The Chagrin of the MMDA Officer, and the Furious Motorist

Author: Steffano Perales

You can visit my blog hit the link http://steffanoperales.wordpress.com/

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or you can follow me on twitter @iamsteffano. 

Quite familiar about this guy Robert Blair Carabuena ?  I bet you do. He graduated fromAteneo De Manila University with degree in Psychology.  But watching the video (exclusively caught by chance of TV5 networkInteraskyon.com)  baffled me for I didn’t see any distinctions of his acquired degree, I only saw a psychowith no logy.

The incident started when Saturnino Fabros (a traffic enforcer) called Carabuena’s attention for a wrong turn at the corner of Capitol Hills Drive and Tandang Sora. Bordering on, Fabros tapped the windshield. But bursting with outrage,  Carabuena went out from his Volvo in abrupt grabbed the officer’s hat,  pointed his finger and snaffled Fabros’ neckline rambling “lalaban ka? Lalaban  ka huh?!!!”

To gratify his satisfaction he even spanked the officer.  I was stormed how the officer was statue and just didn’t react at all, poor officer. Carabuena’s brother was there in addition, two hogs against the dog?  Watta battle.

The video went viral banqueting social media like a wildfire. Anyone who would watch the video perhaps would be provoked and like “put_ng in_ng baboy na yan”.  I have no idea what drove him to go ballistics and maul the poor officer. After watching the video there is none that would make anyone support the side of Carabuena, neither of us.

The multinational tobacco company Philip Morris confirmed,  that Robert Blair Carabuena is a bona fide employee of the said company and is the present executive officer in Human resource department. Cool! This guy earns thousands of money than the traffic officer who earns 400 peso a day. This arrogant is probably merits high compensation in his company but it doesn’t give him the privilege to belittle anyone on the street.

Traffic enforcers are doing their best to perform their duties, bearing the hot weather, torrential rain and smokes regardless of the risks they are facing on the streets every day. Who the hell doesn’t know this?  Yes. We may I have dozens against the government but it doesn’t warrant us to treat our traffic authorities like bare knuckles.  Have some respect  but too bad Carabuena doesn’t know its meaning. I suggest he should go back to school and learn values 101. If he got no one to blurt out his tantrums or exhaustions he should have bumped his head against the wall and not the poor officer.

Meanwhile, on a TV interview “Para akong mapapaiyak nun pero pinigilan ko lang. Napahiya po ako (I was on verge to cry but I held back. I was humiliated),” Fabros said.

Does the officer can  file charges?
Absolutely yes. Under the Revised Penal Code, direct assault can be filed against any person who shall attack, employ force, or seriously intimidate any person in authority while in the performance of official duties. It is punishable by a prison term of six months to six years.

Mr. Francis Tolentiano a Chairman of Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) defended the officer “We cannot allow this aggression and shameless attack against our men who are only doing their job as best as they can” he stated.

MMDA Legal and Legislative Affairs staff has confirmed that a case is being drafted against Carabuena and will be filed at the Quezon City Regional Trial Court on Wednesday (August 16 2012). Now this one is the big fight!

On the contrary,  Robert Blair Carabuena got no balls to fight his bashers in social networking sites, resorted in deactivating his facebook and twitter accounts.

Hmmn.. He bullied the poor traffic enforcer but in social media he is no match.

Y U NO balls huh?

Millions of netizens were infuriated by his actions. I read the bashers outrage on facebook and twitter and I tell you if words could kill then Carabuena died 500 times.

On the outers view to make this article fair,  TV reporters asked Carabuena for an interview but he refused to do so. Maybe he is a good friend (I hope so), son and an officemate whatevuh, I just wish he should surface for a public apology and rationalize his side. If he does, well it will change nothing I guess, coz I’m angry at him still.

This incident is not new for me. If you can still remember the traffic enforcer who was shot and the other one was intentionally bumped by some motorists whom I classify with psychopathic disorders.  One of the reasons of Philippines slack forward is because of these assholes who think highly themselves. (Such a wang-wang culture)

I appeal to Philip Morris Philippines.  Mr. Carabuena is a total disgrace to your company’s name. I presume that you have a clause in your company’s codes of conduct regarding this issue. Thus, subject this retard to a disciplinary action or better dismissed him. His residence in your premise will make your employees suffer thru his arrogance.

To other companies and government agencies, have this fat guy blacklisted. Oww! That’s too harsh, let me add lol at the end.

Elemental Heroes: Origins - Chapter 1

CHAPTER 1          ‘THE DREAM’

‘RUANA!’

‘Ruana! Buksan mo ang pinto! Ruana!’ as I heard a name in a dangered manner. Nasa kwarto ako nun, kagigising lamang.

Maya-maya, tinangka na niyang buksan ang pinto gamit ang kanyang kapangyarihan.

‘SUMMON FIREBALL!’ at natumba ang pintuang hindi ko binubuksan. Hindi pala sila makapasok dahil naka-lock ito.

‘Prinsesa Ruana, kelangan na nating umalis sa palasyo. Ang Chaos Empire ay naririto na, hinahanap kayong apat.’ anya ng lalaking naka-bihis pang-kawal.

Shooting Stars [Premiere]

Una po sa lahat nais ko pong pasalamatan si Onichan (Kenji) dahil sa mga stories nya ay nakagawa po ako ng aking story, at kila kuya Zildjan; kuya Rovi; kay Erwin sa mga stories nila; at sa mga unang nakabasa nito sa Blog ko.

Ito na po ang unang parte ng aking storya.

Comments and Suggestions are highly appreciated!

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Sa isang burol kung saan maraming ala-ala ang binigay nya sa akin, isang ala-alang hindi ko kailanman makakalimutan, masaya, mapait, at malungkot, pero dito sa burol na ito nakatatak ang pangalan ko sa isang puno na nakatayo ng matagal na panahon.

