To Love

To love is to share life together
to build special plans just for two
to work side by side
and then smile with pride
as one by one, dreams all come true.

To love is to help and encourage
with smiles and sincere words of praise
to take time to share
to listen and care
in tender, affectionate ways.

To love is to have someone special
one who you can always depend
to be there through the years
sharing laughter and tears
as a partner, a lover, a friend.

To love is to make special memories
of moments you love to recall
of all the good things
that sharing life brings
love is the greatest of all.

I've learned the full meaning
of sharing and caring
and having my dreams all come true;
I've learned the full meaning
of being in love by being
and loving with you.

Thanks.

Thanks for being such a good friend to me.
You've opened up my eyes to things I couldn't see.
I hope we last forever, you know.
So that everyday our love will grow.
You've been there, through thick and thin.
And now I can truly say I can call you a friend.
I hate to have to share you with others,
Like other friends, your sister, your brother, your mother.
Other people may have no clue
about the closeness between me and you.
But,all I want to say Is
Thank You!

Silence

Moving on,
Going no where.
Caring 'till dawn,
Sounds that seem to care.

Music low,
Hearts beat,
No one must know,
Panting in the street.

The two as one,
Lovers in the night.
All night long,
'Till they're done.

Coming together -
to make everything right.

Issues of National Concern

I'm back after a week of spending the holidays!


I received a personal commentary from Jayme Nava Cruz, an OFW Writer, Composer and Documentarist, here in Riyadh who founded the Sining Pinoy (?)- a newly organized cultural group in Riyadh.


"Within each of us lies the power of our consent to health and sickness, to riches and poverty, to freedom and to slavery. It is we who control these, and not another".

Time and again, it's New Year (2008), and I want to take this privilege to share a few thoughts and comments about some topics that should be near to your hearts, and certainly, of tantamount interest to you, all.

In doing so, let me jumpstart by saying that "freedom of expression", or 'freedom of speech', as preferred to be called by many, is indeed, a great 'license', (though associated with consequences), for everyone in most cases. In saying so, the bold fact connotes that we are also entitled to 'freedom of criticism', as long it is within the perimeters of fairness and decency. And in view of this, I have 3-major-comment to make:

I. Appreciation of PPeso against the Green bucks!

It is noteworthy to highlight the claim of our government, which is regularly mentioned on the pages of local and international newspapers, citing that our present government presides a strong economic growth, "kahit sabihin pang nariyang ang milyong outcries nang milyon-milyong OFWs sa nararamdamang hirap nang buhay, especially taking into view the 'all-time-high' appreciation of PPeso against the Dollars, na tunay namang nakapekto sa 'purchasing power' nang lahat nang OFWs. Of course, having a "bullish economy", now and ahead on, is a very good sign of economic recovery. (Sino nga bang Pinoy ang hindi matutuwa?) Nevertheless, we could not deny the fact that unless the benefits of this so called, affluence, is filtered down to the poor, especially to the poorest component of our society, walang makakaramdam nang tutuong kaligayan sa sinasabing uptrend economic recovery. And although one may say that, "it will take sometime to feel and enjoy the positive results of this "economic growth", pero hanggang KAILAN nga ba ang gagawing paghihintay?

Personally, as an OFW, or a "FilExpat" (title nang short film narrative that I've recently wrapped-up), lalu kong nararamdam ang hirap nang pagpasan nang mga gastusin sa pang-araw araw na pangangailangan nang aking pamilya sa Pilipinas sa nagdaang taon. Sa pagbagsak nang dolyar against the PPeso sa merkado, na hindi tumutugma sa hindi natitinag na presyo nang mga bilihin sa Pilipinas, I note that it is now becoming very difficult to ''rehydrate' my bank accounts back home. Nagsimula ang ganitong kondisyon since the 3rd Quarter of 2007. Pretty sure, if this situation will go on "fully unattended", and 'no concrete counter strategies' will be considered and put in place, I won't doubt that in due time, my savings will soon be slowly "dehydrated", and even, bone-dry!

Frankly, the instant move of one of our community groups in Jeddah, na kaagad sumulat kay President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to quickly act on this issue, (consider the $ - PPeso exchange rate of 1$ = 50PPeso), is indeed heroic, at tunay na napapanahon. Yung ginawa nilang pangangalampag is one-perfect-way to show, "what and how to make an issue on, and not". At tunay namang issue ito! Imposible namang bumagsak na ang aming "purchasing power", and yet, we are expected na magawa pang mag cartwheels and dance the Macarena! The Big Q! is, paano nga ba tunay pang nakakatawid yung mga kababayan nating naghihirap din sa Pinas na walang permanenteng tarbaho at nagkakasya na lamang sa kanilang shoestring budget? OK sana yung pagbaba nang dolyar at yang "bullish economy" if it is coincided sa pagbaba nang prices of our basic commodities. The truth of the matter is, both sides, (kaming OFws at yung mga naghihirap na kababayan sa Pilipinas), ang tunay na nakakaramdam nang parusa at problema.

