BRUISES AND BROTHERHOOD written by: Sukito

“A true companionship is loving all the time, and is a brother that is born for when there is distress”, a scripture once told. How is it nowadays? Is “brod” thicker than water?

It’s an unexplainable kind of brotherhood. Viewed with different meanings, awakens deep loyalty, a tradition turning as necessity, a hidden academic requirement, where passing of aching muscles becomes a rule, a sadistic yet satisfying kind of friendship, a painful ladder to success…?

Fraternity, sorority, or whatever way you call it. It is a killer in camouflage. Seducing young dreamers aiming for success, support, belongingness and companionship. A secret act yet a visible image made legal. Trying to blend in normally inside and outside the campus. Aren’t they taking advantage of one’s weakness who’s seeking for what they claiming that they provide? Attracting freshmen and newcomers with famous names of those identities who are in the peak of their careers or those who already established a name in their field. Those they say as their pillars and protectors.

Actually, I don’t get the point of hurting someone down to its grave if you really want to help him/her reach his/her dreams or just simply being a good friend who’s ready to catch a bullet in times of desperate need. We cannot also blame those brotherhoods because folks joining them are really willing to do it knowing that the paddle will be the one to entertain them together with other forms of torture once they get in. Besides, they are not just ordinary youth… but smart ones. Students who excel academically. Brave intelligent people that’s making risky decisions. Some do succeed as they passed the test or should I say the “hazing”. Try to realize that it was not their intelligence that’s being tested but their survival instinct and their endurance to pain. Afterwards… what’s next? What’s the sense of it and what’s its connection of being a true blue companion? Can’t we be a loyal “brod” without black eyes and bruises? Do we have to mourn in the name of friendship?

I have no right to say anything against all those brotherhoods and sisterhoods out there because I’m not into it. I mean no offense to brotherhoods and others of its kind because fraternities wayback long time ago are not that “deadly”. It was the act of “hazing” that I condemn and not the companionship it offers! I also don’t blame the “victims” and the “almost victims” who decided to join in its attractive claws because all of us are entitled to make our own decisions and be responsible enough for it! I respect it because it was what they think that can shape their future into a good one. It was always with the best intention that the worst thing can happen. Symphaty and prayers for a blind justice who doesn’t look who’s big and small is all I can offer.

Anyways, BRUISES and BROTHERHOOD… no connection, nothing in common. Only just, they both starts… with a letter “B”!

NOTE: THIS ARTICLE IS DEDICATED FOR ALL THE VICTIMS OF FRATERNITY/SORORITY/GANG TORTURE AND HAZING!!!

PNoy FOR PINOY! written by: Sukito

He wanted to be called as "P-NOY", stands for President Noynoy, instead of his initials. Today, June 30, 2010, Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Cojuangco Aquino III will be inaugurated as the 15th president of the Philippine Republic to be held at the Quirino Grandstand in Luneta Park, Manila.
He accidentally got into the decision of running into presidency after his mother's death, former Philippine President Cory Aquino, before the first computerized election took place where the use of Precinct Count Optical Scan or PCOS machine will be tested first hand by the Filipino voters. As Senator Nene Pimentel jokingly says that PCOS stands for "President Cory's Only Son" wherein it sounded like a hint if who's going to win in the presidential race. And so the story goes...
Even before he won, thousands of do's and dont's, requests, petitions, assessments, complaints, suggestions, prayers and goodluck were posted on his fan page/s. Not to include those resumes that was sent to his house in Times Square. I am just hoping that those written words for P-Noy will not just remain as plain words but will be in deed as the fulfillment of his promise wayback when he was still courting the votes of the Filipinos especially those who are in the poverty line. Of course, Noynoy is only human and we can't expect that he can accomplish all those things right away. People should give him enough time to prove himself to the public. And in return, he should and I believe that he would be worthy of this trust for the common good. For the people are the ones who put him in power out of respect, love, dignity and intellectual choice. While some, sad to say, doesn't really care after all if who's going to lead the country or what.
Personally, I'm hoping that P-Noy will stand by his own name and will prove himself away from the shadows of his respectable parents, Ninoy and Cory. And that he would not only hear the cries of the people but respond to it as well, that he would not perceived his presidency as a job but a devotion, and that he will be the servant of the public and not the master of it.
They say that it's alone in the top, but you'll never be... when you'll earn the public trust and you have the people on your side. Goodluck to our new President Noynoy Aquino! Long live the Philippines!

