CHOOSE YOUR FLAVOUR

Smoking is one of the oldest and legal vices of all times and cigarette is the most popular. Millions of lungs were damaged and lives were taken, yet milions of people are continously enjoying the so-called "stimulation" that it provides. Anti-pressure, and stimulant, these are common reasons why an individual smokes amongst the other one-hundred-and-one.

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I remember started smoking when I was fifteen. Along with my high school peers, I tried puffing a long, menthol, low-branded cigarette. It was a feeling of another stage of manhood when I felt Im completely a man just like any other adult guys who smokes. This didnt continue as I didnt get any other benefit out from it aside from the shallow mindset. In college, I started smoking again, at least a stick before goin home from school. This was a way to jam with collegemates and it was when I realized smoking as an aid to lessen stress. We were doin a thesis at that time and I was pressured by writing for some school projects and puffing a stick or two kept me goin... cigarette smoking is mind stimulating then.

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My mom knew and felt badly about it. I remember her trying to say "avoid smoking and better drink liquor instead" I know she wasnt serious about it but I thought, you cannot drink all the time and anywhere you want unlike smoking. I also told her, smoking is ever harmless form of vice as no one was ever reported "committed a crime because of too much smoking" unlike drinking which is obviously the most common cause of crimes like homicide and rape. Pans and identified flying objects came into my direction courtesy of her. Since then, we laughed over the matter but she was consistent in convincing me to stop.

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Callcenter is the widest and largest cigarette patron in our country. I could imagine tons of cigarette butts collected every morning from each location where a callcenter is.. from the South starting Alabang, Pasay... Makati, Mandaluyong, Ortigas, Quezon City down South to Novaliches. Cigarette industry could be very much alive just on callcenters alone. No damages reported just yet like lung cancer and other serious ailment, but callcenter industry has just started to boost.

Government Warning: Cigarette Smoking is Dangerous to Your Health! As the traditional warning goes, it came into my attention a very strange and weird thing. My cigarette brand started to revise its packaging. Nothing extra-ordinary but an additional, enlarged warning that comes in different statements. I wondered at first if there is a certain difference. Maybe its the imported againts the local made. I bullied my colleagues... at least the govenrment has given us the option to match our cigarettes on our appropriate situations. Some packs shows.. Government Warning: Tobacco Smoke can Harm your Children - definitely this pack is no good for married people or anyone who got kids at home. Another pack shows - Government Warning: Cigarettes are Addictive - and indeed, this is best for people who got a strong sense of self-control. I know there are other statements that Im unable to see yet but one thing for sure .... I wont smoke one from a pack that shows - Government Warning: Cigarette Smoking is Dangerous to Your Health. This is not good for anyone.

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Writer's Comment :

This is not a commercial statement neither pro nor againts the brand pictured above. It's just a co-incidence that it is my brand.

... AND THE WORLD STOPPED : Another Filipino Breakthrough

Its one of the most awaited events in the Philippine calendar. Its when another Filipino makes another mark in the world's history. Manny Pacquiao is one of them. Today is another day of challenge and another day of anticipation amongst the rest of his race.

Through the times, a certain event like this is being overrated by most of the followers, from the government and other public organizations, to top companies and private institutions down to the common masses. It was noticeable that few months from the date, billboards and other popular campaign materials were seen everywhere promoting the hype. Millions of income are being generated out from simple events similar to this and its truly worth it as somehow, in a period of time, the entire community is united to support this man towards the recognition and pride of the whole nation.

Today is another day of triumph and inspiration within the hearts of many Filipino people. I am not a fan of boxing but a fight of a Filipino boxer is always an exception as I would join my family watch the match waiting to raise the flag at the end of the game. Somehow it boosts the pride that Filipino people are exceptional and could be lined up along with superior nations all over the world, despite of decades of negative impressions and deregatory records. My dad is an ever-fanatic of the boxing industry and so an event like this is a big day for all of us.

Early today, not anticipating the match that Pacquiao is heading, I went online to check if any of my relatives overseas are logged in as usual. I was about to see if my Dad is online to tell him that he must see the fight as i know he will as always. A chatter came into my way and shared a brief conversation and we strangely discussed about The Manny Pacquiao game. This person reacted on the thing about too much glorification on the boxing fight. He sounded to me saying that creating a hype is too much for a person who is being overglorified, creating a hero out of a boxer.. and creating cash out from it. I may think the same way but this time, I dont see any problem with the idea of having the rest of the country stop their world and spend their time watching the game for either a way to support a country fellowman and or entertainment.

In addition, he questioned out what pride are we getting when most of our men are trying hard to be a boxing and basketball idol wannabees and half of our women getting jobs as maids in other countries. He also mentioned out having the rest of the other half as callcenter agents. Very out of context and I strongly disagreed. In some point he may be true but I viewed the idea as extremely pathetic. If the rest of our people would think this way.. what else could it possibly be? So, should we be contented to raise another generation of domestic helpers, boxers and callcenter agents? This is not bad at all as Filipino workers somehow are getting recognition as trusted and valued workers in most countries. And being callcenter agent, I am a living witness and a proof that Filipino service can be as equally efficient with other superior races, otherwise.. foreign investors wont gamble to establish contact centers here in the country despite of more expensive labor rates comparing to other nations. This is far more better than increasing the unemployment, poverty and other negative images that the country has suffered in the previous years. Any other way to help the country regain its integrity and respect from other countries are all good but this isnt bad thing instead. This is not a question of glorifying a certain individual that may involves politics, profit earning and selfish intention but a matter of making a difference and probably a change out from the usual social problems that we currently have. We may have different views over these, each side may be right but looking on the entire picture, this is not bad at all. And from someone like me who wasnt ever a boxing fan... this is a way of showing my individual willlingnes to acknowledge changes to uplift the country's status and narrow it may be but whether we accept it or not, its making a great impact.