What I am confused of is: Many of our politicians are claiming that they are the best, if not, best of the bests (political and economic tacticians, etc.). Granted that we enjoy great collections of intellectual talents, PERO bakit hindi natin tunay na maramdaman ang tutuong pag-usad bilang isang isang bansa? Perhaps, our 'national guards' should do some moral inquests, i.e. on how they can serve most good the greater number of our populace especially the poor, (tulad nang karamihan naming OFWs) given the resources they have. Sabi nga ni Bill Gates during his 2006 commencement speech sa Harvard, "To whom much is given much is expected!".

I hope, as early as today, (January 1, 2008), our beloved President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, finally find ways and means to smoothen things up para sa aming mga OFWs na tunay namang nahihirapan sa extreme slided-value of US Dollars against the 'all-time-high-appreciation' of PPeso. (The Year 2007 was indeed an 'annus horribilis' sa mga OFWs.). I hope, too, that the concerned government agencies won't suffer of the "will-not-to-know-attitude" with respect to our predicaments on this issue of US$ - PPeso exchange trend. (Ok sana kung sa bawat pagbagsak nang dolyar ay tumataas din ang aming sulwedo.)

II. Importance of Cash Management, etc.

Given the issue as narrated in Item 1-above, I believe it is imperative and prudent that OFWs, (all of us), consider, observe and practice in truth the importance of "'CASH MANAGEMENT". In advocating so, I mean:

a. Yung excessive na paggastos nang wala namang katuturan. Let's face the fact na maraming kababayang Pinoy ang mahilig mag-purchase nang doble-dobleng equipment. Tatlong TV... may pang sala, pang bedroom at pang kitchen. Dalawang 'component'. The sad truth is, some of us are always forgetful of the saying: "Always differentiate what you want to what you only need". I hate to say this, but it is becoming part and parcel of our "Pinoy social attitude". Let's take note that "having the status of Sharon Cuneta" vis-a-vis having the attitude of "feeling Sharon Cuneta" are two different things.

b. Let's tighten our belt. (Maghigpit nang sinturon!) One way of doing so is, umiwas sa gastusin such as throwing 'parties' every now and then. Dito ko lamang nakita at naranasan sa Kingdom na mag-birthday lang, or mag-celebrate nang Valentine's Day kaya, "nagpapa social party na", and take note, imbitado ang halos buong barangay. Para bang laging mayroong 'meeting de avance. Dito ko din halos nakita na marami sa atin ang tunay na "branded conscious". Yun bang dapat naka Armani, Versace at D&G... (kahit sabihin pang hindi magawang bigkasin nang tama ang 'Dolce', idagdag pa ang 'Versace'). It is pretty okay kung can afford at kaya nang bulsa. Paano kung hindi? Though one may argue or make counter comments, albeit, marami sa atin ang may ganitong attitude. Masarap mabuhay sa epicenter of reality. At mas lalung masarap makita at madama na tanggapin ka nang mga kaibigan bilang ikaw..... maging mahirap ka man o mayaman. Matalino man o mayroong mga kakulangan.

In considering our present situation sa pagbagsak nang dolyar, lalu nating isipin ang ating truest and sincerest mission why we are working in here, or elsewhere overseas: Yung kumita nang Pera. Mag-save. (Isn't it that "money saved is money earned?"). Umunlad ang buhay at magkaroon nang comfortable retirement pagdating nang araw. Which in the long run, ay makakatulong sa pag-usad ang ating ekonomiya. In doing so, we will find out that we are helping ourselves more than we ever know.

III. On a totally different subject: (Various Pinoy artists, art and cultural groups in the Kingdom).

It's a common knowledge, which we should realize, that no matter how much natural talent and ability we might have, we will never reach our full potential without getting a broad experience of our chosen field; that unless our talent comes into contact with an environment where it can develop and flourish, it might lie dormant forever.

The issue in here is: If and when possible, one should get guidelines and trainings from people who sincerely know the craft. Kung kayang pumunta sa mga schools of arts, do it; why not! In addition to our experience na nakukuha sa ibat-ibang undertakings tulad nang mga various cultural and artistic presentations nang bawat art groups, tunay na makakatulong at makakadagdag ang pagkuha nang formal schooling at trainings.

