The Hard Slap of Reality
I thought I'll abandon this site completely, but, look what I was doing now. The last time I visited this site was I think two years ago, during the spread of Coronavirus. Where everyone was put in a lockdown. Distance learning was implemented by then and that's the time I discovered this website.
Honestly, this website helped me a lot during that time since I was earning through writing and I owe those people who read and appreciate my articles.
I am a teacher now. Thanks to read.cash and to you, I graduated and became a teacher now.
I am currently a private school teacher, handling elementary. Before, when I was still a student. All I could think of was when will I graduate to start earning money. I wanted to give back to my parents already. I wanted to but the things I couldn't have before. Eat what I wanted to eat. And travel to different places as much as I want. It's because the young me thought that if you already had a job and is earning monthly or bi-weekly then you can already do whatever you wanted to do.
But I was slapped with the hard truth of reality.
Having a job, earning a minimum wage for 8-5 hours of work, and being an adult...it is not that easy. It's not nice. If I would be given a chance, I would travel in time and return being a student or a kid. Because I don't like it here. No one warned me how difficult adult life is. How life becomes harder when you're an adult. How you cannot do everything you expect that you can when you were used to being a kid dreaming of becoming an adult fast.
Sure, it's not the same for everyone. Some were luckily born into a wealthy family. Some may be born poor but were lucky enough to be smart to succeed in life. But people must also understand that some people are like me. To be born in an average. Not poor but not wealthy family. Can excel in academics and work but not that smart to completely succeed in life. Just a normal individual in the middle of everything. But we are the ones who used to struggle the most.
I do have a job and earning but it's not that big to buy everything I wanted or travel to anywhere I wanted to go. If I wanted to buy something or plan to travel somewhere, I need to save up first and it might take a couple of months or so if there are no instances that the savings will be used for other matters.
I cannot go on vacation without a proper plan since I can't leave work without proper notice too.
I can't meet my friends without a plan because all of us are busy with our work and mostly there's a conflict in our schedules.
When you're a student, all you think about is where would you go with your friends. But when you become an adult, your automatic response to an invitation is to check first your availability or if when is your free time to catch up with your friends.
Last February, my bestfriend got hospitalized. We used to hang out a lot way back when we were still a student, and we're together every day unless it's a weekend. But when all of us got a job, we seldom saw each other. Though we still communicate and plan a trip together but it's not like before. As far as I remember, we can only meet each other once a year if we're not that busy.
We decided to catch up so last January 2023 we planned a trip to Cebu's Sinulog 2024. It's a long-term plan since we also need to save money first in preparation for this trip. The time came, and for some reason the planned trip was unsuccessful.
Last February, we heard that she was admitted to the hospital and was in coma. We immediately went to Cebu for her. It was a rushed decision and we didn't have money but luckily we found some ways and were able to go to her. And since it was an unplanned trip, we needed to go back immediately because we still had work. We stayed there for four days and three nights. As much as we want to stay until she regain consciousness but we cannot able to do so because we also have responsibilities with our work.
Four days after we returned home, she died. Regrets and thousands of what-ifs filled me at that time. I can't focus on my work and review. LET is approaching yet I really can't seem to focus because of what happened to her. I made a promise that I would pull myself back after her burial, however, another incident happened and my grandmother died.
I was struggling emotionally, and at the same time, I was also struggling financially to pay the debt we used when we went to Cebu.
And when the day of the LET came, last March 17, 2024, I just wanted to cry out all of my frustrations and stress because I felt so stupid while answering the exam. Questions were new and I haven't encountered some of the questions yet. So when I got home, I wanted to cry but my mother was there asking about my day. I told her that the exam was hard and I was not confident enough if I would pass it.
When I lay my back in bed, my tears fell and I overthink about many things happened in my life lately. But when the moment I opened my eyes, it was already Monday and it's time to go back to work.
I realized how different the time we had when we were still kids to the time we have now being an adult.
Before, if we have problems over trivial things or tantrums over things we cannot have, we just sleep and rest for as long as we want until we feel okay already.
but now, being an adult, you cannot do that anymore. The time will not adjust itself until you feel better. The world will continue to move even if you're still struggling over something. Even if you haven't recovered yet, time will continue. So you have no choice but to get up and continue as well. And that is the saddest thing about being an adult. That is the sad thing about reality.
The Delinquent In Me (When I was a kid Challenge)
Dear friends and readers, I apologized for being inactive this past few days or has it been weeks already? Anyways, I've noticed that this platform has been lively for this challenge by @bmjc98 , the “When I was a kid challenge”. So, I decided to participate since it seems fun and I also wanted to share some of my childhood moments as much as I also enjoy reading other's too.
Despite having strict parents and a ‘study-focus’ childhood, I also have my fair share of unforgettable delinquent moments. Ever since I was a kid, I never let myself be bullied. I have been a certified honor student since preschool but I am honestly not your goodie kind of girl, and my parents never knew of these activities of mine.
*Pre-School*
I graduated in kindergarten 1 and 2 with a lot of medals and awards such as best in reading, best in writing, best in English, best in mathematics, and so on and so forth. But in contrast to all of that, I have a secret little evil in me.
I have this classmate who is sitting in front of me. She has long curly hair that always irritates me because whenever I write, her hair is on my table so I couldn’t write properly. Aside from that, I really find her weird for using her saliva as a lotion. Yes, she would spit on her palm and spread her saliva on her arms and legs. And she's in front of me, so I always witness it everytime.
So, one time, the naughty I played a little with her. I cut her hair with my pink Barbie scissor and spit on her head without her knowing it. I was so young and naughty to realize that what I did was wrong. But I only did that once because she cried hard when she realized that someone cut her hair. No one saw me so no one accused me as the culprit. And I am even one of those people who tried to comfort her just so she wouldn’t think that it was me who did that.
*Grade 2*
I was in the first section from grade 1 until grade 2. I didn’t remember some of my mischief when I was in grade 1 but I surely remember some when I was in grade 2.
Most of my classmates from kindergarten and grade 1 are also my classmates in grade 2. And yes, that curly-saliva girl is also my classmate but she's sitting far from me already since we are arranged alphabetically.
This time, I really believe that behind every goodness, there's an evil lying within us.
Since our class starts from 7am until 4pm, my mother prepared us a lunchbox so we don’t need to go home for lunch. It is also the same for my classmates so we usually eat our lunch in the classroom. I don't mean to brag but my only friends in the classroom are the only geniuses in my batch, and that's only 2 of them—Anna and Mathilda. I was really a loner as a kid, or maybe I just don't feel like being in a big circle.
So, during lunch, we always eat together. The 3 of us. One time, Anna's viand wass my favorite hotdog. So while eating, they always chit chat with my other classmates. She would look at them and not on her food so I took my chances and ate all her hotdogs. When she noticed what I did, she cried. And I didn’t even feel guilty because my stomach was satisfied, but still I apologized.
The next day, I had my favorite hotdogs. Maybe she's trying to get even so she also did what I did to her but my evil side immediately did a countermeasure. I pulled her hair and tried to get the hotdog on her mouth. She cried again for what I did. Though I apologized, but she distanced herself from me until the end of the school year.
*Grade 3*
When I was in grade 3, I failed to be in the first section. It is my fault though since I didn’t answer the exam properly but I remember crying that day because I didn’t know my new classmates, and some of them look so scary and had that bully aura in them especially those boys sitting on the back.
And my intuition was right, some of my new classmates were actually a bully. Unlike my classmates in the first section who looked decent, pampered, and cry-babies, my new classmates were naughty, hard-headed, and bullies. But unlike in the first section, I feel more relaxed in my new classroom. I also find my seatmate comfortable to talk with, and since they know that I am from the first section, I feel like an instant celebrity with their attention.
Girls and boys wanted to be my friend, and everyone elected me as the classroom's president. I feel like my world started to grow. And we always had these boy classmates who would annoy you without any reason, and you'll just know that they like you.
I used to like my hair when I was a kid. My mother would always braid them before I go to school. And I have these boy classmates who would always play with my hair. It would annoy me so I always pulled their hair so hard until I was satisfied. And when one of them removed my hair tie, I hit him with my red umbrella with a whistle and all. It caused him a wound between his nose and eyes.
At first I was mad, but when it started to bleed I started to panic. So I did the most reasonable thing for me that time. I cried. I even threatened him to take my parents with me on the next day. And since most of my classmates adore me, I got their sympathy and they hated him, even the other bullies hated him.
There was even one time when one of the bullies announced that he likes me and showed me his private part, so I removed my boots and threw it at him. I don't know why but maybe they see it as a challenge when I try to fight back, unlike my other girl classmates who will just cry on the corner if someone bullied them.
*Grade 5*
When I was in grade 5, I had friends with these girls that are so-called ‘famous’ on campus. They are sometimes mean to others but they are good to me so we became friends. But it is not all about them. I have this boy seatmate who is always quiet and doesn’t have many friends. He always put his snacks under his desk, and the evil me noticed it.
During discussion I would slowly reach for his snacks without him knowing it and silently I eat it. So when recess came, he would find out that he no longer had a snack and I would instantly join my friends in the canteen for our snacks. But there are also times that I don’t eat his snacks, especially if I don't like it. LoL.
*Grade 6*
My classmates in grade 5 were also my classmates in grade 6, so I was still friends with my friends in grade 5. And I can say that this is the time where I experienced many things. Both bad and good, but they are part of my growth so I am still glad that I experienced those things.
*Why?* Because this is the time where I got my first crush and realized that I don't have an interest in entering any relationship. This is the time where I first experienced cutting classes, and realized that it is possible to balance enjoying life and studying hard. This is the time where I experienced smoking and drinking alcohol, and realized that those things are not worth it to trade your education and future. And finally, this is also the time when I asked myself about what I wanted to become in the future, and realized that I haven't had a dream yet aside from being an engineer since I love to draw.
Though, my dream changed in high school. From being an engineer, to flight stewardess, to chef, to doctor, to architect, but when I reached college I chose education and prepared myself to be a teacher.
As I tried to recall everything when I was a kid, all I can say is that I am not really a nice kid. Though I am kind and I study hard, but I am not really nice. As you can see, I have had my own principles since I was a kid, and that is to never let anyone make me feel inferior. Instead of crying in the corner when someone bullies and hurt you, I fight back. I don't believe in karma because ever since, I always play karma itself. And I am just glad I was like that when I was a kid because that makes me who I am today.
Household and Gender Roles
As a daughter in the house, I am expected and supposed to do every household chore or assist my mother in it. They always say that it is a woman's duty to know and do every chores in the house.
I don't see any problem in knowing and doing every household chore but apparently, I also see this as a gender bias.
These past few days, my mother has been ill. So, as a daughter, it is my responsibility to do my mother's work in the house. I am never a morning person but I needed to wake-up early to cook for breakfast, then after that I'll sweep and clean the house, then I'll clean the backyard and front yard, then water the plants, then feed the chickens, ducks, and the rabbit as well, then after that I would proceed with the laundry.
When the clock ticks at 11am, even if I am not yet done with washing all of the dirty clothes, I would stop for a while to cook for lunch. Then after lunch I will continue doing the laundry. At 4pm I would cook for dinner, then wash the dishes after dinner.
These are my life cycles for the past few days. It is not easy and it is very tiring to be honest. This just proves that being a housewife and a mother at the same time is not easy. I wonder how my mother managed all of these for the past years.
*What makes me say that there is a gender inequality in the house?*
1. Cooking
Well, first is when it comes to cooking, it is always the woman or they would always say that cooking is part of a woman's responsibility. I've experienced it these past few days and before, even though I was already the one who cooks for breakfast and lunch, I was also expected to cook for dinner.
I am not lamenting over this but not all women could cook. Me, myself isn't good at cooking. Yes, probably I can cook simple foods, especially fried foods, but if I would cook something difficult for me then there's a higher possibility that it would be a failure. And I always get scolded for those failed foods. They would say that *'A woman should know how to cook', 'You should cook to serve your family in the future', 'A woman is useless if she can't cook'*.
People, cooking may be a necessary skill that is needed for a wife material woman but it doesn't exactly mean that a woman is useless or worthless if she couldn't cook well!
And it is really a mystery to me why a woman must cook for every meal when there is another member of the family who didn't do anything. At first, I thought it's just normal because my father is at work while my brother is helping my uncle for some matter. But though, even when they are both in the house it is always my mother and me who do the cooking.
2. Cleaning the House
In cleaning the house, obviously it is also the woman who does the cleaning. Some said that it is because women are good at cleaning unlike men.
Well, I think even if that is the case it is not necessary for a woman to do all the cleaning by herself just because she's good at it while the man was just sitting and relaxing because he's bad at it.
It happened to me most of the time, I would get scolded and unending *'A woman should'* if there are times that I would skip cleaning the house or forgot cleaning the house because of some matter. For example, when it is the time of the month. There are really times that I would wake up very late just because my body felt tired and aching but my brother would then wake me up shouting that I should start cleaning the house even if he could actually clean it.
I witnessed it many times, how my mother cleaned the house--just because she is good at it, while the men in our house were just relaxing doing nothing--just because they are bad at it.
3. Doing Laundry
Then next is doing the laundry. I really hate it, because even doing the laundry it is also needed to be done by a woman.
I only wash my clothes once a week since I separated it from the laundry basket, and I never did let my mother wash my clothes when I reached fifth grade. However, my mother do the laundry everyday. I always wonder why it never ends, so when I replaced her place these past few days I found out that it is because my father and brother had so many dirty clothes for I don't know why. And even some personal stuff such as underwears are in the basket to let us wash for it.
4. Washing the dishes
Then for washing the dishes, it is not that they didn't know how to wash the dishes but they always used *'A woman should'* just for me to wash it.
I always find it ridiculous, when even if I was done washing the plates, if they would eat late or something, they wouldn't wash their own plate and just put it in the sink for me to wash it again.
These are just some of the things that I have noticed in the house, but I wonder what they think of us women, a maid? A working machine who wouldn't get tired?
This just made me think that entering marriage isn’t a joke at all. If a woman is treated like a princess in her parent’s house, then it will probably change when she gets married. Honestly, this is the 21st century. Everything that a man can do, a woman can do also and vice versa. And this should also be applied in every household, to not let the wife do all the household chores by herself when in fact a husband or any male in the house could also share with the chore.
Men never know how hard and difficult it is to be a woman in the house, except for those househusbands. Doing chores and taking care of the people in the house at the same time, it is not easy. Yes, although gender equality exists, but not always in the house.
Good as Gold
Yesterday, I went to my grandmother's house to help her clean. She's old so she can't do some household chores anymore, and she can't go to the upper floor of the house because of her knees.
My grandmother's house is one of the oldest houses in our neighbourhood. It was already built when there was still war. It was renovated and repaired, but still some part of the house remained untouched. Just like their basement. So, my grandparents’ house is only a two storey building with a basement. That basement stands as their hiding place when war was still ongoing before. Some people would also hide in that place, and I don't know how many deaths occurred in that house. That is also one of the reasons why I find it creepy sometimes.
The house isn't that old looking since, like I have said, it was repaired and renovated. If you go to the second floor of the house, you can still see some touches of the past like the window frame and some cabinets for example. My grandmother didn't want to change it so they just took extra care of it even if the material of the frame and the wood used was already very old and weak.
When I get there. The first thing my grandmother asked me is to change all of the curtains. To be honest, my grandmother has so many curtains hiding in her cabinet upstairs. Well the house is big and it has many rooms, windows, and doors. The second floor of the house wasn't that scary but I still find in creepy. Especially when I am just alone. Can you also feel that? Like when someone is staring at you? Honestly, I would always have goosebumps.
So after I change the curtains, I then sweep and wax the floor. The second floor of the house was all made up of wood, and the floor was also made of hard wood so my grandmother asked me to polished it and make it shine. It was only on the second floor since half of the house was already concrete. Imagine cleaning a big and old house alone. Very tiring and creepy, indeed.
When I finished cleaning the second floor and the living room, the next place to clean was the basement. The basement also has some small windows so my grandmother also asked me to change it. What I like the most in the basement is it was cold there and you won’t be needing a fan.
I remember when I was little, my parents both had jobs so they would leave me and my brother in my grandparents’ house. Every noon, my brother and I would be sleeping in the basement because it is much colder there and so we can't escape to play. We love to escape every afternoon nap before just to play so my grandmother decided to let us sleep in the basement so we couldn't escape. There is only one door in the basement and the windows are too small and narrow for even us kids, so when we try to escape my grandmother would immediately see us.
So going back, as I clean the basement, there are some parts that shouldn't be touched. In the corner, there were tables, chairs, cabinets, and some things that I didn't know because it was covered with thick cloth. I never dared touching it even before, but yesterday I got really really curious so I took a peek. The things under the clothes are full of dust and they are just some old and broken things.
I asked my grandmother if I could also clean those, she agreed and even helped me to lift the cloth. I don't know if those are collections of broken and old items, or whatsoever. As I was moving the feather duster, I accidentally hit the medium looking box and caused it to fall. I immediately picked it up thinking that I broke it but luckily it looks like it was made of a special hard wood. I also notice that there's a keyhole in the box.
