This is an open letter to the love of my life: "Hi, babe! This is a surprise video for you. Nagrereklamo ka kasi wala akong video na ina-upload eh. Lol! I hope you enjoy this little thing. This was made out of my boredom and wala akong maisip kundi IKAW... This video talaga 'yung main reason why I don't want to start my school works eh. I thought I need a little inspiration so I did this. ☺ First of all, thank you for this wonderful year. We made a lot of adventures and ang dami nating nakain na food! Ang takaw mo! 😝 I love you. Second, watching and editing the video made me realize na mas gwapo ka talaga without beard. Lol! Joke. I realize that it was so fun to experience new things especially when I'm with you. Sana hindi mawala sa atin 'yung ganito... na explore lang ng explore to new places and stuff. Lastly is, I love you so so much that I don't want you to disappear. I'm hoping for more years of exploration, food tasting and travelling to beautiful places that we haven't seen yet! Gusto ko, ikaw ang kasama ko sa mga "first time" para enjoy. PS: Mag-aral ka na ng photography para mas maganda 'yung ilalagay ko sa video kapag nag-edit ako ulit. Haha!"
Yesterday was our monthly date (lol), we went to Ayala Triangle to see the famous Ayala Dancing Lights! Every year, during Christmas season, everyone's excited to see the said attraction so we decided to see it for ourselves.
It usually starts at 6:30 PM and we were already there. While waiting, we first went to Ayala Museum. It was not a usual date for us, because I don't even know if Raymart's going to like the museum; but thank goodness, the museum was not a fail! :D We saw many artifacts and learned more about our history. To be honest, I really love art but sadly, art does not love me... I appreciate it in the best way that I can because art gives me comfort and a feeling of peace inside my head. I was really glad too, that Raymart is with me yesterday. We took a lot of pictures, of course - and the fact that we spend almost 2-3 hours inside the museum was great. It's perfect way to spend time while waiting for the night.
It's almost 6:30 PM already, so we find a place for the perfect spot - and the lights were starting to dance. It was so beautiful! We fell in love.
I T R E A L L Y W A S S O M A G I C A L !
H A P P Y H O L I D A Y S E V E R Y O N E ! ! ! :)
Last November 30, 2016, Raymart and I watched the most anticipated film this year: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them; and I am going to make a review about it (while fangirling, of course). *smiles* Don't worry, I won't spoil everything.
First of all, Eddie Redmayne was so awesome! He portrayed his role very well. I already like him. Lol! The cast were great. The visual effects were brilliant. The movie is overall two thumbs up! I love how it was made modernly even though the setting of the movie is way before Harry Potter Series. I love the idea how J.K. Rowling gives her fans this amazing gift - returning to the Wizarding World.
As a potterhead, it's been 4-5 years I think, that I waited to see another franchise related about the Harry Potter Series; and this film is a good way to introduced this whole new wizarding world. This is a film that every potterhead needs to see and to those who are not a fan like Raymart, it is a film that is full of entertainment so it should not be missed out! :)
PS: Raymart and I also got to see the maze from HP4 at SM Megamall and it's WOW! :D
One thing that I'm really proud of is Raymart's improvement on posing in front of the camera. Before we got into relationship status, he is so camera shy (which I really hate because, I have this attitude of being a narcissist). Raymart's efforts to make me happy by joining me to what I love makes our relationship stronger. In a span of four years of being best buddies, I have no complains about him and I fall in love with him, every time.
