The Tita Trend

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     Everyone is trying to be a tita. And it's not a good thing. 

     I've been seeing a lot of posts in different social media platforms on how people have been embracing the "tita" lifestyle. It seems that wanting to sleep early, having wine nights, and trying to act haughty without the superfluousness of the word makes one a "tita." This superficial perception is what's bothering me thinks.

     I think it requires a lot being a tita and not just drinking tea and having that thing where you hang your bag whenever you go to church. I believe being a tita is more of a mindset. When we have come to point where we just give zero fucks about what anyone thinks while still having a sense of grace about it is the first step into titahood. The moment where we've officially had it with all these distractions and trends that catches our attention and we start to focus on the things that matter to us not only because we love them but they also have a sense of practicality about them. Making adult decisions like sticking to one's grocery budget or spending the entire day cleaning the house instead of going to the mall. A person wanting to lead the tita lifestyle should start collecting life experiences in order for them to start maturing instead of following other people do it. 

     But sleeping early doesn't hurt.

     

     

The Greater Fool

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     Today is the best day to pull a prank on someone. But to be honest, the joke's on us. In this country. Look at the candidates wooing us for our votes. Only handful of them can be trusted and some of them might have made Faustian deals just so they could provide us with the public service we rightfully deserve. We fail to see the punchline as farmers are gunned down because they're clamoring for help from their government. The way that the government of the past and present has treated our farmers is laughable. No amount financial subsidy is going to alleviate their lives. It's insulting to them, that the least that these people can do is give them money. Money that passes from one agency to the next until what's left is enough to just get them by. Unless and until we change how we perceive and treat our farmers, we will never transcend and break away from our elitist mindset.

     Who's laughing now?

Hey, thanks.

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     Today, I would like to talk about appreciation. Ever since I was young, I was taught to appreaciate the things around me. From the food that I ate, the clothes I wore, and even the act of kindness done to me. I have always been grateful to the people who have helped me along the way. 

     That's the reason why I'm always horrified to hear someone being unappreciative of the things being done for them. I remember a time when I would whine about a lot of things. I would complain and complain non-stop and felt that I was being cheated out of something that should've been mine. I was resentful at the people around me for being in the state that we are in. I neglected to notice their efforts in making sure that I at least have what I needed.

     Now that I'm working in an industry where you constantly have to hustle, it is both a humbling and character-building experience to be appreciative of the efforts of the people around you and how they have helped you in whatever form. It also taught me to not just appreciate others but also be grateful to my own efforts. Learning how to appreciate one's self is a constant battle with the rejections left and right, but it is such a good feeling to have when you pat your own back when you've done a good job at work or when you've done something for the people you love to make their lives comfortable. 

     Sadly, sometimes appreciation is not our default emotion in handling certain situations. 

Yes, Let's Do This

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     My continuing feeling of loneliness still envelops my entire being. As much as I want to interact with people today, it just feels like I'm not getting anywhere. Probably because I feel ignored. I am used to not being the center of attention. I enjoy doing things better when people aren't crowding around me. But, now that I've forging relationships with people, the feeling of being ignored or being swept under the rug hurts more, because they are from the ones that you care the most. 

     So what's a lonely boy got to do on a Saturday afternoon? I decided to embrace this lonely feeling and went to Quiapo just to explore. It always amazes me that I'm still able to discover new things. For a moment I felt like being embraced by a friend who's been waiting for me. 

     Being lonely ain't that bad, sometimes.

Because He Needs Us

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     Looks like Manny Pacquiao got the biggest punch of his life. During an interview, he was asked about same-sex marriage and he compared it to how animals do it. I think everyone has read the interview and has seen the video so we'll skip the blow-by-blow account. After receiving a barrage of punches from different social media users, Pacquiao has uploaded an apology video for his statement. It is important to note though, he still thinks that a homosexual act is still a sin.

     I'll skip all the counter arguments that Pacquiao made about the LGBT community since there are so many people who are qualified to do that. What I would like to get off my chest is the level of inhuman thinking that came out of this statement. Not only did he degrade the LGBT community but is also perpetuating homophobia under the guise of religion. Since he's also running for a Senate seat, it is not surprising that he'll say something this low. Not only did make it relevant but him uploading an apology video only hours after the social media backlash shows that this is a calculated move. The apology insincere video projects an image that he listens if he is on the wrong and he's willing to humble himself. 

