Heroes

(Excerpts of Heroism, Love and Inspiration)

Writers Note: A fraction of this article was constructed while the author was waiting for nothing. He was all alone in Room 203, so rather than drown himself of the deafening silence, he decided to pull out his ever trusted journal (which by the way was gift) from his ever so heavy 10 pound bag full of books he has hardly started reading and scratch papers he has accumulated while drafting his long overdue Feasibility Study.

Prologue

“Enough about me… Let’s talk about you…”

On the second and final impulse of SYNAPSE, I have decided to share some tales of heroism. No this is not about the usual superheroes or is it something about the martyrdom of anyone, but rather this stories that I will impart are chronicles of real life heroism- those that are not exaggerated and sensationalized like most of what we see on TV or in movies. These are accounts of ordinary people who have lived extraordinary lives. These stories are about you and me.

Not the Usual Heroic Story

While I was surfing the internet a few weeks after the onslaught of Ondoy I stumbled upon this image posted in the wall of a friend in Facebook.

This particular image was designed by freelance graphic designer Mark Gosingtian and so far it has gained widespread popularity among netizens on social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter.

Why?

Well I think it’s because the statement has captured, embodied and defined the general atmosphere in the Philippines – of the Filipinos during those times.

Ondoy may have brought destruction, tears and nightmare to the Philippines, but one thing that it has done was – it has brought out the finest in the Filipino people.

During and after the onslaught of the deluge, various tales of heroism took place. The inherent spirit of “Bayanihan” of the Filipinos was once again highlighted. Everyone practically became a hero – as everyone demonstrated simple random acts of kindness to their fellow Filipinos. In their own little way, they had offered to lend their hand – from giving refuge to neighbors whose homes have been literally swept away by the flood, to giving donations of relief goods or to risking his own life to rescue  a frantic driver trapped in her own car – heroes emerged.

I am in awe as to what this tragedy has done but what surprises me more is what this catastrophe has revealed about our nation. It showed the immensity of human love, care and affection.

What also made me proud is the fact that during those times of despair – we the youth stood out. As what was seen on the television, hundreds of young people – students and young professionals – poured out relief operation centers. There were even instances that youth volunteers exceeded the available goods to pack and transport. Social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook became the tools youth into spreading information regarding the situation on flood stricken areas. Facebook walls were flooded by status updates showing support and prayers to affected Filipinos.

Come to think of it, Ondoy could be a blessing in disguise for it has awaken in most of us the real meaning of heroism – that is to extend help when it is needed.

What I’ve Learned

Ang loved Tang ever since his eyes laid on over her. But here is the catch, Tang is too shy and coward to confess to Tang his feelings. Buho their mutual friend, after knowing the ordeal of Ang offered to help and be their “bridge”.

Almost everyday Ang sent letters, chocolates and gifts to Tang through Buho. To cut the story short, Buho and Tang became a couple. How? Well, Buho who was a dim-witted only gave the letters, chocolates and gifts to Tang, he never bothered telling who or where they come from. Tang who was a stranger to common sense, didn’t ask Buho who are sending the gifts and instead concluded that they were from Buho (She thought that Buho was just shy…). They fell in love. Ang, was unaware of what was happening. He relied too much on Buho and in the end suffered the pain of heartache.

Lesson: Aside from using common sense is that you should never be dependent on other people. At the end of the day, the one who will be affected of the consequences will be you not them.

“Do not depend on other people… Always remember that even your own shadow leaves you when darkness comes”

Dynamic

During the time that we were at the age 16 most of us were pre-occupied with stuff such as gadgets, crushes, fashion and music. But not Efren Peñaflorida for at such young age he offered his time into educating children in the streets some of whom were gang members.  It was amazing how at that age wherein most of us would rather enjoy life, he on the other hand had such a noble dream.

Together with his friends they formed the Dynamic Teen Company. Their main idea was to bring the school to the streets and educate young people. They used a push cart (kariton) full of books and other reading materials as their classroom.

