ONLINE GAMING HAS BENEFITS TOO?!

Online gaming has been thought to have posed a threat to the intellectual development of the youth. But this concept of this so-called plagues of moral and intellectual society is an unfair lapse of judgement.

It is true that there are a thousand and one effects of online gaming: fallin' grades, unecessary expenditures, erratic school attendance, peer pressure, peer group shift, bullying, increasing rate of eye defects, body pains, lack of quality time, and the list goes on and on. Health deterioration now has a new culprit, as well does morality degradation. Even poor social skills have been linked to online gaming. Technology's expansion again has manifested it's degrading effect, to the youth, to the society, and in all aspects of the community.

But what is often overlooked is the smilingly latent benefits of computer gaming. Ironically, habitual gaming can result to intricate budgetting- as in one plans for his daily expenses. Another benefit is a diverse social circle, which in turn causes improvement in communication skills, as opposed to popular belief. people get to mingle with other people of different reace, of different culture, and of different community, which in turn causes interconnectedness and interrelationship of people. On the other aspects, online gaming enhances hand-eye coordination, developed through time in the realms of cyberspace.

vocabulary significantly widens, as does knowledge in history, mythology, current events and culture. It is also suggested that IQ of gamers increases as well as brain activity. Logic, reasoning and strategy re also heightened, notes expert, physocological studies.

And, to end my argument though quite prematurely, and drive to win and the pursuit of excellence is what gamers have as a cut anove the rest.

It is not all about the dark side. Online gaming has sunk perks to, and these perks may be just what it takes to survive in the world - in the real worls, and in the virtual.

Summary of Max Schulman's "Love Is A Fallacy"

I was a logical, keen, calculating, perspicacious, acute, and astute student in our university. Though I was just so young just at the age of eighteen and yet my brain was as powerful as a dynamo, as precise as a chemist's scales, as penetrating as a scalpel.
I have this roommate in our university named Petey Bellows. We have the same age, same background, but he is dumb as an ok. Yes! He is a nice enough fellow, an emotional type of person, unstable, impressionable and worst of all a faddist.
One afternoon I found Petey lying on his bed with an expression of such distress on his face that I suspected him that he has been suffering from appendicitis. But when I consulted him he just mumbled thickly that he wanted a raccoon coat. "Raccoon coat?", I asked myself. And I was curious on why does he wants a raccoon coat. And his reason was "All the Big Men on Campus are wearing them". He is so desperate of having one for him to be in the group. He somehow envies the popular men in the campus and that he wanted to be accepted in their group too by blending with them through wearing the coat these popular men are also wearing. Though I tried to stop him from his being desperate of having one, like giving him some characteristics that a raccoon coat has which I thought could discourage him from having it. But still I can't do anything. And instead he told me that he is willing to do everything just to be able to have one.
As far as I have remembered, my father had one of this raccoon coat in his undergraduate days. It was placed in the attic back home. And then so right is the time that Petey had what I "wanted". What I "wanted" refers to a person, a girl named Polly Espy. They are so close to each other and which I can say that Petey is more righteous to her. And that I wanted her to be mine. Actually Polly is beautiful. She was not yet of pin-up proportions, she already had the makings, was gracious of which I mean that she is full of graces, had an erectness of carraige, an ease of bearing, a poise that clearly indicated the best of breeding and her table manners were exquisite. Not mentioning that she was not intelligent. And I though that through my guidance she would become intelligent.
I gave the raccoon coat to Petey and our deal that I would be dating with Polly for several nights and make her fall for me was "on". The following night I had my first date with Polly. I first taught her some fallacies of logic. "Logic was a science of thinking", I explained to her. Continuing our conversation I discussed her the first fallacy of logic which is the Dicto Simpliciter, which means that means an argument based on an unqualified generalization, then I cited her some examples that best expalins the fallacy. Then afterwhcih we took up the next fallacy called Hasty Generalization, then after sicussing several examples we then move on to Post Hoc and to the last topic of that night's conversation was the Contradictory Premises. She did enjoy the conversation and still wanted more. But as I can see my watch that it is already time for us to go home.
But the following night of our date, I continued teaching her the fallacies of logic, the Ad Misericordiam, False Analogy, Hypothesis Contrary to Fact and Poisoning the Well and just like the first night we discussed the fallacies of logic I also expalined to her some examples of the following fallacies. After I have discussed to her evrything I thought to myself that she is already perfect and is fitted already to become my wife. Then I told her that if we could be together and that if she wanted to be my wife because I think that she perfectly fits me fo having spent her five nights of discussion and I think that she is already intelligent enough to be mine. But instead she argued and answer me back with the fallacies of logic I taught her in evry situation and question I asked her. And though I tried my best to have her. Still she turned away from me and that the end Polly went to Petey and they became together for her reason that Petey had a raccoon coat.

A Reaction to Max Schulman's " Love Is A Fallacy"

What are Fallacies and Logic? How about Dicto Simpliciter, False Analogy, Post Hoc, Hasty Generalization, Contradictory Premises, Ad Misericordiam, Hypothesis Contrary to Fact, and Poisoning the Well? What are these words all about?

Fallacies are actually false notions or statements or arguments based on a false or invalid inference. I may also be incorrectness of reasoning or belief; erroneousness, or the quality of being deceptive. While Logic on the other hand is defined as the the study of the principles of reasoning, especially of the structure of propositions as distinguished from their content and of method and validity in deductive reasoning or a system or a mode of reasoning as well. These words are somewhat familiar to me but I don't actually know much about these words. And the other words like the Dicto Simpliciter are the fallacies of logic.

I seemed like I know these words so much, but actually these are just "alien" words in my "vocabulary". I was able to meet all these stuffs when I read the story written by Max Schulman which is entitled "Love Is A Fallacy". The title was kind of captivating which somehow encourage me to really read the story. But the title of the story has been an issue to me and has really bothered me for sometime. I can't really think of any reason why the author entitled the story such. But anyways the story was magnificent. Really far from what I expected. Honestly, at the very first time I attempted to read the story I felt like I don't want to read it, but of course for some reasons. One of which is because I find it long and to think I was just renting in the internet cafe. Another is that I felt that the story will just bored me. But, unfortunately I was wrong and again made to realize that I must not judge things right away. It turned out that I find the story to be so nice and funny. The story was humurous because there the main character in the story liked this girl and did everything just to let the girl fall for him yet at the end, the girl turned out to like the friend of the main character just because of a raccoon coat. I thought that there was a deeper reason behind her decision. But just of a raccoon coat?! I'm really wondering why, when the main character then has almost everything. He has the intelligence and aside from that he is good looking. Wasn't he? Yet the girl still chose to be with the guy's friend just because of a coat when this guy she chose to commit herself, was a dumb. I felt sorry for the girl for she doesn't know to really think who she'll give her love to and was just carried by being popular or the popularity of the guy.

