DAY 26 to 27 - THE THESIS

Our most interesting quarantine day so far. Two kids doing their thesis and everyone in the family having something to say.

With 5 kids sharing their knowledge in mathematics and computer science, what me have were not debates but more like a chalk talk.  My wife, a B.S. Math graduate, like a true mother hen trying to protect her chicks, wields the brightest wand. My engineering background and experience, as well as fondness for history and trivia, provided the analogy.

Despite the fun and some corny jokes every now and then, what I see from them is the future. If ever we're able to weather this storm, I see a bright future for them all. Its nice to see your kids learning from your mistakes - listening to what each one is saying, giving a piece of their mind without trying to outshine each other. Theirs are questions that poses queries that seek rectification rather than contending opinions. They seek to turn ambiguous topics into something than ordinary people could understand. 

Here's one deal I made a good bet on - its not always all fun at the top !  Fulfilling one's curiosity is more fun than winning all the chips on the table.  Work is one thing you earn a living from, not a life that takes you away from the real living that you be having. Knowledge is something that you already know that had to be passed on to be useful for if holding to it to be of advantage against imagined opponents, you could never add to it and earn its dividends.

Half my life I've  been trying to get into the limelight yet I failed rather miserably in the career I chose.  The bookstore provided me with a haven of sort, the home a refuge, but I never thought that I would children who would bring out the best in me. Their innocent questions when they were young led me seek answers for their inquisitiveness, and their faults mirrored my lapses that I need to atone for. 

My Dad was right after all - happiness is when you see your kids towing the line you never did.

Thesis  - a statement or theory that is put forward as a premise to be 
                       maintained or proved
                   -  a long essay or dissertation involving personal research,
                      written by a candidate for college degree

   

DAY 24 and 25 -- SUGARCOATED HISTORY ?

There's one history book I hope every Filipino could get their hands on - " Discourses of the Devil's Advocate and Other  Controversies " - but unfortunately it is very hard to find. The Philippine history books available doesn't tell some of the hard facts especially about the Second World War and the book above-mentioned relates some of the sugar-coated version or as the author termed it, consuelo de bobo, to make it appear that what our war veterans died for was for the our freedom  and portrayed our so-called white brothers the saviors. 

Interestingly, I couldn't find a copy of President Quezon's speech condemning the "betrayal" of our country (in his own words) - " The United States has practically doomed the Philippines to almost total extinction to secure a breathing space ". 

I am not anti-American - worshiped Hollywood ever since I was a kid.  I just wanted people to know their rightful place in history - that we were not the savages that needed to be civilized by the Spanish conquestadores. Our country had a civilization thousands of years before they came to conquer our country and we have the Banaue rice terraces to prove that our ancestors knew engineering and agriculture.

We are not the Indio of the Spaniards, nor the bolo-wielding niggers to the American invaders, or the brown monkeys and 3-holers as former bases' GI's branded us. We are Filipinos. We are Asians, and we were a part of the ancient civilization that existed thousands of years before the white invaders came to colonize and ravaged our countries. As Gandhi used to say, "We owe nothing to these countries whose civilization was founded on stolen riches and knowledge."   

Isang itong malungkot na katotohanan

Tayong mga Pinoy lihis ang kaalaman

Ating kinilala banyagang si Magellan

Na siyang nakadiskubre sa ating bayan

Hindi na pinahalagahan ng mga historian
Wala pa sila dito, tayo ay may kalayaan
Daang taon na tayo ay nakikipagkalakalan
Sa mga lahing Tsino, Indones at Malayan

Ano ba't nabighani ang ating mga katutubo
Sa mapuputing balat ng mga banyagang sugo
Bitbit ang Biblia at ang isang bagong relihiyon
Ang lupa at kalayaan ipinagpalit sa bendisyon

Marami din naman ang nagtangkang lumaban
Mula kay Lapu-Lapu hanggang sa Katipunan
Ating kalayaan na sana ay atin nang natamo
Pabalatkayong ninakaw  sa atin ng mga Kano

