MOST, if not ALL

One punch. One second. One defeat. One question: Why?

It was a dynamite right hook from JuanMa that finished off the fight with Pacman early. The whole bout was breathtaking with the rivals taking turns in making each respective opponents kiss the lawn. Just one second remaining for the 6th round to end, boom! The clash was over with the Filipino tasting a stunning loss.

The defeat shocked the crowd and the millions of viewers leaving them with one question, why? A question which most Filipinos promptly answered. They concluded that Pacman didn't win because of his decision to change religion, because of throwing away the idea of wearing the rosary, and because he didn't do the sign of the cross.

Seriously? These are all you could think of? You all have issues. Man up people. Man up. Get this, months before the scheduled bout, both fighters promised to conclude the fight early and to do their best not to end up until the 12th round. They did as they promised. They fought hard, gave the crowd a hell of a fight. Its just that the odds were in favor with JuanMa and not with Pacman this time. The fight was not "Pacquiao IV." It was "Pacquiao Vs Marquez IV." It was not only Pacman's fight, it was also JuanMa's fight. Let us just give the credits to JuanMa for winning. Pacman had his moments of victories during the earlier fights they had, and it is time for JuanMa's victory. Its not like Pacman threw the fight or something. He showed what he is made off and he even broke JuanMa's nose early in the fight.

Why don't you just accept the defeat like how Pacman accepted his defeat. Why do you have to drag religion into this? Quit looking for something or someone to blame. Religion did not dictate his fight victories nor defeats. Its how they played that dictated the match. You just showed how hypocrite you all are. Manny may have switched religion but his belief in the same God we believe in is definitely still there.

I bet most, if not all, who concluded religion reasons do not even pray sincerely like how Manny prays. I bet most do not even pray the rosary. I bet most do not even own a rosary. I bet most do not preach His words like Manny does. I bet most do not spend time with Him like Manny does. I bet most do not know the significance of the sign of the cross. I bet most do not read the bible. I bet most do not even own a bible. I bet most do not know faith in religion. Trust me, Manny Knows.

Manny may have lost that single fight but he still won in His eyes. If most say it was change of religion that brought Manny's defeat, then MOST, if not ALL, are LOSERS in the ring of life.

I Just Know.

I couldn't sleep. I am used to sleeping late recently but this time, I know its different. I have been blogging lately that deals with a variety of stuff and after writing and venting out what I need to say, I suddenly feel great. (Even though only two or three reads it. It's my blog after all, my space.) And I know this time I should air these thoughts and feelings out just to give me a good night's sleep.

Hoping and expecting. Two totally different words. On the early part of my journey I am pretty sure that I was just hoping. I am also pretty sure that everyone who knows me were expecting. And I tried really hard to meet those expectations, their expectations. I came to a point where I pressured myself to achieve what I thought they wanted me to achieve badly. Days and nights I kept thinking about how they would react if I fail and how they would react if its the other way around. To make it short, I was living up to their expectations.

I WAS WRONG.

Just recently, I am already not sure if I was just hoping or I reached the point of being on the thin line that separates hoping from expecting. Then I realized, why did I feel like a failure? Because I wasn't hoping, I expected and that caught me. All this time I wasn't living up to their expectation. I was living up to my own expectation. I created a pressure monster and decided to let it haunt me, myself. All this time I was trying to reach the standards that I myself established and how foolish of me to pass it on to them.

As I have said, hoping and expecting are two different words, totally different words. I misinterpreted them hoping being them expecting. I could see now that hoping is a good thing. You see, when you hoped you would do this and in the end you didn't, you still feel good about yourself. But when you expected and didn't have it, you'll end up feeling like a failure. You'll end up not noticing the wonderful events that take place in your life.

You'll end up being like me. Yes, I was so caught up thinking I was a complete failure. I didn't even for a second notice the great things He has given me, most especially a wonderful family.

My mom hoped. (I know because I happened to bump to one of her text messages to someone.) For a while I thought she was disappointed but she was not. She just hoped but still felt good about the outcome. It was evident for she made it a point to celebrate the night and she even talked about how much a lechon would cost. (Mom, I am still not changing my mind about not getting one though. :D) And she texted almost everyone she had numbers with and said she was so proud.

My dad hoped. (I just know. He isn't a vocal type of dad but I know.) I also thought he'd be disappointed but he was not. He took my hand, gripped it real hard. (It's his way of saying, "Way to go, kiddo!") And he didn't stop bugging my mom telling her to text his side of the relatives. And I know he is proud and not disappointed because his FB status said so. :)

Grandpa hoped. (I know because he asked me if I got in.) He was never disappointed. He rubbed my head and genuinely smiled. (His way of saying, "That's alright.")

Timmy hoped. (I know because she said so. :P) She was not disappointed, at all. She made sure I never felt bad and never again with her silly jokes and encouragements.

All of you hoped. (I know because you believed in me.) But you were not disappointed. I thought you were, but I thought wrong. At the point in my life where I felt I failed, you were there backing me up. Helping me put my feet back on the ground, as the song goes. :)

I didn't publish this to gain sympathy. I published this to express my gratitude to God, to my family, to you. And I published this to make you learn things I just learned. 

"View the world in different perspectives, not just your own personal perspective. You are not a failure, you just wanted to look at things that way. Try looking at things differently, you'll see."

The Bourne ENMITY

Just this morning, I was awakened by my mother saying that I must accompany my grandfather. I couldn't and I shouldn't say no because of two things: First, he is my grandfather. Second, we are going to the mall. :)

The plan was just, together with my mom, we are going to meet my aunt who would like to treat my grandpa for lunch. (including me, she has no choice :p) Grandpa expressed his long time wish to go and visit the newly opened mall, so he was excited. We ate at some restaurant known for its famous chicken. We ordered and told us that we would have to wait for about 15 to 20 minutes. 20 minutes later, the "Kare-kare" arrived. And another 20 minutes later, the Fried Chicken was served. And another 20 minutes later, the pitcher of cold tea arrived. (So that's what they meant about 15 to 20 minutes. Oh.)

Anyway, the entries in the 2nd paragraph (especially the last ones) were not that important for this article's topic. I just wanted to vent out my comments and complains regarding that restaurant. (evil laugh)

Now here we go, as we nearly finished gobbling our lunch, my aunt and mom asked grandpa, "Do you like to watch a movie at the cinema?" Who would say no to that? Grandpa just smiled and said, "Why not, I already have the opportunity to do so." By the way, grandpa is around 70+ years old, just for your information. Then grandpa aired out that he would like to watch "The Bourne Legacy."

The Bourne Legacy it is. Not only grandpa was excited, even me. On our way to the cinema's entrance, something came across my mind. It was the news I saw and heard  that many Filipinos got dismayed because the movie did not feature the Philippine's beauty, instead it only featured the opposite. I was never really a fan of the "Bourne" series so I have really or no idea at all as to what the plot is. And this would be my chance to have a glimpse of it.

