Stink’stem’:Questioning a tolerated rotten system

True to life scenario
19 casually-clad employees make up the nexus office of an establishment. 15 from the count are on their butts---two staring blankly into space while chewing gum; seven hooked on blaring computer screens updating Facebook accounts, playing spider solitaire and watching porno while laughing around, feeling completely at home. Work is home; home is home.
9:30 on the dot and yet no boss has stepped in the office. 15 minutes pass and a few have already taken turns on the computers. One of the few bosses finally arrives, sits on his royal chair behind the desk, writes, chats, writes for about 15 minutes and exits again; his first and last appearance of the day---a normal day in the office…

The phone rings without halt. The door to the office barely closes. Computer screens blare of white light, hands keep typing, clicking, typing alternately faster than normal.
Everyone’s abuzz. Papers keep coming in and out, delivered here and there, inquiries her and there. All bosses are strapped on their seats all day signing, signing---salary day in the office…

Analogy of systems
The brain is the center of all functions of the body. Without it the body is lifeless. The brain is a network of nerve cells responsible of transmission of signals to all other organ systems. Without them, the brain is useless.

Order, receive, interpret, transmit, and respond: the mainstream process that transcends within the human system without conscious control. Only when disease is present will the process halt or fail to work as it should.

Human society is a simulation of the biologic processes of humans. It’s built to operate systematically for a particular purpose. But as diseases exist in the biologic sense so does it in a society that is only a simulation of the original. Error in connections occur but in a more massive scale. People can choose not to follow orders, orders can be made for personal gain, messages may not reach at the right time or messages may be altered and thus misinterpreted…etc…

In the office scenario above, what happens? No one is working as he/she should. Even the head poses himself/herself as a bad model for others to follow. There is a malady without question.

But what is that malady?
value system---
a scheme that cannot happen in the context of our analogue because it is culture in context, beyond the genius of logic.

No one person dares to speak out the obvious wrong in their daily doings because they know beneficial connections are at stake. If they won’t tolerate each other’s idiosyncrasies, they will live like hell in a place where they should only just follow ethical codes of conduct. A lax workplace is better than a rigid one even if it means flushing values down the drain because a rigid one requires effort that many people are not accustomed to.

'Besides, what are values for when no one’s looking? Or when the one you expect to look into the malady, himself/herself is an epitome of a rotten system?' Now that is stink'stem thinking.

*Stink'stem is a coined term by the author that when separated would read as stinking system.

Cons and Incons: A personal dissertation on success and failure

My goal these recent days aside from cutting down on my carbs so as not to outgrow my pants (I can’t afford my favorite brands) has been consistency in my way of life. That is in dealing with circumstances that requires quick or long hours of thinking to come up with a decision---whether it’s what to eat with whom for lunch or what to do after board exam results come first trimester of next year.
For the latter, I’ve been alternating among the following options: applying as nurse volunteer in our provincial hospital for 6 months before trying on tertiary ones in the city, submitting my resume online for the nars sa baryo program of the government incase it gets to have a 3rd phase by the time I receive my license, take up a course on Adobe Photoshop on a TESDA approved school to make myself a bit more marketable, start a business on event planning with a high school friend, enroll in a Literature or Journalism course in my dream school, Harvard (loco) or get married. Gosh. Did I just say that? Well nothing is impossible so they say---not dreams, not bright futures, not even the most nightmarish of events and endings. That is why I seek consistency. We witness many talented people wasting their potentials because of failure to arrive at a decision over what to do with their lives after a no-need-to-decide-for-ourselves-yet phase that we all enjoy once in our young lives. Many College Cum Lau des have not maximized the edge that the title gave them. Many have raved over so many things they want to have and achieve and ended up getting nothing. Many failed in life because of inconsistency. That’s why I’m afraid of that word so much that I can’t sleep just thinking it to be the cause of my own failure.
For this article, I did a small research on the net about the consequence of inconsistency on people and the values that make people fail. I found out browsing through 66 articles and essays written by random people around the globe that there are many factors that contribute to failure. Some say its lack of emotional intelligence such as being a slave to basic human desires, others say lack of diligence, lack of perseverance, lack of patience, lack of motivation etc. etc.
In a book entitled Psychological Foundations of Success by scientist and Harvard-trained psychologist Stephen Kraus, five biggest factors that determine success were delineated: vision, strategy, belief, persistence and learning.
Vision was discussed as the science of identifying ones passions. Strategy which came after vision was clearly stated to mean turning lofty ambitions into consistent action. Keyword: consistent.
I think belief, persistence and learning should all serve to keep consistency in a person as he works his way towards the fulfillment of his identified passions.
I learned a lot from my readings in the internet although I know that the truth is there was no need to seek a Harvard doctor’s help to instill the importance of consistency of thought and action in achieving goals simply because we as humans who experience constant little and major battles in life, all know this by heart. Only sometimes, it really helps to ask and be reminded of what we shouldn’t but so often forget and what we should be doing but either can’t or won’t because it takes so much effort to defeat the worst in us who wants every reward at an instant.
That’s why I wrote this: because writing aside from speaking is my only way of reminding myself of my mistakes, my shortcomings and what’s important above whims and schemes.
So what have you decided? And what have I? So far, I have only decided on one thing, I will succeed.
It’s time to determine on what considering I already know how.

