In Cruce Triumphans

''Kung di tayo kikibo, sino ang kikibo? Kung hindi taya kikilos, sino ang kikilos? Kung hindi ngayon, kailan pa?''

Dishonoring the memory of heroes has never been done more effectively than by the current administration. As an ordinary citizen living in a different country, who am I to complain? This holiday economics policy has resulted to more friends being able to visit me here in the Lion City anyway. The big group I went with last week had an action-packed 3 day itinerary that included being washed out in both the Bird Park and Sentosa (ako ata ang may balat sa pwet as this was the second time that my Sentosa adventure was rained out), taking pictures of all the monuments, making the obligatory river cruise and shopping along the avenues, eating the Singaporean staples at the hawker centers and just about any other thing that tourists do here (including being among the throng that eagerly waited for the fireworks display). Aching legs nonetheless, I had a very nice time discovering the sights and sounds of Singapura!

Conflicts more often arise due to a clash of personalities. In recent years, I have been at the forefront of friends fighting with each other. The best of friends could indeed become the worst of enemies. It saddens me to see them that way. The hardest thing to do actually is to stop myself from taking sides. It is also a good thing that those involved have never asked me to choose which side I'm on. Otherwise, I would have been furious at them and say "IDGAD. IAMMOB." Giving way has never been so hard. I often wonder, have we become so engrossed on ourselves that we forget the impact of what we do on other people? I for one have been giving way all the time (and this is not self-righteous fact) to many, (not just to my friends) and so it pained me to hear a remark - "nagtatago ka raw? (I was hiding from this person)" when in fact I had rescued that person from a financial emergency!

2007 is the year to finally contribute one's genes to the burgeoning population. One cousin is about to give birth while her sister is pregnant, and another friend will be having fraternal twins. I hope it is also the best year for switching careers (yeah still the same goal) and for passing the ultimate-never-again-please-do-not-repeat-exam (THE BAR). In a few days, my littlest brother will be taking it in the same place I did 9 years ago (Has it been that long???). He will also be staying in the same hotel and maybe, experience the same anxieties and panicky feelings (I did enjoy the breakfast buffet though!). With the 2 Manaoag trips, countless dine outs and movie screenings and sirang plaka advice from the entire family, I am keeping my fingers crossed and wishing for the best for him!