1. I could already speak at age 6 months, walk at 9 months, read at 1 year and 3 months, dance at close to 2 years, and taught myself how to write at 4 years. I got accelerated and was once a Valedictorian. I never had a tutor since Grade 1.
2. Because of the sound of my complete name, I’ve been asked whether I’m a Muslim princess [daughter of a Sultan] for n number of times.
3. I always neatly fold my bills into 4.
4. I hate driving. My Dad had enrolled me at 2 different driving schools but I still don’t drive a car. I’d rather drive a big bike but my parents won’t allow me. My Dad used to race and lets me ride behind him once in awhile.
5. I’ve never lost in a debate. But, I bet, I’m rusty now. I can’t even remember the rules anymore.
6. I’m so bad at recalling names that there were times when I would greet innocently but loudly a professor in class with the wrong surname.
7. The correct pronunciation of my last name is Almora-Ji despite the -Die. The Catholic school I went to in grade school refused to enrol me unless my Mom consented to changing it into -Di because -Ji sounded Muslim. But I’ve always been a Catholic.
8. My latest collections are jewelries and E-books.
9. I can only play the Mario Land, Battle City, and Tetris. I’ve been playing them since Grade 1, and can only play them using Nintendo and Gameboy. Pacman still gets me really nervous!
10. I’m still a virgin. But I promised myself to finally do it upon reaching the age of 29.
11. I hate wearing watches.
12. I always order Kare-Kare when I’m in a Pinoy restaurant. I rarely eat pork (got that from my Muslim friends). And I don’t eat paksiw.
13. I used to be in a Volleyball Varsity Team, and in other competitive games, was a Captain Ball, got an MVP, and Championships. But after dislocating my joints, I got so traumatized that I haven’t played it since. I also can’t remember its rules anymore.
14. I almost got kidnapped in Divisoria.
15. I can’t swim and I’m so bad at it that, during P.E. in high school, I dove in the left but ended up in the right side of the pool, bumping the other swimmers in the process.
16. In Grade 1, my classmate gave me an engagement ring (gold with 3 diamonds) in view of everyone in class and told me that he’ll marry me someday.
17. I’m necrophobic. I quit AB Psychology-BS Accountancy because I found out that there’s a subject that we’re supposed to dissect a human brain (in my AB). I almost quit law school because of Legal Medicine last 1st Semester (SY 2008-2009).
18. I have birthmarks: a small one on my right cheek, a big dark one under my right armpit, and sprinkles of dark islets on the right side of my back. I also have huge ones at the back of my calves but, thru the years, they’re now unnoticeable.
19. I’m highly paranormal. I can be your lucky charm if you’re genuinely nice. I make sure to silently wish well those who are genuinely good-hearted, so that they can continue on helping others. I also just found out that I can heal, without even touching the sick. Long story. I’m also gifted with precognition. I can see, hear and feel ghosts/spirits. Etcetera.
20. I still put my brother, who’s already 14 years old and almost 6″ tall, to sleep.
21. I had my first boyfriend at 13 but broke up with him after only 2 days because he asked me to kiss him. I thought mere kissing, then, can already impregnate just like in the movies. He’s now a celebrity.
22. I always have a hard time eating breakfast.
23. The first time I smoked a cigarette was at age 8, by picking up a used stick, re-lighted it with posporo, and then imitated the chain smoker-owner and those from TV soaps. Mind you, I didn’t even cough! I don’t smoke but I still know how.
24. I donate almost everyday.
25. The first time I got drunk at 17, in a bar, I got so pissed off over a man who kept on flirting with me, I shoved him and shouted: “Ano ba gusto mo ha?! Suntukan na lang tayo?!” I was wearing a dress with killer heels then. I never got drunk since.
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Lawyers should never ask a witness a question if they aren’t prepared for the answer:
In a trial, a Southern small town prosecuting attorney called his first witness to the stand. A grandmotherly, elderly woman. He approached her and asked, “Mrs. Jones, do you know me?”
She responded, “Why, yes I do know you, Mr. Williams. I’ve known you since you were a young boy, and frankly, you’ve been a big disappointment to me. You lie, you cheat on your wife, you manipulate people and talk about them behind their backs. You think you’re a big shot when you haven’t the brains to realize you never will amount to anything more than a two-bit paper pusher. Yes, I know you.”
The Lawyer was stunned. Not knowing what else to do, he pointed across the room and asked, “Mrs. Jones. Do you know the defense attorney?”
She again replied, “Why yes, I do. I’ve known Mr. Bradley since he was a youngster, too. He’s lazy, bigoted, and he has a drinking problem. He can’t build a normal relationship with anyone and his law practice is one of the worst in the entire state. Not to mention he cheated on his wife with three different women, one of them was your wife. Yes, I know him.”
The defense attorney almost died.
The judge asked both counselors to approach the bench, and in a very quiet voice, said, “If either of you bastards asks her if she knows me, I’ll throw your sorry asses in jail for contempt.”
* FROM: Dr. Jose “Pepe” V. Abueva
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If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.
It’s the answer told by lines that stretched around schools and churches in numbers this nation has never seen; by people who waited three hours and four hours, many for the very first time in their lives, because they believed that this time must be different; that their voice could be that difference.
It’s the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled - Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been a collection of Red States and Blue States: we are, and always will be, the United States of America.
It’s the answer that led those who have been told for so long by so many to be cynical, and fearful, and doubtful of what we can achieve to put their hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day.
It’s been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this day, in this election, at this defining moment, change has come to America.
I just received a very gracious call from Senator McCain. He fought long and hard in this campaign, and he’s fought even longer and harder for the country he loves. He has endured sacrifices for America that most of us cannot begin to imagine, and we are better off for the service rendered by this brave and selfless leader. I congratulate him and Governor Palin for all they have achieved, and I look forward to working with them to renew this nation’s promise in the months ahead.