The story shows that most people nowadays would always do everything just to be accepted or like fit in a group. And that we easily envy things even though he or she don't have that much or is not capable of having it. And that we have also been carried easily by a person's popularity.

The story has somehow taught me some things for me to always put in mind. And one of which is that I should not get jealous to things right away and do everything taht I could do so that I could have it though it isn't so important.

But nevertheless, I liked the whole story. And I'm still looking forward on how I could solve my question regarding the title of the story.

What has technology brought to us?

Tiny computers, Robots that serve coffee. Cars that park themselves. Science has come this far, and it is definitely not stopping to advance. Soon we will find ourselves in full automated houses and many more advanced technologies around us. Life will pace even faster that it does now.

It seems that man’s quest to make his lifestyle as convenient as possible is a never-ending chase. Give on a computer that helps him solve math problems, and he will look for a laptop. Give him a laptop, and he will want a smaller, more powerful computer that fits the palm of his hand he wants a cell phone that takes pictures and plays music. He wants a television set that covers whole of its wall. But control doesn’t end gadgets and machines. We want to be in control with all aspects of our lives. Even the food we eat now is different. Our farmers have been enjoying the fruits of technology. Now, we have corns that pests cannot invade. We have bigger grains of rice. There are these people already that have made ways to grow crops being immune already with diseases and pests. This raises productions and the livelihood of farmers.

With such developments it seems that we are all winning, right? Well, not quite. While we are all enjoying these new technologies, but at the same time we are using up Mother Earth’s resources, and as we all know that we do have limited supply of these resources. And by these things we have apparently used it in most ways that have contributed to the destruction of our environment or simply our Mother Earth. Just like in the conference I just recently attended which is all about An Inconvenient Truth documentary related to Global Warming and the conditions of our environment and our worls we are now in. And that we have been experiencing the effects of greenhouse gases which leads to the fast melting of the ice caps in the Artic area which is of a very big problem if it would all dry up.

But still, Science is trying to repair the harm done. Alternative energy resources are being researched. Just like here in the Philippines. WE have these volcanoes wherein we make use of its geothermal power and by planting different geothermal plants in different regions in which by this way it could somehow help in the reduction in the power production.

While research for alternative sources of energy is still underway, we all can do our part in preserving nature. Conservation of energy is one, and we can even do this in our own homes. Scientists take part in conservation, too – creating machineries that ease our lives without sacrificing the environment. A smart cooling an heating systems is one such example. Using light from the sun’s rays which is virtually infinite, we can cool and heaty our homes despite the actual climate. Because it uses solar power, the Earth's limited fuel resources will remain untouched.

At the rate were going, we just hope that the earth-saving technological developments would catch up wi8th earth-damaging ones. If we were able to make all these gadgets and technological advancements, then we can surely take control of the damages brought by all these things. This is the task that of which we all, scientists or not, must take part.

Punishment: Denalty Penalty Law

God gave us this precious life. God is good and perfect. He created human beings according to His likeness. And they are called to be compassionate as their Father is compassionate.

The question then o the taking of life as punishment for heinous crimes comes to mind when we talk about life as a gift from God. Is the execution o convicted offenders necessary to bring justice to their victims?

A sovereign nation has its own set of laws and policies that govern its people, or its citizens. But there are some laws and policies that ought to be abolished by society. One is Capital Punishment, the law of man that punishes with death any person convicted or allegedly guilty of a heinous crime. This has caused uproar of protests among concerned sectors of our society. It was one of the controversial issues in which the highest court of the land – the Supreme Court became principally involved. Popular opinions suggest that Death Penalty Law would deter the compassion h heinous crime. Still others suggest that without it, our society would be roofing a flock of criminals.

But what do I really think, aim or really express in this blog? For one, that crimes are just the reflection of the ills of a society. And will never be at peace without addressing our society’s most dreaded diseases – poverty and defective criminal justice system. If you’re poor, you’ll die by lethal injection. But if you are rich, you may escape death through proper connections because you have all the money to buy your way out o conviction.

The Death Penalty Law will not deter the commission of heinous crimes in our society. History would attest to this. For it had implanted during the Marcos regime and it never solved criminality.

If the government sincerely craves for peace, it should first address the root-causes of criminality – crisis an poverty. But if not, genuine peace which we have been longing for will never reign in our society. At the very least, the government must lower the death penalty to mere life imprisonment. The law o the state should reflect the moral law that is interpreted according to its spirit. It must be interpreted to reflect reality.

The law should reassert the role o the reasoning heart in moral decision making. It must be the moral duty of the government to rehabilitate criminals so that they could get back into a normal life. Death is not the answer.

It is the ills of the society that has driven man towards evil. This of course does not mean that I am denying personal responsibility and the tendency of each of us to do evil. But we should always consider that the sinful tendency of each of us is a reality we are born into. No one should be self-righteous and vengeful so as to demand that the life of another be taken for the wrong he had committed. And I believe that to be a Christian, is to allow the grace of God to change a person and not to end that hope toward transformation.

Genuine Filipino

People from other countries usually appreciate how we Filipino’s welcome our visitors. We Filipinos are known for being hospitable and warm. Besides, we too are generous. No wonder even in the countryside we can see foreigners come to the Philippines and are enjoying their stay and having the best time of their lives. They even prefer to live in our country than to saty in their own homelands for they easily find a home with us. Others get married to our beautiful; women while others do business in our country.

Foreign products are brought into our country – automobiles, appliances, textiles, luxury goods and many more goods, as some economists would say. Dollars are high in value compared to our peso. More taxes will be added to our national coffers. Besides, Filipinos would be able to taste “stateside” goods, as some materially-oriented people would say, “Taste it and you’ll see the difference”.

These are just few of the few things we can notice in our country. But if it is a reality that we Filipinos have a “unique” lifestyle. After all we are a unique mixture of the East and West. The danger is that as we are carried along by our Western standards, we lose our footing; our “being Filipinos”. There’s aneed for us to visit again our past to reappropriate the genuine values and heritage of our people so as not to lose them forever. WE must treasure them and transmit them to the next generation.

