Thesis it, pansit.

Research is the birth of information. By research, this is a bloody and detailed work of extracting facts with literatures and scientific inquiry and not entirely dependent on google. Whenever I hear 'research' from the mouths of many, "Mag-research ka kasi." it felt so heavy that I have the urge to tell them it's not an easy task. But off course, we are in a different context. Now that the pregnancy length of our research has ended, I want to share to you some tips and things I learned while doing our research and or thesis.

1. Trust anyone if you are about to save and print your document but your spell-checker.
Spell-checker do corrects your spellings but sometimes it mess up your grammar. Sure, it corrects your grammar,too, but more often than not it corrects the words that doesn't sound right or it is not what it means. Don't waste your years of English classes only to rely your grammar on a spell-checker, check them yourselves.

2. Choose a round-up collection of respondents.
It is very easy to choose a title for your study but when it comes to your populations, it becomes a blur. I think it would be easy if your population or respondents are easy to find in one distribution instead of clashing headache and social anxiety identifying your respondents to fit to your population's profile. Population can be students at your university, students of a certain course, respondents who have their own organizations like LGBT support organizations or senior citizens organization, Choose a population in where you could just hand your questionnaire to the person in charge and he'll distribute it. This way it would save you time in distributing questionnaires.

3.Never EVER print your paper 10 minutes before submission. These bastards can smell fear.
It's fine to be a little bit superstitious. It helps actually especially if the printers screws up or slows down when you are rushing to turn in your paper.

4. When starting your drafts, it's okay to type words that are just fillers or unnecessary.
Like what Ernest Hemingway said, "The first draft is a shit." Your thesis adviser will laugh on it, sure, but your paragraphs will improve on the process because you will have more sources to make an input. My favorite part while doing our thesis was starting with a paper with red ink all over and gradually decreasing to a pure black and white paper.

5. Dive to your resources and expand to it.
If you want to have a convincing and strong content, dive to other medium of resources. Aside from your school library and the internet as the traditional way of extracting sources, you can try other alternatives. Go to your city library or you can pay a cheap amount to other schools to make an access to their libraries. Use google books,too, aside from PDF's and some of them are free or some of them offers only limited content in which it matches the interest of your search. TV radio or podcasts discussions can also be a reference.

6.Be very careful when citing references.
How to cite references are dynamic over the years. It is confusing but you also have to stick to what your adviser tells you. While we were doing research we were always and annoyingly reminded about our references because plagiarism is off course unethical. Also, there is also a confusion about having secondary sources especially if you are deriving it from another study or from a text book. It is confusing who should you cite, the author of the book or the source of the author? Cite them both to clearly give the panel and the readers that you had a secondary source. Just a tip of the adviceberg; Whenever you have a new source cite your reference immediately before they get lost from your memory.

7. Theories should strongly coincide with your questionnaires
If you have weak theories or conceptual framework, making your questionnaires will be a pain in the butt. Questionnaires strongly lies on theories and the responses should reflect your framework. During our first defense, we were almost grilled as they asked our questions items obe by one if they,at all, falls to any of our theories. It was difficult for us to construct questionnaires, we were vigilant even because we have no theories but only concepts we made up..er, conceptualized.

8. Send your finished drafts online.
If the people you most trust stabs your back, so can your computer. The internet is probably the safest storage for your files except for your shameless private Facebook posts. Technology can turn against you so better have a back up to safe keep your files.

9. Interpretation and analysis will bleed your brain. Let it.
One of the bloodiest chapter for thesis is interpretation and analysis. This chapter has to come out directly dug out from your own brain. It's your own words. Sometimes you just have to give it time to internalize your interpretations basing from your chapter 1.

  
10. Never be afraid to harass your adviser with help and questions

They might hate you and be sick of your repetitive mistakes, but they are welcoming and willing to pull an all-nighter to read your content. Ditch your inhibitions and ask away from suggestions or to agree on some point to improve your study. Don't hesitate to come to their desks or wait for them after their class. Your adviser is your fairy godmother. In our case, our fairy-godfather. Do it appropriately

Pre-defense anxiety

Filipino politics is a circus indeed

'May mas matindi pa tayong kalaban higit sa mga amerikano, kundi ang ating sarili.'