Out of instinct, I got really excited. I was thinking that there is probably a treasure inside the box, or some mystery, or my grandfather left some message and money there before he passed away.
The box looks very old and full of dust. I also noticed that there are some words written in the bottom of the box but I couldn't read it because it was written in Spanish--I think or I don’t know. I was very excited and curious about what's inside the lock box. It is a pity that I left my phone in the house so I couldn't take a picture of it.
So without further ado, I dropped the feather duster and broom that I was holding and ran to my grandmother to ask about the box. I asked her if we could open the box because there might be some treasures inside, she laughed and went out to get the key. I continue cleaning while anticipating the possible things inside the box. Minutes later when my grandmother came back and asked me to look for the key in the cabinet upstairs because she totally forgot where she put it.
I obliged and went upstairs to look for the key. I asked her what it looked like but she had already forgotten what it looked like and the only thing she remembered was that she put it inside a red pouch. So I tried looking for a red pouch in every corner of every cabinet upstairs, and I even took some keys that I found hoping that it fit the box. I couldn't find the red pouch that she was talking about so I just went down to the basement.
I found my grandmother also trying to find the key in the basement's cabinet but to no avail, she couldn’t find any. To my disappointment, the keys that I found didn't also fit the box's keyhole. So the only way to open the box is to destroy it, which I doubt if my grandmother would agree to. She said the box was made by my late grandfather himself.
I asked her about the words written in the bottom of the box, but she was also surprised to see that there was something written in the bottom of the box. She didn't know it and we couldn't read it so I was somehow disappointed. I was really curious about what's inside the box, and I think I won't be at peace if I wouldn’t know what's inside. So I asked my grandmother if she could remember what was inside.
To my delight, she said that she remembers. She said the things inside the box are greater than the diamonds, and as good as gold. A real treasure, but her treasure. Because the things inside the box are her remnants of happy memories of the moments that passed her life.
*Died Santan Flower*
My grandmother said that she keep in the box the first flower that my late grandfather gave her. A Santan flower. My grandmother loves every flowers in the world but the Santan would be her forever favorite since it was the first flower that my grandfather gave her. Which she said that he just pick from her mother's garden. I even laughed when she said that her mother got mad when she saw what happened to her plants.
*Handwritten Letters*
My grandfather in my memories, is a quiet and disciplined man. He also looks strict so I never imagined that he could write some sweet handwritten letters to my grandmother. She also said that he didn't have a nice penmanship but she really felt what my grandfather wanted to say in those letters.
I, on the other hand, was very eager and curious to read those letters that my grandfather wrote. I wanted to read and imagine how they were when they were still young.
*Pictures of some Dates*
She also said that she put some pictures of their dates there. She said that my grandfather took her to many beautiful and memorable places before and paid some photographer to take a picture of them. I honestly was dying in curiosity, I wanted so badly to see those.
*Wedding Portrait*
In her memory, she also put the copy of their wedding portrait there. Since she treated it as a box of treasure so she also included their wedding portrait because it is one of her greatest treasures.
She forgot the rest of the things she put inside the box but she remembers that there are still other things such as handkerchiefs and so on, and she also remembers that she also put the ring that my grandfather gave her when he proposed. A ring made of real gold.
I was very curious up until now about the things inside the box but I didn't pry anymore since those things are important for my grandmother. There isn't real treasure inside, or maybe that's what I think but nevertheless, I've learned from my grandmother that a box of treasure doesn't always mean of diamonds or golds or money because sometimes it is just a memory of the moments you treasured the most. Because nothing is greater than the gold than your happiest moments.
Thank you for your generosity @wrabbiter @Nyctofiles @MizLhaine @Princessbusayo :) May God bless you more and always keep safe <3
Who do you love better, mother or father?
If you'd asked me that question 10 years ago, I'd probably answer you with a solid 'Father'. But if you're going to ask me that now, there's no doubt and no second thoughts that I would choose my mother.
10 years ago, I was a certified ‘Daddy's girl’. My father meant everything to me. He is my definition of perfect and super man. I didn't realize that there isn't anything perfect in this world then. To me, no one and nothing compares to my father. I love him so much and I respect him so much. Whenever I hear or see people respecting him, I feel so proud being his daughter and I just wanted to brag him to my friends and to the whole world that I've got the best father ever.
Before I go to sleep, I will always thank God for giving me a father like him. And whenever my mother and I had a misunderstanding I would always run to him. Well, my mother and I always had misunderstandings before because I feel like she hated me and that she likes my brother the most. My father would always be there to comfort me, he would carry me and spin me around and buy me something that would make me feel better.
There are even times that I dreamed of having a boyfriend or a husband like my father. A responsible, kind-hearted, man with principles, family oriented, and a good person. A total definition of my father. I did really believe that every woman's first love was their father.
*But then I guess it's also true when other women say that their father can also be their first trauma.*
Yesterday was Father's day. Like usual, I would end my day with just facing my laptop or cellphone and scrolling through social media trying to kill time. Most posts on my feeds are all about father's day greetings and people celebrating the day with their fathers. While me on the other hand, couldn't even post or say a simple greetings for my father--well, more like I wouldn't dare. I will not. More likely, not anymore.
If it's still 10 years ago, then I would probably greet a long sweet and appreciation message to my father. When everything was still alright. When he was still my hero and first love. And when he was still the person that I respect and look up so much for.
But no. Things had already changed. A big change actually. I guess there's just really things that won't stay forever. Just like our father-daughter relationship.
Those happy memories with my father seem like a fairytale dream now. Even if I would wish and work hard for it again, I guess there are things that should remain on what they are now or I would hurt myself more along the process. My father, who is my first love, also became my first heartbreak and trauma.
I won't tell everything or the details but things actually started to change when I got in high school and became a lady. Being a teenager, of course I was going through puberty and adjustments, but I am still a 'Daddy's girl'. So, since I was very active in every *'gala'* with my friends during high school I would always fight with my mother. But I respect and love her though. She would always contradict my decision so I would always end up asking for my father's help.
Things started to change when there were times that I would come home late for extra curricular activities or group practices. My father started to say mean things and sometimes raise his hands on me. He will also predict that I won't finish high school because I will get pregnant early.
Things like that would easily hurt me since I knew from myself that I am innocent and those are all baseless accusations. It is like he was telling me that he couldn't trust me and that he didn't trust me. It feels like he didn't know me at all and that he looks too low of me so much. My mother, even though we have some misunderstandings, she never tells me things and she never predicted my future like that. She would warn me but she never said things that made me feel like I am no better like those girls with ruined futures.
I started to get distant from my father and became more open to my mother. Though I am still close to him but not like how we used to be closed before. Everytime things like that happen, I would just tell myself that it is his way of disciplining me so I won't ruin my own future. I never did anything that could ruin his trust in me.
I was in third year high school when I discovered something (I won't tell it anymore). At first, I couldn't believe it myself and it hurts me so bad to believe it. I just couldn't pull myself to believe it. That pushes my relationship with my father to become more distant.
I couldn't talk to him anymore like I used to but I was acting civil to him. I still respect him. I just couldn't accept what I have discovered about him. No matter how I force myself to forget it but my mind just couldn't. Things went forward and I became more awkward towards my father. Until it was a week before my 18th birthday, when I witnessed it and that forced me to finally believe it. I’m not stupid but at that time I wish I was so I couldn’t understand what is it all about.
I wanted to cry and shout so much during those times. I wanted to tell my mother but I am also afraid. I wanted to at least tell my best friends but I couldn't dare to speak a word to them. I was very afraid. Very hurt, and I felt so alone at that time. I would cry myself to sleep but I was being careful in the house because my mother might have noticed it, so whenever I got to school I couldn't help but to cry in the comfort room. It's really funny how I found comfort in the comfort room.
I just couldn't stop crying that it took me days. My friends got worried and asked me about my problem but I just couldn't speak the truth to them so I ended up telling them that it's about my approaching birthday. When my birthday came, I decided to skip class and go to the city. I wanted to stay in the church so badly and just cry my heart out all day but then a friend of mine accompanied me so I couldn't do that. I didn't even know that they were preparing a surprise for me that they skipped class too just to do that. It warmed my heart honestly, and it somehow comforted me.
I never told any of my friends about it. Even one. I planned to keep it all inside. I am willing to act like nothing happens actually for the sake of my family but things became more awry and I just snapped. Totally. It was when I got home at 9pm when I went out with my high school friends since it's been so long since we last hang out. I was already in my second year in college at that time. After a busy finals, my high school friends or *'barkadas'* decided to hang out and to catch up with each other's lives. We eat and talk a lot on the seashore.
I was having so much fun that I didn't notice the time. So when I got home I also got a slap from my father. He was raising his voice and he said so many mean things about me being an indecent woman. He even counted the things that he buys for me like my phone for example. It was his gift on my 18th birthday. I never demanded anything from him, even that goddamn phone, so I returned it to him. I have so many things that I wanted to say but I stayed quiet like I always do and returned him the phone.
I told my friends that I had a fight with my father and I returned my phone to him. They laugh and make fun of it and I just laugh with them. They would tell me how high my pride is and I would just laugh. Yes, I know they think it is all about my pride and that I am being rebellious but I won't correct them. I will let them think what they want rather than explaining why it is very hard for me to make amends with my father.
They just don't know how it hurts me if they talk about me being *'mapride'*. But I would just laugh it off since it is not their fault though. Anyone who didn't know the story would probably think the same with them. They didn't know how much I envied their families and the relationship they had with their fathers but at the same time I was happy for them.
There are times that I wanted to leave home. I asked my friend for help and she asked my reasons. I just told her that I wanted to be independent when in fact I just wanted a place where I can feel safe and less scared. I don't care if I will be alone as long as I won't feel anxious. But then I just couldn't dare to leave my mother behind.
The relationship that my father and I had is totally ruined. I couldn't just forgive and I'm pretty sure I will never forget what he did. I will always remember it for the rest of my life. Haunting my waking and sleeping hours. And no one can ever understand me, not even my closest friends.
So when my cousin asked me why I haven't posted anything about father's day, I just lied and told her that I already greeted my father personally--it is true though since I greeted God father a happy father's day. Not my biological father, since I really couldn't pull myself to act civil to him anymore. It's funny how other people think that our family is great but they don't even have a single idea how I envy their family.
My mother becomes my coping mechanism. Everything I do, I dedicate it for her such as finishing college and hand her my diploma, rebuild our house for her, take her to any places so that she could relax, let her experience everything she haven't experienced before, would do the honor to take care of my grandma and uncles so she will not have to worry about anything, and let her live comfortably.
I love my mother so much but I do not wish to become like her. I take back everything that I wished before, my wish to meet someone like my father. I don't ever want to meet or marry someone like him. I used to love him but not anymore. I love my mother better now.
The things I was grateful for...
Upon the implementation of MECQ in our town, our summer job turned out to be an online job--well it's not that hard since we just need to follow the given task. So, my day would normally be facing my laptop or phone to do the given task. During my free time--well we have a lot of free time actually, I would just either read some stories or stream *Youtube.*
While streaming, I encountered this short film that I used to watch when there were still classes but I haven't finished watching it yet since I have something to do at that time. Since I have all the time now, I watched it again. It is about a woman in a certain country (I would not include the name of the country anymore), who is being deprived of everything.
From the moment that she was still on her mother's tummy she was already rejected. Her parents wanted a son, so when the doctor said that their child is a female they couldn’t accept it. Though she was still born, she was soon abandoned. It pained me how she was put in a sack and thrown in the garbage like some dirty trash. Later on, a woman heard her cries and took her. I thought that she would finally have a family but the woman gave her to another woman in exchange for money. The woman who had her used her to beg for money from people.
The child grew up without a family, shelter, food, proper clothes, and obviously illiterate. She was also abandoned by the woman the moment she learned to walk. She was surviving by herself in the street begging for food or money and finding food from the trash. Years passed and she fully grew into a woman but her situation didn't change a bit. One time she passed this eatery and watched the people who were happily eating. The owner of the store noticed her and gave her food. At first I thought it was an act of kindness, but then the truth is there is something evil hiding behind that act. He raped her. She couldn't do anything but cry.
Weeks passed and she got pregnant, but I bet even she didn't know it. She comes back to that store and asks for food but the owner didn’t give her any and even pushed her away. Months passed and she gave birth. It was in the garbage site and no one even bothered to help her. She died right after the baby came out, then a woman took her baby leaving her cold body there. Maybe what happened to her will also happen to her baby as they say history repeats itself.
The film made me realize that even if I was born poor, I am still blessed in so many ways. I may be poor but I am richer than those people who don't have anything, just like the woman in the film. I may be born poor but there are so many things that I was grateful for.
***Family***
First and foremost, I am very grateful for my family. Having a family is already a blessing, but having a loving and understanding family is beyond. I was grateful that even if I was born as a female, my parents accepted me wholeheartedly. I was grateful that we didn't have any tradition like only male should be born in a family.
I know something like this still exists even until now, that in the household, the child should be a male or the first born should be male. The movie was based on a true story so I know things like these exist. It is not a sin to be born as a female. Regardless of the gender, a child should be protected and loved by the parents.
My family isn't perfect, but I am way too grateful to be born and become a part of the family that I was in.
***Shelter***
Next to the family is a shelter. Despite being poor, having a roof to protect you from the sun and keep you out of rain is also considered a blessing from above. I was also grateful that we have our own land and own house unlike others who have nothing but assembled boxes and tents on the side of the street.
But I guess boxes and tents are better than having nothing at all just like the girl in the film who doesn't have a family nor a shelter to sleep with. Having your family in boxes or tents is much better than having no one in a cold and dangerous street.
***Food***
Having three meals a day is already considered as lucky for others, especially for the poor. Yes, we are poor but we are lucky enough to have three or more meals a day. We couldn't directly eat anything we wanted or eat in a fancy restaurant as we pleased but it is much better than sleeping with an empty stomach.
Unlike the girl in the film who begs people for money and food, and if no one will pity her she would find food in the trash. If she finds any then she is lucky but if she finds nothing then she will sleep again with an empty stomach just like her normal days.
***Clothes***
Underwear, clothes, slippers or shoes are also considered as necessities. These things are what people need to survive in a day or gain confidence. They say that your clothes can also define who you are. For me, I don't think so. Because as long as you wear proper clothes that you are comfortable with then you can do the best of your ability.
Clothes can protect our skin from the sun's heat, like how a slipper or shoes can protect our feet from anything that can hurt our feet. Honestly, I only have a few clothes. But I have so many godparents and cousins who give me clothes at least twice or thrice a year. And if I had some extra money I would also treat myself with a piece or two. I am not really a materialistic woman but as long as I have something to wear and I am comfortable with it then I would be very grateful.
***Education***
In this world, education can also be considered as a necessity. This is one of the things that I am grateful about, the right of education. I am grateful that I can learn the things that I wanted to learn, and I am very grateful that my parents are helping me out through the process.
Being educated gives us power. Not the power to own the world, but the power to protect ourselves. Being educated doesn’t exactly mean that you need a degree or a college diploma because I know some who are only a high school graduate but are more educated than those who have a college diploma.
However, basic education can protect or save us from the things or the people that might hurt us. Because if you notice, some people like to take advantage of you if you will let them. Remember that not everyone can be kind, some can be kind as a façade to hurt you.
***Respect***
Being respected feels great. I was grateful that I was born in such a family who provided me with shelter, clothes, foods, and education. Through these simple things, I earned respect and feel respected.
The moment that my parents accepted me is already a respect. They respect my right to live and have proper education. They respect my individuality. They respect me. And with that, I learn to respect myself too. That leads other people to respect me as well.
Respecting our every individuality is what we need. Regardless of our gender differences, respecting everyone is also like respecting God the creator, who makes everything. A child has the right to live and we should respect that. And every woman, regardless of any race or tradition, has the right to have a family who can take care of her and that alone should also be respected.
***Future***
The last thing that I was grateful for is that I can freely dream for my future. For my future life and family. Plan for my kid's future and many more.
Though there are things that I regretted the most, there are happenings that I never imagined that could happen to me, and there are decisions that are worth to be forgotten. And if I would become a mother someday, the least I could wish for my child to experience is doing the same things I've done in the past, experiencing the things that I've experienced, and regretting the same mistake that I've regretted. The least I could wish for in the future is for history to repeat itself.
That is why I am very grateful that I can freely plan and dream for my future. Not just for myself, but for my future family and children as well.
As I finished the film, I remember what Mother Teresa said *‘We think sometimes that poverty is only being hungry, naked and homeless. But the poverty of being unwanted, unloved and uncared for is the greatest poverty. We must start in our own homes to remedy this kind of poverty.’*
Yes, I am poor but I am very grateful for having a family who loves and cared for me, a parent who accepted me, a place that protected me from the sun’s heat and keep me from the rain which I also called home, healthy foods that never makes me starve in my sleep, clothes than can cover my nakedness, education that can be a tool for me to protect myself, respect from my family and from other people, and a future that I can freely dream and achieve if I wanted.