First Day Drop Out

As I sit in front of an outdated office computer envying its existence despite its keyboard’s ultra hard keys (my own lies hidden beneath layers of dust under my bed due to some computer gobbledygook I can’t fathom), I listen to an engrossing conversation that fills the capsulated room. It has been almost a week since I last wrote; a month since I last wrote something in English that’s worth my time.
It’s lunch time here in my workplace. By that, I mean between the hours of 12:00-12:30, although most employees seem to have this habit of prolonging it. My mind grasps for topics to write about. I know I must exercise my thinking lest it rots. Thanks to The Valkyries by Paulo Coelho for that fear I recently added to my thousand others.
Anyway, the conversation floats to one of the employees who has become a surrogate parent to one of her nieces, a scenario absolutely normal in the Philippine setting. As the most successful of the siblings, Mar dutifully took responsibility of her niece’s education from high school. And now that her Kolehiyala niece has graduated with flying colors, she helped her get into one of the most prestigious universities here in Iloilo.
According to Mar, her niece has been anticipating her first day in College since last week, but is now feeling what many unaccustomed-to-variety high schoolers experience on their first day at big universities where explosion of personalities always seem to be most evident. I myself have experienced such. Who hasn’t? Hmm. In fact I can pretty much relate with her based on description---private school education; pampered; introverted; academically good but lacking some PR; good in theory but lacking practicality. However, I developed the traits that I used to lack as I went thru the so-called College life.
Based on Mar’s story, the girl now is obsessed about quitting school, that she verbalized thru text message her desire to “just roll about on bed at home instead of putting up with loneliness in school”. The poor Aunt does her best to convince her to do otherwise. Even other employees got concerned that they made efforts to give good advices to the distraught Mar. Sadly, no amount of words could dissuade the poor niece.
All throughout the encounter, I kept my thoughts to myself however intently listening. I, who has the freshest memory of “first days” of all who were in the room. But as her decision of giving in to the demand of her niece gathered approval from everyone, I couldn’t take anymore silence. I thought of my own first day and realized how lucky I was to have had at least one whom I knew as a companion. When everyone was a bit silenced, I blurted out disapproval of her final decision. I asked if she had any friends even in different departments and found out that she had. I gave other options and suggestions. Mar texted her some of it but nothing could be done. At last poor Mar told her to just come home. What a sad thing for Mar; but even sadder for the girl who let go of that opportunity for growth.
I don’t know how many students experience this type of first day nightmare. I suppose about a half of every class in all schools in the world have students with this type of anxiety on their first day. And I know that of them, there are those who give up even before their trip to the unknown has been fully revealed before them. What can be done?
First things first. These students need listeners who would be understanding enough to see thru their stories without judgment. Indeed the way the world is depends on the looker. Imposing ideas and beliefs to these distraught students is destructive. It can only make them stick to their decision more strongly. Next would be advice from a person who knows how to give advice without preaching. A talk with a person the student respects and admires is an example. Presentation of consequences and options would come in here. Then, after all words have been exhausted, the last step would be giving space and time for the student to think.
Let her/him decide.

After all, it’s going to be her next four years to live with.

A Travel Home

Capturing Guimaras’ Many Angles

Why are some sands bLacK? because some are whiTe.

Not all shores are bestowed of creamy sands. But Guimaras like many islands in the tropics are among the chosen. Hmm…that idea can only come from a proud inhabitant of one of the tourist hotspots in the Philippines. And true indeed this writer boasts of being a true blue Guimarasnon. But who could fully say he/she is a Gumarasnon if he/she has not even experienced the Guimaras that so many tourist from this country and abroad have through the opportunity given to them by money and that desire to escape from their busy world have visited and explored.
It is true that many Guimarasnons are not truly aware of the actual beauty of the place which they have called their homes for God-knows how long simply because they have not taken or been given the chance to explore what they call their own. And people, who are not aware, are people who cannot be expected to protect.
I did not know about the gargantuan deposits of lime in the rocks and soil of Guimaras until a recent misfortune led me to make a series of choices that eventually led me to a trip that brought me home. Home. I am home. I’ve been home for two decades minus the number of days I was in school in Iloilo or sleeping in my boarding house; but not truly home until I decided to work closely with the true advocates of Guimaras promotion and preservation. And on two of those working days, I went with my boss to a tour of Guimaras by boat.
Beach hopping may not be the deepest way to love a place. But it is definitely a start. Protection begins with appreciation.
I took shots of the places we passed and landed on while taking note from my more knowledgeable companions important details of those places.
(pictures...@facebook)
At the end of the trip, I got more than pictures in my friend’s camera. I was not only happy that the sands in the Guimaras shores are white. I was happy that they are still there and that my predecessors have done their best to protect them for me… to see and protect in my time.

