Monday, November 12, 2007

Marianette Amper, an ANGEL

Upon reading an article in three daily newspapers last week, i quickly sent a group message regarding an 11-year old girl's suicide in Davao City. I got this article from Yehey! News entitled,


Poverty-motivated suicide alarms senator


11-year old Marianette ended her life last November 2 by hanging herself inside their house in Barangay Maa, Davao City after losing hope on her family's miserable situation.

Found atop her bed is a diary which revealed her prayer for her parents to have a job and for her siblings to be enrolled in school. The diary also narrates her crying because of her family's way of living which includes begging for "kaning-lamig" for their meals.

A letter addressed to the "Wish ko lang" program was also found and it bared Marianette's desire to have a dress, shoes and bicycle which she will use on going to school.

It was learned that Marianette's father irregularly works as a carpenter and she often fails to go to school because of their financial difficulties.

Revilla pointed out that Marianette's death reflects how most Filipinos feel about their state of living as indicated by the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey that showed more Filipino families, about nine million of them, consider themselves "mahirap" or poor.

Based on the SWS survey, the self-rated poverty incidence of 52 percent for September was up from June's 47 percent but still far from all-time highs. Self-rated poverty fell in the Visayas but the numbers increased in the rest of the nation, and the SWS noted further belt-tightening among poor families.

The survey results also found that 43 percent, or about 7.5 million Filipino families, considered themselves poor in terms of food. This self-rated food poverty was up from the 37-39 percent in the first two quarters of 2007. Again, a drop was noted in the Visayas but the numbers increased elsewhere.

The third quarter survey was conducted over September 2-5, 2007 using face-to-face interviews of 1,200 adults divided into random samples of 300 each in Metro Manila, the

Reacting to the SWS survey, Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye noted that there was actually a decline of around 6 percent from a range last year of 55 to 59 percent to only 47 to 53 percent this year.

Bunye said the decline roughly translates to five million Filipinos or one million families.

Balance of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. The sampling error margins were 3 percent for national percentages and 6 percent for area percentages.


---I don't know what is wrong with the government, but I just hope and pray that the poor girl will still go to heaven. We all know that suicides go to hell, but I just hope Marianette will not. I saw her picture in the news and I saw how cute she is. I just hope this never happens again. Let us pray for Marianette's soul and the many others in need.

Friday, August 31, 2007

Some people... (part 3)

Exclusive parking Lot for Gerry's Grill customers

"Hay hanak ko, manuhod ka na lamang ng Kokey pag gabi matapos hang TV Patrol. Hokey lang ba?"

Wow legs!!



Wow (andaming) legs!

Annie's first kiss

This is for my students. As I have promised you, here is the story of Annie's first Kiss


Hi, my name is Annie. An average looking girl of 27, educated, smart i may say, who grew up in the province of Benguet,Philippines.Having to grow up in a place where in all people are so fond of traditions,aside from the fact that my family is so religious, kissing and being kissed have never been a subject of discussion. All this have been changed when I had a boyfriend.

March 2003, i met Wesley. A handsome guy, tall and well built. He was from Manila. A good for nothing playboy as people from our town calls manileños.But of course as the saying goes "to every rule, there is an exemption" and Wesley is exempted.

making my story short, we became friends and eventually lovers after 4 months of courting.being with Wesley makes me feel so safe. He never took his eyes off me, always attending to my needs and because of those things he showed me.i planned to come with him to manila and work there. My boyfriend,fetch me from work everyday. never forgot to call me before going to bed and never failed texting me in the morning.

But one day June 23,2005. i received a call from Wesley, saying "we've been on for almost 2 years now and i haven't kissed you yet. tomorrow will be the day that we will be kissing each other, or else.... "then ends his call with a naughty scheming laughter.suddenly i felt cold,nerve wracked and stunned.honestly,I was frightened by that call.Thoughts came into my mind. " i don't know how to kiss" "my folks told me that kissing was immoral" "what will isay?" "should i turn him down? or should i call the "tipanan thing off.i am scared but excited at the same time.

