Learning real lessons from real people

I had a chance to have a worthy conversation with Bernard, who is now my friend. He is really an eye-catcher with good looks and intimidating posture. But he almost killed himself three years ago thinking that he's useless. His girlfriend left him and his family once neglected him. He believed that living started to crash him part by part. But he found God. He met a pastor who introduced him to Christ. Yes, he knew Christ before but he never allowed Him to fully control his heart. But everything abruptly changed. He learned to live again, to offer his life to Jesus, to appreciate the people around him and to keep going on. He is blind but he is sure enough his life has now a purpose.

"Jesus is in my heart and He speaks to me."
-Bernard

Open your eyes and vice versa

There are some people who pay much for their gym sessions, gadgets, cosmetics, spa services etc. Pero sa pagbili ng isang bible worth P250 hirap na hirap na sila. There's nothing wrong to acquire those things pero remember according to the Bible, God is searching for your internal beauty, not the external. You can invest on the external but invest more on the internal. If you die, you can't bring all those material things with you.

2 Corinthians 4:18 says "For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal."

All we need is to have a closer relationship with God. Reading the Bible helps us to achieve it as we get to know, understand and apply the word of our LORD. GOD BLESS EVERYONE. :)

The Ultimate Rock Experience

I missed Catanduanes, the food, the hospitality of Catandungans and most especially the pristine beaches and stunning mountain ranges. The island province has a lot to offer to backpackers who want to relax and spend their wee days from the hustle-and-bustle urban living. And talking about these fantastic places, there’s this paradise hiding in the southwestern tip of the island.

The Twin Rock Resort, a white beach cove in Igang, is definitely one of the reasons why the island province is being visited by heap of tourists from various parts of the Philippines and other countries.

I have never been to Boracay but at the very moment I stepped on the enticing shore, I immediately loved the place. I realized there is this wonderful tourist destination of ours reminiscent of Thailand’s Phang Nga Bay.

The beach is very pristine. Apparently the place is maintained to be clean and visitor-friendly. By paying just a small amount, your entire stay in Twin Rock would really be a remarkable one. There are a lot of activities you can do inside. There is one kiddie and one adult pool if you prefer not to swim in the beach water, a beach volleyball sand court which is inseparable when it comes to extreme summer getaway, restaurants to enjoy variety of foods, a diving zone for diving enthusiasts, a massage area for complete relaxation, rooms for rent for overnight staying, beach motors to fully enjoy the entirety of the resort and seaside cottages facing the crystal clear water. I can literally say, “It’s bluer than blue.”
If it's low-tide, the tourists can go to the 'twin rocks' (as what they say, because of the two huge rocks adjacent to each other) and see a "paradise" hiding at the back of the rocks. There are high rock walls and peculiar marine species.
Folks in the town said that the larger rock has a huge hole on top of it, just like a volcano. But they ensured me there's no lava inside. They didn't know what's inside cause' nobody ever attempted to go down and check it out. There was also an old man living on top of it raising goats.

Also, in the diving portion, I also discovered that it's a small trench. There's a steep-sided depression in the ocean floor. I tried to dive under but I couldn't go more than 10 feet.

When the water reached the farthest ebb of the tide, we immediately went to the 'twin rock.' We were able to cross the shallow water (but if it's high-tide, you cannot cross it because the water is above eight feet I think.) I was amazed by the scenery I saw. It's like a paradise. Aside from the high rock walls and marine species living there, there were small caves, unspoiled water and relaxing sound of waves. I also saw the vastness of the Pacific Ocean that made me forget the clutters of the environment I temporarily left.

Amenia Beach, Palawig, Catanduanes

The Amenia Beach can be found in Palawig, Catanduanes. The water is really, really clear with fewer underwater plants so you can step on the sand comfortably. Just be careful with the tiny crabs underwater. I noticed some small holes on the sand. I thought the holes were dug by water snakes. These crabs make the holes to escape from sudden danger. Speaking of water snakes, I saw some in the water. But they're not as dangerous as what we see in the fields. I also saw some small red plants on the sea ground. If you step on those red plants, they'll vanish. I just don't know the mystery behind it. :) I think I still have to ask Kuya Kim first.

I loved the sand. It's like what I've seen in Alibuyod Beach in Guimaras when I visited the place. The entire place is tranquil. You can see monkeys, sea birds, mangrove swamps, starfish and other marine species that you couldn't see at the Ocean Park. I found a starfish while I was having my walk across the seashore. I used to see various starfish from my father. He used to collect and take them home. I remembered the yellow one he brought from Malaysia and the the violet starfish with pink lining I saw in front of our home in Brunei. But what I saw in Amenia was different. It's bigger and it looked like a kiddie toy I used to play with in our bathtub. I really wanna go back there in the near future and bring my friends. It was such a great, great experience!

The Distant Land of My Father: Catanduanes

It all began when my brother bought me a plane ticket as a graduation gift. I really knew it would be a great summer vacation. It has been two years since the last time I visited my father's hometown, Virac, Catanduanes. I missed the food and the hospitality of Catandungans. When we arrived there, we immediately visited my relatives in Santa Cruz and Santa Elena. I found out that most of them now live in Canada and the United States. I also joined their annual Virac Procession and followed our family's own sacred figure, the Dolorosa. The people are still traditional and conservative. On the next day, we went to Kemji Resort and Restaurant. The place is just few blocks away from the Virac Airport. The place is good for backpackers after a long trip and to those who don't have a place to stay in Virac. I love the Black Forest Frappuccino reminiscent of Red Ribbon's frappe specialty. My experience in Catanduanes is really one of a kind. I really have the desire to travel across the country and see the beauty of each province.