My personal observation is, again, though one may argue: Sa halip na tunay na "i-polish" ang natural talents nang ibang Pinoy artists, they opt na mag-compare at mamintas na lamang. Some are only satisfied sa "feeling-artist- attitude". The grain of truth is: tunay na maraming competent at well-disciplined Pinoy artists na OFWs sa Kingdom. For one, I know so many, pero marami rin yung mayroon lamang na "feeling popular" at may "know-all-attitude". I mean, makasayaw lamang nang modern jazz, feeling na nasa kategorya na nang dating "Ms. Liza Macua", or, Angel Reyes, or, David Pantoja. Nakatulong or na-assign lamang mag design nang stage for a certain cultural program, ayun at feeling "certified art director' na.

Perhaps, it is prudent to consider that our natural creative ability, if it is not honed (via experience and education), let alone, practiced (via various artistic and serious undertakings), is an obvious waste of human talent. And the concerned artist must know this fact.

Now, on the issue of those claiming they are great, well-disciplined artists: Why not share yur real talents and expertise to others? Certainly, knowing what we know, why we can't (share)? Isn't it iyan ang ilan sa mga dahilan kaya tayo binigyan nang nasa Itaas nang talino at opportunity for a full access sa edukasyon?

And finally, doon sa ating mga kababayan, who always find na laging "kabadingan": ang parameters and perimeters of SINING, Pinoy artist man (Pinilakang Tabing), Bollywood, Lollywood, Hollywood, ....... (GISING!).
Again, it has something to do with our mental factors and social attitude...... (yung social insensibilities and artistic bankruptcies) nang ilan regarding the whole matter. As for our Pinoy artists, professional and amateur, in the Kingdom, let us all remember that: "Artists ought to be judged by their artwork, not whether they are gays, lesbians or not!".



Sa inyo Pong Lahat
Manigong Bagong Taon 2008

What if your 2 most special persons celebrate birthdays at the same time?

Call it coincidence; two persons, who are special to me, celebrate their birthday today….. No they are not twins.

Good thing that we are miles away or else I might find myself choosing the most special one to celebrate with.

I lost contact with Lester for several years since I left Manila in 1998 and never had the time to see him during my vacations. I’ve been hoping that someday, I may have the chance to contact him. Unexpectedly few months back, I was able to get in touch with him again.

“Sugar" is my special friend here in Riyadh for 5 years now. He left for vacation last October 13. I was supposed to go with him in Pampanga, but due to my prior work commitment and unavailability of flight booking, I defer my vacation until next year.

Well, good enough I postponed my vacation or else I have no option but to decide who to celebrate with.

To Lester:

Please promise me
that the "gift" I’ll give you . . .
is another beginning.


To "Sugar":

I don't have much to give you
in the way of material things.
But then, I have never been a material person . . .
so it wouldn't matter much anyway.

You have already captured a piece of my heart,
and you have captivated my soul.
The only thing left for me to present to you
is my very being . . . and I do that willingly,
happily, and most of all . . . lovingly.







Wealth is beyond Capital

The list of Arab billionaires, which I posted several days ago, reveals that there is gold in the desert.

It is really great to see so many billionaires here in the Middle East even though the world believes the Middle East is still backwarded in terms of development.
However, the wealth of an individual can be expanded out... as it relates to creativity, problem solving, and social enlightenment. How one applies their wealth is of critical importance.

After my Jordanian boss read the list I provided him, he told me that most of these information have been publicly leaked as a PR Stunt. Maybe to generate even more wealth, for the sake of making more money? Or to take action to empower others to follow their leadership model.

Film documents plight of Saudi families

The first documentary in Saudi, shoot over a year, exposes the extreme poverty and very impoverished conditions the offspring of those troubled Saudi families living abroad.

The documentary shows how Saudis get involved in wrong marriages through “marriage brokers” who arrange for their marriages. Women are also affected by the deals the brokers conduct which end up most of the time with a troubled marriage or a divorce.

The documentary reveals that 70% of Saudi families living abroad are the result of a mixed marriage between Saudis and locals of those countries. The other 30% of Saudi families are living there after there families migrated to those countries.

Some Saudis marry Arab women under weak forms of contractual bond while other marry women without getting prior-permission of the Ministry of Interior, which demands Saudis to obtain an official licence and approval when marrying abroad.

Most of these marriages are known as “Ourfi” marriages, which stands for acknowledged marriages.

But even if a marriage is legal there might be another problem in that many Saudis do not want to bring their foreign wives to the kingdom.

The US$289.4m floating palace



The owner of the world's most expensive yacht, which is currently being built in Genoa, Italy is keeping his identity firmly under wraps.

