Love History

*Forgive me for this blog is a bit late. More important things have to be attended to than this post. :l I hope you find the time to read this through and I would love to hear from you. Happy reading. :)

For the past five years, I've been writing a blog this time of the year about love. After all, it's the love month. As I was thinking of what to write this year (I'm running out of ideas already), I decided to read my past posts the last five years and got what I needed --- an inspiration.

I've done the perks of flying solo, about being single and lovely, hating and going nuts over Valentine's, SAD (Singles' Awareness Day), and finally my Love Bugs. Those were the topics I discussed the part years. Now, it gets challenging what to write to keep the readers (if there's any) interested. Then a thought came into mind...

February 14, is when the entire Earth celebrates Valentine's Day. I started to wonder, who's this Valentine anyway? What's so special with his so-called day? Why should people be happy during Valentine's Day? As these questions intrigued me, I searched in the net to know more about him.

Sure, I know Valentine from my gradeschool days. He is a saint...but that's just about it. Thankfully, technology provides information. Valentine was a Roman priest persecuted for performing marriage ceremonies for young men. The Roman emperor ordered that young men remain single. He believed that married men were not good soldiers.

So you can tell, St Valentine was a cupid. :) At that time, it was a crime! So there you go. Why we have Valentine's Day, to commemorate Valentine's valiant belief that love should persevere. :)

Now, what's your love history?  Each has a story to tell. Here's my short story...

I have loved one too many times or so I thought. Fine, I have loved but that was it. I have yet to meet the ONE. :) I've had a gazillion eyecandies but nothing really prospered from that. I'm very dense so I don't really know if there were boys who liked me. ;p But like what I told myself, I would be friendly this year. hahahaha! I'm sorry if my love history is pretty boring. I'll write more if I meet the ONE.

Some people ask why single? I used to reply, "Walang mabola eh" but now I cheerfully reply, "Why not?" I don't really mind being single. I must admit there are times that I do get impatient but then again it will come in THE PERFECT TIME. :)

For now, I will just write my love history with all the people that matter to me. I have so much love to give. Let's all give love everyday. Everyday is history, so don't be afraid to write your own love story. Something to tell your grandchildren when you grow old and gray. The story of lolo and lola.

As I end this post, let me quote from one of my favorite songs, "I am unwritten, can't read my mind, I'm undefined...lalalalalala The rest is still unwritten!" Don't be afraid to love and get hurt. There's too much love for everyone around this world. We can all share it. Spread the love and be alive. 'til then... :)

Perfect TEN for 2010!

With less than an hour, I found myself in front of the keyboard, typing away. To sum up my 2010, I would have to give it a perfect ten for scoring purposes. Sure I had my tremendous roller coaster ride this year which actually made it perfect. Without my wild twists and turns, I wouldn't be who I am right now. :) Here's a summary of what happened to me this year...

*Great Depression #987654321*

Being a bum made me felt so useless. For some time, I thought I totally bagged it only to be frustrated and depressed BIG TIME!

*Wasted Cupid*

My single friends and I make it a point to be each other's date during V-Day. Who said that V-Day is for love birds only?? We definitely know how to have fun with or with out L-O-V-E :) Result was, a wasted cupid :))

*Cuhrazy Rach*

Depression can make you go cuhrazy! Partey, partey!!! You know pole dancing?? Nuff said =))

*Dora Explores East Asia*

I was soooooooo blessed to see East Asia this year. Parentals and I went to visit ate in Sushilandia. I <3 Japs!!! They're sooooo nice, neat and orderly.

Just this sembreak, mum and I invaded Kimchilandia. Koreans are one of the best people I have ever met. :D

Next stop on my list... China para kumpleto na ang East Asia tour :)

*Dos-dos*

My 22nd natal proved to be very memorable and fantabuloso! I had four surprises and I felt soooooo loved! :D Thank you Lord!

*More Friends = More FUN*

It feels awesome to be friends with your colleagues and that's what I have. Work isn't really work with my co-teachers. My good ol' fellas proved to be solid rock. Busy skeds and priorities come in our way but we manage. Cheers to infinity and beyond! <3

*Going back HOME*

I spent twelve years of my life in this place and never in my wildest imagination did I picture myself going back... as a teacher! Probably the biggest decision I have made this year. Being an educator is very challenging but I thank God because I know this is where I SHOULD be :)

I have learned a lot about life this year and I know there's a looooot more in store for me in 2011. 2010 has been so kind yet elusive with "wants" but what is more important is I have what I NEED. :) A gazillion thanks to all of you who helped me along the way and most especially to that Big Guy Up Above. <3 <3 <3 'til then...

Twenty- Two Years Later...

Lydia and Raffy were happily married for eight years. They had two adorable kids, a boy and a girl. All is well with the family. You would say that their life was fine, an average income, living in one roof with the rest of the clan not to mention contentment and happiness.

