Founded in Faith, Centered on Love

Today is September 18, 2012. It is my birthday and it is been a while since I posted my last blog. And no, not that I am tired of writing, perhaps, I am just too selective what articles from my journal deserves a post. Yet, this time I am not lifting an article from my journal. I am writing what my heart dictates. No edits. No right clicking to check on the right word or synonyms that would fit well to my sentence construction. In short, I am just purely writing, this time under the throb of my heart and compulsion of my mind.

“Hinubog ng tatlumpo't tatlong taong pagmamahal, pag- aaruga, at pagkakakilanlan bilang tao-- kaibigan, anak, kapatid, asawa at ama. Haggang ngayon, hindi pa rin pumipikit ang mga pilik.Tuloy ang daloy ng dugo at buhay sa bawat kahinaan at kalakasan. Ang mga karanasan sa buhay, matamis man o singpait ng katas ng gumamela, naging bahagi ang mga ito kung bakit ako naging AKO. Tuloy ang buhay, ang saya. Think happiness, ika'nga.”

The preceding snatch which I posted over Facebook had solicited some “likes” and sumptuous comments. Truly, the line came through my mind while I was looking at some of my pictures on my net book until my mind wandered travelling back some years from the past up to the present times.

Growing up in a brood of three while our father is away for the most part of the year and with our mother taking charge of all the chores at home, I am a witness of the “hard life before we get into a dwelling called home,” or that “educate yourself if you want to see the world” experience.

My father was a constant absentee from home not because of severance. He was on every two- year contract as a foreman of a furniture manufacturing company in the Middle East way back in the early 80’s up to the mid- 90s where he finally settled home due to the Gulf War. My mother on the other hand, was our constant guide, a mother cum father for us three kids.

Me and my wife, Sherlyn.

Like any typical mother, ours was a constant hard disciplinarian with a twist of some “sticks and yell” whenever house rules were evaded. Largely, our Manong takes responsibility towards me and to our youngest when mother would get off from the family home to do some commerce or trade nearby, sometimes out of town.

Our parents sent the three of us brothers in the same school from pre- school way up in the college. According to them, learning is best in public schools and universities. At one point, I despised my mother for not letting me go to the school where I wanted to pursue a degree in college. But as usual, mother’s decisions were like a judge’s final resolution- non appealable and even an attempt for a motion for reconsideration is prima facie denied.

After all, Manong was an attestation to my mother’s claim that public schools are the best schools. He obtained his Electrical Engineering degree from a local state university and hurdled the board examination the same year after his graduation. In short, I and our youngest were also sent to the same state university where Manong have attended. Later, I would graduate with a communication degree and our youngest, a computer engineer.

Back in the middle 90’s when my father finally came home for good, my family moved to a modest house adjacent from my father’s family home where we stayed, perhaps until I was five or six years old. The new home was far better than where we were I thought, since we were previously under one roof with my father’s parents and siblings. My father was eldest in a brood of ten— some were married and had children too whom I play with during weekends.

As I rekindle, I fairly revive that I have experienced labor during my tender years. Not because I was required by my parents but because I was envious to my friends who seem to enjoy some trade such as picking chico fruit and sell the same in the neighbourhood. In doing so, I would be able to afford to buy a bottle of Coke or Mello Yellow after I sold mine.

At one point, Manong and I have also experienced buying and selling old bottles, scrap metals, and other wisp goodies with our own kariton. This time, my brother and I have to pretend like we were just out picking chico fruit but in reality, we were engaged in buy and sell with our push carts intentionally not brought home. Otherwise, we would be prevented from doing our “business” forever. Yet, my mother would later find out what we were doing. Since then, my Manong and I was prevented from leaving our house early in the morning during weekends, my mother, under the impression that we would go back in that buy and sell stuff.

Rarely having a common time due to conflict of schedules, it is worthy to note that this photo (including two Yayas on the most right) is the most complete family picture ever taken. On the pool from L-R is Hannah (Manong's eldest child), Manong Randy, Jabez (Manong's second child), my kid Monching and wife Sherlyn, Theresa (my mother), and Ate Joy (Hannah and Jabez' Yaya. On top from L-R , me, my father Jun, and youngest brother Loyd who stays in Makati, Phl. and Ate Jaja (Monching's Yaya). September 16, 2012

Since I was small, I was made to understand by my parents and was taught by the circumstances that surround me that life would not be fine sans the hard work and cooperation. For example, my mother would post a work list in our kitchen’s back door indicating therein the specific jobs for us three brothers such as who will wash the dishes, mop the floor, pump the deep well or water the plants. Ignoring such specific duties would bar anyone of us from watching TV or play dodge ball with the other kids around.

