hope

Every corner in the world knows by now the election of Barack Obama as the 44th president of the United States and I am completely blown away by the Americans' love for the United States. I was this close into tears, seeing the drama this campaign had offered and although I wasn't entitled to vote, and is not American, I felt proud of this American achievement, alongside a tinge of jealousy. I wasn't even done with my homework but I stayed on CNN, waiting for both McCain and Obama's speeches and staring at Anderson Cooper every chance I get. (LOL) Obama's vision of hope moved a lot of people of every kind, encouraged almost everyone including me, who wished I could've joined the others in making this history and change the face of America. It helps that my current studies in American history, especially now that we are talking about slavery, gave me a clear idea of what this event actually meant and led me to empathize with the Americans more and taught me the impact of this huge milestone in history. What a big change, coming from an old Constitution that considered black people only three-fifths of a person.

At the back of my mind, I was asking myself when could my home country see a gleam of hope like this who could help the people believe in the nation again? But I'm still hopeful that day will come even if it'll take a really long while. Yes, there was jealousy, I didn't imagine people would be celebrating an election of a candidate: people were outside their houses, Times Square looked like it was New Year's eve, there were massive crowds waiting for Obama in Chicago and even Americans randomly making noise outside the White House. History in the making indeed, something I have personally never seen before.

This is just one of those moments when you remember exactly where you were, like seven years ago when the Twin Towers collapsed in New York City. But just to make this story short, I am hoping for the best of the United States, a place that is truly my second home.

Pallinnnnnn!

Before I even finish my Benjamin Franklin essay due tomorrow, I just needed to share this. This is brilliant!

Just Words

I have been sitting in front of my desk for four hours and I wasn't able to do anything productive but check my Multiply, Blogger and Facebook accounts. Add a couple of YouTube videos to that and a little browse on the news and some blog hop. Okay, I was really surfing a whole lot of sites and it's not good because after checking one out I'd say "Okay, I'd do it after this" and then a little later, "This won't take a lot of time" and blah blah. I am being unproductive and I only have an hour before my daily deadline of 12 midnight. I was supposed to finish two papers tonight but I just HAD to be lazy. Finishing something sounds scary I just want to bum around. And I just HAD to end up blogging. You know why? Because I haven't given you stories about myself recently and it feels a little empty. Hah! That's weird, right?

Ok, after absorbing those words above you can quit reading now..

...

I knew you still want to read on. lol.

You want a story? Ok, I'll give you bullets.

*In the past, I have been feeling a little empty again. It feels a little weird when you're in a mall and you find this really sweet couple in front of you while you sit beside your parents.
*I am in dire need of some alcohol intake.
*I want to tell you "Hi" but am afraid you'd say "What?".
*I want it to be spring now so I'd wear thinner clothes.
*I wanna curse so bad I wanna scream it in school.
*I still need to go on a diet because I still can't fit in my jeans of 2006. (damn this)
*I need to go on a vacay.
*I want to visit the Philippines for a day so I could party in Makati.
*I want to punch my English prof for giving me a B-. (exaggeration)
*I want a MacBook Pro.
*Okay, I am neither Clinton nor Obama's ad manager but I was disappointed with the plagiarism issue. I know it's so last week but I just HAD to rant. Obama's words are inspiring but.. ok, no but's. I don't wanna talk about it.


I just had to release those. Now I'm fine.

G'nyt. I'd better sleep now so I could cram tomorrow.

On Politics

You know what's interesting? I never really had an interest in politics. Maybe a bit when I made a paper about Pork Barrel in Philippine Government. But for me it's something I already got sick of and would not dare ponder more on it. And how ironic it is because now that I want to vote and would like to participate with all the things concerning government and all the heavy politics there is, I just couldn't.

Last Monday, I was asked by my Journalism teacher if I was registered or if I was eligible to vote then I answered with a dumb "I don't know."

How dumb could I get? I should have told him that I wasn't even registered in my home country. Ha ha.

This is one of the few instances when I tend to lose my direction because this is not the place I originally come from so in one way or another, my identity's lost.

I am in America. And as much as I would like to be a Democrat and nominate Obama or Clinton, I couldn't.... yet. But I'm happy that I am at least aware of the primaries, caucuses and national conventions and that I know that the US will have a new president by November, whether he or she is a Republican or a Democrat.

I believe in Obama, but I think I am more on Hillary's side. And yes, I am not virtually a Republican so I don't have a favorite on their side. ;)
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On to the Philippines...

Maybe the constant reminder of my professors to be updated with the news roused the spirits of my political soul. It's not that I am belittling my homeland but with the little facts that I knew then, I turned my back on politics thinking it's all a game of corruption and distrust. That's what I actually hate: the continuing corruption that is setting the Philippines back further. If only someone could have a sense of nationalism and empathy, then that person could help the country win back the pride of its people. Filipinos deserve better than just taking pride on fellow country men's achievement in the Entertainment world. We could be more than just YouTube Stars, Ellen Degeneres Show guests or boxing champions. We could be more than just performers. But hey, I'm not saying I'm against the craft. I'm just saying, I could bump into a Filipino someday who has become famous in the fields of science, medicine or even politics, you know what I mean?

Now that's a nice dream, eh? I just don't want another "Okay before we go any further, can I check your diplomas because I would just like to make sure that they're not just from some med school in the Philippines," with the index finger pointed to the doctor on another TV series.

It just doesn't sound right.

political bickering

Just last week, while everyone was enjoying and clamoring over Pacquiao’s triumph, there I was, laughing, with his victory and partly wishing he hadn’t won at all. But this isn’t bitching out nor being un-nationalistic. I was just thinking about how the rate of things are going. How every thing in the world has sort of evolved through the years. Imagine this boxer planning to be a Congressman in his respective district. Isn’t it ironic how big a jump it would be from boxing to show business (ahem) and finally, to politics?

I won’t be surprised if one day, Manny would be the Philippine president and it would become mandatory for kids to train for boxing. There will be a required subject in school that is boxing, aside from taking the usual Physical Education. Ha ha. It sounds really funny I know, but I’m not exaggerating things here. I’m just thinking out of the box because I don’t know how Filipinos think nowadays. Yeah, yeah, we’re all about fun and all that. But I think we are forgetting the real things we should be concerned about.

I’m sorry for making Manny such example. (The People's champ!) I’ve heard his reason for running though, but the idea haunts me so bad I want to be out of the Philippines already. This is the reason why we’re behind everyone. We think we know what to do. We think we know what’s right but the truth is, we’re clearly making matters worse everyday.

I don’t actually know how to fix this. How to alleviate this crisis. But my fingers are crossed: hopefully it’s not the end for our country.

P.S. My flight’s on the 21st of May. Bonjour! ;p