When Greed Reaches the Philippines

"So many people walk around with a meaningless life. They seem half-asleep, even when they're busy doing things they think are important. This is because they're chasing the wrong things. The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning." - Morrie Schwartz

It has always been strange to me of why those things which we normally admire in a certain individual are most of the time associated with failure in our system. And those that we detest, like greed and being self-centered, are the ones with success... that while we admire the first quality, we then love and praise the produce of the second...

It's not so long time ago when a group of Australians landed the Philippine archipelago. They invested, built and established a stronghold of their business in the land thinking that the misbehaviors they have had with their business particularly with their employees before, way back in their own land, would be eliminated or would be avoided by employing Filipinos instead of their own race... but the scene that they're trying to avoid are eventually the scene that they're about to handle and manage, as it's becoming surreal as time continues to fly...

Desire is not bad. It is really not bad at all. It only means that you are manifesting your destiny to its optimum level with the use of your optimum potential... and this is exactly one of the the very reason why we are here in this world. And just like what I have read from a certain article, if we only take greed as a driving force in pursuit of many things like happiness besides money then everything will just fall into their right places.

But it's another story when you cross the line. It would already be like stealing... and when we speak about stealing, it is considered to be a mortal sin as it was written in the 'HOLY Book': "thou shall not steal". Also, it would surely cause you a chain of negativity in your system wherein you will eventually steal from someone else or suffer more than others had to, more than others were supposed to, and it would be for a lifetime.

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The Bitter Realization of the Broken Soul

Pity for myself, for no matter how I tried not to be affected still I am affected. But what made things worst was the very fact that no matter how I wanted and tried to make things right, still I ended up unappreciated and unworthy of it.

All of us goes through our own ups and downs in life. And being labeled as civilized human being, we have what we call defense mechanisms that are socially acceptable. What is unacceptable to me now, is how events has turned the other way around and how it has affected me so much.

Like what I have mentioned before, I have never really been a kind of person who normally holds grudges because I know for a fact that it will not do me any good at all, but because of what had happened I am starting to become one. I even learned how to push my anger to its very limit.

As an individual and as a social being, it is important that we become socially aware and responsible. Not just for the good of ourselves but for others as well. But maybe what I thought and what I just did is a big mistake. I just actually tried to correct the wrong doings of a certain 'trash' since obviously, it's already becoming habitual. But such act created a certain negative image or impression in me that I just cannot comprehend and even accept no matter how I have tried. Never in my entire life that I was humiliated with such intense... that it has affected me so much and eventually became an agony.

I am currently in the mode of healing myself with this pain that is brought by bitter reality. I chose to do it just by myself to avoid complication and to avoid occurrences where I might end up losing my sanity.

Yes, I am disappointed. And I am disappointed not because of how things ended up but because of what reality had taught me. Indeed, it is really sad that there are still people in this world who could care less with the people around them, and could even done such selfish acts for the benefit of their self-centered selves. Moreover, the saddest and very disappointing part here, is for me to realize that there are really individuals who could pretend to be blind, deaf, and mute over facts in exchange of a certain prize.

I have tried controlling my emotions... and I have even tried holding it as much as I could. But instead of making me feel better, it has built and created anger, depression, pain and shame. And eventually resulted to my incapacity to think, communicate, and to socialize in the better sense.

To you who have done this to me, you will never have an idea how much pain, suffering and humiliation you have caused me! Your selfish acts need not be tolerated.

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Reflection: The Story of Kevin Carter & the Sudanese Child

Just yesterday, I read a newly blog post from one of my favorite bloggers and online buddy at the same time - anne a.k.a anniniput - that really caught my attention... and eventually moved me. Immediately, I've realized that despite of all the negative things that I am currently into, still I am lucky... and because of this fact, I am thankful...

Kevin Carter's Pulitzer Prize winning photo in 1994 during the Sudan Famine. The picture depicts a famine stricken child being stalked by a vulture. The child is crawling towards a United Nations food camp, located a kilometer away.