-Heneral Antonio Luna, Heneral Luna (2015) dir. Jerrold Tarog

When we saw the movie Heneral Luna, my friend and I discussed it to how it was a microcosm to today's socio-political arrangements and behavior. One, is having an indecisive president and two is lacking a single chain of command because of 'kanya-kanya' mentality. The Philippine elections was exciting but turned to an irritating circumstances because of that 'Crime-stat-fake-Wharton-degree-hit-me-I'll-slap-you-back-lets-hit-each-other' battle. Are there anything else they want to fight over with? It felt like we are being play-timed by two grown, educated and respected men who are currently behaving like two teenage f**k boys. In other words, ginagangster lang nila tayo.

Digging up fossilized poo buried in a cat-hole and slinging to your enemies reflects the kind of leader you are. Also, don't give a crap by saying 'The public needs to know' crap. If you want to mudsling your enemy,maybe do it conspicuously so it won't hit back on you. It would seem that you are desperate to step on a man's head so they will look lesser than you already are.

Filipinos deserve more than your puny and pointless regression. 

Ano ka ba? Babae 'yan!

Yesterday, I caught my nephew crying. I demanded to him to tell me what happened but he shunned me and cried while curled up on the couch. An hour later, he finally spoke out why. A classmate whipped him with a badminton racket. Her female classmate whipped him with a bad into racket. I told him that he should have told the teacher so the girl with be reprimanded but he replied with, "Susuntukin ko sana, eh." I instinctively said ,"No!" The next words why should he not caught me thinking,"Because that's a girl and you should not hurt a girl because it's like hurting your mother, grandma and aunt?". I just told him that if the teacher is not around, yell at her or him that he shouldn't let anyone bully him...even if it's a girl.I think that in this generation, we are already done with empowering women to be in equal right and position alongside with men. This is the price of equality. Women were already permitted suffrage; women participated in Science; There are women who were part of classical Art, classical Literature and History. Women took part in politics. Women are also taught about Violence Against them, their rights as mother's and wives. The girl power that I need to be loud is the fighting Domestic Violence, Human Trafficking, Child Marriage and being subject to criticism if you are still single. Boys at home have a list instructions how to treat women. Though sometimes, the respect and love are taken to the wrong light. I see people gushing over girls who were rained with gifts and a big diamond and people think that it is the sign of love to a woman. Most adults explain to the boys to look at women as their mothers, sisters or family members and should not be hurt. I say  respect women because they are human,too. Feminism?Women Empowerment? What are they really? Traditional folks thinks that these are power pills for women to be snobbish on men. Feminism doesn't only zero in to why there is a career-woman but no career-man. 

You know what, I'm pretty confused to what these 21st century terms. People will point their fingers on me calling me a misogynist, a lesbian or hypocrite, but equality doesn't mean a fair share of everything. Men are men and women are women, biologically. Us women can't blame the genetic and mental make-up of a man so does men can't blame us for our own make-up biologically. I've heard countless of news and stories about battered wife with audiences roaring in rage but compared to men who are also domestically abused receives a zilch reaction to comparison. Gender Equality, though plausible, is inundated with rules the a lot of intellectuals argues to be biased in favor to women. Yeah, and violence is a part of it, but since when did violence became acceptable?
 Karen Davila explained on an Esquire June 2015 issue interview that women in a men's world especially on global issues such as politics or economics that women are quite conscious to dress in a way that their feminine side ooze through because they may get not be taken seriously. We can apply this, though on a different context, to abused men in which they may feel emasculated if they admit it. As women who have experienced being lambasted, abused and shamed should convince them that there is nothing to be embarrassed about. 
 As Steven Patrick Morrissey would put it,"I'm not a homosexual, bisexual or heterosexual but humasexual." the concern for people should not be regarded according to their sex, genders or even their gender roles but rather because they are people and deserve the same respect as they would give you. What I need is the same chance to prove myself and the same struggles that I need in the process. It is unfair to be a woman,yes. Men will go springing from one woman's bed to another but will still marry a virgin. You've been told about how should a lady behave to be respectable. To be respectable, you have to cover yourself in lenghty garments and don't speak very loud. Don't walk at night because you are a vulnerable victim (Lahat na lang bawal!). As for men, they were told that they date women they could bring home to their mothers, as if the mothers will marry the women! They were told not to hit a lady because have to imagine what if she is your mother, grandmother or daughter? They were told to be a gentleman to ladies but it would be gayish to be the same to the men and even to gay men.There are perks and perils to whatever gender you are born or committed with. I hope, when we all have our children, the concern for people is not only centered on a gender but on being a human as well.