Albay Escapade

We arrived at the Legaspi Airport in Albay and then headed to Tabaco International Port to ride a ferry boat to Catanduanes. We took the "sikad-sikad" (also known as padyak-padyak) from Tabaco city proper to the port. I saw the "Muro Ami" kids. I just called them muro ami because I remembered the Cesar Montano film the time we arrived there. They dive under the sea for coins being thrown by ship passengers. Before the ship drifted away, I could see from afar that it was raining. Well, it's nice to offer a prayer before you leave a place. It's wavy in the middle of the ocean. It's fun. It's like having your ride in Rio Grande. Not when everyone started to throw up. Messy. Even my mom did. I didn't have the concrete idea if looking at those people throwing up also makes you do the same thing. I just did. But then I glanced up and saw the islets on the vastness of the ocean. My expression changed from distaste to wonder, and for a moment I just stared. I loved the trip. Such a WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE.

Published Article on People's Journal Tonight

Thanks to Prof. Leonides Valencia, the editor of Environment and You of People's Journal Tonight and to Ms. Hedy de Castro, the corporate affairs head of Mead Johnson Nutrition Philippines for allowing me to contribute my story. And also to the support given to me by Candaba Mayor Jerry Pelayo and especially to Pampanga Congresswoman Anna York Bondoc.

The Venice Experience

The Venice in Mckinley Hill, Taguig is so, so romantic. I first saw the place in an advertisement of Megaworld and immediately marked my calendar to have an on-site visit. Unfortunately, the Realto Bridge is still under construction. Anyway, the place is really nice. It's like you're in the real Venice or Macau. I also like the structure of its Piazza Mall.
I spent the moment with my sister checking every corner, hopping around, listening to jazz performers and spending the wee hours of the evening with frappucinos.

The Guimaras Adventure

The term fits my tour. It’s definitely adventurous cause I really didn’t know where to stay in the island province of Guimaras. I would be visiting the coastal villages of Nueva Valencia which were greatly affected by the Petron oil spill last three years. Nyaha. It sounded very, very exciting. What’s the right term for me? Navigator? Route finder? Well, I was just an ordinary backpacker who wanted to find his destination and avoid getting lost.

Went to Barangay Tando.
Pored over the mangroves in Tando Mangrove Farm.
Walked for pleasure in Jordan.
Took a very, very long ride from Jordan to the coastal villages in Nueva Valencia.
Went to Alibuyod Beach. Lovvvvvveeee it! Very pristine. Has fascinating rocks and fine white sand.
Enjoyed the pumpboat rides from Iloilo.
Enjoyed eating dried mangoes.
Enjoyed having dried and messed up hair.

Hello Iloilo

I arrived at the Iloilo Central Bus Terminal at 6:00 pm. Went to SM City Iloilo and had my dinner at Casa Ilongga. The food tasted differently but I loved it. I didn’t know where to stay so I asked the cab driver to take me to a place with affordable lodging inns. Good thing, I found one.

Thank God. It’s really affordable! After checking-in, I tried how they spend their night life in the city. Just hopped around. And that made me hop, hop, hop!

How my feet took me to Iloilo

It’s always fun to travel! New places, new friends, new food to try and new experiences to cherish. It has always been a leisure pursuit of mine to check every single corner of the places I am visiting.

My experience in Iloilo was great though there were some problems during my trip from Cubao to Iloilo City. Anyway, I never had a dollar to ruin my vacation-slash-thesis research. I just enjoyed every minute.

I took a “roll-on roll-off” (RORO) trip from Araneta Center Cubao.
From Cubao to Batangas Port to Calapan, Oriental Mindoro to Roxas, Oriental Mindoro to Caticlan, Aklan to Capiz to Iloilo City.

Fun. Fun. Fun

Confession of a Boringly Studious Senior

I am very glad that despite all the circumstances I have experienced as a senior, including my illnesses, sudden feeling of leaving school and other Devil May Cry influences, I was able to finish all the stuff necessary to finally step onto the stage and receive my most-awaited diploma. I wasn’t really decided to take Mass Communication. I was supposed to take Political Science in a Catholic university but my mom told me to take nursing in PLM, monetary reasons indeed. But I think life has been too playful to me. Instead of taking nursing, I illegally wrote ‘Mass Comm’ on my course sheet. Yes, it was illegal. Anything done without my mom’s consent is considered forbidden by our family’s laws. She really got mad at me – didn’t talk to me for a week. She said I couldn’t find a high-paying job with my course. Well, I understood her. She just wanted me to have a comfortable life after my college graduation. But with my passion for writing and communicating with different people, I know Mass Comm is really the right course for me. Oooops, mathematics was also a big, big factor. But on this entry, I’m not going to talk about my achievements. It would be all about my real identity, a happy-go-lucky lakwatsa-obsessed student. Being a nerdy and geek guy is just my alter ego.

• I whispered to my classmate in my Chemistry class that I didn’t have to study the subject because that would be useless in Mass Comm. The bad thing was my professor heard it and responded with a sharp look. And that’s it. I received the lowest grade I have ever had. But he’s the best science professor I met. Really.
• My Physics professor caught me drawing animé characters on my book while having class discussion.
• My block during my first year in PLM cheated in our Ethics final exam. Guess what, I joined them. And we were caught.
• I orally refused to be the class president during our sophomore orientation in CMC. I hated extra responsibilities.
• I copied when I took my Logic final examination. I even got a higher grade than the source of my answers.
• When I got sick, I left my responsibility of being the MCSL president and turned it over to my fellow officers.
• I was doing all my written assignments two hours before the class. Cramming is my virtue.
• I was playing online games outside PLM instead of reading my notes.
• I was hopping around in malls even though it’s our finals week.
• I was spending more on ‘lakwatsa’ than on my school projects.
• I was more focused on completing my Starbucks stickers than finalizing the chapter 4 of our thesis.
• I slept at the hallway of our Radio Lab instead of attending Umagang Kay Ganda’s live airing. The professors knew about it. I was scolded.
• I lost my footing and slid unintentionally for a short distance at the canteen while holding a cup of coffee. Just imagine what happened next.
• I had my most embarrassing ‘break dance’ in front of my classmates during my Theater class.

