Love is a small world with a big meaning, a meaning that is a unique experience for everyone and can mean very different things from one person to another.

1. There are many ways in which you can feel that you are loved. First is he/she treats you as his priority. A real man who is open about his feelings and truly loves a woman, should be able to include his girl in every aspect of his life. If a man, calls you to check up on you, includes you on his decision-making as well as think about your feelings and desires that means you have been put in the first place of his life. Second,he/she introduces you to other people in his life. Next he/she includes you in his plans for the future.

2. Love can be measured and quantified. Love can be measured through his/ her actions. It can be measured on how they speak to you and how they treat you.

Reaction of the poem “Now I Know”

                                                           Now I Know

                                                             Jose Paulo Tolentino 

                                               Seven months felt like seven years
                                                and now I face my greatest fears
                                                   Why before I could never wait
                                                but now I know the heavy weight.

                                                    In a strange world, a mad city,
                                                         it is tough to be an adult
                                                          you take responsibility
                                                     to bear frustration and insult  

                                                 There are days I would like to die
                                                       life is not pretty as it seem
                                                Leave this and what do I redeem?
                                                   many I have learned is just a lie

                                                 They say I should create a goal
                                                 Love and life is what you make it
                                                 but somehow it just could not fit

                                                          All I have is a hollow soul 

                                                 From here I dont know where to go

                                                     Being a teenager, now I know

Reaction:

The poem is meaningful to me as it speaks of people who are afraid to show and tell a person how meaningful he/she is to him/her. For me, the feeling that is described in the poem is not particular for a "certain someone" but it can also be true for other significant people in our lives like our parents, siblings or even our friends. Sometimes, we tend to take these people for granted and become "cowards" in expressing what we truly feel for them.

My Future

Everyone is aiming for a bright future. Success is what we dreamed of. But before we can have the sweet taste of success, we may encounter failures along the way but we must never quit and instead keep going for in the end it will all be worth it.

Studying pharmacy is way too hard for me but I accepted the challenge and push through with all determination that I can survive with this course. I know it will be hard but I was always reminded the sacrifices I made today will be paid off in the future. I always say to myself that I can do this and I’m not going to quit. I am now a 4^th year pharmacy student and the past four years has been incredible. Hardships and sacrifices are countless and it feels like scraping my knees along the way. With the support from my parents and the help of Almighty God, I am now about to graduate but this is not the end because I will still be taking up the pharmacy licensure exam. I know God has plans of what is better for us and  we all just believe and trust his will.

Expectations from the newly elected President

Since the newly elected president will be imposing a federal government, there will be a great difference from the previous administration. I strongly believe that Pres. Rodrigo Duterte will implement security and order with full power. I expect his cabinet members will support him despite most members are from the opposing party-list. I expect that the president will focus on the departments namely Finance, Education and Health which take the biggest bite of the Philippines’ wealth.

Looking back on what he said that he will stop the crimes happening nationwide in 3-6 months, I personally think that it is a little impossible. Furthermore I expect him to dispatch troops to areas where truce would usually take place. Basing on his platform, I hope that the president will have an eye on infrastructures and public highways.

Wonders of my Province (Zamboanga del Norte)

Things to do:

Dakak Beach Resort features a private beach area where guests can enjoy activities such as diving, snorkeling, kayaking and jet-skiing. It has a 24-hour front desk and provides free Wi-Fi access in the public areas.

Nestled within lush greenery, the resort is a 20-minute drive from the Dakak Adventure Zone, Rizal Landing Site and Gloria De Dapitan Complex. Dipolog City and Dipolog Airport are both accessible in a 30-minute drive.

One of the major tourist destination of the Philippines which is also a historical landmark is theRizal Shrine in Dapitan City. It is situated in a 16 hectare estate in Barangay Talisay which Dr. Jose P. Rizal purchased during his exile in the Dapitan.

Gloria Fantasyland is one of the main attractions in Dapitan, Philippines. It is a world-class commercial center comparable to Disneyland theme parks. It is the biggest theme park outside Metro Manila and it is composed of 35 rides. The operator of Gloria Fantasyland is the prominent name of Dapitan, the Jalosjos Family, who also owns the famous Dakak beach resort.

