The Long Wait is Over...and it's painful

like a knife stabbed on my chest, almost leaving me breathless for a moment. the moment of truth happened. and it's painful. i flunked the Bar exam. it was a sad day for everyone who expected me to pass. it was painful for my children and my wife also. it was also a hurting news for my mother, brothers and sisters.

it is a humbling experience indeed. and it's a learning defeat. it somehow broken myself into pieces and my dreams shattered. and from every defeat, from every failure, i have to accept it gracefully. i have to rekindle the fire in me to go back to square one. i have to be more determined and be more courageous to take it once more.

it's never easy. it's only the brave and courageous will ever do it again. and i want to be braver to take it again until i reach that ultimate goal of becoming a LAWYER.

The Agony in Waiting

time flies in a blur that i didn't notice it's the last week of February already. It seems like it was just a couple of weeks ago since i first entered the Far Eastern University campus where i took the pre-bar review. and it seems just like the other day when the last sunday of the bar exams ended in a festive mode.

i could still remember that last sunday. before i pass my last answer sheet, i say a little prayer of thanksgiving. i got teary-eyed when i realize that it's the last day of my sacrifices for the bar exam. it's not easy i should say. i give thanks to GOD who helped me through the trials and challenges during the review and the bar exams month. I felt assured that while i am away from my family, God provided my family with all the strength and their daily needs.

three months have passed and the result is not yet published. while waiting for the results, the anxiety gets more intense. the fear of failing is there. the fear that i might fail those who hope me to pass is a normal emotion. it's not easy indeed to wait for the results. but i am assured, whatever the outcome may be, it is part of God's plan for me. LORD, your will be done!!!

Chamber of Secrets? I am!!!

it's more than two years since i last posted an article here. and i kind of miss writing after i've done loads reading (or so i hope). what drives me to write again is my being the secret-keeper to some of my friends, mostly girls.

when i was on my high school years, my girl classmates would always share their secret crushes, secret boyfriends, and some problems which they found me to be their confidante. even when i was in college, some new friends did share the same thoughts, issues and secrets to me. i never complained. but what i realize, after hearing all their secrets, is the thought that not a secret did i hear that someone has a crush on me or someone liked me. i pitied myself but i keep on reminding myself not to because i consider it as a gift. it's a gift to gain one's trust. it's a gift to console someone who's in trouble by just listening and also give a piece of advice.

i never thought that after so many years of being their unpaid counselor/adviser, i still am consulted for the same topic. what differs is that some of my women friends now are already married having an affair with other married men. OUCCCCHHHH!!!! what a secret indeed.

POSITIVELY dealing with life despite UNCERTAINTIES

I was trying to look back at my past.

I come from a very poor family. My father was carpenter-painter-tricycle driver rolled into one. He tried to work in all kinds of job, even went to fishing, just to survive us. No one would ever imagine how I graduated college and how we survived. If not for my determination to finish college, I know I would be a beggar.

I am a polio victim. My feet are underdeveloped because of polio. But this doesn’t stop me to go to school, to dream for a better life. GOD is certainly good. He sent instruments to show His love for me. I was accepted in a scholarship until I finished college. I never let my disability hinder my aspirations of doing great in school, making friends with schoolmates and live a normal life. I graduated Bachelor of Science in Accountancy from one of the prestigious school in my place.

Reality sets in when I was already applying for work. Nobody wanted to employ me because they consider me a liability instead of an asset to their company. It hurts me so badly but the positive outlook in me keeps on burning inside. Although there are times that I was affected by rejection, I still hope that someday I could land a good job. It took me three years from graduation when I got my first work in private company. It was a great feeling to know that there are still people who trust my capacity.

It was during this time (year 1998) that I met my wife. I got married when I was 24 years old. We are blessed with three beautiful children, one boy and two girls. I was then employed in the City Hall of Ozamiz as casual clerk in the year 2003. Four years as casual, I was so disappointed that I did not get a regular position. So I decided to look for sponsor to send me into law school. I really believe that even if I don’t get a regular position, as long as I can finish law school, a lot of opportunities will be in store for me. With God’s Divine Providence, He sent Fr. Oliver Macrosan to be an instrument in realizing my passion for law school and to become a lawyer. Fr. Olie, shouldered my tuition fee.