I just laugh whenever I remember all those childish, embarrassing and remarkable experiences. But I’m no longer a student now. I’ll be facing the real world and those acts will not be acceptable anymore. Well, I deeply apologize to my neighbors, classmates and friends for bringing harm to your lives. For telling your secrets to others, for promising of meeting you somewhere but cancelled it on the last minute, for eating in your homes without prior notice, for being playful and hurtful even your faces have reddened already, for putting used tissue paper in Vina’s mouth while she was nagging me. I’m not a perfect person. Sometimes, I get overwhelmed by the situations but I know my limitations. I’m not a bad person. I’m just fond of amusement. Peace, buddies. ^.^

Cleaning Estero de Paco

There is a political advertisement being shown nowadays that asks every individual if he or she has taken a bath in a sea of garbage. For many people, the idea is absurd. Who would have been immersing themselves in discarded wastes? Why does it ask the people? It hints at a simple question but needs a corresponding weighty answer.

True enough, our major cities have seas of garbage. Take the case of the “biologically dead” Pasig River. American architect David Burnham once compared the Pasig River with the Bay of Naples in Paris and the canals in Venice. The water was clear and immaculate. There was a sign of life under it. We had a river that boasted our country’s gifted natural resources. It was indeed the lifeline of our nation. But the used to be considered cleanest river in the country became a sea of nightmare when heap of junks have been continuously dumped on it. It has been an inconvenient truth that the river proves to be a world-class naturally dead body of water because of its degrading state.

Some private groups and organizations along with the government are doing some initiatives to provide real solutions to this environmental difficulty. The ABS-CBN Foundation, headed by managing director Gina Lopez, spearheads this corporate social responsibility with the vision of bringing back the Pasig River to a Class C type of watercourse where people can swim and marine species can live.

One of the projects the foundation is currently doing, along with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and other private organizations and companies, is the relocation of informal settlers along Estero de Paco in Manila through the Kapit-Bisig Pasa sa Ilog Pasig program.

The Estero de Paco is one of the portions of the Pasig River which needs considerable treatment and rejuvenation. Aside from the garbage coming from the settlers, solid wastes from oil depots have also been dumped on. It has been found out by the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission (PRRC) that the estero has the highest concentration of wastes and other pollutants. The foundation is also gearing forward to target the biggest violations of companies that have been illicitly contributing to the river’s chaotic condition. There are corresponding punishments to those proven violators.

There were 4,049 families living along the Pasig River. In Manila, there were 2,891 informal settlers and 1,120 of it live at the Estero de Paco. In the data culled from the PRRC’s study, there is an indication that the major source of water pollution in the river are domestic wastes (65%), more than twice the degree of industrial wastes with 30%. These domestic wastes come from slum dwellers along the river banks.

The voluntary relocation is being done in order to lessen the solid waste coming from the informal settlers and to concentrate on the river’s remediation. Also, there is a discovery of methane gas concentration in some portions of the river due to the long submersion of solid wastes, which is harmful to the settlers’ health and safety.

The families from the three-kilometer stretch along the estero are being relocated in the program’s 107-hectare official resettlement site in Calauan, Laguna through ABS-CBN’s Bayan ni Juan project. Housing units are being given to them. They are also being trained for some livelihood alternatives such as planting crops, welding, basket making, cellphone and equipment repairing, massaging and other vocational courses from TESDA. The foundation also renovated the existing school in the relocation site as well as the wet market and a basketball court. If a family successfully complied with all the requirements authorized by the National Housing Authority (NHA) for the relocation, each of them will be given one sack of rice and grocery items good for one week. They are also given free medical checkups and counseling services. The Kapit-Bisig gives rise to a seven-year program to clean the target areas and give the families a better place to live in.

Meanwhile, the oil companies are opening their depots to a third party independent risk assessor to certify their compliance in controlling pollution and securing safety measures. Also, the Estero de Paco is now having its major changes as it shows more unadulterated water with much lesser solid wastes, in which the foundation keeps on doing away with. It is also free from the sources of garbage as it steadily gives signs of anticipated significant results.

It’s not just certain people are responsible to take actions towards the rehabilitation of the Pasig River. We are all responsible to do our own duties as citizens of this nation. Our collaborative effort is what our nature needs. The Pasig River is our lifeline. It symbolizes us. It shows how we, Filipinos, take care of our environment. It is a reflection of the values we acquire from time to time. It is awful to see people taking a bath in a sea of garbage but there is nothing shameful than seeing ourselves contributing to these environmental degradation. Just open your eyes and vice versa.

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Story by: Dennis Amata
Photos: Dennis Amata

Candaba's Migratory Birds

In support of my hometown’s advocacy to encourage bird protection and wildlife preservation in Candaba, Pampanga, I wrote an article and got it published on People’s Journal Tonight’s editorial section dated March 10, 2010.
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Candaba’s Migratory Birds
By Dennis John Amata


Candaba, Pampanga is known for its wide and scenic swamps which have been a favorite spot of migratory birds from Mainland China, Siberia, New Zealand, Mongolia and other parts of Asia to break away from winter season and enjoy the town’s tropical temperature.

