FORGOTTEN WAYS written by: Sukito

Last month I was visiting our municipal hall when I saw a painter in the lobby having an exhibit of his artwork while doing his painting on-the-spot. It struck me somehow for it made me remember what I love doing before when I was still a kid. I love to draw and sketch anything then. As I grew up my love for drawing and sketching evolved into painting. I got to paint before using oil pastels, water color, poster color, paint, and of course... the usual crayons that taught me how to recognize and admire colors and relate to each color emotionally. Today, since I graduated from high school I stopped painting as a hobby. I started to get busy in my school and academic life most especially when I was in college. I've been exposed to the world of technology and my art turned out to be done in the digital way... from powerpoint down to the photoshop. The painting exhibit with the painter doing an "on-the-spot painting while signing the autograph of those who admire his work made me go back to my old self. Is this how far I've been? Forgetting those fist things I love doing most with the benefit of my hand alone and without the aid of modernization. My mom said that it is my gift from God that I should be sharing and be thankful for. One thing that's in me that I should enhance well and show to others by interpreting what's on my mind and what I feel inside that may enable anyone who will see it to relate in it and express their emotions as well. They said that any talent or skills you got when not regularly practiced or developed might be gone in the later part of our lives and will be wasted more when not shown or shared especially for the benefit of yourself and others.

Back to basics, not only into painting or in any talent we have. But into those first things that taught us anything about life, and made us feel certain things that we haven't felt before... the first hug, first kiss, first friend, first ABC's, first laugh or bonding moment with someone we love and respect, first failures and heartaches, the first time we move on and saw hope, the first people that inspire us and the first time we've been taught how to pray. To simplify it, our first lessons in life!

It doesn't require a big amount of effort who you were and where you came from before you got into your status right now. This may sound cheesy but I am hoping that this article might make anyone who reads this to smile and reminisce those old days to cherish. How about you... who you were before?

AN IMMEASURABLE FAITH written by: Sukito

It was January 9, 2011... when I've had this jeepney ride with my mom. We were heading halfway to our destination when a middle-aged guy came riding inside the public vehicle. He's wearing an ordinary black shirt paired up with a dirty-looking maong short. He got tunnels in his both ears including some piercings in his face. Most of all, the one that caught my attention and all the passengers in the jeepney as well was that the man wasn't wearing any footwear, not even a single pair of slippers. Aside from the fact that his feet was totally dirty and muddy. I suppose that everyone who saw him that day will think that he's insane. The only thing that convinced me that he's not nuts was when he paid for his fare. He knows his destination as well as his change for his fare and he speaks simple but clear and normal too. He's going into somewhere far while he knew that he's barefooted. He's also not ashamed on his looks. And I'm surprised when I saw that he's carrying a rosary in his pocket as he pulled out his money. So the story goes...

When I got home, I kinda watched the news... and only then that I knew and recall that January 9, 2011 is the "Feast of the Black Nazarene" where its devotees used to travel barefooted and go all the way to the Quiapo Church where the said patron saint lies and being paraded within the vicinity. Walking without anything on your feet is only one way to make your sacrifice for any petition, healing, or thanksgiving you wanted to do in return. And as we all know that joining the procession of the said feast is really life-risking, tiring and dangerous at the same time for it is definitely overcrowded and stampede-like where some folks are not making it 'til the end. And in the news, 6 million devotees are expected to participate in the procession or maybe more.

I suddenly remember the man that I saw that day who's barefooted and who looks like a drug addict and got those body piercings on him. He is a devotee of the Black Nazarene! And his faith obviously doesn't reflect on his outside appearance. It made me think and smile somehow that faith in God should really start and come from within and not on the external looks.

LOOKS ARE DECEIVING written by: Sukito

Recently, I've had this unexpected experience in a drugstore. It was an ironic encounter and made me think somehow.

It was that day when my mom asked me to buy an eye drop for her. My mom gave me seventy pesos (Php 70.00) to be exact assuming that it's more than enough for the price of an eye drop for the red eyes. Later, I was in the drugstore and I already got what I needed. So, I started to fall in line. I noticed the man ahead of me in the line towards the counter. He's a skinny, dark and old man with three kids holding on his hand. I assumed that those are his children and they pretty looked like that they haven't taken a bath for days. No offense meant for them and I don't mean to be rude but that's how I can easily describe them based on the way they appearred to me. I can't deny to myself that I felt a little pity on them, to the man and to the kids. And so the story goes...

When it was my turn to pay for the eye drop on the counter, the sales lady already punched the item in the cashier and said that the total cost of the item that I got was seventy five pesos (Php 75.00) in all. I was about to pull out my money in my pocket when I realized that I only have seventy pesos, no more... no less. Unfortunately, I didn't bring any extra money that time. So, I lacked out an amount of five pesos (Php 5.00). I'm quite confused and I told the sales lady that I have to get out first and get back home to provide the lacking five peso amount of the product that I bought... though I know that our home is quite far in the said drug store in terms of distance. Without further ado and explanation, the man that I just felt pity with got near me in the counter and paid the remaining five pesos. No other words came out of my mouth that time but "thank you". And the man just bowed down after I said my gratitude on him. Then, he left away immediately out of the drug store with his kids without any words at all.

