Writing is Wrestling

There are events in our life, especially the ones that carry extreme emotions, seem difficult to write. I mean, writing in detail. A Long prose. A vivid personal essay. That is maybe because, when we are happy, words fall short and our thoughts are partial. Remember, "Don't  make  promises when you are happy. Don't make decisions when you are angry." Or ,"The grass is greener outside the fence."

A new perspective. A more rational self. Subdued emotion. The time when all the hormones have reverted to its equilibrium. Call it thinking in perpective.

Writing is talking in print. The good thing is that what is written can still be erased, or backspaced, or deleted. That makes it a better medium in communication than speaking.

Back in college, my curriculum, included Intensive Writing. First day of class, when all students expected (including myself), that professors will only do meet-and-greet, submit-your-classcards, and here-are-the-course-requirements thing. But no. Our professor, Sir Warlito Caturay, brought in a CD player and pressed play Tina Arena's "Burn", of which after, we were made to write about the song. First day. One composition. And every meeting, thereafter, came another essay. And then I realized that if I write, I make myself happy. Thus the creation of this blog in 2008. Since then, this has become a repertory of my daily life adventures.

When I'm home, I sometimes giggle or smirk or to a little extent grimace (in no particular order) when I read my high school essays that my Lola fastened and kept on file. My juvenile writing. My cliched introductions. My very long sentences. Over the years, Grandma, took care of all past issues of our school paper with my news articles, feature essays, and editorial stories. Some parts were yellowed already as a sign of old age. But Lola have them as her priced possesion. That made my heart twist a little. And that inspired me to write more stories because Lola took pride of them. And I promised that a book will soon be published as an addition to her collection. Call it the evolution of writing.

Why do I write and when do I write are two things that every writer carry with them. It is like their shadow. Something that, apart from the pen, is just around, following every word written, every phrase deleted, and every idea born. For now, I write because of two reasons. First, it is challenging. In fact, very challenging, would describe it better. Second, it is immensely rewarding.

Writing is like wrestling. The transformation of ideas into words. The translation of events into stories. The creation of imagery using words. These things wrestle in the writer's mind. And when things are not in order, the writer is put in a prison where he himself created. And where he himself only knows how to escape from. Will you agree then that every story written is hard work. A product of great love. A piece of himself.

I write because the reward is: I made myself happy. And my Lola. And my family. My writings are accounts of my life. And in the days to come when I look back, these pieces of myself will soon make up the big jigsaw puzzle that will spell what difference did I make while I'm alive.

Going Around Bacolod!

To begin with, Bacolod means food. Tourism in the city is defined by the deliciousness of its food. To sum it up, the experience is totally gastronomic!

VOY 2012

I was invited by Emily Go-Villanueva to judge this year's Voice of our Youth Impromptu Speaking Contest held at the Gallaga Theater in USLS campus.

Sixteen brave, young students have spoken on the topic, "should the government put more emphasis on the use of the English Language as a medium of Instruction than Filipino, our national language?"

It is very overwhelming to note that all contestants speak the language with care and authority. I am very happy that our teachers have taught them well. The winning cut of the champ and the first runner up is their ability to organize their thoughts, words, and emotion. Their being natural, youth, spontaneous created a platform for them to stand above their opponents.

Congratulations to the two ladies; one from Roxas and the other from Iloilo City. Good luck in your next competition in Manila next year!

The Athleticism in Me and a little Vanity!

Discovering Museum Cafe!

Cigarettes! Anyone?

While waiting, for sometime now, for my spaghetti in tomato sauce take out, my eyes catch this view. This is actually in front of me. Out of nothing to do my sense of details opened in full and wow these are a bunch of Cigarettes. And the store owner, appropriately named it, Lighters Galore. Suddenly I remember the phrase, "chika galore", from a friend now based in Canada. That is a little digression, pardon me. And then I remember the Sin Tax hotly discussed and debated in the Senate. And if you were to ask me my thoughts on it? Huh! Even my father would probably be upset.

Because I want more, Churros is here!

Still at C's. Enjoying every bit of having a holiday. Or a day-off. I know this comes very very rare. And when it comes, the spontaneity of events unfolding is beautiful. And the appetite is not an exeption.

Beef Tapa at C's!