The birds, arriving in October and leaving in March and April, are of various species: the Shrenck’s Bittern, Great Bittern, Eurasian Spoonbill, Purple Swamp Hen, Chinese Pond Heron and Black-Crowned Heron – all of whom greet you every morning with their delightful ear-friendly chirping.

The Candaba Wildlife Sanctuary, visited by tourists from various parts of the world, is one of the five wetlands in Central Luzon. The others are the Paitan Lake in Cuyapo and Pantabangan Dam, both in Nueva Ecija; Puerto Rivas in Balanga City; and Consuelo in Macabebe, also in Pampanga.

But not all those who make a claim to greatness remain great. Just like Metro Manila, Candaba was afflicted by Typhoons “Ondoy” and “Pepeng,” destroying the farmers’ crops near the swamp and changing their planting cycles for melon and rice. Due to this, there have been reports that the population of migratory birds visiting the town has decreased.

Based on the Asian Waterbird Census conducted this year, there are 13,160 birds and 39 species seen by the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines (WBCP) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Candaba.

Last 2009, 12,686 migratory birds and 41 species were found. The number appeared to have increased in four swamplands in Brgy. Doña Simang, in Paralaya and in Perlas. In the last site, 2,000 birds were counted.

The census recognizes the bird’s migratory patterns and causes of migration.

Still, there remain rampant bird hunting activities. Bird hunting is strictly prohibited in Candaba through an ordinance passed by the city council in 2004. The Wildlife Act (Republic Act. No. 9147) carries out penalties on caught hunters depending on the species captured, killed or traded.

An interesting incident occurred in December 2009, when WBCP photographed a man in a camouflage-type uniform holding a rifle in the water lilies in one of the ponds owned by Candaba Mayor Jerry Pelayo. Member of the WBCP went to Mayor Pelayo’s place when they heard gunshots but were unable to apprehend the hunter. To ward off hunters, policemen have been detailed at various sites in Candaba swamps.

Of late, three new species have been seen – the Gray-Headed Lawping, Great Bitterns and Mallard. These species were seen in late December until the first week of January. According to WBCP President Michael Lu, this year’s migratory birds have diminished although they have grown to be more “diverse.”

The presence of the rare Black-faced Spoonbill, Pied Avocet, Black-browned Reed, Warbler and Eurasioan Spoonbill has helped foster the reputation of the Canadaba Swamps and the Philippines in their bird conservation efforts.

Yaw Yan Finds Himself Homeless

He greeted me with an approachable smile and shook my hand like the door’s always open. At that moment, I felt that I was gladly received upon entering the Yaw Yan (YY) Pasay Gym. He was none other than the great Napoleon Fernandez, the founder of the known deadliest martial art which was first introduced here in the Philippines. This 84-year-old man, who was known as the most fearless Yaw Yan fighter ever existed, never had any loss in any of his competitions. Who would have ever imagined that this gray-haired man once defeated the country’s best mixed martial artists. Though he cannot join tournaments because of his age and illness, he is contented to train his own fighters who are currently representing his spirit.

He had sudden rupture in his blood vessels that’s why he is having difficulty in moving. I also had to speak right close to his right ear so he could understand my questions.

Yaw Yan, which is also known as “Sayaw ng Kamatayan” is a Filipino martial art. It is a form of kickboxing just like Thailand’s Muay Thai but differs in the hip-torquing motion and downward-cutting nature of kicks.

Considered as the grand master, the great Fernandez makes sure that his students develop their agility, strength and sense of discipline. He trains them nine hours a day. He does not allow students to engage in any vice. He also nurtures those who are unfortunate and converts them into tremendous martial artists.

Fernandez admits that though he was honored as the one who started the martial art, he considers himself homeless. He does not know where his wife and children are. One of his students, Saladin Dacuyan, who now owns the Pasay gym, takes care of him and procures his basic necessities. He did not receive any financial return as Yaw Yan gyms continuously spring all throughout the country.

With the incontestable popularity of mixed martial arts competitions in the Philippines and other countries, Fernandez hones his students by learning the principles of Yaw Yan. The martial art is designed to be offensive. It has no blockings. The fighter aims to attack his opponent through striking, takedowns, grappling, arnis stick and knife fighting and additional kickboxing material. A Yaw Yan fighter also uses his arms and wrists to attack.

Yaw-Yan is not purely a full-contact no-holds barred sport martial art. It is a complete martial training with body-mind coordination and test of enduring indomitable spirit.

For Grand Master Fernandez, this martial art represents the Filipinos. “There has only been one thing that I have been pursuing ever since and that is to enlighten the Filipinos to patronize their own art and not to be called “Malansang Isda” or foul odor fish. People nowadays will do anything just to patronize foreign arts rather than their own. Fancy styles from foreign arts rarely works on actual fights where anything goes really does happen,” said Fernandez.

He has marked the country’s own and unique way of fighting which was designed to be sport-oriented.

After my worthy conversation with him, I couldn’t help but adore this great man who will certainly leave a legacy. With 47 years of practicing the martial art, it is beyond doubt that Master Napoleon and Yaw Yan are both inseparable.

Usapang Holdup

Sabi ng mama ko huwag na huwag daw akong maglalabas ng wallet sa kalsada. Sabi ng mama ko huwag na huwag daw akong magwiwithdraw sa ATM machine na nasa gilid ng kalsada. Sabi ng mama ko huwag daw akong magtetext habang nakasakay sa jeep. Sabi ng mama ko huwag akong maglalakad sa kalsada sa dis-oras ng gabi. Sabi ng mama ko huwag akong maga-ipod habang naglalakad sa daan.