Iniisip ko na parang isa din akong nakatayong puno, kahit anong unos ang dumaan ay nakatayo pa din ito, pero hanggang kailan ako tatayo at lalaban para sa aking kasiyahan? Kelan ako sasabay sa haplos ng hangin para makalimutan ang mga nakaraan, na sa akin ay sobrang sakit?

Ito ang aking storya, ito ang buhay ko bago ako makilala ang mga taong nagpasaya at nagpaiyak sa akin.

Nagsimula ito noong bagong lipat ako sa school...

“Good morning class!” sabi ng aking professor

“Good morning Mr. Castillon!” giliw na sagot ng aking mga bagong kaklase.

“Welcome to your new semester, my requirement is your attendance and attention on my class. Is that clear to all of you?” sabi nya.

“Yes sir!” sagot lang nila, bilang bagong estudyante nakaupo ako sa likod kung saan walang tao, tahimik, at nakakapag focus ako sa lecture.

“As I call your name say present okay!” sabi ng aming professor at kinuha na nya ang class cards namin sa kanyang libro.

“Arcilla?” sabi nito.

“Present sir!” sabi ng aking kaklase.

“Argame?”

“Present!”

“Bautista?”

“Here!”

“Caballero?”

“Dito po!”

“Caceres?”

“Here sir!”

“Casanova?”

“Present!”

At nang tatawagin na ang pangalan ko, di mapaglagyan ang kaba sa aking katawan, nagkakaroon ako ng butterfly stomach, nauutal, lahat na ng pagiging mahiyain nasa katawan ko na yata.

“Yoshihara?”

“Present...” sabi ko lang, at biglang napatingin sa akin ang aking professor at napakunot ang kanyang noo sa kanyang nabasa.

“You are new here, am I right?” sabi nito.

“Yes Sir!” sabi ko habang napatingin sa akin ang mga kaklase ko.

“Would you mind if you go here in front and introduce yourself to your new classmates” paanyaya nya sa akin at ako naman ay tumayo agad para pumunta sa harapan, napansin ko naman na lahat ng kaklase ko ay nakatingin sa akin at ang iba ay nakangiti, may iba din na nakatitig lang sa akin na parang namamangha sa aking itchura.

Kabado...

Hindi alam kung ano ang sasabihin, pero nilaksan ko ang aking loob at tumayo ng maayos.

“My name is Ken Yoshihara, 16 years old, came from International School for Business and Arts and I transferred here because both of my parents worked now here as branch managers...That’s all” sabi ko at nang napansin ko ang karamihan ay nakangiti.

“Thanks for that introduction Mr. Yoshihara, you may take your seat” sabi ng aking professor at bumalik na ako sa upuan ko, sa oras na yun ay napapansin ko na ang iba kong kaklase ay napapatingin sa akin, at binibigyan ko sila ng isang ngiti.

Hindi naman talaga ako mahiyain, ako ay isang palabirong tao, masayang kasama, at higit sa lahat hindi ako nang iiwan ng kaibigan, hanggang ngayon ay may mga kaibigan pa din ako sa dati kong pinapasukan, at lagi silang nagbibigay ng moral support sa mga ginagawa ko.

“Okay class, for our topic for this week, you need to get your partner or a buddy and seat next to them, para sa reporting natin about our lesson for the next week!” sabi ng aming professor at agad naman naghanapan sila ng ka-partner para sa reporting namin next week.

“Bahala na ito!” sabi ko na lang sa aking sarili, at agad na akong tumayo para maghanap pero pinuntahan ako ng aking professor.

“Don’t you have any partner Ken?” sabi nya sa akin.

“I don’t have yet!” sabi ko lang sa kanya at gumala ang kanyang mga mata pakaliwa... pakanan... at biglang naramdaman ko nang may nakuha na sya.

“Wait here okay!” sabi lang nya sa akin, at tumayo agad sya para puntahan ang kaklase kong nakikipag kulitan sa may unahan, tinawag nya ito at pinalapit sa amin.

“He’s Ace, and he will be your partner” sabi ng aking professor at tumayo ako.

“Nice to meet you!” sabi ko sa aking kaklase at nilahad ko ang aking kamay para sa pormal na pagpapakilala.

“Same to you!” magiliw na sagot nya sa akin at inakbayan kami ng aming professor.

“Okay! Guys I’ll wait the new tandem between you two!” sabi lang ng aming professor at ngumiti lang kami pareho.

Umupo na ako kasama si Ace, at nakinig na sa aming professor para sa lecture namin.

Awkward ang situation namin, hindi kami nag iimikan hanggang matapos ang klase namin sa oras na yun, agad na akong lumabas nung narinig na namin ang bell at agad na akong pumunta sa locker ko para kunin ang susunod kong subject.

Nakita ko ang aking locker at binuksan ito, nang makuha ko ang libro para sa susunod na subject ko ay sinara ko na ang aking locker, pero biglang may nagsalita.

“Bakit ka agad umalis sa classroom?” sabi ni Ace.

“Bakit? Diba kapag nag ring na ang bell tapos na ang class?” sabi ko na lang, at biglang tumawa sya sa akin na pinagtaka ko.

“Paano ang topic natin para sa reporting? Hindi mo kinuha?” sabi nya sa akin.

“May next meeting pa naman tayo dun, and besides pwede ko naman kunin yon later.” Sabi ko sa kanya at tumawa sya ulit sa akin.

“Kayo talagang mga transferees laging hinahabol ang oras! I just got our report for your information, and ang schedule natin sa reporting ay Wednesday next week, kaya we need to prepare that by weekend.” Sabi nya na para sakin ay ayos lang.

