Thursday, December 29, 2011

Christmas 2011-Part 2

Okay so Christmas is over but the holiday season isn't yet. I can definitely say that I had the roughest Christmas day ever this year. Nevertheless, I still have a lot of things to be thankful for because God has definitely showered me and my family with so so many blessings through out this whole year. The ones who truly have the roughest Christmas season in the land would be the victims of typhoon Sendong down in Mindanao. This event wasn't being expected by a lot of people since this time of year isn't really known for being a rainy period. God bless the people of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan.


Most of the time, we take for granted the things that keep us alive in our everyday lives. We tend to get too busy in our own endeavors and we don't mind the little things in life that make the world beautiful. Nothing will ever happen to us if we always take everything seriously. 


It's okay to be too busy because we have to be responsible. It's okay to be anxious because we have to live up to the standards. It's okay to be ignorant because some of us have better things to do. However, keep in mind that taking a time out is also important. Reflecting on the things that you have done for the day keeps your soul intact and full. Always try reflecting once in a while.


Until the next time.


Phim



Family picture


Family picture plus Bascon relatives from California


Us three kings portraying the Nativity scene

Our green shirted Family Christmas Party

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Christmas 2011-Part 1

So it's already Christmas vacation and I decided to write a new post since I have a few things running through my mind lately. It's been much of a hassle because I really hate this kind of feeling since I don't get to focus or concentrate on the things that I should be doing. And the problem is, there isn't really anything that I am doing since it's Christmas break so all it makes me do is to think about it and think about it and think about it. One way I can go around this or get through this is of course, prayer. However, it just doesn't stop there since I don't really get satisfied so I push myself to do other things and try to keep myself busy so I get occupied. 


I once again bought a copy of GTA San Andreas so that the game will somehow be my "project" this vacation. I put in part 1 in the title because the highlight of my vacation just like any other Christmas vacation of mine would be the family Christmas gathering that we have every Christmas day. It starts off at around lunch time at Christmas day and the whole family just enjoys each other's company through out the day. It was sort of a sad Christmas last year because nanay wasn't home and she spent Christmas in Guam. This Christmas, what I really wish for would be to have a very happy family gathering. It's been a while since I can recall of us having the time of our lives all together and this year, we have so many things to be thankful for. 


So anyways, I shall be saving part 2 for the Christmas party so that I can be able to put in at least one of the pictures from the party. We shall be having some balikbayans over in a couple of days from my mother's side and I really hope everything goes well. It's been quite a while since I saw my cousins from that side of the family.


I really hope everything goes well this Christmas.


Until the next time.


Phim

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Uncertainty

What is it with this feeling? 
Why does it bother a lot of people so much? 
Why does it have to make or break a person because of the drive and/or the depressing factor it causes you to do or not do what you really want to happen? 
How can you overcome this feeling when all you really can do is sit there and just wait? 
When will you ever find the answer that you have been looking for this whole time? 
Why can't just the world give you everything that you want? 
What can you do? 
What should you do? 
What?
Why?
When?
HOW???

Until the next time. 



Phim

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

The Golden Post

PRAY hard, WORK hard, LOVE hard



Wazzup, Jesus!

Aryt so I know it's been a while since my last post and I've been noticing that even if I haven't been updating my blog as often as before, the number of page views still adds up once in a while and I am very flattered. :) 


Nevertheless, I had the will to write a new post after stumbling upon a feature of Gary Valenciano (one of my newest idols) on ABS-CBN's late-nigh news show, Bandila. I felt that it was a timely event because I got to download Gary V's songs about a month ago since the messages in his songs provide wonderful thoughts that we should live up to if we want to live lives full of meaning and hope. The show's segment entitled "Ikaw Na!" gave me the chance to know my idol just a little bit more and it was true enough that he characterizes how a true Lasallite should be.


As the show was wrapping up, I somehow got struck by Boy Abunda's words about Gary V. He said that Gary V prays hard, works hard and loves hard. And I said to myself, "Oo nga noh?". Those 7 words can lead you to living a better life. If you abide by it and look to do it day by day, you will definitely be living a life that has direction.


