Irony

In the darkest of night, a minute spark in the sky is an awe, often seen as a star.  In a dark life, the simplest good deed is remarkably noticeable and could be a reason for an impulsive celebration.

In the clearest sky, a dark cloud is a disruption.  In a good life, the simplest mistake is plainly noticeable and could be a reason for a harsh rebuke.

When bad does bad, affirmation (that he is bad);
When bad does good, celebration.
When good does good, expected;
When good does bad, condemnation.

Ironical.

Bugtongan: The Filipino Riddle Game

“Ayan na si Kaka, pabuka-bukaka?” …. ano ito?  …. PAKO!

“Ako’y isang Krus na maliit, kung wala ako’y walang langit!? …. ano ito? …….

Bugtongan (boog-too-ng-an) or riddle game is always fun.  It simply tests one’s wit and cleverness on words and phrases.  It’s a game … it’s fun … it’s educational … It’s a brain exercise …. it’s poetic …. it’s pinoy.

Before XBox, PS3, Wii, computer games, flash games, and texting was bugtongan … among other typical Filipino traditional games  (piko, tumbang-preso, tumbang-lata, bao, and other exciting games). It was a family game … even a group game at that … first to guess it right … wins …. ahh … the sound of laughter and picking on the loser … of course, not without the how-could-it-be’s and challenging-protests …. and the grandpa’s and grandma’s are instantly summoned for the FINAL answer.  It was a game mostly enjoyed during twilight, a full new moon and blackouts.  Bugtongan is simply fun.

Bugtongan also brings out the master-bugtongero … one who knows the answer for every bugtong and has a well of ammunition full of bugtong charges — from the simple and popular, to the most clever and at times, of his own.  This challenge on the wits between bugtongeros is even brought to test on top of the stage, especially during fiestas and celebrations in full adornment of barongs, sombreros and props.  It is a challenge taken and faced with pride and honor.

In the advent of technology, computer games, boxing, basketball, golf  and beers, bugtongan fades with the master-bugtongeros.  The traditional Filipino game withers with the kaymito, the bayabas, nilupak, kinulunggong-duhat, dinikdik-na-sinigwelas-sa-asin -at-paminta and kakanin….. flickering with the age of the olds …..

It’s 21st Century and I am very much aware of it.  Who would not love this century of microchips and fiber optics; of chats and tweets;  of farmville and poker; of loops and facebooks; of tubes and downloads; of google and flickers; of iPods and iTunes; of Wii and PS3; of ebooks and notebooks; of convection and microwaves … who would not wonder and amaze with genetics and physics; of men and politics …. this I believe is still the advent of a future.  Bugtongan, in this age, could be just a zero and one.

I long for the wit, laughter and fun in bugtongan … it is not just a game; not just for fun; not just a test of wit; not just a language in zeroes and ones … it is a tradition …. a culture …. once upon a time, popular … once upon the age, played.

The generation may be new and advents after advents beckon …. but it is never too late for the “once” to “be”.  The new genre may have heard of it, but  I never really got to see it played and passed on.  I hope ….

The riddles of the tongue twisters … the wits of the master-bugtongeros … the laughters and fun of the young and the old … a pinoy-culture flickering in the wave of the future.      

“Ako’y isang Krus na maliit, kung wala ako’y walang langit!? …. ano ito?  eh di ….. Titik “T” (the letter “T”)

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No Heaven, No Hell

In one of our Philosophy classes, a professor once posted a premise – what if there is no heaven and there is no hell? WHAT IF? … I had never thought of that before. 

But,  what if there is really no heaven and there is no hell? … would this change living the lives as we do?  What about of being and living good or bad?

I believe there is heaven and there is hell; that there is a place for the good and the bad after life; that there is more sense in being good; and that there is a better meaning in just living and dying.  

There is a grand design and purpose in living in this earthly life; of dealing with pains and suffering; of deprivations and richness; of being poor and being rich; of believing in something and someone bigger than all these.

The thing is, living the moment the best we can is in itself satisfying and gratifying. Life is more than just worrying about the facts of tomorrow; for the things and choices of today are ingredients for a better tomorrow.  The choice of being and living good; and being and living bad is a moment’s personal choice not to be based on what lies after and beyond that is a thing of faith.    

But, WHAT IF there is no heaven and there is no hell? … then, there is more explaining for the sages to do and a bigger faith for me … and us.  I keep my faith and live good anyway and anyhow.

Paper Clipping

Ruler, scissors, glue and newspaper ….  there is something enjoyable with paper clipping.

It was my father who first introduced me to paper clipping.  He used a ruler, seldom a scissor, to clip newspaper articles … i recall, those were mostly the “Quotable Quotes” column in Manila Bulletin.

I do read “digital” or e(News)paper but still, there is something differently good in reading the actual paper print from the dinosaur printing machines … the smell of paper, the ink blotting on fingers, mobility and the idea of being able to clip, paste and file all the paper clipping. 

It’s a collector’s habit I guess and the feeling of actually being on that particular moment when the news or article was published. A sort of a time-warp. When the paper clippings fade, the more fulfilling it is to go back in time through a reread.

When a paper clipping is  really worth preserving, I scan it to capture a vivid graphic of the actual paper.  A zerox copy will do, but it does it can only preserve a copy in black and white … informative but dull and without a hint of a time-warped emotion in a paper clipping.

In this age, digital replica is vivid and graphically supreme, great for the eyes firing up an emotion. Paper clippings may be graphically imperfect but it is completely satisfying in being able to hold a relic of the time-warped moment in history.  It’s a habit, it’s a release, it’s my time machine.

The Metaphoric Filipino

Ruping, Dona Paz, Mount Pinatubo, Frank, Sulpicio Lines -Princes of the Sea, Ondoy, and the threatening Pepeng … storms, disasters, earthquakes,  political crisis … 

The test of a man’s character is in the middle of a crisis.
Filipino resiliency is unquestionable time and again throughout the Philippine History. A Filipino will always stands out the tests of times.  He is a metaphor all in one.

Ang Metaporang Pinoy
(The Metaphoric Filipino)

Ang pinoy, parang kabute, tutubo kahit sa tae ;
(A Filipino is like a mushroom that grows even on dung)

Parang Kangkong, kahit sa estero kakabag;
(A water spinach, that trails even on canals;)

Parang kawayan, hahapay lang, hindi tutumba, ;
(A bamboo tree, that sways, but never breaks;)

Parang tsinelas, makakarating, kahit manipis at butas;
(A slipper, that reaches its destination even when torn and worn;)

Kahit ano, kahit papaano, kahit saan,
(Whatever, however, wherever),

Lahat yan dahil sa PAMILYA;
(All for the Family);

Ang siyang bukal ng kalakasan;
(the fountain of all strength);

Ang hibla ng kadugtungan.
(The fiber that binds).