Presently, I am now on my third year into law school. It’s a mix of hardships and challenges. However, no amount of hardships can stop me from pursuing my ultimate dream of becoming a lawyer. Even if I have to climb everyday to our classroom located on the third floor of the school building, I won’t mind. Even if I have to defy storm and rain, just to attend my daily classes, I have gladly been doing it.

I still continue to work and at the same time study. I have very limited time to study because from work I go directly to school up to 8:00 o’clock in the evening. But still, up to the wee hours at night, I am reading my books because I love what I’m doing. It’s just that I have limited time for my kids and my family. But they are so supportive of what I’m into. They know that by the time I finish my studies and become a lawyer, our life will be totally changed.

Despite my disability, I could say I am giving my family a better life compared to what I have been experiencing while I was young. But I know I could give more to them, especially in securing a better future for my children, if I succeed. A better life for my family and an opportunity to help others will be my inspiration to hurdle all challenges life is giving me.

For now, I am so concerned where I shall get funds for my review in Manila by the time I graduate on March 2011. It would be a very risky investment considering that BAR exam is one of the hardest exams in the Philippines. Risky because there’s a chance that I will flunk in the exam. But the positive person that I am, I know I can make it. I know that I will become a lawyer. It’s just that I am still so conscious now who can help me anew. Fr. Olie may still support me but I am afraid it’s no longer the full amount considering that it would cost me more than 100,000 pesos for the review and the BAR.

God will provide..,

20th ALSP Annual Convention…I was there!

Blessings do come when you least expect it! Indeed it’s true. I never expected to be invited to attend the Annual Convention of Association of Law Students of the Philippines (ALSP). Being an incoming junior from a law school which produces minimal bar passers every year, it is really a blessing on my part to represent my school in such a very recognized law students organization nationwide.

At first day, I must admit I feel intimidated by the presence of students from distinguished law schools in the country such as San Beda, San Sebastian, UST, FEU, USC, XU, USJR, ADU, MSU-IIT among others. As the proceedings went on, slowly I gained back my confidence with the thought that all the delegates there, may they come from distinguished law schools or not, are still law students wanting to become lawyers someday. And I realized that even if they come from great schools, they are friendly and are ready to be a friend to anyone.

More than learning the inputs from the resource persons who are mostly young lawyers and doing very well in their fields, is the fact that I gain more friends. I guess I am 20 plus friends richer by attending the convention. Not to mention that I am awakened to the reality of a lot of new things I need to strive further to achieve my utmost aspiration of passing the Bar two years from now.

To name a few new friends which I’d like to highlight on this piece, first would be TESS. She’s from the host school Xavier University, Cagayan de Oro City. She’s the first person I get to know and she assisted me during the first day upon my arrival especially securing that my belongings are safe prior to my admission to the hotel.

Next is a new friend Jamal. He’s from University of San Carlos, Cebu City. He’s a funny guy in his own ways. He knows how to get the crowd to listen to him. I told him he’s my idol. And during the solidarity night he’s proven me right, he has antics that a person like him can only do. He’s dressed in a mini skirt dancing to the tune of Jai Ho together with the whole contingent from Cebu and some from Davao as his back-up dancers. It certainly was a great presentation number from them.

Another person who caught my attention is Mara from Ateneo de Davao University. She’s not only intelligent but she is beautiful as well. Beauty and brains combined. Moreover, she’s got talent. During the solidarity night, a glass of beer gave her the push to render a song entitled Weak by Jojo, which I would say she gave justice to the song. She might have been the Vice President for Mindanao had she chosen the stronger line-up of candidates for this year’s set of officers. She showed grace under pressure during the campaign and gracefully accepted defeat.

Next person that I consider a friend from now on is Tito from University of San Jose Recolletos, Cebu City. During the first group night out, we were seated beside each other thus we talk on a lot of things especially law studies. He’s intelligent I believe so.

Kirk from the same school as Tito is a good friend also. He’s the leader of their group and he showed sportsmanship on his defeat in the Treasurer position as the last minute candidate from the other party.

Charo of USJR also is a good friend as well. We have not talked much but every time we got the chance, definitely it was not a boring discussion.