(I would love to post the story line but that would a spoiler to those guys who have not yet seen it. I'd just point out some of the major things in order to have my say regarding the complains of our fellow movie goers.)

Jason Bourne was a character born to be chased, if you know what I mean. I believe in all Bourne movies, scenes of him being chased and hunted would always be part. Here's the thing, the movie would be realistic and convincing because of certain factors. One, the actors. Two, the story line. Three, the set.

Wouldn't it be much convincing if the characters would cloak near areas which are crowded? I mean, the area in Manila where Bourne hid was perfect for the scene. Yes, it looked stinky, crowded, and it was a mess. But hear me out, it wouldn't be nice to see him hiding in a "beautiful" resort", eating at some "high-class" restaurant, and staying at a "top of the line" rest house, right?

Picture this:

Jason Bourne in a torn and worn-out clothes.
Policemen everywhere.
A lot of running, jumping, chasing, kicking, punching, body slamming.
Birds chirping.
Breeze blowing softly.
Waves splashing at the shore like hymns.
Beautiful sunset.
White sand.

Awkard, right?

Now picture this:

Jason Bourne in a torn and worn-out clothes.
Policemen everywhere.
A lot of running, jumping, chasing, kicking, punching, body slamming.
People of the neighborhood shouting and yelling, "They're here. Police hurry up!"
Horns blowing hard for the traffic the chase caused.
Fruits, vegetables, and goods displayed splatting, tables overturned.
Crowded market and slum area.
Pitch black street alleys and corridors.

Convincing, right?

An international interview with the movie's director/scriptwriter, Tony Gilroy, recently became viral. He was asked why he chose Manila. He simply answered, "It's stinky and ugly." Without taking into consideration the "movie" itself, I would understand why people didn't take his response positively. I mean who would not react if your place would be rated as stinky and ugly?

Tony just answered the question. He didn't throw a personal comment to step down on us. He was looking for a spot that would fit with the movie's plot, and that spot needed to be stinky and ugly. The scenes were shot to complete the movie. They were not shot to fulfill our aspirations to showcase our beautiful spots. It was all just for the movie, the movie's story. It was not the movie-maker's responsibility to mask what really is inside the Philippines, it was reality.

Open your minds. I would like to stress out the point of Mr. John Arcilla (the Filipino actor who became part of the movie) that we should do something to change it rather than trying to hide something that is so real.

P.S. The movie was great. Watch it.

Convict To Superhero

I was new then. A new inmate of Lamb Fee Tack County Jail. I was in cell A-11 together with a fellow Filipino in his mid-50's. I was advised to engage in small talks to everyone I encounter in that specific county to establish a positive environment with them. Its a good thing to start with my cell mate, and so I asked him what's he in for.

"Two counts of murder." he said and continued, "I'll echo that question back, what you in for?"

I hesitated for a while for I know he would doubt upon hearing my response. I turned my back on him and said, "You wouldn't believe me even if I tell you."

He pulled himself up to a chair, sat comfortably and asked, "Tell me, what's your story?"

"Where should I start?"

"It seems to me, we've got decades to have chats in this shithole partner, might as well begin from your nativity. Oh I love stories."

I do not know what has gotten into this old man's mind that suddenly he's interested with my life story when a few minutes back he was just interested with why I got locked up. Anyway, upon realizing that we indeed have a long long period for stories, I took his challenge.

"25 years ago, on this same day, my mother gave birth to me. You see, I never got the chance to know her, even my father, for that very same day, something tragic happened. Hours after I was born, one sick bastard came in the hospital. He was drunk, hell drunk. He came in looking for his wife. He searched every room, banged every door open. No one could stop him for he brought with him a rifle. Room after room he came searching. He came across our room and he thought that it was her wife sleeping with a man at the bedside. He immediately fired, bang, bang. Two shots, one at my mother's head and one through my father. When he finally realized that he got the wrong persons, he quickly flew and up until now, he is still a fugitive. I grew up hearing these tragic story of my life from my grandmother who raised me."

"I am sorry partner. Please do not continue if it bleeds open the wounds of your heart." he said after hearing just the first part of my story.

I was ready to continue relaying my story but I couldn't stand the look on his face. He was so serious and I could tell that he was so sorry. That's it, I couldn't hold it much further.

"Bwahahahahaha!" I burst into laughters, I literally crawled laughing.

He acted so confused and was puzzled. Then he asked, "What did you find funny?"

"I love it when people dig in to my stories like that. Haha. My mom and dad are at a nursing home 2 years now. I visit them often but I couldn't starting today though. Haha."

I only stopped laughing when he stood up. I thought I was getting a hard hit on the face. He reached for his ass, farted, grabbed me saying, "Take this you scumbag!" He made me smell all the gases he captured with his hands. It was horrible yet I admit, I loved the scent. Haha.

From that day on, we became best buds. I discovered he was kinda like me. He is into nasty stuffs and pranks, and that's my expertise. There are times when we got into trouble though because of throwing gags among our fellow inmates, including the jail guards. Classic. Haha.

It has been 2 years since I got locked up. And out of nowhere, something just hit me right at my head. I thought it was my best bud fart man screwing with me but he was in deep sleep. I wondered what just hit me. I looked down and saw a manual, "Super hero guide." Now that was interesting, it was the basics on how to become a superhero. Woah, I am totally into these kinds of stuffs for when I was young, I was fantasizing to become like superman, batman, and wonder woman, I mean captain america. Haha.

The manual had in it steps to becoming a superhero. I was totally into it that I finished the whole manual in just 10 minutes....Naa, I was just about to start reading. :)

STEP NO. 1: Do not go about wandering and proclaiming you are a superhero. Let the people figure out themselves that you are.

Hmm. After reading the step, I already had doubts if I could do it for I am a person who thinks highly of myself. I do not want others to look down on me. There was once that an inmate asked me what I did. I know that he had murdered 10 people using only a bread knife. Spooky, I could not do that thing. But I composed myself, stared at him and said, "One of my case is that I stared at 15 people, and they just went nuts and started killing themselves." Long years of being imprisoned might let you have difficulty in deciphering what to believe and what not to believe for he immediately took his eyes off me and went his way. Haha. Loser.

Now how am I supposed to let people realize that I am a superhero? Hmm. Should I let my best bud fake a choke and ten-tenenen, here I am to the rescue? Should I push others to fight and then when everyone's looking, I'll be there pretending to calm things down between them?

I dried my brains out thinking yet there was no progress. I looked at fart man and he was asleep still. And so I went near him, rubbed my palms together, and "CLAAAAAAP! CLAAAAAP!" He jerked a few times, startled to lift his body up, and bang! He hit his head with the base of the upper deck. Now that was fun! Haha.

