Chronicles of the Daily Grind

Even when you thought that you're addicted to something, when pressure and urgency comes, you are able to break a habit. I am starting to admit that I am totally drawn to this blogging thing. It has become my "other world", another realm where the expanse of myself could be freely explored... not that it's necessary, it's just more flowing to be here. It's good to realize that I get to prioritize the more important things over this craze.

I just had a week of "mental calisthenics" as one of my professors put it. For me it's mental torture to memorize philosophical stuffs in detail. I don't really know whether all these stuffs in my head right now which I just had rendered from the exams would be found useful in practical life. Would it really be necessary for me to understand the transcendence of knowledge? Will my future apostolate be less effective if I would be ignorant of the scholastic doctrine of Realism?

Nevertheless, I just find philosophers to be amusing where one contradicts the doctrine of another.

I still have two more exams coming up... more philosphical-historical information to be loaded in my brain.

Yet I'm excited with the International Congress which will be held in ADMU tomorrow until sunday. I would get to meet the cream of the philosophers not only of this country but in other places of the globe as well. We'll be hearing a lot more philosophical thoughts of the Frenchman Teilhard de Chardin.

Yey, more philosophy junk!

Posted by brodiz at 11:27 AM | Permalink | Comments

I got inspired with this post entry by DJ. Thanks. Allow me to re-post

Here’s an idea, which is not really mine (read about it from DUPs blog). Bry also mentioned that he wants to meet up with Bloggers when he comes home in October (ey Bry, don’t forget my pasalubong).

Web Logs are such a biggie nowadays. Everyone blogs. Fictional, non-fictional, whatev. The blog community is growing exponentially. It’s the new YahooGroups. Personal lives available at your disposal. You don’t shit on them, you just have to read and give your pseudo anonymous comments. You post nekkid pictures (LOL), mp3s, videos, or how you stalk people. You tell exaggerated stories, fictional tales, and how you hate your life. Haha!

How about a Blog Party dry run here in Pinas?

1. Meet either in Greenbelt, Eastwood or somewhere in Baywalk. Have dinner and a couple of drinks
2. After dinner and drinks, have more drinks. Hahaha… Or maybe get some coffee.

As simple as that. Again, just a dry run. Someplace where bloggers can meet up and just talk. It'll be nice to put a real live face instead of looking at your blog pics.

I haven’t thought of a time and date yet. I'm not sure who wants to be part of this dry run. Maybe next month. When we have less rain.

So anyone interested?

Posted by MrDJ at 9:37 PM, thurday, August 24

the reason why people resort to blogging is that they could be spontaneous and have the security of concealing their true identity.

the idea is very good... but i wouldn't be surprised if only few would buy the idea. We could talk a lot of things online, but when we have assembled face to face, there shows the big difference.

yup, it's so nice talking to people with "a real live face." Especially in today's age when the world begins to be "impersonal," with the height and power of cyber-communication. While, technology, bring us comfort way of living, we need to realize the repercussions it may bring. I don't know if anyone had heard of counseling online, but I believe by phone there already are. I would be very surprise if confessions would be done online either by texting, by chatting, or through email. Such absurdity is not far fetched to be conceived.

While the classic line of Filipino action film tells, "Walang personalan, trabaho lang." ("Nothing personal, just work or task to perform), we dare say, "Personalan, hindi lang trabaho." ("Let's get personal, and not just work.")

Posted by brodiz at 9:37 AM | Permalink | Comments

I never thought of getting addicted to this anime. I was having my extension at the novitiate when I get to be introduced to the series. I just saw one episode and I found myself craving for more and more. My two months stay in Cebu was sporadically a period of watching 140 episodes of Naruto. That would mean 40 hours spent at length watching the anime.

In a concealed village, a young man hides within a bunch of leaves. His name is Uzumaki Naruto, a mischievous boy attending Ninja Academy.

Everyday, he does nothing but cause mischief and making his teacher Iruka-sensei mad. And above all, it's doubtful that he'll be able to graduate from the Academy. But Naruto has a dream... A dream that he'll become the head of the Ninja village, following Hokage and will become the best ninja around.

