July 29, 1997

Hi Mom!

Eleven years. You've been gone that long. A lot has happened since eleven years ago.

I'm sure your smile crosses your beautiful face when you look down from heaven whenever you see Sage, Sabine and Sadie. I bet you already know if the fourth child is a Boy, huh?

We've had difficult years after you were gone. But things are looking better. These days, I smile a lot more than I used to. When life starts sparring with me, I'm beginning to learn to laugh even while taking it in the chin or gut.

I feel stronger, both physically and mentally. I can do things that I couldn't do before while you were here: I've learned to communicate to a large audience using the media you helped Dad build. I write better and comprehend what I read faster than before. I've begun serving private patients, but unlike Ayheen (Who is a much gifted MD) I've also entered public service (but not as a politico, thank God). I can even do push-ups with Sabine and Sadie at my back (I can only do 20 with Sage).

I still want to be a better person. My anger and rage, I still try to keep them in check.

I still wrestle with my inner demons. But these days, thanks to Ayheen, I feel the sweetest joys. I also bleed from the deepest pains.

Most days, the joys outweigh the pain...

But not Today. Not this morning.

July 29, 2008.

Date with Sadie

Dear Sadie, last night you were your usual makulit self again at bedtime. since your Ate's have exams today, I decided to take you out of the bedroom and brought you to the car. We listened to the only CD in the car. We played the Music of the Night.

The music is all about Christine Daae or "Kristina".

If you see a car with this mask hanging, floating over the dashboard like magic, chances are, that's KRISTINA.

And the first Lady I went out on a date with inside that car, is Sadie.

(Note: the mask was a gift from your Ninang Jenn. Thanks Jenn!)

Kristina

In the original Gaston Leroux novel, her name was Christine Daae. But Leroux based her character on a real singer, Kristina Jonasdotter.

She was Swedish. Her parents were of humble origins. She was discovered by a civil servant who became her benefactor. He gave her voice lessons. On her debut on stage she was christened "Christine Nilsson"

She was never his though he loved her so. She left after a few summers to marry royalty.

I guess I'll name the car after her.

(O ayan, Atticus, hindi nakakatakot ang origin ng pangalan nya this time.)

Christine

I named her after the She-devil car in a Stephen King Novel. Why? Because the part of us that wants to ride the wind is also the part that wants to tame demons; the part that wants to climb mountains called "Devil's Tower", the part that attracts us to Femme Fatales despite of the throbbing pain that will never go away after the fall.

She really is dangerously beautiful...

I saw her for the last time tonight.



"We were as one babe
For a moment in time
And it seemed everlasting
That you would always be mine

Now you want to be free
So I'm letting you fly
Cause I know in my heart babe
Our love will never die
No!

You'll always be a part of me
I'm a part of you indefinitely
Girl don't you know you can't escape me
Ooh darling cause you'll always be my baby
And we'll linger on
Time can't erase a feeling this strong
No way you're never gonna shake me
Ooh darling cause you'll always be my baby

I ain't gonna cry no
And I won't beg you to stay
If you're determined to leave girl
I will not stand in your way
But inevitably you'll be back again
Cause ya know in your heart babe
Our love will never end no

You'll always be a part of me
I'm part of you indefinitely
Girl don't you know you can't escape me
Ooh darling cause you'll always be my baby
And we'll linger on
Time can't erase a feeling this strong
No way you're never gonna shake me
Ooh darling cause you'll always be my baby

I know that you'll be back girl
When your days and your nights get a little bit colder oooohhh
I know that, you'll be right back, babe
Ooooh! baby believe me it's only a matter of time

You'll always be apart of me
I'm part of you indefinitely
Girl don't you know you can't escape me
Ooh darling cause you'll always be my baby
And we'll linger on
Time can't erase a feeling this strong
No way you're never gonna shake me
Ooh darling cause you'll always be my my baby....

