Helen Keller

If I am happy in spite of my deprivations,
if my happiness is so deep that it is a faith,
so thoughtful that it becomes a philosophy of life,
— if, in short, I am an optimist,
my testimony to the creed of optimism 
is worth hearing.

A happy life consists not in the absence, 
 but in the mastery of hardships.

Jose Rizal

Jose Rizal is the National Hero of the Philippines. And because of that, we have an entire semester specifically talking about Rizal and his life and works. Truth is, he's a truly amazing and brilliant person, but sadly, most students who had a subject on Rizal does not appreciate him (history per se bores most peeps).

I'm not being patriotic, but I find it an opportunity to put in posterity the great literature of my country. I think each one of us is proud of our rich history (no matter what country we came from). After all, the country where we were born is where our roots lie. And no matter where we are, and even if we turn our back on our roots, we still are a part of it.

Here is the last poem Rizal wrote, which does not have a title (so his friend Mariano Ponce entitled it 'MI ULTIMO ADIOS').

MY LAST FAREWELL

Farewell, my adored Land, region of the sun caressed,
Pearl of the Orient Sea, our Eden lost,
With gladness I give you my Life, sad and repressed;
And were it more brilliant, more fresh and at its best,
I would still give it to you for your welfare at most.

On the fields of battle, in the fury of fight,
Others give you their lives without pain or hesitancy,
The place does not matter: cypress laurel, lily white,
Scaffold, open field, conflict or martyrdom's site,
It is the same if asked by home and Country.

I die as I see tints on the sky b'gin to show
And at last announce the day, after a gloomy night;
If you need a hue to dye your matutinal glow,
Pour my blood and at the right moment spread it so,
And gild it with a reflection of your nascent light!

My dreams, when scarcely a lad adolescent,
My dreams when already a youth, full of vigor to attain,
Were to see you, gem of the sea of the Orient,
Your dark eyes dry, smooth brow held to a high plane
Without frown, without wrinkles and of shame without stain.

My life's fancy, my ardent, passionate desire,
Hail! Cries out the soul to you, that will soon part from thee;
Hail! How sweet 'tis to fall that fullness you may acquire;
To die to give you life, 'neath your skies to expire,
And in your mystic land to sleep through eternity!

If over my tomb some day, you would see blow,
A simple humble flow'r amidst thick grasses,
Bring it up to your lips and kiss my soul so,
And under the cold tomb, I may feel on my brow,
Warmth of your breath, a whiff of your tenderness.

Let the moon with soft, gentle light me descry,
Let the dawn send forth its fleeting, brilliant light,
In murmurs grave allow the wind to sigh,
And should a bird descend on my cross and alight,
Let the bird intone a song of peace o'er my site.

Let the burning sun the raindrops vaporize
And with my clamor behind return pure to the sky;
Let a friend shed tears over my early demise;
And on quiet afternoons when one prays for me on high,
Pray too, oh, my Motherland, that in God may rest I.

Pray thee for all the hapless who have died,
For all those who unequalled torments have undergone;
For our poor mothers who in bitterness have cried;
For orphans, widows and captives to tortures were shied,
And pray too that you may see your own redemption.

And when the dark night wraps the cemet'ry
And only the dead to vigil there are left alone,
Don't disturb their repose, don't disturb the mystery:
If you hear the sounds of cittern or psaltery,
It is I, dear Country, who, a song t'you intone.

And when my grave by all is no more remembered,
With neither cross nor stone to mark its place,
Let it be plowed by man, with spade let it be scattered
And my ashes ere to nothingness are restored,
Let them turn to dust to cover your earthly space.

Then it doesn't matter that you should forget me:
Your atmosphere, your skies, your vales I'll sweep;
Vibrant and clear note to your ears I shall be:
Aroma, light, hues, murmur, song, moanings deep,
Constantly repeating the essence of the faith I keep.

