WRAPPED IN RAIN

I was reading the novel last night and it reminded me of so many things. Charles Martin opened my eyes through his book. It was all about a family. A longing for a father who was so busy with getting richer and booze. From childhood to adulthood, Tuck never felt loved by his Dad but loved by Ms. Ella, his nanny and his Mother. Miss Ella was battered because of Rex's best friend Mr. Daniels went to his head. Rex also brought home another son named Mutt who suffered the same terror like Miss Ella and Tuck had with mean Rex. The brothers grew together. Had lots of adventure. Had lots of preachings from Miss Ella.

Reading the book I was lucky to have read some of the lines from the bible and how the characters provided each other with love, how Miss Ella disciplined the brothers, how they have obeyed Miss Ella, how they hated Rex, how Rex hit them all, how Miss Ella endured the strangles, punches, and blood that bubbled out her mouth and eyes, how she lost 8 teeth. Miss Ella could've died if Tuck didn't arrive earlier. The screamings, the blood, and terror and the death of Miss Ella from cancer changed their lives. Everything rumbled in Mutt's head. He rode the train from everywhere, back and forth and Tuck noticed the changes from Mutt. The smell, the actions. All of him became worse. The voices from his head echoed louder. The memory of them all. Mutt became schizoeffective, schizophrenic, and had bipolar disorder. Tuck busied himself with baseball and photography.

Tuck brought Mutt in Spiraling Oaks Mental Health Facility and left him without looking back for 7 or 8 years. Mutt escaped and was gone so Tuck came to Spiraling Oaks to find Mutt himself. And when he found him he brought Mutt home...

I guess you should read the book yourself. It would change how you see things.

I just remembered how I also craved for parental love. How I was deprived. How I grew alone. How i was abandoned. And how I was betrayed. And how I learned about life n my own.

"Life is a battle, but you can't fight it with your fists. You got to fight it with your heart."-- Miss Ella.

GILON GILON PHOTOS!

Here are some photos taken from Gilon Gilon. Taken on April 15, 2009. The Grand Opening of the Bangus Festival 2009 in Dagupan City. Yeah... There are more to come!

DAGUPAN BANGUS FESTIVAL SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES

April 15- GILON GILON ED BALEY Street Dancing Competition
Tunog Bangus Battle of the Bands

April 16- Dagupan Singing Bangus

April 17- Hataw Sayaw Hataw Dagupan
Pet Fashion Show

April 18- PIGAR PIGAR Festival
Hataw Sayaw Hataw Dagupan
Bangus Fest 4x4 Offroad Race
Bangus Fest SK Inter-Barangay Basketball Challenge

April 19- Bangus Fest 4x4 Offroad Race
Tunog Bangus Battle of the Bands
Dagupan Singing Bangus

April 20- Dagupan Singing Bangus

April 21- Bangus Festival Milo Summer Sports Clinic Caravan
Hataw Sayaw Hataw Dagupan

April 22- Bangus Fest Photo Exhibit
Bangus Festival Milo Summer Sports Clinic Caravan
Mayor Alipio F. Fernandez Jr. Bowling Cup
Tunog Bangus Battle of the Bands

April 23- BANGUS RODEO
Bangus Fest Photo Exhibit
Mayor Alipio F. Fernandez Jr. Bowling Cup
HALO HALO FESTIVAL Launching, games, competition
Tunog Bangus Battle of the Bands

April 24- Mayor Alipio F. Fernandez Jr. Bowling Cup
HALO HALO FESTIVAL
BANGUS FESTIVAL Cookfest
Hataw Sayaw Hataw Dagupan Finals

April 25- Lingkod Kapamilya
Pangkabuhayan
Mayor Alipio F. Fernandez Jr. Bowling Cup
Bangus Festival Invitational Shootfest
HALO HALO FESTIVAL
Dagupan Singing Bangus Finals

April 26- Mayor Alipio F. Fernandez Jr. Bowling Cup
Bangus Festival Invitational Shootfest
Tunog Bangus Battle of the Bands Finals

April 27- FESTIVALS OF THE NORTH Street Dancing Competition
Kapamilya Float vs. Kapuso Float
Bangus Fest Photography Competition

April 28- CSI SUMMER HOME FAIR
KAPUSO FIESTA (MALL SHOW)

April 29- CSI SUMMER HOME FAIR
KAPUSO CARES (Outreach Program)
Globe Day
April 30- CSI SUMMER HOME FAIR
BANGUSAN STREET PARTY- LUCAO
Splash in the Sky Fireworks Display

May 1- PISTA'Y DAYAT:
Fluvial Parade
Beach Volleyball
Mud Wrestling
Boxing
Bancarera
Tug of War
Beer Drinking Contest
DAGUPAN BODYFEST
BEACH PARTY w/ BROWNMAN REVIVAL
Fear FActor Saistig
Chippy Gimikada

Enjoy!

BOTTLE LINE

I had a little conversation with an old friend last night. Greeted each other and asked what life has brought us during these past years. We've talked of old friends who are hardly seen until now. I guess the last time i've seen some of them was in 1999. It's been a decade. He asked me if I knew Kabig but I couldn't remember anymore. Maybe if I could see a picture of him everything will flash black in my mind. My high school days was happy too though there were things i hated so much that i wished they didn't happen. But i dont regret any. They we're part of what moulded me into what I am now. Thanks to them anyway.

