An Open Letter to Ms. Philippines Maxine Medina

Photo Credits to Owner

I was there in the front row. Together with my kin, my eyes were glued to the 24-inch screen in our tiny living room miles away from cheering crowd and the glamorous stage where you fought with a beautiful smile, remarkable grace, and queen-like stature.

The crowd was not always cheering you on, I know. Some were ruthless in the light of their own utopian perfection, let them be. People will throw could-haves with bitter side comments, let them be. They may rant on and on with how they were disappointed, let them be.

Perhaps you know this better than I do, the world can be so tough it will try to rip you off your kindness and rob your smile, don’t let it.

10 Miriam Defensor-Santiago Quotes I Can Live By

 

Credits to the Owner

Aside from all the zingers, puns, and rhetorics that are spinning after the passing of Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago I also want to bring to the surface some of her thoughts about life, politics, and God.

 

I am a fan, I must admit. She never got the shot to become Philippine President after two attempts but that doesn’t discount the fact that she was capable and qualified – academically, professionally, and morally.

Love her or hate her, she has something to say about that too. I rummaged the World Wide Web and came up with my own archive. You might just find your next life quote here.

Dig in.

Eight Things to Start Doing By the Time You’re 30

About a week ago I just bid farewell to the twenties. It was unstoppable. I would have wanted to stay twenty-one forever but as the sun rises and sets everyday, I keep adding days, weeks, months, and then years to my roller coaster life.

I think it is rather worth mentioning that there is nothing magical about moving to the thirties. You don’t wake up on your birthday feeling like a changed person. No, that’s not the case. Everything’s the same – my challenges, disposition, and goals. But that doesn’t mean I will not be able to overcome, become better, and achieve something.

This is where the thirties become one of those many chances we get as long as we live. And this simple checklist from Jesse Carey of Relevant Magazine is a good starting point, at least for me, on how to go about making good use of another chance not everyone gets.  I have made a shortlist below: 

7 Things I’d Say to the Younger Me About “The Person [I] Really Need to Marry”

 

Maybe you are here because the title got you. Well, it got me too. I will break it to you gently, this is not your How To Spot Mr. Right guide but this piece is definitely very insightful you will thank yourself if you will be able to read through …

Tracy McMillan has a powerful message in this TEDx video about how we can be good at our job to “light up our corner of the world.”

1. A total failure…That is one way to look at it but not the only way…

You may not be where you want to be right now. Life didn’t go as planned. You look at yourself and see the past relationships that didn’t work (no matter how great those guys were). Whether relationships or other aspects in life that went south, you can take over or hand over the wheel, take a detour or go another route. Map out those failures and transform them into road signs.

2. Enter into a relationship with yourself and then you put a ring on it

Get to know yourself better. Love yourself right where you are, regardless of your size, color, hairstyle, etc. You can be your worst enemy but you can also be your best ally. Commit and be loyal to yourself if no one else will and especially when no one else will.

Note to Self: Reminders on Coping with Loss

Instagram: @ivyrrufin

It was a Tuesday.

As usual, past 6:00 pm, I had to call him to fetch me at work.

No answer.

Mama told me he’s playing basketball and that I have to go home on my own. I said yes.

After about thirty minutes or more, my phone rang. It was mama.

“Go to the hospital, papa was rushed.”

My heart stopped for a moment, my knees trembled.

I knew it was the day.