Time just flies too fast. It's seems only yesterday when I wrote my 22nd ramblings and here I am, adding one on the last digit of my age. Nygaks!

So how's life so far?

The first quarter of the year was a tupsy-turvy of sorts. There was a moment of loss--saying goodbye and mourning, the time of the long overdue confrontation, reconciliation, healing and moving on.

You'll never know how strong the attachment is until the moment comes to say goodbye. I realized I have no talent for saying goodbye to somebody I feel strong attachment to. It's painful yet you know you have to end that attachment. It's just inevitable and you need it in order to move on and enable you to grow. You need to see and feel the pain of losing someone or something to appreciate what's coming. It is only by losing that we will learn to appreciate more what we have.
I remember Murakami saying “every action produces loss.” It's the entropy of the moral system.

You just need to chose your battle. What's important is when you're going through that very intense moment, you are surrounded by good friends, good food, good books. It is the people that hold dear to us that matter. And I am so blessed to have these people to celebrate life with. They have seen me through thick and thin (literally and figuratively. hehe!)

And I am thankful to celebrate my natal day not just for a day but for a week with you guys! (Ah murag artista ra! Haha!)

May 9 PRE- BDAY POOL PARTY
It's Mother's day and the day before the 1st ever Automated Election Day. I guess, everyone was excited as most of us are first time voters. High school and college friends gather trying to tackle some possibilities, hopeful despite the negativities.It's the reunion of the 'three little pigs', recollection of high school craziness and bonding with family members. I thank Ate Flo for her prayers. "We pray that you give May Che, good health and wonderful lovelife." pati lablayp sinali,Waynot! hehe!



MAY 10 ELECTION DAY
It's a very gloomy day. I hope not a sign of the future of this country. Despite the heat and later on, drizzle, the people stayed on their line just to fill-out their ballots.


Good thing, I met my confidante, my kuya and the future officiating priest of my future wedding! Harhar!
Meet Kuya Father Gillarme Joy Pelino, the vicar priest of Tampakan, my kinakapatid.


The long line is a good time to keep abreast with our lives. I always tell him, if I can only clone him, I will immediately do so. We talked about the search for the Significant Other, compatibility, environmental concerns, corruption, the local government's decision not to decide on the controversial environmental code, continuing plunder of our natural resources, Paulo Freire's concientizaçao, and back to the matters of the heart. He told me the importance of common preferences as source of attraction. “Of course it won't hurt if that Significant Other is yummy too!,” I added. He laughed. If you have this guy standing next to you, falling in line even until midnight is okay!

And at noon, Heidi, my goat gave birth to two healthy kids! I already gave up my virtual Farmtown to have the real version (well, sort of). Wapeeee!


May 11
back to Davao. Still had the hang-over. So the best thing to do? Reformat/ relay-out my blog.


From Brown to white.



May 12 Chippen's Date
My former boss turned foster mother and I had a date. It's her post- masteral graduation/ post- b-day and my pre-bday celebration. I just love eating and I love eating with the best people. Habhab to the max! And while eating, Mader Pacz, Ate Alex and Lola Tigs, are already planning where the next eat-all-you-can destination.




May 13
My day and the day of meetings. Meeting with the GODC people at 10AM and meeting with the AR group at 2pm. It's a day of smiles, good food (salamat to my AFRIM family for the pancit [traditional handa for long life!], yummy fresh durian, durian yam and pan). Thanks to Ate Myrna for my colorful nails! :D Salamat for my ates (ate Nokie, Nikki and Lizzy) for the unplanned Here Comes the Bride movie date. Tawa to the max!

And to cap the night, I received a call from my father. :)

May 14
Ate Gie gives me Mushu, my blue-eyed miming! Kumpleto na bday ko! Sunod na picture niya pag nakaligo na siya.^-^

May 15
Bonding time with my father and Mushu. APO concert afterwards. Ticket sponsored by Papa. Wapeeei!!

It's just a wonderful week for me. God is good always. For my families and friends, I can't THANK YOU enough.

smooooooooochies! I loooooooove you all!

1.I believe in the power of reading. My favorite book is the Book of Psalms.

2.Buying second hand books is a therapy. I tend to buy lots of books even beyond budget especially when I'm stressed. After a heartbreak, I went to Booksale shop three days straight and went home with 3 bags every time, even though I know I still have so many books at my room. Now, enough with buying. My new goal? At least two books for pleasure reading every month.

3.I am addicted to spas. Hot stone massage is one of my splurges.