Definitely, I’d include in my new list of friends is Kristine of University of San Carlos. She’s tall and certainly a head-turner. I thought she’s a half-filipino, half-indian for she has the resemblance of an Indian beauty particularly Latika of the famous Slumdog Millionaire. Oh, I remember Jamal who coincidentally is the name of the lead character of Slumdog Millionaire. (in that case, jamal and latika became lovers in the movie which I thought is not impossible for Kristine and Jamal to get involve with each other…or maybe there are things I didn’t know….LOL)

One beautiful young lady from Far Eastern University whom I believe will be a good friend too is Edilyn (I hope I spelled her name correctly). She sang “I must stick you’ by Pussycat Dolls during the SolNight and so every time we met at the hallway or at the stairs, I called her Edilyn Nicole Scherzinger. She’s so humble and thoughtful that upon my departure she sent a message reminding me to take care especially that I traveled at the wee hours of the night..

More new friends that for just a “hi” or “hello” certainly means long friendship. Manilyn Meir of USC, Kurn of University of Cebu, Tina or Khry from UC also, Ethel Grace (the newly elected Corporate Secretary) and some others from Notre Dame University, Cotabato City, Michelle or Mich from University of the Visayas, Dulce of Xavier University and some of her classmates especially the first emcee whom I failed to ask her name but for sure the next time we meet I’ll not only get her name but her cell # too.

The Medina College delegates, Bing, Brian, Jojo, Yam and Janice, I salute their effort, encouragement and support in inviting me to the said convention. It’s a blessing that I recently hurdled the initiation of Tandu Legis Fraternitas which some Medina delegates are my Mano (bro). And speaking of Mano, some Tandu members from Xavier University chapter had been a great support to me also, like Mano Butch and Mano Coco.

Over-all, I learned and gained a lot from the convention. I learned to bring the name of my law school, the Misamis University, in my own little way during the convention and I’m happy that slowly, MU is already one foot forward in its quest for recognition in the field of law studies. Me, being the lone delegate from Misamis University and pioneered the way for MU to be a regular member of the Association of Law Students of the Philippines, Incorporated is one great achievement that I’ll soon look back with great pride. A bonus to my attending the convention is being elected the Treasurer of the Mindanao Regional Board. If it means another task and challenge of being in law school, so be it.


One last learning that I want to emphasize, and hope people who thought that I betrayed them would understand, is my conviction to what I consider is right. During the election for the National Board, I was campaigned to vote straight. I don’t enjoy being taught what to do and who to vote. I believe in democracy and my right should be respected just as I respect theirs. One of the main reasons of my attending the convention is to support Bing whatever it takes, him being the “Supremo” of Tandu Legis Fraternitas.

I must say with sincerity that I did what I had to do. Even if he is unopposed and a sure winner, I still wrote his name on the ballot. However I must admit that I did not vote straight with his lineup. I selected few candidates from the other line-up whom I believe has the capacity to lead the ALSP in achieving greater milestone under Bing’s leadership. I voted for them because that is my right, to choose whom I thought could help the organization and not be intimidated by some people coaching on who to vote for. They forget that we are all law students who know what constitutes the right of suffrage. It is not even mandatory under the constitution. Just as in any election, if you choose to abstain, then that should be respected. Law students should start the change we all want to achieve. Let’s get away with traditional politicking. WE must realize that if we call for change, let’s start within ourselves, within our organizations, within ALSP.

As an ending, I know that my presence in the convention would not in any way help the other delegates just as their presence helped me. My presence would not in any way inspire them just the way they inspire me. However, I am sure that attending the convention not only enriches me intellectually but I am molded into becoming a stronger me, a better me because I gain friends which surely will help me in one way or the other in conquering my aspiration of becoming an Attorney not only in-fact but at-law. Insha Allah!

God vs. Science (reprint from phBar.org)

A science professor begins his school year with A Lecture to the
tudents, "Let me explain the problem science has with Religion." The
atheist professor of philosophy pauses before his class And Then asks
one of his new students to stand.

"You're a Christian, aren't you, son?"

"Yes sir," the student says.

"So you believe in God?"

"Absolutely. "

"Is God good?"

"Sure! God's good."

"Is God all-powerful? Can God do anything?"

"Yes."

"Are you good or evil?"

"The Bible says I'm evil."

The professor grins knowingly. "Aha! The Bible!" He Considers for a
moment.
"Here's one for you. Let's say there's a sick Person Over here and you
can cure him. You can do it. Would you help him? Would You Try?"

"Yes sir, I would."

"So you're good...!"

"I wouldn't say that."

"But why not say that? You'd help a sick and Maimed Person if you could.
Most of us would if we could. But God doesn't."

