HINIHINGING BIGAY

Masarap makatanggap ng mga regalo, pakimkim, at pamigay kung ang mga iyon ay laan talaga para sa iyo.  Masarap makatanggap ng kung anumang magandang bagay na gusto mo na alam na alam mong hindi mo inaasahan.   Yung kusang ibinigay sa iyo nang wala kang ginawang paghingi, pagpaparinig o pagpaparamdam.  Naruon kasi ang totoong kahulugan ng sopresa.Naruon ang totoong  layunin na inalala at sinadya ka ng nagbigay.   Para talaga sa iyo ang bagay na ibinigay na kusang-loob na bigyan ka at hindi yung tumalima lamang dahil nahihiya o mas ang masama ay napipilitan lamang.May mga tao kasi na hindi makapaghintay na magsabi na bigyan sila ng kung anu man ang gustong hingin, nagsasalita ng kung anu ang gusto nilang matanggap o magkaroon, maliit o mumurahing bagay man.  Iyung ipapaalam sa kung paano mang paraan na mabigyan sila ng mga pasalubong ng mga dumadating na kakilala, maabutan sila ng mga namimigay ng pamigay, at makatanggap sila ng regalo kung anuman ang okasyon.  Kung minsan na hindi sila nabigyan ay lumalapit talaga sila upang magbiro na mabigyan sila.  O kung kaya naman ay nagsasabi na bigyan siya bago pa man dumating ang araw ng pagbibigay.

Huwag nating pangunahan ang mga ito, huwag nating gawing sapilitan ang pagtanggap natin ng regalo, pasalubong o pamigay.Minsan kasi akala natin ay ayos lamang na gawin ang mga ito nang madalas dahil hindi naman tayo pinahihindian, o kaya ay malapit na kaibigan naman ang ating hinihingan, o kaya naman ay angidinadahilan natin ay paglalambing lamang na maliit na bagay lang naman na hindi kalakihang abala.Pero iba pa rin ang bukal sa loob na bigay.Mas maganda ang kusang-loob.  Kapag pinapangunahan natin na ipaalam ang ating gusto ay maaaring hindi na lamang sila makatanggi.  Kapag napilitan kasi, minsan ay hindi na lamang makapagsabi ng hindi dahil nahihiya o kaya ay nasusukol na lamang.  At ano ang halaga ng isang bigay kung hindi naman galing sa puso?  Sabihin man natin na kusang-loob naman na sila ay magbibigay at hindi sa napipilitan lamang kahit pinanguhan natin, pero aminin natin na mas makahulugan at maganda pa rin yung pinag-ukulan ka ng pansin na bigyan.Dahil kusang loob man, ay lumalabas na hindi ka naman talaga bibigyan kung hindi mo rin lamang naman ipinaalaala, sinabi o hiningi.

Liban na lamang kung nakalimutan talaga subalit kung hindi, iba pa rin yung talagang binigyan ka nang may pagpaplano ng nagbigay.  Oo sinasabi natin minsan dahil maaring nakakalimutan, pero hindi ba mas maganda pa rin isipin na kung talagang bibigyan ka ay hindi ka niya malilimutan?At kung sakaling nakalimutan nga ay magandang huwag ng sabihin dahil ang totoo naman ay inalala ka niya dangan lamang ay nakalimutan?  Ang sapilitang regalo ay kahit kailan hindi makahulugan.  Maghintay tayo na kusa tayong mabigyan.  Mayroon langtalaga na mahilig manghingi hindi dahil kapos sila o nangangailangan kundi gusto lamang nila na mabigyan sila dahil masaya sila kapag nabibigyan.  Paano maipagmamalaki na marami ka ngang naiipong subenir mula sa mga kaibigan kung ang mga ito naman ay kung tutuusi’y wala dapat sa iyo?  Upang masabi lamang na marami ang nagbibigay sa iyo dahil sa ikaw ay malapit sa maraming tao, balewala ang mga ito sa totoong kahulugan ng palakaibigan.

