Sometimes Life is Difficult and Painful

           By Vic Odarve

My best friend and I were classmates since our primary education and enrolled in the same university taking an engineering course fifty years ago. We studied and worked our class assignments together, even though we were still young and carefree. Despite our determination, we struggled in mathematics, which is the foundation of any engineering education. And then something unexpected happened at the end of the semester. He failed both math classes, whereas I received a passing mark.

African University

I was heartbroken and naturally disappointed by the outcome. Worse, his parents chose to prevent him from continuing schooling.  As a result, he lived and worked on the farm with his father, planting rice and corn as his parents had done.

The world seemed upside down. When the semester ended, I visited him in our village. My heart melted as he looked frail and sickly in front of me. I embraced him and said, "How have you changed, my friend?" And he answered, "Yes, I have had some hard times adjusting to this way of life!" It is because of that failure in mathematics that they stopped me from schooling! "

I was greatly devastated. With the help of my parents, we were able to convince his parents to give him another chance. Fortunately, his parents heartily agreed. He dropped the engineering course and proceeded to enroll in a nautical course. My heart leaps up and down in joy knowing they have approved it. Though we studied different courses and lived in separate boarding houses in the city, we are still able to meet on some festive occasions.

Engineering Lecture

Time flew so fast. Both of us passed the government licensure examination for our respective courses. Since then, we have not seen each other.

Forty years have passed. Then, one day, while having a lecture in an engineering course in one of the universities in Metro Manila, I was informed by my boss that somebody was looking for me at the gate of the university. Genuinely shocked and surprised, I instantly saw him at a distance with a toothy smile. Like before in our childhood days, he instantly threw his arms around my neck and said, "How are you then, my friend?" It's been a long time since I've seen him. “Fine," I said with a pleasant smile. Then he led me to his expensive sports car parked nearby.

He brought me to his private mansion in a nearby subdivision and promptly introduced me to his family. They enthusiastically received me like a king, with all their hearts and proper attention. I instantly saw some of his expensive cars parked in a garage.

The Village Life

I had learned that he had been a ship captain on one of the overseas cargo ships for the past several decades and was still serving to date. He was just on vacation leave to attend his youngest daughter's graduation in one of the premier schools of medicine in our country. "Sometimes I regret not seeing my only daughter grow up the past years because I am far away," he admitted.

And while dining, we laughed and happily reminisced about our past, what we had been through and the encouragement we had given to his parents in persuading them to continue his schooling.

Today, as I visited his grand mansions with luxurious cars parked inside, my heart was pounding with unspeakable joy and contentment. His success in life is also my happiness. The part I played heroically by convincing his parents, coupled with my friend’s determination to complete a nautical course, always haunts my memory as we grow older by the passing of days. But the picture that once upon a time we were both struggling in pain over mathematics in an engineering course remains in our brain until our last breath.

 

  

That Horrible Old Age

                            by Vic Odarve.

We are all getting older, whether we like it or not, and that horrible old age, dubbed "elderly," has two faces to contend with: a deplorable stage or reasonably opulent living conditions.

Bantilan's Family

Deplorable senior conditions are common among poor families in our civilized society, where they live alone in their homes without the care or assistance of their sons or daughters. On the other hand, wealthy seniors naturally spend their golden years in the homes of their children, grandchildren, relatives, and friends, where they are lavished with sensitive affection and care.

The first image is still horrifying. The elderly who are unable to care for themselves suffer the most. In most cases, key members of the family or dear relatives simply abandon or did not extend the needed help. Some of them are bedridden, paralytic, and others are stricken with diseases that place them in very deplorable conditions. They clearly need valuable assistance, compassion, and understanding, and kindness from a well-minded individual.

Old folks at home- Mayana Village

On other hand, there are some elderlies who still enjoy life living together with their children or grandchildren as they have done since the beginning. Of course, majority are traditionally supported by the relatively affluent families and lifelong friends. Most of them are typically receiving modest pensions and other potential benefits from governments. They are properly treated as members of their children’s family with basic needs in social life. This instantly reminding us to properly take care of our own dear children at the prime of our life.

No one really knows how long a person lives. For those who are not fortunate enough typically ended their twilight years in the government homes for the aged, away from their beloved children and legitimate grandchildren, relatives, and friends. As by most cultural tradition, parents who care their children through thick and thin throughout the journey in their lives and able to manage knitted family ended their twilight years under the affectionate arms of their children.

