Katorse Madness

Yes I've been watching this show religiously to the extent that I even got mad when I missed half of the show after waking up so late. I remember behaving this way back in college, dorm days yes. Back then I wake myself through alarm and when I can't manage to wake up in time I even blamed my bestfriend who is also my roommate. It's a pretty stupid reaction to blame other people for your own mistakes but at times you really can't help it. A while ago I even blamed my mom, who is also watching Katorse by the way, "Why in the world did you not wake me up?" I know isn't it silly to displace your frustration to your own parent just because you couldn't blame yourself? I should really break this habit of displacing everytime I wake up in a bad mood. And look at Katorse being equated to my studies that's a big comparison, you can perfectly imagine how addicted I am to the show.

I could say the reason I got this addicted is because the story is well written, thumbs up for the writers for a job well done. Moreso, I have a crush on Enchong Dee and I find Erich Gonzales as a really great actress and their team up is "kakakilig." Their chemistry is really evident that's why I'm planning to watch their indie film "Paano Ko Sasabihin."

Aside from my personal reasons for watching, I think this is a great show that parents, teenagers should see because it is really an eye-opener. And for other viewers, Katorse is really entertaining. The scenes are exaggerated to provide entertainment because if in real life you have a son like Gabby and a daughter like Nene, I'm sure their parents would have died from heart attack already. Nonetheless there's too many lessons to be learned and personally I'm not a big fan of fantaseryes, I like shows that are realistic in sense. Yeah maybe that is why my other favorite show is Maalaala Mo Kaya.

I don't think what I wrote here is any different from the interviews they show about people saying that Katorse really provides lessons in life. In addition, whenever I watch this show I remember my highschool days, I was a very defiant girl. I say what I think is right regardless whether there would be people who would be hurt and I do whatever makes me happy even if my parents don't agree. I kind of see that in my younger brother who is already in highschool and having studied about our psychosocial development, I think it helped a lot for me to understand that I behaved normally. I used to think that I'm such a black sheep just like Gabby because I fought a lot with my dad because I'm such an outspoken person. Eventually that attitude changed, I have no idea what would have happened if I stayed at home back in college. Would I still engage in a verbal sparring against my dad everyday? But I can see now we don't fight that much anymore, I would say maturity played a heavy role on the transition and I think that is being shown in Katorse.

And by the way I am moved by Erich's acting, hopefully she gets an award. And I love Malou de Guzman as Aling Nena, she made me laugh and her heavy dramatic lines really hit me too. And to all the actors and actresses in the show, staff, director and writers, keep up the good work. You make us so happy with your masterpiece, Katorse.

Cheaters

Okay let's see what wikipedia has to say regarding cheating. Cheating is an act of lying, deception, fraud, trickery, imposture, or imposition. Cheating characteristically is employed to create an unfair advantage, usually in one's own interest, and often at the expense of others. Cheating implies the breaking of rules.

I was inspired to make a post regarding this after watching the movie Cheaters which is based on a true story. It made me wonder how these kids are doing right now. I've seen this movie once before, I think it was back in highschool. What they did is a clear deception to create an unfair advantage that eventually cost them a life of misery. I have no idea how they are doing now but you can imagine, would any school accept them after what they did? Or would any employer hire them after lying to so many people? And what a great shame that incident has brought them that I'm sure it had greatly affected their self-esteem.

Now, what about cheating boyfriends, girlfriends, or worse husband/wife? Hurting the people you love for the sake of pursuing personal gratification. Is it really worth the trouble?

And how about being a government official and cheating the people? Let's elaborate this one, a scenario of a corrupt politician, taking advantage of the people's money and trust. Why would one do it, because of greed, of course we are very much aware how money has the capacity to control people's mind and actions. Now how can these people fathom the idea of getting full while half of the country's men are dying of hunger and sickness? Are they any different from murderers who do not feel guilt in taking other people's lives? Actually, this would be a long story to look at as we may need to dig deeper than what we have already identified as a cause. We can include culture, system, people's principles because corruption runs from the top office to the lower ranks in the government. And even private companies and institution cannot escape the ghost of corruption. People in power seems like they really cannot handle what they bargained for; because if they can, they would never abuse what is vested upon them.