I want to thank my partner in this journey, a man who campaigned from his heart and spoke for the men and women he grew up with on the streets of Scranton and rode with on that train home to Delaware, the Vice President-elect of the United States, Joe Biden.
I would not be standing here tonight without the unyielding support of my best friend for the last sixteen years, the rock of our family and the love of my life, our nation’s next First Lady, Michelle Obama. Sasha and Malia, I love you both so much, and you have earned the new puppy that’s coming with us to the White House. And while she’s no longer with us, I know my grandmother is watching, along with the family that made me who I am. I miss them tonight, and know that my debt to them is beyond measure.
To my campaign manager David Plouffe, my chief strategist David Axelrod, and the best campaign team ever assembled in the history of politics - you made this happen, and I am forever grateful for what you’ve sacrificed to get it done.
But above all, I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to - it belongs to you.
I was never the likeliest candidate for this office. We didn’t start with much money or many endorsements. Our campaign was not hatched in the halls of Washington - it began in the backyards of Des Moines and the living rooms of Concord and the front porches of Charleston.
It was built by working men and women who dug into what little savings they had to give five dollars and ten dollars and twenty dollars to this cause. It grew strength from the young people who rejected the myth of their generation’s apathy; who left their homes and their families for jobs that offered little pay and less sleep; from the not-so-young people who braved the bitter cold and scorching heat to knock on the doors of perfect strangers; from the millions of Americans who volunteered, and organized, and proved that more than two centuries later, a government of the people, by the people and for the people has not perished from this Earth. This is your victory.
I know you didn’t do this just to win an election and I know you didn’t do it for me. You did it because you understand the enormity of the task that lies ahead. For even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime - two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century. Even as we stand here tonight, we know there are brave Americans waking up in the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan to risk their lives for us. There are mothers and fathers who will lie awake after their children fall asleep and wonder how they’ll make the mortgage, or pay their doctor’s bills, or save enough for college. There is new energy to harness and new jobs to be created; new schools to build and threats to meet and alliances to repair.
The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even one term, but America - I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you - we as a people will get there.
There will be setbacks and false starts. There are many who won’t agree with every decision or policy I make as President, and we know that government can’t solve every problem. But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree. And above all, I will ask you join in the work of remaking this nation the only way it’s been done in America for two-hundred and twenty-one years - block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand.
What began twenty-one months ago in the depths of winter must not end on this autumn night. This victory alone is not the change we seek - it is only the chance for us to make that change. And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were. It cannot happen without you.
So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism; of service and responsibility where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves, but each other. Let us remember that if this financial crisis taught us anything, it’s that we cannot have a thriving Wall Street while Main Street suffers - in this country, we rise or fall as one nation; as one people.
Let us resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long. Let us remember that it was a man from this state who first carried the banner of the Republican Party to the White House - a party founded on the values of self-reliance, individual liberty, and national unity. Those are values we all share, and while the Democratic Party has won a great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress. As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, “We are not enemies, but friends…though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection.” And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn - I may not have won your vote, but I hear your voices, I need your help, and I will be your President too.
And to all those watching tonight from beyond our shores, from parliaments and palaces to those who are huddled around radios in the forgotten corners of our world - our stories are singular, but our destiny is shared, and a new dawn of American leadership is at hand. To those who would tear this world down - we will defeat you. To those who seek peace and security - we support you. And to all those who have wondered if America’s beacon still burns as bright - tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity, and unyielding hope.
For that is the true genius of America - that America can change. Our union can be perfected. And what we have already achieved gives us hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow.
This election had many firsts and many stories that will be told for generations. But one that’s on my mind tonight is about a woman who cast her ballot in Atlanta. She’s a lot like the millions of others who stood in line to make their voice heard in this election except for one thing - Ann Nixon Cooper is 106 years old.
She was born just a generation past slavery; a time when there were no cars on the road or planes in the sky; when someone like her couldn’t vote for two reasons - because she was a woman and because of the color of her skin.
And tonight, I think about all that she’s seen throughout her century in America - the heartache and the hope; the struggle and the progress; the times we were told that we can’t, and the people who pressed on with that American creed: Yes we can.
At a time when women’s voices were silenced and their hopes dismissed, she lived to see them stand up and speak out and reach for the ballot. Yes we can.
When there was despair in the dust bowl and depression across the land, she saw a nation conquer fear itself with a New Deal, new jobs and a new sense of common purpose. Yes we can.
When the bombs fell on our harbor and tyranny threatened the world, she was there to witness a generation rise to greatness and a democracy was saved. Yes we can.
She was there for the buses in Montgomery, the hoses in Birmingham, a bridge in Selma, and a preacher from Atlanta who told a people that “We Shall Overcome.” Yes we can.
A man touched down on the moon, a wall came down in Berlin, a world was connected by our own science and imagination. And this year, in this election, she touched her finger to a screen, and cast her vote, because after 106 years in America, through the best of times and the darkest of hours, she knows how America can change. Yes we can.
America, we have come so far. We have seen so much. But there is so much more to do. So tonight, let us ask ourselves - if our children should live to see the next century; if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they see? What progress will we have made?
This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment. This is our time - to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American Dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth - that out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope, and where we are met with cynicism, and doubt, and those who tell us that we can’t, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people:
Yes We Can. Thank you, God bless you, and may God Bless the United States of America.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrXkBuWNx88 (Part 1)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02BV5Zah1Tw&feature=iv&annotation_id=event_442685 (Part 2)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69JeattgAqI (Part 3)
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I’m about to head to Grant Park to talk to everyone gathered there, but I wanted to write to you first.
We just made history.
And I don’t want you to forget how we did it.
You made history every single day during this campaign — every day you knocked on doors, made a donation, or talked to your family, friends, and neighbors about why you believe it’s time for change.
