Dear Friends

It's been very difficult for me to be with other people. Every time I spend time with them, it feels like I'm out of place. I can't speak properly and can't get into a conversation. But, every time I'm with you guys, my very best friends - I'm comfortable and proud.

I'm with the God-fearing Tropa with very pleasing personality.

BUT!!!

They're constantly not here, they're eternally not around. I can't see them regularly. It's like millions of miles away have been set between us, but it's just only a few kilometers. The distance is so subtle, for they're always online. There's a party of words in our Facebook Group Chat every day and every night - still, those words are not enough to move even a little inches of our skin, closer to each other.

I reminisced the times when happiness was still dominant in our bond. Sitting on a historical structure while captivated by the lights of heavenly bodies. The moonlight at that moment had created a shadow of our affection.

We've been smelling the melted asphalt while we're walking on the crowded street of the city. Searching for different restaurants to eat, and laughing on our cute acts. I miss you so much - my friends.

I felt so much sadness, for we're not complete. There's always a reason why there's be a distance for our happiness.

(for TC)


actually noon ko pa to sinulat. Pero ngayon nakakapag bonding na tayo lagi. hahaha

A Beautiful Talent of Mine

When I was a child. I had a Christian album entitled Jubilee. Every morning I asked my grandfather to play it on our VCD player. I used to sing the song, synchronized to the lyrics that were flashing on the television. I am a 3 year - old at that time.

10 years had passed and at that time, I can say that I have a singing voice, but not so perfect and harmonious. When I'm recording my voice on a recorder and listen to it, It's unpleasant to hear, even though I can follow the notes properly.

I felt insecure to my brothers and my other classmates, for they have a very wonderful singing voice. Their breathing is so good and have been using a unique style that can attract listeners and causing goosebumps.

I often asked myself why my singing voice is ugly. I kept singing in the morning, I mobilized my breath, search Google how to improve singing voice, and more.

I kept recording my singing voice, but I still got disappointed.

A year later, I had joined different choir competition in our School. There, I met Brother Iman and Sir Calipayan. They had taught us different singing and breathing style. I've been doing what they'd taught to me, up to now.

I noticed that my voice got better. I recorded my voice and the improvement was there, I can hear it. I didn't stop having a "hmmm" every morning and doing little vibrato from my stomach.

At last. They'd given me an opportunity to perform on a bigger stage when there's a school festival.

Nowadays, I've been feeling a great positivity when I sing. Thanks to God that he had given me a beautiful talent. That I can use.

Drap Awt

Panay ang hingi ng baon at bonus
Pero sa ulo'y puro hocus pocus
Inaalikabok na ang mga libro
At hindi na nagrereview
Laging DOTA at Facebook ang nasa ulo

Tinapay ang palaging hinihintay
DrapAwt naman palagi
Panay ang bihis ayos
Ngunit ang simpleng exam ay di matapos-tapos

Paano ka aasenso 
Kung puro bato ang iyong ulo
Paano makakapag-isip
Kung panay lagi ang iyong trip

Kaya Bukas pagsikat ng araw
Wag ka nang sumayaw
Wag ka nang gumumik
Wag ka nang maghapi-hapi
Pagkat, ang iyong erpat
Ay, nababangkrap
Kailangan mo, nang umuwi
Sa inyong probinsiya 
At mag- Araro
Dahil ang iyong mga grado
Ay Puro Singko

Globe Telecom 12mbps Upload Speed

     I'm a person who wants fast internet. Surfing the web, watching videos, checking SNS are my daily habit. The 5mbps LTE home connection is so insufficient for me and my family, because, like me, they're using high-bandwidth sites. My brother have been downloading movies and updating PS4 games. Globe Telecom capping (not only Globe) of  50gb per month is so shit. When you consume the 50gb, you will be throttled to 30% of 5mbps which is 1.5 and you will wait next month to refresh the speed.

     At our house in Cavite, we're subscribed at 3mbps Globe DSL. (5mbps LTE is at our house in Caloocan.) I am worried because I'm going there to stay for a week. I'm thinking about how slow the data speed, for 30% of 3mbps is. 9 or 1mbps, and I'm sure that we've reached the 60gb data limit. (60gb for 3mbps DSL and 50gb for 5mbps LTE) if we will be throttled to 1mbps speed, It is so slow because it's shared connection for my family there.

