Sabi nila, "there's no place like home", tama nga naman. When I was still studying in Manila, I always looked forward for the sem breaks and Christmas breaks. Yun lang kase yung time na nakaka-uwi ako sa Mindoro. Sobrang nakaka-stress kase dito sa Manila. I longed for the simplicity and relaxed setting in the countryside. Feeling ko pa nga until now, sobrang safe ako whenever I sleep in my room sa bahay namin sa probinsiya. Dito kc sa Manila medjo iba ang feeling.

Late last night, I was having a shot of vodka while my cousins Rain, Ian and Obee played our favorite pastime, I saw one of the security guards and some 5-6 policemen approached the unit near ours. I felt something weird. Forgive me but as I sipped my alcohol, I eavesdropped. One of the uniformed men invited our neighbor, warned him and tried to calm him down. Thirty minutes later we heard our neighbors wept. My condolences. To find out what happened, click here.

Two months na ako dito sa Manila. At 2 months na rin yung worry ko whenever I go out and enjoy the night out with my friends. Thank God Rain and Emman have their own cars. And whenever they did not bring their cars, I ride a cab just to be sure that I'll be home safe and sound. I don't want to take the risk. Ang dami ko pa gusto ma achieve. Nakakalungkot lang na sa sarili kong bayan pa ako nag-wo-worry ng ganito.

Pilipinas ang bayan kong sinilangan. It's my home. Mahal ko ito kahit na dito ako dalawang beses na-holdap at nasasaktan, dito na-holdap ang Nanay ko, dito tumalon sa jeep ang kapatid ko dahil din sa holdap at marahil dito rin sa Pilipinas naging biktima ng mga petty crimes at iba pang kabulastugan ang mga kakilala nyo.

People get what they deserve. I can't help but think, is this the society we all deserve? Kung ganito ng ganito, parang ayaw ko na lang umuwi.

Today, September 14, 2008, I am celebrating my 2nd month here in Manila, away from my previous job for some royal in UAE.

Am I happy? Yes, I am because I am free. I am with my family. I do not have to work with some bigots and dorks anymore. But with the happiness and freedom that I have, I still feel empty. I do not understand why. Basta lang, parang may kulang. Siguro trabaho, siguro sweldo. Siguro nahihiya ako sa mga na-disappoint ko or na-frustrate lang ako. Siguro medjo nanghihinayang din ako kc ang dami nanghinayang dahil nag-quit ako. Ewan ko ba. Bahala sila.

Sana lang sooner, I will feel a lot better. I am planning to start shedding some fats I gained and my review classes for the US State Board Examinations. Hay, I need luck. Millions and millions of luck. Wish me one, would you?

I was not really into paintings, not until I saw this piece of art on sale last June 2008 when I was still working in Abu Dhabi, UAE. At napaka- affordable ng price (AED 66, mga PhP700). Noong una, I was hesitant na bilhin yan. Alanganin kc yung size at baka mahirapan lang ako i-pabagahe. So, hindi ko binili. After a week, I went back to the shop to check the said painting pero wala na akong makita. I asked for assistance from a kabayan sales rep, buti na lang na-itago nya yung last piece sa pinakailalim. Kabayan even warned me, kapag binitawan mo yan, di mo na yan mabibili. Binili ko na kahit alam ko problema kung pano ko ipa-bagahe ito. Good thing, I know how to find ways.

There's too much going on right now in the Southern Philippines. Lots have been said and done, lots have been left hidden. I am a peace loving man and I condemn any kind of war be it here in the Philippines and elsewhere abroad.

It's so sad to hear and know that peace down there is far from reach. Siguro nga, some stupid politicians and some greedy individuals make this war a business at the expense of the lives of the innocent children, civilians and the poor soldiers. I still believe and I continue to pray for the peace in Mindanao and in the whole world. Both parties should always bear this in mind - "One cannot talk peace and have a gun on hand."

We are Filipinos and whatever religion we believe in, we are all brothers. And we do not kill our brothers for some selfish intentions. It's against the teachings of the Christianity, it's against the teachings of Islam. We cannot deny it.

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I've been hearing this song since I was a little boy. Para 'to kina Esperon et al, Kumamder Bravo et al, at para sa ating lahat.