*excuse our public display of affection. We rarely do this so PAGBIGYAN. lol*
Just a casual date with Raymart; and as our past time, we were looking for some new taste. It was our first time to eat at this quirky restaurant found on SM North EDSA Sky Garden. Food review coming up! :)
Food Review: 8 Street Bites
This new restaurant is perfect for hangouts and chill. They offer burger and fries combo and rice meals too! The ambiance of the place is good and cozy. When it comes to food, Raymart ordered burger with fries and as for me, I ordered Honey Chicken Fillet with sour and cream dressing. It tasted good! Pwede na, pampalipas gutom. Sulit pa! One more thing, the service crew also gave us a free nachos because we said that it was our first time to eat there. The nachos, too, are deliciously yummy. :)
Last July 10, 2016, Raymart's family and I went to Tagaytay just to roam around and enjoy the sceneries there. To be honest, I am pretty excited because I rarely experience this kind of trips for my family is not really fond at it and we do not have our own car to travel. Thanks again to Raymart because he never forgets me and he is always there to accompany me on almost everything. He is so genuine and supportive. He always says to me "huwag kang mag-alala babe. Sasamahan kita sa mga lakad mo. Gagawa ako ng paraan para ako iyong kasama mo." Like this moment, Raymart knows that I really want to travel so he invited me to go with his family since it was his birthday. He said that his birthday would not be complete if I were not there with him. Sweet! :)
At Tagaytay, we just took a lot of photos and enjoyed every view, especially the Taal Volcano! It is so beautiful like the one I am with in the picture. I really enjoyed every moment of it and with him. Oh, how I wish it is already you. I love you so much! Happy Birthday. Kung anuman iyong wish ko for you, alam mo na iyon babe. :P
Earlier today, my NSTP classmates and I went to Brgy. Paco, Manila to do an outreach program. It was my first time to participate on this kind of activity and to be honest, I really enjoyed it. Helping the kids and seeing them happy is very contenting (if that is the term).
The event was planned well. I was assigned for taking photos and for some other time, I also assist the kids on whatsoever they needed to do like going to the comfort room or giving them water when they were thirsty.
We also prepared games and some presentations in order for them to be aware about the importance of hygiene, education and personality development in order for them to learn the things that are needed to have focus on.
Overall, the experience was good. I learned a lot from the kids and they also learned from us. I will never forget this once in a lifetime opportunity. Thanks to our almighty Father for giving us time to share the blessings with these lovely and adorable kids!
It’s been a week now since I went and saw the exhibit of our future computer engineers at Adamson University.
Last Thursday, my classmates and I were required to go and see the exhibit of 5th year BS Computer Engineering students where all of their design projects can be found there. The design projects were all awesome and amazing. I never expected that these ordinary 5th year students can made these kind of projects. Most of them made new gadgets for our own convenience and new systems that can be implemented not only in our university but also to our country.
Since we are required to know and choose three of some of the design projects, my top three will be:
1. Armband with EMG Sensor and Bluetooth for Hand Gesture Recognition
Description of the Project:
This project is made for the comfortableness of the user to control some digital devices like your personal computer. It has a lot of features which includes human interactive wearable device; can recognize more three different hand gestures; utility program for software integration; easy connect via Bluetooth Smart Wireless technology; Li-Po Rechargeable batteries; compact hardware design; and micro-USB charging port. The hardware used in this armband is the EMG Sensor, MPU 6050, power booster and the Li-Po Batteries. The software used in this project were C#, Arduino and Java.
The first time I saw this project, I was so amazed because the creators of it had a brilliant idea. This armband is very useful and based on what I learned about it, it has too a lot of real-life applications like in medicine – those people who had stroke and have limited gestures, this device can help them; it can also be used for personal use and for more interactive games which makes the playing more fun and enjoyable.
2. Impok: An Electronic Coin Bank System (Invest More Peso on Kiosk)
Description of the Project:
This project is made to help the students of AdU save money. As a student, we can deposit and withdraw money by using this system. It is just like a typical piggy bank but more features which includes a touched-based kiosk that accept coins from the student depositors; coin segregator; an internet-based coin banking system with different modules such as depositor’s registration, administrative module, deposit and balance inquiry, feedback mechanism and report generation module. The hardware used in this project were coin slot, LCD monitor, servo motor and smart card reader while the software used were MS SQL, Visual Studio and Arduino.
I like this project because of its purpose and features. As a student who is having a hard time on saving money, this can be useful for me personally. It might help me to save more money for future purposes. I really wish this project can be implemented in our school and to the creators of this system; they really made a great job!