A few months had passed and still, I didn't pass the 1st step. I figured, if I really wanted to be a superhero, I should not fake things. And fart man told me that I should let destiny make me a hero, a real hero. And so I asked fart man who and were destiny was so that I could just choke him or her or whatever to make me a hero. I was serious, I didn't know such thing existed.

"You really have no hopes, just give it up man" he answered with a grin.

I was nearly there at the giving up point when I heard moaning and crying.

"Officer please stop! I didn't do anything I swear!" one voice cried.

"I don't care if you did nothing, I just want to hit and kill you right now. You have no use! All of you here are worthless! No one cares if you live or not. Haha!" another voice said.

Ding-ding-ding! The bell rang and it signals the start of our leisure time. The cells were opened, almost everyone ran out of there respective cells and tracked where the voices were coming from. Then there we were. An inmate of ours bleeding to death, face swelling and the only part you could recognize is his eyes. His eyes looking at us, begging us to help him. It was not new in the county that jail guards and warden just picks someone from the cells and carelessly beats them, without any reason. Since I got in, a total of 24 died. They died even without their families knowing.

"This one will be the 25th I believe" fart man whispered.

I looked at the man being beaten. I felt something weird, I felt an urge to stand up for this person. Without noticing, I was slowly approaching the jail guard. I just realized that I was near when he shouted at me, "What do you want?"

I said, "Stop it please."

He just spat on my shirt and continued to beat him. Out of nowhere my hands just blocked his beating and said firmly, "This has got to stop you fool!" I kicked him right at his stomach. It was so hard that he fell on the floor, unconscious. I carried the person out and lead him to the infirmary. I just saved someone. Now all the other prisoners took my hand, shaked it, and said, "Finally. A hero  was brought to us to free us from sick guards and wardens, from sick systems. A hero that made us realize that we still have rights. And from now on, we will fight for it!"

I just smiled and went back inside my cell. I read again the manual and the 1st step disappeared. Wait, does this mean that I accomplished the 1st step? This manual is really something.

Being a hero should not be enforced. Each of us could be heroes of our own. We just have to stick to what is right and fight for it. We just have to fight for it without stepping the rights of others.This one I learned from the 1st step. It is your time to do the 1st step, man. :)

-Step 2 will be on the next chapter. Coming soon on blogspot.-

Time of Terror

7:17 PM

Hi. This is Ex. Convict's the last. There has been a sudden blackout and it was all pitch dark. I could barely see anything. I was lying comfortably at my couch back then ("my" since I totally own it most of the day) and I was just waiting for my grandfather to connect the emergency light to a battery. He's more of a technical person you see. A few seconds more and there was radiance, there was light. A cousin of mine entered the scene in a while, bringing with him a piece of paper and a pen. He has to formulate a reaction paper he said. That just gave me a push and thought, "Hey, since I do not have anything to be busy with, why don't I write something? A short story perhaps?" I really love writing and stuff but most of the time I find it hard pursuing the urge to write. But this time, I was really up to it. So I went up, turned on the laptop, logged in to my blog, stopped and thought. "What to write, what to write."

8:30 PM

I was just sitting there, thinking. But minutes passed and I still have nothing, writer's block they say. But no, I must write. I must not let this urge go to waste. And so I paused for a while and closed my eyes for me to take the thinking phase one notch higher. All these efforts yielded no ideas at all. Frustrated, I went down, turned the television on and lied flat again at my couch. I have this habit of just scanning the channels from 1 up to 39 (we only had 39 channels) and then back again until I find something that interests me. These includes animals, hilarious stuffs and magic. (Hell yeah I am a fan of magic!) Finally, after sadistically murdering the channel button, I landed on channel 28, the discovery channel. :)

11:30 PM

The episodes on the channel really got my attention so I wasn't able to keep track of the time. Eventually, I yawned and basically when I start to yawn, that's way passed my bed time. So I decided to wash my face. I have this feeling that someone or something is behind me when I close my eyes every time I rinse my face with water. That happens every night, every time. Imagination usually set in as I close my eyes. There are images of those horror buds you see on TV that play with my mind. I often trick myself into thinking other things though and all these times, I really haven't had a real experience. This time, it was different. I was busy rinsing my face and I suddenly felt a hand gripping my right arm. Uh oh, suddenly I can't move my arm. I really couldn't tell what was happening and I had double thoughts of opening my eyes to see what was going on. Seconds later, I took a deep breath, mentally counted until three, and opened my eyes. I didn't see a thing. I was beginning to think that my imagination really got into my senses but when I looked at my arm, there was a mark. A mark of fingers wrapped around, a freakin' red mark. My heart immediately pounded hard, so hard that I could literally hear it without the aid of a stethoscope. I didn't know what to do, so I picked myself up together, made deep breaths, went out of the bathroom, and walked straight through my room, to my bed.

12:30 AM

I didn't understand how my feeling of being just about 15 minutes inside the bathroom was in fact already an hour. But I shook it all off my mind and I prayed the rosary like I do every night. Again, I closed my eyes and started praying alone. As I was getting through the 2nd mystery, I heard soft knocks at my door. I didn't pay much attention for I thought probably it was the rats again. I continued. Again, I heard knocks, this time, it was louder and clearer, and from my side I thought I heard the sound coming from the middle portion of the door. (How in the world could rats possibly reach that portion?) So I paused, stood up, turned on the flashlight on my cellphone, pointed it directly at the door, and investigated. I looked up, down, behind, basically everywhere to find traces of rats. (Believe me, I really needed to see traces of rats for it to calm me down.) I saw nothing at all. I went back to praying for I couldn't do anything else to ease me. All throughout, I heard knocks, scratching of the floors, and all other creepy stuffs. But every time I flashed a light towards the direction where the sounds emerge, they all abruptly vanish. Mysterious huh.

12:55 AM

I figured, my mind's just maybe tired and I should have a good night's sleep now. I lay still with one pillow under my head and two pillows under my legs. I find it most comfortable to sleep that way. As I was nearly falling asleep, I could hear weird noises, Yes, they are back big time. All I did was stayed still, didn't open my eyes even for just a bit, and didn't change my position at all. My intention was just to let myself fall asleep instantaneously and ignore those weird noises even though they really scared the shit out of me. But after some time, I couldn't resist it, and so I stood up. But as I did that, I felt that I was floating. I looked back and that explains why I am floating, I could see my body lying still on my bed. Creeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeepy!!! I reasoned out and remembered stuffs about astral projections or something, saying that you have the ability to leave your body and travel places which they say explains "deja vu." I also remembered an article tackling stuffs about lucid something. It says that you could control your dream, just follow these steps: Lie perfectly still, wait until such time that weird noises appear, when it happens, do not move a thing, do not move, and after which you can now travel and create your own dream. These things were insane but it totally freaked me out. I need to get back to my body quick.