The sun always shines in the Philippines
I am trying to be melancholic with my earphones on and a cup of hot milk in my right hand while watching the unceasing drops of water outside our window. It's raining cats and dogs here. I don't really feel sad nor depressed but do you also feel the same when the weather is bad and when it's raining you just feel like listening to music through your earphones and being devoured by your own thoughts and world?
It's funny but I wanted to be *'emo'* in times like this. I actually like rain, well I guess every Filipino likes rain. When I was a kid, I used to play in the rain so much. Together with my brother and cousins, and sometimes my mother would join us. I guess every Filipino kids can relate to that. There's just something in the rain that makes us so happy. We could dance, run, and play in the rain then after that we would wear pajamas and cover ourselves in blankets while drinking hot milk.
Every drop of the rain brings me so much to remember that sometimes I wanted to be emotional when it's raining without really a definite reason. Now that I was looking for every drop, I wonder if is it also the same in some places in the Philippines, or was it sunny there?
Even so, no matter how much the rain poured here and in other places in the Philippines, there is no difference like when the sun shines brightly. Believe it or not, even when there's a strong typhoon or floods, earthquake, volcanic eruption, epidemic, or any calamities that would hit the country, it still feels like the sun is shining so bright.
*Why?*
Because of the strong-willed spirits of every Filipino. That no matter how disastrous calamity would hit us and try to pull us down, we still have the courage to show our smile. We still have the courage to stand and continue moving on.
Typhoon Sendong and Super Typhoon Yolanda both leave an unforgettable memory in the Philippine history, as well as in every victim's family. And our family is one of the people who couldn't forget those fateful moments.
One of Super Typhoon Yolanda's victims is my aunt's family. Aunt Gilda is my mother's close cousin and due to the typhoon we lost her, including her husband, and 2 sons. Luckily, her only daughter was rescued when she was caught up in a coconut tree but sadly she also died due to the serious injury that she encountered.
Aside from that, Typhoon Sendong also leaves a scar in our family's hearts when my Uncle's family was also victimized. Uncle Eddie together with his wife and 2months born child didn't make it, and the sole survivor was his eldest son RJ--my cousin who is just 9 years old. Luckily, RJ was still in school when that happened but I couldn't fathom the pain he was feeling when he got home and found out that their house was destroyed by the strong flood and his mother was found dead somewhere while his father and younger brother were still missing.
Uncle Eddie is my father's younger brother, and I know it is just as hard for my father as it is hard for RJ. We did everything to help in searching for my uncle and the baby. After almost 24hours when the baby was found in bridge, so far from their house. He still has a little pulse but on a critical condition. Doctors were trying to revive him but he didn't make it. The search was still on process for my uncle and also for the other people who was reported missing because of the flood. 72hours after when my uncle was found near the ocean. Dead and almost couldn't be recognized. His arms were still folded like he was carrying a baby, and it was such a painful sight for my father.
Many Filipino families experienced more than what we experienced. Feel pain more than what we feel. And lost everything more than what we’ve lost but I am more than a hundred percent sure that they also try and struggle to survive more than what we did.
Death is anticipated, but the unexpected death of your loved ones gives incredible and unforgettable pain. The pain of death isn't for those who died, rather for the ones who are left alive. Because the one who is left is the one who struggles for the memories and loneliness while struggling to keep moving forward.
Filipino are indeed a fighter. Because no matter how hard the situation they may face, no matter how saddening the events they encounter, and no matter how many deaths from their loved ones that they witnessed, they still had the courage to raise their heads and smile. They would smile because they are the one who are left to survive, they would smile and survive for the sake of their loved one's peace. Times would haunt them by those painful and sorrowful memories but they would still face the day with a smile on their faces.
So I won't be surprised that even after being hit by a strong rain, typhoon or floods and losing their houses, Filipinos are still able to offer their warmest smiles. And no matter how breezy and gloomy the weather could get, in the Philippines it will always be warm and sunny.
How important is water?
*How important is water?*
Water is simply a necessity. All living things cannot survive without consuming water, but many individuals--specifically humans, don't really see the importance of water especially if they are blessed with it. The maxim, *'You'll only know the importance of things when it is already gone'* is true and accurate.
Yesterday, there's a sudden water interruption that lasted for 8hours or so. I don't if it's just in our neighborhood or in the whole barangay, but the point is we didn't know that there will be a water interruption. Normally, if news comes either it is true or fraud, my mother would immediately fill all of the water jugs. For both drinking and bathing purposes. However, there was no news or warnings about it yesterday so she couldn't prepare. The only thing we had was 2 water jugs of drinking water since we didn't know when the water would be back. And it is the first time that I experienced being short with water for almost a day.
I grew up being provided with all the necessities--food, shelter, clothes, and water. Especially with water. Everyday, I used more than two (2) drums of water. From waking up and washing my face, taking a bath, washing the plates, and taking a half-bath at night. Not to mention that I usually wash my hands most of the time when I am in the house. I really used water lavishly and I just realized it yesterday.
I grew up being provided with rich water, clean enough to drink and to use for a bath and it's any other usage. We have easy access to water since there's a nearby water plant in our neighborhood. My mother would always tell me whenever she noticed that I was being abusive in using water, that we are so lucky in our generation today. Because every drop of water is provided and we don't have to find or make a well, or get water from the pump since it is just in our reach. That we don't have to wash our clothes in the river since we have a machine that will wash it and enough water to supply it. She also added that we are so lucky to be born in this part of the world where water seems to be infinite, unlike in the other places of the world where even a drop of water is already a miracle.
And I feel bad since I just realized it. I live my whole life without worrying about water that much but yesterday's event made me realize that I am very lucky yet I didn't notice or didn’t actually pay attention to it. Usually in humans, if you possess a certain thing, you wouldn't mind or pay attention to it's value since you believe that they are yours anyway and that you can never lose them, but if a certain circumstance tests it only then you'll realize how valuable it is. That out of all the people who need it, you just took it for granted.
For everyone's information, there is only about 3% fresh water in the world because some is unavailable for use. Therefore, more than 1.1 billion people worldwide lack access to water. Water might look infinity to some but time will come that the earth will need it the most as much as living organisms do. The increase in the world's population, the water consumption patterns, the improving living standards, water pollution, and many more are the main driving forces for the rising global demand for water.
This may sound so surreal but the long water interruption yesterday is like a wake up call for me. Before, I couldn't really last a day without water or with just a little amount of it. It feels so uncomfortable taking a bath with just a drum of water. It feels so uncomfortable washing the plates using recycled water. It feels so uncomfortable conserving water when you have so much to spend. But then while I was lamenting about these things I also wondered if those water scarce places even have clean water to drink.
I remember this movie where people are water slaves. They would hurt and fight each other just for a little amount of water. Women and children died out of dehydration. It's a very hot place and there's been no rain for a very long time so mostly wells are dried. I forgot the title of the movie and it's other parts since it has been a long time since I watched it.
I've also read some articles about terrorist attacks on some volunteers who wanted to give free and clean water in some water deprived places. People who are deprived too much of something become desperate. And sometimes, those desperation can cause them to be greedy. It's not their fault to be born in that place with water scarcity, and people like me aren't also at fault when we are born in a place with easy access to water. And it doesn't also mean that they are unlucky, while we are the lucky ones.
I couldn't also change anything. I feel remorse but it will not give them water. The only think that I could do for now is to conserve water as much as possible and pray for those people who are in the water scarce places. Someday, with all the means, I would find a way to help people with limited acces to water and free them in water slavery.
Aside from consuming water to survive, water has many uses such as for washing clothes, cooking, washing cooking and eating utensils, keeping plants and trees alive, it is also essential for the healthy growth of farm crops and stocks, and so on. Water is one of the most important substances on earth, even more important than food. All living things must have water to survive because if there is no water then there would be no life on earth. Without water, life simply cannot be sustained.
A desperate heart's wish.
Yesterday, my aunt from Manila called me regarding the money that she will plan to send to me for my grandmother's medication. I was relieved with the thought that my mother wouldn’t have to shoulder all the expenses this time. Honestly, we have our own problems at home too. My parent's combination of income isn’t enough to pay for all of our debts, two months pending water and electricity bills, food that would last for a few days, my grandmother's medicines, and stock of food at my grandmother's place.
Fortunately, my aunt--a cousin of my mother who was raised by my grandmother, called me yesterday telling me that she would send some money for my grandmother's medicines. However, the panwshop near their house was closed at that time so she called me again to ask if she could send the money online.
In this generation where people are led by technologies and are living with technologies, having a virtual wallet in your phone isn't so common anymore. My aunt asked if I had a GCash, I guess everyone knows what exactly is a GCash right? It is a digital wallet. You can also use this to buy loads, pay bills, send money, and many more. Luckily, I have one but it isn’t verified yet and when it comes to online transactions I am more likely a 'Coins.ph user' kind of a person since my Coins.ph account is verified.
My aunt isn't familiar with Coins.ph that much but she said she will try to send the money to my Coins.ph account. Of course I waited since it would only take minutes to send money online, but then later on I received a text message telling me that someone sent money on my GCash. And my aunt then told me that she already sent the money. At first I thought that maybe I can just send the money to my Coins.ph account so I can withdraw it in the nearest pawnshop. But, I was taken aback when a pop-up appeared telling me that my account isn't verified yet and I need to verify it first before I am able to send money.
I called a dear friend of mine who just lives a few blocks away from our house and asked for his help. We tried anything possible just so we could get the money for that day but at the end we needed to wait for 24hours just so my account would be verified.
I told my mother about it, so in able to buy my grandmother's medicines, she used the money that is supposedly a budget for our food for the day and the next. Meanwhile, after agitatedly waiting for 24hours or so, there isn't any confirmation that my GCash account was verified. I started to panic since we're out of rice already and I don't know how to get the money within this day. I'm afraid to tell my mother about it so I decided to find another way. There must be another way for me to get the money.
I went to my friend's house, the one who also helped me at first, and cried for help. We tried to find a faster solution to my problem again, then we came up with the idea of converting my balance into a prepaid load, and then from the prepaid load we'll also convert it into cash and then transfer it to another verified GCash. We read it in an article so we tried doing so.
We went to the nearest 7/11 store in our barangay, trying to avoid any barangay officials and guards whose roaming around and out of all lucks, there isn't any tricycles that we could use for transportation since Modified Enhance Community Quarantine (MECQ) was order in in our City from June 1 to 15. So we've got no choice but to just walk, and when we reached 7/11 I almost cried out loud. Not in so much joy but in so much frustration. The store is closed.
I even asked God if I was being punished. I couldn't get any money and it seems like we would sleep on an empty stomach today. My friend also couldn't lend me money since he himself did not have some. So I decided to just go home and find an opportunity to tell my mother about it. To ease my nervousness and frustration, I decided to write something. I stated in my old articles that whenever I feel down I always write since writing gives me solace.
Surprisingly, when I opened my read.cash I learned that I received tips from my previous and recently published article. Not that big or the same as the money that I needed to get but good enough to buy my family something to eat for today's dinner. All of my frustrations, nervousness, and fears turn into hot tears. I didn't imagine that a person's emotion can change instantly in just a matter of seconds. This time you would feel tight-hearted, but in another second you would feel like you're floating and that no one can even ruin your mood for the rest of the day.
What happened today also proves that when a person’s desperate heart wishes for something, the universe conspires in making that wish come true. I think I just wish desperately from my heart that my wish is heard.
I am free, so I will write
Whenever I accomplish writing an article, I can't help but feel great satisfaction and happiness. And I would always think *'Ah! So this is what Dr. Jose Rizal brought us!'.*
Dr. Jose Rizal is the national hero of the Philippines. He doesn't wear capes nor have supernatural powers. He doesn’t hold swords or guns aside from his paper and pen. He is just actually a normal and frail human being who loves his country and countrymen greater than himself. He is truly a hero in his noble act.
Filipino during colonization are like birds. Not the one freely flying in the sky, but the bird in a cage. A bird without freedom. That is the kind of life that Filipinos are living before. They may be in their own country but their freedom is taken away from them. My countrymen became slaves in our own country.
That is why I am always grateful for waking up every day. It is because I was able to enjoy the freedom that our ancestors fought their lives for. I am grateful to be born in this era, in which I can proudly say that I am a Filipino citizen and that the Philippines is my beloved country. I am grateful to wake-up even in mid-noon and doesn’t have to worry about the food that I will eat. And most of all, I am grateful that most of the day I can face my laptop and write everything that I wanted to write.
Filipino before don't even have the slightest of the freedom that I am enjoying now. I feel bad for the things that the Filipino experienced in the past but I am very grateful for them in many ways because if it isn't because of their pain and sacrifices then I wouldn’t have the leisure to write anything on this platform. If it weren't for their self-pity and cries then this generation wouldn't be able to hold their head high and feel proud to be a Filipino wherever part of the world they are.
And that is also why I am very grateful for our hero. Because Jose Rizal fought in his own way with everything in his might just for the Filipinos to get the freedom that they deserve. He didn't kill the colonizers, yet he used his intelligence to fight back. He wrote a masterpiece and that is what breaks the chains of colonizations. And even in his last moments, he still shows how deeply he loves his country.
I love writing so much, if you haven't noticed in my previous articles, writing is more than a passion to me. Through writing, I express everything--my thoughts and opinions, my desires and weaknesses, my hatred, my guilt, my happiness, and myself. Writing is one of the benefits of having this freedom now.
Filipino before aren't free enough to speak up their opinions, and aren't even free enough to write their sentiments. Aside from that, not all Filipinos can have the right of education, especially women. Jose Rizal was only given the opportunity since he came from a rich family and he has a colonizer's blood running on him. Other than that, Filipinos are left treated like fools.
And women, they don’t have the right to education since they are only bound to be a housewife, thus, the things that they need to learn are only doing household chores and taking care of their children and husbands. Far different from the women now who love to gain both knowledge and freedom. Filipino women are now smarter, stronger, and more beautiful. The exact kind of woman I wanted to become.
The history of Rizal is part of the curriculum to be taught in college, and knowing Rizal is also knowing the Philippines' history, although fragments of these are already taught during high school and primary years. But the main purpose of this is for the younger generations to acknowledge, respect, and give thanks to the reasons why they are free now. Free to do whatever they like. Free to say whatever they want. And free to write till their heart’s content.
To be able to write means to have knowledge. Writing also requires both knowledge and freedom, and I will be forever grateful to be born as a Filipina who can write.
My Top 10 Filipino Food
Eating is an undying habit for the Filipino. If you’re a Filipino, and anyone who’s been to the Philippines must know how Filipino love to eat so much. Food has always played a huge part in Filipino culture, traditions and celebrations. They believe that food is more than just a physical nourishment, but also a way to make the family bond stronger.
With the influence of their rich history and traditional cooking techniques, Filipino cuisine has been tagged as the ‘next big thing’ to look out for in the culinary world. Most Filipino have the knack for combining flavors to their cooking that would reach their satisfaction and would probably result in simply delicious creations.
My parents both know how to cook so we are never exposed to the kitchen since we are little because it is them who always makes a meal for us. When my parents are in the house, we always have a full stomach since they always do magic to the food. Even if it’s just vegetables on the table, they would turn it to something special than the meat. And that is also the very reason why I never hated vegetables even when I was a kid.
I decided to write this article after having my lunch today. We are poor, yes, but it doesn’t mean that we aren't able to eat three meals a day. Well, having three meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) a day is part of the Filipino culture. And sometimes there would be afternoon and midnight *meriendas (snacks).* So, I decided to write this to point out my top 10 Filipino foods or my 10 most favorite Filipino foods.
**1. Bulad (Dried Fish)**
*Bulad* is a Visayan term for *Daing or Tuyo* which means dried fish. Bulad also means ‘staying out in the sun’, which is exactly what is done to the fish—sun-dried and being salted. They are usually split open but some also are not. This is also one way of food preservation here in the Philippines since ancient times. Bulad can be fried, grilled, cooked with tomatoes or escabeche.
When I was a kid, my mother cooked *Escabecheng Bulad* once and I instantly liked the taste of it. It has a mixture of saltiness from the dried fish and sourness from the tomatoes. A mouth-watering combination indeed.
And when it is either fried or grilled, it tastes better when it is dipped in vinegar. Pair it with rice and hot chocolate or coffee, and this will be a perfect meal.
**2. Ginataang Gulay (Vegetables with Coconut milk)**
*Gata* or coconut milk is basically a culinary gold, and cuisines that are cooked with *gata* are very famous in the Philippines. You see, we have so many coconuts here, especially in most provinces. And since I live in the countryside, I've already tasted many dishes that are cooked with *gata.* One of those dishes is my viand earlier in lunch today. *Ginataang Langka.*
*Langka* or jackfruit is mostly known as a fruit and it is sometimes mixed in *Halo-halo,* but it can also be cooked as viand when the *Langka* isn’t ripe yet. It is originally cooked with coconut milk, and I love it better if it is dipped in a soy sauce and vinegar.
