Lost Poems

I had written you a love poem
From years and days ago
But I might have lost it, I think
Like many things I know

It had words that had memories
And had phrases that spoke
It sang the sweetest of love songs
I said kisses ago

I had written you a love poem
From you and ago
It had the love I once knew
And the pain I now know

Why Should Youth Partnerships between South-East Asia and India Exist?

(This was an essay I passed for an international program which I unfortunately did not qualify for. That was a bummer. But oh well, might as well post this.)

"Never mind the fact that building international partnerships in itself is beneficial in various ways. And never mind that harnessing the relational capability of today's youth could lead to endless developments across the board, but encouraging a partnership between the youth sectors in India and the ASEAN specifically could be one of the most brilliant propositions to come about in  the realm of asian development. This thrust could not only help build bridges in the individual level, but it would mean creating strong, long-term connections on an international level.

Most people would brush it off as typical International Relations, and that it wouldn't be much different than creating bonds with other countries. But I personally beg to differ. 

How so? Three main reasons:

Firstly, there is an unspoken, over-arching camaraderie present between asian countries, especially those in East/South-East Asia. Not only do we have similar colonial pasts, which has imbued its fair share of intrinsic values towards the people of ASEAN and India, but our own cultures in itself hold high value towards similar things in life (i.e. Religion, Family, Honor). This means that off the bat, there is an existing kindredness between both parties. There is an already-existing brotherhood present even before we say our first hellos. These similarities are what brings us together despite the distance, and will all the more bind us when we put more effort into bridging that distance. 

Secondly, the differences that exist between these cultures actively compliment each other. The subtle nuances in our ways of life allow us to remind ourselves to keep our minds open to these differences. These, accompanied with the said similarities, helps create this dynamic relationship wherein one does not become too intimidated with the unfamiliarity to shun away any form of interaction, and does not become too familiar to not expect anything new from the relationship. This leads us not only to establish a brotherly connection, but a learning one as well. 

And finally, our present circumstances allow us to draw ourselves nearer to each other. Developing nations, all working together in finding ways to make lives easier for everyone. Countries just brimming with potential, sharing ideas that could change the course of modern history. This amount of fresh interaction and discourse can be at the very least, groundbreaking. And who best bring all these ideas together but the youth? The very ones that hold the potential. The very entity the future relies on. 

Regardless of however these countries may approach the interaction, the important part is that interaction DOES happen. That sharing WOULD be a reality. Because we can't really lose out on the opportunity to harness the youth resource we have. We are asian, after all. The melting pot of development and innovation. If this plan would be done right, and with the intended key-players actively involved, the future is not only bright in the national sense, but brilliant in the global perspective."

Seen 4/30/2014 2:34 AM

Hi.

Hey there.

What's up?

Nothin' much.

Cool. 

Haha. Well, how about you?

I'm fine. Same same.

That's nice. 

It's been pretty lonely though.

Eh?

Haha. Seriously, it's been boring.

How's that so?

Dunno. Could be a number of things.

Like what?

Like, you know, the heat---god, it's hot

I know right?!

Yeah, or because it's summer

Aren't you in class or something?

We graduated together remember?

Oh yeah. Haha.

Whatever. 

Relax, I was kidding bro.

Screw you.

The hell?! Why you "screw you"-ing me for? 

Because you're an asshole. 

Why am I an asshole?

You really wanna know?

Yeah.

Well okay. First of all, how insensitive are you to reduce me to a "bro"? Me, of all people. You don't "bro" a guy you dated for three and a half years. You don't "bro" a guy you've made out for hours with. You "bro" someone who had tagay with you one time, you "bro" a fellow tambay, you "bro" a friend, a buddy, a kabarkada. I am---or was---more than that. I deserve more than a name you call hundreds of other people. I deserve either to be ignored or to be asked for another chance. Not this. Not "bro". So no, you can never call me "bro". Or bai. Or pare. 

Okay. Sorry abo---

Shut up. I'm not done. Secondly, how dare you act like you don't remember anything about us? How we met when I needed a lab partner and you got into class too late. How we bonded over five bottles of Sparkle and packs of Sweet 'n Spicy Pancit Canton. How we got to know that you were the artsy, writing guy and I was the math dork. How we fell in love despite failing grades and INCs. How we finally got our shit together and finished college, side by side, ten rows over. How dare you forget all about the life we had as best friends, as confidants---as lovers? As much as it is over, it still happened. You don't forget stupid mistakes that easily. You ought to remember us---at least the concept of us----even if it were as regrets. 

I'm sorry. I really didn't mean to hurt you, B.

Really? You didn't? You didn't mean to purposefully degrade me to mere acquaintanceship? You didn't mean to act as if I never existed? Like I never, not even once, took part in getting you to where you are now? After everything? No? 

No, not really. And well...

Well what?!

Nothing.

Tell me.

No, never mind.

Stop screwing around. Tell me. Tell me now.

Well, I mean, you know. YOU PMed ME, remember?

Memorandum of Agreement Between You and Me

MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

            This Memorandum of Agreement, made and entered into by and between:

            ME, referred to as FIRST PARTY, and

            YOU, herein referred to as SECOND PARTY.

WITNESSETH

            Whereas the FIRST PARTY is a man who is willing to support, encourage and make true the hopes and dreams of the woman he loves.  And whereas the SECOND PARTY is the identified beneficiary of this undertaking.

Whereof, for and in consideration of the foregoing premises, both parties hereby agree to the following:

1. That the FIRST PARTY will agree to stay by the SECOND PARTY's side, and let her know how beautiful she is despite a so-called "bad hair day".

2. That the FIRST PARTY will always let the SECOND PARTY have the last say---no matter what.

3. That the FIRST PARTY will always let the SECOND PARTY know if she has some spaghetti sauce on her cheek to prevent her from embarrassment. 

4. That the FIRST PARTY will make sure the SECOND PARTY gets to splurge on her favorite ice cream and cake when it's that time of the month---if she wants to. Well, SECOND PARTY can splurge on them anytime she wants, as long as she's prepared for the tummy-ache the next day (which FIRST PARTY will ultimately nurse and slightly nag about). 

5. That the FIRST PARTY will hold SECOND PARTY's hand, kiss her on the cheek and hug her tightly when she needs it. FIRST PARTY respects SECOND PARTY's space and will only openly show affection when SECOND PARTY asks for it. That does not mean, however, that FIRST PARTY is cold and insensitive. Both FIRST PARTY and SECOND PARTY agree on the dynamics of this.

So haters can like, back off.

6. That most importantly, FIRST PARTY will work hand-in-hand with SECOND PARTY in making sure that they both GROW and FLOURISH in their personal walks with Christ. That by the end, when  at death they do part, they are secure of the other's ultimate destination. This is the most vital prong to this memorandum, and this bears the most value to the agreement. This, in actuality, is at the very core of the whole relationship---and should stay there for the rest of their lives. 

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have signed this memorandum of Agreement by their respective duly authorized representative on the date and place written in the Lord's Word.  

Amen.

Syncing

I touched your chest
And noticed we weren't in sync
So while you slept
I took the butter knife

I Cry

I cry for what this world has become
Where we hurt to get respect
Where we leave to feel wanted
Where we cry to be heard

I cry for all that we do
How we destroy so we can build
How we exploit to be fair
How we cry to be understood

I cry for the past we have lost
For the now that suffers
For the future we are unprepared for
For the fact that I HAVE to cry

To be heard,
To be wanted,
To be understood,
To be LOVED.

And I still cry,
And I will keep on crying
And I will never stop
Until I don't have to

Haiku for the Tone-deaf

We never sang well
You were flat and I was sharp
But we had music