bryanllamado

[bryanllamado]

[bryanllamado]

ang mahalaga, lumaban.

I love going on social media to read up on news and updates from other people, but for the past couple of days, I haven’t seen a single jovial or triumphant post. Some of my acquaintances have been quiet as well and I have been in my feelings too. For some reasons, I felt like I must check in on my friends so earlier today, I posted an Instagram story asking my followers how they have been handling the situation. I have also taken a few minutes from my synchronous classes to ask my students how they’ve been, because I know so well that some of them are deeply affected by what happened.

I could write a whole blog entry detailing the rollercoaster of emotions that I felt for the past 48 hours or maybe I couldn’t— for these turn of events have left me speechless and shocked. Hopefully I can find the right words to describe how I’ve been putting up with all of this, but today, I am here to express my gratitude and regards to everyone who has been a part of my Kakampink journey. I don’t think I have ever fully expressed how thankful I am to those who stood up and and made this ride a memorable one.

To VP Leni, First of all, it’s so brave of me to think that this message will reach you, but I’ll take my chance nonetheless. I have only seen you twice and those were during the Cavite Grand Rallies for Leni-Kiko and Tropang Angat. I haven’t even gotten physically close to you, but you have been the strongest instrument of hope during these dark times. You have awakened the spirit of patriotism in me and I honestly don’t think I will fight this hard for a candidate if it weren’t for you and your platforms. I have also supported you back in 2016 even if I wasn’t an eligible voter back then.

It has been my honor to support you and campaign for you in this election season. I consider it as one of the best choices I have made in my life and I will never forget this time when I chose to stand with you and be on the right side of history. You have taught me how to practice radical love and how to extend compassion even to those people who do not share the same opinion as me. The Leni-Kiko tandem and Tropang Angat have sparked a glimmer of hope in me and I hope to keep it with me and make it a guiding principle moving forward. You are the greatest Vice President this country has ever seen.

To Youth Vote for Leni-Kiko/Mendezenians for Leni-Kiko, I am proud to say that you have built a safe and loving community of Kakampinks in our beloved town and I am even prouder to have been a part of this group/movement. The members have shown me nothing but kindness and generosity and I am in awe of the volunteerism that we have showcased given the limited amount of time and resources that the group had. I want to express my appreciation for your effort and involvement in this campaign, that despite the lack of financial gains, you poured your heart in this fight.

Attending rallies and events and participating in house to house campaign were just some of the wonderful memories I was able to share with most of you. It gave me a sense of belongingness to be surrounded by people who believe in the same things as I do. I will also not forget the conversations and stories that we shared outside the scope of election topics. I got to see life through a different lens just by simply listening to your experiences and insights. I’m looking forward to where this fight will take us and I will the group nothing but the best.

To my Rally Buddies and fellow Attendees, Thank you for making my Cavite Grand Rally experiences fun and memorable. Standing under the blazing heat of the sun in the sea of people while dealing with hunger and discomfort became more bearable with you. Just knowing that I’m surrounded by welcoming and accepting individuals is enough for me to endure the uneasiness that lasted for hours. Jamming to musicians and bands was an experience I gladly shared with you. It was indeed therapeutic to sing at the top of our lungs and not care about how we look like.

It was also nice to visit food booths and stations with you. We were never short of food because everyone was willing to share what they have and it is a testament to the selflessness that this campaign has brought out in its attendees. Our little chitchats in between speakers and performers also made my attendance to the rallies worth it. But above these things, I know we all went to the rallies for a common reason— to stand up for what is right and best for the nation. I salute you all for your moral integrity.

To Online Kakampinks and Leni-Kiko Supporters, I was a bit hesitant at first to go all out about my support for VP Leni and Sen. Kiko, but your reactions and comments made me more comfortable in expressing my choice. It’s been a wonderful time reading your tweets, threads, memes, bardagulan and sh--posts during this election season and it has been one of my stress relievers. I would also like to mention the content creators, creatives, and artists who used their talents and skills to further promote our political choice. Truly, this campaign has brought out the best in all of us and I’m happy to celebrate your artistry and creativity.