The picture that you see above is taken by the late Kevin Carter which won him the "Pulitzer Prize" in 1994 as Feature Photography. The photo you see depicts the Sudan famine during that time... where the vulture is staring at the helpless and starving Sudanese child who is heading towards the United Nations food camp which is just about a kilometer away.

... and three (3) months later after Kevin took the picture, he committed suicide. And it is said to be due to depression.

Take a look at the photo again... and perhaps try to reflect...

The Sudanese child and Kevin's tale happened more than a decade ago, yet although it's been 15 years already, still our situation today is just the same as before, or even worst!

... Landing near the village of Ayod, Carter and Silva began work at an overwhelmed feeding centre. Carter found the scene distressing and took a stroll in the bush to calm his nerves. A soft whimpering sound caught his attention. It was a pitiful, animal-like sound. He moved towards it until he found the source. A young African girl was crawling weakly towards the centre of a clearing. She didn't have the energy to stand and, emaciated, stood little chance of survival. If the plight of this little girl couldn't stir the world into action nothing would, as Carter knew instinctively and immediately. He crouched with his camera, ready to frame an eye-level shot. As he did so, a vulture landed behind her, obviously awaiting the moment of death. He carefully framed the photograph, being careful not to disturb the bird, and clicked. He waited about 20 minutes, waiting for the bird to fly off, and when it didn't, he chased it away.

Carter sat under a tree, watched her struggle for a while, smoked a cigarette and 'talked to God'. He did not help the girl. Utterly depressed, he went back to Silva and explained what had happened, wiping his eyes and saying 'I see all this, and all I can think of is Megan. I can't wait to hug her when I get home.

- BBC - h2g2

With the above photo, Kevin tried to show us and the whole world, the plight of the Sudanese people of that time... Yet because of the photo itself, he was instead criticize and questioned in different way. Had he done the right thing? Had he done enough by bringing the plight of the children of the Sudan to the world's breakfast tables? Still, at this stage, I am doubtful of a positive answer to the question.

Accordingly, Kevin had told his friends and those other people close to him, that if only he had the opportunity again, he would have helped and rescued the helpless little girl instead... But then, it was really too late for such realization... never could someone bring back the hands of time or what had happened already, but surely one could learn from it.

As sad as the story is, it makes us grateful and appreciative of the way we live and of the things that we have. It only proves that no matter how bad things seem to be, there is always someone suffering more than we would ever know. If we could only be more sensitive and appreciative towards the world around us and not be blinded by our own selfish nature and interests, then perhaps we could avoid ourselves from miseries and any form of sufferings.

It is really so disturbing and alarming at the same time that until now there are still those people who lived life as they please, and just taking things for granted without even thinking or considering the fact that on the other side of this world there are those who are battling for their own survival. Worst thing is, it even includes helpless children who don't have the choice but to struggle and fight in order for them to live. And there are these issues which you normally call nonsense issues.

This is when social responsibility comes into place. Just like you, I also have my own problems that somehow stops me from doing things that I really wanted to do... and it is very true indeed at this stage of my life wherein I am currently facing problems that I have never been into before, but I am still trying to live life normally because I know that it is the only option I have that would help me ease all the pains I have. We know that we all have our own problems and taking a little time for ourselves won't surely hurt. However, we do not have to feel so desperate about the current situation and commit unnecessary things that would rather complicate our current situation or worsen any problem that we are currently into.

I hope this picture will always serve as a reminder or a "wake-up call" to all of us. May this tale teach us how to be grateful for what we have, to consider how fortunate we are and that we must never ever take things for granted. The drama of this what we call life continues to happen... and for as long as we keep on closing our eyes and pretending to be blinded by the truth, this world will forever be just a story of the Sudanese child and Kevin.

PBA099s00ooo

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The Change In Me...

At a certain point of my life, I felt really lost, lonely and useless... and that I was born to be unlucky and unhappy. Shame on me, because I have nothing to complain about and yet I am still complaining.