Anything that is cooked with *gata* is bound to taste fantastic. Vegetables like squash and string beans, meat, or seafood such as shrimp and crabs that are cooked in *gata* really taste majestic. If you would try to cook something with *gata* in your home, better use an authentic coconut milk rather than those powdered and instant because their taste are very different.
**3. Bagoong**
Bagoong is one of the most famous Filipino foods. I liked it the most when it was cooked with some garlic, onions, vinegar, and lots of lots of tomatoes. It can be a snack to be paired with boiled bananas, sweet potatoes and mangos, but at the same time it can also be a viand in a meal with rice. My mother loves it so much that she doesn't feel like eating if it isn’t present on the table.
**4. Adobo**
Adobo is one of the Filipino dishes that would make you love the Philippines even more. It is made by stewing meat in soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, onion, peppers, and bay leaves. You can make your desired Adobo by adding pineapples if you want a sweet and sour taste.
Originally, pork and chicken meat were used in cooking adobo. However, you can cook adobo with chicken lungs, chicken and pork intestines, and chicken feet.
**5. Lechon**
One of the best contenders that Filipino’s are known for aside from adobo is the famous lechon. It is a very tasty, fully-roasted pig with perfectly crispy skin and juicy meat. It is roasted in equal heat for 6 hours, more or less.
I’ve seen the process of cooking lechon many times since it is the number one cooked dish when there is a gathering such as fiesta, birthday, or Christmas. And my favorite part of lechon is the ribs since all flavours are in there. I love sipping and nipping the tasty ribs so much. I love it so much that even just writing this makes me salivate.
**6. Sinigang (Sour Meat stew)**
Sinigang or the Sour Meat Stew is also a Pinoy classic. It is a delicious sour broth usually made by *Sampalok* or tamarind which is the primary source of its sourness, and is filled with different vegetables and your meat of choice such as pork, chicken, shrimp, and fish. If you’re out of *sampalok,* you can use green mango or tomatoes as an alternative for the sour taste.
My favorite sinigang is *Sinigang na Hipon (shrimp)* since I am a seafood lover, but it tastes equally delicious with other meats.
**7. Tinolang Bisayang Manok (Bisaya Chicken Soup)**
The difference between a normal Chicken soup and a Visayan Chicken soup is that the latter tastes better and sweeter. *Bisayang Manok* are the Fiipino chickens or the chickens in the backyard, not the processed chicken or the chicken meat that you’ve usually bought in the malls and supermarkets.
Filipinos are naturally fond of chicken, and 8% out of every 10 Filipino have chickens in their houses. If you had one then you would probably know what I mean. My mother is also fond of chicken so we have so many chickens in our backyard, and sometimes if we don’t have anything for viand then we’ll just cook it. And it did really taste sweeter and better.
**8. Dinuguan**
Dinuguan is another famous Filipino dish. It is kind of an eccentric stew since it is made by pig’s blood and intestines and is cooked in vinegar and chilli but it tastes really delicious. It is sometimes paired with *Puto* but mostly it is a viand and paired with rice.
But for me, I think the leftovers taste better. Because if there is any leftovers then it will be cooked by the next day, adding some vinegar again. So I usually eat the leftovers since it tastes better for me.
**9. Pancit Guisado**
Pancit is also one of the most popular Filipino foods. Noodles symbolizes long life, thus Filipino love eating *Pancit.* It is sautéed noodles with some vegetables and meat, and is all cooked in soy sauce and fish sauce. Others prefer squeezing *calamansi* over it upon serving that adds to its flavour. Usually it is paired with rice, but at some point you can also pair it with bread.
**10. Barbecue**
Barbecue is usually for *merienda* in the Philippines, but it also tastes good with some rice. Barbecue is made of either chicken or pork meat that is marinated and grilled. It is usually eaten in the afternoon or a viand at dinner, and it tastes even better when you dip it in a soy sauce with some calamansi and chilli.
You can usually see vendors grilling and selling barbecue at night anywhere on the street in the Philippines. It is my friends and I’s favourite food trip before the pandemic starts. We would buy 2 sticks or barbecue and 2 *Puso (rice)* right after the classes ended.
If you noticed, Filipino meals are usually served with rice. Rice is always present in every Filipino meal because it isn’t called a meal without rice. And every time they become creative in making *sawsawan* or condiments that will go likely to their tastes since Filipinos don’t link bland and plain taste meals.
Filipino really love to eat, and usually they would eat together with their families or friends. They believe that eating together brings family together, because when they eat they would talk and interact with each other. Every meal in the Filipino household is important, and that is also the reason why *fiestas* are the center of every Filipino celebration.
If BCH is a Human...
As the Covid-19 spread, the implementation of worldwide school closure affects everyone for various reasons. It can be a blessing in disguise for others, and a big disadvantage for some. For students like me who take online classes, it can be both an advantage and disadvantage.
Honestly, when the school closure was implemented last year, I will admit that I was somewhat happy since it was new to me and I think of it as a little break from school. I know I am not the only one who thinks this way. Something like this had never happened before so I felt like I was opening a new door. I am also a little bit excited about the online classes and how it feels to be in an online class. I want to know and I want to see if it is also fun.
And when the online classes finally started, everything seemed new and I felt like I was exposed to the things that I had never encountered before. At first it was fun, I never thought that studying could be that easy and relaxing. However, weeks after when the community lockdown becomes stricter and some workplaces are forced to close because of the rising cases of virus infection. People were hungry and couldn’t work.
I became uncomfortable asking my mother for money because we’re running out of food also. I am only using mobile data so it became difficult for me to ask for money just so I could attend the class. I’ve also seen some posts on social media telling that they would better drop out of school for some financial reason and that they couldn't join online classes anymore. At some point, I realized that we aren’t learning anything anyway since teachers only send us the modules without explanations, and if there would be a ‘meet’ only 40% of the students could join since most of my classmates are living in hinterlands where signals are weak and other don’t have the internet connection to join.
I was really bothered back then. I am concerned in my own situation and as well concerned in my classmates. With the thought that one of my classmates would stop attending school, it makes me sad and more paranoid, since I am already paranoid when there is an online class that I’d miss if I don’t have an internet connection. I didn’t like to be absent when classes were still normal before because I feel like I was already left behind, so as much as possible I would try my very hardest to never be absent. But online classes are different, you can’t just force yourself to buy an internet connection even if you don’t have money.
Just when I thought I couldn’t get any misfortune, my phone broke and my grandmother got hospitalized. I keep everything from my mother just so I couldn’t add to the burden she is carrying. Those moments were the toughest for us. And when a friend of mine introduced Read.cash, I never thought that it could actually change me.
Honestly, I never believed in anything on the internet before because I thought all of those are scam. I’ve already heard about read.cash before, even before the spread of the pandemic, but I choose to ignore it since I thought it’s a scam. And way back those times, I never expected that time would come and I would rely on something on the internet just to survive. And I’m just glad I did.
Bitcoin is something new to me. I didn't really understand it at first and found it hard to understand but as I explored the net, I realized that the world on the web could be as broad as or even broader than the outside world and there are also many opportunities there.
So, how did BCH actually help me? Well, the world of crypto helped me in more ways than I could’ve imagined.
***Mobile Load***
One thing that I would be forever thankful to BCH is that it funds my weekly mobile load. I spent about a hundred pesos per week for my classes in one and a half semesters since I met BCH. And I am more than thankful for just that. It actually gives me a piece of mind knowing that I can now provide for my own mobile load without asking money from my mother.
And sometimes, if one of my classmates or friends needed a mobile load, I can share it with them without asking anything in return because I myself know how frustrating it is to couldn’t access your messenger or hear some information and announcements in your online classroom.
***School Projects and Requirements***
Providing for my own projects and requirements is something I didn’t really expect. Having a mobile load every week is already enough for me but I didn’t expect that I would also be able to sustain my own school projects and requirements without asking my mother for even a single peso.
Last semester’s semi-final, our instructor in TLE told us to do some sewing and cooking based on the lessons in our module. It will be filmed and supposed to pass in our Google Classroom. And it happened to be on my birthday so I just decided to cook on that day. I never expected anything on my birthday since I understand our situation so I cash-out enough from my Coins.ph to buy ingredients for my TLE requirements.
I just published an article here on read.cash that time so I was able to provide money for my requirements. I made a tomato and cucumber salad for the appetizer, I fried and boiled some eggs, I cooked sweet and sour chicken adobo as my favorite dish, and I made a steamed chocolate cake. I’m not a good cook so I just took some time filming myself cooking but in the end my mother cooked it all. And in the end, those requirements became the food for my birthday.
I rely so much on BCH when it comes to school projects and requirements. There are times when my earnings on read.cash aren't enough to pay for my requirements, especially when some of our instructors were starting to ask for a teaching demonstration which requires so much money. So, aside from read.cash I tried to find some legit sites that will also help me in my expenses. Well, I did find some and even if it is mostly pennies it did actually help. A lot.
I also tried my luck in finding opportunities on some scholarships and student’s assistance but all of my efforts were just wasted. However, I am still thankful that I found opportunities online but even then, I haven’t pushed my luck to something like online trading or crypto trading since I am still new to these. I rather take my own pace.
***E-load Business***
I also made some of my extra earnings into an e-load business, but only if I had an extra because it is not every time that the sun will shine in your earnings. The money that I gained through this goes to my piggy bank and sometimes this is where I get money for transportation if we have some school activities like group work and everything that is needed to be discussed with your classmates personally.
Also, during our second semester, our instructor in TLE 2 told us to do some food preservation such as wine, jam, and kimchi. It was a group activity and this will also serve as our final requirement. The money that I used in these are my earnings from my e-load business. I felt so proud of myself because even once, since I met BCH, I never asked for money from my mother.
***Electricity and Water Bills***
Meanwhile, I sometimes pay for our electricity and water bills. Unlike my brother, I always took the initiative to pay for the bills if I have some extra. It doesn’t even matter to me if I can't buy the things that I like as long as I can provide for my family even in my little way.
***Groceries***
Aside from electricity and water bills, I sometimes buy groceries for us. Though it’s just a little and could only last for 2 or 3 days, at least I could help my parents not to worry about food for those days. I could still help feed my family in my own little way. I may not be the breadwinner but it doesn’t mean that I would just sit, wait, and do nothing even though I know in myself that I can help.
***Grandmother’s Medicines***
The reason why I couldn’t ask my mother anything and would just quietly find a way to earn on my own is because my mother shoulder many burdens already. My father’s earning isn’t enough for us so my mother also finds a way to earn. She’s also helping my uncles who don't have decent jobs. She's the one who buys my grandmother’s medicines, and whenever she buys food for our house she would also buy food for my grandmother’s house. She already had so much on her plate so sometimes I would save money to buy my grandmother’s medicines.
***Treats for Mother***
One reason why I was very thankful to BCH is that I could treat my mother in a little way. It’s not always but whenever I earn more, I always make sure to at least buy her something such as clothes or food.
Last January, at my cousin’s wedding, my mother told me that she might not be able to go because she doesn’t have anything to wear. It was still a week before the wedding so I decided to find a way. I published an article here on read.cash but unfortunately and for some reason, I didn’t receive any tips. So, I tried to work on some legit faucets but my earnings aren’t enough to at least buy her a dress. Three days after, I started receiving tips again from the previous article that I published. And two days before the wedding, I brought my mother to the mall. She was so surprised when I told her to choose a dress because I will buy it for her and even refused but I insisted. It was very priceless seeing how happy she was at that time.
I couldn’t be that much of help since I am still a student but whenever I get an opportunity to help my family, I’ll gladly would. I grew up seeing my selfless mother prioritize us over herself, and maybe I took after her because I would rather buy something for my family than my whims. And I’m just glad that I met BCH, because it helped me not just in my school expenses but also in our house expenses, and I know other people too.
*If BCH is a human, I would really find him/her and give him/her bear hugs and thousands of kisses as my sign of gratitude. Through BCH, someone’s life and perspectives in life could actually change. A good change.*
Lesson Planning 101
Ever wonder how educators successfully deliver their lessons?
Well, the secret relies on their lesson plan. They say that once a teacher, forever a student. It is indeed true, and I guess it is one of the reasons why I choose Education. Because I love school very much. I have always been. I like being in school so much, not just because I can gain many friends and have a daily allowance, but because in school I can be me.
Even then, I have always looked up to my teachers. On how they successfully and smoothly deliver the lessons starting from the opening prayer up to the closing prayer. Have you also wondered about that? Then let me feed your curiosity a bit.
***What is a lesson plan and what is their importance?***
A lesson plan is the teacher's daily guide. This helps them to be more effective in the classroom by following detailed outlines in each class period. A lesson plan consists of what the students need to learn, how it will be taught, how learning will be measured, and how the whole lesson will be delivered. They say that every profession has their own language, and for the teachers, it is their lesson plan.
So, how to create a lesson plan?
There is also a guideline in creating a lesson plan. Now I remember, the first time that I ever encountered a lesson plan was during my first year in college. I took the General Academic Strand in senior high school so I was never given a chance to encounter a lesson plan before college. And that goes the same with my other classmates as well, so when our instructor told us to create one we did really have a difficulty.
Fortunately, a dear teacher of ours patiently taught us about lesson planning and its parts. So, I will include my first ever made lesson plan here as an example. However, during that time we were following the old format of the lesson plan but now the new format is now based on Philippine Professional Standards for Teachers (PPST).
In making a lesson plan you need to consider the six (6) key parts,
**1. Objectives**
First is the objectives. These will be your basis, and the one that will tell you if your lesson or discussion has effectively brought new learnings and skills to your students.
In the old format, the three objectives (cognitive, psychomotor, and affective) will be stated directly.
While the PPST based includes the content and performance standards.
The content and performance standards are all based on the curriculum guide of the specific subject so you just need to copy it. However, the objectives must be created by the teacher because it will serve as the goals for the students and the whole class.
In making the objective, it should be specific, measurable, attainable by every student, relevant, and time-based that is aligned in the syllabus.
It is also important to start the objectives with an action that relates to what students should be able to do after the lesson.
*The students shall be able to…*
*At the end of the lesson, 95% of the students shall be able to…*
Of course, your objectives depend on what topic you are teaching and their level of knowledge. The first objective is for the cognitive, the second is for the affective, and the third one is for the psychomotor.
**2. Content**
The second key part is the content or the title of your lesson, or what would be your lesson all about.
**3. Materials or Resources**
The third one would be the learning materials or the learning resources that you will use in your lesson and discussion.
This will help you in delivering your lessons because you might accidentally forget something important for your discussion, so this will also serve as your guide.
Mostly learning materials includes: Textbooks, visual aids (pictures, graphs, etc.), grading rubrics, etc. these materials will depend on how you will deliver the lesson or how you will measure the learning objectives to your students.
**4. Procedure**
Then here comes the procedure. Delivering lessons has procedures to be followed too. This is the skeleton of the lesson plan because the procedure is the step-by-step instruction or process in how the lesson will progress in the classroom. Start from the moment you walk inside the classroom, up until the moment you will bid goodbyes to the students.
A lesson plan has two types: the Semi-Detailed and the Detailed. Their differences vary on how you will make the procedure.
The procedure consists of two parts: the teacher’s activity and the student’s activity. This is like a conversation between teacher and students. You will put what you are going to say to the students, as well as their possible responses.
The procedure starts with the *Preliminary Activities* such as greetings, prayers, and all. It will then be followed by the *Review* or recalling previous discussion. Then after that it will be the *Motivation* or the introduction to the new lesson. It can be through video presentation or you will let the students watch a video in connection to your lesson, or you can engage them into singing and dancing that is related to your topic so they will be also get energized, or you can also present some flashcards and games to them as long as it is related to your topic.
Then after that would be the *Discussion Proper* in which you were going to discuss your lessons and present some examples with also the help of your visual aids. Remember that children are visual learners so you need to at least present something interesting in their eyes and try to make your discussion understandable and quick since children can only lend you little time for their attention and they might get bored. Then next is the *Application,* it is when you will measure the students' learning regarding the one that you’ve discussed. It can also be through a physical activity or game, anything as long as you will test the students' learning outcomes. Then after that, the *Generalization* will follow in which you will have a short run through or recap of your lesson.
**5. Evaluation**
Evaluation is like an assessment to measure whether your students did really or not understand your lesson. You can evaluate your learners in many ways such as giving quizzes, hand-on activities, oral recitations, group presentations, seat works, and etc.
**6. Assignment**
The last one is by giving an assignment. This will help them to assess their knowledge in their home. The purpose of this is to measure and for you to see how well your students learned the lesson based on the information that you’ve presented.
Each part of the lesson plan plays an important role in the learning experiences and development of your students, so it is important to approach them with a clear plan in mind. Laying out each lesson plan according to your requirements and expectations can be tedious work, but it will surely help you stay organized and aligned with what you’re supposed to teach.