My idolized Country, for whom I most gravely pine,
Dear Philippines, to my last goodbye, oh, harken
There I leave all: my parents, loves of mine,
I'll go where there are no slaves, tyrants or hangmen
Where faith does not kill and where God alone does reign.

Farewell, parents, brothers, beloved by me,
Friends of my childhood, in the home distressed;
Give thanks that now I rest from the wearisome day;
Farewell, sweet stranger, my friend, who brightened my way;
Farewell, to all I love. To die is to rest.

Credits to: Jose Rizal Website

Warren Buffet

I had the chance to read this through email and I was really inspired by this man. We live in a modern world and with that came modern temporal wants, and we are inspired to do our best to have more of what we think is necessary. And sometimes, because of trying so hard to have it all, we forgot to really live.

Ok, he's an exemption.

More on Wikipedia

There was a one hour interview on CNBC with Warren Buffet, the second richest man who has donated $31 billion to charity. Here are some very interesting aspects of his life:

1. He bought his first share at age 11 and he now regrets that he started too late!
2. He bought a small farm at age 14 with savings from delivering newspapers.
3. He still lives in the same small 3-bedroom house in mid-town Omaha that he bought after he got married 50 years ago. He says that he has everything he needs in that house. His house does not have a wall or a fence.
4. He drives his own car everywhere and does not have a driver or security people around him.
5. He never travels by private jet, although he owns the world's largest private jet company.
6. His company, Berkshire Hathaway, owns 63 companies.
1. He writes only one letter each year to the CEOs of these companies, giving them goals for the year.
2. He never holds meetings or calls them on a regular basis.
3. He has given his CEO's only two rules.
1. Rule number 1: do not lose any of your share holder's money.
2. Rule number 2: Do not forget rule number 1.

7. He does not socialize with the high society crowd. His past time after he gets home is to make himself some pop corn and watch Television.
8. Bill Gates, the world's richest man met him for the first time only 5 years ago. Bill Gates did not think he had anything in common with Warren Buffet. So he had scheduled his meeting only for half hour. But when Gates met him, the meeting lasted for ten hours and Bill Gates became a devotee of Warren Buffet.
9. Warren Buffet does not carry a cell phone, nor has a computer on his desk.

His advice to young people:

"Stay away from credit cards and invest in yourself and Remember:

Money doesn't create man but it is the man who created money.

Live your life as simple as you are.

Don't do what others say, just listen to them, but do what you feel good.

Don't go on brand name; just wear those things in which u feel comfortable.

Don't waste your money on unnecessary things; Just spend on them who really in need rather.

After all it's your life then why give chance to others to rule our life."

Song Hye Kyo is Hwangjin-Y

My favorite Korean star Song Hye Kyo plays the courtesan in Hwangjin-Y. I remember the movie Memoirs of Geisha and makes me curious how SHK played the part of a courtesan. I've only seen her in Full House as wacky and her first movie as cute and safe. But being a courtesan is another thing and this I got to see!

SHK

Twilight

I'm presently reading Stephanie Meyer's first series Twilight and I'm 3/4 done already. I got the hardcopies courtesy of Tess who was kind enough to buy me those hardcopies (which I repaid later) when everybody else was trying to get their own. I'm still so overwhelmed with thanks because I got hardbound copies because of her.

I first got to meet Twilight when I saw the movie, and now, as I was reading the book, I kind of think and compare it to the movie than make my own version. So, it becomes a disadvantage to see the movie first before reading. But I just need to read it.

Reading through the pages, I can now understand more which the movie has edited. I knew each character better (and their names too!) and I just recently knew what Edward was dying of before he became the gorgeous vamp and what happened to his parents, and of course, of the 300plus year old Dr. Cullen. There were scenes and conversations in the book that was put together as one in the movie. Some scenes romantic enough but I guess it would take really long to just put it in the movie (like the scenes when they exchange questions about each other and Edward said 'I love you' to Bella which I did not hear in the movie).