1:45 AM

I did almost all of the things I thought would aid me getting back to my body, but I failed. Frustration nearly sets in when I realized, I was not alone. The surrounding area was all dark but I know someone's looking at me. I could glimpse eyes staring at me. Scary eyes.With fear, I called out, "Who goes there?" No one answered. Suddenly I could feel a rush of wind coming towards me and I felt something familiar. I felt that very similar hand gripping my arms again. This is trouble man. Big big trouble. I struggled to let loose my arms from that really tight grip, but that thing just grabbed my head and it held it against its face. I saw the most creepiest thing ever. Its like seeing a person but all you could see are his eyes staring at you so hard as if you are being controlled. Eyes that made me weak and just made me shiver. Literally, it sent shivers down my spine. In a stuttering whisper I asked, "W-w-what do y-y-you want?" It just continued to stare at me and I kinda gave up and said, "Just do whatever you want from me, quick." The thing threw me relentlessly at my bed and because of great fear, I couldn't feel a thing. I tried to get up but this thing just keeps pushing me back. Again I tried with all my might, but I couldn't much this thing's force.

One moment, it just raised its terribly long arms and casted something out. It was a shadow. It was a shadow of an animal, I couldn't really picture it but I could tell it has fangs, large fangs. This might be my end, I would be devoured by an animal. A shadow of an animal actually. What's going to happen to me? I do not know back then. No one knows.

3:00 AM

All this time, a small part of me just hopes that this was all just but a dream. It is true, the one you see in movies, that the character that faces this scene really wishes and hopes that all these things were just part of his dream. I am in no movie, this is really happening, but whenever the thing takes his nasty stare off me, I tend to look at the time from my cellphone and I was really eager for sunrise. All hopes were lost when creepy creatures suddenly appeared out of no where, one brought chains with him. Oh my, I was going to be a captive. Where in the world could they possibly bring me? They chained me, they laughed at me. I do not want to hear those kind of laugh again, if was all horrifying. It kept repeating and repeating in my ears, I think I am going crazy. They dragged me down, all were busy pointing fingers at me. I did not do anything I said. Then they all started to mumble in a language no one knows what, but I could tell by their faces that they said something bad and my life is in danger.

X:XX AM

This time, I have no idea what time it is. They left me in an area. An empty area. An empty and lonely area. With chains on my feet, I started looking for an exit. As I was walking, I could hear whispers. I could hear yells. I could hear shouts of tortured persons. I was so afraid. Then I bumped into a child. She was crying. I was not alone. I told her to stop crying and we would go out  of this mess together. She then held my hands tight, and said in an evil tone, "Who said I would let you go out?" She was slowly crushing my hands and then reached for my chest, my heart, clearly, that was the end, my end.

8:30 PM

Finally, I had an idea about what to write. I was just sitting there, thinking. But minutes passed and I still have nothing, writer's block they say .................................................................................

One of a Kind Construction Equipment

Let me start this article with a question and I want you to think about it and reminisce. "Have you experienced passing by a construction site?"

I popped that question for obviously, this article's main concern is geared towards that. What you would expect to hear as you take your steps must be the following: pounding of hammers, grinding of drills, low to high pitched gnashing of saws, an engineer instructing the construction workers, and probably a bell signifying break. Those things must be expected.

But wait, I have been wondering ever since if what kind of construction equipment makes these sounds: "psssst", "sexy!", "weeetwiiiw!", "dalaga na si junior oh (Junior's a lady!)", "wow chicks! number beh? (Can I have your number?)" and the likes.

Are those noises made by a jackhammer? A compressor? Or could it be a backhoe? Naaa. Sorry for the word, but they are made by dumbass construction workers. Just to make it clear, I have high respect for construction workers (without the dumbass). I have high regards for those individuals who work their asses off almost the whole day and under the blazing heat of the sun just for a minimum or even below the minimum wage.

I haven't really experienced these things 1st hand, but I have witnessed these incidents a lot of times. Most of their "victims" are ladies and members of the 3rd party for they might think that these persons couldn't fight back. No one really fights back for no one knows how in the first place.   If only it would be as easy as kicking the base of the site and let all the dumbasses fall down. If only it would be as easy as in a child asking his/her mother to defend him/her from bullies. If only it would be as easy as reporting misbehaving students to the prefect of discipline. If only it is as easy as filing a case against them and bringing them down to jail.

Hold your horses for a second, lets go back. Yes, it is as easy as filing a case against them. I recently learned from our lecturer who happens to be an attorney and nurse by profession that yes, it is possible to file a complaint.

Vexation is defined as the act of annoying, irritating, or vexating. Ever heard of "unjust vexation?" In accordance to Senate Bill No. 3327 Article 287-A (Authored by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago), penalty for unjust vexation can be actualized to any person who commits a course of conduct directed at a specific person that causes substantial emotional distress in such a person and serves no legitimate purpose shall suffer the penalty of arresto mayor in its minimum period or a fine ranging from 500 pesos to 5000 pesos, or both.

Ha! Even their day's pay couldn't settle that and that might be the consequence that could shut their mouths up. I didn't publish this article to make fun of them and to think low of them. I published this to inform people regarding your weapon and what you could do to eventually halt this disturbing situations. So the next time that you face this circumstance, reach for your bag, grasp your copy of the Senate Bill, and flash it to them. And warn them that the next time they'd do it again, they would not be holding a paper alone, instead, they would be holding jail bars for some time.

Furnish yourselves copies of your weapon people, http://www.senate.gov.ph/lisdata/1176810353!.pdf and pass it on!

Inspirational Message Ala Pulitiko

I, ExConvict, was invited to come and witness a commencement exercise just a few blocks from our residence. It was my cousin's recognition day and he will be receiving 7 awards. As I was reading the program, I was in awe when almost all the invited speakers were government officials. I thought to myself, "This event sure is something."

The program started 30 minutes passed the hour of one in the afternoon, it was smoking hot and the area was filled with proud parents and graduates I should say. Like all the other commencement exercises, it started with an invocation and of course, the singing of the national anthem.

Here comes the inspirational messages to be given by different guest speakers. I was expecting of something like, "Dear graduates, dear parents, this is just the beginning of another chapter in your lives, blah blah blah." But, my ears rang when I heard the speaker say, "Nakita man ninyo kung unsa ang gikabag-ohan sa atong dakbayan sukad naglingkod kami ug ang mayor. Dili na nako isa-isahon kay nakita man ninyo ang gikausaban. (You have seen the many changes and improvements of our town since we and the mayor were placed in position. I do not have to say them to you individually because the changes are obvious.)"

I was like, what? And I started looking around, observing people's reactions. Many just smiled and shook their heads as if this is to be expected when a government official is to be invited to speak in front of prospected voters, knowing the fact that just a year from now, it would be election season again. Surely, they would need to be in a lot of voter's minds as early as now.

I was ready to let the incident pass me for I know that I could not do anything, but there's more. The government official added something like this, "12 years na ko naa sa pwesto ug padayon ko ug kami na nagacoordinate para sa mga programa. Hinaot unta na padayon pud inyong suporta ug pagtabang. (I've been in place for 12 years and I, together with the others, have been coordinating for projects and programs. We are hoping for your continued support and help.)" What the hell is this event? A recognition or a meeting de avance?

