That place, well, I really wanted to see. Sometimes it’s so challenging to look for a place or thing which is only attractive to look at especially at first impression but you’re not even sure if there is something reall like it. But still, you’re willing to go whatever it takes, whatever would happen. It’s like first love.
How hard is it to be a professional? What should one do if he finds himself… unable to concentrate on the specialization he chose? How should he leave the things that are mostly given time but in fact should not be his focus for a while?
Not because one person is busy means he is in good condition, is safe, whether the task is mental-in-nature or physical-in-nature. Especially in pursuing a degree. Actually, it is very hard to criticize a person but the instructions are almost the same since grade school. From home to school, from socialization to recreational activities, from workshop to competitions, from popularity to fame, and other phases and stages for self-development. So in case you’re really an average learner, may be the next step, saying you don’t have problems at home, and you’re not suffering financially, could be - to focus.
It would be better to be simple in life. Many of today’s youth are also workaholic but outfocused on the course he took up. Even if a person knows the nature of earning but then his studies has been neglected, he is still in trouble. Some of this life’s components could come affect unnoticed he’s mistakes in life. Concentrating on sidelines is not the right way to have a better life. That may be if you’ve graduated already, but if not, if you’re in school, it’s dismal. It will slowly throw you to a lost path. As when schooling have never had a chance to end. What if a new curriculum is in effectivity again? Are you willing repeat the whole course? Even if you can, it’s not normal. Yes, people have to study but with focused specialization. You can study as many things as would like to but be simple. Simplicity is also an element in education, or even in a career.
Ask again yourself but not who am I? But who am I going to be?
It was 1987 when I entered in Tabaco Pei Ching School. I was grade 6 then. Students enrolling are given privilege if they will try to study Chinese language. When I was interviewed, I denied to took it first but my mother was the one who is more interested believing I can make use of it in the future. But she was only attracted to the words of the Chinese attendants administrating the enrollment.
But the fire in A. A. Berces Supermarket broke out. And my mother, in deep frustration, where we have our little business there selling segunda mano, decided to transfer us, me and Eric, to Novaliches, to study there. Where mother tried to put up a new store at the N-Mart supermarket at Novaliches proper.
Around Metropolitan Manila, we tried to look for Chinese schools, actually, we reached Yorklin, Phil. Cultural School, Chiang Kai Shek, but non of the schools have vacancy where perhaps, we’re little late to seek registration. And lastly, all of the schools are very far from home.
But I never forgot what I’ve learned and because it’s only few of them. I’ll never forget the times when I was praised by some Chinese teachers reaching the third place or second in most of the tests. I cannot speak Chinese, but I’m happy practicing calligraphy which is my hobby until this day. Most young Chinese who grew up in the country today don’t want to carry on their backs an old culture due to interest in management of inherited business companies which takes also a long period of exercise, which could be an enterprise or a business corporation as well.
The illustration at the top is my work actually, I laugh at myself; I didn’t get it right. But anyway, I’ll keep practicing. Perhaps the subject FA 114 of Lettering 1 is entrusted to me by our very very handsome Dean, Arch. Rino Domingo Fernandez. And of course, I have to prove to him I’m reliable for the subject. Only, the subject has not been yielded to me for almost 5 years. So now that I handling it again, I’ll work it out all for perfection.
And to those who would like to post comments, you are most welcome…. I mean the calligraphy, oh my God!
(translation in Bicol of NOW I SING AGAIN originally written in English by Fr. Ramonclaro Mendez)
sa matawong lugar na ini nagkirimat-kimat
baga sa sakuyang paghiling an saindang
mga pamandukon,
na sa lalaw na ining karnabal
na garo baga makusog na hukol kang
kadagatan… nabubutongon akong mag-iba
sa pagkalamos,
makadarahon sa emosyon an
pinasiring digdi buda duman kang
pagkaturu-taltal,
nagpaka-labad-labad sa binurubugawas kang
dagit na paros,
an aniningal kang mga may libong sa buhay
dangogon ko… buda an pag-ako ninda kang kung
anu-anong tintasyon,
pag may mga kautikanan na itinuga sa
sako nadadara man ako kudi su saindang
kaluyahan an mas namamati ko dulo kun may
mga taramon na daing data buda mga pahayag
na daing hawon,
garo kantang daing tono
garo man makasalan na buhay na daing planong magbago
tunay na pagtios.
namumuyahon man logod akong mag-awit
kudi pano ko man daw makua an
angay na liriko?
bata digdi pa ako naghahanap ki berso
sa sarong kantang saro man na dai man
ngani palan ki tono
dai nganî palan ni ano
ano man nanggad daw na an awiton ko?
dai lamang pati ki nakakarumdom
dai lamang ki magtatabang magparumdom kang
mga nawawarang linya buda taramon
kawasâ ako… nagsusulo-sulo sa madiklom na
ining irok kahampang an mga pasuru-salidang
pandok na dai ko mamustrang maray dangan
dai lamang akong pagka-isi kun sain man hali.
sagkod kang kuminanta ka na,
nadara baga akong makigsabayan sa saimong
awit nin pagkamoot
kung kaya buminalik an nawarâ kong boses
marahay-rahay na an tinanog-tanog
buda nakaluwas pati an mga tonong dai ko pa
nadangog sa sakô,
makarinyohon…magayunon,
nalindukan an kalag ko kang mga buhay
na taramon buda mga matalinghagang bersong
may doon na maromansa
madaling sabuton… maogmang pagmation,
hali sa init kang sarong sinserong puso
na masasarigan buda totoo,
magayon baga an kinaling-kaging
kang pagdurunganan kang awit buda an
tingog mo,
kaya ika na musang kahampang ko
dai ka ngona maghali…buda maghimati ka…
himation mo…
ta ako na man an mag-aawit para sa saimo.
original:
NOW I SING AGAIN
these changing faces
a procession of the restless
in lonesome carnival
like ranging waves
from the sea disguised
luring me to drown
desperately drifting
currents of emotions
cycling whirlwind
echoes of the confused
and cries of the seduced
when lies befriended my heart
dizzy was the rhythm of the real
with words unsensed
and meaningless rhymes
like a song without tune
is life without notes
for undone indeed
is the incomplete.
i wanted to sing
but what words be mine
when chance returns?
looking for the verses
i lost in my song
with empty notes and blank spaces
how could i sing the tune?
no one remembers
no one would dare
recall the lines and phrases
’cause i’m alone and lost
in the shadow of fragmented faces
and places uncharted.
then you came
chanting,
touching my muted lips
to synch a love song
filling my empty voice
humming mellow sounds
or irresistible tunes
so charming so fine
rhyming my soul with living lines
and vibrant verses defined
of living notes
softly, sweetly,
sincerely springing from a heart
that’s genuine and true.
oh how melody rings
and harmony sings with you
so there my muse be still
and to my refrain listen
for now i sing again.
