Letting GO...........JTF Solivar

    Letting go is a very simple phrase, yet the meaning can be tremendously overwhelming. Letting go is not as easy as pressing delete on your key board. It takes a lot of acceptance and courage to do so. We let go but only literally, or just for the sake of it, since the hurt and disenchantment still linger. You let go of someone or something, but did you let go of your feelings?

    I am one person who becomes easily attached to many things, both tangible and intangible. They could be persons, objects, memories, and occasions, to name a few, most especially when they have left a lasting imprint on my mind and spirit. How can you not treasure those when they gave you happiness and a different kind of high? 

    Some good things never last though. If it is your birthday today then enjoy it! Otherwise, you will have to wait for another year (if another one is in store for you). Got beautiful flowers in the garden? Then smell their scent now for tomorrow they could be gone. Your car still in good running condition? Then go to places you have been wanting to visit. Your doggy still barking? Then consider it as music to your ears for you may not hear him or her bark anymore. Your mom and dad still around? Then tell them how much they matter to you, so you don’t have to whisper it on their grave later on. Still in a relationship? Then make the most out of it, though this is not a guarantee that two of you will end up together, like a moth to a flame. So what is the point? Just try to enjoy things while they are still around, for nothing is permanent in this world. When will you cherish them, when they are no longer within your grasp? 

    There are things that are not simply meant to last a life time. They are good only for a few seconds, days, weeks, months, or years. Everything seems to have a limited shelf life. And we do not live forever, if I may add. So we have to let go! I know that this is one of the hardest things to do in life. But do we have a choice? Sooner or later things will have come to an end whether we like it or not. But memories will always be there, to remind us of the times – both good and bad.

So I am letting you go. So you can find me again ....... :)

Disappointments in Life by JTF Solivar

         

        I always try my best not to disappoint people, since I know very well how it is getting disappointed. It can be very upsetting! You feel crushed and devastated when things do not turn out the way you wanted them to. Call me a people pleaser of some sort.  I simply want people around me to be happy. Sometimes, even at my own expense.

         I have gone the extra mile for people many times. And got disappointed a lot of times as well. Back in college, I helped a friend with the processing of his LOA or leave of absence. Okay I volunteered myself to do it. What are friends for? My raison d'être was how can he do it himself when he was sick, not to mention the troubles his fraternity got itself into. So off I went to all our teachers, from one building to the other, to have them sign his petition. I even paid for the processing fee! To cut the story short, he did not show any appreciation for what I have done for him and naturally I got disappointed. Well, who wouldn’t be? It seemed that all my efforts just vanished into thin air! Talk about making an investment and not earning a nickel from it. Maybe it was my fault too. With my friend’s enormously famous surname, I got intrigued how he will reciprocate. But he never did.

        I have disappointed people too. I am a big disappointment to my Mom since I did not turn out to be a religious person like her, and never worshipped the taste of vegetables. To my Dad too, since I never developed a liking for basketball, unlike him who used to be basketball varsity player of the UP Fighting Maroons. Well, I picked up a tennis racket instead. I am not that familiar with Nowitzki, but can talk the whole day about Graf and Becker. My friends also, since I usually become scarce during reunions and other special occasions. I tend to shrink when an occasion becomes too overwhelming for me. My colleagues too, since I hate travels or trips, unless I am assured of my own room and my own toilet and bath if they will have to be overnight. May they all learn to forgive me and my whims.

        The trick of the trade so as not to be disappointed is not to expect anything from people. What if our expectations are not met? What if they do not pass our standards? Over the years I have learned how not to expect anything from others. To begin with, people are not mind readers so they do not have any hunch whatsoever as to what our expectations are. If they will reciprocate, then thank you. If not, then so be it. Such is life, right? We should not be too expectant. We will be rewarded soon so don’t agonize about it. The good deeds that we have done will not be left unnoticed by the One above. What about the reverse when we are the ones who disappoint people? Well, we are not perfect and this is the customary excuse. Is there any other? Then tell me!

        Disappointments are permanent fixtures in our life book. We disappoint people, and people disappoint us. Either way, the feeling is not palatable and leaves a very bitter aftertaste. But this should not prevent us from enjoying the sweetness of life. Life is too short to fret about disappointments! 

        Disappointments however, teach us valuable lessons. First, there are things that are not simply meant to be. Amen? I have a post about this FYI. Second, there are things that are better left as they are. Amen too? Do not organize clutters on my table or I may not be able to find what I will be looking for. Consider also a potted flowering plant. Do not move it from one place to the next, as the flowers could wilt easily. Third, nobody is perfect.  Amen three? I am sure that you can explain this yourself.

        And lastly, let us bear in mind that there is a full life ahead each and every one of us. Amen four? Disappointments will always be here, there, and everywhere. But they should not deter us from enjoying life and doing things that we want. Life is too short, to be disappointed. The ball is in your hands. Your life is your own court. AMEN.

My WISH LIST

        Let me share with you my wish list. Nothing wrong to aspire for the finer things in life. Here they are:

I never had a decent jacket in my whole life for the simple reason that I have never invested on one. Maybe not one of my priorities since I so love the cool weather, and hate too much layering of clothing on me. But if I can get a nice jacket why not. Actually asked one of my interviewees to give me an Armani jacket ha ha!

Wearing white shoes totally changes your look. But don’t wear them just for the heck of it. Make sure that they are well coordinated with your entire outfit, or they will be a disaster! White shoes are nice, most especially if they are a pair of Gucci loafers.

An over-sized watch is truly a conversation piece. A U-Boat watch can definitely rock your outfit. Move over Technomarine, here comes the Boat!

