National Daughters’ Week
(Friend Glenda Gloria reminds on Facebook that this week is National Daughters’ Week. I am giving way to my daughter’s essay she wrote when she was 16 to get a glimpse of how she thinks. Now is your time to shine, Maui.)
We are five in the family. I have two older brothers; that makes me the unica hija and the bunsung-bunso. I am given much love and care being the youngest and the only girl in the family. My parents and brothers are very protective; they allow no one to do me any harm (who would want a loved one be hurt in the first place?). Though this is the case, my parents gave me the freedom to play and explore the world. I used to play in our neighborhood with lots of toys and lots of playmates. It was fun playing and inventing different games with them.
Nanay always tells me that I can play whatever I want – responsibly. There is no such thing as a girl’s toy or a boy’s toy or a girl’s game or a boy’s game. I can play any game that interests me.
Being hurt, getting bruises, scratches and wounds are normal things. My parents do not scold me whenever I go home with such skin abrasions. They tell me it is part of being a child. It is a learning experience. So I do not cry whenever these things happen. I have a high tolerance to pain.
We also take care of a lot of pets. We experienced having five dogs and seven puppies, four cats, and a flock of doves in our home. They are all part of our family. We love them. I think this is why I grew up with so much love and compassion to animals. That’s why when I was in grade five I decided to become a vegetarian. Nanay earlier did. Tatay, Kuya, and Diko did not change their food preferences but they respected our decision.
When I was little, Nanay already gave me the freedom of choice – to choose the things that I like; the things that I want; and the things that interest me. When I was around four years old, I already got to shop and choose the clothes that I want to wear. I remember telling a saleslady, “Pabayaan nyo po akong magdesisyon” because she was suggesting me to buy something that I did not like. I just can’t help but smile whenever I remember that moment. I think this is why I have become independent. I am not afraid to decide on my own. I felt trusted and responsible for everything that I think or do.
Nanay tells me that I talk like an adult when I was little. We have had a lot of sensible conversations. I had so many questions in my mind, and I expected her to give all the answers. I was a really inquisitive kid. This explains why I like to talk with people and share them my views about life.
I started cooking at the age of four. Scrambled egg was the first dish that I have ever cooked. Then I added milk, so it became scrambled egg with milk – I consider it the product of my first food invention/experimentation. I have enjoyed cooking since then. Tatay taught me how to make pancakes out of flour, eggs, oil, water and milk. I was already cooking at the age of five. I needed to stand on a chair because I was so small that I could not reach the stove to cook my “dishes”. Now, I can cook normally. And I am proud that I have learned to cook a lot of dishes – from Filipino cuisine (sinigang, diningdeng, tinola, tinuktok, adobo, nilaga, etc,) to foreign ones (pansit, spaghetti, lasagna, brownies, etc.), all of which are vegetarian dishes. Some were taught by Nanay, some were from recipe books, and some were products of my creativity and imagination.
When I started schooling, my parents guided me all the way. They always remind me that I am good at everything that I do, be it on sports or academics. When I was in elementary, I did my assignments and projects. Nanay helps and guides me and makes sure that I really did the school work. From then on, I learned to take responsibility. In school, I have always been elected or chosen to lead a group or our class (group leader/class officer). This has built my self-esteem.
When I was in middle school, I used to play Titser Titseran with my playmates who are much younger than I am. Our classes (game) were held in our house on a regular basis. I teach them real lessons (baking, math formulas, good values, etc.) with real subjects (GMRC, Math, Science, English, Filipino, Hekasi, Arts, HE) with even real break times (recess/lunch). I even made a class list, grades, and gave report cards at the end of the grading. On weekdays, they visit our house after their classes in school. I helped them with their assignments. I became their tutor.
My parents enrolled me in basic swimming lessons when I was in grade three; basic gymnastics when I was in grade five; voice lessons and advanced swimming lessons when I was in grade six; piano lessons when I was in first year high school; and flute lessons when I was in second year high school. They encouraged me to do everything that interests me and excel in whatever I want to do.
I started dancing when I was three years old (I think). I had my first official dance presentation when I was four. In elementary, I have always been dancing for school programs (intermission numbers). When I got in high school, I became a varsity swimmer and competed with other athletes. In my second year, our school principal invited me to dance an Indian dance in the school’s morning assembly and I became famous for it. In my third year in high school, I realized that swimming was really not my passion, but dancing. So I joined my high school’s pep squad.
