Wanderlust

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The Big Tale of Little Quiapo

Every person in our lives has a backstory, how we met, where we met, and how long we’ve known each other. Some stories are generic: common friends, former friends, a colleague, and so on. However, some stories are quirky and always a joy to share. One particular story I enjoy telling is how I met one of my oldest friends, Miggy Bartolome Caleon. Miggy and I met in 2002 through a common friend, Daisy Castelar, when he was a freshman in De La Salle Zobel and I was a sophomore in another school. It was the age of ‘texting’ and one of the ‘in things’ that kids did those days was texting someone from another school. This was way before Friendster or MySpace, so Miggy and I became friends even before we knew what each other looked like. We managed to stay in touch all these years but only ‘met in person’ this year because we unknowingly went to the same gym.
Miggy and I finally got the chance to catch up on our “adult lives” a few weeks ago and I was surprised to know that Miggy, who part of the Strategic Marketing group at Solaire Resort and Casino decided to forego working for the family business to gain experience and make a name for himself.
Miggy’s family owns the famed Little Quiapo restaurant, one of the most liked Filipino restaurants in the metro today. He recalls the story of how his maternal grandfather started the business, “The business started in 1949, my lolo was originally an ice cream vendor. He was going to hospitals to sell his homemade ice cream and when he was able to save enough money, he set up a branch in UP Diliman.” As a quick trivia, Little Quiapo never had a branch in Quiapo and was in fact originally named Rendezvous but was changed to Little Quiapo as a reference to how busy the restaurant was just like the famed Quiapo in Manila. Branches however in highly populated areas soon opened and that was the beginning of the success the very Pinoy restaurant famous for their pancit and halo halo.
Despite the success of Little Quiapo, now managed by Miggy’s parents and his mom’s siblings, Miggy, a graduate of Business Management from the Ateneo De Manila University chose to forge his own path in the hotel industry, “For most people with family businesses, they tend to rely on the business) but growing up we’ve always been exposed to being responsible. Working outside gives us a better understanding of how to deal with customers, and how to run business from another perspective.”
Miggy attributes his hardworking ways to the way his parents trained him growing up, having to work during the summer for allowances beginning with small tasks for the business until they were given bigger responsibilities as they grew older. He even attended culinary school in Ramon Magsaysay Institute to gain better knowledge of how the kitchen works which helped him as he began handling the catering side of the business two years ago. Lately, Miggy and his two younger siblings have also added the needed vibe to attract the younger set.

For Miggy, taking over is inevitable but for him, being ready for it by gaining experience is just as vital. In a world where the entitled easily get their way, it’s refreshing to see people like Miggy who truly work hard and don’t simply take what they were born for. It’s people like him who truly make all the difference.
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Remembering KC

For most young professionals, the Halloween weekend could only mean one thing: partying in costumes you spent about three months deciding on. While others choose to let loose, there are also people who are choosing to reflect the year that was and loved ones who have gone before us.
As I write this entry, my mind travels back to my first ever soul sister, KC De Venecia. I was about to turn eleven when I first met her in the halls of Colegio San Agustin. A new student from an exclusive girls’ school, I found the co-ed environment quite jarring and found solace in the quiet girl at the back of the classroom who always had her nose buried in a book. We quickly bonded over our love for Sweet Valley books, Full House reruns, movies we weren’t allowed to watch yet, Freddie Prinze Jr., Sixpence None the Richer, and good food.
KC was the epitome of the girl who was humble to the core. It took me months to figure out that KC was indeed part of a popular, influential clan. She never spoke about it and even had a phase where she refused to wear anything but three shirts that included a grey Beauty and the Beast shirt. KC was always on the lookout for “fun” things to do although as dorky fifth graders the boldest thing we have ever done was riding a taxi unsupervised from school to Glorietta to play in Timezone (shocking, I know). Hanging out usually meant binging on Full House marathons while trying to find new ways to diet (in our eleven year old minds, we needed to look like Britney Spears). One of my favorite memories of her was when we carved our names (along with our large group of friends) into one of the side tables in her room. KC was boisterous and wasn’t afraid to laugh and be silly. At eleven years old, she had a strong sense of self and was unafraid to be herself. She was strong willed and often reminded me to not sweat the small stuff.
To this day, I recall her telling me in her trademark KC face, “Bianx, it’s not a big deal” whenever I mentioned dramatic stories about our “clique.” KC also largely influenced my love for caffeine, being the first person to introduce me to Starbucks and often reminded me to live life to the fullest during the times we passed autograph books in class.
It has been fifteen years since I met KC and almost ten years since the fire that took her away too soon.
A lot has happened since then and yet I still find myself smiling over the memories of the friend who stayed loyal till the very end. In one of our last text conversations, KC was giddy about prom and even sent me this message, “Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down.” It was the perfect example of our friendship.
Today, I remember KC and celebrate her life. It has been ten years and yet her impact in my life hasn’t lessened. Wherever you are Kace, I hope you know that you are still in my heart and everyday I thank God for allowing me to know someone like you. You continue to inspire me to live life to the fullest and most importantly, not take myself too seriously. You are still missed and never forgotten.