Nonetheless, our mother, the expert disciplinarian educated us with the best home-grown teachings which are beyond compare to the principles and theories that are taught within the four corners of any popular learning institutions.

My father, on the other hand, is an epitome of a gentle family man worth emulating. While on vacation, my father would make sure that all of us would have a chunk of his modest precious time. Born traveller and adventurous, he would bring us out of town and meet other relatives and family friends. We would go out for a picnic or breakfast over the beach or even stay longer to watch the sunset. At home, he would cook us some mouth- watering kebab inspired foodstuffs while singing Tom Jones or Engelbert Humperndick songs. My father memorizes his lyrics along with the slightest pause or falsetto of each song he sings and I was his number one fan. In fact, I first learned my basic guitar chords from him when I was six during one of his vacations at home from abroad.

He was a book enthusiast and an accomplish historian in his own right. Not because he did study time and history in a modest university but because he was a vast reader of histories from the holy book up to the latest issues on human invasion to the moon or planet Mars. Conceivably, I could have inherited his deep passion for books.

Most of all, my father is a living proof that a college degree is not a requirement for one to see some of the most significant historical sites in the world. For one, he would account during his vacations that he had visited the birthplace of Jesus in Israel, the Holy mountain of Mount Sinai in the north western Saudi Arabia, and the cradle of civilization of Iraq. 

In fact, nearly two decades now since my father came home for good, he could still write and speak Arabic fluently and can communicate basic Indian and Bangla languages. Just recently, when my aunt along with her Punjab husband from Malaysia spent summer with us, our foreigner- uncle was surprised that my father could speak basic Indian- Punjabi dialect.

Looking back now, I have seen the saga of my life and my family like a roller coaster. The joys unforgotten, the hardships that inspired me, the knowledge acquired throughout my existence, my frustrations and desperation-- they have become the core of my persona. Within the sphere of influence though, I strongly attribute that whatever I have become now, the family whom I was with from the day of my conception until birth, is the same family whom I adore when I speak about love and values.

Truly, I have gone far from where I started. Life goes on, and perfect bliss is always around despite everyday confrontation with various negative atmospheres. And when I grow older, I would mean to tell my child's child that once upon a time I had a family that was founded in faith and centered on love, and that he is destined to be the apparent heir of great love, kind-heartedness, and wisdom.

oOo

Jay Go

Umaga. Hindi kailangang magsuot

Jay Go

ng dress upang masasabing maayos
ka tingnan. Salamin ng kaayusan ay
nasa isipan lang. Itanong mo pa
kay Nathan.
Hapon. Hindi kailangang
maligo para ang amoy mabango.
Pwede namang sa salamin lang
maaaring malaman kung amoy
paminta ka ba o toyo.

Pero, hindi sapat. Hindi akma ang
pag- iisip na binayo ni Karen
nitong nakaraan. Hindi tama ang
lugar kung saan isinilid ang damdaming
matagal nang nagtitimpi sa kahibangan.
Hindi pwedeng malaman ni Karl na para sa'yo
hindi mo talaga sya kaibigan.

Tuloy, nawaglit sa isipan
na hindi na kailanma babalik sa harap
ng salamin. Ayaw mo. Hindi mo maatim tingnan
ang mukhang parang espasol sa kapal
ng foundation na inilagay
ni Helen. Sabi mo, tsaka na lang.
Kapag maayos ka nang tingnan.

Tsaka na lang.

Unseating the Chief Justice: The Grand Coronation

At the outset of the so- called trial of the century after former President Joseph Ejercito Estrada’s impeachment in 2000, I can almost hear Michael Buffer’s trademarked catchphrase “Let’s get ready to rumble.....!” announcing the ‘President Noynoy Aquino versus Chief Justice Renato Corona’ match at the Senate of the Philippines impeachment court that has disappointed more Filipinos in the recent months.

Yes, the commotion between the two highest leaders in the judiciary and the executive branches in the country is a pandemonium that grimly affects the Filipino people. Simply put, it shouldn’t be like that. Both bodies should respect each other and subsist to achieve the ends of equity and justice and the general welfare every Filipino.

It’s distressing, however, that two of the highest leaders of the country today have forgotten their Constitutional mandate, that is, to serve the public more than their vested personal interests. Yet, it is evident from the recent actions between the judiciary and the executive branches of their immaturity and neglect to the true needs of the people, more so, of breaching the so called ‘public trust.’

For the first time in Philippine history, the leaders of the Executive and Judicial branches of the government had come to the open, firing their accusations to each other with dismay and arrogance. The President accused of bullying the Chief Justice, while the latter accused the former of disrespect and lack of civility.

