Fragments of the Quiet Mind

Sa 4 na araw na ako’y nagbakasyon sa probinsya upang mag proxy sa kasal ng nakababata kong kapatid, ako’y walang ginawa doon kundi makipag ‘stag party’ gabi gabi. OO, pinasosyal ko lang pero ang totoo, stag party sa lingwahe ko ay walang iba kundi inuman.  Sa mahigit 25 years ko ng nakikipag inuman (bata pa po ako ha? walang kwentahan ng edad), narealize kong madami dami palang unwritten rules pagdating dito.  Kung kaya’t ang topic ko ngayo’y about these rules. Bago makipag shot, mas magandang basahin ito dahil di natin alam, this can be useful to you. :) 1. Matutong makisama sa nagyayaya            Kapag ika’y niyaya ng mga tambay na tumagay, Hindi maaaring sa bawat yaya nila ay puro hindi na lang ang iyong sagot. Minsan, kelangan magpabigay upang maiwasan din ang samaan ng loob sa mga kapitbahay (at minsan eh aakalain nilang sa paningin mo eh mas nakakataas ka sa kanila). Di naman necessary na mag stay ka dun pero dapat matuto kang makisama...

As I strolled through the sunlit streets of our neighborhood, feeling the gentle warmth of the morning,  a familiar figure came into view—the "Kuya" with his Taho cart. His presence, though seemingly modest, represented a ri tual woven into the fabric of daily life, transforming the ordinary into something profoundly reflective.   "Manong" has been a comforting part of the neighborhood’s daily rhythm  which made this supposed morning walk into a moment of quiet reflection. The Taho he sold was more than just a treat. It was a small, sweet indulgence that combined silken tofu with rich caramel syrup, offering a fleeting but genuine comfort. The steam rising from each cup seemed to promise a moment of warmth and simplicity amidst the busy pace of life.   What struck me most was the deeper role of  "Manong"  as he engaged in this daily ritual. His smile, warm and genuine, was not just a courteous gesture but a bridge connecting him to the lives of those ...

Pasko, Regalo, Di nakikita sa dami,  ang mahalaga ay kung tatagal ba. Di din nakikita sa kulay,  maging puti o de-color man. isa lang ang nais ko, sana’y samahan mo ako kalimutan muna ang mundo. Atin ng simulan Balikan dating samahan, lumang Tawanan, labing tatlong taong Kwentuhan, Walang puwang na katahimikan, Walang pagkakataong mawala ang kaisipan. Wag mong tataasan, Baka di mo matagalan. Paikutin na ang bote- Tumagay ka pa pare! Salamat sa mga kwento, Alaalang akala ko’y tuluyan ng naglaho, Ibinalot at ibinigay mo bilang regalo. One on one ulit tayo, Sa susunod na pasko.

In our daily lives, we often feel weighed down by moral debts that seem to dictate our actions.  These "moral debts" often mirror our own subjective interpretations rather than a universal measure of right and wrong. Nature, in its most elemental form, adheres to the principle of survival of the fittest. If one interprets this principle as merely about exploiting the weak, such a perspective reflects a profound misunderstanding. Darwin’s theories, when scrutinized through a sociological lens, reveal insights into societal well-being. Traditional moral values, once envisioned as pillars of progress, have become a double-edged sword. They drag us through a labyrinth of outdated norms and customs, exposing us to the sharp teeth of societal pressures. What was meant to foster growth and evolution now often leads to stagnation or even regression. The irony here is palpable: in our quest for moral clarity, we often find ourselves ensnared in the very traditions that inhibit our adv...