I'm so focused of feeling pity for them and it turned out that I'm the one who's in need of help from him. I felt judgmental of myself towards them and that I perceived them in their external appearances without knowing what they are capable of doing. Maybe, it was only a little amount of five pesos and that simplest and humble gesture from him means a lot and impacted me so much. Looks are really deceiving sometimes and we shouldn't really judge the book by its cover. I suddenly remember what Alanis Morissette asked on her song, "isn't it ironic... don't you think?".

LOTTO FEVER ONCE AGAIN written by: Sukito

Have you already heard the song, "Billionaire", by Bruno Mars and Travie McCoy? It's in trend to listen to it right now especially if you are one of those Filipinos who plays for the chance to win Php 135 million and still growing each time as long as no one hits the jackpot. Whenever this time comes, you can somehow say that, "Money really makes the world go round".

I don’t really gamble in any kind, may it be legal and definitely never illegal. But this time, I’ve tried to give it a shot… who knows? Libre lang naman ang mangarap. Hindi nga lang ang pagtaya, bente pesos din ‘yon. At the back of my mind, I was thinking that twenty pesos is worthless if you’re lucky enough to win the jackpot price. It was a long line at pumila pa rin ako. Wala naman ‘yon kumpara sa ibang pilang napilahan ko… gaya ng sa pagbabayad ng tuition fee na umiikot pa sa buong campus building no’n.

I just wanted to know if how does it feel to play with guessing that six numbers of Philippine Lotto Draw that can make a change in anyone’s life eventhough it wasn’t a big deal for me. It was indeed a game of chance, and normal weird thoughts came into my mind then. I was imagining those things that I will buy just in case I won. I was thinking of a house and lot, a car maybe, a condo unit, franchising a big business, clothes, shoes and the likes, going out of town or out of the country will do, donating to our church or into any charity. Lastly, “balato“ syempre sa pamilya’t mga kamag-anak. Anyway, before my illusions goes a long way. I’ve realized that all those things that I’ve thought of having are mostly material. Money will always be money! I don’t want to be a hypocrite to say that I don’t need it. Even it was often identified as the root of all evil. That’s what we are earning for and we still need it for a better way of living especially if you are already married with kids. Actually, it really depends upon the person if where and how is he/she gonna use it. I am thinking too if those people that I’m with in the line were also desiring of those things that I’ve had in mind. They are people in all walks of life, may mayaman, may mahirap, may empleyado, may tambay, may pulubi… syempre, mawawala ba ang mga sugarol at ang mga mananaya talaga ng lotto. ‘Pag pera na talaga ang pinag-uusapan, naghahalo ang balat sa tinalupan!

Anyways, it turned out that my six numbers weren't lucky enough to be picked. Thank God, I didn’t expect too much on it! As it was said, “With great expectations, comes more frustrations”. At least, I wouldn’t feel frustrated after all. It was only a try and I wouldn’t blame myself that I didn’t gave it a shot. It came to me that I wanted to get those things that I’ve had longed for, in my own good way… mas masarap siguro ang pakiramdam ng ganu’n, long term nga lang bago mo maabot. Instant money usually ends up in instant loss based on some stories that I’ve heard.

Suddenly, I’ve recalled what Professor Dumbledore told Harry Potter, “IT DOESN’T DO WELL TO DWELL IN DREAMS… AND FORGET TO LIVE…”.

FOR THE RIGHT REASON written by: Sukito

In a tiring day as it ends. I was about to go to sleep when something just crosses my mind. It was a tiny reflection that keeps tingling my thought before dream creates its illusion on me. Should I keep on using reasons for things and changes that comes along my way?
Everything happens for a REASON! Even our own existence in this world has a reason... a purpose per se... designed uniquely for each individual. It inspires us for a while especially in those down times and when we are indisposed of something. It was indeed an invisible incognito that we've been searching in the journey of life. It was a good thing to possess such mentality and notion that in every bad occurrences in our lives lies a valid reason from God... a blessing in disguise as I can say.
We tend to think that for instance , a breakup with a loved one will provide some space to move on and to find someone better and whose really worth of our love. An academic failure might challenge us to strive more in our studies and put our best foot forward in everything we do. A financial crisis can teach us to become more resourceful in terms of livelihood or to make us eager in doing our jobs well as a competitive worker and a productive citizen to our country. A domestic problem requires more quality time within the family as it will provide us time to know more of ourselves and those among of our family members as well. An accident, job termination, or even loss of a loved one and all those shortcomings that changes our lives upside down entails of more self-examination... a reality check-up... a test that we should pass and overcome as these will teach us to conquer our fears. So that, the next time something bad happens, we know what to do and how to deal with it.
On the contrary, we should stop using "reasons" more often as these will turn us as a constant failure in life. This attitude may make us lazy, kill the adrenaline rush that flows in our veins for us to become incompetent... chaining us for a lifetime boredom and immaturity. A prisoner of time itself.
Making an excuse all the time has its limitations too. Overusing of reasons has its end as well. It's like a medicine that when taken beyond its expiration date might result into poisoning... killing our body's system. Reasons should be used for the right reason itself. For us to move on and to be in the right path of destiny. To give hope to others and to give chance to ourselves.
Actually, a life with no reason is no life at all. Go on and live with a purpose and with a mission and never get stagnant. Maybe this is what the abstract of reasoning is all about. So be it.

