Truth About Love

Posted on by ligaya

During the start of my teenage years, I thought I completely knew what is love. I thought those fiction books taught me well enough. I believed that love is about handwritten letters, flowers, surprises, bears or chocolates. I also believed that it’s about sacrificing for that person and sticking with him through the ups and downs. I thought it’s about understanding and humbling yourself down during arguments. Well, it’s all true, partly. Because at the age of 19, I realized that there’s much more about love, and most of it is about the little things.

Love would be waking up next to the person you want to spend the rest of your life with.

Love would be ironing their clothes, preparing them meals and reminding them the things that they need.

Love would be having breakfast together with one of you making the coffee.

Love would be complimenting them.

Love would be greeting them on special occasions and spending it with them.

Love would be taking pictures together and taking each other’s pictures.

Love would be kissing goodbye when it’s time to work.

Love would be the long tight hugs after a long tiring day.

Love would be cooking dinner because she’s tired.

Love would be preparing the meals together.

Love would be talking about your day while eating dinner.

Love would be eating the meal even if it doesn’t taste good.

Love would be waiting for each other to finish their chores and work before sleeping.

Love would be staying silent and listening in an argument until she’s ready to listen.

Love would be understanding each other’s point of view and compromising about it.

Love would be saying sorry and works hard not to do it again.

Love would be going to groceries together pushing the cart for them.

Love would be correcting each other’s faults.

Love would be accepting corrections without grumbling.

Love would be offering your meal because it’s their favorite.

Love would be reminding them to wear their seatbelts.

Love would be buying and growing them a lot of plants because they love it.

Love would be having someone be patient with your morning sickness.

Love would be supporting her during her labor.

Love would be taking care of her and your baby.

Love would be staying up late to look after the baby so the other can sleep.

Love would be being patient with your children.

Love would be spending family time together.

Love would be sticking with each other when parenting or marriage goes hard.

Love would be telling them you’re there for them when life hits them hard.

Love would be praying for each other and encouraging each other with God’s word.

I am forever grateful to realize this at an early age. Looking at my sister’s marriage, my churchmate’s marriage, they defined love in the most simplest way. No bouquets, no grand dinner dates, no teddy bears, no such things, but they showed that love can be in the smallest way possible. That’s the love that I crave, love that is simple yet true.

-end-

Soon

Posted on by ligaya

Being in love is one of the most wonderful feeling in the world. You felt sparks, undefined happiness, butterflies and you just can’t explain how happy it is to fall in love. But that’s not how love works, you also felt pain, disappointment, jealousy or discouragement that will probably test your faith and love. These are all part of falling in love, the joy and the pain. And when we’re inlove, we tend to give all that we can, sometimes there’s a point that we already gave everything that we had. And that’s a mistake.

I learned that when we love, we shouldn’t give it all. We should atleast leave some for ourselves. We don’t have to gave every inch of us for the person we love, because we will lose. We will lose ourselves. When I gave everything, i left nothing for myself, and that’s the most painful part. I learned that, self love is the most important thing. We need to see our value, our worth or what we really deserve, because if we just focus on our love for other people, we are breaking ourselves.

I learned to value myself, and soon, when I am fully capable and have the full courage, i will choose myself. Soon. And i wish you also choose yourself too.