Gloria Fanstasyland is situated at Sunset Boulevard and has a land area of 3 hectares. It is very near to the beach of Dapitan as well as the Hotels and Inns. It’s usually best to visit the theme park at night so you can enjoy the scenic wonders, light combination and stage performances.

The 3003 Step Linabo Peak is one of the favorite ecotourism destinations in Dipolog. Situated at Sitio Dinginan, Barangay Lugdungan, the Linabo Peak was constructed in the early ‘90s by the city government and quickly became one of its top tourist spots.

Standing 486 meters above sea level, the Linabo Peak is Dipolog’s highest elevation. The attraction is very popular, especially during the Holy Week. Hundreds of faithful devotees would participate in the Katkat Sakripisyo, a religious re-enactment of the suffering of Jesus Christ on His way to the Cross. The concrete steps lead the way to the peak, passing through 14 Stations of the Cross. Once on top, you get to see the breathtaking view of Dipolog, Dapitan and nearby towns.

Sungkilaw Falls is a 25 feet high waterfalls that is situated in Sitio Virginia, Barangay Diwan, the farthest Barangay of the City of Dipolog. Endowed with true beauty of nature, visitors and tourists would surely love. The natural blessing is positioned in the midst of overgrown forest and getting near the falls will need an adventurous trekking towards approximately 400 descending steps along verdant trees, flora and fauna.

Getting to Sungkilaw Falls would take a 40 minute travel from the City proper. A long bus ride, plus a tricycle ride to the waterFalls. The trip would be very invigorating, that it gives a tremendous feeling of excitement to behold the splendid beauty of Sungkilaw Falls.

Divine Mercy Shrine in Sindangan

Pasonanca Park in Zamboanga City

Paseo del Mar is within the barangay of Zone IV and is only about 100 feet from Fort Pilar. There are several cement benches at the park and there is long walkway along the shoreline or break-water. In the afternoon when there are visitors, the bajao kids in their bancas paddle along the breakwater walkways and entice the visitors to throw coins into the sea water. It's fun to watch the badjaos dive and fetch the coin before it hits bottom.

To the south you can see the two santa cruz islands and the big Basilan Island.

Fort Pilar in Zamboanga City

Pagadian Rotunda which is a downhill path.

Favorite Filipino Delicacy

Beef  Steak

 

Ingredients

o    1/2 lb. beef sirloin (or beef tenderloin steaks), cut into thin strips

o    2 tbsp. calamansi concentrate

o    2 tbsp. soy sauce

o    1 tsp. salt

o    1 tsp. pepper

o    3 tbsp. oil

o    1 onion, cut into rings

Cooking Procedures :

1.     Slice beef across the grain. Cut into 2 inches length.

2.     Marinate meat in calamansi, soy sauce, salt and pepper (by smelling the aroma of the marinated beef, you’ll know it is well seasoned or not; adjust or correct the seasoning according to your style and liking). Refrigerate for 30 minutes.

3.     Pan fry onion rings in hot oil. Cook until onions are soft and translucent. Set aside.

4.     In the same pan, stir-fry beef until cooked and tender. Transfer to a serving platter. Garnish with onion rings and serve.

 

 

Favorite Poem

PUSO, ANO KA?

Ang puso ng tao ay isang batingaw,
sa palo ng hirap, umaalingawngaw
hihip lang ng hapis pinakadaramdam,
ngumt pag lagi nang nasanay, kung minsan,
nakapagsasaya kahit isang bangkay.

Ang puso ng tao’y parang isang relos,
atrasadong oras itong tinutumbok,
oratoryo’y hirap, minutero’y lungkot,
at luha ang tiktak na sasagot-sagot,
ngunit kung ang puso’y sanay sa himutok
kahit libinga’y may oras ng lugod.

Ang puso ay ost’ya ng tao sa dibdib
sa labi ng sala’y may alak ng tamis,
kapag sanay ka nang lagi sa hinagpis
nalalagok mo rin kahit anung pait,
at parang martilyo iyang bawat pintig
sa tapat ng ating dibdib na may sakit.

Kung ano ang puso? Ba, sanlibrang laman
na dahil sa ugat ay gagalaw-galaw,
dahil sa pag-ibig ay parang batingaw,
dahil sa panata ay parang orasan,
at mukhang ost’ya rin ng kalulwang banal
sa loob ng dibdib ay doon nalagay.