Since February is the love month...should I really tell you more about it?? Little did the couple know that in the end of February of 1988, exciting thing would happen to their family. Lydia missed a day in her count and voila! Nine months later, a bouncing baby girl was born.

Her name is Ma. Rachel T. Valencia. That's me, me, me!!! :) I came in this world surprising my parents. I wasn't really part of the plan but come to think of it, had I not been conceived your life would suck! hahaha! I do believe that I am God's little angel to my mother and father and the little devil to my siblings. ;p

I grew up feeling left out by my siblings because of the age gap. I am six years apart from my kuya and five years apart from my ate. So while I was playing with my toys they were out it the streets playing. My kuya constantly teased me that I am adopted that stuck in my head for years! It was until I turned sixteen that I stopped asking my mom if it was true. She had to scold me for being makulit about it. She asked me what made me think that I'm adopted. I was a kid and I believed everything that people told me. Up to this day, my brother thinks it is funny that I seriously fell for his silly joke!

As a kid, I could say that I was lucky to have almost everything that I wanted. Though we were trained to earn it the hard way, it taught me to appreciate the value of hard work.

I was sent to a good school which I have attended for twelve years. It was indeed my second home. I met the coolest, painfully honest, sweetest friends there. The kids from school were my childhood friends. I had more friends in school than from where I am living. It is in this school that I have met the mean, pain in the a** kids who try to mess up with me and my crew. The school was the place where I had the sweetest eyecandies (or so I thought) and experienced failures left and right.

It was a shame to leave this school when I had to attend college. I had too much difficulty in college! The school was enormously huge, the class had 45 students and it was 1 and 1-/2 (2 if traffic) away from home. I literally stepped out of my comfort zone! I had to adjust to the new environment and thankfully, I met awesome friends who like me were struggling with college life. I wouldn't have survived college without them. :)

College was done and I was out in the "real" world. I struggled for the second time. The change of environment shook me big time! I wanted to see the world so I pursued this job that would enable me to pursue that dream. Fate was testing me how far I would go. I had a taste of that dream only to find out that it was just that, taste. I felt really devasted over it but life goes on as they say.

Shortly after I got my dream shattered, I got a call from my Alma Mater asking me if I could do a College Career Seminar for its Junior and Senior students. I gladly accepted it and thought it was the perfect time to swing by the school. When I saw the kids, I made a mental note to myself that I had to go back. How? The answer came to me a month after...

I saw myself walking in the school grounds, went to the guidance counselor and handed my resume. I took the exam and passed it. I've been taking exams left and right. At that time, I remained a bum, a personal choice. The school offered me a teaching post... I had another offer in a private company which I eventually declined.

There is something magnetic about the school. I struggled in the start and slowly but surely, I have managed. I have survived over half of the school year already.

Twenty-two years later, never in my wildest dreams have I seen myself teaching! But to tell you the truth, I love it. I can safely say that I am THE HAPPIEST person alive! :D I have the best family who supports me all the way whatever decision I make. My friends have been tremendously awesome through thick and thin. My colleagues serve as the solid unit that keeps me sane in school, they make life so much bearable.

To all the people who have been/ are still part of my life, a GAZILLION thanks for making my life insanely challenging yet worth-living. :) Thank you Lord for showing me a glimpse of heaven through these people. ♥♥♥ 'til then... :D

From Manila with ♥

Prologue: I haven’t blogged for quite a while now. My busy schedule hinders me from blogging and most of the time, I’m too tired to blog when I do have the time. Anyway, this day is special that despite my very tight schedule, time stops for you. I hope this will make your birthday even better. :D

I woke up this day sleepy as hell but first thing that came to mind was your birthday. I thank God for giving you another year full of blessings and lessons in life. I survived a rather rough day in school and I looked forward to coming home. Mum cooked pancit for your birthday. :D

I took a breather and off we went to Church to give thanks on your behalf. I made an effort to look pretty nice for you because I know you want me to look prim and proper. On our way out from the Church, we ran into your favorite priest. I had no choice but to “mano”. I laughed and said to myself, “Si ate may paborito kay Father, hindi ako!” I knew that if you were here, you would be all giddy seeing Father Dennis.