I grew up having a close relationship with my family. My brothers and I used to play together. We always kiss our parents and tell them how much we love them. Our parents too are very affectionate. We established an open relationship. I can tell them anything! I think this is one of the reasons why I am not yet interested in looking for a partner. I do not feel empty, for my family’s love completes me.
I grew up with confidence. I always keep in mind what Nanay always tells me – I am a strong woman. I have the freedom of choice; freedom of expression, but I should act responsibly. I can stand for my beliefs. I am somebody.
Bagong luma o lumang bago
NAHIHINDIK at naeeskandalo ang mga katoto natin sa midya tungkol sa nagaganap sa mga deportation center sa Saudi na pinagkukulungan ng mga kababayan natin.
Hindi na bago ang kasong ito pero kumbaga sa pigsa sa pwet, sumasakit ito tuwing nagagalaw. Ngayong may mga kabayan tayong naglakas-loob na kunan ng bidyo ang kahabag-habag na kalagayan ng mga nakakulong doon at naipuslit ito at inilabas ng Channel 2, muling sumakit ang pigsa. Kinakalkal ngayon ang sugat at muling binabatikos ang mga dapat batikusin at pinagmamadali ang mga opisyal ng gobyerno. Ulit.
Syempre, dahil kinakalikot ang sugat, nangangako kaliwa’t kanan ang mga opisyal ng DOLE, OWWA, POEA at DFA. Parang sinilihan ang tumbong na hindi sila mapakali. Pero pasasaan ba’t magrerelak ulit ang mga ito kapag nagsawa na tayo’t hindi na nakatingin, o mabaling ang pansin sa iba pang isyu. Palibhasa’y hindi sanay ang maraming Pinoy na mag-multitasking paisa-isang isyu lamang ang kaya nating bigyan ng atensyon.
Alam na ng lahat ng nakapag-Saudi ang kalunus-lunos na kalagayan ng mga kabayan natin sa kulungan doon. At hindi na sila natatawa sa birong tayong mga Pinoy ang laging may kasalanan kapag nadidisgrasya dahil punta kasi tayo nang punta roon. “Kung hindi ka nagpunta rito, hindi ka mababangga,” “Kung hindi ka nagpunta rito, hindi ka mare-rape,” ang karaniwang sinasabi ng mga Saudi sa mga Pinoy. Nakaiinis na nakatatawa pero totoo. Ganyan talaga kakitid ang isip ng ilan sa kanila.
Hindi lang makitid ang isip ng ilang opisyal doon, madali rin silang mapikon at hindi pa kinikilala ang mga opisyal natin. Katunayan, isang Pinoy welfare officer sa Riyadh ang ikinulong kamakailan dahil lamang isinugod niya sa ospital ang isang manganganak na buntis na sa kasamaang palad ay namatay. Noong kararating ko pa lamang noon sa Saudi, nachismis na binatukan ng isang pulis sa airport ang consul general ng Pinas sa Jeddah at pinagmumura pa. Wala raw nagawa ang consul general. Natural, itinanggi ito ng gobyerno natin pero maraming sumumpang totoo raw ang nangyari.
Totoo man o hindi ang chismis tungkol sa counsul general, ang katotohanan ay parang lumalakad sa sahig na may bubog ang mga opisyal ng gobyerno natin sa Saudi dahil maraming patakaran ang Saudi na hindi katanggap-tanggap sa kulturang Pinoy pero sila ang natutupad doon dahil teritoryo nila iyon.
Kung gusto nilang latiguhin ang mga nagkasalang Pinoy at Pinay, wala tayong magagawa kundi kagatin na lang ang ating mga labi o kaya’y magdasal na sana’y maligaw sa Pinas ang mga nagpaparusa at mahulog sa kamay ng pulis natin sa Tondo.
Nagpapadala tayo ng mga manggagawa roon. Hindi tamang inaapi sila dahil nakakatulong sila sa paglago ng ekonomiyang Saudi. Pwedeng daananin sa diplomasya ang relasyon ng dalawang bansa pero nagkakaroon ng problema sa implementasyon lalo na at may mga legal na usapin, gaya ng pagtakas at mga akusasyon ng pang-aabuso at pagnanakaw. At dahil sila ang nasa kapangyarihan at hindi nirerespeto ng ilan sa kanila – lalo na yung mga nasa mababang ranggo – ang mga opisyal natin, nagdurusa ang mga kabayan natin.
