically pertaining to the gentle rush of waves in the sea and the quick footwork at the bottom representing little sea creatures such as crabs, snails,etc at the shore.

Makati - my area of assignment for CY 2012.

My only wish is that the children spent a happy day through our hard work, because they surely made me happy just by watching their smiles from afar.

the leader of the band is Dad.

Today at work, I'd like to celebrate that finally, 4 homeless families that I handled has accessed their financial assistance of house rental and is now in the safety of their four-walled homes. Their livelihood assistance and the start of planting sampaguita is yet to follow. ;)

Yet today, I wanted to celebrate one more special event, and which I should be thankful for - my Father's birthday. And this is a blog post of how he has been more than a father but my English professor, music teacher, trainer in biking and swimming, editor, guidance councilor and my best friend over the years.

Papa, With Yuri and Bebe, fellow ACCESS volunteer.

He was 1/2 of the reason why my name is "Kristiane". On his dating years with my mother, they watched movies a lot and one of those was about a girl named "Kristiane" who defeated all the other boys in a competition on biking exhibition. Seemingly, he was hoping I would stand up above the rest and taking a leap in the boundaries of gender differences. I hope I did. :3

When I was 2, he cut my hair in that I looked like a boy. He really wanted the first born to be a boy and as I went out to the world, I was sorry for making him frustrated that I wasn't. However, I think I grew up to be androgynous. At times, he would comment on my short skirts, showy sleeveless shirts and make-up but I learned as times passed, that it was his way of showing care and just being protective.

When I was 3, we both waited in my the living room of grandfather's home for the birth of my baby brother. While we were playing at the middle of the night, he asked me "would you love your brother?". "Of course, I will Papa.", I can still remember that I promised him that. So I did.

My brother and me. Photograph by Papa.

When I was 4, he introduced me to biking. We would sail out early in the morning to Legazpi Port to practice. And as the day finally came that the training wheels was detached from my cute and rainbow colored bicycle, our hearts were both filled with laughter and happiness that it was my first success in life! From then, on weekends we would go the port or the park to bike, bike and bike. I guess "the adventurous me" came out of the shell, in these years.

When I was 7, he taught me how to swim. In Legazpi City, we lived near the sea. Pacific Ocean was just a 3-minute walk from my grandfather's house. My mother said I nearly drowned when I was 3 because of my father. Lol. But, because of him too, I can survive any accident in the sea. I grew up, never being scared of riding a boat. When I turned 19, I was riding a boat to Alabat Island monthly. I was never afraid because for such a long time, he already prepared me for it.

We were glowing in the light. 

When I was in elementary, he worked far away from home (Sorsogon City, Metro Manila) and that his way to be a parent to me and my younger brother, was to write letters. Each of his letters to me were written in English and had drawings of chickens or rooftops or stars. This was how he thought me English and love for the arts.

When I was in high school, he taught me how to use the computer by making me interested with Paint and games. He never stopped telling me to "keep the curiosity" and "never stop experimenting". I grew up being  computer-literate and never afraid of gadgets and all other stuffs as long as i keep the curiosity to learn. As a third year high school student, I would go home early to catch his guitar-lessons although I really hated it at first. He kept me interested by playing my favorite songs.. until the day came that I sang solo in a gathering of Redemptorists playing "Torete". Thank you for the gift of music.

At Banaue. :)

When I was 15, he stayed beside me every night when I was crying because of my anxiety in going to UP. I felt so belittled with the BIG WORLD I would be facing in the vast forestry of the University of the Philippines, its well-known professors and fellow UP students who were Valedictorian or Salutatorians from their high schools. He reminded me that I grew up not afraid of things and yet I am so scared of trying a new thing that would greatly affect my future. Amid my cries and pleas, he stood up with me on the lines to get medical certificates, enroll in classes and reserve a room in Kalayaan Dormitory. He would visit me every Saturday at the dormitory, treat me ice cream and we would have long walks. Because of those, I was able to adapt to the pressures of being a Freshman at UP. Thank you so much for this Papa.

Celebrating my graduation day with pizza!

When I was 17, I asked him that I wanted to shift to BS Psychology. BUT, he didn't permit. He challenged me to finish Social Work first, (if I really am serious with studying Psychology), and study Psychology after I become a social worker. I took it. And this year, I hope to take my Masters in Psychology.

He has also been like a father to my friends.

When I was 19, he showed me the way to ACCESS Office (even though he also didn't knew) at the day of my interview with the Executive Director and the NGO's Finance Officer. After my interview, I told them I was with my father. I felt ashamed of it, but in the end, my father became a very good supporter and volunteer of ACCESS too. In the long run, the partnership of Redemptorist and ACCESS grew.

After a late afternoon swimming at Alabat Island.

When I was 21, he became worried about my health and in everyday reminded me to "drink milk". And yes, I  am doing it so don't worry much about me Papa, okay? :3

Hanging out at 13th St, with my new laptop from him.

Now that I'm 22, we talk about work and philosophical things. That is why I want to finish reading "Sophie's World" because I also think it is somehow comparable to me and my father's story. And yet, he borrowed it and again, he would be the first one to finish a book I bought for myself. xd

I dedicate this song to Papa.

