When all else fails, we don't!

This phrase has just been heard recently, if your memory is a bit blurry from what movie did this came, let me refresh your it. This phrase came from the western cartoon made movie G.I. Joe (actually, G.I. in G.I. Joe means Government Issue and not Galvanized Iron XD). And through this phrase, I would make this entry for the sake of the Filipinos. Not just here at home (Philippines) but even if they are from anywhere in the world, as long as you are a Filipino, you are included here. So, here goes with this entry.

Filipinos, are a group or a race of people living in the country named Philippines. In short, us. Filipinos are always known for their hospitality. No matter what race you are, you can be rest assured that the Filipinos won't discriminate you. Well, unless if you discriminate them first. But, the latter is next to impossible if it's the Filipinos we're talking.

Filipinos are also known to be hard workers. They would always aim for the better and high and will attain it by means of hard work. Sometimes, they rely on others, but heck, every person needs another in order to survive right? Well, back on track, Filipinos will always strive and work hard for the betterment of the lives of their family. They would even take on the filthiest job as long as its legal and honorable. But, some of our race has been led to a wrong direction that one way or the other has made them regret going down that road.

And the most commendable value of the Filipinos for me, is their nature to be brave. Filipinos are natural born heroes. They are fighters in every way you could possibly imagine. According to history books, Filipinos didn't even flinch when the conquistadors arrived here in our country to conquer our land. Our ancestors, equipped with only the Kris, a  distinctive, asymmetrical dagger, fought  the conquerors even if they are to face death through guns, arrows, and cannons. Several nations and races have conquered and influenced our country and values, but, the Filipino culture and values always push through.

 Recently, typhoon ONDOY or Ketsana, tested, again, our bravery and our values. Flood and land slides happen everywhere in our country. So many cadavers has been found right after the rain stopped and the flood subsided. Many of our countrymen lost their lives protecting and saving their families. Many of them lost their home and houses just because of this 6 hour incident. But, after all of those moral breaking incidents, you'll be amazed. Filipinos whom you think will lose their wits because of those devastating floods and non-stop rain has yet begun to smile again. Giving reasons that even though their valuables was taken away from them, with their family beside them, they will always push through.

Filipinos has always stared oblivion face to face. But, as other race cow themselves in fear. Filipinos just smile. They (we) never gave up our hope. We never said "suko na ko" neither do we said "ayoko na". But, like others, there always is a time that we Filipinos must stop trying. Even if it hurts us more that anything. But, for Filipinos, it is very rare.

And now, another typhoon after  ONDOY is coming our way. Ravaging us again, when we are already on our knees, begging for mercy and miracle. Another typhoon in the name of PEPENG or  Parma is ready to crush our morals again. But, as I have said. Filipinos will and never will be cowed by things like this.The more we are being treated as an underdogs, the more our fangs sharpens. Filipinos will never bend to things that can and will harm our race. We kept on fighting every single enemy until none is left. We kept on surviving each one obstacle until we reach the finish line.

And when a natural disaster is almost right in front of us, all I can say is, Filipino, you are the greatest. Never lose courage and the will to persevere. Stand firm and strong. Soon the sun will rise after this long horrible night. And as the late Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino has said, "The Filipino is worth dying for".  And I am proud that I am from this race.

But until the night ends, LABAN PILIPINO, BANGON PILIPINAS!

Bangus Overflow

Ang bangus, o milkfish sa ingles. Ay tinuturing na pambansang isda ng Pilipinas. Ito rin ang isa sa pinakamatinik na isda sa Mundo. Kadalasan itong inaalagaan at pinaparami sa fish-pen. At kadalasan ding paborito ng ating mga kababayan.

Subalit nitong mga nakaraang araw, tumama ang bagyong "ONDOY" na may international name na "Ketsana" sa ating bansa. Marami ang nasalanta at namatay. Karamihan din sa mga pangunahing lungsod at daan ay naapektuhan nito. Marami ang binaha kahit na nasa mga nagtataasang mga bahay at naglalakihang mga mansyon pa sila nakatira sa lungsod. Kahit ang mga artista, hindi pinalampas ng bagyong ito.

Kung tutuusin, napakahina ng bagyong ito upang magpalubog ng isang lungsod, subalit, may kasabihan nga, "small but terrible". Hindi dahil sa bugso nitong umaabot lamang sa 55 kph ay masasabing napakahina na nito. Siguro nga, mahina ang bagyong ito, kung ikukumpara sa mga nagdaang mga bagyo sa ating bansa. Subalit, napakalaking pinsala ang ginawa ng bagyong ito.  Ang ulan na ibinuhos sa loob lamang ng 6 na oras, ay katumbas na raw ng average na ulan para sa buong buwan ng Setyembre. Mahirap paniwalaan, subalit, mas mahirap hindi paniwalaan. Sapagkat kita natin sa mga balitang ipinapakita sa telebisyon na talagang malupit ang bagyong ito. Kahit na mahina ang sinasabing bugso.

Ngayon, kung tinatanong nyo sa mga sarili nyo habang nagbabasa kayo nito kung nasaan yung tungkol sa bangus, eh, eto na ang iniintay nyo.

Katulad ng nasabi ko sa may bandang unahan, madalas na inaalagaan ng mga Pilipino ang bangus o milkfish sa isang fish-pen na malapit sa lawa. Kung mapupunta kayo ng Laguna, karamihan ng nakatira sa may Laguna de Bay ay mayroon fish-pen na kung saan ay nagaalaga sila ng mga bangus at kung anu-ano pang mga isda, depende sa kung ano ang uso. Subalit, dahil sa bagyong ONDOY ang mga fish-pen na ito ay nasira. Ang mga bangus ay nakawala. At ang mga mamamayan ay nagdiwang. Bakit nagdiwang ang mga mamamayan? Syempre, mag-iintay nalang kasi sila ng bangus na mapapadpad sa loob ng bahay nila.

Dito sa amin, may karatig barangay kami na lubog sa baha ang lahat ng malapit sa Laguna de Bay. Meron pa nga, hanggang bewang ang tubig sa loob mismo ng kanilang mga bahay. At minsan, maniwala ka man o sa hindi, may naliligaw na bangus sa loob ng kanilang bahay.

Dahil kakatapos lang ng bagyo, at hindi pa nahupa ang baha, marami pa ding mga bangus ang nagsisipag-languyan sa kung saan-saan (xempre sa tubig). At dahil marami pang bangus, hanggang ngayon, swak na swak pa din ang bangus bilang murang pang-ulam. Sa panahon nga naman ngayon, makabili ka ng isang bangus na 1 kilo = 40 pesos. Pag hindi ka nman nasiyahan eh.

Ang kaso lang, hanggang kelan magiging ganito ang ulam ng ating mga kababayan? Hanggang humupa o mawala ang baha? Aba, baka naman lumungad na ng bangus ang mga myembro ng kanilang mga pamilya. Subalit, wala din tayong magagawa dun. Dahil sa hirap ng buhay, mabuti nang lumungad ka ng bangus. Kesa mamatay ka ng dilat ang mata sa gutom.

Kayo, ano ba ang ulam nyo ngayon? Kami kasi bangus eh. :D

Ingat lang sa mga sawa at ahas na nalangoy sa baha ah. Lalo na yung mga taga Cainta, Rizal dyan, ingat sa buwaya na nalangoy sa baha. Baka hindi lang bangus ang hinahanap nyan para makain. Baka tao na.

Peace! Ciao!~