Duterserye: A preemptive rescue from a presidential tragedy

Since 2012, the name Duterte, a gentleman from Davao, have gained a following known for his hands-on and authoritative style of leadership. His leadership may have been monickered as a figure of Martial Law, but he pulled Davao City as one of the safest city in the world amidst the animosity from Davao's mainland; Mindanao.

"......"

His iron-fist discipline drew ire from CHR and DOJ as he allows the roving of the Death Squad, allegedly. The mayor is unconventional and usually uncensored as his use of expletives shows how authentic he is as a person, which he sometimes don't mind saying 'I will kill you when you get to Davao' during a hearing in the senate.
As election season nearly approaches, Mayor Duterte is a popular choice among the presidentiables. However, fate doesn't end well for the Philippines as the all time favorite mayor of all declines a chance of seat for the presidency. Never had he been heard that he will run for president or had he have any ambition for it. He declined for countless of times. Unsure if it is part of  his campaigning tactic. You know, when you deprive of someone with something when it is so near they will crave for more than before? Still Filipinos keeps on tolerating him to run until the final closing of the filing COC's.
Well, that's us. What we want doesn't want us and we end up hating it.
As with the overwhelming fanaticism observed in the Philippines in general, we Filipinos comes to lengthy measures to dignify our beliefs and what we want. Personally, I'm fine with Duterte not clamoring for presidency. It would have been better if he did to give what they are asking for, but knowing the qualities of Filipinos as a collective would make me pity Duterte. Why? Kasi natural tayong walang-hiya.
We Filipinos are like Disney Princesses who are waiting for a prince to come and kiss our problems away. We look at Duterte as our Prince in shining gel-ed hair who is able to pull the Philippines from the dystopia we are living in and we expect that to happen in within 6 years. What is it that we want, Filipinos? We want to level with the 1st world countries. Our race love the word BIGLA.Biglang yaman, biglang gwapo, biglang payat.
Going back 6 years ago, President Aquino replaced the past administration who led us halfway to hell. We looked up at him because of his bloodline and because we think he is the answer to all our problems. We were fanatics of him because he had the angas enough to trample corrupt individuals in the country. His fight against corruption went smoothly as he pitted CGMA against her plunder issues and trailed CJ Corona over his unexplained wealth. As new and old crisis came up and he seemed to mishandle it thanks to his friends, we casted our own shits to him. President Aquino was to blame for everything even when your pinky toe hit the table leg. Everyone thinks he is the worst president because he didn't bring us to the utopia that we wanted. Fine, PNoy is somewhat unsympathetic. The more you anger him the more you will be angry because he is somewhat somber in contrast to her gregarious sister. The Aquino Administration have takes of good and bad that would take effect a few years later, let's give him that credit. More so, our cognitive bias played on us. We focused on what we want them to do instead of letting them do the what they can. Admittedly, we think our leaders have the absolute power that we don't ask or even think that they are careful that their move are constitutional or would the consequence of their actions backfire greatly on us. So, the short story is if they made a mistake, if we still are uncomfortable about our society we keep on blaming our leader. Remember, he is a breathing mortal like you and me. Vulnerable and unable to keep our country stable at the tips of his fingers all at once.
If Duterte won as a president, the same story will happen. Fine,we want discipline in our country. The criminals and corrupt politicians' mishap excites us. Try to think, are we ready to be affected by his leadership. What if your brother is a murderer and was subjected to such punishment or death? What if you were jailed or fined because of jaywalking? If he handles our society according to the measures that he knew but might displease us, would we be ready how it would affect us? If we don't want it, a hundred percent certainty, that we will come out from our houses and starts shouting 'resign','impeachment','corrupt' and many more monickers our creative mind will produce.
We will create a President Marcos Jr. out of him. Not that he will turn to be a dictator of sorts but we will have the world perceive him as such.
Duterte's supporter's fanaticism started to create an expectation that is very fragile. Once cracked, it will be shattered the next day. Then whatever or however would he patch the shattered glass together, our perception on his service will still be cracked
That is how dirty our minds are. We have to keep in mind that presidency is a one-man system. A system represented by one but has a machine working under him (who are also human beings that are able to do evil or good despite the morality of the leader). He isn't alone in the government. The change that we want will take a decade more to take effect. We, as a nation, should be the one who would make it possible and not only the leaders.

