here i am back to using words as an outlet of my emotions..uncertain of when and how these freakin things would end up..i wish it’ll be sooner..i know for a fact that i shudn’t complain..it’s all my fault i know..im the one doing my own misery..bt would ya’ll stop blaming me for this?!don’t need ur condemnation as of the moment..jz need some understanding..hell yah!u shud realize im having hard time as well..u might be thinking that this is jz an easy way out..heck!its not..jz want to take some rest..can’t u see i can’t bear it anymore?don’t be numb as well..i may seem to be numb and careless with all these things..but i’m not..its my lyf!for crying out loud..i don’t say that u shudn’t care bout what im doin..i know u’re jz concerned..bt please..stop asking me right now..u can’t have any good answer anyway..just allow me to do things on my own..i can handle this in due time..i jz need ur understanding as of the moment..its jz it..there’s nothing more i’m asking for..im tired..let me take some rest..

Festivities raise to a new
level

TIP celebrates 45^th
Founding Anniversary

By: Cherry V. Tubes

Copy for Adviser

Date Submitted: March 8, 2007

 The usual day-to-day
routine of the whole TIP community was raised to a new level and turned into
six days of fun and activities as it celebratedd its 45^th foundation
week, February 5-10.

 With the theme
“Raising Customer Service to a New Level,” students, school officials, faculty,
and non-teaching personnel altogether observed the series of events organized
by different student organizations and departments, making the merriments a
well attended one.

Opening of exhibits

 Right after the
mass on Monday morning, a number of creative and innovative projects from
students showcased at the congregating area.

Each department’s work was judged by Assistant Vice President (AVP)
Angelo Q. Lahoz, Center for Teaching Excellence (CTE) Director Dr. Epifania V.
Tabbada, Center for Continuing Education (CCE) Director Mr. Luisito R. Torres,
Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA) Dr. Maria Consuelo V. Flora and Vice
President for Human Resources (VPHR) Ramon M. de Leon.

 President Elizabeth
Q. Lahoz and AVP Angelo Q. Lahoz led the ribbon cutting attended by Vice
President for Administration and Student Services (VPASS) Angelita S. Soliven,
and other school officials.

 Computer
Engineering (CoE) Department was hailed champions with projects focusing on
energy-saving devices such as Micro Controller Unit (MCU) Based Automatic Door
Lock System with Voice Module, PC Based Colored Paint Mixer, Automated Secured
Wheel-based Car Park, Micro Controller Unit (MCU) Based Automated Meralco Meter
Reader thru SMS, and Micro Controller Unit (MCU) Based Opaque Projector.

 On the other hand,
the Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE) Department placed second,
showing its work entitled “Handling Multi-level Operation of the

Future

Techno

Park

in Asia Using Wi-fi
Technology.”

Finally, the College of Information Technology Education (CITE) went
home third placer, exhibiting ITE Theses entitled “The Development of an
Automated and Voice Controlled Energy Management System” and “The Development
of an On-line CPA Reviewers.”

Bandastig!

 At the night of the
first day of the celebration, the first ever Bandastig was held at the

Big Court

, which
featured ten bands playing their chosen songs for Gawad Kalinga.

 In the middle of
the event, a Gawad Kalinga representative, Mr. Greg Mercado, presented a video
of Gawad Kalinga highlighting the organization’s newest project, the “GK1MB” or
“Gawad Kalinga Isang Milyong Bayani.”
He also encouraged the students to join the organization.

 The band who
performed that night were as follows: Purple Discussion, Gel, Super Turbo Box,
Signal Spectra Band, Course of Karma, Yomanta, Mandy More, Medical Team, Psalm
101, and Zynchronyzd.

Inter Department Quiz Bee

 A battle of the
minds started the second day of the Foundation Week. Representatives from
different departments competed against each other in a quiz show  that covered all Humanities and Social
Sciences subjects.

 Danielson N.
Culaniban, Alvin C. Calimbas, Conrado A. Macapulay Jr., and Norman Giovanni M.
Guevarra from the Chemical Engineering (ChE) Department ranked first after
obtaining a score of 15.