People and products are the primary cultural carrier in a society. It is a fact that as people interact there is always something they share among themselves and that is their cultural mind-set. The same phenomenon also happens with the use of products. People and products could become doors of entry to cultural loss if we remain dreaming of the nice things our senses are enjoying. WE must don’t notice the negative effect of foreign influence on us, as it slowly crawls and smothers our values, especially in the family – which we have long considered the source of strength and solace. For the family is God’s temple where everyone is nurtured in love. This particular issue seems insignificant to most of us but it would become a major problem for us in the near future if we do not do something about it. It is a fact that we are already living under the influence of a foreign mind-set but how could we go out of it and uplift our own culture.

Being Filipinos, we are proud of our nation and our people. It’s an asset on our part that we are socially gifted people. We are a people who know how to extend our gift even tio those people outside the family. Most probably because we are all Christians. It already took roots in our history as a people and as a nation.

But how far have we come as Filipinos? Where are we know as a Christian nation?

Living the Third " Honor Thy Father and Thy Mother"

Love begins at home. Honor your parents and you honor no less than yourself.

Long before the meaning become clear-love-you received it. Breathing life, nourishing that fragile body, stemming the flood tears when your first and only love said goodbye. Love abounded and abided.

The 3rd commandment wxhorts us to honor our parents. It didn's say how. So our ever enterprising merchants showed the way and provided the mercahndise. Not to longa go we only ahd Christmas, and now we rate Mother' and Father's day.Eventually, our grandparents had their day, too. Setting aside special time for extra special people ought to be done much. Even overdone. if only to focus our attention to the essential and quickly passing. Quality time spent with quality people.

yet we ofte take them for granted. They're busy, anyway. Work, always working. never mind taht is for us. We choose to think tyhat they pay attention to us only when we fail to live up to their expectations, we don't study hard enough, or mindlessly pursue our multi-tasking stints in front of the TV, computer, and telephone (0while simultaneously texting taht very same person we're talking to). Then, when it's toime for our annual retreat, or just one of those terrible days when conscience pays a visit, we wonder if we have honored, respected and loved our parents enough. Most likely not. Sounds familia?r? Bless me father for i have sinned... disobeyed my parents... been disrespectful... told some white lies, etc...

Honoring takes more than taken the gift giving, using po or opo another outward sigh\ns of affection. We don't discount these, but we need more as we grow older, mercifully wiser. WE honor our parents with our hearts . Each time we consciously (minus the grumbling and matching tantrum effects) attend to our studies, do our bit at home, not waste time (not to mention allowance money) trekking the malls and billiard halls, we give and share whatever love we have deep within.

We show our respect by not saying 'yes' when we mean a 'no' instead. Everytime we create an alibi to go someplace we shouldn't be, we unwittingly say no to their admonitions for us to avoid those places and people. Sure they cannot be expected to always be in sync with our adolescent needs and craving for adventure. Still, they know and can see what we don't. their collective experience have prepared them for the task of looking aftr our welfare and best interest. Though, of course, we may not toatally agree. Wait till you become a parent.

We honor them by not hurting ourselves in order to hurt them back whenever we can't get our way. Rebellion, its subtlest form, harms us, too.

There certainly are no ahrd and fast rules when it comes to loving, honoring and respecting. Be it ourselves or others. We learn in time and with patience. Tall order, indeed. Never easy and hardly free. Anything in aid of growth never is. We amke countless, repeated mistakes, learn along the way, harbor regrets and always, always just keep on loving. God graciously accepts our sincere ering. WE give it our best shot, God will provide whatever is missing or lacking and even throws a us.

Creative Responsibility

What does it mean to become fully human? How does creative responsibility brings us towards the core of our humanity and ethical life?

Creative?Responsibility? These two words have different definitions but when these two words are combined to form one word which is "creative responsibility" then this would already mean a different way around. In this blog I am to share to you my own outlook and understanding regarding this word.

Man's moral life, at the outset, can best be identified and describe as a life of creative responsibility. Since man's vocation is becoming fully human, this commitment to the fullness and wholeness of being human is the foundation of morality. This is somewhat like our respond to the human necessity to the best person we can possibly become. It is doing good because it is good - it is doing the truly human thing. Furthermore, the asserts that "it is making decisions in response to our humans thrust to be good rather than in response to the necessity of law, to social pressure, to doing our own thing, or even avoiding sin or doing basd things against the will or commandments of God" .

A person who responds creatively to what he can be and should think in a positive manner rather than in a negative way. A person who responds creatively to his human potentials commits himself to choices to do good, thus, commits himself to what is bad. A moral eduactor, for example, is not moral only because it is personally and humanly necessary for him or her to be so. He or she is also moral in his or her role as a father or mother, husband or wife, son or daughter, or as a sister or brother to his or her siblings. Like in the case of students just like me, is that he or she is considered as a morally responsible high school student when he or she responds to more than the demands of his or her individual nature to his or her fellowmen especially the elders: He responds to the needs of his teacher, his clssmates gis parents, his alma mater, even to his neighborhood and the subject matter of his studies. This is waht it means to be a moral person: to create an atmosphere of good, to help improve the world in which one lives, and to help others and human kind in general to achieve its vision.

-The ideal of what it means is to be human. The vision of a society where human beings live in true justice, companion, goodness, respect of course in order or us to recognize equality wherein we learn to respect the rights of others, which woul lead us to achieve peace easily and most especiallyis the love.

So therefore I could say or conclude that creative responsiblity is not individual but collective; it is coresponsibility. The moral life should be presented as a life of creative responsilbility. To grow in responsibility - for one's self, fellowmen, and to ones God.

FRIENDS.....

" When life ia a t best and the sun is shining on the road ahead, Love and laughter with a friend make happiness complete. The hills we have climbed suddenly seem far away, but a good friend remains- who live, laugh, share and never so quietly to kick the peebles out of our way" -Claudia Miniken-

This blog is somwhat related to parents and children relationship to one another which somehow connects to the real meaning of friendship and friends.

I have found out that youth had developed already alternative resources of guidance, authority, security and intimacy. And they usually get these things from friends. However, it is important to note that proper parental guidance is significant during adolescence.

Perhaps, it all boils down to the need of parents and children to develop and nurture the value of friendship. We could compare friendship from the activity of walking. Walking alone is good. there are many thing we would discover on our own. However walking with somebody is different. It is more exciting and interesting. While walking we could share ideas, stories, aspirations and many others with each other. We will enjoy the walk and together we will discover many things. We will see things and events in different angles. Thus, life becomes more colorful and meaningful.