... and so the game has ended with another Filipino standing and the rest of his fellowmen proud and dignified.

WRITER'S COMMENT

Photos are copied from HBO Sports for no commercial intentions. http://www.hbo.com/boxing/

FOUR SEASONS OF LONELINESS

It started with a big blast, when the previous year ended with a not-so-good welcoming. I have to loose a very important person in my life. Somebody who taught me how to appreciate things that I have and value myself more than I do... somebody who had a promise of forever and intimate, true friendship. This was a time of realization, of appreciating thing on my own perspective and finding my true value based on self-worth assessment. The year has to begin with a promise of a brand new life, stronger and more independent fightings. This was a SEASON OF LETTING GO.

In the middle of the year, after few months of struggle and consistently striving for a brighter side of life, work became a challenge and health was the main obstacle. A broken ankle, bruised legs, some flu, cardiovascular complication, typhoid fever... name it, my Vacation and Sick Leave benefits were all spent for these misfortunes. My integrity was in question, I wouldnt blame my company if they doubt... these can never happen to someone in a certain period of time but thanks God, there is a thing called the "benefit of the doubt". I have to loose my opportunity to move up for a higher position and only got an unending words of inspiration from my superiors trying to help me make it up and compensate for the lost chances and possible advancement. At least.. keeping my job made me survive the SEASON OF UNDOUBTED MISFORTUNE.

The time of surrender came in early last-half of the year. It was the era of when the "blogger" in me was born. I started writing my blogs... perhaps to talk to myself and repeatedly read back the documented self-help options. It was when I finally met and accepted the weak side of me. I was able to learn out that I wasnt really a strong man of all time but I am a man of reality that I sometimes have to embrace the idea of being the loosing side. Hence, this SEASON OF DEPRESSION made me appreciate the virtue of hope and renewal. I was able to let some negative part of me die and remaining good let me start with a promising continuation.

The year is about to end. My journey is still far halfway. The SEASON OF DETRACTION is currently passing. I am still being challenged by different forces. Frustration is still my worst detractor. My willingness to survive and live the life I used to have is still being compromised. I know, I am liable of my own actions but of course, external factors are beyond my control. Several people came along my way, I saw a great opportunities of attachment but each time frustration and dissapointment interferes. Yet, I pondered... the year indeed is an era of teaching and learning, loosing and winning, falling and uprising, and dying and reviving. This is goin to be the most outrageous moment of my life as the four seasons of loneliness is not just an artistic song composition but a true-to-life drama that can happen to anyone. hehehe.

CHASING FLAMINGO

Writing this blog took me more than a month. I know what I wanna write but i dont know how. Ideas were flooding in my mind but it was too many that I always end up with confusion. I wasnt sure if I would end up with a sensible piece for this so I was keeping it in my saved drafts for the longest time. I cannot think of another creative way to present but the idea is about "wanting who I cannot hardly have and hating who are wanting me".

I've been asking this question eversince, why is that the things that you are craving for are so hard to get when those that are abundant within your reach seems not interesting at all. It is a human nature to hardly satisfy his fullfilment. We tend to ask for the simplest thing when along the way we would ask for something better, and end up with aiming for the most and this is becoming a natural cycle. In a brighter light, we call it human nature's longing for continous advancement.

I remember a movie released earlier this year, I guess the last movie I've seen (sorry, im not really a movie fanatic, but im an art patron). It was TRISTAN & ISOLDE - a very traditional, medieval and romeo & juliet type, yet artistically, well-done.

Not mentioning the cinematography and other technical aspect, the story is indeed a true-to-life reflection of our present lives. Tristan have to be rescued by a stranger (Isolde) whom he would attach himself to and vise versa. The union of their souls are challenged by the world around them that they have to sacrifiice their own happiness for the sake of many. If only one is able to fake his feelings and turn it for real, and go for something that wouldnt make himself happy and undoubtedly accept it as if it was his longing... and love someone he doesnt really like and take it as if it is the true love that his soul is wanting - then the world will have to loose at least half of its hurtings and pain.

TIRED OF JAMES BLUNT SONG

I first heard James Blunt with his single "Your'e Beautiful". Sophisticated, sexy and artistically done, the song got a different style. It went with Daniel Powter's hit single "Bad Day", another new taste and unique style. Since then, new singles came in the airwaives like "Cry", "Goodbye My Lover", "Tears and Rain", "Three Wisemen" and other hits (not just yet).

Blunt's music is a reflection of himself. True-to-life, experience-based creations that at least half of the world's population can relate with, and I'm not excluding myself. He once was a Buckingham Soldier, went into the wars and probably experienced life's bitter taste.. this is according to a trivia but I never had a chance to authenticate the fact.

Obviously I got this strong inclination towards his art. It deeply penetrates my soul whenever I would hear it playing, strangely weird because I didnt have the chance to see James Blunt's face as of this time. I started creating photo-slide videos with his song rendition with "Cry" to background my heart-freaking ;-) poem " Ode to my Heart" followed by his "Goodbye My Lover" to accompany my first-ever literary composed "My Crime" and recently, got tired of sounding too melancholic and oppressed with my poem "Reclusion" featuring "Tears and Rain".

All done for art's sake... regardless of the truth that it was entirely a correlation of my emotional state and way to express the unspoken, unheard, unexplained and misunderstood side of me. Tiring it may seems in the end but in the long run, his art is more than its aesthetic function but a therapy and ticket to a revival of a lost soul.

Here is the video rendition of "Reclusion"