This is truly a memorable period in my life as a young adult and I’ll always remember and look back at the memories I shared with everyone who is a part of this campaign. I am not the type to go out of my comfort zone and turn my beliefs into action, but standing up for what I believed in became easier because of the ones that participated in this movement. The results may not be in our favor, but we weren’t defeated. The collective power we shared when we stood up for love, justice, and freedom is an indicator that we have won. We have fought and good fight and this journey will continue. Hindi ko alam kung kailan at saan, pero tuloy ang laban.

Before the election day, I started thinking that this may be the election season that I will be the most active and engaged in due to its importance and impact in my personal and professional life. But after seeing the numbers, I know that this is a long game that we’re playing. What we have started in the past few months will not be in vain and it is just a glimpse of what we could achieve in the years to come. Let’s hold on to the hope that was passed on to us by VP Leni and I hope this inspires us to do better— because we all deserve better and we owe it to our country and the future generations of Filipinos to strive for better.

Ang mahalaga, lumaban. Lumaban para sa Bayan.

[bryanllamado]

#TaoSaTaoParaKayLeniKiko

Bago pa man magsimula ang panahon ng kampanya, nakapili na ako ng kandidato para sa pagkapangulo at pangalawang pangulo. Naging madali ang aking pagpili dahil na rin sa kagustuhan kong maibalik ang disente at tapat na pamamahala. Naniniwala ako na kapag malinis ang gobyerno, uunlad ang bansa at ang kaunlarang iyon ay mararamdaman maging ng mga Pilipino na nasa laylayan.

Lubos ang tiwala ko sa tambalang Leni Robredo at Kiko Pangilinan, pati na rin sa Tropang Angat. Agad kong inalam ang kanilang mga plano at mga plataporma upang magkaroon ng ideya sa uri ng pamumuno na kanilang maibibigay sa bansa. Naniniwala ako na malinis ang kanilang intensyon sa pagtakbo ngayong eleksyon, at kailangan natin ng mga taong hindi magdadalawang isip na kumilos at unahin ang mga bagay na makakabuti sa mga mamamayan.

Ginamit ko ang aking mga social media pages upang ipahayag ang aking suporta sa Leni-Kiko tandem. Agad kong nilagyan ng mga larawang may kulay rosas ang aking profiles upang iparating sa aking mga kaibigan na ako ay pumipili at sumusuporta sa gobyernong tapat. Ginagamit ko rin ang aking mga account upang magbahagi ng mga tama at makatotohanang impormasyon tungkol sa mga napili kong kandidato.

Nagkaroon na rin ng mga talakayan at diskusyon sa mga group chat kung saan ako kabilang. Aaminin ko, hindi naging mahirap sa akin na iparating ang mensahe ng Leni-Kiko tandem at ng Tropang Angat sa aking mga kaibigan pagkat karamihan sa kanila ay naniniwala rin sa aking mga ipinaglalaban. May ilan namang iba ang iboboto kaya’t kinailangan na magkaroon ng malalim na usapan upang sila ay subukang makumbinsi.

Ngunit sabi nga nila, wala sa social media ang tunay na laban. Alam kong kailangan kong lumabas sa aking kinaroroonan upang iparamdam ang aking pagtindig at pakikiisa sa mga kandidatong tapat at mahusay. Nakilahok ako sa mga pagtitipon kung saan aking personal na nakita at napakinggan ang tambalang Robredo-Pangilinan pati na rin ang Tropang Angat.

Mas lalo akong nakumbinsi na tama ang aking desisyon. Mas lalo akong naging panatag na abot kamay natin ang tagumpay dahil sa dami ng mga kapwa ko Kakampink na nagpapakita ng suporta at sumasama sa pagsulong ng mga adhikain ng Leni-Kiko tandem. Mas lalo akong nabuhayan ng loob dahil naramdaman ko ang kabutihan at pagtutulungan sa komunidad na binubuo ng mga indibidwal ng nagnanais ng tunay ng pagbabago.

Hindi lingid sa aking kaalaman na may mga taong iba ang pinaniniwalaan at sinusuportahan ngayong eleksyon. Nais kong isabuhay ang paniniwalang ipinaglalaban ni VP Leni Robredo, na mas radikal ang magmahal. Nais kong iparating ang mensahe ng pag-asa kahit sa mga taong hindi bahagi ng mga grupo na sumusuporta rin sa aking pinaglalaban. Gusto kong ipakilala pa sa iba ang Leni-Kiko tandem at iparamdam sa kanila na may handang lumaban at magsilbi sa kanila.

