I Want To Be A Popstar

Actually, not really. I don’t really want to be a pop star.

If there’s anyone to blame here for the rather intriguing title, it’d be my friend Azaza and her obsession for anything that comes from the Land of the Rising Sun. Because this song and its singer Ken Hirai are Japanese (and cute. But that’s not the primary reason), she just had to share it to me. And now, that song is on loop in my head. Lovely. Just lovely.

What’s particularly memorable about this song, aside from the fact that the singer looks like a Japanese Debenhams model, is the music video. It’s basically kitsch with a capital K. And that’s saying a lot for a Japanese music video (Watch Japanese music videos to find out what I mean!)

In the video, three guys compose a sort of boy band --- the leader in red, the preppy boy in blue, and Mr. Retro in yellow. They’re accompanied by a couple of dancing bear mascots. All five are directed by this artsy man in a scarf. But wait a second. How come they all look alike? Oh right! They’re all played by the same guy --- Ken Hirai.

In a way, Ken in the video is different things to different people. He takes on all the roles with much vigour and enthusiasm. Do you need a preppy boy? Okay, Ken can be that. Do you need someone to dance around in a bear costume? Sure, Ken would gladly do so. How about needing someone to direct this whole hurrah? Ken volunteers. It’s injecting life into all he does.

In a way, we’re all called to be pop stars. No, we don’t really have to wear a bear costume or do kitschy dance moves (and even if we do), but we are all called to be excellent students, children, siblings, friends and whatever role you see fit to insert here. It’s devoting time and effort into all you are called to do. It’s going the extra mile to make your work extra splendid. And yes, it means putting on a bear costume when you really have to.

Everything you do should burn with excellence and passion. Yes, that’s whether you’re studying or doing kitschy moves.

Seriously, Azaza, explain the kitschy moves.

Mama

Let me start with a song from a band that I, admittedly, listened to as a young child whose taste in music consisted of bubblegum pop.

Mama – Spice Girls Music Code



She used to be my only enemy and never let me free,
Catching me in places that I know I shouldn't be,
Every other day I crossed the line,
I didn't mean to be so bad,
I never thought you would
Become the friend I never had

Back then I didn't know why,
Why you were misunderstood,
So now I see through your eyes,
all that you did was love,
Mama I love you, Mama I care,
Mama I love you, Mama my friend,
My friend

I didn't want to hear it then but
I'm not ashamed to say it now,
Every little thing you said and did was right for me,
I had a lot of time to think about,
About the way I used to be,
Never had a sense of my responsibility.

Back then I didn't know why,
Why you were misunderstood,
So now I see through your eyes,
All that you did was love,
Mama I love you, Mama I care,
Mama I love you, Mama my friend, My friend

But now I'm sure I know why,
Why you were misunderstood,
So now I see through your eyes,
All I can give you is love,
Mama I love you, Mama I care,
Mama I love you, Mama my friend,
My friend

Mama I love you, Mama I care,
Mama I love you, Mama my friend,
You're my friend

(Sigh! Yes, I admit to liking the Spice Girls once upon a time! Oi! I was eight! Of course, I just accepted what pop culture and the radio DJ dished out for me to listen! And yes, I do admit to wanting to be Geri Halliwell, a.k.a. Ginger Spice! But I'm digressing.)

Do you need a reason why you should help our nation? Do you need some boost for you to get your bum moving to serve? Why should you go out of your way to do something for this nation?

Here’s why. The Philippines is our mother, Mama if you’d like.

Like any loving mother, she gives the best for her children. She provides food to eat, water to drink, shelter, and all those basic, intrinsic human needs. No matter what, all those things we need to survive are there (It's just a problem of access to them for our masses.) Aside from that, she provides breathing space ---- the freedom and democracy to let her children spread their wings and be who they want to be, believe what they want to believe.