Casimero Dagangon
103 yrs old-Mayana

 Despite notable advances in the modern medical profession, all of us are getting older about the passing years; the conscious thought of what might happen naturally to us as we cross to the dark side of old age. It is a real drama of our modern life. Some are fortunate enough to enjoy life.  Recently, my neighbor living in a village of Mayana, Casimero Dagangon received a cash award for having reached the 100 yrs old.

 Civilized mankind must return from dust to dust, but before knocking out to the world stage, an unspeakable old age presses people down, rendering either living in a deplorable or well-cared stage in their lives. The fundamental fact is, most of us come to a frail stage and whether we like it or not, that awful old age is a reality that everyone must accept.

 

Tips and Benefits of Working Math Exercises

                 by Vic Odarve.

Exercise sets are offered at the end of each chapter in all mathematics texts and workbooks. That is why many engineering students are to do some of these tasks and submit the results at the following meeting. The message is clear: they must be worked out before proceeding to the next chapter. It checks whether students are ready for the next topics, much like a wormhole. If the teachers do not give an assignment on the exercises, solve them by yourself for your own benefit. The following are tips on how to get the most out of the exercises.

Madonna University,Nigeria

As a starting point, select one exercise that is like your notes or workbooks or the one discussed by your teachers. If you find it still difficult and you still have not solved any of the exercises, go back to the examples from your notes and the textbook you are using. Review your example notes and solve it without looking at the solution. Check if you have a similar answer. If along the way you get stuck, uncover the solution for a while and see where in the way you get lost. Repeat this process until you can master and understand how it is done. If you are convinced that you comprehend the process, go back to the exercise, which is like your notes, and solve it.

Make it a habit of reviewing or checking your work until you have your final answer. Since most exercises have answers, look at and compare your answers only after you thoroughly check yours. If you get one exercise with a correct answer, solve the remaining. This way will build your confidence.

Working math exercises prove beneficial to engineering students. It relates to academic success. Students who do math exercises perform better on tests or examinations. By working exercises, students are reviewing what they cover in class, thus increasing their understanding of the subject concept. Students develop self-discipline and management skills too. They also feel enjoyment and challenge in mathematics, and they put their new acquired skills into practice. Practice makes perfect.

UB ME-Seniors 1978 class

Later, students will realize that what they learn in that chapter will be used in the next chapter. Mathematics or workbooks' subject contents are presented in sequence. Master the first one before the next. Do not skip. If they could not solve the exercises at the end of the chapter, most likely they would be in trouble the next chapter. Follow the advice. Do it now! Do not delay! Complete the exercises! Geniuses in mathematics are a gift from God, but skills could be developed!

Academic success and other benefits are yours simply by following the tips.

Birthday Serves as a Reminder That You're Growing Older

                 by Vic Odarve.

Unlike many other festivities in our modern society, a birthday party is personal and unique. It marks the end of one chapter of one’s life and the beginning of another. It reminds the first time you saw light and wailed in your mother's arms, announcing your entrance to the world. It also serves as a reminder that another year has passed, and another chapter of your life has come to an end. Then a new horizon will appear, and you will confront whatever the future has; it's a new day. It just serves as a reminder that you are growing older!

A Birthday celebration

It is held in commemoration of someone’s day of birth; it comes once a year. Often, a gift of assorted designs decorated with the celebrant’s age highlighted the occasion. The cake is studded with lit candles, where the celebrant usually makes a silent wish and attempts to blow out the candles in one breath. In addition to family members, the celebrant invites friends and relatives to grace the occasion. Sumptuous food preparation at these celebrations includes noodles, which represent long life.

The life of an individual is likened to a book. The birthday, which comes once a year, is compared to a life chapter. The celebration closes a chapter in the celebrant’s life. All that one has done, an accomplishment for that year, is written and recorded. It is your book of life; God will open it on the judgment day. Birthdays remind you to reflect on your life's footprints; no matter how difficult or comfortable they were, they are a part of you. Examine your performance as it mirrors your journey as another chapter in your life comes to an end.