Before the speakers, I was excited to see my cousin come up the stage, and receive his awards and recognitions, now, I was even more excited for I do not want to hear any more crap from this sick individual.

Moments later, I had a great smile when someone from the outside shouted, "Pulitiko! (Politics!)" And he was right, it was all about politics. It was never about this commencement, it was never about the graduates, more-so, it was never about the parents, it was about politics.

Finally, his supposed to be "inspirational message" was over, and it was time to give the much awaited awards and recognitions. Then suddenly, I was starting to think that this really isn't a commencement. This is a political freak show. How many individuals would be needed to assist in giving the awards? I saw the teacher in-charge at the stage, and she would be number 1. Next in line from her at the stage, facing the audience, are 2, 3, 4, 5, I think, and hear this, all government officials. Is this really happening?

Does this really have to happen? What politicians would do just to leave marks to individuals and voters. That is a sad fact. They would even put there faces anywhere, in the posts, in boards of the basketball ring, comfort rooms, paper fans, calendars, tarpaulins, almost basically anywhere! I have nothing against politics, I am against the way politics is played. I am against the manner these individuals earn votes. Again, I have nothing against politics. I understand that you really want to earn votes, but do it in the right time and in the right place with the right people.

Well, that was the commencement exercise of my cousin, or I should say, a political exercise.

By the way, did I mention that my cousin is just FOUR YEARS OLD? Yes, the commencement exercise was for DAYCARE STUDENTS. Could you imagine that "inspirational speech" being delivered in front of these toddlers? And, the political exercise lasted for 3 long hours, imagine how long and tiring that is for these toddlers. They have disrespected these toddlers, they have disrespected who they call the hope of our country, they have disrespected their very own selves. (Election is certainly just around the corner, choose your candidate wisely people! =D)

This Made the Boys Cry, Unexpectedly

Batch mates and fellow graduates, I’d like to tell you my own perspective regarding this so-called graduation day. I believe that this isn’t our day to be called, this isn’t our time to be praised, and this isn’t our time to be congratulated. Yes, we underwent sacrifices, sufferings, and trials along our 4-year journey (Some are even more dedicated and decided to extend until the 7^th or 8^th year.) But kidding aside, I want all of you to realize that there are those who underwent sacrifices a hundred times that of ours, our parents.

This is a great time, if not, a perfect time for us to extend our gratitude and express our love and care to our parents. Let’s face it, how many times have we said to our parents that we love them? How many times have we asked for forgiveness and said our gratitude to our parents? I know for a fact that we aren’t hypocrites and I know that you know why we should ask for their forgiveness and give thanks. If not, I’ll give you three of the reasons why.

Every time we woke up late, we hurriedly got off the bed but realized that our clothes weren’t pressed yet, breakfast isn’t served yet. We got mad to our parents, even raised our voices at them, ask for our allowance, and took off without even saying goodbye. (Take note, we still have the guts to ask for our allowance.) What did our parents do? Understood us, act as if nothing happened, or worse, ask for forgiveness from us.

Every time we have night outs or parties, what do we do? We tell our parents that we have projects, case presentations, and the like as an excuse for us to go home late at night or the following day. What do our parents do? They’d blame our clinical instructors and teachers for giving us such activities but in the end give us extra money to spend for the night. They get worried for us, but where are we? We are at some bar having fun and spending all our parents’ money to waste.

Every time the statement of accounts would be released, what do we do? We ask for our classmates’ expertise in making changes with it, making a 1,000-peso expense into 3,000 or more. We even make an expense of our own. We do these for our own personal gain, to have fun most especially. What do our parents do? Work twice or thrice as hard in order to produce such amounts, thicken their faces twice or thrice just to borrow to someone, lessen their rest periods twice or thrice in order for them to do job overtimes.

Those are only three of the many reasons why we should pay tribute to our parents. And those reasons are facts, those reasons are the truth. Believe it or not, no matter how we hide these facts and truths, our parents already know. They already knew on the day you commit these mistakes yet they just let things be. Remember, they were students before also, they know what students do, they know what we really do because they did it also. They were typical students before who turned out to be the best parents for us, right?

I believe I have already made my point with just those three reasons. However grave our acts are, how often we disrespect them, how often we lied and cheated them, how often we stole from them, I’d ask one question: Where are they now? Yes, they are still here celebrating this very moment with us. They are here supporting us all the way. They are here, never getting tired of being our parents. They are here.

I’ve been longing to see a graduation ceremony with us sitting at the bleachers and with our parents sitting at the center, wearing these togas. This is their day, these diplomas are theirs, these awards and recognitions are theirs, these are the fruits of their hard work, and they deserve to be acknowledged.

From this moment on, let us start being there sons and daughters like them who never ceased being our parents, in good times and in bad. So in behalf of the graduating batch, Mamang, Papang, Nanay, Tatay, Mama, Papa, Mommy, Daddy and whatever we call our parents, “Thank you. We are sorry. We Love You.”

Me, Expressing

First things first, this is not a hate letter. I have nothing against anyone. This is me expressing myself. This is me, all out.

For everyone who threw the same question over and over "Did you make it?", here is my answer: No. I did not make it through. I did not make it because of some circumstances that I could have twisted for my favor if only I knew the conditions earlier, but I didn't. For the past months that I've been answering this common query, it was not hard for me to wear a smile for I truly accepted my fate and it was all alright for me. It was just recently that things started to set in and made me realize that I could not anymore hide my own personal disappointment. Disappointment not because I did not make it, disappointment because all I ever wanted was to offer and present that achievement to my parents and to my loved-ones. What do I have to offer now?

But on the brighter side, this incident opened the eyes of those who were needed to be opened. This gave an opportunity to find weaknesses on system for it not to happen again. This gives the succeeding batches ample time to make sure that they are on the right track and no obstacle would halt them from achieving their dreams, their goals, and their aspirations. This incident serves as a lesson for everyone to do their jobs responsibly, but seriously, why does it have to be me? Why does it have to be in my time? I know there are reasons that are beyond man's ability to explain and I am looking forward to unlock the reason, in time.

This is not published because I still want to plea my case. This is published because I couldn't help but feel that I have disappointed most people. I have this feeling that most expect me to make it (I know because they are vocal about this) but in the end, they just get dismayed. They may not be vocal about their feelings of disappointment, but I can see, I can sense. So to you guys, my heartfelt apologies for not meeting your expectations.

But of all people, I am most thankful that I felt no disappointments from my parents. They made me feel everything's cool. They reassured me that no matter what happens, they still believe I have made their dreams for me a reality.

Now that I have released my emotions, I am now free from any apprehensions, free from any disappointments, free from guilt of not having met expectations. Now I am able to accept my fate wholly and without hesitations. Now I am all set for tomorrow's activity and for the graduation day.

