Love is...

"The most important thing about life is to learn how to give out love, and to let it come in."

Today is the time of the year where love is in the air. Lovers flock the city to celebrate this very special day. It has been the day that love peaks at it's highest point and somewhat a day of "surprises" for lovebirds. I don't know what i really mean by "surprises", but a lot of sweet things can go around the metro to spread the word Love.

How do you define Love? Is it expressed by giving the sweetest chocolates and the freshest flowers you can pick? It is shown by preparing an exquisite set-up date? Or is it more felt by just showing your emotions with all sincerity and respect for your loved one? I don't know what Love can mean for others, but we have own ways in showing and expressing the real meaning of true love.

It wouldn't be fair to say that Valentine's Day is just a day for couples. Single people are welcome, too. It doesn't necessarily mean you have to have a special someone. Love is for everyone. Love takes no boundaries. No special attachments. Just pure, unadulterated love.

I'm actually out of words on what to write about Love. I don't have all the words to explain what Love is. I'm not the brightest or the most compelling person in the world. But, i can express Love without a doubt and with all sincerity. A simple poem or a handwritten letter might be enough to show the sweetest thing on earth. Even a plain text message can bring smiles to your loved ones. In an Age like this, there's so many ways we can show love to one another --- it's just a matter of doing it the right way, being true to yourself, and without selfish desires. Love mustn't have any strings attached. Again, just pure, unadulterated love.

In this time of the year, i don't have any special someone whom i can share this very special day (long story, hehe..) But it doesn't mean i forgot how to celebrate Valentine's Day on my own. I have my family, my friends, and God --- and that's all that matters. I'm celebrating it my way, and for me, that's special enough.

To all the people around the world, let this day of hearts flow with overwhelming love -- and not just today, as we spread love to each and one another, today, tomorrow and forever.

Happy Valentine's Day.

God bless..

TODAY IN WORLD HISTORY: The Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster, January 28, 1986

I finally had an answer for my writer's block syndrome. From now on, i'll try to find anything significant in a day's date, like what i have right now. On my first installment of Today in World History, we look back on what happened 25 years ago in Kennedy Space Center in Florida, where the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster took place.

This catastrophic event actually happened three months before my birth (i'm still in my mother's womb back then). It's one of those events where you look back and think about what went wrong. Up to this day, it is considered as one of the unfortunate events that shape up the current world we're living in right now.

The 1986 crew of the Space Shuttle Challenger (AP Photo/NASA)

Tuesday. January 28, 1986. SS Challenger was set to go for it's 10th mission. They went through their normal routines, as part of safety check-ups before lift-off. It was beautiful morning, and it doesn't seem that anything could go wrong or anything bad could happen. Seven people makes up the crew, where this mission was set apart from the other space flights because of the diversity of the crew and in addition of the first teacher in space, Christia McAuliffe. With all hope and pride, the shuttle took off where the whole nation is watching, even schoolchildren who where at their classrooms early in the morning.

Then, seventy-three seconds after lift-off -- disaster happens, as the shuttle exploded into a white and orange cloud dust, while the nation below the disaster stood in shock and disbelief --- ended in a horrific sight. All seven crew members died that day.

Live media coverage of the SS Challenger disaster (CNN)

The whole United States, and, probably, the whole world mourned this unfortunate event. Even if i was yet to be born back in the day that happened, looking back, a lot of things could've been prevented. But on the flip side of things, accidents are very unpredictable. You could even hear at the end of this video clip where Steve Nesbitt, the voice of Mission Control, uttered the words,"Obviously... A major malfunction... has occcured." They still were able to recover the remains of the crew, and the identifiable ones were returned to their families on April 29, 1986 (the day i was born). Unidentified crew remains were buried communally at the Space Shuttle Challenger Memorial in Arlington, Virginia on May 20, 1986.

A lot of things were changed by the management and overlooked all of the future possible problems. This event was frequently used as a case study. Engineering designs, safety, the ethics of whistle-blowing, communication, proper decision-making were some of the aspects that are a part of the studies. This just shows that, from every mistake we experienced or witnessed, we learn a lot of lessons and try to improve or do something much better to avoid the same catastrophic troubles like this one.

