Turning the Tide: An outlook on Filipinos living in Italy

I've been out of my mother country for almost two years now, but somehow, i was able to picture how my countrymen cope up with their lives while they're miles away from their loved ones. And it's sad to say that most of them, not to criticize them, are living in a way most of them sees it as a "normal activity" --- out from God's guidance.

To give you a brief information on how does a normal Filipino run their lives here, here's a few things i was able to observe:

* They mostly focus their lives on working non-stop (something i'm not against to)

* Married people (mostly women) are having "third-party", to ease their longing for care.

* Moral and spiritual values doesn't seem to be important anymore.

Those are just a few things that i was able to crack from the day i set foot here. I'm not here to scrutinize them, but that's the reality of life here. I'm hoping that i can help them in any sort, to put them back on the right track.

Filipinos are known to be "natural born fighters" --- meaning, we fought very hard for what we want to have in life. We have to work hard for something we would like to achieve. Everything was not given for free. Nowadays, i can still see that kind of fierceful attitude --- but in a negative manner. They would fight hard to secure their families' future, but they would sacrifice the moral values that the elders had thought us. From the pointers that i've mention, the most that i would like to pinpoint is losing the moral and spiritual values. In exchange for a bright future, impatient decisions surfaces, just to provide the life they wanted for their loved ones. But, spiritual-wise, that's not supposed to be like that, especially in God's eyes. I remember one bible verse on Proverbs chapter 3, verse 5 to 6, that says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." See, God wants us to rely not on our hasty decisions, but to have faith and to trust our lives unto Him. I wish i would just close my eyes and dream of everything in the world will be alright, but of course i know it doesn't work like that. God gave us the knowledge to live right, we just need to use that knowledge properly. God would not lead us to a sorrowful life, we just have to follow him on the right path. I'm not talking here as a righteous and perfect person. 'cause everybody knows that we're all sinners and nobody's perfect, but He always forgives and always gives us a chance to have a happy and peaceful life --- if we'll just choose to.

I was able to ask a few fellow pinoys, mostly women, on why they can't stay faithful to their original partners in life. Most of them would say that their partners were the first ones who did something unfaithful, or some of them would say they just want comfort in times of loneliness, or you would here others reasoning that both of them doesn't have a job to provide their families' needs, so they would put their married life on the line and at risk. I asked them if they still go to church or at least pray, i was surprised to hear that most of them would rather go out and have a good time, do unusual stuff than to spare a few moments to ask for blessings and forgiveness. I prayed that one day, they'll open their eyes and their heart to ease the hardships they're currently undergoing.

I believe that the things i've mentioned are not only happening in Italy, but in the whole wide world as well. I just hope that one day, they'll have a different outlook in life. As a fellow filipino, i would like to help them in any way i can and to the fullest extent of my capabilities. United we stand, united we fall. And i know that the things that i've said may sound far fetched, but there's nothing impossible in life. We can turn things from "deniable to acceptable". God works in miraculous ways. Amen to that.

Good day to everyone.

Thank you, Life...

It's been more than a year now since i left the Philippines to find better luck and greater opportunity here in Denmark. I may had ups and downs, glories and struggles, but one thing's for sure: i had a wonderful time wandering and living here. My life was rejuvenated from the first day i stepped into this beautiful land. My life, somehow, took a turn from everything-else-failed mentality to there's-always-another-chance mindset. I'm close to giving up fixing my terrible past life (except the love life, 'cause the past was very good, i just blew it.), having a hard time squeezing everything to make up for the time lost. Each passing days, it feels like that i wanted to give up, and i did grew tired, eventually --- the past ME. The selfish, prideful Me. Leaving my mother country for a foreign land was a complete gamble for me. But, this is something that can be seen as the "stroke that broke the camel's back". What i mean is, in just one snap, my life suddenly had the greatest turnaround that i ever experienced, from the day i set foot here. Little do i know that there's already something happening that started the inevitable: Finding myself back in the arms of God. He guided me to go back to the life i once had. My day of redemption came.