I once stated in my earlier posts, "It ain't always 'bout being the best". I still believe that this is true. However, being too much of a nice guy will get you nowhere as well. Once a person gets to manage the right amount of balance of these two thoughts, I believe that that person is destined for greatness.


As you noticed, I wrote this entry in a golden colored text. This is my 50th entry on this blog of mine and I plan on writing 50 plus more! :)


Until the next time.


Phim

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Whaddup


Whoops I didn't realize that it's been almost two months since my last post. I guess I just didn'thave time to make a post or I just forgot to write a new one. Anyway, a lot has happened last July and I'll try to remember some of it as I make most of the Zobel wifi and the battery life of my laptop as I wait for my brother to finish with practice.

First off, the main highlight for July 2011 for me would be the World Cup Qualifiers. The Philippine Azkals made history as they went on to the second round of the

2014 World Cup qualifiers. I was lucky enough to get a ticket for the second leg of the first round where the Azkals played Sri Lanka in Manila. Our team won in a very convincing manner and the aggregate score was 5-1.


(Me together with some members of Gang Green at the Rizal Memorial. It felt different cheering in blue with them!)


The second round of the qualifiers was a totally different st
ory. We went up against a strong and experienced Kuwait team. We lost with an aggregate score of 5-1 I think. Despite the loss, our team showed great heart out there and there are definitely m
ore things to come for Philippine Football.

At present, our Smart Gilas team is participating in the Jones Cup and they are currently competing with some of the top basketball teams in Asia. Yesterday, I was so surprised that they beat a very strong Iranian team. I hope they continue with this kind of play as that was only the first game of the tournament.


The past and the coming months were and would be very hectic for Philippine sports. The Azkals have an upcoming tournament in September and I heard they'd be lining up a series of friendly matches for the players to get more exposure and experience.

Good luck Team Pilipinas! Go for gold!

Until the next time.

Phim

Monday, June 20, 2011

It Ain't Always 'Bout Being The Best

Life isn't all about being the best in everything. Sometimes, whenever we push ourselves to strive for what's best for us, we tend to bring down the innocent people around us. These things we rarely realize since we become too selfish at times. We become too proud and that's just unacceptable to God's eyes.

What would be better then? Personally, I would think that it would be best if we bring along the people we love most to the top with us. That would just provide perfect harmony inside this chaotic world that we live in. Humility is better to hear about and you'd be guaranteed to get more friends if you aren't arrogant and all.

It's a holiday today and currently the third week of school for this semester. Everything's going great as of now and I just have to finish up on my registration. My schedule's pretty loose this semester so that I can focus on my academics and recover from my failures last sem. I hope everything goes well as the school year progresses.

Until the next time.

Phim

Monday, June 6, 2011

Here we go...


The show must go on...

This week shall mark the beginning of my sophomore year in UP Los Banos and I really can't tell what I am feeling right now. I decided to wirte a new entry because I thought it would help me calm my senses before I once again enter college life. I hope this year would be on my side unlike the past semester I had in the university. That was the worst schedule I had by far.

Yesterday, my aunt had this concert for a cause
which was headed by the Santa Rosa Medical Society and Kapihan sa Santa Rosa. It was held here in my hometown at the majestic SM Santa Rosa. Coming in to the show, I didn't realize that my tita's performance would be the highlight of the whole show. I only learned about it when me and my brothers heard the hosts announce that the main event would be "Maria Clara's" performance. (my tita's alias) Great show, by the way!

Hay, I guess that's it for now. I hope this coming school year will be a friendly one so that I don't end up stressed through the whole week.

Lord, please help me. Amen.

Until the next time.

Phim

Go tita rose!

Monday, May 16, 2011

Let's write...


Whoops! I haven't realized that it's almost been a month since my last entry here in my blog. Anyway, a lot of things have happened since then and all I can say that this here's summer is one of those summers that I can easily forget. Don't get me wrong, I have had some pretty interesting moments on this summer of 2011 but there's just something lacking...I just don't know what it is. (cheezy!)