Sa salitang balbal ay tinatawag silang harbatera o harbatero at mga mahilig mang-arbor.  Ang iba ay sadyang mahilig lamang magkaroon ng  kahit maliliit na bagay na bigay mula sa kapwa.  Ngunit hindilang naman ito tungkol sa pagiging maliliit na bagay lamangupang magsilbing alaala kundi ito ay ugali na sumasalamin sa ating pagkatao.  Ang kawalan ng kahihiyan na ugali ng isang tao ay nagiging kamalian at kairitahan sa madalas na pagkakataon na ginagawa.  Bakit kailangang pangunahan, bakit hindi na lamang maghintay na maabutan upang malaman kung ikaw ay talagang gustong bigyan?

Ni Alex V. Villamayor

March 24, 2015 

TERIYAKI

Teriyaki is a typical Japanese dish that became adopted and well love in the Philippines.  Here is the easy and simple way to prepare Teriyaki.  You will only need:

¼ kilo of Chicken thigh

½ cup of Soy sauce (adjust to the size of chicken)

2 table spoon of Apple cedar (rice vinegar, wine vinegar option).  This is replacement for Mirin and Sake

Sugar (optional)

Small ginger sliced thinly.

Sesame seeds (for garnish only.  Option onion leaves or gren bell pepper)

Cooking Direction:

1. In a bowl, marinate the chicken in soy sauce and vinegar for at least 1 hour.  Do not totally remove the skin.  For better taste, marinate overnight.

2. Remove the marinated chicken and grill.  Grill first the skin side down until roast then the other side until cooked.  Set aside.

3. Heat a pan and pour the marinade mixture until thicken.  You can add sugar for additional effect in taste and thickness.

4. Arrange the grilled chicken in a plate and pour the thickened marinade mixture over it and garnish with sesame seeds.

And lastly, just eat right.

ON RETIRING SOON

I have seen some farewell party for the departing colleagues either getting retired or resigned.  With the length of working and serving the company, valued contribution to the team and established friendship built through the years, it’s just right to toss party for those hard works and effort for the company.  The retiring, being the man of the hour is nothing but the all praised, appreciated, most talked about and most pictured man during the moment.  In the party, the event is recitation of early start with the company, the career highlight, sharing of good stories about the leaving employee, giving of gift as token of appreciation and souvenir, all-ear speech from the retiring employee and pleasing food sharing.  In many instances, it seemed everybody is thrilled for the farewell party.

As this early, I am kind excited thinking my retirement and I am looking forward it the soonest possible.  It is because I already want to rest from these weights and load of works, freed from pressure of deadlines, give up the duties and responsibilities, and cease the obligatory early morning wake-up from bed.  But more than these, I already want to live the retiring age that I sketched in the comfort of my own retiring house – the garden home.  I want to do the thing that I used to love before, that is the childhood interest in planting – it’s going back to old habit.  I want to feel relaxed from greeneries, breathing the fresh air filtered by fruit bearing trees that are home to chirping birds, cultivating the soils, watering and gardening the vegetable, medicinal and ornamental plants.  A garden house with spacious lawn surrounded by plants, so cool even during summer, there’s artesian well and there’s a guarding dog.  Actually if I can leave now, I wish I could retire earlier than I expect.  It is not about the farewell party but it’s about living the new phase of life.

When I retire, though it’s not too soon yet and it’s still many years from now but when I’m up there I would like to retire as simple as I want to be.  While it seemed everybody is thrilled for the party, not me and I would love to prefer nothing. I have nothing against those retiring employees’ farewell party but doing it for me is different story.  I just don’t feel tossing it for me for I always want simplicity and silence. First of all, I don’t like fanfare.  I want to gracefully leave the company as simple as I wish, this is how I define my final exit.  No headline, no grandstanding, no show-off, no food party.  I don’t like popularity, receiving so much attention, mobbed and applauded.  But again, I am reiterating that all these are for mine only.  I have no problem for others to have it where in fact I could grace in the occasion.  It is only when it is for me then I respectfully turn down it – no, thank you.

I understand farewell party is the perfect time of giving importance, maybe giving back for whatever I have positively done, and acknowledging my departure but the attempt to toss party for me is already appreciated. Warm message of good luck wishes through emails, short text messages, and telephone are sufficient.  And giving my farewell message and appreciation collectively in one-time is what my parting words that I will leave.  Yes, a courtesy goodbye to superiors.  Retiring may not preventable but farewell party is a choice and I wish this could be gift given to me.

By Alex V. Villamayor

March 19, 2015

PASTA WITH CLAMS

You will need.

