Farewell, Michael!

Por: mimai | 0 comments |

I grew up in the 80s. The fashion, the dances, the music...and Michael Jackson.

MJ was a big part of my teenage years. I danced to his music and memorized almost every song. I tried so hard to perfect the moonwalk but only got around to memorizing the dance steps to "Beat It" and "Billie Jean". Last year, I reminisced my high school years when my office mates and I danced to the immortal MJ classic "Thriller".

Now the King of Pop is gone. No more moonwalks and creative dance moves. No more energy-packed concerts. No more Michael Jackson.

MJ's life was like a rollercoaster, so full of ups and downs. He started singing at a very young age, and although he was just a kid, he wowed a lot of people with his "majestic" singing voice. He grew up and became even better at his craft, and we grew to love him. It's true, he made quite a number of bad decisions and was pushed into the limelight for the wrong reasons several times...But the magic of his voice and his dances never stopped. In fact, they became even better.

As he went through turbulent times, his songs reflected his feelings. Songs that were full of angst, songs that begged for understanding, songs that wanted to reach out...they were all his; they were all him.

No matter what else happened to MJ in his 50 years, one thing will remain true forever: that he was the greatest entertainer we've ever had in many years. Nobody, absolutely nobody, can ever replace him, or his music, or his dances.

There is only one MJ. He captured my heart back in the 80s; he continues to do so now, even when he has gone on to another life. Goodbye, MJ. Rest well. You deserve nothing less.

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Ghost Whisperer

Por: mimai | 0 comments |

One of my favorite television shows is Jennifer Love Hewitt's Ghost Whisperer. I've seen all four seasons and cannot wait for the next one. As always, I don't really care what other people say about the show; what's important for me is that I enjoy it and I get a lot of good lessons from it.

Ghost Whisperer is about a young woman named Melinda Gordon (J.Love) who has the gift of seeing the dead (spirits). However, the show is not at all what you expect of supernatural stories. It's more heartwarming than scary, actually. You see, Melinda has a huge responsibility, and that responsibility involves using her gift. She sees spirits of dead people and helps them "finish the unfinished" so they can cross over and "go into the light".

Here is an excerpt taken from CBS.com, Ghost Whisperer's home studio. "Inspired in part by the work of famed medium James Van Praagh and of Mary Ann Winkowski, a real-life communicator with earth bound spirits, GHOST WHISPERER explores the spiritual side of life and death."

Melinda is married to Jim Gordon, a paramedic who knows about her gift. Jim is very supportive of her and even accompanies her sometimes when she does her investigations. She and Jim have an unconditional love that goes beyond any boundaries. Theirs is the stuff that we all dream of having.

Melinda's mom (Anne Archer) is also gifted but is not as open with the whole idea as her daughter is. The two of them just recently "restored" their relationship.

The Ghost Whisperer is surrounded by loving friends who never fail to help her. She has Delia (her best friend who helps run her quaint antique shop), Ned (Delia's son), and her "sidekick" Eli (Jamie Kennedy), who has the unusual gift of "hearing" (but not seeing) ghosts. In the previous seasons, Melinda's "sidekick" was Jay Mohr's Professor Payne. Also, in the earlier seasons, Melinda had another best friend who was killed when a plane crashed in Grandview (their fictional town). Melinda helped her go into the light.

All these characters have their own stories to tell; and all their stories somehow connect with what Melinda does.

What's really good about this show is that it makes you feel good after watching it. No matter how many tears you shed, you will always get that wonderful, happy feeling after watching one full episode. I've cried many tears watching families saying goodbye to loved ones about to cross into the light; or couples declaring their undying love; and parents reconnecting with children who left them early in life.

A lot of changes have been happening in the show (like Melinda and Jim finally having a baby), and I'm extra excited to find out just how powerful their little one will be.

Sometimes, I envy Melinda because she helps a lot of people without really asking for anything in return. But most of the time, I get scared thinking about what I'd really do if I were in her shoes. My greatest wish, though impossible, is to meet Melinda and spend a day with her. I'm sure I'll learn a lot from her. For we all know that even those who have gone on ahead of us have tons of new knowledge to share with us.