Talamak daw ang holdupan sa kanto lalo pa’t pahirap ng pahirap ang buhay sa Pilipinas at ang tanging solusyon ng ibang taong naghihikahos ay mangholdup, mansnatch at ang pinakamalala ay makapatay ng di sinasadya alang alang sa cellphone, pitaka, alahas na makakapagpuno sa kumakalam nilang sikmura.

Siguro nga tama lahat ng mga bilin ng mama ko sa akin. Sino ba naman ako para magsabi kung ano ang dapat, tama at makabubuti para sa akin. Oo nga. Hmmm. E paano kung dumating talaga sa point na kailangan mong magwithdraw sa kalsada, maglakad mag-isa sa gabi, maglabas ng wallet sa daan, magtext sa loob ng jeep? May mangyayari ba’ng masama? May bigla bang susunggab sa likuran ko at sasabihing… “holdup to, akin na ang bag mo!”

Pauwi na ako galing sa debut ng classmate kong si Maan. Ginabi na rin kami sa tagal ng daldalan, kainan at kwentuhan. Sa totoo lang, isa na ako sa pinakamaagang umuwi. Nag-aalala kasi ako sa mama ko baka mamaya niyan pagpalain ako at makakuha nanaman ako ng sandamakmak na sermon na daig pa ang tinutukan ng limang alarm clock na sabay sabay tumutunog.

Medyo inaantok na rin ako habang hawak-hawak sa kanang kamay ang souvenir ni Maan sa kanyang debut, isang maliit na babasaging dalaga na nakapink na gown. Pangalanan natin siyang Lala. Kamukha niya kasi yung teacher ko dati na para bang laging aattend ng binyag tuwing papasok sa klase. Nagpasya akong hawakan na lang si Lala dahil baka mabasag siya pag nilagay ko sa loob ng bag ko. O di kaya siya ang makabasag ng mga gamit na nasa loob ng bag ko. Mukha pa namang inaantok na rin si Lala dahil hindi pantay ang pagkakagawa ng kanyang mata. Tamang-tama kamukha niya na talaga ang teacher ko’ng si Ma’am Lala. Mukhang laging puyat sa araw-araw na pagpunta sa mga binyagan. Maya niyan ay magulat na lang ako at magreklamo na nasisikipan siya sa pwesto niya sa loob ng aking backpack. Tamang-tama inaantok na ako. Para na rin akong nakasinghot ng rugby sa kaantukan.

Bumaba ako ng jeep at tinahak ang madilim na kalsada ng Lacson sa Maynila. Medyo madilim na rin ang daan. Sarado na ang mga tindahan. Ang ilaw sa gilid, parang walang pakinabang. Mukhang pati mga bumbilya ay ninakaw na rin ng mga pundido ang ilaw sa bahay. Dirediretso lang ako. Napapapikit na rin sa antok. Buti na lang wala akong sasakyan at baka maya niyan ay kung saan pa ako mabangga. Sayang yung sasakyan. Pagdating ko sa may dulo ng kalsada, biglang may lalaking humarang sa daraanan ko. Hindi naman katandaan yung lalake. Siguro halos kasing-edad ko rin siya at mapagkakamalan mong nagaaral sa isang mamahaling university. Nakajacket na may hood si kuya na para bang namamasyal lang sa Baguio. In fairness, ang ganda ng jacket niya. Bigla akong nginitian ni kuya. Aba teka, nakaramdam na ako. Baka naman napagkamalan ako nitong naghahanap ng callboy sa kanto at heto siya sa harapan ko, inooffer ang kanyang sarili, SALE 50% off. Tinutukan niya ako ng kutsilyo sabay sabing… “Holdup to, akin na ang bag mo!” Tiningnan ko ang kutsilyo. Ang haba. Bumilog ang mata ko sa pinakamalaking bilog na magagawa nito. Para bang nakakita ako ng isang malaking sawa na anytime ay pwede akong tuklawin. Naisip ko, pag isinaksak sa akin yung kutsilyo, sa payat kong to, tatagos kaya hanggang sa likuran ko? E kung patagilid na lang yung pagsaksak at least hindi siguro tatagos? Maganda pa rin siguro siyang tingnan pag dinala na ko sa ospital. Panandalian akong natahimik sa mga litanya ni kuya. Ganito pala ang pakiramdam pag mismong nasa gitna ka na ng aksyon. Para ba’ng gusto kong maglabas ng espada, kutsilyo, baril, boomerang, sibat, latigo o kaya palakol. Kahit siguro G-tech na ballpen. Matulis naman ang dulo nun. Kaso hindi naman ako si Doraemon na kayang maglabas ng kulungan at ikulong na mismo si kuya at ipa-LBC sa presinto. Kung wala na ring choice para ba’ng gusto kong lunukin ang anumang bato sa tinatapakan ko at sumigaw ng “DARNA!”

Bilog pa rin ang mata ko. Mas maliit kumpara sa kanina. Siguro medyo nagsink-in na sa akin ang mga pangyayari. Naalala ko ang mga laman ng bag ko: notes, libro ni Sir Malinao na hirap na hirap akong hanapin sa Recto, cellphone na UNLI pa hanggang bukas, i-pod na may 210 songs, digicam na may pictures namin sa debut at isa ako sa mga inaasahang maguupload sa Multiply, wallet na may pera at cash card. Para bang hindi ko kayang bigla na lang mawawala silang lahat na parang bula. Mas mabuti pa siguro ipinamigay ko na lang sila sa mga kaklase ko kesa sa lalaking ito na nasa harapan ko na hindi ko naman kilala at ayaw kong kilalanin.