3. Integrated Traffic Violation Payment System through Touch-Based Kiosk with Android Application
Description of the Project:
This project is made for the benefits of the Land Transportation Office. The project has a lot of features too which includes Android application with barcode scanner to be used by the enforcer for the insertion of the offense; touch-based KIOSK with bill and coin acceptor to handle the driver’s mode of payment; and Windows Application – Administrator’s Server that will facilitate registration of driver’s and enforcer’s account, monitoring and report generation. It also used PCD board, transistors relay, Arduino, C# and Java programming languages.
I like this project because of its purpose and features. It can help both enforcers and drivers to know and when to pay their committed violations plus the idea of having no hassle to fall in line to LTO branches. I really wish this project can be implemented in our community because it will make a lot of help for a lot of people, especially that Filipinos really love cars and there are a lot of drivers in our country.
To be honest, as second year student, I never imagined myself being like them. I mean, all of their design projects are way beyond on my imagination and I do not have anything to think that I am capable of doing this kind of project but - if I were a fifth year student, the design project that I am going to propose is the more enhanced beep (smart) cards that are frequently used in MRT & LRT lines. As my proposal, I will expand the usage of this card specifically for buses to be able to help the commuters as well as the drivers to have a more convenient travel experience. Since there are a lot of people in bus terminals, having this kind of card will help prevent the area to be crowded plus the fact of there will be no ticket officers inside the buses who are also using a space inside the bus. The card will be still reloadable in MRT and LRT stations but, as part of its expansion, I will try to provide some reloading machines in the bus terminals as well and maybe in convenient stores or malls. Also, these reloading machines can also check the current balance of the card. And on buses, there will be an integrated card reader that has the same function with the current MRT and LRT lines which makes the commuters comfortable in paying their fares. Maybe, this will help not only me as a commuter but also the people of my country.
As a qualified voter and first timer, I am still confused and still choosing who deserved my vote this coming 2016 elections. A while ago, I watched this Pili-Pinas Debates 2016 on GMA 7 where the five presidential candidates debated and told their advocacies and plans for their incoming rulings of the country.
I watched the debate to be more educated and more open to the social issues happening in the Philippines and I am proudly to say that I learned a lot in this live documentary. The five candidates have different views on how to change the country and for me, only one of them gave me an interesting impact and the will that I should vote for this specific candidate.
As a citizen of the Philippines and the voice of the future, I want a leader who is willing to sacrifice all necessary things for the right to achieve the goal of being a better country; a leader who has a strong determination and know how to fight in all fairness; a leader who can commit and love his duties and responsibilities as a president; and a leader who can serve not only the people but the country well.
I really do hope that not only me, but also my fellow voters, to be more critical on these kind of things. THIS IS SERIOUS! In my 18 years of existence, I never experience comfort and peace in the country - especially all the news that I am hearing today, it getting worse and worse. And my take on this is that we should be more decisive; after all, the power of democracy belongs to us and we are the key to have a better country so VOTE WISELY!
Last February 18, 2016, my college buddy Alex and I went to SM North Edsa just for fun. We did not want to go home yet so we decided to eat at the popular burger chain, Zark’s!
It was my second time to eat at Zark’s (the first time was last year on SM Manila where I was with my two other friends) and I ordered their bestseller Zark’s Ultimate Burger with a lot of melt cheese on top; the last time I remembered, I ordered Deep Fried Burger with Grilled Patty and BBQ Sauce on SM Manila and comparing both of them, the two flavors of the burger, were indeed so perfect!
Zark’s Ultimate Burger is one of Zark’s minor league burgers which has 1/4 pound patty and by just adding 35 pesos, you can add up some fries and a glass of your choice drink! It is their bestseller! Zark’s Ultimate Burger is a 1/4 pound burger with cheese sauce in a bed of fresh veggies and then topped with mushroom and bacon.