The Space Shuttle Challenger Memorial in Arlington Nat'l Cemetery, where some remains where buried. (AP)

Today, twenty-five years after the accident, the memories are still fresh for the ones that are a part of this mission and for those who witnessed it's fall. To all the crew of SS Challenger, may you all rest in peace. As we commemorate it's 25th year, i just want to let you all know that i salute those people who wants to take another step for another giant leap for the mankind, as what Neil Armstrong said before. Let this be a reminder that even at adversities like this, we won't stop at making the earth a better place to live in.

Space Shuttle Challenger, January 28, 1986.

Eat crap, talk crap, spread crap: Racism today

"To live anywhere in the world today and be against equality because of race or color is like living in Alaska and being against snow."

- William Faulkner

"I have a dream" - a line immortalized 47 years ago by the late Martin Luther King, Jr. - is about the things he wanted to see in the future: Equality. During the tumultuos and turbulent 60's, black people were segregated and discriminated in all aspects of life. It's something people back then were not able to accomplish. Although, in modern times, somehow, we're able to minimize it, but we still have it today. It may not be as violent as it was back then, but, with all the advancements and the technoligies we have right now, Racism has upgraded, too.

I'm currently living in Milan, Italy right now. For the short span of time of stay, well, i can say, racism is still out there, maybe can be considered as on "it's lowest point." As a stranger in a foreign land like this, expect people who were really from here (some are old people; others, middle-aged), to let go of the wrath of degradation. I had my fair share of racial discrimination experience, most especially on public places. Even if want to answer back out of anguish and anger, i just let it go and treated it like an "ordinary-day-at-the-office type of problem" - even if it breaks my heart not to defend or do something for myself. It's a sad sight that the "dream" mr. King dreamt before, is still something of a hollow dream, in some of the places around the world.

When the going gets tough, the tough gets rough. When its tougher, of course, it's rougher. People of today are exposed to this kind of disgusting state we are currently witnessing right now. I wrote this blog because i checked my home page from a popular social networking site, and a few friends of mine have posts that's about racism. Of course, they're the subject of racism, and i had mine before, so, my better outlet of positive anger and distate is through this blog. We're not in the 1960's anymore. I thought people would be much better and much more understanding than before. Well, i'm not saying all, 'cause at least, i'm able to meet people from different races, who shares the same sentiments towards racism. They are really good people. We're from different walks of life, but we demonstrate love to one another. We respect each other's cultural diversities and at the same time, manages to adapt to theirs. We don't judge each other by our physical appearance. We try to improve more our lives and spread the Word of God. The Bible never taught us to be critically judgmental about others. As we do our best to become a good example to the whole community around the world, we're hoping that one day, the "dream" will be fulfilled, with all the gaping holes resolved and all the discriminative boundaries broken for life.

It has always been a challenge to tag along with people of different race. It's not difficult, but it takes you a lot of time to cope up. Well, that depends on how you get along with others, but that's something not out of reach. As a concerned human being, we have to show good example to the younger ones to treat each other equally. It's them who will carry the torch for the next generations to come and to completely put racism into obsoletion. It's not the same crap as before, but racism is still crap. No matter how much time passed, inequality still lives among us. Sometimes, rules among us. But no matter what, we are all hoping for a better place to live in, and i know we're not just hoping for nothing. One day, we can do it and be united as one.


Good day to everyone.

"For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measures you use, it will be measured to you."

- Matthew 7:2, NIV

LeBron's Homecoming: The Aftermath

It's been almost six months since the famed "Decision", Lebron James and the Miami Heat arrived in a raucous and wild Quicken Loans Arena, as the Cavaliers faced the Heat for the first time this season. Right from the player's entrance to the court, cascade of boos plagued the atmosphere of the arena. During pre-game warm-ups, the boos are getting louder and louder whenever LeBron touches the ball. They still have the same sentiments and feelings that they had from the day they witnessed the King's announcement on live television to bring his talents to South Beach, Florida.

LeBron James doing his pre-game ritual - the chalk toss - before tip-off.

