Switching On the Sun

Colonial mentality seems to have been disjointedly ingrained from Western impact to Asian influence. Manifesting its significant sway is attributable to the ‘Korean invasion’ of which is interestingly personified through K-pop culture. From kimchi to Samsung for instance is how Korea’s collective impression has evolved into the likes of world-renowned lifestyles. Kimchi is one among a select few trade names Korea was just known for until their innovative technology got its current global reach for a market similarly consumed by more than just their aforementioned staple ‘appetizer’. Likewise whetting the general civilization’s appetite for revolution, Korea’s own brand Samsung among others has introduced not just its modern inventions but also themselves as an entity worthy of tremendous following. From smart phones capable of getting in-touch with the world to producing trends worthy of being emulated as much as downloaded through these technological breakthrough mobiles, it has estab...

Due to cough and colds, I was sent home from work last Monday. With an apparent suppressed cough which also had my head awfully throb, I seemed to have likewise acquired body pains. Either it was a physically-draining infection or it’s just that age is really catching up with me. I concede to the latter to be the real culprit. Those who really know me could attest that I’m not a sickly person. I believe, as much as I can physically feel it, I could have tolerated reporting for work still if not for due consideration on the possibility of a contamination. Cough, after all, even sounds off its process of virus-transmittal. Other than the possibility of transmitting the bug, chances are you also get that unwanted “Eww! Do you mind” stares; of which are added factors pushing you to rather go home and rest. As for the ‘carrier’, coughing is likewise coughing out resources. Needless to say, aside from medicines, other detriments go to “accommodating adjustments” for the patient: sort of f...

Last year (Fathers’ Day) I ‘said’ about how being a father is a privilege regardless of a fitting paternity approach. For which possibly depending on a child’s distinct nature, one’s parenting style could be reciprocally integral for both father and child. Thus, the basis of “the best dad” standards personally depends on every child’s recognition of it. Some children may deem their father to be the epitome of what a father should be but to expect that of someone else’s father as the basis of such commitment shouldn’t be the case. The person/s with the most if not the only right to declare that would have to be the father’s own child/ren. My father was more than a hero to me. I may not be able to level-up to the kind of a father he was but applying my own parenting methodology that of which works well for my children comes off similarly sound for me. That brings me to this year’s Fathers’ Day celebration… As I woke up early yesterday (Fathers’ Day) morning, just when there was this ...

Life Begins at 40; so they say. Perhaps for others, after all the years they’ve been accountable for and committed to something else as much as they've been absorbed by ‘self-establishment’ and fulfillment, life at 40 is a manifestation of having gone full-circle. I guess a new life or meaning to it is it for me or perchance a moment of realization. I’ve just realized that 40 couldn’t be the points I could be scoring in basketball after playing the game quite recently. I suppose 40 is the combined number of aching bones and muscles I felt afterwards. The timeliest awareness though was upon leaving the court. From the gym we played on just right across the street is a familiar image. As if it was really reminding me of the many season changes before me, there was a recollection-of-memories; a prominent name stood there calling: Mario’s We just had dinner there a few nights back and have been acquainted with Mario’s 40 th year. Back in the day, along Session Road where i...

Dear Joanne, Ane? Or would you prefer “Dear Ms. Fallarme”? Pardon the formality as calling you by what I’m used to would most likely spark off your sarcasm: “Don’t call me ‘Mommy’, I’m not your mother!” While in contrast, beginning this with “Dear Wifey” may well be spontaneous but would seem off. It’s after all a Valentine’s Day letter. Corny as it may sound, I think you rather want to be addressed as any of the more popular terms of endearment (you’re just in denial). Whereas “ Spicy ” as opposed to the usual “sweet” appellations and as I’ve considered you to be, directly aims to be (ironically) sweet; which isn’t the intention behind this. As a matter of fact, you don’t see me that way… or you simply find blandness in how I instinctively substantiate such “lovability”. Anyway, I similarly don’t intend to draw a “What the hell?!” reaction given that it’s not the normal “Awww” (with all the likely emoticons attached to it) kind for such a letter. Thus, this “o...

If it’s any manifestation of amusement, the new Department of Tourism’s slogan is indeed living up to its meaning as it is eliciting so much excitement. If the initial intent is to draw awareness, then such advertising campaign is a clever inducement. However, would it similarly attract its target market – the tourists? And would it generate economic growth? Fact is that it is the key rationale. In view of that though, may we not be accused of false advertising; more so, such “branding” be attributed as merely for the sake of commerce. How could it not appear as if it’s just business when even among its own people, ridicule is apparent. It is as if there’s no serious truth to it considering the “unflattering reality” behind every mockery comes from among those who could attest to its “funny” exactness. Yet then again, the fun-loving disposition of Filipinos in whatever circumstance is one engaging fact. Even under depressing situation, we get to good-naturedly joke and optimi...

My son getting snatched by a big spider woke me up from such a bad dream this morning. What it meant kept me wondering and somehow worried. Lately, dreams seem to be foretelling something I should be concerned about. Just the other night, I dreamt of having a short (life) term left due to brain cancer. Brushing it off was rather manifested until a text message from my kid brother had me contemplate on a probable signification. Inadvertently, in his dream that same night, he had a long conversation with our late father who appeared poignant and emaciated apparently asking him to help me out among other things. Coincidentally, I’ve been sensing unusual physical conditions lately. Yet what I thought of was the few remaining days before I turn 39. Not too long ago, I thought of the probable age I’d breathe my last – 38. Should the inevitable happen and I’m gone, I was talking my wife into (re)marrying someone who would fill the void and be involved to assume the role as husband a...

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...