Kusang loob akong sumama sa kampanyang tao sa tao at puso sa puso. Gamit ang aking lakas at abilidad, ako ay nakisalamuha, nakipag-usap, at nakinig sa mga Pilipino mula sa iba’t ibang uri ng pamumuhay. Kakaibang karanasan ang magkampanya sa mga komunidad pagkat hindi tulad sa mga rally, ang populasyon rito ay binubuo ng mga taong iba ang paniniwala at batayan ng pagboto. Maaaring masubok ang pasensya at pag-unawa, ngunit hindi noon mapipigilan ang boluntaryong pagpapaabot ng radikal na pagmamahal sa kapwa.

Nakakatuwa namang isipin na marami pa rin ang handang makinig at makipag-usap. Nasaksihan ko ang mga sitwasyon sa mga kabahayan at namulat ako sa reyalidad na ang bawat mamamayan ay may kanya-kanyang karanasan na nakaka-apekto sa kanilang pagpili ngayong eleksyon. Lahat naman tayo ay gustong mapabuti ang bansa at magandang oportunidad ito upang ipadama sa kanila ang uri ng gobyerno na maibibigay sa atin ng tambalang Robredo-Pangilinan.

Ito ang uri ng pamamahala na ating mararanasan sa ilalim ng gobyernong tapat, na gobyerno mismo ang lalapit sa mga tao. Sa ganitong uri ng pamahalaan, ipagdiriwang ang pagkakaisa at ang diwa ng boluntayong pakikilahok ng ordinaryong mamamayan. Mamamayani ang disiplina at pagbibigayan. Titindig ang mga nasa itaas upang akayin at itaas ang mga nasa laylayan. Maibabalik ang gobyerong naka-sentro sa serbisyo. Liliwanag at magiging kulay rosas ang kinabukasan para sa lahat.

Ngayong darating na eleksyon, aking ipinagdarasal na ang bawat isa ay pumuli ng tama. Manindigan at sumuporta sa mga kandidatong tunay na maglkilingkod sa bayan at magsusulong ng pag-unlad na makakarating sa bawat mamamayan. Bumoto nang may integridad at naaayon sa katotohanan. Sa ganoong paraan ng pagboto, ikaw ang mananalo. At sa paglipas ng panahon, maaari mong ipagmalaki na ikaw ay lumaban at nanindigan para sa tama.

Tara na, ipanalo na natin ito.

[bryanllamado]

#ExcellenceAndPurpose

Hi! I am Bryan Albert G. Llamado, a teacher of the English Subject Area from Emilio Aguinaldo College-Cavite Senior High School this academic year 2021-2022, and I am ready to become a catalyst of change in the way we teach language.

As I teach Oral Communication in Context, I will focus on the purposeful and meaningful development of listening and speaking skills among my students and give emphasis on equipping them with communicative strategies that will help them achieve excellence in their fields of endeavor.

May it be speaking, reading, writing, listening, or viewing, our Subject Area is more than capable to hone young minds for the students to attain their fullest potential.

#EnglishSubjectArea

#ExcellenceAndPurpose

[bryanllamado]

ATM with Bryan | 23

We’re finally doing this thing… again. Welcome to ‘how to be bryan.’– the reflections and musings of a young professional on a pursuit to educate and live purposefully. What about that intro, though? Haha! Just trying to open this entry in a different manner this time. It has been 3 weeks since I last wrote and published an entry here, and I took some time off from updating the blog to *sort of* absorb the fact that the new year has come. Well, the year started just fine, but there hasn’t been any obvious change if we were to compare it to the previous one.

To those of you who have been reading the blog for years now (and have been here before my hiatus), you may have stumbled upon this ‘ATM with Bryan’ series where I talk about my currentlys. The last time I have written a volume under this series was in 2018, after the 1st semester of my last year in college. Now, I have been off of school for a year and a half now, and a couple of years older. Isn’t that insane? Time flies so fast, indeed. But we’re not here for that, so I’m giving you a list of my ‘at the moments.’