Tala ng Aking Kalawakan

Posted on by ligaya

Sa pagkakataong nakilala ko ang isang Tala

nagbago ang takbo ng aking buhay

Nakakatawang isipin na 

Ako’y magmamahal na nga lang

Sa isang tala pa

–

Isang gabi

Habang naglalakad sa gitna ng daan

Habang ang buwan ay tila nakikipagtaguan

At ang mga kulisap ay nagliliparan

Nakita ko ang isang tala sa kalawakan

Napakarami man nila kung titignan

Ngunit siya lamang ang ninais kong titigan

–

Nakakapagtaka

Dahil sa kahit anong ulit kong ipikit ang aking mga mata

At kahit saan lugar kopa ito ibaling ay

Pag tumingin ako muli sa itaas

Atensyon ko’y kanya talagang nakukuha

–

Sa hindi ko maipalaiwanag na kadahalinan

Halos magdamag ko lamang siyang tinitigan

Hindi ko naman masasabing sa kislap na taglay nya

O sa laki o liit

O layo o lapit

Basta

Hindi ko alam

Basta

Atensyon ko’y nabihag nya

–

Sa sumunod na araw, kinagabihan

Muli akong bumalik kung san ang ginawa kong aming tagpuan

Kung saan siya’y mas malapit kapag tinignan

Hanggang sa naulit

Nang naulit

Nang naulit

Nang naulit

Na hindi ko na alam kung gaano katagal

Na ako napapamahal

Sa isang simpleng tala

–

Dumating ang panahon na nagsimula na akong kausapin ito

At pakiramdam ko, pinapakinggan nya naman ako

Nagkwento ako, saya, galit, lungkot, magisa, o gulong gulo

Basta

Nabuhos ko sa talang ito

Ang halos araw araw ng buhay ko

–

Dumating ang isang gabi

Na bigla itong nawala

Kasama ang mga kapwa nya tala

Pati ang buwan

Ay tila ba nagsitaguan

At sa hindi malamang dahilan

Ako’y nasaktan

–

Sobra akong nasasaktan

Na hindi na siya nakita kinagabihan

At sa sumunod pa na araw

At sumunod

At sumunod pa

Ulit ulit ko siyang binalikan

Ngunit hindi ko siya makita sa kalawakan

–

Nang ikalabing pito ng marso, habang palubog palang ang haring araw

Umupo ako sa aming tagpuan

At kinausap ko ang kalangitan

At iniisip na nandun ang tala na aking kinakahumalingan

–

Nagsimula ako sa

“Alam moba?

May sasabihin ako

Pero siguradong matatawa ka

Kasi, diba

Ano kasi eh..

Mahal na yata kita”

–

Sa aking pagpapatuloy

Nagpakita na ang kadiliman

Pati ang buwan ay hindi na nakipag taguan

Ngunit wala parin ang mga tala sa kalangitan

–

“Hindi mo alam

Kung gaano mo ako napapasaya

Sa tuwing nasisilayan kita

Nakakausap kita

Nasasabihan kita

Naiiyakan kita

Nakakatawan kita

Kahit hindi kita nakikita talagang tumatawa

Ngunit alam kong ikaw rin ay masaya

Kayat alam moba

Nung hindi ka nagpapakita

Sobrang lungkot ko sinta

Parang wala akong kasama

Wala akong kakilala

Ikaw lamang ang hinahanap ko

Sa bawat paguwi ko

Tatakbo ako dito

Para lang tignan kung may babalikan na ako”

–

Napatigil ako dahil sa luhang tumulo mula sa mata ko

Napatawa ako at napatingin sa taas

At laking gulat ko nang makita ko ang mga tala

Mata ko’y agad kong pinunasan

At nakita kita

At nagbabalik ka

–

At sa pagtitig ko sayo

Alam kong narinig mo

Ang mga kadramahan ko

Pero seryoso

Hindi  ako nagloloko

Pero mahal ka talaga ng puso ko

–

Oo mahal kita

Mahal kita kahit malayo kapa

Mahal kita kahit mahirap ang sitwasyon nating dalawa

Tao ako at tala ka

Pero wag kang magaalala

Mahal padin kita

–

Oo mahal kita

Mahal kita hindi dahil nagniningning ka

O dahil nasa itaas ka

O dahil tala ka

Basta 

Mahal kita

–

Ikaw ang tala

Na nagbigay liwanag

Sa buhay na paramg wala ng saysay

Ikaw ang tala

Na naging sandalan

Noong mga panahong parang wala akong kaibigan

Ikaw ang tala

Na aking kinahumalingan

Sa kabila ng maraming tala sa kalangitan

Oo ikaw,

Ikaw ang tala

Ang tala sa buhay ng isang dalaga

Na minsang walang kamalay malay

Ngunit pinadama mo ang isang pagmamahal

Kaya’t narito ngayo’y nagsasabing

Aking tala, maraming salamat

Labis na saya ang saki’y iyong pinadama

At labis na pagmamahal ang natanggap ko sinta

At sana

Sa bawat araw na hindi tayo nagkakasama

Lagi mong maalala

Na ang dalaga na natatanaw mo 

Na nagmamahal sayo

Ay lagi lamang andito

Patuloy na hahanga at mapapamahal sayo

Andito lang ako

At hindi yun magbabago

At muli kong sasambitin sayo, 

mahal kita aking tala

isang tula na personal na isinulat ng may-akda para sa taong pinakamamahal niya- eoei

