A day of Love :)

Color Red... hanging cupids... small and big hearts posted in the wall... roses... chocolates... those are some things that we can see every month of February... Obvious naman diba?! It's Valentines day... This day affirms the quote "Love is in the air"... Sweethearts are very visible in this season everywhere,... Kung saan-saan nakakalat... hehehe... Tomorrow, we will celebrate it na, that's why il write na now since i might not have time tomorrow... 

Valentines day... Where it came from? is it just part of the religion or tradition or just a mere fiction that evolves into an annual event? Well, it is but proper to look into the origin of this celebration. 

Based on history, on February 14 around the year 278 A.D., Valentine, a holy priest in Rome in the days of Emperor Claudius II, was executed. Under the rule of Claudius the Cruel, Rome was involved in many unpopular and bloody campaigns. The emperor had to maintain a strong army, but was having a difficult time getting soldiers to join his military leagues. Claudius believed that Roman men were unwilling to join the army because of their strong attachment to their wives and families.

To get rid of the problem, Claudius banned all marriages and engagements in Rome. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret.

When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death. Valentine was arrested and dragged before the Prefect of Rome, who condemned him to be beaten to death with clubs and to have his head cut off. The sentence was carried out on February 14, on or about the year 270.

Legend also has it that while in jail, St. Valentine left a farewell note for the jailer's daughter, who had become his friend, and signed it "From Your Valentine."

For his great service, Valentine was named a saint after his death.

In truth, the exact origins and identity of St. Valentine are unclear. According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, "At least three different Saint Valentines, all of them martyrs, are mentioned in the early martyrologies under the date of 14 February." One was a priest in Rome, the second one was a bishop of Interamna (now Terni, Italy) and the third St. Valentine was a martyr in the Roman province of Africa.

Legends vary on how the martyr's name became connected with romance. The date of his death may have become mingled with the Feast of Lupercalia, a pagan festival of love. On these occasions, the names of young women were placed in a box, from which they were drawn by the men as chance directed. In 496 AD, Pope Gelasius decided to put an end to the Feast of Lupercalia, and he declared that February 14 be celebrated as St Valentine's Day.

Since then on, February 14 became a date for exchanging love messages, poems and simple gifts such as flowers. 

The most catching poem that i read which is very sweet in this contemporary times is a poem that can be found in the collection of English nursery rhymes Gammer Gurton's Garland (1784), which reads:

The rose is red, the violet's blue

The honey's sweet, and so are you

Thou are my love and I am thine

I drew thee to my Valentine

The lot was cast and then I drew

And Fortune said it shou'd be you.

So, ilang oras na lang... pag-isipang mabuti ang ihahandog sa inyong mga partner... It may be material things, but what is more sweet is the action that you will do this day. I just hope that everyday is a valentines day so that there will be peace and tranquility in our surroundings that we walk anywhere without any worries in our system...

Happy Valentines Day Folks! Let this day be filled with love...  


(sources: www.history.com & www.wikipedia.com)

City of Mandaluyong's 66th Liberation Day and 17th Year of Cityhood

"There is no place like home." Such statement deals not only with your house as a structure but theoretically also refers to the place where you came from. Luckily i was born in the City of Mandaluyong dubbed as the "Tiger City" in the metropolis. Today, we celebrate the 66th Liberation Day and 17th Year of Cityhood of Mandaluyong. I remember when i was in highschool, February 9 is the most busiest day for all schools except for Christmas and Foundation day. Why?! because, we always join the yearly civic parada which commenced at Gen. Kalentong St. up to Maysilo Circle. And at the end of the parada, a concert of famous bands will follow... Festivities is in the air every time we celebrate this momentous day. 