I want to thank all of you who gave your time, talent, and passion to this campaign. We have a lot of work to do to get our country back on track, and I’ll be in touch soon about what comes next.
But I want to be very clear about one thing…
All of this happened because of you.
Thank you,
Barack
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Has anyone ever spread a rumor about you?
♥ Yes
Do you believe that you can change for someone?
♥ Yes
Do you ever turn your cell phone off?
♥ Yes
Are there people that you wish never existed?
♥ Correction, sana mamatay na sila. And I’m waiting for a karma for the child of a couple who’ve been bitching me. Sana ma-feel din nila what my parents felt and still feel. The rest? They already got their karma, e.g. nalugi ang livelihood, separation, accidents, flunking Bar Exams, etc. Fair lang.
Would you lie to a friend to protect them?
♥ If you wanna protect or warn them, you tell them the truth even if they don’t believe you.
Who’s someone funny that you know?
♥ JR
What are your plans for tomorrow?
♥ Definitely, I’m gonna go out.
Do you ever think “what if” about everything?
♥ Everything? No. Why make a problem out of things that you don’t have control of?
Do you hate it when people smoke around you?
♥ No
Do you drink tea?
♥ Yes
Are you mean?
♥ Sometimes
Where’s the last place you went?
♥ Sala
Are you waiting for someone?
♥ Not anymore.
What were you doing at ten last night?
♥ Blogging
Do you hate the last person you had a conversation with?
♥ No
Have you ever thought about converting your religion?
♥ Yes, to Islam.
Is there anyone in your house right now that isn’t family?
♥ Yes, helpers.
When shopping at the grocery store, do you return your cart?
♥ No
Alcohol or Cigarettes?
♥ Alcohol
Has someone ever sang a song to you?
♥ Yes
Do you play Sudoku?
♥ No
If your house was on fire, what would be the first thing you would do?
♥ Ask for help syempre.
What color are your eyes?
♥ Dark brown.
Do you like your parents?
♥ Yes
Who was the last person you said you hated?
♥ Can’t remember.
Do you like mustard?
♥ Not much.
Do you prefer to sleep or eat?
♥ Depends.
Do you look like your mom or dad?
♥ I’m a Daddy’s girl.
What movie do you want to see right now?
♥ Twilight!
What did you do for New Year’s Eve?
♥ Celebrated it with my family.
Where will you be celebrating your new year’s day next year?
♥ Same pa rin.
Was your mom a cheerleader?
♥ NO, she’s always THE Muse and THE Beauty Queen.
What’s the last letter of your middle name?
♥ I
How many hours of sleep do you get a night?
♥ At least 8.
Do you know how to play poker?
♥ No
Do you wear your seat belt?
♥ Yes
What do you wear to sleep?
♥ Shirt and pajamas
Is your hair good?
♥ Yes but wavy.
Is your tongue pierced?
♥ No
Do you like funny or serious people better?
♥ Syempre, funny. If you’re too serious when with me, I’ll point it out to your face.
What is on your mind right now?
♥ Exercise, exercise…
Has anyone ever told you you have pretty eyes?
♥ Yes
How many pillows do you like to sleep with?
♥ A lot. I have 5.
What’s the color of the soap in your bathroom?
♥ I have 4 soaps. Hehe 2 for the face (white and aloe vera colored), 1 for the body (brown), and 1 for hand cleaning when I arrive at home (transparent siya so I dunno how to describe it).
Do you ever keep arguing even when you know you’re wrong?
♥ No, I just keep quiet. Life isn’t about debating, you do that in the courts or competitions. But not in relationships.
Scuba diving or Skydiving?
♥ Scuba na lang.
Where is the person who has your heart at the moment?
♥ Romantically? I dunno.
Do you think a lot of people think bad things about you?
♥ Yes. A lot of people rin naman thing good things about me. I also think bad about other people. It’s natural.
Is there someone you will never forget?
♥ Yes
When’s the last time you said you were fine, but really weren’t?
♥ Dunno when.
Have you ever been called heartless?
♥ Yes
Is there something special you want for Christmas?
♥ Yes
Would you date someone who smokes?
♥ Yes, it’s only a date. I’m less strict nowadays in dating.
If someone liked you right now would you want them to tell you?
♥ Yes, pleeeease. Para ‘di nilako bini-bitch when they find out that I like somebody else or they’d assume that I like them back when in fact I’m just being friendly.
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I just got home from my last final exam for this Sem, which I got exempted pala from taking. Anyway, we’re more or less 10 uber lucky students who were kinda shocked at first that our Prof asked us pa if why we’re still in the room. I mean, who wouldn’t? It’s the first time I felt smart in law school!
So, I texted my driver na not to fetch me in school kasi I was sooo dizzy na from studying, kasi we didn’t get informed in advance about the exemption para siguro we’d still study, that I hurriedly boarded a bus. Then, when I got off at our labasan, I ordered 2 eggs of balot as my simple celebration.
So, since it’s officially my sembreak na, what am I gonna do na for the rest of my vacation? Well, of course, I’m gonna busy myself with plans that have been running in my mind for months na. Definitely, I had to cancel my business classes to give way to some other school stuff.
My final exams got extended so I couldn’t attend those that fell during an exam day. Then, even if my exams just ended, I couldn’t enrol pa rin kasi late nako sa registration. So, I’ll enrol na lang in other semi-business related classes, like in Money Management and Stocks Trading.
