The sweet taste of goodbye kisses away all the bitter memories of you.

the smile i gave, the look he made....ahhh! perfect! oh my, my lee min ho! here i am, your son ye jin! :-)

Cruel Indifference

To wait seems forever,
for I have stayed here so long.
To hope fades with a glimmer,
for I have almost lived in your shadow.

My world stopped moving,
but it didn't matter to you, I know.
Now I think I made it right this time,
because...

To continue is senseless,
'cause you shun even my slightest attempt.
To love you is worthless,
'cause you break my heart with your cruel indifference.

The love I had wanted to give you is now up for anyone to get. The question is, will anyone ever take hold of it?

Manny: The Plight of the Human Spirit

After his convincing victory over the much bigger and heavier Antonio Margarito, Manny Pacquiao’s luster has been elevated to a level much greater than any other boxer in the modern era. It is without a doubt Manny’s most hard fought battle. I guess that out of all of Manny’s fights, this one deserves every right to be considered the most dramatic one. It is the fight that bared all the aspects of the superstar pugilist’s personality in and out of the ring. It showed us that he possesses both a fighting heart and a compassionate one at that.

Going into the fight, the odds were clearly in favor of Manny. It is an anomaly by logical reasoning since he is in fact smaller and lighter than Margarito. There have been so many David and Goliath stories in the past. Manny’s tale does it in reverse. He is the David that has Goliath’s power. It seems as if we’re made to believe he can put any big man down that gets in his way. Now that’s what you call a myth.

And so Manny, in his usual relentless style of boxing pummeled through a dazzled Margarito, stunned him with lightning quick punches which Margarito often never saw coming. By the end of the fourth round, Margarito’s right eye was cut badly and swollen. It was only then was he beginning to feel the real power of the little man he was facing.

The bigger man had his own moment in the sixth round as he pushed Manny to the corner and hit him with big body shots that for a moment scared the hell out of those who love the national fist, including myself. But like a true champion, Manny moved on to win the succeeding rounds with accurate punches to Margarito’s head which caused the poor man’s eyes to swell even more.

By the end of the tenth round, Margarito was ceaselessly being hammered by Manny’s countless blows. The fight should have ended there but Margarito never stopped fighting. He refused to quit even if it meant endangering his own life. And although, the referee often checked if Margarito could still see after having such a bad cut, it seemed the agony for both fighters was long enough to show us the true plight of the human spirit, the courage of a warrior’s heart and his compassion toward a fellowman.

I have never seen anything like this in recent times. Or maybe I have, but only in films. The courageous Manny we often saw attacking at a chance of knocking out an opponent was human enough to allow his foe to finish his game. He clearly never took advantage of the fact that Margarito could barely see and hit him, rather it became the reason he didn’t want to punish him any more than he had already received.

At the end of the fight, the result was not as important to me as the manner in which Manny handled the entire game. I was in awe. Not only did he prove himself worthy to be listed among the all-time greats in boxing, he has somewhat proved to be one of the few inspirational figures of this era. His rise is a modern day fairy tale and his legend just keeps getting bigger and brighter.

how do i block a stalker?

My birthday

Yes, it's my birthday! This day comes once in a year and it's been a habit to post about anything each time this day comes. I'll be more spontaneous on this one. It takes a longer time when I think slowly because I have a tendency to edit/re-edit the stuff I write about before I even post it.

Now, I'm very thankful for the wonderful birthday greetings I've been receiving since last night. I never really thought I had that many friends. Really, I'm so grateful!

On this special day of my life, I thank God for allowing me to see the beauty of the world around me. I'm grateful to him for the life He gave me, for the loving family that I belong to and for the friends He gave along the way.

I thank God for the love, hope, peace, joy that this life has been giving me. Words aren't enough to express my gratitude for the strength He was able to provide me in the many tribulations I had faced in the past. I pray to continue on with my battles in life, with Him beside me.

My wish is for my loved ones to stay happy and healthy for my happiness is deeply dependent on their happiness and well-being. I feel so blessed and loved by those who know me. Feeling their presence, their love convinces me more that God has always been good to me.

I pray that love will live in the hearts of people so nobody would demonstrate hate. May all of us live our lives to the fullest and that whatever our calling is, we may serve it to glorify God.

Whatever lies ahead, may the greater good always prevail. And if God will ask me now for a birthday gift, I'll choose to have Gilbert's health...I love my dog so much. An angel for a partner is a possible second option. Haha! Now that one took away all the seriousness from this essay.

Happy birthday to me!!!!

God is good all the time!!!!

My Gilbert

I pray that whatever the outcome of the coming elections, it will be for the ultimate good of the people and that whoever wins the presidency will finally unite this country and serve as an example of love, peace and dignity for all of us to follow. God bless the Philippines!

You are

You are
the earth that I come home to,
the wind that blows me to places
I've never been to.

You are
the fire that burns within my heart,
the water that gives life to my blood.

You are everything my life is about,
that one person I see in a crowd.

You bring happiness even in the saddest of time,
your smile leads me to the glory of light.

You are what you mean to me.
You are the colors that I wish you to be.