Wines for the Occasion

As one chapter of your life closes, another one opens, full of hope and promises. It is seen as the start of a new part of your life and brings new optimism and insights into your future. This is another milestone; the fact that you have survived another year is one. Maybe it is time to reflect on your life and see what needs to change; attitude, lifestyle, or focus on the good things you have not fulfilled in the previous years. Life is too short; it is the time to think again.

A birthday celebration differs from one culture to another; it depends on religion and race. Simply, this is a reminder that people are born in this world to fulfill something; why we are here and where we are going. Everyone loves birthdays, especially their own. We live today and gone tomorrow. Whether we like it or not, our birthday reminds us that we are getting older.

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Choose the Best Candidates: We Have the Final Say

         by Vic Odarve.

Elections have been the traditional process by which a people choose representatives because several candidates with varied goals desire to hold public office in a democratic society. Elections allow citizens to express themselves, invoke symbols of nationalism or patriotism, and more. Elections break up the monotony of daily life, with government officials leading our economy in a downward spiral, with the country suffering as a result. The decision to elect public officials to hold public positions is, as it always has been, yours to make and is irreversible.

Presidentiables

 Participating in the election process really invokes the symbols of nationalism or patriotism. It gives us satisfaction in our need to feel a sense of belonging to our country, the place of our birth. Hence, the events during election time that include rallies, banners, posters, and television coverage suggest the importance of our participation. Sharing a post on social media like the Facebook edifies fellow voters. The Philippines is an electoral democracy, but sometimes corruption and a lack of transparency continue to undermine democratic development. Elections have historically been marred by fraud, intimidation, and political violence. Vote-buying and vote-selling obstruct the democratic process, yet they remain pervasive in some parts of our country. Taking part in monitoring a clean and honest election is one of our nationalistic roles.

Oligarchs loan written off in 2006

 Election is the time to give people an opportunity to have their say. President Duterte approval and trust ratings remained high just weeks before he will leave the office after the May 2022 election. The first-quarter survey of PUBLiCUS Asia showed 67.2 percent of the respondents approved of the President's performance in the past 12 months. Duterte's trustworthiness rating was at 61.8 percent. This indicates that his anti-corruption and drug campaign works.

Whatever other reasons voters may have in their minds, participation in the upcoming election serves to reinforce our self-esteem and self-respect. For the neophytes in politics, voters have a chance to dig deeper if the candidates are the best applicants for the government position. He could not be the perfect candidate—but maybe the best among them. At least the voters can choose better candidates for public servants.

By arousing emotions and working toward a collective objective of improving our country by electing good-performing government officials, it gives us a chance to replace below-par performers in our governance platform. By helping our voters through education, we can select candidates that cannot be bought and fooled by big businesses, crooked government officials, and oligarchs. Graft and corruption, tax evaders, and drug lords have been the perennial problems in this country. These are the main culprits behind why our economy is on a downward trend. One thing is certain: let others also know that they must vote according to their conscience, even if they do accept money.

Graft and Corruptions Investigation

Choosing the best candidate can be a challenging job, and when none of them seems to be a perfect fit for the public position, always vote for people who will best represent and uphold biblical values. Candidates, who are usually groomed and supported by media giants and rich and powerful oligarchs, must be investigated if they have records of graft and corruption. They may be the recipients of the ill-gotten wealth, groomed by the oligarchs, supporters of the communist party, or simply good in promises but not in deeds. If they are one of them, crush them from your list. Do not vote for them, even if they are endorsed by the President. Do not sell your votes to save our country. Believe in God's supernatural touch. The Bible says,

"When we humble ourselves and pray, God will heal our land (2 Chronicles 7:14)!"

Philippine politics can be toxic, frustrating, and even boring for many. But the choice to select candidates is ours and is irrevocable when the dust of all our cities incarnadines the sunsets of the world.

 

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Join the Bohol Fiesta Celebration, Please!

            By Vic Odarve

The Bohol fiesta celebration, widely ridiculed that the island will sink due to the surge of visitors during the month of May, attracts relatives from all over the world, allowing them to engage in the festivities with the locals and share their blessings for the entire year. It is, without a doubt, a unique practice that the indigenous people have followed since time immemorial.

One of the highlights during celebration

Most native Boholanos who live outside the province feel obligated to visit their ancestral places, which provides an opportunity for a family reunion and the introduction of relatives and friends. The celebration piques people's interest in returning to the island, tying their roots to where they came from while also providing time for bonding and reuniting with old friends.

