Former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and her Tolerance to Pain

As I write this, former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is undergoing surgery on her cervical spine at St. Luke's Medical Center, Taguig. They she has a pinched nerve that is causing her pain. As far as I recall, she already had a pinched nerve problem a few months (or is it weeks) back. I admire this little lady for her strong tolerance to pain. I think having a pinched nerve is very painful. But even so, she continued to work for her district and at the same time answer (through her lawyers but I'm sure in consultation with her) the different charges being presented against her.I did not see her complain.

Now, why am I saying this? Let me first clarify that I am not an ally nor a friend of GMA. I have not even met. Well, I saw her once but we were never introduced. I am writing just to commend her for having such tolerance. You see, as a public official, you need to be strong. You need to be able to control your emotions/reactions against certain things that could sometimes be very painful. A public official, especially the one occupying the highest position in the land must show everyone that they are strong and they are not giving up/buckling down. Some might argue that GMA's strong tolerance to pain/shame gave her that devil may care attitude when she was hounded by controversies. True. Instead of being 'matapang', her attitude may have appeared 'makapal ang mukha'. But you know, for me, I think that that attitude may have also done us some good in the sense that she has shown other people that the country is strong and there is nothing to worry about because even the president is not affected at all. If she showed weakness, investors and tourists might have been put off. I just wish that public officials could show higher tolerance to 'pain' and stop complaining and complaining. It is funny seeing public officials complaining about little things like not being given priority in the airport, getting a smaller office than a rookie politician, etc. And Mr. President, you may criticize GMA all you want (and please make justice be served if she indeed committed all those crimes), but please, also show a little more tolerance to 'pain' like what she is doing. Please do not easily complain especially in issues that are not really of national importance like always being asked about your love life?! People just want to know. But please understand that whatever they would say about whom you are dating (unless you date a married woman or a man for that matter) wont really affect the economy, our moral standing or lead to war. It is a reporter's job to ask just like what your sister Kris (whom I actually like) does in some of the talk shows she's handled. 

Anyway, Mrs. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, may the Lord's healing hand be upon you.   

Tweet

Give and Take Relationship or Give and Give Relationship

Every time I would ride a cab at night, I would always hear the program of Papa Jack. Yes! That's how popular he is among taxi drivers. I asked some of them why they listen to Papa Jack and most of them said they keep he keeps them awake because of his funny jokes.

For those who do not know, Papa Jack's radio program is what I would call 'love counseling show'. Callers call him to ask  for advice about love. Usually, he gives funny answers even if the stories callers share are serious. But there are also times when he becomes serious. Sometimes he even becomes brutally frank with the callers.

Anyway, the other night, I heard him tell the caller that love is a give and give relationship contrary to what many believe that it is a give and take king of thing.


I was taken aback by his comment. Then I began to realize that what he said is correct. if you come to think of it, if you're mindset when you  enter a relationship is that is a give and take relationship, most probably you will be hurt. Why? Because you always have that idea in mind that there is something that you will or should receive whether it be in the area of emotions or material things. You see, you tend to expect things from your partner. And when your expectations are not met, problems set in.


If you believe, on the other hand, that it is a give and give relationship,  you will not be disappointed. How can one be disappointed if there are no expectations? You just continue to give out of love for the other person. If you get something in return, you'll definitely feel elated. If you do not get anything at all, you probably wouldn't even notice because you are not waiting for anything in the first place. It's like getting something is not an essential thing.

Now, the question is, can this really be done? I don't know. Why don't you try? Or better yet, call Papa Jack.

Tweet

How Do You Measure Success?

They say life begins at 40. This means my  life is about to begin. In a few years I will reach that I age and thinking about it prompted me to evaluate what has happened to 'my life' in the years before it has actually began. What I discovered actually made me a bit sad.

I graduated high school as the class valedictorian. I studied college in UP which they say is the best university in the country. I even graduated with honors. Well, I didn't graduate with the highest honors because my grades only reached the Cum Laude ranking but just the same, it was something to be happy about - even something to be proud of. I got hired in a school even before graduation day. And two years after I was promoted as Principal. Such great achievements, don't you think.

But where am I today, a few years my life begins? I am a school principal waiting everyday for the next payday. I am a principal who takes a cab  to school every morning instead of my own car. I am a principal who even rides a jeepney and a pedicab to work every time payday is approaching.

Yes, I may have reached the highest position in my workplace but I am still as broke as I was before I actually started earning my own money.

Some might think that I am in this state because of my own doing. Some might question my lifestyle. Some might question the way I handle my money. Well, I cannot fault them for that. What they are thinking is probably correct. So am I complaining? Not really. I am just at thins point where I am beginning to think if I made the right decisions in life. Did I make the right choices?  Maybe yes. Maybe not.