Things did not really went the way i planned it. It also has been a rocky-road adventure. But, the thing is, it made me more mature and looked at life in a different perspective. I cannot say it was very spectacular, but i know, it's something worthwhile and gave a lot of lessons in life. I gained God's glory once again, gained new friends and learned new things. I'm praying to continue and maintain my relationship with God --- this time, for good. No turning back, always looking forward.

To be given a chance to live in a foreign soil, can already be called a privilege. So, for me, it is a great privilege for me stay here, even though it's on a limited basis. Denmark played a very big role in altering my life. I quite had a major reconstruction of myself. I've adjusted very well to the lifestyle and culture that they have here. I'm also surrounded by my new found friends, friends that was given to me by God. They've been there all the time, good times and in bad. I just feel sad that i'm leaving them behind, but, emotionally and spiritually, we will forever be attached to one another. I never shared the same bonding to anyone before, like what we had here. What makes it more unique is, that we have different nationalities, so we have different things to offer. We learned each others traits, cultures and knowledges. I'll forever cherish the time i spent with them. We may or may not see each other again physically, but, by faith, our lives will always be together through the eyes of God.

Thanks for the wonderful and amazing adventure with you, guys.

It's now time for me to take another step to a very long chapter of my life. I know that someday, the things that happened to me here in Denmark will play a vital role on what i will become in the future. To all my relatives, friends, and to everyone that shared their life, thank you very much, 'cause that means a lot to me. I would also like to give thanks to the church i'd been a part of. They were a bunch of nice people who had become a family to me. I was welcomed with open arms from the first day, and i know, when one day i come back, they're still the loving people that i knew from the very start. More power to Copenhagen Community Church. And thanks to God, he lead me once again to follow the path of righteousness. Thanks to the life that i had here, even for a short, but a memorable, special time.

May God bless you all..

Amen.

"If Life gives you a thousand reasons to cry, show Life that you have a million reasons to smile"

Feel The Orange!

Roskilde Festival. The biggest rock festival in the whole Scandinavian region. Four days of peace, music, culture and humanism. (actually, it's at least 9 or 10 days, including the "warm-up" days, hehehe...). On the lighter side, days of rest, relaxation, and eccentricity. Why is that so? You'll witness different weirdness during the camp, but in a way, you'll enjoy the odd approach of the people at the festival. To give you a little history about the festival: It was started by two high school students in 1971, and considered as one of the five biggest music festivals in the entire Europe (the other four being Sziget Festival of Hungary, Glastonbury Festival of UK, Paleo Festival of Switzerland, and Rock Werchter of Belgium). What does the Orange feeling brings to us? It can be something extremely wild and break free, but not in the other's expense; Days and days of partying at the camping areas, forgetting the outside world for the mean time; Meeting people that you would not otherwise met; Or it could be just a simple explanation of diverse community of people united in celebration and joy, created by more than a 100,000 different people, around the world --- That could be the Orange Feeling.

The CD Cover that i made.

I left home on the 25th of June, and i wasn't even feeling very well. That day, is the start of the check-in for campers, inlcluding the volunteers for the festival, 'cause i'm a volunteer as well. From Copenhagen to Roskilde, i was quite ok during my travel, until i arrived at the check-in area. My first attempt to check-in was unsuccessful, 'cause i forgot to bring an ID with a photo. Then after that, i felt very dizzy and nauseous. Then i decided to go to my friend's house a few kilometers away from Roskilde, but even before reaching her place, i vomitted liters of water, TWICE. And the thing is, i don't know what the heck happened to me. So, i rested there for a couple of hours, after that i proceeded to going back home to get an ID and then, went back to Roskilde to check-in and get my festival wrist band. Whew! Tiring isn't it?

The following day, June 26th, i went at the festival site as early as i can for me to be able to set up my tent on the best possible spot that i can get. Fortunately, i was able to put my tent up on a very nice spot, in my own opinion. That day i don't have any scheduled work for the organization i volunteered for, so, that's the right time for me to explore the whole festival grounds.

Camp site view at the Roskilde Festival.

