Singapore is already on the issue of prioritizing their citizens over foreign workers for local jobs.

The Philippines, however, is still on the issue of dealing with a completely corrupt and backward government, with all the old politicians still vying for the same, if not higher, positions so they can continue to "serve" the country in the coming elections.

Most (although not all) of our politicians in Government have already proven themselves useless to us. Have they fixed internal graft and corruption that happen within their buildings daily? (Because, heck, where DO our taxes go?) Have they been able to help ease the intense poverty that roughly 95% of our countrymen still face? Do we have sufficient military equipment and military training to defend ourselves and our country in case World War III breaks out (North Korea, anyone? How about the unwavering and increasing tension between us and China over the Spratly Islands?)

As of February 2013, the Government was in talks to buy TWELVE (12) FA-50 fighter jets from South Korea.

TWELVE.

TWELVE fighter jets to defend our ENTIRE country from potential foreign invaders, you ask? Oh yes, have I mentioned that before this pending purchase we didn't have a single fleet of fighter jets to rely on? Zero. Nada. Zip. At least, not since we retired the last of our old pitiful fleet in 2005. Don't believe it? Follow this link: http://www.interaksyon.com/article/54147/philippines-to-buy-12-fighter-jets-from-south-korea

Where are the new faces? Where is the new brand of Philippine Politicians who have the actual credibility, transparency, education, PASSION for OUR country, and LOVE for our fellow countrymen? Those who know the basic Kindergarten rules:
1. Stealing is Bad
2. Lying is Bad
3. Killing (especially for your own political gains) is Bad
etcetera, etcetera...

Where are those who are educated and knowledgeable enough, as well as courageous and honest enough to stand by their own convictions, and who will say: Dear Catholic Church, the RH bill is going to save our country, not bring it down, as you are doing with your Press Releases and Highway Billboards spewing misinformation about it to the masses.

Most importantly, when will a government politician finally come to make sure that our laws are FINALLY actually and consistently implemented? One word, folks: EDSA.

The thing is, this new breed of Government Officials is merely a misty dream in the corners of our eyes because the truth is: our government does not give the younger generation anything to look up to, to want to emulate, to want to become.

What do we have? An uncomfortably large amount of Actors, Children of Actors, Sportsmen, Children of Former Politicians who understand nothing about Good Politics (Nancy Binay, I'm talking to you) and over all: people who are famous, but not qualified to change or lead a country to progress.

In the end, I just hope that all voters reading this knows that the power to bring about this monumental change is with us.

Let's commit to voting wisely.

Dear James

A YEARLY REVIEW

It's been a year, almost exactly.
This time last year, I was starting a new job in a career that I stumbled upon accidentally a year before - a profession that I never saw myself taking part in.
I was smoothing out the frayed and wounded edges of my heart. Blowing away the smoke that emitted from the fissures that had been left upon it by an almost year long trip in a foreign land and which had clouded my eyes, my view, so that I had not been able to see the rest of the world without regarding it with a bout of cynicism that was on its guard like a rabid dog.

So what have I learned in the past year?
*Ship happens.
As a pastor at a worship service I recently attended says - and he's put it down into words perfectly - "There are ships that we bring with us as we sail on in our journey through life, some ships, you cannot take with you and simply have to burn. Hence - ship happens.
*Love - that preconceived mythical creature doth exist.
Self explanatory. Occurs in relationships, whether said relationships be familial, romantic, cordial, professional .. Er, better to leave out that last part, after all, it's what got me here (practically deported) in the first place.
*Faith restores the human spirit.
Prayer helps. Talking. Sharing secrets with that Eminence, that Source of Power and (yes, you may now dare to say it..) Love. No need to read The Bible, The Al-Quran or other books of faith that your religion or church require you to in order to be faithful. Simply go by the truth of your heart and offer it to That which you believe has created you.
*Give it a chance.
Whatever - or whoever - it is that first pops into your mind when you read this line. Give it a chance.
*Never underestimate the power of a place unvisited.
Even a taste of experience in a place that you have never been to not only feeds but nourishes your soul and makes your eyes gleam with enlightenment that, unlike any of the most expensive beauty products or perfume money can buy, will never wash off.