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Ride or Die

Technologically apt kids and kids at heart these days just have a different dictionary all together. Their vocabulary often consist of abbreviated terms such as BAE (before anyone else, yes, it’s not short for babe) while others are your typical English words but bested with completely different meanings such as: basic (which means you’re ordinary), #blessed (you will be surprised that this often denotes sarcasm), and shade (means you totally went there in insulting another person).
One of my most favorite terms belong to the younger set is phrase “ride or die” as in used to depict a loyal significant other (think Beyonce & Jayz). In youngster speak, ride or die literally means being there through it all: good times, bad times, sickness, health, in the limelight, and when you’re out of it. It’s basically a vow that means your significant other won’t leave when things aren’t as comfortable as you want them to be.
In the world of quick “fame” due to social media, more and more kiddos are taking this term to heart and making sure that their significant others are of ride or die caliber (it could also be because it’s a really catchy caption to put on Facebook).
While some look to celebrities for inspiring ride or die tales, I don’t have to look too far. In fact, I’m blessed (with no hashtag sarcasm) to witness it everyday through the love story of my parents. My parents recently celebrated their 28thwedding anniversary and in my dad’s line of work, that is a very long time. Their love story is a unique one considering that they’re polar opposites: my mom born and raised koliheyala from Manila without any idea about basketball and my dad, born and raised in far flung Cebu. The story of how they met is also quite exciting and serendipitous at best, making me believe that happily ever afters do exist.
However, growing up in the reality of the said love story also exposed me to the truth that perfect love stories only exist in books and just like anything else in life, take hard work, dedication, and commitment.

My parents’ twenty-eight year love story denotes “ride or die” through and through. My mom stood by my dad’s side during the years of injury, his retirement from playing basketball professionally in 1995, and the adjustments that soon followed. When the lights were dimmed and my dad hung his jersey to move to a new chapter of his career, my mom was there with even more love than she had when she first met him. My dad through the years has also shown loyalty to the woman he has chosen and this has become the foundation of their solid relationship. As a famous song goes, you get back what you put out.
In a world that constantly hungers for fame, power, and money, it can be quite easy to associate love with what you can get from your partner. But a true ride or die partner shows you that true love has nothing to do with what you do for a living or how many people call out your name. The fame, power, and screaming fans (and groupies) go away, but one thing remains: true love.
True love isn’t constantly asking what’s in it for me, but instead seeks to make the other person better and decides to be there through it all. It is patient, it is kind, and most importantly, it is not self-seeking. It’s the kind of love that makes you feel secured knowing that no matter what tomorrow brings and whether or not you fail, it will still be there guiding you quietly and bravely telling you that the best is yet to come despite what today looks like.