Moving on, another delicate scenario, cheating without knowing you are doing it or should I say dissent cheating,? I know, is that possible? Let's talk about the previous June 2007 nursing board leakage. I cannot be so sure that the test takers have no idea they were fed with leakage but I would give them the benefit of the doubt as I have experienced going to a review center and taking the board exam itself. So if I were in their place while I was reviewing I would have no idea that actual questions were already being given not until I see it with my own eyes which is when I am taking the real exam already. In this case this is a clear not consented cheating, you were made to cheat by other people. The only thing that bothers me is there are still people out there who wanted the leakage for themselves in order to pass when it is completely unnecessary. And I'm not saying this just because I made it without resorting to cheating but it is not a reason to cheat just because you lack self-esteem. Now if it turns out to be the reason then they are no different from the students in the Cheaters movie. We have seen the impact of the leakage, some patients question every nurse in a hospital what batch are they from only to find out if you belong to the controversial batch so they could ask for another nurse. Although this treatment died down along with the news, this incident had been imprinted in the history of Nursing in the Philippines. Now, are the people behind this happy after damaging the dignity and reputation of the june passers and even the rest of the nurses in the country?

What else is there to cheat, your passport, license, business permit, thesis, assignment, exam, forging signature, identity, bank account and many more may it be petty or huge.

And for whatever reason you have cheated, who do you actually think you have cheated on? The biggest person you have cheated that matters most is yourself. Did the fruit of your labor taste sweeter than you expected it to be? And how was the consequences of your action? Does it outweigh the prize after all? Or maybe you haven't been caught yet so you have no idea what you would have to face soon?

Cheating is such a temptation. Anybody and I mean everyone is prone to committing it as there will always be a point in time wherein we would think more for ourselves. But how do we deal with this temptation? We think hundred times, thousand times, nth time about what will happen eventually once the cat is let out of the bag? One precious thing you're going to break is trust, something so hard to earn yet so easy to lose. And we know that cheating will haunt us forever.

Affected

Ewan ko ba lagi na lang akong tinatamaan ng MMK ang episode na naman ngayon e tungkol sa mga batang gustong mag-aral pero di makapag-aral dahil sa kahirapan. Ilang beses na ako nakanood ng mga ganitong tema pero ang sakit pa rin panoorin kasi wala kang magawa para makatulong. Piling ko tuloy napagbubuntunan ko yung kapatid ko kasi lagi ko siyang pinipilit magsikap naman sa pag-aaral niya at wag sayangin ang oportunidad dahil nga hindi lahat mapalad na nakakapag-aral at nagagawang magpasasa sa buhay.

Bagamat hindi naman ako palaaral noong ako'y nag-aaral pa, nailagay ko sa lugar, hindi sa pagbubuhat ng sariling bangko nagsikap naman din ako noong kailangan kong makapasa sa mga exam lalong lalo na sa board exam. At kahit kailan hindi nahirapan ang mga magulang ko na sabihan akong mag-aral dahil yun ang ayaw ko ang masayang ang paghihirap nila kahit pa sabihin na natin masakit man pero totoo na matapos ang lahat ng taong ginugol ko sa pag-aaral mag-iisang taon na rin akong walang trabaho. Gayunpaman, hindi ko pinagsisisihan na nag-aral ako ng mabuti noon bagkus iniisip ko pa nga na sana mas pinagbutihan ko pa para nakaakyat ang mga magulang ko sa entablado, ambisyoso man pero ganun ko gustong ipadama sa kanila na hindi sila nagkamali na pag-aralin ako.

Naiisip ko pa rin sa kabila ng nakakalungkot na estado ng mga nurses sa kasalukuyan dito sa ating bansa na hindi pa rin masasayang ang pinag-aralan ko dahil pasasaan pa ay magagamit rin namin ito. Kahit pa mayroong laman ang utak mo pero nagagawa ka pa ring laitin at maliitin ng kapwa mo, hinding-hindi ko pa rin ipagpapalit ang edukasyon. At sana lahat tayo ganito, hindi tayo dapat magpasukol sa kahirapan at lalong hindi natin dapat isuko ang ating mga pangarap. Maaaring hindi natin makuha yon ngayon pero may bukas na nakalaan para sa bawat isa. At yun na lang ang pinanghahawakan ko kasi kung alam lang ng ibang mga tao kung ano ang pakiramdam naming mga long-time unemployed nurses dito sa Pinas baka hindi niyo kayanin. Kasi kami nahihirapan din pero ako sa sarili ko ipinangako ko na sa Kanya na hinding-hindi ako bibigay sa hamon ng panahon dahil alam kong malinis ang intensyon ko at hangad ko pang makatulong.