As much as its owner remains a mystery, so does the million-dollar yacht's name. Known simply as ‘Hull 6154', the boat will measure 438ft once it is completed in 2010.
It will have seven decks, two helicopter pads and storage space for a submarine. The boat will sleep a 60-strong crew as well as its passengers, who will be entertained in 15 state rooms, all of which will be fitted with the latest entertainment systems, gold and marble bathroom fittings and Jacuzzis. If the guests fancy leaving the boat for a spot of water activities, they can enjoy the boat's very own five jet-skis or two speed boats.

Saudis vent anger at gov't refusal to drop peg

Saudi Arabia's determination to maintain its riyal currency peg to the US dollar is provoking anger in internet forums, where Saudis can vent their frustrations with anonymity.

Saudi Arabia has resisted pressure among fellow Gulf Arab states to revalue the riyal or peg it to a basket of currencies, despite the dollar's precipitous fall on global markets.

The riyal's peg at 3.75 to the dollar is seen by economists as a factor behind a sharp rise in inflation this year that has hit ordinary Saudis while record oil prices have fattened government coffers to unprecedented levels.
It is serious when young people see money flowing to others and they get nothing….

Road Trip...

" Think of life as a great road trip. If you spend too much time looking back at where you've been, you'll miss what's ahead."

" It doesn't matter whether or not you have won the race, as long as in your heart, you know you have done your best."





Dollar declines

The dollar's relentless decline against major currencies was "prompting jibes from America's critics, jangling investors' nerves and giving policymakers headaches." It urged the Gulf states to "loosen their ties to the dollar" when their leaders meet on December 3rd in Qatar.
Nowhere are the dilemmas more acute than in the Gulf, where virtually all the oil-rich states peg their currencies to the greenback. The combination of soaring oil prices and the tumbling dollar is distorting their economies and fuelling inflation.

Gulf ministers support residency cap

GCC nations are broadly in favour of a proposed law to impose a six year residency cap on unskilled expatriate workers, according to a UAE labour ministry official.

The 3+3 law was discussed at the ministerial meeting in Riyadh and most countries were in favour of the law. They approved an 11 point plan for the law, likely to be approved at the GCC summit in Doha next month.

Under the law, unskilled labourers would work on a three-year contract, renewable only once. However, the law would be applied separately to each country, meaning labourers could continue to work in other Gulf nations.
World's richest Arabs - record 47 billionaires
The Arab world now boasts a record 47 billionaires, according to the annual Arabian Business Rich List.

The long awaited list of the world’s 50 richest Arabs is believed to contain a record number of new entries, with the entry level to become a member of the world’s most exclusive club having risen to $700 million - up from $520 million.

The list is also believed to uncover a number of new tycoons stemming in particular from Iraq and Syria.
One of the biggest risers is believed to be a UAE-based tycoon who has seen his fortune jump by over a billion dollars in the past twelve months.


Car accidents cost Saudi $3.46bn every year



Saudi Arabia loses around 13 billion Saudi riyals ($3.46 billion) annually because of car accidents.

The losses include four billion riyals in human losses and 3.4 billion riyals in vehicles damages.

Saudi Arabia spends 734 million riyals annually on medical care for people involved in car accidents.

Expats face infectious disease screening



The UAE plans to crack down the spread of infectious diseases among the general public by making expatriate workers undergo more stringent medical examinations.

Expatriates currently undergo tests for HIV and tuberculosis when they apply for their visas, but the new requirements would include regular checkups to ensure workers are not carrying contagious diseases and a measurement of workers' 'medical fitness’.

Oo nga... Kaibigan Ka Lang Pala

hmmm...... kaibigan nga

nung una wala lang,…
parati lang kayong magkasama...
wala, kasi kaibigan lang naman
walang tinatago kahit kanino,
kaya lakad dito,
punta dun,
pasama kahit saan.

ang sama sama mo pa nga sa kanya,
kasi parang wala kang pakialam ..

naiinis ka pa nga kung bakit ang kulit kulit nya ..

sa isang araw nakakalimang tawag sya sayo...

wala lang kung anu ano lang pinaguusapan
pagnagkikita naman ang lambing lambing nya sayo
ikaw pa naman yung taong hindi sanay sa ganon
kaya parati mo syang binabara

tapos isang araw,
mapapansin mo na lang na hinahanaphanap mo sya
bigla ka na lang mapapangiti pag naaalala mo
ang mga ginagawa nyo noon
pagmagkaharap kayo napapansin mo na yung
mga bagay na dati di mo nakikita
ang tangos pala ng ilong nya....
ang haba pala ng pilikmata nya ....
ang ganda pala nyang ngumiti....
ang pula ng mga labi niya....
pagmagkasama kayo komportableng komportable ka

pero kung dati wala kang pakialam, ngayon
lahat sayo may dahilan..