Our life is characterized by relationships or interrelatedness. Why is it so? It is because, it is innate in us human beings to enter relationships and without this we can neitehr live nor develop our gifts. God did not create human beings and the left the alone. He created man and woman as partners and to be his stewards in taking care of the whole of creation. AS philosophers would say, "human beings are social beings". We do not live alone. As the song goes, "No man is an island, No man stands alone". We need somebody to be with.


Our life is a long journey and we are all travelers . Our journey is a familiar one but we are not sure what will happen to us as we go along the way. Certainly, everybody wishes a good life. In our journey we meet people and become familiar with some of them. As we go along, little by little, we start discover things unique to each of them and our relationships with them become deeper and more intimate. they become our friends.

In the Philippines, friendship is a value deeply ingrained in the filipino culture. As a people filipinos are one of the very few in the world who give friends a special place in their hearts and homes. Friends come next after families and relatives. Sometimes, they take the palce of parents and siblings. Often times, a friend becomes the alter ego of a person. And to get closer to his friends. When the rest of the worlds is turning cold and indifferent, true friends also become a shelter. They are the ones who would never reject and put you down.

Friends are not only persons special to us. They are also God's gifts to us. They too have virtues and values to share. A good friends points out beauity along the way. Often we are so busy with our lives we forget to notice all there is to enjoy. Sometimes friends are there to slow down us and appreciate this simple things around us. Best of all, a close friend can teach us the good we often miss in those around us for example the simple smile taht makes other persons happy. A good friend knows us well and recognizes our weaknesses, so he or she can often guide us
away from potential trouble. So, do not be upset when he or she would after suggestions or unsoliceted advice. A good friend eases our load when we grow tired. A simple message of concern means a lot.

When travelling through life, do not forget to bring along with you your friend. Friends encourage us to grow so us to reach our potentials, and they applaud us and affirm us when we reach our goals.

Youth is Cool

I find it hard to believe that the youth today will only follow what is cool. "Coolness" form me is usually a kind of defense, a mask that hides what is really happening within. People project a different self so as to avoid feeling embarassed to have that aura of "Yeah!, I'm Ok, Are you? " Symptoms of "coolness" include a variety of body languages like a poker face, and upward tilt of the chin or a frown. The use of the term "coolness" is a defense which the youth especially use to hide their insecurities and flaws.

However, if by coolness, one understands it as doing what is good and true and standing up for even though it's not the popular thing to do, like, drinking liquors and smoking though he or she knows that it is not good for him or her, joining rebellious fraternities which does not lead to a good example of a real brotherhood but instead it serves as a bad influence to them. Just because they are peer pressured by their friends and that they want to be accepted in the group. Then by all means "coolness" should be fostered. But if it hinders the person to bring out the genuineness of his personhood; the truth in the individual, then it must be demolished and reshaped into the image of the first.

When I go to church, I observe that people use a lot of masks. their body language betrays them; you can see people with arms crossed, immobile, passive- they dont participate in their responses. You could not help thinking that they are "worshipping zombies". Although deep inside them they would like to experience a genuine feeling of prayer and serenity, they are hindered from achieving this because of the masks that are automatically worn in public. It takes a lot of reflection and introspection to know oneself better before one can successfully remove this masks. And I think that it takes true and authentic love for God to overcome this unnatural behavior. You may ask why I call wearing masks unnatural. Well, because I believe to be natural is to be secure with ourselves and not to be afraid to show who we really are even when other people are around. it takes the power of prayer for us to be patient with ourselves as we stirve towards self transformation. of course, this will eventually make us feel vulnerable but to the soul who loves God, and who decide to be true to him, true joy will come because God inspires him and becomes His strength.

If we are really sons and daughters of God, then we must show it. We say we are children of God yet we are ashamed to pray and talk to Him who is our Father. We say we are His children and yet we do acts that do violence to the term "children of God. We must think and reflect than what it means to be called a child of God, let us go on and be one. And maybe we will hear our guardian angel tell us "Cool Man".

Religiosity and the Youth of Today

"The youth is marginalized sector of scoiety. They are the most ignored, exploited and taken forgranted"-Pope John Paul II

There was a time when ones dedication and devotion to the spiritual sphere of ones life was deemed with utmost respect and reverance.

In the past, children as well as adults from all walks of life, recited the angelus religiously and whole-heartedly, whether in the streets, farms or the confines on their own homes.

In the past, the filipino value of pagmamano was given importance and equated with respect and filial obedience. failure to kiss the hands of elders was a sign of disrespect and kawalang modo (rudeness).

In the past, almost all families, parents together with their children, attended their Sunday obligations as one. there was no reason to give excuses for not attending the eucharistic celebrations-unless maybe one was terminally ill.

In the past, the lenten season, especially holy week was a time to do penance, fasting, and soul-searching. Laughing, giggling, shouting and other boisterous acts were a big no-no for they were considered "mortal sins" by our forebears.

These, and other religious practices make up the spiritual psyche of the filipinos-the unique religiosity that makes the filipinos a stand-out compared to other people. Furthermore, it is also this reliogiosity that has enabled us withstand the calamities of time brought forth by anture or by man himself.

And yes, it is the same spiritually that has been snubbed and taken for granted by the youth of today.

They have more opportunity to be with their barkada in the malls than to attend the Lethargis Sunday Eucharistic Celebration. Moreover, the beaches are more alluring to the holy week traditional practices of penintensiya and pag-aayuno. Though, we must admit that many filipino youth still frequent mass, as compared to their western counterparts who considered churchgoing as a part of the past and so most of those who go to church are the old people. that liberal rationalistic expressions of modern sentiments spell out that faith in God is out of date and that God is but merely idol dreamt up by man.

Pope John Paul II, however, believes that the youth are the most sincere, generous, idealistic and hopeful sector of the society. At this particular stage, they dream dreams and once they are frustrated, they destroy themselves or others..."

Although the Gen X appears more open to change than their elders, there is a confusion and insecurity in their part when they are confronted with the so called post modern values taht question or critique the traditions they used to value. They express their doubts and uncertainties about the values and ideals of the institutions of family, work and culture which, according to John Paul II, are the three most powerful" sources of values-formation and authentic relationships."

Youth, he added, are acutely aware of the contradictions in adult society. In view of this, they are honestly looking for heroes, prophets and teachers who could inspire confidence, enthusiasm and commitment through witnessing.

The Other Face of Christmas!

For almost a thousand years, Christmas has been celebrated by christians in all parts of the world. The celebration and celebrants may differ in many ways but the day has the same meaning for all-it commemorates the birth of Christ, Christmas shows us a Jesus who is himself rich but became poor that he might enrich us with his poverty.

