In Davao Real Independence Begins..

When I told Mama I would be applying for the Congressional Internship Program for Young Mindanao Leaders (CIPYML) I had dim hopes of being approved for traveling since I will be based in so many locations. 

However I was quite surprised when she pushed me further to realizing my dreams even if it means being far away from her. When I had the chance to finally comply to all the requirements needed by the Congressional Program of the Philippines House of Representatives. Eventually I got selected and was instructed to be at Davao for the final interview. I admit it is kinda scary for I haven't had the experience of traveling alone without any family member to accompany me as my chaperon. Hehe. It was exciting and this was what I was thinking for the longest haul. This is the start of what we call REAL INDEPENDENCE. 

So here are pictures of myself traveling to Davao and en route to Digos with my batchmates and loved ones. Truly a great experience indeed.   ♥ =)

Also I met my 10th pamangkin Liam Jacob Alindajao Aban. I carried him in my arms for the very first time and it feels so good since for a very very long time I now find myself carrying another future generation in my arms. The second apo bearing the last name of my Father. This is the new hope, another ABAN added in our family. Welcome to the family, baby LJ. Love love u.. <3 :)

Proud to be 23!

Tis the day to be happy! Finally I am turning the golden age of 23. LOL! I am proud to say that of this age the people whom I treasure are there to celebrate it with me. It's been a fun ride to the so-called LIFE. A double celebration for today since we will also be celebrating Mother's Day. Truly it is a day full of love and happiness. I hope to celebrate this same experience soon with the same people and with other faces I shall soon meet and play an important role in my life. I am just thankful that God has blessed me another year to live. I am overwhelmed beyond words.  ♥ =)

Of Chameleons and Newness...

ADAPTABILITY. This is one of the things I admire about chameleons. They change their skin color as an instinct to protect themselves from upcoming danger. They are able to adapt with the environment once they feel they are approached by their predators. They bamboozle their way through by altering their skin color which I believe is pretty awesome. FOR SURVIVAL.

For years, I've always been quite pampered and protected since I am the baby princess in the family. My parents wouldn't even want to take their eyes off of me. Wherever I go it is like they have ears and eyes everywhere. Until such time I entered law school that I somehow acquired FREEDOM. To travel. To work. To be in a relationship. Hehe! That freedom was such a feat in my life. With that, planning for my future and wanting to learn to adapt is something I look forward to. 

NEWNESS. This incredibly optimistic outlook is something beautiful but dangerous. I don't want to bail out immediately for this privilege of being independent. This fear of too much freedom could be good or bad for me. New experiences are waiting to be discovered. New stories are to be told. This heartbeat. The doubts. All of these are emerging in my chest. I am flushed with excitement and paralyzed with fear. It's fun. It's new. It's agonizing because of the uncertainty in what lies ahead but giddy with every ounce of desire to try it!

No matter how naive this entry sounds to you all out there, I know in one way or another you can relate to how I feel. This freedom, I hope won't consume me or hurt me like hell. I've rebelled once and it wasn't pretty. It ate my conscience. It felt ugly. I've lived a lie because of that stupid idea. I was hurting other people and I swear I will never do it again. And now that FREEDOM is offered to me, I thought of NEVER wishing for this at all. But I gotta learn to muscle up! This is oddly comforting since it feels like I am playing my first ever vulnerable card in the hope of finding it all. It's mystery and beauty tempts me in every way. This has given me all the more the reason to hope mightily for the best. GOD BLESS me indeed! ♥ =)

BOMB EXPLOSION IN ILIGAN CITY, 2 dead and 30 wounded

May 5, 2012 on a Saturday night where everyone was enjoying the weekend, out of the blue a hand grenade was thrown out in front of the El Centro Bar in Iligan City.  The bomb explosion happened around 7:57 PM along Roxas Avenue according to military spokesman Lt. Col. Randolph Cabangbang. This has caused the life of at least two people and 30 others who were reportedly injured and is still in critical condition. Many believed that this was due to terrorism or a sudden outrage of illegal loggers during the Sendong tragedy last year. Yet Col. Daniel Lucero of the Philippine Army maintains this was just a case of “petty crime”. 

Rey P. So-ong, a law student of MSU – Law Iligan is one of those critically hit. He is still admitted at Mindanao Sanitarium Hospital and is now in a stable condition as his MU KAPPA PHI family also came to the rescue.

The Vice – Chairman for Political Affairs of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, Mr. Ghadzali Jaafar urged that police authorities should avoid “witch hunting” and name the exact identities of these bombers to avoid biased reports creating turmoil between the Christian and Muslim communities.  

As of the moment, police investigators are in the hunt for the attackers who are behind this. A credible witness who was one of the survivors of the bombing incident has already made a sworn affidavit and is now in police custody. This could lead them to hunt down the men behind this explosion and bring justice to the said victims.