½ kilo long pasta (long)

½ kilo clams

Half bulb garlic, minced/chopped

One medium onion, chopped

Red bell pepper, chopped

Parsley chopped (Green bell pepper, onion leaves options)

Pepper and salt to taste

butter

To prepare, there are two stages to cook:

Stage 1

1.  Cook the pasta according to label instruction then set aside. However, make the timing 3 minutes shorter than the label.  This is because the pasta will be cooked for another minutes in another stage of cooking.

2.  Before rinsing the cooked pasta, get about a cup or two of boiled water to be used later.

Stage 2.

3.  In a pan, melt the butter.
4.  Saute' the garlic and onion.
5.     Add the red bell pepper and parsley (or other options).
6.  Put the clams until opened.
7.  Add the cup of boiled water and simmer for at least half minutes.  Then remove the clams.
8.  Put the cooked pasta, stir and let it for three minutes to complete the cooking or until the broth dries.
9.  In a serving plate, put the cooked pasta, then toppings the clams.

And lastly, just eat right.

GOING K-12

K to 12, or K+12 or K-12 program is a new scheme in Philippines education system.  It is a year in kindergarten, six years in elementary, four years in junior high school which will call Grade 7 – 10 and two years in senior high school which is Grade 11 and 12 making 13 years to be able to go to college.  Previously it was 11 years or 10 if the child did not take kindergarten.  K-12 program was aimed to uplift the quality of Philippines education for the Filipino students by giving enough time to hone their different skills and efficiency by means of adding two more years in secondary years from previous four years.  It is designed to fully prepare the senior high school students in their choice course before entering in colleges and universities.  Accordingly, wrong choice of course or mismatch of graduates against available job is attributed to unemployment and causes the downfall of education.  With K-12, it will help the student to determine his potential during grade 11 and 12 before entering tertiary education.  The good thing, it is like a technical course that if ever the student assessed his line and decided not to pursue the degree but work instead, the student can be qualified in educational requirement.

From the start, I am not really affirmative in K-12 program.  My sympathy goes to the majority poor who are not in favor to this program that drew negative reactions from these people.  It is not only additional year, burden and expense but it’s a waste of precious time for students and teachers and valued money from the paying parents.  In my points of view, concluding into K-12 as the choice resort is harsh and unnecessary.  Never mind if Philippines is the only country that doesn’t implement this scheme, it doesn’t fit to us at least for now.  There are still so many things in the education system that need to iron out first instead of this another load and weight from student, parents and teachers.  What should put in plan and application is the enhancement of quality of education system rather than the quantity of years that a student must spend in the school.  If the government can offer a free education which is obligation of the state, then there should be no objection and regret from the parents in this additional three years in school just to make the students into better and learned individuals.

Every year, there is deficiency in classrooms to welcome the growing number of students.  For many years, there are young students in public schools who are doing class under the tree, on the stage, or in any open space which is so backward.  It needs focus in order to prepare the students to successfully shape into competitive and erudite graduates.  In an open area that serves as classrooms, there are so many obstructions that distract the focus and attention of these vulnerable young minds.  Apparently, there is already shortage of classrooms in public schools and adding more years will surely not solve this deficit.  In some schools, it has to split the schedules of the students who are in the same level into two sessions to accommodate their unrelenting raise of number.  K-12 doesn’t resolve the deficiency but even increases the populace of the squeezing students instead of dropping.  The same thing with insufficient textbooks wherein in every one book is shared by 3 or 4 students and the desks good for two becomes for three. Then there is lack of effective facilities like library, sports equipment and computers.  And to add even more are the deficiency in teachers who preferred to leave their job and land in overseas work as caregivers for better pay.  These teachers are supposedly the responsible in storing the lessons in students’ mind and instrument in implementing this program but they are looking for the greener pasture.  Upgrading the salary of the underpaid teachers who are doing the noblest and hardest profession will deter their loss that means for every one teacher lost doubles the ratio of one teacher is to 60 students.  Instead of allocating budget to additional school year, it can rightfully use for the construction of additional schools and improve the salary of public school teachers?