However, all the adults in the village give Naruto cold looks. The truth is, Naruto has a secret about his birth. 12 years ago, "Kyuubi no Youko" (Nine Tailed Fox - A kind of evil spirit who tormented the village), was sealed within Naruto's body who was, at the time, a baby. That is the reason of the cold and hateful looks. For the villagers, Naruto is a demon.

Naruto strives to be recognized. It is amazing how he was able to overcome the painful realization of being treated as “nothing.” More often, young people at his age would cope up by subjecting themselves to further hateful damnation as they stir the world or the society to pay for whatever the cause of their misery.

His life story is a journey of “becoming.”

“I will never give up,” is his battlecry. His outlook in life inspires me. For no one is born a ‘trash’ or dropout. No one is doomed to his own defects and limitations. That is why no matter how many times he falls, he never stops rising from his knees. He would die striving and trying.

For indeed, no matter how traumatic our past experiences may be, it does not and it can not determine our future. We decide the path we are taking and we decide our own path to growth and happiness… if only we strive to surpass ourselves… if only we hope…

I share with him the philosophy of hope, a hope where everything ends in God.

Posted by brodiz at 9:46 PM | Permalink | Comments

I would rather accept the strongest blow than be treated with indifference as trash.

I would rather hear the piercing words and critical remarks than be considered a phantasm of this obvious reality.

I would rather treasure superficial encounters than experience the quality degradation…
… such that the words “used to be” begin to exist.

I would rather lose a heart than be treated with a cold shoulder.

Nothing more can be as cruel as something is made to be nothing.
Thus, nothing begets cruelty.

Don’t treat me with indifference.

The destruction of human relationship starts to crumble the moment you stopped communicating… yet, you cannot NOT communicate… your indifference will send that message of cruelty.

Your message of indifference is a wish for death.

"What's wrong with death, sir?
What are we so mortally afraid of?
Why can't we treat death with a certain
amount of humanity and dignity and decency...
and, God forbid, maybe even humor?
Death is not the enemy, gentlemen.
If we're gonna fight a disease,
let's fight one of the most terrible diseases of all-- indifference."

(Patch Adams, 1998)

Posted by brodiz at 12:10 PM | Permalink | Comments

Bullying is a form of harassment perpetrated by someone who is in some way more powerful physically or socially than a weaker somebody. The issue here is power, how it is blatantly used to intimidate others and to exalt oneself.

In our Youth Ministry class our professor let us watch a 2002 film which I never heard before. Bang Bang You’re Dead in its title already presents a violent tone. After watching the film I felt the anger surging within for I have identified myself to the lead character.

The film revolves around a teenager called Trevor who threatened to blow up the football team at his school because he was pushed to breaking point by frequent bullying. The movie is set months after, where students are creeped out by him, and think he's going to blow up the school. He is chosen to star in a play called "Bang Bang You're Dead" as the main character, Josh. After parents hear of the play and its suspicious actor, they call for it to be cancelled.

The film also shows Trevor (played by Ben Foster) making friends with the Trogs, a group of outcasts. Towards the end of the film they attempt a school massacre, using a shotgun and two handguns. Knowing of their plot and fearing for the safety of a fellow student/love interest, he stops them. The film ends with Trevor performing the play, and it is indicated that the play was performed at the school despite parents objections. (wikipedia.org)

Bullying can go as far as you’re head is being plunged and flushed in the toilet bowl, your head thrown first inside a trash can, your face forcedly dipped in the urinals, yourself locked in a locker room, your food plate spat and thrown with their garbage, your face splat on a cow dung before a football practice. People around you laugh their hearts out. You felt insignificant. You felt like an outcast. Then you go back home and find yourself in a similar situation when you’re father shouts here and about that you can’t just do anything right, and your mom who just can’t do anything.

I had been in such situation. What is so painful and unbearable is that you can’t fight back. You want to scream and to violently express your disgust and anger and you just can’t do it. They have the power, which makes this life so sickening.