It’s the kind of love I aspire to give and also inspires me to be the kind of woman my mom is: loyal and a true ride or die chick through and through.
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Maraming Salamat, PBA

“Basketball will always be the country’s one great unrequited love.”
          – PBA: A Nation’s Passion Documentary
It was an affair for the books and a night to remember filled glittering lights, beautiful dresses, and dapper suits. Filipino basketball stars then and now all came together (along with their significant others) to celebrate forty years of the nation’s greatest passion: the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).
The highlight of the night was the exclusive premiere of the league’s very own documentary highlighting forty years of stories from how it started, the famed Crispa – Toyota rivalry to today’s Gilas heroes. The well-crafted storytelling of the country’s biggest pastime brought about tales from one generation to the next, making one see the impact basketball has truly imprinted in every Filipino’s heart. Basketball is a language everyone understands- from bigwig CEOs of multinational companies to your neighborhood taho vendor. It’s a common ground, one that instantly bonds one Filipino with the other, unless of course he is rooting for a rival team. It has also be the country’s greatest source of enjoyment. During the years of martial law, the then young PBA league was a source of joy for most Filipinos proving that it is more than just a sport, but have also been a mecca for hope as the high flying players inspired others to fly themselves.
More than a night of enjoyment and catching up with friends both old and new alike, the night was extremely person for me simply because it mirrored a journey that is close to my heart – my dad’s. As the stories unraveled on screen, the childhood stories of my youth told by my dad turned into real faces and events. It was the PBA that has made my dad’s dream come true and later on gave him the opportunity to build a life for his family that was a far cry from what he had as a young boy in Cebu.
As my dad watched the reel of his real life events, he became keenly aware of how gracious God has been to him and what a blessing the PBA has been to not just him, but to the others he has worked with. He reminisced about old teammates, coaches, team managers, and previous league commissioners, all of which have helped him one way or another. He was also quick to recall the unsung heroes of the PBA, the role players and the others who have worked tirelessly in the background contributing what they can to the country’s greatest love.
The PBA (through its scholarship grant given to retired PBA players) gave my younger brother and I the chance to have a good education. It was also the PBA that has opened doors for the both of us, put food on the table, and generally provided us with a life that my dad only once imagined giving his family. For 35 years and counting, the PBA has become my dad’s second home.
And our story is not unique, in fact, countless of lives have been changed by the PBA and today, as a certified child of the league; I would just like to say thank you.
Thank you because you have provided for numerous families, made fans smile and cry at the same time, and most importantly, made countless dreams come true.
Maraming maraming salamat PBA dahil ang buong bansa ay pinasaya ninyo.

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Doc Eagle

Without a doubt, we are a basketball loving country. Every street corner is filled with makeshift courts bursting with males both young and old basking in what is tagged as “the Filipino sport of choice”. It has been a bonding ritual for fathers and sons everywhere and at one point or another, every single Filipino boy has dreamed of becoming a professional athlete one day.
However, it is also a fact that Filipino parents also have other dreams for their children. They work day and night to provide the best education for their children, hoping they’d become lawyers or distinguished doctors one day. 
These two passions have resulted in a country peppered with basketball star-wannabes and the most brilliant doctors. However, it is quite rare to find people who have an interest in both fields. One of those people who have fused the two interests rather successfully is former Ateneo Blue Eagle, Johan Uichico. Johan, who passed the medical boards just this year, was part of Ateneo basketball’s glory days from 2003 to 2006. 
Johan looks back on these days fondly, “I played with the Blue Eagles starting when I was a college freshman in 2003. We played in the finals during my rookie season, finishing second to Far Eastern University (FEU); and also in 2006 when we lost, unfortunately, to University of Sto. Tomas (UST). I was very honored to have been a part of Ateneo’s rich basketball tradition and lucky to have played with some of the best players like Larry Fonacier and BJ Manalo. I have been blessed to be able to play under great coaches like Sandy Arespacochaga, Jamike Jarin, Joel Banal, and Norman Black.”
Despite his love for the sport, basketball took a backseat when he decided to pursue medicine, “As a result of my focus on basketball, my grades suffered and were not as high as I wanted them to be. I skipped the next season to concentrate on my studies and get my grades up for medical school. I could have come back for the season after that, but my father and I talked about what was best for my future; and in the end, we agreed that pursuing a medical career was what was best for me.”
Entering the medical profession just fell through for Johan, who dreamed of becoming a marine biologist when he was younger. “When I entered Ateneo, my original course was BS Communications Technology Management. When I got the chance, I shifted to BS Biology,  hoping to pursue my childhood dream. But then I realized, pre med course na din pala ito, so that sparked my interest in the medical profession. I took the National Medical Admission Test (NMAT) and applied with the Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health (ASMPH). Through God’s grace, I got accepted.”
And while the medical school journey wasn’t free from challenges, Johan doesn’t regret his decision of leaving the basketball court permanently, “There were many times I second guessed my decision to enter medical school instead of continuing to play basketball. However, I have no regrets. I enjoy the field of medicine immensely; the way it touches other people’s lives is just incredible.”
Medical school, he says, was taxing — mentally, physically and emotionally. He was also quick to say that another difficult aspect of being  doctor, aside from the rigorous hours during his years of internship and clerkship, were seeing the emotional reaction of people when their loved ones died. “Seeing relatives cry or dying patients took a toll on me. Also, the far-from-ideal health system of the country meant not everyone received adequate treatment, and that is sad. Everyone, regardless of socio-economic standing, should be treated equally and receive appropriate treatment.”
But what got him through were the smiles on people’s faces when their relatives were saved and the simple thank yous his patients gave him. “These things kept me going and inspired me to go above and beyond the call of duty.”

