My Morrie

Who’s my Morrie?

Each of us has his own version of “Morrie” in our lives. 

Some are teachers, some are friends, some are just strangers who taught of life’s formidable lessons not seen on the books and not earned by degree.

I have, too, in Ama Turing… my grandfather in my mother's side.

He’s 84, slowly getting weaker as the years go by.  Three-fourths of who I am now is largely because of the lessons and motivations brought about by my constant exchange of thoughts and conversations with my Ama Turing… from learning how to draw, ride a bike from writing poems and songs…. I learned from him.

I know, years are becoming shorter and shorter, and chances are getting smaller and smaller.

Honestly, I am pressured at how to derive at my own masterpieces and have him heard it before I missed out the chance.

I am struggling to revive the lost "silent and hidden tunes" and "spontaneous lyrics" my heart could make in minutes.

I let him heard the few lines of what I have just started… the "Sampung Pisong Barya", which I have tried to compose while walking the streets of Morayta… and he laughed at it.

He told me… "still witty at notes and thoughts…"

Such remarks from my Lolo is my spring to lift my spirits high to get back to songwriting.

Only my Lolo knows just how much I have loved that career.

"Baby ka palang, kapag umiiyak ka, binubuksan ko lang ang radyo at tv.  Kapag nakakarinig ka ng kanta o anumang tunog, tumitigil ka ng iyak, at sumasayaw ka habang may naririnig ka.  Titig na titig ka sa tv.  Kala mo kilala mo yung tumutugtog.  Pagkatapos nun tatahimik ka na at hindi na ulit iiyak.  Bata ka pa lang, alam kong musika ang buhay mo.  Kaya ng pilit itong inialis sa yo, alam ko kung gaano kalaki ang naging kawalan."

The worst disappointment I might be getting in my life, is to say this in front of many people…

"Sana, Ama, kahit nasaan ka man ngayon, proud ka sa akin dahil natupad ang pangarap ko…. alam kong naririnig mo pa rin ang musika ko.."

The Smiles

While I am busy pretending as if I am playing a major role in my brother’s graduation, well in fact I am just a bystander roaming around trying to catch some good views and good shots when I saw an old man wearing barong tagalong taking some stolen pictures of some of the graduates.

Someone who knows him asked,

“Sir, too busy catching smiles.  A relative from the graduates?”

So I got a hint, that the old man is a law professor.

“No”, he said.  “Showing moral support to my students.  Sharing the moment with them.  I am taking pictures of the students I know and compile it.  I am collecting smiles of them who eventually I will call my compañeros and compañeras… I have it at home.. I name each of the pictures.  Some sort of pride… cause I know I became a part of their law school life… ”

I saw him taking my bro's pic.

"That's my brother."

"Congratulations!  I am praying he would do well at the Bar examinations.  I am expecting for him to be not just to pass the exams but have it with flying colors."

I smiled and extend my heartfelt thanks…

So happy that there exists a Morrie in my brother's life.   Someone who cherished the moments and truthfully shared their lives for other's success and struggles.

Lagot ka, bro… Kelangan mong pumasa… nakakahiya na underneath your picture lies a caption… "student ko to pero hindi pa pumasa" hehehehe

*toink!

The Ring

Matto-te got it first.
Followed by Maan-tot.
Next in line is Evy-vorous…
Or shall I say, Jacqui-kay… hehehehe

Matto sent me this message…. “Gusto ko ikaw na din…”

I am referring to my close friends in graduate school who got married and are planning to get married this year…

Maan-tot got it first..
Followed by Matto-te….
Next in line is Jacqui-kay? Hahahaha
Or shall I say, Evy-vorous…. Hehehehe

Now, I refer to the order in which they got pregnant and gave birth and are planning to have one this year? Hehehe

I texted Jacqui-kay a while ago…

“Do I need to rush at having my back undergo laser treatment so I could wear backless gown for your wedding?”