4.What I love most about my work? It's traveling and meeting and talking to people from all walks of life- legislators, farmers, tribal leaders, women leaders, children. They are the best personality development teachers. :)

5.I never thought I can write. I know my writings are far from what my idols' but I am trying to learn this art. I haven't perfected yet the right way of sewing words to have a wonderful coherent composition.

6.I have no sense of direction. I have no idea why we need to determine northeast, southeast, etc. I have been lost several times here in Davao. Last year, I took the South bound train instead of taking the other side when my friends and I will be meeting in Trinoma. So much for taking the big risk of commuting alone during the rush hour! Ask my friends and I know they will laugh at my useless spatial skills.

7.But despite my low spatial and geographical skills, I love traveling. One of my dreams is to travel Mindanao. I want to visit Zamboanga and Bongao, Tawi-tawi before I turn 30. Palawan and Bohol are my next summer destinations.

8.During college, as the Mindanao representative of KASAMA sa UP, a system-wide alliance of student councils of UP System, I traveled to Baguio with only P5,000 in hand. I, Kong-kong and Ate Lisa Lisame (fellow student council members) traveled from Davao to Cagayan de Oro (by bus), then to Cebu by barge. We were supposed to have a free ride with the military C130 but due to some technical glitches , we have no other choice but to get tickets and the cheapest that time is around P3,800 to Manila! Good thing, my sister is in Manila.

9.When I stayed during Christmas (right after our Baguio trip) with my sister in Cainta, Rizal I know right there and then, that I'll never work and live in Manila. I hate the fast-paced life, the pollution, and I have this distrust for people in the big metro.

10.I love sticking notes. I keep different colors of post-it notes and notepads!

11.I like using paper clips as hair clip substitute.

12.I like babies but I can't still see myself having one. It seems 'baby talk' has become a trend and during get togethers with friends, the latest update will be who's preggy.

13.While some people think 13 is unlucky, I think otherwise. I just love my number!

14.Coloring my nails in different colors just sets my mood. (I just learned to be this kikay after graduating in college! Such as a late bloomer!)

15. Last February, I had the longest conversation/ confrontation of my life!

16.Artists amaze me. I like befriending tattoo artists, painters, performers. I just think they have the most bizarre and unnerving ideas.

17.I am seriously considering to have a permanent tattoo.

18.Flowing dresses has become my favorite get-up. It makes me feel so feminine.

19.Once, I went to a spa for a Thai massage with a guy companion. The attendant told me, “Ma'am bawal baya magpamasahe ang buntis (ma'am, pregnant women are prohibited). Oh yeah, right!

20.During elementary days, I was the first to file a case to my grade 6 adviser because of corruption. On high school, a 'cheater's list' found it's way to our third year adviser and I was one of the suspects. Until now, I don't have any idea who did it. Looking back, I just love those experiences!

21.When my sister and I are together, the questions : “Are you siblings? You're younger than her? (complete with disbelieving eyes) are expected. My sister will always laugh.

22.I abhor people who borrows money and disappears afterwards. If you cannot pay, just tell. It's more shameful and disrespectful to the person who lend you money when you needed it the most.

23. My greatest fear is to be confined in the hospital. I think it will just make me weaker.

Last April 20-22, we attended SEA- CEM and Mindanews' Citizen Journalism workshop.Part of the activity is the big part video plays in advocacy.

Maran Perianan, a journalist and also gives training on basic video shots to indigenous peoples in Malaysia using Flip video is one of the resource persons. He shared their experiences and the role images played in raising issues in the community such as illegal logging and human rights violations. Their group distributed Flip videos to the communities and the people in the community started taking shots and raised issues on health care and environmental destruction. This is community empowerment, of the people holding power to present the truth through their eyes.

The power of blogging and online marketing was also introduced by Sean Ang. Twitter, Facebook and our blogs are powerful tools to promote our advocacies to a wider audience.

My most favorite part is when we had our field work. Our topic is Election in particular about campaign materials.

Based on Omnibus Election Code,

Cloth, paper or cardboard posters, whether framed or posted, with an area exceeding two feet by three feet, except that, at the site and on the occasion of a public meeting or rally, or in announcing the holding of said meeting or rally, streamers not exceeding three feet by eight feet in size, shall be allowed

Section 18 (c) (You can find the full copy of Omnibus Election Code here)

So what does the common tao thinks about these materials?