Tatlong Kabanata na Pinunit ni Tadhana

Posted on by ligaya

sa librong tinatawag nilang buhay

at mga kabanatang pilit binibigyang kulay

ilan sa mga ito ang inagaw sayo

at ilan sa mga ito ang hindi mo ninais maisulat sa iyong libro

–

sa unang mga kabanata 

sisikat ang araw at lulubog din

gigising sa umaga at matutulog din

araw-araw na nagiging siklo na lamang

at tila ba wala namang kabuhay buhay

at wala namang kagandahang taglay

–

sa ika labing-tatlong kabanata

natutunan ang salitang pagmamahal

subalit natuto din na 

hindi lahat ng nagmamahal ay minamahal

–

ngunti hindi doon nagtapos ang kabanata

sinulat ng may-akda ang isang napakagandang  likha

sino nga bang mag-aakala

na ang isang binata ay mabibihag ng isang simpleng dalaga

–

dahil siya’y walang kamalay malay

nasanay sa simpleng pamumuhay

hinayaang pumasok ang isang lalaki sakanyang buhay

hinayaang makilala siya ng tunay

at hinayaang makita ang kanyang mga tinataglay

at dumating sa puntong sinabi nila ang mga katagang

“mahal kita”

–

oo mahal kita

mahal kita kahit minsan gago ka

at mahal moko kahit minsan tinotopak ako

mahal kita kahit minsan lumalayo kana

at mahal moko kahit minsan makulit ako

naging masaya ang lahat, dahil sa pinakaunang pagkakataon

minahal ako ng lalaking mahal ko

–

ngunit sa ika labing apat na kabanata

nagbigay ng napakalaking hamon si tadhana

mahal, kailangan na nating mag-layo

dahil sa sinasabi ng mundo na mali ito

mali na mahal kita at mahal mo ako

mali nagsama tayo

mali na nagmamahalan tayo

–

naging tahimik ang isang talata

sa aking kabanata simula ng ika’y mawala

hindi makitaan ng ningning ang mga mata

at ang mga labi ng kurba

–

nakiusap sa may-akda na sana, 

sana makasama kita

sana nandito ka

at sana mababalik pa

–

at hindi niya ako binigo

nalaman kong dininig niya ang pakiusap ko

sapagkat sa susunod na talata

ay sumulat siya ng pagkakataon na hindi mapipigilan ni tadhana

–

nakasama kita, at ang pinakamahalaga

bumalik ka

at hindi na natin ininda ang mga sinasabi nila

mali para sakanila pero ang mahalaga 

mahal kita

ang mahalaga nagmamahalan tayong dalawa

–

ikaw ang nakasama sa panibagong taon

hinarap lahat ng mga hamon

mga bangayan na minsa’y walang pinatutunguhan

at mga kulitan na puro lamang tawanan

–

hindi naging madali lahat sa relasyong ito

ngunit ang mahalaga ay lumalaban tayo

mas pinipiling ngumiti kaysa mamroblema

pinipiling yakapin ka kaysa mawala ka

–

ang daming ala ala

nakilala na ang mga dapat makilala

mga magulang nating dalawa

natapos na ang dapat matapos

natuldukan na ang mga hamon

sabay sinalubong ang mga kagawaran

suot ang pulang  toga at hawak ang diploma

–

magandang tinapos nang may-akda ang talata

at sinimulan ang ikalabing-limang kabanata

panibagong hamon

panibagong pagsubok

at nangako tayo na kakayanin padin natin to

–

ngunit hindi naging madali ito

nawala ang nakasanayang magkasama tayo

nawala ang nakasanayang mga yakap at presensya mo

ang daming pagbabago, pero lumaban ako

–

lumaban ako at umaasang masasalba pa to

lumaban ako kahit hirap na hirap na tayo

pinanghawakan ko ang mga pangako mo

na kakayanin din natin to

–

ngunit dumating sa puntong kailangan nang sumuko

kailangan ng tuldukan kung anong meron tayo

pero dahil lumalaban pako

sa ikalawang pagkakataon nakisuap ako sa may-akda

nagmakaawa na pagbigyan

na makasama ka pa nang pangmatagalan

na hindi sana hayaang matuldukan 

ang ating pinagsamahan

–

ngunit hindi niya nako pinagbigyan

hindi niya na ako pinakinggan

ngunit alam kong hindi niya pa tinutuldukan

at may pag-asa pang ituloy nya ang ating pagmamahalan

–

kaya ipinilit ko

inilaban ko 

nakiusap ako

pero tadhana mismo ang pumunit sa mga kabanatang ito

–

ninakaw ng tadhana sa aking may-akda ang kwento nating dalawa

siya na mismo ang pumunit sa mga kabanata

hindi na hinayaang masundan pa

hindi na hinayaang magkasama pa

–

wala na

pinunit nya na

pinunit na ng tadhana ang kwento ng pagmamahalan nating dalawa

pinunit na ng tadhana ang pagsasamahan nating dalawa

pinunit ng tadhana ang kwento nating dalawa