Lahat ng ginagawa niya para sa iyo, may kahulugan...

buong gabi tinatanong mo sarili mo

BAKIT KAYA NYA GINAGAWA YUN?

tapos sasabihin mo sa sarili mo, magkaibigan lang kayo!

dadaan ang mga araw, magpapatuloy ang ganyan
hindi mo maintindihan bakit ganun ang nararamdaman mo
tapos sasabihin mo sa sarili mo, magkaibigan lang kayo!

lahat ng nakapaligid sayo nagtatanong, nangaasar, nagungulit
tinatanong kung ano ba talaga kayo.

paguwi mo sa bahay paghiga sa kama,
hindi ka makatulog
tatanungin mo din ang sarili mo ano ba talaga kami

tapos biglang mapapansin mo na lang na bigla syang nagbago
hindi na parang nung dati
iniiwasan ka na nya
hindi ka na kinakausap
ni di ka nga matingnan
ano kaya ang nangyari?
may ginawa ka ba na kinagalit nya?
yan ang mga tanong na madalas na naiiwan
sayo..
mga tanong na walang kasagutan …
kung meron man
isang tao lang ang makakasagot
hindi ang best friend mo….
hindi ang kapatid mo.....
ang kaibigan mo lang.
pero kaya mo bang itanong?

tapos sasabihin mo kaibigan lang naman,
gusto ko lang magtanong...
tapos bigla ka na lang matatakot…..
mahihiya. …
maiilang ....


biglang isang araw nagkaroon ka ng lakas ng
loob na lapitan sya
paglapit mo,
di ka makapagsalita,
di ka makatingin sa mata nya
pero pinilit mo pa din… kahit mahirap.

palayo ka na, hindi mo na alam kung saan ka papunta
naglalakad ka na parang tumatakbo, pero walang direksyon
di mo inaasahang tumulo ang mga luha sa iyong mga mata,

bigla kang natawa

sabi ko nga kaibigan LANG…. Kaibigan LANG…

Live and Let Love.....

Sometimes, the words of love never have to be spoken.

They have their own language that breaks barriers and goes beyond the limits of what we can imagine.

When we love someone so much, we become a part of that person.

And when he goes, that part of us goes with him, leaving a void of cold emptiness that fills out whole being.

Just like an empty shell, you will just be dragged by the waves and drift aimlessly in an endless sea of loneliness.

Life doesn't have to end on this tragedy.

For all the pain we experience come with a purpose.

The tears should wash away the sadness of the past and our long silent solitude should bring to life a new being.

We may lose someone we love.
But it doesn't mean we have lost love itself.
For as long as we have the capacity to give and sacrifice ourselves, there will always be hope for a fresh beginning.
Let us always remember that people who live today find love again but those who live in the shadows of the past find only the love that has already been lost forever.

Breaking Up Is Hard To Do

When you break up with someone, it's hard to transition immediately into the friend phase. I once had a roommate who insisted that I befriend his soon-to-be ex-boyfriend because he genuinely wanted to be friends with the guy. He knew that wasn't possible right away, but if I kept the friendship alive there was a chance they could get back to being friends later on. The plan worked, and years later they are the best of friends again. Those two are the lucky ones, of course. Most people break up and then are left with two broken pieces instead of the whole piece they started with.

Ending a relationship on bad terms can be rough, depending on how invested the person is in your life. I think this is why so many gay men keep their relationships separate from their friends and family. So many gay relationships don't work out, so why get everyone involved? Once all your friends and family get into the act, you aren't just breaking up with one person, you are breaking up (in various degrees) with most of the people in his life. It's so much simpler when all you have to do is return a box of stuff the creep left in your apartment without having to awkwardly run into his mother at the local supermarket.

Sometimes seeing an ex-boyfriend is unavoidable. Dating someone who is a close friend of a close friend just opens you up to a world of hurt. One friend of mine dated the next-door neighbor of another friend and now it is weird for him to even be in their shared apartment building. I guess we all won't be getting together for Scrabble again anytime soon. When you date someone at work, the experience of running into an ex is magnified to a near breaking point: Just a trip to the bathroom or past the receptionist could lead you into another unwanted encounter. It's always great to date a
guy who lives in your neighborhood, until you break up and then run into him at the supermarket.