June 24,2005, i was mentally prepared for that so called kissing thing that Wesley asked from me. I love him so i will not turn him down.i arrived, 9:00 am to the venue and saw some familiar faces. everybody was looking at me as if i was doomed. some smiling and some are giggling.I felt like melting but i am full of anticipation of what was to happen between me and my beloved Wesley. and so after walking a few meters, after getting off the car that my brother Ron drove, i saw Wesley in his most wonderful outfit. he looked so impatient but still manages to smile."oh boy,if you could only see my man."As always, he took me by the hand and walked some more.He whispered"you look beautiful today,honey" i reciprocated that flattery with a fine pinch on his side.he whinced a bit and that made me smile even more. suddenly, a guy in a "weird suit" started talking,his words were so powerful and meaningful that Wesley and I couldn't help but say yes to what he is saying and so after a few exchange of words with that guy in white,Wesley decided to hand me a ring saying "this ring symbolize my love for you.it has no beginning neither it has an end." I handed him a ring also saying those cheesy but sweet words he told me. That made me forget the call that Wesley made the night before.

I was so confident that he forgot all about it. when suddenly he whispered "be prepared, i will kiss you". as the weird looking guy in white spoke his final remarks, Wesley looked at me,held my chin up gently and little by little his face was working it's way towards mine. I am chilling i was about to scream.But i told myself.. " I don't care even if they all see me kiss this guy, I love him and he means the world to me..."

As his lips were about to touch mine, I can't help but close my eyes and feel the warmth of his lips. It felt like the whole world stopped moving,i can't hear a thing, my heart almost burst with so much beating. I just can't describe how ecstatic that was. my first kiss, I have given to the man I love so dearly.

After that I've been brought back to reality Wesley said "Thank you for making this day so wonderful,thanks for giving me your first kiss." I reciprocate with a hug. All the people around us started clapping. and my mom and dad was crying, not of shame but because they were happy for me.

And oh by the way?? didn't i mention, i was also wearing white that day, walked the aisle with boquette at hand.

---Such a lovely story. I hope every girl is like Annie...

Monday, August 27, 2007

Niña Corpuz

Here is my photo with my long-time crush, Niña Corpuz. She told me she have a web blog but unfortunately, i wasnt able to get it because she is in a hurry. Some says we look a bit the same.. ehehe =D

Wowowee!

Last Friday, Aug. 24, 2007, we had a studio tour at the ABS-CBN studios. We were supposed to watch wowowee, but unfortunately, only a few of us (86 out of 101) can enter enter and be part of the studio audience that day. Our reservation was only for 75 people and they only let 11 more to be admitted. I was the one asked by the Coordinator(Mr. Javar Jimenez) to accompany our students inside. Man, this is the chance that I have been waiting for! to really get to see Willie Revillame! (I love that guy! just read my previous post about wowowee)




I declined.




Why?




If I were to go with them, one of the students in the lucky group will not be able to watch it live because I will have to take his/her place. I will be sad if that will happen. The more I am sad for the students that were not included in the group to watch the show live. We came all the way from Zambales just to be able to watch wowowee live and we just have to content ourselves by watching it live(on TV) in a room provided by the ABS-CBN Studio Tours(thank you CArl!).



While watching, the group was shouting for joy, one of our student (Aris Rondares) actually made it to the jackpot round of the "Iyugyug mo" contest. Although he was not able to get the jackpot, he went home with more than 18,000PhP.



It was a bit obvious Willie wanted him to win, he simply asked him(instead of Valerie Concepcion), "How many letters are there in the name ABS-CBN?" A little bit(or a LOT) covert act of kindness. The Willie I love. That's why I envy him even if it is bad to be envious.

After about 1 hour, we were able to come in, in the bleachers, the place of the "Tararat Boys". It wasn't that bad, at least we still get to watch wowowee live. I felt bad for one Engineering student though. She had this small poster made for the show and she didn't get to have it seen on national television.