Since Aquino was sworn to office in June 2010, he vowed to ‘cleanse’ the government by ‘removing from public office and hold liable those who have transgressed the law.’ His first move was the creation of the Truth Commission which was tasked to investigate the alleged corruption and cheating scandals that hounded the nine-year Arroyo administration. Aquino eyed former SC Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. to lead the commission.

SCRA. The MMSU College of Law where the author takes his Llb/Juris Doctor is equipped with facilities such as the law library where it houses annotated Supreme Court Reports.

Thus, in another blow to President Noynoy’s administration, the Supreme Court headed by Corona has declared unconstitutional the much trumpeted Truth Commission. Voting 10-5, the Supreme Court ruling effectively barred the prosecution of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and other officials and parties involved in alleged scandals under the previous administration.

The majority, among others, held that EO 1 (Executive Order 1) which attempted to create the Truth Commission violated the equal protection clause of the Constitution in as much as it singles out for investigation the reports of graft and corruption in the previous administration.

Then on, the cold war between the executive and legislative branches of the government fired up. For the first time a President boldly expressed his overly dismay against the judicial branch of the government while the latter stood with its decisions without any word of reprisal against the highest leader of the land.

In retaliation, the Chief Executive of the country publicly humiliated the chief magistrate of the highest tribunal, who was just an inch away from him on the occasion of a very important summit and in front of many morally and intellectually upright folks. The act was appalling. Majority of whom who were present in that particular occasion were members of the Bar. Beyond imagination, the speech delivered by President Aquino was no less than a slap in the face of the officers and members of the court, more so to the Chief Justice who seemed to have been subdued by what he just heard.

Arrogant, disrespectful, lack of civility, pathetic, megalomaniac, political dog—these were the words used to describe each other that Aquino and Corona blatantly expressed in their word wars which was published, viewed and heard in local and international media. Virtually, the Malacanang Palace portrayed the Supreme Court’s Chief Justice as a protector of the villains in the past administration.

Diverse reactions from the masses surfaced. Mostly were in disgust over the two warring heads. To some, there was actually nothing new—our dear Philippines have been lost for many decades due to precarious political situations.

Some said that the Aquino administration is disrespectful to the highest tribunal and has encroached into the independence of the judiciary. On one hand, the Supreme Court has kept its silence until Corona broke his voice a day before the impeachment trial and bravely announced that the President’s reason for putting him in the hot tub is plainly to vindicate his personal qualms.

Whatever the reason or reasons are, the on- going impeachment trial in the Senate is another sabotage in the political and economic sectors of the country. Time and again, the oligarchs in the three branches of the government have become the source of unsound situation that has put more Filipinos disgruntled with the breed of leaders this country has.

To many, the prosecution of Chief Justice Corona is an indication that the democratic system in this country is evident. However, it cannot also be concealed that the same system is thwarted and garnished by corrupt, ill- mannered, and feeble- minded public officials who have become the transgressors of law in the front line.

On a personal opinion, the three branches of the government, as an underlying principle, are mandated to serve and protect the interest and the general welfare of the masses. This principle is well entrenched in the Constitution—the fundamental law of this country. Yet, such duty is impaired due to political interests and gluttony of power which has left this country behind the shadows of its neighbouring Asian nations.

While it is true that compared to other countries, democracy so to speak, in the Philippines is well recognized, there is an urgent need for a major facelift and work out the details of our democratic system—to direct growth and shape our future all in conformity with the traditions and culture of our race. 

Consequently, the Philippine problem on politics and the so- called ‘democracy’ should be discussed in the light of true and real statesmanship—in a plane far above narrow, petty arguing regarding bribery, bossism, demagoguery, feuds, scandals—for these exists everywhere even in the most enlightened nations. After all, this country needs more reconstruction to re-establish its marred name, the Pearl of the Orient.

The political annals of this country have been blemished in countless times and patent with the notion that whenever a new political leader assumes power, the first move is to eliminate personalities that were appointed by previous administration. Vindication, avenge, conviction, cleansing, towards the right path? Whatever you call it, it does not make sense.

In other countries like the superpower United States, republicans and democrats, despite of their varying policies and political beliefs, they forge a harmonious working relationship for their citizens. So that at the end of the day, the general welfare of their people, justice and equity, and stable economy is delivered.

Our dear Philippines on the other hand, is also best served by our leaders- the other way around. Political coalitions simply stand ground on their crooked principles and remain adversaries until they end up instituting court action to get rid of their political foes from public office. They call that democracy. I simply call it ‘democrazy.’

One thing is clear though— democracy has been abused as an insensible arsenal of the political crooks of this country in order to bend the rule of Law.

