When Typhoon Washi (Sendong) hits Philippines (Problem-Solution)

          That night was an innocent night. Hints and warnings thrown to people wasn't accurate that there might have a brave and strong storm to disturb people's lives. The people were misinformed. Homes were damaged. Lives were shattered. Places were ruined and devastated. Dreams were vanished.


          Our country, the Philippines is an archipelago country. 20 typhoons is said to be expected to put Filipinos in such situation, in trials.


          Last December 2011, Iligan City and Cagayan de Oro City were the most affected places in the Philippines hit by the typhoon Washi. People who lives in riverside areas were the ones who were most affected by the typhoon Washi. The typhoon ruined dreams, lives and properties.


          The government should have give relocation to people before any dilemma happens, before any phenomena ends lives. They should have accommodated the people who lives in the riverside. They should have dealt to a law to restrict the people to live in riversides. And people should have understand the government's concern. People also have to consider the government's advice. Because riversides are supposed to be a restricted area to any family to live at.  Because riversides are known as prone to flash floods. And people and government should have agreed that fact.


          So, the government has to be more strict to those certain areas that is prone to danger like riversides and give relocation to people to avoid some occurrence like what typhoon Washi left to this country that made the end of some innocent people lives.

Being A Call Boy (Descriptive)

          An innocent child who idolizes those persons who are fluent in speaking in English language. A guiltless toddler who imitates whatever kind of English words he hears. A young gentleman who dreams to be a great person who make and receive calls as well. A chivalrous man who aims to be part of any BPO industries. A brave man who acknowledges trials to his application for him to become a real call center agent.


          Let me tell you a story of a young gentleman who has great dreams. A determined guy that approaches trials in life in order to survive. His name has the meaning of Christmas, Noel, but he was born in the month of June not in December. He is a courageous man that gives fight in every battle he encounters. Whether a big battle or a small one. 


          That was a breathtaking interview between the interviewee and I. She asked questions like I never heard before, "Why should we hire you?", "Where do you see yourself 5-10 years from now?", "How do you handle stress?". Sweats drench to every part of my skin like it was never happened before. My voice shivers along with my hands trying to satisfy the interviewee's questions by throwing answers. But my eyes get teary because of the approval of my application.


          Nights of graveyard shift. Lots of adjustment to do. Adjustments not just to what and who surrounds me, but also to my body clock. Sleepless times after the duty. Sleepy times while on the duty. Gets up at night time. Sleeps at day time. Things like unusual to a new bee of a BPO industry. Logs in. Takes call. Receives call. Negotiates customers. Follows what customers' demands and requests. Scolds by customers. Gets irritated by irate customers. Logs out. Small chitchats to co-workers. Went home.


          Things are done that way. Things that are very usual to happen to lives' of any call center agent.  But after all, it is always depends on how a certain person (that wants to be part of any BPO industry) relates and handles situations in the so called industry. But to be part of the said industry, it is very pleasing and overwhelming to hear good feedback from people who doesn't know your background having a call center agent experience and being one.

A Sweet Day to be Reminisced (Narrative)

          There was one muggy afternoon, the hotness of every corner of the street's bombarding every pore of my skin. I was tasked to go to a supermarket to buy viand that time. While taking every prowl of my feet, there was something inside of me that I could hardly elucidate. Something exceptional that might happen while taking my journey to emporium. Something that is infrequent to a certain situation to happen. I couldn't even envision and  explicate of what my emotion's bursting out.

          After many strides, the shrouded candor of my thoughts leaked. I saw my loving yet strict father in a very scorching thoroughfare in a distance, doing his decorous job- a garbage collector. Striving firmly along with his sweats drenching on his skin. He's with his company at that very moment, cleaning the streets' garbage, keeping and putting garbage to the garbage truck. I immediately approached him without any hesitation and gave me a voluminous buoyant smile.