I saw this bracelet at Rustan’s Silver Vault many years ago. Nice combination of black leather strap and silver/white gold. This one is one hell of a Pianegonda. Can’t wear gold every day, right? 

An Hermes belt can spice up boring outfit. Love the letter H buckle. Hear me Hermes!

                 Hope I can af-Ford this Tom Ford shades.

Burberry has this very distinct checkered design of red, beige, and black. Hope to have one someday. Berry nice!

 I want a phone that is affordable, simple, and fits nicely inside my pocket. I think my 6600 has seen its better days. C this Nokia C5?

 

Never thought that black and rose gold are a nice combination. Ang gara nitong Bulgari!

And finally, the PIECE DE RESISTANCE ........

Can you beat this?

Nothing beats having peace of mind. This is what we all want, right? Having a calm mind allows us to put things in their proper perspective. It makes us think well and clearly. I will never trade this for any object in this world. =)

Prof. REYNALDO EBREO YAGO

          

        Prof. Yago celebrated his 78^th birthday last May 12, 2011, his exact date of birth. Unquestionably, it is a milestone for any person to reach such age. And Sir Yago does not look it! With his energy and sense of humor, you would not think that his age starts with a “7”.

  

Prof. R.E.Y. with WCC colleagues

        Sir Yago was born on May 12, 1933 at Tayabas, Quezon. Not too many people know that Sir Yago is an only child. He would tell us how strict his parents were, most especially his mother. Well that cannot be avoided. He is the only child that they have. I should know. We are on the same boat! Though my parents are not really that strict.

Prof. R.E.Y. with WCC colleagues

        Sir Yago is married to Ma'am Cirila Yago, and they have four wonderful children. All well accomplished in their respective fields. Ma’am Cirila is a teacher as well, though she has retired many moons ago. How do I know? She was my Filipino teacher in high school!

Prof. R.E.Y. with WCC colleagues

        Sir Yago has been teaching in our institution since 1993. That’s eighteen years of dedicated service to the WCC community! And eighteen years of imparting valuable knowledge to his students. Sir Yago is perceived to be a strict teacher. But any teacher should be strict, right? Mention BIOLOGY and STS to students and the first name that would pop in their heads would be the name YAGO! Obviously, Sir Yago’s name  is synonymous to Biology and STS. When enrolling in these  subjects, students already have an inkling that Sir Yago will be their teacher. This is not to mention Anatomy and Physiology, Histology, Physiology, and the list goes on…

Prof. R.E.Y. with WCC colleagues

        Sir Yago’s teaching methodology is a combination of his past teaching experiences in various schools: Adamson University (1964-1966), University of the Philippines, Diliman (1970-1983), De La Salle University (1980), and Ateneo de Manila University (1983-1998). Wow! Aside from WCC, Sir Yago also teaches at San Carlos Seminary since 1990. He considers this his apostolate work, that’s why he always arranges his schedule so that he can teach in the said seminary.

WCC colleagues

        Sir Yago obtained his Zoology degree from UP Diliman in 1956, and his masteral degree in Education from the same university in 1983. He also studied abroad, having obtained his certificate in Geology and Micropaleontology from the University of Vienna, in Austria, in 1968. 
 

Prof. R.E.Y. with WCC colleagues

         
        Sir Yago is a recipient of various awards too. Like the Outstanding Alumni Award from UP during its centennial year celebration, and just recently, a Recognition Award from WCC during the Faculty Awards Night.

Prof. R.E.Y. with WCC colleagues

Prof. R.E.Y. with WCC colleagues

        

        Sir Yago is not just a colleague to everyone, but a friend, and a mentor as well. He is one generous soul too! All of us can vouch for this. Sir pa ice cream ka naman!

        Either you love Sir Yago or you don’t. But one thing is for sure: Sir Yago has made a lasting imprint on you. Right students? Tumindig ka!

       

nursing students singing HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you...

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SIR YAGO! 

(photos provided by

Bb. Precie Tapero)

Have You Ever Been in Love? by JTF Solivar

Have you ever been in love?

You could touch the moonlight,

When your heart is shooting stars,

You’re holding heaven in your arms,

Have you ever been so in love?

         
 

        LOVE perhaps is one of the most discussed topics on earth. As a matter of fact, I find it very outmoded. And what credibility do I have to discuss this? Ask me anything about Philosophy then I can discuss it in a breeze. But what about love? For me, discussing this is like solving a difficult math problem with all of its intricacies. And I hate math! Who doesn’t? But I don’t hate love.

Have you ever walked on air?

Ever felt like you were dreaming,

When you never thought it could,

But it really feels that good, 

Have you ever been so in love?                   

     

        Falling in love is magical and is as easy as one-two-three. Bet you never thought magic could be this easy! It is even more spellbinding than magic. David Copperfield will pale in comparison with any person who is in love. Why? Love is magic since you just feel it, and overwhelms you sooner or later. No need for any instructional manual. No need for any tricks. Just follow the spark in your heart and your soul will be definitely ignited. The feeling of love can make a gloomy and foggy day a luminous one. You go into deep slumber with a smile on your face and wake up with an even bigger smile.  Magical isn’t it?

'Cause have you ever been in love, so in love,

You could touch the moonlight,

You can even reach the stars,

Doesn’t matter near or far,

Have you ever been so in love?

        

        So go ahead, fall in love! Throw caution to the wind and feel its splendor. Feel its magic. But love is only for those who are willing to make sacrifices, and only for those who are not expectant of anything in return. After all, love is supposed to be unconditional. Most of all, love is only for those who love themselves. You cannot give what you do not have. Luv u guys!