Tonight I was pondering about the reason behind the problem about world peace. Several questions kept running through my mind as I though about this random topic that I picked up as I was wandering off to wherever in my mind. Why is world peace
so difficult to attain? Why can't man realize how good the world will be once we all live together in perfect harmony? Why can't we, people, lower our pride and have the ultimate compromise and patience for one another so that genuine equality will be attained and no one will be left behind? Why does there have to be different classes of society which inevitably downgrades or upgrades a single human being? Why?

Through the whole 19 years that I have been existing in this world, I can say that I have been a very observant person. I'm not a "speak right away whatever you think of" kind of guy. I'm more of a think before you act. I guess it's just because of ho
w I was brought up. My parents always told me to think first before doing something since it's just the practical way of doing things. Having said that, I get to think of so many things inside my head and maybe someway somehow learn and discover things that I have yet to experience. (Is that right?)

Now, going back to my questions earlier...

One reason that I could think of is that because of the fact that people are greedy. Everybody wants power. Every body wants money. We all want to be the best. We all want to be known. Yet, here's something that I have brought with me throughout the tim
e I was growing up coz of the teachings in Zobel and the Catholic Church in general - We won't be bringing anything material with us when we die. The only thing that would judge us to determine which place to go to will be our souls and our conscience.

In short (and in tagalog), walang silbi ang mga bagay na mayroon tayo ngayon dahil hindi natin ito madadala sa langit.

Let's try to think of others first before we become so full of ourselves. Lahat tayo ay Anak ng Diyos at dapat tayo'y mabuhay sa ngalan Niya.

Until the next time.

Phim


Sunday, April 24, 2011

Something's wrong.


Today is Easter Sunday and another great Holy Week has passed. We celebrated Holy Week quite different this year since most of our family members came home to the Philippines for various reasons. Therefore, we had family gatherings from time to time. I am so thankful because God gave us another opportunity to spend time with one another and enjoy moments that only family can truly appreciate. It may be a long shot but I really hope we get to get together like this more often. I feel really different every time our family has a gathering or something. I just hope that my other relatives get to feel the same way because I notice that they take these things for granted and I am deeply saddened by this. Nevertheless, this Holy Week would just be another Holy Week which would be celebrated be different family traditions without all the other occasions happening. This time of the year is definitely something that I look forward to annually because of its uniqueness and pride.

Hay. It just makes me feel really incomplete right now and
I guess only God can help me. It's been a while na rin since I got a sincere talk with God because of this busy world. Sorry if I'm making you guys get sad or I dunno haha I just turn to this blog to vent out what I feel. I use writing to let go of what I feel so that hate can't simply be forgotten, I also try to make it a work of art. ;) Naks :))

I just hope I get to find a sense of completeness some time
soon.

Until the next time.

Happy Easter!

Phim

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

There's Always A First Time For Everything

It's pretty late but I guess now would be the right time to make another entry in this blog of mine. I also noticed that the amount of views my blog has been getting has pretty much been increasing so I guess it's been gaining some publicity. :> Haha! Thanks guys!

Today, I went to UP to get my grades for the second seme
ster. I was already expecting to be getting below par grades in some of my subjects but of course I still kept high hopes for myself since I was hearing a few positive things from some of my classmates so I was expecting the same things for myself as well. I guess that's how I really am. First, I went off to check on my Arts and Humanities (AH) and Social Sciences and Philosophy (SSP) subjects since these were the subjects and grades that I was expecting myself to be pretty high in. I only got to see my standing and the grade for my Library Research paper for my recit in English 2. I was glad to see that my grades pretty good at this point. Next, I went to the other department in the same building to check my grades on my Philosophy 1 and Social Science 1 classes. The only class card I got was the one for SOSC1. And again, grades were pretty good! (Note: Some UP campuses still give out the final grades for students in "class cards". The only campus that I'm sure of which makes use of these class cards is UP Manila. These "cards" are sized at about 3x5 inches.)

Now, on to see my philo grade! I kept on looking and looking for the cubicle of my professors in the directory of the SSP department when I suddenly remembered that the Philosophy division is in the AH department! How ironic right? After finding my teach
er's cubicle, all I got to see was a wooden something on his little space which made it evident that he was not there.