Making a lesson plan isn’t easy at all, not to mention writing it every day in a different subject. Writing a lesson plan also helped me realize that being a teacher is no joke. They say that once a teacher, always a student. Yes, indeed because a teacher’s work doesn’t only end with teaching the students the things they need to learn and understand, they also learn something from them on an everyday basis.
What I missed about flag ceremonies?
When I was on my way back home yesterday, I passed through a group of kids playing. I’m not quite sure what exactly they are playing but they are singing the Philippine national anthem *‘Lupang Hinirang’.* They sang it repeatedly and out of tune and they even mispronounced some of the lyrics. But it’s understandable since I think they are just around 5-7 years old, besides, they remind me of the past.
I can still remember the very first time that I sang the *Lupang Hinirang* and it is also my very first time to join a flag ceremony. It was the first day of school on my first day in kindergarten. Now thinking about it, it’s all my first and just like they say that you’re every first is memorable. It was indeed memorable. I never thought that a flag ceremony could be that fun. Though I didn’t really understand what the people around me were singing at that time, but I was sure enjoying that moment.
When I was in elementary I was given a chance to be one of the leads of the flag ceremony. In our school, every 6:30 to 7:30am is the flag ceremony and there is an assigned class who will lead. I was never late in any flag ceremonies in my entire elementary life, not just because I am afraid to be late but it is also because I enjoy attending flag ceremonies.
Our flag ceremonies before don't only end with just singing the national anthem.
***Prayer***
Of course, we would start first with a prayer. Ever since I was in kindergarten, the prayer song that we always sing is *The Power of Your Love.* So even without seeing the lyrics, I have memorized it by hearing and singing it again and again in every flag ceremony. Though some words aren’t exactly what’s on the lyrics but can you blame a child for it anyway?
It is such a wonderful worship song that always gives me goosebumps, even until now especially when I remember some moments in my life where I was happy, sad, angry, broken, or even when those time that I questioned God’s plan.
This song gives me so much emotion, not just because it holds so many memories in my life but because the song alone gives you unnamed emotions from the past, to the present, and even for the future. That’s how powerful this song is for me.
***National Anthem***
Then after the prayer we will proceed to singing the Philippine national anthem *‘Lupang Hinirang’.* Before, I was always wondering why there is a person or a teacher perhaps that would always stand before the flagpole and do some hand gestures, later did I know that it’s all for the beat. And even when there’s a specific class that is assigned to lead the flag ceremony, the teachers are still the one who will lead the national anthem.
Furthermore, I also remember calling the national anthem as *Bayang Magiliw* since I thought it is the title of the song because it starts with those words. However, I was able to correct myself later on but now when I hear some kids calling the national anthem as *Bayang Magiliw* with pride and confidence, I just can’t help but to laugh in my mind because I was also like that before.
***Cagayan de Oro March***
Next would be the singing of Cagayan de Oro March. It is a song for our beloved city, *Cagayan de Oro* or mostly known as the city of golden friendship. By singing it, we show our pride and love for our city. People say that Mindanao is the most dangerous place in the Philippines, however, Mindanao is huge. And Cagayan de Oro City belongs to Mindanao but it was reported to be one of the warmest (not literally) and safest places in Mindanao.
Aside from that, there’s really a special legend in Cagayan de Oro that is also hiding in the song itself. By signing this, we show our devotion and how proud we are to be *Kagay-anon.*
***Panunumpa sa Watawat (Pledge of Allegiance to the Philippine Flag)***
I remember having a bet with one of my classmates in Grade 2. It is to memorize the *Panunumpa sa Watawat.* Since I was born a challenger, I agreed. It is also because we really don’t know the *Panunumpa sa Watawat* and kids my age would just stay silent or mumble something no one could understand trying to copy kids in the higher level who memorized the pledge.
*Ako ay Pilipino*
*Buong katapatang nanunumpa*
*Sa watawat ng Pilipinas*
*At sa bansang kanyang sinasagisag*
*Na may dangal, katarungan at kalayaan*
*Na pinakikilos ng sambayanang*
*Maka-Diyos*
*Maka-tao*
*Makakalikasan at*
*Makabansa.*
(English Translation)
*I am a Filipino*
*I pledge allegiance*
*To the flag of the Philippines*
*And to the country it represents*
*With honor, justice and freedom*
*That is put in motion by a nation that is*
*For God, humanity,*
*Nature and*
*Country.*
I really thought that it’s a very long pledge since it seems so long when they’re reciting it before.
***Rehiyon Dyes***
And then the next one would be the singing of the *Rehiyon Dyes March* or the Region 10 March. But we don’t just simply sing it, we also dance it. Yes, we dance it. Now I’m missing those moments more.
Every students are required to sing and dance it. Though we didn’t really practice for its proper stepping but after dancing and singing it all over again, your body will unconsciously memorize it.
***Tagabukid***
After the *Rehiyon Dyes,* it will be followed by *Tagabukid March.* Well, I don’t really know the title of the song because I can’t find it anywhere in the net, but I remember that the word *Tagabukid* is repeated many times so I conclude that it is the title of the song, which refers to people living in mountains and farms or mostly like the farmers.
I didn’t have the time to understand the song since it was in deep *Bisaya or Cebuano* language, and I couldn’t search it on the net. I just wish to hear it one more time. However, I still remember having fun dancing and singing it even if I didn’t really get the lyrics at all. My classmates and I would have fun dancing it, especially when we are assigned to lead the flag ceremony.
We would dance it in front of thousands of students at all grade levels and they would dance with us as well. I remember feeling so proud and satisfied after that since I feel like I lead many people.
When I reached high school, the flag ceremonies were different from the ones in elementary, especially now when I reached college. This is only the moment when I realized that only in elementary would flag ceremonies be fun. I haven’t cherished those moments so much because maybe for me and as a kid, it was so tiring standing with your heavy bags and books for almost an hour and sometimes it would take an hour or so if there is some speech from the principal.
I don’t know if the flag ceremony also changes through time, or is it the people who changed and matured? But one thing is for sure, if I would be given a chance to go back in time, I would choose to go back to elementary where every flag ceremony is fun and colorful.
Thank you @ZehraSky and @jamesmichelea for the upvotes :) God bless you more.
The 10 Types of Friend
In this world, surviving means living. But surviving alone isn’t living at all, we need to survive while also living. I always, and will always believe that no man survives alone. As the maxim, ‘No man is an Island’ is still valid up until now, no one can really survive on his own. Because if one tries then that would be a lonely journey.
Having a friend or companion is better than being alone. A friend is a person who knows us a lot more than our own family, who understands and if not—tries to understand us, who does everything to protect and defend us, and the one who stands for us. Basically, a friend is a person that we like. The person we like to be with, we like to talk to, we like to share our secrets to, we like to have fun with, and a person we completely trust.
But sometimes our friend can be our greatest enemy too, and would turn to someone who can hurt us the most. Liking your friend doesn’t necessarily mean that they’ll like you back genuinely because not everyone that we considered friend is our friend.
I do have a lot of friends. Not only in social media, but in real life too. I may be friendly but I am very shy. That's why I sometimes wonder how I get along with my friends now. Sure, I am easy going but I really don’t know how to strike a conversation with a stranger without being awkward.
Maybe friendship is also like an instinct. A mutual feeling. Friendship is a relationship or strong bond between people who support and trust each other through life. Whom you share life challenges and experiences, and who you had your best interest at heart. However, friendship without reciprocity of trust, admiration, respect, and emotional support isn’t friendship at all.
Among everyone, I am one of the people who values friendship so much. A friendship with me should be for eternity and not just fleeting feelings. I would be the kind of friend who would gladly do stupid thing with you, who would be sweet and mean at the same time, who would wait and wouldn’t ask for more attention, who would not support your lovelife because I’ve got my own principles regarding relationship but still chooses to be happy for you, who wouldn’t just comfort you but avenge you, who would nag and get mad if you did something stupid to yourself. I am that kind of friend who would clap to your success and cry to your fall.
Because that is how a friendship should be. But then they say that there are many types of friends in this world, and I think I encountered—if not all—then most of them.
***Childhood Friend.***
These are the friends we got during our childhood. Childhood friends are precious since they are with you on how you view the world. Either it is a robotic world, a world full of bunnies, a dark and mean world, or a beautiful world.
I had such good memories in my childhood, and it is all thanks to my childhood friends. I remember playing all sorts of Filipino sports and games such as tumbang-preso, taguan, langit-lupa, slipper mannequin, luksong-baka, patintero, and many many more. I remember being very happy even after having a wound on my knees from running.
However, we all grow up. My childhood friends whom I thought of as my best friends seem to be strangers now. I sometimes envy people who are still with their childhood friends even after they grew up, but still I was thankful for those people for making my childhood memorable and fun.
***Imaginary Friend.***
Imaginary friends are the friends we get when we are alone. They vary in different forms such as dolls, bears, toy cars, toy guns, and so on. A child’s mind and imagination is such a wonder. They make those lifeless toys lively and amazing.
When I was a kid, I had two large dolls. They are almost as big as me so I did really have a nice time with them. I bath with them and sleep with them. When I couldn’t go out and play with my friends, I would play with my dolls. We do dress ups, tea parties, cooking, and many more. Annabelle the movie didn't exist yet so I don’t find them creepy, but now I don’t think I can play with them again since I am really a scared cat.
Meanwhile, true imaginary friends really exist for some people. They are someone who other people couldn’t see but others could. Filipinos are naturally superstitious so we believe in things like this.
***High School Friend.***
Your friends in high school could lead you in what you will be in the future. In this moment of our life, we met both good and bad friends throughout our whole high school journey. They are the friends that will give us so much influence in many things. We may discover a new door because of them, or we may also fall into a cage because of them. It is either way, so we must choose whom we will be our friends during these times. People say our friends define who we are. It is an expression since people on the same feathers flock together.
I’ve also gained many friends during high school. At our summer camp, I gained friends who also became my classmates. We eat and go home together. As we reached another level in high school, I gained more friends and was with another circle. Being in any circle is normal to me but it changed when I reached my fourth year in high school. I gained another friend and belonged in another circle again, and I thought I would change to another group of friends when I reached senior high school but surprisingly I was still with that same circle.
I realized then when my mother told me that high school is the best moment in our student life because we gain friends, and we gain friends for a lifetime.
***College Friend.***
Obviously, college friends are the friends you got in college. However, in my case, my high school friends are still my college buddies. Yes, I gained other friends in college but most of them are still my high school friends.
College friends are the people whom you consider as a companion in achieving your goal since you share the same goal, and that is to graduate. In order to reach that goal, cooperation is the only key. This is really the time when I got so many realizations, and one of those is that you can’t survive college on your own. Cooperating with your friends and group mates isn’t enough, you need to cooperate as a class.
***Friend.***
Do you still wonder how a ‘friend’ differs from other types of friends?
Well, a friend is the person you like. It can be a childhood friend, an imaginary friend, a high school friend, and a college buddy. Friend is the person whom you share interest with. You like the same thing, you gossip on the same thing, and you hate on the same thing. However, you still set barriers between yourself and them. They may be your friends but there are still some things that you couldn’t do with them, and there are still some things that you couldn’t tell them.
You are perfectly fine when they won’t always talk to you, and when you see each other on the streets you just simply nod or smile with them. You may be friends but not that close enough. Speaking of which, I have so many friends but it doesn’t directly mean that I am close to them.
***Close Friend.***
These are the friends who already come to your house many times, and whom you have good times with. Your close friends are your ‘Barkadas’, whom you have cut classes with, you got to a trip with, you got drunk with, whom you crashed a birthday party with, whom you will cheat an exam with, whom you allow to make fun of you without you getting offended, and whom you tell some of your secrets and problems with. They are the kind of circle whom you are comfortable to go with even when it is very late.
***Best Friend.***
Your best friends are someone whom you are most comfortable with. They are the people that you use as a parent’s bait so you can go on a trip or any ‘gala’ since they are the people that your parents trust among all of your friends.
They are the ones who have already gone to your house countless times that they already feel at home. They sometimes call your mother ‘Mama/Mommy/Tita’ and your father ‘Papa/Daddy/Tito’ without their consent and think of themselves as part of your family already. They are that thick-faced and so comfortable in you that they sometimes do hideous things right in your eyes.
Best friends are like that, I tell you since I’ve got three. People think highly of them but they don’t actually know the real things about them and they don’t see the things that I’ve seen. However, your best friend is like your living diary. They are the people who always got your back no matter what, whether you’re on the right or the wrong path. And when you fall, they are always there to pull you up right after laughing at you first. Best friends are like that, there are times that they are serious but most of the time there are nuts.
***Secret Best Friend.***
Not all, but I think some people—like me, have a secret best friend. They are the real diaries and not just a living diary. They contain all of your secrets that you couldn’t even dare to tell your best friends nor a single soul. They can also be your pets whom you fully trust all of your secrets with since you know they can never tell anyone.
I also have this secret best friend, my journal. I don’t write about my everyday activities there but I only write the things that I couldn’t share to anyone, not even to my best friends. The secrets that I will plan to keep forever.
It is true that no secrets will remain secrets forever. And keeping it all inside may just trigger it to go out at once. That is why I keep that secret best friend of mine, for the purpose of telling someone or something the things that I badly wanted the world to know but couldn’t dare to speak.
***Enemy’s Enemy.***
Then there comes your enemy’s enemy. An ally. Your enemy’s enemy is also your friend, since you hate the same person.
I remember having an enemy when I was in Grade 4. She’s mean and taller than me. I may be a hard-headed but not a trouble maker so I was just ignoring her. She likes to say mean things to me—to everyone she hates rather, that is why gained many enemies. And then one time our classroom sitting arrangement changed so she is then sitting behind me. Starting from then she would play with my hair which I really hate, and one day when there is a school fee that we need to pay I noticed that my money was lost. I was on the verge of crying that time and was very mad when one of our classmates pointed at her for stealing my money. It is also one of the kids that she bullied and she was seen stealing the money from my bag during recess.
Having your enemy’s enemy feels great since it seems like you had an ally for the same bad person. But then try to not have an enemy for your own peace of mind too. It feels greater that way.
***Enemy itself.***
Have you ever experienced friendship from hate?
I’ve experienced it already too. They say that the best friendship and the most trusted friend you’ve ever got is through unexpected friendship. A friendship forms from hate, and an enemy turns into a friend.
When I was in Grade 5, I had this girl classmate who was hated by my friends. Being in a circle means sharing the same goal so even if I don’t really hate her, I tried to hate her. Until it became a true hate since her group and my group have misunderstandings. Unfortunately, she’s also studying at the same school with me but some of my friends are in different schools and that also goes the same with her friends.
We gained different friends in high school and for some reason she messed with one of my friends and that makes us enemies again. The misunderstanding went on until we reached fourth year in high school. This time we aren’t classmates anymore but one of my close friends is her classmate and they became friends. And since my friend is her classmate and also became her friend, we always see each other and be together until we start to get along and laugh together and the next thing we know is we are already best friends.
It’s really funny when I recall everything from our Grade 5 memories up until now. My enemy before became my best friend and we treat each other like real siblings. I know it also happens to some people, and how playful destiny could get. An enemy can also be your most treasured friend.
Friendship is just like a romantic relationship. Both parties should feel mutual understanding to keep the relationship going. And if you want a beautiful relationship, either friendship or romance, then you should try your hardest to give respect and understand each other. Yes, nothing is perfect in this world. There is no perfect relationship, even perfect friendship. But just like a seed who needs air, rain, and sunlight to grow, friendship also needs trust, respect, and understanding to grow beautifully and to last longer.
The Struggles of an Elementary Education Student
I am not complaining about my choice of program, however, I also wanted to clarify and to show to everyone that being an Elementary Education Student isn't as easy as 1, 2, 3.
I keep hearing this, and I guess people don't really know the truth hiding behind every Elementary Teacher’s struggles. They say *‘Education is the easiest program to take in college’*. *‘If you still haven’t decided what program to take, you can choose Education for now and change later’*. *‘Elementary education is just a piece of cake—all you have to do is to just sing nursery rhymes all day’*. And every time I hear something like this, I was always like*—‘Dude! Are you serious?!’*
Let me clarify this to everyone, Elementary Education is the most challenging program in college. Why? Because I am a 3rd year Elementary Education student who’s still surviving until now. And what we’re doing is not just simply singing nursery rhymes every day. Contrary to everyone’s belief, we need to know nursery rhymes since we’re handling ‘children’, and it is not used for just singing all day but instead a motivation.
***Knowing Nursery Rhymes.***
Elementary education students need to know some—if not all—nursery rhymes. Unlike high-schoolers, elementary children’s attention is harder to get. Teachers use nursery rhymes to motivate them to participate in the class and to get their attention so they won’t get bored.
But singing nursery rhymes isn’t just enough. Teachers need to sing it with full of energy so the students will also be energized. An Elementary Education student was trained and must learn to know many different rhymes for these purposes. And elementary teachers are not only singing it once in a class, she will sing and use it for the whole day in her every classes if possible. How tiring is that?