C U R R E N T L Y

Reading

Worlds of You by Beau Taplin. This is Taplin’s second collection of poetry, first published in 2017. (I know) I am years late, and only learned about this during the ECQ after I asked my IG friends to suggest poetry books for me to read. On another matter, it’s also one of my goals this year to read more (poetry) books because I don’t think my schedule can cater novels. *bleeds in metaphor and imagery*

Writing

the 23rd volume of ATM with Bryan, alongside some songs and poems. Just like what I mentioned in my past entries, I’m ~trying~ to go back to my roots. I’m looking forward to rolling out content for the Valentine’s Day which includes *insert a list of planned online gimmicks* and then some. I just feel like now is the perfect time for us to spread love and actually do so.

Listening

to Spotify’s Hallyu Boy Bands playlist. Isn’t it surprising? Well, the old Bryan that you know is gone. *face palm* To my defense (in case you’re confused AF), I’ve always had a diverse taste in music and it just happened that a few weeks ago, I was listening to a random K-Pop playlist when I heard TXT’s CROWN and the chorus just stuck in my head. I knew I had to give in and listen so yeah. #justified lol

Thinking

about how to handle my finances better during this time of the year. This is one of the constant conversation pieces now that I’m a young adult. I started 2020 on a bad note financially by splurging on unnecessary stuff and not realizing that a ~no work, no pay policy~ pretty much exists. I don’t want to make the same mistakes again, but the thing is, I don’t even have money to spend in the first place. So why bother? *insert GCash number*

Smelling

the alcohol scent from my hands. Here’s a reminder for you all to STILL sanitize and follow the minimum health standards. *winks*

Wishing

for motivation to finish all my assigned tasks and activities this week. I’ve always been an intrinsically motivated person as I do things out of love and passion, but the old Bryan is gone. Haha! Not that I don’t love what I do now, I need extrinsic motivation now more than ever, and I think I’d appreciate it in material manifestations. Long story short, hindi talaga sapat ang love lang! *sighs*

Hoping

to be more organized and to have more storage space in my room. I’ve been watching a lot of lifestyle vlogs recently and I’ve seen some creative ways on how to maximize your space. I also hope to declutter my stuff and get rid of the ones that no longer serve my goals and interests for the New Year. The bad thing about it is that I’m sooo sentimental. I don’t just throw my stuff away– not even coffee receipts and movie tickets from years back.

Wearing

a red pambahay shirt and a pair of swimming shorts.

Loving

my new set of fave Starbucks drinks! Oh God, I can’t stress enough about how addicted I’ve been to some SB drinks these past few weeks. My top three drinks (on the menu) at the moment were Iced Caramel Macchiato, Iced Chai Tea Latte, and Iced Hibiscus Tea with Pomegranate Pearls, and off the menu, I love the Barista Drink, Pink Drink, and Tiktok Drink. I can def write a whole entry about this but yeah. #coffee_forever_and_ever

Wanting

to meet up with my friends who I haven’t seen in a while. I just thought of this now, and while I have internet friends who I can converse with to vent out and rant, I’d also love to catch up with my friends. Zoom meetings are not enough! Good conversations would be better over good food, so to my friends out there, baka naman. I would need money first, though!

Needing

a new phone or tablet. I was supposed to gift myself a new phone last year but due to money matters and delays, I did not meet my expected budget. Quite frankly, this isn’t an immediate concern as my current phone is still very functional, but for me to fully multi-task and maximize productivity, I need a separate phone for gaming, video editing, and file management.

Feeling

bombarded and mentally overwhelmed. I’m grateful for the work and endeavor that I have right now, but now is also the time when I want to pursue artistic and creative pursuits– just like this blog. I want to work on my passion projects, but the guilt eats me up when I try to set my professional tasks aside. I’ve felt so overwhelmed at times that I end up not doing anything. #jokesonme

Clicking

through some podcasts episodes. I think I’ll write an entry about this soon, so watch out for that. I’ve been consuming a lot of audio content in the form of podcasts, for I have grown tired of the current YouTuber culture of pranks, click bait, and nonsense content. Praise the heavens for podcasts! I have discovered a lot of local podcasters and met people through the podcast community– like the AWJP x SOS Fam.

This is where the entry ends for today.

Please check out the other entries on the blog and if you have any requests or any topics you want me to write about, feel free to send me a message.

Till the next entry!