You'll always be apart of me (you will always be)
I'm part of you indefinitely
Girl don't you know you can't escape me
Ooh darling cause you'll always be my baby
And we'll linger on (we will linger on....)
Time can't erase a feeling this strong
No way you're never gonna shake me
Ooh darling cause you'll always be my baby

Always be my baby" -- As sung by David Cook

ULAN

Dear Kids, last night there was a thunderstorm. It rained and thundered so hard for a few hours. Sabine and Sadie learned to cover their ears whenever lightning lights up the sky outside our window in anticipation
of the inevitable Thunder clap. You guys both learned that from Ate Sage.

PSEUDOscience

Pitong katotohanan sa mundo:

UNA: Lahat ng nakikita mo ay hindi iyo.

PANGALAWA: Hindi mo kayang bilangin ang buhok mo.

PANGATLO: Hindi lahat ng ngipin ay abot ng dila mo.

PANG-APAT: Susubukan ng mga tanga ang pangatlo.

PANG-LIMA: Ang pangatlo ay mali ...

PANG-ANIM: Mapapangiti ka kasi nagmukha kang tanga.

PAMPITO: Ipapasa mo sa iba para makaganti ka! hahahaha!!..

Dear Kids, It's easy to fight the dark forces of ignorance that vainly try to convince us that ghosts and goblins exist. Because superstitious beliefs wilt away once exposed to the cleansing light of TRUTH/SCIENCE.

Ignorance trying to package itself as scientific truth is harder to fight: UFO, Iridology,Jaime Lichauco

Those three are just some pathetic examples.

Let me say this clearly. PSEUDOscience is not SCIENCE. There is no such thing as half-truths as far as TRUTH/SCIENCE is concerned.

PSEUDOscience rides on the legitimacy of established Truths to lure people into believing the lies it peddles. Read my example above (Pitong Katotohanan sa Mundo). The first two are established truths. They are also the bait.

In my three examples above; there are really UFO's. Most of them are man-made (mostly by spielberg). and think of this: the stars are atleast thousands of light years apart. If aliens could travel at the speed of light, why spend thousands of years in hibernation aboard UFO's to visit the Earth? Who the hell wants to wake up after thousands of years? to witness the traffic in EDSA and hideous billboards featuring Loren Legarda's face?

Iridology: examination of the irises is part of the Medical Physical exam. But to examine only the Iris and neglect the rest of the body is just stupid. Hindi mo makikita sa iris na baog ang pasyente o impotente.

Jimmy Lichauco: He is so fond of masking his superstitions with the language of science. This guy didn't make it as a guru in the halcyon days of the 60's when his peers were high on drugs. Why should the sober public of the 21st century take him seriously. But some still do.

So if you don't want to become punchlines, never stop questioning, never stop having a healthy dose of doubt when trying to discover the laws of nature.

PS. Tingnan mo si jimmy lichauco, lahat ng me kwento ng multo at dwende pinapaniwalaan. Wala namang ebidensya. To believe in something without evidence is not Science-- IT IS FAITH. So it is only right that he is the favorite target of catholic priests. sila ang magaway because his loony beliefs are in the realm of faith-- NOT SCIENCE.

Living and Non-living

8 July 2008,

6:51 PM


Dear Sabine, As I write this you and Mom are studying while lying in bed. She is teaching you the difference between living and non-living things.

I remember a few years back, I was the one teaching that subject to Ate Sage...

Click on the picture below to read how I did it.


http://dearsage.blogspot.com/2006/12/force.html

Hancock

Dear Kids, the biggest signature on the american declaration of independence belonged to John Hancock. Since yesterday was 4th of July, I thought it was only fitting that when your Mom and I went to the mall, Hancock was the movie we chose to watch.

For those people who visit this blog (one or two, by last count) who may want to watch that movie, I'm not going to post any spoilers here.

(Note: Yesterday was also historic for VRN. When we finally become the leading Radio AND TV Network, we will look back to 4th of July 2008 with humility and with a thankful heart. It's the day the Lord answered our prayer, as a Family and as a Company.)

