Leaders' Forum- Manila

After months of planning, weeks of sleepless nights and hours of mind-boggling activities, UP Bannuar paved way to the biggest gathering of young leaders in the Metro Manila area.

With the theme "Redefining Passion, Challenging Solutions", LF-Manila served as an avenue for the students to inflame their hearts with what CHANGE is and what can they do to initiate CHANGE. This gathering aimed and succeeded in informing these young leaders about the current national issues, may it be of political, social and even environmental issues.

Through the lectures of the venerable and respected individuals in and out of the country, the students were able to identify all the problems which push our country in the verge of crises. Also, at the end of the lectures, they were able to internalize all the information fed and formulated solutions to these problems. These young leaders were able to establish the significance of moving forward and actively participating in a revolution to which change is fought for-- a revolution aiming to build a nation through responsible leadership.

The list of speakers in the said event is as follows:
Pastor VJ Bote with the topic "Foundations of a Good Leader"

Atty. Alex Lacson with the topic "What the youth Can Do For Our Country"

Director Perry S. Ong (Institute of Biology, UP Diliman) with the topic "Alternative Perspective on Global Warming"

Anthony Luigi de Vera (UP Bannuar Chairperson) with the topic "Media and Youth Action and the Society"

National Youth Commissioner Dino Badilla and UP Student Regent Shahana Abdulwahid for the panel disscusion with the topic "Taking the Lead in Changing Pinoy Politics"

Mr. Abraham Ng Singco with the topic "Creating a Sphere of Change"

Laudable efforts of the organizers were put to good use , seeing these young leaders inspired with all the lectures given. UP Bannuar will continue to live with its pillars, LEADERSHIP, SERVICE and EXCELLENCE because only through this passion that they exist.

One Heart to Give

February is the give-all-for-your-loved-one month that’s why the love merchandise is in.
I was struck when a friend handed me a red envelope. At first I was thinking it was late for the Chinese New Year but then when I saw the heart-shaped candy attached to the lid, I realized how stupid I was. She smiled as I accepted the ‘gift’ and then she uttered ‘For you my friend, happy single awareness day’. Sweet but I admit it, I was bitter. She did that to all of us; those who didn’t have a date for the valentine but didn’t even care to find one. At that moment, I felt anxious without knowing the reason why. The antics didn’t seem enough to justify the anxiety rushing over my veins. It felt like I am about to do something wrong; something I must or perhaps must not do. I drained my brain cells thinking about it until finally I gave up.
It was Friday and before I merge with the crowd for the Bamboo thingy, I decided to first put of my armour and hurried to the sanctuary. I remember walking towards the place with my friends and I told them I was expecting something to happen which in turn they guessed to be something romantic. I yielded to their guessing, to the idea of having a ‘perfect date’ for that night.
ONE plus ONE equals ONE. Those are the first words that struck me. Algebra tells me to oppose and defend him but because of my traumatic math classes, and because of my trust in the speaker, I agreed. And as I yielded to the phrase, realization sank in and I caught myself wondering.
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God created Adam and provided him all his needs at the right time. It was a perfect way of living and so Adam praised and loved God with all of his being. He knew what he was about to do during the span of his life, and it’s none other than to praise and glorify God’s name until his death. In short, he was content and he was in a good relationship with the creator. Amidst the perfect life, God knew something is lacking. He knew He has to give Adam more and so He created Eve out of Adam’s ribs. That was the start of the first carnal love story and there was no doubt Adam loved God more.
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Trying to figure out what was in the message that I could digest before the end of the service, I tried to play dead for a couple of minutes but the husky voice of the preacher jolted me back as he told the congregation, “YOU THERE, WILL YOU ENTRUST YOUR LOVE STORY WITH GOD?” And then there was the gist, do I really need to wait for God to give me my man or should I run the world and try to find him? I’ll be a hypocrite if I say I just want to be single but whenever I think of the question, the idea of playing the I-will-wait-for-you drama seems not that bad. AH! I don’t know. What’s certain is the fact that there are 3 things I need to satisfy in order to meet my ‘God’s Best’:
1. I need to establish a deeper relationship with God and enjoy it in order to be complete.
2. I have to believe that I already know my destiny. I know who will I serve and how will I serve him . And then all that’s left to ask , will be , “Lord, with whom?”
3. I need to be contented like Adam. I don’t need to be anxious about anything.

