I promised myself not to post a blog regarding the death of the late President Corazon C. Aquino because death might bring bad luck to this blog. But today, I broke my promise. I personally think that something about Tita Cory is really worth the space here and my time.

I was one of those who lined up last Sunday along Ortigas Avenue to pay my last respect along with many others in La Salle Greenhills. My HS buddies, Au and Emman joined me. It took us more that 3 hours and we did not mind. Wala yung hirap at inip namin sa pila kumpara sa mga naging sakripisyo ni Mrs. Aquino.

Today, I went out and waited for hours to witness the funeral march of Cory Aquino. Kaye, Agie and I were reluctant to get out because it was raining, but I told myself, magpakita lang kahit sandali ang araw, pupunta ako sa Osmena Highway. And sometime in the morning, sumilip ang araw. After witnessing the funeral mass, we hurriedly prepared ourselves and in 15 mins, we were in Zobel Roxas cor. South Super Highway. There were lots of people and as we patiently waited, mas dumadami ang mga tao. It rained hard but we stood there along with many others. And when convoy of Tita Cory finally passed, people clapped their hands and cheered. Some chanted CORY AQUINO BAYANING TOTOO, others tearfully sang Bayan Ko. I saw my sister Kaye wiping her tears.

Harry Emerson Fosdick, an American clergyman once said that "Democracy is based upon the conviction that there are extraordinary possibilities in ordinary people." President Corazon C. Aquino was one great testament to this. She was an ordinary woman, a plain housewife and mother, with an extraordinary faith, fortitude and courage who was able to steer democracy towards its continuous emergence as a permanent way of life in this country.

My friend commented on my Facebook and it goes: "Confucius says: Your great American dream lies in your own hand..." Well, it's true that as a well-able young man, I can do everything in my power to make things happen. But recent developments and news from people I know leave even Confucius asking, is the American dream lies ONLY in ones hands?

There is devastating situation with the USCIS Service Centers. Based on reliable sources the Service Centers are now denying all H-1B petitions filed on behalf of Physical Therapists and Occupational Therapists, despite of the fact that the PTs and OTs have the requisite license. USCIS is taking the position that a Masters degree is the requirement for entry into the position and these Beneficiary does not possess a Masters degree.

I do not personally understand and am still trying to think of the reasons about the USCIS' actions and decision. Application for a foreign-graduate and trained PT or OT to work in the United States costs a significant amount of money and energy. And with the chosen state of the applicant, that particular state determines (through FCCPT) who is eligible for licensure to practice the profession in that particular state. Bakit may biglang mga ganun?

My dream (and others dreams) is (are) starting to look more like a nightmare. It saddens me to know that every single day, my American dream seems to be far from my own reach. It depresses me to know that the fulfillment of my childhood dream is far beyond my control. And what is more frustrating is to realize that my pursuit of happiness in the country I used to believe as the land of all possibilities, seems to be uncertain.

More pictures here.