Flawed Hero

the following is the edited txt message exchange between me and Ms.X this

Sunday, 29 June 2008. The Morning of Pacman Vs. Diaz Fight


Me: you in church? kidding.

Ms.X: (June 29, 2008 08:26:48)
In bed. Reading Time. But yeah, was thinking of going to church when the masses are over. Para solo ko bahay ni Bossing.

Then I told Ms.X why I need her to pray for me...

Ms.X: (June 29, 2008 08:34:48)
Okay. Will go to His place na talaga (CHURCH). Para sa iyo at kay pacman. Sana matalo. Babaero.

Me:(June 29, 2008 08:49:11)
I want him to win. para pag na knock out KO sya hindi nya masasabing dahil laos na sya.

Ms.X: (June 29, 2008 08:37:15)
Babaero sya eh. Dapat matalo.

Me:(June 29, 2008 08:51:08)
yes, but I want ME to be the one to knock him out. not some second rate mexican.

Ms.X: (June 29, 2008 08:38:10)
Okay. Will tell Him (The BOSS) you said hi.


Dear Kids, You guys must be wondering why I wanted Obama to win. I should have been rooting for Hillary since she's a woman, she represents NEW YORK in capitol hill, and you kids probably would like to identify with her.

DON'T!

I do not see her as a woman. I do not see her as a good example for you to emulate. Hillary knew Bill lied to her and Chelsea. When she decided to stand by her family, to stand by Chelsea, to save her marriage by not leaving Bill, I expected her to stand by her principles as well.

When she decided to enter politics, those "principles" began to unravel. Her feminism was merely a red herring to corner the women's votes. Nothing more. She is not a Feminist. She forfeited her womanhood when she swallowed her pride and became a PINDEHO for the sake of her presidential ambition.

Had she decided to stay with her family, and out of politics, she would have been true to herself. She would have been a good example to women. To Sage, Sabine and Sadie.

By entering politics, she is telling women everywhere that it's okay to be treated like a doormat (okay lang gaguhin) as long as the one who abused you used his influence to get you elected senator, and then, campaign for you when you become a presidential contender for a Major party.

By entering politics, she placed a price tag on something priceless: HUMAN DIGNITY.

at isa pa... the US SC is just one Justice away from reversing ROE Vs. WADE. I may be a feminist too, but I am an ANTI-ABORTION FEMINIST (Some women think I have no right to the word "Feminist" because of this stand. With due respect, my wife thinks I'm one. That's why I don't give a rat's ass about what they think.)

Glee Club Auditions

Dear Sage, this morning I got a message from your Mom telling me that you didn't make the cut. I called her up. She said that you sounded OK when you told them that you were not chosen to join the Glee Club. Then she said that on the way to school you already have a backup plan should you fail (it's either the Media Club or the BeadWork Club).

I called up your Lola and asked if she already heard. She said that you sounded OK when you called them up to tell the news.

You worked hard for it all summer long. But when it seemed that you wouldn't be able to make it, you were surprisingly calm. So were those three.

I wasn't. But I was so happy because even though you were taking the fates' merciless blow in the chin, you were soldiering on. ALL of them said it's OK. That's why I calmed down.

Because you are OK.

I wrote a letter to your teacher to allow you to audition for the glee club a few days ago. I was thinking "DANG! must be the syntax errors and my carabao english that did you in. But because you seem to be moving on, I stopped the urge to kick my head and to poke my eyes with my toes, sabay sabi sa sarili "I stupid."

The day wore on and I even forgot about it when I got home. Then you surprized me with the news:

YOU DID PASS THE AUDITION!!!

Despite of the sorry excuse for a letter that I wrote, you got accepted to the club. The reason why you thought you didn't make it was because there were two auditions. The first two members were announced in the morning. they belonged to the first batch who auditioned while those of you who passed in the second batch were announced before classes were out.

CONGRATULATIONS, ANAKI!