The student does not answer, so the professor Continues. "He doesn't,
does he? My brother was a Christian who died of Cancer, even though he
prayed to Jesus to heal him. How is this Jesus Good? Hmmm? Can you
answer that one?"

The student remains silent.

"No, you can't, can you?" the professor says. He Takes a sip of water
from a glass on his desk to give the student time ToRelax.

"Let's start again, young fella. Is God good?"

"Er...yes," the student says.

"Is Satan good?"

The student doesn't hesitate on this one. "No."

"Then where does Satan come from?"

The student falters. "From God"

"That's right. God made Satan, didn't he? Tell Me, Son. Is there evil in
this world?"

"Yes, sir."

"Evil's everywhere, isn't it? And God did make Everything, correct?"

"Yes."

"So who created evil?" The professor continued, "If God created
everything, then God created evil, since evil exists, and According to
the principle that our works define who we are, then God is Evil."

Again, the student has no answer. "Is there Sickness? Immorality?
Hatred?
Ugliness? All these terrible things, do They Exist in this world?"

The student squirms on his feet. "Yes."

"So who created them?"

The student does not answer again, so the Professor Repeats his
question.
"Who created them?" There is still no answer. Suddenly The lecturer
breaks away to pace in front of the classroom. The class is Mesmerized.
"Tell me," he continues onto another student. "Do you Believe in Jesus
Christ, son?"

The student's voice betrays him and cracks. "Yes, Professor, I do."

The old man stops pacing. "Science says you have Five senses you use to
identify and observe the world around you. Have You Ever seen Jesus?"

"No sir. I've never seen Him."

"Then tell us if you've ever heard your Jesus?"

"No, sir, I have not."

"Have you ever felt your Jesus, tasted your Jesus or Smelt your Jesus?
Have you ever had any sensory perception of Jesus Christ, Or God for
that matter?"

"No, sir, I'm afraid I haven't."

"Yet you still believe in him?"

"Yes."

"According to the rules of empirical, testable, Demonstrable protocol,
science says your God doesn't exist. What do you Say To that, son?"

"Nothing," the student replies. "I only have my Faith."

"Yes, faith," the professor repeats. "And that Is The problem science
has with God. There is no evidence, only faith."

The student stands quietly for a moment, before Asking a question of His
own. "Professor, is there such thing as heat?"

"Yes," the professor replies. "There's heat."

"And is there such a thing as cold?"

"Yes, son, there's cold too."

"No sir, there isn't."

The professor turns to face the student, Obviously Interested. The room
suddenly becomes very quiet. The student begins to Explain. "You can
have lots of heat, even more heat, super-heat, Mega-heat, Unlimited
heat, white heat, a little heat or no heat, but we don't have Anything
called 'cold'.
We can hit up to 458 degrees below zero, which Is no Heat, but we can't
go any further after that. There is no such thing as cold; otherwise we
would be able to go colder than the lowest -458 degrees."

"Every body or object is susceptible to study when it has or transmits
energy, and heat is what makes a body or matter have or transmit energy.
Absolute zero (-458 F) is the total absence of heat. You see, sir, cold
is only a word we use to describe the absence of heat. We cannot measure
cold.
Heat we can measure in thermal units because heat is energy. Cold is not
the opposite of heat, sir, just the absence of it."

Silence across the room. A pen drops somewhere in the classroom,
sounding like a hammer.

"What about darkness, professor. Is there such a thing as darkness?"

"Yes," the professor replies without hesitation. "What is night if it
isn't darkness?"

"You're wrong again, sir. Darkness is not something; it is the absence
of something. You can have low light, normal light, bright light,
flashing light, but if you have no light constantly you have nothing and
it's called darkness, isn't it? That's the meaning we use to define the
word."

"In reality, darkness isn't. If it were, you would be able to make
darkness darker, wouldn't you?"

The professor begins to smile at the student in front of him. This will
be a good semester. "So what point are you making, young man?"

"Yes, professor. My point is, your philosophical premise is flawed to
start with, and so your conclusion must also be flawed."

The professor's face cannot hide his surprise this time. "Flawed? Can
you explain how?"

"You are working on the premise of duality," the student explains. "You
argue that there is life and then there's death; a good God and a bad
God.
You are viewing the concept of God as something finite, something we can
measure. Sir, science can't even explain a thought."

"It uses electricity and magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully
understood either one. To view death as the opposite of life is to be
ignorant of the fact that death cannot exist as a substantive thing.
Death is not the opposite of life, just the absence of it."

