Poetry 003: Where Do I Start?

Here's another poem I wrote to breathe out my emotion during one of the weakest point in my life.


Sometimes, life is too cruel, sometimes it's mind boggling. It's the reason why I took time to let my emotional distress out. One is, to release and breathe out loud. Two, to escape the monotony of my life during those trying times. Penning this poem was one great way to ease-out the unexplained paranoia I was suffering back then. It somehow helped me though. I was just in my life's lowest point that I'm so desperate what to do and where to start again.


Originally, I manuscripted this poem last June 2, 2001. On the contrary, it is nice sometimes when we're in a state of depression because it fuels us to think deeper, contemplate further, and meticulously plan the next step we must take ---afraid of committing the same mistakes again and again. I won't elaborate what went wrong that time but it was a thing that gravely frustrates me. After that rain, my optimism and drive for life heightened in great leaps and bounds. I know there is a God above who controls me and who direct my actions. I was able to bounce back. And before I deviate further, here's the poem I am talking about:

Poetry 002: Ashes of Burnt Eyebrows

I went scrolling down files in my post poems dot com account and my eyes easily captured this poem. Upon the sight of it, I quickly rolled down memory lane. The time when I was still teaching Grade School pupils in a school in Las Pinas where my Tito owned. Run and operated by his daughter and a cousin Bam. I was compelled to create one upon the constant proddings of our principal then. And so my creative side had to work and think of a great poem worthy of a graduation recital by my first honor pupil Ephraim Ders Murro - this kid was such a clever boy. He was a 4th grader then but think like he's a first year HS student. An error has no room for him which is why I should deliver well in my class just to live up to his expectations. He has this sword-sharp's memory. I can see myself in him when I was in grade school days since I'm really good at Math. I remember my Math teacher and also an adviser in Grade 4 giving me a flat grade of 97% in Math in our 3rd Quarter Period. Wow, the highest amongst my classmates. Well, siguro dahil talagang mahilig lang akong mag-aral noon..pero ngayon..hay buhay ni pag memorya kinakatamaran ko na at si kalimot na ako..hahaha. I hope I can still boost my memory --kelangan ko na sigurong uminom ng 'Memory Gap" --meron bang gatas na ganun? Lols...hahaha.

Food Review: The Burger Joint

Like what I've said in my previous post, I am not a full blooded fan of hamburger or simply burger. Normally, I can't finish a single order. If only there is this kind of serving like --half cut burger--I would probably has no trouble eating a single dine in or take away one. But last night I did and should since for me it's quite costly to have one burger at BJ - hehehe!

Today, I will share with you my (our) experience in this burger station situated just within the Dammam downtown area -- more specifically aligned with other food and restaurant variants store like the Pizza Co, Tony Romas, Burger King, and others I forgot to name. 

It's not even our first visit since we have had our first try probably a couple of months back with the same group of happy-diners Satt, Jimmy, Ryan and Me. Our frequent trips to any of the restaurants or food chains around is one of the reasons why I gained 10+ pounds.

Well, let us not focus on my weight, I can still run a sprint though or smash a badminton shuttlecock. It's still not a problem to me yet. So here are few items we collectively agreed to eat last night. But before that, we decided first to just have plain mineral water as our meal-enders drink. Hahaha! I don't know if it can be called a meal-ender since water is like a universal solvent that can be partnered with anything. Let's see what we've got.

POETRY 001 : Distance Won't Break Us Apart

It has been said that" a long distance relationship don't work or shall I say most of the time don't work". Well, I beg to disagree, hard as it may seem but it is still upon the agreement of the two opposites sex whether they'll continue or just let it fade away with time. We can never really tell nor we can predict of what's gonna happen. Suffice to say, it still up to the both of them.

"Distance isn't for the fearful, it is for the bold. It is for those willing to spend a lot of time alone in exchange for the little time with the one they love. It is for those who knows a good thing when they see it even if they don't see it nearly enough. It is for those who believe and continue to believe that distance won't necessarily break each other up."

We Got To Rise Up

We got to rise up! We can change this generation

We can be the voice, we can be the freedom. Let us come and stand.

We read the gruesome stories, the people in need. We can do amazing works. We can bring out the change we wanna believe in.

Let us be the change, let us be the difference. We are called to arms. We are the change we longed for. Let us not be subtle with our actions. Let us not be too lax with our resolve.

Let us get moving. Let us propel our instinctive creativity. Let us inspire the people we face everyday. Let us not bicker but create ways to re-unite and re-ignite our passion.

Marc Kielburger - Activist for Children's Rights

Marc Kielburger -- ikaw na!

Let's do some serious stuff right now.

Most of the time, it's emotionally rewarding to write about people whom you draw inspiration from even though meeting them is nowhere in sight for now or maybe not even for your entire life time.

Yesterday, Satt and I were riding in his car heading to the fancy city of Al Khobar for a very special purpose.

Along the way, while having a constant chat about some sensible things and a little rant complaining about his hungry stomach triggered by not finding a food shop to dine in for a supposedly late lunch at 3pm, I immediately noticed a billboard in one of the major roads of Al Khobar having Marc Kielburger's face along with other Arab dignitaries. Knowing a bit of what Marc do for a living, I quickly assessed that his presence in the Arab world is for a very important and upcoming event which I am sure caters for humanitarian purposes. The description was written in Arabic reason why I can't figure out what really it was. But my heart pounded instinctively that it is for a good cause.

Wake Up To Happiness

Wow, the title is so challenging!

Challenging nga ba?