Sun

Dear Sabine, When you draw a picture there is always a house, a stick figure representing you and your sisters, a tree, birds in the sky, and the SUN. When I was your age the elements in my doodles always include a nipa hut, a rice field, and two mountains. Resting between those twin peaks is the SUN.

Only later on did I realize that in real life, that view of the sun nestled between those two mountains could only happen only once or twice a year. The site where the sun sets, or rises, in the horizon always changes everyday. At a given day in a year, the sun will set just behind the mountain on the right, in another day it will set between the two, and in another day it will set behind the mountain on the left (right-middle-left). then later the reverse will happen (left-middle-right).



And if we live in a place on the EQUATOR, there will be a day in a year when the sun will be directly overhead at NOON TIME. That day is called Summer Solstice.

I snitched this Photo above from the blog of our friend, Tita Dhes. If this were taken in a country on the equator at noon time of summer solstice, there won't be any shadows, or they will be kept to a minimum because the sun will be directly overhead.

So why does the sun rise and set in different parts of the horizon? Why is the Sun directly overhead at noon time of summer solstice in places along the equator? It's because as the Earth revolves around the sun, it is spinning on its axis while tilted at 23.5 degrees towards the general direction of POLARIS... Before I put you to sleep, I'll end here (fair warning, JJ, babalikan ko topic na ito, isasama ko kung bakit hanga ako sa ancient greeks, kung paano na measure ni Eratosthenes ang circumference ng mundo during Summer Solstice, etc.)

It's just that Yesterday was Summer Solstice. And when I asked you if you want the Baby in Mommy's tummy to be a Boy or a Girl, you said that you want him to be a BOY. Before when I asked you the same question you wanted a Girl.

So maybe, Mom and I will have a very healthy SON this time.

Summer Solstice

June 20, 2008

Dear Sage, Today we went to your school to attend your 3rd Grade Parent-Teacher meeting. Your Mom and I decided to fetch Sabine before going to your school. While the meeting was going on, you played with some of your classmates and you introduced Sabine to them. Karen kept on calling her "Cute Baby".

After your teacher finished with her powerpoint presentation all your 3rd grade mentors were introduced onstage. These past years I always tell your Mom that one of the qualifications to teach there is that one should not only look smart, she should also look plain. Why? because other mothers of lesser substance will feel threatened by teachers who qualify as the pupils' Dad's Idea of what a "HOT Chick" is.

Actually, I was wrong-- not about those insecure, desperate housewives-- but about your teachers looking homely. Most of them I've seen only for the first time.

When you looked bored after the meeting I slyly asked about one of your teachers (the new one who looks really cute). You eyed me suspiciously and told me that you know why I'm asking about her. I innocently asked, "are you sure why?" Then you said, "you know what, Dad?...

YOU HAVE A BIG TUMMY"
then I said, "No I don't"

BIG TUMMY.
No I don't...

Big Tummy
No I don't.

The reason why Your Mom doesn't mind me asking about teachers with large boobs, is because you guys hate it when I do ask about them. She's not the jealous type (like me) but for some mysterious reason, she was able to make you guys check on me and my predilection for your teacher's better anatomical qualities.

Hindi nga sya selosa (with few exceptions) pero naturuan naman nya kayong magselos para sa kanya.

Smart ass.

Today you also auditioned for the glee club. You said you sang The Greatest Love Of All. But while you were in the hallway you kept on singing Rihanna's Umbrella.

20th Anniversary of PCMC NEPHROLOGY SECTION

Naka feature si AYHEEN!!!

Snglguy.com's Post

Dear Kids, few days back I've read a post of snglyguy entitled "From the pond and into the frying pan" . Since our friend, Tita JJ, already threatened to tell you about my obnoxious confession there (How I used to love eating adobong kermit the frog) I decided to come clean. Yes! I LOVED ADOBONG PALAKA. past tense since I haven't tasted one recently.

Pam palubag loob kay Tita JJ, I'd like to share this story which I've read somewhere, sometime ago in an intellectual journal (either FHM or MAXIM magazine... ok, I'm kidding.)