As an ultimate fan of burgers, Zark’s Burgers is really a thumb up for me! It is a burger that I am sure you don’t wanna miss plus the fact that its size was absolutely perfect and no need for extra cash! Just your unfull stomach and and a good friend of yours, I will surely guarantee you that your Zark’s Burger experience will be unforgettable.
PS: Their choice of music, too, is indeed will make you feel comfy while eating.
To know more about Zark’s Burgers and their list of prices, you can visit them up to any of their following branches:
Taft * Katipunan * BF homes * Eastwood Citywalk * Venice Piazza * SM North * SM Fairview * SM Bacoor * SM Southmall * SM Sta. Mesa * Shopwise Arcade, 1204 Manila, Philippines
Last February 14, 2016 (Sunday), after an argument with my boyfriend over the phone, we decided to watch a movie since it was, too, our first Valentine’s Day date for 35 months of having a relationship.
Deadpool is an anti-hero based on my research. To be honest, I’m a freaking fan of Marvel comics. I love them but I have no idea about Deadpool. I probably give more focus to the story of Avengers because that is my favorite.
Back to the main topic, the movie was great. Like the comics, it showed to the audiences the breaking of four walls. It has a lot of action scenes and parts not totally suited for 16 year old-ers and below, especially the kids!
I am not going to be critical on this since I have no right but as a viewer and an ordinary viewer who loves Marvel, Deadpool’s the first Marvel movie that I have seen with a lot of blood (literally) and its brutality theme really killed me! I never expected it to become more like Saw Series or something... (’coz I hate those kind of films and I never try to watch any of them) but overall, it was great! It has a humor, an action and a trademark that will keep in on our minds after watching it plus Ryan Reynolds is really hot!. :)
To know more about Deadpool, you can watch this video below but don’t forget to double think ‘coz you might spoil yourself:
Disclaimer: This post is going to be too personal to post but I will share my thoughts tonight and this is what I really felt on 13th February of 2016, 30 minutes before our 35th monthsary. This is sad because my feelings were just so fucked up. And I will use my own language to express my feelings.
Sa totoo lang, mahirap maging babae. Pabago-bago ang isip, emotional, moody at gusto lagi ng attention. Natural na ito and even myself, hindi ko rin maintindihan bakit ganun ang mga babae - bakit ako ganito?
Well hindi sa pagiging mapagmalaki, babae ako at sobrang laki ng pag-unawa. Hangga’t kaya ko, iintindihin ko. Madali naman ako kausap. At madali rin ako kausapin. Pero bakit sa mga panahong ngayon, hindi ako maintindihan ng taong importante sa buhay ko? Pinipilit kong ayusin ang problema na mayroon kami ngunit tila'y mapaglaro ang tadhana. Tao pa rin ako, nauubos ang pasensya. Simple lang naman ang kagustuhan ko at bakit pakiramdam ko sobrang hirap makuha?
Special Date.
Valentine’s Day at 35 monthsary namin sa February 14. Araw ng mga pusong nagmamahalan.
I want this to be special in a simple way.. I want it to be romantic in a way of typical dates on the movies - just TWO people having some fries, tickets to the movies, or eating at a simple restaurant.
Simple lang naman akong tao at simple lang din ang gusto ko - makasama ang taong mahal sa isang espesyal na araw para sa aming dalawa. Kaming dalawa lang kung saan may isang maayos na plano, oras at lugar kung saan magaganap at magiging unforgettable ang February 14 since this is our first Valentine’s Day date sa loob ng 35 months.
Pero ayaw niya. Hindi niya gusto...
2 weeks ago, alam ko na aalis kami for Valentine’s Day pero I did not expect na may plano pala siyang iba. He wants double date, kasama ang pinsan niya. Nung una palang, no comment ako kasi feeling ko hindi matutuloy. Hindi pa naman daw kasi sure and iyan ang pinakaayaw ko sa lahat - ang walang kasiguraduhan. The next thing I know, 1 week before Feb. 14, sa MOA na daw pupunta at manonood ng IMAX.