Oh, and need I mention that she does all this despite her children, her citizens, disrespecting their mother? Despite our polluting her rivers, she still finds ways to provide clean water for her children to quench their thirst with. Despite our talking oh so negatively about her and complaining about how sorry the traffic at EdSA is, she still is proud of us whenever we do something remarkable. Despite our constant mini-bouts of corruption (After all, cheating in exams is the start of cheating money from the masses), she still shows us the best foot she could show forward.

Despite our not caring about our Mama, she still loves us. She still cares. She still thinks that the Filipino, her children are worth it. They are worth all the rubbish her same children dish out. Why? Love. Simple enough.

Today, we celebrate the death anniversary of one of her sons who chose to protect her precious democracy. Senator Benigno Aquino is one exemplary Filipino for a reason --- his love for the country that radiated in his actions towards it. This is one man who knows how to respect his mother.

How about you? When's the last time you thanked Mama?

When Bawling is Inevitable

Okay, so it’s my turn to step up to the podium and give my confession? All right, I’ll go. Hello. My name is Alexis, and yes, I admit to blubbering in front of the TV on the 5th of August.

How could I not bawl? I was, after all, watching the funeral of the mother of Philippine Democracy, former President Corazon Aquino. Tears couldn’t help falling as soon as I saw that sea of people and yellow all ready to give honour to a woman so close to every Filipinos heart, a woman who brought back freedom to the country. And yes, I did cry during Kris Aquino’s eulogy for her beloved mother.

What was that? You’re asking me what gives me the right to shed all those tears for her when I wasn’t there during the EDSA Revolution. Hey, I wasn’t even born yet when that mighty woman decided to stand her ground against Marcos dictatorship (I was born in 1988, two years after People Power.). Yet, there I was in my room, using up an entire pack of tissues for a president I could only vaguely remember leading the nation. So, why am I crying?

Perhaps, it’s because despite my being born after her brave leadership of EDSA 1, I could feel her heart for this nation. Perhaps, it’s because she’s an icon of Philippine democracy. Above all, perhaps, it’s because she was a Filipina who just wanted the best for her nation and was willing to go to the ends of the earth to achieve it --- much like a lot of us.

So, in honour of her, these are some lessons even I, someone who wasn’t even born yet during the EDSA Revolution, could take from her example.

1. No matter what achievement you have, remember that above all, you are a person.

Always, always act in humility. Remember that before you were the top student in school, or Miss Whatever or even President of the Philippines, you are a person. Never let your achievements go to your head.

Don’t forget to thank the people who put you in your position --- parents, friends, everyone. You wouldn’t be where you are without them, so yes; they deserve their due thanks from you.

And once your term or season is over, pass the title and prestige on very gracefully, as President Cory did to her successor President Fidel Ramos. No attempts to cling on to power. Just give it and wish the next person to occupy your position well. Perhaps, you could even sneak in a halo-halo serving after the hand-over ceremony (which President Aquino reportedly did. It’s yet another sign of her humility to choose to grab a snack at the nearby eatery rather than have a grand party to celebrate the end of her term.).


2. Helping the nation is not the job of just public servants. Everyone should take part.

President Aquino continued to serve the nation even as a private citizen. When she gave up her title in 1992, she did not give up contributing to our country. She still continued to fight for democracy even from her Times Street home.

She supported various organizations that helped the plight of the Filipino people. She was outspoken regarding her love for democracy and against any attempts of quelling it --- even when threatened. Most of all, she led by example, using her principles as a guide to life.

I suppose that shows that yes, everyone can help building the nation --- whether you’re a president, lawyer or magtataho. Yes, that’s even if you’re not a former president. Little things can make a big impact.

If everyone decides to obey traffic rules, the highways of this nation would be a less dangerous place. If everyone decides to pick up the trash and throw it in the correct bin, this nation would be a cleaner, less polluted (and, for that matter, less teeming with disease) place. If everyone decided not to give in to corruption this election, we would elect the proper leader and this would help in making our nation better.