You are mine...
only in my mind.

Watched the Pacquiao-Clottey fight again with my dad. Goodness, I laughed when Mario Lopez said Clottey didn't seem to be as beat-up as Pacquiao. Of course his face would look clean, he just practically covered it the whole time.

My Prayer to God

Lord, thank you for coming into my life. I would not have been the person I am today had you not found me. Please forgive me if in ways I have offended other people. On the other hand, please touch the hearts of those who have offended others so they may not harm anymore. Thank you for the gift of life, for the happy days with my loved ones. And even in the most trying of times, I thank you for guiding us to move towards the right direction.

Thank you for the mercy and grace you so abundantly give my family. Forgive me if a few times I tend to succumb to the temptations of the worldly life. I'm a person with flaws but I know it isn't an excuse to commit a sin. Thank you for always making me feel welcomed each time I turn to you.

The wishes and desires of my heart are the same ones I've kept praying for all these years. Good health, financial, emotional and most especially spiritual stability are those that I always pray for for my loved ones especially my family. May your love live in our hearts forever. All these I pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

Merry Christmas to everyone! Happy birthday Jesus!

Still so happy that I (along with my office friends) got the chance to take a picture with John Lloyd Cruz. Isn't he a cutie?

Oh my! I've spent my entire day watching Charice Pempengco's live performances posted on youtube. That lady is just awesome. She just amazes me with every song, with each performance. I love her! She's just perfection. And so I held a microphone this afternoon and sang my heart out. I've been learning a few techniques by merely watching her. She just inspires me to sing better.

Thoughts on my birthday

In the past, I used to get excited at the thought of friends and loved ones giving presents and preparing surprises for me every birthday I'd have. I've always associated my special day with fancy little things that to me, proved my importance to them.

Now that I have reached my 31st birthday, I guess things are changing quite drastically. Last night, I attended a seminar for my Singles For Christ fellowship. I didn't tell anyone that in a few hours I'd be celebrating my birthday but then, the host announced that two people were celebrating their birthdays and of course, I was one of the two. Everyone greeted me. The funny thing is that I didn't know any of them personally yet, I felt so much loved. I even said, this is the happiest birthday I've had in my entire life. Really, what I felt last night was a genuine happiness.

It's so special in that I was surrounded by people who lived and breathed God's words. They too like myself have shortcomings but they strive like I do, to do good in each day of our lives. I really felt they were my true brothers and sisters, like we were indeed children of our Lord as we held a strong faith in him.

I believe that I have matured a lot in the last few years. I was once a pessimist who always viewed things negatively. Part of me still carries a little of that pessimism but having built my life upon God, I feel as if negative thoughts are now senseless and unworthy of contemplation.

I used to wish that I would find a partner and that I'd have my own family but I guess He knows I'm really not ready for it yet. I feel as if He's honing me to become more mature, more positive and more stable financially and emotionally to embrace the challenging work of becoming both a mother and a wife.

I'm not questioning God's will anymore. I'm just allowing myself to be lifted along the way, along this journey in life built upon a strong faith in God and in the faith that He will bring me to where I should be if I surrender everything to him. Of course, I know I have to do my share and not just let him do everything for me. But I'm getting there. As I get to know him more, I'm getting to know myself better. Through an appreciation of what I have, I guess I'll know what I can offer and never be afraid to share them with the people I love.

Yes, it's my birthday, and I'm thankful that despite the many problems I'm facing, I remain positive. Gone is the pessimist me. Though there are things that are missing, with my family, friends and God with me, and all the blessings coming my way, there's no reason to be sad. I choose to be happy.

Good luck Anoop!

I will not hide the fact that right this minute, I feel like cracking into a major fit of sobbing. The results of this week's American Idol elimination had gone hours past but it seems as if it has sunk in only now. I cannot believe that my beloved Anoop Desai is out of the competition. It was him I had followed religiously from day one. It will be hard to watch Idol and expect not to see him. I loved Anoop the first time I saw him. I will love him till my last breath. He is the only Idol contestant I've ever been so enamoured with. Good luck Anoop.

Back Again

Almost four months in complete hibernation and I have finally contemplated on getting back to writing on this blog again. It probably won't be on a regular day-to-week basis as I've become less sensitive of the triumphs and travails that surround this big old world we live in, but I will write for as long as it still makes sense to write.

So many things to write about yet, there isn't one that's worthy to be told. If I were in a basketball game, I was probably pulled out from the bench to play as a starter, then stumbled with a few missed shots and a couple of fouls that ultimately led me back to where I originally came from - the bench.

Yes, I'm in this phase again where it seems as if I'm in keen search of where I should be heading to professionally and emotionally.

People do get tired. I've grown too impatient and I know it isn't a good trait but if I don't do something drastic now, I know I'll regret it for the rest of my life. I want to have a clear vision of my future. Be it with regards to my career or a romantic life ahead, I need to start acting on it or it will not take long before I realize it's too late.

Maybe a different career, a different venue with different people and a far different approach than that I've had all this time could make my existence great again. And though it's not all that wonderful right this moment, I'm hoping that God will help me find happiness and contentment in whatever decision I choose to make.