300 daang taon abot kamay na ang kalayaan
Panibagong mananakop ang bayan ay nalinlang
Bayan ay nagulo sumiklab bagong himagsikan
At muling nasulat sa dugo ang ating kasaysayan

Higit na mabangis, at walang awang pinaslang
Bata man o matanda na sa kanila ay lumaban
Sa Bud Dajo, Bud Bagsak at pati sa Balanginga
Dumanak ang dugo, ang bayan ay muling naulila

50 taon bigkis ng bagong tanikala tayo ay tinuruan
Nang mga Thomasites na nagtayo ng mga paaralan
At sinilaw ang mga Pinoy sa huwad na karangyaan
Minina ang yamang ginto, bayan ay ninanakawan

Di naglaon tayo ay nadamay sa kanilang digmaan
Tatlong taon na nagdusa, ang bayan ay pinabayaan
Inunang iniligtas  kanilang mga kalahi sa silangan
At nang tayo'y mapalaya tayo pa ang may utang

Matapos ang digmaan bayan ay nabaon sa kahirapan
Subali't una pang tinulungan ang mga dating kalaban
Mga bayaning nagbuwis ng buhay para sa kalayaan
Kailangan pa nilang manikluhod para sila ay tulungan

Ngayon ating bayan, pitong dekada na ang nakaraan
Ay hindi pa rin nagbabago ang ating mga kaisipan...
Isip-talangka, pawang sa sarili at walang pakialam
Ang tanging gusto ay pumuti at mangibang-bayan

DAY 21 to 23 - KNOWING WHAT'S RIGHT FOR YOU

Quarantine extended until the end of the month. 

This is a real eye-opener.  

I know exactly where I should be, what I should be, 

  except what would I would be after all this is all over.

We're all of seven sharing only 30 square meter of space,

  and we have to keep our sanity for at least 23 more days.

For a couple of introverts and 5 nerdy kids, quarantine  posed no problems.

Two have works at home, the other 2 are doing their thesis, and the other one with Lala Move.

We were used to using our time the way we wanted, no time schedule for meals and sleep, but always ready set everything aside to watch movies together. Movies have always been our bonding moment. We usually watched movies that I have seen before and its my chance to share with the family a piece of things I learned and I could serve them food I prepared myself. Nothing beats a good served meal to get into your children's heart, that I could guarantee.

"Laughter could not add years to your life but it could add life to your years."(unknown) 

Wish I could tell you how weird my kids's brand of humor are, but its ripe in the family. In times like this, our future hanging in so thinly, I need not explain to them that life could never be the same again.  Death will take a few, but the fear will always be with us of another outbreak. The real threat would be from the "carpetbaggers", the so-called "ambulance-chasers" and "manipulators" who will take advantage of the chaos this pandemic caused. 

   

 Life would never be the same

Like travelling in a road at night

You only get to see how far your headlights beam

But slowly and surely if you keep going, you'll get to reach

where you're heading ... 

At 60 years of age,  what more could I ask for  ?

Another 10 years after the quarantine would be a splendor

Things would be difficult, we may even lose some, maybe even more

But that is life, sometimes you become rich, sometimes you become poor

This time things changed in a flick of a finger

Danger lurks everywhere, it can be just around the corner 

It is no longer our call, its a matter of fate and destiny, try not to worry

When life gives you lemon, make lemonade, if ever we survive, that's one hell of a story

My wife asked me if  I am happy ...

I don't know I said, life's at times have been rocky

I asked her if she's happy, and she said why wouldn't I'd be

Life's been rough, we dwelled in misery, with little or no luxury

But there were some unforgettable moments of unknown feelings of ecstasy

Some little miracles that dampened the pains, even after we lost everything

The same kind of hope and faith kept us going, a dream for our children 

The love never wavered, never waned, happiness despite the pains

One thing sure I said in all honesty, if ever I be in another time,

in another life, in another place, if I have the same heart

I would probably be looking for her again ...

She smiled and said ...since you've told

me how beautiful I am, though I never thought I am

the next time I'll make sure I'll never be

blind again ...