Living in the slums himself, Peñaflorinda understands what these children are going through. But rather than be a victim of such circumstance for the rest of his life, he refused to do so.

“Instead of being discouraged, I promised myself that I would pursue education,” he recalls. “I will strive hard; I will do my best.” Said Peñaflorinda in the CNN website.

Now it has been 12 years since but here they are still continuing their noble efforts. Today, every Saturday children gather to the pushcart to learn reading, writing, arithmetic and English.

Peñaflorinda was voted as this years CNN Hero of the Year, an award fitting for him whom have served others in such a noble way.

He is a Filipino whom we should follow and be proud of.

Random Thoughts (My Favorite Inspiring Movie Quotes)

You know, the ancient Egyptians had a beautiful belief about death. When their souls got to the entrance to heaven, the guards asked two questions. Their answers determined whether they were able to enter or not. ‘Have you found joy in your life?’?’Has your life brought joy to others?’
-The Bucket List

You are wrong if you think that the joy of life comes principally from human relationships. God placed it all around us; it’s in everything, in anything we can experience. People just need to change the way they look at those things.
-Into the Wild

I believe that you measure yourself by the people that measure themselves by you.
-The Bucket List

Every man dies but not every man really lives.
-Braveheart

“You got a dream, you got to protect it. People can’t do something themselves, they want to tell you that you can’t do it. You want something? Go get it. Period.”

 - Will Smith as Chris Gardner in The Pursuit of Happyness.

“You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain”.

- The Dark Knight, Said by both Harvey Dent and Batman:

“I am no one special.  Just a common man with common thoughts.  There are no monuments dedicated to me and my name will soon be forgotten.  But in one respect I have succeeded as gloriously as anyone who has ever lived.  I’ve loved another with all my heart and soul and for me that has always been enough.”
-The Notebook

Credits

It was a roller coaster ride for most of us this year but what is important that we are still here… Still alive and facing what is ahead.

As for me, I will be graduating soon (I hope) and I would like to thank everyone who have helped me in one way or another in reaching one of this milestones in my life. To my classmates, jeff, gei2, lea, wap, thel2, breicee, mau2, joy, jen, ann, ann rey, julie, jas, jacq, bert, mark, diane, robel and faith thank you for everything! To our mentors, Ma’m Q, Ma’m K, Mam Jen, Sir Chad, Sir Mike, Ma’am Ganda, Sir Carlos, Sir RDT, Ma’am ELA, Sir Moscoso, Sir Garon, Ma’am Chat, Ma’am Lulu, Sir Larry, Sir Gary, Sir Maniti, Sir Amir and everyone who has inspired and helped us through our journey. To our fellow officers whom we loved and hate at the same time (Peace!) sarah, tin2, ryan, nei, mack, jonh rey, edz, chris, jayson, rams, rose, eli  and to everyone who has dared entered the stressful life of being an officer.

To everyone…

 THANK YOU!

 ***

If you are itching to tell react on what I’ve written, channel them through my email address rudolph_tornado@yahoo.com.ph or visit my site arjeetopia.blogspot.com.

 For any comments, suggestions or violent reactions about The Papyrus in general, feel free to send an email to mqcpapyrus_mail@yahoo.com or visit our official site mqcpapyrus.wordpress.com.

 Epilogue

I hope I have imparted knowledge and inspiration to everyone who took the time to read this column.

This may have been the final impulse but this is not certainly the end. Because for every end there is such a thing as a new beginning.

We will be back…

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Note: The editor has the right to edit all articles. All submitted articles are properties of the Papyrus.