In the 1990s, the United States saw an epidemic of school shootings (of which the most notorious was the Columbine High School massacre). Many of the children behind these shootings claimed that they were victims of bullying and that they resorted to violence only after the school administration repeatedly failed to intervene. In many of these cases, the victims of the shooters sued both the shooters' families and the schools.

But this doesn’t just happen in schools. We find all these prevalent among us. There is a chain of rejection and hate among us which has to be broken. Little acts of hatred could lead to a massive social conflict. Even indifference could lead to war. The reality in our society captures the disease that plagues us.

We strip off all powers and race and color and religion and be what we are: human beings. The we go the basic of promoting peace and love beginning with ourselves.

Posted by brodiz at 11:35 AM | Permalink | Comments

The musical play was a great success! Heartfelt thanks for all those involved and who have supported it, including the many people who have watched it.

In spite, however, the overwhelming feeling of success, I was deeply struck and disturbed by the response of our provincial superior in his delivery of his goodnight talk, right after the musical play.

"I have mixed feelings after watching the play... I have lived with Moslems for 11 years. I have ate with them, lived with them and came to love them... there is no such thing as a holy war... in war there are no victors... everybody are losers... God does not approve of it, while many human beings are suffering and dying..."

We remember, indeed, how historically the Christians have defeated the Ottoman Turks with the maternal help of our Blessed Lady. How could we celebrate life after all its many losses?

It is very fitting to reflect the ongoing struggle of life brought out by conflicting beliefs. The war has never ended. In fact, wounds become worse and deeper, as the ongoing conflict particularly between Israel and Lebanon has been scourging humanity while raising the banners of their religious rights and beliefs.

We pray not for God or for Allah to deliver us to succeed in battle. We pray for peace, love and understanding. Three virtues, we humans can only practice and share with.

Posted by brodiz at 10:40 PM | Permalink | Comments

Life gets busier as the date of the execution comes close at hand. In honor of our Blessed Mother as we remember her solemn day of Assumption, the community offers her a tribute through a musical theatrical production which we entitled, “Lepanto.” It is the recounting of the miraculous aid of our Lady in the historical battle at sea in Lepanto between the Moslem Turks and the Christians. The unimaginable victory of the Christians who were outnumbered and outpowered strategically by the Turks eventually led to the evolution of the Marian title Auxilium Christianorum. What makes the play interesting is the point of view on how the historical events unfolded. Lepanto is narrated in the Turkish point of view, confused and reflective on how a great naval fleet with all the advantages could be defeated. Salesians normally call this offering to our Blessed Mother as the Accademia, which will be staged on the 12^th of August, the first day triduum of the Solemnity of Our Lady’s Assumption at 7 PM at Don Bosco Gymnasium, Canlubang. Alea iacta est. (The die is cast!)

Posted by brodiz at 11:41 PM | Permalink | Comments

Your Deadly Sins

Sloth: 100%

Gluttony: 40%

Greed: 40%

Pride: 40%

Envy: 20%

Lust: 20%

Wrath: 20%

Chance You'll Go to Hell: 40%

You will die while sleeping - and no one will notice.

Your Aura is Blue

Spiritual and calm, you tend to live a quiet but enriching life. You are very giving of yourself. And it's hard for you to let go of relationships. The purpose of your life: showing love to other people Famous blues include: Angelina Jolie, the Dali Lama, Oprah Careers for you to try: Psychic, Peace Corps Volunteer, Counselor

You Will Die at Age 70

You're pretty average when it comes to how you live... And how you'll die as well.

You Are 48% Abnormal

You are at high risk for being a psychopath. It is very likely that you have no soul. You are at high risk for having a borderline personality. It is very likely that you are a chaotic mess. You are at low risk for having a narcissistic personality. It is unlikely that you are in love with your own reflection. You are at low risk for having a social phobia. It is unlikely that you feel most comfortable in your mom's basement. You are at low risk for obsessive compulsive disorder. It is unlikely that you are addicted to hand sanitizer.