Sana talaga matuto tayong ilagay ang sarili natin sa mga paa ng ating kapwa ng sa gayon ay madama natin ang hirap nila at maibsan ang bigat ng kanilang dinadala. Maging daan ito upang matigilan ang umiiral na panlalamang sa kapwa, hilahan at paninirang-puri. May mga maliliit na taong nagsusumikap, may mga pinalad na nananamantala, bakit hindi tayo magkaisa para magkita tayong lahat sa gitna nang kahit minsan madama natin na kaya pala ng Pilipinas ang makatayo sa sarili niyang paa.

Saying, Doing the Right Thing

Saying an unacceptable thought regardless of being factual or not has always been the biggest regret of my life. This silly mistake I did in the past cost me a great friend. That was one of the times I wished I was more matured back then, enough to be tact in choosing my words. And yet I was a kid at that time and I couldn't change anything anymore. Guess the only consolation I had was a good lesson that I brought along as I grow up. When you find your real friends, you only focus on what's more important to you because physical things do not have a lasting effect. After all, who are you to point out others' dirt when you have specks on your own eye, just as what's written in the Bible. And for me, it's a good thing to keep in mind. It will save you from a lot of trouble and be able to keep trustworthy people. Isn't that what matters more?

Moving on, this time I said some words I could have rephrased better and dived onto a new ground without thinking ahead. Not that I regretted losing him, but it had bothered me that someone hated me so bad. I should have thought about it the 1st, 2nd , 3rd and up to the nth time before I led this guy to believe that we can have the real thing, a genuine love affair. Evenmore when I decided to let him go, I should have said 'I thought I loved you' instead of 'I don't love you.' He was terribly hurt. Even though both lines kind of mean the same thing, 'I thought I loved you' was the more appropriate feeling I had for him. I was blinded by my vision of what love is supposed to be (no sight for the physical and yearns to be treated as special) and that's what made me believe I found what I've been looking for in him. Not until I was faced with the real situation and by then I just can't seem to return the feeling. It's like I don't even know him even after talking over the phone for several hours each day or talking in game as we played all day. I just couldn't see myself being with him for real. I knew of course that I wronged the person, I didn't even consider that what if he was really in love with me and I seemed to have toyed with his emotions. And after all the commotion, I never had a chance to explain anymore. Nonetheless, that's what you get from online dating. I have nothing against people who believe they can find their soul mates over the internet or even through text but I'm just not a believer; not when everytime I think about it, this is the kind of memory that will appear in my head.

Anyway, whatever mistake we have done in the past, there is always a lesson to be learned. And it's now up to us if we want to repeat the same mistake or do the right thing this time. And whichever path we take, we just have to expect that it would either spell out DOOM or save your FACE.

The Story of the Girl Who Was Afraid of Everything

Her name is Aria, black hair, not too tall and not too short, characterized by her noticeable Asian look, accompanied by a body in accordance to her expected body weight and BMI. She came from a family associated to health allied team. Her dad is a doctor while her mom is a radiologic technologist and her relatives belong to related field of endeavor. Although the family of her father is disappointed with his choice for a spouse, a skinny, average looking woman from a poor family and a radiologic technologist who was diagnosed with a very much diminished chance of procreating; and yet her parents' marriage luckily resulted to a miracle baby and that baby is Aria. Because she is the only daughter of her parents, she was well supervised and strictly guided.