 On the other hand, Carla
Carmela C. de Leon, Hector S. Arandia, Antonio Valente G. Macarilay and Antipas
T. Teologo Jr. from the ECE Department and Jorel R. Canoy, Jerico M. Flor,
Kyrene G. Alberto and Marco Antonio T. Subion from CITE landed on the second
and third spot respectively with scores 14 and 11.

 The judges for the
said event were

Ms. Lorna V. Wy

,
Mrs. Corazon C. Gregorio, Mrs. Aquilina V. Redo, Ms. Rowena P. Frigillana, and
Ms. Marian G. Laxa, all from the Humanities and Social Sciences Department
(HSSD).

 Dean of College of
Engineering and Architecture (DCEA), Dr. Elizabeth R. Pader awarded the winners
with trophies.

Noypi 3

 For the third time,
TIPians witnessed a night of entertainment as the Arts and Cultural Affairs
(ACA) headed by Mr. Leonyl Clarence O. Torres presented the Noypi 3 at the

Big Court

on
Tuesday.

 Inspired by the
season’s craze for super heroes, this year’s premise is Super Inggo meets
Matrix Revolution kind of story. To add spice to the show, Tipoy and Tipay’s
character were included illustrating real scenarios of a student’s life and how
they overcame hardships that hindered their studies.

 A band showdown
initially set the mood of the audience at the beginning of the event. And as
the night was studded with a rush of talents, TIP Model Student ‘07 candidates
had a fashion show as a preview for the search.

Cinemarathon

Second and third day of the Foundation Week, five award winning love
story movies were put on view in both the Casal and Arlegui seminar rooms.

 Shown in Casal
seminar room were “Spanglish” by James L. Brroks, and “My Big Fat Greek
Wedding” by Joel Zwick.

 On the other hand,
“A Walk in the Clouds” by Alfonso Arau, “Captain Corellie’s Mandolin” by John
Madden, and “Chocolat” by Lasse Hallstrom were showed in Arlegui seminar room.

Cheerdance Competition

 Highly energized
pep squads yelling out loud their cheers and dancing gracefully to their chosen
music once again banged the

Big
  Court

with excitement as the highly anticipated
event of the Foundation Week – the 2007 Inter-department Cheerdance Competition
- made its way, Wednesday morning.

 Ten squads from
different departments competed with each other making the crowd scream in
excitement.

 In the end, the
Marine Department regained the championship title, followed by the CE/SE
Department and the CITE on the second and third seats, respectively.

 Meanwhile, special
awards were given to ChE Department as Best in Costume and to Marine Department
as Best in Formation.

 Mr. Jocyphriam Enteria,
TIP Athletics Director, Ms. Michelle D. Punzalan, San Sebastian College PE Faculty
member, and Ms. Eden J. Penaranda, Torres High School PE Coordinator,  served as judges on the said event.

 Winners were
awarded with trophy and cash prize by VPASS Soliven, assisted by Student
Personnel Services (SPS) Director Melfi M. Caranto and Supreme Student
Government (SSG) President Alvin Jay B. Nicolo.

High School Invitational
Dance Competition

 Break it down!

 The Elpidio Quirino
High School (EQHS) grabbed the first place in the fist High School Invitational
Streetdance Battle held at the

Big
  Court

, Thursday afternoon.

 Meanwhile, Antonio
Maceda High School (AMHS) and Eulogio Amang Rodriguez Institute of Science and
Technology Vocational High School (EARISTVHS) placed second and third,
respectively.

 Macario Asistio
High School (MAHS) also participated in the said contest, which aimed to give
students the opportunity to showcase their creativity and talent in dancing..

Awarding Ceremony and
Student’s Night

 The weeklong
celebration concluded with awarding of over-all winners for the Foundation Week
activities. This year’s Awarding Ceremony and Student’s Night was made special
because it featured celebrity singer King and his band.

 Prior to King and
his band’s performance, the champions for every event were given their awarded
by the SSG and VPASS Soliven.

 The Marine
Department won the over-all championship followed by CITE on second, and ChE on
third.

Founder’s Night

 The four-day Foundation
Week activities were intended for the students. The fifth day was for the
employees to lay down their heavy work loads and have some fun through the
annual Founder’s Night with the Employees.

