Informal theme #4.3

Shadows of the Heroes

            Love is the only war worth dying for but choosing to go into the war to save the country is a different thing; we call it heroism. Though both Aeneas and Hector knew that fighting for the city is a huge gamble, they still chose to leave their family behind hoping that if they succeed in protecting the country, their children and the next generations would inherit serenity.

            Looking at a rear distance, we would perceive the shadows of these two great heroes. That would be their consorts; Andromache for Hector and Creusa for Aeneas. Andromache and Creusa gave the whole lot that they could give to their spouses. They have given their eternal love and even begged for the safety of their husbands. They tried to alter the decisions of the two not to enter the war since their adhering would mean a less chance for them to seeing each other once again.

            The two pairs love each other very much. Even death could not keep them apart. Even though Aeneas and Andromache found new affection after the loss of their love, I still believe that within them are the memories of their late other halves and that there will be no other love that will able to overcome or even reach their warmth before.

            Whatever fate they received, we can’t really rebuff the fact that their love is genuine and forever lasting.

Informal Theme #4.1

Irate truth.

            Nuclear, political, civil, whatever you call it, we scare war. Obviously, the idea of our home being devastated by pitiless rivals is a nightmare. Things would be very difficult by those times if we were in a kin situation. Yes, even I would be confused of my decisions on what to do and what shall not.   

            As Aeneas tells his story in the feast of Dido, I can’t help myself not to feel pity on him. Leaving your home would be difficult, what more if you will not really see it anymore. Tragic though, Aeneas did not let this defeat keep him from striving. In those times, going through would be the only choice everyone has in hand. If you’ll not move on and escape the falling ruins of Troy, you might as well be left back and slaughtered. 

            I really admire Aeneas showing such courage in times when you can’t really depend to anybody but yourself. Even though, in that time, we could say that Aeneas is in both deep grief and rage, he did not let these emotions run his decisions. He still was able to choose to do the right.

            Truly, this epic hero really taught me of giving weight on what is right than what we wanted to do. Turning back, surrendering is not a symbol of weakness. It is choosing to do what is supposed to.

Informal Theme #4.2

No aid at all

            Life is fair. Yes, sometimes, we might feel the wrath but who cares most of the time we are happy. If we easily complain on how these problems overthrow even our slightest optimism, we might as well get tired of living too fast. Giving life its fruitful future would be the greatest payback we could return Him and moving forward, facing the obstacles would be the way to overreaching it. God gave us the strength; we must know how to utilize it.

            Though we could not really force ourselves not to feel sappy whenever experiencing down falls, we should make ways to climb back to where we started. Stumbling isn’t dire at all unless we don’t know how to stand and let others step us on. Imperfections are important; just as mistakes are. We only get to be good by learning from mistakes and we get to be real by being imperfect. 

            Actually, many have been successful because of toppling. A great example would be Thomas Edison. He was kicked out of school and was forced to pursue studying at home. No one knew that time that this young man would be one of the greatest icons so as Jack Dorsey, the famous inventor of twitter. We might just don’t know but in time, these terrible losses would  lead to ultimate victories.

            As the saying goes, “don’t look where you fell, but where you slipped’. We must not always look on what tragedies we’ve been through; instead, we must value the things we gained after the raging storm. Mistakes would serve as door to experiences but do not let two doors to open so that you see what you must learn.

Informal Theme# 3.5

Perfect Smile? None.

            Smile? Everyone knows how to smile. What’s new with that. Why do people have been constantly debating on who, why, when, where Mona Lisa painting originated? Too many questions. Too many.

            Through ages, Mona Lisa, Leonardo da Vinci’s most famous masterpiece has continuously triggered the rarest mind of human kind. What’s so rare with this one? The answer is the way it was crafted. If you’re one of those who takes hours just to finish drawing a stickman then this is a no joke to you. It would be extremely difficult to produce an artistic and well crafted portrait painting. Even the painting alone is not a joke, what more if it is a portrait.

            Even once, I never had the chance to view the painting live so I could not tell whether da Vinci’s magic really exists. Though many accounts tell that this has an enigmatic smile that on the slightest tilt would alter the emotion of the drawing, I still don’t find anything interesting about it. Maybe because I have bigger concerns than arguing on petty matters.