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-editor

When do we say that a class is normal? What do you think are the factors that a class needs to have, to be considered as a “CLASS”?
There are a lot of stuffs to be considered! It’s normal for a class to have laughing times, crying moments, unending complains of projects and assignments, friendship wars and name giving to teachers behind their backs. Of course, there is a lot of more of these! But you don’t want me to mention them all, right? Nice! Because I may not finish them!
Not only have these stuffs makes a class really a “CLASS”. What is a class without the people who makes it up? A class is a class when it has different types of students that make the whole school year an enjoying, thrilling and really worth remembering experience for everyone.
Now let’s see if you can find yourself to these different types of persons:

BEAUTY QUEENS These girls are those who are popular in school because of their beauties, charisma, and good looks. They are regularly the CLASS MUSES of the school’s pageants. But usually they end up hearing terrible gossips about them. Maybe because other people envy what these girls have.

CAMPUS HEARTTHROBS These so- called macho gwapitos are the “Crush ng Bayan”, and girls go crazy over them. They are typically the topics of the girls’ everyday conversation. More over, these heartthrobs add color, joy and brightness to the girls’ school experience.

MS. GAY In between F and M, there is G. G as in gay! What is a class without Miss Gay? They are the ones who entertain us because of their acts and talents! Unhappily, they are always been the subject of “THE TEASERS”. Don’t worry! We girls are here for you. (Sino- sino ba’ng magdadamayan kundi tayong mga babae lang ‘diba?)

SOSSY PEOPLE These persons who own and wear branded things from top to toe; have the latest model of cell phones and highest allowances among the class. Sorry to say, they are frequently the financer of their abusive classmates who’s always “nagpapalibre” to them.

THE MADALDALS They are persons in which “TOMORROW” and “LATER” are not in their vocabulary. They keep on talking and telling stories to their seatmates and classmates as if there’s no “TOMORROW”! And even if the teachers are around and discussing lessons, they don’t hesitate to chat as if there is no “LATER”.

SILENT TYPES They are the persons who don’t have vocabulary at all! Kidding aside, these persons are the ones who don’t usually participate on the class’ crazy moments, and the ones who do things on their own. Alone, but not lonely!

BRAINY PEERS Ehem! These persons are the “takbuhan” of the class. “Takbuhan” sa assignments, lectures, and hard lessons. Imagine a class without these kind-hearted helpful brainy peers?! DISASTER!

MADLY LAZY Should I say these are the PARASITES? They don’t copy lectures, don’t do their homework and don’t participate to group projects. It seems like they are so much into enjoying their college life and studying is not a part of it!

THE KONTRABIDAS Of course, what are the “bidas” if there are no “kontrabidas”. If in a class we are the brothers and sisters, these “kontrabidas” are the evil step brothers and sisters. These are the back fighters, plastics, sumbungeras, OA, KJ, and KSP. Ooopps! Enough is said!

TEXT ADDICTS Their lives would be miserable without their cell phone! These persons are brave enough to bring their cell phones at school and text even during class hours. But they are a big help to the BRAINY PEERS. They know to whom they will go, if they forgot a project at home.

THE TEASERS Grrrrhhhhh… these are persons who always make fun of others and those who never run out of tease and insults to their fellow students. Sometimes, they are amusing. But usually, they end up hurting the feelings of others. But, what can we do, if that’s what makes them happy! Don’t worry, anyway there is “karma”.

LASTLY…….

THE CLASS CLOWN What would a class be without
them? They are the life of the class! They know how tickle your funny bone. They do pretty much in imitating the teachers and TV personalities. They don’t run out of jokes and wacky ideas! Out of a bloom, you’ll see them doing highly amusing acts that the whole class is laughing.

Oooopppss…. Not yet over! Let me ask you a question, where do you think you belong to these types of persons that I’ve mentioned? For sure you’re one of these folks! Happy reading!