These experiences have encouraged Johan to one day be an instrument for change in the health care system of the country.
An aspiring orthopedic surgeon, Johan now plays in an entirely different court, hoping to contribute to the health care system of the country, “Being a physican is a really noble profession. The country has the potential to be great again, and I hope to be one of the reasons behind its success in the future.”
And more than the number of games he has played, Johan deserves greater applause today as he champions the greater cause of saving lives. 

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The Thing About Beauty

When I was in middle school, I was obsessed with the teen magazines that were fairly new in during the early 00s. My friends would always remind me of my fondness by telling me that it was I who introduced them to these magazines and often the culprit of it being passed around in class when the teacher wasn’t looking.

Those were indeed the good days. My relationship with magazines however came to a screeching halt in high school. The reason why I stopped reading was simple: I no longer felt the need to dive into the conformed standards of the magazine industry. It was in my sophomore year that I adapted the Kat Stratford (as in from 10 Things I Hate About You) persona – dark, brooding, and against everything that screamed cheerleader. I would like to tell you that this was brought about by my intense need to be my own person, but to be completely honest, it was more of a fifteen year old hiding beneath the mask of insecurity. Offhand, there is absolutely nothing petite about my 5’8 frame nor do I posses the divine looks of the sought after mestiza models or immaculate chinita campus crushes. I also wasn’t (and will never be no matter how many rounds of boxing and circuit training I do) reed thin. In short, I often felt left out and displaced.
The journey to self-acceptance is indeed a long and tedious one, however, I would like to say that I wouldn’t have it any other way. Because I was rejected so many times and overlooked because of my looks (sly wordplay), I learned to work harder in other areas of my life. I learned to dive into TV shows, reading, writing, and eventually, school in order to make up for being overlooked and a means of escape. It was my love for daydreaming (I have perfect the art of being an escapist) that drummed up the writer inside of me. And instead of it making me bitter, it fueled my little sunshine attitude, which always comes in handy as an adult.
Not being the center of attention has also taught me the essence of being kind to people and to never take anyone for granted. It also taught me to not rely on my looks to get away with anything in life. In fact because I didn’t always get what I wanted, I worked harder. It is during those dark times that I found strength in my resiliency. It also threw entitlement out of the window. Most importantly, it taught me to treat everyone with respect.  
The journey has also taught me that “beauty” is no longer confined by one’s good looks but instead beauty has a lot to do with how one makes other people feel. Today, I am blessed that my life is filled with people who emanate beauty from the inside out. They display depth, a good character, and most importantly, kindness. These truly beautiful people dig deep to make a difference – whether in the life of a friend or the world. These people are made beautiful by their years of experiencing life.
And in a surprising turn of events, sixteen years after I came across my first teen magazine, I find myself in the field of media and it is nice to see the messages that today’s editors convey applauding women of all shapes, color, and sizes. Editors, writers, and even stylists work day and night to convey that no matter what you look like – you matter and you are beautiful.
And while I’m nowhere near the end of the journey, I am no longer the girl confined by her insecurities. Today, I have learned that being aesthetically beautiful is not the number one goal in my life anymore. Today, I am focusing instead on how to make my world beautiful by encouraging others and trying to make my little pocket of my world a better place.

