Reflection: Gifts in Every Filipino

Rose Marie Yenko, a clinical psychologist, delivered her lecture on "Gifts in the Filipino Psyche" (9/22/12). Below is my reflection:

For a while, the lecture led me into wondering why introduce the class about power, ethics and accountability with a discussion about something psychological. I readily grasp the gist. Knowing the Filipino psyche, especially the collective unconscious, would prepare us to deeply understand how we view power and how we interpret what’s good and what’s not. That is, we have the basis of our ethical standards. It tells us what dictates the propensity to do things, our way.

greetings to you Pepe

This is going to be short. I just want to pay tribute to the only hero that I can relate with. Happy 151st birthday, Pepe a.k.a. Dr. Jose Rizal! 

Japan amazed (and haunts) me!

The other day, a friend and I planned to eat at Cafe Juanita but it was fully booked. We ended up transferring to a Japanese resto nearby. 

The resto offered a variety of Asian dishes. That's a relief! I skipped the seafood-laden Japanese foods, I have allergies on crustaceans. While there, nostalgia really hit me, there came the flashbacks of my Japan encounters. 

the Corona drama (and in-betweens)

20-3, guilty votes have it! Corona is ousted from his seat as the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. 


For me, I admire more those three (Arroyo, Santiago, Marcos) who voted for his acquittal. They have the guts to go against the overflowing despise/anger/clamor against the chief justice. They must be objective enough, unfazed by the bandwagon of hate. Real enough, to point out that everyone else commit the same mistake as Corona do, in terms of SALN. Corona is the guinea pig, that by his not declaring those enormous wealth (intertionally or otherwise), his post and reputation paid off. 

hello Mayon!: things worth remembering in Albay

Before coming, I thought: "Aside from the chili dishes and Mayon, what can they offer?". But I was proven wrong. There is more to Bicol than what I expected.


I was there for our convention. I am part of the core officers who will prepare for the 4-day big event. Mostly, this spells work. Good thing, I had ample time to roam around, basically around Legazpi City. Note, this is my first time in Bicolandia.


Let me list some things I recall about Bicol:

Jessica Sanchez: the phenomenon

Sixteen year old Jessica Sanchez won many heart in this season of American Idol. Judges and audience alike admire her exceptional talent, making her slide through weekly eliminations. She manages to stay until the grand Finale next week. The only obstacle for grabbing the title is Phillip Phillips.  

prologue: connected

Am I connected?

What's happening lately? Aside from some dispute with China over the distant islets, or the President (with no visible programs) dating girls half his age or the celebrated brawl in NAIA, our country is basically the same. We have the impoverished majority and the few superficial, supposed-to-be-concerned elite. That's it. 


Me? I care. Maybe. Or I just sit on my ergonomic chair, and wallow in nothingness. 


But to think of, something is there. I just turned 30, and many say life is just beginning. Let's see: some office job I had since six years ago; some major sickness that overturned all my predispositions; some renewed faith; and some new relationship matters. 


Honestly, I am unsure about tomorrow. Who does? One thing remains - I have this desire for connection. Maybe I can connect by writing again. 


I better be good this time.