20 something checklist

Are you in your 20s? What would you like to do to consume your decade of being 20 and plus? People, usually (especially your relatives) would expect you to settle down immediately or establish a million-peso career. Either way, always remembers the good ‘ol adage to not rush things. As Lola Nidora would say, Lahat may tamang panahon. I just turned 21; a year of being an orphan transitioned me from that financially careless and dependent child to a still adjusting-to-independency adult. The emerging adult, I would say. Being in 20, graduating from your tertiary education or not, transitions you to the real life that will have you handle every garbage thrown at you and still expected to be positive about it. You and I, as we embark together to the gravy area of Tax-paying adulthood and Quarter life crisis, let’s discover how we should spend our 20s decade in a responsibly, yet life-fulfilling achievements.

1. Don’t get settled yet in your early 20s

Ah, Marriage, the final season of being an essential person. While it is true, as a woman, that you might endanger your baby if you start a family late but this isn’t occasionally. My mother had me when she was 39, the only deficiency I had was my eyesight and uncivilized social cues. In psychology of love, the ideal age to consider marriage is starting from 25. First, the prefrontal area (yung noo mo) of your brain, which is responsible for the decision-making, develops completely at 21. At 21, you have already weeded out your way to know yourself. At this age forward, you have an idea what kind of a spouse or a parent you are. Also, ask the big question, “Are you ready for lifetime responsibilities?”

2. Grab a decent job even if you hate it

The problem with teenagers is they think living is a robotic process in this pattern; COLLEGE>JOB>FAMILY. Grab a job and eat your pride. If you are a Jollibee crew getting the order of your former classmate in suit, don’t be terrifyingly ashamed. He is struggling to with his employer and co-workers, too. The process of being a successful person is crawling through the dirt before you roll over your Ferrari wheels on it. Having odd jobs gives you again the process of finding for yourself and mapping out your career. When you are at your 20s, things get a little shaky because nothing is permanent. If you start loving your job, you’ll lose your job tomorrow.

3. Invest your money to stocks or mutual funds

This may sound ironic when it comes to not rushing things or making things in your 20s a big deal, but still, not only are you investing for your life fulfilment but for the future of your family and self, too. Young Professionals tend to make mistakes on their financial activities. Financial freedom, off course, is ecstatic. You get to buy the things you think you were deprived of when you were still a poor student. Think again. Those material ambitions would only contribute to bad consumerism and pollute our dear mother earth. Invest. You aren’t too young to think about the future or retirement. Although, Investmen t is a long-term financial goal, it would likely back you up forever. While you are still young and healthy, take a portion of your salary and grow your money. Starve a little bit or scrimp. I’m telling you, you don’t need that flashy phone that promises everything you desire because next year another product will come up promising the same thing. What’s wrong with being poor while young when you are able to be financially free as you grow old? If you are interested in investing, you should start to educate yourself first. Ask you r banks or better yet consult to Bo Sanchez. Invest in companies tha t you have known long before you were born and companies that you are certain that won’t go bankrupt. Malls will never go bankrupt, so is Jollibee.

4. Spoil your nephews,niblings and godchildren

Because nothing beats being single and childless when you are still childlike to the kids of your sibs and friends. Be that tita who always comes to the kids with sweets that would certainly have their parents raise their brow at you. That tita who will remind that pre-teen of a scarf or jacket or  put pants on when she is wearing a very short skirt or pekpek shorts. Be that tito who they will play video games with. That tito who is willing to drive them around on weekends. Youngsters do power up the youth in you. In turn, these kids will help you babysit your future children and will smuggle alcohol and smokes on your nursing home.

5. Travel

Never miss end the year without travelling. Also, travel cheap and tight on budget. Cheap ways of travelling provides more excitement and discovers exoticism on your experience. Just pack your bags and go.