So off I go to the Physical Science building which houses the departments of my hated subjects. Statistics 1 and Chemistry 15. I went to get my STAT grade first since it was the nearest department from where I was. Bottom line, I failed STAT1. Next, off I went to see my CHEM15 lab grade since my prof's room was at the same floor with th
e Institute of Statistics. Bottom line, I PASSED! I was so happy because I never really wanted to re-take that subject again. (No offense, Ma'am Jhal! That's if you're reading this. Haha!) The last grade I checked out was my CHEM15 lecture grade. Bottom line, I failed CHEM15 lecture.

Nevertheless, despite all the trials that I had during my second semester in UPLB, I still can certainly say that learned a lot. I cannot enumerate these lessons that I learned since I'm too sleepy already to recall them and you would have to experience these things for you guys to understand it. I guess that's how life really is and we have to learn from our mistakes and learn from the people around us.

Never stop learning and never stop having an open mind. Yet, always remember that too much of something is not really good anymore.

Until the next time.

Phim

.

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Finally


Finally, my freshman year as a college student is over.

However, it doesn't really feel right.

This second semester has really been hell for me because of the tough subjects and my hectic schedule. First of all, I opted for a pretty busy scheduling of classes because I wanted to go home early for the weekend since I get homesick the whole week. I guess my plan backfired. I was planning to have a schedule that would last only 'til Thursday so I could go back home early. Nevertheless, I hope all still goes well when I get my grades.

Despite all the challenges and obstacles that I have faced throughout this semester, I can definitely say that I have learned a lot. The University Student Council elections, Chemistry, Statistics and English 2 were some of the most difficult trials that I experienced throughout this term. These challenges would not be here for no reason. I believe that everything happens for a reason and I really hope that I will not fail.

Until the next time.

Phim


Sunday, March 20, 2011

One Last Push

Today starts the final week of regular classes in my second semester in UP and it will definitely not be an easy one. This week is bombarded with exams despite only being scheduled until Wednesday, the last day of regular classes.

I'll just add on to my next post since it's definitely going to be a busy week and I bet a lot of things will happen. That's all for now.

Until the next time.

Phim


Friday, March 4, 2011

Home Stretch


(Moran Coat of Arms)

Hello everyone! It's already March and I can say that this already is the final stretch of my freshman year in college. Everything came by pretty quickly and events swiftly passed by without me knowing it because of the tough schedules and difficult lessons that UP has to offer. However, I can feel that I have been growing as a person especially with the candidacy that I filed for the University Student Council. I definitely learned a whole bunch of lessons throughout the whole experience. Even if I didn't get the position I was running for, I'm totally fine with the result and I wish all the best for the incoming student council. I hope you guys do great!

As of now, all that I am hoping for is that everything goes my way as the year ends. I never really expected that I would be at this situation at this point in time considering where I was last year. Nevertheless, everything is well and all I have to do is do my best and leave the rest to the Lord.

I suppose that this is how it really is in college. This is how it really is in the real world. If you're not ready, be ready to fail.

A lot is still in store and I'm just here to enjoy the ride. I pray that everything goes by smoothly.

Until the next time.

Phim

Sunday, February 20, 2011

February


(Ballers still for sale! P80 each, 3 for P200! Contact me for details! 09179112332)

Wow. I didn't realize that a month has passed since I last posted an entry here in my blog. I guess that would be the proof of how busy I have become this past month. As of now, I am anticipating a very hectic week because it is time for the University Student Council-College Student Council elections in UPLB. I, for one, am running for USC Councilor.

I never really expected to see myself running for a student government position especially after high school. I thought to myself that I would just really want to focus on academics once I got into college. Nevertheless, the opportunity is here and we shall see what happens in the future. I know that there would be a lot at stake and a lot of things to do if ever I g
et elected. If that's so, I will be ready for anything because I have a BIG God behind my back.