It's already crazy, even if it's just the first day of the event. Overflowing of drunken people and noisy bunch of teenagers flock the area on it's maiden day of the festival. What i did most on the first day is to observe the environment, as it is my first time to be in a music festival and another thing is, i went there all by myself. I made some friends right away (Norwegian friends to be precise) after putting up my tent, and they're kind of nice. After putting it up, we sat on the grass, had some chips, beer and wine before we put up the pavilion tent (that's where we all sit around and get drunk, hehe..)

On the other side from our camp site, a big skateboard area stands there. Mostly of the so-called "warm-up" days, activities are going on there. Some of the activities, you can call "mini extreme games". Guys showing their stuff on the field with the equipment of their choice: A skateboard? A roller skate? A BMX bike? Pick your poison. During the day, people gather around the place to witness some gravity-defying, eye-popping acts that could wow people around, or, make them scream in anguish if the attempt failed in epic proportions. Just as easy as that.

The skate board area. A few steps away from my camp site.

One thing about Roskilde Festival this year is, the sun shone all the time with one exception from wednesday, 28th of June, when they day started gloomy and a bit windy, as well. But other than that, 'til the last day, the sun mightily spreads out the heat wave (heat wave? is that too much?) beneath us. But from the historical standpoint of the festival, the hottest year the event encountered was of last year, 2009, 40 years since it's inception. And to tell you, i'm quite dark right now while writing this, and my skin is starting to peel off the sunburn i had. There are also years that the festival experienced rain, as 2007 being the wettest one yet, by a very large margin. Most of the people left to watch concerts and do some other stuff, only to find later that their tents are flooded. Even though this is one of the rain-plagued festival, people still enjoyed their stay, played in the mud, and made the most out of it.

A photo from Roskilde Festival 2007. Flooded tents.

Another things about Roskilde Festival is that, they not only focused with concerts, they also have recreational and earth-friendly activities, not to bore the guests. They have a place where you can record a demo song, create your own album cover, play The Invaders and Pacman using guitars and keyboards (weird, isn't it?), free internet access, photo galleries of the past Roskilde Festivals, and so much more to tell that i don't remember the others. There's also a place where eco-friendly people show their stuff to help battle the ongoing effects of climate change. There's also an area where gamers are so welcome, as they have PC's and gaming consoles to put together in one place, avid gamer fans (just like me). So, you're not just stuck with watching bands performing, you can do a lot of things right at the heart of Roskilde Festival.

Foods are also one part of the festival that made it great, although if you're not prepared, it might look at bit expensive to buy foods there, like going to a war without enough ammos for your gun. But, in a rightful conclusion, the food is great (even if the food that i ate the most are burgers and pizzas, hehehe...). It's more of a multicultural delicacies. You have scandinavian food, italian, mexican, indian food (from India, not the indians in the US), and many more to choose from. One thing i find weird is, i've been all through the whole festival site, but i never saw one store or bar that sells --- Coca-Cola. Yes, you read it right --- until i went to this one concert and beside of the stage is a mini-bar, with Coke! So, i grab the opportunity to buy at least one cup (attention: one cup of Coca-Cola (0.5L) costs 25 danish krones). There, i quenched my thirst under the blazing hot sun.

The Orange Stage - Roskilde Festival's symbol, circa 1971.

After the warm-up days, the main festival site opens. My eyes were amazed to see the Orange Stage, first-hand. It was very beautiful. It's the one that symbolizes Roskilde Festival. This year marked the 40the year anniversary of the fest. Other than the festival, they also held a, somewhat, a Memorial Day, for the casualties of 2000 Festival accident. 9 people died --- 3 Danes, 3 Swedes, a German, an Australian, and a Dutch --- were crushed when people started rushing towards the Orange Stage, during the Pearl Jam concert. Before the accident in 2000, Roskilde Festival is considered to be one of the safest festivals. So the following year, massive revision with regards to safety were made, to avoid similar accidents. This year, is the 10th year of their passing and they made a memorial grove in which every year people place flowers in honor of the young people's memory. I wasn't able to witness the commemoration, but my heart is with the people who help ease the pain from the families' victims of the tragic accident.