 This year’s
Founder’s Night was themed, “Mad Hatters’ Party,” an idea of the late Vice
President for Quality Planning Mr. Marlon A. Sicat. All teaching and non-teaching
employees from both

Manila

and

Quezon City

campuses gathered together with
their unique hats at the QC Congregating Area.

 “Customer
Satisfaction… would translate to quality education…” said President Elizabeth
Q. Lahoz in her introductory message.

 Forming part of the
celebration was the awarding of winners in different competitions.

 Best research for
non-teaching employees was given to Mr. Alexi Baylon from TIP Quezon City Alumni
Associatin (TIPQCAA). It was followed by Ms. Raquel Laquiore and

Aurora

Fontanilla from
Speech Laboratory and Ms. Jasmin B. Niguidula of TIP Alumni Association (TIPAA)
on the second and third places, respectively.

 Ms. Elnora T.
Lucero of ME/IE Department (TIP-M) was awarded Best Research for Teaching Employee
and Best in Power Point Presentation.

 The Best in
Department Chair Research was given to Engr. Cecilia P. General (ChE TIP-M) while
Engr. Nahum L. Bravo (CE/SE TIP-M) grabbed the second rank, and Engr. Jennifer
B. Enriquez (CoE TIP-M) got the third place.

 Mr. Ronald M.
Corpus (HSSD TIP-M) was hailed Outstanding Teacher of the year. He was followed
by Ms. Carolina D. Garcia (CBE), Engr. Leonardo C. Sawal (CE/SE), Mr. Enrico
Chavez (CITE), and Engr. Edna L. Jacinto (MAPD) on the second, third, fourth
and fifth places respectively.

 Pens as token of
appreciation were given to employees who had been top recruiters.

 Also included in
the events during the Foundation Week was the Search for TIP Model Student held
Wednesday night and Alumni Homecoming on Saturday night. (Full story on page ___.)

All events of the weeklong celebration of the 45^th
Foundation Week became possible through the combined efforts of the Supreme
Student Government, Arts and Cultural Affairs Office, Department Student
Governments, Students and Personnel Services Office, and all recognized student
organizations. g with reports from Mavel M. Marasigan, Emadee Joy S. Pangaliman,
Karla Michelle I. Angco, Hector S. Arandia, Maria Kristina P. Manozo, Conrado
A. Macapulay Jr., Rex Jason H. Agustin, John Paul C. Genove, Marco Antonio T.
Subion, and Jennifer G. Bermudo.

Comments:

A Detrimental Accord

By: Cherry V. Tubes

 Upon the ratification by the
Philippine Senate, the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) became effective last
May 27, 1999. This bilateral agreement between the

Philippines

and the

United States

aims to promote the interoperability of the Armed Forces of the Philippines
(AFP) and the US Forces under the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) between the two
countries.

 “The VFA is mutually beneficial and
strengthens the Philippine-US security relationship through military assistance,
advice and training,” Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo
stated.

 With this being said, it is evident
that there is a military intervention from the

US

to the

Philippines

.

A lousy agreement?

 In an article entitled, “What’s
wrong with the Visiting Forces Agreement?” by Dr. Francisco Nemenzo, Professor
of Political Science in the University of the

Philippines

, VFA has been described
as a lousy document because it suffers from many flaws. Among those are the
following: First, it is an affront to the Constitution. Second, it grants
extraterritorial rights to Americans. And third, it can involve the country in
unnecessary international conflicts.

 VFA affronts the constitution
because it violates a number of laws in it. One of those is the one written in
1987 Constitution (Art. II, Sec. which states that “The Philippines,
consistent with the national interest, adopts and pursues a policy of freedom
from nuclear weapons in its territory.” In the existence of VFA, the country is
not guaranteed of its right to inspect every

US

nuclear-capable aircraft and
naval vessel that they are not carrying any nuclear weapons.

 In the issue of extraterritoriality,
the

Philippines

,
as a sovereign nation subjects everybody in its laws. Its government must have
full jurisdiction over any person – citizen of visiting alien – who commits a
crime in its territory. But because of VFA, the country is subtly obliged to
abdicate its rights with respect to American soldiers and civilians.