Whatever the outcome of the impeachment trial, the personal interests of the two highest leaders would still benefit the most. Whether or not Corona will be exonerated and the State will be justified with its accusations, everything stays the same except that the results of the trial will form part as a newly established jurisprudence which will become as a condition precedent later on to another impeachment trial of an unwanted public official.

On the move is the grand ‘Coronation’. I wonder when do we draw closer to a great evolution?

oOo

What it takes to be a Father?

Monching and I. The writer enjoys playing football with his 2 year old

 kid.

My life changed with a birth.

It was not an instant. The test came right through when my first child was born. With great keenness and diminutively anxious, these feelings were almost soaked through my knees undermining my consciousness, when I first had my eyes met with this little angel. Suddenly, the world had stopped and changed in a split second.

At the outset of my first encounter with my precious little thing, I initially thought of great things, joyful moments, and that entire positive aura that came across my psyche. The atmosphere was filled with bliss. His eyes, there’s no doubt that he had mine. His lips, the softest I’ve ever touched and those pair of eyebrows which had turn out to be astonishingly as those that her mum’s exquisite eyebrows. Besides, whatever he may look like, he’s my son. As far as going to be a father is concerned, I can only confer upon him the greatest love and affection a father could give to his child.

Time had come into pass, the tide had its turn to become so much faster as it gets. Days rolled over and I could not accept as true that I had been a father for quite sometime.  As far as I can tell, if someone have ever become a father, I assume the strangest and strongest sensation of life will be hearing for the first instance the lean cry of the child. For a second, I had this bizarre emotion of being twofold.

But there was rather, further somewhat impossible to analyze- probably the resonance in a man’s heart of all the sensations felt by all fathers and mothers at a similar moment in the history. It is a very kindhearted, but also a very indistinct feeling. For to have my child all wrap up in my arms, I’ve always felt that the good Lord has given me the best present a man could ever obtain in his possession.

FRIES. French fries is symbol of bonding between me and my son.

There are occasions when he would scramble into my lap and coil into the crook of my left upper limb, and then I would cuddle him in return. I couldn’t move about that arm, but I could cradle him in it. I could kiss the top of his head. And I could have no reservation that those were one of the sweetest moments of my existence. I cannot exactly remember the first time he called me Daddy, but that didn’t matter because what was material was how he let the word spoken out from his gentle lips; a charming song to my ears, a shot through my heart, a food to my soul.

Being a father was not as simple as it gets. I had to reflect in the stillness of the night what possessions I could leave to my child when I depart from him. Almost certainly, he shall become heir to those desirable qualities I may impart to him while he grows old. Because one day, my child will be all grown up and I will mean to take off my mask to carry on where I left off. I may have lost twenty years or so, maybe thin on top, as my child tower over me and thump me on the head, however it maybe, I’ll be the proudest man for I became the best father of my own, a master of my offspring, a grand champion in the art of loving.

In the hours of darkness while my world is in solitude with my child, I would transform into a fantasist. I would think of him as a brilliant lawyer (in case I will fail the bar exams) like Jake Brigance in the novel A Time to Kill by John Grisham firing his finest argument in the highest court  or perhaps a vibrant community leader like Nelson Mandela who transformed the Africas in many ways. At the very least, I would still end up shrugging my shoulders off and realize that my child should choose the path he needs to take, by his own, with my guidance.

I may never become the next President or never make it to Pilipinas Got Talent, may never read all Harry Potter novels or see an original painting by Leonardo. I was born unfortunate and, in spite of working hard all my life, I may always be meager, though, I will be swollen with pride, self-taught, and will leave no amount overdue which may torment my child’s name later on. If I had any concealed imaginings, further than of being a fine man, a dedicated father, and a fond husband, no one will eternally know about them. If profound misgivings, reservations, or personal qualms will distress me, I’ll never state them, by choice and being a father.

A single object is for sure, I have constantly sought that my child will be sensitive that years of having acknowledged and respected as a father have transformed me from Daddy, the straightforward human being, into Daddy the almost saint. At the end of the day, my child ought to arrive into the conclusion that there was nothing wrong with the way I brought him up.

In other words, whatever it takes to be a father, one has to be self-assured enough that his child will become as he wish he could be. Let a child learn how he wishes he want to. At the very least, he must test the waters by himself so that on his own and at the end of the day, he would surface with pride, proud of being self- taught of the things he needed to know. If in the future my child may fail, I must stand ground to defeat any obstruction that may arrive so that he may come for a reason to effectuate my fervent prayers and wishes for him.

I may not be the greatest father of all time however, one thing is for sure: I would take whatever it takes to be a father.