***Not just a teacher, but an engineer, a doctor, a law enforcer, and a parent too.***
Elementary teacher’s role doesn’t end up just being an elementary teacher. Because sometimes they can also be an engineer, especially for those teachers that are assigned in hinterlands or rural areas. They will become engineers without licences, why? Because if that place has no classroom, nor proper chair and comfort room for the students, teachers will decide and plan on how to build one for the comfort of the students and of course with the help of the parents and the community.
If you’ve seen the movie ‘Mucize’ you’ll know what are the struggles that a teacher faced when he was assigned to a place where there is no school—not even a small hut. A teacher’s responsibility doesn’t only end with teaching the students the things they need to learn, because a comfortable learning environment is also one of his responsibilities. That is why in the movie he tricked his wife and asked for money to build a school just to give the children in that place a proper education. That is why teachers are also engineers.
And sometimes they are doctors too since the student’s health is also their responsibility. If one of the students fell ill, teachers are the one who gives first aid so it will not be worse. Teachers don't wear lab gowns and don't have stethoscopes but in such situations they are the student’s attending physician.
They can be a law enforcer too. Since it is natural for the student’s to fight and have a misunderstanding with their classmates specifically in elementary school, the teacher's role is also to be a law enforcer in the classroom. They will act as both the police, the prosecutor and the judge. They need to punish those who sinned since it is part of disciplining the students, protect those weak, but they will also need to be fair to everyone without judgement and biases like a real judge.
Teachers make law in the classroom, not to punish the students who didn’t follow the law, but to make the students learn how to follow and to understand the consequences of their every action.
And most of the time, being a teacher is also being a parent. Teachers are the second parent of the students, and every one of their students is like their child. Teachers are also a parent because like the parents do, they are the one who wants the best for their every child, they help the students reach their dreams and build their future, they understand that every child is different and special in their own way, they are patient enough to correct every students mistakes and patient enough to help them learn, they are a giver and they will also be happy if their child will succeed like parents do.
Elementary Education students are trained to be not just a teacher. They are trained to be innovative and creative like a good engineer, trained to handle children medically or in any difficult situation, trained to make justifiable law and right judgements, and trained to be a parent of more than a hundred kids.
Elementary Education students like me aren’t exposed to these hardships to just pass and graduate. You see, while we are maintaining our grades and striving hard to pass, we are also trained how to be a good elementary teacher in the future.
***Multi-tasking experts.***
Elementary teachers are multi-taskers, especially in handling multi-grade. It is having two or more grade levels at the same time, these are common in rural areas where there are only limited classrooms for the students. If the teacher is teaching mathematics, then he will teach mathematics in a different way if he/she is handling Grade 2, Grade 3, and Grade 4. Same subject but different learning objectives and styles.
It is hard I can say, since we’re making a Multi-grade lesson plan for our teaching demonstration. Making a lesson plan in multi-grade isn’t easy, how much more if you’re teaching students in different grade levels? So in this situation, teachers really need to be multi-tasking experts in handling students at different grade levels.
These are only some of the struggles that every elementary teacher faces every day, and online or modular classes just make it more harder for them. These are the things that we, Elementary Education students are preparing for in order to become a good elementary teacher someday.
How can people tell us that it is an easy program without really knowing what’s behind our energetic way of singing nursery rhymes? Handling children is already hard, how much more than handling more than a hundred children raised in different cultures and beliefs.
Maybe only few know this but elementary teachers have the toughest job of all. Why? Because they are handling children. They are the foundation of every child’s learning and personality development. That is why we shouldn’t underestimate every Elementary Education student since their struggles are for the future of future generations.
Legit Earning Sites that I’d Gladly Share!
I admit that I am a lazy person so I made this document to answer all of my friend’s question regarding to the sites that I introduced to them. I explained everything through this so I was thinking to also share this here on read.cash to also help those interested to earn—though a little but legit way.
Let’s face it. There’s no thing such as easy money. If you want to earn then you need to work hard for your keep. Money won’t come to you unless you were born with it, but for me and some who are less fortunate, we need to work hard to get it.
So these are the six (6) most legit and paying website that I would gladly share and recommend to everyone that can absolutely help us earn extra income daily.
**1. FaucetPay**
Are you familiar with FaucetPay? If yes, then good for you. If No, then you can click the attached link below.
https://faucetpay.io/?r=1215297
So, FaucetPay is a website and a wallet as well. If you doesn’t have an account yet in FaucetPay then better start making one now since you can get many earning opportunities with this. Just click the **‘Sign Up’** then fill up all the needed information and then verify your email address.
***How to earn in FaucetPay?***
If you’ll go to your dashboard then this how it looks like. (See image below)
Forgive me if the image may be a bit different to what’s on your screen since I made this before the site gets updated so there’s additional features there in your screen which is a good thing.
So, FaucetPay is not just a wallet since you can also earn here in many ways. Just click that **‘Earn’** in the upper side and you’ll see how you can possibly earn.
***How to withdraw in FaucetPay?***
If you want to withdraw your earnings, you need to link your Direct Wallet address first. Just click **‘Linked Addresses’** and copy your direct wallet address (Coins.ph, Bitcoin, Payeer, etc.), paste it on **‘Address’** then indicate in the **‘Name (Label)’** if it is either BCH or BTC or etc., then select what crypto is it in **‘Coin’**, then lastly just click the **‘Link’.**
So, this is how it will look after you linked your address. (See image below)
Then you are free to withdraw all your earnings in FaucetPay to your own wallet. However, you can only withdraw through the link addresses in your account. Let’s say for example, you only had a BTC address that is linked there.
***How to transfer all your coins to BTC?***
Just click on the **‘Coin Swap’** on the upper part, then you will be directed here. (See image below)
Click **‘Convert From’** and just select any of the currencies you wanted to transfer to BTC. Then click BTC in **‘Convert To’,** then click **‘Make Exchange’.**
If the exchange is successful, they’ll notify you with a green pop-up saying:
*‘Your trade has been successful! Please check your account balance now.’*
If you already converted all of your earnings into BTC and you also reach the minimum amount then you can now withdraw to you Bitcoin wallet.
**2. Claim Free Coins**
This Claim Free Coins is a faucet where you can claim coins for free. So this requires a FaucetPay account since all of the coins you claim will go directly to your FaucetPay wallet.
If you know this site then good for you, but if not then you can just click the attached link below.
https://claimfreecoins.io/free-bitcoin/?r=3HYEcSEnuxEUSLAuEXVnkHREhWy4rmefpB
As you can see in the image above, there are so many faucet for different crypto. And you can actually claim all of that. Yes, all of it.
***How to claim?***
Just select any of the faucet there. Let’s say you choose BTC. Click the **‘BITCOIN FAUCET’** and you’ll be directed here (See image below)
See the **‘Enter Your Bitcoin Address’?** Just paste there your linked BTC address in your FaucetPay. Then proceed to **‘Login’** then **‘Continue’.** Then solve the captcha and AntiBot, then just click on **‘Verify’.**
Then that’s it. You already claimed a Satoshi. (See image below)
You can check your FaucetPay to see if it was really sent. Please remember that this is a ‘faucet’ so you can’t predict how many satoshi you will get. However, you can still claim again after every 5 minutes.
You can claim on the other faucet while waiting for the 5 minutes to pass. Just do the same steps on claiming the BTC.
***No linked address on the other crypto?***
You don’t have to worry since you can free use any of the linked address in your FaucetPay to claim in all of the Faucet.
*You don’t have a linked address in LTC, DODGE, USDT, TRX, BNB, FEY, etc.?*
You can just enter your linked BTC or BCH address to claim for those faucet. Just follow the same process you did earlier.
**3. FaucetSpin**
Familiar? If yes, then again good for you. If not then just click the attached link below.
https://www.faucetspin.com/?ref=126784
So, FaucetSpin is also a faucet where you can claim coins for free. But unlike in Claim Free Coins, FaucetSpin has a minimum withdrawal threshold. It means you can only withdraw your earnings if you reach the minimum amount. However, it is a proven and tested legit earning site by yours truly so it is worth a try.
And unlike Claim Free Coins, you still need to create an account here. So just click on the **‘Register’** then fill up all of the needed information, then do not forget to verify your email.
***How to earn?***
There are only four (4) faucets here: BTC, BCH, ETH, and LTC. So for **BTC**, you can claim **5 satoshi every 30 minutes.** Non-negotiable lol. While in **BCH, ETH, AND LTC,** you can claim coins every 5 minutes.
Aside from that, there is also PTC Ads as another way of earning here.
**4. adBTC**
Next is adBTC. If you’re not familiar with it then you can click the attached link below.
https://r.adbtc.top/2150108
Again, you need to create an account here to start earning. In adBTC, it is not a faucet but you can earn through watching advertisements and window surfing. There is also a minimum withdrawal amount here before you can claim your earnings but it is again a legit site so there’s no harm in trying.
Here in adBTC, you can choose where to withdraw your earnings. Either in your FaucetPay or Direct wallet. Just as long as you reach the minimum amount then you are free to withdraw anytime.
**5. Faucet Crypto**
Then next is the Faucet Crypto. Familiar? If not then just click the link below.
https://faucetcrypto.com/ref/750244
So, this Faucet Crypto doesn’t need a FaucetPay account or address since your earnings will only be sent to your direct wallet address.
***How to earn?***
Just create an account fist then you’re free to work. There are also many ways to earn here, such as watching advertisements, shortlinks, and surveys. There is also a faucet here that you can claim every 40 minutes or so, and a Daily Rewards as well. There is also rewards for every levels that you’d reach. The higher your level is, the higher the opportunities of earnings will open for you such as surveys and task.
**6. CoinPayz**
The last one is CoinPayz. If you’re not familiar with it you can just click the link below.
https://coinpayz.xyz/?r=134839
So CoinPayz is another legit earning site that is worthy of your time. Just create your account first then start earning.
***How to earn?***
There are also many ways to earn here. You can claim daily rewards, complete tasks, claim faucet and fast faucet, shortlinks, and offerwalls. There's also more than one payment method here. You can withdraw either to your FaucetPay, Coins.ph, Direct Wallet, etc.
Through there’s a minimum withdrawal amount but it’s not that high so you can earn more and withdraw directly.
You can still look for other legit earning sites out there, but please let's do a double check to know if it is worth the try, efforts, and time spent.
So I hope this will at least help some of us to earn extra income in this pandemic. I already proved that these sites are legit 100% so the choice is up to you now. But let us all remember too to not invest in any website that promises to multiply your money or profit. Let’s all exercise our due diligence before sending money to anyone or anything. Keep safe and happy earnings everyone!
Frustrated Writer Since 11 (How to write a story?)
When I reached home after attending a mass last Sunday, I was surprised to see my brother cleaning up his room. It’s really a big deal for us to see him cleaning his room after ages. Maybe he gets fed up with all the cobwebs and dirt—I really wonder why some men are like that though? Lol.
Anyway, since he cleans up he gets out some unnecessary things inside his room and this is the funniest and the weirdest for me since we always found things inside his room that were already considered lost for a long time. We found out that our mother’s long-lost hairbrush was in there. Some old books, notebooks, pens, broken rulers, and broken colors were also found there. Almost all of the things that we’re looking before were there and finally found, even the other pair of my earrings were also there.
We asked him why are those in his room and he just gave us a shrug telling us that he has no idea. It was all full of dust and can’t be used anymore. One of the notebooks that were found in his room is my notebook during elementary days. I know since the cover of the notebook is the face of a famous celebrity before and my name was written behind the cover in a messy and ugly print handwriting style.
Jan Kayle E. Eroisa
Grade -5- Jacinto
Filipino
That is exactly what is written at the back of the cover page of my notebook. Just try to imagine the messy handwriting of a Grade 5 student and an 11 years old kid. I didn't really have a nice penmanship when I was a kid, however, it changed through time and maybe through maturity, but I am not also saying that I have now a nice penmanship.
Upon looking at the notebook, I can’t help but laugh and some memories visit me. I also realized what kind of a student I was when I was at that grade level. It is a Filipino notebook but looks like it turns out to be an art notebook. Every blank page has doodles and drawings, and there is even a page where I was very surprised to see. Well, it is actually composed of 2 pages of a story. It’s not finished and I don’t remember anymore the story but I am very curious about the ending of it.
I didn’t know and couldn’t even remember myself writing that but based on the handwriting it was really written when I was still in grade 5. My penmanship from then and now changed a lot so I can really tell. Plus, some of the pen’s ink was already spattered and messy maybe because it’s been so long since I wrote this one.
All this time, I thought I became addicted to reading and writing when our teacher in 7th grade instructed us to make a book report over a certain book that we choose. That time, I’m not really into reading so I don’t have books and novels in our house, fortunately, my older girl cousin is a fan of ‘Precious Hearts Romance’ stories and she got a good amount of books in their house. I asked her if I could borrow one for our book report, and since I don’t have any ideas about the books she had so I just let her choose anything for me.
She gave me a thick book with a blue cover. I remember thanking her and promised to return it the next day but deep inside I was very problematic and wanted to ask her if she could give me a less-thicker book. I don’t even know if I could finish reading it for just a day though since it's very thick.
*‘The Substitute Bride’* is the title of the book. The first-ever romance book that I have read so far. Or that’s what I just remember. And I really did think my addiction started there. I find the story very interesting and it really fuels my imagination so after reading the book I then borrow another one. I also didn’t imagine that I could read the whole thick book in just a day or less than a day and still feel the need to read another one. It is also the time when I wrote my first plot scenarios of some stories that I imagine and created in my mind. It is the time when I dreamed of being a novelist one day.
But I never thought that it isn’t the first after all. Because I just found out the proof that I already wrote my first ever story that I couldn’t even remember now. There’s a lot of misspelled words and I don’t remember the story at all but I was very happy when I actually read it. I’m planning to finish the story and publish it on Wattpad since I already published the first (which I thought was the very first) story that I wrote when I was 13. The story was written in Filipino so I’ll just translate it into English so everyone can understand.
“Happy wedding to the both of you, older brother”.
Thank you Marie. Can't you wait till we came back from Hong Kong, so you’ll have a company?
Oh no older brother (kuya) just enjoy yourselves there, don't worry about my vacation at Club Paradise... but don't forget my souvenir okay.
Of course, but are you sure you're okay there? When someone does something bad to you just call me.
Yes, don’t worry.
All right, but before that, today’s my wedding day so we're going to celebrate first.
The next morning Marie woke up early to prepare herself for her vacation at Club Paradise. After bidding goodbyes, Marie rode the plane.
“Club Paradise, I'm going just wait" she shouted in her mind.
After several hours of travel, Marie finally reached the island that she longed since she was a child. Since it was just two in the afternoon, she decided to walk first and watch the sunset.
After taking a shower and getting dressed, she went out of her room to go to the eating area just below the cottage that she rented. As she walked down the stairs, she called her brother to inform him that she safely reached the island.
She mindlessly looks at the stairs. She met a man who was just coming out from the eating area and their eyes met. She was very impressed by his handsomeness. But she was also immediately disappointed because he was with a beautiful woman who looks like his girlfriend.
It’s not translated perfectly but I tried to translate it word for word. If you’re a Filipino and you tried to use online translation then you know that some words sound funny when being translated so I just translate it manually and word for word.
So, that is what exactly—or at least—written in my Grade 5 Filipino notebook. Even how hard I tried to remember the story but I just really remember nothing. I couldn’t remember when I wrote this or what triggered me to write this, or why did I write this.
Sure I wanted to finish this story now, but I was really curious about what the 11 years old me thinks of the ending of the story. Is it a happy ending or a tragic one? Because sometimes I am very unpredictable and even myself gets surprised over my decision. I was wondering about what I was thinking that time. Because when I created a scenario or a story over my head, I would decide or go directly to the possible ending of it.
I’m not a pro writer nor an experienced novelist but I think I can give some advice to those whose also an aspiring writer like me in making their story.
1. Choose your ending.
First and foremost is to choose what will happen at the end of your story. Is it a happy, sad, or a tragic ending? You decide. It’s your story and you will act as a deity over your character’s lives. For me, choosing the ending first must always come first. Because this will serve as your basis or guide on how your story will end.
2. Choose your genre.
Second is choosing your genre. After deciding on the ending of your story, it is also important to clear your story’s genre. Is it a horror or mystery story with a happy ending? Or a romantic comedy with a tragic ending? You choose. Because again, it is your story and in the story that you created you are the God or the Creator.
3. Choose your plot twist.
The last one is choosing a unique plot twist. Well for me, I think this is the hardest one since you need to think of an interesting plot twist that would make your reader yearn for every chapter of your story. You can also use your own life experiences for this to make it more unique.
So, I think these three (3) are the only things you need to remember when you are writing your own story—for me at least—because I always write this way and use this order. But well, I think everyone can write their own stories in their desirable and comfortable ways.
Adios, mi Uno
It was in the middle of the month of February year 2020. Tagoloan was celebrating the Candelaria Festival that time and our instructor assigned us to make a film about the festival. One sunny afternoon, after our last subject my friends and I decided to go to the plaza to start filming. Despite the burning sun, we decided to just walk and I’m glad we did. That is the first time I met him.