 It is also probable that the

Philippines

might be involved in unnecessary international conflicts. This could happen
because the VFA talks of activities involving American and Filipino troops, but
these “activities” were not clearly defined. By leaving the term “activities”
vague, the VFA allows the American to undertake any kinds of military
operations based in the

Philippines

.
Meaning, it could launch missiles anytime against neighboring countries that
could cause us to have conflicts even to our allies. If this thing so happened,
we will be left unprotected for the VFA does not oblige the

US

to come to
our side in case of conflict with a third party. It is just an implementing
agreement to the MDT, which makes things worse. The MDT is a neo-colonial
instrument designed to keep us on the American side in the cold war.

Costly than beneficial

 True indeed that the US, through
VFA, has provided the country not only military assistance and trainings, but
also livelihood enhancement programs, free medical and dental services, renovations
of schools and other kinds of social help during the series of joint military
exercises.

 On the other hand, if we are going
to compare the cost that it is giving the country to the benefits that it is
providing, it is obvious that the former is greater than the latter. VFA indeed
costs more disadvantages than advantages.

 It is an undeniable fact that the

US

is just
using all the Filipinos through the VFA. And it is so frustrating that the
government is allowing these things to happen. Moreover, while the Americans
may have “good intentions,” we must realize that they are not that fool to
extend help without getting much in return.

Resources:

www.philsol.nl/A99a/VFA-Nemenzo-1.htm

www.manila.usembassy.gov

On the Hands of an Imperialist

By: Cherry V. Tubes

After the September 11 attacks, the

United States of America

started its so-called “war against terror,” which in turn created a pretext for governments like the

Philippines

, to extend and justify the use of national security laws and measures to suppress movements for democracy and human rights. Our country has indeed become the partner of the

US

in its modern imperialism.

According to Dr. Roland Simbulan on his article on “The Nature of Modern Imperialism,” state terror has long been used in the

Third World

to fight what governments have unilaterally declared as “terror.” Wars and counter-insurgency have long been pursed as a strategy against “terrorism” in the

Third World

and the war against “terrorism” has always been made as an excuse by states to promote militarists and authoritarian dictatorships supporting Western expansionist, strategic and economic objectives. ¹

Unfortunately, this is exactly what the

US

is doing in the

Philippines

. It not only resorts to the control of its transnational capital and military forces, but also engaged in defining its enemy as all those who opposed to or are critical of its imperial globalization.

When and how did it all began?

As everyone of us know, the

Philippines

had been colonized by the

US

from 1900-1940. During that colonization, it had inculcated great influence in the minds of every Filipino. That is the reason why since the Marcos regime until the present administration, our country has been dependent to its imperialist – the

US

.

More than that, during the American colonization, it had enforced in the

Philippines

some national security laws that suppress the democratic aspirations of the people. Among those laws are the Brigandage Act and Sedition Law that targeted Filipino freedom fighters and those advocating independence.²

If we will come to think of it, those colonial legislations paved the way for the “intensified insurgencies” nowadays, resulting in various massacres, extra-judicial killings, disappearances, detention without trial and sham trials of a number of nationalists and leftist organizations of the poor, such as peasant movements and trade unions.

The so-called “partners in terror”

In one of Bayan Movement’s article, it mentioned that the

United States

government has not named the

Philippines

as its “second front” in its global war on terror for nothing. The

US

considers the

Philippines

important for its economic, military, and geo-political interests in Asia.³ True indeed that we are being used by the

US

to achieve its goal of being a global imperialist.

“The

United States

and the

Philippines

are close partners in the international war on terrorism,” said

America

’s top intelligence official, John Negroponte in his visit to the

Philippines

in December 2005.

With this statement, he declared the country as one of the priority targets of the

Counter

Terrorism

Center

. Because of this, it has been evident that for the past years of President Arroyo’s administration, efforts to crush revolutionary and leftist organizations labeled by the

US

as “terrorists groups” have been made.

There have been an alarming number of human rights victims because of this “war against terror.”