A Letter to Maybel

The Nicolas

Dear Maybel,

This is one moment that our family would somehow feel nostalgia.

The day has come for you to say goodbye. For our part, you have become close and dear to us, and at the very most, we have considered you as a member of the family, a part of our life. 

But then, people come and go as they say; and we could not really hold on to people, even how close they have been to our hearts—what is important rather, is to let go and wish the best for that person, no matter how hard it is to say goodbye.

Monching was barely months old when you came to the family. We were happy, excited, and felt eased. It was easy to get along with you and you cared for us, especially Monching. We always told you then that you’ll be a part of our family. We treated you as nice as we could, knowing that you’ll be caring for our family too, in return. 

We even enjoyed the very first meal you cooked and how you narrate stories about the place you came from during our brief talks. You said that life in Tineg- a part of the Cordillera, is as harsh as its terrains, the coldness is unforgiving during the coldest months, and the wind and rain washing away your tucked roof when the weather is not so friendly. We wondered how you survived despite of meagreness of life, which you always told...then on, we believed that you had a big heart with a big dream.

There were beautiful memories developed that paved a close relationship between you and our family and they will be cherished forever. Even if we lived a simple life, we tried our best to give you comfort for we knew how it felt to be away from your own family. There were times when we saw you crying and lonely, but then, we made sure that you’ll feel better later on. Your smile would be our joy because we always wanted you to be happy.

Now that you are leaving, you might not see us as emotional as you might be expecting, but deep in our hearts, we will surely miss you. We hope you’ll cherish all the days you were with us and not to forget the pieces of advice we imparted on you. You know how hard life is. And all the things we have showed you may have somehow inspired you as you go along. When you’ll have your own family, you’ll understand more life...it’s all about being happy and contented for what you have.

Thank you for the love and care you gave to our family. Thank you for treating Monching like your own little brother. Thank you for being a nice sister to your Ate She. Thank you for sharing your stories that inspired me more than you know. Thank you for the good times. 

Wherever you go, remember that once in your life, we have become a part of you.

Thank you and God bless you always.

Sincerely,

Kuya Anton, Ate She, and Monching

6 November 2010

Round three... (The Final Saga) Fight!

OBLIVION. A day in Law school is like years of oblivion.

Sky, Heaven, and Earth. The writer with his family in one of their weekend family treats. Breakfast by the South China Sea, 2011.

 

It’s been two years now since I took up law school. Likewise, it’s been two years that I have mingled with fellows who were pursuing the legal profession- all of us came from various walks of life. It’s a fusion of profession, attitude, wit, personality and the like.

Being one of them and belonging to the pioneer class was another chapter of life which has become an attribution to my existence as a person. Two years after, I have never imagined that I would be influenced, inspired, and challenged by various thinkers. They were all tough as adobe, brute as Chernobyl, and as alarming as Fukushima.

                                                                                                 

Being the keen observer as I am, I have kept all those remarkable moments- school activities in general, the lectures, recitations, exams, and all of those faces and actions that no one could ever imagine I can take notice of. A trace of those memories of two long years in the “school of exact science” was freshly preserved in my chambers. In fact, some had been published on my previous notes (Round one...Fight! and Round two...Fight!). All of them, worthy to be kept and cherished forever.

While it is easy to say that we were called in these career with “personal conviction” (my choice of word when one of my Professors asked the reason why I took up law), for some, they had yielded to other reasons I cannot exactly recollect. However, there was one noteworthy to quote during the first year when a late enrolee, who happened to be in the field of medicine, was among us. When asked what her purpose was, she blatantly said, “I want to be a doctor- lawyer”. For me, the answer made no sense. It was just like, “hey, I want an Oreo, so I have to get one”. I also noted another as saying “my annulment case is on the process and I felt the urge of getting to know more about the law”. Again, the answer was suffocating in the nerves.

In my first year, I get to know my classmates in a very short length of time. Though I was aloof like anyone does, some have become brave enough and approached this not so tall, dark, and awesome man (according to my friend Ernest) that I am. In return, I always managed to oblige with a big smile while introducing my nick to whoever was brave enough to draw near on me. The feeling was great. It was all that thinking of “these boys and girls will be my opponents in four to five years” at least, in court, which made me feel thrilled. In three months or barely half the first semester, all the names have been memorized by heart, identified who’s single or married, the places where they came from, and their pre- law degrees. All of us have our own weapons to fire shot on each other, in due time, I thought.