Bry. x 012320

[bryanllamado]

The Year that Didn’t Happen

Hello there, readers and blog visitors! This is your homeboy, @bryanllamado, trying to make the best out his two-week break from work. I’ve been waiting for this break for a long time now as I have constantly felt like I was on the verge of being burnt out these the past few weeks. I can totally write an entire entry about how unmotivated I was and how much I wanted this time off of Zoom meetings and PowerPoint presentations, but now that I have consumed half of this short break, I’m not even sure if I was able to rest deliberately (or at least, not yet). *sighs*

So yeah, that’s just a brief life update. For today’s entry, I will be looking back at the year that was. I know, this year isn’t a good one per se– it might even be an awful one to some of us– but just like what I said in my previous entry, there is something good in this year and I hope to look at the good things and magnify them in this entry. It’s ironic how this year seemed to be so looong, yet it’s as though we just blinked for a sec and now it’s almost over. With that, allow me to go through the year that didn’t happen.

To start off, I was terrified and excited at the same time going into 2020. I knew from the get go that it would be a challenging year ahead both personally and professionally. 2019 was a year of achievement first and foremost, and there is no way I could outdo my accomplishments during that period– let alone, replicate. Nonetheless, I entered 2020 with high hopes. 2019 ended on such a bittersweet note as December gave way to a ~major~ achievement and a conflict within my inner circle. I didn’t know what the year had to offer, so I entered 2020 with uncertainty as well.

I initially wrote a detailed account of the good things that 2020 brought, but I could bring myself to talk about the advantages, blessings, and benefits without bringing up the down sides, challenges, and negativities that came along. It was such a vague year of many extremes (which I won’t be able to encapsulate perfectly), so I totally scrapped that entry and opted for a more general account. I searched for Questions to Ask Yourself at Year-End and I chose some interesting questions which I think would give me an overarching view of the year that was. Without further ado, let us now proceed to the questions.

·        When I think back on this past year, what am I proud of myself for?

I am proud of myself for, obviously, surviving the year. A lot of things have been delayed, cancelled, and scrapped, but I’m still thriving and continuously fighting. It’s so easy to give it all up and just float without direction. I must say that it’s been more challenging compared to the years prior, and I wouldn’t be here without my family, friends, and community of God-loving people. I was on the verge of sitting the rest of the year out, because I wanted to wait until all of this is over before I attend to my responsibilities. Turns out, there isn’t a perfect time to do so, but NOW.

I’m also proud of myself for seeking God in these trying times. 2019 gave me almost everything I want as a young professional, and it’s so easy to lose sight of the things that actually matter when you have superficial things that give you immediate satisfaction. So with all the comforts and privileges stripped away, I held on to God and I found peace in the midst of chaos and uncertainty. God showed me that I can be happy and contented without material things. If anything, those things are just extras– bonus that add up to your existing joy that comes from living purposefully.

·        What lessons did I learn in 2020?

One lesson I learned in 2020 is that we are not the ones in control. We spend our wholes live trying to plan it out– from building a family, to travelling, accumulating possessions, etc. We think we can lead our lives to a certain direction if we work hard and have enough will. But then came a virus, a microorganism, and it changed everything including our lifestyles, perspectives, and mindsets. Admittedly, I felt powerless during the ECQ. I simply don’t have to power to do anything to change the situation, and it made me trust in the Lord more than ever– that His will prevail.

On the contrary, I also learned that successful people are not the ones who wait, but those who seize the opportunity and make the most out of what they have. Just like what I said earlier, the time is now. If we wait for the perfect time to resume our endeavors and pursuits, we might be waiting for more than a year before it happens. But if we decide to move forward (given the limited resources at this time), then we might be surprised of how much we can accomplish. Taking baby steps is still better than doing nothing and staying still.

·        What surprised me from this past year?

What surprised me from the past year was the fact that things changed drastically in just a short amount of time. Imagine attending a birthday party and the next thing you know, the whole country just went into lockdown. That’s how quick things changed. In just a blink of an eye, your life took a 180 degree turn. Yeah, I know, change is the only constant thing in life, but this isn’t the kind of change that anyone would hope for– even the introvert in me despised this shift. Nonetheless, the quarantine life also brought me good things (which I mentioned in my previous entry).

Another thing that surprised me this year was unexpected work. I’ve been teaching since 2017 (in service and professionally since 2019), and I honestly thought that it would be my only field of endeavor after I finish school. This year paved the way for me to work with brands, manage social media pages, create content, and support small businesses. I hope I can continue this type of work because I really find fulfillment in participating in worthy causes. I also prioritized writing in some ways which led to the resurrection of this blog. I’m slowly going back to my roots and bringing back old hobbies and passion projects. *happy dance*

·        Which difficult challenges did I conquer instead of walking away?