As an infant, whenever they see her, they have a developmental guide at hand. And even a minimal delay is a big deal to her family. And all her toys pile up according to developmental age. So don't ask her about cards, kick the can and street plays we do back then, she never experienced them. She plays with her almost sterilized cousins and her toys were threatened to be autoclaved by her parents from frequent disinfection. She never goes out without a hand sanitizer. Growing older in time for school, people branded her as the walking aseptic human being. She is disgusted to boys of her age who come home bathing in perspiration, and it makes her vomit whenever a little boy shows fancy for her. To her they are the dirtiest people to walk on earth, urinating everywhere, scratching all over their bodies before taking meals and chomping down food like there's no tomorrow. So how will she ever like one?

Unlike other kids whose bedtime stories are composed of fairy tales, to Aria medical books and encyclopedia are more effective lullabies. As young as she is, she already knew that she'll take a path in health allied in the near future. She grew up knowing her symptoms. She is very much capable of taking care of herself. She holds so much knowledge that she dream of changing the world and freeing from internal and external infectious agents.

She never had any permanent friends; they say she is just too weird. Whenever kids of her age manifest vesicular eruptions and distinct rashes, she never says a word and just reverse isolate herself. She never fails to be cautious and when her teachers advise her to mingle, she only responds with, "You don't know any better." They tag her with superiority complex, and she opts to go on alone than to acquire communicable diseases.

She is a role model of sanitation and a well known consumer of vaccination. After all, she sports the famous adopted line of, "Prevention is better than cure." She can even lecture on health better than her mentors, sculptured by her years of confinement in books related to health.

She somehow managed to keep a few loyal friends who simply admired her vast knowledge and unusual way of dealing with adolescence. Boys would never dare pursue her for they get ticked off by her meticulous and rigid ways of health maintenance plus considering her stereotyped perception of them. But still, there is one guy who saw light in her despite the people's common thoughts. He is a good looking boy, the same age as Aria, likes to keep his hair in spikes as if it could kill unlucky lizards, popular with the girls yet ironically afraid to approach them. He is lean muscular too and plays badminton for the school. He kept mum about it until he finally had the courage to pursue her in college. When it came down to the point that he was already going to make his move, he had prepared himself to expect the worst.

He approached her with flowers at hand. "For you." He was mildly sweating from nervousness and it seemed to take forever before Aria finally looked up to him. "What are those for?!" She asked in slight irritation.

He wasn't sure if he should continue to remain there but he still managed to summon all the pride left in his chest, "Uh−flowers that I want you to have."

"Hayes, were you even listening to me? What are you scheming?" She is never known for her patience contrary to what course she took−nursing, when everyone thought she is best for medicine.

He exhaled longer this time. "I like you even though it's hard to believe." Smiling for a bit, "Will you give me a chance to prove myself worthy of you?" He looked at her intently. She thought about it. Sure, she was never fond of guys but then...she was silent for a while then snorted a laugh to break the ice. It made him so unsure of his standing.

"I never knew you harbor such feelings for me." She momentarily stopped and smiled back. "Okay, prove yourself, but let me warn you I don't take flowers because those are bacteria inhabited."

Feeling embarrassed he still responded to show appreciation, "I see. I'll make sure to remember that."

Day by day with more time he spent with her, he got bombarded with all her do's and dont's in health that at times those things almost discouraged him from taking the young girl's heart to school.

All his friends wondered what in the world did he see in her, the infamous touch-me-not girl as they coin Aria. And all he could say is, "Even if I explain it, you guys wouldn’t believe me."

Aria got accustomed to his company and eventually felt for the persistent guy in Hayes. When he thought they can have the least contact possible, he confidently held out his hand for her to grab on, instead she pointed at his extended hand and exclaimed, "Staph!" He didn't get it at first then after a while understood what she meant. So the Boy Scout in him took over and brought out his hand sanitizer then smiled weakly at her to which she returned in a slightly sarcastic manner though. And he knew best not to complain.

But for Hayes, one of the hardest parts in being together is dating. He asked her, "Where do you wanna eat?" And she would reply, "Let's try your choices." Aria has the habit of testing him and giving him more participation in the relationship." Oh, so how about we check my favorite place to dine." And she merely nodded in agreement.

They arrived at a carinderia and noticed the change in her expression. She started wearing a disconcerted look that he knew he took her to the wrong place. "Can we go somewhere else?" Aria finally voiced out.