Dapat magmuni-muni nang husto ang gobyerno natin at pag-isipang mabuti kung ano ang dapat isagot sa pagmamalabis sa mga kababayan natin. Dapat talagang ibasura ang labor export policy pero long term iyon. Kelangan din ng dagliang lunas para sa pigsa.
RP Embassy in Jordan warns against travel to Aqaba
The Philippine Embassy in Jordan has advised Filipinos to postpone all personal and non-essential travel to Aqaba in Jordan in the next 24 hours in the light of the security situation in the area.
Several embassies in Jordan, including the United States and Japanese embassies, issued separate travel advisories to their citizens regarding a “possible imminent threat” in Aqaba, a port town in southern Jordan.
In an advisory posted in the Embassy’s website yesterday, it also reminded those residing in Aqaba to exercise caution on September 16 and 17.
It advised Filipinos to avoid the port and other crowded areas, remain at home whenever possible and exercise caution when outside their homes.
The Embassy also said that it opened its mobile number (+962 77 743 5435 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting +962 77 743 5435 end_of_the_skype_highlighting) in case of queries or other information.
The advisory was also relayed to the Filipino community leaders in Jordan through text messaging, requesting them to pass the message on to other Filipinos they know.
Nigerian bandits kidnap Filipino seafarer
Nigerian bandits in Cameroon kidnapped a Filipino seafarer last September 12, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said today.
The DFA quoted a manning agency saying that armed Nigerian bandits kidnapped the Filipino and a Croatian seafarer. Both were working for a vessel of Jan de Nuls, a Belgian dredging operation in the port city of Douala.
Cameroon and Nigeria share the same border.
The rest of the crew was able to escape the abductors. Another Filipino crewmember was able to call the agency to report the incident, the DFA press statement said.
The manning agency has informed the family of the kidnapped Filipino, the government agency press statement further said.
The DFA Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs (DFA-OUMWA) has instructed the Philippine Embassy in Abuja to make representations with Nigerian authorities for the safe release of the Filipino crewmember.
It has also asked the Philippine Embassy in Brussels to coordinate with the ship’s principal in Belgium to ensure that negotiations for the release of the seafarer is being undertaken.
The DFA-OUMWA will also ensure that the manning agency continue to give the salaries and other financial benefits of the seafarer to his family here, it assured.
The last incident of kidnapping in the area was in July 2009 involving two Filipino seamen aboard MV Sichem Peace. Both were released after 18 days of captivity.
What makes the UP Pep Squad champion again
What a breathing respite
from stark reality!
It is a sweet victory that merits changing the running headlines about the Quirino Grandstand tragedy where eight Hongkong nationals were hostaged and killed, rising dengue cases and demoralized UP Men’s Basketball Team.
The UP Pep Squad won the 2010 Cheerdance Competition held at the full-packed Araneta Coliseum last Sunday to the cheering of more than 22,000 fans – the biggest crowd so far – filling to the brim, with hundreds standing for hours.
Garnering 440. 90 points and besting seven universities, the UP Pep Squad wowed the audience with their four-tiered Ati-atihan-Panagbenga-Maskara-Higantes fiesta theme executed in flawless pyramids, stunts, tosses and dance steps. Strong Samurai-themed FEU Pep Squad came in second at 421.40 points; Fierce tiger-themed UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe scored 407.50 points placing third.
UP Pep Squad, earning the moniker Pep Squad ng Bayan and recently, Sunflower Kids, deserves accolade and recognition for their bravado, resilience and creativity. Living up to their name Pep, their background music Kapayapaan of the 90s-reggae Tropical Depression, has pepped the country up (the people they reach, at least).
UP Pep Squad Coach Lalaine Juarez-Perena, a Filipiniana dancer in her student days, is a genius with depth. Her idea of sunflower pompoms, coupled with an apt well-mixed choreography, depicts a glimmer of hope happily danced by smiling Peppers. The country is in exceptional time that this call for “kapayapaan” is a welcome respite from the doldrums of everyday life.