In line with the “partnership,” the total

US

military assistance to the

Philippines

rose from US$38 million in 2001 to US$114 million in 2003. This makes the

Philippines

the fourth largest recipient of

US

foreign military assistance.⁴

It’s so frustrating that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) remains to be a

US

’s substitute army. For many decades now, we can not deny the fact that it has been dependent to the

US

for military aid and training.

A continuing terror

Part of the

US

imperialism in the

Philippines

is the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA). This agreement allows the unrestricted entry of US troops in the guise of war exercises.

In effect, the

US

is having covert operations in the

Philippines

. It is highly possible that the American forces are involved in the actual intelligence, psywar and actual operations of the AFP, which is against the Philippine Constitution.

The government’s approval to the

US

’s intervention to our military operations only shows that the present administration doesn’t have enough confidence in the capability of the AFP.

Not only that, the said agreement grants extraterritorial rights to the Americans over the

Philippines

. This means that the VFA cunningly obliges us to abdicate our rights as a sovereign nation with respect to American soldiers and civilians who come here in connection with some undefined military activities.

What would happen now to our constitutional rights?

The real war

In responding to all the threats in national security, the wellbeing of the ordinary people is often set aside and neglected. The government is continuously focusing on the

US

’s military aid without realizing its “real” objectives on its “war against terrorism.” There is no mention of the “terrorism of poverty,” which in fact kills more people in any war.

Like what the Secretary General of the Philippine

Alliance

of Human Rights Advocates,

Santos

A. Lamban, said in a press release, “we, as a sovereign nation must not let foreign powers meddle in our national affairs. We must not let the American’s freely to export their ‘war against terrorism’ in our country.”⁵ Let us not be a

US

imperial forever.

Resources:

¹ The Nature of Modern Imperialism by Dr. Roland Simbulan, www.forum.up.edu.ph

² The Nature of Modern Imperialism by Dr. Roland Simbulan, www.forum.up.edu.ph

³ www.bayan.ph

⁴ www.bayan.ph

⁵ On the Participation of US troops in Military Operations against the ASG, Press Statement, Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA)

Kahit Huli Na…

Ni Cherry V. Tubes

Ngayon ay aaminin ko na

 Ang
matagal nang sa’yo ay inililihim

Na

sana

nga ay tayong dalawa

 Sa
mga oras na ito ang magkapiling

Bawat tanong ay iniwasan ko

 At
itinanggi nang pilit

Akala ang pag-ibig mo’y ‘di totoo

 At
pulos lamang mga biro

‘Di ko alam kung ano ang nangyari

 Puso
ko’y nabalot ng alinlangan

Damdamin ko sa’yo’y hindi ko nasabi

 Kinimkim
at itinago lamang sa sarili

Hanggang ang puso mo’y napagod

 At
tuluyang nawalan ng pag-asa

Sa paghihintay, kay tagal

 Dito
sa pag-ibig kong inililihim

Saka ko lang naisip

 Napagtanto
ang malungkot na katotohanan

Muntik na kitang minahal

 Nakapanghihinayang…
sayang

Pinapatawad na kita… Paalam

Ni Cherry V. Tubes

 Ilang minuto na ang nakakalipas pero
para pa rin akong nakatingin sa kawalan. Hidi ko mapigilang huwag matulala
matapos mong ipagtapat sa akin ang iyong kataksilan. Kahit paano ko piliting
unawain ka ay hindi ko magawa. Gusto kong umiyak upang kahit paano ay maibsan
ang sakit na aking nararamdaman pero wala ni isang luha ang lumalabas mula sa
aking mga mata. Nais ko ring sumigaw ng malakas na malakas, ngunit wala ni
katiting na tinig ang lumalabas sa aking lalamunan. Hindi ko alam kung bakit.

 Maya-maya ay naramdaman kong
hinawakan mo ang aking mga kamay. Sinubukan mong magpaliwanag at hingin ang
aking pang-unawa. Pero tila sarado na ang aking isipan. Hindi na nito nais pang
tumanggap ng paliwanag mula sa iyo. Ang tangi na lamang nitong alam ay ang
katotohanang ako’y niloko mo.