Freddie and Manny

For days, I have marveled about how impeccable and masterful Filipino pugilist Manny Pacquiao performed in his recent fight with living legend Oscar de la Hoya. To this day, I couldn't stop admiring the boxing phenomenon who now ranks among the highest in my list of boxing greats.

It was more than a month ago that I remember writing about Pacquiao's inspirational journey towards pound-for-pound excellence. It's a belief I held then and that which has been affirmed now, that no matter who Manny chooses to fight or that even if the odds are against him, Manny is always bound to win. The reasons for his winning could be enumerated. It could be his speed, it could be his extraordinary strength or his improved boxing skills. But none of those weigh as much significance as the fire in his heart, for it is his heart that makes the difference.

In all of Manny's successes too, it is not easy to discount the discipline that his trainer imposed on him. Freddie Roach masterfully crafted Manny's abilities like that of a jeweler honing a diamond. He created a masterpiece in Pacquiao, capable of defeating quality fighters and improving at virtually every game he's on. In Manny and Freddie, there's not only a right amount of fighter-trainer relationship, there's also a little of a father-son connection between the two. They seem to genuinely have trust and respect for each other which have helped boost Manny's confidence in his fights.

I admire Freddie as much as I admire Manny. Having read a little of Freddie's biography, I can't help but see Manny's story in him too, only he's a white guy. The talented trainer grew up into a family of boxers since his father was once an accomplished fighter. As a pugilist, Freddie boxed like there was no tomorrow. He gave it all, winning some, losing some. He ate punches to give some back. But success as a boxer seemed to have evaded him. At age 26, he retired early from boxing. He did a few things that moved away from pugilism, until the chance to work as an assistant trainer to legendary Eddie Futch came. And since then, Freddie though troubled by Parkinson's disease, has found his true calling. He finally knew what he was good at doing, somehow better than he could ever be as a boxer: that was being a trainer.

This year, Freddie received a well-deserved award as Trainer of the Year from Yahoo! Sports. Thanks to a very impressive year of wins for Manny Pacquiao which could not have been possible without his unyielding support, trust and hardwork.

Freddie's story is truly an inspiring one. He fell but got back on his knees. He's proved that whatever battle lost, it doesn't equate surrender. And that's why he and Manny make a great combination because in them we see humans being hurt but capable of bouncing back. They might be beaten up but they choose to stand firm and carry their pride and their heart to face the challenge. For that, Freddie and Manny are my modern-day heroes.

Personality Test

Did this personality test on humanmetrics.com and found out that I've got an INFJ type of personality.

Introverted	Intuitive	Feeling	Judging
Strength of the preferences %
44	12	25	67

Qualitative analysis of your type formula
You are:

• moderately expressed introvert
  
• slightly expressed intuitive personality
  
• moderately expressed feeling personality
  
• distinctively expressed judging personality

Here's an explanation from keirsey.com:


Idealist Portrait of the Counselor (INFJ)

Counselors have an exceptionally strong desire to contribute to the welfare of others, and find great personal fulfillment interacting with people, nurturing their personal development, guiding them to realize their human potential. Although they are happy working at jobs (such as writing) that require solitude and close attention, Counselors do quite well with individuals or groups of people, provided that the personal interactions are not superficial, and that they find some quiet, private time every now and then to recharge their batteries. Counselors are both kind and positive in their handling of others; they are great listeners and seem naturally interested in helping people with their personal problems. Not usually visible leaders, Counselors prefer to work intensely with those close to them, especially on a one-to-one basis, quietly exerting their influence behind the scenes.

Counselors are scarce, little more than one percent of the population, and can be hard to get to know, since they tend not to share their innermost thoughts or their powerful emotional reactions except with their loved ones. They are highly private people, with an unusually rich, complicated inner life. Friends or colleagues who have known them for years may find sides emerging which come as a surprise. Not that Counselors are flighty or scattered; they value their integrity a great deal, but they have mysterious, intricately woven personalities which sometimes puzzle even them.

Counselors tend to work effectively in organizations. They value staff harmony and make every effort to help an organization run smoothly and pleasantly. They understand and use human systems creatively, and are good at consulting and cooperating with others. As employees or employers, Counselors are concerned with people's feelings and are able to act as a barometer of the feelings within the organization.

Blessed with vivid imaginations, Counselors are often seen as the most poetical of all the types, and in fact they use a lot of poetic imagery in their everyday language. Their great talent for language-both written and spoken-is usually directed toward communicating with people in a personalized way. Counselors are highly intuitive and can recognize another's emotions or intentions - good or evil - even before that person is aware of them. Counselors themselves can seldom tell how they came to read others' feelings so keenly. This extreme sensitivity to others could very well be the basis of the Counselor's remarkable ability to experience a whole array of psychic phenomena.

Mohandas Gandhi, Sidney Poitier, Eleanor Roosevelt, Jane Goodall, Emily Bronte, Sir Alec Guiness, Carl Jung, Mary Baker Eddy, Queen Noor are examples of the Counselor Idealist (INFJ).