The Shark Story

It was told to me by a good friend on a tiring night. Sounds like a bed time story but it's more than that, it soothes my soul and I think I can sleep well in a while.

The story goes like; there's a experiment about a shark on a large aquarium, they placed a fresh meat on the other side but it's hindered by a glass - transparent, so that the shark can see the meat. The shark was provoked by the meat but it can't be reached because of a barrier. The shark banged the wall but can do nothing. The experiment went until the 6th month where the glass that impede the shark from getting the meat was removed. The reaction from the shark was still the same, uninterested, seemingly resigned from pursuing the meat even though it wasn't mission impossible anymore.

That somehow correlates the attitude of human. We tend to surrender over hardships, yes we are mere capable of losing hope due to strain of time and difficulty of trial -- but like the shark story, the time that the shark lost hope, time arrived when the situation is possible for what was hoped for however it was completely neglected because hope is in absence.

I don't know how I am going to call a story like that but it's indeed inspiring. Patience may take a lot of nerves but as long as the focus is present along side with hope, even if there's a barrier, time will come that the wall that make our lives difficult will someday be removed. And when that moment dawn before you, hopefully you haven't submitted yet the hope that will make you move thorough and achieve what's opted.

Faith

Believing is anchored along with life. Hoping for tomorrow that it will go the way it was wished is an everyday thing for anyone. Difference in every expectation but same mere faith to hold on to, it may differ with what kind of food but it all boils down to taste, taste that has been craved for.

Believing can arrive with logical reason and fly high with blind belief but that's not the point it's all about devoting one's faith until the day it finally happen.

There is one thing that I've wished for a long time. I already put hope and actions altogether though it seem far. I think it's the perfect opportunity to defy faith. Believing that the very day will dawn regardless of situation and time. I suppose that's the very nature of faith.

A Tough Lesson.

August 23, 2010 - A group of Chinese tourists from Hong Kong was held hostage by an ex-policeman, Capt. Rolando Mendoza. The short hand of the clock rounded twelve long hours as the negotiation turned into a tragic conclusion. Ten hostages were killed along with the hostage-taker on the assault by SWAT.

It was an event that put the reputation of the Philippines in shame. Even though there were survivors, which was thinly unexpected, it was still far from success. I've heard a lot responses from different perspective, most of them are either in a blame game or in the bandwagon that will let you forget, tara, let's-move-forward. Fact is lives have been lost and we are sorry for that but that would go meaningless if such scenario will occur again.

A lot of people are missing the point why a tragedy dawned in the first place. At some point I was wondering why would a well-decorated policeman gone crazy and engaged his life on a do-or-die situation, maybe injustice might have been the root. There must be something wrong which clearly trigger the anger of the hostage-taker. It should be looked upon and can't be neglected.

The aftermath was undeniably mortifying. The world watched the hostage drama unfolded and sure they've seen how a maul flew out of an assault team member's hand on a mission to break into the bus. Hence how a smooth negotiation turned to the roughest. The golden rule in a negotiation is never let the hostage-taker be provoked or agitated but surprisingly it was never observed. The police forgot that the tourist bus has a TV. The hostage-taker was provoked when he saw the arrest of his family which was uncalled for. It could have ended peacefully. The demand was about to be met until everything went to sour because of a mistake.

The SWAT unit had a hard time taking out Capt.Mendoza but no doubt, they had the hardest time getting rid of the bystanders who don't have a single firearm. The policemen on the scene became bystanders themselves. They failed to protect the crime scene which was sacred to investigation.

What I've mentioned are all facts. I've never claimed to be righteous but just being factual. People often cursed those who tell the truth, thus having the word just to move forward. But oppositely of what they believe they're being pessimistic by being a hypocrite. Wrongs should be pointed out. Being subjective to this matter won't get us anywhere instead by objectively correcting the wrongs is appropriate. The importance of learning from mistake should be emphasized. The stress of a lesson that would bring us forward is being forgotten. Let's not make this tragedy be a thing of the past, it's a tough lesson but certainly a lot of things for contemplation - it can make a whole difference in future time.

Friday Night Inuman.

Out of the blue, me and my college friends decided to have a good time on an unplanned Friday night gathering. Rain didn't stop us to be crazy hence the old time foolishness got the better of us.