You Are Cyclops

Dedicated and responsible, you will always remain loyal to your cause. You are a commanding leader - after all, you can kill someone just by looking at them. Power: force beams from your eyes

What Your Soul Really Looks Like

You are a warm hearted and open minded person. It's easy for you to forgive and forget. You are not a very grounded person. You prefer dreams to reality. For you, it's all about possibilities. You believe that people see you as larger than life and important. While this is true, they also think you're a bit full of yourself. Your near future is all about change, but in very small steps. The end of the journey looks far, but it's much closer than you realize. For you, love is all about caring and comfort. You couldn't fall in love with someone you didn't trust.

Posted by brodiz at 10:22 AM | Permalink | Comments

When you really love someone, you feel drawn to that person. It is as if you want to spend every moment with him or her. Love is best expressed with presence. For this reason, love can also be spelled as T-I-M-E.

Similarly, such is our prayer life.

I have never been so inspired and edified by anybody as by the example of my friend, a confrere, for his great piety. It is not only the consistency, nor also the depth of his practices of piety which I admire. His prayer is translated into actions, into how he lives his life, into how he effectively influences others through his daily interaction. I have been a witness to this. I know and I feel, through my daily encounter with him, that he is motivated deeply for him to attain such ascetic disposition. He loves the Lord so much.

And so I find myself confronted: How much do I love God? Why can’t I spend more time with Him? And even in the structured community practices of piety, why can’t I give Him that quality presence and full attention?

"O Lord, my God, teach me... when and how... to seek you... to love you."

Posted by brodiz at 10:26 PM | Permalink | Comments

This is one lesson I won’t forget.

I am not downsizing expectations. Somehow these very acts give us a sense of direction and hopeful disposition. It is when we attach ourselves so firmly to these expectations that would open the portals to Hell.

How often do we find ourselves committing the suicide of anxiety? There are a lot of people to please: authorities who expects us to be… and to do…; relationships that tie and demand security and commitment; and above all our very own over-critical SELF who has been the worst slave-driver of all.

It’s not good to expect. Okay, I don’t mean that absolutely. SOMETIMES, it’s not good to expect. Other “wise” persons would say that it is good to expect for as long as you don’t attach yourself too much from that expectation. I think, that is difficult, if not inconceivable. When we expect, we put our heart, our whole being into it. We cannot say we expect something and don’t care about the outcome. Expectations involve the whole of us.

Leo Buscaglia, one of my best teachers taught me this. Expect nothing and you’ll find life with so many beautiful surprises. You enjoy all these as something good and new. When you expect, in spite the fulfillment of these expectations, you find yourself bored, because you already knew… you just simply waited. It is indeed more devastating when all our efforts of waiting and expectation result to nothing.

Life is full beautiful surprises. We allow ourselves to live the present and count our blessings.

Again, …easier said than done.

Posted by brodiz at 12:08 PM | Permalink | Comments

I cannot hold myself but to react to the pressing problems in our society. Content of the newspapers these days shows mounting extra-judicial killings of people who may have a different paradigm of viewing the social context. It may be true that some of them may have gone overboard in expressing their disgusts and desperation to the socio-political system of our country. Killing them does not merit the right solution, as it aggravates the situation, provokes intense rage, and heightens hate and desperation from this group of people. The battle of idealism will eventually morph into translated real revolution. Thus, the cycle of hate continues to gear through the very pitiful state of our society.

The government is for the people and has a primordial responsibility in promoting human rights and dignity. Indeed, the government should work to end the extra-judicial killings that are happening around the country and the culture of impunity be put to an end by bringing to justice those who are responsible for these murders, whoever they may be.

***

MULTIPLE CHOICE:

Why is the author reactive?

a) He has a lot of personal projected issues that needs confronting…
b) He is undoubtedly a “leftist”…
c) He is not reactive; he’s just expressing his reflections…
d) He has the heart of a human person (obviously!)…
e) He has run out of thing to complain about…

Whoever answers correctly will win…

… roundtrip tickets for two to any NPA hideouts
… a dinner date with President George Bush
… a total cash of one million Mickey Mouse money.

Posted by brodiz at 12:29 PM | Permalink | Comments