When the main festival site opened, that's when the big-name bands starts performing. The first day of the concert, i was there, and Gorillaz were performing. Quite a wonderful experience for someone like me who never goes to places like that, and i think i lost my voice singing with 60,000 people at the same time in the tune of "Clint Eastwood". The last time i went to the Orange Stage is on the 3rd of July, to see The Prodigy perform. 3 hours prior to their concert, i'm already on the line, waiting for Muse to finish their performance. I was able to go in the front of the stage, meaning in the front pit, where all craziness happens. When Prodigy played "Breathe", all hell breaks loose. Boys and girls, we all jump like crazy lunatics with no regard for human life. I was even hit with an elbow to my cheek bone by someone i didn't see. So, as we swing our elbows and kick our legs randomly, whoever gets hit, well, all we (or should i say, "I") can say is --- sorry. After that song, most of the girls (well, there's still some brave women who stayed and wrestled with every men inside the lion's den) who entered the front pit decided to go out and leave all the banging for the tough ones. The banging is so hard that i didn't felt that i lost my wallet, only when i decided to get out, then i noticed my wallet is gone from my back pocket. Good thing, there's no money inside of it, but my klippekort (the card that i use for transportation) is there. So, out of guts and natural instincts, i still tried my best to look for that and used my mobile phone as it has a flashlight --- right in the middle of the crowds' furious frenzy. The thing that i did not gave up looking up for is admirable, one guy in the crowd said, and miraculously, i found it. So, after that, i decided to go out completely, in fear of losing it again.

I decided to go home sunday morning, 4th of July. I started packing my things right after waking up. I left almost noon, but with no regrets, and a smile painted in my face. Truly, Roskilde Festival opened my eyes to a wild, crazy, joyful world of peace and music. I'm already satisfied with what i had experienced, even if there's one more day of celebration. I've done my part for volunteering and helping the organization i signed up for, and for that, i want to say thank you for the people, who let me experience and join them to this annual event that i'll forever remember for the rest of my life. For the guys that i met during the festival, see you when i see you.

Some of the guys i worked with in the organization i volunteered.

Overall, the festival is one overwhelming experience and i'm looking forward to doing it again. These are the days that you can seclude yourself for a while, have a drink, go to a very big party, and enjoy life. Roskilde Festival epitomizes unity, camaraderie, friendship and peace. As years goes by, i'm expecting that the flame of the Orange feeling continues to burn and let the aura and power of music flow for the next hundreds and hundreds of years to come.

Long Live the Orange feeling!

Rock on!

Tillykke med fødselsdagen til mig!..

Hehehe, if you notice that the title is in a different language, well, it's the danish form of, "Happy Birthday to Me!", 'cause today i celebrate my almost-quarter-of-a-century stint here on earth, as one of my friend says, (thanks Philip.. hehe..). In short, i'm 24 years old now and counting. So, first, i want to thank God for staying with me all the time, good or bad. Next, my family and friends that have always there to support me through thick and thin.. This is one of the best birthdays that ihad in my life, even though it was not that exciting for me, (hehehe.. peace...). One of the simplest, yet, very wonderful for me. That's how i see life now: appreciate all the simple things in life, then you'll appreciate all the good (and the bad as well) things in life. If not for those events (or should i say catastrophes?! hehe, so exaggerated..), i wouldn't be where i am right now (although i haven't accomplished anything in my life). For all the friend, relatives, close friends, even enemies (if ever they remembered my birthday), i want to say a very big THANKS TO ALL OF YOU. You made my day one simple, happy day. That's all i need. May you all be blessed. Godspeed

May the force be with you!

To infinity and beyond!!

=)

That's what Friends are for...

"A friend is one of the nicest things you can have, and one of the best things you can be."

How do you define friendship? Is it measured by how many times he/she stands by your side? Can they be, next to God and Family, your alternative resource of comfort and guidance? For you, how do you define friendship? Sometimes, words are not enough to explain what friendship can be. Nowadays, it's hard to recognize who your real friends from the masked ones. What i mean by "masked" is, someone pretends to be your friend, but when you turn your back on them, they're much worse than Lucifer (aahhh, maybe it's too harsh to be much worse than the fallen angel.. Maybe Judas is enough.. hehehe..)