6. Sleep around

What I meant was dating people who may be wrong for you, uncertain of. As reiterated, 20s is the decade of self-discovery. In 20s, you start to experiment with your life and with your relationships. Date with someone who is out of your league, someone you used not to like or just plain someone. When you start a relationship, it is unnecessary for you to think about marriage and family immediately. Usually, that would always be the case, catching you in a reverie of what ifs. The point is, if you are tired of being single, get married. Nothing is certain in life.

7. Be an activist…

No, you don’t need to go to the streets and flash your bloody signs. There would be occasions that you might need to but I have distaste for rallies. They cause traffic and slow down the productivity of those affected. Tell me, what do you stand for? What is your socio-political awareness? Gender equality, LGBT rights, Indigenous People, Climate Justice, Corruption and Hipsters (Kidding). Wouldn’t you be proud to tell your children and grandchildren, that once in your life you did stand up for something during your youth and didn’t just stand up walking around the dance floor with a bottle on your hand? Being an activist does not mean rallying or immersing into anarchy entirely. Activists are now euphemized as advocates. Do the change you want in your own hands and influence a few to join your cause. Do your part as well, yes, with your hands and real work.

Remember, always know from your heart what you are fighting not because someone urged you to or someone paid you.

8. Treat your parents

Whether it is a dinner, vacation or treats them on their anniversary, it doesn’t matter. For parents, it would always the thought that would count. 20s, I believe is a good time to pamper them even if they are still young and able. When you have a family, you wouldn’t know for sure if you can still take care of them. You wouldn’t know if they can last after your 20s. This may sound mean, but it is true.  I lost my parents before I hit 20, while they were ill, I took care of them but they will not live to see the juices of their sacrifices.

9. Trim down your friend lists.

When you grow old, your barkada dwindles. Sometimes, those who would be with you are the same people with the same mind-set that you have. Accept that people come and go, especially those people that are way past your evolution.

10.         Spend time with friends

Those who are single are most likely to spend time with you. The thing when you in your 20s are like having a despidida with your childish ways. No matter how godly you are, pay them a visit. Message them and post those embarrassing throwback college pictures.

11.         Move.

Climb a mountain. Join a triathlon. Use that gym certificates. Use that bike lanes. You know what they say when you reach your 30s, something magical happens to your metabolism. Stay fit and healthy.

12.         Don’t stop making goals.

So you have your dream job. So what, is that the end of it? No! Get your blank papers and start mapping your goals. What do you want to achieve on your 30s, 40s or even 80s? As long as you are breathing, you don’t stop planning life. Not only yours but for the benefits of others as well.

13.         Quit that abusive job of yours

If your boss and co-workers are kupal as what Stanley Chi says, why keep your job? Experts on Industrial-Organizational Psychology suggest that employees don’t quit their job because they don’t want the job. Most of the time, it’s the social environment that keeps their productivity on lag. Oh, you need your job? Then endure the tumultuous stay and keep your headphones on.

14.         Resolve your childhood issues

Don’t pass them on to your children later on. Parents sometimes fail and give their children a hard time is because of the parents’ hang ups in life before that had children. Ultimately, these hang-ups do not only become yours but your children’s as well. We don’t want that, you don’t want that. Deal with your fears and confront your battling issues to rid your baggage.

15.         Immerse into agricultural livelihood

I’ve been into farming since childhood. Now, I’ve been managing our small farm in Alicia, Isabela and have witnessed youngsters eager to study and leave the province to experience poverty in the metro. Agriculture is the backbone of the country’s economy. The problem with youngsters is that they are seduced with the fast life. Nowadays, in my generation, the appreciation for greenery and rural life is much more appreciated. Another sad truth is, our food producers are the mass belonging to the percent of poverty. Farmers and fishermen do the back-aching work from dusk to dawn and are paid with short-changed coins. Who earns more? This multi-billion food companies who loves to import. If you are a city resident, you don’t have to own a parcel of land, you can do it at your backyard or on your veranda. Have you heard bottled plants? They’re efficient, cheap and eco-friendly. Plant the vegetables that you will always need.

16.         Start putting up a personal collection

Anything but people off course. Animals? Hmmm. As long as you are responsible enough to tend to their needs and off course, bigger cages. Pick something that means a lot to you and you’ll kill for it. Vintage pictures, pop bottles, jam jars or even old earphones. Don’t worry, antiques become pricier in centuries soon.

