Technically, a new year is considered “new” only because calendars and custom say so. “S-S-D-D,” as Buding and I love to say. But there is something novel about 2010, something hopeful and fresh about it—it’s not 2009. (Cue clip of Chip and I, possibly already drunk, shaking our fists in anger, yelling “Putang ina mo, 2009! Pweh.”)
The other novel thing about 2010 is that I greeted it on my own, in my flat. Now, on one hand, that may seem depressing and pitiful. “Alone on New Year’s Eve,” some of you might say to yourselves, “Poor thing.” But, on the other hand, it could be seen as admirable and daring—”You go, girl (Z-snaps)!” Either way, the way I saw it, whether I spent New Year’s Eve with people or not, it would have been the same. I mean, if I had stayed with my family, at my parents’ house, I would’ve had to deal with the “strange” situation we’re all in right now, and I still would’ve felt like I was all alone. If I had spent New Year’s Eve with friends, I would’ve felt the need to pull in and away from them and be, uh, introspective.
Last November, I went up to Mirador with JC. We stayed there for six days. A short period, granted, but I was able to do what I needed to do. (The same could be said about JC as well, I think.)
Anyway, I’d really love to go back to Mirador before the year ends. Nothing like a bit of solitude with which to greet the New Year.
Ah well. We’ll see.
No more brief explanation for each of the tracks. Just listen to them and think of majestic sunsets, of being in between the earth and sky.
Well, it’s that time of the year again. That time of the year when parties punctuate office hours. When people wear jackets and scarves and beanies and boots. When shopping turns into an extreme sport. When religious folks shake their fists in anger and say, “Christmas is not about that, you fools!” When fools hear what the religious folks say and reply, “Orrrayt. Cheers to that, pare!”
Yes, it is that time of the year again. (Oh, I’m sorry, did I groan that loudly?)
Okay, look, it’s not that I don’t like Christmas. It’s just that Christmas… Well, Christmas… I mean, Christmas… Christmas means a lot of different things to a lot of different people, but…
Fine.
See, for me, in my little world, Christmas means only one thing: family. And since that aspect of my life has fallen away into insignificance, Christmas has fallen away into insignificance as well. So there. Add to this the very real possibility of spending Christmas by myself, and I can’t help but find myself in a negative state toward the godforsaken holiday.
To appease such a negative state—or at least brighten it up a bit—I decided to gift myself with little bits and proclamations of honesty. So here goes.
I’m trying my best to find a proper position on the Maguindanao Massacre and the events that followed it, particularly the declaration of martial law in the said province last Friday evening. On one hand, there is an undeniable and palpable urgency to bring those responsible for the deaths of at least 57 people—including women and journalists—to justice. The Massacre, after all, is the worst pre-election violence in the country, and, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists, the worst crime against the press since 1992. On the other hand, before all analysis and debate, martial law appears to be too much of a knee-jerk reaction to be considered a valid and justified act by the government. The immediate and instinctual public condemnation of it is proof enough of that.
I do not know what the results of the special joint session between the Senate and the House of Representatives on Tuesday will be, but even before then, I have two questions to ask: Firstly, can the Massacre be considered an actual rebellion or invasion that endangers the public? And secondly, have we finally failed as a state?
Jackie:Grabe, JC. Hindi ako maka-get-over na majorly nahulog at nadapa ako… How absurd! JC: Oo nga eh. Especially given what had happened to you over the weekend. Absurd nga. Jackie: I know! It’s almost as if God were playing a prank on me. JC: True! Kaya sorry nung nalaman kong nasaktan ka at natawa lang ako. I couldn’t help it. I knew I should’ve felt bad, pero natawa lang talaga ako. Jackie: Well, actually, nakakatawa naman talaga ang nangyari sa akin. When I replay my fall in my head, natatawa din ako. Absurd lang talaga eh. JC: Yes! So alam mo na dapat ang title ng susunod mong blog entry. Jackie: Ano dapat? JC: Diba “Falling Down the Mountainside” yung lastentry mo? Jackie: Yes, with apologies to David Gray… JC: Dapat yung susunod na title, “Free Fallin’.” Char.
The Weekend Waffler is J. D. Jacinto. She teaches for a living, wants to quit smoking, and is probably a "functional alcoholic." She resides in the Philippines, but will most likely die elsewhere in the world. She takes her coffee black with little sugar, loves dishes that are spicy, and dislikes chocolate.
The songs on this blog have been made available for sampling purposes only. Should you happen to be the copyright holder of any of the songs available on this blog, please do not hesitate to contact me to have it, or them, removed; I will do so immediately.