     Like as if that would work. Surprisingly, it might will. Pacquiao is not really known for his legislative skills and attendance but crafting this election given our predilection to forget the wrong doings of these bastards (the Marcoses, anyone?) might just get him elected. 

     It is up to the voters that understands the situation to turn this around. You don't have to campaign for the ones you like, but you can campaign against for those that only uses hot button issues to be the center of social media frenzy.  

   

Wired Heart

photo courtesy of www.wallpaperspal.com

     I decided to ask Allan out to have a breakfast date. It was also Valentine's Day yesterday. It was a fun date. It took a more corporate feel as talked about goals and other things about our relationship. This approach has worked for us since it allows us to be less emotional and look at it in a more logical way. Even during misunderstandings, we've dealt with it by going on a more business-like handling. This might sound boring for you, especially from someone who is in relationship.

     Tachikoma, my laptop is still not fixed. The wireless function is still not working and I'm still tied to hooking it up in a router with an ethernet cable. It's a bit limiting since I tend to move around the house while working. Now it feels like being in an office work desk. 

    Hopefully, I'll get the time this week to have fixed and have back to its working condition. 

Expedition

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     Female Parental Unit and I have been planning to go to Divisoria for the longest time. Given that I work every day and get off from work at 2 PM, we had to make sure that we'll make the most of our time there. We don't want to go on a weekend because we know it'll packed and we also don't want to stay there exploring until night time. I started to think that for a couple of things that we wanted to check out, a lot of factor and planning is involved.

     So we decided to go today and even before we got there, our plan started to hit a snag. The jeep took a different rout. We got off in front of 999 Mall. Female Parental Unit and I were not familiar with area, but we thought it would be a good chance to explore the building and see what we'll find. 

     We've only been there for less than half an hour and I already managed to buy all the things that I want. Since it was still early, we thought we'd get something to eat. After that we decided we'd check out 168 Mall as well. It was a little more packed with stalls and people that we felt a bit overwhelmed that we just settled with just looking around the ground floor. 

     When we decided to head back home, we realized that all of the road repairs and rerouting in the area has thrown off whatever sense of direction I have. And since Female Parental Unit is also not familiar with the new surroundings, we ended up asking for directions, which I still feel is a failure of my being a human being. 

     We're both tired, but we definitely enjoyed our exploration. And we promised each other that we'll go back there. 

CNY

photo courtesy of www.pinoycookingrecipes.com

     Today is the Chinese New Year. A lot of people went to Chinatown in Binondo to celebrate and get some items that they believe will bring them goof luck.

     One of the traditions that we sort of follow in celebrating the Chinese New Year is serving tikoy or rice cake. It said to bring the family closer together since the rice cake is sticky and keep the relationship harmonious with its sweet flavor. We normally just coat the rice cake with a beaten egg and fry it. This year we gave a couple of rice cakes to our neighbors and we also received several boxes of them. I guess it pays when your female parental unit is one of the most sociable people you've met. 

     Even if you don't practice any of the traditions that comes with the Chinese festivity or you go all-out, always remember that celebrating the start of the year allows us to start fresh and gives us a chance to better people not just for ourselves but for those around us. 

Easy

photo courtesy of www.de.union.de

     Work was light today. I also woke up late. The second sentence does not justify anything. The first sentence is true despite encountering some connection issues. Technical difficulties like these limits this country and the potential work from home workforce to being more productive and a big income generating sector for the country.

     Even if it was a light day today, there were some parts that I don't remember. Like seeing female parental unit cook our lunch. My work station is close to the dining table where she preps the things the she'll cook. I don't remember seeing that. It's probably because I haven't been sleeping as much as I should these past few days. 

     So I'm going to hit the sack now! 

Damp and Wet

photo courtesy www.amoremiobello.wordpress.com

     The rain couldn't come any sooner.

     It had been humid the past few days, especially during the afternoon. I had the unfortunate time of basking in all of its brain melting heat glory when I home to Malacanang. 

     While I was doing the laundry yesterday, the sky began to darken and I thought that it was going to rain after. I had to rush and finish my chore and I possibly pulled some muscles because of it. 