            Okay well, frankly, I don’t care about the background of the painting. I don’t see any value or use on knowing what’s behind it. Yes, the painting looks stunning but that’s it. Be fascinated once so that your amazement would remain as it was the first time. 

Informal Theme# 3.4

Walking with the General.

            That day was Tuesday, September 10. I was doing some homeworks and after a while decided to take my rest. As the usual routine, I brushed my teeth first then somewhat cleansed my body next. I still tried to finish all the tasks but the headache came so I decided to shut down the computer. When I was about to turn off the lights, I saw this man at the road. Though it was dark, I could still see him vividly. He seems to be sad, yes, he’s alone. I went out to see him. Maybe that’s just our neighbor so I took the courage to look at him then CRAP. I was startled when I saw him in bright light. It was a familiar face but I can not recognize him.

            “Marcos”, his shaking voice limpsed into the air.

            The feeling of amazement came first before my fear. I couldn’t believe what my eyes were seeing.

            He speaks again, “I don’t have any companion this day. Could you please celebrate this wonderful day with me?”

            I said yes. No more word runs through my mind but yes. After that, the surroundings magically altered. I don’t know hot it happened but the houses turned into a palace. A coconut palace palace I guess. He asked me to get inside so I did. I don’t have the energy to ask questions bu that time. My head wad still blown and filled with anxieties and headache.

            “You know what. My life is the worst. I died but still people curse me.”, he started.

            There were flashbacks in my mind. Flashbacks of the movies and documentaries I have watched about him. I remembered each detail. I remembered how people hated him. How bastard his figure is to them.

            Moments passed and at last, I calmed down: no more headache, just normal. I tried to pacify him too.

            “Sir not at all. Not at all.”, I said it with a smile.

            I know completely that I am against his regime: side by side massacres, crimes and politics. Never did I see my self in that situation. However, giving a miserable man more reasons to be miserable is not a good thing to do. So I just put away these ideas in mind.

            I asked him next, “Sir, may I ask you one question?”

            “Yes what is it?” he responded.

            “Why do you seem so sad?”

            “I died without peace in my heart so forever will I feel this war at my conscience. I conquered too much power before, now it is serenity I need to conquer.”

            At that point, I don’t have any idea of what to do. The only plan I have is to stare at him and let my fascination swallow me wholly.

            After a while, a woman went inside the room and served us some coffee. Black. My coffee was black.

            I started to connect with him, “I have a lot of questions in mind sir. I can’t.. If it will not bother you sir, can I ask questions? Wait in controversies maybe.”

            “I guess yes.” He answered turning his smile into a frown.

            “Were you forced to enter politics?”, I said. I do not know if it was the good question to ask but hey, there’s no turning back. He already heard everything I said.

            “No. Definitely no. I love my country more thanmyself. I tried to be a good leader but it doesn’t turn out that way. The position blinded me wholly.”, he commced.

            “I tried to give everything to my family. I gave them the life we never experience before. However, everything was taken for granted. We dreamt of more than what we are experiencing. More power”

            Every words strips through his heart, I can feel it. Mishmash of emotions then came. I don’t know what to feel. Sorrow. He is full of sorrow.

            “The position was outrageously usurped. Our anticipations that were supposed to just alter our lives moved the lives of many. The next thing I could reminisce is the nightmare. The revolution.” 

            I know now how to feel. I felt pity on him. For years, we had been biased and heard nothing but the story of the hero and heroine in yellow. I then realized that there was this family full of terror in those lovely times.

            “Now I regret everything.”

            We took a walk. He continued his stories and I continued my drama. By the time we reached the wide door, I waved my last goodbye. He says something but he vanishes bit by bits so I weren’t able to comprehend what he were saying. Happy. Day. Those were the only words I could remember.

            Buzz. Buzz. Buzz. I woke up from my dream. I can still remember everything vividly. I turned on the television the next day and found out that it was our late president’s birthday.

            Happy? Day? Haha. Happy Birthday maybe.

Informal Theme# 3.3

Monday madness.