“Meet tayo sa Robinson! And sa bahay tayo gagawa ng report.” Sabi nya saken na parang excited.

“Okay!” sabi ko sa kanya.

At pagkatapos nya akong kausapin ay agad na akong dumerecho na sa classroom.

Nang marating ko na ang classroom, napansin ko na konti pa lang ang mga estudyante at agad na akong umupo sa dulo ulit, nang maring na ang bell at agad nang nagpasukan ang iba kong kaklase at nagsiupuan na sila.

“Hi!” bati sa akin ng isang estudyante.

“Hello!” sagot ko sa kanya.

At bigla nang pumasok ang aming professor at nag attendance, at nag umpisa na ang aming lesson.

“Okay guys, could you tell me the constitution?” tanong ng aming professor at walang nagtaasan ng kamay kaya kinuha nya ang aming class card at bumunot ng pangalan.

“Ken Yoshihara?” tawag nya sa akin, at tumayo ako para sagutin ang tanong.

“You’re new here?” tanong nya.

“Yes Ma’am!” sagot ko lang sa kanya.

“Could you tell me the constitution?”

“The Philippine constitution is revised and understand by the senate and the congress dated February 1987 and approved by her Excellency Corazon Couangco Aquino which stated that the people of the state has their rights from diplomat to republic, I think there are 23 tittles which represents different roles in people, education, and also to the government.” Paliwanag ko at nakita ko ang aking professor na ngumiti at pinaupo na ako.

Marami akong naririnig sa aking mga kaklase at hindi na lang ako umimik sa mga sinasabi nila.

“Nice one galing mo naman! I am sure na magiging maayos ang report natin nyan!” sabi ni Ace na bigla biglang sumulpot sa tabi ko.

“Mr. Casanova why are you there?” sabi ng aming professor.

“Sorry Ms. Santos may tinanong lang po ako sa kapartner ko” sabi nya sa professor namin.

“Partner?!” sagot nya na natawa ang lahat.

“Yes Ma’am may reporting po kami on our first class kanina, kaso itong si Ace medyo excited yata dahil kapartner nya ang new student” Paliwanag ni Cheryl na ka blockmate ko din.

“So bakit dito nyo kailangang pag usapan yan? May break and lunch naman kayo later? Parang nakakahiya naman sa subject ko!” inis na sabi ng professor namin at agad nang lumayo sa akin si Ace.

“Next time Mr. Casanova sana naman have the manners, this is a law subject one of your majors so please lang ha! Focus on my class and don’t do unnecessary  acts like that.” Dagdag ng aming professor at napangiti ako dahil makulit talaga sya.

Nakinig ako sa mga lessons na sinasabi ng aking professor kahit na ang karamihan ay inaantok na sa inip at dami ng pinagsasabi, at nang mag ring na ulet agad kong inimiss ang mga gamit ko at umalis na para lumabas ng campus at kumain.

Habang nasa pathway ako ay biglang nag ring ang phone ko, hindi ko inaasahan na maiisip pa ako ng dati kong bestfriend na crush ko simula bata pa kami.

“Lexi?”

“Hello kenpot! Kamusta ka na? where are you now? Tara lunch tayo!”

“I’m going out din eh, nasa school ako, san ka ba ngayon?”

“Here...”

“Saan nga?!”

“Sa likod mo!”

Nagulat ako nung lumingon ako at nakita ko sya, napakaganda pa rin nya! Yung lexi na bestfriend turn to be my crush is back! Grabe sexy na sya parang model na ang katawan.

“Oh bakit ka tulala?” sabi nito sa akin

“Ah...Kasi nagulat ako! Dito ka pala nag aaral?” sabi ko lang sa kanya.

“Ah... sorry di ko na pinaalam kila tito at tita na dito ako nag aaral! So tara na? let’s lunch together and madami akong sasabihin sayo!” sabi nya at pinulupot nya ang kanyang braso sa aking braso at naglakad na kami.

Habang naglalakad kami papalabas, napapansin kong karamihan ng nadadaanan naming estudyante ay nakatingin sa amin at kinikilig.

“Naninibago ka ba?” tanong nya sa akin at napangiti lang ito.

“Sobra Lexie alam mo bang kakapasok ko pa lang at ang dami nang nakatingin sa akin, pero andyan ka na ulit ang aking bestfriend, kaya may makakasama na ako” sabi ko lang sa kanya at naghintay na kami ng taxi papunta sa Mcdonald’s.

Nang makasakay na kami, kinamusta kami at sinabing dadalaw sa bahay kapag may free time na kami, at sa tagal na hindi kami nagkikita ay agad ko syang niyakap at hindi naman sya tumanggi dito.

“Ken I know you miss me so much, hindi mo nga ako natanong kung namiss kita eh!” sabi nya sa akin.

“Okay sorry! Namiss mo ba ako Lex?” sabi ko sa kanya.

Nang marinig nya ang tanong ko, agad nya akong hinalikan sa pisngi at niyakap ng sobrang higpit na para bang pipigain na ako sa tagal ng panahon na di kami nagkikita.

“Is that your answer to my question?” sabi ko sa kanya kahit namumula ang mukha ko.

“Yes!” sabi nya sakin na ngiting ngiti.

“May tanong ako sayo Lexie, hope you’d answer it honestly” sabi ko sa kanya.

“Okay tell me!” sabi lang nya sa akin.

“May boyfriend ka na ba?” sabi ko na nakatitig sa kanya, at napansin nya na seryoso ako.

“Wala! kahit manliligaw!” sabi lang nya sa tanong ko.

At biglang nagning ning ang mga mata ko para sabihin sa aking sarili na may pag asa pa ako, at nang makarating na kami sa Mcdonald’s agad kaming naghanap ng mauupuan at ako naman ay pumila na para mag order.