Today, facing our social reality especially the plight of our people including those who are working abroad, we are led to another view of Christmas. A discrimating Christmas. A Christmas which ignores the poverty of our people.

A true Christmas culture as I define it, should make others happy through the sharing of love and peace by challenging everybody to apply and live the message of the Child's birth in the manger-to be in solidarity with the poor and to challenge a corrupt social system based on power and domination. But in our harsh reality, Christmas is very different. A Christmas which is supposed to give face and strength to the poor (materially, financially and spiritually), is distorted by the culture of commercialism and materialism. Christmas is identified with money and the culture of the "haves". Evrybody is on the go, shopping for Christmas gifts, for decors and for table at Noche Buena and so on. Other sare busy preparing for vacations, outings and family reunions. Indeed, Christmas has become like a big birthday party minus the birthday celebrator!

Those who have less in life; those who are in the margins of society are the ones who are always left behind. Christmas for them has become a mere dream-a Christmas meant only for some.

Everybody hopes for a joyful Christmas and a good life too. Nobody likes to live in poverty. But, if we are going to look at the plight of our people, we will notice the gap between the rich and the poor has become more defined. For the rich, tghe big gap doesn't mean anything, but for the poor ot matters a lot. It is manifested by the fact that the poor see themselves as helpless victims of the social order because they who have nothing are even getting poorer while others who are in great abundance are even getting richer. It seems that society has a big bias against them.

But let us not forget that the very essence of Christmas. God became poor, for the society to recognize the struggle of our poor brothers and sisters. to give them a face and place in society.

As we celebrate Christmas, may we not just focus on the externals that accompany it, but also and more importantly on the true meaning of this season. Let us not forget our starving neighbors, the children begging in the streets, our tribal brothewrs and sisters knocking on our doors and many others. Giving them material gifts is good but offering them love and concern is better. Are you prepared to help them, not only by just giving them goods every Christmas but by living in solidarity with them everyday of your life?

Summer!

Summer?! How do people define this word? What do people do during this season?

Summer is usually the warmest season of the year. Most people go back to their provinces, go to other parts of the country or eevn in other countries for a vacation. A period of fruition, fulfillment or even happiness for most. Anoter fact is that most of the students are happy at this point of the year for they could already take a rest from all the tiring scool projects, assignments, practices,and discussions. Just like any other student I'm also happy during this season because I could get to take a rest from all the school stuffs and somefow feel accomplished for all the hardships I've done in school. Like this coming summer I'm already so excited because I am about to accomplish and end my almost ten months of hardworks in my second year high school stay in UP (University of the Philippines). Though this season is very hot or warm I still find it as a nice time of the year because I could get to see my other cousins , friends and relatives again. And have more time to spend with them. There are also times that I go to the beach with my friends or relatives for sun bathing (No, just kidding!). We really go to the beach to relax, have fun and to somehow ease our longing for the cold waters of the beach.( Because we often go to the beach in a year...) . Another reality is that many "palamig business" like ice creams, snow cone, halo-halo and other cold desserts are now very in demand in stores and supermarkets for this people consider this to somehow quench their thirst and to ease their warm feelings due to the warm temperature. At this time too my other hang out is in the spots complex in our barangay. You know why?! It is because I always watch the summer basketball league tournament. Aslo becasue some o my cousins are going to play on the said competition.
Actually this has already been my schedule every summer. I wake up the late and the earliest time is about 8 o'clock in the morning. Then, I help in cleaning the house. In the afternoon I went around the plaza or just play badminton with my friends. And evry night, we go to the sports complex to watch the basketball games. We usually go home at around 12 o'clock in the evening. But, as soon as we arrive home we don't usually sleep right away. We still make "chika-chika" on our favorite place in our street the place which we called "bukid-bukid" (It is because it is like a small hill !). And if the time we get hungry I and my friends so as my cousins go to the bakeshop to buy some bread. This is the best time o the year for me because i can enjoy a lot and have more time to be with my friends. How a bout you? How do you find summer? Do you also consider it as the best time of the year like me?

I am who I am.......

Each one of us is different in our own ways. We may be the same in many ways but there is really something in us that makes us different from the other. Even twins, they may have the same faces but they will always differ from one another. It maybe in the way they dress or in their attitude.
I also differ from you not only physically but
also on the inside attitude I have in me. People may think I am like this and like that. I do this and that. But whatever people may think all I could say is that this is me. We can't really resist people's first impression towards us, right?! Because they don't
know us that much yet. Actually as far I know myself, I am a girl filled with so many dreams. I dreamed of becoming a singing superstar someday because I have this passion in music particularly in singing. I sing but not really that good. And because of my love for music I am now currently a member of the "Glee Club" in our school. My inspiration of reaching this dream of mine someday is my favorite artist the "Pop Princess", Ms. Sarah Gronimo. I also love taking care of kids like my young cousins, my nephews and nieces. I'm also fond of teaching them basic nursery lessons that's why before I dreamed too of being a teacher someday and build my own nursery center for those kids especially for those who are less fortunate in life. AS a teenager I love to hang out with my friends. Just strolling around the mall looking at new dress, shoes, some sort of girl stuffs.I'm not really close with my boy calssmates and friends. I just don't feel like being close to them. I always think that they are not good friends 'till the day i've proven it wrong to myself .It was when I get the chance know them more and that's the time i've ralized that they can be also good friends and better than my other girl friends. I wear "short" short pants, spagetti straped blouses, razor backs and even mini skirts. I just find myself comfortable when I wear these kind of dresses but of course not in church. Every summer I always go with my cousins in the sports complex in our barangay in watching the yearly summer basketball league. I could often hear comments from my friends or classmates regarding my attitude that I am a strict and a hot-tempered person and most of them who say this are my boy classmates and friends. They also say that they are afraid at me especially when I start to become mad.(hahaha...)Yes! I admit I am strict and hot-tempered but as far as i'm concerned I only turn out into this kind of person when it comes to school works like projects and plays which I think is really effective for them to have some respect on me as not only a person but as a leader aw well. I also have this attitude wherein I pity old people especially this amereican people who are in the country and just walking around without no one with them as if they are alone in this world. As a friend too I always see to it that I can have time for my friends. A time for me to listen to their problems and everything they want to tell and to somehow give them my opinion or my advice. In our "barkada" at home I'm also the peace-maker of the group.(char!) I find ways for my friends who have problems and misunderstandings towards each other for them to talk and arrange things between them. As ar as I want I don't rseally wnat to have enemies. But we could never resist that there are people who doesn't for who and what we have been to showing to them so thay will hate us for who we are by back-stubbing us. But all I could say is that this is me. I've been being true to myself. What I have been showing to the people is myself. Just a simple girl who always wish and hopes to be accepted for who I am.