photo courtesy of: myvotematters2010.files.wordpress.com

PEOPLE POWER!!! NO MORE POWER??? written by: Sukito

I was heading south today. ‘Di ko matagalan ang pila sa MRT dahil ang haba, rush hour na kasi. So, I took the bus. As ususal, walang kamatayan pa rin ang trapik sa EDSA… kahit wala namang People Power. Habang nakasakay sa bus… may naalala lang ako!

It was Wednesday, February 25, 2009… when we celebrated the 23rd anniversary of the “People Power Revolution” also known as “EDSA 1″. EDSA, short for “Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue” (just in case you don’t know) contributed a big change in Philippine history. Kahit maraming tao ang nababagot sa trapik tuwing dadaan dito, itinadhana pa rin ito para sa isang napakahalagang pangyayari sa ating kasaysayan… na nagbuwis ng napakaraming dugo, pawis, at gasolina na rin.

Anyway, I was hesitant to say this and no offense meant. But it was even told in the news na nilangaw ang celebration ng EDSA 1 ngayon. It might be painful to the ears of those people who have shed their tears and hopes and even their lives wayback when the original People Power took place. Based on what I’ve heard and read that the 1986 revolution or what others call as the “Yellow Revolution” which surprised the whole world and boasted our country’s dignity was a series of nonviolent rallies compared to other versions that followed and the most prayerful where mass were being heard over street demonstrations. I can also feel the patriotism of that event whenever some elders whom I was talking to narrates me their own experiences and their involvement in the said revolution. It was indeed with such deep emotion. I just feel for them and I can’t really tell coz I wasn’t aware yet of what was happening during that time.

Presently, it was not a big crowd that attended the said celebration. How will it be? Like what Bayani Fernando have also cited. If EDSA itself where it will be commemorated were closed and blocked by metal fences guarded by the policemen… who will dare to get in? How will it also be possible? If our President GMA who were expected to be visible didn’t show up and instead chose to attend the job fair in POEA just nearby. Even former President Corazon Aquino favored to attend in some important event in La Salle rather than the moment that once placed her in power and maybe also due to some health reasons regarding her cancer recovery and medications. Actually, I can’t blame them, it’s their life and they have their own reasons. May it be personal, political or just simply a conflict in their schedule of events. Only that, how would you expect others to relive the moment of the genuine EDSA if those important identities who should be present in the said event weren’t there. I was just asking myself if the People Power Revolution was starting to lose its charisma? Will its spirit will just remain a spirit until it rest in peace and be totally forgotten? Maybe, the next generation wouldn’t be aware anymore on its value unless they read their textbooks!

Moreover, even how many “Garci tapes” had been revealed, or how many fertilizer fund scams and ZTE Broadband deals had been exposed, or even how many Lozada whistleblowing statements will be done, and even how many “I Am Sorry” dialogue will be said in public. The EDSA People Power will definitely be swallowed by corruption if there will be no change to be done. Not by means of changing our form of government or “Cha Cha” or by updating our election/voting system into a computerized manner. But… by changing or killing the growing bad habits of running or controlling our government which is getting to be a normal scene in our political arena nowadays… and spells the downfall of our country as well as the sufferings of the Filipino. There should be a personal motivation in those fortunate elected or appointed public officials… NOT to be dominated by money, greed and positions. Hopefully, may the power of the EDSA Revolution will not only be used in pulling down to its reign whoever’s in power. But, may its force be used for the common good and of shaping our country’s future!