“May I take your order?” sabi ng babae na kumukuha ng order habang nakapila ako.

“Two quarter pounder and large fries and drinks for dine”

“Is that all sir? Any additional you wanna make?”

“Yeah! Two chocolate sundae and pies and that’s all.” sabi ko.

“Here your slip sir! Paki bigay na lang po sa counter!” sabi nya sa akin.

Nasa counter na ako para ibigay ang slip at nagbayad na ako, at biglang napansin ko sa kabilang pila si Ace at napansin nya ako.

“Here we go again!” sabi ko sa aking sarili.

“Hey Ken! Dito ka din? Pwede bang maki share sa table mo?” sabi nya sa akin habang hinihintay ang order ko.

“Ace pasensya ka na, may kasama ako ngayon eh!” sabi ko sa kanya at ngumiti lang ako sa kanya.

Nauna syang umalis sa akin at ako naman ay kakabigay lang sa akin ng order, habang naglalakad nakita ko si Lexie na tinaas ang kamay at pumunta na ako bitbit ang tray.

“Lexie heto na oh!” sabi ko sa kanya.

“Ang dami ah! Miss ko na bonding natin!” giliw nyang sinabi sa akin.

“I hope this is a date!” bulong kong sabi sa kanya.

“What?!” sabi nya na gustong ipaulit ang sasabihin ko.

“Nothing! Nevermind that! Tara kain na tayo!” Palusot ko na lang at kumain na lang kami parehas.

Habang nakain, napansin kong nakatingin si Lexie sa akin at ngumiti lang ako, at nang kakain na kami ng sundae biglang lumapit sa amin si Ace.

“Hey Lex! How’s your day?” sabi nya kay Lexie.

“I am great Ace! By the way si Ken pala! He’s new in our school, And magka course kayo, I hope you see him active!” giliw nyang sabi kay Ace na naramdaman ko naman ay may gusto sya sa aking classmate.

“Yeah magkaklase kami actually pinakita na nya ang kanyang intelligence sa constitution namin eh, and I saw him active listening to our class, pero ang bilis umalis parang ninja kung gumalaw!” sabi nya at nagtawanan silang dalawa.

Naramdaman ko ang pagka Out of Place sa pag uusap nila at dinerecho na lang ang pagkain ng sundae ko.

“Ken hindi mo ba alam si Ace naging MVP last year sa school intramurals?” sabi ni Lexie sa akin at ngumiti ako sa kanila.

“And Ace did you know that Ken is the consistent tennis player nung highschool kami and syempre MVP din sya for four consecutive years namin!!” sabi ni Lexie at namula naman ako sa sinabi nya kasi proud pa din syang sabihin yun.

“Whoa! Talaga? I try to learn tennis hope Ken will teach me and even play with me!” parinig ni Ace sa akin at hindi ko na lang sya pinansin kasi nagseselos ako sa closeness nila ni Lexie.

“Yep! He’s our batch Valedictorian and our School President for student affairs is my bestfriend a great threat to you?” sabi ni Lexie at napatingin ako sa kanya dahil nagulat ako sa sinabi nya.

“Hey Lexie! Stop it would you? Ayokong makipag kompitensya kung magiging dean’s lister ako eh di great! Pero okay lang as a normal student noh!” medyo nainis ako sa sinabi ni Lexie, sya kasi yung taong kaya kang ipagmalaki kahit alam nyang imposible at sya din ang nagpapalakas ng loob ko kapag may speech ako nung mga high school pa kami.

“Hey Ken chill lang! I am just kidding! Alam ko naman ugali mo kaya ayos lang yun diba Ace?” sabi nya at tumingin ito kay Ace.

“Yeah! Di naman ako nakikipag kompitensya eh! I just want to be close with you! Pero medyo mailap ang isang transferee like you!” sabi nya.

“Okay!” sagot ko lang.

At natapos na kaming kumain ni Lexie at umalis na kami na walang paalam kay Ace, alam ko namang kaklase ko nanaman sya sa klase namin.

Nang makarating sa school ay agad nagtanong si Lexie.

“Galit ka ba?” sabi nya sa akin.

“Well to be honest yes! Nagalit ako kasi time natin yun eh, pero kinausap mo pa yang Ace na yun! Ano tingin mo sa akin? Decoration lang?” sabi ko.

“Ace is my friend since first year, may attitude sya na kaparehas ng sayo, dahil namimiss kita!” sabi nya at ngumiti ito sa akin.

Hindi ko tuloy alam kung kakompitensya ko si Ace o talagang nagpaparamdam lang na ako sya, ang ugali at pakikitungo sa tao ay magkaparehas kami, habang naglalakad kami sa pathway ni Lexie ay bigla naman ako nabunggo ng isang lalake.

“Di ka kasi natingin sa dinadaanan!” sabi nya sa akin.

“Malawak ang pathway para mabunggo ako, kung nagmamadali ka, dapat ginamit mo yung space sa right part ko!” sabi ko at nilapitan nya ako.

“Bakit? Ano ba ang problema mo?” sabi nya sa akin habang nakatitig sya.

“Ikaw anong problema mo?! Ako wala!” sabi ko lang at hinila ako ni Lexie para lumayo sa kanya.

“Ken! Kilala mo ba yang nakabangga mo?” sabi ni Lexie sa akin na parang nag aalala.

“No! And bakit kailangan ko pang kilalanin?! Eh mukha namang walang kwenta yun!” sabi ko at biglang napatigil si Lexie.

“Sya si Argel Casanova! Kapatid ni Ace!” sabi nya sa akin na parang ikakagulat ko.

“So? Anong connect dun para katakutan mo?” sabi ko sa kanya.

“Connect nun, sila lang naman ang mga apo ng may ari ng school! Walang pwedeng bumangga sa kanila!” sabi nya sa akin at di ko na lang ito pinansin.

