I Love Jessica Sanchez Because

I love Jessica Sanchez not because she's a Kababayan (alright, semi-kababayan, she's Fil-Mexican).  I love Jessica Sanchez not because the whole country is routing for her.  I love Jessica Sanchez not because she had brought honor to my country.  I love Jessica Sanchez because she is a young diva who has a lot of potential to conquer the world with her soul and talent.

I love Jessica Sanchez but I don't think we Filipinos have the right to own her nor her achievements.  I love Jessica Sanchez not because we supported her until the very end but because she continued to do her best till the very end.



I love Jessica Sanchez not because she made our country proud but because through her, the minorities in the US now have an inspiration.  I love Jessica Sanchez not because she makes me feel good to be Filipino but because she makes me feel good about having a dream and working hard to achieve it.

I love Jessica Sanchez because she's just simply... amazing.

Photos not my own

Hate Versus Hate

The twitterverse made Manny Pacquiao trend worldwide yesterday due to allegations of homophobic comments in his interview with Examiner.com. A barrage of hate tweets were seen soon after his “Leviticus Quote” asking that homosexuals should be put to death.

I love the guy. He’s my boxing hero. But do I take him seriously outside the realm of boxing? Hardly. Whether or not he really mentioned those Leviticus passages, the fact remains that these are only his honest opinions based on how he interprets the Scriptures. These are neither truths nor facts. If so, should I get hurt? If he is a person who I value I just might. But he’s not part of the list of people that mattered to me. Nor is he someone who I look up to in matters of faith. To me he’s just one person who’s simply stating his opinion on a certain subject.

The problem lies when luminaries like Manny are being looked upon as prophets and we forget that what it is we saw in him in the first place. He came from a simple family who worked his way in the boxing industry with his sheer hard work and talent and made it pretty big. We all know about his alleged adulterous, womanizing attitude and his gambling vice. So why would we consider him a role model when it comes to righteousness?

It is indeed sad that to us homosexuals he seemed to be misguided. But just as he does not have the right to impose his way of thinking on us, we do not have the right to impose our way of thinking and beliefs on him. Hate versus hate is pointless.

True Friends

I'd like to define friendship and judge my so called friends objectively instead of using my personal standards.  The society, to some extent have laid down a sea of criteria that can help you pick the real ones.  A true friend needs to be honest, loyal, understanding, respectful and thoughtful.  "Bro's before Hoe's," he does not ditch you just to give in to carnal desires.  He/she should not be "fair weathered" and be with you through thick and thin.  Puts you first before their own comfort and happiness.

By these standards, I fail miserably.  I try to live by these criteria and become the true friend my friends need.  I sometimes forget to be patient with my friends, forget their birthdays, force my views and opinions on them.  Then I realized, I'm not perfect.  Neither are my friends.

Instead of pulling my hair (what's left of it) trying to figure out how I can stick to the social constructs, I should just try to keep it real.  Continue to live by the golden rule and treat my friends like how I want to be treated.  Remain to be a positive influence.  I don't set too many rules and expectations and just let the friendship evolve on its own.

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Realizations At 30

Another year has ended for me.  Now I'm 30.  A real grown man.  And there really are signs that I'm starting to feel, think and act my age.

On the eve of my birthday, I decided to go clubbing with my housemates.  I can't even remember the last time I was in that club.  When I was in my early twenty's, I would frequent clubs, getting myself seen, wasted and laid.  One night would not be enough, I'd go to one club on a Friday and a different one on a Saturday.  During that time, I adored loud pulsating beats of house music.  My eyes would beg to see flashes and flickers of beams and lasers.  And I take pride on snatching the nights prized catch.

But last night that place was so alien to me.  I hardly go to clubs now.  My ears are about to explode because of the hard pounding beats.  The laser show was giving a migraine.  A few drinks made me want to throw up.  I had to call it a night rather early because I was so tired.

The clubbing scene and I had our falling apart when I witnessed how it messed up the lives of my ex as well as some of my friends.  I started to think that that lifestyle was a lifestyle of pretensions.  It's troublesome, expensive and harbors drug addiction.  As much as possible I tried to stay away from it.  The charm of seeing people all dolled up and the prospect of meeting possible mates still get the best of me so I still go to clubs every once in a while.

But it wasn't like before.  Moreso when I realized that the digits are starting to sink in, I know I had to give it to the younger generation.  It's time to act my age.  I'd much rather stay home and enjoy a cup of coffee.  Enjoy a good laugh with people who's approval matter to me.

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