     May 16, 2016.
     When I arrived at our house in Belvedere Town, Tanza, Cavite, the first thing I did was to check the internet speed. I open the speedtest application on my smartphone, and test the connection.

I was so shock because this was the result. I repeated the test, and the result was just the same. I have been happy yet shocked. I think that it was just a joke. (Seriously) I didn't expect something like that (speed) on Globe Telecom. 

12.69 upload speed is so good, for you can watch full HD movies, download games quickly and more. I can watch movies on chromecast too, 

 I had to visit Globe website to check if they changed their plan. But I didn't see any changes on it. I asked my cousin why did the Internet become fast, he told me that the Globe called and asked if we want to upgrade our plan and add P150 on the monthly bill. 

I searched Globe Telecom on Google and went to the news section, but I didn't see news about it. 

What about the Upload Speed?

Upload speed it relatively slow. It's 66mbps. Upload speed is the amount of data you can send. It's important when you're playing online games or uploading pictures. I repeated the test again and again, but the results have been just the same. 

Today. I will test the internet connection again.

The download speed is just the same and the upload remains slow.

I don't know why Globe Telecom becomes fast. I don't know any other details (like its data cap), for my cousin didn't explain to me anything for he's a newbie for Internet thing. 

Hoping for the start of the Philippine Strong Internet connection, with the new administration.

Someone Didn't Die Today

I'm afraid of death in a wrong time. I don't want to see it or feel it. I can't help myself when the situation comes. Just like today.

I woke up late. It's 7:45 in the morning and we have a short film shooting on 8:30am. Even though I know I'm late, I move and packed important things so slow and lazy. I ate breakfast and had a little chit-chat with my brother and auntie.  It's so hot on that morning. My body felt tired to go outside and do something. It’s 35 degrees Celsius and a wind feel of 43. I pressed myself to be energetic and take a shower. Yes! I did it really quick.

After I took a shower, I’m ready to verve. I will go to Antipolo City and it will take about 2 hours of my travel time. I knew I’m very late. I’m about to go out but my grandmother went to her room and took a nap. She felt so dizzy so I moved closely to her, checked her and I thought she was ok.

It’s 8:30am and my smartphone was not ready to unplugged from the charger, so I sit on the sofa and wait until my battery will be 90% ready.

My grandmother went to the comfort room. She stated that her stomach was bad.

Suddenly she shouted for help. “Ian, Ian! Come here! I can’t see anything; my vision is becoming black” she said with a deep painful voice. We thought that it was one of her drama, for my Grandmother have been doing that - to gain attention. Maybe she wants a cuddle or something else done by her family member. But it’s no joke.

When I passed by on the comfort room. I saw her, unconscious. I thought she was sleeping. I call my older brother, Ian to woke her up, for I’m doing my shoe lace. She woke her up but she didn’t move. When I’m finished tying my shoe lace, I wake her up too. She didn’t move or woke up again. She was so cold. I called Michelle our helper to wake her, but she didn’t. It’s like a very cold water was poured on my entire body, I panicked and went to comfort room. I noticed that her breath was stopped. We didn’t know what to do. We’re only three on the house. We’ve called anyone on our landline’s contact list but no one was answering.

“Lord! Lord! Not today please! We’re not ready” I prayed. It’s feel like my body was trembling to death, and gosh she was breathing. I’m relieved, but she’s stayed unconscious.  I kept calling my Aunties.

“She moved” Michelle shouted. I ran to the comfort room and yes! She was moving. We handled her a glass of water. It’s very thankful and the pressure came out. Thanks be to God!

After that, we moved our Grandmother to her room. We turned the air conditioner on to make the room cool.  After an hour, we bring her to the hospital.

At this moment, she’s ok.

Our Life is not ours. We have no power to know at what time it will be shut down, extinct and decomposed. God is the real proprietor. He will make a way to protect or delete it from this world.  Today, me and my brother was God’s given armor to protect or Grandmother’s life from death. He made a way to cancel our appointment. My shooting and Kuya's trip to Puerto Galera was cancelled.