DAY 15 to 20 - FACING UP TO REALITIES

Reality hurt but we have to face the facts

The government is unprepared, almost everything sucks

Politics wove its ugly head as people panic and become confused

With lockdowns, curfew and quaratine, they ask - is our rights being abused ?

 Danger lurks, of a virus the people know nothing about

Seventeen doctors have already died, nearly a thousand rubbed out

Everyday more are infected, not enough medicine, not enough room to isolate

Politicians scramble for funds and publicity while the opposition refuse to cooperate

Its a disease that affects all, both the rich and the poor

The poor with no money and no work, hunger lie in wait at their door

The longer the quarantine, it will be like a volcanic eruption in the waiting

Its not the virus we should fear but the chaos and the crimes, the discontent will bring

The aftermath, when this storm is over will come a power struggle 

Political figures, the media, the church, the opposition will point their finger

To each others' face accusing them of greed, of corruption and even mass murder

The oligarchs, the loan-sharks, the crime lords , will again re-emerge and reappear

There is a saying that when there's a storm and the ship is sinking

The rats are the first to jump, and everybody's thought is all about surviving

Comes the need for a Captain to direct its crew to man their posts and do the steering

Leadership to keep hope alive, last the storm ... then there will be time to do some reckoning     

The COVID-19 crisis caused fear and uncertainty

Something that is beyond us, we should just wait and see

Twenty days quarantined in a mere 30 square meter of space

We could not let such time together as family to just go to waste

Still all in good health, still free from viral spread

We counted each day a blessing, hoping the storm to end

Eat, pray, love, facebook, youtube, movies to keep our fears inside

Whatever the outcome, whatever our fate, whatever God decide, we will abide   

My wife and I have had a life, easy it is say goodbye

But our children are just beginning, we cannot wonder why 

Faith, trust and hope, that's all we have right now, we have to try

Believe that there will be life after all this is over, there's no need to cry

A little thought of dying changes a lot in everything

This is but a reminder that life, all this things could end in just a fling

From hereon, make every minute count, worry not about the small stuffs

Think of your dreams and follow your heart, do what is good, this is a good start

DAY 12, 13 & 14 - ANOTHER SHOT AT LIFE ( In Time of COVID-19 )

Movies, books and internet, eat, pray, love, jokes and stories

A mother, a father, 2 sons, 3 daughters, in 30 square meter of space

Laughter and hope still win over the deaths and uncertainties outside

We still don't have have anything to worry about, and took things in stride

Its been years since we've had this kind of fun, as if its a picnic

We still have some fund, food is not yet a problem, no reason to panic

But in other places are chaos, people are getting impatient, hungry, desperate

Around the world, its no different, 195 countries affected increasing at a fearful rate

Me and my wife, we've had our life, but the kids... only about to start

With the all the fears, the worries, you have to have faith, you have to be smart

To question our destiny, why us? why me? will never help, our lives are Thy hands

W'ever we'll become, w'ever the aftermath, if ever we, or you survive, try to understand

Our life is but a gift, we live according to a grand design

Someone Up Above call the shots, in a tapestry we're but a strand

No regrets, I've had my chance, dreamed of kids with books on their hands

I gained their hearts, but they loved algorithms, the binary, laptops and CAMs

Gadgets did not, nor Cellphones built walls around

Love and understanding, tolerance still build stronger bonds

Food is still the shortest way to your children's heart, coupled with loving words

They will seek your shelter, they will even keep you inside their own private worlds

I sometimes wonder why families fall apart. We're not really parents of the perfect kind, nor our children a source of  great pride, we have our faults, but somehow we were able to patch things up before things get out of hand. I guess I could even say that I own the fault of not being able to provide a comfortable life for them, and without some help, could not even support them through college, but somehow the failures I had were never shoved on my face. 

Somehow the time I spent caring for their needs, cooking their meals, the stories, the so-called corny jokes, had made them all blind to my faults and shortcomings. My kids call me "Sugar Daddy" for my fondness for sweets occasionally they buy me a pack of my favorite "Flat Tops".