17.         Nourish your passion

A battle of passion versus practicality will always ensue but why not do both? If you can hack it, make money while doing your passion. You can earn money from your passion as a part-timer if you want to but are still glued on your stress-nourishing job.

18.         Live in cheap

Live in cheap but don’t thrift yourself. People in their 20s tend to be careless financially and would later sunk themselves in debt. Save yourself from embarrassment by setting your mind that you don’t have to race with people your age by having luxuries that you don’t really like. Or even if you have, save for it and spend for it in a long interval of time. Discover more things to enjoy life without harassing your bank account. Avoid debts.

19.         Learn and master a recipe

Learn to cook your food. Hotdogs, eggs and noodles are not included. Learn how to cook to save your life if you get stuck in a mountain resided by NPAs. Perfect one recipe that you love so when you are invited to a potluck party, there will be something that you will proudly bring and not just a take-out order from Good Taste.

20.         Take a big risk that will change you

You’ve been there and done that. Made it in and made it out. What have you got to lose, enduring adjustments? It’s a small thing compared to what will change you. When you are in your 20s, you have to establish a concrete decision for yourself. These changes are simply not like editing your wardrobe. These changes are bigger than your life. People migrate to work abroad. Will you take the leap, leave your family and deal with culture faux pas? Do it. Do you have political plans and have the strong will to ripple the change you dream for your nation? Do it. You realized you are not for the life in a city and you would rather live in the mountains and learn their trade instead. Go. Establishing your career and is aware that it might consume you. If you dare, sign up for it. Are you ready to face the altar with your significant other, dealing with petty fights because of budgets, beating the traffic from work to your child’s PTA meeting? Make it. Transition your life to be better; your sacrifices will be paid in a bigger package. 

I am a 21 year old, college student who is giving advice to older fellas in 20s, I give this advice to myself.

The only throne I will sit for

Nope. I don't have an Obsessive-Compulsive Personality. To put it simply, I don't work around a chaotic environment. I think it was one of the highlights why my late mother persisted me to enroll in the University of the Cordilleras not because they are loyal to the the late Benjamin Salvosa. University of the Cordilleras is famously remarked for having clean and fresh smelling CR. 'It is so clean and fresh you can even eat inside' as the popular remark goes. Unlike my previous High School's CR (all three or four of them actually) that you will throw up first before approaching inside.  In my current university, the only pain in the butt before using the cubicles is the long line of girls in which most are there to change into their PE attires. 
I cannot be able to concentrate on any tasks in front of heterogeneous materials bunked and piled in a messy order. Even at school, I am solely disturbed by a wrapper of Voice crackers lying on the floor by apathetic students. Also, even when waiting for a jeepney, the trash around being dragged by the wind disturbs me. My hand is always itchy for it, so It is mandatory for me, before I leave home, to bring a pair of latex gloves. 
My compulsiveness for cleanliness was a trait that I obviously inherited from my late father. He was a an investigator for the Philippine Constabulary (Now PNP) and was always ticked off by a single dirt. No dust will ever try to coexist with him and his leather jacket. Like him, working around a chaotic room won't do him anything productive. When he retired from the Philippine Constabulary, or in the national defense force for that matter, he did not entirely drop being a cop. At times, people from the force would visit him for consultation also he is employed to be a parole officer. This, for free. But my father, he is not the typical productive man who will kick his day with a cup of joe. At 6 am, he will grab the broom, mop and duster and exile the dusts away. At 8, the house and even the street where our house is resided is spic and span. After that, he retreats to our porch where his working area is adjusted. He still use the noisy typewriter which he had been using for three decades. Though, the retired Chief Investigator would always prefer a long-hand.

My late father is a cleaning freak in which he cleans most than my late mother. Also, since my mother was a consummated entrepreneur and the majesty of the kitchen. At weekends or at any given day that school is not concerned, he will employ us to scrub the CR and the Bathroom. Ugh. The toilet brush had been my bestfriend every summer. Surprisingly, I did not have a growing aversion in cleaning the CR. Even without being dictated, scrubbing the CR and Bathroom was impulsively my duty. 

I  expanded my circle of friends by discovering domestic chemical compounds such as Chlorox or Muriatic Acid. Gloves and Face Masks, too. Our house (the top unit of our building) is white-tiled, and the site of muddy footprint on the CR tiles (mostly by my siblings) infuriates me. My parents, whether it is a family travel or work travel, they would often bring us along. We don't go to hotels since at any place we travel to, there would always be a residence that my parents know. Mostly, clients or relatives of my parents. It frustrates me of not seeing a clean CR. 