            It is tiring to be a student. Restless nights, short vacations plus projects over projects. What more? I’m not telling that I don’t what to enter school anymore. What I am trying to say is that students carry a big burden at their backs and there are the possibilities that we would commit mistakes. More over, here are some, yes some, of the major offenses a student make and the punishments I think that could correct them.. I even confess that I got involved in not just one here. 

1. Cheating – Students love cheating. They even cheat a lot: on tests, home works, projects,        seat works, exercises, okay maybe all works done in school. Students must be marked           as zero on the first two times and on the third, detention.

2. Forgery - Late homework makers usually do this. They do this out of fear that their home         works or projects will be invalidated. Their projects must be always be invalidated as long as they never learn a lesson.

3. Vandalism – Those who don’t have any thing do in their lives usually do this. Draw here and     there. They must re paint everything they drew on and when they were caught in act             again, they will be expelled from the school.

4. Bullying – No one knows when they are being bullied. A person who bullies usually tease and   laugh on weak people. They must be guided on the right path because students who are   usually in this condition lack attention or self-esteem.

5. Cutting – Never did cutting become a resort to our problems. People who do this must be put   in the guidance office, have counciling and ask their parents to guide their children.

6. Plagiarism – Copying the work of others is not a good thing to do. People who do thid usually   are those are on the cliffs of their deadlines. Those who copy must be put in detention          for the third offense.

7. Fights – Detention and expulsion are the punishments. Nothing more.

8. Improper hair cut and uniform- They must be taught of what they should be acting. They must             serve as models, thus, must wear their uniform properly. On the second offense, their         parent’s attention will be called.

Informal Theme#3.2

Indirect, Direct, Oh Please.

Time: Lunch break

Place: inside the room

It was a boring time. I and Jessa talked to somewhat break the boredom. “ Hey Jessa, how were you?”, I started.

“Good as new. Haha” Jessa responded. “So how was your new year?”

“Nah. Boring.However, I guess things are new this year. We had somewhat a bigger feast. Haha. We cooked and invented on the stocks in our fridge. And you?”

“New Year is boring. I spent it with my cousins. We cooked out favorite foods and talked about our happy memories.”

“Happy memories, you really want happy memories? Haha just kidding. Are you done with the homeworks? Projects I mean. Projects are hidden home tasks you know.” I said.

“I’m not yet done with the projects and I guess you’re right. These projects are destructing our vacation.”

            “I get your point. I extremely get your point. Haha but in my case, it did not. Maybe somewhat yes but just on the last days. Cramming is my forte. OUR forte.” I assumed it jokingly.

            “Yes! Our forte!” she answered. She also said that she thinks that it is not just a mastery to us but a lot of students. Mostly the students of Cavite Science: the school that was supposed to be for industrious and worker students.

            “Yes workers! Workers on late Sunday and before classes” I also told her that I have been through this a lot and yet never learned a lesson.

            “Yes most of us are crammers. We usually cram just to meet deadlines.”

            “Yes but not all.” I even exaggerated that if this trait is cancerous we would be on the last stage.

            She then responded with a laugh. “If that’s so then we might have died long time ago!”

            “How about Gem? She cram a lot even those projects which are to be passed the next weeks.” She added.

            “Haha No way. They are nerds. They will never belong to us. By the way, why are you constantly sending me requests on facebook? I’m not fond of using apps there.”

            “That’s my cousin. He told me that he is using my account for playing. Don’t worry I changed my password already. He cannot use my facebook anymore” she answered.

            “Haha no problem. I’m not easily annoyed by popping notifs” I said. “ Ah good. Wait, be right back. You should listen to this one. She’s Andrea Gibson. She is incredibly talented. She carry away people through her poems. I’m a fan.”

            “Yes, I was carried away by the way he speaks.”

            “It’s he not she”

            Jessa said sorry and I responded that I was not correcting her. I’m just informing her that Andrea is a lesbian and a proud activist so there’s nothing to be sorry about.

            “Emotion flows from her work more than any I’ve heard. Before, my cousin said that Andrea is such an inspiring person but I just ignored her. I believe her now I guess.”

            “Better if you will listen more to her works specially to A Letter to the Playground Bully.” I recommended her.

            “Oh that sounds interesting. What about that?”

            “Haha just listen and be amazed. O wait, I need to go now. There is still a meeting I should attend.” I waved her goodbye.