If I Told You

(so true... but I think the song is right... its better for her not to know...)

Waiting here underneath your window
Searching for some kind of sign
Every move, every tiny gesture
Only proves that you're not mine
I could write you a thousand love songs
Search the world for the perfect tune and rhyme
But what good would it do when it seems I'm out of time

If I told you
All the words I've yet to say
Would they matter
Or would you simply turn and walk away
If I hold you
Will you tell me I should go
Do I chance it
Or would it just be better not to know

Who's that girl with the perfect future
Her reflection says it all
Trying hard to pretend she's eager
Searching for some way to stall
So unsure of the road she's chosen
Faced with feelings her heart should not allow
One thing's certain, it seems
That she just can't turn back now
If she can, tell her how

If I told you
All the words I've yet to say
Would they matter
Or would you simply turn and walk away
If I hold you (if I hold you)
Would you tell me I should go
Do I chance it
Or would it just be better not to know

Would it just be better...
Not to know

Formal Application

I never knew enrollment could be worse. This year I have to change my status as graduate student, and it means that I have re-apply. I am finishing my Masters degree this semester (thank God! finally) and having that said, there are so many paper works that I have do. I have applied formally to our Department, and our Chairman was very kind enough to grand my request. One thing though... I have write an essay. I am not used to write rush essays, but the office of the Graduate Services asked me to submit it today. I feel harassed after finishing it today.

Sch. Ryan Jose C. Mendoza, S.J.
Program Applied for: Master of Arts in Philosophy

One characteristic of a human person is to seek an ultimate grounding of all things that would give meaning to his/her existence. This ground is being challenged by the present realities that are happening in our world today. The pressing problems of terrorism and war, poverty and continuous degradation of human life in the whole world add to a greater dilemma of crisis in meaning, morality, and lack of hope. It seems that we have come to a closure of an epoch, a withering away of principles where there are no universal standards, and we do not know what is real because there are so many competing claims. Who is right? If there are no grounds, are there any other alternatives?

I choose to pursue this degree with a wish to find solution to these present problems. I believe that we can derive from philosophy the possible answers, as it asks and invites us to think. We need to be roused from our sleep and be disturbed; our desire to know can be fulfilled by reaching its intended goal. As Hannah Arendt said, “the inclination or the need to think leaves nothing so tangible behind.” However, philosophy does not end in thinking. It was here in the Ateneo that I learned that philosophy is not so much about profundity and abstraction; rather it is something that we do, as Father Roque Ferriols would always repeat in class, “sapagkat ang pilosopiya ay ginagawa.” And we are all invited to act and do something not only for our own sake but also for the sake of others. Emmanuel Levinas said that the face of the other speaks so much about its destitution, wretchedness, and utter poverty that is very disturbing. Moreover, seeing the naked face of the other calls us, commands us and overwhelms our own selfishness.

I believe philosophy can be an instrument of transformation in this broken world and for this reason; I wanted to pursue graduate studies in this discipline. I may not have a great mind to formulate ideas that can change history, but I have is the passion and desire to make this world a better place by challenging the status quo and fight for what is right for each human person. Driven by magis, a restless energy to do something, more I can attempt to elicit great desires and great determination in other people with the help of philosophical ideas that are transformed into action. My Jesuit background enables me to know who I am and what I value in this life. I believe that only the person who knows what he/she wants can pursue his/her desire energetically and inspire others to do the same. After three years in the non-degree program, I have seen and undergone all the possible constraints and difficulties of being both a graduate student and a Jesuit. I am proud to say that I have endured it with honor and resilience.

In the human person’s search for grounding, something opens up. In our quest for answers -- in this poverty, human degradation, terrorism and war something is given. With the aid of philosophy, we can make sense of all these problems that we are facing as human beings. This is the essential contribution of an Ateneo education to my formation, knowing that it will be a great help not only to myself but also to those people whom I will minister to as a Jesuit and as a Filipino. Though I face such ordeals, with an Ateneo education I can be an instrument of hope not only corresponding to it but also constituting our being’s veritable response. With hope, I believe that no darkness will ever endure. This is the role of an Atenean – to be a light of the world.

Once, a friend of mine asked me when we would know that the night has ended and the day has begun. I told him something what I read somewhere, regarding the darkness that we experience in our world and how can it be turned into light. I told him that it is when we look at the face of our neighbor and recognize him/her as our own brother or sister, because if we fail to see this, no matter what time of the day, it would be still night. And this is what I want and choose to fulfill as a Jesuit, as a Filipino, and as an Atenean.

June 14, 2007

VforCE Victory

I hope this one will really push through...

ROXAS FILES SENATE RESOLUTION TO COMMEND
ELECTION VOLUNTEERS UNDER VFORCE

As the Commission on Elections gears up for the official proclamation
of ten winning senators, the Senate, in a resolution filed by Senator
Mar Roxas, entered into public record the courage and dedication of
thousands of election volunteers who served the country as part of
the VforCe movement.

Senate Resolution 641 commended hundreds of thousands of volunteer
lawyers,law students, teachers, religious groups, businessmen,
anti-corruption watchdogs and other organizations that came together
to prevent a repeat of widespread cheating in the May 2004
presidential elections.

"Members of the VforCE coalition, particularly in Maguindanao, have
been instrumental in exposing election fraud even in the face of
grave danger," Roxas stressed in his resolution.

SR 641 also cited VforCE members for standing their ground and
exposing massive poll fraud and cheating in Lanao del Sur. "They
undertook these responsibilities, regardless of risks involved,
fueled only by their sense of nationalism and dignity and not by any
remuneration or other monetary consideration."

The resolution also cited vigilant members of media for their
persistent determination in ensuring clean, honest, and orderly
elections.

Roxas said that the best reward that the winning and incumbent
legislators could extend to VforCE is a firm commitment to legislate
much needed electoral reforms particularly in thwarting attempts to
disenfranchise voters as well as to tamper with election documents
and results.

The VforCE Coalition is composed of volunteers belonging to such
organizations as the National Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL),
the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), Legal
Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE), the National Secretariat for
Social Action (NASSA) of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the
Philippines, Pinoy Bantay Bayan, the Bantay Eleksyon '07-People's
Coalition to Monitor 2007 Election, the Makati Business Club, the
Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan (SLB), One Voice, the Integrated Bar of
the Philippines (IBP), and the transparency movement, Pera't Pulitika.

Roxas encouraged VforCE to come up with a full report on the
experiences of the volunteers and documentary evidences on election
fraud. "I hope that they dedicate their report to those who have died
while trying to perform their duties of safeguarding the ballot," the
Liberal Party stalwart said.