One fruit vendor along Roxas Boulevard said: "Bisag unsa pa na kadaghan ilang posters, kami naa na jud mi napili-ang kandidato. Sayang-sayang ra na sila og kwarta ug naghugaw-hugaw ra. (No matter how many posters they put up, we have already chosen our candidates. They are just wasting their money and they are polluting [the area])."

Another insight from a first-time voter:"How can you expect them to implement the law when they could not even follow a simple rule?"
Sadly, our laws are just suggestions!

A photographer from San Pedro expressed his view: "Maayo man unta na kay mahibaw-an sa tao nga nidagan sila apan naa man kung unsa gyud ang kadak-on sa tarp, asa ra na mamahimong ipost. Unya wa man na nasunod.COMELEC wala may mabuhat. (It's okay since the people would know that they are running however, there is specifics on the tarp [size] and the where it should be posted. But it's not followed. COMELEC hasn't done anything)."

"Grabe na kahugaw ang kalsada. Naa man unta na regulasyon." Kuya Jun, a pedicab driver from Boulevard said. As for the street sweepers of the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO), they can only clean the posters that fell but they have no authority to pull down campaign materials even it's nailed on trees. All they can do is give a sigh and continue sweeping early in the morning.

So take a look. Every faces. Everyone smiling. Photoshopped. Seeking for your attention. Hoping you will remember them when you cast your votes this May 10.


Reflection. Huge Banderitas.

TARP WORD WAR

Team Nograles' Marketing Line


Team Duterte's Response

Free Ride. Nauna ka. Didikitan din kita!





COLORS GAME




Talking to Manong Benny.
Thanks to my partner Tauna Maulana. :)

Matanong ko lang, meron din kaya silang nilaang pondo for clean-up drive after elections?

P.S. Be very afraid of candidates who spend too much!

Due to previous commitment I wa snot able to finish the workshop and my video. *sad* but I learned the basics. Will use Adobe Premiere on my other projects. ('0')

Last month, I have a memorable (longest) road trip of my life. We were invited to give an input about agrofuels at Brgy. Hagpa, Impasug-ong Bukidnon. Since the concerned program is not available (Ate Anna's preggy and advised against long travels), I have to give my best shot.

I'm so thankful Louie, a college friend and now a staff of Task Force Mapalad was assigned in Bukidnon. He accompanied me and became the porter for the day. It was a relief not to bring those heavy reading materials to be distributed to the community.

So how far is the area? To give you an idea, here is my iterinary.

From Davao to Malaybalay City, it's a 4-hour bus ride. Then from Malaybalay City, I have to take the bus to Impasug-ong for about 40 minutes. Then, we have another hour and a half Skylab (motorcycle) ride to Brgy. Lamingan were we stayed overnight. The next day, we have to hike for around 40minutes to the Barangay Hall of Hagpa.

To better understand the situation and to contextualize it, I had initial interviews with the elders and the staff of Father Vincent Cullen Tulugan Learning and Development Centre (FVCTLDC), the organization that aided them in their CADT claim. Here's what I've gathered:

Higa-onons Ancestral Domain

The approved Higa-onon ancestral domain has a total area of 14,000 hectares. It comprise the municipalities of Impasug-ong and Malitbog at Bukidnon. Inhabitants are composed of communities from the sitios of Mintapod, Agtulawon, Kiudto, Kaanibongan, Butongon, Ulawon and some sitios in Barangay Hagpa.

The Agtulawon-Mintapod Higaonon Cumadon (AGHIMICU) is the peoples organization representing the claim of the Higa-onons in Impasug-ong. It is headed by 13 datus. On May 1995, they first applied for Certificate of Ancestral Domain Claim (CADC) at Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). The CADC was awarded to them on February 1998.

However, the identified boundaries in the CADC was far from the actual extent of their domain. When RA 8371 or IPRA was enacted, AGHIMICU applied for conversion of CADC to Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) on 2000 and was approved and awarded last May 15, 2008 with CADT Number R10-IMP-1206-054.

About 95% of the inhabitants in Brgy. Hagpa are Higaonons. They were able to acquire CADT with the aid of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFP), FVCTLDC and Philippine Association for Intercultural Development, Inc (PAFID). The Dumagats (inmigrants) are the ones who have not yet acquired any private titles. Thsi had caused some concern to teh settlers that having the CADT will hinder them from acquiring private ttiles for their farmlands. Last Tuesday, April 13, the DUMACO (Dumagats' organization) and AGHIMICU signed a Memorandum of Agreement entitling the Dumagats to apply for private titles on their respective privately-owned residential and farm lots.

