Lovely

Two guys, a piano and a cello make beautiful music together. Now I suddenly want to learn how to play the cello.

Happy 20th CRC!!!

In 1989, the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) became the first legally binding international convention to affirm human rights for all children. As a binding treaty of international law, it codifies principles that Member States of the United Nations agreed to be universal – for all children, in all countries and cultures, at all times and without exception, simply through the fact of their being born into the human family.

(Text and image from here.)

My one vote

I intend to make full use of my one vote. I did not vote in the past two elections. It was only recently that I rediscovered the motivation to exercise that right. I even braved the serpentine lines and tiresome wait at a Comelec satellite office just so I can register again.

As the election fever begins to rage, I am beginning to see more of the usual campaigns. Some ring of empty promises that seem to get hollower as years go by. There are always familiar faces, tired lines, and scarce concrete action to match grand promises made. A part of me doubts that politics and governance will change after new and re-elected leaders take the helm in the contested positions. But, despite my misgivings, I still intend to put much thought and effort to that one vote I have.

If I were to shortlist candidates to give my vote to, I will go for those who exude integrity and have firm stance on the following:

1. Education ~ ensuring that more children get access to free education; that more children will have the opportunity to study beyond elementary school; that literacy rate in the Philippines improve especially in the poorest towns and municipalities.

2. Environment ~ because regardless of which side we stand on the climate change debate, I believe that everyone deserves a future where there is environment sustainability. In the interconnectedness of things, ignoring the potential impacts of neglect is a risk that we cannot afford to make.

3. Sports ~ because apart from promoting a healthy lifestyle, it teaches ideals and values that strengthen character and integrity. The current state of sports in the country desperately needs to be addressed.

Like most of what ails the nation, money (misuse, corruption, etc.) is not the only issue that needs to be addressed. Prudent use of funds, a clear vision, and the courage to catalyze changes define great leaders.

I do not think much will change after the 2010 elections. But even so, I believe that there will be a few who will create small ripples of change that will resonate in the coming years. That thought alone is enough to make me anticipate in casting my one vote. One vote that I will use wisely.

Pinay long jumper wins gold

A former roommate in the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex South Tower wins the Gold in long jump in the Asian Track and Field Championships held at the Guangdong Olympic Center in Guangzhou, China. Maris' commitment to training paid off.

It is such a source of pride and inspiration to see athletes struggle and emerge victorious through talent, hard work and dedication. Go Pinoy athletes!

Full story:
Torres ends Asian Track & Field Gold drought
From Good News Pilipinas

Natural state of things

Two things came to mind when I read about the rot-proof apple that stays fresh for 4 months:

1. The apple tree mentioned in James Rollins' book The Doomsday Key
2. My aunt's tale about a new variant of rice that her friends are recommending to her. The said rice purportedly doesn't spoil for four days when cooked

Although I admire the complexity and genius in developing such produce, I still prefer the natural state of things. Let food rot in their own good time.

go the distance

"People think I'm disciplined. It is not discipline. It is devotion. There is a great difference." ~ Luciano Pavarotti

Image from things we forget

Philippine Rowing Team quad in Asian Champs Finals A

The Philippine Rowing Team's quad reached Finals A finished 6th in the 13th Asian Rowing Championships held in Yilan, Chinese Taipei. Congratulations and kudos for your best effort and for giving your all in the intense races with Asian powerhouse teams!

Read more about the recently concluded 13th Asian Rowing Championships in Chris Perry's (FISA Development Consultant, Asia) China stands out at Asian Champs.

I want to be six again

I saw this on Facebook. It was posted by Paolo Jamoralin then shared by my friend Majella Jamoralin.

---

I want to be six again

I want to go to McDonald's and think
it's the best place in the world to eat.
I want to sail sticks across a fresh mud puddle
and make waves with rocks.
I want to think M&Ms are better than money
because you can eat them.
I want to play kickball during recess
and stay up on Christmas Eve
waiting to hear Santa and Rudolph on the roof.
I long for the days when life was simple.
When all you knew were your colors,
the addition tables, and simple nursery rhymes,
but it didn't bother you because
you didn't know what you didn't know,
and you didn't care.
I want to go to school and have snack time,
recess, gym, and field trips.
I want to be happy
because I don't know what should make me upset.
I want to think the world is fair,
and everyone in it is honest and good.
I want to believe that anything is possible.
Sometime, while I was maturing,
I learned too much.
I learned of nuclear weapons,
starving and abused kids, and unhappy marriages.

I want to be six again.

I want to think that everyone, including myself,
will live forever because
I don't know the concept of death.
I want to be oblivious to the complexity of life,
and be overly excited by the little things again.
I want television to be something I watch for fun,
not something I use for escape from the things I should be doing.
I want to live knowing
the little things I find exciting,
will always make me as happy as when I first learned them.

I want to be six again.

I remember not seeing the world as a whole,
but rather being aware of only
the things that directly concerned me.
I want to be naive enough to think that if
I'm happy, so is everyone else.
I want to walk down the beach and think
only of the sand beneath my feet,
and the possibility of finding
that blue piece of sea glass I'm looking for.
I want to spend my afternoons
climbing trees and riding my bike,
letting the grownups worry about time,
the dentist, and how to find the money to fix the car.
I want to wonder what I'll do when I grow up,
not worry what I'll do if this doesn't work out.
I want that time back.
I want to use it now as an escape,
so that when my computer crashes,
or I have a mountain of paperwork,
or two depressed friends,
or second thoughts about so many things,
I can travel back and build snowmen
without thinking about anything
except whether the snow sticks together
and what I can possibly use for the snowman's mouth.

I want to be six again.

-anonymous-