While watching people around me and after religiously reading some personal blogs of my favorite bloggers, I have realized that I could not really go on like this... I mean, life's passing me by and yet I was not doing anything good with it... and that I was not doing anything at all. Worst, I was ruining things the way that I should not be doing so.

As of this writing, I am trying to just have a real good look at my life, and I have pulled myself together. I have somehow built my self-esteem... and I could say that somehow, I have become positive, stronger, determined, and a happier person now more than the person I was before. And I am not afraid to be my real self anymore... to pursue what I have been dreaming of, and to even speak my mind.

I have been trying to do well and I am doing my best to be there for those persons that are close and special to me: my family and friends. I try helping out whenever I can. It maybe just on a much smaller scale than what others do, but the thing is, I have been trying to reach out to them... and for me, making a certain friend smile because you have helped her carry her things, is so fulfilling.

Truthfully, you... you know who you are (not the one I am with in the above picture), you are one of those individuals whom I should really be thankful of... you're one of those people who have made me feel good about myself again. And I am really so thankful that sometime in my life, you came... You have made me learn to smile and laugh about life again... yes, I am tired of giving out a fake smile, and I am glad.

From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for being such a wonderful person and in particular for staying true to yourself. You have inspired me, and you still do. And you have helped me become the person I am right now... Yes, it maybe just a month since we first met, but still I am certain that you've played a big part of this what I call "the change in me"...

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Yes, Life is Really Full of Surprises...

The world we live in consists of order and disorder. The laws of nature are evidence of order. The many laws are so dependable that we often forget about the chaos in our midst. Yet, uncertainty, unpredictability, randomness, the unanticipated and the unexpected are equally enmeshed in our lives. Unfortunately, the words we use to describe chaos evoke negative images such as insecurity and instability.

Sometimes, things don't work out the way we want them to. It's not a perfect world, and there is no script to life that will tell us what to do, and when to do it. And all day long there are surprises waiting, and we can just find ourselves smiling, laughing, or even crying. We can discover a client who appreciates our efforts, a boss that knows our skills, an employee who will go the extra mile for us, a neighbor who offers a hand, or even the other way around.

Life is full of surprises and uncertainties, but we have to roll with all of those things and not let them stop us.

Just yesterday everything seems to be so fine, I and my colleagues at work were like smiling, laughing and dancing all the way. We're even singing out loud our joy for the world to hear us. We had had really fun. And it was really great looking at each other smiles while talking about things related to our life and most especially to our work... Until something unexpected happened...

But then, everyday is an individual day. We do not know what the new day will bring. And it does not mean that if we're happy yesterday then we would still be happy today. Again, life is full of surprises... It just started like an ordinary day to an amazing day or even to a day that one may consider a nightmare.

I started my day of work with a list of phone calls which I had to make. But now, I started it with filing an application for other companies and even taking an interview for a new job. You might be wondering if why this is the case, but I apologize if I won't be able to disclose the real story behind this as of this writing.

NO, it's not what you are thinking, and it is not even bad or good. Thing is, life had just offered me another surprise for another chapter of my life. It is another surprise which somehow I have had anticipated before, yet it's still part of life's reality and of my life's journey.

You don’t want to miss it, do you?

It’s true, life is full of surprises. We never know where and when, but truly there are endless surprises anywhere and everywhere. They can be around any corner just waiting for us… I’m not kidding, you better watch out. It’s waiting and ready to jump out, so let's keep our eyes wide open and look.

Enjoy it. If life is boring to you do something different to jazz up your life. Afterall, life is full of surprises.

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Halloween: One of My Strangest Days

Halloween (or Hallowe’en) is known to many as one of the international holidays and is celebrated on October 31. But have you ever wonder of what Halloween really is and what is it all about? Have you ever thought about this? Have you ever asked yourself, "Who in the world ever thought of the idea of walking around in weird costumes, trick-or-treating, and/or putting a carved-out pumpkin in your window?"