When we walked past a tree, we heard a screechy cry out of nowhere. And as we searched for it, a tiny black-furred organism came into our view from the bushes. It got cute round eyes, tiny black feet, and grey stripes around his body and round belly. Yes, it is a kitten. We found a kitten in the bushes.
We looked for its parent or the possible owner but we couldn’t see anyone. Maybe it was deserted. In this world, there’s only two reasons why kittens are found in nowhere, either it was lost by its mother or discarded by humans.
Whenever I meet animals on the street, especially if it was still little, I really can’t help but feel tight-hearted and pity for them. It will always remind me of how lucky I was to be born as a human, with family and a home. But then, animals being deserted, has nothing and will die that no one can ever notice or hear their cries.
It’s not on my plan to adopt the kitten. But I am more bugged for what could possibly happen to it if no one will feel pity and take it. It’s very tiny that I can carry it with just a palm. And it’s very tiny to identify its gender yet but my friends suggested that we name it after our favourite card game ‘Uno’.
I put it in the front pocket of my backpack as we headed to the plaza. Uno is being noisy maybe because he was hungry but I couldn’t offer anything. He stayed with me while I was filming and he keeps on following me wherever I go.
When I reached home, I was scared that my mother would scold me for bringing a kitten when we already had so many cats. So I told my mother that I saved the kitten when it was almost hit but it keeps on following me so I just took it in.
Honestly we have so many pets in the house that sometimes I think I was living on the farm. We have 5 cats and all of them are females while the two are pregnant; 6 dogs and the one female dog just gave birth to 4 cute puppies and that made them 10 all in all; we also have chickens and ducks and I don’t know how many are they ‘cause they keep on laying eggs; we also have a goat; a rabbit; and a turtle. My mother really likes animals but sometimes it is hard to feed them when there are too many of them. Nonetheless, we raised them all without throwing or abandoning any of them.
That is why I was thankful for my mother for taking care of Uno when I was busy at school. She even let Uno breastfeed with our dog who just gave birth. Uno is such a sweet cat. And he likes to follow everyone in the house, I am even afraid that he’d follow some passer-by and lose his way home. He is such a sweetie and I love him so much.
There are even times when I panic when I couldn’t find him anywhere. I’m on the verge of crying that time and my mother is telling me to just wish that he’s in good hands but I just couldn’t. He’s still very small and he likes to play and run so much. What if it was lost and died somewhere? Or was taken by some mad dog? Or was picked by some kid and just threw it away after playing? Poor Uno!
I was feeling depressed when it was already dark and I still couldn’t find him. So I locked myself in my room and tucked myself in bed because I wanted to cry but I was startled when I felt some strange thing under my blanket. And there he is! Sleeping soundly like he just didn’t make me worry at all. He was even sleeping in a funny position where his belly was stuck out like it wanted a rubbing. I really love how the spots in his belly look like a defined artwork. That time I shed a tear. But it is because I was happy and relieved.
As he grew up I noticed something in him. He only had 13 fingers and 11 nails. Yes, I’ve counted it. And he can’t move or wave his tail like other normal cats. And sometimes he can’t take his waste out. I don’t know why and it’s a pity that I don’t have the means to take him to the vet. Nevertheless, he’s perfectly fine to me. I still love him like my own child.
And last February, he just turned a year old but he looks the same as if he was a fifth month old. He didn’t actually grow up and his condition worsened. He couldn’t take his waste out so he sometimes didn't eat. We did everything to help him, my mother even bought some meds for him just to survive but maybe he’s already tired. *Recently, I said goodbye to him.*
It is not the first time that I was attached to our pets and it is not also the first time that a pet of ours died. But Uno is the first one who dies in my arms.
He’s suffered for more than a week. He couldn’t take any food since he wasn’t able to poop so I always make sure that he can take water at least. I even forced him to drink water sometimes just so he could survive. And after a week, he was lost for two days. I couldn’t find him anywhere. He’s not showing up even when I called out his name many times when before, just one call and he’ll come running to me.
And after two days he finally showed up but not in a good state. He woke me up. I don’t even know how he climbed up in bed when he can’t even stand properly. I carried him and brought him outside. My mother was even surprised when she saw Uno. I placed him in his favourite spot and stood up to wash my face but he tried to follow me and stumbled on the ground so I decided to wash my face later and stay with him.
At that moment, I couldn’t feel anything. It was like I already know that he’s dying right at that moment. Like I already know that this time will come. I am not sad nor in pain. It is just hollowness. I couldn’t leave him since he tries to follow me whenever I get up so I just sat there watching him. I didn’t try to hold him. My mother saw his situation and shed a sad tear. She mumbled something I couldn’t understand but I guess it was all about wishing him farewell.
I decided to pat his head and bid a farewell. It was only five pats when he took his final breath. As I look at him lifeless, I can’t help but think if he was only waiting for my goodbye?
I carried Uno’s body to the backyard and dug a hole for his grave. When I covered him with soil that is when my tears fell nonstop. I feel so heavy and I can’t stop my tears even how hard I wiped them off. It is not the first time that our pet died. However, it is the first time that someone dies in me like it was actually waiting for me, and it is also the first time that I buried our pet.
But Uno is more than a pet to me. I took the responsibility when I decided to take him. He makes me mad at times but he makes me laugh most of the time. He’s innocent and sweet. And he likes to disturb me when I’m too focused on my studies. He’s my adorable Uno. I hope he’s already in a nice place. I can still call his name unconsciously but maybe I would just give myself some time. I’m still adjusting. I’m still missing him. *Adios, mi Uno.*
Thank you @Glez for the sponsorship :) Godbless
@TheRandomRewarder I'll be forever grateful to you
Before Lockdown’s Memoir
I was scrolling the web this morning and ended up in a familiar flat form that I haven’t opened since lockdown started. It is a site that we used during our 1st and 2nd years in college to record our activities in a particular subject.
Looking back, posting stuff about what we did or keeping a documentary about the things we did in class is only just for compliance since this is one of the requirements and I never thought that I would be missing those times in where we freely go and do our activities while also having fun.
In the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, most of the countries worldwide implemented school closures affecting billions of learners. Since schools are currently not available, online schooling is amplified. It’s been a year since it started but it feels like it has been so long since normal school activities and *gala* with your classmates are not normal anymore.
I didn’t expect that I would feel glad seeing the documentations of the activities we did before. I feel glad but I feel sad at the same time. So the following are some of the things we did in our Education for Technology and Learning class.
***The Survey in the Use of ICT in Teaching and Learning for Teachers***
On the 8th day of August year 2019, we conducted a survey on Baluarte Elementary School about how the teachers cope up with the digital ways of teaching. Through this survey we became aware if the teachers uses technology in their way of teaching, if they are aware about the policies in using ICT, if they still uses non-digital resources, if they’re an expert in using technology tools, if they are well aware about the ethical and legal responsibilities in the use of ICT, if their students learned better through using technology, or if they are enjoying using it.
Based on our survey, the majority of the teachers in Baluarte Elementary School prefer using technology as a tool of teaching. It shows that using ICT allows students to explore, engage, solve problems, and make exciting discoveries for themselves. However, although not everyone agrees on the benefits that technology can provide, in today’s generation we need to cope up immediately so we wouldn’t be left behind as the technology grows more.
One of our group mates has an aunt who is the current principal of the Baluarte Elementary School (BES) so it became easier for us to get through the survey process. BES isn’t that far from our school so we went there during our 2hours free time in the afternoon.
***Word Game***
Our instructor gave us an activity about doing a 'Word Game'. We group ourselves into five and then create a unique idea out of it. My group decided to do a scrambled words game and we titled it *'Unscramble the Sentence'*. Instead of the word, we scrambled the definition and let our classmates form it into a sentence which defines the given word.
Other groups also constructed unique ideas. There's *'Letter me, Up'* in which there's three people standing for letters A, B, and C. Like a multiple choice, you need to find the right answer and line-up to the person who's holding the right letter. There's also *'Sana all'*, and I proudly say that my group won this game. It's also like a scramble word which has three categories, the easy, medium and the difficult.
There are many games we played like *'Pick the Word'*, *'Post the Word', 'Fill me Up'* and all of it was very fun. We're enjoying the activity but also at the same time we're learning. The study of technology is not that really hard especially if it was presented in this kind of activity, in which students can really perform and participate in giving their individual insight and learning about the said activity.
***Reflection***
We also indicated our individual reflection about the things we learn, the things we want to know more, and the things we’ll do with what we have learned.
*1. What have I learned?*
I learned that 21st century learning really requires a higher order of thinking skills and that technology has a great role in developing and enhancing these skills. Also, technology is probably the answer so that educators can teach better even in just a short period of time and the students can learn faster.
*2. What I want to know more?*
I want to know more about the different usage of technology. How do they help improve our lives? And what would be these technologies in the future? We all know that technology was made to make our lives easier especially in school settings, it is really a big help for both teachers and students, but I want to know what content it will be.
*3. What will I do with what I learned?*
I will apply my learnings in my daily life and probably in my studies. Now that we’re in our second year of being a college student, we sometimes have trouble in handling our schedules well. We often forget the other subject because we’re too focused on finishing the other. In this problem, we can use technology to help us be reminded and help us manage our time through maybe setting an alarm or marking our google calendar.
I just didn’t imagine that this all made sense up until now that I applied it all in my daily life.
***Flash Cards and Instructional Materials Making***
We also documented our flashcards making. Since I took Elementary Education, things like this aren't really something new. Most elementary students were visual learners so we are trained to be creative and innovative in making our own instructional materials.
Our flashcard making was held in the classroom so that our instructor can check if it is really us who did those and to grade it instantly too. In making flashcards, you need to consider first your topic, then the creativity and the durability of your output. My topic is noun so I made my design simple and clear but attractive.
Making instructional materials is the same as making flashcards. You need to consider the guidelines: Unity, Simplicity, Legibility, Consistency, Clarity, and lastly the Quality. I choose to make flip charts as my instructional materials, and like how I did in my flash cards I made my instructional materials simply creative and durable.
***Mock Teaching Demonstration***
While performing the mock demonstration I can't help but to be nervous and excited at the same time. As far as I remember, this is our first ever mock teaching demonstration. It's the first step in practicing how to handle our students when the future comes. My classmates’ serves as my students and I let them read the nouns written in my flash cards then proceed to the discussion using my instructional materials until I finished my class.
I was nervous thinking that our instructor is just in the corner and watching, but it was also fun because my grown up classmates turned to be elementary students to act as my students. It was funny since I even talked to them in a child-like voice and so they are to me.
I forget first that I am a student and act as a teacher I was, and I also put in mind that my students were elementary pupils and not just my classmates. I discussed the lesson then asked them some questions before letting them answer the activity. I'm just glad that I didn't stutter in front and it went well despite my stage fright and nervousness.
***Contrive Experience Making***
Contrive experience making is just like a diorama making. In making the contrived experience, we came in many hardships. To be honest, we repeated it three times and spent money because we cannot get content over our work done. Our concept is already settled, we agreed to make a terrarium about wild animals and their habitats. We already brought the materials needed but along the way of our work it didn’t go well. So, we decided to change it and buy some materials again but like the first try, it didn’t go well also. Finally, on our third try we all liked the result. It is more or closely like a real forest and wildlife to us.
***Contrive Experience presentation***
Seeing how our output ends, I can say that all wasted money and efforts were all worth it. There should only be one presenter per group so we choose the best speaker in our group to present our output, while the other members will act as students. It was discussed first what is wildlife and what are the animals that live in the wild. After that, our representative asked for participants to get an animal, identify it, and place it in where it should belong. Everything went smoothly so there’s really no need for us to be anxious.
***Puppet Making and Presentation***
After the contrived experience, we directly think of a concept for our next output which is the puppet show. In this, we didn’t have to present it in the classroom and in front of our classmates because it must be filmed. Each group was given 15 minutes for the said puppet show. There are so many things that can be used as a puppet but we choose socks.
We transformed the socks and beautified it to make a puppet. We also repeat it for the 2nd time since the first try is a failure. I admit that it is a bit frustrating, especially when it rained that time while we’re filming. It may look fine in the video but behind that are the mixed sweats and tired arms. The picture above shows how dense we are behind the camera but still trying to make everything right. We even go home late that time just to finish everything. It’s a relief that it went well in the end.
All these hardship, struggle, and fun was just a part of the past now and will always be in my memory. We realized that we miss something when we stop doing the same thing. I’ve missed this kind of activity because we can’t do the same now, and we have different ways in every group activity since classes are online. We can’t just easily see each other for a group project or go to a place for some reason since we are also watching for our own safety. That is why I feel sad and happy by seeing these again.
Education Is A Privilege That We Shouldn’t Take For Granted
When I was a kid, my mother always told me to finish my studies no matter what because it is the only legacy that they could give to us. As a kid raised in a strict family, the only choice I have is to study well. Education was introduced to me in a not so friendly way. It is understandable since parents have their own parenting styles in helping their child learn.
I learned basic reading, writing, and calculations when I was 3. My parents noticed that I was learning and improving faster than my brother so they put their high expectations on me. I started kindergarten at the age of 4, kindergarten II at the age of 5, then I proceeded to 1st grade at 6.
Looking back, I spent 8 years on primary education including kindergarten I and II. At that age, education doesn’t matter to me. All I know and all I want to do is to go to school and have fun with my friends. I’ve met kids my age who don't go to school but I haven’t thought about them then since I was able to.
I was scolded every time I got a score lower than 88, while my brother is safe from scolding even if he got a score lower than 80. They understand him more since he’s a slow learner. Every day after school, I can’t go and play directly since I need to finish all of my assignments and projects with my mother watching me while holding a stick.
Every weekend I spent 2 hours reading aloud by myself, then another 2 hours of mathematics and computation with my father who slaps my hand every time I made a wrong answer, then another last 2 hours for spelling and reading with my mother. After that I am free to go and play all I want as long as I go home before 6 pm. My brother experienced this too but they are more strict on me.
Because of these, I never liked education before. I always wonder why my parents are very strict to me while it’s different when it comes to my brother. But then I must admit that because of their teaching style I always try my hardest to learn and to aim high. Because I was afraid of scolding, I always tried to maintain my grades until I graduated, and until now I was in college.
I then realized why my parents did those things before. It is not because so that we can get high grades and a lot of awards, but because they want us to realize that we should be grateful that we were able to study unlike those other kids. So, I must do my best to learn something not just for the sake of going to school but for the sake of having the privilege to obtain education.
I just hoped my brother realized it too before dropping out of school during his 2nd year in college right after my mother paid his tuition. I hated my brother for that since he knew that we are broke and my parents work hard to find money to pay his school bills but then he just dropped out of school the day after his tuition was fully paid.
My mother was being criticized by my aunt for having a son like him, so she told me to finish my studies so I won’t be criticized by our other relatives. What happened really ignited the fire in me to get a diploma. Not just so I could save my brother and mother’s face but also to give her a good life. I am really praying to God to make my brother realize how important education is.
*Education is the most important tool a person can receive. It gives us the knowledge around us and it develops our perspectives in life. It can also help us lessen the challenge we may face in life because the more knowledge we gain, the more opportunities will open for us that allows us to achieve better.*
It is not just all about knowledge since it also builds our opinions and point of view on things in life, helps us to develop moral values and positive thinking, it can also affect our attitude in both a positive and negative life.
However, you couldn’t really push education to a person if he himself doesn’t have a high regard about it. My parents forgave my brother and just forgot all the money wasted. They encouraged him again to go back in school and choose the course that he truly wanted but my brother refused and didn’t even falter. Maybe all he wanted to do is to play mobile gaming on his phone for the rest of his life.
I hope he’ll realize that it is not every time that our parents are beside us. Time will come that we need to stand on our own. I’m afraid about what would be his life then. Or what if something will happen to me? Since we didn’t know when it would be our limit, it is always in my mind. Can he take care of our old parents or it is the other way around? Or can he even provide for himself?
I am worried since it is my brother. I won’t complain if I will be the one to provide for them. But does he even have a dream for himself? Maybe it is really the will of a person who has a dream for his future can’t take education for granted, and how he views his life in his perspective.
Why do people cheat?
Both men and women cheat. No one is innocent for cheating and no reason can justify the act of cheating. I decided to write this article after being so fed up with the ‘story’ of cheating around me. I’m not talking about the simple cheating in school where the students always engage especially in exams and all, and I just hope that the word ‘cheating’ ends simply just like that.
*So why do people really cheat? Why can’t they feel content?*
They say that contentment helps you distinguish what you want between what you need. When you are contented, you won’t desire anything more than what you need. Contentment is a realization that happiness doesn’t come from material things and from the things that we’ve always wanted. If the person doesn’t feel this contentment after having what he wants then that is the time when they look for another thing that will satisfy them.
But then, do people really get satisfied?
I’ve asked a few friends with those questions and got some relatively same answers with them. They say that human being’s emotions in particular are a complex thing. Even if it is impossible to always feel happiness all the time, but there are circumstances where people feel contented and satisfied.