Another thing they can do is go sightseeing in the places where their grandparents used to hike. It is an expanded universe. When you met up with your old friends, you never lacked for conversation, and your talk on this occasion was non-stop and wide-ranging. At that moment, it is like you are traveling to the past where you want to look back on your childhood years that were filled with events and memories.

During the month of May, villages often have colorful displays hanging along their streets, welcome signboards for visitors, and different neon lights during the celebration. There are also carnivals where people can play, enjoy different rides on Ferris wheels, or just enjoy the native foods being sold at different stalls. With open arms, the populace invites friends, relatives, and even strangers to participate in the large food preparation at homes. Highlights during celebrations are basketball and volleyball games, discos, dances, and beauty pageants and clan reunions. The festivities also include processions with floats adorned with images of each village or town’s patron saint and sometimes local beauties. Lots of fun to join!

Old folks at home

The folks have considered the fiesta celebration as part of their tradition. Fiestas serve as a thanksgiving of the community people to their patron saints for the whole year's blessings they receive; they share what they have, not just the material things, but also the joy and happiness; and they thank the Lord above all for everything He has given. They save money for a year and spend it during the fiesta just to have something to serve and celebrate. Through good and bad times, the fiesta must go on.

Visiting the places where you roamed before

Bohol Fiesta seems to shape the homing instinct of the Boholanos, and the Bohol fiesta celebration is indeed a unique one. Boholanos, residing within and outside the country, come home during the month of May to join the annual fiesta celebration. It is a never-ending journey of their lives, extending to the next generation. Seeing the happy faces could already alleviate the burden after the celebration. For foreigners, hospitality and warm receptions are worth emulating. For the senior Boholanos, the celebration meant the excitement of meeting their old friends. Because life is so short, we should live to the fullest expression of ourselves before we cross to the other side of the universe.

Join the Bohol fiesta celebration, please!

 

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Old Pictures; Beyond Forgetting

        By Vic Odarve

Old photographs capture priceless moments, recall details, and remind us of the footprints of our forefathers. Old photos are a living witness to the happiest or saddest moments in our lives; they allow us to recall all the details later in life and rewind how life was spent during those times.

Ancestral house -Mayana

Yes, in my ancestral home, old, framed pictures hanging on the wall remind me of where I spent my childhood days, my great-grandparents’ heydays, and some of the most memorable parts of my life. In one of the photos, I was once a platoon leader of a boys’ scout group getting ready for a jamboree competition in a nearby village. In a scout drill formation, we were dressed completely in uniform and wore caps on our heads. Even in black-and-white, it was clear that we were students at Mayana Primary School. Scouting has been a part of my life for longer than I can remember. My parents told me that I always loved scouting during my primary education. And this old picture confirms it!

As I continued to scan the photos, old memories from the distant past began to flash back and forth in my mind. The traces of memories that appear to disintegrate over time seem real and fresh. Looking back to my childhood days, with the days spent together with our great grandparents and country people, these memories are beyond forgetting!

Boys Scout 1967

It is indeed enjoyable to see these old pictures. It stirs our memories and recalls the days of our youth. I would like to rewind to the good old days when we played basketball games during fiesta celebrations. Now, the village of Mayana is one of my favorite getaway destinations. Going back to the old trail of the San Miguel Academy, I can feel like walking through mist and clouds along the mountain ranges, meeting all the fairies and magical creatures, and watching the birds doing orchestra along with the canopies. Whenever I remember my good old childhood days, it is sort of a feeling that cannot be captured on camera and is more than the old pictures hanging on the wall.

There really is no place like home. Old pictures remind me of the places and events where I come from; the land of my birth; and with all its diversity, the good and the bad, I would like to go there first over anywhere else in the world. It is just proper to share our good old days and momentous moments with our sons and grandsons to show how we lived our lives before.

College Days- U of Bohol

The Bible puts it this way:

"Only give heed to yourself and keep your soul diligently, so that you do not forget the things which your eyes have seen, and they do not depart from your heart all the days of your life; but make them known to your sons and your grandsons." Deuteronomy 4:9

For those of us who are still alive, old photographs serve as a reminder and a trigger for our memories. It is beyond forgetting!

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