 Gayon pa man, ayaw kong maging hindi
patas sa iyo kung kaya’t pinilit ko pa ring bigyan ng katwiran ang iyong
pagkakasala. Sinubukan kong isiksik sa aking utak ang iyong rason. Nais kong
kahit paano ay maging magaan para sa akin ang iyong ginawa. Tao ka lang din
naman kasi, hindi ba? Hindi ka perpekto at may mga pagkakataon din naman na
nagkakamali ka.

 Subalit, bigo ako sa pagdepensa sa
iyo sa aking isipan. Ginawa ko na ang lahat ng pag-unawa at inisip ang lahat ng
mga posibleng dahilang makakapag-abswelto sa iyo, ngunit lubhang napakahirap
talagang tanggapin na sa kabila ng mga ginawa ko para sa iyo’y nakuha mo pa rin
akong pagtaksilan.

 “Micah, patawarin mo ako. Hindi ko
sinasadyang magpadala sa tukso. Nakikiusap ako, kalimutan na natin ang lahat at
magsimula tayong muli. Pangako, magiging tapat na ako.” pagsusumamo mo.

 Wala akong itinugon sa iyong
pakiusap. Nakakatawang napakadali lang para sa iyo ang magbitiw ng ganyang mga
salita. Napakagaling mo talagang mangako. Akala mo siguro’y magiging madali
lang din sa akin ang lahat. Akala mo siguro’y ganoon lang kadaling mawala ang
sakit. Nagkakamali ka. Hindi madaling pawiin ang kirot na nararamdaman ng puso.

 Totoo nga ang sabi ng marami. Masakit
matuklasan ang isang pagtataksil lalo na kung maririnig mo ito sa mismong bibig
na taong labis mong minamahal. Kahit anong pagkukunwari ang gawin ko’y hindi ko
maitatago ang sakit na aking nararamdaman. At kahit na anong paliwanag ang aking
marinig ay hindi na nito mababago pa  ang
katotohanan.

 Sa kabilang banda, nais ko pa ring
magpasalamat sa iyo. Salamat at kahit paano ay naging tapat ka sa pag-amin sa
iyong kataksilan. Salamat din dahil hindi mo na hinayaang  malaman ko pa sa iba ang iyong ginawa at ikaw
na mismo ang nagtapat nito sa akin. At higit sa lahat, salamat sa pagmulat sa
akin sa reyalidad na hindi sa lahat ng pagkakataon ay kaya kong papaniwalain
ang aking sarili.

 Ramdam ko ngayon ang paninikip ng
aking dibdib. Hinawakan ko ang kamay mong nakahawak sa isa kong kamay at
ibinaling ang tingin sa nakayuko mong mukha. Pagkatapos niyon ay iniangat mo
ang iyong nakayukong ulo upang salubungin ang aking tingin.

 “Pinapatawad mo na ba ako?” tanong
mo.

 “Oo, pinapatawad na kita… Paalam”

 Hindi ko maipaliwanag ang
nararamdaman ko. Bigla ay dumaloy ang masaganang luha sa aking mga mata. Sa
wakas ay napalaya ko na rin ang mga luhang kanina pa nais kumawala sa aking mga
mata.

An Autobiography of a Dying Soldier

By: Cherry V. Tubes

            I wonder how I would start my life story. For so many years in my life, I only lived for two reasons – to fight and to surrender. You’re not reading it wrong. I do surrender especially in times when I know that there’s no more hope in winning my battle.

            It always makes me laugh in humiliation everytime I hear people people say that soldiers like me are brave and fearless. I feel ashamed for myself because I know it isn’t true. There have been a number of times when I proved them. And there have been a greater number of times when I fell down and cry.

            There was this time when I turned my back on one of my fellows when he is asking for help. We were in a combat that time and he was shot by one of our enemies. He asked for help, but I refused. Instead, I run and hide so that I wouldn’t be struck by a bullet.

            I was able to escape from the bullets, but not from guilt. Seeing him died in the field was like seeing myself killed as well. The feeling was really baleful.

            After that disgraceful incident, I tried my best to live as if nothing had happened. I remained being a “gallant” soldier. However, it was not that easy. No matter how I tried to obliterate that incident on my memory, the more it remains into it.