Other then acquiring non-conventional stock knowledge, here is my must list which will commence tommorow:
(1) Cleaning and re-designing ng room ko;
(2) Trashing out of Mr. Ideal Guy (the one who wrote about his ideal girl, who turned out to be me) and My General, from my romantic life, but retain them as friends;
(3) Have my silver Parker pen fixed;
(4) NYPAA matters (website, GA, partnerships, and the 7th NYP - in that order);
(5) Attend political fora like on Federalism and the Muslim-Christian advocacy ek ek;
(6) Enrol in the mentioned semi-business classes;
(7) Enrol again for the photography classes;
(8) Enrol na for the ballroom dancing class with Mom;
(9) Enrol at a target shooting class;
(10) Finish reading the non-law books that have been left un-read for months already;
(11) Watch theater performances, which I had to postpone way back due to my exams;
(12) Catch up with friends; and,
(13) Date, date, date, ’til I fall in love again!
Lastly, I’d like to share the draft speech I had last October 19 at Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Muntinlupa (PLMun). Draft? Looong story. Rey Samson, our NYPAA Treasurer, texted me a few days before the simple event that I gotta speak in front of his students.
I thought it was a mere 20-minute talk kaya the outline was just in my mind until he told me Friday before the event that it’s 1-HOUR long pala. I was like, uh, GMA’s SONA was about 5-8 pages ‘ata and it was for 1 hour and 28 minutes with a lot of ek ek pa ’yun. Mine turned out to be 10 pages long.
The malas thing was when I was already holding the sides of that long wooden slanted desk called lectern. While I was doing my intro, I could just feel how bored the kids were from the previous speakers, who were oldies and very formal at talking.
I ended up translating everthing to Tagalog on the spot, spoke the kikay way, joked, and sprinkled some showbiz chismis. Thank God, I wore the same kind of outfit that the ladies had! Ayun, they had fun naman and, judging from their lively participation pa lang, I know they learned a lot.
So, instead of copying and pasting the 10-paged original speech, here’s the outline na lang:
“SURVIVING VOLUNTEERISM”
I. INTRODUCTION
A. Greetings
B. The Republic Act No. 8044 or The Youth In Nation Building Act
- The National Youth Commission (NYC)
- The Youth Parliament
- The National Youth Parliament ALUMNI Association, Inc. (NYPAA)
II. BODY
A. What
- What is VOLUNTEERISM? [Audience]
- VOLUNTEERISM according to Wikipedia.
- VOLUNTEERISM for me.
- Difference between VOLUNTEERISM and CHARITY = POLITICS.
- And the POLITICS in VOLUNTEERISM is what I wanna prepare you for.
B. Why
- Why VOLUNTEER? [Audience]
- Orientation day in San Beda Law, my orientor asked: Why do you wanna be a lawyer?
- My answer: To help those in need.
- The answer of those who passed the BAR: Because I WANT TO be a lawyer. Nothing more, nothing less.
- Same goes in VOLUNTEERISM and in the other aspects of our lives.
- Example: You’re courting someone or being courted by one and everyone is against the union. They ask, what’s with her/him eh she/he’s fat and ugly?
- Answer: Because I like her/him. Period.
- Taking a leave from serving in the NYPAA made me realize that VOLUNTEERISM is my calling.
- Example: The saying that you’ll only realize how much you love someone is when you’ve lost him/her.
- Hence, the answer to why I volunteer is: Because I can’t live without it.
- So, why do you (wanna) volunteer? [Audience]
- LESSON: Know WHY’s of your choices and be firm about it. You’ll survive all the storms of your choices if your heart knows the WHY.
C. Who and When
- JOSE RIZAL: The YOUTH is the hope of the nation. [Audience]
- Who is a YOUTH? According to RA 8044, YOUTH is 15-30 years old.
- Why the YOUTH? Why the best time to volunteer?
- Still young; hence, less responsibilities (paying the bills, taking care of the household, etc.).
- Less reponsibilities, more time for volunteerism.
- Less responsibilities = less eye-opening experiences = idealism.
D. Where and How
- Where do you learn VOLUNTEERISM?
- VOLUNTEERISM starts at home.
- FOR BEGINNERS: Joining organizations that fit your personality and interest/s. Examples: Habitat for Humanity or Gawad Kalinga, Red Cross, Hands-On Manila, or Student Council.
- I have NYPAA and the Opposition that provide my need for advocacy and politics.
- FOR ADVANCED: Fight for unpopular causes. In my case, I believe in Muslim’s right to self-determination thru Peace Advocacy even if I’m a Catholic and haven’t gone to any part of Mindanao; I believe in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transexual (LGBT) Rights even though I’m straight; I participated in the crafting of the Reproductive Health Rights bill despite being a virgin; I fight for Women’s Rights even though I’m single and still young; and, the latest one is on Good Governance even if I’m not a career politician… yet.
- OBJECTIVE: To serve as a BRIDGE for the outsiders who are also either a Catholic, straight, virgin, not yet married, and thinking of running for office someday.
- Why BRIDGE: Because they would believe me more if I’m more like them. You talk monkey to a monkey.
- HOW TO SURVIVE THE POLITICS IN VOLUNTEERISM: Protect your idealism.
- If you keep on eating junk foods, lots of pork, foods with preservatives, you get cancer. Children who watch a lot of TV showing violence become violent. If you wanna lose pounds, you watch FTV. Same goes with IDEALISM, surround yourselves with IDEALISM.
- You should read, watch, talk, and hear IDEALISM.
- TALK and HEAR: Choose whom you talk with and hear from. Choose your friends well. Choosing is like fashion, it’s all about self-expression. What you choose is who you are. Whatever kind your organization that you join in, is who you are or who you will be. My technique in choosing the right organization for me is, I randomly pick a member and I ask myself, “Is this who I wanna be?” A lot of our NYPAA members are graduates of Oxford and other international universities.
- READ: Books on leadership and inspiring books authored by inspiring people, such as Oprah Winfrey.
- WATCH: After reading them, you apply what you’ve read by watching or observing politicians on TV or in the newspapers. In my case, I learn a lot from politicians both in the USA and in the Philippines.