Years of Challenges!

Have you ever heard or read this message: "Blessed are those who are given so many challenges by God for He knows that you are strong enough to carry all the problems and most of all he believes that you can do it!" ? Its' such a nice and inspiring message, isn't it? But it's sad to know that only a few believes in this and that most contradict to this message especially those who have problems and thinks that God is not with them. But as I have understand this message I could say that God gives us challenges for us to go back to Him, recognize Him and realize that there is only that one person whom we could ran to always, anytime and anywhere at the saddest part of our lives aside from the people around us. Yes! all of us have veen given tests by God which could either change and loose our faith towards Him or keep and make us strong and even stronger so as in tightening our faith towards Him. Now I will share to you the challeges I and my family underwent called "our years of challenges".
Like all of you I and my family experiences test or challeges too, as if each year there is always that very big problem that will come to our family.
One was when I was still about a month old at that time when the house we rented got burned. And unfortunately we were not able to save any of the things we had at home such as appliances and clothes. But we are still happy because no one in the family was hurt and a lot o our relatives helped us recover rom the tragedy.The next challenge came when I got sick of dengue. At that time I don't have the strong body resistance to fight the disease because I as still young. So, i have to be hospitalized for a couple o days for urther observations. Bags of blood were transplanted to me and some of which came from my father.(so touching!)Thanks God again because I got cured. Another one came when we noticed something wrong on my brother's leg.It has a diferent shape compared to his other leg. At the same time he was also compalining of the pain he feels on it. We worried so much beacuse we thiought it is something complicated. But so far from our expectations, the doctor said thatit was just normal. Just a sign and a part of his growth and being so athletic.And just recently we are facing this challenge regarding my father's helath. We are not yet sure of his real sickness. He has been compalining about his stomachache and abnormal use of the comfort room everyday. We also noticed that he became thin now . Now, he has been undergoing several treatments. And we are again so blessed because we have our neighbors who are helping us in some of the expenses. From the two tests the doctor's were sad of the result and he was advised the to undergo another test. And it was so much of a blessing to know that it is not as complicated as we thought.
We were able to overcome and pass these challenges by praying to God for guidance and asking Him to give each one of us in the family more strength. And as I have noticed that instead of loosing hope we were more hopeful, we became stronger and we became closer to God. Our family's faith towards Him became even more stronger too. That's how God knocks our heart for us to know that He is just there though we can't see Him and that He doesn't give us problems which we can't solve.

A Day For Our Teachers..........

We have this yearly celebration of KYSD or the Know Your School Day in our school. during this week-long celebration we give tributes to our teachers and mentors who have become our second parents (mother/ father) and part our daily lives as well. Within these days we give thanks to them for all the hardworks, patience, love, care, knowledge and everything that have helped us to what we have become and known now aside from our real parents of course. During this days too we are given the opportunity to experience what our teachers do!
Actually, we have just celebrated our KYSD (Know Your School Day) last January. I wasn't able to teach any of the subjects we have in our year level unlike last year wherein I taught 2 subjects: Science 1-C and Health 1. But anyways I'll just share to you my last year's experience on this KYSD activity/ celebration in our school. A week before the activity I thought to myself on what subject/s did I excel which is suitable for me to teach. Then afterwhich I was given a form for me to sign up. I submitted the form to the adviser of the subject I want to teach for an interview. During my two interviews I could still remember that I was so nervous at that time. My heart was beating so fast. The teacher just asked me several questions like: "Why did you choose to apply this subject to teach?", What will you do in order for your students (classmates) to listen to you?", and many more. But the technique I used in order for them to find me confident was I didn't show to them that i was nervous at that time and instead answered them with full confidence on myself. And I was then so happy when I got accepted on both subjects I applied. But that doesn't end there yet. I had to research on the lessons or topics assigned to me by the teacher for me to teach. Afterwhich I read all what I have reseached and understand the lessons very well and I even prepared a short quiz for them to know if they listened and learned something from me. Until the day come when it is my turn to teach. I projected my voice loud enough for them to hear me properly. I was so glad because I saw them listen and behave properly all throughout the discussion. No wonder that they got good grades in the quiz I gave them. It was such a tiresome yet a memorable experience to me. Doing that kind of thing like teaching was indeed a great challenge for me. That's why I was somehow became proud of myself because I was able to pass that challenge successfully.
Now I know and realize how really hard it is to be a teacher. And that handlingg a large number of students is not an easy work. But it is really a great job and an honor especially when you will find that your students would really learn something from you.

A Beauty Queen!...

Hi to all of you! Good day!
Here I am again posting another blog. This blog of mine will tell you the diferent side of the " Rocel now" or it's simply the "Rocel before". Some people wouldn't think that I was once a "Beauty Queen" (Charing.!). Yeah that was for real! Before, I am used of joining diferent beauty pageants may it be in school, in barangays, a city, in different malls or even in televised contests. For some it's quite unbelievable, right?! But it's really the truth.
It all started when I was four years old when my mother let me join the "Little Miss San Roque" in our barangay. Funny it was being the youngest candidate on the competition. But it wasn't then a hindrance or me to shine among the twelve (12) candidates. At the pageant night I was crowned as the 1st Runne-up. I also received three other more special awards: "Miss Photogenic", "Best in Production No." and the "Darling o the Crowd". My mother enjoyed the experience being a "stage mother" and got kinda "addicted" to it. So then a few months later I joined the "Little Miss Pricess Asia" of ABS-CBN (channel 3). I won during the pre-eliminations and in the semi-finals which made me one of the grand finalists of the said competition. Unfortunately, I didn't win on the grand finals which was then held at the Ayala Activity Center. But, I still enjoyed the experience being with some of the famous artists and gained more friends as well. After that competition a few months after I joined the "Little Miss Philippines" of GMA 7. I also won during the pre-eliminations, semi-finals and now including the grand finals held in Gaisano Countrymall. i got the award "Best in Centennial Costume" which was automatically the 1st Runner-Up of the pageant. (during the pageant I got the chance to know Miss Aiza Seguerra) More cometitions came, like the "Metro Princess" in Gaisano South, Super Metro- Mandaue, Super Metro Colon and Super Metro Ayala. I won as the 2nd Runner-up in gaisano South and Super Metro (Mandaue), while in the other two malls I only reach until the grand finals. Another one was the "Prince and Princess of Sky Cable" held in SM Entertainment Plaza. I luckily won the 1st Runner-Up Princess title during the pageant. I also joined some contests in barangays wherein I got the opportunity to win the title, like "Miss Cashra Y2K" in Nivel Hills, Lahug, "Little Miss Kalinaw" in Sitio Kalinaw and this barangay wherein i unfortunately forgot the title of the contest and the place where the pageant was held. I once also represented our place in Argao for the "Little Miss Argao" inthe city fiesta of the whole Argao (obviously!) which is the hometown of my mother. it was quite a tight competition and though I didn't win any of the titles I was still happy awarded as "Miss Friendship" (ows...friendly?!) ad at the same time I gained many friends again and somehow made my relatives be proud of me. We also have this yearly competition o "Little Miss Agham" in our school during our Science and Technology Month. i was luckily chosen to represent the school when i won during school competition in the district level and luckily won during that contest and finally competed to represent the Mabolo District in the division level. I won the "Miss in Authentic Wear". Although I didn't get the chance to win any of the titles but I was still happy having won one of the special awards and somehow I have brought honor to my school. And there are still a lot of competitions I joined which I didn't mention anymore in my blog. (so tired of remembering already...hehe). Actually as o now I have 15 trophies and 27 sashes which is a mak and remembrance o all the competitions I have joined. It's really tiresome joining this kind of competition. Hard in trying my very best to please everyone especially the judges. The experience was fun, i gain a lot of friends and self-confidence and also being televised and talked and the center of all the "chikas" after my friends and relatives saw me on the television and also the honor i've given to my school, relatives and family as well.