It felt like back-to-the-past, perennial tease on the air the whole time -- a fight about to break out because of it, bragging stories, girls hooked up, and the like of more craziness. Euphoria still even though vodka made some puke and look like a bunch of idiots. Nevertheless it was total fun seeing those friends with vintage same cocky attitude but thrive with their own lives. Getting drunk with these folks is worthy even just once a month, just once a month, like a prescription because I want to have fun but I still don't want to lose my sanity.

Friendship with schoolmates shouldn't end after graduation, along the course of life it should be remembered because when you're sick or down, work will not be there beside you but your friends. 

Hey That Nurse.

I was hospitalized for a surgery last week. Such a difficult situation but I have no choice but to do so. I'm not interested to talk about my illness however during the course of my stay at the hospital. A fascinating nurse caught my attention.

Ms.Precious Dumlao

She is my nurse during night shift. Those horrible gloomy nights were turned heaven-like when she was around. When she enters my room, an angelic voice I'll hear-- so feminine-- softly calling my name.. The thing is she calls me Jullian. The only people who calls me by that name were my ex girlfriends, that's why my heart felt close to her in no time. 

I can't imagine a nurse bringing up a topic about NBA basketball. Isn't she superb? Every time she'll come around to check me up, a scoop of basketball will be discussed and I don't care anymore if I'm high blood or not. That's how she's good to converse with but she get her job done. I remember one time she asked me if whether I'm a fan of Lakers or Celtics. I didn't know that she's an anti-Laker, she shook her head and told she'll miss intentionally the needle for my dextrose. Thus, she inserted it on my vein on a single attempt. I was traumatized before because I had a painful experience with a stupid nurse who can't pin it in, like 20 tries. I was put in an acupuncture session without notice. But hey my nurse now wasn't all about her lovely smile that she wore, she's a sharpshooter too.

An endearing smile she has. =)

What can I say more? Oh she's caring too. The night after the surgery, my nose was bleeding bad. A small line of blood river dried upon my face. She entered the room and notice it on a moment. She asked for a tissue, she wet it, and wiped gently the blood out. Even though I was having a hard time breathing on my mouth (because my nose was still swelling yet) it felt like heaven-- an angel was at my aid, I know I'm being taken cared of well so I'm okay. After she left-- I didn't have problem resting while hardly breathing.

On the day of my discharge, I wasn't able to see her. I left the hospital on the afternoon. How I wish I would be able to send my goodbye to her and thank her for a wonderful job. She's a graduate of UP College of Nursing. I must say that her colleagues in work are alike in terms of quality service. Salute to the school that provided her education. Hence to Ms.Precious Dumlao who is the best nurse I've ever seen. 

Parang gusto ko magkasakit ulet whenever I come to think of her. Of course I'm kidding but hey she's sexy too. =)

CIV4

Diplomatic Victory (AI rival civilizations voted for me. Many were saying it's the hardest victory condition to achieve.) - Noble difficulty

After a long hours of gaming and raining this weekend... At the end, I emerge victorious. WIN!

Stallions Stopped Red's Streak.

Sunday Club, March 28, 2010 -- The day of reckoning for the Dela Fuente-based squad. It was a gruesome defeat at the championship last season at the hands of the two-time champions Red team, hence they're on a 4 game winning streak this season not until they cross path with the unfazed Stallions.

The championship game last season was considered by many the greatest game that the league held or even at the history of the very basketball court. The large and loud crowd was tantamount with the very physical and high caliber in game actions that escalate the rivalry into a classic spectacle that everybody enjoyed. With these two teams clashing once again, the attention of the world is called for to witness a history in the making.

Red Team sported their new but season-veteran player 'Buljak' on the first quarter along with the much older teammate 'Putoy' with their supporting cast. On the White side of things, Stallions stick with the standard rotation but with a more determined mindset. Red Team is known for their 'speed kill' tactic that they effectively enforce in order to win games. Conventionally they conduct the trapping on second quarter thoroughly until the end. However, it wasn't the case this time around. Ruthlessly they imposed the pressure right in the on set which caught the Stallions by surprise.

The Stallions seem troubled for a bit but the familiarity of breaking the harassment came into play. In contrast, forward Jag Galvez answered with an emphatic rejection on 'Buljak' amidst the heated first quarter which turned the team into frenzy. Stallions started to pick up the pace and tied the ball game at piece, 29-29 at the end of the regulation.

