What could me more worthy than simply being me? Thank you, 2013.

Looking back to the year that was, I could not help but wonder what’s with me that convinced God to give me all the blessings that I often think I do not deserve. I am in awe to see how a simple person like me, was given the opportunity to travel to Japan and Korea without spending a single peso, to receive my first ever medal in college as a Magis Exemplar Awardee, to stay at the Senate Building as a youth legislator, and to serve with the highest position in campus politics. Yet although these achievements made me feel good in so many ways, it is not by these which defined 2013 as a memorable year for me. It is the growth that formed me within that matters most.

I used to count the days that passed as countless opportunities to prove my worth in this world. But as time moved on, I realized that worth is not equal to position, power, or esteem. Worth is simply unleashing what is inside of me that speaks so much of my God-given intrinsic nature. Being a person, more than being fundamentally human, is already being worthy. In 2013, this is how I measured my worth in this world – by totally accepting the fact that I am just human like everybody else. Little did I know that this ordinary truth will be set all the difference.

I often talk about the “great” things that made 2013 the best year in my life, but for now, I will cite my pains and hardships that equally made 2013 worthwhile. 2013 is a year of meeting crossroads – decisions that stretched my patience and rationality to horizons that I never imagined of. Being a President of the Central Student Government always placed me in crossroads, and often times I doubted where to go; but in the end, I still chose the road less travelled. This year also was a year of losing myself but finding life’s simple truths in the process. I could not remember how many times I asked myself if I was still on the right track in life, or what I will be doing in the next 5 years, or who I will become as I explore my passion. These things confused me, but I realized that what is more important than worrying about the future is living the present to the fullest, and that is exactly what I learned to do. This year was a year of ardent sacrifices - moments when I gave more than I received, loved more than I was loved, and cared more than I was taken cared of. But then again, this is only God’s way of reminding me that good things come to those who seek to be more like Him. Lastly, this year was  a year of endless battles, from the moment I found out that I will be shifting to a new course up to the present where I am already about to finish the battles in the student government before my term ends. But the months in between were the most crucial, I should say, and the hardest battles are those which happened inside the heart.

This year, I became more loving, more compassionate, more humble, and more patient with almost everything. Believe it or not, but this is the only thing that I am proud of about myself; because the most difficult endeavors in life is not about winning competitions or getting straight A’s. The most difficult, but often overlooked, is seeing the bigger scheme of things amidst pain, brokenness, isolation, hopelessness, and fear. It is ironic, in a sense, that many people would want to reach the heavens and become totally proud of getting so far, but in my part, what I see as my greatest achievement is being fundamentally human in everything that I do – nothing more, nothing less.

My worth is not measured by what is added to my name, the benefits that I enjoy, and everything else that is happening around me. My worth is simply what is going on inside me and showing how beautiful this world could be if only people also see what is inside of them. Less is more. There is happiness in content. 2013, you will be remembered.

JANUARY

Ateneo National Environmental Conference at Ateneo de Manila University. Our team won 1st place in the Environmental Proposal Competition.

MARCH

Kizuna Bond Project at Tokyo and Fukushima, Japan. This was a 2-week short term exchange program in Japan

APRIL

SBM Student Council Midyear Evaluation at Camiguin

MAY

Buklod Atenista National Congress at Ateneo de Zamboanga University, Zamboanga City.

JULY

Philippine Model Congress at the Senate Building, Pasay City.

AUGUST

ASEACCU Conference at Seoul, South Korea

SEPTEMBER

Swimming with the whale sharks at Oslob, Cebu

OCTOBER

Buklod Atenista Midyear Congress at Ateneo de Naga University, Naga City

DECEMBER

Ayala Young Leaders Congress Panel Interview at Makati City

Today my life begins. :)

We used to be so in love. The intensity of this affection was so surreal that even the spark in our eyes could already explain what we felt for each other. No one else made me feel the same way I felt about you and with that, my world seemed to spin around the paradise of love we once had. Being with you gave me thousands of reasons to live, and there was not a single day that I failed to thank God for giving you to me. The bliss of good times were only additives to our emotions. What truly made that feeling genuine was all the those difficult times when hardships came in the way, or we had little fights, or when we pout in a day, but still long for each other at the end of everything. Priceless moments like that made us realize how challenges define our worth to each other. Before, every sunshine excites me because I know that a new morning is an opportunity for me to be loved, and for me to love you more. After all, what could be a better way to wake up than knowing that someone somewhere is happy to see you again for a new day? The gift of being with each other again was incomparable, that even when we only spent an afternoon of awkward silence, it seemed like the best afternoon in life. But what I thought would last for a lifetime only lasted for so long.