Marking the Map to Guimaras Island

Imagining Paradise
Paradise -- there is no denying the myriad of beautiful images filtered by the mind at the mere mention of the word.
The images in my own go along these lines: the feel of powdery-soft sand cushioning my feet as I waddle through crystal blue waters, splurge in the abundance of fresh country air and gaze at the clear sight of the wonders of the aquatic world beneath me -smooth pebbles accentuating the whiteness underneath and schools of tiny multi-colored fishes boldly encircling my moving legs.
More to my sight is the long stretch of creamy sand only occasionally interrupted by anchored bancas in the shoreline used for fishing and hopping from islets to islets.
Concentrating on my sense of hearing, I sense the gentle rustling of the coconut leaves mingling with the tender lapping of the waves in the shore. A soft melody also plays from one of the cottages behind me.
Allowing my mind to wander off, I think of the freshly harvested coconut milk paired with sweet ripe mangoes in my nipa hut: a delight to my taste buds.
Several places may come to mind at the description made above. But the first place that comes to my mind is no other than Guimaras Island.

Paradise in Sight
Though considered as the smallest and youngest province in Western Visayas, Guimaras prides itself in its incomparable beauty with its pristine beaches at the forefront of fame and rich natural wealth most notably its mango plantations and abundant aquatic resources.
Its five municipalities, each proportionately bearing its natural beauty and wealth, are Buenavista, Jordan, Nueva Valencia, San Lorenzo and Sibunag.
Jordan hales as the center of trade and commerce and the capital of Guimaras. In it are two of the island’s famous Beach Resorts: Baras and Isla Naburot. It also has two hotels and six pension inns for those who prefer them.
Buenavista which is a mere 30-minute jeepney-ride from Jordan has six must-see beach resorts. El Retiro Beach Resort found in the historic Brgy. Navalas overlooks the mystical Siete Pecados whose story dates back from Spanish times. Enrico Beach Resort in Brgy. Zaldivar can be reached through a five-minute motor banca ride from McArthur’s Wharf, the major entry point of the municipality. Other beach resorts include Carmel by the Sea, Kelapa Gading and Abelardos all found in Brgy. East Valencia.
Nueva Valencia, located at the southern tip of Guimaras facing the Iloilo Strait, has the most number of beach resorts with more than 15. Some are located in one shoreline like Freelance, Raymen and Rico beach resorts in Sitio Alubihod, Brgy. Poblacion. These three beach resorts may be considered as three of the most frequented in Guimaras because of their accessibility both to local and foreign tourists by land and by boat. Others include Guisi Clearwater famous for its 18th century lighthouse, Villa Igang, Yato, Rumagangrang, NVMPC, Himal-us, Guiwad, Pulang Pasayan, Villa Clara, Santo Nino, Coco Palm, Punta Tando, Amancio, Tajanlangit and the panoramic El Puerta de Paraiso in Brgy. San Roque with its cogon-made cottage roofs especially built on a bulldozed mountaintop. This soon-to-open resort, which has beaches at the east and west side of the cottages-over-the-bulldozed mountain, will definitely leave tourists wanting to stay longer than intended.
With the number of world class beach resorts and a couple of mountain resorts in a 60, 457 hectares of land area, Guimaras Island is definitely one of the Philippine’s tourist hot spots.
The two last only by alphabetical arrangement are the municipalities of San Lorenzo and Sibunag. These two, located at the eastern side of Guimaras are considered as the youngest of the 5 municipalities having been created only in 1995. Sibunag, which can be reached by van/jeepney within 45 minutes from Jordan Wharf, is famous for its Island Resorts. Known to many is the Nagarao Island Resort which offers its visitors a feel of the Visayan heritage in terms of setting and services offered. In Sibunag also are the picturesque Inampulugan Island identified by its crocodile shape, Costa Aguada Island Resort, Jesa Mar Island Resort, Punta Punting Beach Resort and Valla Verde Mt. Spring Resort which is not a beach resort but is nevertheless worth mentioning because of its beauty and fame to many trekkers and tourists since its establishment.

Opening Paradise’s Gates
Not only is the provincial government bent to having Guimaras identified by its attractive beaches and resorts, but through its Tourism Section, it also aims to establish world-class agri-fisheries business support system and advocate policies for sustained ecological balance and equitable sharing of socio-cultural and economic prosperity. Guimarasnons are encouraged and mobilized to participate to the attainment of its vision-mission for Guimaras through its Comprehensive Tourism Program focused on the promotion of its natural gift of beauty, agriculture and fisheries.

The People of Paradise
Like all Filipinos in general, the people of Guimaras are known for their hospitality, warmth and love for small to large-scale festivities seen during barangay fiestas and the province-wide Manggahan Festival held every April. What distinguishes the Guimarasnons then is the love they have for their home province shown through their continued efforts to preserve and help protect Guimaras’ natural resources from exploitation.
The Paradise that is Guimaras
Paradise they say has many addresses. With its endowment of dozens of incomparably beautiful sights and over a hundred thousand amiable people, Guimaras is definitely one.