          I blessed to him like what any other child does to a parent as a sign of respect, a "mano po" I mean, and gave him a smile with glee. While having our chitchat, there was something inside of me that is melting. Something strange's happening to my core. Our positions' itself gives me discernment of how bad I was. It leads me to conclude of how bad I was for what I did being a son to him. A son who is used to disobey his father with any task a father wants his son to do. A son who is used to have complaints in every chore a father wants his son to attain with.

          After I went home, to our church where I stayed that time. In a sudden, I haven't noticed my tears began to fall. I weeped horribly like a bereaved member of a family. I sobbed like a helpless child for being bullied. I just told myself, "I was wrong. I was really wrong for what I did.". I regretted like a culprit for committing such crimes and sentenced to death. "He was sicked to death doing his job in the middle of a boiling day. He was benevolently acquiring his duties just to earn to support his family.", "How could we easily get bugged every time we are tasked to do such chores." added the half of me.


          After that occurrence, my perception has changed. Its changes tackled my perception of who my father really is. Hatred to love. I learned how to forgive him. I learned how to understand more his position. And I can even tell that he was the greatest incomparable father ever. The father who gives reflection to my existence. The father who willingly obtains his responsibilities regardless of being in a penurious state. The father who never leaves us. The loving father to his children and wife. The father who gives one of the best company in humanity. My loving father Marcos F. Anor, Sr..


          A father would always be a father. A father who would always be an unfathomable lover to his child. A father who always wants to protect his child most. A father who sacrifices his pride just to provide his child's necessities. A father who wants to catch you before you fall but instead picks you up, brushes you off, and lets you try again. A father who holds you when you cry, scolds you when you break the rules, shines with pride when you succeed, and has faith in you even when you fail. A father who loves tirelessly not just to his child but to his child's mother as well.

A Sarimanok Experience (Reaction Blog)

As I watched the stunning performance of the international theatre company of our very own Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology, Integrated Performing Arts Guild (IPAG) last November 29, 2013, at exactly 7 in the evening, I was really amazed with the production with its pleasing and awesome wardrobes and its setting. The said event is proudly brought us by Steven Patrick C. Fernandez, entitled the SARIMANOK: One bird’s dream tears a tradition.

Upon watching the show, I just caught up myself stunned and speechless, saying “WOW!” to my mind. “No wonder that IPAG has its title internationally.”, my other half added. I should admit it how the said show made me realized that there are things in life that we can not pleased even how much we wanted it to have or how we wanted things to happen accordingly. The story marked well my entire being of what really Sarimanok is all about.

As it was entitled “Sarimanok”, the legendary bird that has become an ubiquitous symbol of Maranao art. It is depicted as a fowl with colorful wings and feathered tail, holding a fish on its beak or talons. The head is profusely decorated with scroll, leaf, and spiral motifs. It is said to be a symbol of good fortune. The Sarimanok is a legendary bird of the Maranao people who originate from Mindanao, a major island in the Philippines. It comes from the words "sari" and "manok.". "Sari" means cloth or garment, which is generally of assorted colors. “Manòk” is a Philippine word for chicken.

It was very obvious how talented the people who portray roles in the story. The way they act, sing, dance and deliver their lines. I can say it because singing while dancing while acting while delivering your lines is very difficult to attain without any determination and perseverance. Each character in the story were very brilliant and brave on how to face hundreds of audiences with fierce. The people who portrayed roles in the story were selected. Well, it was undeniably obvious with the talent they had showcased.

The overall performance was very delightful and extravagant except for some technical problems. The lapel of the main character, Sarimanok. Her words delivering her lines were too vague because of not having a lapel that has a good quality. She supposed to have the best lapel since she’s the main character of the story. There are words and lines that have to be more emphasized for us to be able to understand more the story. But after all, that never changed how I perceived the total performance of the show. I can say that it could be a waste of not watching the said event. Congratulations to our own Integrated Performing Arts Guild (IPAG)!