Nasa tapat na ako ng aking locker at naririnig ko pa din ang mga sinasabi ni Lexie sa akin, inaamin kong nagbago na ang pagtingin ko sa kanya hindi na bestfriend ang turing ko sa kanya kungdi isang crush na, pero gusto ko pa ding lumugar at itago ang nararamdaman ko kaya naman di ko sinasabi sa kanya at dinadaan ko na lang ito sa mga biro ko.

“Ken naiintindihan mo ba?” sabi nya sa akin na nagpabalik ng aking ulirat.

“Wa-what?!” sabi ko sa kanya.

“You’re not in yourself! Bahala ka na nga dyan! I am going now, mag ingat ka sa mga kinakabangga mo! Baka mapadali ang buhay mo!” sabi nya na medyo naiinis sa akin.

“I’ll text you after my last class, and good luck!” sabi ko sa kanya at nilapitan nya ako at niyakap ulit.

“You too!” sabi nya at hinalikan nya ulit ako sa pisngi.

Hindi ko maintindihan para saan ang halik na yun, para ba yun sa pag iingat? O namiss lang nya ako? Pero isa ang alam ko, mahal ko si Lexie at di pwedeng may humarang sa akin.

Habang naglalakad ako patungo sa classroom ay alanganin pa din ako, kahit na ilang subject ko nang kasama ang mga kaklase ko.

Naabutan ako ni Cheryl sa aking paglalakad kaya sumabay na ito sa akin dahil ka blockmate ko naman sya.

“Hey Ken! How’s your first day here?” sabi ni Cheryl.

“Hi! Okay lang! medyo nahihiya pa!” sabi ko lang sa kanya.

“Okay lang yun! Ganyan talaga sa una! And pagpasensyahan mo na si Ace kanina! Medyo weird ang pinakita sayo nun! Di naman sya ganun eh!” sabi nya sa akin na ipinagtaka ko.

“I understand, baka minsan lang sya makasalamuha ng mga katulad ko.” Biro ko at tumawa si Cheryl.

“Pwede kang tumabi sa akin mamaya! Wag ka na dun sa dulo! Hindi kami makapag focus eh!” sabi nya at napangiti ako.

“Why?” sabi ko sa kanya.

“Ang pogi mo kaya! Almost kaming mga girls ay napapatingin sayo kahit na nagsusulat ka!” at isang malakas na tawa ang narinig ko sa kanya.

“Marami namang pogi din sa class natin ah! And besides kahit naman si Ace pogi din ah!” sabi ko sa kanya at nahalata kong namumula ang kanyang mukha.

“Pogi? Eh mga nalipasan na yun! Ikaw ang bago sa amin kaya ikaw ang pogi ng block natin! Si Ace siguro nga, pero alam mo na mabait naman si Ace even yung kapatid nyang si Argel sobrang bait nila.” sabi nya

“Argel Casanova?” sabi ko.

“Yep! Si Argel Joseph Casanova, ang apo ng may ari ng school!” sabi nya.

“Mabait ba yun? Eh ang yabang nga nun eh!” sabi ko at napatingin sya sa akin, naputol na ang pag uusap namin dahil papasok na kami sa classroom.

Nang makapasok na ako sa classroom agad na akong tumungo sa may dulo para makapag focus ako sa mga sinasabi ng aming professor, nang nag ring na ang bell ay agad nang nagbalikan sa upuan ang mga classmates ko, yung iba kapapasok pa lang, at pumasok na ang aming professor.

“Good afternoon class I’m your new English teacher, and my name is Lizette Flores, graduated in St. Uriel School of Education” sabi ng professor namin.

At kinuha nya ang aming mga class cards at tinawag kami isa isa, at nagulat ako nang tawagin ang taong nakabangga ko sa pathway kanina.

“Argel Casanova?” sabi ng aming professor.

Walang nasagot, hanggang sa pumasok ito sa class namin at ngumiti.

“Excuse me?” sabi ng aming professor.

“Sorry miss, I’m Argel Casanova” sabi nya at tumingin sa buong class.

“Ahh okay! Buti nalang at nakahabol ka pa!” biro ng aming professor at nagtawanan silang lahat.

“Sorry po miss, may inasikaso pa kasi ako.” Sabi nya at napakamot sya ng ulo.

“Okay next time ah! Sige you may take your seat.” Sabi ng aming professor at naglakad na sya at napansin nya si Ace na sumesenyas para umupo sa tabi nya, pero di nya ito pinansin.

Umupo sya katabi ko at napatingin ako sa kanya.

“You again?” sabi nya.

“What a small f*cking world!” sabi ko sa kanya.

At di na kami umiimik, habang nag tuturo ang aming professor ay nagfocus ako, pero di ko kaya kasi si Argel nasa tabi ko.

“Ken!” tawag ng Professor sa akin at nagtinginan ang lahat.

“miss?” sagot ko sa kanya.

“Can you go here in front and try some of these example” sabi nya sa akin.

Lumapit ako sa professor at tinignan ang gagawin ko.

“Heto oh!” sabi ng professor sa akin at tinuro ang gagawin ko.

At nag umpisa na akong magsalita, ang lahat ay naktutok sa akin at ang iba ay napahanga, nang matapos na akong basahin, agad na akong bumalik sa upuan ko.

Nagdaan ang mga oras at natapos na din ang aming lesson sa araw na yun, agad akong pumunta sa aking locker nang biglang may nag text ulit sa akin.

“Kenpot! Sorry kanina” sabi ni Lexie

“It’s alright! Ako naman din ang may kasalanan eh!” reply ko sa kanya.

“Hey! Mayroong tennis club dito, wanna take a shot?” sabi nya.