As it was quoted, what President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo said recently, “The world embraced EDSA 1… and tolerated EDSA 2… but, the world will not forgive EDSA 3. Instead, condemn our country whose political system is unstable…” and so it goes.

‘Yan ang EDSA People Power! Parang ”Lord of the Rings”… may part 1, part 2 at part 3. Sana ‘wag naman parang “Shake, Rattle and Roll”… na hanggang part 10. And at the end, everything will just be wasted!?

THE CURIOUS CASE OF VALENTINE MADNESS written by: Sukito

It was last year of the same day! I woke up that one cold morning preoccupied with lots of things going on in my mind. Whenever I open my eyes, my glass window will be the first one to greet me “good morning”, and beside it is a huge calendar with a nude sexy star. Then, I saw the date with an “X” mark. And it was February 14. It was another Valentines day! So what’s new? It will be just another regular day that have had revolved in routines. I cleaned up and then turned on the television.
In the news, people were so busy buying flowers, chocolates and some lovey dovey stuff. I changed the channel, and there’s some news again reporting the promo rate of other hotels and motels and even inns this season including commercializing places or sweet getaways where you can take your date with a budget saving discount. Some were cheap but nice. Some were expensive yet formal. Actually, may it be a fine dine-in or a simple restaurant, or maybe in the street eating “isaw” and doing HHWW (Holding Hands While Walking), just in case you don’t know… a date will always be a date. It’s the moment that you’ve shared with each other that really counts.
If you want another gimmick for your loved ones, you can take her/him in any Valentine concert of your choice. There’s plenty of soundtripping choices during the love month. First and foremost, there’s the undying concert of David Pomeranz every Valentine while he sings “Got to Believe” and “Born For You” every year over and over again. There’s also some reunion concert of Martin and Pops (and breaking apart again after the show), local divas and balladeers (even those of the long time ago) and pop icons who had won in any talent/singing reality show, even some classic foreign love singers will come here just to have their musical event without you knowing that they were still alive until now and can sing in front of you and will make you believe that they exist in full color. But personally, I would rather go on with a date in a “rock concert”, may it be local or foreign… just to enjoy the whole day with an adrenaline rush. If some guys out there, think that it was a “noise” and wants a more solemn moment. Sit back with your date in a couch at home ’til “Dr. Love” hit the airwaves in DZMM after dinner. And its up to you if what’s gonna happen next…
Anyways, I’ve got up and gone out of the house. God! I was quite surprised and awed by the situation outside. It was like a “Panagbenga Festival” in Baguio. And I almost forgot that I’am not in Baguio. There’s flowers everywhere in the market. With candies and chocolates in heart-shaped appearance! Not to forget the dying industry of Valentine cards. Panicking folks were all over my sight going back and forth and buying those love stuffs. I just can’t imagine if what’s with them and they have to do it in full effort that day! What’s the big deal with the 14th day of February? Can’t they give flowers and share their love everyday or in anyday for the rest of the year? Why do most lovers wants to attend “Lova Palooza” and show the world how they kissed each other with great passion in the big screen though some were just obviously faking it and only wants publicity or to be seen in television. Well, It’s not bad after all to be a part of such world record and boast up to your friends and family saying, “Hey… I’m one of those guys in the news who kissed in public during that celebrated event!”. How was that!?
For a moment, I figured out that I was overpowered by the sense of practicality and of spending money wisely during crisis. I felt like I was the “Valentine Grinch” at that time… the one who hates “Heart’s Day”. And that I’ve thought of quite mean things against love… yet I got a slight point. Exciting and sweet emotions have been swimming beneath the surface for a busy year of work and studies. And today, February 14, is its time to emerge!!!
Suddenly, I have realized that I’ve bought a bunch of red roses too with dark chocolate to match up my sweetness for my girl. And I almost forgot that I am also compromised to meet someone in that “Lova Palooza” day! God! I’m a victim of ” Valentine Madness” too… I’m such a loser… LOL.