I used to think that I won’t fall in love again
After I have suffered so much pain
Pain that enabled my heart to live a life that’s empty
Pushing away people who cares for me

Time passed me by, being this way
Having no care at all with what other say
It’s quite lonely, but I’m still ok
At least it’s safer this way

Then your path crossed mine
But at first, you’re not my kind
With a looks that’s as tough as a rock
And a body filled with tattoo mark

That’s the same reason why I am frightened of you
Haven’t you noticed I barely talk to you?
But lately, I am shocked to see
Your real personality

You’ve showed me your sweet side
That touches my heart deep down inside
A real gentleman, you may seem
A kind that every woman dream

I really enjoyed your company
Every moment you’re near makes me safe and happy
My heart melts when your sweet little eyes stares at me
I couldn’t ask for more when you’re near me

You’ve healed my heart, I guess
You’ve cured my heart the best
Effectively, you’ve opened the doors I’ve locked
With you being a soft-hearted rock

For all of my life, I have been afraid
To let anyone know how I feel
A feeling of love made me scared
Confused if love is real

To love is to be hurt
At least, that’s all I know
To dwell in the land of pain and sorrow
Where every broken- hearted go

A vow not to love
Is what I’ve promised to
Not to give what I have
To someone who’ll just leave me blue

But, love is inevitable as I see
Because God had sent you to me
Maybe to change my negative point of view
Just by having you

Those simple smiles that means everything
Nothing could ever replace
Happiness that your nearness bring
A special feeling in my heart I’ve traced

Indeed, I was so wrong
Not to believe in love for so long
For now I can feel the magic inside
Truly, love can make one alive

Flash Fact: Beauty –n. the quality present in a thing or person that gives intense pleasure or deep satisfaction to the mind, whether arising from sensory manifestation. (Random House Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary)

When we think of beauty, the first thing that enters our minds is physical beauty, even though we know that it is just on the outer part of a person, and that the personality must supersede the beauty of one’s face and figure.

Beauty is generally thought of as the ability to love and to be loved. Other says it is a manner, a way of acting.  Still, others say it is a state of mind. But what does beauty really means? How does it affect one’s personality? When do we say a person is beautiful?

For me to be able to find out more about it, I personally conducted a survey inside the campus consisting of 90 respondents, mostly students (41 males and 49 females). Sample questions given were “what type of guy/gal does you like”; and which do you prefer:

1. With good looks but not so clever?; or
2. Academically-active but not so good-looking?

Among the 41 male respondents, 24% said they prefer a gal who possesses physical beauty while 66% said they’re more on the inside aspect. And when I asked them if it’s A or B, 27% were on A, and 63% answered B. The remaining 10% said either of the two.

Meanwhile, among the 49 female respondents, 4% said they were after the physical aspect while 90% sees the inner traits first. If it’s A or B, 12% answered A, 82% chose B and the remaining 6% were left undecided.

Nonetheless, beauty should start from oneself. For you to look good, you have to feel good about yourself. And when you feel good and look good, you can always mingle to different individuals around you. It’s a never ending cycle. Besides, when and only when you start to love yourself will you become a person of value– that is someone who is capable to love and be loved. Remember we are all created in God’s image and likeness. Therefore, we should realize that it is always the inner beauty that is vital, for this kind of beauty can lasts and never fades.

As Confucius said, “Everything has its own beauty, but not everyone sees it”. We cannot please everybody, so we may not be beautiful for everyone. But bear in mind that we are always beautiful in the eyes of God, and that is the most important thing that matters.

“Accounting is very easy!

All I need is to stare at my test paper,

Wait until tiny drops of blood flow

Nothing else to do.”

                It was a tired moment for me. My mind was devastated, drained by a quiz in Accounting. Yes! Only a quiz really made a disaster in my mind, my body has no more energy to continue, to strive into a more difficult stage of my unending suffering.

                I was exhausted. But this feeling got more intense, and got more terrified when I received my test paper. It was a hard-boiled egg! A great malady of discouragement! That was really tremendous! I’d just felt that the world was trembling down.

                I wanted to cry, but preferred not. I won’t let my dreams leave me. I wouldn’t want to see myself unemployed someday while seeing my fellow reaping their harvest.