“Tomorrow sige try out ako! Basta andun ka din para mag cheer sa akin!” reply ko at hindi na sya nagreply back.

Binuksan ko ang aking locker at tinago ang aking gamit, napaisip ako at sinara ang locker ko, umalis na ako sa kinatatayuan ko at naglakad na papunta sa gate kung saan naghihintay na si Dad.

Malamig ang hangin na parang niyayakap ako, napaka presko sa katawan at nakaka relax ng isipan, nang biglang...

BLAG!!!

Hindi ko namalayan na natamaan ako ng bola ng basketball sa ulo at bumalik ako sa aking ulirat, nang tumayo ako sa pagkaka upo, ay agad akong tumingin sa court at napansin kong naglalaro ang mga varsity players, napansin kong pinagtatawanan ako at may lumapit sa akin para humingi ng paumanhin.

“Pare ayos ka lang ba?” sabi nito sa akin.

Hindi na ako umimik at kinuha ko yung bola, tinahak ko ang daan papuntang court habang dinidribble ang bolang tumama sa akin, nagpapahayag akong gumanti sa kanilang ginawa.

“Aba! Parang may maiibubuga itong tao na ito ah!” sabi ng isang lalaki na sa tingin ko naman ay kasali sa varsity team.

“Tara! One on One!” sabi ng isang pamilyar na boses at tumingin ang lahat sa iisang lugar kung saan nanggaling ang boses na yun.

Nang nahawi ang mga taong nakatumpok sa lugar ay nakita ko ang mukha ng taong kanina pa inuubos ang pasensya ko... Si Argel.

“Oh ayan na si bossing!” kantsaw ng isang lalaki.

“Tara manuod tayo! Kung sino mananalo!” sabi ng isa pang lalaki.

“Parang baguhan lang ito sa school ah! Ngayon ko lang nakita mukha nya dito!” angas na sinabi ng kanilang team captain.

“Dre! Ako nang bahala dito! Kanina pa itong tao na ito sa akin eh! Gusto yatang maturuan ng leksyon!” sabi ni Argel.

Habang dinidribble ko ang bola ay sineryoso ko ang sinabi nya.

“Makikita mo!” sabi ko sa aking sarili.

Nang makalapit na ako ay agad syang dumipensa at naghihintay ng aking galaw.

“Bakit ka ba suplado?” tanong nya sa akin.

Hindi ako sumagot dahil sa naiinis ako sa kanya simula pa lang, napaka angas nya, masyadong mahangin, at higit sa lahat di marunong lumugar.

Nang makakita ako ng butas ay agad kong pinasukan yun at hindi nya napansin ang pag drive ko ng bola.

Narinig kong naghiyawan ang mga kasamahan niya at ngumiti ako sa kanya, at sa puntong iyon ay sya na ang may hawak ng bola.

“Nang iinis ka ba?” sabi nya sa akin at hindi pa din ako sumagot.

Napansin kong may plano na sya at sumabay ako, hanggang sa maharang ko sya bago nya bitawan ang bola at nakuha ko agad ito, at na shoot ulit.

Naghiyawan ang mga kasamahan nya at kinantyawan si Argel.

“Dapat lang sayo yan! Mayabang!” sabi ko sa aking sarili.

At nang nag iinit na ang laban ay napansin kong dumarami ang mga nanonood, halos mapuno ang bench sa mga estudyanteng nanonood kahit yung mga PE professors nakinood na din.

“Ahh! Alam ko na! Gusto mong gumawa ng pangalan ah! Pwes! Hindi mo makukuha yun! Dahil ako lang ang sikat dito!” sabi nya sa akin habang nasa akin ang bola.

At nang medyo dumilim na ang oras...

“Ken! Okay! Suko na ako!” sabi nya sa akin habang naghahabol kami parehas ng hangin sa katawan, binitawan ko ang bola at agad ko nang kinuha ang mga gamit ko na nakapatong sa bench kanina pa, ang lahat ay naghihiyawan dahil sa ganda ng laban naming pinakita, at higit sa lahat ngayon lang ulit ako naging masaya sa paglalaro ng basketball, kahit hilig ko ang tennis.

“Ken! Kanina pa ako andito, bakit hindi mo man lang sagutin ang phone mo?” galit na sambit ng aking Dad.

“Dad, may nakipaglaro lang po sa akin ng basketball eh, sorry hindi ko nasagot, next time hindi ko na uulitin yun!” sabi ko sa kanya at pumasok na ako sa sasakyan, nang bigla sa akin may tumawag.

Itutuloy...

Why Philippines needs sex education?

Hello there babe (husky voice, kagigising lang) Seryoso muna article ko ngayon. (xencia hindi ako sanay haha) Lmao. Samahan niyo muna ako sa aking advocacy. 30 days kung ginawa ang article na to kaya hootang na loob basahin mo.  Please read and share. 

You can visit my blog hit the link http://steffanoperales.wordpress.com/

and do like my official page on facebook https://www.facebook.com/Thesteffanoperales

or you can follow me on twitter @iamsteffano. 

Author: Steffano Perales

   Education  in our country is based on both Western and Eastern ideology and philosophy influenced by the United States, Spain, and its neighbouring Asian countries. The quality of education has always been the government’s top priority. As a matter of fact, to address the peoples basic needs Pres. Benigno Aquino III signed the P1.8 trillion national budget of 2012 allocating P238.8 billion for  education “the biggest budget of all departments.”  Hitherto, the government’s persistence to offer the best education to the youth remains a struggle concerning not only in the budget but the curriculum itself.

The proposed inclusion of sex education to both elementary and high school level evoked varying opinions, huge deals of arguments and debates in Philippine senate. The incorporation of the said proposal in our education was pushed by the former Education Secretary Mona Valisno and Undersecretary Ramon Bacani. Opinions are bisecting, which groups agree and disagree.