I know once I’ve already satisfied these conditions, my ‘God’s Best’ will walk right in front of my face and tell me how long he has been searching for me. Only then can I tell myself, “This is the love story written by God”.

One Life to Live

NUMBERS matter. OUR DAYS are counted. MONEY can’t be ignored.
We are often deceived by sheer hopes of comfort and wealth. We must admit it; our lives are incarcerated with the idea of controlling the numbers so as to acquire POWER. Our eyes are fixed into what is uncertain or if not, we are blinded, eyes totally taken out of our orbits. We are incapacitated; our senses removed in order to effectively impose this dogma that would seem impossible to escape from. Living in this kind of prison is excruciating and it takes great courage for one to turn his back on the promises of good life, to detoxify himself and move forward empty-handed. Good thing is, at some point we decide to breach the portals. We decide to breakout. But then despite our efforts, we fail. As we come closer to the gates, or even to the verge of exoneration, we fall on our knees and right in front of our eyes, we see ourselves repeating the same mistakes. This happens, always. We always forget to unshackle ourselves and so the most important thing is always left unremoved-the handcuffs. As a result, we are left dumbfounded and the story repeats and never ends.
MOST of us think that the best way to live life is to make things out of it. It’s apparent. People do things to satisfy their needs, to get their wants, and to fulfil their cravings even in the expense of others. We spend our time dreaming about the good in life, of immortality, expending our efforts in trying to acquire every single thing that can be ours. As far as success is concerned, we always see to it that every opportunity which will draw us closer to what is ‘good’ is grabbed, regardless of which is morally right and which is not. The catch is no matter how many times we mull over these things; no matter how many times we realize that what we are doing is completely irrational and illogical, we still succumb. We persuade ourselves that we are never wrong, that morality is never an issue and that we are not to be blamed. We believe that these mentalities can never be isolated from the idea of us, being human. We try to box ourselves, thinking that there’s no other choice, letting the sinister creep into our veins until we end up in sepsis.
LITTLE do we comprehend that there’s always an alternative. We barely recognize that it is the truth that we suppressing. It is the truth that we are trying to run from. Only fools would think that living this life is a one-way path. In this journey, crossroads will never be missing and so are choices. The heavens would agree if I say FREE WILL is given not only for us to enjoy but for us to make use of it wisely. That’s why Philosophizing is vital for living. It tells us what is ought to be done and what is ought to be avoided; which choice is RIGHT and which is not.
We may ask ourselves, what is the best way to live this life if it’s not about NUMBERS? Scriptures tell us one thing- the best way to live is to live in LIGHT which is never easy. It is a long and challenging race and it is the responsibility of every runner to discover the rules. One’s goal is not to reach the end with the least span of time but rather to run the race the best way we could; to move forth and travail the track the righteous way; to be able to reach the end, see THE COACH face-to-face, and hear Him say “Well done, MY CHILD”.
COUNTING DAYS and ADDING YEARS TO YOUR LIFE is not that bad but there’s a better way to live. Why not RUN THE RACE and ADD LIFE TO YOUR YEARS? It’s never too late. The Christian race starts every day and there’s no better time to start it than NOW. START RUNNING and never stop. LIVE LIFE.

The truth behind the war

2.04.08
Out of sheer kindness and sincere thoughts, we dared ourselves to go into the battlefield. We went there fully armed of respect and humility. As far as i know, It was a battle (they) started long ago and none of us know the real story behind it. For years now, that war is no longer a huge issue for us , in fact nobody mentions the past unless someone asks.That’s why It was really awkward to carry the white flag when you know that you will always be marked.