- In the US of A: Clinton vs. Obama, and Obama vs. McCain.
- Clinton vs. Obama: Clinton started with her attacks (e.g. the cult issue against Oprah in Youtube) against Obama early in the race for the nomination. Obama counterattacked but boo-ed after by the press for being ungentlemanly. So, he stopped and kept his mouth shut. He won the nomination.
- Obama vs. McCain: See or read on their presidential debate. Be as cool as Obama when confronted by conflict. That’s also applicable in your daily lives.
- In the PHILIPPINES: Villar, Lacson, Gordon, Roxas, and Escudero, (National), Pacquiao vs. Custodio, and Valera (Local).
- VILLAR: Don’t be pikon. His projects, though, should be replicated.
- LACSON: Always believe, talk, and act with conviction. Just say it, honestly; but, don’t do expose’s all the time, unless you’re prepared for the consequences.
- GORDON: Salute his Red Cross project. Be as ethical as he is.
- ROXAS: Be cool. Relax. Be respectful even to your enemies. Just shut up and let your enemies self-destruct. While they’re busy self-destructing, be busy with TV appearances on MORE important issues. By that time, all eyes are on you. That’s free advertisement!
- ESCUDERO: Chill! You’ll meet difficult people until you grow old so don’t get a heart attack yet. They’re not worth it.
- CUSTODIO: As for the ladies, always be charming and decent. Don’t be bungangera. Your projects will speak for you. Only speak about what really matters and speak about them with conviction, just like how you see her in the plenary - a fighter.
- PACQUIAO: Be wary of people who keep on whispering in your ears how great you are; and, that because you’re that “good”, you must run for office or whatever they want you to do. All these people want from you is your campaign money or they only want you to fight against their enemy. Be honest to yourself about your caliber even if it hurts. Say NO to sitting in any position based on popularity, money, seniority, or anything that’s not based on hard work. Always EARN your privileges. Lastly, don’t run against an incumbent whose projects speak for herself. If you must run, be respectful to a lady opponent. Ungentlemanliness has been frowned upon since time immemorial.
- VALERA: Violence never won. Even if there’s a presumption of innocence, the fact remains that no sane person can hire another to assassinate himself (the former). Who else would kill him? Only an opponent. So, if you have an enemy, be sure to let other people know who he/she is. The more public, the better. Just in case.
- Learn from GRETCHEN BARRETO: Whatever chismosas hate about you is probably what they want for themselves. Plus, tabloid writers don’t get remembered, she does. The more you get attacked, the more you become a legend. So, just relax and stay gorgeous.
III. CONCLUSION
Pinoy youth version of Franklin Roosevelt’s famous quote:
“Of the Filipino YOUTH,
By the Filipino YOUTH, and
For the Filipino YOUTH.”
Thank you.
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Beyonce: The heart is stronger than you think,
It’s like it can go through anything,
And even when you think it can’t, it finds a way to still push on, though.
Carrie Underwood: Sometimes you wanna run away,
Ain’t got the patience for the pain,
And if you don’t believe it look into your heart, the beat goes on.
Rihanna: I’m tellin’ you that,
Rihanna/Miley Cyrus: Things get better,
Through whatever.
Rihanna: If you fall, dust it off, don’t let up.
Sheryl Crow: Don’t you know you can go be your own miracle?
Beyonce: You need to know.
CHORUS
Melissa Etheridge: If the mind keeps thinking you’ve had enough,
But the heart keeps tellin’ you don’t give up.
Sheryl Crow/Beyonce: Who are we to be questioning,
And wondering what is what?
Don’t give up…
Everyone:
THROUGH IT ALL, JUST STAND UP!
Fergie: It’s like we all have better days,
Problems getting all up in your face.
Leona Lewis: Just because you go through it,
Fergie: Don’t mean it got to take control, no.
Leona Lewis: You ain’t gotta find no hiding place,
Keyshia Cole: Because the heart can beat the hate.
Leona Lewis: Don’t wanna let your mind keep playin’ you,
Keyshia Cole: And sayin’ you can’t go on.
Rihanna: I’m tellin’ you that,
Miley Cyrus: Things get better,
Through whatever.
Rihanna: If you fall,
Miley Cyrus: Dust if off, don’t let up.
LeAnn Rimes: Don’t you know you,
Natasha Bedingfield: You can go,
LeAnn Rimes: Be your own,
Natasha Bedingfield: Miracle!
Carrie Underwood: You need to know.
Ensemble.
CHORUS.
Mary J. Blige: You don’t gotta be a prisoner in your mind.
Ciara: If you fall, dust it off,
Mary J. Blige: You can live your life.
Rihanna/Carrie Underwood: Yeah!
Mary J. Blige: Let your heart be your guide.
Rihanna/Carrie Underwood: Yeah yeah yeah…
Mariah Carey: And you will know that you’re good if you trust in the good.
Ashanti: Everything will be alright, yeah.
Light up the dark,
If you follow your heart.
Mary J. Blige: And it will get better,
Mariah Carey: Through whatever.
CHORUS.
Fergie: You got it in you, find it within.
You got it in now, find it within now.
You got it in you, find it within.
You got it in now, find it within now.
You got it in you, find it within.
You got it in now, find it within now.
Find it within you, find it within.
Everyone:
THROUGH IT ALL, JUST STAND UP!
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Last month, I watched the premier of The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants II.
I had always thought that it’s just all about the pair of pants so checking out its first movie was out of the question. My mind was still set at its impression until my friend texted me if I wanted to watch the second part with him. Who would resist a free movie pass?
Of course, I wouldn’t write about the girly girly pillow throwing discussion about their friendship called The Sisterhood. Instead, I’m gonna entice you a bit with the yummy men featured therein. My favorites are Leo (Jesse Williams in real life) and Ian (Tom Wisdom).