I really wanted to be like Willie Revillame, he always has something that he can give to others. He has an almost unlimited funding for his contests(funded by the TFC-the Filipino Channel subscribers around the world). And more than the Joy and the Prizes he give, its the HOPE, the hope of a better life despite the hardships of life. Notice how he makes the contestants let it all out? All the pain, the hardships and the struggle the contestants go through just to be a part of the show, and what they go through their everyday life. After a lot of tears, he makes them get ready for the "show" of their life. They are given a chance to strut their stuff for about a minute or two and they become who they dream to be, a STAR in their own way. Plus, the whole Filipino community, here and abroad, are watching them.



How I wish I could be like him. I am a bit like him though, I give what I have, although I have a very limited resource, I still try to give whenever I can. In my profession, its like I am giving not just a part of me but my whole self.





I remember the interview made by FHM(For Him Magazine) on Cassandra Ponti, a former Pinoy Big Brother Housemate. She said, "Hindi ako maramot. Inuuna ko yung iba bago ang sarili ko. May pinag-aaral ako ngayon, yung helper namin at yung dalawang pinsan ko. Kapag may pera ako, binibilhan ko sila ng mga notebook at bag. Namimili ako tapos pinapadala ko. Ayoko kasi nung meron ako tapos yung iba wala."



The last line means, "I hate it when I have something and others doesn't have eveny anything." What a benign soul.



I love people who do all they can for the service of other people. As Geny Lopez said, "KINDNESS is something you can never give away. I keeps on coming back. YOU NEVER RUN OUT."



What a thought. I hope this blog can make a change, even just a bit, in everyone who gets to read this.
The following are the pictures i took while we were on tour around the ABS-CBN studio.

Saturday, August 18, 2007

Mama and Tania


This photo was taken while we were walking on the way to Jollibee Iba to buy french fries for Tania

Bogart


This photo of my dog was taken about a month ago

Saturday, July 21, 2007

Champions at Last!!!

Last night was a very faithful night, my favorite team in the Philippine Basketball Association, the team of the 90's, the Alaska Aces won the Game 7 of the recent Fiesta Conference. After a long wait, the Aces finally did it, with the heroics of import Rossel Ellis, his exploits and how he made the big men of the Aces involved in the game. They call him "Mr. Everything". What a guy! Visit http://www.alaskaaces.com.ph for the official site of the Alaska Aces.

Friday, June 29, 2007

Thunder




I was watching a thunder storm last week and this is what i caught. Im sorry for the kinda dark and blurry pictures, i was just holding the camera without a tripod.

Saturday, June 16, 2007

Man's bestfriend


I saw this on the news a couple of days ago, Last June 11 and I was moved by what the guy did for his dog. He was on his way home from a drinking session when his dog fell from their boat and when he tried to save his dog, he drowned instead of saving his dog. That's L-O-V-E

Monday, June 11, 2007

Wish ko Lang.









Last Saturday, I was watching one of my favorite Public Service Shows of GMA 7, the show hosted by Vicky Morales entitled "Wish Ko Lang." I really love watching the show because of the Hope(more than the help) that they share to others. Two girls with eye problem were one of the many people the show helped. They were Jocelyn and Jodelyn Tarnal. Aside from the treatment they will get(although they previously cannot afford to even go for a checkup for them to know what is really wrong with their eyes, the received scholarship from the Resources for the Blind, Inc. which will take care of the girl's education from Elementary to High School. Their mother was also given a sewing machine to help her for her rag-selling business. They were able to get featured on the show because of one the station's reporter, Susan Enriquez. I really appreciate the golden things people to just to help and give hope to other people. It is really my biggest ambition in life to start up a foundation that will help young children and old folks. I wanted to share to the world the joy and happiness my girl brings to me. And between you and me, I really wanted to be featured in the show, to be able to be a GMA Kapuso Foundation member even for a day, to go to far places just to help those people who are victims of circumstances. Please send an email message to Wish Ko Lang and ask them if they can grant my wish.Ü Thanks guys(in advanced)

Some People (part 2)....