I just wrote a blog two days ago on how will LeBron respond to the fired-up frenzy of boos and obscene words thrown by the Cavs fans for the entire game. It looks like he handled it very well and delivered one of his best games (yet...) this season, as the Heat strolled to a 118-90 drubbing of the Cavs. He made a triumphant return and tallied 38 points - 24 in the third quarter - grabbed five rebounds and dished out eight assists.

I watched the game from start to finish (it was 3 or 4 in the morning here in Milan. Whaddya expect? I want to witness it live, hehehe..), so i was able to catch up the introductions of players, were LeBron was introduced first among his teammates, and the arena was roaring into the chants of boos, even louder than the earlier ones. Once adored him, now, lashing their fury to their once-beloved son of the city. You can even hear chants, "Akron hates you" - where LeBron grew up, "Remember Game 5?" - pertaining to his mediocre performance against the Boston Celtics during the Eastern Conference Semifinals a few months ago, where they lost by landslide. But the boos turned into cheers when Cavs owner Dan Gilbert was shown on the big screen, heading towards to his seat, still, they were not able to tick LeBron James off. Even Dywane Wade, took all the brunt the Cavs fans are bashing to the, currently, most hated team in the NBA right now.

A fan shouting at LeBron James. Well, this is something expected.

As funny as it seems, this is not how Cleveland pictured his long-awaited return. They were expecting the Cavs to do beating of the Heat, instead, it's the other way around, where the Heat's the one who did the drubbing. Tensions we're at an all-high scale, but the good thing is there's no violence (although i have to admit that it would be fun to see a bit of it.. hehe..) LeBron even did his chalk toss pre-game ritual, in response to the wave of boos from the audience. Maximum security were installed into the whole arena. From entrances, to locker rooms, from every part of the arena, to make sure LeBron is safe and no inteded violence towards him would prevail. Even if it's one of these nights that are memorable in an akward way, still, i give credit to the Cavaliers' fans for being passionate to their team -- on how much they love their team.. You'll never see the same passion like that somewhere else (i guess..). But, one thing Cavs fans (and the organization as well.. Mr. Dan Gilbert, attention please..) should do soon is to forget all the things that happened for the past six months, and focus on what the current Cavs lineup could bring for the city.

When the game started to unravel in the succeeding periods, the loud noise around the arena started to pacify. LeBron was never fazed in the entire game, smiles back whenever profane words struck his ears. Suddenly, the boisterous, furious crowd of the Cavaliers eventually died down and turned the arena into a deafening dead air of disappointment. A moment of silence, indeed. Just like what Reggie Miller said in an article i have read two days ago, "Embrace the hate of the fans."

Overall, the supposed-to-be revenge night for the Cavs fans never even went their way. So, maybe after this one game of letting all of their hatred and anger out, it's the right time to bind themselves and put their focus in the future of the organization. It was a peaceful homecoming for LeBron, who dominated the hardwood last night and left a jarring reminded to the Cavaliers on all they've lost since he left.

Homecoming: LeBron James' return to Cleveland

The Summer of 2010 was one of the most highlighted events in the National Basketball Association's history, 'cause of the fact that it bears one of the deepest free agent pools in modern basketball times. And, obviously, the most prized free agent from the market this year is LeBron James - who held a one-hour television special, "The Decision", where he chose to bring his talents to South Beach, home of the Miami Heat. The team was able to pull-off, maybe, the best free-agent signing (at least for this decade), as James teamed up with Miami star Dwyane Wade and former Toronto Raptor Chris Bosh. Mixed reactions spread across the cyberspace, even from the legends, to name a few: Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, etc. If he made the right decision, that's what we're yet to find out.

Powerhouse-in-the-making? James, Wade and Bosh.

A month after the regular season went underway, there are teams that already are showing signs they're heading to postseason. Others, well, not living up to the hype this past summer analysts talked about, most especially, the team i'm talking about now, the Miami Heat, who (as of this moment), has a 10 win-8 loss record. Not the starting record media and critics are fantasizing about. Even me, i was surprised in their current state right, although i know that it's too early to judge them, 'cause it takes time for a team to know each other and to function altogether, to run on the same wavelength. There has been a wide outspread of hate to the Heat, for the fact that they went into major overhaul and grab three superstars, most especially, James' former team, The Cleveland Cavaliers. From the day that he made the famed "Decision", outpouring of degrading and bashful words were thrown to the labelled "King". Fans from Cleveland felt that they were stabbed in the back and left for dead. Now, almost twenty games this season, i think Cleveland has a lot to say on Miami's disappointong start.