This is my letter and this made me feel a whole lot better. =)

975 PESOS

Nine Hundred and Seventy Five. What would you get from 975 pesos? 19 Magnums, 3 Zipline rides, 8 Hunger Games movie tickets. That's a whole lot of fun, right? But wait, I am thinking of something, how about a "Retreat?"

A retreat became a compulsory activity in school which usually exists in the later part of a graduating student's life. By compulsory, it means you have no excuse and you have to experience retreat. You can't retreat in a retreat (if you know what I mean). If you'd ask me how did I find the retreat, I'd start responding with this:

I am one of those who came and showed up because I paid 975 pesos. I am pessimistic about the so-called activity. I hate retreats. All I could think about is there would be crying and stuffs alike. I hate it. Before the retreat was finalized, I am one of those who wished and prayed that there would be a sudden turn of events that would cause the retreat to be impossible. But I failed. And so, the date is set on a Thursday morning. Again, I have to come and show up because if I don't, I still have to pay the same amount, and that would be impractical.

Thursday morning was the day that I wished I could skip but I can't. We would be on a long and quite tiring journey. Along the way, I am still thinking of how I could get the retreat to be postponed (the evil in me =D). And again, nothing happened, plus we are already in our expected destination. But wait, bwahahaha, it turned out that we were at the wrong place. (And I am already thinking that finally, we're going home!) Or not. Hmp. We continued our journey, turned here, road up, road down, turn right, turn left, and boom, we finally arrived. (The place was splendid I should say.)

After the snacks and room assignments, it was time to begin the activity itself. As expected, there were a lot of prayers yet there were also activities which I found to be fun though I still want the retreat to end sooner. The night came and its time to sleep. Sleeping means when you wake up, its time. Time to pack things and go home. Yes, it is only a one night retreat, unusual huh? But its on my side of the table. =).

Morning's activity started with a devotion, an emotional devotion for some, an ordinary devotion for me. But I was excited for the next event, "The Amazing Race." Now that's my kind of thing. But it was not the thing I expected, there was no running, no race. We just stood on one station, finishing tasks (bible tasks), and that's it. But what I didn't realize is that I sang with my team a religious song. Was that me? =).

I find myself enjoying the retreat already, part of me I guess. I found my self active in the activities,   defending my team, cheering, winning, and socializing with others. And I had fun, real fun.

But it was time to go. But before leaving the place, we still have lunch. The retreat master called it "Agape Meal." I know what Agape is, Love. But I couldn't figure out what Agape Meal is. We were advised to get our meal and place it on our table and wait for further instructions. Then, we were instructed to give our meal to the person whom we would like to share our love and whom we'd like to reconcile with. At first, we were thinking of giving it to our group of friends so we don't have to exchange meals with the persons we've hated and the persons we've hurt. But something just touched us, we started roaming and looking for that one person we've hated. And suddenly, hugs between people who had misunderstandings for quite a long time were there. One said sorry, one accepted, tears fell, but at the end of the day, they had patched things up. The group became one again.

I was fulfilled and satisfied with the outcome, really. I guess why I was really looking forward to end the retreat sooner than it should be is because something real good would happen every time the retreat ends: reconciliation, forgiveness, love, acceptance, and union.

Now, was 975 pesos worth it? You answer. =D.

Police Assistance Centers: Policemen Not Included

Days after the incidences of suicides and killings at malls in Luzon, the Police Regional Office 12 directed by Chief Supt. Benjardi Mantele had devised and established police assistance centers within shopping malls and department stores. This action aims to deter and prevent the occurrence of crimes and suicides within the mall's area. But what the police failed to disclose to the public is that policemen do not come along with these police assistance centers. (In "toy" terms, Batteries not included. Each part sold separately.)

I admit, the moment these centers were established, I have seen men in uniform doing their respective tasks and responsibilities. But, these only lasted for a week or so and then they went missing. Is this just another flash in the pan?

This isn't new to all. Plans and projects are only good for a short span of time and poof! (It became koko crunch!) I don't know why people still couldn't realize the importance of prevention. We know for a fact that these police assistance centers were brought up mainly because of crimes and accidents in malls are gravely increasing. Seriously, must we wait that these unfortunate events happen before we act?

Situations involving late and somehow useless actions are always there. Just like the existence of many checkpoints in national highways a day after bombs explode. If you're a type of person who does not care at all with news and current affairs, you'd easily know if another town or place has been bombed. How? In every block possible, there are checkpoints. Military and police personnel man the streets, inspecting every vehicle that pass, every cargo inside, every person inside, and assessing the possibility of an attack. So impressive but these are all part of their undoing. They are doing their best to cover up for their own asses, to cover up for their failure to provide safety, to cover up for their failure to adhere to there motto: "To Serve and Protect." And again, how long do these cover ups last? I'll give it 3 to 5 days and they'd become koko crunch too but I'm sure they'd pop out like mushrooms again after another bomb.

When you enter an establishment, have you noticed how the guards check and inspect you? Just a slight tap and touch at your hips, and then they conclude you are not a threat to others. How impressive is that? They even have built in metal detectors in their hands. You reach for your bag to unzip and open it but they just grasp your bag, lift it a few inches, then you are good to go. But when armed and unarmed persons made a scene inside, the guards suddenly lose their psychic and metal detecting ability. Vigorous inspection will be done, from your legs, to your hat. Again, I'll give it a few days before their psychic abilities come out again in the open.

Going back to the police assistance centers, Mantele said that these may provide immediate assistance to security-related needs. These centers are supposed to be manned by two to four uniformed policemen. Now, look closely at the pictures. Is it just me or you couldn't see a single man posting? How would it be immediate if no one's running the center? Seems to me that if you need assistance, go to the assistance centers, and dial the number posted (if it would be answered, then you wait.)

It's a fact that they have shortcomings but so do us. Remember the times that you murmured because it takes too long before you could pass a checkpoint because of a strict inspection? How about the time that you scolded a security guard because he thoroughly inspects your things and you? Add the time when you thought that these preventive measures so to speak added an extra burden to you?

In order for these measures to be most effective, people must also embrace these measures. One of the reasons why they don't last that long or they don't last at all is that we people wanted it not to last due to those mentioned above. Why don't we just make these measures part of our routine and I tell you, after some time, you'd unconsciously learn to live life with these preventive activities and you'll never again have to consider them as burdens.

What I am trying to point out with this is simple. When are we going to learn? When all else fails? THINK!

(I am hoping to post new pictures soon, with the policemen in it. When would that be? Interesting.)

The Birthday Celebrant

1/7 of one's life. I am blessed of having the opportunity to be part of 1/7 of one's life. Its been 3 years and counting now since we got together, and today, March 1, she's on the 21st year of her journey called life. Most of you might ask, "Who the hell are you mumbling about?" Allow me ma'am/sir to introduce her to you.