How do you measure success? Is it measured by the position you hold in your company? Is it measured by how much you have in the bank?

I still believe that success is measured by how happy and contended you are with what you have. For the longest time I maintained that I am happy with what I have achieved. But for some reason this self-evaluation has caused a sudden stir in my heart. Am I really happy? Am I really satisfied? As I said in the beginning I am a bit sad. I have suddenly thought of things that I have not achieved or have not accomplished. I do hope that this is just a phase that I have to experience. I like to believe that this too shall  pass. I hope that before my life begins I will have a stronger resolve that I am happy with my life.

Again, how do you measure success?

Tweet

Billboards Up, Billboards Down, Morals Up, Morals Down

First it was the Philippine Rugby Team's (or at least some of its members') underwear billboards that were put down. I think Philippine Azkals members also had similar billboards for Bench Body and they were also rolled down. Now its Anne Curtis' and Angel Locsin's billboards that have been targeted. If I'm not mistaken Anne's billboards on EDSA these days are for SMDC and she's wearing gowns in different colors for them. Angel's billboard on the other hand is for Century Tuna. This is the one where she is with Phil Younghusband who is being linked to her.

Why are they suddenly rolling all these billboards down? Is there a 'let's all live moral lives' campaign coming up now? Oh yeah, I heard they are saying they are mot being moralistic. Yeah? So why are they suddenly being 'hot' about these 'hot guys and girls'? Recently many people in the government were promoting the RH Bill. They didn't find the bill in anyway morally questionable. But ironically they find guys in briefs and girls in bras offensive. Don't you think it's funny? If they don't like them wearing undies, what would they want them to wear? Condoms?

Tweet

Smoking Ban in Public Places and Manong Driver's Proud Moments

I took a cab yesterday at around 6 pm. The driver's radio was tuned in to TV5's news. There's weather report, crime report and news about the Pajero 7 Bishops. I wasn't really interested in hearing negative issues yesterday (especially the Pajero 7 Bishops) so I opted to just chat with the driver. I only kept quiet when the weather report was read. I was interested to know if the two Low Pressure Areas inside the Philippine area of responsibility have the possibility of turning into typhoons. Anyway, before going to a commercial gap, the announcer mentioned the other news that will still be discussed. One was about Judy Ann Santos and the more than 30 pounds she has already lost since giving birth a few months back. The other one is about MMDA's smoking ban in public areas in Manila.

When the smoking ban in public places was mentioned, the driver asked me if I know anything about it. I said that the only thing I know is that MMDA officers were tasked to apprehend people smoking in public places. I said I don't know exactly which places are considered public and which are not. He said MMDA only patrol major roads so people can still smoke in sari-sari stores found on side streets. I didn't have a clear idea why he asked me about the smoking ban. I just thought that he is a smoker and he wants to discuss his views regarding the issue. Then he  suddenly said "You know sir, I was interviewed by a TV5 reporter about this issue." I said ah this is why  he opened up the discussion about the smoking ban. I asked when. He said it was just a few hours ago after he used one of the MMDA urinals along EDSA. It turned out MMDA is contemplating on the idea of allowing smokers to smoke inside the said urinals. I said excitedly "Manong, we are going to hear your interview in a few minutes. It's a pity we do not have mobile tv." He said it was fine because news on tv are usually repeated late in the evening. I could hear in his voice that he was very excited.

When that segment was aired I heard Manong saying that he is not in favor of that idea because the urinals as it is already smell bad so it would be worse if people will smoke there. I think his answer made sense.

Anyway, I realized that it gave me a good feeling being there to share that 'moment' with Manong. I knew he was excited to hear his interview and it would have been such a bummer if he was alone inside the cab. There was pride in his eyes when his voice came out of the radio. That pride would not have been complete if there was no one to recognize it. I was happy I decided to chat with him so he had the chance to use the bragging rights that came along with that interview.

Way to go Manong driver. Oh, let me just add, Manong does not smoke. Again, way to go Manong driver.

Tweet

A Blessing or A Curse

What have you done to me?
You have completely imprisoned my heart, mind, body and soul.
Not a single moment passes by without me thinking of you.
You have completely taken me captive to the point that my life revolves around you.

But baby I feel so insecure.
Things are happening so fast that I am not really sure if it is really happening.
I always have moments of doubts because of the circumstances we were and we are in.
You say I should trust but can I really do?

My life now is hanging by a thread and you have full control.
A single mistake is fatal, that much I know.
So will you keep your promise that you'll hold me forever
Or should I cut the thread now and let my self fall while the drop is not yet too tall.

Tell me baby that you're real.
True love from you is all I want to feel.
Are you really the blessing from heaven I've been waiting for?
Or are you the curse with whom I have to deal. 

Tweet