What a UP student is Not..............

Evrytime I walk towards home I could pass by a lot of students from different schools and one of which is the school we usually call as our "sister school"(Florencio Urot Memorial National High School). Why "sister school"? It is because our uniform (skirt) looks likely of the same style and color as well. Most students from that school would ask me "From what school are you?". I answer them in a low voice "I'm from up!". Then they would say "Oh really! You must be so intelligent?!". A question which i really find it hard to answer. While others who know me already would say ,"Give way! because a UPian is going to pass". It really feels awkward when they treat me that way. But I admit, Yes! it feels so nice and flaterring everytime i hear them praise me. But, I don't want them to feel and think that I am higher than them. I once thought to myself."Why am i treated this way?".They think that UPians are always like this and like that. But one thing I could say is that we Upians have some characteristics which you might think we are but all i can say is that you're wrong. I will tell you some of the characteristics which we UPians are NOT.

First. A Upian is not a QUITTER! Yes! A true UPian does not quit easily. There are these instances that we are so pressured already by many school works like projects, tests/quizzes, assignments or these activities and presentations which we really find hard to give ample time to prepare. Then, he/she could say,"It's really hard to be a UPian!I (we) want to quit!".But that would only be until words.


Second. A UPian is not a NERD. People may say that aUPian is a nerd. I'll tell you a UPian may be called intelligent and chosen ones but I don't think so he/she studies that much (like everyday). Because as far as I know that aUPian studies only when there are examinations.(haha!) Yes a UPian studies a lot especially when there are examinations of course to get good grades but a Upian knows how to balance his/her life. That we give time to relax from all the stress and somehow enjoy our teenage life.


Third.A UPian is not only intelligent but is also talented. A UP student does not only excel academically but he/she also has the talent to be proud of. These students aren't only giftend with the minds but with talents as well.
Fourth. A UPian is not RICH. Most UP students really come from poor families and are lucky or shall i say fortunate enough to get the chance to study in this school which people call as "poor but deserving students". But, as far as some people are concerned that there are many students coming from rich families that have "invaded" this said to be a "democratized" school. And even some of this students have been given the chance to have scholarships than those who are really less fortunate in life.(Pathetic truth)


And most of all, a UP student is not that PERFECT. I, you, we, everyone commits mistakes.Right?! So as we UPians do commit mistakes too. A UP student does not know everything in short we are not perfect. There are subjects wherein we find it diifficult. But it doesn't mean that we donot deserve to stay in UP because out of the thousands of applicants who tried their very best to enter this school but we were really the ones chosen.So it means that we have our good in some ways and we are good in several fields but not everything.

Can you call her a traitor?

Do you believe in the saying:"Friendship id the beginning of love!"?. I know that a lot of us know of stories about two close friends fall inlove for each other (well obviously I'm talking about a boy and girl relationship...haha...)and I also know that only a few of us do believe in this saying right?! Before, I really don't believe in this what they call a "foolish saying"(for those who doen't believe only) until the day I've proven it wrong to myself. I thought that it only happens in television telseryes and movies.I was made to believe in this saying because of the cute lovestory my two friends had.So now I'm going to share to you their story.
These 2 close friends of mine were once just schoolmates in their elementary years.they were also neighbors before but since the guy's family moved to another place that makes them far from each other.Okay I'll just give them screen names (haha! sorry just for their privacy!) Let's call the boy "Tam" while the girl "Ryn". During their elementary years they never had the chance to know one another maybe because of the large number of students their school had. It was only in their sixth grade when they happen to know one another because Ryn's friend had a crush on Tam, and at that time Tam and his family kept on going to their previous house to visit their grandparents and relatives which is near Ryn's place. Time had passed by until they became good friends. They treated one another like that of a real brother and sister. So as their parents which were also good friends. Every summer Tam sleeps at his grandparent's house (which is near Ryn's place).As days passed by they built a good relationship between them. They shared each other their secrets, problems and even their "lovelife". They were so close to one another. Until such time Ryn felt something unexplainable everytime Tam tells her about his feelings towards another girl. Which she later discovered that she is falling for her bestfriend. But beacuse she doesn't want to ruin their friendship so she decided to keep her feelings to herself. Later on Ryn's cousin named "Siera" was then linked to Tam. 'Till the time they both felt love for one another., although Ryn was hurt for what happened but she still helped them with their relationship since Siera's parents were so strict. But, as we all know that not all relationships work and last forever. Siera made a joke of asking Tam if they could break up and give space for one another for the moment. But since Tam doesn't want to end their relationship informally so he didn't allow it at first. At the dawn of January 1 Tam went to Ryn's place to greet everyone a happy new year. Ryn was drunk at that time because we had fun and decided to drink during the night. So as expected, when Tam went to her to greet her she was obviously a little bit out of herself at that time. Tam invited Ryn to sit with him on the bench and just have a little conversation. They talked and until they reached to the point where they confessed their feelings for one another. Then Tam decided to accept Ryn's decision of breaking up with him (not knowing that it was just a joke!).they really separated at the morning of January 1 and courted Ryn Right away after a few minutes he and Siera broke up. Ryn knew their situation but she became weak. She wasn't able to determine if she was doing the wrong thing because what she was thinking at that time was it was her time to win her love's heart. At first they hid their relationship to everyone especially to Siera.Later on, Siera discovered that Tam and Ryn were already together. She wasn't like any other person who is uneducated enough to fight but instead she was humble enough to accept the fact. Ryn consulted Siera 'bout her feelings toward Tam. Siera told her everything that she cried when they broke up because she loves Tam so much that it hurts her letting go of him. Ryn felt guilty and sad at that time. She calls herself a traitor to her cousin, to everyone especially to herself. How about you can you call her a traitor?