Two weeks ago, i bought a pair of pants, a shirt and a jacket in one of the more popular stores at our town. And i noticed something about the receipt when I got home. And the next on, its obvious, just like what I posted last time. Well, for those who doesn't know, I'm from Iba, Zambales, Philippines. One of the coastal provinces on the Western part of Central Luzon.

Wednesday, June 6, 2007

Wowowee








I was watching Wowowee after lunch earlier this day and you know what,





I HATE WILLIE REVILLAME!!





WHY?! you might ask.. well, the reason is, how can you enjoy eating your lunch when you are crying?! Well, I also ENVY him, because he can make people happy and give them hope (and lots of prizes, too!) while not spending a single centavo of his own money. And he collects money from the TFC(The Filipino Channel), and gives them away to poor and deserving folks. What a NOBLE job.





WILLIE FOR PRESIDENT!!


(although I have not voted for any actor or actress in my entire life).

Monday, June 4, 2007


Last night, June 3, 2007, the Iba UMYF held a concert entitled Turning To Jesus. It was a very nice concert and featured some short skit about the lives of some of the members and workers of the Church. It even featured their testimonial of how their lives changed because of JESUS, after they made HIM their personal Savior. I was moved by the song before the end of the concert wherein everyone was asked to sing together. It was a song entitled Heart of Worship. The song goes...:
When the music fades
And all is stripped away
And I simply come
Longing just to bring
Something that's of worth
That will bless Your heart
I'll bring You more than a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within
Through the way things appear
You're looking into my heart
I'm coming back to the heart of worship
And it's all about You
It's all about You, Jesus
I'm sorry, Lord for the thing I’ve made it
And it's all about You
It's all about You, Jesus
King of endless worth
No one could express
How much You deserve
Though I'm weak and poor
All I have is Yours
Every single breath
Man, i was really moved! I mean, this year, I only went to Church like ONCE! and it made me realize how lost I was. I'm not really religious but I see to it that I go to Church every Sunday, and lately, my lifestyle made me stay up late and sleep about 1 or sometimes 3AM. And it always makes me sleep until like 10 or even 12 noon, so it always makes me miss the Sunday Service in our Church that starts 9AM.
I was teary eyed when the song finished. Still, I'm thankful for the Blessings God has given me, my family, my mother and father, my sister and her family especially Tania, our Dogs, Bogart, Nala and Chipchip, my wife Alma and my daughter Amara, my friends and the people who cares for me and my Family.

My Dog Watching TV(again)

Here is my dog "totz" watching TV with my mother.

Tuesday, May 29, 2007

My Dog


this is Totz, my new dog and she is sooo cute. She loves to watch the television. hehe, this was taken yesterday noon while we were watching Wowowee!

Sunday, May 27, 2007

Planets Jupiter and Mars


Last May 26, we went to the PAGASA-AOU (Astronomical Observatory Unit) in UP Diliman. I have some photographs of what we saw.



The first is the planet Jupiter at 4x optical zoom. the next is the planet Mars at 100x optical zoom and the third is the planet Jupiter(with 3 of its sattelites) at 100x optical zoom. The pictures were taken through the telescope provided by the PAGASA.





And this is me! hehe =p

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

my sister's kids

my sister has 3 kids, the eldest is Beatrice, Julian(the only boy) and Bethany, the youngest



Optical Illusions

the following are optical illusions, i just hope you wont have a headache looking at it. enjoy


















Some People

here are some oddities i have encountered, so i took a photograph..

this first one was taken by the Digitel communications tower here in Iba, Zambales. the gasoline station is actually farther than the fastfood restaurant.










this next one contains "We also Offered"













this was taken from an issue of FHM Philippines. if you commute and take the bus, it is about three(3) hours befor you reach SBMA, around four(4) hours to reach Crystal Beach(Sn. Narciso), Cabangan and Rama(Botolan). All in Zambales. its actually the other way around