No, I'm not bothered and pressured if I haven't been on the list… I've been checking the friendly groups I had from my classmates in gradeschool, highschool, college and orgmates who were already married and who are still hoping they could get out of the "sumpa"…. and I am running out of lists already… hehehehe

Well, oh well.. I am prepared to have my entourage shortlisted of single friends… but of my well-loved friends who got married who will actually play a major role in my wedding… as to when it shall happen…

Ask the moon… hihihihi

Gay but Real

Just recently, my friend and I had a coffee bonding at the coffee shop where I’ve been spending long hours of my work for the past few days.  He came to confess something…

In the midst of our conversation, somebody called him up and I heard him saying… “Kasama ko friend ko, oo nga eh.  Isa na nga lang itong matino kong friend, tapos malapit na ring umalis.  haaay kalungkot.” 

I smiled silently while watching him… 

This morning, we were exchanging text messages about some people we know… about how they behave… about how abnormally they react at some things which are absolutely nonsense.

In his message…

“Basta tau 2 walang halong plastic, pang matagalan na 2 kahit may family ka na…”

“Ako pa… pinapahalagahan ko mga tao na tulad mo…”

He’s a gay.  But one of the few gay friends I know who is so true, sincere and carefree… and I love to hang out with even if his being “bingi” and “paulit-ulit” cause me a lot of nerve strains and migraine hehehehe

The jologs life I had wouldn't be as jologs as it was if you weren't there right from the start.  That even if they're all gone, we remain very good friends.

Blizzardskii, I hold on to my promise that even if we're oldies, we'll remain friends.  And we'll save up to have our own version of HQ somewhere to meet up with other friends we know. 

The Secret Paradise in Cavite

I grew up and was raised in Cavite.  I spent most of my 28 years on earth in the quiet place of Amadeo.
What's ironic about my story is that I worked with the Dept of Tourism for five long years and yet I never knew that a secret paradise lies in the seat of Cavite.

Only last week, while watching Bitag, did I found out that there exists a Malibiclibic Falls in Cavite.  Even the mountaineer interviewed never knew about this.

About Malibiclibic

A valley borders the Malibiclibic Falls, where boulders cut across the middle of the gushing river waters cascading from the falls. At the far end of the river is the NIA irrigation project. Theother river route nearer the falls is a large pond which could be viewed from atop one of the boarder hills of the valley. A large pool of water forms at the base of the falls while coconut trees, shrubs and other greenery flank the sides.

Location : Boarder of the Barangay Lumipa, Gen. Aguinaldo and Magallanes

How to get there : Three routes are available from Manila to the site. One is via Manila-tagaytay-Alfonso Road; the second is via Manila-Palapala-Trece Martires City-Alfonso Road; the third is via Manila - Bacoor - Tanza - Naic - Maragondon Road. This, however, is passable only during dry season Glenda Transit travels to Gen. Aguinaldo via Tagaytay - Baclaran route; Maria Luisa Lines ply the Alfonso via Tagaytay - Baclaran route; Ortillo Lines takes the Alfonso via Trece Martires - Palapala - Baclaran route. Saulog buses travel from Vito Cruz, Manila to Maragondon everyday. Jeepneys are available at Alfonso for travel to Gen. Aguinaldo if you take the Alfonso destination stop. Maragondon likewise has jeepneys which travel by the vicinity of the barangay road off Municipalities Falls. The Anoang barangay road is a rough passage which stretches for a kilometer leading to the river which leads to the falls.

Travel time : From Manila, via Tagaytay-Alfonso road travel time is 2 hours; also 2 hours via Palapa-Trece Martires-Alfonso road; and 1 1/2 hours through Bacoor.

Information taken from : http://www.philtravelcenter.com/philippines/travelinfo/cavite-natural.html

Images taken from http://www.waypoints.ph

Can you resist this?

From what I have watched, visitors need to go on hiking for about an hour or so before reaching this site.  But it's worth all your sweat, isn't it?

Tara na!