     The rain apparently started to pour today. It would've been ideal to just stay in bed and sleep, but I had work. Bummer. The slow downpour brought me a joy I normally feel when the rainy season start. Others may feel introspective and just chill whenever it rains, but I feel different. I feel more energized. Its as if the rain revitalizes something inside of me and makes me want to do more. 

     And I did just that. I ran several software tests on my laptop, deleted some old files, read a couple of chapters of a book, and even manage to write this blog. Heck, I even took a nap because I could sneak that in the things I could accomplish today, Harhar.

     I hope that everyone is safe and dry today. Be with your friends and family and make this a cuddle day for you to remember! 

Going Back To The Start

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     The start of the month for me always meant a new beginning. As cheesy as it sounds, the turning of the month has always made me want to start something. In this case, writing. Again.

     

     Before, I used to think that since I consume a lot of content of varying topics, it would be easy to just write about something on a daily basis. I was wrong. Not only could I not come up with daily and random topics to put here, but I also gave up easily because I would get tired from my day job. There would be times where I question myself if I'm passionate about writing as I thought I was. 

     Everyone wants to be writer. People thought that being a writer gives them a certain kind of wisdom. A profound knowledge of the world at large. I believe in that too. But given how lackluster my "performance" here, it might not be the case. I'm not close to being wise or profound. My views are still selfish and sometimes myopic, and they probably would not change because I'm a stubborn ass.

     But since it is the start of the month, I can at least try and start to be a better version of what I am and my passion. Fingers crossed in maintaining the momentum. 

     

Happy New Year

photo courtesy of www.trvnews.com

   Happy new year to all of you. Ushering the new year always brings that feeling of introspection of the year that's about to pass. But aside from looking back I hope that we should start practicing looking forward to the new year. Whether it may be a new year filled with new opportunities or a year with a lot of obstacles, we should be looking forward to this as it will help us become the better version of ourselves. 

   Won't be keeping you here for too long. Go out there and be with your family and friends. Have fun! :)

#30DayWritingChallenge: A Neighbor

photo courtesy of www.clipartsheep.com

       Our neighbor is an elderly couple with four children. In almost fifteen years that I've lived beside them, I have seen their children finish school, move out of their house and build their own families. The husband is a college professor in a nearby university while his wife is stays at home. My family was always cordial with them. They would always give us something whenever they would return from their province. The male parental unit has even fixed their some of the appliances when it broke down.

   
    Recently, they got tangled in a row with another neighbor. It came as a shock to us how undignified and low they treated the neighbor. Sure, the other neighbor does not have a diploma and is known in our area as someone who would always find themselves in a argument but I don't think that verbally degrading the other neighbor and devaluing their existence is the way to go.

     
       When their youngest child returned to live with them along with her husband and son, it gave me a glimpse to what goes on inside that house. They would always argue. Even shout at each other. It even came to the point where the elderly man would threaten to kick the daughter and her family out of the house. 

       
        It seems that their facade as an ideal family is starting to break down. 

Why We Like What We Like

photo courtesy of www.interpersonal-compatibility.blogspot.com

   Lately, there have been a lot of posts about people liking certain things that are a hit right now. Some writes how it makes them feel good, while some even managed to wrap it around the current socio-political time that the country is entering. People have started arguing passionately about the things they like and has even managed to latch onto whatever faint scent of dissent that they smell on people. 

   Liking things, tv shows, movies, books is part of of how we forge relationships with other people. Similar interests binds us and allows us to relish in the feeling of liking and making us feel that we're not alone in this. On the other hand those that have a different interest than ours provides a chance to discuss this and see why we like what we like.

   Sad thing is, there are those who need to intellectualize whatever it is that they like not because to explain the rationale of their emotion but rather avoid being called a fan. At the end of the day, what we have to remember is that we follow what we love and share it others and if they like it too then good for you and if they don't then we should respect their choices. Dismissing each other to validate your own liking does not make your own argument sound smarter. You'll just sound like an ass. 

