OMG!

“Oh my gosh...” Usher sings to me so loud. I’m looking where the sound comes from. I was exploring my hand under my pillows until it feels a vibration. The sound becomes louder that I can’t bear hearing it anymore. My eyes are still half-opened when I reached my phone and just by then I thought, it was not Usher singing to me, it was him waking me up.


It’s my phone’s alarm! I tried to open my eyes a little wider until to my surprise it read a note “Gising Kuya!” I immediately remembered that before I went to bed, I was exchanging messages with Kuya. Nope! He’s not my brother, let me say he’s someone special but I can’t yet completely draw the line between lovers and friends at that point in time. It’s something to share in another story.


So my memory was then refreshed that he asked me a favor last night. He wants me to wake him up by 5am because he needs to take a walk and have some fitness exercises before going to school. So, I hurriedly sent him a message saying, “Good Morning Kuya! Gising na po. Have a great day. God bless!” Wow! How sweet of me.
Good thing that he replied in just a jiffy telling me he was awakened by my SMS. Before ants could finally fill the short messaging lines connecting us, I let him do his activity first as I plan to go back to dreamland. But it seems like I already had my eyes opened and I felt the push for leaving my bed. So sooner than doing anything else, I put my hands together, closed my eyes once more and thanked God for giving me another day of enjoying the gift He has given me and said AMEN. I folded my blanket and placed it above my pillow, and smoothed down my bed linen.


I subsequently stood up and saw my brother on the upper bed of our double deck. He was still sleeping so I was budging his butt while calling his name trying to wake him up. But he’s like frozen grease that can’t be moved from the bottle, so I just went nearer to our ajar door and smelled aroma of fried eggs and hot coffee. I opened the door widely and saw my mother preparing my brother’s lunch box. I came close to the sink, washed my face and gargled.


I entered our room again, got my two phones, one for Sun Cellular and the other for my Smart line. I brought it with me to the dining table, pulled a stool and sat down. I know I am now ready for breakfast, my taste buds told me so. I opened a sachet of choco drink, scooped powdered milk and poured hot water to my mug. I went back to my seat and held my chow friends, Mr. Fork and Ms. Spoon. Mom was talking to me and I was babbling with the food on my mouth.


After finishing my revitalizing meal, I went to the sink and brushed my teeth. I checked my phones, replied to some messages and just read those usual ‘Good Morning’ SMS. Just before becoming overwhelmed with texting, I was startled when I recalled that my first class on a Tuesday-Thursday schedule is my 3 units on Education at 7:30 am. Time check! It’s already 6:15am. OMG! So I immediately reached my towel hanged on my brother’s bed and collected the shampoo, hair conditioner, face cleanser and bath soap in our water dipper. Off to the waters!


Water temperature check first! Brrr! The water is colder than my body warmth. But I have to do it. I need to take a bath now and as fast as I could. After 15 minutes of eventually enjoying the water, I headed to our room. My brother is already awake so I now have the freedom in our shared room. I put on my contact lenses, rolled on my deo, applied my facial cream and wore my Comm-Arts senior’s uniform for a Thursday, all in a fast pace. I fixed my bag, took out my make-up stuff and faced the mirror on the wall. Putting on my make-up though the ticking of the clock is in express is part of my daily routine already. But instead of talking to my imaginary friend in the mirror as I always do, I just put on my school-girl make-up. I got my things, bag, books, notes, and folder then left the room.


I approached the fridge and got my daily allowance which is always placed by my father above the cooling appliance the night before. I wore my black leather shoes and checked my phone once more, it displayed 3 messages received. OMG! I want to open the messages but since it’s already 7am on the clock, and it is a must to leave the house 30 minutes before the class begins, so I just went on my way. I greeted my family goodbyes and faced the bright sunny morning the world offered. While walking myself to the main road, I put on my ear phones and opened my phone’s music player. I chose to play lively songs to energize me for the day ahead.


Leading to the stop, I checked my phone’s unread messages while waiting for a jeepney. Upon finding a Bangkal-Magsaysay jeepney, I took a ride and underwent the accustomed traffic jam in an early morning rush on the streets. It was nothing new, so I just said my prayer, “Lord! ‘Di lang unta ko ma-late. Fufu!” Roughly 20 minutes after, I reached Mercury on Planet Earth – Mercury Drugstore, the corner of the street in walking distance to the university. I quickly reached the school gate, greeted my favorite security guard while looking at the school clock – 7:27am. OMG!
I hastily went upstairs and just in time upon arriving at the door of room 302, the bell rang. I took my seat on the 1st of the 2nd row at the right side of the room. OMG! Inhale! Exhale! I composed myself and arranged my things. Then held my phone and sent Kuya a message saying, “Here at school. See you later! :)”

A Merry Christmas in SM City Davao

The pioneer SM mall in the Mindanao region opened to the public their grand Christmas centerpiece.

The official opening of the Holiday season in the supermall was engrossed in a Light-Up ceremony, 5:00 PM on November 12, 2011 at the SM Event Centre. The program was flickered with a number of golden voices who serenaded the audience during the pre-event, the University of the Immaculate Conception Girls’ Choir, University of South Eastern Philippines Harmonica Chorale, Matina Aplaya Children’s Choir, University of Mindanao Chorale and the Sta. Cecilla Chorale. Following, the SM Davao Branch Manager welcomed the people and said, “Mindanao’s premiere shopping destination ushers you in the merriest celebration of the Christmas Season.” They proudly showed the Behind-the-Scenes of their Christmas Jingle which is sang by the Filipina YouTube sensation, Maria Lourdes Aragon. Her music video with the song “Christmas ChriSMs Bop 2011” was played in preparation of the unveiling of the Christmas Centerpiece located at the 2nd floor Exhibit Area between SM appliance Center and SM Department Store.


