Freedom is a such a BIG word

Today we celebrate our independence day. We commemorate our hard-earned independence from slavery and a three centuries of Spanish rule. We remember how we broke off from foreign monarchy and instill our own democracy. We remember our heroes and martyrs and we hope to the fullest that things get better for our mother land. But what does independence and freedom would mean now to a person living in the present century?

State U taught me that you should express yourself no matter what. No holds barred. Information is power. Dagdagan, dagdagan, wag bawasan. We take it to the streets, in front of buildings, graduation ceremonies, assemblies, etc. We put pressure to the administration and make the public aware that something is going on. But not everyone is from State U and come to think of it, UP is still and always will be a controlled environment. And in the real world, when you voice out something dreadful, people take offense and condemn you for it--no matter how true your statements are. How would you, as a mere individual, influence other people and instill change? In short, how do you take action? A friend of mine told me before to man up and take the first step. I replied and added, "--which is always the hardest step to take."

A Rizal would have a strategy--make the public aware of the lies that are being told. He would have a plan in mind and sooner or later, a Bonifacio will stand up and disturb the peace. We all have these two heroes within us but it's not easy because as they say: your freedom ends when you are stepping into another's.

Create Your Own Adventure

It's funny how movies now are more expensive if they're in 3D. They say they are more realistic, as if it's happening right in front of you. I'm not a fan because I fear of getting headaches brought about by a case of astigmatism and because it's twice as much as a regular movie. Ironically, we seek these pseudo-realities when everyday, we wake up to a reality that is our own. "But it's a movie!" you would say. Well yeah, you have a point. We would prefer a pseudo-reality that would make us feel good than one that we have to face every single day and make us miserable (sometimes). Yes, we need to be distracted once in a while.

When we have these movies to distract us, we would also have the urge of experiencing these movies ourselves. Better yet, see these places ourselves. I love to travel and have been to some places in Asia and the Philippines throughout the years. What I love more is to pine for the other places I want to go to yet I have no capacity to do so just yet. Drama is my plague and a day wouldn't go by without it. However the moment I stepped inside the NAIA 2 more than 7 days ago, I told myself "you go through all sorts of drama about not really wanting to go to Taipei but here you are with a smile on your face when you're presenting your passport to Immigrations."

They say happiness is a choice and I would agree. To add to that, you create your own adventure. 4 days ago, after I stepped out of the same airport I went into last week, a clock started ticking. Yes, the countdown to our next destination begins now.

:D