Honestly, i went there out of pure intentions. I went there because i want to learn more of my bloodline,to enjoy the food, to explore.I went there because i want to bridge gaps ,which i know was never impossible. My colleagues also wanted the same, it was a group consensus to take the risks.Unfortunately, it turned out that the idea of a peaceful talk, of a friendly meeting will never be within reach.

As i listen to the lecture, i felt roving eyes staring at us, most especially when our leader arrived and sat beside me. “We were never wrong, it wasn’t a mistake going here”, i kept on telling myself for i know our intentions are pure and that we are professional enough to deal with the situation. But as the lecture ended and food was served, the atmosphere changed. The accommodating gestures now vanished as faces became blank and so i knew, they were already unpredictable.Tension arose and right there on my seat i felt beleaguered. I felt like the room grew smaller just as the people mutated into huge villains laughing around. The honcho approached us,offering food. It felt like she was trying to ease the tension. It was a kind gesture i thought and somehow,i felt relieved. Confusion darted across the room, anxiety predominated each individual. I tried to smile to calm myself but my instincts and hunches were never wrong. Just as the glutton arrived, the faces around dimmed , i saw red wanting eyes, gnashing teeth and fists closed as if there’s a hunt , as if there’s a battle that’s need to be won.

“We need to leave. we need reinforcement”, i whispered but the husky voice of our leader beside me told me to relax and so i obeyed. There was a sudden gush of blood in my veins. it came from my lower proximity and then up to my head. Heinous words filled the air and i couldn’t say any less. I wanted to stand and let them know their tactics are pathetic. i wanted to speak right in front of their faces and let them know WE ARE NOT LIKE THEM .
Plans crossed my mind every now and then but none of it was carried out. Maybe it’s due to the reflex of professionalism. It’s due to our training in BANNUAR that prevented me from stooping down to their level. And yes, in that battle that they had been dying to conquer, they lost unconsciously.

It was really a great experience exploring the other side of the leaf. Now i know, how great we are. They’re the villains and we are truly the noble ones. And no matter what they say, the truth that ORIGINALITY is NOTHING compared to EXCELLENCE can never be ignored.

Why Bannuar?

02.04.08
Out of sheer kindness, we tried to raise the white flag as we step foot on the rival’s territory. It was an awkward feeling i felt as i sit down and listen to the lecture delivered by a fellow ilocano. I went there because i want to learn more of my bloodline,to eat, to enjoy.Ii went there because i want to bridge gaps somehow and i know, my colleagues also wanted the same but it turned out that the idea of a peaceful talk, of a friendly meeting and a professional leadership was never within reach.
As i listen to the lecture, i felt roving eyes staring at me, most especially when our leader arrived and sat beside me. We were never wrong, it wasn’t a mistake going there, i thought, for i know our intentions are pure and that we are professional enough to deal with the situation. As the lecture ended and food was served, the tension arises and right there on my seat i felt belittled. I felt like the room grew smaller just as the people became huge villains laughing around. The honcho approached us, trying to ease the tension, offering food, and i ,somehow, felt relieved. All i thought, i was just being paranoid, but my instincts and hunches were never wrong. Just as the glutton arrived, the faces around dimmed , i saw red wanting eyes, fists closed as if there’s a battle that’s need to be won.

“We need to leave”, i whispered but the husky voice beside me told me to relax and so i obeyed. There was a sudden gush of blood in my veins. it came from my lower proximity and then up and then back down. Heinous antics and words filled the air and i couldn’t say any less. I want to stand and let them know WE ARE NOT LIKE THEM. i want to speak right in front of their faces and let them feel WE ARE REALLY BETTER.
Plans crossed my mind every now and then but none of it was carried out. Maybe it’s due to the reflex of professionalism. It’s due to our training in BANNUAR that keeps us from stooping down to their level. And yes, in that battle that they had been dying to win, they lost unconsciously.

It was really a great experience exploring the other side of the coin. Now i know, we are on the right side. They’re the villains and we are truly the noble ones. And no matter what they say, the truth that originality is nothing compared to excellence can never be ignored.