I am nothing, if not for my father's love.

Really, "My life has been a poor attempt to imitate the man".

Happy Birthday Papa! I love you. <3 - Kring

love does things for reasons that reason cannot understand.

"I am tired of trying to hold things together that cannot be held. Trying to control what cannot be controlled. I am tired of denying myself what I want for fear of breaking things I cannot fix. They will break no matter what we do." Celia Bown (The Night Circus, Erin Morgenstern)

From my friend, Lyra

And I'm sorry for very random thoughts. 

28 months or 852 days or 20,448 hours or 1,226,880 minutes.

This is not a love post. This is a post about love. 

I knew this time would come but I didn't expect it would come too soon.

It was time to say goodbye.

In the year 2011, I thought it was lost, then it came back then I realized in the last day of the year that it was a delusion. I was looking for things I could not see, in the darkness. That there was of no difference in comparison with friendship, as I felt more loved by my friends. So then, we're better off as friends. Or maybe, it was better for me to wander around the world alone first.


At times, I thought it was not the right time. There was NEVER a right time. Why wait for the right time when there is no right time until you make it happen! Untimely as it is. Today I learned... Newton's first law of motion "The velocity of a body remains constant unless the body is acted upon by an external force." applies to love too. I always believed "Love does not die a natural death. It dies because of sadness, and it dies because of lack of nurturing." I hope he understood that.

In the year 2009, I told myself "the next time I fall in love, it would be my last." And so I hold on, not realizing I would be hurt too much in the process of not letting go.

In the year 2007, I found my own definition of love, that "Love is an understanding between two people that only the two of them can understand." If there is no more understanding nor communication, how can it grow? Love starts with mutual understanding, isn't it?

Bakit sayo pa nagkagusto?

Parang bula, ika'y naglaho. 

(January to July 2011) 

- Porque by Maldita

Once a stranger, twice an enemy, thrice a lover. What's worst about love is that it consumes everything, leaving nothing behind. It drives you into sleepless nights and happy mornings. But then, all the memory will be washed away once its gone. Strangers become friends then lovers then strangers again. That is what I don't like about it. However, it's inevitable.


On the first day of 2012, I realized... Love is not planned nor forced to bloom. Love happens, as it happens naturally. And I hope, it would be long enough before I start to write about love again.


Love is troublesome. Let's just enjoy the present, learn from the past and look forward to future. 愛は面倒です。レッツが存在を単に楽しむ、過去から学び、将来を楽しみにしています。

Whatever the reason is, I hope I understand it soon.

Here's a better version, I couldn't tag in Blog Post ->  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDR_ldGke6A&ob=av2n

there's a reason why there is only one Friday in a week.

I was there. In the New Year's Countdown to 2012 at Eastwood City, Quezon City, with friends. It was my first time to join the festivity at the Metro, as I was always celebrating it in my hometown, Legazpi City, Albay. Somehow, at the last 5 minutes of December 31, 2011, I didn't want January 1, 2012 to come and just stop time. 2011 was just so good and happy that it's a little sad it's chapter is closing, and I needed to be ready for another year of surprises. Really, time flies when you're having fun. たのしいかたですよ。

Following photos by Kuya Onin. :)

Happy New Year every one. :)

Fireworks at Eastwood City

Celebration at The Pink Room

The whole month of December was like the last Friday of 2012. Too many get-together, hang-outs, food, gifts, drinking and laughter. I enjoy this time of year when I get to see my closest friends as they come home for the holidays, or as we have more money to hang-out more. But, I always thought that after all the happiness, there is a price to pay. So cynical. That is why I'm a little afraid to experience too much happiness bring equal amount of sadness in the long run. In deed, there was... such as the earthquake in Japan on the first day of 2012. I hope not too many people get injured, unlike what Sending did nor the March 2010 Japan's earthquake.

Some happy memories of 2012....

Photos by Kuya Onin.

So I was thinking... there is no whole happiness without the sadness. I always believe that one could not exist without the other, that you wouldn't feel happiness if you didn't feel sadness. In the recent days, I was lurking the streets of Cubao, Ayala and Eastwood City. On one of my walks to find a cab in Cubao to go to St. Lukes Global City, I passed by street families and street children whose Christmas and New Years are spent on the streets. More over, on the way home, I happened to pass by homeless street families in Robinsons (Ortigas) with their make-shift homes. My work is never-ending, waiting for me. 2012 is another year to face the challenges of changing the lives of these street children and street families, and drive them to a safer home and a more productive and meaningful life. My exposure to poverty, has made me this cynical, I guess.

Street Children. Photo by DSWD-Social Technology Bureau.

And if you have more time, please watch this video I made. 

The reason why there is only one Friday in a week and only one December on a year is that, people should enjoy themselves once in a while. Enough for them to face the hardship and challenges of life that is yet to come. Probably, if it was Friday everyday, then it would be no longer so much fun.

P.S.

I found this really nice video that I wanted to share. But I couldn't embed it for Blog Post only supports YouTube Videos. This video is perfect for my blog and for all of us in 2012. Life is better when we continue learning. :) LEARN!