Then, let me also introduce their on-screen partners.
  My favorite Lena is the color artist in their group. It’s in her nude (a big emphasis on this word) painting class where she meets Leo. His pick up line?
“You must be a virgin.”
Then, he undressed; and, she just stared and didn’t know which pencils to use. Having the same chromosome, us girls also drooled. Plus the ohs, the ahs, and the giggles, were what could only reverberate in the theater.
What’s more captivating, though, are his eyes and smile. Lastly, it’s a must to check out the sexy chef and the romantic (and honest) date in him. The sexiest about him was not his well-sculptured body but his confidence. I also like the way he pasimple asked for a dinner.
  Then, there’s Carmen, who’s an accidental drama queen. Her drama king’s name? Ian. Take note of that scene when they’re lying on the grass while rehearsing their lines. It was really a kilig moment as evidenced by, again, the giggles of us movie watchers.
It’s sad but you won’t see his abs. If you fell in love with his mid-length wavy locks, and you badly wanna see him almost naked, buy a copy of the movie he previously starred in - 300. This is our own concept of heaven crowded by hooot and brave species as opposed to men’s bea(t)ch flicks.
What I like most is his Shakesperean bolero character.
Because of his character, I remembered tuloy an overseas call from a close friend last month. Without the usual preliminaries, he went straight to his question: “Hoooy! May boyfriend ka na?!” To which I answered in the same manner: “Wala pa. Bakeeet?”
“Pare, magpauto ka naman kasiii!!!” His character made me realize why no ordinary bolero has chipped away my self-imposed walls.
I need a poetic heart.
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Dear Friend,
This is the account of my father about what really transpired regarding the ten-million bribe. We were told that a big law firm had hired TWO PR firms to discredit my father and launch a smear campaign. This is going to get even uglier and we have expected it to become so from the very start.
My family appreciates so much the deluge of support since my father came out in the open. We are up against people with very deep pockets who happen to own also a huge media outfit. So we are counting a lot on your prayers. My father has nothing but the truth and the knowledge that if God is with him, who can be against him (remember? si Deus nobiscum, quis contra nos? or something to that effect)
Below is the text of his full account. Please feel free to forward it to all the persons you know. The truth will set us free. Help us in this fight against corruption.
Counting on all your prayers,
Bobbie
-=-
MY REACTION TO MR. FRANCIS DE BORJA’S AFFIDAVIT DATED JULY 31, 2008 ON THE MERALCO-SEC CASE
Good morning. I thank you all for coming. As you know, yesterday, the CA en banc deliberated on and came to the agreement that we would refer the procedural and ethical aspect of the Meralco-SEC case to the Supreme Court to decide; and leave the validity of the decision for the parties to file the appropriate legal proceedings. We also all agreed that by referring this case to the SC, we would no longer discuss this case outside of the agreement.
Let me say that as per our agreement, I had every intention of not agreeing anymore to be interviewed on this matter. As some of you have found out yesterday after the deliberations, I had declined any attempts to be interviewed.
But then, at about 5 pm yesterday, I found out that Mr. Francis De Borja had executed an affidavit alleging, in substance, that it was I who had verbally insinuated to him that I could be bought for 50 million, and a position at the S.C.
Immediately thereafter, I called up PJ Vasquez and told him of this new development. It is therefore with his knowledge and consent that I called for this press conference, so I could set the record straight and respond to the allegations made by Mr. De Borja.
At the outset, I must state that I cannot even begin to express my anger, outrage and disgust that a person whom I had treated with civil respect and kindness; and whom I thought respected me would impute such a filthy lie on me. But that Mr. De Borja would have the nerve to make these lies, under oath, is utterly disgusting when it was him who had come to me with the offer of the bribe.
In the effort to make sure that I addressed all the allegations he made in his affidavit, I have prepared this statement, and I will narrate to you all my conversations with Mr. De Borja, including facts and names, almost word for word as I remember them. Please bear with me as I read this without allowing for interruptions, as I want to make sure I cover all the facts and do not miss out on any details. I will allow for questions, after I have read this statement.
Let me begin.
Paragraphs 1-2 of Mr. De Borja’s affidavit relates to matters which Mr. De Borja alone would know as these relate to how he purportedly came to know of the Meralco/SEC case. I therefore would not know whether he spoke the truth or not.
Paragraph 3, wherein he narrates what he does for a living is consistent with what I have known of him: as a businessman who facilitates and brokers land deals.
In paragraphs 4-12 of his affidavit—Mr. De Borja narrates the circumstances under which we came to know each other. For the most part, they are accurate. However, he has twisted the facts to insinuate that the circumstances under which I received money from him were highly irregular. It was not. Let me clarify.
1. I’ve had long years of service with the Roa family. The deceased Patriarch Congressman Oloy Roa had personally instructed me as his dying wish that I do not cease helping his children even if he was already gone. In fact, the eldest daughter of this deceased patriarch—Mrs Evelyn Roa Clavano—is the very person Francis De Borja tried to contact to convince me to accept his ten million bribe.
2. Mrs Evelyn Roa Clavano and other children have always come to me for help in family decisions. One of this was the sale of their huge tract of land.
3. Mr. De Borja brokered the deal. The whole matter was protracted. There were a lot of difficult issues and many times I had to settle dispute and smooth things over with family members who were fighting among each other but trusted me and listened to me.
4. Paragraph 8 therefore where he states that I “advised on legal issues” is MISLEADING AND INACCURATE. I was advising the family in a personal capacity regarding what I thought to be most advantageous offer for their land. When I accepted the P300K it was not as a judge, but as a confidant and family adviser.
5. I did not ask for that money, nor was there any agreement between us that he would give the same. As a matter of fact, Mr. De Borja offered that money AFTER the conclusion of the deal, and without me having to ask or saying anything. When I agreed to advise there was absolutely no expectation of receiving.