Though i am a true Mandaleno, i only started to learn the history of Mandaluyong when I am completing my requirements for the merit badge Citizenship in the Community... Allow me to share some of them, the following is the etymology of Mandaluyong as published in Wikipedia:

There are different stories on the origin of the name “Mandaluyong”. One tells of the early days when the place abound with a kind of tree called luyong from which beautiful canes and home furniture were made. Another claimed that the Spaniards named the place Mandaluyong based on the report of what a navigator named Acapulco saw that the rolling hills were frequently lashed at by daluyong (“big waves from the sea”). This seems to give credence to traditional stories before the coming of the Spaniards that giant waves from the sea lashed at the adjoining hills of the vast lowland, referred to as “Salpukan ng Alon”. Father Felix dela Huerta, a Franciscan Historian, observed that the rolling topography of this land resembled giant waves of the sea. Hence, natives replying to the question of strangers as to what the place was called, used to answer Madaluyong, later hispanized by Spanish writers into Mandaluyong by affixing the consonant “n” to the first syllable.

Romantic residents, however, peddled the story of a Maharlika named Luyong who fell in love with Manda, the lovely daughter of a barangay chieftain. The chieftain had no personal liking for Luyong and forbade his daughter’s marriage to him. Luyong overcame the objection of Manda’s father by winning a series of tribal contests which was the custom at the time. The couple settled thereafter in a place which was later called “Mandaluyong” literally named after “Manda” and “Luyong”.

The first story focused on the geographical features of the city, which is very obvious up to now especially in Hagdang Bato Itaas where the Monument of the three heroes (i dont know who) is situated. The second is like any other love stories that parents are the hindrance of the affairs... Well, whatever etymology Mandaluyong has, the name is so perfect for me. Manda represents hope, change and development for me, while luyong characterizes the continuous flow of success and excellence in the city like a great waves that no one can stop.

Mandaluyong is very small. In fact, i can travel into the whole city in just 2 hours... you can walk safely and all the people are smiling... Mandaluyong has a total land area of 1,124.97 hectares. This constitutes 1.77 % of the 636 sq. km. total land area of Metro Manila which is composed of 15 cities and 2 municipalities. The city is composed of 27 barangays, divided into two (2) political districts. The largest is Brgy. Wack-Wack, which comprises a little over one-fourth (294.48 has.) of the city’s total land area. Next is Brgy. Addition Hills, which comprises almost fifteen percent (162 has.), followed by Brgys. Plainview and Highway Hills at about ten percent each, or 115.92 and 105.12 has. respectively. 

As of Census Year 2000, Mandaluyong City has a total population of 278,474, accounting for about 2.8% of the total population of the National Capital Region which is 9,932,560. With an average household size of 4.6, it has a household population of 275,110 which may also be considered as the nighttime population of the city. 

In the absence of published information and studies concerning daytime population in the city, there is a suggestion that having acquired a full level of urbanization, Mandaluyong City follows the trend in Makati City by which daytime population is three (3) to four (4) times its nighttime population. Thus, on the conservative side, daytime population for Mandaluyong City is estimated as (3) (275,110) or 825,318.

Almost everyone in Mandaluyong is Filipino of various ethnic origins. Even so, the languages generally spoken in the households are Tagalog (96.47%), Bicol (0.40%), Bisaya (0.30%), Ilonggo (0.40%), and Ilocano (0.60%). 

About ninety-one percent (91%) of the residents belong to the Roman Catholic Church, and the remaining nine percent (9%) are distributed among religious denominations like the Iglesia ni Kristo (2%), Evangelicals (1.6%), other Protestants (0.42%), Jehovah’s Witness (0.42%), Aglipayan (0.66%) and others (1.7%).

The typical family of Mandaluyong has an average of 4.61 numbers. Of the 59,682 households, 18.82% are headed by women and 81.18% are headed by men. Majority of these households totaling 86.78% are headed by men and women in their prime productive ages between 20 years and 60 years old, while 12-67% have household heads in the elderly age group of 60 years and above. A little over 0.54% of the number of households are headed by the young population 20 years old and below.

A combination of married and widowed individuals accounts for 48.02% of the household population while family members who remain single total 43.46% with female members slightly more than male members at 51.02% and 48.98%, respectively. Others who opted for other forms of family union account for 8.52%. These include individuals that are either divorced, separated, common-law spouses, and those whose marital status are unascertained. (source: www.mandaluyong.gov.ph)

I can blatantly say that the City is governed properly by the City officials headed by Mayor Benhur Abalos and Cong. Boyet Gonzales. I know that they care so much about the welfare of the City. Though sometimes they were victims of bad publicity, i firmly believe in their desire to put Mandaluyong at the helm. 