What if we go outside and we leave our grandmother alone? I can’t imagine it. Thank you Lord Jesus, it didn't happen. Death situation is hard to handle. Anyone can die, but someone didn’t die today. 

Sa Darating na Halalalan 2016

     Sa bawat anim na taon sa bansang Pilipinas, nagkakaroon ng National Election. Isang beses pagkatapos ng anim na taon, tayo'y nakakarinig ng mga pangakong minsa'y napapako, mga salita ng bawat tatakbong kandidato na minsa'y nakakairita, marahil alam mo na na hanggang salita lang yung sinasambit nila.

     Iniisip ko, "Bakit kaya gustong magka-posisyon ng taong ito sa gobyerno, gusto lang ba niyang maglingkod, o may ibang balak kaya't gustong pumasok sa politika."

   

     Kapag gusto mong maglingkod - yung tipong maglilingkod lamang, hindi na kailangang ipagmalaki ang iyong nagawa, 'di na kailangan isigaw sa buong mundo kung san ka nag-aral, 'di na kailangang sabihing laki ka sa hirap, hindi na kailangang manira ng kapwa politika, sa dahilang kaayusan at kapayapaan ang hinihangad para sa sintang bansa. Dapat maging masaya nalang dahil may tao pang nais maglingkod at gustong baguhin para sa nakakabuti ang isang bansa. Manalo ka man o matalo, maging masaya ka nalang. 

    

     Kapag ito'y ginagawa ng isang politician, alam na this!

    

     Isa pa! Bakit yung mga corrupt ang kakapal ng mukha? Hindi na nahiya, hindi ba sila naaawa sa mga taong wala nang makain mga taong pinagkaitan ng matiwasay na buhay. Bawat pera ng sambayanan na ipinapasok ng mga corrupt sa kanilang bulsa, ay nagdudulot ng paghihirap ng mga mamamayan sa tahanan, transportasyon, internet, at marami pang iba. 

    

     Sa darating na May 09, 2016, matatapos na ang termino ng ating kasalukuyang Presidente, Bise-, Senador at mga LGU officials. Sila'y mapapalitan, tataas ang posisyon o mananatili. Tayo'y magdasal sa Panginoon na maging isang maunanlad, payapa at disiplinadong bansa ang Pilipinas sa kamay ng mga bagong halal. 

Memories of the Ashes (University of The East Fire Tribute)

There is something really odd about life,

where happiness transcends through the sharpness of a knife

Welcoming nostalgia and seconds of the past,

for burned by fire and a minute knows the last

It was without notice

A home faded into mere rubble

Across the miles of docents

It was without shame

It was without negotiation

Without omen, it possessed bewilderment

Without premonition, it inclined remorse

It was without warning, soil not inherited

It was without notice A home is lost

Forgotten and lost, a face of an oblivion

All was lost, consumed by flames of obliteration

But cherish, cherish all the moments we left behind,

Remnants of all sweet things will never lose in mind.

If love hides in the lowest level of our heart,

So what is essential is worn in the eye

Until Fate decides to snap the string goodbye

In that instance eyes becomes sad kind of plight

Do you remember? The laughter along the hallway

How everything seemed like child's play

Even when stressed with paperwork

Everything seemed like clockwork.

Do you recall that day in April?

When you woke up to news so painful

When your heart ached because of the things you'll never see again

Things that were once so mundane

Now, even though those memories burn in the flames of ember

I hope you will remember, the times spent together

Along the green and white painted walls

Beyond those walls I heard my soul 

Within those halls I met my fate 

Those places may turn into ashes 

But the spirit of the dreamers is getting great

From the ashes of the past we shall return 

For our passion residing in our hearts still burns 

We find hope in the scorched embers 

As the respite comes we shall rise together

For the students of University of The East Manila

Composed by:

Ethelbert L. Ocampo

Sage Gaurano

Angeline Cheng

Ghela Magsajo

Mikee Isabel Zaplan

Kitkat Guillermo

Solrac DawalUE Manila Fire