The show also reiterates something that I learned a long time ago, back when I was yet an innocent high school senior: "even in death, love speaks".

I hope Ghost Whisperer goes on air forever. But then again, like what the show is unconsciously trying to tell us, forever is in another realm. Maybe I'll just content myself with the idea that there may really be a Melinda Gordon somewhere in the world. And that I might get to meet her someday. Maybe in this lifetime, or in the next.

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Tears In Heaven...

Por: mimai | 2 comments |

No, this is not about that Eric Clapton song. But it is about something that the song talks about: DEATH.

The past months have been quite sad. Many people who have been a part of my life, in one way or another, passed away. Death is something that makes me think really hard. It is something that makes me reflect on the kind of life that I lead. And even if I know that death will bring you back to the Lord, I'm still afraid of it. Yes, I am afraid of death.

My fear is not so much because of the idea of death itself. It is more the fear of losing your connection with the world; with the people you love and who love you; with the people around you. It is the fear of leaving behind the people who matter most to you. It is also the fear of not being able to do enough to leave your legacy in this world.

I thought everything would stop when my mom died in February 2006, but it did not. I made several decisions that altered the course of my life, but that was that. Eventually, things became better and I was able to adjust. Then after a year, our family was dealt another blow. My aunt, Daddy's youngest sister, passed away in May 2007. It was difficult for us because it was unexpected. And she was so young.

Like what happened after Mommy passed away, I slowly adjusted. At the back of my mind, however, questions kept popping up. And my fears escalated. Death made me feel that way sometimes.

Last year, my cousin Francis Ortigas died of heart failure at a very young age. He wasn't even 40 yet! His demise made me realize that death is really like a thief. It can come to you at the prime of your life, or when you're just about to conquer the world.

Still, I am never ready when I hear that someone has passed away. It is never all right to hear that somebody I know, that someone who is a part of my life has moved on to another world. I will never be prepared for death. No one is and no one will ever be.

I know my journey in life is still quite long. I have yet many things to do and a lot of promises to fulfill. I have yet many people to help. But every time someone I know passes away, I cannot help but be afraid...for myself, for the departed's family, for everyone I know.

The only thing that I can do is pray. It's the best weapon against fear. And you know what? It never fails to work!

I am sad. I am sad because another one of the special people in my life has gone on to another world. After Lolo (Grandpa) Titang in 1986, it was MammaIn. Mama Chata in 2003. Then Mommy followed in 2006. Tita (Aunt) Diditte in 2007. Francis in 2008. This year, Lolo Nonon (Fr. Miguel Bernad) passed away. And now, Lola Dory Chaves. My only consolation, I guess, is that they lived a happy and fulfilled life. No, their lives were not perfect. There's no such thing as a perfect life. But they lived their mission and realized their visions in one way or another.

I am sad because they are not with me anymore. I cannot embrace or even touch them anymore. But I am always consoled every time I think about them...Because I know they're all looking down lovingly on us. Because I know that even in death, their love speaks a thousand words.

I will never be comfortable with the idea of death. But I know that I will always have prayers, and my faith in the Lord, to keep me steady and strong. I will have all our "angels" up there rooting for me.

So, I know that in a few days or months' time, all will be well with me.

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Farewell, Francis M

Por: mimai | 4 comments |

(This article was actually written for Goldstar. I do not know when it came out or if it ever did. I was not able to find it in the copies I bought for the week it was supposed to. Anyway, it's one of the most heartfelt pieces I wrote so I decided to share this with you.)


Master Rapper, King of Pinoy Rap, The Man From Manila, Kiko, and FrancisM. Francis Magalona was known by many names. However, to fans and peers all over the country, he will forever be the man who changed Filipino music by integrating nationalism into a popular genre called rap.