We all know that Philippines is predominantly a Christian country, the centre of Christianity in Southeast Asia. A home where being a conservative person lingers as tradition. Approximately, more than 80% of the inhabitants are mainly Catholics. But what baffles me, is that albeit of a well-practiced conventionalism, prostitution remains invincible, heightening figures of early/unwanted pregnancy, cyber sex businesses sprouting anywhere and the alarming rate of HIV increases.

Aforementioned above are just few of the many problems which resulted from lack of information and zero knowledge in sex education.

In order for us to find solutions to the problem is to acknowledge what the problem is.

It is not a coincidence that Harry Thomas (US Ambassador) said in a statement, that 40% of male tourists visit Philippines for prostitutes. Neither the sexual insult of this American radio host Adam Corolla had implied that the Philippines is a country of whores, prostitutes and sex workers.  To add injury to this insult, he even called Manny Pacquio a fucking idiot and advised the Filipino nation to get a fucking life and not only settle on stories revolving on Manny Pacquiao.

What amazes me gauging back our history is that Maria Clara, she is a concrete embodiment of a native Filipina. Apparently, we are a country where surrounded by prostitutes. What’s up now?

It is very painful for me that the majority themselves admit they are serious Roman Catholics devotees and are standing against abortion, calling their selves a pro-life. But in contrary, they are all silent with the glaring truth that at a very young age, a lot of young people today have children of their own. 30 % of all births belong to this age group; and by the age of 20, 25% of the youth are already mothers.

According to statistics, in annual duration there are at least 64,000 teenagers have abortions, and studies show that this rate is actually exist  in our country where abortion is illegal and yet we claim that we are Catholics.

In a country where conservatives worries about morbidity and promiscuity against sex education, in which I as an authors pays my utmost respect, lies the truth, that there are two million teenage Filipina girls who are pregnant at this moment while there are approximately four million Filipinos aged 15-19 have already had sexual intercourse and now having sex while you are reading this. We can’t do anything about it. We cannot stop it. The least option we could possibly do is to educate them.

The main cause of an early and unwanted pregnancy is not mere result of the gratification of sexual urges. Oh yeah you might say it this way that pregnancy would not occur if studies were prioritized instead of “kalandian”. That if there were no (PMS) premarital sex, then there will be no pregnancy then. Pregnancy is a gift ergo, stop blaming the youth, that doesn’t help. Let us listen to them instead.  Boyfriend and girlfriend had sex because they love each other, blah blah whatever, but don’t you think that if they were just well-armed with the information about the use of contraceptives, safe and responsible sex, will still lead to this? Not that I think.

How do you expect a 15yr old mother to raise her child?

How do you expect an 18yr old boy to be a fatherly figure to his kids?

Therewith, if that is the case then there will be more irresponsible fathers and mothers in this generation. Irresponsible parenthood affects wide scope in our economy, they cannot afford to send their children to school, they didn’t finish degrees or even high school diploma, there will be a little chance to raise their kids in becoming a good citizen and the disheartening issues are, more babies, more street children.

In this phenomenon of early pregnancy, due to lack of knowledge and assistance, if not abortion, child abandonment comes to the picture as a choice. Based on a report entitled “Situation of the Youth in the Philippines,” there are about 1.5 million street children in the Philippines. I don’t know what the DSWD is doing with regard to this. That was in1998, how about this 2012?

If these snippets number enhances, propensity will be, kid smokers, drug addicts, health problems, summary execution of street children, child prostitution, sexual exploitation and HIV’s STD’s victims, as a matter of fact,18% of the street children contract sexually transmitted infections (STIs), again that is here in the Philippines.

Likewise, if there will be more street children, there will be more petty crimes in the streets, it will increases child abuse cases, they will do things which they think are fun and continue practicing it. Their houses are not a home.-Just saying. These bareknuckles will end up in jail. According to statistics, May 6, 2005, it was estimated there were 2,100 children in jails across the Philippines, 20 of them on death row.

For the record, I am not degrading the capabilities of our youth in raising their own family, but this is the reality. Look around you. Some teenagers perhaps can stand in early pregnancy if her family has a financial capacity in aiding, but how about the poorest of the poor?

According to the DOH-Department of Health  AIDS Registry in the Philippines reported 3,456 people living are HIV/AIDS positive as of September 2008.

The prevalence of HIV-Human immunodeficiency virus epidemic remains it rapid growth as viral as magnum and simsimi.

How this virus transmits?

By heterosexual intercourse accounted for the majority (61 percent) of the Philippines’ reported HIV/AIDS cases, followed in descending order by homosexual and bisexual relations, mother-to-child transmission, contaminated blood and blood products, and injecting drug use.

What triggers the risk?

Several factors the clutch us in danger of a broader HIV/AIDS epidemic. Includes overpopulation within and outside of the Philippine islands; a conservative culture, adverse to publicly discussing issues of a sexual nature even to their kids, rising levels of sex work, casual sex and unsafe/unprotected sex.

When I was a kid I thought rubbing sexual organs against each other is already a sex then will result to pregnancy. I remember my ritual test in process of becoming a real bachelor. Right after my circumcision, elders told me not to step over in any hard woods or timbers because my penis might get bigger or flat like ciabatta. Lolz. You know what I mean. I burst out laughing when I saw my sister jumping off from the third edge of the stairs to the ground because it’s her first menstruation. I really don’t know what the hell is that for. In this country where myths and legends eons ago were proven false, It’s quite amazing that such notion considered a solid fact. I myself am a proud Filipino but I am not a fan of these celebrated superstitions.

How sex education gives solution to all these bullshits?