I’ve seen a few tweets saying, “my mental health was tested this year more than ever” and I can’t stress about how accurate this statement is. Truly, being stuck at home isn’t normal or appropriate as humans are social beings. We rely on social interactions to survive, and being stuck just with your family isn’t good for your mental stability. As a result, I resorted to reading, writing, watching series, listening to podcasts, and playing games to keep myself sane in times of insanity. I also dealt with anxiety prior to the lockdown which I was able to address before everything went downhill. *lucky for me*

Of course, this look back wouldn’t be complete without mentioning online classes. I know you’ve read all the rants and complaints from students about how difficult and unbearable online classes are, but has anyone asked how it is from a teacher’s perspective? We are also struggling. This is new for all of us, but our love for teaching goes beyond the difficulties and challenges that we encounter on a daily basis. People don’t know how stressful the preparations are for online classes, but still, teachers pushing through just so we can successfully execute the academic year given the undesirable circumstances. Still, #NoToAcademicFreeze

·        What did I change my mind about?

I changed my mind about a lot of things, and I hope they are reflected in my birthday blog as well as this very entry. It’s fascinating how I feel almost the same all throughout the year, but my peers kept saying that I have indeed changed– hoping it’s for the better. If anything, I think my mindset totally changed in all aspects. I view certain things (such as Christianity, responsibility, happiness, etc.) differently now compared to how I viewed them at the start of the year. I’m also more appreciative of what’s in front of me, instead of looking for what was missing.

I changed my mind about the old normal way of living. I used to think that we’ll always be moving, but this year truly made me pause and rethink my life’s direction in small ways. I won’t say that I have it all figured out as I’m still trying to get a hold of it. I also look at life now from a two-week or a monthly perspective and plan from that point forward. I take care of myself and value my health more. I also take a breather and rest from time to time, and I’m patient with myself more than ever. No rush, no pressure. *winks*

2020 is truly a different year compared to the previous ones. A lot of things didn’t happen, but there are also things that happened. This year may not be the year to have everything we want, but it is truly the time for us to appreciate the things that we have. I choose to look at the good things that the year has brought and bring them with me in the upcoming one. I’m thankful for the lessons, challenges, ad new experiences that I’ve had this year, and I believe that it prepared us for what the upcoming year has in store.

Here’s to hoping for a better year ahead! I hope it will be a year of healing for the world, prosperity for all nations, and triumph for individuals who faced difficulties this year. May all the seeds we planted this year bear fruits that we can harvest in the next one. All of this will be over soon. But for now, I hope you had a wonderful and restful holiday season. This season of giving may not follow our traditional way of celebrating, but the reason to rejoice is still the same. Mask up, sanitize your hands, and keep your distance. Happy Holidays!

Till the next entry!

Bry. x 123020

[bryanllamado]

How the Quarantine Affected Me

Hi there, reader slash blog visitor! We’re down to the last week of November and soon, it’ll be the Holiday season. I recently celebrated my birthday and I’ve seen people flock to malls. But as much as I delight in seeing ~some things~ go back to normal, it also bothers me how people seem to have forgotten that there is STILL a pandemic. Don’t get me wrong– I still want to celebrate Christmas, but in a safe manner. It also makes me anxious that people will be too comfortable “going out” as soon as the holiday rush sets in. How will Christmas in the #NewNormal be celebrated?

For today’s entry, (as seen in the title) I’ll be talking about how the quarantine affected me. I wanted to write this entry weeks ago, but I don’t think I’m in the right headspace to do so. So yeah, in this entry I’ll be listing down some of the changes that I have observed in me ever since the quarantine started more than 8 months ago. It’s so unlikely for the majority to be stuck at home and far from the old way of living that we all had. What’s even more saddening is that we don’t know when this will all end. *shrugs*

As soon as WHO declared ‘it’ as a global pandemic, classes in the local areas were initially suspended. I had a bad feeling about it and so I took home all of my teaching resources and started working on the quarterly exams and final grades. Eventually, the school year prematurely ended without a formal culmination – no graduation, year-end event, etc. The summer (which did not seem like an actual summer) began soon after and the quarantine protocols became stricter and stricter. It led to the temporary closure of establishments, loss of jobs, and sadly, the increase in the number of cases.