Then there was fervent eagerness to meet my professors. Questions like, “what was their pre-law degree?” or “what law school did they attend?” were the first issues that came across my mind. I was expecting though that they were taught locally or perhaps those that were produced by the “Maroon University”. However, it did not matter at all if they were. Most importantly, I thought, they should at least be real lawyers, otherwise everything would be put into waste. Finally, doubts were flushed when I learned that my professors were actually “big shots” and them as products of well known law schools in the country. Then on, big dreams came underway.

Civil law was tough, nonetheless the most interesting bar subject, I suppose. Simply because it was easy to understand human relations and all of those family matters especially to a married individual like me. On one hand, came also the day of my first encounter of the Revised Penal Code and those rules and requisites that governs and qualifies a crime. The subject matter was a bit disgusting at first. Of course, you get to know the stages of a commission of a crime up to all of those things one cannot imagine is punishable under the law.

What came next were sleepless nights with the devilish red hard bound books and swelling arms due to goblin of cases to digest and write. If I remember it right, Criminal Law and Legal and Judicial Ethics were the most devastating subject to have to most numbers of cases to read and digest. At the very least, my handwriting had a bit of improvement and I have also developed a fondness to ponente Justices in the like of Makasiar, Bengzon, and Laurel in their dissents or concurring opinions to a certain case.

A year came to pass and I have developed admiration to some classmates whom I shared my tales in the college, my life as a family man, and the not so prodigy that I am, though some had these praises I succumbed to in order to show respect in them. At times, we could get some booze in our hands and enjoy an hour or two. All of those boozing hours, however, exceptionally took place with respect, humiliation, and professionalism with all those petty and consequential discussions under the sun me and my delectable classmates had. With mortification and immense respect to my contemporaries in school, their diverse personalities have become my inner school of learning. For my part, there can be no Law subject or any tougher lesson to learn than knowing a man’s personality.

Speaking of classmates, each had different stories to narrate each time we had this “gobble- nibble” merging anytime soon when major exams were commenced or soon as we felt like we needed some malt or alcohol in our veins and exhausted nerves. I was glad that most of them were conversationalist, at their own rights, however few had fit in to the “intellectual intercourse” I am used to.

Simply put, each of my mates was defined by their way of talking and how they react on matters which affect our persona as an individual. Each was good speakers and reactors though, but few were called to be integrated with the so- called “circle of wellness” due to failure in manner and restraint. Not being so judgmental, but I was lucky to find out that many of them had become the offspring that they are in their twenty’s, thirty’s, and even forty’s anytime soon they were caught in the middle of a situation, I may say, had been hard for them to handle.

 In scheduling a simple orientation for the school alone, or setting up a common time for a meeting, complications had always rose up to the extent of almost blowing a whistle which a dumb being could not even hear it, not mentioning the classic issue of rescheduling of exams (with or without classmates knowledge) and of disrespecting the greater number of the majority. Imagine, one can move a scheduled and agreed date of exam simply because of personal reason which makes no sense. None sense, illogical, and gross mind-set at its best which is too good to be cursed. And if I could only put matters in my fists, I would sickly launch my knocking powers just as Manny did in many of his million dollars worth fights.

Ah, it was not the type of environment that I was exposed to, but if this is the way I should learn the trade, I said, I should cope up with it, at least. Nonetheless, I choose to be one of them, be a part of the club until such time maybe when my nose bleeds in understanding these cynical and warring heads I thought at first would give me the damn ammunition I’d fire first before a numskull prosecutor would do. To recapitulate, I bought my first fountain pen hoping that it would fit into the glowing perquisite. The marks, however was catastrophic as those that were written by Mark Twain. Bloody and vague, ambiguous and sickly sweet!

In truth, throughout my thirty one years of existence, I have never come across to someone whose wit was like Tarzan who does this alarming “ah-ah-ah-whoooooaaaaah!” first before making a move to capsize his opponent. In school there were numbers of Tarzans who were bubbly enough that they don’t mind respecting the silence of others or the opinion of the “marginal members of the class”. They could have used of being as such perhaps, however, they too, could have missed the point that them, being in a different environment, at least in school, should make necessary adjustments from the point of their previous undertakings. If they only knew, sans their melodramatic attitude, even an abnormal person as Ivan would take notice of them with his trademark whistle of lust and envy.

While it’s true that having the capability to talk is a plus in pursuing the legal profession, it is also sad but true that the knack has become the crowning glory for the egocentric and mischievous ones. Let’s say, not because one is religiously- scholarly taught, or crowned beauty queen or self- proclaimed genius, or maybe one feels like he or she has the ascendancy to talk would entitle the same to dominate everyone. Otherwise, we must be comparable to the race of putting one’s kingdom in the medieval times anytime we want. That hurts. But see, in Civil Law, I was taught during one the pep talks inside the class to “never speculate, it would only hurt you.” Okay, I need to shift from doldrums now before I would catch my keyboard typing a Christian name (smiley).