A lot has happened this past month. Azkalmania, Valentine's Day, UPLB Feb Fair, Palarong UPLB, and so much more which I could not remember because my mind is blacking out because of the stress and fatigue that school has been offering. With so many things crossing paths, I see this as a blessing in disguise because I consider being busy a way of making time go by swiftly.

The true blessings that God has been giving me right now are pretty simple. The weekends I spend with my brothers here at home. Of course it would be b
est if the whole family was here just like the old times. However, duty calls and we all have to do the dirty work from time to time. I hope you guys are doing alright there Nanay and Tatay. We miss you.

Spending time at home is the thing that I value most these days. It helps me relax and unwind after a week full of mental extreme sports. Yes, that's how it is in college and that's how it is in UP. However, it's not everyday that I get to experience this type of happiness since I only get 2 and a half days for a weekend. In any case, summer's just around the corner.

I just hope that things turn out good in the end. I want to finish things that I've started and finish them with flying colors.

Until the next time.

Phim

P.S. It's really flattering that the number of hits my blog has definitely increased. I hope I've been inspiring you guys since that has been the main purpose of my blog and I also hope you guys never get bored reading my posts. Sorry for not being able to update regularly :) Thank you so much!

Friday, January 14, 2011

A Trip Around Town

It's been a while since I got to go around my hometown of Santa Rosa, Laguna in a bicycle. I've been wanting to ride a bike for the longest time since I missed the thrill of riding one. It definitely feels good to feel the wind going through your hair, get the bumps and bruises the road has to offer and to simply experience a different kind of freedom that a bicycle alone can offer.

I got home pretty early today since both my Friday classes wer
e canceled. Lucky me! Thank you Lord for giving me an early weekend which I shall use to relax after this hectic week. I fell asleep as I was watching the Wolves vs. Wizards game and when I woke up, it was the Heat and the Nuggets playing already with the Nuggets having a pretty big lead. It was understandable since Miami was on a 5 game road trip and LeBron was sitting the game out with a sprained ankle.

Anyway, I decided to visit my grandmother since I was alone at home and I was getting pretty hungry and I figured that there would be some m
erienda over there. So off I went.

After visiting my mamang, I felt pretty adventurous so I decided to go around more with my bike. I went to visit my grandfathers' graves in a nearby memorial park since I had nothing else to do anyway. I find it pretty interesting that I have three lolos buried in the same cemetery. I guess that's how it really is in the provinces or in my hometown.

I said a silent prayer to each of my grandfathers' graves and after which, I decided to go back home since it was getting pretty dark already. On my way home, I came across these 4 kids who were riding bikes as well. We were in front of the PUP campus
here and there were classes going on. As we crossed paths, they were shouting to the students something like "Umuwi na kayo! Wala din kayo mapapala sa pagpasok!"

It's so disappointing how ordinary Filipinos think this way. At
a very young age, it seems that all they want to do is slack around and have no direction in life like how a lot of people are in the slums. But I guess that the people who should be blamed for these kinds of problems would be the parents of these people and the parents of their parents. One saying struck me a lot as I watched the new Karate Kid movie which starred Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan. As Mr. Han said, "There is never a bad student, only bad teachers."

So I'm thinking. Since I'm an educated person, I'm guessing
it's my job to be able to turn the ways of thinking of these kinds of people around in order for this country to develop. It definitely won't happen overnight since this has to be done step by step, little by little. But I promise that I'll do what I can when I'm ready so that these kinds of people would have better lives and it would start in how they think.

Lord, please help me.

Until the next time.

Phim

Here are some photos of my hometown.

-Here's an image of a traffic enforcer near the public market. I'm so lucky to find an image on the net where my grandfather's name can be found. What a coincidence! If you look closely, You'd be able to see an engraving on the beige wall of one of the public s
chools here. (I'm not sure if it's visible though.) The engraving has the name of my father's father. That wall was donated by my grandparents, Secretary Romeo Arceo Moran and Iluminada Barrinuevo Rico.

-This is the church that me and my family has been going to ever since I was young. Santa Rosa de Lima Parish church.