Unang problema: kapos ako sa budget. Ayoko ng IMAX. Hindi praktikal at nairita ako nang nalaman ko na ang nagpaplano ay hindi siya, kundi ang pinsan niya. Sunud-sunuran lang siya at hindi man lang tinanong kung okay ba sa akin or hindi. Sinabihan ko siya na gusto ko DATE, pero kaming dalawa lang kasi mas espesyal ‘yon for the two of us but he insisted. :-(
The next two days, change of plans daw. I asked him kung ano na, he said na hindi pa niya alam. Ito na naman ako, the hatest thing in the world - 'yong walang kasiguraduhan. Mahirap kasi umasa eh…and sa ginagawa niya, parang niloloko niya ako.
Naiirita ako. Hindi naman kasi ganito mangyayari kung hindi dahil sa pinsan niya?! I got my bf’s point na he wants me to be closer to his cousin pero AYOKO PA. I want it to be just the two of us on a date. Walang epal. All of his attention to mine…
Hanggang sa ito na, magkaaway na kami ngayon. Ayoko siyang kausapin kasi he is too weak and too dependent. Kalalaki niyang tao, bakit hindi kaya siya gumawa ng plano para sa amin lang muna? Naiinis na ako. Magulo na eh! Because of that, I decided na hindi na lang ituloy ang date. Ayoko na. Hindi dahil sa pinsan niya, kundi sa pagkakaroon niya ng inconsistency sa mga bagay-bagay. He still does not know kung saan pupunta at anong oras aalis.
As a man, wala siyang isang salita and I feel so hurt that it kills me inside. I want to cry so loud. As a girl, I only want his attention and only him. Walang epal. But we are not on the same page and the rest will be history.
Ang hirap lumaban kapag 'yong taong pinaglalaban mo, iba ang gusto. :-( Gusto mo na lang sumuko. Maliit na bagay ngunit napakalaki ng epekto para sa aming dalawa.
I should’ve post this as soon as the event had finished. Last two Sundays of January, I went to my boyfriend’s family dinner - and probably, it was the sweetest and the most awkward days of my life.
Last Jan. 24, 2016, after being confined at home because of my ankle sprain, I went to my boyfriend’s house at Baler St. and be with his family for the first time ever for the birthday celebration of his aunt. It was just a typical family dinner where Raymart was the one who guided me to his family. It was just casual. Her aunt was the one invited me personally ‘coz maybe, she wanted me to be there. I was so shy but deep inside, I felt so safe and secure - actually, I cannot explain how happy I was when I was on that moment. I typically see these kind of happenings in movies and I thanked Raymart because he’s the only one who made feel so special. Because of him, I felt so special.
After I reached Raymart’s second home, his family were ready to go and we went to a buffet restaurant at Timog Avenue. To be honest, the food was not that great but it was fine. I still enjoyed it because it was my first time to be on THEIR family dinner… and Raymart and his family, especially his older cousin, really made me felt that I belong to them. His family isn’t really bad after all. They welcomed me as if I was so special as Raymart. It was one of the sweetest thing ever. :)
The next Sunday, January 31, it was Raymart’s father’s birthday. With his aunt and cousins, we rode a bus to go to Sta. Maria, Bulacan. It is where Raymart lives. It was also my first time to go there and for the second time, I really felt so special and genuine as well. His family really care about me. We had conversations plus I also met their neighbors in their subdivision. It was like me, meeting the whole clan of my future (well, I really do hope that Raymart’s my future… you know?).
We ate lunch, watched TV, talked a lot, and laughed. We also went to church. I’ve never seen Raymart so sweet to me like that. I don’t know, Raymart’s just a normal guy and not the “boyfriend material” type, but he is too perfect for me and I love him so much.