"Now tell me, professor. Do you teach your students that they evolved
from a monkey?"

"If you are referring to the natural evolutionary process, young man,
yes, of course I do."

"Have you ever observed evolution with your own eyes, sir?"

The professor begins to shake his head, still smiling, as he realizes
where the argument is going. A very good semester, indeed.

"Since no one has ever observed the process of evolution at work and
cannot even prove that this process is an on-going endeavor, are you not
teaching your opinion, sir? Are you now not a scientist, but a
preacher?"

The class is in uproar. The student remains silent until the commotion
has subsided.

"To continue the point you were making earlier to the other student, let
me give you an example of what I mean."

The student looks around the room. "Is there anyone in the class who has
ever seen the professor's brain?" The class breaks out into laughter.

"Is there anyone here who has ever heard the professor's brain, felt the
professor's brain, touched or smelt the professor's brain? No one
appears to have done so. So, according to the established rules of
empirical, stable, demonstrable protocol, science says that you have no
brain, with all due respect, sir."

"So if science says you have no brain, how can we trust your lectures,
sir?"

Now the room is silent. The professor just stares at the student, his
face unreadable.

Finally, after what seems an eternity, the old man answers. "I guess
you'll have to take them on faith."

"Now, you accept that there is faith, and, in fact, faith exists with
life," the student continues. "Now, sir, is there such a thing as evil?"

Now uncertain, the professor responds, "Of course, there is. We see it
everyday. It is in the daily example of man's inhumanity to man. It is
in the multitude of crime and violence everywhere in the world. These
anifestations are nothing else but evil."

To this the student replied, "Evil does not exist sir, or at least it
does not exist unto itself. Evil is simply the absence of God. It is
just like darkness and cold, a word that man has created to describe the
absence of God. God did not create evil. Evil is the result of what
happens when man does not have God's love present in his heart. It's
like the cold that comes when there is no heat or the darkness that
comes when there is no light."

The professor sat down.

May you always live in God' s warmth and light not only this season but through out your life.

WAR IN OZAMIZ

Before you become hysterical and start to gather information as to how many are the casualties, War in Ozamiz is only the title of the very first time boxing event held in Ozamiz City as far as i can remember on May 23, 2009 at Medina Gymnasium. The boxing event features boxers from the Braveheart Boxing Promotions owned and managed by Vice Gov. Manny Piñol of South Cotabato against boxers mostly from Cagayan de Oro down to Ozamiz City.

The two main events features two promising young boxers whom I suspect would become world champions in a year or so against two patsy African boxers whom i believe were given decent purse just to fight here to improve the winning record of the hometown boys and get a crack at the world rankings for future bigger fights. Other supporting bouts feature newcomers which has ring records ranging from 5 to 15 wins, forget the losses anyway. Notable personalities which I only read in newspapers and seen on TV were there. To name a few, Gov. Piñol who along with Dennis Principe are the commentators of the show, Leon Panoncillo of WBO since the event is sanctioned by WBO, Samuel Gello-ani owner of SGG promotions in Cebu who co-promoted the event and some others.

What urged me to write about the War in Ozamiz (asia vs africa) is the experience of watching live boxing event for the first time. I know I am not the only first timer there because even those people beside said that it was 30 or 40 years ago since a boxing match such as the one we're watching was held in our place. Being the first timer and a fan of the sport even before Manny Pacquiao rose to fame, i couldn't help but appreciate the reality behind boxing. The jam-packed gym was enthralled by every knockdowns and crispy punches coming from every ring gladiators. Well, bets could not be absent in events like this. People are doing things like what they did in a cockfight which leads me into comparing boxers to rosters used in derby. What Pacquiao has done to boxing is very great. Next to basketball as the number 1 sport in the country, boxing comes closely next. Given another two years, promoters and boxing gyms will sprout like mushrooms.

Over-all, i could say that it was a successful staging of the event given the fact that a huge tv network was there to cover several good matches to be featured in its cable station and hearsays have it to be aired on a filipino channel abroad. You see what pride it can give to Ozamiz to be featured and seen globally because of a boxing event. My son whom I tagged along first enjoyed the supporting bouts until he got restless by the gradual flow of the crowd. He said he wouldn't want to go with me again if that happens soon. But for myself, I would surely get a comfortable seat next time if and if an event like this may happen again.