Francis, the son of Pancho Magalona and Tita Duran, popular stars of the 1940s-50s, was only 44 years old when he succumbed to acute myelogenous leukemia last Friday, March 06. I was busy editing articles in the office when I read about it. I was shocked and surprised. I did not want to believe that it was true. The truth began to sink in after I read a full account of what happened from one of the news websites I regularly visited.

I first saw Francis in the movie Bagets. But it was when I was in college in Manila and his music ruled the airwaves that I really took notice of him. Mga Kababayan was a phenomenal hit; and so were his other earlier songs like Tayo’y Mga Pinoy, Man from Manila, Mga Praning, and Cold Summer Nights. Through the years, the Master Rapper turned in one hit after another. One of his most popular hits, Kaleidoscope World, became a favorite of many (including me). Eventually, he ventured into collaborations with groups like Parokya Ni Edgar and the Eraserheads. No matter what he did, the response was phenomenal. Perhaps it was because Francis was always full of passion when he performed. He was a true artist who cared about his craft.

Nationalism was a big issue for Francis. I admired the fact that he did not find the need to march into the streets just to express his patriotism for our country. He simply poured his all in the songs he weaved. Even his paintings and photos, his other passions, spoke of his love for his country…his love for life.

Francis’ zest for life was evident in his battle with leukemia. His was a different, more serious kind. But he never gave his illness the chance to get the better of him. Instead, he shared his battle with his fans, with the people who believed in him the most. Through his multiply site, Francis posted blogs about his treatment as regularly as he could. He posted pictures, too, that showed the same fun-loving, happy Francis. Despite his pain, he kept going. He was even scheduled to perform with the Eraserheads in their concert last March 07. Ely Buendia and his crew dedicated the entire concert to his honor and sang Superproxy (a song the Master Rapper wrote for them) and Kaleidoscope World.

It’s true. Francis’ death was surprising. Tragic even, because he was so young, so talented, and so intelligent. But maybe we can all learn a lesson or two from him. One is to always love life, no matter what it has to offer us. The other is to never give up no matter what the circumstances are.

And of course, we shall all keep listening to his songs. We shall all continue to ponder on every word, every lyric that he has left for us through his music. Somewhere in between those words is a part of Francis reminding us that life must go on, whether he makes music here with us or up there with the Greatest Musician of our lives.

So long, Francis M. You shall be missed. But your music, your legacy shall live forever.

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maia's scribbles: March is Women's Month

Por: mimai | 0 comments |

maia's scribbles: March is Women's Month

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March is Women's Month

Por: mimai | 0 comments |

March means a lot of things to many people. For students, March signals the beginning of the end of classes. For office workers, March means summer is almost here. For others, especially those who have gone through painful and abusive experiences, March is for women.

The story of women's month began many years ago in New York City. It was March 1911 when over 140 girls, majority of whom were Jewish and Italian immigrants, were trapped inside the factory of Triangle Shirtwaist while the building was on fire.

As a result of the tragedy, women in the early 20th century began organizing themselves and came up with various activities for women. One of the resulting activities was the observance of International Women's Day every 8th day of March in commemoration of the tragic death of the factory workers.

In the Philippines, Women's Month began when former President Corazon Aquino signed several proclamations pertaining to March as a special month for women. Proclamation No. 224 officially recognized the first week of March every year as Women's Week. March 08 became known as Women's Rights and International Peace Day. Proclamation No. 227 officially began the observance of March as Women's Role in History Month. Finally, President Aquino also signed R.A. 6949 and declared March 08 of every year as National Women's Day.

Today, various organizations around the country and the world have actively participated in annual celebrations and observances of Women's Month. Popular playwright Eve Ensler came up with her own way of highlighting the importance of women when she put together the hugely celebrated Vagina Monologues. VM is a collection of women's painful, funny, heartbreaking, and joyful experiences told in interesting anecdotes and monologues. It is one of the most well attended events during Women's Month celebrations all over the world. Celebrities, personalities, students, and many young women from different backgrounds have joined and performed the monologues for free. Every VM show is a benefit performance for various women's groups/organizations.