We are exactly 35 months dating and 1 more month to go - we are already in our 3rd year anniversary and it feels better everytime. I love you, babe! :*
Last night, my cousin asked me from scale 1 to 10, how happy I am when I am with my boyfriend. I answered 10. I asked my boyfriend and he answered 7. At that point, maybe he was right. We are not perfect and problems just went to join us sometimes but somehow, I realized that no matter what problems we encounter, my happiness and contentment with him will never change. I love him and he loves me too. We accept our flaws and I think, that is real love. :)
“Kangkong 1896″ is a Filipino novel written by Ceres S. C. Alabado. This was the first Filipino novel that I read and it was great. It showed me patriotism and bravery. It is all about Philippine Revolution. I read it a year ago for our book review project in our Philippine Literature class and I want to show you the project that I passed. :)
Pagsusuri sa Nobela: “Kangkong 1896”
Ni Ceres S. C. Alabado
Ang nobelang aking binasa ay pinamagatang “Kangkong 1896” na isinulat ni Ceres S. C. Alabado. Ito ay isang nobelang kasaysayan na tumatalakay sa kuwento tungkol sa isa sa pinakadakila at mabunying kabanata ng kasaysayan ng Pilipinas – ang panahon ng Kastila.
Habang binabasa ko ang nobela, nakaramdam ako ng iba’t-ibang emosyon dahil inilalagay ko ang aking sarili sa pangunahing tauhan na nagngangalang Plorante Acabo. Siya ay labinlimang taong batang lalaki na walang ibang iniisip kundi ang ituring siyang ganap na binata. Kung aking aalalahanin sa unang kabanata, dito ipinakita ng may akda ang buhay na mayroon ang pamilya ni Plorante. Naaawa ako sa kanila marahil ay dahil sa kanilang kahirapan. Sila ay kumakayod para sa isang kalupaan na inaangkin ng mga Kastila. Dito rin ipinakita ng may akda na ang pangunahing tauhan ay lubos na nakakaranas ng mahigpit na pag-aaruga mula sa kanyang ama, si Ka Victor.
Sa una’y kung aking iisipin, nakakaramdam na ako ng pagkabagot dahil may nahuhulaan na akong mga pangyayari sa susunod na kabanta. Ngunit habang ipinagpapatuloy ko ang pagbabasa, ako ay nagagalingan sa estilo ng pagsusulat ng may akda. Si Ceres Alabado ay gumamit ng isang pamamaraan ng historikal na pagkwento. Gumamit siya ng mga petsa mula ika-17 ng Agosto hanggang sa ika-3 ng Setyembre ng taong 1896.
Bumalik tayong muli sa unang kabanta. Dito rin ipinakita ng may akda ang mga pangitain ng paghahanda ng ama ni Plorante, si Ka Victor, para sa lihim na samahan, ang Katipunan. Walang kaalam-alam si Plorante dito. Siya lamang ay nagtataka sa mga pagbabagong kinikilos ng kanyang ama. Ako ay natatakot sa mga posibilidad na maaring mangyari sa mga susunod na kabanata. Paano kung mabuking ni Plorante ang lihim ng ama? Ano kaya ang mangyayari?
Ipinagpatuloy ko ang pagbabasa – at sa pamamagitan nito, ako ay nakakapagbalik-tanaw sa lahat ng aking nalalaman sa kasaysayan ng bansa. Kung aking iisipin, marahil ay poot at galit din ang aking mararamdaman sa Kastila dahil sila’y walang awa para sa mga anak ng bayan, ang mga Pilipino. Sa sityo Kangkong, Balintawak, isa sa mga tagpuan sa nobela, dito napagtanto ng mga Pilipino, kabilang na si Plorante, na kinakailangan na nilang gumawa ng hakbang para sa pagmamalupit ng Kastila. Nalaman na ni Plorante ang lihim na samahan. Isinama siya ng kanyang ama na si Ka Victor sa isang pulong para sa mga bagong kaanib. Dito naranasan ni Plorante ang sanduguan at nangakong lalaban siya sa kalayaan. Dito nakamit na ni Plorante ang kanyang inaasam – ang ituring siyang ganap na binata. Sa parteng ito ng nobela, nakaramdam ako ng labis na pagkatuwa para sa pangunahing tauhan dahil nakamit niya na ang nais ngunit ako pa rin ay kinakabahan para sa mga susunod na mangyayari.