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!?

FIVE CRAZY THINGS TO DO WITHIN FIVE DAYS written by: Sukito

     Tired of living in your daily routines? Want something new or try something different? Well, do these crazy tips for fun and for gaining quite odd experiences that you can share if you want. Dare yourself!

Day 1: Eat All You Can

Satisfy your cravings. Eat all the food you want as long as you can and as long as you can afford. Do this regardless of your allergies and hypertension. Just don't overeat or you might end up killing yourself. Always have your medicine with you just in case. Tasting will do if you have this bad condition of the food that you've been dying for to eat. Skip your gym schedule for once and temporarily forget your "After Six" or "South Beach" diet. For an additional suggestion, dine in with your friends in an "Eat All You Can" restaurant. Once again, do not eat more than the capacity of your tummy because this activity is highly prone for constipation and LBM.

Day 2: Sleep All Day

Have you heard of the song "Sleep All Day" by Jason Mraz? This one is a recharging thing to do. Don't set your alarm clock. Turn off your cellphone. Then, cancel all your appointments within that day. Not applicable for students during weekdays but highly recommended for the workaholics. For girls, pretend that you are "Sleeping Beauty" and for guys, assume that you are the male version of the said fairy tale. If you can't really fall asleep after counting thousands of sheeps in your head… skip this step and proceed to the next one. I am not suggesting the use of sleeping pills coz it will make your sleep artificial. All you have to do is sleep more than your hours of sleep or if you can… do it the whole day. However, don't oversleep or you might end up sleeping for a lifetime.

Day 3: Shout Out!!!

This craziness is 95% guarantee of feeling good afterwards and 5% guarantee of losing your voice. All you have to do is go to the highest place where you can possibly be. It may be on the top of the building, a mountain peak or if there's no other choice… your rooftop will do. I don't suggest climbing up in the billboard because other people might think that you're nuts or insane not unless you want to be in the news as a freak. Anyway, wherever that highest altitude you are standing… all you have to do is to shout out loud to the very top of your lungs with all your anguish in the world. It sounds cheesy, but it works! Just make sure no one hears or recognizes you when you do this. Moreover, this stuff has the capability of taking away your burden in some point and will make you feel light about yourself. I think, this is way much better and challenging than making your friendster or facebook shoutout.

Day 4: Say Cheese :)

Staple the best smile you got on your face. Keep on smiling and "say cheese" to any people who cross your path. I know that it sounds weird or will make you look ridiculous especially smiling with no reason at all or in front of a total stranger. However, doing this can guarantee you 70% of friendship in return and 30% of meeting your soulmate… who knows?! In fact, smile is the cheapest… yet the best gift anyone can give. Side effects of having a lockjaw might happen if done with exaggeration. But, make sure you brush your teeth before flashing out your smile.

Day 5: Be Wacky!

Upload your wackiest video ever on "You Tube" or in any video hosting site of your choice. Make a crazy move, act or stunt and show to anyone that you can be funny too! Then, see if how many views your video can get after uploading it. Others might think you are insane while others might appreciate your sense of humor and find it cool. Doing this may open a window of an opportunity for you of being discovered as a comedian or an actor especially if you got the x factor. You can also earn fans or much better, friendship from your viewers. If you cannot afford or have an access of making a video… a wacky photo of yourself will do. Moreover, taking a wacky video or picture with your loved ones or with your family is way much better. Remember, "the more… the merrier!". Aside from the famous line that "laughter is the best medicine", I can say that laughter is a good virus… for it is contagious in a good way. The outbreak it brings, makes the infected place happier and free of worries. It's a good feeling to make someone laugh and happy just by being wacky. Warning!... uploading a wacky video is highly addictive.

     To sum it up, this article as a whole doesn't intend to make you look stupid by doing these crazy things. It's up to you if you want to give it a shot. But, these tips will be helpful somehow specifically for those stressful ones. It's about freeing yourself from a busy life once in a while and going out of your shell that bores you. You can be adventurous even in trying out on simple things. I am hoping that these so-called five crazy things will teach us how to feel light-hearted in dealing with the trials and challenges our life has to offer. Unleash again the child and the funny side in us without getting binded by what the social norms and the rules of morality dictates, without being pressured by what some folks tells us if what's the right thing to do. It's all about our own choices and free will that will enable us to live beyond the normal things we can do and in a limited world that stops us from discovering more of ourselves. As Kris Allen of American Idol says in his single, "Live Like We're Dying". Pretend that this is your last day on earth. Life is short, but will be perceived as long-lived if it goes with a purpose of exploring beyond our limitation. Take things easy and be cool.:) 

Photo by: Sukito San