There are other better things to do than adopting K to 12 curriculum.  True, the quality of our education has lessened but that was not because of inadequate years to go to school but because of the pending needs of the increasing students.  There were years Philippines was best in Asia where our graduates and schools are top in our region.  Looking back the 1930s – 1960s eras, an elementary graduate then can fluently speak English and calculate numbers without the aid of calculator.  Schools then were strict that if you need to repeat the school year for you to learn will really mean to repeat.  Unlike then it is quite relaxed today mainly because of the existing poverty. Teachers are hesitated to fail the students and rather give passing grade just to console the hardship of their parents and to inspire the students in achieving their dream a year closer.  It is unlike fifty years ago that repeating a class doesn’t hinder much on the slower pace of life.  In today’s fast-pace world, going back to the same year is wasting of opportunity that would rather use the times in a temporary useful work to survive, thus it risks the chance of stopping the children to go to school.  And it increases the out of school youth and impacting the literacy rate.When it comes in additional period where the senior high school has to decide the choice of career, determining the potentials of student can be identified during their 3^rd and 4^th year in high school.  The reasons of prompting them to enroll in “wrong” course in college are either economical practicality in matriculation, promise of lucrative courses in the market, and the impression of easy job landing.  Putting these altogether is falling back to poverty which shows the sensitivity of children to give back and help their families. In summary, the government should address the needs of additional classrooms, enough teachers, modern facilities, useful textbooks and materials.   As long as the schools are equipped, there is no need to add more years of curriculum.

By Alex V. Villamayor

March 12, 2015

SUNUD-SUNURANG TAO

May mga tao talaga na nagpapadikta, nagpapahawak sa leeg o ilong, nagpapailalim o nagpapasakop sa isang tao dahil ang pagkakaalam nila ay ito ang mas nakakaalam ng tama at dapat.  Ngunit nakakawala ng paggalang ang mga taong ganito dahil nalalaman mo na ni sarilinila ay hindi nila kayang igalang, dalhin, pangatawanan, at pagkatiwalaan.  Mauunawaan pa ito kung sa asawa dahil sa labis na pagmamahal bagamat kung maiiwasan ay nararapat, ngunit ang magpailalim ka sa isang kakilala, kasamahan, o kaibigan pa man ay nakakawala ng simpatiya.  Walang mali kung ikaw ay baldado, walang kakayahang itaguyod at ipagtanggol ang sarili ngunit kung ikaw ay malakas at malaking tao, lalong-lalu na kung ang taong ito ay isang lalaki ay kababawang dahilan ang maging sunod-sunuran ka.  Parang walang buto sa likod na hindi makatayo sa sarili.  Dapat silang magpakalalaki na pangangatawanan at panghahawakan kung anu ang sinasabi ng kanilang damdamin.

Nakadismaya din kasi na lagi na lamang iniaasa, ipinauubaya at iniaayon ang mga ginagawa ng isang tao sa ibang tao.  Iyung kapag kailangan nilang magdesisyon ay isasangguni muna sa isa nilang kakilala bago sila magpasya.  O kaya ay aayon o hindi sila aayon dahil alam nilang ang kanilang kakilalang tao ay aayon din o hindi aayon.  O kung ‘di naman ay hindi sila kikilos dahil mayroon silang sinusunod na utos mula sa isang tao.  Sa kanilang sobrang pagsunod, masagwa ng tingnan na laging kabuntot o mistulang anino na nakaalalay ang mga taong sunud-sunuran.  Parang mga alipin na sinusunod kung anu man ang ipag-utos sa kanila.  Nasaan na ang kanilang sariling talino, isip, at kalayaan?    Ang taong sunud-sunuran ay parang tanga na walang bait sasarili.  Bakit mo susundin ang utos ng ibang tao na huwag gawin ang gusto mong gawin?  Bakit mo hahayaang pigilan ang sarili mo sa gusto mong gawin kahit alam mong tama ngunit napipigilan ka lamang dahil sa utos ng ibang tao?

