Charm In Ink

All the bullshit made me strong I ask myself what I did wrong? All the bullshit made me strong I have waited far too long All the bullshit made me strong I've faced every challenge headstrong all the bullshit made me strong why can't we all get along all the bullshit made me strong can't get a sense of what is right or wrong all the bullshit made me strong why do I feel like I don't belong all the bullshit made me strong maybe this is the end, no more fight song

Ano ba talaga ang ibig sabihin ng totoong pagbabago? Nabubuhay tayo sa isang mundo na araw-araw nating napapanood sa mga balita ang mga nakahandusay na katawang wala nang hininga—nababalutan ng itim na garbage bag at plaster; ng kaliwa’t kanang  ligalig sa pulitika; kahirapan; digmaan at marami pang iba. Napakadaling sabihing kailangan natin ng pagbabago—ng totoong pagbabago. Ang totoong pagbabago ay ang pagkain sa mga tiyan ng mga mahihirap nating kapwa kabataan. Tayo ang magbubunsod ng totoong pagbabago—hindi isang indibidwal o bagani. Ang totoong pagbabago ay ang pag-alam sa ating mga sarili at ating kapaligiran at gawin itong mas maayos at mas mabuti. Ang totoong pagbabago ay hindi ang paghihintay kundi ang paglikha ng sarili nating tadhana.   Pero sino ang gagawa nito? Lahat ay may kakayanan ngunit tayong mga kabataan ang may pinaka-interes na baguhin ang lipunan—dahil tayo ang magmamana nito. Ikaw, iyang katabi mo, yung grupo ng mga Iskolar diyan, iyong mga artist...

As another semester and academic year draws to a close, I again find myself overwhelmed with emotion and anxiety and a feeling of restlessness brought about by feelings of being left behind and being way past my prime college years. It truly feels like an end of an era for so many different reasons, some of them good and some not so much. I would not be graduating this year, which means I am way delayed in terms of my studies and original timeline, I should have graduated last year at just 20 years old but look at where I am now. My closest friends and org mates will soon be leaving campus and I am really pained and sad and worried. It is as if the times have come and gone and here I am left behind. I have made choices in the past that I don't necessarily regret but right now those choices seem to not be really the best at this point in time. I am really proud of my friends who are finally graduating and who have presented or will be presenting their theses but I cannot help bu...

2017 was my year of Magpunyagi! It has been a challengingvyear filled with new experiences both good and bad. The entire year has been a roller coaster ride with intertwining highs and lows. I welcomed big changes as 2017 came, changes that were not a choice but changes brought about by circumstance and need. I welcomed such changes and I have learned plenty of things along the way. As I turned 20, I welcomed a new chapter of my life both literally and figuratively. The position that I now hold as UPLB USC Chairperson is an opportunity and experience that I will always be thankful for. It has not been easy navagating my way thru the web of things to do all throughout the year and there were plenty of times that I almost gave it all up and just quit. It has been a year of many firsts and many lasts, it has been a joy and a burden to have experienced everything all at the same time. From organizinv one event and another to talking and meeting with people and more importan...

Today started out just like any other day, it was but just another event that we/I would have to pull off. I expected it to be draining but not too the point that it would be my saturation point. I have been crying uncontrollably this past week but today was unlike any other day, in the sense that it was not just sadness that overwhelmed me, but there was anger and disappointment and to an extent, there was disdain for the people around me, I hated them for making me feel bad about myself, for making me feel like a very insignificant thing in the bigger spectrum of things, it was as though all my efforts were to be defined by a text message or my ability or inability to reply at the rate that they expected me to. Keep going just wasn't going to resolve me or to make me feel any better, I did my part of the bargain but people seemed to have forgotten that very small part I play in the greater scheme of things, The past 3 months has been exhausting and it is finally taking a toll...

I entered the University in 2013 with high hopes of graduating on time and finishing my degree with flying colors. I've always expected the best for myself, I set high standards and I wanted excellence in anything that I do. I was hell bent on graduating on time and finishing my 4-year course in 4 years, no more no less. As I now see my batchmates trying to finish all their requirements, saying that its just a few more steps till they get to march on that stage with their proud smiles and their sablay on their shoulders I cannot help but ask what if? It actually came to a point that I had to ask did I really make bad decisions, was I a bad student to not graduate on time, does it actually make me less of a person when I chose to not graduate on time. As I navigated my way thru college, I learned that sometimes graduating on time is not the ultimate goal well for me at least and to some of my peers. Many would actually question my motivations on why I chose the path that I took but ...

There is barely an hour left till I officially turn 18 which means to say that I will be of age in a little while. Turning 18 is a big deal since 18 is the age where a girl turns into a lady, It may seem cliche but even I can't believe that in just a few moments I would legally become an adult. In the past 18 years, my life has not been perfect but it has been a roller coaster ride. In the 18 years that I have lived there is so much to be thankful for and for everyone who has been a part of my life in one way or another thank you. As I enter a new chapter of my life I bring with me lessons that I have learned as well as experiences that I will cherish. Turning 18 mean a lot to me since it will bring in new responsibilities. I cannot believe how fast time flew by for it seems just like yesterday when I turned 13 and became a teenager but now here I am about to turn 18 and become legally an adult. I know that life would be harder from here on out but I know that I will be a...