Medyo umakyat yata lahat ng dugo ko sa katawan at lahat ng balahibo ko ay tumaas. Daig pa ang mapakinggan ng live si Charice Pempengco. Naalala ko si Lala. Tama si Lala. Si Lala na lamang ang tangi kong makakapitan. Si Lala na lang ang tanging makakapagligtas ng bag ko. Walang pakundangang hinampas ko si Lala sa mukha ni kuyang holdupper. Sapol sa may gilid ng mata. Naisipan ko nang tumakbo kaso nahawakan ni kuya ang bag ko. Para bang gusto niyang sabihing, “Akala mo makakatakas ka!” Bilib din ako sa fighting spirit ni kuya talagang dedicated siya sa panghoholdup. Napakagat ako sa labi ko. “Patay!” Whoa. Parang si Goku lang nung matatalo na siya ni Cell. Pero biglang nabitawan ni kuya ang bag ko at hinawakan ang natamaan niyang mukha. Mukhang nagworry si kuya sa mukha niya. Kakapa-facial lang pala kahapon. Dali-dali na akong tumakbo palayo hindi iniinda kung may sasakyang pwedeng bumundol sa akin o kaya another holdupper na tutukan ulit ako ng patalim. Takbo lang ako ng takbo habang kumakabog sa kaba ang dibdib ko. Daig ko pa ang sumakay ng Space Shuttle sa Enchanted Kingdom. Kung gusto mo pala ng extreme feeling at animo’y hindi mo ito mahanap sa kahit anu mang amusement park, try mo magpaholdup. Iba sa pakiramdam. Hindi ko na alam kung saan ako dinadala ng paa ko. Basta takbo lang ako ng takbo. Maya niyan napansin kong malapit na akong makaabot ng Quezon City. Whew! daig ko pa ang fun run!

Pag-uwi ko, tulala pa rin ako. Iniisip ang mga nangyari kanina. Para bang napakasariwa ng bawat eksena. Pati reaksyon ni kuya nung mahampas siya ni Lala, nakatatak pa rin sa isipan ko. Napansin kong hawak-hawak ko pa rin pala si Lala. Maraming salamat kay Lala dahil kung hindi sa kanya baka umuwi na akong walang bag, walang pera, walang cellphone at kung anu ano pa. Pero kawawang Lala, wala na siyang ulo. Isinakripisyo niya ang kanyang ulo para sa akin.

Nagpunta ako ng CR para magpalit ng damit. Pagkatanggal ko ng pantalon, napansin kong may hiwa sa aking hita. Walang hiyang kuya yun, sinugatan pa ako. Ngayon ko lang naramdaman yung sakit at hapdi. Ganito pala yung tinatawag na adrenaline rush. Yung tipong kaya mong buhatin ang ref pag umabot na sa first floor ang baha sa bahay niyo.

Pagkatapos ng tagpong yon, naging paranoid na ko sa kalsada. Kung saan saan ako lumilingon na para bang lahat ng tao sa paligid ko ay tutukan ako ng kutsilyo. Kulang na lang lahat sila magmukha na ring kutsilyo.

At para kay kuya na nagpamalas sa akin ng hindi malilimutang experience, “Sana hindi mo natapakan ang ulo ni Lala!”

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Isinulat ng isang manunulat na nangangarap maging isang manunulat.

Pencak Silat

If you are a martial arts buff, you probably know karate, wushu, kungfu and taekwondo. You are aware who is Jet Li or even the Filipino Japoy Lizardo.

True enough, Asia has been the home of different fighting styles which is now considered sports in various competitions. Its real intention as a defensive act whenever involved in a battle in the era of antiquity was surmounted with now friendly matches among countries.

In the Philippines, the engrossing interest in martial arts rapidly grows. There are a lot of sports clinics available every summer offering different sports to learn.

If you’re talking about stamina and not-your-rigorous type of martial arts, Pencak Silat (pronounced as pen-chuck-see-lut) would certainly conform to your desired movements and styles.

Formulated to indicate more than 800 martial arts schools and styles spread across more than 13,000 islands of Indonesia, Pencak Silat has really reached even the Philippines. Filipinos started trying the art and even competed internationally. Since 1991, Pencak Silat has become a sporting event in the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games (as a demonstration sport in its first year) and eventually appeared in the Asian Games.

Often referred to as the self-defense of martial arts having its open hands and all kinds of sweeping, the art requires endurance and attacking potency to grab an opponent to sweep and push it down the floor. Though Aikido has its own way of sweeping, too, it is not accredited by the Philippine Olympic Committee in doing the tour de force.

When the Philippines competed in 1991 SEA Games in Manila, Filipino artists were able to bag two bronze medals and five silvers. From then on, an increased number of bemedalled partakers wore RP colors in the succeeding international tournaments.

Jojie Haducana is one of the veterans in this endeavor. He seized silver in the 1991 SEA Games, a bronze in the 1992 World Championships, silver in the 1993 SEA Games and gold in the 1997 World Championships. Haducana is now the senior instructor for today’s generation of Pencak Silat athletes.

The Philippine Pencak Silat Team has indeed mixed the best of both worlds. Though it originated in Indonesia, Filipino martial artists were able to blend it with similar martial art we have in the country called Kuntaw.

Engaging in this kind of steadfastness, the goal is the negation of violence. You fight not to parade your hostility to your opponent but to exhibit camaraderie when the game ends. For real martial artists especially Silat exhibitioners, the heart is far more important than striking a forceful kick.

Charo Soriano lifts Ateneo spirit

The crowd yells her name whenever she spikes hard and even desperately dives for the ball. She’s definitely a total-packed Atenean volleyball skipper who shows heartfelt leadership in the court. True enough, this young lady has so much to offer notwithstanding her ended playing years for the Lady Eagles.