Rich People Problems

photo courtesy of www.interaksyon.com

   The trip from Pasig to Malcanang was horrendous today. I left at around 2 PM with the anticipation that there would be heavy traffic in some areas. I didn't realize that a school would cause it. The bus that I ride passes by La Salle Greenhills and even before we got the there, the traffic was so heavy that it took us an hour to move from Robinson Galleria to the POEA. It took another quarter of an hour for us to get out of the that bottleneck area. Apparently parents where picking up their children and they were taking up 3 lanes of the road. Even if there was a billboard where La Salle apologizes for the inconvenience and promises to find a solution for this, I feel like it's not really the problem of the commuters as a whole. The road in which the cars of the parents are parked is a public road. It shouldn't just be allocated for them. That is clearly a preferential treatment by city of Mandaluyong.

   But he rich people. 

Sleeplessness

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   I had planned to go back to Malacanang today. The plan was to leave at 4 AM. I went to bed around 7 PM after Allan left for work. I know for a fact that I did not take a nap that afternoon nor had I consumed soda. I even overworked myself a bit to be sure that I'll be tired. To my surprise I was wide awake. From 7 PM to 4 AM. I debated on whether to still leave for Malacanang but I was too sleepy by that time to make the trip and I was afraid that I won't be very alert. So I finally slept around 5 AM after making sure that Allan has something to eat when he gets home at 6 AM.

   That was one weird night. 

Dad

photo courtesy of au.tv.yahoo.com

   Male parental unit and I will always have that who's-better-in-everything-we-do type of relationship. And what's weird is that both of us does not have any competitive nature. He's pretty laid back and doesn't like to be the center of anything and would rather be in the background. I'm basically like him, only it's more of laziness than having a cool personality. 

   My relationship with my male parental unit has evolved over the years. Back when I was younger, I looked up to him and tried to emulate his values. Over time, as I begin to form my own beliefs and values, I noticed that they were not that different from his even though I tried to have a more modern view and approach to things. Whenever we discuss these values, I couldn't help but feel that somewhere in my dad's hard exterior he's proud of what I've become.

   But I'm more proud because I was raised by a man like him 

Here Comes The Rain Again

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   I'm going ahead and declare that the rainy season is finally here. Summer was brutal and it was anything but something put a smile in your face. There is something about the rain that always gives a warm feeling inside. Like everything is alright. Of course the torrential rains that have been happening all over the world is an exception. Contrary to what a lot of people feel during the rainy season, I feel more productive and more driven to go out of the house. Summer for me feels like hibernation while the rainy season has always been about being active.

   With the the start of the rainy season, I hope that we all start preparing for its ill effects while enjoying the feeling of what it brings us. 

Of Spoilers

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   A lot of people went wild and vented their frustration in social media about being spoiled by the season five finale of Game of Thrones. Coincidentally they were spoiled by going to social media. So there. 

   I was never the one to get spoiled anyone who posts spoiler scenes in television shows or movies. I get more anxious to watch the show even more when I learn of certain memorable scenes. But a lot of people aren't like me and I can't blame them. For them, they want to experience the scene without any preconceived notion and being spoiled not only destroys that feeling but also makes their watching less enjoyable. 

   People who tweet or post spoiler scenes is not entirely to blame either. It is still their right to post what they think is something worth sharing. It's also not their fault that they managed to watch the movie or television show before anyone else did. The most that could probably asked from them but not really expect is to exercise restraint in sharing so that they don't spoil it for the rest. 

  Spoiling is two way crash site. For those sharing even a hint of what's about happen, they run the risk of spoiling for everyone and if they are going to get a lot of flak for it, then so be it. For those that does not want to spoiled, the best way is to just avoid any avenues where they run being spoiled. 

  As for me I still would watch every show and movie with an anticipation no one can spoil. 

Towards freedom

photo courtesy of www.southupdates.com

   Today, we celebrate the Philippines' Independence Day. We've been enjoying this freedom we have and surely have manifested it a lot of ways. From owning properties, to airing our opinions in social media, freedom is truly alive in this country. But aside from these things that we are free to do, we, myself included may have forgotten that there are still things that we are not free from. For starters, we are still not free from the bigotry and hate that several minority groups are still experiencing. From the LGBT to the indigenous people, oppression and suppression of the rights are still prevalent. Moreover, it seems that we are still enslaved by the backward thinking when it comes to politics and social issues. These things are so common that sometimes I have to admit that I'm also guilty of them. In order to be free from the shackles that prevent us from being a decent country where one could live, I guess that we have to start with ourselves and how we open our minds to not just what's happening inside of our backyards but also on a global scale as well. 

   Here's to our path towards freedom.