Most of my friends were in a relationship and their common problem is having a third party with their partners, or let’s simply say ‘cheating problems’. Whenever I hear about this, the first thing that comes to my mind is ‘Why’. Why did they cheat? What is the reason?
I always make sure to get the both point of view of each side, then I will try to analyse who made mistakes and who to blame for the cheating. Some of the reasons were because the partner is not being so attentive to the other one, or they are too far from each other that the other one finds comfort and love to another's company, or that the love is gone, and so on.
Before, when I heard about cheating, I’m not blaming the one who cheated directly because I believe that there is always a reason why did they cheated. But now, I realize that I was wrong—at least in my own perspective. Because no matter what your reason is, cheating is always cheating. If you cheat, you committed a mistake. Whether your reason is valid or not, you can’t change the fact that you cheat.
Uncle C, a close family friend of ours, was engaged in cheating recently. I just overheard it when he and my mother were talking in the balcony one morning. Uncle C was in his late 40’s and a married man with four (4) kids. The news of him cheating with one of our neighbours came from his brother, Kuya J. He is the younger brother of Uncle C, and he accidentally spilled the beans when he was very drunk the other night. So my mother asked Uncle C about it, not in a nosy way, when he came in the house yesterday.
Uncle C just laughed and told my mother to never tell his wife. He said, *“Laki gud ta. Naa pajoy kwarta. Enjoy-enjoy sad ta panalagsa.”* (I’m a man, and I have money. I just wanted to have fun sometimes). I’ve found out that the one who he’s having an affair with is Aunt N, who is also a married woman with three (3) kids.
I really wonder why they still have to cheat when they are both married. Why can’t they feel contented with their spouse and family? Why do they need to cheat? Was cheating that satisfying and fun? How about their partners, did they think of what their partners would feel? How about their children, what would their children think of them? Can they really be happy about that?
Is it really true that humans can’t get contented? Because if that is the case then I rather stay single for the rest of my life. This is also one of the reasons why I am never interested in any relationships, aside from being successful first as my utmost priority of course. Because I really don’t understand why people still choose to be in a relationship when they can’t get contented with their partners. It looks like you were just looking for a nice stone to hit in your head.
And upon thinking for the main reason why people do really cheats, I’ve come across with this article in a social media site about the traits of a good man who never cheats. So I decided to reverse the traits he have mention and come up with these:
***Not appreciating what you have.***
Obviously, people who cheat never appreciate what they have. When you are in a relationship, learn to appreciate your partner and everything about them including their flaws, in that way you can’t find in someone else the things that you wanted your partner to have and you won’t be putting your relationship in jeopardy.
***Practicing biological urges over going beyond primal urge.***
Humans have these biological urges within them, the desire to reproduce and so on. And this is often used as a reason for cheating. However, a person who appreciates his partner resists this basic urge for the sake of more important decisions rather than his carnal desire.
***Don’t have a conscience.***
A person who has the strong urge of conscience within him finds it hard to do things outside their relationship. But then some people cheat from their partners back and act like nothing happened and almighty, then you’ve got a thick face there. But remember that karma is a bitch, mostly cheaters are afraid to be cheated on.
***Values a fleeting experience over love.***
Relationships solely based on sexual attractions usually don’t last long but when you genuinely love your partner you can feel fulfilment in many layers other than just sexual. They say that people are searching for that kind of connection, however they still cheat when things don’t go on their will.
***Having no respect to oneself.***
If a person respects himself, he also respects his partner. Respecting yourself can be shown in many ways, but not in cheating. Because cheating is ruining your partners trust and it is a sign of disrespecting them, in that way you already disrespect yourself too.
I’ve realized that there are many possible reasons why people cheat, but my main point in writing this article is to make everyone more aware of their actions. If you are committed then stick to your partner, because why choose to be in a relationship when you will find the things that other people have instead of what your partner has. And if you are falling out of love, then be honest to your partner. Truth hurts, but being lied to leaves scar and can possibly affect a person’s self-confidence. Do not make any excuses for cheating.
Instrument of Evil
*A drug is a substance that affects the way the body functions. If a drug is classified as “illegal”, this means that it is forbidden by law. Illegal drugs have different effects on people and these effects are influenced by many factors. This makes them unpredictable and dangerous, especially for young people. -DOH*
I’ve seen many lives changed because of this. I’ve known many people who turn into someone I didn’t recognize or know anymore because of this. Good people who turn into someone who is capable of doing bad things and other crimes without a second thought.
Recently, there have been so many happenings here in our barangay, particularly in our neighborhood. Police and barangay officials were coming and searching everywhere for specific people. I used to remember this neighborhood as a happy and peaceful one, but it’s not the same anymore now.
When I was little, there are only limited houses here in our place and most of the people living here were relatives and close family friends. Children my age can run and play all day in a wide-open field and our parents won’t mind if we go too far from the house since they knew all of our neighbors and they are confident that nothing will happen to us.
As the year goes by, the little children from before already grow up. There are also new buildings, new houses, new people, and there’s only limited space for the children now to play. It’s really far from the neighborhood that I grew up with. I am not even familiar with some of our neighbors and sometimes there’s even a fight with some of our neighbors.
And one of our neighbors just transferred here last year. Their house is just next to us, and what I don’t like is that since they transferred here many troubles appeared. Strange people and men keep coming to their house, stay there for a couple of hours, then leave with their eyes red. I really don’t like it to be honest. Some of them even cat-call me and it makes me scared. That's why I usually stay in my room all day and I never want to go out of the house or wander around the neighborhood.
Since then there are also crimes arises. Someone was raped and the suspect is one of the people who keep on coming to our neighbor’s house. Later, I found out that our neighbor’s patriarch sells and uses illegal drugs. Now I wonder why they transferred here, maybe it is to ruin more people's lives.
One of my uncles, not a biological uncle, but just someone whom I know since I was a kid. He’s a good man and their family is a close family friend of ours. He’s a seaman and every time he comes home he never forgets to give us some treats and chocolates. He is someone whom you never imagine to do bad things, but last Wednesday, cops and some of the barangay officials came and caught him.
We are very shocked and his mother and wife are crying because they couldn't believe that he will be engaged with illegal drugs. I recalled him telling me to never engage with those things because it is the instrument of evil. That once you start it, you can’t find your way out. It can’t bring you any good so never tried using one.
So now I realized why I often saw him coming in and out of our neighbor’s house. It is because he himself engages with illegal drugs that he describes as an instrument of evil. What makes me more mad is that our neighbor wasn’t captured and acted like nothing happened. He must be captured too and sentenced a life-long imprisonment for ruining someone else’s life.
I know that he never forces those people to use illegal drugs but if he’s making it as an earning way to feed his family then what makes his family then? How about those people who ruined their own lives because of illegal drugs?
Actually, it is not the user’s fault. It is the seller’s fault for taking advantage of someone's weakness and needs. People won’t buy drugs if no one sells them. People won’t be interested in drugs if no one makes it. If we want to stop illegal drugs, we must stop those people who make and sell them.
Thank you so much @ErdoganTalk and @Nyctofiles for the generosity :) God bless.
Why Filipino Homes are the Warmest?
We all know that the family is the basic unit in the society, right? Family doesn’t only define by blood relations, but it is defined by how the group of people is embraced together by a strong and powerful bond. There are also different types of the family such as nuclear, extended, joint family, and a family by choice.
The Philippines is known for its undying and unending family bond. From the mother and father to their sons and daughters, to their grandchildren’s, up to their grandchildren’s children. Home bond is something you cannot cut instantly.
I wrote this article to highlight why Filipino homes are different from other countries. Although I know that everyone has their own way of showing their family bonds as it differs from the culture and tradition we grew up with, but family still is a family. No matter what your race is, no matter what your culture is, a family remains a family.
Now, let’s talk about the four types of family that I have mentioned above. The Nuclear Family, Extended Family, Joint Family, and the Family by Choice. It’s funny how these have different meanings but Filipinos define them by only the word ‘Family’.
***The Nuclear Family***
So this is also meant as the conjugal family. It consists of a married couple and their children. If we talked about the word family this is the first image that comes to our mind, right?
***The Extended Family***
In extended, it includes at least three generations: the grandparents, the children, and the grandchildren. I think it is the most common here in the Philippines.
***The Joint Family***
So in the joint family, it consists of the siblings, their spouse, and their children.
***The Family by Choice***
While in this type of family doesn’t require a blood relation. It consists of live-in partners, adopted children, and close friends, or even a pet animal.
So, from the four types that I have mentioned, all of them are present in Filipino homes. Living with your family members even when you are already eighteen and above, or living with your family together with your spouse and children is not something uncommon in the Philippines.
Just like in my grandparent’s home. Some of their children already had their own family and choose to live separately, however, some also choose to live in my grandparent’s house with their own family. There are also cases in which another family member’s partner chooses to live with them too.
I’ve met so many families like this, and you would also see these in every part of the Philippines. Filipino’s value family bonds so much that’s why even if they are poor, they are happy. Even if there are calamities, as long as they are still together and safe, that would be more than enough.
This is also the reason why Filipinos are naturally hospitable, it’s because of their strong family bond. That even if you’re not blood-related or a stranger, they would still treat you like how a family treats each other. And aside from that, a family doesn't only mean of living with one another.
Filipino homes aren’t perfect. There would be so many problems that may occur in this type of household, nevertheless, they would still choose to live with each other. And this is what makes the Filipino homes warmer than the others.
`It's been a while. I miss writing but I've been so busy with school stuffs, house stuffs, living stuffs, and everything huhu :(`
`~EnkeDemoiselle`
To All The Women
“I didn’t regret anything because I did everything. I was hurt but I won’t beg for his acceptance. I’m a jewel, it’s his loss. I realized my worth.”
-Aunt Jean
I was inspired to write this article because of a little chit-chat with my Aunt Jean a while ago. She’s not biologically my aunt but I used to call her aunt since I was a child. So first and foremost, let me introduce who Aunt Jean is.
Aunt Jean is our neighbor for over 15 years. Her family originally came from Cebu and they just migrated here for their livelihood. Their family is a good friend of ours. I think I was just 7 years old that time while she’s in high school when I met her. Even before, she was already a little chubby. Well, I guess it runs in the family since her mother and sister were also chubby. She also had a very curly hair and a lot of pimples.
She likes kids and that’s why we easily get along. My cousins and I sometimes go to their house and play with her, and she always invites us on every occasion. She’s very kind actually, and she had many cats too. Sometimes I heard her talking to my mother about her crushes and heartbreaks but since I was still a kid that time so I didn’t really get it.
Years passed and we grew. I was already in high school when she became a regular employee in the company that she applied for. Her mother was confined with cancer and died. Her sister gets married and lives with her husband so only Aunt Jean was left in the house. Their house became quiet and lonely too.
Since then, I rarely see her. If I’m not mistaken, I only see her once or twice a month. And if we saw each other she’d always compliment how I grew so tall and prettier. I’ve always laughed it out and told her I’m not. I actually noticed that I grew taller than her. Her hair was still curly but I can now see how beautiful her curly hair was. Her pimples lessened, and she still had that chubby body. But I realized that she actually looks good on that body of hers and she looks cute with her height.
Not so long, a rumor about her bringing a man into their house spread in our neighborhood. I just don’t understand why people mind those things when it’s not their business and Aunt Jean was already in the legal age. It was actually the first rumor about her involving a man. She never had a boyfriend, that’s what I knew before her mother died. But if she had then that’s normal.
I didn’t believe it until I saw it with my own two eyes. I heard that the man is her long-time boyfriend and was now staying in her house because he lost his job. I was actually happy for her because I can see that she is happy. She used to complain about her looks so much and how sure she was that no one will like her. I am just glad that he came.
Then last September, a rumor spread again. It was about how she was fooled by her playboy boyfriend who only wants her money. I instantly feel bad hearing it even if I didn’t know if it was true or not. But I guess it was true when we coincidentally passed by with each other. Her curly hair was in a mess and her eyes were puffy from crying maybe. She didn’t notice me or maybe she just really ignored me.
I haven’t seen her for months after that but earlier this day she visited our house. She asked if we have *buko* since she was craving one. We had a dwarf coconut tree in the backyard and luckily it has some buko. We’ve talked and she complimented me again. I don’t really know why she always compliments me whenever we see each other, it feels like I always look different whenever she sees me.
I’ve cut my hair short and she complimented me again for that, though she said that she likes my hair more when it’s long because she used to design it with colorful clips before. I noticed that her hair is starting to grow longer, she cut it last time we saw each other, and now it is already reaching her elbows. I like my wavy hair, but whenever I see her curly ones I can’t help but feel envious. I also noticed that she became chubbier and shorter than the last time. And also her pimples aren’t that visible now. I did really say that she glowed.
I complimented her and asked if she was in love. My mother teases her too. She just laughs and nods. She said she is in love. I asked who's the special someone. Her answer made me smile. She pointed to herself and said ‘Me. I am the special someone. I love myself more now.’
The talking goes on until we talked about her ex-boyfriend too. I’ve asked her many questions regarding that topic. Like how she handles it or if she regrets anything, something like that. I was curious so I couldn’t control myself, besides I have been so curious for so long. I thought I offended her or something but she just looked at me confidently with a smile on her face saying ‘I didn’t regret anything because I did everything. I was hurt but I won’t beg for his acceptance. I’m a jewel, it’s his loss. I realized my worth.’
I was really awed by what I saw with her. I feel so proud and happy for her. I was very inspired that I can hear and understand more the message of the lyrics of the songs that I used to play and sing whenever I have a youtube marathon.
**“There's a hope that's waiting for you in the dark**
**You should know you're beautiful just the way you are.”**
This beautiful song ‘Scars to Your Beautiful’ by Alessia Cara is about self-acceptance. Aunt Jean finally accepts herself now and loves herself the way she is. Women really glow beautifully if they know themselves more and accept it just the way they are.
**“Who says, who says you're not perfect?**
**Who says you're not worth it?**
**Who says you're the only one that's hurting?**
**Trust me, that's the price of beauty**
**Who says you're not pretty?**
**Who says you're not beautiful?**
**Who says?”**
This song ‘Who Says’ by Selena Gomez means embracing yourself and to not let anyone bring you down. It is such an inspiring song for those women with low self-esteem. Who says you’re not perfect? Girl, you are perfect just the way you are. Who says you’re not worth it? C’mon, you’re more precious than a diamond. Who says you’re not beautiful? You’re beautiful inside and out. You just need to accept yourself.
If people would say bad things about you, don’t hate them. Don’t hate yourself either, or feel down about what they said. Instead, thank them. Because if they say those, it means that they hate those things about you. They hate those things about you because you had it while they don’t. So don’t feel bad about it. Nothing is wrong with you.
**“I love me!**
**Gonna love myself, no, I don't need anybody else”**
The song ‘Love Myself’ by Hailee Steinfeld has strong lyrics about self-love. Self-love is a state of appreciation for oneself that supports our physical, psychological, and spiritual growth. A woman is naturally emotional. Our emotional quotients are higher and not similar to men. That is why women are more affectionate than men.
A little word can hurt a woman’s feelings. But if she loves herself, she won’t be needing anything. Because self-love means taking care of your own needs and having a high regard for your own well-being and happiness. This means that your happiness depends on yourself and not on others.
Just like what the bible said in the great and first commandment, ‘You shall love the Lord God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind’ and in the second commandment, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself…And if you haven’t learned to love yourself, you can’t really love anyone else.’
**“Pretty's on the inside**
**See it in your own eyes”**
The song ‘Pretty’s on the Inside’ by Chloe Adams means to not envy other people’s beauty and appearances. This means that we should appreciate our own beauty since everyone is unique. She might be beautiful in your eyes but she might be ugly in someone else’s eyes. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder anyway. However, outside beauty will fade eventually but inner beauty doesn't. It is more important to keep our souls beautiful first rather than our face and body.
**“I wake up every day like hello, beautiful**
**'Cause this world is so crazy and it can bring you down**
**You're too short, too fat, too skinny**
**Hey, well excuse me if I think that I'm pretty”**
The song ‘Girl in the Mirror’ by Sophia Grace speaks about girl power. Don’t mind people telling you 'you’re ugly’, ‘you’re too fat’, ‘you’re too skinny’, ‘you’re too short’, or ‘you’re too dark’. Girl, if you think that you’re pretty, believe in that. What you think of yourself matters most, not sentiments. They are just people who take confidence by getting people down. Don’t listen and just do whatever makes you happy. https://www.google.com.ph/search?sxsrf=ALeKk03O688crqnRRJU48t6bLqWeNaqdRw:1614272655334&q=Sophia+Grace&stick=H4sIAAAAAAAAAONgVuLSz9U3yMizKDEvW8TKE5xfkJGZqOBelJicCgDY1dhlHQAAAA&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi98sOhwoXvAhVXwosBHcXjBhAQMTAAegQIARAD
`I hope for all the women who're reading this article to always know self-acceptance, self-worth, and self-love.`
@EnkeDemoiselle