Charo Soriano, who again lifts up the ball for the blue-and-white community, would certainly be an apple of the eye for the first conference of Shakey’s V-League’s sixth season to be held in Fil-Oil Flying V Arena starting April 19.

“It's an honor to be able to play again for my school and hopefully this time, I'll be able to give my best and to match the expectations the people have for our team,” said Soriano.

Soriano, who currently takes her Masters degree in Business Administration at the Ateneo Graduate School, becomes one of the players the fans should look out for.

She once starred in a Shakey’s commercial and became a Nike official endorser. Her “Shara-povic” shriek also became her trademark in the gameface.

She was the Rookie of the Year of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) season 66 and the Best Scorer and Best Receiver of Season 70.

Ever since, playing for Ateneo meant so much to her. She couldn’t imagine playing for any other school that is why engaging in for the Lady Eagles once again and adding to its reinforcement became her shout out for this conference.

“The team we have right now has better line up. We hope to meet the people's expectations and perhaps exceed from it,” uttered the articulate Soriano.

The Ateneo went from rigid two-week training in Thailand with Thai guest player Sontaya.

“I've learned so much in our training in Thailand. The players there have the spirit in getting and diving for the ball,” added Soriano.

This conference would be a tough one for the Lady Eagles. Having those hard-hitting teams such as San Sebastian College, University of Santo Tomas, Adamson University and Far Eastern University, the league certainly brings extra challenge to the Katipunan-based spikers. But it is the Lady Stags who makes Ateneo a bit wary in the league.

“For us it's always been San Sebastian. For how many years, they've been the champions in the NCAA. Last year, they were also the champion in Shakey's V-League. San Sebastian, itself, is a strong team. What more if it would be added by two strong guest players,” explained Soriano.

Still, Soriano said that it was the Ateneo spirit imbibed to them that keeps them going.

Hopping onto the broad shoulders

Playing basketball has been Filipinos’ long-time zeal. Anywhere else in the world, Filipinos still bring the ball-and-ring enthusiasm which makes Filipino basketball truly a world-class profession.

Not only Filipinos enter various leagues abroad but imports from other countries and even with Filipino descent try their basketball career in the country.

Some half-blood Australians cross the threshold to play in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) like Mick Pennisi and Sonny Thoss. Could the list be added with Filipino-Australian Hoopdreamz player Vergel Alcantara who starts making name in the field?

Alcantara grew up in San Pablo, Laguna before heading to Australia where he discovered his ball prowess. He had been visiting the country in holiday seasons and was offered a varsity stint in a Philippine-based college basketball team. “I didn't want to stay

that long and I wanted to go back to Australia and I went to IT working full-time,” uttered by the soft-spoken Alcantara.

He graduated at Northern Sydney Institute of TAFE with a degree in Information Technology and Network Engineering. The six-foot-three guard from Sydney’s South West Region had played in an All-Star charity game last year alongside legendary Australian National Basketball League (NBL) player Bruce Bolden, Daryl “DMAC” Macdonald, and former PBA import of defunct Pepsi Cola, Leonard Copeland. Alcantara, who humbly describes himself as an average-skilled player, became the leading scorer in that game.

True enough, there is so much in stored for this 25-year-old basketball wunderkind where he plays for 10 years by now. He has engaged in several teams in Australia’s state league playing in three seasons already.

He plays a small forward and shooting guard position not minding taking part any of the two. He acts upon what his coaches instruct him to do.

He considered playing in the National Basketball League in Australia but the league is not in pursuit of searching for new players. The sports, itself, is not completely having the rage unlike in the Philippines where basketball paints the town red.

Having watched PBA games in Australia where he regards the players for their fast plays, Alcantara has been a hanger-on of the mentioned league rooting for Talk N’ Text in its every game. He had seen the team played in Australia when it had stood up the pace with Sydney Kings for an exhibition game. “They're pretty fast, pretty cool which is good. They have a good line-up,” said Alcantara.

Applying for a rookie draft this June for the PBA is also conceivable for this Filipino-Australian hooper. “If the opportunity is there and it looks good, I'll consider playing here in the Philippines.” But for now, he still wants to continue his basketball engagement in Australia and focus himself in giving Filipino players a good run for their money in their exhibition games at the Big Dome.

Alcantara was a last-minute addition to the Hoopdreamz White Sharks roster of players who is competing with Yeng Guiao’s Powerade Team Pilipinas in preparation of the latter for the Southeast Asian Basketball Association Tournament this June in Medan, Indonesia, the qualifier for August’s Asian Championship in China. He was put in by Hoopdreamz club director Marco Selorio. Meanwhile, the Hoopdreamz players, along with Filipino coaches on-board Jun Da Jose and Ato Tolentino, are confident to give a good play with the local bet Philippine team

The tall line-up of The White Sharks is what Alcantara thinks their upper hand over the All-Pro RP team. A good game would be expected exhibiting immense physicality steering clear from dirty plays. The team tries to have good ball rotations and avoids piquancy of their tempers.

The half-blooded Australian looks forward to James Yap, Arwind Santos and Willie Miller to perform exceptionally well in the Philippine-Australia Goodwill Game. “James Yap seems to be pretty good. He's a shooting guard I think. Arwind Santos, he's pretty athletic and Willie Miller as well. I mean all of the players are really good,” said Alcantara.

After the affable yet competitive action between the Team Philippines and The Great White Sharks, Alcantara will be heading back to Australia to continue his full-time job in an investment company and do little basketball encounters.

