Erap Case: Politics of Quid Pro Quo

I was bombarded with all the news on former President Joseph Estrada's homecoming in San Juan. Enough of these scenes, i said. Can't take it anymore. turned off the tv, and decided to spend time here in cyberspace…

Erap acknowledges GMA as president. He thanks her for granting him pardon. In a speech at the San Juan city hall, he even encouraged the crowd to applaud GMA and thank her coz if not for her he will not be a free man– Wow! these words must be music to GMA's ears!

He recognized her as president. He gets his freedom. IT'S A DEAL!!!

Ours is really a politics of quid pro quo… I could never be a politician. And thank God, I am not one…

Thank you, Josh Groban!!!

"God created us to be surprised," says a friend one night. This is an understament. Not only does HE want to surprise us. HE wants to give us many surprises.

On October 18, God's surprise came through Josh Groban. And it was not only once but thrice! (so the saying, they always come in 3s may also be true after all…).

First, instead of using my original ticket, i was upgraded at the last minute, seated near the aisle.

Second, Josh stood beside me when he walked down the aisle from the crowd entrance while serenading the crowd on the way to the stage. This happened on the second part of the show.

And third, I and my friends were invited to attend his exclusive after-concert party at Makati S'hangrila's RED! There, we were able to chat with Josh, have our pictures taken and he gamely authographed our copies of People Asia magazine of which is he is cover boy

It was an unforgettable evening. I enjoyed the show and i enjoyed hobnobbing with Josh even more! LOL

So, Thank you, Josh Groban for God has made me realized His goodness time and again. HE knew how much I wanted to watch your show. I only asked Him for that, and he gave me MORE!

Thank you, dear God! You're great!!! Can't wait for your next surprise   I am grateful…

Queen of Dreams

 I wonder if God is showing me His unique sense of humour. In my imaginary face-to-face conversations with Him, I often say "Di kita ma-gets at di ko masakyan ang pang-aasar mo… buti na lang di ako pikon."

You see, in recent months, I feel like asking the universe (okay, okay… in fact, i did ask the universe) "why can my friends get to live my dreams, and i can't? Eh, ako kaya ang humihingi nun? hindi sila…" hahaha! funny no?

So, if something beautiful happens to my dear friends, i kiddingly tell them: "Hey, you are living my dream!" and they would tell me: "Sweetie, your time will come." And we laugh. Hay naku, Patience wouldn't be a virtue for nothing. I think this is what the universe is trying to teach me…

I just recently finished reading the book "The Queen of Dreams" by noted Indian novelist Chitra Divakaruni. There was a paragraph in the book that caught my attention, coz it captured perfectly how I feel at the moment.

The line goes: "Watching them, I feel at once happy and lonely. It's not the loneliness of being without a mate, but something more primal. As though I were the only one being left on this side of the glass, while the rest of the world– happy, uncaring– lived out its life in the other side. They were aware of my presence, they even waved to me from time to time, as Belle was doing, but they didn't know how it felt to be looking in, waving back, unable to cross over…" (p. 182 )

Addicted to Love and Heartless Zombies

“People ask, why fall in love when being hurt is a certainty? My answer? It makes me feel I am alive… coz whether I feel the greatest hurt or the greatest love, sheer bliss or flood of tears, on top of the world or at the bottom of the damned chain, it made my heart beat fervently… I tell you, I’d rather fall in love over and over again than to blend in with millions of heartless zombies who resolved to play safe…”

I don’t know what prompted Vittorio to text me that message. My speculation is that he was more of justifying his feelings than anything else. My dear friend is in love again. And I, as well as the rest of the barkada are raising our eyebrows with his choice of a partner. (In fact, Vittorio even accused me one time that I am biased to his ex, which of course I vehemently deny.)

Vittorio said his goodbyes to this current love interest maybe a thousand times already. Ayun, sa awa ng Diyos, magkasama pa din sila hanggang ngayon… There were moments when Vittorio would ask me if he should let go of his partner. Much as I would like to tell him he should, I know it will be unfair for the two of them.

I do not really know Viottorio’s current flame to be able to pass a fair judgment. I only get to hear my friend’s side of the story. So, I tell Vittorio: “You will have to decide for yourself. Ikaw ang nakakakilala sa kanya. Eh kahit na sabihin kong layasan mo na yan, di ka din naman makikinig di ba? We both know that coz we’re both stubborn. Ang importante, you do not lose your dignity and self-respect.”

When I was in a relationship, I never followed my friends’advices anyway, especially the unsolicited ones. But I always kept these well-meaning advices in my mind so I won’t forget. “Di ko naman sila pinakikinggan. Ako pa din naman ang masusunod. I just waited for my boiling point because I know it will certainly arrive,” I said. When it happened, it was very easy to say “I’m done. I’m through with love…” and I never looked back. (That was how I became an “Ice Queen.”)

Going back to Vittorio, looks like everything is okay in his world now (or may be he just realized that Kris Aquino is not exactly an ideal role model?). I never hear him complain but I know they still are together. I don’t ask either because I fully respect his privacy.

I do not know if my dear friend is waiting for his own boiling point but I really wish that everything is now really okay between them. And more than wishing, I pray that their relationship will be something that Vittorio is hoping for. He is a good person with a heart of gold. And having through a lot to fight for this relationship, Vittorio deserves nothing but the best, served on a golden (diamond even) platter.

“Ice Queen” that I am, my admiration goes to people who are not afraid to fall in love over and over again … and actually fight for the love that he thinks he deserves. But I refuse to be labeled as someone who decided “to blend in with millions of heartless zombies who resolved to play safe.” I am the “Ice Queen” after all.