"Okay, I just thought you might give it a try. They cook palatable food here."

"That's not my point Hayes, you know I don't eat anywhere I suspect to have undergone unhygienic food preparation." Aria clarified and he could only accommodate her reason or else it would spell another night long argument.

"Alright, I'm sorry. Let's eat at your hygienic restaurant then." Hayes couldn't help muttering a haughty comment once out of her earshot.

He remembered that he can't eat in front of her too because she has a lot of things to say. He digs burgers and hotdog sandwiches and when she catches him so ingesting his favorite stomach fillers, she'd drop discouraging remarks like, "Those things are high in cholesterol just look at your sandwich, hotdog+mayo+catsup, you're taking a truckload of fats Hayes."

Then he would throw a counterpunch, "I'll leave the burning to badminton."

And the girl who doesn't take defeat would go on, "Fine, I'll remind you in your burial." Harsh? Of course that's her way of telling the nasty truth. And Hayes is pretty much aware of her bothersome observations yet just takes it as her unique way of expressing her concern.

One time, naughty Hayes approached Aria and mentioned, "We've been together for so long, aren't we supposed to kiss by now?" That he followed with an irresistible grin.

Aria turned at him with a jokingly disgusted look. "Me kissing you? Have you heard of infectious mononucleosis aka kissing disease? Expect me not to take the risk."

"Ooh, harsh! You don't have to worry about that I'm clean, however you are sterile that is." Hayes interjected in his usual mocking tone.

"Really? How about your many fangirls around the campus?” Aria challenged him and he took it without hesitation.

"Them? I don't even know any of those crazy girls. If you don't notice yet, I'm a shy guy." Hayes admitted in a low tone.

This time it was Aria's turn to flash a mischievous grin.

"Yeah, I remember that time when you first proposed, you were covered with sweat from nervousness." She couldn't contain her laughter.

"I was hoping you have forgotten about that, anyway are we on?" Hayes now back to his gleeful state.

Aria appeared to have thought about it for a while then posing a sexy smile, caressed his face and stroked in a scanning manner. His hope was practically surging basing from what she's showing. And then she finally spoke, "Maybe next time when you've already chugged down a bottle of antibiotics." Turning the highly spirited Hayes, anhedonic.

One time Hayes invited Aria somewhere, she found herself dubious of his intention because he wouldn't tell where exactly they're heading then they arrived at an abandoned warehouse. She wouldn't budge when he motioned for her to follow so he took her hand and gave an assurance despite her reluctance. "I'm not gonna do anything to you, you think I'm capable of harming you?" So she at last agreed to go with him. Then they reached the rooftop and walked towards the edge and leaned at the railing. "I come here often when I wanted to relax; the view just eases me up." Hayes shared.

"Yeah it's beautiful." Then he went behind her and enveloped his arms around her waist, pressed his head in her shoulder and brushed his face against her cheek; and whispered, "Not as beautiful as you." She was blushing like crazy from embarrassment at his remark. Nonetheless, she appreciates his romantic side.

During the boys' conference, an acquaintance of Hayes curiously asked, "Man, you're one tough cookie to have endured Ms. Touch-Me-Not. I mean what do you get from her anyway, you can't even touch her!" The guy couldn't help laughing at his own remark.

Hayes getting irritated, "I didn't pursue Aria because I'm only aiming to touch her. It's because I love her."

The guy didn't seem to mind getting on Hayes's nerve as he even continued pressing at the matter. "Wow! How sure are you that girl feels the same way? What if she's just keeping you around because no other guy would be stupid enough to fall for her?" The guy is digging his own grave.

Hayes is itching to land a punch in that foul face. Who the hell is he to insult him and Aria? But he opted to walk out instead; he realized that guy is just a waste of energy to spend with.

However, when he got home, he couldn’t get the thought out of his head. What if she’s just enjoying the company and do not love him at all. After all, he was more expressive. But then his superego tells him a good boyfriend knew best a relationship is based on trust. And he chose to follow his conscience.