Kahit na ang nobela ay nagpapakita ng isang suliraning panlipunan tulad ng diskriminasyon para sa mga Pilipino, mayroon pa rin itong kaunting romansa. Dahil sa ganap na binata na si Plorante at kaanib na sa lihim na samahan na Katipunan, ito rin ang kanyang pagkakataon na ipinagtapat niya ang kanyang pag-ibig sa kanyang kababata na si Clara. Si Clara ay ang kapatid ni Tonio, matalik na kaibigan ni Plorante. Nang sa una’y ayaw ni Plorante kay Clara at wala sa isip niya ang mapangasawa ito ngunit, palagi niya itong hinaharana at tuluyan na siyang nagkagusto rito.
Kahit na kaanib na si Plorante sa Katipunan, siya pa rin ay nakakaramdam ng labis na pagtataka at pag-aalinlangan dahil wala siyang karanasan sa pakipapaglaban. Alam niya rin na kulang sila sa armas kung ikukumpara sa mga sundalo ng Kastila. Sa puntong ito, ako ay sumasang-ayon sa nararamdaman ng pangunahing tauhan at sa naisip ng may akda. Dito ipinakita ng may akda ang hustisyang pampanitikan. Sa aking palagay, kahit na si Ceres Alabado, ang may akda, ay nasa panig ng Katipunan, ipinakita niya sa mga mambabasa na sa mga panahong iyon ay malaki ang lamang ng Kastila sa mga Pilipino – ngunit, ayon nga sa ating kasaysayan, hindi pa rin nagpadaing ang ating mga kababayan dito.
Nagsimula na ang himagsikan. Sa una’y natalo ang mga Pilipino. Maraming nasugatan at namatay, kabilang dito si Ka Victor, ang ama ni Plorante at si Tonio, ang kanyang matalik na kaibigan. Sa pangyayaring ito, ako ay nakaramdam ng kalungkutan para kay Plorante. Kung ako ang nasa kanyang sitwasyon ay marahil pagsuko ang iisipin kong gawin. Maraming nangyaring kaguluhan at patayan sa nobela habang binabasa ko ito ngunit isa ang tumatak sa aking isipan – ang kaugalian nating mga Pilipino na hindi pagsuko. Habang may buhay, may pag-asa. Iyan ang itinuro ng mga Katipunero sa atin, ni Plorante, noong panahon ng Kastila. Iyan ay isa sa ating mga kulturang maituturing na hanggang ngayon ay dala natin. Tayong mga Pilipino ay may likas na tapang at determinasyon. Ang pagkakaroon ng kalayaan ang mithiin.
Para sa akin, isinulat ni Ceres Alabado ang nobela upang ipahatid sa atin ang kanyang layunin na maging bukas ang ating isipan sa panahon ng Kastila. Ipinahiwatig niya sa kanyang nobela ang nasyonalismo. Ang kanyang konseptong ito sa nobela ay maaring makahikayat ng maraming Pilipino lalo na ang mga mambabasa. Mahalaga rin ito dahil maaari itong gamitin ng mga mag-aaral na tulad ko bilang pamantayan sa ating kasaysayan.
Nang matapos kong basahin ang nobela, ako’y natuwa dahil sa wakas ay tapos ko na itong basahin ngunit ako ay nabitin sa kwento. Kung aking aalahanin ang huling kabanta, pagkatapos ng labanan sa San Mateo, nanatili sila doon upang gumawa ng mga armas ngunit bumalik ang mga kalabang Kastila at namatay si Renato, isa sa mga matatalik na kaibigan ni Plorante na nagligtas sa kanyang buhay kaya ito namatay. Idinala ni Plorante ang bangkay ng kaibigan sa Balara, kung saan nakatira ang tiyuhin ni Renato, at doon nila ito inilibing. Pagkatapos ay bumalik na si Plorante sa kanyang tahanan, sa sityo Kangkong, Balintawak. Kung aking papansinin, ang wakas ng nobela ay tago at ako mismong mambabasa ang mag-iisip ng kahulugan nito. Marahil ay gustong ipahiwatig ng may akda na tapos na ang himagsikan at tayo ay malaya na sa mga kamay ng ating kalaban.