The sailor was eyeing the dark smoke billowing from the steam ship in the horizon. It was approaching really fast, a few more leagues (miles, or so) and he will be free from the Ghost ship that has imprisoned him for 5 years. Below the deck, the captain of the ship called The Flying Dutchman was oblivious of his plans to escape since the devil himself was onboard, playing cards with their captain. And all the demon crew were being regaled by their skills in cheating each other. When the sailor reckoned that the steam ship was finally just a hundred yards away, he jumped into the wine dark sea. The First Officer of the Steam ship saw the straggler almost immediately. He signaled his men to prepare for rescue.

Finally aboard the steam ship, still shaking, the sailor kissed the deck, thank the Heavens and every soul within reach.

The captain came down from the Bridge and asked him curiously, "What ship was that you escaped from? From the horizon it looked like the sails are glowing with the fires of St. Elmo and wherever it goes, the dark clouds thunder above it?"

The sailor responded, "Sire, it was The Flying Dutchman".

The most religious members of the crew gasped in unison and made the sign of the cross, a vain attempt to ward off the evil eye. Because all sailors know that to see the sails of the Ghost ship brings bad luck.

The captain just smiled and said, "You're are now safe, my son. You are aboard the only ship on Earth that even the gods themselves can not sink."

He helped the sailor to his feet and with the panache of a show man he said,

"Welcome aboard... the TITANIC!"



Now, that's what I call...




Out of the frying pan and into the FIRE!

Click on the link above to read the lyrics of the song.

D-Day

Dear Atticus, San ka papunta? sana sa Europa. Kelan uwi mo?

With Words and Magic

"You rule men with WORDS, and MAGIC"-- James Clavell's Tai-Pan

Dear Kids, like most amateur pundits, I first noticed Obama after he delivered THAT SPEECH during the 2004 Democratic Convention.

For lack of a better word, the text was "Kennedyesque".

Just take a moment and think about this: With ONE SPEECH he captured the imagination of a stranger who was an ocean away.

ONE SPEECH.

When you guys become Educators, Community Leaders, MD's, with MBA's, CEO's, Directors of large Hospitals, HMO's; when you convene the Security Council or seat as Secretary General of the UN General Assembly, when you finally mount that hostile takeover of Microsoft from Gates himself (I have a hunch he will still be alive for a very long time) remember that when you lead men to battle, they will only die for you only when you say the right words. And even when you do say the words, PRAY that the magic will work its miracle on those who hear you speak.

CONGRATS OBAMA... Now for the hard part.

Will Americans decide to take back their Government from George Orwell Bush and cut a Byronic swath across the pages of history to redeem and reclaim their libertarian legacy? Or will they decide to remain as prisoners of Hanoi Hilton and Abu Ghraib?

Godspeed and ROCK ON, BaROCK!

I Hate Big Brother

Dear Kids, just like you, your Ninong Noey used to watch soap operas when we were kids. He loved the Bidas (Heroes) and could only wish he could use supernatural powers to strike back at the Kontra Bidas (anti-heroes). I remember he hated one particular kontrabida so much that when he accidentally bumped into her (Obviously a very good character actress), he told your GrandMommy Helen that he couldn't believe he was able to stop himself from hitting her.

I laugh everytime I hear your GrandMom say this when we were kids. I'm older than your Ninong. I am his BIG BROTHER. That's why even though back then I still had to hear the term, EMOTIONAL BLACKMAIL, I had a suspicion what it meant just by looking at how the TV network was able to manipulate the emotions of an 8 year old boy with higher than normal intelligence.

Right now, you guys are held captive by one particular TV network- Yung network na pinagtatrabahuhan o Pinagtrabahuhan ng ibang mga makukulit na bumibisita dito sa blog nyo.

IN fact, Sadie Ann, if you hear anyone within earshot say the word "Kapitaaaaan..." you finish off the sentence with a thunderous reply: "BOOOOM!"