The worse, is the medieval square toilet. Worst, is the cat-in-the-hole dumping area. I would rather hurt my bladder or extend the patience of my rectum. The most evil of all is that my parents and siblings expects me not to be fussbudgety. Enduring the uncivilized architecture of dumping throne is the only option I can hold to. 

When having to sleepover to my older siblings' home, I am gratified by the sight of their pristine clean CR. But when coming over to my friends' or classmates, Oh mon dieu. I may sound as if I am  a maarteng burgis, but in no way I am a burgis. I just feel that excreting in a toilet is as emancipating as eating a comfort food. Kaya nga comfort room, 'di ba?
All of these was ruined when I attended a seminar with my mother about Sanitary somewhere in the province in Benguet. I was a high school student. One of the topics covered was having a decent CR. Most of the residences have a communal toilet, a medieval pot or opt to cat-in-the-hole. 
When we went home and was about to dump, I feel emancipated sitting on my throne that I had been spoiling every weekend.
Fastforward, I still clean the toilet every sunday morning. When I am in another residence, I am armed with Chlorox. Trying not to drink or eat too much. Lucky, if I find myself in the mall.
In college, I had the delight of not waiting until I get home to dump. The school's CR makes a refreshing option. Hey, school is a second home, amiryt? 

In memory of Tywin Lannister, the patron saint of dumping at midnight in King's Landing

Science and Religion are longtime soulmates

The Watchtower, June 1,2015 issue

The Watchtower published by Jehovah Witness Organization is an interesting reading material. Only that I no longer practice Christianity or Catholicism. I was heavily catholic. I was enrolled in St. Louis School Center during elementary days and entered a Catholic High School in Isabela but was cut short because of an accident. I used to volunteer to help serve in First Friday Mass every month throughout the school year. I tried to be an alcolyte for once and the uniform was terrible. I have memorized all the popular prayers that has been officially approved and used by our school. During October, Rosary Month, I was a few who endured an hour bowing our heads and holding to the rosary , flipping each bead between my fingers every after Ave Maria ten times. Yep, and I had never imagined myself 8 years forward to have forgotten all the prayers and even Honor Thy Father has slipped out from my semantic memory. It took  me to be transferred to a Government School, a melting pot of different people, to make me an atheist. 

I was in my third year when I met Rona Tan, a heavily JW worshiper. I frequently come to her home and see stacks of The Watchtower on her bedside. I loved reading! I read any material that has the language I can understand, even a phone manual would not be an exception. 

Holding with no profanity, sarcasm or whatsoever, the religious journal is a good reading material. You see, it does not only publish an advocacy for religious but it reasons out peppered with logic as well. With that of the latter, the magazine also tackles things from a field that religion grew adverse to; Science. It has also covered one of the most controversial topics which was marriage and contraception. But, it was not written in any way opinionated but it was far more objective and informational. Still, it asserts the importance of faith as well.


With that alone, I wonder how big is the gap between science and religion.

In the Film Adaptation of Dan Brown's novel,  Angels and Demons, a former priest attempted a great leap to correlate science with religion. It was not anything subversive against a belief, but it shows that the millenia-old church is ready for a vast dynamics in their belief. As Rev. Patrick McKenna has said, "If science is allowed to claim the moment of creation, what is there left to God?" Turns out, he was a big bastard who cannot stand the bridging between science and religion.

Should the church stay out from the premises of science? That is not possible since the pontiff ,Pope Francis, is a scientist himself. Shame on you, Rick Santorum. Pope Francis studied chemistry and was a chemist prior to priesthood. This gives him the right to warn and talk about the climate change. Wait, I'll edit that. Everyone reserves the right to be concerned about climate change whether you're a scientist or a farmer.

Some readers might find themselves furrowing their eyebrows thinking, "Why are you talking about religion if you're an atheist?" That is the good thing about being one, because you tend to rationalize everything without feeling blasphemous about it. The thing is that, respect should be applicable to everything. Not because I am an atheist is that I have the credit to become an ass and setting negative views about a church I formerly belonged to.

Read more, kids.