With that being said, let me give you my list of the changes this 9-month long quarantine has brought me.

The Quarantine Made Me Socially, Morally, and Politically Aware.

During the years prior, I had this constant discomfort with bad governance and ill-conceived policies. Once a law or a public servant steps over one or any of my values, I would feel the need to express my opinions but I would also be too afraid to stand up for it as some people may tell me that I’m too young to get involved. But now that I’m an adult and a teacher by profession, I feel the need to speak up – not only for me, but also for those who can’t speak for themselves. Furthermore, if I can amplify their voices and use my platform to raise awareness, I will.

I’ve been constantly disheartened by the things that happened while we were under a strict quarantine– workers lost jobs, people got arrested, businesses shut down, and frontliners got sick. It’s plain to see that the pandemic response of the country was derailed from the get go, and you can tell it by the lack of massive testing, insufficient contact tracing, and faulty protocols. Now, here we are– still stuck in our homes and the risk of getting sick is still there. The situation could have been better had we employed preventive measures– flight bans, medical solutions, and isolation among others. The elected officials owe the public a competent leadership and comprehensive plans.

The Quarantine Made Me Check My Privileges

Yes, you read it right! Talking about privileges, I, for one, did not come from an affluent background, but I have always had my needs in check– tuition fees, new clothes from time to time, 3 or more full meals per day, and a quite comfortable home. I may not have all the things I want, but I’m definitely privileged compared to other Filipinos who suffered severely since the lockdown started. I acknowledge that fact, so as soon as donation drives surfaced, I started donating small amounts to certain causes. If I can spend money on shopping and pricey drinks, I definitely have the money to support those who are in need.

With the recent typhoons that hit the country, I became very vocal on social media about how I support relief operations and donation drives. I may not be personally there to help, but I know I can still provide assistance from afar. Despite my efforts to support these causes, this does not mean that I did not experience financial difficulties during the ECQ. Just like what I said, the school year prematurely ended in March, but I believe we were supposed to work until the first week of April. I know that my struggle is nothing compared to what other people experienced, and that’s the reason why I’m using my privilege for good.

The Quarantine Made Me Process My Emotions and Assess My Mental Health

If you’re someone from my circle, you would know that I’m an escapist. I hate facing problems, addressing my emotions, and dealing with confrontations. It does not mean that I’m in denial of the problem, it’s just that I despise addressing them because what’s the point? People care but not enough to apologize or change the behavior that hurt me in the first place. Or at least that’s how I used to think. The quarantine helped me process my emotions and I went through some of the deepest scars that I used to cover up. It was liberating, but emotionally exhausting as well.

I’m still an escapist, but I use escaping for better reasons this time. I use it as a thinking time, a processing period for me to realize where I went wrong and how I want to solve situations. I have gotten over my “what if’s” and “could have been’s” over the lockdown. I’ve made peace with my past, and I’m currently dealing with what’s in front of me– my present demons. I needed that release, and the quarantine gave me sooo much time to do it. I must say that I’m handling things better, and even if I escape the situation, I come back with a definite solution in mind.

The Quarantine Made Me Decide that I’m Too Old for Some Things

TikTok? I don’t know her. HAHA! Let’s go to something light and quite positive this time. I know there have been A LOT of trends that came up when everyone was stuck at home, and I’m quite horrified by the things that people can do out of boredom. Oh well, most of friends have succumbed to the craze. Then, there’s me– the one untouched. HAHA! I just decided I’m too old to dance in front of my phone, take a video of myself, and share it on that app. Can I just say how hard I cringe at myself in videos? Ugh. #nevertried lol

The Quarantine Made Me Rest and Take a Break from the Old Normal Lifestyle

Quite frankly, I used to splurge a lot on food during the old normal, which I still do, but now it’s in moderation. Aside from that, I shopped regularly and buy unnecessary things to compensate for the times when I felt like I lacked in material things. Isn’t it so unhealthy? But how was I supposed to know at that time, when I was working so hard day and night, and the only thing that validates my hard work is when I see my hard earned money go somewhere? In this case, it goes into food and shopping items. *insert my friends’ constant advice for me to stop spending*