6. I did not violate any law. You can check all the statute books on that..
7. As Mr. De Borja himself acknowledged, the money was given in appreciation of my efforts in concluding the deal between the Roa family and his principal. Mrs. Evelyn Roa Clavano knew about the money and I had her blessing when I received it.
8. Mr. De Borja is obviously bringing up this past incident to discredit me and insinuate from the facts that I had accepted a bribe from him in the past. I categorically denounce the insinuations he is maliciously trying to impute against my honor and integrity.
9. Paragraph 12 and its subparagraphs are likewise misleading. I never initiated any communication with Mr. De Borja. It was he who would call either me, or our mutual friend, Mrs. Evelyn Clavano to meet up.
It is not true that we had lunch two or three times a year. If we did have lunch, it was on very rare occasions, not even three times a year. I had no business with him.
10. In recent times, I likewise never initiated calls to contact him. It was only on one occasion in this case when I wished to end his pestering—which I will shortly discuss—that I decided to call him up.
11. Even now, I challenge him to produce his phone records to prove that I ever contacted him. I can show you all my phone records to prove the fact that he always tried to contact me, not the reverse.
12. Moving on now to his allegations of what he narrated as “What happened when Justice Sabio met with me on the MERALCO–SEC case.” This is another inaccurate and misleading statement. It was not I who met with Mr. De Borja. It was he who sought me out to set an appointment with me.
13. I specifically and vehemently deny Paragraphs 13-21 as blatant lies. Rather than address these paragraph by paragraph, let me narrate exactly how Mr. De Borja initated contact and what exactly transpired in these 4 conversations: three by phone exchanges and one face-to-face after he had sought me out at the Ateneo.
• The first contact happened on or about May 31. Merely days after the Meralco-SEC case had been raffled, Mr. De Borja called me up, so suddenly, and after having had no contact for almost a year.
• Mr. De Borja said: Mabuhay ka, Justice.
• I asked: Why did you say ‘Mabuhay’?
• He said: I just want to let you know that the Makati Business Club is happy with what you did.
• I asked: Why, what have I done?
• And he answered: Di ba isa ka sa pumirma ng TRO?
• I told him: Yes, in fact, I am the Acting chairman of the Division.
• And he said: Mabuti hindi ka na pressure.
• And I told him: I voted according to my conscience.
• Then he said: Mabuhay ka Justice.
• That was the end of that conversation.
14. The second phone call from Mr. De Borja happened on July 1, sometime during the day.
• Mr. De Borja started the call this way. He said: Justice, pwede ba tayong magkita? Importante lang.
• I told him: But I have classes from 6-8 o’clock tonight.
• He said: Pupuntahan na lang kita pagkatapos ng klase mo.
• Then I said: Sige, pero hindi ako magtatagal. Kasama ko ang aking asawa at anak.
15. On that same day, by the time I had finished my class at 8 p.m., Mr. De Borja was already waiting for me at the Lobby Lounge of the 3rd Floor of the AteneoLawSchool. His first words to me were: Alam mo Justice kung sino ang kasama ko ngayon sa kotse? Si Manolo Lopez.
• Then he said: Noong tanungin kita at sinabi kong “Mabuhay ka Justice,” si Manolo Lopez and katabi ko noon. Papunta siyang America, kaya ako na lang ang pumunta dito para makiusap sa ‘yo. Alam mo, itong kaso na ito is a matter of life and death for the Lopezes. And alam mo naman what the Marcoses did to them, which is being done now by the Arroyos.
• At that point he mentioned the impasse between Justice Bienvenido Reyes and myself. He said: Alam naming may problema kayo ni Justice Reyes tungkol sa chairmanship.
• I was surprised how he came to know about it, as this was an internal matter of the Court of Appeals which only happened fairly recently and many associate justices of the CA were not even aware of this. Just the same, I explained my stand and why I could not relinquish the chairmanship to Justice Reyes.
• He then replied: Alam mo, Justice, ang opinion dito ni Nonong Cruz ay i-challenge ang stand mo. Kaya lang, mayroon namang nagsabi na it might become messy.
• Then he bragged to me: Ako din ang responsible sa pag-recommend at pag-hire ng Villaraza Law Firm.
• Then he explained that he was there to offer me a win-win situation.
• He said: Justice, mayroon kaming P10 million. Ready.
16. At that point, I was shocked that he had a very low regard for me. He was treating me like there was a price on my person. I could not describe my feelings. I was stunned. But at the same time, hindi ko rin magawang bastusin siya because I had known him since 1993 and this was the first time that he had ever treated me like this, or shown that he believed I could be bought.
• So I just told him: Francis, I cannot in conscience agree to that.
• His answer was: Sabi ko na nga sa kanila, mahirap ka talaga papayag. Kasi may anak iyang Opus Dei. Numerary pa.
• At this point, I just wanted to leave, so I told him I could not stay long. I told him my wife and lawyer daughter were waiting.
• Even then, he was already insistent. His parting words before I left were: Just think about it, Justice.
17. When I went down to the car park, I told my wife and daughter about what Mr. Francis De Borja tried to do to me. Both of them got angry and insulted on my behalf. They likewise expressed the sentiment that, although we did not know him well, we thought he respected me as a person. I also told them that Mr. Francis De Borja bragged to Manolo Lopez of his perceived closeness to me at pinapaniwala niya siguro si Manolo Lopez na kaya niya ako.
18. At this point, I thought I had made myself clear to Mr. De Borja that I was rejecting any offer. But Mr. De Borja would not quit. A day or two later, I found out that Mr. De Borja called up our mutual friend in Cagayan de Oro, Mrs. Evelyn Roa Clavano. He actually urged Mrs. Clavano to ask me to give way to Justice Bienvenido Reyes because they cannot be sure of me.