Sulong Mandaluyong! 

MPNAG Former Scouts Gathering

"Once a Scout Always a Scout." That senior scout slogan binds the former senior scouts of Mataas na Paaralang Neptali A. Gonzales (MPNAG) into one solid, compact and more deeper friendship and brotherhood that lasts even after highschool graduation.

Participants of the MPNAG - Senior Scouts Alumni Association

Former Teachers present in the event

Last Sunday, Feb. 6, 2011 @ MPNAG Conference Room, we had conducted the very first gathering of the newly established MPNAG Senior Scouts Alumni Association. Actually this idea arose last year with my good friend Renz and under the guidance of then Ms. Ramos now Mrs. Starks... Unfortunately, because of prior personal commitments, we defer the creation of this group. Not until, Renz announced in Facebook his plans for the year that caught the attention of Mrs. Starks and started to ask him of our plans for the group... Immediately after that, me and Renz seated in several meetings and discussed our plans... Two Sundays of January, the organizing committee of this gathering met up at the Mandaluyong Council office (special thanks to Ate Cherrie, Ms. Anselmo and Dr. de Guzman for the venue) since i conducted a briefing for the Council's candidates for Eagle Scout.

Batch 2004

This gathering with a call "Ang hindi Pumunta BADING!!!" was attended by atleast 25 former senior scouts of our school from batch 2003 to 2008. There, we opened the event with a prayer led by Pastor Jerome de Paz, 2005, singing of the national anthem in unison (no one in scout salute) and after which we renewed our scouting spirit by reciting the Scout Oath and Law delivered by Michael Billy Ray De Gracia, 2004, who didn't even know how to end the recital.. that portion of the program filled the conference room of so much laughters... Sobrang daming tawa... that even now, i cant help but still laugh when i remember it...

Sir Albea, while giving his
inspirational message

It's me with Rober Casuga as emcee

I seriously listened to the speech of each one of us while introducing themselves and sharing where they are right now... Some already fulfilled their dreams and others are still going there... The room was filled with joy, happiness and laughters... super laugh tlaga... I would like to personally expressed my sincere gratitude to Sir Albea, who molded us in what we are right now and a true father to all of us... To Mrs. Starks, who served as our mother during our high school life and continues to give us wisdom and all... To Mr. Manalo, for sharing his time even he is tired because of the PLTC/CLTC ... To Ms. Abella, for the smile that ease negative vibes in us... To Mrs. Guloy and Mrs. Nachor for the time, patience and concern for us...

Batch 2005 & 2004

Alas, we had established the group... later this week we will meet again and plan for our future activities... I hope that all will cooperate and will share their time and skills for the group... I have so many dreams for this group.. I know that we can do it... just live by the scout oath and law and have faith, respect, patience and love for each other... 

With Mrs. Starks

 Remember what our founder left to us, he said " The real way to get happiness is by giving out happiness to other people, try to leave this world a little better than you've found it, and when your turn comes to die, you can die happy in a feeling that at any rate you  have not wasted your time but have done your best" That is the working motto of my life... it's really a fulfillment when you help others in many respects... All of us can help, we might not have material things, but there are still needs that only us can give... That is why, we, the former senior scouts of MPNAG, living with strong morale foundation because of our scouting experience, should live according to learnings that MPNAG gave to us, as a scout...

Indeed, there are so many words to say, but we rather put it in action...

Let's work together brother scouts!

Paalam Jan Lee :(

Angela, Me, (RIP) Jan Lee & Jorico

While I am memorizing some provisions of Quasi-delict, one of my friends texted me asking kung totoo ba daw about kay Jan Lee... I tried to reached her through call but to no avail to ask also what is it all about... But i have thoughts that something wrong happened to him. Then i continue studying. It was about 2:47 am when i received a text message from John Maraguinot, the President of Kabataan Pangarap ni Rizal informing me about the tragic death of Jan Lee, who was one of those who died in the bus-bombing accident happened somewhere in buendia. Grabe, this is the second time na biglang tumaas ang balahibo ko for about a minute (the first when i was informed about the death of my lola last Dec. 30). I called John to confirm the news coz i dont want to believe it. He answered with a distured voice that IT IS CONFIRMED! 

