Fan of His Art

I used to believe that my thoughts descended into life forms playing a role on canvas that much more became extensions of my often untold stories -- just showed how reticent I could be. I used to paint Picasso and Da Vinci-esque masterpieces. To my consolation, I would try to see that the copycat's ability is characteristic of maestro greats and reminded myself that I just got started. I used to dream that, someday, I would have something I could call all mine. Would it ever be me at a great exhibit, them people boxing their way only to have my name handwritten on wherever they wish to?

Hmm, I don't really know the answer because I couldn't be any more artistic than I was already. The truth is, I could only do stick figures, and my favorite, if I may, worn-out drawing symbol, is a lone coconut tree on a far far away island with the waves, where I would usually put "No man is an island" right beside it. Man, it all started in high school, and it doesn't stop until now.

The real artist really, who deserves all that praise is my brother Mark Anthony. He is only 13 years old, and he's been doodling real drawings since he was 7 or 8. He is past my childhood yearning that by the way came into being through him.

Bro, keep it up! I'm a fan of yours!

Bridges of Leyte

Leyte is home of not only that famed bridge called San Juanico Bridge, but of bridges whose number can be so easily noticed, recurring every 5 minutes of your time on a road trip. These bridges over rivers link cities and towns of this very mountainous province.

The last time, which was last year, I traveled by bus in Leyte. I made it a point to capture its bridges along the way. I have seen and often forgotten they exist for the many times I've visited the province maybe because land trips could be so tiring, and I mind too much gathering energy for the next stop. But it changed last year. I did capture about 20 bridges or anything close to that, I couldn't be too sure.

Making Sense of It All

Loving living despite the harsh realities of life is a good hope, and it is something that no one can take away from you. I am the captain of my own ship, sailing in turbulent waters, mastering its might and finding refuge to the calm. I will always be the perennial optimist that I am.

I salute these people for finding strength in the life they have and braving every minute of it. All of it makes sense to me.

Images: Cebu City, Philippines

Essential Priorities

It happens. It happened to me. Failed relationships. It’s neither an illusion nor a nightmare in dream land. It’s something that just went out of your hand. I have not exactly regrets sulking in what could have been, the most helpless way but more of lessons from bad, complicated experiences. Self-diagnosis, I guess all of my failed relationships stem from the fact that I was having troubles with making a commitment. I could not have a real or at least a decent relationship with someone, and it’s all too clear to me the reason. Commitment. It’s not even close to being in my dictionary. I would run away from it. Having a relationship with someone is a step backward towards my goals and should be the least of my priorities, I thought. If only time was out of the question when I was on it, I would have been successful. I guess.

I thought I had found the one a couple of years ago. I thought we had a connection. Too bad I was such a slack. We were texting everyday, but nothing special came up. I struggled with the relationship becoming more and more platonic everyday. When the go signal lighted on me, there’s just no stopping then. But as I was driven by the good thought lingering in my head, I was greeted by, let’s just say, a bad news -- she’s already taken (surprise! ha ha). Turned out, it’s all too late for me. She went off telling me that I was a brother to her.

The lesson was: It doesn’t hurt to show it if you know very well your direction. Go where the wind blows, that’s what they say. If you go stop and think too much about this and that stupidity, you might just end up the perfect loser. If you do, the very moment you realize that “Wow, she’s really the one”, the adrenalin becomes unbearable, blinding yourself from the obvious. More often, you would be surprised by circumstances that are meant to really teach you the hard way.

I’m sorry for stripping in front of you, well, emotionally. The movie Up in the Air (just saw it this afternoon) starring George Clooney, Vera Farmiga, and Anna Kendrick had me “Yeah, Ryan (George Clooney) is wholly me – a free spirit.” That character is one hell of a teacher. I have to say, it’s a very, very good movie. I love the poignant story and its lessons -- the entire putting priorities in order, the needed ‘existence’ in relationships with our loved ones and committing to that someone. We have to always try to see the more essential priorities because it might be that not everything on your list now matters for long in our lifetime.

The People Power Revolution of 1986

Twenty-four long years is no joke. It's time to move forward.