The worst of all ex situations is one in which you introduce someone into your social gene pool and then, after a breakup, they further embed themselves with your friends. It creates endless awkwardness when old friends have to choose between someone they have known a long time and a fun new person they know their old friend hates. Naturally, we expect people to side with their oldest and dearest friends in any dispute with an ex, but, as we all know, the gays have a bad habit of selling out their own in exchange for flattery, mere trinkets or even blowjobs at a sex club.

Like it or not, once you date someone for a while, they are in your life for the long haul. You may not still be romantically engaged by them, but once your lives have been woven together, it's difficult to pull apart that fabric. We create webs of relationship as we move through life, pulling in family, friends, lovers and co-workers. Along the way, we become very attached to some and just connected to others. With an ex, as much as you may want to see him fall off a cliff, disappear forever or never have existed in the first place, the fact remains that you brought him into your own world. It isn't so easy to reverse the process, so you might as well live as cheerfully as you can with the result.

FOREPLAY

When you break up with someone, it's hard to transition immediately into the friend phase. I once had a roommate who insisted that I befriend his soon-to-be ex-boyfriend because he genuinely wanted to be friends with the guy. He knew that wasn't possible right away, but if I kept the friendship alive there was a chance they could get back to being friends later on. The plan worked, and years later they are the best of friends again. Those two are the lucky ones, of course. Most people break up and then are left with two broken pieces instead of the whole piece they started with.

Ending a relationship on bad terms can be rough, depending on how invested the person is in your life. I think this is why so many gay men keep their relationships separate from their friends and family. So many gay relationships don't work out, so why get everyone involved? Once all your friends and family get into the act, you aren't just breaking up with one person, you are breaking up (in various degrees) with most of the people in his life. It's so much simpler when all you have to do is return a box of stuff the creep left in your apartment without having to awkwardly run into his
mother at the local supermarket.

Sometimes seeing an ex-boyfriend is unavoidable. Dating someone who is a close friend of a close friend just opens you up to a world of hurt. One friend of mine dated the next-door neighbor of another friend and now it is weird for him to even be in their shared apartment building. I guess we all won't be getting together for Scrabble again anytime soon. When you date someone at work, the experience of running into an ex is magnified to a near breaking point: Just a trip to the bathroom or past the receptionist could lead you into another unwanted encounter. It's always great to date a
guy who lives in your neighborhood, until you break up and then run into him at the supermarket.

The worst of all ex situations is one in which you introduce someone into your social gene pool and then, after a breakup, they further embed themselves with your friends. It creates endless awkwardness when old friends have to choose between someone they have known a long time and a fun new person they know their old friend hates. Naturally, we expect people to side with their oldest and dearest friends in any dispute with an ex, but, as we all know, the gays have a bad habit of selling out their own in exchange for flattery, mere trinkets or even blowjobs at a sex club.

Like it or not, once you date someone for a while, they are in your life for the long haul. You may not still be romantically engaged by them, but once your lives have been woven together, it's difficult to pull apart that fabric. We create webs of relationship as we move through life, pulling in family, friends, lovers and co-workers. Along the way, we become very attached to some and just connected to others. With an ex, as much as you may want to see him fall off a cliff, disappear forever or never have existed in the first place, the fact remains that you brought him into your own world. It isn't so easy to reverse the process, so you might as well live as cheerfully as you can with the result.

How Do you Love??

Have you really cared for someone more than you expect?

Have you ever tried to love him inspite of all the pain?

Will you keep on loving him as he whispers someone else's name?

True love hears what is not spoken, and understands what is not explained, for love doesn't work in the mouth, nor the mind, but in the heart...

When you love, you must not accept anything in return, for if you do, you're not loving but investing.

If you love, you must prepare to accept pain, for if you expect happiness, you're not loving but using...

CROSSOVER

Sitting and getting sensory overload,
pants getting overloaded as our asses get wider.
Excersize? What the hell is that?

I sit for hours and stare at a screen,
the prettiest screen you have ever seen.
State of the art, 25" wide and flat,
the latest technology, how about that?

I can go anywhere with a few strokes of my fingers,
read about anything, the afterimage lingers.
Crawl right into your home if you will let me,
via instant messenger, headset and webcam, it's free.

Whats even better is I can worm my way into your heart,
all it takes is time and a few words for a start.
The crossover from web to reality can be bliss,
if there is truth on both ends and nothings amiss.