A Miracle?!...

People in different faiths have substantially different definitions of the word “miracle”. When we say miracle it means something wonderful or it may be something unusual done by a God or according to science it is done by a “supernatural being” . It doesn’t matter anymore on how we define miracle. I’ll go straight to my point. I’ll ask you one question, but I don’t expect that you’re really going to say “yes!” because this is a rare event that happen and very few are fortunate enough to see this happening. Have you ever witnessed or seen a real miracle? As we all know that miracle often happens and when it happens there is always a meaning in it. It is a symbol or a sign that tells us of something. Now, I’m going to tell you about my experience of seeing a real miracle. Yes! A real miracle. It’s quite unbelievable but it’s up to you if you’re going to believe it or not.

Remember my first post? (If you have ever read it!)It says there that “I joined a street dancing procession in our barangay”. There, the image of Senior Santo Niño that was being processioned and sent to the chapel was the one who showed something unusual in the eyes of the people which we called miracle. Before we really saw the said miracle It was my aunt who first told us what happened. We were all shocked and thought of what must have been the reason why the image did such miracle. He must have a reason or something he wants to tell to the people by doing such thing. She also told us that it was done by changing its last nights positions. Quite scary! Right? But because we just don’t want to be contented on hearing and listening to rumors I and my cousins agreed to go to the house where the image was placed. When we arrive there the house wasn’t that crowded anymore. That’s why we were able to see clearly the image, and “Oh my gosh!” I whispered to myself, there were really changes on the last night’s positions of the image. It’s head was twisted facing to the left side or simply away to the people. (It looks like a child feeling bad on something). Another is it’s left hand which was carrying the ball or the globe looks like almost dropping the ball. And also it’s left foot was a step forward from it’s normal position. It’s really unbelievable that a wooden image of a Santo Niño placed in a sealed orne so impossible to be change by a human hand have done that kind of thing. The relative of the image’s owner talked to us and told us some of the reasons they thought why the image did those changes in its positions. One is because of the changed routes. The Santo Niño wasn’t processioned to its routes before and it had a shorter route this year. Second, is maybe because the people didn’t bring him back to it’s real place where it should really stay, because after sending the image to the chapel it will still be sent back to its real house, but so unfortunate for the people because we didn’t join in returning the image to its house. Another is maybe because of the fight the generations of the owner have. He said that the different generations of the image’s owner fought on where the image would stay after the procession and maybe the Santo Niño doesn’t want to be taken from its real owners so it just showed a miracle as a sign that he doesn’t want everything happening around. But still until now we are still full of “maybe/s” in our minds. Now, I do believe that miracles are possible! And so as the saying “To see is to believe”. I know you can’t believe that fast because you didn’t see the whole thing but I myself believe it’s true.

What A Cool Sinulog Day?!

You know what guys?! This is my first time to create a blog. Yes! My very first time. It feels nice but somehow I feel a little nervous. Why nice and nervous? Nice, because I’m doing something not common to my hobbies or let’s say not one of the usual stuffs is do.haha!...coz’ I’m afraid of your reactions and comments after you read my blog, and aside from that this is

also a graded activity for our English 2 subject. It’s kind of “terror?!” “Scary?!” but I have to make all of this and at the same time consider this as a challenge to get good grades and to improve my writing skills as well.(char!) Aside from this I also apologize for posting my blog regarding the Sinulog day late because I just gathered all my drafts and decided to post them in 1 time. (I’m sorry for that guys! Humph…!). So much for the “emo-emo”.Well anyways, I’m just really here to share to you my cool experiences and of course the tiring yet fun stuffs I did during the Sinulog day.

Let’s get started! To begin with my “long story” (just kidding) I mean my short story. I’ll just start with the very first thing that happened on the Sinulog Day. I woke up early on that day because I have to clean the house in exchange for a day-out with my friends (ha-ha! That’s usually what I do so I would have the permission of my parents to go out with my friends).Then after cleaning the house a few minutes passed, my aunt called my mother at home to ask if we could go with them to Basilica Minore del Santo Niño to attend a church service. So, we immediately dressed up and then went to their place. I find it funny when the time we were waiting for a jeepney at the waiting shed, why? It is because we’ve already waited for 20 minutes but no jeepney has enough seats for all of us and we won’t also fit in 1 cab. So, my mother decided and asked me and my brother to stay behind and just attend a mass at the Saint Joseph Parish Church (the nearest church from our house).After attending the one-hour mass, I waited for my classmate who is also a good friend of mine, Rachel,to fetch me .I waited for her because we’ve planned to go out for Sinulog. The sun was shinning so brightly but it wasn’t a hindrance for us to go out, have fun and celebrate Sinulog. We saw many sinulog dancers from different tribes dancing their respective sinulog steps, so as the big, colorful, and beautiful floats and giants on the streets (somewhere near CIC). It was fun watching them but I and Rachel couldn’t take the very hot sun. So we’ve decided to go to Ayala and just have a tour on the mall. As soon as we arrive to Ayala we went right away to National Bookstore. There, we accidentally met Rachel’s friends. She introduced me to them (I had new friends again!). They invited us to go to the lagoon and have a little conversation there. After the three-hour talk I finally bade goodbye to them because it was getting late already. When I went home I saw my other girl cousins having their girly talk outside our house, so I joined them. Around 11 o’clock in the evening, the sinulog procession in our barangay passed by our street. We saw our neighbors doing such a cool thing. They were dancing while bringing their own Santo Niño images. We find it so cool. So, I and my cousins decided to join them in sending the image to the chapel. It was so nice to look at everyone because we were all united and we don’t care about the comments of the other people, we just danced with all our heart. It was definitely our first time to join that “street dancing procession”. But i tell you:It was so fun! It was already around 12 o’clock when we went home from the procession. I haven't noticed the it's already 4 o'clock in the morning when I slept. But I did enjoy how I celebrated the sinulog day. Till’ here see you on my next posts.