And just in case you are feeling insecure or unloved, give yourself a little credit because if you don’t love yourself, who else will?
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Everyday Miracles

Life is all about stories.
Every single person you meet has a story to tell and as a writer, I have been fortunate enough to both share my tale and share that of others. For me, life is one big interwoven storybook filled with characters from different walks of life. Another amazing anecdote is the fact that at one point or another, your story may have been interwoven with someone you have never even met. As you can tell, I can be quite a romantic and hearing stories about real, triumphant love in a sometimes dreary world is one of my absolute favorite things in the world.
Such is the story of Ana Amigo and William Antonio. Having known them for over ten years, the story is deeply personal, one that I am more than happy to share. Ana Amigo, one of Metro Manila’s prettiest faces, has long been known in both the fashion and TV industry, having spearheaded several businesses under her belt while at the same time also taking a dip into modeling, TV hosting, and even commercials. But what draws people to Ana is not just her good looks but also her joy and positive aura that simply radiates. William, on the other hand, was a former basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association playing for teams like Pop Cola Panthers, Coca Cola Tigers, and the Powerade Tigers. Their love story began when common friend and also former basketball player, Ali Peek, introduced them.
Ana recalls, “William and I don’t really have a romantic story except for the coincidental way we met. William was having dinner with Ali and he mentioned how he was tired of the dating scene here in Manila. He wanted to meet someone who he can settle down with and after he described the person he wanted to meet, Ali said, you need to meet Ana. Would you believe that as Ali and William were talking, I was just walking outside the restaurant?”
The cute meet story, along with William’s persistence to win Ana over, led to a beautiful almost fifteen year marriage that is blessed with two equally gorgeous children: Raine and Cyrus. Their marriage, though solid, was not without challenges and in the past year alone, they survived one of life’s biggest challenges thus far.
Once vibrant, healthy, and full of vigor for life, Ana became seriously ill to the point where she was taking life one day at a time and praying every night that she would be given the gift of another day, “I went from a seemingly painless life to a very painful one. From a life where I was having happy journeys here and everywhere to a life bound to a hospital bed and not even able to walk on my own.”
The sickness without a doubt rocked their union but that only made it stronger, “As in any marriage that goes through life’s biggest challenges, ours have evolved. We were not prepared for this game changer, it hit us blindly, we really had to dig deep within our love for each other and for our children.”

And while Ana admits that she struggled with guilt of being a burden, both her and William decided to sit tight and plow through, “We decided to continue to live as if everything was normal because we knew this was the new normal. You can’t stop life from going on as long. So we accepted our fate.”
Despite this, Ana, who has always been a positive woman, refused to give up and instead looked for the treasures in her trials, “I quickly learned that everything has a reason. I learned that through the darkest tunnels, we discover the brightest of lights. I learned the world is full of angels, some even in disguise. I learned that what you sow is what you reap. I learned to sort out what and who is most important. I learned what the real treasures in life are. And most importantly, I learned that through persistence and prayers if asked earnestly and faithfully in God’s perfect time, He will answer.”
And true enough, Ana got her prayers answered and is on her way back to pristine health, she also dreams of one day sharing her story in her own words by writing a book about her experiences. William, on the other hand, has found a new passion in painting after retiring from playing basketball professionally.
With all the dealings in life that we encounter on a daily basis, we sometimes forget to be grateful for the joy found in simply waking up each morning. Ana and William’s tale reminds me to look beyond life’s little annoyances and believe in the good that both life and people can offer. It also made me believe that despite of life’s biggest and most treacherous storms, miracles can still happen everyday. Sometimes all it takes is a little change in perspective.  