            My fight in the battlefield continued. I won and lost. But every struggle left a scar that reminded me of my failure, cowardice and defeat.

            This life had really imparted me a lot. It might not teach me all the techniques of winning every war, but it taught me to live.

            This life has been my greatest battle. It doesn’t matter if I am a looser for everyone’s opinion. What matters is that I will be a winner in my master’s eyes.

Last Christmas

By: Cherry V. Tubes

            I am staring at our six-foot tall Christmas tree for a couple of minutes now. It was decorated with colorful ribbons and Christmas balls. At the bottom of it were gifts of different sizes.

            I can’t help but reminisce the past Christmas when both of my parents were still alive. We were a picture of a happy family then. My mom used to cook luscious foods for Noche Buena. My dad on the other hand would help my mom in doing other choirs.

            That was eight years ago. Eight Christmas ago before they died on a car accident on their way home for Christmas Eve. What a tragic Christmas gift for me.

            For eight years, I haven’t celebrated Christmas. I hated that day to come because it only reminds me of my parents. It reminds me that I am alone. As an only child, their loss has really been difficult for me. Somehow, it made me stronger than I was before. It taught me to fight all life’s battle.

            After eight years, it was only now that I decided to observe Christmas again. Why a sudden change? It’s because this would be my last Christmas.

            A year ago, I was diagnosed of having a brain cancer. The doctors told me that I only have a year to live. Life has really been so playful to me.

            I was mad at first. It wasn’t that easy for me to accept my illness. However, with the help of some friends, I was able to treasure my remaining days. Funny, but I started to appreciate every little thing in my life.

            An extreme pain on my head makes my eyes close and stop from staring at the Christmas tree. It was so throbbing and it was as if my head would crack any moment. Suddenly, a very coruscating light comes into my view. I did my best to open my eyes to see what that light was. I was astonished to see my mom and my dad beside the Christmas tree. They were both smiling and handling their hands to me.

            “Mom, dad,” I uttered.

            “Merry Christmas, Monique!” my mom replied.

            I smiled back and reached their hand.

Ending Insanity

Vagueness impedes me

Skepticism tries to foil me

This would be the end.

Fruitless Impending

Soaring goals he makes,

High ambitions he creates.

Dreams remained as dreams…

Tormented Existence

Boundless sufferings,

Averted triumph and joy,

Who am I to blame?

A moment of confusion

Cherry V. Tubes

It’s Wednesday morning. The sky is not stopping to pour heavy rains starting last night. I’m not planning to get up my bed yet until I heard my phone beeps. With my eyes still closed, I searched for it beside my pillow to find out who owns that kind heart that disturbed my sleep.

            “Des, m dcyded..i rily don’t hav any choice bt 2 do dis..”

            That message was enough to wake up all my sleeping senses. It was from my best friend, Kaye. After reading her text message, I finally get up my bed, took a bath, dressed up and went outside for some walk even if it’s still raining.

Actually, I’m not going anywhere. I just want to walk and think of how can I help Kaye.

            Kaye and I were best friends since our elementary days. She was used of telling all her problems to me. And so do I to her. In all times, we see to it to help each other in every means we can. But not this time. I really can’t think of anything to help her now. Well, actually, I do have some suggestions in mind which I’ve already told her a week ago. But she seems not to like my ideas. I know the reason; she’s too scared and at lost.

            I myself is at lost and feel anxious for her. This predicament is really the worse of all. Both of us don’t know what to do until her boy friend suggested something that I greatly disagreed. My faith can’t allow my best friend to commit that kind of peccadillo. But do we have a choice?

            I continued walking until I noticed that I had gone too far. I look around me to see where am I now. To my surprise, I found myself standing at the door of an adoration chapel.

            “Will I get in or not?” I asked myself.

            I chose not to get in; instead, I just sit down on a nearby bench. My mind is still confused until I saw a picture of Jesus Christ on one of the bulletins outside the chapel. His hands were stretched forward as if offering something; and on it was a baby lying innocently. I read the words below the picture.

            “This is a child, not a choice…”

            That ad made me hurried to Kaye’s house. I must stop her to do what she’s planning before its too late.