Para sa akin, ang happiness is a state of mind. A state where no one can provide you. Only you can decide upon it. Don't fool me with statements like: "Oh! you made me happy. Your presence is a happiness to me. When you came into my life I became happier. Such a crap! (sorry, sinubukan ko lang gumamit ng curse na ganyan--it's not me..hahaha).

You can't derive, get, or achieve happiness by borrowing it from other people. Your happiness should come from WITHIN YOU- it comes from your inner core and you just let it transcends out.

Like what I've said, happiness is a state of one's mind. The things, people, and events that trigger you to pour out the already happy state in you are just all additions that heighten that state in you.

When I woke up today morning, I opened my laptop and randomly browse a video that touches my heart even more to my soul. It feels good to see this kind of gesture by COCA COLA Philippines to come-up with this idea. It's grand yet it's inspirational. The families involve was put spot-on and startled in awe of the unexpected Christmas gift to them. Check this video and feel good.

Our mind is an amazing instrument. When we truly learn to make use of our mind's potential, it's like having a big power tool that is much faster, easier, and more efficient - THAT IS -we can set our mind to whatever we want to. I am convinced that happiness or unhappiness depends on the way we meet the events of life than on the nature of those events.

So stay happy lang mga peeps, don't make a room for DAMN things but LOVE.

And so I say: "Wake up to happiness! Shake up the happiness! :))


Are you naturally a happy person?

The Accidental "Yogurt" Experience

It has been running for like a week or two now that every time we take our lunch we would visit Baskin Robbins after and feast with a pint-sized & sometime even on a cone ice cream as our dessert.

Today, after a quick lunch we head-off again to Awwal Street corner 1st Street where Baskin is located. But while we're about to take a left turn then straight to Baskin's location we saw this "Freshly Berry - Frozen Yogurt Cafe"---hmmm..sound like parang pambabae lang tong food store na to. Pero, out of curiosity, we entered in and check out what's the stuff inside. Siyempre yogurt ang dominant since yon ang nakalagay sa banner nila. We're hoping that somehow may ice-cream sila. Pero, kabayan Joseph Aldea- the store attendant who served us said it's purely yogurt. Immediately he handed us a taste-sampler while discussing a bit about their products. So, umiral na naman ang katakawan namin. Taste dito, taste doon. And bingo, masarap naman siya...hahaha..With our taste buds convinced, we abandoned the idea of going to Baskin. Right there and then, we began checking out the flavors. And they've got the following: Fresh Berry Tart, Vanilla, Pomegranate, Decadent Dark Chocolate, Classic Strawberry, and Mango.

The takaw-tingin gang checking out what flavor to try-out. While Joseph was busy giving details of what to try and what's the good choice.

The Curious Tag Game

It's been fast circulating in the blogging world. I have read I guess four entries from different bloggers and I was entertained by their answers. Some have shown boldness and courage to go through answering some thought-provoking questions. While others, on the other side of the tunnel, just play safe.

And jokingly prodding to "tag me in" to one of my blog mates Michymichymoo of I Am A Dekaphobic she gave in and re-edit her entry to include me in the list of tagged people. Thanks Michy for the gesture-- it's highly appreciated.

There are certain rules to follow for this game and below are the details:

1. Post these rules
2. Post 11 random facts about yourself
3. Answer the questions that the tagger set for you in their post
4. Create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer
5. Go to their blog and tell them they've been tagged

11 Random Things about myself:

1. I can't go out of my house without bringing a pen.
2. I just read philosophy and inspirational books
3. I am a fan of war movies --but definitely not a war freak
4. I so loved ancient history
5. If I'd be given a chance and with lots of money, I want to embark traveling the world.
6. I'm into checkered polos and long sleeves
7. I am a swimming & football junkie
8. I'm so obssessed with badmiton & can play competitively
9. At home, they call me "Jhun"
10. Sweet foods won't sell on me though I eat just a bit-- yeah just a bit!
11. I love mixing sauces when I eat (catsup, soy sauce, vinegar, hot sauce etc whatever are avail)

Ako Si Jay

Ako si Jay.

Palayaw lang ang gamit ko rito. Pero ang tunay kong pangalan ay Joven Rada Rafol, galing kami sa lahing Espanyol dahil ang aking "el abuelo" (grand father) and "la abuela" (grand mother) ay parehong half-Spanish. "El abuelo es muy alto" (my grand father is very tall). "La abuela mi bonita" (my grand mother is so lovely).

Kaya paminsanang natatawag din ako sa pangalang "Jovencio" ng aking mga childhood cousins and friends. Jovencio kasi ang nakalagay sa baptismal ko dahil ang paring nagbinyag sa akin ay isang purong Espanyol-- si Padre Caminse. Pero sa NSO ay Joven lang. 

Ako ay mahilig mag-isip, magbasa, at magsulat.

Paano ko nga ba nahulma ang ganitong karakter sa aking sarili?

Bata pa lang ako ay mahilig nang sumulat ng kung anu-ano sa mga dahon ng saging, sa lupa, sa biyak na kawayan, sa balat ng niyog, sa lamesa, sa bintana at higit sa lahat sa aking "notebook".

Tandang tanda ko pa noong anim at kalahating taon pa lamang ako nang nagpupumilit na ako sa nanay ko na i-enrol na niya ako sa Grade 1. Pero hindi umobra ang pagpipilit kong yon kasi ang required age sa G1 ay pitong taon. Di pa kasi uso noon ang pre-school. Wala pang nursery, kinder 1 & 2 and preparatory level.