DARK DAY FOR PRESS FREEDOM.

While we breathe normal lives in the Metro, it's hell and jungle out there in Maguindanao. While i sip a refreshing hot coffee after a day's work, people in that side of the country have nothing but their soul's on, no comfort. A modern-day tragedy, so to speak.

The killing of at least 13 journalists in Maguindanao has been dubbed as the largest casualty of journalists in any one incident. There is too much violence, and we cannot help it but fear for our lives if this becomes uncontrollable, irresistible and gruesome. Not just any plain, simple local insurgency.

It was deliberate, considering the abduction and execution. Meaning, there was plan to sow fear. No war spurred and the victims were not caught in a crossfire. There was proper execution of the evil plan, and these terrorists (God bless your souls) managed to achieve it, swiftly and precisely.

While we read and hear the sad news, all we can think of is chaos. What is happening, really? What was the Local Government thinking? It is highly impossible for them not to get to the situation fast. Far from any reasonable man not to act upon it.

If this "evil" will be tolerated, i know, and i must agree with authors and the National Union for Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) that there was a total breakdown of law as well as total loss of governance.

Nothing is more dignifying that i am a student of law, and that the government of this country lacks the TEETH to enforce it.

(It is also reported that lawyers alongside these journalists were killed. How bad can it be? I'd say, worst.)

*Prayers for the eternal repose of the victims who, until their last breathe thought of nothing but Press Freedom and Democracy.

ALCOHOLISM

If to relieve myself of being tipsy, drunk and all is to blog, then i do not regret being sober.

I've had a taste of freedom, although restricted and regulated, i have never had the sincerest fun of all time.

I wish to impart that it has never been useless taking glasses of alcohol, besides, we all have to be quite unsure of ourselves before we can finally mean what we say that it's game over and it's time to truly move on.

And it is in this light, i say good night and cheers to all. *Burp.

H E R O

As far as the generation i belong to are concerned, we are bereft with only very few committed men and women. Committed in the sense that they've been "sacrificial lambs" for the longest time in exchange for freedom/ democracy, pride. They are those whose lives have been devoted to real public service, setting aside reel motives and personal interests.

And so now, we have someone to be proud of. I met Efren Penaflorida during one of Senator Dick Gordon's launch of his own moral force movement. With eyes on the man of the hour, i thought he deserved all the attention notwithstanding the endless text messages i have through my cellular phone on one hand. He was not known, but to few people who believed in him, he has truly been the most popular.

He has lifted my spirits up. Especially when i have my own personal issues to bear. He made me realize that no man too small, unpopular can match up to his own version of service. He has an unmistakable identity, a modern day Filipino, indeed. He has diverted my seemingly loose connection to this country who has been "show-buzzed."

I cannot help but to write something for him. I am just in awe.

Thank you for being our hero, not just in CNN (whose prestige spans across the universe) but for being a hero to us, to our respective lives.

*applause. *standing ovation. *gratitude.

Harder that it used to be.

Please do not give up.Try holding on.

TO SVETLANA

You just don't know how fulfilling it is to see you grow to be that healthy, inquisitive little baby. Your energy never ceases to amaze me. And i am glad you just love the camera. More memories for us. :0

You deserve all the love and security this world and us, your parents can give you. And so quoting Desiderata: "You are the child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars, you have the right to be here."

Keep drawing those odd shapes using my recycled papers. Minimize watching too much cartoons. By now, you already know who's-who at Cartoon Network and Disney Channel anyway. Keep that bubbly self in you. Keep asking, it is through those questions that you learn day by day. Thank you for being sweet. Thank you for the strength, inspiration and the calming factor whenever i am stressed.

As parents, being your mom, i have a heavy task. That is to keep you secured and guided as always. I will be true to that even if it takes me to be on guard 24/7, i will. You see, the world is entirely different that what a usual "idealistic" growing person like you would have. I fear for the next generation- your batch, if this "chaos" in the world would still continue. There's too much hatred, violence, corruption and power-tripping, i cannot shield you if i will let this slip away. If i will not be wiser in choosing leaders for our future. If i will not do my part.

For someone who wasn't born with a silver spoon, i want to instill in you the value of independence and hard work. I will permanently pray for you. Fear God. Be kind and obey your elders.

I hope someday, you will read this and know that i'd rather write to you now since you can barely understand the nooks and crannies of the world. I may not be at home most of the time to play with you, but as i have always emphasized on my very self, it's the quality of time that is important. More time for us to bond, i promise.

Happy Birthday Princess.

Love always,

MOMMY

Shooo!!

I am not writing anything about Erap and why we should not vote for him. I am not! I am to tell the world (or at least within my Facebook zone how crazy Filipinos are if he gets elected (re-elected, mind you!) True, Filipinos are the most forgiving people. They forget and let bygones be bygones. There has to be exceptions and i can name three at this state of "shock." 1. Those who do not forget what he has done. 2.Those who still hope for the best for this country. 3. And those who would still want a good future for the generations to come.

I don't buy him as my President. And as i have posted and written and blabbed about time and time again, I am never persuaded by his true intentions. Why do we even let him become. For the second time around.

Probably it is too early to tell NOT until he has filed a certificate of candidacy. But if ever he gets away with it, we rest our faith with the Supreme Court to rule on this matter. With 100% of the magistrates saying: "ENOUGH!"

It's a jungle and hell out there if he wins! And we could not anymore forgive ourselves for letting a good opportunity to pass us by.

Foremost before October 31, 2009, we must register to be eligible to vote!

ERAP + whoever believes in him= UNBELIEVABLE!

To myself.

Happy Birthday Girl. I know you have been through a lot and i can sense your passion to stand up and move on for every piece of instability in your life. You have conquered your fears and re-learned maturity as the years passed by. You have learned to manage your time well, but you really need to focus more on your priorities.

You are very eager to achieve almost everything you have started. You have measured time and meeting things collectively. But you have to invest on your emotions. You have been tested, tried and is continuously being tested. Life is never a bed of roses. Never give up.

You have your wishes and dreams at hand, you have to work on its realizations.Dream big, girl. Do not stop believing. After all, this is the life you chose to live. Trust in the Lord. He makes our ways easy.

I will always be here to guide, press you in the achievement of your goals and support you whenever things gets too complicated, unexplainable and worst, unfinished.

You have me, always and forever, and i will wish nothing but the very best. Since the day you became me, i thought you should change, always for the better. Do not give up and try not to please everybody. Remember that some people lack understanding and even the wisdom to decipher things as they are. Ignore them as they would not demand too much from you. But we are all human. You may think its debatable that we are born to make mistakes, but accept the fact, it's a reality check, that things, all being equal has its flaws. Understanding is the key.

Do what you love the most-write. Seize every moment God has given you. Share your blessings.

Happy Birthday and may you always be that gutsy girl i knew since October 10, 1984.

Sincerely,

Kucil