In my 23 years on planet earth (turning 24, 36 days from now), i've learned a valuable lesson about friendship. I don't think my case is as bad as everyone around the world, but, sometimes, you feel deserted or disregarded with the "friends" that you call. They're not the person you expected them to be. Sometimes, you're having thoughts about your friends, that he/she is like these or like that, but one good thing i've learned, is to let them show their true colors, without making any effort to make them show it. Friends are tested mostly on hard times, the times that you need a shoulder to lean on to. Someone that won't stab you on the back and let you fall from grace. There was a time that i felt i'm on my own, in good times and bad. Then, suddenly, there are voices that rang to my ears and offered their backbone for help. Those are the true friends that i really can count on to. These days, friends like that seems so impossible to have. But, fortunately, i've proven myself wrong, as i found real friends, in good times and in bad, will be there to lend a hand.

"Friendship isn't a big thing - it's a million little things."

Yep, friendship is a million little things scattered everywhere for you to put together into one single piece. I think in my own opinion, the components to build an everlasting relationship are: Trust, Loyalty, Understanding and Faith. Well, it's easier said than done, but, i think those are the words need not to be mentioned, but something to be done. For example, there are instances that a friend seems to bear all the problems in the world, share your smile to them. In those little things you start to make them realize that they're not alone in this world, that there's someone who cares for them.

"Only your real friends will tell you when your face is dirty."

Real friends will not lie to you, even if it means hurting your feelings. They listen to what you rely to them and then they understand you. Simple as that. There are so-called friends who would lie to you for their own benefit, OR maybe, on the contrary, it might be the best thing to do. But, from my past experiences, i have real friends who offered advices that completely changed the course of my life. Those are the people that you can look up to. That's something you can be as well to your friends. There are times that all i can offer for a friend is a prayer. Well, i do that always, but that's my last resort. The Best last resort. I think that's the nicest way to help them in every aspects in life. Try prayer, it really works.

"A true friend never gets in your way unless you happen to be going down."

The real friend. As what i have mentioned earlier, they say the truth even if it hurts you, but they won't let you sink down into oblivion. They'll grab you and pull you away with all their strength to keep your feet on the ground and your head held high. Sometimes, besides from family, friends can be your great motivators. They urged you to do things that you think sounds far fetched. Yeah, there are things that looks and sounds impossible to be done, but with the help of your real friends and God, nothing's impossible. To hell with the masked ones, let them burn in hell, hahaha! I'm just joking. At this instance, friendship can make a very strong bond, especially amidst crises and hardships in life. Whenever you want them, wherever they are, whatever circumstances it could be, however it may be, real friends always gives a shoulder to cry on.

So, what do you think defines friendship? It's for you to know. The world is round. Always hope for the best, but always expect the worse to happen. In times of distress, who you gonna call? Hehehe, not the Ghostbusters. Just real friends. In this world, nothing 's unattainable. Animate your world. Good day.

"The most I can do for my friend is simply be a friend. "

Stop!: Response to paintmy-world.com's Blog

NO TO TUITION FEE INCREASE.

Just read a blog entry by Keiyt about the planned tuition fee increase for the incoming freshmen students of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines. Keiyt, i disagree on you.

Natural reaction or human nature ang naging response ng mga iskolar ng bayan nang marinig nila ang balitang itataas na ang tuition fee ng PUP, although hindi ko pinapaboran yung ginawa nilang ipaglalaglag yung mga lamesa at bangko mula 6th floor hanggang ground floor, then sinunog. Come on, guys, be cool. Consequences of your actions will come later, and the school administration will try to find a way or worse, sue everyone involved in the protest. I know you guys are not scared on whatever imposing threat the school admin may have, but still, let's put everything on consideration first. Wala nang masyadong matitinong gamit ang pamantasan natin. You went way overboard with your reaction. Chill.