Going third year this coming semester, I am but all ready to go through again in the oblivion of my chosen career and on with the battles ahead. I may not be earning as well what many of my mates call “toppings” but I am sure I would have my own share of bite at the end of the day. On my own conclusion and in my personal judgment, nothing constantly comes to pass wholly by mistake or by an overnight twist of chance. I say this, because I have been a prey of morbid tongues and unforgiving verdict by others- in and outside school. However it may be, all of which did not make any divergence. Law school is a training ground for a folk who wants to earn honourable and intellectual ascendancy- both are hard earned, not by a blunder or twirl of possibility.

There were so many things I wish I could narrate during my two- year journey into the law profession. However, I would rather choose to have those kept for my solace so that when the right time comes, I would have more great stories to tell and memories to remember. So that when those memories are recollected, I should be a prouder man sitting on a Narra chair and Molave table with my honourable name impressed on a marble. Yes, I have become a fantasist since the day I enrolled in the law school and up to now I never cease to being as such. Those dreams are fuel to my combustion to keep me going so that even in times of wrath and unforgiving moments, I am hardly pushed by my conviction of obtaining that coveted roll number.

Soon after, I was immunized by a thousand and one pains and challenges brought in my life in the School of Law, however, never did I succumb, never was I put on my knees, and never was I pinned down. You bet, I won by TKO.

Round two... (The Saga Continues) Fight!

It’s 2011. Gone were the days when we were all scatter-brained or too much serious to our personal charges- family, studies, work, boyfriends, girlfriends, old friends etc. However it may be, we all have our own stories to narrate. For my part, I have spent unencumbered silence to highlight the past year. Here's a personal review for 2010.

To begin with, the first and second trimester of 2010 was not so friendly to me. JANUARY has, for me, become a painful sanctuary or a repository of a dreadful December of 2009. That month, I decided to leave my job without any reserves on deck.  In short, I have become a full time husband and a father to my 1 year old kid instantly, and at the very same time, a full time student. Yet, daily tasks were fulfilling- I have mastered child rearing and earned a PhD in Husbandry at my own right. Besides, I even had the ample time to swot up my lessons in Law school except when my awesome kid is supercharged and won't let me do anything but to look after him. Nevertheless, this was the time of the year when I had all the glories to mesmerize the world to make all things worthy and perhaps put all things into places.

FEBRUARY was made to ease all the burdens in life, maybe. I was receiving offers from various target jobs; however, none of them was tenable enough to fit in my ideal kind of job- and that’s the gruelling part. Seven, all of them, I considered trash. Besides, I was enjoying my Husbandry and schooling at the same time at that. In other words, I succumbed from employment and rather jacked up my energy for family stuffs without of course, sacrificing my Law school.

Election period officially kicked- off in MARCH and I sensed gold and silvers knocking on my purse. I was offered left and right to do speechwriting jobs for politicians- oh and I loved the idea of accepted wisdom for someone’s mind, whose suppose to be the leader later on. Here comes jingle writing for campaign sorties too! I did about four or five jingles and all of them were a click. If only I record those by myself, I could have been ten times richer, at least for the month of March, alone.

Lenten season fall on APRIL and final exams in Law School came sooner than normal- this simply meant vacation after a gruelling mental torture. As always expected, daily tasks have become abnormal. I had to take doses of energy to cope up with my work and studies. I did not want to fail in school and at the same time lose my job. However, I have to loosen my grip from one of them. In other words, I fall short to one of my subjects. That was okay; anyway I was never in a hurry to finish Law school. Then came the sweetest part of the summer- a holiday escape in Aurora province. That was seven days of adventure and island hopping in the beautiful Pacific Ocean with my wife and one year old kid.

MAY God bless all the politicians who shelled out tons of gold to make sure they got their needed votes to get their coveted seats and achieve their personal interests. Excuse me, but almost all were into vote buying especially the week before the elections. They even had a second wave of doing the same a day before the 14^th of May. Not being a numskull to say so, I too, had a taste of it. Now, if you ask where did the bread and rotten butter go? It drunk at least twenty stupid persons who later on lambasted my dirty kitchen with pukes all over the floor, besides, I did not want to let it pass through my throat, though.