It discusses the instructions on issues relating to human sexuality, including human sexual anatomy, sexual reproduction, sexual intercourse, reproductive health, emotional relations, reproductive rights and responsibilities, abstinence, birth control, and other aspects of human sexual behaviour. Common avenues for sex education are parents or caregivers, formal school programs, and public health campaigns. Thus, sex education also discusses all aspects of sexuality, including information about family planning, reproduction (fertilization, conception and development of the embryo and fetus, through to childbirth), plus information about all aspects of one’s sexuality including: body image, sexual orientation, sexual pleasure, values, decision making, communication, dating, relationships, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and how to avoid them, and birth control methods

I view this sensitive issue in both positive and negative sides. Sex education is not merely a unit in reproduction and teaching how babies are conceived and born. Let’s think beyond the rotten box. It has a far richer scope and goal of helping the youngster incorporate sex most meaningfully into his present and future life, to provide him with some basic understanding on virtually every aspect of sex by the time he reaches full maturity. It is also necessary to prepare the young for the task ahead.

Parents worries about sex education for their kid’s ages ranging from 11 onwards. Technically, the DEPED considers the curriculum’s suitability to the students.  I assert, teachers will not introduce sex positions and condom demonstrations inside class. Personal hygiene and human anatomy are basically the syllabus.

The Catholic Church sees differently.

Stop this promiscuous promotion as they woe.

Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP,)  the council of the Catholic church believe the task of telling children about sex and relationships should be up to parents, not teachers, and that teaching sex education in schools, especially to young children, it would result to a major catastrophe.

“Children are fragile creatures. The [education] department should be very, very careful not to teach children about matters they will imitate the following day,” said Monsignor Pedro Quitorio, a spokesman for the highly influential Catholic Bishops Conference.

Subsequently, I don’t see “distribution of resources” is the problem in overpopulation that causes poverty. Philippines is too big for 90 million inhabitants. We don’t just need balance. Distribution of resources becomes a problem only if inadequacy of the resources occurs. We’re too a lot. You cannot feed one fish for 10 persons.

Admittedly, in comparison from kids yesterday, kids today are smarter and very curious in anything. But I don’t see such factors are enough to hinder the implementation of sex education. Curiosity exists within all of us.

The church vexes, that such move will induce sex and propagates immoral ideas and virtues. For they fear  kids will just imitate it.

Kids today are not fools, they are not jerks to go to the comfort room when it’s recess and have sex or masturbate. More so, the teacher will not start the class with this opening spiel “Alright, let start our lesson, go to your sex partners”.

I firmly believe that our parents were our first teachers and our home was our first school. Hypothesizing this controversy, the capacity of a parent to discuss sex with his child is not enough. What am trying to point out is that we cannot continue to rely on parents to talk to their kids about sex. Some parents were never taught themselves and are uncomfortable with the subject matter to begin with. We cannot just take the risk of our child’s education, but getting the necessary information from well-trained professional instructors is worth the risk.

Adding to this, our educational system should be responsible for teaching our children what changes occur in their bodies in period of puberty. How do you expect a parent whom less knowledgeable in answering possible questions?

“Mom!!!!!!!(a girl freaking out in the bathroom) “What happen honey?” mother asked, “Look at this, I have hairs under, what is this thing mom?”, “(sigh) Oh honey there is a monkey underneath, its hair is growing” said mom. While at the dinner. “Sister, I have monkey underneath, its hair is growing (the girl boasting), “Oh great, mine is already eating banana”, sister said. (then mom faint)

Is that how you respond if such inquisitive arises? Blind your kids with ignorance?

Talking about sex with kids and teenagers is not easy. But I believe the school system has an important role to play with regard to educating our children about sex and the potential consequences of risky behavior. SEX is not a harmful word neither a “kabastusan”-morbidity.

I believe that sexual health education should be part of comprehensive health education. It must be age appropriate, medically accurate and enable students to develop the necessary knowledge and skills to make healthy and responsible decisions throughout their lives. Sexual health education addresses factors that affect sexual behaviour, such as self-esteem and perceived social norms, and helps young people develop a positive view of sexuality in the context of family and community values.

The only disadvantage I foresee is taking away the rights of the parents in educating their children in such sensitive subject. But if we will not educate our kids today, when will we start? It is better to do something than do nothing at all.

If you think, sex education fuels millions to fund instructional materials, so be it. Which will you choose, spend much peso in education or feed our millions to politic crocodiles? If you think, sex education makes condom manufacturers rich, then you should stop selling pirated DVD’s just make condoms.  Use condoms today or buy diapers tomorrow. If you think, it thickens the wallet of abortionist then I’ll say you are imbecile, do some research dude.

Please let us think beyond the rotten box. Sex education purports to enlighten the youth about sex scientific elucidations and certain areas which I think conservatives overlook or they just don’t what to understand it. With concern of preserving our values as Filipinos I don’t think we should limit our understanding even in a very sensitive issue. Kids today have a lot of access in internet, they will know everything.-Just saying. Sex education gears towards comprehensive health awareness; it discusses the line between lust and love, it doesn’t encourage sex enjoyment for god’s sake!

In a broader spectrum of this metamorphosis, youth today engage in many activities unbeknownst to their parents. Youth today are more adventurous, aggressive and fast-growing due to different mediums in their environment. Youth today, are admittedly smarter compare to youth decades ago. I know how does it feel because I am part of this borough calling themselves a “nation’s hope. I am 19 years old, a modern boy of the 21^st  century. We don’t live in caves for pete’s sake! Give us your trust, for we need to know the harsh reality that premarital sex may brings. Conservatives fear so much about the consequences  but they keep their selves blinded with truth in present. It’s not more fun in the Philippines if we keep our eyes blindfolded and just rely on futile optimism. We the youth of today, together, we can make a better nation. Philippines badly needs sex education, not for the church but for us youth, the hope of this nation, whose voice has a greater substance?