Now they call me "Download Papa" 'cause of my fondness for movies, boxing and documentaries, so they bought me a 1-Terra hard-drive. Simple things, simple joys, I gave them those in their younger years, and now I guess its their turn.

I am not very sure if you could consider this a good advice - " It is better to score points at home than anywhere else. " You will be drawn away for much of your social life and outside adventure, but you can sleep, rest and be comfortable at home. The adventure, the fun, travel and "good-time", I've had those when I was young, now I have books to fill in those gaps.

DAY 11 - COUNTING YOUR BLESSINGS DESPITE COVID-19

" In the time of test, the family is the best "
-- Burmese Proverb

" If you have troubles falling to sleep, just count your blessings instead of sheep
And you'll fall asleep ... counting your blessings ... "
- from the song "Count Your Blessings" by Bing Crosby


Lyric-wise, one of the most beautiful song,  a wonderful composition 

It is how things around us reflects itself but what we see, our own reflection

For life they say is like a river, we can go with the flow or swim against the currents

But to appreciate our life, we must learn to navigate... take some time to smell the flowers

The flowers may seem more beautiful at the other side of the fence

But what we have in our garden is ours to admire and smell its essence

We can't have everything that we love, but we can love everything that we have

Its easy to do, comparison is the death of joy,  beauty lies within our hearts, our better half

As the saying goes, may we have what we want, and want what we get

May we live in interesting times, and have interest in the time that before every sunset

Everybody is given the same day, the same hours, minutes in the day, morning to sundown

No matter how many times we get lost or fall down , it is never to late to get up or turn around

Just listen to this song, feel what it says, 

maybe you'll get its drift someday ...

There was a time when I felt to low and wanted to give up on life

But this wonderful movie, gave me hope, made me thankful that I'm alive

It maybe an old movie, its message is always timely, just pretend you never knew

For every misfortune, just like a storm, after it has passed, there will always be a rainbow 

Simply there are better lives reserved for other people but don't despair

We all live under the same sun, maybe on different grounds, breath the same air

But we get visited by night after the end of each day, we need to rest, we need to sleep

At the end of our rope is the beginning of God's, we gotta be patient, with our faith to keep

Watch this movie ... it's a classic

Her's another good movie ...

Some other feel good movies you can enjoy while this quarantine is going on :

Good Will Hunting ...... Matt Damon & Ben Afflect

A Little Bit of Heaven ........Kate Hudson                 

It Could Happen To You .......Nicolas Cage & Brigette Fonda
Family Man ........Nicolas Cage & Tea Leone
Children of Heaven ...... Iranian Movie
Eat, Pray, Love ....... Julia Roberts
The Green Book ....Mahershala Ali
Philomena ......Steve Coogan & Judi Dench
The Best Years of Our Lives .... Dana Andrews
The Sound of Music ......Julie Andrews 

DAY 10 - REMEMBERING SISTERLY LOVE BEYOND COVID-19

'Lest I forget, the real deal, the true matriarch

Her dream paved the way to enjoy the Canadian way of life

She started in Montreal by her lonesome, married and bore a son

Took in the family one by one, now they are so many to make up a clan

But for me  I won't forget how good she was when we were young

She bought me my first 45 rpm record of my favorite song

Made me walk proud in my teens with the Fila shoes I was wearing

Yet it were not the gifts but the kindness, that's the thing I really miss

From my other sisters I picked up the habit of making lists and scrapbooks

I came to love books and I spent my time living in imagined worlds

Sometimes things doesn't go your way, you don't know where you're headin'

Your sisters will try to guide you but you're hard of listening

Guess they were right a lot of times, I should have focused on my career

Or maybe I should have tried working overseas, be an engineer

But my heart was not into it, I could not overcome my fear

Just couldn't think I could beyond the family I hold so dear

I know it will be hard for them to understand

Why I chose this life instead of the one they had

Sorry to disappoint you guys, I just followed my heart