Because of THAT network I couldn't watch Al Jazeera and CNN at will.

Pinoy Big Brother reinforces what's wrong with the Filipino's perception of what leadership is and manipulates their emotions to accept a fascistic world view that We need an ALL KNOWING, ALL SEEING, INFALLIBLE DICTATOR to fix what's wrong with the Philippines.

Sa ika uunlad ng bayan,
disiplina ang kailangan.
Hwag ka nang mag isip,
Sumunod ka na lang.
Dahil mabait si Big Brother.
Mahal ka ni Big Brother.
Sa bahay ni PBB walang civil liberties. pati CR may CCTV. You do not have privacy. You do not have the right to privately speak with anyone you want.

A few years from now, SageSabeSade, we will have the technology to wire everything into the internet. Any government in the world can monitor what you say and do in your own house if you permit them. If you will hold PBB with high esteem when you are an impressionable child, you may just let him (the government) into your own home and into your thoughts someday.

The bedrock of civil liberties, is the Freedom to THINK FOR YOURSELF without government interference.

The crooked politicians know that the Filipino misconception of real leadership (dictatorship) unwittingly being promoted by PBB is their ticket to absolute power. Filipino viewers do not realize that those inside the PBB gameshow house are like kidnapped victims. PBB has absolute power over them and are subjects of his whims and caprice. PBB can define the public's perception of the characters of those contestants. He could make anyone in his domain look like a villain or a virtuous saint in front of a TV audience. By the magic of video editing, he can take anything out of context and he can make an innocent remark by a housemate sound sinister... or HONEST. By controlling how the public perceive his contestants/housemates (mabait, plastic, nagpapakatotoo, nagkukunwari, etc.) PBB controls who gets the public's sympathy and VOTE.

This is the source of the power of PBB. The power that mass media wields over its audience. The power that Media Moguls have, from CITIZEN KANE to Rupert Murdoch to the local small time media warlords.

THE POWER OF THE FOURTH ESTATE (THE PRESS)... Such is the power that Politicians would kill for to control. Especially those angling for absolute power.

The term "Big Brother" itself refers to the omnipotent leader in the classic novel "1984" by George Orwell. He was a totalitarian bastard who used the power of the media to brainwash his subjects to submission. Everytime I hear somebody say the words "I love Big Brother" I instinctively cringe. Why? Mga Anakis, basahin nyo na lang yung Novel.

Kahit yung last page lang...

Sage On Stage

Dear Dad, you have a giant big big big big big big big big big big tummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Case FOR Colin

Dear Barak, Forget Hillary, Pre. If you really want a ticket that will make a difference (not to mention HISTORY) Go for Colin Powell. He is A Republican who made Clinton look good. A moderate who had the guts to face the Security Council with hardline views of the American Talibans in the Bush Administration. A Decorated Soldier who knows how to take a punch in the chin or gut when he was given the booth by his last, stupid boss to serve as the fall guy. A man outside the Beltway who served under 3 Administrations.

When Republican attack dogs predictably go after Obama's inexperience in Foreign Policy, DNC spinmeisters only have to mention two words to chill them out: "Powell Doctrine."

Don't worry about the women. Do you think they'd vote for McCain now that he is being endorsed by the American Talibans?

McCain's has indeed earned his hero status as a POW. Ofcourse it all started when he intercepted a Surface to Air Missle with his Fighter Jet. But It was Powell who redeemed the American psyche, wounded by Vietnam, by being one of the engineers who launched Desert Shield and Desert Storm. The successful liberation of Kuwait erased the shame of Vietnam forever (Until W. Bush came in and gave US its second Vietnam: IRAQ)

And last but not the least, Pre,

...voters actually forget that he is Black.

Poseidon on Ice

Dear Sage, A couple weeks back, we went skating. You've been teasing me bec. I always stay away from the ice when you skate. I even let somebody else teach you (and Sabine) how to skate. My knees were buckling when I first stepped on the rink. The first few minutes were spent just beside the railings to break my fall-- just in case I did.