ABERDI's oil palm ventures


I was told that the ABERDI (A Brown Energy and Resources Development Inc.) is planning to expand in their area. The municipality of Impasug-ong in the province of Bukidnon is known as the “oil palm capital”. The company currently has a 10 tonner modular Palm Oil Mill at the poblacion. The company also owns 70 hectares oil palm plantation (40 hectares in Maluko, Bukidnon; 27 hectares in Dalirig and 3 hectares in Lunocan, Manolo Fortich). They also have a joint-venture agreement with the local People’s Organization KASAMA- KA. The said PO has acquired a Community- based Forest Management Agreement (CBFMA) with DENR and instead planting the usual falcatta or gemelina trees, they planted their area with oil palm.

ABERDI ventures also into into real estates, agricultural crops and processing. They have their subsidiaries that are responsible for oil palm plantations undertakings -Nakeen Corp. and Andesite Corp and Xavier Estates, wellknown for real estates in Cagayan de Oro City.

ABERDI is now planning to expand in the neighboring barangays of its current plantation in Brgy. Kalabugao, Impasug-ong. Brgy. Hagpa is the next and last frontier of the Pantaron range where the company is vying for expansion. At present, one of the Datu of the AGMIHICU, Datu Datu Mandedlayen Nanolan (Datu Aguilo) approves of the proposed expansion on his 200 hectares area at Sitio Kiudto, Brgy.Hagpa.

The said Datu based on interviews is no longer staying at Brgy. Hagpa and is not engaged in agriculture. The respondents shared that the said Datu is seeking for a seat in the Municipal Council and he needs money for his campaign. The other members of the Council of Elders and the Dumagats (inmigrants) are against the expansion since the proposed expansion site is their protected forest and other parts are agricultural lands.Staff of FVCTLDC shared that the area is also viable for cassava and other agricultural crops.


Right now, the other member of the AGMIHICU is negotiating and to arrive in a concensus regarding this matter. I've heard a local youth leader was also tapped by ABERDI to negotiate per households for the leasing their land. And the amount for teh rent of their land? P5,000 for 25 years! Just a simple equation. P5,000 divided by 25 years divided by 12 months per year. They will only earn P16.67 per month for the next 25 years?!


Meanwhile HAMOG, the youth cultural group of the community wishes their elders to think of their future. They the future Joey Ayala on the rise. Listen to their voices:




They are singing a song on caring of their remaining forests in Binukid (local dialect).



Partaking the chicken offering during the ritual.

I just woke up when Keno, my best friend's younger brother asked me if I have heard of Tita Rotchelle. I said no. I just heard that she was in the hospital. Then Keno replied. “Ate patay na siya.” I was shocked. Still in shock.

How can death take such a fine young woman, still in her prime?
Death is feared, celebrated yet we have no choice but to embrace it. Death is like a thief in the night. It surprises you.

Rotchelle Padua. Ching. Tita Rotch for me (Mommy to some) will always be remembered as the timid, fair-skinned girl. The class Snow White. I always joke about her very smooth hands. Mala kandila. I told her, perhaps she has no household chores. She laughed with her soft sweet voice, “nagtatrabaho din ako sa bahay ek. Ewan ko bakit malambot tong kamay ko.”

She speaks Tagalog. Tin-tin de Pedro (Baby Chin) tells her to speak in Ilonggo. But she said, how can she speak in Ilonggo if the people are conversing her in Tagalog? She can understand Ilonggo but opts to speak in Tagalog. I learned her parents were from Manila and they speak Tagalog at home. When she speaks, we told her that we have to lean and really really listen since she has a very soft voice.

I always tell her she is so timid, very silent alongside with Gera. I will always remember her seating in one row with Floribeth, Geraldinn (I call them the 'silent girls') and Momsie Cha. But Momsie Cha refuted. “Abi mo lang na nak hipuson na sila.Palaistorya na sila.” Such wrong first impression.

She doesn't talk loud like us, that is. She's a very animated talker. She used to share stories. Literature is her company. When you talk to her, you know you have a very attentive listener. She adores Rob Pattinson. That was the long chat we had on FB. I told her I am for Team Jacob. She insisted that the mysterious vampire is more lovable. That Edward Anthony Masen Cullen, the immortal one is just so sweet. Period.

When I told her I was meeting a male high school classmate for a cup of coffee and I asked her to guess, she replied. “Si Jeffrey?” And I laughed. High school memories of families and wives and our sheer silliness. And she laughed along.