What's wrong with the Miami Heat?

A day from now (i mean, the 2nd of December), LeBron James and Co. are headed to Cleveland, Ohio, to face the Cavaliers for the first time this season. Expect waves of boos around the arena. Once James's home, now, a very hostile Quicken Loans Arena awaits him, entering the heart of the Lion's Den. Tensions could surface during the 48-minute battle, not between the players, i'm talking about LeBron and the fans. On how should LeBron response to the boos he'll hear for the entire game? According to an NBA Legend, LeBron should embrace the hate of the fans. That's what Reggie Miller says, who's had a fair share of bad guy image during his prime with the Indiana Pacers, been rivals with Spike Lee and the New York Knicks from his heydays. A quote from NBA News-AP:

"When you have 20,000 people yelling and screaming at you, four other guys can concentrate on the floor. So every time I touch the basketball and everyone is yelling and chanting and doing things towards me, well four other guys can concentrate. I knew I could concentrate through that and I hope he takes that approach."

So, from this hour onwards, we'll just have to wait and see how will LeBron handle the pressure his former fans will slam to him on his homecoming. On how will he respond? Let's just find out tommorow. Tune in to your televisions tomorrow, to witness history - Where Hating Happens.

Goodbye, NU 107..

A sad day for Filipino rock music enthusiasts, indeed.

Upon reading different blogs and articles, i learned today that NU 107, "The Home of New Rock", will be closing it's curtains on November 7, 2010 --- a day away before i just found it out. It's sad to know that my most favorite radio station won't be airing anymore in favor of changing it's format to mass demographic image, where they'll be inserting pop music and the likes of it. The cited reason was a financial decision on the owner's part. I remember the first time i listened to NU 107 is when i'm still in high school, and it's my elder sister who introduced that station to me. I think i was third year back then. From that day onwards, i've been an avid rock music fan --- something that hadn't change up to now. One of the reasons why i started listening to rock music is because of NU 107. I find solidarity and peace when i'm listening to the "Home of New Rock".

Even though i'm miles away from my homeland, i never stopped listening to NU. I'm listening to the station through cyberspace, so i can still get updated to the latest rock music happenings in the Philippines. They even have their own awards show for rock artists, the NU Rock Awards. It held it's last show on October 29, 2010. It was very sentimental for everyone around the venue, most especially for the fans, including me. There will be no NU Rock Awards anymore, even though it is now recognized as a prominent award-giving body.

It's been 23 years since their inaugural airing. For 23 years, they've connected to thousands and thousands of pure avid rock fans all over the country --- and all over the world, for those who are living away from the Philippines. Whatever happens, NU 107 will always be the sanctuary of rock. I hope that the rock music picture there will not just burn out and die, mainstream or underground, because of this pivotal event, hence, become more powerful than ever before. Let it not end. It's been almost a decade from the first time i listened to it, and i know i'll miss those days banging my head in the air, clenching my fist, and singing 'til my throat sored, without any regard for human life. Even though i'm not the rebellious teenage guy i once was, i owe a piece of my life to NU 107. I'll miss NU 107, for it has become one of the reasons why rockistas (like me) are united in one piece.

I know there are good things to happen one day. Everything doesn't last forever, but we all know, the legacy of it will continue to live within us. Truly, it has been one heck of a joyful and crazy ride.

Philippine Rock Music scene will never be the same again.

Goodbye, NU 107.

Long live Rock! NU 107! "Home of Nu Rock"

This is it for now. I'm Chris, Signing-off.

Good day.

Bubble Jungle

DAMN!

I just read an article of Mr. Daniel Wagner about the Hong Kong tourist hostage-taking drama and, what the author says, as the Miss Universe fumble. All the points that he mentioned were irritatingly true and accurate that it pierces my eardrum even though there's no sound coming out from the article. I think it's those things that clearly exposes a certain entity's weakness. For this topic, the entity that i'm talking about is none other than my country, The Republic of the Philippines.