19. I found out about Mr. De Borja’s call because a few days after that meeting, I had called Mrs. Clavano about some personal matters. It was during that call that I was again shocked to learn that Mr. De Borja had called her. She told me she was also shocked that Francis De Borja had the gall to ask her to convince me to accept the bribe.
As we speak, Mrs . Clavano is finalizing her affidavit on the phone conversation she had with Mr. De Borja and this statement will be faxed to me within the day.
20. Again, I was still of the opinion that since I had given a firm NO to his offer, I thought the matter had already been settled. Mr. De Borja, however, kept pestering me with phone calls and text messages. On this point again, I challenge him to produce his phone records to disprove what I am saying.
21. By this time, I had begun to feel oppressed by his pestering. I called him up to tell him once and for all to stop pestering me. Let me say again: I never initiated the calls to him except this single time after he kept pestering me with his text messages.
• When he answered the call he said: Mabuti naman Justice tumawag ka, kasi malapit na ang deadline ng submission ng memorandum. Pinag-isipan mo bang mabuti ang offer namin? Kasi sayang din kung di mo tatanggapin, Kasi kahit aabot itong kaso sa Supreme Court, matatalo ka din. Sayang lang ‘yung P10 million. Baka sisihin ka pa ng mga anak mo.
• Again, I was shocked at the things he was saying, and could not believe he would repeat an offer which I had already rejected. I repeated my “NO.” And then, because his insistence seemed to me like he could not understand why I kept saying “NO,” I tried to explain: If I accept that, my conscience will bother me forever. How can I face my wife and two daughters? One a lawyer and the other a Numerary member of Opus Dei? And besides, how can I reconcile my being a member of PHILJA’s Ethics and Judicial Conduct Department; being a lecturer of the MCLE; and being a Pre-Bar Reviewer of the AteneoLawSchoolon Legal and Judicial Ethics?
• At that point, he told me: Wala naman kaming pinapagawa sa iyo na illegal, eh.
• And he added: You know Justice, after two or three weeks, makakalimutan na ito ng mga tao.
• And he said: Meron naman diyang mga Atenista na tumatanggap.
• I told him: I don’t know about them, but I am different.
• Then he said: Well, if you will not accept, we will be forced to look for other ways.
• Then I told him: But they will have to contend with me.
• As a parting statement, he said: Justice, no matter what, saludo talaga ako sa iyo.
22. The details I have set out are the extent of my conversation with Mr. Francis De Borja. In no occasion did I solicit any money or favor from him.
23. Then, as you know, on July 7, 2008, MERALCO filed a motion for Justice Bienvenido Reyes to assume the chairmanship. The rest that happened after that last conversation are as I narrated in my complaint letter to Presiding Justice Conrado Vazquez.
24. Allow me to say that I would not concoct this story to put my own integrity or my safety or the safety of my family at risk. But in coming out with the bare facts—including names of people as they were mentioned and events as they have happened—I may have compromised my own safety and the safety of the people I know and love.
25. My family and friends have supported my decision to do so, knowing my desire to preserve the integrity of the Court of which I am part, and the laws of this country which I have pledged to uphold, honor and obey. More importantly, I only desire to tell the truth, and I swear by these statements on my honor as a Justice of the Court of Appeals, but most especially on my honor as a Head Servant of a Catholic Christian Community (Fruit of the Holy Spirit of Gusa, Cagayan de Oro) for more than 25 years.
JOSE L. SABIO, JR. (signed)
ASSOCIATE JUSTICE
COURT OF APPEALS
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An incredible love story has come out of China recently and managed to touch the world. It is a story of a man and an older woman who ran off to live and love each other in peace for over half a century.
The 70-year-old Chinese man who hand-carved over 6,000 stairs up a mountain for his 80-year-old wife has passed away in the cave which has been the couple’s home for the last 50 years. Over 50 years ago, Liu Guojiang a 19 year-old boy, fell in love with a 29 year-old widowed mother named Xu Chaoqin.
In a twist worthy of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, friends and relatives criticized the relationship because of the age difference and the fact that Xu already had children.
At that time, it was unacceptable and immoral for a young man to love an older woman. To avoid the market gossip and the scorn of their communities, the couple decided to elope and lived in a cave in Jiangjin County in Southern ChongQing Municipality.
In the beginning, life was harsh as hey had nothing, no electricity or even food. They had to eat grass and roots they found in the mountain, and Liu made a kerosene lamp that they used to light up their lives.
Xu felt that she had tied Liu down and repeatedly asked him, ‘Are you regretful? Liu always replied, ‘As long as we are industrious, life will improve.’
In the second year of living in the mountain, Liu began and continued for over 50 years, to hand-carve the steps so that his wife could get down the mountain easily.
Half a century later in 2001, a group of adventurers were exploring the forest and were surprised to find the elderly couple and the over 6,000 hand-carved steps. Liu MingSheng, one of their seven children said, ‘My parents loved each other so much, they have lived in seclusion for over 50 years and never been apart a single day. He hand carved more than 6,000 steps over the years for my mother’s convenience, although she doesn’t go down the mountain that much.’
Xu & Liu
The couple had lived in peace for over 50 years until last week. Liu, now 72 years, returned from his daily farm work and collapsed. Xu sat and prayed with her husband as he passed away in her arms. So in love with Xu, was Liu, that no one was able to release the grip he had on his wife’s hand even after he had passed away.
‘You promised me you’ll take care of me, you’ll always be with me until the day I die, now you left before me, how am I going to live without you?’
The LOVE Ladder
Xu spent days softly repeating this sentence and touching her husband’s black coffin with tears rolling down her cheeks.
In 2006, their story became one of the top 10 love stories from China , collected by the Chinese Women Weekly. The local government has decided to preserve the love ladder and the place they lived as a museum, so this love story can live forever.
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