I used to say that my greatest fear is to lose the people I love. Death or permanent separation is unimaginable. Little did I know that what’s more painful than death is hoping for people to come back even if they haven’t really left. These are moments when I wish I have not loved or cared enough so I could have spared a little bit for myself. The cliché “Too much love can kill you” still holds true. I couldn’t help but be angry with the fact that I gave everything, every bit of myself, and every emotion in my heart just to show you that you are special and that someone in the world cares for you more than you can ever care for yourself. Because I loved you too much, I did not mind doing this all the while, despite of what happened.

Our dreams together inspired me to give nothing but the best in all my endeavors. Finishing college, earning a degree in Law, and landing on a good job are ambitions which I aspire for not only for my own self gratification. More than the enrichment of my personal esteem, to become a person who you will be very proud of is one thing that motivates me everyday, knowing that the future can be so promising and I will be capable to give what we can only dream of as of now. True enough, they have always been right when then they associate dreams with stars. Like stars, we can only look at them shining from afar and hope that someday soon our hands can reach those little diamonds in the dark sky, and miles away already define that impossibility.

Part of me wants to hold on for the last time, but a bigger part of me wants to be free, not from chains, but from emptiness. It’s hard to fight for something when pain overpowers your ability to love. But what’s harder is to pretend that you’re still happy amidst the desolation that creeps you inside; because every time you want to endure the pain for the sake of love, you only end up hoping that at least for some time, you will be taken cared of, too. Love is not selfish. But as they say, you could not give something that you do not have.

Love only taught me one thing: That no matter how it is going to end, it will always be worth the try. It is in loving where I got almost all the values that placed me to where I am now. It is in loving which I got to know what could be better than what I thought was impossible. I believe that it is also in this same process of loving which I will find myself again, in His time. Hopefully by then, this love will be the missing piece that would complete me till the end of time. :)

I Support the Passage of the Freedom of Information Bill

The Philippine Government has constantly been challenged of  futile bureaucracy, corruption, dysfunctional political dynasties, and patronage politics. Our government has never been free from all these issues occurring almost every day, in all degrees and forms. To a certain extent, the government is associated with negative connotations simply because the major controversies that have been happening through time gradually lose the trust of the electorate, and the Filipino people in general. After the biggest syndicate in Congress through the PDAF scam, the trust of the people drastically slimmed down that no achievement of the government would already being back the same trust that people once had towards them. Despite the efforts that our government may exert more, tendency is that people would start questioning every angle of these mobilizations, and end up being overly meticulous to search even for a minor flaw. Then, the cycle goes on. Controversies would arise one after another, no matter how petty these issues would be, simply because Filipinos are more intelligent now. We no longer want to fall into inhumane ploys of corrupt politicians dominating the what we call as the unit that would bring order and justice in the Philippine soil.

            With all these said, the call for transparency in government shall come to its peak. We do not want another Napoles to employ public funds brought by the sweat and tears of our countrymen. We do not want to see another Enrile, Estrada, or Revilla whose families lavishly live their lives in grandeur mansions and luxurious cars, while millions of our brothers and sisters would even fight for a space under a bridge only to find a place to sleep. The people should know where their money is going, simply because these funds are entrusted to the government with so much hope and sacrifice. We need transparency in government to genuinely reflect how our politicians should apply the best budget decisions and honest biddings for all projects. We need transparency in government to win back the glory of democracy that our grandparents fought for. We need transparency in government simply because Filipinos deserve the truth and honesty in government, nothing more, nothing less.

            I express my support to the passage of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill because this bill is an instrument to that truth that we are clamoring for. The Freedom of Information Bill will enhance our ability to scrutinize budgets and project allocations in the national government and even in our local government units. The FOI will be the foundation of a genuinely democratic government that would allow participation of the citizens to be vigilant towards government’s decisions. The FOI is a great opportunity to enhance academic research, because government files and documents may already be accessed easily to provide research references for academic purposes. Above all, the FOI is the only feasible way to get the trust of the Filipinos back, because no matter how hard the government would work in the next few months or years, Filipinos would still think badly about the government if we are not informed enough where taxes are going – the most important resource that government must be accountable for.

