Thank You President Cory

August 1, 2009 at 3:18AM, former Philippine President Corazon Aquino passed away after a year-long battle with colon cancer.

23 years ago, she brought the country together to put to an end a 20-year dictatorship. And during the past 5 days, the Philippines is once again united but this time in gratitude.

I can’t count the number of times I have fought back tears this past 5 days. Every time I watch TV, I end up teary eyed. It’s not just me. Almost all my friends have mentioned being in tears these past days.

It’s not grief or sadness I feel. In fact, I don’t even really feel anything specific. I think it’s an overwhelming sense of gratitude. The country isn’t perfect, it’s one of the most corrupt in Asia. But it’s because it’s what we choose to be as a country. And that freedom to CHOOSE is what President Cory has given the Philippines.

Once again, crowds are taking to the streets. This time however, it’s not because of anger and frustration at the government. It’s because we all want to honor the person who gave the country back it’s freedom. This time there has been no call to gather, no propaganda talk. People are just spontaneously going out to honor Tita Cory.

This yellow ribbon has become a symbol of the country’s gratitude to her. It’s on trees, on the side mirrors of vehicles, on many cable channels beside their logos, on websites… it’s everywhere.

The country is united - old and young, male and female, the government and the opposition, the rich and the poor – in this sense of gratitude for the freedom this country is enjoying.

Thank you President Cory. Thank you for the freedom to choose.

Actions Speak Louder, but...

... When you're not always in each other's company words are all you have. Silence just works if you're physically near each other, otherwise it's subject to numerous interpretations. Most of them bad.

Words Not Allowed

I’m the type of person whom when I get mad or irritated at someone, I can’t seem to get it out of my system immediately. If the person I’m at odds with talks and tries to explain reason out, I reason back; If he keeps quiet, I start fuming inside. It’s usually a lose-lose situation once I get mad.

I’ve been going out with someone for the past 3 months. We seem to have the same temper. Not really that easily triggered, but when it does… there goes the rest of the day.

It seems he’s found a way to calm me down. It’s happened twice and has had the same effect. He just sits there and says nothing while I fume inside either with anger or regret, then just takes and holds my hand.

It doesn’t matter if we’re still both mad, or angry; nor does it matter if the problems hasn’t been solved. What matters to me is that the gesture means that “no matter what is happening right now, things will be alright between the two of us.”

And just like that, whatever negative feelings I have just fizzes out. (Somehow it doesn’t work the same way. if I’m the one who grabs his hand)

Undeserved Gratitude

She was in her 70's, still strong. She came in because of dizziness for the past 3 days. Her blood pressure was 170/90.

She was hard of hearing. I short of patience.

I got irritated having to shout out everything I had to say. And still there were times she didn't understand what I was saying.

When it was time to collect my compensation, she didn't have enough for the consultation fee, and she still wanted to get some pills that would relieve her of her discomfort.

I got tired shouting my explanation that she didn't have enough. I was exasperated to the point that I refused to accept the money she had just to make her leave. I also told her that I didn't have the medicine she needed (i lied).

A few minutes later she was back. She had bought the medicine and wanted to make sure they were the right ones. They were. But they were 2x more expensive than what I had in stock which I could have sold to her.

She thanked me and insisted that I accept even a small amount for my services. I refused. She thanked me again and left.

I then realized. I would have earned a bit had I sold her the medicine I had in-stock.

Another Round of Testing

I just installed a newer firmware on my phone (again!)

Here goes another Round of testing *sigh*