isang tula na personal na isinulat ng may akda noong mga panahong nawala ang binatang pinakamamahal niya.. -eoei

A New Beginning in a New Decade

Posted on by ligaya

It has been 8 days since 2020 came as a new beginning for everyone of us. A new chapter or a new book rather, that we are about to open and read. We have new year’s resolutions, new promises, new goals and we tend to ready ourselves for another year that needed to be faced. We need to buckle up our seatbelts, hold tight as the days started to go by, fresh and new, once again.

We are all excited to start a new chapter, there will be a new storyline. But fear still dwells in us. There will always be a doubt if it’s going to be a good year for us or just another messy one. We are so bound to the pains that the past years have given us, and the more we push ourselves to be confident for this year, the more worry we feel.

But who cares, it’s our life to handle. It’s our journey to take. It’s our fate we need to face. Whatever worry, doubt, fear we feel, we need to go on. Just close your eyes, take a deep breath, and continue. 366 days, 358 chances and opportunities left. Let’s all give our best shot.

What Just Happened?

Posted on by ligaya
image by: BTL Medical Technologies

What just happened?

What happened to my beautiful country?

Once filled with different treasures.

Once wealthy for it’s natural resources.

What just happened?

What happened to its wonderful people?

Once known for being respectful and polite

Once known for having the happiest smiles

What happened my dear people?

What happened to the freedom our heroes fought for us?

We already had the freedom

Or did we really had freedom?

Our own fellow Filipinos stealing our money

Our own fellow Filipinos being the terrorist of our own country

Our own fellow Filipinos seeking the highest power yet don’t give us justice

Are we free?

Our own fellow Filipinos trying to copy the culture and policies of other countries

Our own fellow Filipino not brave enough to fight to have our own West Philippine Sea

Are we really free?

You can’t just wander around

You ain’t sure if you’re safe and sound

Rapists are anywhere

Drug addicts could be near somewhere

Snatchers follow you here and there

Corrupts acting they are good and fair

What happened my dear country?

Where is your freedom now?

Was Rizal’s death really worth it?

Or it’s just a live play that we are free

They knew we’re free

We all know we’re free

But sadly they don’t see

That we let them shatter our country slowly and surely

I am sorry

My dear country, please come back to me.

Dream High, Soar High

Posted on by ligaya

We all have our own dreams. So many goals, so many expectations. We’re looking forward into a brighter future. A future where you live with no worries about the food, the money, the place you’re staying in. We don’t want a future that we will live just to work and work and work.

image by: Sydney

As a human, it is not bad to dream high. That’s a good thing actually, having a specific goal in your life. But what we do in our journey to reach our dream is a big thing. Yes we dream to be this and that, to have things like these and those but are we doing something for it? Are we trying hard to chase our dreams? That’s the saddest part we dream high but we don’t soar high. It’s like being a bird who wants to learn to fly but doesn’t try.

If you have a dream, chase it. If you have a goal, work for it. Don’t just sit there and wait for the future. Don’t wait for the time that you’ll realize it’s too late, that you’re too old to make things happen. As long as you have the time, take advantage of it for developing yourself for the future and making decisions that will hold a bright tomorrow.

We won’t like to live in a messy future. We won’t like a life of surviving, we would want a life of living. Someday we should know that we should work to live not live to work.

What ifs

Posted on by ligaya

Do you ever have that “I hope i did this” feeling. Like regretting because you missed an opportunity that could possibly change your whole life. Having those “what ifs” because there are many possible outcomes if you just did that. Hmm?