My 100 Blog: "The Gift"

I don't have much to give you
in the way of material things.
But then, I have never been a material person . . .
so it wouldn't matter much anyway.
I do have something to give you, though . . .
and I hope you accept this gift with joy.
I have chosen not to wrap it . . .
I want it to be presented to you
as pristine as can be.
And anyway, decorations or wrappings would
certainly ruin the effect.
And so it is . . . that I stand before you . . .
unclothed, but surprisingly, unashamed
of my nakedness.
You have already captured a piece of my heart,
and you have captivated my soul.
The only thing left for me to present to you
is my very being . . . and I do that willingly,
happily, and most of all . . . lovingly.
Standing before you . . . watching your every movement . . .
seeing the desire in your eyes
for the very first time.
I don't believe in all of my life,
I have ever witnessed a moment
as beautiful as this.
Neither one of us can speak . . .
and we are finding, even breathing, is difficult.
Your heartbeat is pounding out a rhythm
that almost assaults my ears.
I can hear it from where I stand across from you . . .
and every beat speaks of your love for me.
I am giving you this gift tonight,
because I desperately want you to look inside.
I want you to open this package that I offer you,
slowly . . . lovingly . . . sensuously . . .
and search for what lies within.
You don't have to look far, you know . . .
everything I feel for you is just below the surface.
So it shouldn't take long for you
to discover the beauty awaiting you there.
Go ahead . . . open this gift as a child would
on a snowy Christmas morning . . .
in a hurried fashion . . . rather like a frenzy, if you will.
But once that initial gift is opened . . .
and the passion subsides . . .
Please promise me
that this gift I give you . . .
this gift of myself . . .
is only just the beginning.

Pinoy Ako sa Mundo!!

Isang kaibigan ko ang may akda ng isang website gusto kayong imbitahan...

Ang Pinoy Ako! World ay isang website para sa mga Pinoy sa buong mundo na tumutulong para magkaroon ng interaksyon at ilapit ang Pilipinas sa kanila

Bumisita sa

www.pinoyakoworld.com


http://pinoyakoworld.com/index.php?page=join.

Sali na!

Ipagmalaki natin na tayo'y Pinoy...Isagaw natin sa buong mundo!

Salamat!

Passion's Flames

A touch, soft and tender.
A whisper, full of desire
A gasp of sweet surrender
As passion fuels the fire

No words spoken between them
No promises to be kept
No lies being told tonight
No looking back - no regrets



Longing to hold each other
Such precious little time
Both vowed to another
Being lonely their only crime

Tomorrow bringing sorrow
A brief moment of shame
With the memory of this one night
A release from passion's flames

Ready For Love

Take my hand and lead the way;
tell me all you want to say.
Whisper softly in my ear,
all those things I want to hear.

Kiss my lips and touch my skin;
bring out passions deep within.
Pull me close and hold me near;
take away my pain and fear.



In the darkness of the night,
be my beacon, shine your light.
In the brightness of the sun,
show me that you are the one.



Give me wings so I can fly;
for I can soar when you're nearby.
Enter my heart, break down the wall,
it's time for me to watch it fall.
I've been a prisoner, can't you see?

Break my chains and set me free.
Strip me of my armor tight;
you'll find I won't put up a fight.

Release my soul held deep within . . .
I'm ready now, let love begin.

Ready For Love

Take my hand and lead the way;
tell me all you want to say.

Whisper softly in my ear,
all those things I want to hear.

Kiss my lips and touch my skin;
bring out passions deep within.

Pull me close and hold me near;
take away my pain and fear.

In the darkness of the night,
be my beacon, shine your light.

In the brightness of the sun,
show me that you are the one.

Give me wings so I can fly;
for I can soar when you're nearby.

Enter my heart, break down the wall,
it's time for me to watch it fall.

I've been a prisoner, can't you see?
Break my chains and set me free.

Strip me of my armor tight;
you'll find I won't put up a fight.

Release my soul held deep within . . .
I'm ready now, let love begin.

The Mistake You Cannot Forget

You say you cannot forget
And you aren't ready to forgive
But I need your friendship
More than you'll even know
I need you there to live

Without you by my side today
Life's been going, oh so slow
I miss your calls
Our endless talks
The places we would go

You can't even bear to look at me,
And I know my mistake
For because of one night,
And a few thoughtless actions,
When you saw me you ran and hid

I know we cannot take it back
As much as we would like to
But we could forget
And start all over
Just friends, that's me and you

If time is what you need,
Then I guess that's what you'll get
But I need you there for me soon,
My friend,
I hope you will forget.

Di Bale Na Lang......

Sabi mo walang masama kung walang masasaktan…
Kaya sa halip na iwasan mo ako, lumalapit ka..

At sa mga kilos mo, pilitin ko mang huwag bigyang kahulugan
Ay nagbabadya na tila nais mo rin na maging bahagi ng buhay ko

Pigilin ko mang huwag sabihin sa iyo ang tunay kong damdamin,
Ngunit hindi ko maitago ang kahinaang taglay ng puso ko.