On the flip side, no one can blame why the students are so pissed that the protests suddenly erupted and they resorted into thrashing school properties. Maybe, it's one way for the students to show their dismay towards the school administration. Even me, i tend to disagree automatically. Lalo na sa panahon ngayon? Nakarecover na ba ang 'Pinas sa nagdaang krisis (na parang habangbuhay nang nakakabit sa bansa natin ang krisis mula pa sa Rehimeng Marcos)? Gumaganda na ba ang estado ng pamumuhay sa bansa natin? Ultimo sweldo nga sa trabaho, pahirapan ang dagdag na 12 pesos, tapos ang itataas ng tuition fee, dalawang libong porsiyento? Naman.. Be reasonable.

As a PUPian, (di pa ako tapos sa studies ko. Supposed to be 3rd year na ako, Mechanical Engineering), i sympathize with all the students around the campus about this incoming tuition fee increase. It's very disappointing to know that in times like these, they just suddenly decided to increase it. Oo, siguro sa sinabi ni Keiyt sa blog nya na, mapagtitiyagaan naman yung ganung klaseng tuition fee --- kung maayos ang trabaho ng mga magulang ng estudyante O kung walang trabaho ang magulang, may maayos ding trabaho yung mga estudyanteng gustong pagsabayin ang pag-aaral at trabaho. Tsaka sa sinabi mong can't afford, nakakapagpantig ng tainga yung sinabi mo. Kung kaya mong bayaran yung ganung tuition fee, eh di ikaw magbayad. At bago mo idamay lahat ng mag-aaral sa sinabi mong mga reklamador na may panggastos sa kung anu-ano, tingnan mo sarili mo sa salamin at baka ikaw mismo eh ginagawa mo din yung mga binanggit mo. Kinakahiya mo mga activists ng school? Para mo na ring ikinahiya na galing ka sa PUP. Hindi ako activist, pero i do understand why they do things like that. We have our own free will to express our feelings and sentiments. I chose to stay quiet, they chose to let their voices heard in all corners of our land. AT kung sa palagay mo lahat ng estudyante eh mabibigyan ng scholarship, nagpapatawa ka. Sa palagay mo ba, kung lahat ng estudyante sa PUP eh mabibigyan ng full-granted scholarship, may magrereklamo ba nang ganyan?

To the school administration, please reconsider your decision. Not all the students are privileged people. We still have faith on you that you'll make a decision that'll benefit everyone. I know that there's a good reason why you prompted to make an increase on the tuition fee, and as you said in the news, it's the students who'll benefit with that increase you're planning to, but look also around the university that majority of the students came from less-privilege families. Think about it.

To fellow students, let's try to put arguments in a nice way. I do believe that proper communication can fix the gap between you and the administration. Just relax, and be reasonable as well. Destroying school properties is a very strong statement towards the school administration, maybe the administration also needs that kind eye-opening response, pero kayo din ang mawawalan ng mga gagamitin, lalo pa ngayon na matagal na panahon na ang mga kagamitan dyan at hindi pa rin napapalitan. Just look at what's best for everyone.

To the government, sana hindi kayo nagtataingang-kawali at nagbubulagbulagan sa isyung ito. Malapit na naman ang eleksyon, bagong termino na naman para sa inyo. Sana meron na kayong gawing aksyon sa mga ganitong klaseng problema, dahil sa mga paaralan din nagsisimula ang mga susunod na mamumuno at mamamahala ng ating bansa. Kung papabayaan niyo lang na ganyan ang mangyari sa mga mag-aaral, asahan niyong maraming boses ang dadaing sa inyo sa bawat araw nyo sa posisyon nyo sa gobyerno. Maraming mapanuring matang nakaantabay sa paligid nyo, kaya huwag niyong linlangin ang mga tao sumusubaybay sa bawat kilos niyo. Sana hindi totoo yung sinasabi ng iba na kumikilos lang kayo kapag malapit na ang eleksyon, para lang may maipakitang may ginagawa kayo. Bigyan nyo sana ng pansin 'to.

May you all have a good day.

Peace Out. Godbless.

Life as it is...

One year in Denmark. That's how time flies by. It was just like yesterday when i arrived here, then it's 365 days past already. Hmmmm, no one really can catch up with time. I really don't know if a lot of things happened to me for my year-long stay, but one things for sure, at least i enjoyed those times i was here. I don't know what's next for me in the coming days in my life. Well, i'll just have to wait for the next episode. Godspeed.

Good day...