Undeniably, basketball is treated not a game anymore but an abode where everyone gathers for spirited live actions. For a man like Vergel Alcantara, who is still Filipino by heart, believes that the nationality doesn’t affect the players’ sportsmanship.

Sooner or later, the Philippine courts will be jiggled by a strong-willed and high-spirited Vergel Alcantara.

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Story by: Dennis Amata

Submitted to: Jun Lomibao (Business Mirror Sports News Editor)

My Published Article from Business Mirror

I felt so elated when my OJT supervisor Reuben Terrada told me that my first assignment in Business Mirror was published dated today.

I was assigned to cover a tennis tournament.

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Top seeds in quarters

TOP seed Kim Ivo Saraza and No. 2 Paul Nicole Magaway scored easy victories on Wednesday to advance to the boys’ under-18 quarterfinals of the Tru-Flex National Age Group Tennis Championships at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.

Fisrt seed Saraza, who drew a bye in the first round, defeated Chino Villatito, 6-0, 6-2, and will face the winner of the match between Arjohn dela Cruz and Ed Amor. Second seed Magaway blanked Resty Maño, 6-0, 6-0.

Magaway, a former National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) champion from La Salle Greenhills, will next face Bletchley Rocafort, who overcame his Manila Southwoods Tennis Academy teammate Miles Bingcang, 7-5, 2-6, 10-4.

“I always try to do my best in every game. I practice and work hard to sharpen my ball returns,” said the 17-year-old Magaway, who represented the country in the last Head International Tennis Federation (ITF) Junior Circuit in Singapore.

Third seed Akio Sy outlasted John Altiche, 6-2, 5-7, 10-5, and will next face the winner of the Pemrick Alina-Raymark Gulfo tussle.

No. 4 Juan Gabriel Peña also advanced to the quarterfinals after a 6-4, 6-3 win over Juan Carlo Cano. He will next battle Angelo Joseph Rivero, who edged Marco Suntay, 7-6, 7-6.

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Story by: Dennis Amata

Date Published: Thursday, April 2, 2009

Newspaper: Business Mirror Sports Section

The Other Side of the Coin

I was frowning – hesitated to enter the well-known scholars’ university, the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila. My mother took my quivering hand and we both crossed the threshold to have my entrance examination. With an undefined feeling, I took the PLMAT and luckily passed it. I still remember that day covered with accentuation.

I never had the initiative to process my application in the mentioned university. Indeed, I was reluctant to study there. Having lived in other country and in the province, I didn’t know anything about PLM. I took my high school years in a Montessori school and I was exposed to a very different type of teaching. I had limited number of classmates per section, complete facilities and friends who were aiming for famous and private universities for college. That time, I took entrance examinations from three private universities in Metro Manila and even tried for Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University in Beppu City, Japan but was not able to make a lucky break. From then on, my mind was attached to pursuing my college degree at UST conceivably because of peer pressure.

Unexpected predicaments arrived in our family when we experienced a financial crisis because of my mother’s sudden business breakdown. My mother, our sole breadwinner, decided to entrust me into a public university which at first I barely hated the idea. I cried the day my mother told me about that. With my siblings studying at exclusive schools, I felt it was totally unfair. We even had a soft fight where we hadn’t talked for a week. With enough time of emotional healing, friends who offered solace and the realization of our current family condition, I halfheartedly accepted my mother’s offer.

The application process in PLM was really tough. It’s like passing through a needle’s hole. My address had always been a question but giving the right sort of documents, I ended up getting my test permit.

From the day I passed the test to my first day of class, I was emotionally disturbed. I still wanted to study in other university. I absolutely experienced culture shock when I had plenty of classmates whom I never expected and hardly adjusted with them. I was also complaining about the classrooms’ hotness which I didn’t experience in my previous school. Instead of wearing a jacket, I was fanning myself all throughout the school hours. It’s really grueling to adjust at first where I tended to miss what I had in high school. I even told my mother that I wanted to transfer into another school.

Day after day, everything for me was changing. I met a lot of genuine friends, enjoyed the subjects, liked the school activities, handled by good professors and given with rare academic opportunities. I was abruptly altered to a true PLMayer. I was enjoying my stay in this university which continuously molds my talents and skills.

Though PLM could not be as great as UP, as expensive as Ateneo, as stylish as La Salle, this university has what it takes to convert an ordinary college student to a respected and successful individual in any industry. In this university, I learn how to work hard not just for myself but also for my family. Only PLM gives me the opportunities I never anticipated I’ll be involved with. But this isn’t a dream anymore because this university I once hated makes everything a reality.

The Wanderers

At exactly 1:30 in the afternoon, we arrived at Hong Kong Chek Lap Kok International Airport. Having disorientation from long flight from Bandar Seri Begawan to Manila and Manila to Hong Kong, I barely walked straight.

As we went through the airport’s baggage area, we later on found out that our baggage were missing. My mother spent a couple of hours talking to an airport representative. And according to their investigation, they were sent back to the Philippines. We were all knocked for six. Our stuff and my mom’s credit cards were there. She has only few bucks left in her wallet. They said we had to wait for a week before we could get back our bits and pieces.

We were not able to do something about it. Going outside the airport was one of the most terrible things I experienced. It was damn cold. No sweaters. No gloves. No hoods. We didn’t even have enough money for us to stay somewhere else. In short, we became instant foreign street dwellers in Kowloon. We went there to spend Christmas and it was indeed a nice holiday treat for all of us. We walked and walked and walked while we were totally refrigerated in extreme coldness. Gosh. I never dreamed of being a “pulubi” but that’s the way it is.

At least, we boisterously laugh whenever we remember that beggarly moment of ours.