The month of JUNE is a very peculiar period of the year to tell. For one, I was excited to enrol as a second year in my Llb course. Secondly, I had an interview for an item job which I felt would pass on my taste- only to find out later on that I had to go back to my previous job (sigh). I called that fate as if the same had played on me for six months and put my patience on a long term test. On the other hand, going back to school was exciting. Of course, I get to see my classmates again and let the competition begin (among them, as far as I am concerned) which am not a part of it. I can never compete because it’s a personal choice. Notably, I was justified by one of the professors who said later on: “Lahat naman kayo magiging abugado, ‘di nga lang sabay- sabay.” Evidently, the line sounded funny as most of the members of the class burst into laughter. However, they might have missed a point in their interpretation of the punch line which I can only tell perhaps two or three or maybe four years from now. Watch out for it.

JULY was a month of dissent or a season for the “envious hearted”, I must say. This is so, because I have become the subject of such when I was given the opportunity to take a subject whom the Dean in school thought that I would be able to cope up with. The sad part of it, the issue has become the talk of the class. However, I maintained my silence and kept my feelings. Instead, I have tried my finest edge to keep my relationship with the “brightest brains” in school. I have held in reserve that way though I knew that someone out there was dying to drop me off and put me in shame. I passed the subject though even if my card was marked with “W”- that won’t reflect in my transcript anyway and even if so, it’s not an impediment to take the Bar someday. I could have premeditated a sweet revenge to that person, only if he or she had surfaced. Since that was the case, I have cursed him/her rather to become an ugly chimp and will never pass the Bar. Nevertheless, I hope God had forgiven me for cursing a person.

Torrent rains came early in AUGUST. It’s one of my favourite times of the year where I would occasionally go back to my childhood days of literally bathing in the rain with splendid feelings. This is the time when I also have a special bonding with my American Pit Bulldog Maximus where we both walk together under the rain. Nothing more notable for this month, except the numerous annotations from international media and other communities on PNoy’s SONA (delivered in July) which was conveyed in Filipino. However it may be, I gave my five star rating though he was not my choice, personally.

There were two reasons to be happy in SEPTEMBER. First, it’s my birth month. It was my last day in the calendar and I was reminded of my friends who never marry after turning 31^st. Anent, I was thankful enough that at the age of 31, I have a beautiful wife, an awesome kid, and a shelter I call home. Those are the possessions I call blessings or God sent maybe. Besides, I have had milestones at this age which I thought it was impossible. But just like Hova said to Zoc in the animated movie Ant Bully, the word impossible is not in the vocabulary of a wise man. In that case, I could have been unknowingly wise in my own right, I was not only aware. The second raison de etre was a surprise gift from a relative abroad. Two days after celebrating my birthday, I got my Windows 7 Intel Atom 2GB RAM authentic net book. Ah, what a gift for a good boy!

Cold breeze was felt in OCTOBER as the wind goes gusty and unforgiving. Final exams in Law school came near and cramming was felt, again. It’s high time to have quality time with red hardbound devils and the yellow mischievous sprite- textbooks, reviewers, and notes here and there. It’s another great tribulation, the third time to be exact. It made me smile though, ‘coz another semester will be over. The next thing happened: semestral break which meant booze and plenty of booze with the think tanks of Law school. At the other side of the fence, the 31^st of this month was the official founding of Vinculum Juris (though it was crafted by the great minds in October 17^th). Officially, the brotherhood was introduced on this month.

In NOVEMBER, Vinculum Juris became an energetic expression between me and my friends in school. Original members of the group signified the tenacity of the legal tie, which is thus likened to a tether of steel. For even the members of our families were made aware of the hood.  In a short span of time after the conception of the group, our creed was crafted as: “Once a person becomes a Vinculum Juris, he ceased to belong completely to himself.” Therefore, November was a milestone in pursuit of the legal profession for us who believed in strong relationships among students. I for one am hoping someday that the brotherhood will be embraced by the next generations of students who will have an interest in the legal pro.

Lastly, DECEMBER 2010 was another extraordinary month to remember. My kid celebrated his 2^nd birthday and it was done according to my fervent wishes- to make kids happy and feel the love brought by Christmas. A simple merriment was held in our little home while a gift giving activity followed, though the two occasions was done on different venues. It felt good to share which I even wished that next year, I hope, my son would be able to join me for another gift giving so that when he grow old, he would realize that meagreness is not an impediment to make people smile.

Before I finish, 2011 will be another pound for pound challenger for me. Yet, I am prepared to launch another fight plan to overcome my opponent. Besides, I had all the grandeur any time of year, only when I keep my grip and never lose speed downhill.


I never succumbed from the blows of 2010... And you bet, I’m ready to throw another TKO.

GIVING. The author enjoys gift giving activity in celebration of his child's birthday. Lagangilang, Abra. 2010

LEX DISCIPULO. The author bashing his favorite book and idol former Supreme Court of the Philippines Chief Justice Cesar Bengzon. 2011