And there's also the infamous clumsiness of Bella that was never part of the movie, and those Edward quips for Bella to take care of herself. Sigh. Now, I find the book better, than the movie ever will. But that wouldn't stop me from seeing the movie.

NOTE:

I discovered that they changed the director of the next series, New Moon. The director of Twilight was Catherine Hardwicke and now it would be Chris Weitz (who directed the ever-boring The Golden Compass). I hope he does justice to the movie and not make it another zzzzzz...(I've linked a profile so that you can see his past accomplishments and maybe it can be justified why he got the slot).

And, I think I have not given credit to Cam Gigandet who portrayed James (He was part of the O.C. series)

Un-Twilight

And if you wanna hear what's the Twilight OST...here's the link. And I agree with what Stephenie Meyer have said:

To conclude, I would like to make a few comments about Rob and Kristen, who are the true heart of this movie. First, they are both amazing actors. Second, they are channeling Edward and Bella like nobody's business. Third, you might want to bring a paper bag to the movie, because their on-screen chemistry may cause hyperventilation. That is all.

--Stephenie

True Steph...I got that too.

Francis Magalona

I was shocked to hear from Wowowee that the King of Rap francis Magalona died today at 12:20PM. It kind of hurting to see someone who was passionate about his ideals and now all will be just a memory. I thought about his family and the pain they have to deal with his passing. Condolence.

In the news, what caused his death was not the illness itself but the complication from it. It ws said to be pneumonia which caused his death.

'Magalona, was diagnosed in August, 2008, with leukemia at the Medical City Hospital, Mandaluyong. After his treatment and discharge, he made his return on Eat Bulaga together with Ely Buendia, who was also recently discharged.'

'The King of Pinoy rap, was 44 years old.'

"I look forward to the pain as I know my journey is on full speed ahead. I will not be bold to say that without asking a favor from you all. PLEASE PRAY for me as I undergo treatment. Your prayers, as always, have sustained me. And am sure the Lord will listen to all our prayers.
To His will I submit myself."

Francis Magalona on Wikipedia and FrancisM Blog.

Song Hye Kyo

Song Hye Kyo. This pretty Korean lady is one of the prettiest gals in the world, in my opinion. I used to collect pictures of her and surf the net for information about her. Given the fact, I am quite infatuated with her beauty. I first saw her perform in Full House (the one with Bi, or Rain) and right there and then, I became one of her growing fans. You can see why.

Rustom Padilla a.k.a. Bebe Gandanghari

This was really a surprise when Rustom Padilla on TV wearing this! Now that he's out in the open, he's more accepting to other possibilities, and the society, even in shock, others in awe (he's really pretty), although it's kinda weird, well, that's Rustom!

Ruth and Bonita Trust

On our way to mass in St. Paul, the kids and I saw a woman in her 40s carrying a crying infant. I got kind of worried since I’ve heard a lot about babies being sold. I worry about the baby’s safety and I worried about the mom who will worry and hurt for losing her child. It’s not a good feeling. Being a mom is hard, worrying about the safety of your kids all the time. I guess, at times, I think that because of poverty. They would just grab any opportunity they could get at the expense of others.

But you know what? There are others who grab opportunities for the benefit of others. Example of that is Ruth Parasol. She’s a philanthropist based in Gibraltar. One of her goals for the people of Gibraltar is to augment the quality of education Gibraltar students have.

Imagine, this place does not have a full time higher education, so, how would these students who aim to graduate to college do that? I would assume there are students, who aim to get a degree, with the aid of people who does charity works like Ruth Parasol, who is the founder of Bonita Trust. If I have the same capacity to give, I would also do what this good person did through her Trust.

Jessica Biel

She's one of my most favorite actresses.



I first saw her in Seventh Heaven, boyish. I was in awe when I saw her in Blade, and there I wanted to follow her exercise routines. You can see why.