She asked me one day. "Ek, have you read my article in PDI on March 19?” I thought it was a press release or something work related. It was a personal essay. It's her reflection of her 21 years of existence. It was published in Young Blood.

Youngblood
A good beginning

By Rotchelle M. Padua
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 02:52:00 03/19/2009

Filed Under: Youth

I am now spending the last few days of my 21st year here on earth. To be perfectly honest, I am quite apprehensive about the coming of my 22nd birthday. Although I remain optimistic, I can’t help but feel that, well, I am getting older. Time flies with incredible speed. Things happen too swiftly that we hardly find time to remember the memories that make up our lives. So let me take this time to revisit some moments of my life and ponder on my youth.

Was it just last year when my mom accompanied me to my first ever formal school?

Was it just last year when I became a regular visitor at the hospital because of my weak immune system?

Was it just last year when I gave out a heart-breaking cry for fear that the church door would be barred because we were late for my first communion?

Was it just last year when the thought of wearing something extremely feminine for a high school promenade seemed ludicrous to me?

Was it just last month when I accepted a role in our drama class many people who know me wouldn’t have thought I could tackle, without first taking workshops on how to raise an eyebrow, how to throw things in a convincingly outraged manner and how to yell loud enough for the audience to realize that I was on stage, speaking to them and not to myself?

Was it just last year when the thought of leaving home for college and staying at a boardinghouse overwhelmed me with nostalgia and doubts that almost shattered my goal of finishing college?

Was it just last year when I would silently command my voice not to quiver and tell myself to feign confidence whenever I spoke in class?

Was it just last month when I wished that a Shakespeare incarnate could have written plays and sonnets dedicated to me for the whole world to appreciate?

Was it just last year when I graduated from college, feeling unusually triumphant after overcoming so many obstacles to my earning the much-coveted diploma?

Was it just last week when I had my first job interview?

Was it just yesterday when I realized that I have started to earn a living and not just learning to earn a living?

These are the events that happened in my past, distant and recent. And I am beginning to feel a little bit old again.

When I was 10, I considered high school students to be as young as I was. I looked at college students as moderately old. I looked at teachers, doctors, employees, and the rest of the workforce as old, and the people older than them as much too old for me. Now that I belong to the “old” group, I bicker with my 10-year-old self and adjust, reclassify, or better yet try to abolish the unjust age classification.

I have more youthful principles with which to replace them: Anybody who wants to be young must be given the chance to feel (and probably look) young. Anybody whose child-like qualities have been left dormant should be encouraged to be a child again. Anybody who has forgotten how to find joy from simple things should be taken on an early morning walk along a path where nature looks wonderful. Anybody who has lost compassion towards others should have his or her eyes opened to the pleasant truth that genuine care for others (that’s why we’re here for anyway) can give unparalleled happiness, which may be the key to keeping age at bay. Youth can be an option. It can be a state of mind. It can be a pleasant condition of the soul brought about by happiness, contentment, peace and love.

Ending my 21st year is like finishing a book’s chapter I have always yearned to read. Some of the best moments of my life happened last year. Those were the moments when I felt so cared for, so protected and so blessed beyond description. Those were the moments when all the iniquities in the world were shrouded by the love of the people around me. Those were the moments when I felt that the world was a better place to live in (hackneyed as it may seem). Those were the moments I will be eternally grateful for.

Ending such a wonderful year fills me with nostalgia, but this is the only way I can begin another chapter—and hopefully more chapters—that God has designed for me. It is the only way I can collect more memories. It is the only way I can share more of myself with others. It is the only way to have a deeper understanding of life. It is the only way I can fulfill the grand purpose that God has assigned to me from the day I was born.

Tita Rotch is a very good friend. Despite her sickness, she went to Lake Sebu to celebrate Momsie Cha's birthday. We went to the falls and she was wearing a jacket. She was there just to talk to Mommy and observed our childlessness.


Tita Ching, despite her fever joined us to celebrate Momsie Cha's birthday in Lake Sebu



Tita Rotch contemplating.



Tita Ching with Floribeth


The other week I heard she's in the hospital. I texted her but she didn't reply. We don't know what's her illness. She wouldn't tell us. Maybe she doesn't want us to worry.

Tita Ching, you will always be remembered. Your sweet smile. Your low voice. Your milky white skin. And the vampire love stories. Thank you for the friendship.

You are with our Creator. You are completely healed now.