Quick Post: These Days are Meh to Me

I knew I wouldn't notice how the days would go by when the ber-months hit. And quite frankly, its hard to find anything interesting, but that's just me. I mean the whole world is still bustling with ideas and all, some are grand and commendable whilst others are just... Also, there's still war, famine, hate, political issues and all that sh*t; and as much as I'd like to stay up to date with what's going on, when news and everything else you read and see are negative, it's really difficult to stay optimistic, most especially if you weren't an optimist in the first place.

These days, it's quite a surprise when I find something positive. It evokes these warm and almost foreign feelings inside, yeah, yeah, madrama ang lola e! But it's a welcome surprise. When I hit my late 20's, I realized that it's such a hassle to spend energy on things that I cannot change.

It doesn't mean that those things no longer matter they do but would my thinking about them make a difference?  I may just be rambling complete nonsense or take it as an attempt to be philosophical, but really I don't want to spend time and effort in such. Am I disillusioned? Maybe or  I've finally grown up. Chos!

I'm Back! Kinda. . .

I've been unable to update these days, though I tried to tweet once in a while. But then again, I didn't particularly feel writing or talking about anything as evidenced by this post. As opposed to how I usually spend my days, I was kinda out there recently, as I took part in outreach activities, job-hunted (kind of), met old friends and even attended children's party.

That's a huge deal if you must know. I've been going through a rough patch and finding things that are interesting and would make me go out (literally) has been my bane. . . To sum it up, I've been pretty busy, I know, right?! And in between, I was able to pen down some poems; of which give me major goosebumps whenever I read them, so yeah, I'm still contemplating whether I'll post them.

The purpose of this mundane post is well, just so you know, I'm pretty much alive and finally getting out there! Yeey, for me! Though I'm about half a decade late in doing, but better late than never, they said! So here I go!

I'll write more soon, but 'til then, keep safe and have a happy Monday! :)

Bad Habit

I keep saying your name,

Yet, it's been years since we last got in touch;

I keep saying your name,

For reasons I cannot grasp.

I keep saying your name,

Even though there's nothing more that reminds me of you.

I keep saying your name,

Perhaps, unconsciously I'm missing you?

I keep saying your name,

And it embarrasses the hell out of me;

I keep saying your name,

You're becoming a bad habit I can't seem to break free.

I keep saying your name,

Yet I can't even remember your face!

I keep saying your name,

And oh my goodness, I hope this is just a phase!

Untitled No. 3

There is no relation between how she looks to how she feels,

The world may perceive her as the most beautiful thing;

But it doesn't make a lick of sense to her being.

For even though her face guarantees numerous likes,

Her self-esteem has been battered all throughout her life.

The love and attention she had sought was never given,

Hence, that gaping hole in her soul has always been a problem.

And though she learned how to live each day of her life;

A lot of things still run through her mind.

She tried to live on and finally let go of that knife.

What's Up Pilipinas?!

There's been a lot going on in the country to date. Just recently, we had inaugurated the 16th president of the Philippines and the 14th vice-president. If you're up to date with the politics in the country then you're well aware of how chaotic things had been since the proclamation of the winners. Furthermore, its a common knowledge that there has been a gap between the highest positions in our government. Duterte had initially said he would not give Robredo any cabinet position due to his close association with Marcos, who also ran for vice-president. Anyways, to make things short, Duterte changed his mind and gave Robredo a position in the cabinet involving housing.

Also, drug raids and arrests, killings and ambushes that are also drug-related has been a staple in our nightly news. It's kinda scary but this has been part of the change everybody has been expecting. On a lighter note, congested and usually garbage riddled areas are becoming way cleaner, this has been credited to the new administration as well. The new cabinet members have been named over the past weeks and they pretty much started with whatever their respective job entail. 

 ***

And today, we are expecting another matter that would greatly affect how we perceive this new administration. You see, the decision over the arbitration case the Philippines had filed against China is due today. Its been a bone of contention among the Southeast Asian nations and China on who actually has jurisdiction over the area. China has been building artificial islands and bases over the last two years in the West Philippine Sea. Its navy is around the clock over the area and has been the bane of the local fishermen('s) livelihood.

Area in question, so who actually owns it? (Image from http://www.planetarianperspectives.net)

The matter has been in the Hague tribunal and didn't exactly get much highlight. But we are now holding our breaths and mind you its not just us who's waiting on how things turn out. Many countries would be greatly affected --- not just economically. China had refused to address this suit and said that they would not abide with the tribunal's decision at all, huh, go figure.

Here's an excerpt from an article that would give you the 411 on what China thinks about all this.

The Philippines, led by Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, presented its claims while China continued to refuse to participate insisting it had “indisputable sovereignty” and “historic rights” to the South China Sea.

“China opposes any move by the Philippines to initiate and push forward the arbitral proceeding,” Hua said.

“On issues of territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, China will never accept any imposed solution or unilaterally resorting to a third-party settlement,” she said.

China claims the entire South China Sea through its nine-dash line concept which overlaps with the Philippines 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone mandated by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Read more: http://globalnation.inquirer.net/126097/china-we-are-the-victims-in-dispute-wont-heed-un-decision#ixzz4EB72LQnv

Here are some links to articles regarding the issue: 

http://www.inquirer.net/west-philippine-sea/articles?nav=140909&chan=9

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/140807/hague-tribunal-to-rule-in-tense-south-china-sea-row

http://time.com/4400671/philippines-south-china-sea-arbitration-case/ 

http://cnnphilippines.com/videos/2016/07/11/PH-maritime-case-Whats-at-stake.html
http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2016/07/12/South-China-Sea-West-Philippine-Sea-The-Hague-arbitration-case-explainer.html

So you see, there is a lot of change going on. And the second half of the year has barely began.