The heavens haven't stopped mourning since dawn on my side of Manila. If the weather really did cry with the rest of us on earth whenever someone died, then losing former President Cory Aquino must be one of our greatest losses.

It's not everyday that a woman of substance and principle graces Philippine politics. In fact, instead of identifying and having this sense of oneness with these Power Girls in Power Suits, more often than not I end up rolling my eyes at their speeches or their campaign. Most of them are, sure, of substance, but they could learn a thing or two about heart and principle. They could learn a thing or two from Cory Aquino.

I couldn't imagine how someone so peaceful and simple could pick up the dreams her husband left for the whole nation to realize and overthrow a firm and forceful dictatorship. Prayer and participation, she said, were her tools. Very idealistic, but she made it possible, being one of the few gifted with this kind of charisma.

I would have to admit that I was quite skeptical about the prayer part, since this must've isolated our Muslim fellowmen in a way. It did not. In fact, they even regard her as the Mother of Muslim Autonomy. It was during her time that there were two Muslim representatives in the Senate. Her death last Saturday was also the 20th year celebration of the day she signed into the Organic Act of ARMM.

President Cory Aquino has, in every way, served as a mother to our country. I may have been to young to be aware of the great things she has done for our country during her term, but that doesn't I haven't caught up on what is to know about her. I know that even after the Philippines had to move on and out of her nest, she still stood by us, camapaigning for peace and truth.

Filipinos of different generations may have lost a hero today, but (bring on the cliche) Cory Aquino's legacy will live on. Instead of capitalizing over our loss, her ways should inspire us even more to work towards a better nation. She lived so we can learn the value of peace, truth, and unity and how it works wonders for a nation that has been corrupted time and time again.

There's a Cory Aquino in all of us. Let's not fail her.


Paalam, Tita Cory.


Post-script: I am writing this because indirectly, the Aquinos (Ninoy and her) have held a special place in my heart, having lost an uncle to Martial Law who was fighting for the same thing Senator Ninoy was fighting for.

RENU SMART SKIN SOLUTIONS will open on Aug 1, Saturday at the 5th level MEGA MALL Bldg. A. It's the first PEELING CENTER in the country but will also provide general dermatologic care. My mom, Dr. Liberty Sumilang, is the Medical Director. She will be there on Sat to Mon and all Mondays thereafter. There will always be a PDS-certified dermatologist to attend to your needs. Bring your family and friends! See you there! :)

***

I'm so proud of my mom! She inspires me to dream even bigger. <3

Dear Ma'am Mendoza,

I went to class on the first day thinking I would suck so bad at your course. After all, "intimidating" was an understatement of how your greatness at Perception made me feel.

Nonetheless, I found myself being immersed in our class discussions and behaving more conscientiously in your class in a kind of conscientiousness that paralleled that in Bio 102.

I saw my grade this morning and I could not help feeling greatly rewarded. It's a bit more than what I expected and I couldn't be any happier because it was hard-earned. Harder-earned than most of my subjects, definitely.

I am happy because I learned so SO much not just about the course but about life in general. (I also learned so much about study habits because of you.)

Because of you, I now have higher self-efficacy for learning anything technical and initially difficult.

I will never forget Psych 135. Thank you so much, Ma'am!

Yours truly,
Ms. Sumilang


P.S. Sorry for always being late in class and even in your exams. :p

If you've had at least one experience of online bashing (either you were the basher or the bashee) in at least one message board, we would like to invite you to an interview or FGD for our study on online flaming as a requirement for our Social Psychology class. Lunch or merienda's on us. :)

Please don't hesitate to contact the following numbers and email addresses. You can also leave a comment or a PM here.

Do contact us ASAP!


( CLICK HERE!!! )

I wish I had a choice.

Or a year, at least.

He knew exactly what to make me happy, and how to complete those little surprises.

He had painted the sky for me again, this time with streaks of pink and peach at the center. I giggled, marveling at His work. "Thank you Lord," I said. At that moment, I felt His love and presence.

Because the bad vibes couldn't stop creeping in, I want to distract myself by giving more shit about other people's feelings, fantasies, whatnots.

I want you to post anything that you want in reply to this entry.

Anything. A story, a secret, a confession, a fear, a love, an opinion, a critique--anything. Be sure to post anonymously and honestly. Post twice if you'd like. Then, put this in your LJ to see what your friends (and perhaps others who you don't even realize read your LJ) have to say.

This can be about me, or anything you want. Regardless, just use the "anonymous" radio button to post anonymously. You can reveal who you are if you want. I turned off the "log IP" option for this, temporarily. Post what you'd like, or if you don't want to post anything, that's fine too.

I like this feeling, being happy for other people -- sharing in the kilig, the excitement, the triumph. It makes me a lot less bitter about my own issues AND it encourages me to find my own happy moment.

I should hear happy stories more often. We all should. :)

Just when I thought I had screwed up my interview, I realized that God still isn't tired of rewarding me for following my heart.

So friends, it's your turn to help me! I landed as a finalist in Sony's I Am VAIO contest and I need your votes to help me become the face of VAIO Pink.


Ready? Steady? Go!

1. Go to http://www.iamvaio.com.

2. Click on the photo of the pink VAIO laptop. It will lead you to http://www.iamvaio.com/pinkindex.htm.

3. Click on my photo! If you have forgotten what I look like, click on my name Francesca instead. It will lead you to http://www.iamvaio.com/pinkfin001.htm.



4. pinkfin001.htm, okay? Do you see a Francesca Sumilang heading? Alright. Click on that cute pink button saying "Vote for me!" When the vote has been entered, the text will change into "Thank you for voting."

5. Since you are allowed only one vote per color and actually only one vote per person on your computer, you will have to tell your friends and family too! *evil laugh*


THANKS SO MUCH, GUYS! :)

The world doesn't realize a good one when it sees it.