Unfortunately, the next incident came concurrent with the sound of Hayes’s snapped patience. It was Aria’s birthday so Hayes planned the surprise party ahead together with her friends. When he found her, he put the bouquet of roses behind his back as her friends started singing the happy birthday hymn. When he sneaked behind her and called her, handing the roses, she stormed off. Silly him, he had completely forgotten. He chased after her to apologize but she brushed him off and asked not to be bothered anymore. He tried to talk things out so that she could at least enjoy the night in consideration to their efforts but she said he spoiled it. He thought she was being too sensitive and inconsiderate, such a rigid person. “You’re exaggerating you know, we meant to give you a birthday blast and this is what’s gonna happen?”

“You knew in the first place that I was born this way, you can’t ask me to change overnight. And who told you to seek me out when it’s clear I’m not an easy task to get done with, no one! So get out of my life, I know you’ve been dying to!” Aria returned in an equally infuriated state.

“Maybe you’re right. I should be more lenient to myself and start considering my options from now on.” And then they part ways.

Their relationship has become a frozen delight with Aria’s pride and Hayes’s shattered emotions, God knows if they’ll ever be back together. One of Aria’s closest friends though is not going to let her give up that easily so Celeste invited her for a heart to heart talk.

“Aria, I’m not trying to get in between your growing fight with Hayes but are you sure you want to let your relationship go just like that? And you know Hayes’s fangirls are like vultures just waiting for the prey to be let loose.” Aria found it funny but held her own composure; she is supposed to be against everything about Hayes.

“I don’t care about them, they’ve been around longer than we have been together. Besides he can be just like those opportunistic guys, who rubbed on you until they’ve taken everything they could out of you. He already got my time and attention; I won’t allow him to suck every bit of life out of me.” Aria bitterly responded.

“Aria I don’t think he’s like that. C’mon you gotta give him the credit he deserves for seeing beyond what the eyes wanted to see in order to feel what the heart is yearning to scream. That’s how he got attracted to you for sure. I mean another Hayes wouldn’t come along that easy. So think about it, I don’t want you to regret it when you decide it’s really over.” Celeste laid out her last card hoping her friend would be finally convinced to make up with Hayes.

“Celeste, you sound like a fangirl.” Celeste couldn’t believe her ears, how could she accuse her.

“Apparently, I’m not. I’m just concerned about you.” She had to explain again, Aria can really exhaust your patience at times.

“Alright, I’ll give it a second thought.” Aria assured Celeste that she appreciates her help.

Several days passed by, now she gets bored of writing these long lectures of fundamentals. She just wants a nice, warm bath. Normally, end of classes meant seeing him and hearing his corny jokes; Evenmore, becoming a victim of his uncalled for sweetness. She hated to admit that, loud as the avalanche rapidly sweeping the terrains, she missed him. As usual she was the last one left, tinkering at the insides of her locker while the rest of the pack had already departed. She rearranges her stuff carefully, wiping off every visible dirt completely. When she shut her locker door, she heard footsteps approaching her direction then she diverted her gaze to identify the person. ”Hey, I thought you’d be the last to leave.”

“Hey.” She shortly answered yet her heart is jumping with joy that she wanted to kill it for a second. No, she shouldn’t let him notice that after all the ruckus that happened between them, she finds herself enjoying the sight of him. Maybe because he had grown on her like a fungus that just multiplies no matter how many times you pluck them again and again.

“You know, I felt like I got fixated that I had to come back for more.” He smiled wanting so bad to wrap his arms around her and pull her closer but held back, she might not be ready yet for that. But he never expected what happened next. She lunged at him and buried her head in his chest.

“I miss you, I’m sorry I shouldn’t have reacted like how I did. You guys even threw that party for me. I couldn’t control my health conscious self and *bam* I sent you away without even thinking.” She was on the brink of crying, this feels good how could she just waste it just like that? He, he’s the next best thing that ever came into her life.

Putting a finger to her lips, “Shh…I understand and it’s partly my fault that I didn’t remember it. Now, can we start on an even ground this time?”

She nodded and muttered, “Not easy but I’ll do my best.”

They walked hand in hand when she asked out of curiosity. ”What were you doing anyway these days? And how was your options?”

“Well, my options were narrowed down to badminton and…you. Yeah, so when I’m not playing, you keep on invading my head like you’ll always do. Aria, you’re my love pathogen.”