I don't know if you will agree with me when I say that Halloween is really one of the strangest days in the year for me, is it not? And I really do wonder of how the celebration of such a day ever got started. But be it as it may be.

According to some of the books and articles I have read, its origins date back to a Celtic festival called Samhain (pronounced Sah-ween or Sow-in). The Celts celebrated the beginning of the new year on November 1st. On the last evening of the year, October 31, they believed that the ghosts of the dead returned to the earth. But I am not going to discuss this thing further since I am not a historian anyway. Haha.

Anyway just expect what had always been expected during Halloween holiday... Scary fancy dress, pumpkin cutouts, pumpkin lanterns, trick or treating, bobbing for apples, telling ghost stories, scary movies or videos, famous haunts, jack o lanterns, vampires and superstitions... For halloween can't really be halloween without these things.

And also, please keep in mind that halloween is more than just a scary night. Let's put halloween in perspective... as the day to enjoy and have lot of fun. Instead of making your halloween scary, why not try to make memories with those you love best, at this very day... memories that you will surely remember through the years.

Enjoy your Halloween Holiday, have fun!

Happy Halloween!

Awooooooooooooooohhhhh.......

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My Work & I

It's almost two years now since I've joined the company where I am working right now. And it's almost a year now that I've been making or doing calls...

I am really glad I was able to brush off that feeling of bitterness out of my system since I entered this call center industry, and just like what a certain friend have said, I'd rather not elaborate on why this is the case. I'm just glad that I'm not a pessimistic person and that I'm not a constant whiner just like what my other colleagues are. Guess 'twas the best part of why I'm still able to survive the industry and the very reason why I'm still here.

'twas almost two years that I've worked for just one account, and now that I've been transferred to a new account which is really hard, I'm starting to miss it... The script, the call flow, those standard rebuttals, those arguments I've had with my prospects, and everything! I'm just missing everything with my previous account. I'm so used to it that letting go is something that is somehow so unreal. But things really come and go, it's life's nature. Right now, what is best to do is to love what I have... and to love my new account. Who knows, I might love this account even better.

Anyway, everything's okay now. I'm back on track and that zest to perform well during my shifts has resided back in me. I'm more patient now in dealing with every calls I make especially with every potential clients that I get hold on to. I always try not to lose my cool that easily and I actually have to say that I'm very happy with the way things are.

There are a lot of people who have managed to inspire me and of course there are also those who managed to destroy me, and I am just so grateful because they've just helped me to be better. Colleagues who just do their work and never complain, colleagues who have managed to be on top for being so diligent, and supervisors who have been so understanding and supportive are just some of those who have taught me to be positive about things instead of incessantly ranting and complaining.

It's really almost two years now, and I'm just glad I'm still here... surviving what this call center life has to offer me.

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Friday`s Random Thoughts

Today is such a great day... And I wanna share some of my random thoughts for this very day...

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What Am I really afraid of?

• I am not scared of the dark... I`m scared of what`s IN it.
• I am not afraid of heights... I`m afraid of FALLING.
• I am not afraid of the people around me... I`m just afraid of REJECTION.
• I am not afraid to love... I`m just afraid of not being LOVED BACK.
• And I am not afraid to try again... I`m just afraid of getting HURT for the SAME reason.
  

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Things you don`t need to know but I`m telling anyway...

• All shrimps are born female, but turns to male as time goes. So are they like gayish.
• Starfishes are pretty but they don`t have brains. So don`t be offended once I call you one.
• Penguins can only have one mate, they spend almost half of their life looking for their destined partner, then spend the rest of it with him/her. How sweet!

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Would you like to know if your mobile phone is original or not? Press the following keys on your mobile phone: *#06# and the international mobile equipment ID number will appear. Then check the 7th and 8th number.

If the 7th and 8th digits are:

• 02 or 20 - it`s from CHINA. Low Quality.
• 08 or 80 - it`s from GERMANY. Fair Quality.
• 01 or 10 - it`s from FINLAND. Very Good Quality.
• 00 - it`s from Original Factory. The Best Quality
• 13 - it`s from Azerbaijan. Bad Quality and dangerous to your health.