The second quarter is the time for the Stallions' formidable full-house; Aguilars & Nodalos. However they started flat as Red's former MVP Orca, and reigning MVP Ferrer-- pioneers of the fearsome trapping --showcased the very reason why they're entitled for the season awards. Their full-court pressure was on again, this time they executed very well. Turnovers are beginning to pile up for the Stallions thus offensive opportunities were earned by the Red Team to get themselves ahead with a double-digit margin. The streak shooting pair of Sanchez and Failan brought headache to the zone defense of the Stallions together with former commissioner Paradero who led several hoops combined. Jay-Ar Nodalo and Joseph Aguilar made their fair share of offense but the defense of the opposition was so much that ended the halftime with a large deficit.

The last half commenced with the same tone, yet the quarter was troublesome. Red's lead amounted to twenty plus points. Jeg Gilongos, Stallions' rookie forward, fouled out immediately. Nevertheless Wilson De Leon is hitting lay-ups after another which give the Stallions a fighting chance onward the last quarter.

The final quarter seemed like a smooth-sailing for the Red. However Stallions doesn't have any plan of giving up the game. Stallions inserted a fast line-up to catch up with the quickness of the opponent, also a counter full-court pressure was operated design to wear them out since they were harassing since the start. Fatigue was knocking on the doors of the Red Team as they're committing turnovers, a sign that the counter-harass was effective. Wilson De Leon was unstoppable in the paint as he mounts a possible come back that the Stallions are opting to achieve but the clock was considered an opponent as it wasn't on our side.

5 minutes remaining - Stallions are still down by 19 points. Red Team is getting ready for a celebration because seemingly it's impossible to lose on such situation not until they found out the result after the time expires. The Stallions are persistent with the full-court pressure which eventually hasten the pace of the game to their favor because Red team is starting to feel the fatigue wherein they spent their energy harassing since start. Stallions geared up, defense is working efficiently with clock winding down. Joseph Aguilar is working hard at both ends of the court still believing on a possible come back. Speaking of return, Nanat Aguilar substituted back to the game as he forced a mind game against 'Buljak' which created turmoil between them.

3 minutes remaining - Stallions switch the gear to a faster throttle, with little time remaining. All they can do is to give it their all. Eric Sudiacal, rookie guard, was a big help at the back court. His long stamina was fit for an enduring game and the speed that he can perform for the team contributed to the near come back at the last minutes of the game. Mykee Nodalo, the cheeky player that he is, planted an elbow drop to the former MVP Orca which hurt more the confuse game play of Red Team. Moreover Mykee did have an amazing sharp assist on a transition that electrify the team of having a real game down the stretch. Jay-Ar Nodalo had a couple of important three points before fouling out. Still down in the paint, Don Nodalo is power personified inside as he man handled the defense, scoring significant points in crunch time.

The momentum swings toward the Stallions. The game was played on Red's terms (fast-oriented game) but this time, they're already breathing on their mouths. Head coach, Elmer Galvez' good recognition of phasing his players paid off big time at the last stretch of the nail-biting contest. Wilson De Leon is still capable of more since he was rested properly thus having a well-composed mindset. In addition he was really verse on scoring, bridging the gap to a seemingly impossible feat that the Stallions did on the last seconds of the ball game. The impossible was done by the Stallions on a lay-up plus a freethrow which was perfected by the captain ball, Wilson De Leon, that finally gave the lead.

The complexion of the ball game entirely changed on the final 6 seconds of the game. Elmer Galvez instructed a 3-2 zone defense, on a time-out, which is designed to protect the 3 point line to disrupt attempt to tie the score. As expected Red Team, shoot from beyond the arc but it was off the line, courtesy of an effective counter defense. It was a good defensive adjustment on an appropriate situation-- good instruction made by Elmer Galvez. The final buzzer sound with a score of 130-125, an exhilarating victory for the Stallions.   

The Stallions gave them their own dose of medicine. Thanks to Jog Galvez' pointers, it was a mere helpful and handy for a guideline but the counter full-court press was unprecedented that helped the team to catch-up quickly on the dying minutes of the game. Red Team was outplayed in their own fast pace game which everybody thought as a suicide if a team would engage them in such but proven wrong by the Stallions. They're vulnerable and able to be defeated on a running-game.