#ymaginus

This was shot morning and evening of September 19, 2011, a day after my birthday. I refrained from responding to the greetings given to me via facebook and twitter because I want my reply to be as full of effort as this.

I can say that the celebration of my 23rd birth anniversary has been a blast.

I welcomed it last Saturday night with Erica, Ramil and Alden in places I have been and I have never been. It's a different experience for me.

I celebrated it with my family, my cousin Joshua and Chevylle last Sunday.

We went to church and ate at Shakey's where I experienced this:

And my epic reaction:

Later that day, I went out with my BFFs Razeille Baliw, Alden Negro, Sarah Bilog and her husband Omar Oblong.

The day after, I prepared a shout out video to thank all those who greeted me via Twitter, via Facebook, and via text. Sadly, it would take some time to edit and render the clips. My camera played up as well when it was losing battery charge so I needed to re-shoot some parts. That's why it's not finished yet. Well, I'm effort-ful like that. Haha.

Celebration did not stop there. Chevylle, Tito Don, Diane, Audrey and Pam threw a post-birthday celeb for Mia and I last night.

I learned a lot of things after these gatherings.

That I am already 23.

That I've grown... probably OLD but more of MATURELY.

That I've known a lot of people... Made friends with most of them, helped & received help from a lot of them, and loved & felt love from some of them.

That it's costly to throw individual celebrations per circle of friends. Haha. Thank God these people did not let me spend a lot.

That birthdays make me fat. I'm eyeing a celebration that will not require food, eating and spending much. Maybe on my 24th.

And, lastly, I'm reminded...

That life is indeed beautiful. I've been existing for more than two decades now. I had thoughts of ending my life before because of the trials, problems, stresses it gives me but Thank God I'm still here and enjoying every bits and pieces of it.

I bought a book from a friend to show support... to him and to what he and his organization believe in. It's called The Kaya Natin! Champions: Inspiring Stories of Good Governance and Leadership in the Philippines by Kaya Natin! Movement for Good Governance and Ethical Leadership.

I have not really finished reading it yet. I am not even halfway through. But I'd like to share a very inspiring quote I read from the first few pages of the book. It was by Alexander Lacson from his poem "I Am Filipino" in the book "12 Little Things a Filipino Can Be"

I am born as part of a whole, as part of the answer to the question, as part of the solution to the problem, as part of the hope to our people. I am born to help build a better world for all humanity. I am born to help the Filipino to become great not only in the eyes of the world but more so in the eyes of our Lord.

The moment I read this, I felt happier to be born a Filipino. I was oozing with sense of responsibility. It caused me to rethink... In my 23 years of existence, what have I done for my country? What have I contributed to have an effective government? Have I been part of the solution or of the problem? It will take time for me to mull over my answer but at least, I'm thinking about it... again.

I am aware of what the book would like to achieve. Quoting Harvey Keh,

The objective of this book is to highlight the positive and inspiring stories of political leaders who are doing good for the country, and how this can help bring about empowerment for ordinary Filipinos who also want to make a difference.

It is not impossible that this compilation of write-ups will accomplish that. I hope that this would reach a lot.

After reading the feature for the first champion, Congressman Teodoro "Teddy" Baguilat, Jr., I am reminded that "Yes, we can!" We have people in the position who have integrity and who will do everything they can to drive our country to a better direction.

I will not try to finish reading this book as quick as possible. I would like to savor each word, sentence written for each 'champion.' In response to what F Sionil Jose noted in his article why Filipinos are shallow, I'll be having this book as my 'read-anywhere' book to deepen myself. :)

I am personally looking forward to next volumes as that will mean that there are more people leading with integrity. More of them means it is more possible to have a better Philippines.

-----