            If the current administration promised us of a “Daang Matuwid”, we might as well demand for the passing of this simple bill.  Transparency leads to honesty. Honesty leads to greater accountability. Greater accountability leads to better public service. 

Pass the FOI Bill now!

Looting in Tacloban

At a time when the desperate need for survival is at its peak, the natural right to life governs above all. Hypothetically, when the only food left in the world is a piece of bread, billions of people would be more than willing to kill the other billions until the last man standing would take and eat that bread. It is fundamentally human to take the last resort in matters between life and death, whatever consequences they may entail. It doesn't take a genius to digest that.

But looters stealing washing machines, refrigerators, or suitcases, and saying that it is their natural right to life is ABSURD. Unless, out of an immediate involuntary biological response, their stomach learned to digest metal and wires, I would understand. Otherwise, these looters shall pay for what they have done.

ASEACCU Conference at South Korea Day 3

Day 3

                Day 3 was a tour day. We went to Gyeongbuk Palace where I got so mesmerized with their historical sites. I was just too happy to see the palace where the Joseon dynasty lived, the room of the Queen and King, their guest hall for visitors, and all the other places inside with rich history and culture. We then went to the National Museum of Korea, the largest museum in the world. It was where I saw a lot of historical ornaments and figures of Korea and of Asia as well. In the evening, it was our cultural night. Each participating country performed a creative presentation wearing the national costume. In our part, we danced the “Piliin Mo Ang Pilipinas” with the “I choose Philippines” video of the Department of Tourism as the background. The presentations of the different countries filled me with awe, as these performances spoke so well of their culture. As all other celebrations go, the night ended with a picture-taking.

In front of the Gyeongbuk Palace

Group 3

At the Kings's bedroom

In front of the town's hall with my Japanese groupmates

A local tree

CUK extended campus

The ASEATTI, the ASEACCU organizers

With Claudia, my roommate from Thailand

Picture taking with the Japanese delegates

ASEACCU Conference at South Korea Day 2

Day 2

                Day 2 of the conference mostly consisted of lectures. There were credible speakers who talked about major topics of the conference. We were then divided into different sub-groups in which we discussed specific topics on Catholic issues per group. I belonged to the Economy group. Our team discussed economic issues in our respective countries which in one way or another affect Catholicism in general. We then spent the whole afternoon debating on some occurring issues in which we would then come up with feasible solutions that we can implement in our universities. The discussions that we had in that sub-group would then be reported to the whole ASEACCU audience. In that night, I represented our team together with my groupmate from Indonesia. We reported to the whole ASEACCU audience about the highlights of our discussion.

My Economy group groupmates

Picture-taking at the Photobooth

Reported in behalf of our group, together with Theo from Indonesia and Yuri from South Korea

                After the program, my co-Filipino delegates and I toured around the area. It was already 11PM when we went outside CUK to try night shopping, as Seoul is famous for its 24/7 shopping areas. We had a 1AM curfew so we tried to go as fast as we could. Unfortunately, most of the subway stations were already closed when we reached the city proper so instead we had a “food trip” just near CUK. We tried the famous Korean streetfood which I only see in TV.

Korean street food

Random picture taking on the street lol

Night lights

ASEACCU Conference at South Korea

             Last August 22-26, 2013, I was at Seoul, South Korea to represent Xavier University in the ASEACCU Conference. It was my second time this year to travel abroad for free but I felt the same excitement as I had when I found out that I got accepted to become a youth ambassador for the Kizuna Project with the opportunity to travel to Japan. When my friends knew about it, the initial response that I got was commonly about “Wow, Korea. Iregards nalang ko sa K-Pop” or “Grabe makaadto na jud ka’g Seoul”; Nothing really different from their excitement when they talked about Otaku, Anime, Nintendo, and etc when I shared about my Kizuna acceptance. To be honest, these things never excite me. I was never a fan of Anime, nor did I fancy K-pop and all that. Cherry blossoms, yes.  Seoul, yes. But above all else, what really excites me everytime I travel is the people I would meet in those once in a lifetime experiences. And I guess that’s what makes my ASEACCU Conference very memorable, just like how my Kizuna experience went.