Now I am no longer talking in terms of 'this year', either that which has passed or that which will come, but I am talking about Today.

Today I am sitting in a casino on a Saturday morning in August as my lovely boyfriend plays a few hands of poker with a friend of his; both hoping to win what would help in their pursuit of happiness in the coming days, and gambling that in their hands which they can afford to lose.

But when you're in the process of finding your happiness and your peace in life, then you realize that you will need to give up all the things that hold you back. Your reservations, your anxiety, your doubt... It's a good trade, isn't it? It is useless to hope to ever get rid of fear. Life is a gamble. Why everyone wants to be fearless, I have no idea. It teaches you what is truly important to you . There will always be flashes of fear that will follow us every day of our lives here on earth. But let them be flashes and not our driving force.

I wish everyone the happiness that we all deserve.


Sasha

Damon Rheul and the Dark Knight

I'm writing a story about a girl who falls in love with the world and realizes that the unexpected travels are more important than those immaculately planned after all. 

The story is titled Damon Rheul, after the main character. 

And I've been scrounging around the back drawers of my mind for months and months, looking through new photographs of new crushes and men whose dark features and tantrum filled gazes potentially inspire and ravage my imagination to the hilt. But somehow, the inspiration they gave as muses were always fleeting and fleeing. 

And so I've come to a decision. 

One day, I slowly took out your old photographs. I quietly melded my sad, once distant gaze into the blackness of your hair, your brows, the shadows highlighted under the contrasting softness and sharpness of your uniquely different features and I remembered the nights of longing with nostalgia and a watercolor ache riding in my bones, underneath my skin filled with the goosebumps that stepping back once more into time, in the territory of You, has given me.

So Carlos. 

How about we do this?

..Will you dance with me?

Just.

One.

More.

Time...

What It is to the Core

It's 1.48 AM and the night is cool. The window's open and the nighttime...it has a voice. And it speaks to me. Its whisper penetrates the window screen and brushes past me; I can feel it.. on my arms, my nape, against my ear.

I am listening to Caetano Veloso singing, moaning out "Cucurrucucu Paloma".

And though I understand not a word, my soul can't help but sigh in direct response to this person's crooning out for a lost love, perhaps, I don't know; like I said, I don't understand the words as they are in Spanish.

... And the flow of my blood sings along.

And instead of crooning for a lost love, it seems to be crooning instead for lost days. When innocence was pure and unwavering and solid as a mother's love for her kid.

My last affair was a loss of innocence for me in itself.

And sometimes I can't help but think about it. In retrospect it seems so distant and far-off. Fuzzy, like paint drying on the walls of my bedroom. It's tough to say it out loud, even though there is that mixture of apathy and acceptance mingled with it: He used me.

And yet I don't know what it is, ego or pride that keeps me from believing in it totally. At least, all day everyday. Because there are those moments that you just know. You are jolted by reality and accept it: He didn't love me. He wanted to use me because I have beauty and youth and brilliance and I am a novelty to him. But he will still marry her. He wanted me because I was like nothing he's ever seen before.

And to think that I thought God was giving me a sign... "Sasha, this it it, and I have used a bulldozer to knock him into your path. But here. Here he is. Take him or leave him."

I didn't know that God wanted me to pick Leave him.

But I know better now. That's why I don't compromise anymore. Especially when it comes to men. I am still finding my voice when it comes to my writing. I feel I used to be better at articulating what I felt before, I sounded a lot smarter a long time ago. When I was younger. Before I had lost so much innocence along the way, getting by what life was throwing at me.

But I want to believe this all serves a purpose. And I do, when I have my bearings around me. When I'm not injected with the crazies.

But yes.

I love.

I was borne of love. I will die for love. I love my people. I love my country. I love my planet. I love my passions. I love my frivolities. I LOVE MY GOD. I love.

Maybe that's all there is to me:

... I love.