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I know and I believe that I can always take good care of myself, but still, I want to meet the person who can prove to me that I can`t...

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I like the practical simplicity of this statement: "If people talk negatively about you, then live in such a way that no one will believe them". Watchutink?

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A short story that had moved me:

A man and a barber were talking...

Barber: God does not exist. `Coz if there is God, there will be no suffering.

The man did not reply to avoid arguments, then he left the shop.

Outside, the man saw a beggar with long dirty hair.

Then the man went back to the barber shop.

Man: You know, barbers don`t exist.

Barber: [Laughing] Can`t you see I`m a barber?

Man: If a barber exist, there would be no man with dirty long hair.

Barber: It`s just that they don`t come to me.

Then the man said, "Like God, if people will come to him, there will be no suffering."

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Again, today is indeed a wonderful day. It`s Friday guys and it`s weekend again! Wow, I`m having my rest day again tomorrow... It`s indeed a very tiring week.

Enjoy and live life to the fullest! God Bless everyone!

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How to Deal and Survive Life...

"What we are right now are the foundation for what and how we will turn out to be tomorrow. So let`s make sure we`ll turn out great!"

Will the next day turn out to be a great day for me?

I always wonder why I keep on asking myself this question whenever I feel so much pressure coming from all areas of my life. It`s like there`s no place on the planet where I can just kick back, chill and breathe. But maybe it`s because life aren`t just all about fun, happiness and all positive things you could think of. And just like what one of my Philosophy teachers before had told me, there would surely be fun in our lives, but rest assured that it`s not all fun.

In this regard, I came up with some effective ways on how to cope with all the stress and pressures that life continuously brings us...

• Have Goals. Set your mind on things that you want to achieve. Consider your interests, capabilities, talents and limitations. Have a reasonable time frame too, to keep you working at it. Having deadline or quotas presses you to work harder to reach your dreams. And think of how much fun you`ll have when you reach the top.

• Dont Stress. When you feel like you`re being pushed way too much, then stop. Take time to breathe and relax. Oh yes, certainly you deserve a break! You`ve been working so much, so it`s just time to pamper yourself.
  

• Communicate. Get help! Remember always that you`re not alone in this world. You have your family and friends. And always remember that they love you and that you`re important to them and that they just want what is best for you. It`s also good to get their point of view about certain matters that bother you.

• Spend Quality Time. Free yourself from everything and find a place where you can be on your own, and clear all the things that stresses or pressures you. Allow more pleasant, less stressful thoughts to flow in. Being in calm, quiet room allows for self-reflection and discovery too... But please keep in mind to negate all negative thoughts. No room for self-pity please!

• Bond. Have bonding sessions with your family, sibs and friends. These are the times where ties of friendship and love are formed. Make use of your opportunities now because you`ll surely regret taking this time for granted.

Please always keep in mind that it`s you and you alone who would take the lead for yourself. And in the end, whatever you do today shall be the you of tomorrow. So better yet not be affected of all pressures and all the negative things that life offers you today, always be positive and have faith.

Remember that each and every process of life maybe painful or easy as they may come, but it will surely shape and mold you into whatever you want yourself to be...

Enjoy life as it may come...

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16th National Children`s Month Celebration & My Reflection...

In relation to our campaign and as a continuation of the article I`ve written last Thursday, October 2, 2008 entitled Our HOPES Need Hope, this month of October the whole Philippines is celebrating its 16th National Children`s Month in recognition of every Filipino child as the most valuable asset of our society with its theme "BRIGHT CHILD: Sa Tamang Pag-aaruga, Kinabukasan ay Maginhawa".

Yes, it is indeed a blessed event that October has been declared by our government as National Children`s Month joining the whole world in its celebration of Universal Children`s Day that was formally established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1954. This is the time for us to heighten up our awareness on the life of every children not only here in the Philippines but in the whole wide world as well.