WHY BANNUAR? We may not be the ORIGINAL but we will always be the BEST.

SOLACE

t’s been a while now when i forgot about blogging; when i started secluding myself from the people who once thought i would be a success. It’s been a while now when i started worrying about what might happen the next few days, few weeks, this new year.

For two weeks i’ve struggled. People inflicted so much pain that it made me feel nothing was bearable. I played a lot during this vacation. I played with danger, i got dirty and yet, i felt fulfilled not because i am happy but because somehow, i know i’ve eased the suffering all by myself. That i don’t need any help. although sometimes i tend to harass every person in my contact.

Dancing. It has been my passion for years. And at this point, i feel that passion resurrected. Not that i wanted it to happen but because it should be.

Singing. I never knew i could be fond of humming melodies, of listening to heartbreaking laughters and cries of the lyrics. Of my friends’ melodious voices trying to get me to sleep every tiime i talk about MY stuff. Those stuff i need to unload.

Blogging. i felt this urgent need to pour all of these here. I’ve used simple words, for i don’t want to be like him. So strange, so high, so unreachable.

Him. yes, he is the reason why i am doing all of these things this christmas vacation. disclaimer: HE IS NOT MY LIFE ANYMORE. I’ve turned selfish now, trying to console myself that pampering the whole me would change everything, every single detail of this life.

CONTRACT. I’ve gotten into trouble, i know, for once again i made a sword hang over me. Anytime, i would be dead. I put myself into danger. Something i know i can’t escape and that its consequences are inevitable.

ONCE MORE i saw the other guy. I was in pain when i saw him. it’s not because i still feel for him but because i was irritated that he has still the guts to show up after what he has done to me. Maybe because i’m just too kind and that i’m just too considerate , too friendly to let him walk right in front of me smiling. i should have slapped him or kicked his ass or throw him into the waters. but i didn’t. i loved him, i know it wasn’t that deep but i know i did have certain special feelings for him. But i admit, as i type these words and try to think of the best words to write , one word crosses my mind. “JOY”… yes, i know HE has found happiness.. HE has found his JOY…

FRIENDS last really longer than boyfriends. That’s true. i was disturbed when two of my friends came to me crying over their girl, or should i say, the girl they supposed to be calling theirs. It’s funny how people try to comfort themselves by asking pieces of advice when they know that it was just for the ritual. For the record, nobody followed any of my advice. they just brushed through the letters , scanned my text messages, mulled over them but nothing was done according to plan. they went on their own ignoring that there’s still me, their FRIEND.

it’s funny how i try to compose this entry. i wanted to concentrate on a single phenomenon, to a single emotion, to a single feeling but i just can’t. it seems like i was pretty overwhelmed by all these happenings. I just can’t consider them experience, maybe because i didn’t learn any.

NEW LIFE. i’m trying to convince myself to live a new life. to be the new me, but i guess all i could is to cross my fingers until one of my ‘PRAYER points’ come true. by the way, you could scrap the first one since i think i already forgot how to do it. That’s the other problem, i am lost and no where to be found…

SOLACE. like now, i am all by myself. like what he tried to be when i said NO. like what he used to say when i try to be close to the ‘other’ him. like what he did when his girl died. like what i did when i decided to stop the game, to stop loving, to stop bleeding..

Note: the words ‘he’, ‘him’ and ‘his’ are relative. they point to different people. it’s not a problem if you really know my story.

Just when i started asking why...

alright, here i am in a net shop far from the original IT, trying to waste my time in this stupid post. Oh well, i was really trying hard to console myself with the idea that i am with a cousin, and that i will have a free ride back home. I was really trying hard to forget what happened last night but then things pushed me to the limits. I couldn't wait for all my questions to be answered. Why why why. Why did i end up this way?
i thought i was strong enough to withstand all these things which kept on taunting me yet i was wrong. No matter how many times people tell me i'm smart, i know i could always prove them wrong.
shit! i'm not making any sense. all i want to say is i'm madly 'in love' with him,he's not in love with me, and that he will never be..