                Yes! Accounting is very crucial. It is difficult, I say. It is like climbing at the top of the mountain. But there’s no impossible to a person dreaming, to a person aiming nothing but good for himself.

                And now as I cross the shade, I must always face my endeavor. I must treasure Accounting  like gold, for my future lies in it. I must always have a euphoric mood, to be gigantic and give life to a fatigued body. And most importantly, I must pray! This is the best and effective way to battle and to win in any kind of obstacles.

                Through all of that, my life changed! I became patient in the long run. I learned that substance is more important than the legal form. Accounting taught me to anticipate all the trials that come my way. It taught me not to compromise the grandeur  of life. To be more strong and to have a determination in life. To persevere and to work hard. And most of all, to become a goal-oriented person which is the only vehicle to meet my goal, my dream, a very sweet dream and turn them into reality.

“I’ve suffered too much,

But still, I’m hanging on!”

Revamp your mind and prepare to explore, for I am going to reveal things that will make you think. Ready?

Beast corner

How big is it?

An ostrich’s bright eye is bigger than its brain. Shocking..? Can you imagine if a man’s eye is like that? Terrific!

Brown out???

You might want to buy an electric eel to supply you electricity for it can produce a shock of up to 650 volts. Maybe you’ll get toasted when it hits you…

I stick. I can’t move!

Owl’s eyeballs are tubular in shape, because of this, they can’t move their eyes. Like a shocked or an embarrassed person who doesn’t know how to move or else a mannequin.

Marvelous!

The spine-tailed swift, the fastest bird clocked at speeds of up to 220 miles per hour. Hey, Flash is that you?

Gluttonous Bat!

This single little brown bat can catch 1,200 mosquito-sized insects in just an hour. Have you not eaten your meal for a year? Voracious…

A cab and an elephant

Can you imagine riding in the whale’s tongue? For as bigger as the taxi cab is the blue whale’s tongue and can weigh as much as an elephant. See you can travel underwater without a submarine…

Milky milk!

Though a cow is not as big as the elephant, it can give nearly 200,000 glasses of milk in her lifetime. Oh, how could that happen?

Your crowning glory!

Imagine you’re bald; well you already lost 100,000 hair strands on your head, because you have 100,000 hair strands but as you wash and brush it every day, you lose about 50 to 100 of your hair. Can’t believe it? Start counting to prove that I’m right.

Heart vs. Lung

A human’s heartbeat is about 3 billion vs. about 600 million breaths in 74 years. I wish these are money. Oh, how wealthy am I. crazy?

1…2…3…

How short? That there are only ten human body parts that are only three letters long; EYE,EAR, LEG, ARM, JAW, GUM, TOE, LIP, HIP, and RIB. How about 2 or 1? Is there any?

Boney!

Did you know that almost half of the numbers of the bones in your body are in your hands and feet? So, it means John Foppe, an armless man, have lost already one-fourth of his bones? Maybe…

Sweaty?

Have you noticed that sometimes you sweat even if it’s not hot? Well that is because you have 2 million sweat glands all over your body that produces sweat.

Left or right?

Every time you breathe, have you doubt if your lungs are alike in size? If not, it’s time for you to know that your left lung is smaller than your right lung that is to make room for your heart.

A tree or an herb?

Though in popular usage it is called a ‘banana tree’, it is technically regarded as an herbaceous plant or herb not a tree, because its stem is better to say that it is a banana plant.

Meticulous?

Want a meticulous tip? If you’re going to buy a mangosteen,  it is better to count the petals of the flower before you buy because the number of the fruit petals are exactly the same as the number of its segments inside. Uhmmmm???

Before or after?

When will you eat fruits? It is said that it’s good if you’ll eat fruit on an empty stomach. Why? That is, if you ate it after dinner, the fruit can’t be burned properly and will ferment. But when it is eaten before dinner the sugar is burnt immediately, producing instant ENERGY.