So, I suppose, it’s time to move our private citizen bums to action.


3. The Filipinos are worth it.

Something you love will always be worth it, and I could ascertain that President Cory loved our nation intensely. If she didn’t she would have never decided to relinquish her beloved private life as a housewife and part-time Math teacher for the tumultuous world of politics. But she did, and so she led the nation to its fight to win back democracy.

I hope the same fervor burns in every Filipino’s heart. I’m not saying we should all become president. It’s impossible to let all 85 million of us have a seat at Malacanang. What I’m saying is that I hope every Filipino out there thinks about the nation as worth all their efforts. To simply love the Philippines, but do so unconditionally, truly.


The yellow confetti showered on her has been swept away. The flowers to decorate her funeral cart have wilted. The people who cried for her during her wake are probably back to their routine of work or school. But I do hope one thing from her remains with us forever --- her heart and her passion for this nation. Her example should not be buried along with her body. It should be ablaze in every person she’s mightily battled for --- we, Filipinos.

Thanks, President Corazon Aquino. You are one amazing Filipina and an inspiration.

So, I suppose, I could be excused for all that bawling, aye?

Unfailing

You are unfailing, God
Your love’s unending
And Your word is eternal
Firm in the heavens it stands


Have you ever been so thrilled, so excited by a promise someone gave you, only to be crushed when that person backs out or just couldn’t fulfill that word? It could be that time your parents promised to take you to the amusement park, but had to retract when they suddenly have to work overtime. It could be that time when your gal pal gave her word to get you that chocolate bar you’ve been craving for but then forgets. It could be that time when your then-sweetheart promises never to hurt you, but now…well, let’s just not talk about that tender issue. Whatever it is, we’ve all had a taste of broken promises, and it absolutely hurts indeed.

Well, guess what. God isn’t like that. He is indeed unfailing.

What was that? I see you chuckling at me with those doubtful eyes searching me for how I could say that statement of God being constant. I could see you being confused, trying to comprehend and see my reason for my faith. I could see your eyes pleading, asking me why I still believe. How could I choose to hang on to God, especially with what happened?

Mrs. Corazon Aquino was one woman very much endeared to every Filipino. How could she not be loved by all? She was, after all, the lady that was at the forefront of the nation’s fight to instill democracy again. It was her courage and boldness that inspired Filipinos to march to EDSA, join hands and fight the Marcos dictatorship.
That is why when Mrs. Aquino was diagnosed with cancer, the entire nation was stunned. Every single Filipino must have included her healing in their prayers. And when her cancer was at its worst, our countrymen must have been willing to exercise their mountain-moving faith just to get rid of that disease that plagued her body. Prayer vigils for the former president were organized. The Ako Mismo website added a prayer wall for her recovery. Even trees joined in on praying for Mrs. Aquino through those yellow ribbons tied on their branches (I saw some in Filinvest before.). It wasn’t clear just how long people were going to pray, but what was clear is that they were willing to shatter Earth just to see Mrs. Aquino healed.

She succumbed to cancer early this morning.

Yet, despite this whole issue of “everyone-prayed-yet-she-still-died”, I still choose to believe my God is able and willing to fulfill his promises. I still choose to hang on to my faith in my Father, like any child would. I choose to see how unfailing He is. Why? It’s simple really. It’s because He was unfailingly beside me every step of the way in that hospital bed six years ago, and healed me from that tumour that suffocated my ovaries. It’s because He’s unfailingly supported and even helped me do excellently (even win) whatever undertakings I’ve been pursuing. It’s because no matter how stupid my mistakes are, no matter how many times I’ve hurt Him, He still unfailingly loves me and welcomes me in His wide embrace.

Why do I call Him unfailing? It’s because He’s always been so to me. He’s constantly the loving, amazing, marvelous, mighty Father God I love. Yes, the human in me may fail Him zillions of times. But I know He won’t.

And hey! His promises are bigger than just some trip to the amusement park. So yay!