Ang kaugnayan ng unang kabanata sa huling kabanata, sa aking palagay, ay nagpapahiwatig ito ng isang pagbabalik sa simula, ngunit may pagbabago. Sa unang kabanata ipinakilala sa mambabasa, tulad ko, ang tagpuan ng nobela – ang sityo Kangkong, Balintawak. Dito nagsimula ang kwento ng pangunahing tauhan na si Plorante kaya dito rin ito nagwakas sa huling kabanata. Ang pagbabagong aking sinasabi ay marahil ang kanilang estado sa sariling bansa. Kung sa una’y ang mga taga-sityo Kangkong ay nasa labis na kahirapan dahil sa pamumuno ng Kastila, ang katapusan naman ay nagsasabi na pagkatapos ng lahat ng nangyaring digmaan, malaya na hindi lamang ang mga taga-sityo Kangkong kundi ang Pilipinas sa kamay ng naghahari-hariang mga Kastila.
Maganda at makabuluhan ang nobelang isinulat ni Ceres S. C. Alabado. Hanggang ngayon ay hindi ko pa makalimutan sa aking isipan ang mga pangyayaring naganap sa nobela. Magaling ang kanyang pagbabalangkas. Ito ay may pasulong na pangyayari, may paglalarawan ng pagkatao sa bawat tauhan, kusang gumagalaw ang mga tauhan at ang kanilang kilos ay nakabatay sa kanilang pagkakalarawan. Ayon sa aking pananaliksik sa may akda, sinasabi na si Ceres ay nakatira sa isang tahanan na maaaring matanaw ang Balara, ang lambak ng Marikina at ang bundok ng Sierra Madre, mga pook na naging piping saksi ng mapusok at magiting na pakikipaglaban ng Katipunan sa pamumuno ni Bonifacio na inilarawan sa kanyang nobela. Sinasabi rin na ang may akda ay paulit-ulit na dumalaw sa mga bayan, nayon, sityo at mga landas na tinalunton ni Bonifacio.
Para sa akin, isang magaling na manunulat si Ceres Alabado. Hanga ako sa angking talento niya sa pagsulat ng nobelang ito. Nakita ko ang kanyang pagiging patas sa pagsulat. Ang “Kangkong 1896” ay isang napakagandang nobela. Ito ay nag-iwan sa akin ng isang aral na hindi ko makakalimutan – ang aral na itinuro sa atin ng mga Katipunero – ang pagkakaroon ng paninindigan para sa isang mithiin at iyon ay kanilang pinatuyan, at hindi imposible. Ang aral na ito ay panghabambuhay nating dadalhin at maaari nating maipasa para sa susunod na henerasyon.
For me, this is one of the best Filipino novels that I’ve read. :)
PS: Please do not copy. Give credits to me. Thank you!
At exactly on this time and date, I’m writing this blog post because I just thought that I had to do this.
I just browsed my youtube videos and watched this video AGAIN. This was taken 3 years ago as a birthday gift from my cousin and high school friends. I don’t know, but somehow, at this very moment, I missed my friends way back in 3rd year high school.
I have known these people since elementary and they’ve known me as well. We all have similarities and differences but somehow, we clicked. I really loved these people but sad things really can join you along the way.
It is just so sad to think that one day, you will realize, it is really true that “the only permanent in this world is change” and at the end of the day, the people you expected to be with your side is gone. I really do belive in “bestfriends forever” but somehow, in the passed 3 years, I learned that the only bestfriend you have is yourself.
At the end of the day, it is YOU who can help yourself and no one will ever do it for you. On the brighter side, if you really have someone, well - may I remind you that please do not let go. Hold on! I know that there are a lot of people who are not worth it but remember, some of them are maybe for keeps. :)
Thank you Pinsan, Raymart, Angelu, Ralph & Bien for staying on my side. I love you. 💋