The Vagina Monologues is actually part of Ensler's bigger Women's Month advocacy, the V-Day Movement. V-Day is a worldwide campaign aimed at ending violence and abuse against women and girls. Various activities like concerts, mardi gras, reading tours, and interschool contests take place throughout the V-Day celebration. Here in Cagayan de Oro, V-Day has been observed for years now and many women (and men) have been continuously campaigning its advocacy through a number of activities like school campaigns, monologue readings, workshops and seminars, and essay writing contests.

The plight of abused women and girls around the world cannot be fixed with just a sweep of a magic wand. It takes years, a lot of patience, and unfailing dedication and passion. For those who refuse to give in to the pain and the hurt, March is always the best time to speak up and be heard. But if we want to truly put an end to all the terrible beatings, we have the whole year and the rest of our lives to stand up for them. In our own humble ways, we can help. When all our little efforts are put together, we can do more and help the many women and girls silently suffering.

Three cheers for women around the world!

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Love Notes...

Por: mimai | 0 comments |

February has come and gone, I know. But it doesn't mean I cannot talk about love anymore. Love is something that you talk about everyday, wherever you are.

Several years ago, when I was still studying in Manila, there was a radio show called "Love Notes". It was aired over DWTM and hosted by Joe D'Mango. It was so successful that it eventually created a spin-off on television. Anyways, I didn't really tune in to the radio show but was able to watch some episodes of the T.V. show. The concept was formulaic - Joe D'Mango read love notes, or stories, sent in by viewers/listeners and the story would be featured on the show. The stories were nothing extraordinary but they were able to successfully paint different pictures of love. There were times when, while watching the show, I'd remark to myself how amazing love really is for people were willing to do anything and everything just to make love work in their lives.

Last February 16, I was witness once again to another attempt at painting a perfect picture of love.

My aunt, Maribel Veloso, was invited by some Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan students to give a talk about the different ways of saying "I Love You". Of course, the audience was made up of college students. And they all had their own perceptions of love. It was an honest and lively discussion that opened my eyes to how today's young people look at love; how they expressed their love to others.

The first part of the talk dwelt mostly on people's different views of love. It varies a lot, you'll be surprised. For me, love is mysterious; it is something that brings out the best or the unexpected in each one of us. It makes us do things we never did before. For others, love meant greater things like companionship, compatibility, togetherness. Love meant a lot of things for different people. So it's really difficult to pinpoint a specific definition of love. There is one thing I am sure of, though...love is infinite. It never ends.

Then the discussion moved on to what one can do to keep love in full swing. What my aunt told them was really basic knowledge. So basic that we sometimes forget about them. Things like letting the person know he is special by touching or hugging. Spending quality time together, listening and communicating, and even giving space to each other when needed. I know of a couple who takes turns going on trips or vacations (within or out of the country) regularly so they can have quality time on their own. You see, like what my aunt said, I believe that being a couple does not mean losing yourself and becoming one with your partner. For your relationship and your love to keep growing, each of you has to stay in tune with your individual selves. You should not lose your self or your identity just because you are the other half of someone else.

The question and answer portion was the most interesting part of the talk. Believe me, those students can make you think! Some of the situations they were involved in were common but there were those that were really unusual. A love triangle. Unreciprocated or unrequited love. Same sex relationships. Women wanting to make the first move. It was fun listening to their stories and I marveled at how honest they were about their feelings! It led me to thinking whether I was as brave and upfront about my feelings when I was their age.

Like Joe D'Mango's "Love Notes", the talk opened my eyes to more wonderful things about love...the best realization of which is that it brings people of different backgrounds, beliefs, and preferences together. It is truly universal.

No matter how many shows like "Love Notes", or how many "love talks", I attend, I know I won't be able to truly find the perfect and complete meaning of love. All I am sure of right now is that love is a wonderful kind of "wonder"...and it is a feeling I'd like to cherish for the rest of my life.

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