In today`s Filipino society the existence of abuses against the dignity of children is constantly increasing and it is really alarming. Examples are the [•] the rising phenomenon of street children roaming our metropolis [•] the unjust practice of child labor and [•] children being sexually abused and even murdered. Thus, I must say, that there is really a greater need of our special and intensified attention and utmost concern.

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Remember that a child is a gift...

Below is a music video released for Children`s Rights Campaign.

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Again consider some of my thoughts...

• Every Filipino has one single aspiration and that is to live life here in the Philippines to its fullness... Thus, it only means to say that every single Filipino child aspire the same.
• There have been several efforts established for a child-friendly justice system here in the Philippines yet there are still so many children that are still often harassed by some law-enforcement officers especially the new ones. For this very reason, I suggest that advocacy efforts should always be continued for the creation of a Juvenile Justice System and a separate facility for minors. There is still really a need to continue to orient, train and advocate among law enforcers on the rights of a child, the psychodynamics of street children, children in conflict with the law, the sexually abused and exploited, and the street children substance abusers.
• The way I see it, Politics or should I say politicians are really the main reason why child abuse happens for they give little priority to the implemention of children`s rights and welfare. Most of the time, they only do boast their paperworks and legal requirements in the promotion of children`s welfare, yet the truth is they have failed implementing their own policies and programs because of lack of their political will... For some reason, I am just thinking that maybe it`s because children in the first place are not legal voters.
  
• While significant progress has been achieved in the area of child health, still it`s a fact that there is still high levels of underlying malnutrition and childhood illness in the country. This is because of the rapid-growth of Filipino children population and the increasing number of poverty in the country.
  

The reason why there is a need to celebrate Children`s month is because this is the only time for us to reflect and be more aware of what`s really happening to our future`s hope. If we will just open our eyes and look around us, surely we`ll be able to realize why is there a need for us to be aware... of why there is a greater need for us to be involved. What we`ll do today to help them, is what our future generation beholds.

Let`s be part of a child-friendly movement. Children themselves, families, communities, church, government and other related groups should participate to place each child at the center of development efforts to effect sensitization of society toward child-friendliness. Let us help each other in promoting the rights of children to survival, development, protection and participation. Let us prioritize and address issues and concerns affecting the full realization of the rights of children to heighten awareness, and monitor and evaluate allocation of resources and implementation of policies, programs and services for children.

Let us all do our share. This is the time for us to act, for us to help, for us to be involved. For they are the HOPES who surely need hope. They surely need us, let`s just let them know and let them feel that we`re still here for them and that they`re not alone after all.

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For some other information and references...

PHILIPPINES LAWS & ISSUANCES ON CHILDREN

• R.A. 6655 (Free Public Secondary Education Act of 1988)
• R.A. 6972 (Barangay Day Care Law)
• R.A. 7277 (Magna Carta for Disabled Persons)
• R.A. 7323 (Summer and/or Christmas Employment for Poor Students)
• R.A. 7610 (Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act) [click to download]
• R.A. 7624 (An Act Integrating Drug Prevention and Control in School Curricula)
• R.A. 8044 (The Youth in Nation-Building Act of 1995)
• R.A. 8504 (AIDS Prevention and Control Act of 1988)
• R.A. 8353 (The Anti-Rape Law of 1997)
• R.A. 8980 (Early Childhood Care and Development Law)
• Republic Act 9208 ( Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003)
• R.A. 9262 (Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004)
• R.A. 9344 (Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006)
• Executive Order No. 56 (Authorizing the Ministry of Social Services and Development to Take Protective Custody of Child Prostitutes and Sexually Exploited Children and for Other Purposes)
• Proclamation No. 731 (Declaring the 2nd Week of February of Every Year as "National Awareness Week for the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation)
• Proclamation No. 267 (Declaring October as National Children's Month)

In relation to our campaign, I would like you guys to visit the websites listed below which has greater emphasis on the betterment of Filipino Children.

• Association for the Rights of Children
• Council for the Welfare of Children
  
• Philippine Children Organization
  

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