I won't start by saying how nice and kind this person is for it might sound and look like I am delivering a eulogy speech. (I am really wondering why all good things one has to say about a person comes out so easily when the person is already lying still in a coffin?)

Anyway, just one look at this person, you could already grasp the message that she is not the one that you'd want to mess with. Unintentionally and unconsciously, she'd raise you a brow as if she's saying, "I hold more powers than you. Show some respect dude!" She even goes far as in looking at you cephalocaudal and vice versa. This mannerisms of hers often misleads others to branding her as primadonna, but they're wrong. This is how she looks at you and a brow raised means her involuntary facial muscles are at work. She doesn't even know that her brow is raised nor she notices that she looks at you from head to toe. (So to others who think they've been raised and examined, think again! =D)

Enough with the stares and brows and the looks. Once you get passed the barriers mentioned, you'd have the chance of a lifetime to get to know her better. You won't actually have a difficulty in initiating a conversation with her for she usually starts the conversation. She'd start by smiling and saying, "Gwapa ko noh?" (I am pretty, right?). If others were to reply "No", she'd just laugh and just burst another topic, and so the conversation begins. But if I were to reply "No", I'd just either look to the left or right and then "Paaaak!", she'd slap me once, twice. But there's a sorry in between slaps so its okey I guess. =D. Just between me and you (reader), her slaps doesn't really hurt. Shhhh! Please don't tell her. (Evil laugh!)

Once you've started conversing with her, that's when you'd realize that she's not so bad after all. In fact, she could be the best friend you'll ever have. By best friend I really mean best. She'd be there for you when you need someone, she'd even be there when you don't need someone. In short, she'd really make a way to be part of your life, not in an annoying way though, but in her own and cute little ways. Yet they say that your best friend could be your worst enemy. She'd become your worst nightmare if you let your traitor blood flow from within. Once the trust is broken, prepare. She won't let anyone step on her. She doesn't care who you are, what position you are in to, and who you were in her life. If she knows she's right, there's no stopping her. She's even bolder and stronger than me when I come to think of it.

Those are just some of the serious stuffs about her and believe it or not, she has more funny stuffs circumscribing her. =D.

I've been practicing her way of appreciating music for years but I still fail. You'd know that she digs the music when she starts to move his head like those puppy decors you often see in cars, in short, she has a bobbly head. Bobbling of her head is always accompanied by out of rhythm lip movements. (I am hoping I could show you a video of her bobbly head move but I doubt it.) These movements come natural with her and I find it cute. I find it cute even more when she notices that you are observing her movement and expresses a reaction that you yourself couldn't mimic. I find it hard to explain it words and I advice you to catch her reaction in person, really, you should see it. =D.

Besides music, she also loves books. In fact, she has a collection of almost 500 books. (Don't get to impressed, these are e-books. Illegally downloaded e-books. Bwahahaha!) And you wouldn't even guess how many of these books she had finished reading already. What's your guess? 20? 50? 100? Ennngggggk! She has not finished a single book. Haha. She's on her way though in ending the chapter of the first book. Not bad! And oh, she loves books that much that she could not respond to the call of nature effectively without a book in her hands. Amazing, right?

What I really want you to know about her is that she likes to wake up early. She won't fail in reminding you to wake her up 2 hours before the 1st class starts. So this is me calling her and waking her up at 5am for a 7am class. And she wakes up without difficulty. The problem is, she has a hard time getting out of bed. Her eyes are wide open, but her mind still feels like sleeping. Waking up at 5am ends up getting out of bed at 630am, getting dressed and rushing to school at 710am. You cannot blame her since she literally woke up early. =D.

I still have lots of things to expose but I believe I should leave some stuffs for you to discover yourself. All I really wanted to express in this essay is that no matter how serious and stiff a person might look physically, you'd still find interesting and varied facts about her when you just spend time in getting to know her. Its just like reading a book with a plain old cover yet when you turn the pages one by one, you'd start to see colors blending.

No matter how hard her stares are, how high her brows are, how intimidating her ways of looking are, how fierce her personality is, she's still the same person who initiates a conversation with "Gwapa ko noh?", who bobbles her head in ways only she could do, who collects books without reading them, who likes to wake up early but gets tardy most of the time, who cherishes friendship no matter how far or close the distance is, who is your friend, who is my bestfriend, Timmy.

Happy Birthday! I Love You. =D.

Me Getting Pissed

Have you ever came across with public utility vehicles that metaphorically made you release smokes in your ears?

There are those who'd make you look for change for your 100 peso bill even though its supposed to be part of what they must do. There are those who'd give you a 1-peso deficit change and you have no say about it but when it's you (passenger) who'd give a 1-peso deficit fare, they'd react as if you murdered one of them. There are those who doesn't honor you a fare privilege for students because you are not wearing uniform when in fact the fare matrix only requires a valid identification card. There are those who made you feel how it is to be one of the sardines in a tin can for they carry more passengers than the number allowed by the law. There are those who would not bring you to your designated location even though there route says they must.

Those are just few of the many complaints. Complaints that were not addressed. They were not addressed since what do passengers know about it? What could they possibly say to PUV drivers and conductors to make a point? (Making a point and arguing with PUV drivers and conductors is typically hard for they seem to have a "know-all" attitude and they "think" they are always right, unfortunately.)

I personally have experienced the incidents stated above and the most recent was around 5:30 PM this afternoon (February 27). The route of the van says that it would go to Gaisano Mall and all the way to KCC Mall. But I didn't know how to react when the conductor asked me to step down for they won't push through the KCC route for their reason that it would cost extra hassle for them. Because I am not much of a nagger, I quietly went out and walked my way to KCC. But I am tired of repeatedly experiencing these cases and I would like to make an end on all of them. And so, I did a research and found out that I could make a list of all the violations that they committed and would cost them much hassle than expected. (Bwahahahaha! Evil Laugh.)

Under the Memorandum Circular 2005-006, public utility vehicles are required to provide additional markings "No Smoking" and "How's my driving? (with LTO/LTFRB Hotline Numbers)." Failure to adhere would have a penalty of 500.00 pesos per signage per offense.

Fare matrix must also be displayed, and take note of this, it must be the original copy, not a photocopied one according the Memorandum Circular 2005-024. I have never seen an original fare matrix displayed by the way. Failure to adhere would have a 500.00 penalty for the 1st offense, 1000.00 for the second offense, and cancellation of permit on the 3rd offense.

Memorandum Circular 2008-031 also includes mandatory display of fare matrix and mandatory compliance to the fare matrix. Overcharging and not honoring 20% discount for students has a penalty of 3000.00 for the 1st offense, 4000.00 for the 2nd, 5000.00 for the 3rd, suspension for the 4th, and cancellation for the 5th offense.

Section 32 (Exceeding Registered Capacity) of Republic Act 4136 states that no person operating any vehicle shall allow more passenger in his vehicle than its registered carrying capacity. Failure to adhere would unfortunately only have a 100.00-peso fine.