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When Passion Meets Fashion

Fashion, admittedly, is not one of my strongest suits. My mornings often consist of bargaining with my alarm clock, a few lazy jumping jacks, and a mad dash out of the house at 6 am to avoid south of Manila traffic. Due to this, I don’t spend a lot of time scanning my closet ala Chere Horowitz on Clueless. This is the reason why effortless fashionistas have always inspired me simply because they look so put together 24/7.
One of those style mavens is Kaye Pernia. A friend of a friend’s, Kaye and I first met in 2009 in a popular bazaar down south and from the get go, Kaye exuded the mysterious confidence and sophistication that only a very few people can own.
With degrees in Basic Fashion and Fashion Merchandising from both the Fashion Institute of the Philippines and De La Salle University, College of St. Benilde, it is not a surprise that young Kaye earned a spot in the highly elite Pormada group.
Pormada, “one of the flame-starters in Philippine online retail” puts the fun in online shopping. Bringing in niche brands from all over the world and even budding independent Filipino brands, Pormada is slowly creating a wave in the fashion industry that was previously not seen before. Described as Pormada’s “golden child”, Kaye has taken on the role of Marketing and Merchandising Manager solely in charge of ensuring product availability on the website, checking of quality & workmanship and even maintain strong relationships with the different brands under their company.
When asked what it was like to work in such a high profile industry (at the back of my mind, I was wondering if it was anything like The Devil Wears Prada), Kaye was quick to say, “I am surrounded by positive and passionate people. My bosses motivate me to be a better version of myself, and also working for a start up is fun because you can be vocal. We have a mind mapping meeting every week where we share ideas, views, and suggestions. It’s one of my favorite things to do at work.”
She also adds that her job entails her to meet a lot of people, “I get to meet clients who eventually turn into friends and their passion is infectious as well and I’m easily inspired by them.”
This passion soon translated into the Go Global, Wear Lokal campaign that aims to strengthen support for local independent brands, “I got inspired by stories of these homegrown brands and I think they deserve to be known in their own country and be recognized globally.” Kaye’s campaign is simple, “By using the hashtag #GoGlobalWearLokal on their #OOTD posts, local brands can easily be recognized.” Her personal efforts were solidified by the support of her Pormada team, who is also “committed to finding distinct homegrown Filipino brands and growing them on their website.”
Aside from that, she was also quick to point out that dressing up stylishly is not as difficult or time consuming as it sounds, “It’s really about having your own personal style that’s defined by your own personality. Find what works for you and make sure you’re comfortable.” She also adds that investing in the basics and styling them with accessories such as scarves and bags make a big difference.
For her, fashion is more than just looking good on the outside but also feeling good about one’s self worth, “A bad day can easily be turned around by a good outfit. It empowers.”



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The Tax of the Matter

Among the least topics that cross a youth’s mind is the country’s tax issue.

Things, however, are about to change for the younger generation as the impressionable Sen. Sonny Angara guns for a change in the tax system of the country.

Just on his first term, Angara has already been lauded from voters of all ages for his courage in talking about topics that used to be taboo, including the much-needed reform in the tax system of the country.

The senator, who was kind enough to give some of his time to a young writer, commented, “Our Constitution says that our tax system should be progressive—that is the rate it imposes on a person should be based on a person’s ability to pay. That is why our tax system is divided into income brackets: the higher your income, the higher your tax rate.”

The idea, just like anything else, is wonderful on paper. But the senator points out that the last time the tax code was amended was in 1997. And since then prices have increased, and the cost-of-living has roughly doubled. For example, an annual income of P500,000 today buys far less than what the same income could in 1997.

“As a result, many in the middle class—like yuppies—are squeezed tight for taxes from their incomes. And while income brackets remain unchanged, people who should really be paying less tax are forced to pay more because they are pushed to higher brackets,” he noted.

For someone who deals with only basic accounting, taxes never made much sense until now. Now, I’m beginning to understand why my pay increases were not doing much for me.

The senator continued to point out that the “Philippines has among the highest tax rates in the Asean.” Here, a taxable annual income of above P500,00 is taxed the highest, 32 percent as compared to 10 percent in Thailand, 11 percent in Malaysia, and 20 percent in Vietnam.