The crowd yelled upon seeing PBB teen Season 3 Big Winner, James Reid, sitting at the centerpiece. The rest of the SM Davao officials were there as well, alongside Mutya ng Davao 2010, Ms. Janelle Tee and the Master of Ceremony, Mutya ng Davao 2009, Resa Angeli Rizada. They opened the big Christmas gift where Santa Claus was inside. While he was giving gifts, Nica Tupas, entertained the people with her lovely singing of Christmas songs. The second part of the program was a mini show for the fans of James Reid. The Aussie teen star amused everyone with his moves, grooves, guitar playing and singing.

The entire extravaganza was well attended not just by avid SM shoppers but of innumerable Davaoneos. Even Hon. Mayor Inday Sara Duterte came to visit and take a photo with her family at the mall’s grand Christmas Centerpiece. Indeed, the colorful piece in SM City Davao isn’t a mere display but a new glamorous spot everyone would love to visit. The rest of the SM Supermalls in the country has also launched the Christmas season and promises a lot of exciting activities to come. For more joyous events, you can check www.smsupermalls.com and see updates.

NORMAL LiFE -- With or without the NORMS?

“Life is what we make it.”


I would always hear and read people’s statements about life as aforementioned. As what we make life is how it is defined, is something I’ve always debated inside my mind. Upon enrolling myself in the course Oriental Philosophy, there have been a lot of thoughts that I have invited to linger into my mind. Visions of various philosophers which all pertain to how we ought to live our lives and their principles are all that amounts to my bewilderment.


The widely-known Confucius and Lao-Tzu, whom both I first learned of in my History books back in Secondary school, are the two who have presented their viewpoints on the wisdom of life.


A wise man once said... WAIT! Which man was it?


Taoism is of Lao-Tzu. It is known as a stream of thought which revolves around different but interconnected religious and philosophical traditions and concept. It mainly concentrates on nature, men-cosmos correspondence, health, longevity, wu wei (action through inaction), liberty, immortality and spontaneity. Taoist ethics underline compassion, moderation and humility, which are considered to be its three jewels.


Confucianism evolved and spread around the same time as Taoism. However, Confucianism has developed from the teachings of the Chinese philosopher, Confucius. The fundamental premise of Confucianism is the importance of education for the moral development of the individual. If an individual develops morals, the state would not have to use its coercive powers to regulate the life of the people. The people themselves will refrain from doing something wrong.


Like Taoism, Confucianism also had a huge impact on East Asian countries. Confucianism is a complicated system of social, moral, quasi-religious, political and philosophical thought. There are 7 themes of the Confucian thought which form the base of Confucianism. They are Ritual, Relationships, Filial Piety, Loyalty, Humanity, The Gentleman and Rectification of Names.


Taoism and Confucianism are told be two of China’s oldest and most pervasive philosophies. They are said to have arose during roughly the same period in Chinese history, called the Hundred Schools of Thought, a time often marred by unrest and feudal strife. Both philosophies reflect this, as their overarching goals are to seek order and harmony in one’s life, relationship with society, and the universe.


Upon aiming to understand the two, I can say that it is Confucianism that abides with norms while it is Taoism that merely goes with the flow of things. To my mind, life is intricate. Spending it based on standards would help it become more intricate. Customs based on our morality is a form of discipline yet it is also important for us to realize that not everything is meant to be controlled. In having control, there is direction but it does not equate to fullness. In fullness, we mean bliss and pleasure.


In the angle I’m in, life should be translated into freedom. It is supposed to be in accord to nature. It is Taoism which is based on coming into harmonious alignment with elemental patterns of change. It is central to this alignment with the patterns of the natural world, cultivating sensitivity to qi, life-force energy which animates all living things.


As one achieves such an alignment with the patterns of the natural world - their wisdom and power - one gains experiential access, also, to the source of these patterns: the primordial unity out of which they arose, named as the Tao. At this point, ones thoughts, words and actions will tend, quite spontaneously, to produce health and happiness, for oneself as well as ones family, society, world and beyond. One will have attained the highest virtue ("De") and be on the path leading to the realm of Immortality - the summit of Taoist practice.


Yes, immorality it is. In complete contrast to Confucianism’s peak which is morality. But I can perceive immortality as something not in a negative state. It is liberty from mores of humanity yet to fullness of life. I can stand and prefer Taoism over Confucianism.




I have read something about Taoism which I perfectly agree with. It goes like this, “A Clear mind comes from the wonderful fundamental essence given us by nature and is not a personal possession. Impartiality beyond any specific culture fosters clarity and deeper seeing. It is not hard to produce wisdom... what is hard is to have wisdom not interrupted.”

Although in the question, which is better, I am reminded of Lilian Dickson, an acknowledged missionary. She thought that “Life is like a coin. You can spend it any way you wish, but you only spend it once.” I agree to how she has thought of life. Indeed, life is what we make it. If we make it right, as to what we prefer as the meaning of right, then we made wise use of its once coming.


It still boils down to how an individual uses the gift God has blessed him with, the gift which we call life. Whether it may be through Confucius’ philosophy or through Lao Tzu’s, the most important thing is that while we have it we should grab hold of it for every second of a moment only happens once. There is neither a rewind nor pause on hand, only a matter of forward or worst, stop. Keep the PLAY button.