Day 1

                At the Incheon International Airport, many of their signages have English translations. These were very helpful since I only travelled with a companion who is as old as I am. We had no chaperone to accompany us during the trip so we had to travel on our own. We arrived 5:00 AM at the airport and we were expecting a bus to pick us up by 8:00 AM and bring us to the venue. Hence, we spent the whole time eating, and just doing random things while waiting. When it was near 8 AM, we began to panic because the bus was not there yet and the organizers of the conference can’t be reached through phone. We desperately asked some airport staff to help us go to the venue since we were afraid that we might had the wrong information on the location where we were supposed to be fetched. Thank God most of them can converse in English, much better than the Japanese. We got information on what subway stations to take and all that, but with our heavy bags, we didn’t take the train as an option. Provincial buses were available but it would still take as 2 hours to get to the venue and we were running out of time. There were taxis then, but the ride would cost us 80,000 won (approx. P3,600). We felt so hopeless then. Fortunately, at exactly 8 AM the bus arrived and all our worries were gone. It was then when I realized that Korean time is on time.

At Incheon International Airport, the world's best airport

                The venue of the conference was at the Catholic University of Korea. We then stayed at their university dormitory, which was not a usual dormitory like we see in the Philippines. Their dormitory has state of the art facilities, with elevators larger than hotel elevators in our country. Their rooms have automatic power system, and automatic lock with key cards. They have a centralized air conditioner, too. Their dorm is more than 30 floors, with a canteen that’s much like an expensive restaurant here. Truth is, that dormitory is even better than a 4-star CDO hotel. I stayed there for 2 hours while waiting for lunch. Then I had lunch with a friend at a nearby pizza restaurant which introduced us to the scrumptious Korean pizza. The opening program would start by 6:00 PM so in the afternoon, we went to Time Square and shopped with our eyes because everything there was just too expensive.

At the Catholic University of Korea

                The opening program in the evening was so overwhelming. It was in that time when we were introduced to the other participants from different countries. They were from Japan, Thailand, Taiwan, Indonesia, Australia, and South Korea. I was wearing a flag shirt together with the other Filipino delegates and everyone in the hall was just so amazed to see us with a uniform attire. Well, we just found a way to contact each other in Facebook and discussed what to wear, and had online meetings for the cultural presentation which we will perform on the last day. The CUK ASEACCU student volunteers who were called “ASEATTI” performed an intermission number of Gangnam Style and the hall was too active and alive. Keynote speakers were also there to welcome us to the event. 

A Korean dance number

With the other Filipino delegates wearing our flag shirt costume

We were welcomed with these freebies

With Mr. Washington Sycip at the Philippine Model Congress

I wish that someday, I can do something extraordinary in my field like how this man revolutionized business in our country.

One of the many blessings which I'm greatly thankful for was the opportunity to converse with this man.

With Washington Sycip
-founder of the SGV & Co, largest and most famous professional accounting firm in the Philippines
-founder of the Asian Institute of Management, the Asian pioneer in international management education

Freaky Wednesday

I was the last remaining passenger of the motorela that I rode tonight. On our way, we didn’t pass by any church but all of a sudden, the driver held tight of the rosary hanged on the rear view mirror. I began feeling uncomfortable because it isn’t usual for a driver to do that in ordinary situations. But to ease my anxiety, I just let it pass, and tried to convince myself that maybe the driver just thought of something and he wanted to pray for it, whatever it was.

However, the driver did the same thing again. And this time, he started murmuring words which I wasn’t so close to hear. I was too scared that the first thing that came to my mind was to tell him to drop me off at that moment;  Yet unfortunately, there wasn’t any motorela behind and I never had the courage to be alone in the dark street.

I didn’t know who to be afraid of, but this experience definitely freaked me out.

Philippine Model Congress with Sen. Loren Legarda

Before coming here, I promised myself that I'll never leave the Senate Building without having a picture with my idol Senator. But being able to visit her office is way, way more than I expected.

Thank you Philippine Model Congress for this opportunity. Starstruck. :')

Lord, I know it isn't Your will for me to become a politician someday, so I thank You for giving me this opportunity to experience being a temporary youth Senator at least. 

Such a dream come true. Thank you for everything, Papa Lord. Hello Senate House next week! 

ORGANIVAL: Where the Fun in Xavier Begins! (Org Trip 2013)

I started my day thanking people behind the ORGANIVAL program yesterday, and apologizing at the same time to everyone whom I asked for urgent requests during the preparations and event proper. I know there were times when I had to be strict or had to raise my voice when we needed to troubleshoot certain parts of the event.