He actually didn't only put his focus on the mishandled hostage crisis, nor in the Miss Universe crackdown, but, The Philippines in general: right at the hot seat. He said that, we're supposed to be moving forward to economic growth and political stability. Instead, it is the opposite that is being practised while the whole wide world witness our eventual fall from grace. From the first lines of the article that he wrote, the guilt feeling creeped up to my skin, 'cause in most of the ways, the things he said are true. We settle on what we currently have right now: being a Third-World country --- a spot we're not categorized decades ago. I know it's nice to be simple and be contented on what you have, but we mostly choose to be settled on something unsettling and on a not-so-promising future. Like a bubble. It pops up, very beautiful, but goes off when touched or blown away, in just a nick of time. We're just fine on a less-guaranteed future, even though there's a lot of closed window of opportunities, waiting to be opened. It's not easy to swallow the fact that we're being compared to Indonesia --- the country that took years and years to reunite them all and the place where the most corrupted leader in the history of the world had lived. In our present time, their country shows hope --- something we're not able (or maybe "not capable anymore") to develop. They let their voices be heard, but in a sense that they don't expect too much from each other. So, what does this say about my country's future? Not good at all..

We've been the "apple of the eye" of the world last year because of the journalists-violence-related news that captured the whole world's attention - The Maguindanao Massacre. Now, the Hostage-taking drama of chinese tourists, courtesy of a disgruntled police officer, shared the same international spotlight. I would like to quote Mr. Wagner on this one:

"Filipinos should not therefore be surprised that the Philippine police tried to negotiate with the hijacker of the Chinese tourist bus well after a reasonable period of time had passed, negotiations had failed, and the lives of the tourists were clearly in jeopardy. Police from a variety of other nations would have simply killed him at the first opportunity, regardless of the fact that he was a former colleague. This SWAT team knew how to get the results that were required, but they failed to do so. Why? Their priorities were misaligned. The safety of the hostages should have been paramount - not the fanciful notion that a man who is desperate enough to take hostages would somehow come to his senses at the height of the crisis."

He's quite right in this one. Their top priority should have been the safety AND the lives of the hostages, NOT the life of the agitator, who in many ways, was already given an ample amount of time to surrender peacefully. But, of course, it did not happen that way, so, violence erupted afterwards. A lot of casualties, including the ex-police-officer-turned-madman. This wouldn't had happened if their priorities were given proper attention. On the flip side, i cannot blame the policemen, because they tried their best to accomplish their job --- it's their superiors who were supposed to be responsible on deciding what's the next step. Well, to all the casualties of the mentioned tragedy, may you all rest in peace.

Continuing to his next point, he talks about the Miss Universe fallout. About this one, i have mixed reactions about the comments to our representative. With all due respect to Ms. Maria Venus Raj, i'm proud of her for doing her best to claim the prestigious crown, although it fell short. I'm not being bias, because of the reason we have the same nationality. I just know how acknowledge someone else's effort. BUT ---- to reason out senselessly and making excuses is another matter. I don't think she had been chosen if she doesn't have the backbone to be the one. Nervous? Yeah, it's understandable, but everyone's nervous, too. It's an international spectacle. Who wouldn't get nervous? If she was only able to come up with a better response to the question asked to her (were viewers from my country are complaining that the "question is too hard"), she could've been basking in glory right now and earns utmost recognition throughout the entire nation. In a competition like this, you can't expect shortcuts to prominence. Physically, mentally and spiritually, whoever she is, she must be ready. Making terrible excuse is one load of crap. Oh well, better luck next time.

I take Mr. Wagner's criticism on a positive note. It is constructive and it's something we should build up on to. We want change, we can make it happen. Philippines, in general, is on rebuilding process that may take forever to happen, but i don't care. We're not bubbles who pops out when needed, then goes off when someone was needed to be held accountable, hence, we'll just be a jungle of bubbles. I hope that one day, our foot is back on a place where we once was. It's not impossible.

Good day.