Friday, January 7, 2011

Never fear

Hello, everyone :) I'd just want to share an entry from the blog of one of the world's best known writers, Paulo Coelho. This entry was shared to me by my mother whom I terribly miss. I hope you're doing good there, Nay. We're fine here. We miss you and we love you.

I hope this can guide you guys in your lives if ever you have any doubts or any problems that are troubling you in this life of ours. Inspirational people such as Mr. Coelho are blessings to us because they are the ones who God sends to us so that we can experience the love that He has for all of us, His children, here on Earth.

2011: Manual for conserving paths

Published on by PAULO COELHO

1] The path begins with a crossroads. There you can stop and think what direction to follow. But don’t spend too much time thinking or you’ll never leave the spot. Reflect a lot on the choices that lie ahead, but once you have taken the first step, forget the crossroads for ever or else you will always torture yourself with the useless question: “did I take the right path?”

2] The path doesn’t last for ever. It is a blessing to travel the path for some time, but one day it will come to an end, so always be prepared to take leave of it at any moment. However enraptured you may be at certain landscapes, or scared whenever you have to make a great effort to go ahead, don’t get too used to anything. Neither to the hours of euphoria, nor to the endless days when everything seems so difficult and progress is so slow. Don’t forget that sooner or later an angel will appear and your journey will reach an end.

3] Honor your path. It was your choice, your decision, and just as you respect the ground you step on, that ground will respect your feet. Always do what is best to conserve and keep your path and it will do the same for you.

4] Be well equipped. Carry a small rake, a spade, a penknife. Understand that penknives are no use for dry leaves, and rakes are useless for herbs that are deep-rooted. Know also what tool to use at each moment. And take care of them, because they are your best allies.

5] The path goes forward and backward. At times you have to go back because something was lost, or else a message to be delivered was forgotten in your pocket. A well tended path enables you to go back without any great problems.

6] Take care of the path before you take care of what is around you. Attention and concentration are fundamental. Don’t be distracted by the dry leaves at the edges or by the way that others are looking after their paths. Use your energy to tend and conserve the ground that accepts your steps.

7] Be patient. Sometimes the same tasks have to be repeated, like tearing up weeds or closing holes that appear after unexpected rain. Don’t let that annoy you – that is part of the journey. Even though you are tired, even though certain tasks are repeated so often, be patient.

8] Paths cross. People can tell what the weather is like. Listen to advice, and make your own decisions. You alone are responsible for the path that was entrusted to you.

9] Nature follows its own rules. In this way, you have to be prepared for sudden changes in the fall, slippery ice in winter, the temptations of flowers in spring, thirst and showers in the summer. Make the most of each of these seasons, and don’t complain about their characteristics.

10] Make your path a mirror of yourself. By no means let yourself be influenced by the way that others care for their paths. You have your soul to listen to, and the birds to tell what your soul is saying. Let your stories be beautiful and pleasant to everything around you. Above all, let the stories that your soul tells during the journey be echoed at each and every second of the path.

11] Love your path. Without this, nothing makes any sense.


Until the next time.

Phim

Sunday, January 2, 2011

Insomnia


In a few hours I shall be heading to the remaining three months of my second semester in UPLB. This has been the second consecutive night that I have been up at this time of the morning for a reason that I do not know. Maybe I've been overthinking some things or maybe my body clock really is at a different timezone because of my sleeping habits during the holiday break.

I'm expecting this coming year to be a very challenging one. I'm expecting more independence however experiencing more obstacles along the way. Maybe this will be the year that I would definitely feel for the first time the hassles that come along with what is called adulthood. It's gonna be tough but I have a BIG God who always has my back.

Honestly and sadly, nowadays, I don't get to reflect as deep as I had been reflecting on life itself as much as I had before. It's like I've been drifting away from God and I didn't want it to be like this. I need to put God in my center again and I hope that I could accomplish it as soon as possible. (This post is starting to be pretty cheezy and I apologize for that haha) The only reason why I write on this blog is because I want to share my thoughts so that I can inspire others to do what is good and what is right. Also, I don't really write as very often because what I write down are the things that are really are inside me.

In short, I write these things from my heart.

Until the next time.

Phim