Her Assistant Coach Nino Jose Antonio, the person behind the Peppers’ happy faces as he constantly boosts their morale while putting bandages on injured knees and ice packs on bruises, is commitment and passion rolled into one. He also tames the wild in every youth and transforms their energies to exuberance and vigor.
Behind those happy faces of the UP Pep Squad members are stories of individual and collective battles, like every ordinary Filipino citizen, which each tries to overcome – and has succeeded so far – for the moment. While they are different persons with different backgrounds and skills, they manage to connect to each other in a teamwork that far exceeded others.
The UP community, families, fans and friends have also pitched in. Much like the fiesta spirit, volunteers cut the colorful banderitas that were waved during the Sunday competition. Families of Peppers shelled out their share for the Peppers’ shoes, bandages and others. Peppers themselves made their own pompoms and masks. Fans and friends have been constantly helping the team with food and kind words, also cheering them up.
The spirit of going beyond winning has been achieved. The UP Pep Squad did it cheerily – again. (Gloria Esguerra Melencio)
(Photos by Diana Moraleda)
Go UP!
HINDI ko malaman kung kanino siya nagmana. Nagpasirku-sirko ako nung maliit pa at nagbalak ring tumulay sa alambre pero hindi ko kaya ang ginagawa ngayon ng anak ko na nagpapaikut-ikot sa ere, nagta-tumbling, ibinubuhol ang katawan at sumasayaw.
Ang nanay naman niya e parehong kanan ang paa at “sweet” lang ang alam sayawin. Ganun din naman ako sa mga dinadaluhang party noong tinedyer pa.
Sabagay, hindi na namin pinagtatalunan kung kanino siya nagmana. Basta kapag ako ang kasama niya, sa akin siya mana at sa nanay naman kapag sila ang magkasama. At labu-labo na kapag pareho kaming naroong mag-asawa.
Noong linggo, inangkin ko naman ang karangalan. Biruin n’yo nga naman, nagkampeon ulit ang University of the Philippines Pep Squad sa UAAP. Miyembro nito ang anak kong si Rosa Mirasol a.k.a. Maui. Pumangalawa ang Far Eastern University at pangatlo ang University of Santo Tomas.
Lagi kong sinasabing si Maui ang swerte ng UP Pep Squad dahil noong pumasok lamang siya noong 2007 naging champion ang UP matapos ang maraming taon. Nanalo ulit sila noong 2008 at naging pangatlo lang noong isang taon kasi nagkaroon ng injury ang anak ko at hindi nakasali. Naputulan siya ng litid sa tuhod at kinailangan ng operasyon. Ngayong magaling na siya at nakasali, kampeon na ulit ang UP Pep Squad.
Pero bago ninyo ako batuhin ng barya at murahin mula ulo hanggang talampakan, nagbibiro lang po ako.
Of course, nagkataon lang naman na naroon si Maui tuwing nagkakampeon sila at ang tunay na bayani ng UP e ’yung buong team – at ang libu-libong mga tagasuportang sumugod sa Araneta Coliseum, nagsiksikan at nag-cheer para sa cheering squad.
Pero tulad ni Gary Granada ipakikiusap kong “Pagbigyan n’yo na ako, paminsan-minsan lang ito…” At bilang ama, siyempre proud ako sa anak ko. Ganoon din naman siyempre ang mga magulang ng iba pang miyembro ng team. Para sa kanila mga anak nila ang tunay na bida. Halos mamaos nga kaming mag-asawa sa kasisigaw, hindi alintana ang sakit ng mga paa at balakang sa apat na oras na pagkakatayo dahil wala na kaming maupuan. ‘Yung mga mamang bantay naman sa ibaba e napakagaling maggwardiya daig pa nila ang mga pulis ng MPD. Kung sila ang pinagbantay sa bus na hinayjak ng hostage-taker sa Quirino Grandstand noong Agosto 23, di sana nakalapit ang mga usisero pagkatapos ng insidente.
Deserving ang UP Pep Squad sa pagkapanalo nila, magaling ang konsepto nila na piyesta. “Hala bira!” nga ang sigaw nila na parang sa Ati-Atihan festival, ’ika ng isang fan. Magaling din ang execution nila ng mga routine at wala akong nakitang mali (at hindi ko sinasabi iyan dahil lang kasama sa team ang anak ko).