I know that all of us will die, but it's hard for me to accept that one of my friends will die like that... a very inhumane act. I therefore defy the doers of this evil deed. Whoever you are, you will be bothered by your conscience forever! The souls of the victims will forever visit you in your dreams, in your thoughts... May God repay you with his divine mercy! but in humanity you will be remembered as ills, a stinking animal without any touch of kindness and consideration in your blood.

I first met Jan Lee when i was a student leader in RTU. As far as i remember, he was at the opposite side of my political party. Unfortunately, when i was betrayed by my own political party, he was one of those who catch me despite of our differences. Then on, he supported me in all of my undertakings, i even appointed him as one of my councilors in the student council during the last months of my term as President. When my term expired, i never thought that we will meet pa. Luckily, he joined the Kabataang Pangarap ni Rizal, and later on one of the pioneers of the RYLI Youth Coordinators Guild. 

As a Rizalian, he showed the hope that we, youth must have. Inspired by the teachings and ideals of Rizal, he volunteered in the recently concluded Rizal Youth Leadership Institute sacrificing his time and resources just to be part of this realization. He was very serious in what he was doing. In fact, i really admire his voice in singing live one of the patriotic songs of the Institute. 

Shock, despair, anger, grief, sorrow, loneliness are just but few of the feelings that we, his friends felt when we heard the news. Nevertheless, our life in this earth is just a preparation of an eternal life waiting up there. Hence, we must demonstrate the things that we must do according to God's will now. 

"realized that fulfillment doesn't mean achieving your highest dreams in life but also, living a life that has made the lives of others worth living"... 

Even in his last post mentioned above in FB. He illustrated the real sense of being fulfilled. That to feel fulfillment, we must see fulfillment first to others by touching their inner cells to do good also for others. That is the secret of being happy here in this world.

Jan Lee, wherever you are... you already fulfilled your goal... you already demonstrated the real reason why we are here... you already illustrated  the true feeling of commitment, love, care and volunteerism not only for yourself nor for others but for our nation as a whole. Having you as a friend is a great opportunity, working with you as a rizalist is a healthy exercise for me. Masakit man and iyong pagkawala, hindi man namin tanggap ang uri ng iyong paglisan... Alam namin na sa huli tayo din ay magkikita-kitapa! Salamat sa sandaling panahon ng tunay na pagkakaibigan, salamat sa tiwala at salamat sa pagmamahal... You forever be missed in this world not just as an individual but an ardent Rizalist, a true Friend and a loving Brother! Paalam kapatid! Non Omnias Moriar (Not everything in me will die).

May the life of Jan Lee be a guiding star to all youth of today, that we must not be tired to hope for a better future. Indeed, the tomorrow is in our hands, so let us craft our tomorrow by doing great things today! 

The Epitome of God's Love

One of my former students shared a video in my facebook profile. Nung una hindi ko sya pinansin, si Lala (the most beautiful girl of mine) pa nga ang nagtanong kung ano yun at kung sino sya... hehehe... I saw the video only this Sunday when i got home. I cant keep my emotions while watching this. Honestly, tayo balahibo ko sa ano. (sa braso hmmmm).... i was really inspired by this video. I will attach it and try to internalize the what he's saying...  

Nicholas James Vujicic (born 4 December 1982) is a preacher and motivational speaker who was born without arms or legs due to a rare disorder known as Tetra-amelia. He struggled throughout his childhood to come to terms with his disability, and at seventeen started his own non-profit organization Life Without Limbs. After graduating from university, Vujicic began his travels as a motivational speaker. At present, he regularly gives speeches on subjects such as disability, hope, and finding meaning in life. 

