Filipino Pride

CNN.com/Heroes 2009:

Efren Penaflorida Jr. gives Filipino Youth an alternative to gang membership through education. His Dynamic Teen Company's 10,000 members have taught basic reading and writing to 1,500 kids living in the slums.

Efren's story is an inspiration to every youth, an epitome of a dedicated servant who unselfishly devote his time for the good of all those Cavite kids whose future is likely to be doomed with violence, slavery and ignorance. I just want to say that you ignited me back to serve in the community in my own little ways. You got my VOTE!!

Redemption Song

Old pirates, yes, they rob I;

Sold I to the merchant ships,
Minutes after they took I
From the bottomless pit.
But my hand was made strong
By the 'and of the Almighty.
We forward in this generation
Triumphantly.
Won't you help to sing
These songs of freedom? -
'Cause all I ever have:
Redemption songs;
Redemption songs.

Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery;
None but ourselves can free our minds.
Have no fear for atomic energy,
'Cause none of them can stop the time.
How long shall they kill our prophets,
While we stand aside and look? Ooh!
Some say it's just a part of it:
We've got to fulfil de book.

Won't you help to sing
These songs of freedom? -
'Cause all I ever have:
Redemption songs;
Redemption songs;
Redemption songs.

Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery;
None but ourselves can free our mind.
Wo! Have no fear for atomic energy,
'Cause none of them-a can-a stop-a the time.
How long shall they kill our prophets,
While we stand aside and look?
Yes, some say it's just a part of it:
We've got to fulfil de book.
Won't you help to sing
Dese songs of freedom? -
'Cause all I ever had:
Redemption songs -
All I ever had:
Redemption songs:
These songs of freedom,
Songs of freedom.

Nature Soujorn: Tres Marias Falls

Author with Tres Marias falls at background (2009)

Mother nature is such a great wonder that never ceases from unleashing its awesome assets to every human being alive. It never fails to draw one's feeling of dullness and boredom transform to a thrilling excitement and awe as it ventures down to the imagination of every thrill seeker. Nature is always welcoming and enticing, it's as if I'm interconnected with its roots that it bonds to my existence. One such asset is the mysterious Tres Marias falls hidden in a barrio in the municipio of Cateel, Davao Oriental, that holds a very intriguing name because of its three major falls intricately intertwined with minor falls and forms a web-like shape if viewed atop from the huge rocks guiding it.

This nature wonder is enveloped with mystery and reverence as the Mandayas (native settlers in the area) believe it to be the citadel of the gods as well as to the encantos for thousands of years. It serves as a warning to every visitors and natives alike that it should be respected and not to be disturbed.

Tres Marias falls is a never ending experience of refreshment and nostalgia. It made me relinquish momentarily the civilization and forget all the pleasures in the world as I immerse my self deep into it's pure nature water and cascading water falls that's subtly gushing forth towards eternal sojourn. The thick verdant forest engulfing the falls is a living testimony of it's untouched and undisturbed haven, which is a place I passionately call my home.

It's Raining License!!

Wohoho, at last, the long wait is over. The anxiety was replaced with exhilaration.

Yesterday, the PRC released the results of the 2008 November Nursing Licensure Examination and seeing my name in the list made me jump and shout, I was 11,333rd of the 39,455 new Registered Nurses. God is just so good for giving me this opportunity and blessing.

At this very moment, I'm still savoring the feeling of passing the board exam because at last I already harvested what I sowed for four gruelling years in Nursing education.

Ambivalence

I was gone for quiet sometime. I came back with an experience.

Everyday, I have my own story to tell and I can't wait to share, a story wrap with daily experiences filled with hopes and vicissitudes . Everyday is a challenge and everyday is a struggle. I live with it. I was wandering beyond reality. I was finding solace from the Potter's hands asking and crying and blaming.

The first day of this year saw me in my deepest, poignant experience of pain against jubilant celebration of new year. I want to share what transpired as soon as I recovered myself from that desolate feeling of captivity and loneliness, feeling of hatred and revenge, and feeling of sadness and sorrow that it is just a dream, a terrible nightmare that soon I'll wake up.


ALL THE BEST THIS YEAR.