Image by: Etsy

I was once a shy student, well until now but not that super shy anymore. They have known me to be snob, quiet and serious person. That’s kinda true but that was years ago. I have developed my self esteem through the years. I’ve learned that if I let shyness take me, I will miss so much opportunities. Like not reciting even though you know the answer, i’ll miss a good grade for that. Not saying hi to someone because i’m shy, I can miss so many “supposed to be ” friendship because of that. Not interacting with others because I feel that i’m not belong, I can miss so many moments that will surely counts. And I will really regret if I will miss so much opportunities.

Now, everything could be the same for you. In different situation maybe, but there are many opportunities led in front of you. Many doors and many new environment. Behind those doors could be a wonderful journey for you. Don’t just let that door be locked forever. Try to get in. Try discover where your heart belongs to and where God wants you to be. So many good opportunities that needs to be chased, don’t waste it. Not everyone is given a chance to something. That thing in front of you might be the thing that someone really wants to yet you just ignore it because you’re shy? No love, no. It’s not bad to go outside of your comfort zone. Get outside that box. Meet new good friends. Be in wonderful and inspiring activities. Be in places and events that will mold your heart, mind and personality. Remember this, if you fail, atleast you’ve learned, but if you take that door and that journey is really meant for you, it will be a wonderful path. It will never be a loss for you if you take the chance. Learn or enjoy will always be better than regretting.

image by: Ginger-N-Pickles

Tough

Posted on by ligaya

Women are known to be weak. Men have more opportunities because everyone thinks they are more capable than women. That’s why we promote gender equality. But making it simple, pertaining to an individual, just being a woman, how tough are you?

The phrase “strong independent woman” is over used by many people. They consider themselves strong and independent. I can also consider myself strong but not independent. But being tough as a woman alone is hard. How is it possible that there are woman who has strong personalities? How can we consider a woman tough?

1 . She have God

According to Psalm 46:5, “God is within her, she will not fall”. Having a God in your heart, you are confident in facing the trials that approaching you because you know you can’t but your God can. Many women, withstand challenges because they have a strong God within them, fighting for them nd not letting them down.

2. Self-love

Self love is hard to attain. Simple words but big impact. Having self love is not selfish, it is knowing how you need to be treated. Having self love affects a woman’s personality. They know where and when to be. They know how to take care of their hearts and knowing what might hurt them.

3. Knowing her worth

Actually, this is a part of the process of attaining self love. As woman, you should know your worth. You should know what you deserve and what you don’t. You should cut off toxic people in your life that isn’t healthy for your heart. You should know how people should treat you, you know your limit, you know when to voice out. You should know your standards.

4. Knowing her capabilities

Knowing what you can do is a big part of being a strong woman. You don’t let people underestimate or discourage you. As long as you really can do something, you will. Know your abilities and take advantage of your strength.

5. Discipline

Being strong is good but knowing when and where to be strong is right. Yes, we can have strong personalities but we should also have discipline on how to show it. You don’t have to be war freak just to show you can. You should know your limit as a person.

image by: Heartman Clothes

Being a strong woman is definitely hard. Trying to face everything that your surroundings throw against you, trying to be an inspiration to others and trying to prove yourself to other people is a complicated job, but considering the 5 points enumerated above, it will be easy to have a firm and tough personality if you already attain those. The biggest point of all is having God, He is the strength and He is the key to everything. Have Him in your life and everything will follow.

Paradises

Posted on by ligaya

Would you believe me if I would tell you that there are so many paradise around us? To be honest, paradise surrounds us. There are so many places that we didn’t even know does exists. How? Books. Authors create wonderful places using their hands and mind. Those places are paradise. They construct different kinds of paradise. Magnificient places that was made through imaginations.

It’s amazing how to be in different places without moving your feet. You construct unreal yet beautiful places in your mind. By just moving your eyes and making you mind works, you’d be somewhere no one had seen. It’s just you, your book and your imagination.

image by: Bashooka Web & Graphic Design

They say, reading is boring, but they didn’t knew the beauty in it. Well, they don’t read. They don’t know the feeling of being in a paradise of someone’s creation. They don’t know how it feels meeting other people you wished really exist. They don’t know the feeling of reading the last line of a book and it feels like leaving a wonderful place. They will never know because they don’t read.

If you’re a reader, be thankful. You experienced different kind of feelings that only books can give you. You’ve been in places that only books can let you see. It will never be a loss if you’re a reader. You will never feel alone because books will never leave you but rather bring you in a paradise.