It feels different celebrating your birthday without you. =( But I do know that you are happy there though sometimes homesickness could be a pain in the a**. I’m happy that your day turned out oh so fine. :D

I could describe you in a gazillion words but I’d let the others get a piece of heaven through you. Thank you for all the love and patience throughout the years. We’ll you December. To the best sister in the world, an awesome friend, fellow beach bum, Happy, happy Birthday Ate! :D

Blood on your hands, Boss chief

WARNING: Blog contains some photos that are quite graphic. Please exit my page if you can not handle it. Thank you! Should you proceed, you have been warned…

Prologue: I had coffee with my friends to de-stress after a manic Monday in school. On my way home, I was silently walking and was singing a song inside my head. A frap with friends did its magic on me because it uplifted my spirit. I passed by the tricicyle terminal in our subdivision when I heard a part of the news about a hostage situation. I didn’t stop by to listen more thinking it was just another attention-seeking person who wanted media exposure. I got home, watched the television until it was news time…

Apparently, the hostage situation started early Monday morning while I was in school. I totally had no idea of what was going on until I saw it on the news. The attention-seeking person turned out to be a former policeman in Manila who was dismissed from service because of extortion. He demanded that he be reinstated to service. The man’s name was Rolando Mendoza, a policeman for 30 years. According to reports, he was a good man doing his service with utmost dedication. Sure, the man may have had his lapses but we should’ve listened to him at the least. Kulang lang siya sa panguunawa at pansin. I fully understand where he was coming from. It pains me that this man died a very painful death.

I was never a fan of hostage crisis. I remember I was caught in traffic for a M-A-J-O-R exam because of one hostage crisis. The professor did not believe that I got late because of the commotion caused by Jun Ducat in 2007. He seized the entire bus containing little tykes because he wanted reforms in the education system. The desire was there, it was for a good cause but the means was just utterly wrong! Kung hindi ako pinayagan kumuha ng exam at kung hindi ako pumasa, siguro habang buhay kong minumura si Ducat dahil sa ginawa niya. You can never get anything good from hostaging that’s why I never understood the essence of it.

Sure, Mr. Mendoza might have had his demands but I do believe that all of these were negotiable. However, we failed to give him that. Nagmatigas ang kabilang panig. We should’ve known better that we are at his mercy. We did not give in to his demands the main reason why he held these tourists as hostage. Screw negotiation! May naidulot ba itong maganda? WALA!!!

What triggered the man to run amok was when the police seized his brother. How they treated him was very inhuman! Kahit sinong kapatid magagalit sa ginawa ng pulisya! Respeto na lang sa kapwa tao. Gregorio Mendoza is also a policeman. Yung respeto na lang sa kapwa pulis eh. Walang-wala.

Captain Mendoza started to shoot randomly inside the bus. The bus driver was able to escape and told the police that everyone inside was already dead. The assault team now advanced toward the bus. It took them over an hour before the siege finally ended. It was the longest torture I have ever experienced. My knees weakened when the driver said that everyone is dead. Deep inside my heart, I was praying may this be a speculation only.

A total failure on the part of the SWAT. Misters, what the f*ck were you doing?? Where is crisis management and strategic plan? Tira lang kayo ng tira wala namang kwenta. There could have been a gazillion and one ways to solve this crisis in which could’ve turned out pretty well but we opted to do it the other way around. We opted to risk the lives of the hostages and hostage taker.

Eight of the tourists died, three under observation, four injured and heavily traumatized. The hostage taker sustained eight shots, one in the head that probably killed him. =(

These people who died were all victims. Yes, including Mr. Mendoza. These Hong Kong nationals were merely exploring, enjoying and perhaps adoring our beautiful land and this is what we give them in return – hell on earth. What a way to treat them. =(

My sadness is beyond words with what happened last night. The sky wept for all those innocent victims and I joined the sky weeping. Never have I been ashamed of being a Filipino until two incidents, one of which is this. Masakit man sabihin, sana Pinoy na lang yung sakay nung bus. Para kahit papaano sariling mamamayan natin yun. In my opinion, it would have lessened the shame. It’s blood on our hands. The world is watching the country intently. There are a few countries that followed the lead of Hong Kong with regards to raising a travel ban here. ‘Wag na natin intindihin yung mawawala na kita eh, yung takot na lang na dinulot natin sa mga turista na dapat dadayo dito. The name of the Philippines itself was put at stake. =( That reason alone brings shame to my brown complexion.

Boss chief, people expect you to protect them from harm. We didn’t expect that in your hands would be blood shed by these innocent tourists. =(

From the bottom of my heart and with all sincerity, I am sorry because our citizens screwed up BIG TIME. We are at your mercy that deep within your hearts you may be able to forgive us one day. I am extremely sorry young lad, it is because of us that you are now an orphan =( I am one with your grievance and suffering mother for you have lost your husband, two daughters and now your son is in the ICU. May he survive this dark stage.

Everyone is to be blamed for this tragedy. Mr. Mendoza for hostaging this particular tourist bus so as to be heard of his complaints. The PNP for being so reckless of all their actions especially in times of crisis. The SWAT for their inept strategy and moves. The media for aggravating the situation because of their coverage. The bystanders who caused difficulty on the part of the rescue team. We all had our part, so it is our duty as Filipinos to bring back the glory and dignity that was lost because of this very sad outcome.

Let us be one in prayer for all the people who have passed away in this hostage crisis. God bless the Philippines and its people.