To Yza Marie

What we have, is a friendship that nobody can withstand.

For years, you have been my source of strength and happiness. 

You were there in my darkest moments. 

You were there when everything seems so vague and storms seem roaring like forever. 

You were there when everything seems to fall apart. 

You were there when I had to make decisions that do not conform to many.  

You were there, when I was miserable and helpless. 

You were there when I fucked up. 

You were there when nobody were.

When Tita Yoli left, I promised her one thing, that I will, will always, always be, be there for you. I promised her that no matter what happens, I will look after you and be just around even if you don’t need me anymore. Even life will come our way and bring us new friends, new other friends. I will be there, just hanging around.

Life, indeed happen, that it took us to places, and lead us our separate ways. Life got tough on us, took us to places, different places. 

Life gave us the reason and all the reasons to be apart. 

We grew apart, we graduated apart, we had new friends, apart and we have learned to accept life as it is, apart.

But even life could not untangle the bond that we have. 

We are here. For each other, no matter what, no matter how.  

Dhay, forgive me for all my flaws and shortcomings, forgive me that I let life come our way. 

Forgive me for not being there in your toughest times. 

Forgive me when I was not there when you had to take that  bucket of beer to forget all of life’s dramas. 

Forgive me when I was not there when you proudly took that stage and moved that tassel from left to right. 

Forgive me when you’ve got no choice but to be alone. 

Forgive me because I was not there when you traveled to places, many places, many different places. Please forgive me for I was just here, not there with you.

I know God will bless you all of what you desire for you are the best friend, one could ever have. Thank you for that!

I love you and I will always be a friend and a family to you, in ten lifetimes!

Have a blast! 

Happy birthday!

P.S.

Here is a collage of our moments together,

Sa tanan na imnanay, pamiestahanay kag walang hanggang kadlawanay!

Bal,an mo man nan a matulokay lang ta ya, alam na this na dayon.. hahaha!

A Decade Without You

A DECADE WITHOUT YOU

by Pal

It’s already a decade since the day you left.

It’s already a decade but the pain of your loss still linger.

It’s already a decade and yet we still grieve.

It’s already a decade but the longing is like forever.

It’s already a decade that we miss your hugs and kisses.

It’s already a decade that we last felt your last caress.

It’s already a decade when you last showered us with your wisdom.

It’s already a decade since we’ve lost our king in our little kingdom.

It’s already a decade but each day we miss you even more

It’s already a decade and it will never be like before.

It’s already a decade but the loneliness won’t go away.

The moment we lost you was the worst that came our way, a decade today.

It’s already a decade when life has set us apart.

It’s already a decade but you’ll be forever in my heart.

It’s already a decade and we might not understand why you chose not to stay.

But I can’t wait for the moment to be with you again, one sweet day.

Is this the Change that We Want Coming?

Is this the change that we want coming?

Lately, for the past few months, every time I watch the news in the television, read newspapers or browse my social networking sites, there is this feeling that I cannot fathom. I do not know how exactly what I’d feel, I mean I know what I feel but there are contradictions inside that tend to quarrel my contemplation against my emotional state.

Since the turn of the new administration is on track, I was excited yet very anxious of how the new president would lead the republic, and if “change” would really come. The question is, are we ready for this change? If so, are we ready to face the challenges that entail us with this change? Are we willing to take this change? Are we prepared for the risks and consequences that might come out of this change? And are we amenable enough to leave the past for the betterment of the future? No matter what, no matter how?

Today is the 100^th day that we’re under the leadership of the new president. I just can’t help but wonder, about all the good things that had happened during the past few months, things that this administration had brought; however, it cannot reciprocate the lives that were taken, the lives of those persons alleged to be involved in drugs. 

I cannot imagine how the families that have lost their loved ones, children who were instantly orphaned and were left wondering why life is so cruel to them, can still go on in their lives not knowing and understanding why a sudden “change” have affected their once normal perception of the importance of life. I just can’t help but really wonder, why on earth would you kill someone, for that “change ” to take place. 

Yes, breaking the laws of the land necessitates retribution, but without compromising the requirement of going through your right to due process.

Death is not the answer on how we could change the scheme. Death can never alleviate the lives of the families whose kin was slaughtered. Death can never be an answer to the question of a baby boy who would, later on, wonder why he grew up without a father because of this so called “war on drugs” crusade. 

Death can never feed the hungry mouths of a family of eight, now that their bread winner was shot dead along the busy street of the city because he was an alleged drug runner. Death can never heal a mother’s wound brought about by the pains of sorrow and grief because her son was found lying lifeless beside a trash can with a tag on his neck, saying “DRUG ADDICT AKO, HUWAG TULARAN”. Death can never be an answer, nor a solution to our country’s cliched dilemmas.

Why is this happening? It really saddens me. Is this what we want to instill in the minds of our children?

Is this what we want to be known to the world?

Is this what our forefathers had fought for against our invaders and colonizers? To kill each other? Our fellow countrymen?

Is this how are we going to address the pressing issues in our society? Just by killing/ just by death?

Is this what we want to leave to the next generations?

We have gone blinded by our urge for that change. Instead of shedding light to make a brighter tomorrow, we are giving in to resort in wicked ways of eradicating evil.

Remember, a wrong doing cannot be offset by committing another one in making it right.

We are instilling fear instead of discipline. We are breeding rage and angst instead of forgiveness and hope. We are amplifying division instead of unity. The church against the state, the human rights advocates and front-runners against our men in uniform who holds in the mantra, "to serve and protect", and the people who believes in second chances against those who have been sick and tired of the system.

You know what? We are better than this. 

We Filipinos have been known to the world for surpassing each and every storm that come our way, against all odds for centuries. I still believe that these things happen for a reason. 

Let us all pray and hope for the best for our homeland.

Fingers crossed. I know this too shall pass.