2010- Another Difficult Year

The year 2010 is going to be another difficult year, so economists say. The unemployment rate peaked in October 2009 at 10.1%, and most expect it to decline only slightly throughout 2010. It looks to me that it has settled since early 2009 at a level that is still high compared to historic averages, but well below its peak. In other words, it appears that the nation has reached a level where layoffs may have diminished, but large-scale job creation has not yet occurred. The nonprofit sector (the company I work for provide services for nonprofits) have seen decrease in available funding from individuals, corporations, foundations, and Federal, state and local governments is expected to continue.

In response to the unemployment crisis, the federal government has passed an unprecedented series of extensions to unemployment benefits. These additional benefits are paid by the Federal government and not by employers. Timely help from the Feds, but can we get out of this rut already?

HFA-86 Quick Assistance to the Victims of Ondoy

Staying true to form, HFA HS Batch 86 quickly called on all batch mates to step up and reach out to the recent victims of typhoon Ondoy. As a result, there was an outpour of financial donations (including those from our friends at CS- HS Batch 86). After a quick meeting of our officers, it was decided to channel our funds through the relief efforts of Fr. Roger Yambao, parish priest of Candaba, Pampanga.

HFA HS Batch 86 was informed that the immediate need of the victims was nutritious food; therefore our donation was used to purchase ingredients for champorado, arrozcaldo and sopas. Because most of the homes affected were still waterlogged if not submerged, a makeshift soup kitchen was built to accommodate the preparation of the food that was distributed to the evacuees. Our donation fed an estimation of nearly 500 people.

Again, we extend our gratitude to Fr Yambao and the many volunteers for their valiant efforts. We would also like to thank our batch mates both from HFA-86 and CS-86 for their contributions and quick response that helped alleviate in our own little way the conditions of those devastated by typhoon Ondoy.

Remember me

It is nearly midnight and as always, I continue to enable my sleep depravity by being in the presence of infinite wisdom, the internet. As I skimmed the obits (how I landed on this unwholesome web page, don't ask), I started assessing my own mortality. How my life can be snatched in a single second without ever having the chance to correct my wrongs, to forgive those towards which I harbor bitterness and to tell those I love dearly exactly how I do. These thoughts then ignited the ultimate question! Will people remember me when I've departed? How will I be memorialized? What would each group of people, whose path I crossed one way or another, put on my epitaph?

Will teachers from my preschool at Aldersgate in Angeles City remember me as the tiny 4 year old who memorized and recited “Tears at the Foot of the Cross” with such commitment and fervor that made virtually all matures in the audience cry? Would their epitaph for me read "The Girl Who Stirred Hearts"?

How about my schoolmates? Will they remember me in a way I hope they will? Somebody who did everything as expected and then some. I always thought I was expected to lead. Very early in my life I conscientiously placed a huge task on my shoulders and that was to lead in every possible way I could. Would "The Girl who was Born to Lead" be a plausible caption on my epitaph?

Although I don't show it often, God knows I love my family very much. I always aim to be the mediator, invigorator and more popularly, the instigator. What will the memories of my family be of me? I know I am not the perfect daughter or sister. I k now I am not often as understanding as I hope I could be. How will my family remember me? "Our Beloved Sister Whom We Loved Very Much." Somehow, from the soul of my being, I believe this would be a caption they would not think twice to choose for my epitaph.

However it may be, I know I WILL be etched forever in somebody's life. And for the rest of my life, I aim to live it as how I want to be remembered. Tomorrow is always a brand new chance to make a better remembrance of me.

Below is a poem I heard from one episode from the TV show "The Little House on the Prairie"

Title: Remember Me

Remember me with smiles and laughter

For that’s the way I’ll remember you

For if you could only remember me with tears

Then don’t remember me at all.

This says it all... However you remember me, please do so with glee and joy. Don't cry for me, my friends and family, for I aim to have lived a full life when I leave this world.