Ganda noh?! One thing is for sure in this video, and that is GOD is TRULY KIND & GOOD! HE will not give us a problem that we cant solve, it's up to them on how to solve it and to transform it as a positive asset to us. Like Nicholas, he treated his ailment as an opportunity to spread the Good News, he didn't mind hearing others and bullying him because of his disability. In fact, he took it as a great opportunity to inspire others... And that we must do... Let do not take the problems in a negative aspect, Madaling sabihin pero mahirap gawin. Simple lang, isipin nyo na lang na kung yung ibang may mga problema nagsusurvive, tayo pa... Instead of questioning HIM, try to play in your mind what positive things that such problem can effect to your life... Hindi hadlang and kahirapan o kahit kapansanan sa ating mga pangarap... If you just believe, have faith and be thankful of what we have, i know that we can fulfill of it... 

Small act of Change...

Selected MPNAG Students before the actual tree planting activity

January 21, 2011, Friday. National Center for Mental Health.

Isang malamig na umaga. Ayaw ko pa sanang bumangon, pero dahil sa isang importanteng bagay na kailangan kong daluhan, i immediately performed my morning rituals. It was seven in the morning when i received a call from Mrs. Starks asking me if i can come for the tree planting of MPNAG.Though i know it a week ahead of time, parang wala lang ito sa akin... A night before that, i asked Renz (one of my best friends) if he can join me for the said event, pero kailangan daw nyang bumawi sa work. So, nagdalawang isip na akong pumunta.. Pero kung hindi dahil sa tawag ni Mrs. Starks (na hindi ko mahindian), i made a decision to join the students.

This Tree Planting event was conducted for the first time by MPNAG. Ako'y super natuwa at the same time nainggit dahil nung panahon namin sa school, eh wala kaming activities na katulad nito... Pagbaba ko ng aking sasakyan akoy sinalubong agad ng mga dati kong teachers at kinantyawan na tapos na daw silang magtaning. Kahit hindi ako nagtanim, i really appreciated what those students did, not only for the Mental Community but for the rest of the world.

We all know that we are now facing a great challenge with regard to our environment. Our weather patterns dramatically changes from time to time. Kapag may araw sobrang init, pag wala naman sobrang lamig... Umuulan habang si Haring Araw ay nasa langit pa... Baha sa ibang bahagi ng bansa at mundo... at marami pang katulad na mga panyayari... Those are indications of climate change. Climate change is the most fearful enemy that we have right now. We must therefore think of practical solutions to combat such dillema. And one of those is tree planting.

Kailangan na nating kumilos,huwag na nating hintayin pa ang malaking sakuna na maaring magdulot ng kapahamakan sa bawat isa. At yan ang ginawa ng aking mahal na MPNAG... Sumagot sila sa tawag ng kasalukuyang panahon dahil mahal nila hindi lamang ang kanilang sarili kundi pati na rin ang kanilang kapwa. I know that they are very much concern on what is happening... after all they will not join such if they do not. Hindi bakas sa kanilang mga mukha ang pagod sa kabila ng nakakasunog na sikat ni Haring araw, nevertheless they planted seeds with a smile.

Now, my point is that, we need to duplicate this kind of activity... We badly need concern citizens that can sacrifice even a little time just for the sake of saving our planet. Even small things like this can effect change. Planting a seed is just like planting a new hope for our planet. Hindi pa huli... We can save this planet even in a very simple act, JUST BE RESPONSIBLE INSTRUMENT OF CHANGE! And change is not instant, it is a long process... And change must start to yourself... Its weird to campaign for change if you yourself cannot change...

I hope that this event of MPNAG shall serve as a leading example to Mandaluyong City Schools in opening the minds of the youth and inculcate to them the important role of this event to help save our planet.

Again, Congratulations to MPNAG and thank you for such historical and meaningful activity...

Sa Simula

Oooops... based on the records this is my third time to have a blog... It seems that i cannot manage the previous ones due to lack of time and circumstances beyond my control... Pero ngayon, eto na buhay na naman si Mark Roy Boado.

Now that I am in a new chapter of my life, i want it to be documented using new technologies as what Rizal did during his lifetime... I did not dream to have a book of my life, lest i just want to have a documentation of what is happening to me and what i feel during such events... i hope that stories and thoughts published in this blog can help others in whatever purposes...

Ngayon na malapit na meron nang regular na connection sa aming tahanan, i just hope (just like before) that i can maintain this page and atleast to have it updated from time to time...So simulan nyo na akong pag-usapan... Enjoy Reading.