Then you skated by my side and started calling me BIG TUMMY in front of all those people. You also added that Sabine skates better than me. Then you told me to lose the railings and to go to the middle of the rink... I had no choice so I let myself be goaded away from my "life line", the railings, and skate with you to the middle of the rink.

You taught me how to balance while I'm on Ice skates.

When I was a boy, hot-tempered (nung araw) I tried roller skating one summer morning. I landed on my butt so many times I ended up throwing those damn skates away and picking up a fight with the guy who rented me those pair of rollers.

That's why I have always feared skating. Thank God you were there that afternoon to give me the inspiration to conquer my fear, Sage.

The Skating rink looked like a Frozen lake (okay, it's not that big But from my point of view, it is a sizeable part of Poseidon's domain). It's a place meant for graceful swans who glide with grace. When you and I finally decided to call it a day, I realized I didn't fall while learning to skate. Not even ONCE. That's why when we were finally off the Ice I looked back and said to myself, paraphrasing that costner movie where he pitched the perfect game against the Yankees in their stadium: "... and the cathedral for graceful swans belongs to a clueless dodo".

Thank YOU SAGE! I've been to the Rockefeller Institute twice in my life. On my third trip to that city, whenever that will be only God knows, I'll finally be able to suck in enough gut to skate on that rink beneath the gaze of Prometheus.

Poseidon Adventure

Poseidon's Keep

MOTHER'S DAY 2008... MOTHER-IN-LAW'S BIRTHDAY 2008












At the end of the Day, wala na kong cash. Kaya isang maliit na Birthday Cake na lamang ang naibigay ko sa Byenan. AT ang candle ay ang dalawang lollipops.

Greatest Love Of All

Dear Sage, This is the first song you chose to sing at the Center for Pop Academy. It's a beautiful song. From that academy, you finally started to learn the art of BIRIT.

Although I've always wrestled with the idea that learning to love one's self is the greatest love of all, I agree with the song's theme of independence. The most ridiculous interpretation of the theme was what I read in a school organ that said that the greatest love of all was the act of revolution (teka, ako ba sumulat noon?) Anyway, I also agree with the song that the passionate struggle to preserve one's integrity should be taught while we are babes.

Quest for the True North

Dear Sage, As blog titles go, this one really takes the cake. It's the title of an old comrade's blog dating back to the subic wars. She used to call herself "Scout". (You guys should've noticed by now that I'm partial to bloggers who got their nom d' plume from a particular Novel.)

I really, really loved the way she raged against the status quo. and I've been trying to find her. As fate would have it, a few days ago I noticed that she left a comment in bingskee.com , hence I was finally able to get hold of her.

When I clicked on her name I was greeted by the header (the title of this blog entry). TRUE NORTH. It was oddly familiar. Last weekend I found out why. While waiting for you to dress up for your voice lessons I watched a movie on HBO. It was "Message in a Bottle" a Costner movie.

I heard the movie has become a cult classic. Well it was a nice enough movie. I mean, it's not like Junger's Perfect Storm but I stayed until he finally sailed that beautiful boat deep into Poseidon's domain right into the heart of a raging storm.

I'm not really sure but I think there are atleast Two "Norths" as far as navigators are concerned. One refers to where the compass of the needle points to and the other one is the geographic north in the approximate direction of the North star (Polaris). TRUE NORTH refers to the latter. They say if you base your bearings just on where the needle of the compass points to, you might still lose your way. But if you fix your site on the North Star, your reading of the navigational charts will be more accurate.

Wherever you want to go, you need the moral compass within you. Your Mom instilled it in you. I helped a little too. That moral compass points to God. I always say that too much religion is like cholesterol, it's bad for the human heart because it gives one too much prejudice and pride. But GOD's LOVE is above any religion or religious practice. When things get rough and Fair Winds are few and doubt abounds, Never doubt GOD's LOVE. That's the only compass that will guide you out of the storm.

First Picture