Switching On the Sun

Among Star Wars fans, you'd know that famous line as from that of Darth Vader... It's similarly the same among fathers who have to fight for their rights over their children; not as "Darth Vader" though, but against "Dark Invader". Yet how "dark" could that "invader" be for a father to sacrifice almost everything including giving up the chance to be there for his kids? In a way, it's "Star Wars" when opposing sides respectively claim they're the "star" (of their side of the story) in their custody battle; usually at the expense of who they depict as the "antagonist" as if to justify their act as the right one and 'them' to be the chosen one; perhaps like Anakin who has gone to the dark side... "Anakin'ng pating!!" Have they even asked or considered as to whose expense is it actually; the feelings of the children corresponding with the emotional and mental implications as...

In getting caught between some decision you are to decide on wherein your heart doesn't seem to agree with your brain, human nature allow us to rely on either gut-feelings or faith. Usually without putting much thought into it or the total lack thereof, we ironically stave off the imminent regret that may come with it. That's where faith comes in. Though it may symbolically express hopping onto the next step abruptly, what may appear from that of my action having "jumped the gun" is actually a leap of faith. I decided to resign from the company I've been "comfortably" with for 13 years. I've had mixed emotions. Initially, I felt hate. I hated that one person whom I'd say as the reason for my resignation. He's the typical kind of a boss you'd most likely read about in Facebook or online articles as to why employees leave. And he's not even the owner for crying out loud; what's worse is that he doesn't manifest that "sens...

In as much as I try to brush off the disturbing image, I can’t get over the heartbreaking scene of the 2-year old Chinese toddler getting run over twice then vulnerably ignored… Virally circulating, I suppose a substantial number has seen and knows what’s being referred to…  As human nature allows, we tend to be judgmental of people despite being clueless of what really transpired and how it could all the more be devastating for the concerned or involved persons of the regrettable incident. Yet as wrong and insensitive to be condemnatory, I can’t help but be critical of how careless any parent or guardian not to tend to a defenseless child along hazardous environs. I’d even refuse to blame it on accident under the usual few-seconds-difference for a (parental) relapse considering how long it took for the toddler to helplessly suffer and exceedingly go through agony even more… It was gravely neglectful. As for the insensible and unkind passersby: SHAME ON ALL OF YOU! And f...

That’s the cheerleader in me. Minus the pompoms and perhaps the somersaults and the synchronized choreography, I managed to be cheerful still after some disappointing sequence. There is a fitting reason as to why “A” being the first letter, is used as a superlative prefix for a source depictive of the best (i.e., A-List; A-Team; A-Student or what have you) . “A” could however be inferior in terms of its literal usage as “A choice” for instance is second-rate compared to “The choice”. I’m an “A” person. “A” could as well stand for Acceptance and Acknowledgment. It’s not being accepting of the fact that I’m not or will not make it as “the one” but acknowledging of transparency. As foremost as the letter “A”, I’ve landed on the “A List”... That is, I was given an “A” rating or Average from my work performance. Being used to higher ratings in the past from the smart ones, normally, getting an “A” would be quite acceptable if it was professionally gauged and from a similarly intellectua...

Regardless of how we see one thing, it’s bound to be viewed differently by others. That’s even in reference to others’ liking as compared to the inclination of those from it has a partial attachment. What if the matter at hand is pertaining to physical attributes of people? Needless to say, people have different tastes and inclined from that of different standards. Those with a soft spot for (say) the “assessed” person will probably be defensive of any criticism in contrast with how they positively consider the looks of that person they’ve kind of developed fondness for. Children for instance or babies for that matter, in most likely probability, they’ll be considered adorable by their own parents. Even with a decent disposition in line with accommodating the stark reality bequeathed among them or their children, it would still be hurtful for parents to hear (from other people) how “ugly” their children are. It may not be attributed directly but anything suggestive of an insensitive ...

As if bound to commemorate Palm Sunday, with my right hand's pinky sustaining a fracture, my palm swelled passing more like a palm leaf than a hand. With my arm serving to be its trunk seemingly rooted, I can’t comfortably move nor do much with it. Its orthopedic cast can’t even be soaked thus moving about involving water (taking a bath most particularly) makes it like an initial atonement for the Holy Week. My fracture is nothing compared to being crucified and all though; and it’s not like it will redeem the world. Making it uneasy are the itch I can’t scratch, holding some things with just three fingers, brushing my teeth with my left hand and wanting to be helpful still, I volunteered to wash the dishes with one hand. Contrary to how I got the injury, not getting any younger, I’ve also been jokingly taunted as a “wimp”. But then again, these are tolerable compared to the unbearable agony, however withstood, in self-sacrificing in order to save mankind. Nevertheless, it’s sav...

There are times when I just ask myself why… Though unlike a curious child whose whys are based on finding out the answer for the first time, mine’s more on the recurrence for the nth time seemingly due to stubbornness or perhaps lack of viable options. “Why am I not learning from it?” would perhaps be the exemplary question that tops it all. “Why do I still do it despite knowing its possible consequences?” could actually be answered with “why” itself - Why is temptation so enticing? It’s a question that’s instinctively asked despite having experienced the answer. As such, it rationalizes another “why” in asking as to addiction’s clout on us. Why am I going through this or that? Or perhaps, why you? Why did I even write this you may ask if your next question would be why you are even reading this nonsense (if such be the case) in the first place? It’s the same reason as gullibility that seems to make sense when we’re into it. Why is that? You could as well ask why does it has to be a...

As early as Sunday morning, my daughter was excitedly preparing for the next day’s swimming activity. Together with my mother, they were scheduled to go to the beach with some relatives. Whereas, I was feeling weak and weary due to unlikely body pains, still I decided to report for work. I had my condition initially confirmed by our company nurse before timing in. Unfortunately, I was rather sent home to rest. I have tonsillitis with symptoms of an impending flu. When I got back, I was surprised to find my mother and my daughter at home. Swimming was cancelled. Somehow, we were all sent home. Suddenly, I thought, what’s with today… Apparently, all anticipated excitements came to a halt. However, there must be a good reason for it. Everything happens for a reason. Possibly to ponder on how important health is for the sake of my family. And to quote Levy,    “Whatever happens in life, we should always remember to live life to the fullest ”

While walking along roads, standing still or just loitering somewhere, whether we're being observant with what's going on or simply oblivious of our surroundings, there are reasons for all that are moving about or that of what's stationed in its designated settings. The bird that just flew by, chancing upon your dream car perhaps, even those of our current state and including the stone on the ground, all have a purpose. Everything happen or exist for a reason. Did it ever occur to you that spending a few seconds of your time, let's say, picking up what seems to be a useless stone can actually make considerable changes on how your (or others') day will come to pass... If the stone lying on the ground has life and a mind of its own, it could have picked-up itself to avoid being stepped-on or simply ignored but it doesn't have that capacity. If we're going to relate ourselves to that stone, most of us would like to change one or a few things concerning ou...