And the young Angara also believes that this is one factor why many Filipinos choose to migrate.

Asked how this affects the young people, the personable senator replied, “Under the current system, a mid-level manager with gross income of P60,000 is taxed at the highest 32 percent, which is the same rate imposed on the CEO of the company the mid-level manager works for. Such situations underline just how unfair our tax system can be—making it important that we update, reform and transform it.

“We need tax reforms because the current system imposes too much of a burden on Filipinos and their families, while letting those at the top of the pack continue their trek forward. We need to lower income taxes now because all too easily does the current system dash the hopes and dreams of our young upstarts.”

For him, the solution lies in Senate Bill 2149 (SB 2149), which he is working day and night to pass. Broadly, SB 2149 can lower the tax burden of each taxpayer. This could not only increase take-home pay, it also allows citizens to have more choices in spending.

He emphasized, “We want to do this by adjusting tax rates and tax brackets. For instance, under our measure, we want to lower the highest tax imposed of 32 percent to 25 percent by 2017.”

Fortunately, if passed, young professionals will also benefit. Instead of burdening them with paying such unfair taxes, they will be encouraged and empowered by the government to build their future.

Indeed, Angara’s passion is undeniable and inspiring. Asked why he doesn’t become jaded despite the many things the government has and hasn’t done, he explained, “The government is actually a very big institution, representing different sectors and employing people of varying walks of life. Whatever it is that we see, hear or read in the news sometimes misrepresents government as a whole.”

More importantly, a change in perspective is the only thing that one needs to believe in the government again. That instead of the corruption of top officials, Filipinos must recognize rank-and-file government employees who work tirelessly.

They are “public school teachers who go the ‘extra mile’ every day for their students; policemen and soldiers who are not feared but appreciated by the communities they protect; or managers and administrators who spend long office hours just to provide the best public service their agencies can offer,” he described.

He added, “The untiring service these people render is what I hope more of the younger generation gets to hear about and understand.

He ended, “Government is only as good as the trust reposed in it, which is why we in government must do what we can to earn the trust and confidence of the people we serve.”

With senators like him, young ones like us finally feel that we are getting our money’s worth. He also fuels us to believe that yes, a better tomorrow is possible and not just a passing dream.

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A Return to Love

“Our capacity for brilliance is equal to our capacity to forget the past. The only meaning of anything in the past is that it got us here, and should be honored as such. Give the past to Him Who can change your mind about it for you.”—Marianne Williamson

IF you’re a day over 21, you may have, at one point, found the need to forgive someone and “forget” something horrible done to you in the past. If you’re a human being with real and raw emotions, this may not be the easiest thing to do. The world, in all its glory, is filled with hurt people who are hiding behind the pretense that everything is OK.

When I was younger, I naively thought that menacing people woke up with one mission in mind and that was to “to hurt and conquer.”

However, as you grow older, you are faced with two shocking truths: a) they probably didn’t know they were hurting you and b) you may have also been the evil one unknowingly.

Dealing with our past can be difficult, most especially if we have been cheated out of something that we think was supposed to be for us but once we understand that the people involved were probably doing the best that they can with what they had at that time, we’d sleep better at night.

We’re not quick to point out this truth because our narcissistic selves refuse to believe that it absolutely had nothing to do with us.

The outcome would have been the same even if we tried harder, dressed differently, or even looked better. That person would have been the same either way because that person has issues that have nothing to do with us.

Trying to understand the past is also a futile waste of time simply because there’s nothing that can be done about it. We’ve been hurt and have hurt others as well, and the only way to go through life is not constantly seeking revenge by showing off a better life, but truly letting the hurt go and wishing the person well.

And while it’s not easy, it is possible, with just the right amount of maturity and belief that nothing escapes God’s eye, and everything that happens in our lives has a purpose and one day, we’ll look back at those events and be grateful for them because those things that hurt us ultimately made us better, but only if we allow it to.

And to end, this article is dedicated to my baby brother who is turning 21 tomorrow, you have always taught me to be strong, to forgive, and most importantly to always rise above. I can’t wait to see your dreams come true and for it to inspire a million others, happy, happy birthday!