Dahil doon, naging mahina ako’t mapagparaya sa iyong hamon
Oo nga naman.. bakit nga hindi ko subukang mahalin ka..
Gayong wala namang masama kung maging akin ka..

Ngunit biglang naisip ko na baka nga may masaktan
Kung hindi ngayon, baka sa mga darating na araw…
Kung hindi sila.... baka ako.

Dahil sa angkin mong katangian
Baka hindi ko makaya kapag ika'y biglang mawala sa akin.

Mas sigurado akong maging maayos ang lahat
Kung ika’y mananatiling laman ng puso ko
Hindi bilang kahati, kung hindi bilang bahagi lang.

The Better Side of the Philippines

The following was written by INTEL General Manager Robin Martin about the
Philippines:

Filipinos (including the press, business people and myself) tend to dwell too much on the negative side, and this affects the perception of foreigners, even the ones who have lived here for a while. The negative perception of the Philippines is way disproportionate to reality when compared to countries like Columbia, Egypt, Middle East, Africa, etc.

Let us all help our country by balancing the negative with the positive especially when we talk to foreigners, whether based here or abroad.

Looking back and comparing the Philippines today and 1995 (the year I came back), I was struck by how much our country has progressed physically.

Consider the following:

1. The great telecom infrastructure that we have now did not exist in 1995. 1995 was the year the telecom industry was deregulated. Since then billions of dollars have been invested in both fixed line and cellular networks producing a system with over 5,000 kms of fiber optic backbone at a world competitive cost. From a fixed line capacity of about 900,000 in 1995 we now have over 7 million. Cellular phones practically did not exist in 1995; now we have over 11 million line capacity.

2. The MRT, many of the EDSA flyovers (including the Ayala Avenue flyover), the SKYWAY, Rockwell and Glorietta 4, the Fort, NAIA terminal 2 and most of the new skyscrapers were not yet built in 1995.

3. If you drive to the provinces, you will notice that national roads are now of good quality (international quality asphalt roads). I just went to Iba, Zambales last week and I was impressed that even a not so frequently traveled road was of very good quality.

4. Philippine exports have increased by 600% over the past eight years. There are many, many more examples of progress over the last eight years. Philippine mangoes are now exported to the US and Europe.

Additional tidbits to make our people prouder:

1. INTEL has been in the Philippines for 28 years. The Philippines plant is where Intel's most advanced products are launched, including the Pentium IV. By the end of 2002, Philippine operations became Intel's biggest assembly and testing operations worldwide.

2. TEXAS INSTRUMENTS has been operating in Baguio for over 20 years. The
Baguio plant is the largest producer of DSP chips in the world. DSP chips are the brains behind cellphones. TI's Baguio plant produces the chip that powers 100% of all NOKIA cellphones and 80% of Erickson cellphones in the world.

3. TOSHIBA laptops are produced in Santa Rosa, Laguna.

4. If you drive a BENZ, BMW, or a VOLVO, there is a good chance that the
ABS system in your car was made in the Philippines.

5. TREND-MICRO, makers of one of the top anti virus software PC-Cillin (I may have mispelled this) develops its "cures" for viruses' right here in Eastwood Libis, Quezon City. When a virus breaks in any computer system in the world, they try to find a solution within 45 minutes of finding the virus.

6. Today a majority of the top ten U.S. Call Center firms in the U.S. have set up operations in the Philippines. This is one area in which I believe we are the best in the world in terms of value for money.

7. America Online (AOL) has 1,000 people in Clark answering 90% of AOL's global e-mail inquiries.

8. PROCTOR & GAMBLE has over 400 people right here in Makati (average age
23 years) doing back-up office work to their Asian operations including finance, accounting, Human Resources and payments processing.

9. Among many other things it does for its regional operations network in the Asia-Pacific region here in Manila, CITIBANK also does its global ATM programming locally.

10. This is the first year ever that the Philippines will be exporting cars in quantity courtesy of FORD Philippines. (I have an idea this article was written between 2001 - 2002, so this operation should have been on-going for the last 3 years or so. CYN)

11. The government is shedding off graft and corruption slowly but surely. This is the first time in our history that a former president is in jail and facing charges of plunder. Despite all odds, we are still pursuing the ill-gotten wealth of Marcos now enjoyed by his unrepentant heirs.

Next time you travel abroad and meet business associates tell them the good news. A big part of our problem is perception and one of the biggest battles can be won simply by believing and by making others believe.

This message is shared by good citizens of the Philippines who persevere to hope and work for our country.