Hindi masama na ibigay ang iyong buong tiwala sa isang tao ngunit kung ibibigay mo lahat-lahat ay nawawalan ka na ng pagkatao.  Kung apektado na ang pakikipag-kapwa tao mo o kung lumiliit na ang iyong mundo, kung natatanggalan ka ng mga karapatan mo dahil lang sa pagsunod sa isang tao ay nariyan na ang mali.  Kung ikaw ay may tiwala sa iyong sarili, lalong-lalo na kung ikaw ay may tiwala sa Diyos, hindi mo kailangan ang ipaubaya ang iyong sarili sa iba.  Hindi magandang maging sunud-sunuran dahil lumiliit ang iyong pagkatao hanggang maging wala ka ng kwenta.  At hindi rin maganda na manduhan mo ang isang tao kung ano ang kanyang dapat gawin o pagbawalan sa mga gagawin dahil hindi mo pag-aari ang sino man.  Hindi ito pagtuturo para sa ikalalakas, ikabubuti o ikagaganda ng kanyang buhay kundi ginagawa mo lamang siyang mahina, palaasa at walang kwentang tao.  At hindi mo pag-aari ang buhay ng iba na patatakbuhin ang kanilang buhay.

Ako ang taong ayaw kong maging pag-aari ng kung sino.  Walang nakakapagdikta sa akin ng kung ano ang aking gagawin o dapat gawin.  Sa trabaho at tungkuling-sibil, walang duda na kailangan natin ang sumunod, ngunit sa pakikipagkapwa-tao ay hindi ako nagpapailalim sa lahat ng gusto ibang tao.  Una sa lahat ay wala akong ibang sinusunod kundi ang nalalaman ng aking puso at sariling kunsensiya na alam kong tama.  Ayokong patakbuhin ng ibang tao ang aking mundo dahil may sarili akong pag-iisip, interes, kalayaan at paniniwala.

Ni Alex V. VillamayoR

March 4, 2015

HARMING ANIMALS

I hate animal cruelty as I feel the same for domestic violence and war.  Seeing someone inflicting physical harm to anyone feels me in pain, be it human or animals.  It’s uncivilized, barbaric and ferocious characters that have no place to home in quiet, peaceful and compassionate world that we are trying to build up.Putting harm to animals be it domesticated or wild is unfair.  Animals have their own kingdom that they will not intrude our place and will not hurt people on the first place unless we did, though normally animals are just reciprocating.  But people are interfering their peace nestling in their homes.  Some or maybe most of us are natural bully who would monopolize and manipulate the animals.  Using tools and gears just to beat or slaughterthemis unacceptable unless defending ourselves.

Animals have life to feel the pain when battered, suffering when injured and weep tears when moan in extreme pain.  I don’t like seeing a hit and run lifeless cat in roads,a bloody fate of any roaming pets.  Likewise the stoning to dogs or birds being shoot, or anydying animal due to torture and impoverishment are heartbreaking.Reading the news about massive massacre of dynamite fishing is ruthless.Harming animals is act of insanity and immaturity.  It is not usual to feel the joy in harming and threatening life. Human, being the highest form of animal has rational ability, logic and natural emotional quotient.It is in here we differ from animalsthat anyone who put these harm are subjected to doubt their rational ability.  True, it needs an animal instinct to harm an animal.  Where are the mercy and compassion that are natural in human heart?

It is good thing there is animal welfare act (RA 8485) and wildlife-protection act (RA 9147) in Philippines to protect the helpless animals.  Thank to those animal rights extremists and to the advocates of animals’ welfare for protecting their basic interests and giving what is due and right for them.  Some people are ignoring the cruelty to animals simply because they think animals are just animals that are not important and that treating animals something like human is overacting.  Some people are disregarding the restrictions of extinction of endangered animals for their own selfish benefits and welfare either as personal rare collection or for human consumption.  But these are important social issues that need to properly address.

As human we should know respect.  Animals need respect too.  Putting them in gory fight for the enjoyment of spectators, seeing those in vile crush video, and profiting them from gambles are totally unfair and disrespectful to animals’ rights.  Animals are entitled to the possession of their own lives, let’s spare them from this.  Remember the golden rule when we were taught as young children, and the teachings from all major religions about the principles of kindness, compassion and peacefulness – these should be extended to all living beings.  If we have the right to life, to food and to be free of pain, animals are deserved too to afford the same consideration as the similar interests of human beings.

Human and animals are creations of God that should enjoy the world fairly.  One day I wish there is no more last frontier and see men and animals are mingling around without barriers, protecting the world that God have created for us.  Let us create a paradise for men and sanctuary for lost and endangered animals.  Let us despise cruelty to animals.

By Alex V. Villamayor

March 3, 2015