All in all, the PUV driver I rode earlier could have paid 1,400 pesos to 7,100 pesos as fines for all penalties mentioned above.

There are more laws that would cater our transportation needs specifically the students when Senator Juan Edgardo M. Angara's House Bill 00090 would be accepted. It is an act institutionalizing the grant of student fare discount privileges on land, water and air transport utilities and for other purposes. One of its key section is the Section 4 stating a 20% discount privilege for students during the entire school year for elementary and secondary students, during the semester for college students, and during the duration of the course for vocational or technical students, including Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays, and Christmas vacations. (Yehey!!!)

This is a result of me getting pissed off. This may and could also serve as information for all of you out there who share my concern.

The "Zit" Theory

Scientifically, a zit is a kind of acne resulting from excess oil getting trapped in the pores. But that's science. I personally believe there's a theory that would be most acceptable. I call it the Zit Theory.

The zit theory begins with a simple phrase known to all, "We are all created equal." Basically there should be no existence of the rich nor the poor, the weak nor the strong, the tall nor the short, and many others, but don't forget, the ugly nor the handsome/pretty.

But due to our human nature, we helped in the existence of those opposites mentioned above. There are those who belong to the high class, there are those to the low class of citizens. There are ones like Manny Pacquiao, yet there are those unknown and being bullied. There are those blessed with a 6 foot height and be a basketball player, and there are others who could not even be a flight stewardess. And finally, there are those like Brad Pitt, and there are those like....I'll leave it up to you to look for Brad Pitt's counterpart.

Now, moving on, because it is known to men that we are all and must be equal, a solution has to be made. It would be hard and would need a lot of procedures (costly too) to make Brad Pitt's counterpart be Brad Pitt too. On the other hand, it would be easy and wouldn't need a lot of procedures to make Brad Pitt be Brad Pitt's counterpart.

Now here's the fun part, in order to have equilibrium, a destruction on the face and some parts of the body must be added to handsome/pretty persons. In that way, somehow equilibrium is achieved. (Wohooo!)

Just remember, zit existence and your handsome/pretty state is directly proportional with each other. The more handsome/pretty you are, the more zit you would have. (Isn't it amazing?)

Be proud of your zit guys! =)

Agent ExConvict0112 - Volume 1

A successful mission was again surpassed by Agent ExConvict0112. Everything has been well taken care of. It was time to check for updates of upcoming missions when a call came. Even without having been answered, Agent 0112 knows what the call was about, a new and exciting mission. He deciphered that it would take much preparations and courage to surpass it. So, he gathered all necessary and vital resources, packed his things, and wasted no single second.

"Beep. Beep. Beep." A message was received. "Greetings Agent ExConvict0112! Here are the details of your new mission. Be at this location ........." He didn't continue browsing the message for he wanted thrills and challenges during a mission. He just relies on his gut-feels and sees where the latter would bring him. Whether he'd be at the right location at the right time, or at the wrong location and worst, at the wrong time, no one knows but me (the author. Evil Laugh! ^^,).

Agent 0112 didn't exactly know where he was going yet he didn't stop walking and looking for trails. Suddenly, he heard a loud rumbling noise. It was his gut murmuring, telling him what he needs to do and where he must go. Finally, an enlightenment for our independent agent. His gut told him to prepare bombs and to plant them at an exact location.

Good thing he has all the materials in order to create an improvised explosive device. On his way, he found an abandoned house, sneaked in, placed the material in order of use. He began Project: Bomb Making. He has limited time, and again, no single second must be wasted. Agent ExConvict0112 knows that this is a delicate process, as a result, he was soaking wet with sweat all over his body. Cold and big sweats. (Phew!) His hands were shaking, he's down to the last and final wire. If he fails, the explosive device would detonate earlier than usual. Which means, he'd be in pieces by then. "Toot. Toot. Toot." Alas! Project: Bomb Making was a success. All he needs to do now is to plant them before the clock runs out.

He started walking and looked for the spot where he must plant the explosive device. He saw a nearby signage saying, "C4 Region". He knows that C4 is a type of explosive, so he is at the right trails. He's a few steps away from the location when he saw an old man. He noticed that the latter and him was going at the same location. He tried outrunning the man but he must not do unnecessary movements for it might trigger an early explosion. So he gave up, he failed. The old man won and entered the location. Agent ExConvict0112 patiently waited outside for he knows he'd have his chance in a few seconds or so. He was so excited to succeed another mission but he was also so nervous for the time was running out.

"Sqeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaak!", finally, the door opened, the man went out, and Agent ExConvict0112 hurriedly entered the location. He took from his bag the explosive he made, sat down, and planted it. "Plop! Plop! Plop!" The bomb has been planted! The bomb gave off an extremely debilitating odor which is a sign that it was a success! And the location goes wild but fortunately for Agent ExConvict0112, the bomb was planted right on time and didn't explode while it was in his bag.

"Beep. Beep. Beep." Another message was received. "Congratulations, Agent! Mission successful! Please wait for further notices regarding your succeeding missions."

Cross

I told him firmly, go back to your parents.

His reply suddenly made me stop for a second, stared at him for a couple seconds more, and said nothing a few seconds longer.

It was the 23rd of February, an awesome night, if not perfect, to loiter around the park. There's a month long celebration for an upcoming festival and stalls (food) are put up. It has been a tradition for me and Timmy to spend even just one night at the park hunting for food, especially the most-awaited pancit with toppings. (yum!) And so we went and prepared to secrete increased amounts of hydrochloric acid just to aid us in digestion.

We stopped by stall by stall, devouring different food each stop. It was like being an F1 racer and those stalls being our pitstop. In our case, we just can't stop refueling q 15 minutes (every 15 minutes).

One pitstop later, I happened to come across with an obstacle. While we were busy sharing a hotdog (a literal hotdog, not the one that's on your mind you green one!), a kid stopped by. He gestured his hands, and I figured out, he was begging.

For me, begging is a sign of weakness, and the only way to counteract this is to ignore begging, do not give in. I kept on repeating in my conscious mind, "Do not give in. Do not give in.". But my subconscious tells me, "He's just a kid, help him. Give in." After a few seconds of Conscious-Subconscious war, there was a unanimous decision, DO NOT GIVE IN.

And so, I told him firmly, go back to your parents.

His reply suddenly made me stop for a second, stared at him for a couple seconds more, and said nothing a few seconds longer.

The kid gestured, making a cross out of his two fingers and asked me, "Kabalo ka unsa pasabot ani? (Do you know what this means?)"

It was late that I recognized that it was a cross so even before realizing the sign, I answered with a shrug, "No. What does that mean anyway?"

"They're dead."

The next thing I know, those words bore a hole in my heart (scientifically speaking, in my brain). I just gave a look at Timmy, and what has to be done was done.