However, I got responses of “thank you”; no complaints, no heartaches, no bad feelings. Just that “thank you” for giving them the opportunity to learn, grow, and experience the Ferris wheel ride of service.

These sentiments from our CSG organizers truly make the theme “Where the fun in Xavier begins” evident even without the grandeur carnival stage, radiant lights, or vibrant booths. This fun in joining and leading organizations come from the simplest and most genuine form of happiness: The joy in serving others.

AMDG

Today, July 9, 2013, is XU-CSG’s 100th Day!

Know how your Ubay-ubay – Laborte Administration served you in their first 100 days in service. View the CSG First 100 days report here:http://www.scribd.com/doc/152679292/CSG-100-Days-Report

Thank you to all the people who helped us for the success of CSG’s First 100 days. May we all continue to embody what leadership and governance is, the Ateneo way. AMDG!

I am really happy that I am a business student for the simple fact that I get to apply almost everything that I learn in class in the bigger picture of life. My top 3 most important realizations are:

1. Like in business, we all have to take RISKS if we want to achieve MORE. We will never know and experience the BETTER if we are already contented with the GOOD.

2. Leading any company is just like leading the CSG. As a manager, you have to empower and trust your people so they may appreciate their role and perform better rather than just dictate them what to do.

3. Today is important but it is not all that matters. Like in business, we have to think more of the long-term rather than just what is happening at present. We have to prepare for the future at all times so we need to think as early as now if our actions and decisions are a good investment.

These are just 3 but certainly, the list is long. I've never felt this happy about learning something that I really enjoy.

Experience Xavier. (ORSEM speech for the Ruby Batch of Freshmen)

(This isn’t exactly what I prepared for, but these were the words that came from me as shown in the video)

                From your relatives and friends, perhaps you have heard that the great men and women who have been leaving the portals of this institution will always tell everyone, upon graduation, that they are proud to be products of Xavier. In Xavier, students are proud to get quality education from noble and professional teachers. In Xavier, students are proud of the state of the art facilities that this campus has, including our University Wifi and the turnstile in the entrance that speak so much of modern technology and class. In Xavier, students are proud that we have Level 4 PAASCU accreditation in several fields of studies which makes us one of the best, if not number one, in Mindanao.

                But this morning, I am going to tell you that choosing Xavier shall not make you proud. You are not here to show off your Iphones and Ipads in hallways for you to belong, but instead you are here to carry tools of hope for the poor and marginalized. You are not here to post a status in your Facebook, telling the world that you are enrolled in Ateneo; instead, you are here to speak with the humble voice of an Atenan in behalf of thousands of Kagay-anons and millions of Filipinos who are deprived of justice and equality. You are not in Xavier just to impress your teachers with your straight A’s in your class standing, but you are here to represent every Juan Dela Cruz who desires a brighter future amidst poverty and hunger. Don’t be proud because you are here to be hurt, criticized, and mocked by people who don’t understand our cause, just like what happened to Jesus when He was betrayed by His friends and ridiculed by the many because they didn’t believe in what He fought for. But it is by these which you will be formed so that one day, you may be ready to lead and serve with humility and compassion. This is what student formation and Ignatian leadership are all about; the very reason why the Orsem volunteers, college councils, CSG, and all other student leaders in this university continue to serve without counting the cost. This is the reason why we are nurtured in this institution. We’re not here to impress ourselves, our parents, or a random student that we encounter in the campus. When you enrolled in Xavier, you answered the humbling call to lead for the greater needs of the society.

                My dear friends, when you chose Xavier, you chose the road less travelled. And every Atenean blazes a unique trail on that road. Your journey started today and we are very happy to welcome you in the journey that we, student leaders of XU, have already started. Let us continue journeying through that road together until no Juan Dela Cruz remains unheard in our society. I am not your teacher but today, I shall give you your first assignment; and I tell you, this assignment cannot be completed inside the classroom alone. Just two words that come with a simple task: Experience Xavier. Experience Xavier until you will cry, be hurt, and be insulted. Experience Xavier until you will reach the point that you’re about to give up, realizing in the end that the journey has been worthwhile. Experience Xavier to the fullest until you will understand what I am saying. 

                You can forget everything that I mentioned, but I hope that as you spend 4 or 5 years in XU, you will always remember these two words. So keep calm. Don’t cram. Just experience Xavier. Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam!