Creative Juice #021: WYD Project

I was going over hoards of unread articles yesterday when I came up with these. Hehe. Share lang :) Great source of inspiration and motivation. Why You Do What You Do is a show that aims to inspire you to do what you've always wanted to do. Now on its second season, this Web-based series features artists, entrepreneurs and organizations who have turned their ideas and passions into realities.

"The main idea behind this whole project is for us to do what we've always wanted to do. Backed by a certain sense of discipline and positive mindset, we can set ourselves to achieve such things. It's about enjoying the daily grind and the process entailed in accomplishing something from scratch. It's about appreciating everyday of doing something that you love and loving something that you do. It's about knowing what we want in life and just going for it." Juan De Guzman, WYD Project

Christmas Shutterbug

Taysan, Batangas was as quiet as it can be nitong Christmas. Ultimong pasko ay mangilan-ngilan lang ang makikita mong taong naglalakad sa kalsada. The only festive noise was coming from our clan's property dahil non-stop ang karaoke naming mga magpipinsan. Bagay na ginagawa na namin talaga annually kaya wala namang reklamo sa mga kapitbahay. We spent our Christmas with the usual program and dinner na template na ata namin taon-taon pagsapit ng dilim. Prior to that, the rest of the day is spent either natutulog or nagvivideoke.

Gusto ko namang mabago ang routine kaya after lunch nagmuni-muni muna ako mag-isa around the vicinity with my digicam. Nag-biking ako sa marami streets na hinde ko pa napupuntahan. At napagtanto kong marami rin palang picturesque frames ang makukuha mo sa mga mundane objects and sceneries na kadalasan eh dinadaan-daanan lang. Here are some of the beauties I've seen.


Wild Blooms. Well, assume lang na mga ligaw na bulalak. Am sure may mga pangalan rin yan but most of them eh nakita ko lang na tumutubo kung saan-saan including sa tabi ng kalsada at sa puno ng saging.

Hanggang nagyun natutuwa pa rin ako sa ganitong uri ng compilation. Most of these textures were taken from the Town Plaza and the Town Church, Our Lady of Mercy Parish. Walking distance lang samin kasi yung Plaza Mayor. The town itself was patterned grid layout - typical of the Spanish Period's quadricula.

Old Houses. Less elaborate compared to the ones you'd see in Vigan but nevertheless reminiscent of the earlier Bahay-na-Bato. The ground floors are made of stone, upper floors are done in wood construction but the roofing is already made up of corrugated galvanized iron sheets (yero). I've seen some na nasa state of deterioration na but that is what makes it so appealing.

Booze

Image borrowed here

I've two simple messages: Kids, merry Christmas and drink moderately. Haha. I could've sworn I swore back in high school that I'd never drink alcoholic beverages. But to no surprise here I am tolerating Red Horse, Emperador, Gran Matador, San Mig Light, Vodka and Tequila.

I am never good at large group gatherings. Even if it were the very clan in Batangas I spend my Christmas with every year. There's always that tendency of me to tuck quietly at one corner or simply look for a conversation I don't mind small as long as it's intimate.

Define tuod. Define tameme. And you'll probably flash a picture of me. What a shame. A rational resolution to my dilemma would be a couple shots of booze that would do the trick. Am not a heavy drinker but it just helps me loosen up, set aside my inhibitions and talk fluently. Just enough to make me feel tipsy and not really get into trouble for doing crazy things.

Oh yeah, I just don't mind getting tipsy this coming year. At all. Kaya sa lahat dyan, inuman na!

Late Advent Post

My favorite Advent song entitled 'O Come, O Come Emmanuel' goes something like this :)

Alas-tres ng umaga nung magising kami to go to church. This was the first and only Simbang Gabi I participated for this year. Attendance is a must because our choir was assigned to lead the congregation in singing for this celebration that will be presided by Bishop O. Prior to our day of service, we must have rehearsed thrice learning new voicings for the regular Advent Songs we sing every year. Na-enjoy ko naman kasi ngayon lang uli kami nag-four voices at ngayon ko rin lang nafi-feel na tenor nga talaga ako. Hehe.

Ibang-iba talaga kapag si Bishop ang nagmimisa. Mabe-bless ka talaga sa kung pano nya ibato ang mga salitang tumatama talaga sayo (unless natutulog ka lang the whole time sa Misa. Hehe). Nagfocus sya sa meaning ng mga pangalan sa Bible. At sa kahalagahan ng paghihintay. Dame kasing mga Pilipino ang gigil na gigil na mag-Pasko na halos nalilimutan or hinde na nila binibigyan ng importance yung preparation na ginawa ni God sa mga tao prior to Christmas, which is we all know as the Advent.

Mangiyak-ngiyak naman ako nung pinaalala niya yung ibig sabihin ng term na Emmanuel ('God is with His people'). Truly, sometimes all it takes are simple words to see what a wreak we've become. The challenge after that realization is how to enact on what you've heard and learned which of course eh mas mahirap. Kaya kailangan talaga natin ng mas ibayong pagdarasal at pagninilay.

This year's Advent Season is very special for me. Ramdam na ramdam ko yung struggles pagdating sa bagong trabaho ko at lalo na sa kasalanan. Medyo nawirduhan pa nga ako dahil parang pininta nung Semana Santa yung face ko as opposed to the festive mood ng buong Pilipinas. Solemnity talaga ako ever kahit Christmas. Pasensya naman kung emo lang :)

A Prayer

"Lord God, we live in an age when sexuality is trivialized and when covenants are broken routinely.  We are bombarded with cultural insensitivity for the sacredness of life and what was once considered perverted is now common place and accepted. Please help me increase my sensitivity to the Truth of Your commandments and show me where I need to amend my attitudes and my actions. Forgive me my failures in this area and strengthen me to live a chaste life. Free me from the bondage of my passions and make me the master of my inclinations. Heal me of past hurts and the impact of erroneous instruction and guide my relationships in purity, fidelity and love. Amen."

And who says I'm not pressured?

Image borrowed here

 

• I'm so pressured to have a job and earn during this early time of my life.
• I'm pressured by the amount of schoolwork I deal with everyday.
• I'm pressured to stand up as a young role model in my community when all I want to do is fuck up.
• I'm pressured to imbibe that I'm a responsible young adult when everybody else looks down on me with a smirk of doubt.
• I'm pressured to have a big and chiselled body to portray a strong and intimidating image rather than be misconstrued as weak and lame.
• I'm pressured to have a girlfriend and maintain the chain of male stoicism that runs in the blood of all the 'great' men in my family tree.
• I'm pressured to have a big and chiselled body misbelieving that it's the only way I could get the girl of my dream or even just another girl's attention.
• I'm pressured to wear the 'gender straightjacket' that what makes a man a man in this misjudging society.
• I'm pressured to get laid and be nonchalant about it - the way you see it is bombarded to everyone in the media or the way other men used to about it.
• I’m so pressured to get laid. Period.

Note: Nanibago ako sa mga pinagsasabi ko. Pasensya na sa makamundong post.

MadMusic#023: All at Once - The Fray



Image retrieved from Google

I still think of her from time to time. The pain in my heart she caused back then, the words that she said from our last exchange of words, and of all the things she has kept me from knowing. I applaud her for her undying sincerity and concern and her truth that will never be as bittersweet as it gets. I guess The Fray was right when they sang, ‘We’ll never know what’s wrong without the pain. /sometimes the hardest thing and the right thing are the same.’

I don’t think we’ll ever have another exchange after that. I’ll let her go for good. This is how everything should end, I guess. I could feel a very cold wind is coming.

Inconsistent



Image borrowed here



“There is nothing more hateful than not to go where one should, just like a herd of sheep who march along not to where they should, but to where they are accustomed to go.”

(Seneca, On the Happy Life)

I sat silently as I watch everyone attend Christmas parties and post ‘officially on Christmas vacation’ statuses on Facebook. I’ve been working my ass out since yesterday on a final requirement that is eating away my precious vacation. Hopefully after Tuesday next week, it is not too late for me to savour this special season intended for His coming.

Rooster Masses (Filipino: Simbang Gabi) started just yesterday so for sure there’d be a flock of parishioners going to church every morning. I wish I could also complete the nine Masses before Christmas utterly not out of popular tradition but out of necessity. I’d be a total hypocrite if I’d say I’ve been a good Christian this year because heck it’s been like a roller coaster regarding the inconsistencies of my deeds.

*sigh* I just feel ashamed of myself. If there is only a mask that could bury my tears and identity right now I’d buy one. It’s been hell of a year for me chasing after something I’d eventually regret in the end. I’ve done things I should not have done. Broke my heart twice on the process and got myself entangled in a web of sin and degradation.

Worse, the price for all of that is the perspective of a child I once had. Perhaps it’s the reason why I feel numb about this Christmas coming; the reason why I ache from time to time in silence. Maybe my soul is trying to tell me something...

Writer's Rant

Most professors are quick to dismiss that a certain work is copy-pasted when the sentence construction, grammar and words used in a student’s composition is TOO good. I can’t blame them if that is what they have learned from years of experience. But I just wish they’d give every work a chance because NOT all students are that. I’ve been a victim of stereotyping and hasty generalizations for too long. I’m just so sick of it. Subjective writing (blogging, reaction papers, essays, etc.) have always been a niche for expressing my most sincere opinion regarding a matter. I put my all that I am to it. And to be accused of committing a heinous crime of intellectual dishonesty is a serious and painful blow. It’s simply disgruntling. Argh.

Creative Juice #020: I got a Date

Design Against the Elements (DATE) is an international shelter design competition that aims ‘to build the first green, liveable, affordable, and disaster-resilient village in the Philippines that will serve as the blueprint for other communities threatened by climate change.’ It is a collaborative effort between the Quezon City Government, the United Architects of the Philippines (UAP), San Miguel Properties, Inc., and MyShelter Foundation.

Much has been said by various environmental activists about the current state of our planet due to man’s careless existence and much has also been sacrificed during last year’s still nostalgic tragedy brought by typhoon Ondoy’s (Ketsana) fury. So in a time where probably the world seemed to have been bitten by the ‘green bug’ and the principles and theories of sustainable building and living has slowly found its root in the construction industry, it is quite refreshing to see the tangible efforts between the government’s limited resources and the private sector’s business and technical expertise pulling together and materializing in this one housing design competition.

DATE is the first green design competition I’ve been to and/or have heard of that not only focuses on sustainability and energy-efficiency but stresses more as well on the part of disaster risk reduction management. Again this is most probably in light of the need for disaster-resilient structures which can withstand the inevitable forces of nature. True enough, one professor of mine was right when he said that green building is ‘a holistic intermarriage of multidisciplinary approach in design’ which most of the entries I’ve seen in the exhibit have verified.

I obviously need to keep myself updated (I haven’t been reading the Property section in the broadsheets lately) so for a student like me, the exhibit was especially a plenty well source of information on what is currently new and trending in the green design realm. Predilections of mine are locally sourced building and finishing materials that provide sustainable solutions (like salt-water treated bamboo, rice husk ash in cement, finely crushed shell plaster finish, shell mosaic tile, etc.) which I unabashedly jotted down and specific building and planning concepts which I might get my hands on in the future.

There were a lot of entries I was not able to scan but there is this one design element from entry no. 165 (which if I’m not mistaken was inspired by a water hyacinth) I completely agreed upon and can’t help but to finally quote, 

“Living things allow a natural order that may be ruthless in their need to find the best solution to the problem of surviving. It is this reason why nature is the best inspiration for resilience... the kind of resilience that is needed for climate change.”

Classroom Scenario: Curiousity

We were discussing the purposes of research in our Research Methods for Architecture class with Dean when he read with a snigger the seventh purpose why we do research.

‘…to ultimately satisfy the researcher’s curiosity.’

And with a wide grin in his face, he began asking some of the boys in class what particular subjects (architectural matter aside) they are curious about. We all chuckled as he flintily continued fooling around compelling us to paint a rather inappropriate picture in our heads when he asked Q, a rather nice-looking student whom other professors clearly has a crush on, to answer. Q softly replied,

‘Sir, ano. Curious po ako kung hanggang kailan ako mabubuhay…’

A split-second silent trance seemed to have transpired when I heard his response. For a moment it seemed the noise inside the small classroom faded slowly in the background. Q was able to tap in the unknown appeal of having to face one of the most mysterious and philosophical queries in life. And clearly, it was contagious.

Appetizer

The Shutterbug - Wannabe is so back :)

I knew sooner or later I’d have to come into terms of what I really wanted in life; to stand still and re-examine the path I’m taking; to contemplate on the bigger role I’m about to play.

The Seminar – Workshop on Barangay Administration and Development for Quezon City Barangay Officials held last December 9-10, 2010 at Emiramona Garden Hotel in Tagaytay City is an appetizer seminar that was undertaken with the view to ensure neophyte QC Barangay Officials better appreciate their major roles and responsibilities in the barangay. It was conducted with the help from the staff of Barangay Operations Center and speakers from the Department on Interior and Local Government.

Highlights of the event are the camaraderie between fellow neophyte Barangay Officials and talks on

• Leadership and Management by Thelma Joson
• Barangay Governance and Administration by Clarisse Umangos
• Barangay Local Legislation by Dir. Lourdes Agustin, and
• Disaster Risk Reduction Management by Dr. Noel Lansang

The seminar – workshop itself is not perfect. There were points, specifically between the interpretations of the terms ‘concurrence’ and ‘approval’ in the Local Government Code, that sparked a heated kick between the rest of the attendees and the gobsmacked speaker from the DILG. The time was not maximized prompting the speakers and the topics jammed in a day which left us either unquenched or confused with what little information we had gained.

Nevertheless, aside from the numerous downside remarks (ramblings) I’ve heard after the evaluation on the second day, I am delighted at having able to made contact with people whom I’d say destined to walk the same direction. I’ve seen a few young ones just like me from other districts that share a similar story – running in place of a family member and having to deal with community affairs while studying. Given more opportunities like this for the next months, I’d most certainly want to establish a more stable ground for companionship.

In the end, the seminar-workshop succeeded in churning up my appetite to learn more about the field. My know-how is low but my motivation is most certainly high. I know it won’t be a breeze and heck it might get a little complicated but I know this is His will of equipping me for something much bigger.

I guess the appetizer brought forth true acceptance this time.

UDHA Commentaries

Photo borrowed here

Our Approved Specialization I subject focuses on socialized housing issues in the country. Below is a part of my homework after going over our reading assignment on RA 7279 also known as the Urban Development and Housing Act of 1992.

Can we eliminate squatters?

Personally, I think UDHA was created to enforce the elimination of squatters. It’s an initiative wherein we must all comply to arrive at its established objectives. But then, enforcement of the law is much more different than its legislation. All local government units and government agencies concerned should work hand-in-hand to fulfil this. The problem in our country lies on politics and the many personalities who cradle informal settlers as they are a source of vote during elections.

Is eviction a humanitarian action?

My take on this question would be best illustrated by quoting an excerpt from the speech of Sec. Leila de Lima about human rights in the Philippines in connection with the decision of the Supreme Court regarding the Manila Bay Case.

Human Rights encompass several rights and cuts across several segments of society. After all, all rights are indivisible, universal and equally important. In an ideal world, all rights can be equally protected and with equal priority. The Supreme Court Decision in the Manila Bay Case is an example of the difficult task of balancing equally important interests. The issues of sustainable development and ecological balance are pitted against the right to live – the right to a have home, the right against unlawful evictions, the right to development, the right to a living wage and other rights.

The Commission on Human Rights has always been supportive of urban poor groups. We are concerned with the difficulties that the urban poor face, without even the specter of forced evictions. There is a need to ensure that the backbone of our urban labor force can live in decency and respectability in spite of their poverty. And where they face patently illegal eviction, we have to protect them.

However, we cannot protect human rights and at the same time, accommodate illegality. The delicate balance of upholding both human rights and other statutes have always been difficult – we cannot stop demolitions where they are legal and with basis. We cannot stop evictions where the purpose is to protect and promote another equally important right, which in this case is a balanced ecology.

Creative Juice #019

Check out the new SketchPad page tab I added up there. I'll start posting my works too from now on :) Hehe.

ArchInspire #014: Philippine Architecture

A Bahay-na-Bato near the hotel we stayed in our not-so-recent heritage tour in Ilocos. Notice the exposed brick construction in the ground floor of its facade. Truly an eye-candy :)

I must have an entire folder full of pictures like these. Well, I'm finally making use of 'em. This was taken around the vicinity of the famous Calle Crisologo in Vigan City. I love the antiquity it evokes thru its old and peeling paint.

Ahh. And yet another one in its refurbished and restored version. Many structures in Calle Crisologo built in this modernized fashion of the old Bahay-na-Bato are becoming prevalent.

The humble beginnings of our Philippine Architecture cam from the stilt houses that were then prevalent and strikingly similar with our neighboring Asian countries. It was something that our ancestors did not agree upon but rather developed as a response to their specific geographic and climatic conditions. The best example perhaps would be the Bahay Kubo (literally 'cube house') that varied upon the different indigenous cultures of the archipelagic motherland. 

When the Spaniards, our first conquerors came, they initially wanted to build structures made of stone that replaced the traditional nipa, bamboo. and other indigenous materials that once ruled our architecture. But equipped with their knowledge in design and construction, they soon realized they have to look around when many of their buildings toppled in mere debris when the forces of nature declared its fate. The Bahay-na-Bato became a common sight during these period but the churches were more remarkable as it became one of the key tools when the Spaniards penetrated our culture with the introduction of their Christian faith.

After decades of Spanish reign, then came the Americans with their promise of freedom. Civic buildings and universities stood as they introduced a new form of government and academic wealth. Many early architects also stood looking overseas for a new form and aesthetics then making it their own.

*******

This was taken from one of my midtern exams answer sheet in History of Architecture 4 which I took last semester. Haha. Good writing comes in a jiffy I guess.

Temptations

No one is free from temptation. 

The road of life is usually long and arduous enough to wear anyone out. We can experience so many letdowns in our daily life... If that fatigue is only physical, then the remedy is within our reach: one goes to the doctor and follows the prescribed cure. Unfortunately, and more often than not, weariness attacks the soul. It is a culpable kind of tiredness because we have abandoned the means that nourish our spiritual life. And without prayer and the Eucharist, there is no saint that can endure such trials.

+ Jesus Urteaga, The Defects of the Saints

Mudbath Not

Our council just had our very first joint meeting yesterday and boy was I astounded at the order of the assembly. I would most probably illustrate it as something you’ll see inside a Senate house only ours is much smaller. Okay crap. It’s either that or I’m making a fool out of every ignoramus words I’m saying right now. Anyway, I will undoubtedly take some time to get used to that but I’m up for anything so really I hope to get on board with the rest of the council members. There are negative bits of premature observations and commentaries regarding certain personalities though which I’d rather keep to myself. Let’s just see how things will go for the next three years. Yeah I’m hoping we won’t be running a bath of mud.

Oh Yeah, It's Official

 

The Mass Oath taking for the Newly Elected Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Officials of District 4 held at the Performing Arts Theater of Amoranto Sports Complex here in our barangay truly was a success. I was a bit nervous to say the least. This was after all a historic moment in my life that officially marks the beginning of my three-year service as a member of our community's council. The district councilors as well as our very own honorable Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte and beloved City Mayor Herbert Bautista was present.

Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte's inspirational talk conveyed a message about us newly elected officials of Quezon City as being half-part politicians and half-part heroes emphasizing the latter ego as something that must be dominant in our role throwing out the other as an image that has tainted our field of service with a negative connotation. She even pressed our accountability to the people and to our God who gave us this chance of service at the first place. I was delighted by that last line of course, knowing that He truly have surrounded me with public servant superiors whom I share a similar objective - nothing more but for the greater good of our constituents.

But my personal favorite, of course, was City Mayor Herbert Bautista's albeit comedic address (I was stunned at first but then gradually accepted his rather informal public address as preferable compared to previous boring speeches I've been to) peppered not only with hilarious farce regarding known personalities of District 4 (who was present in that event) but as well as exciting news regarding a short course training program for Barangay Officials about public administration. Notable (here comes the exciting bit!) are studies on urban and regional planning as well as environmental planning set to be taken from a University in Singapore! I squirmed uncontrollably in my seat from containing my excitement regarding what I heard (at biglang nahiya sa katabing SK Chairman na nagwaring tinatawag ng kalikasan ang kanyang katabi).

I felt like a handsome groom long-waiting for his bride when I wore my new barong :) It is the first time I had worn anything quite as manly as this.

Suddenly there came another opportunity I am itching to have my hands on.  It was like a last-song syndrome that kept ringing in my head for too long. And as if a shooting star came by waiting for some soul to avail of its wish-granting powers, I began hoping. I mean, really really hoping I could avail of this rare chance to be on a foreign land and learn about a beloved subject all at the same time :)