I asked him if he has lots of "kabarkada" there in Manila. He said he has lots along the neighboorhood. Then I said "Oo nga pal! Mabarkada ka!"

He said "Nasa pakikisama lang yan!"

That's true. You can never really have a better companionship if you dont know how to get along with people. That friend of mine was once a freak. Maybe until now. But I see the changes. More responsible and sensible. I remembered when we had booze along the river in our town. Together with some friends we lit bonfires and enjoyed the moments. We were all young, adventurous. He is good now. He has a family now. And has his first daughter that looked like much of him. Hahahahaha. I'm sure that baby rocks too just like his dad.

Then he threw the question back at me.

"Oo. Marami rin. Kaya lang yung iba nagtitext lang kapag gustong uminom!"

"Di sila barkada! Gusto lang tumikim ng alak mga yun!"

He shook me. Of course I know It was the only purpose. And i was a fool that i still accomodate some of the "kabarkadas" in my house. I am having fun though. At least I was just being "a nice guy" not a "boy next door". Hahahaha. Silly! Thanks Pilas! Adik ka talaga!

It's true that I don't see real friendship with them. But I cannot be used. After all, it's always in my hand if I may allow to drink with them again. I am having fun with the booze and the short stupid stories. Not with their "barkada." I just have to live with it. At least I haven't given them my confidence and trust.

Thanks to my real friends and real people! Inuman na!

AT THE HORIZON

I was looking at the horizon.
Darkness fell.
The people I've hoped for were nowhere to be seen.
I sat on the edge of this world,
And then I looked up.
There it was,
A guiding light.
So I stood.
Realized that they didn't walk with me to find a better way,
But only to mislead me.
I went on.
Thankful...

IN A LITTLE WHILE

It was late at night. There was a man down the beach. He sat on the sand. The ocean was calm. The sky was clear. Everything was almost still.

He was exhausted. Just wanted to get over the busy life. He felt the cold sand beneath his feet. Relaxed and comforted by the moonlight and the soft breeze. Nobody was there. He needed this big space to breathe and to figure things out. His mind sailed away on to the ocean. Its been long... And it has been miles of sailing... The shore still seemed way too far. It would still be a long voyage. It was rough. He was caught in a storm. He knew there are more to come.

He was alone. Off the coast he was unaccompanied. He was a boy. Young and abandoned. It was long ago since he craved for attention... For guidance... He was like begging for love... He remembered his mom... When she carried him in her arms... Wrapped with warmth of love.. He was protected... As he opened his eyes and finally seen the world... There were saline drops... From his mom... She let go of him... Settled him on the ground... He was innocent... He just smiled... Mom on her knees and kissed her boy goodbye...

He was innocent of the world... Mom went away... There was dad... He went to his father. Looked up at him. Face saddened. He needed the comfort. He needed a home. At that very moment, tears fell from him... From the heart... He was a son... He was supposed to be in a family...

The house wasn't comfortable for him to dwell on.. He stayed outside but near the house... Through the windows he'd seen them... They were happy... He longed for the house that was once his home... The boy was about to leave... He will miss everything there... And everyone... Then he looked back... He was there... Dad was smiling at him... The boy was filled with joy... The smile showed love... Then dad turned on his back and walked away... The smile showed care. It meant love. But it also said "Bon Voyage"...

He closed his eyes and tears fell down on the sand. In a little while, he was away from harm... In a little while, he cried his heart out... In a little while, he realized he was still sailing.. And he has gone far.. And he was glad... He looked up the sky... Wished like every other man does... He hoped... He prayed... He stood... And went away... He was sure he won't be alone anymore...

THE COPS AND THE CARNAPPERS

I've seen the news last night. And it really was inhuman. I've seen a lot of these incidents on TV. Questions were asked like was it a rub out or shoot out? Just like last night. I've seen it on TV. The suspects were already captured and gunned down inside the car they have stolen. But what's irritating and disturbing is that when the police authorities came closer and inspected the car. The wounded suspects are obviously incapable of escaping or even shoot their guns at the policemen.

As seen on TV Patrol, one of the policemen pulled a wounded suspect out and shut him again and gunned again the other suspects inside the car. The QCPD said they will not cover up for their cops. Investigation and fact finding teams were set to be organized. I really hope these authorities would really conduct their investigation without bias and truth and justice would prevail. The Commission on Human Rights and national Police Commission have watched the Video from ABS CBN. Even these departments were alarmed about the the incidents they were seeing. It's obvious that these policement have abused their power.

They might be the suspects. They might have criminal liabilities. But they weren't animals. Their bodies were full of bullets. The policemen should have brought the wounded suspects to the hospital to even save their lives. And if the policemen's concern is not the lives of these suspects they should have saved the lives of these carnappers for proper execution of the law and interrogation. How would they trace the other suspects who have escaped the fangs of these evil policemen? It is clear that they are not cognizant of the law. Ignorantia Legis Non Excusat. They are clearly liable not only to the law but to the families of the suspects turned victims of police brutality.