KALUPI NG PUSO

Talaan ng aking mga dinaramdam,
Kasangguning lihim ng nais tandaan,
bawat dahon niya ay kinalalagyan
ng isang gunitang pagkamahal-mahal

Kaluping maliit sa tapat ng puso
ang bawat talata’y puno ng pagsuyo,
ang takip ay bughaw, dito nakatago
ang lihim ng aking ligaya’t siphayo.

Nang buwan ng Mayo kami nagkilala
at tila Mayo rin nang magkalayo na;
sa kaluping ito nababasa-basa
ang lahat ng aking mga alaala.

Nakatala rito ang buwan at araw
ng aking ligaya at kapighatian…
isang dapithapo’y nagugunam-gunam
sa mga mata ko ang luha’y umapaw…
Anupa’t kung ako’y tila nalulungkot
binabasa-basa ang nagdaang lugod;
ang alaala ko’y dito nagagamot,
sa munting kaluping puno ng himutok.

Matandang kalupi ng aking sinapit
dala mo nang lahat ang tuwa ko’t hapis;
kung binubuksan ka’y parang lumalapit
ang lahat ng aking nabigong pag-ibig.

Sa dilaw mong dahong ngayon ay kupas na
ang lumang pagsuyo’y naaalaala,
O, kaluping bughaw, kung kita’y mabasa
masayang malungkot na hinahagkan ka…

May ilang bulaklak at dahong natuyo
na sa iyo’y lihim na nangakatago,
tuwi kong mamasdan, luha’y tumutulo
tuwi kong hahagkan, puso’y nagdurugo.

KAMAY NG BIRHEN

Mapuputing kamay, malasutla’t lambot,
kung hinahawi mo itong aking buhok,
ang lahat ng aking dalita sa loob
ay nalilimot ko nang lubos na lubos.

At parang bulaklak na nangakabuka
ang iyong daliring talulot ng ganda,
kung nasasalat ko, O butihing sinta,
parang ang bulaklak kahalikan ko na.

Kamay na mabait, may bulak sa lambot,
may puyo sa gitna paglikom sa loob;
magagandang kamay na parang may gamot,
isang daang sugat nabura sa haplos.

Parang mga ibong maputi’t mabait
na nakakatulog sa tapat ng dibdib;
ito’y bumubuka sa isa kong halik
at sa aking pisngi ay napakatamis.

Ang sabi sa k’wento, ang kamay ng birhen
ay napababait ang kahit salarin;
ako ay masama, nang ikaw’y giliwin,
ay nagpakabait nang iyong haplusin.

AGAW-DILIM

Namatay ang araw
sa dakong kanluran,
nang kinabukasa’y
pamuling sumilang,
ngunit ikaw, irog, bakit nang pumanaw
ay bukod-tangi kang di ko na namasdan?

Naluoy sa hardin
ang liryo at hasmin,
Mayo nang dumating
pamuling nagsupling,
ngunit ikaw, sinta, bakit kaya giliw
dalawang Mayo nang nagtago sa akin?

Lumipad ang ibon
sa pugad sa kahoy,
dumating ang hapon
at muling naroon,
ngunit ikaw, buhay, ano’t hangga ngayo’y
di pa nagbabalik at di ko matunton?

Now I Know
                                                           

                                               Seven months felt like seven years
                                                and now I face my greatest fears
                                                   Why before I could never wait
                                                but now I know the heavy weight.

                                                    In a strange world, a mad city,
                                                         it is tough to be an adult
                                                          you take responsibility
                                                     to bear frustration and insult  

                                                 There are days I would like to die
                                                       life is not pretty as it seem
                                                Leave this and what do I redeem?
                                                   many I have learned is just a lie

                                                 They say I should create a goal
                                                 Love and life is what you make it
                                                 but somehow it just could not fit
                                                       All I have is a hollow soul

                                             From here I don't know where to go
                                                      Being an adult, now I know. 

Poet:

 

Jose Paulo Tolentino,  21, is a third year student at the Rizal Technological University (Mandaluyong City) taking up Business Management. 

The poem is meaningful to me as it speaks of people who are afraid to show and tell a person how meaningful he/she is to him/her. For me, the feeling that is described in the poem is not particular for a "certain someone" but it can also be true for other significant people in our lives like our parents, siblings or even our friends. Sometimes, we tend to take these people for granted and become "cowards" in expressing what we truly feel for them.