Looking at it now, the way I used to “live” was so unsustainable. A friend used to say, “You never know when the next economic crisis it going to happen.” And it just did, right at the start of the new decade that we were all looking forward to. It made me realize how valuable money is, and that it should be in places where it will grow in quantity and in value. But here I am, once again, circling back to the old lifestyle. I guess it’s me searching for a sense of normalcy and validation as I’ve been working from home for the past 4 months. All I can say this time is “send help.” *note sarcasm*

So there, this is where the list ends… for now. We’re still stuck in quarantine so I guess the list will go on until we fully win against this pandemic. I’ve been so busy lately that I didn’t even realize how near Christmas is. Well, the rush is slowly setting in, and the guidelines for the Christmas celebration for this year was already released a couple of days ago. Let me remind you to stay safe and vigilant all the time. Practice social distancing as much as you can and stay at home unless it’s for essential business. I know we are all craving for the usual Christmas celebrations like Simbang Gabi, Christmas carols, and parties.

But trust me, we’ll all have that when this is all over. For now, we’ll have to celebrate in the #NewNormal way. We may not be rejoicing in the same manner, but the reason to make merry is still the same. This may not be a good year for some, but there is something good and something to be thankful for if look enough to find them. Or actually, we don’t have to look elsewhere. The mere fact that we are still here, thriving despite being under challenging situations, is enough to be thankful for. Advance merry Christmas everyone and don’t forget to wear a mask!

Till the next entry!

Bry. x 112120

[bryanllamado]

22 Things I Learned by 22

I don’t know about you, but I’m feeling 22! Yes, you read it right. I just celebrated my 22nd birthday so… Happy birthday, self! I’m officially in my early 20s. While there’s so much to look forward to, I know that there is a certain level of pressure that comes with getting older. I know I’m still considerably young, but at this age, society expects young adults to have their lives *figured out* already. So yeah, this is me succumbing to the pressure and pretending to know what to do, where to be, how to act, and when to take risks. *note sarcasm*

I must say it’s really awkward to start this entry with that greeting but there isn’t much that I can do about it. It’s the very reason I’m writing this one. *sighs* A month ago, I was thinking of a fun way to celebrate my birthday. We’re still stuck in quarantine, and even if some establishments are already open, I’d rather be safe than sorry. So, I thought of posting something on this site to sort of celebrate my birthday and share something to the people who might be interested. With that being said, let give you the 22 Things I Learned by 22!

Disclaimer: I am, in no way, an expert to giving tips and pieces of advice, but traversing through adulthood taught me a couple of lessons which I think are worth sharing. I only finished school last year, but my sudden immersion to the “professional world” a.k.a. work life allowed me to go through paradigm shifts I didn’t ever think I would experience. I’d like to say that I also saw the harsh realities of life 2 years into this path I’m currently taking. So my advice to you is to take everything you’re about to read with a grain of salt. *winks*

1.     Health is wealth.

Now that we’re experiencing a global pandemic, I realized how important health is. I used to eat whatever I want (hence, the weight loss and weight gain cycle) and deprive myself of sleep. Now, more than ever, is the time for us to take good care of our bodies. #panggap lol

2.     Work is hard, that’s why it’s called “work”.

My internship is Thailand gave me a glimpse of the life of a teacher (which I thought was fun) and I thought that it’s more or less how it feels in the real world. Not that it isn’t fun, it’s only now that I realized how heavy the responsibility is– that it even extends outside of the classroom.

3.     Small talk is boring.

I’ve always been one to enjoy lengthy, deep, and mind-boggling conversations. It bores me when I meet people and we just engage in small talks. Like come on, let’s talk about music, politics, religion, mental health, adulting, etc. I think it’s the reason why people get tired of the “Kumain ka na ba?” narrative. *face palm*

4.     Social media is not real life.

I used to scroll through social media endlessly to know what everyone is doing, but after a while, I realized how it’s only a reflection of someone’s highlights. A person can look good and perfect on Instagram, but behind the filters and curated feeds are people who deal with problems and struggles on a daily basis.

5.     Happiness is a by-product of purposeful living.

To achieve happiness, you must live purposefully. It’s a matter of motion before emotion, so before you feel happy, you have to do something that’s good for your soul. Stop making excuses. Pursue your passion. Serve others. Find your purpose. Design a life that’s worth living and happiness will come to you.

6.     Change is inevitable.

I know this a cliché, but going through changes and shifts over the past two years taught me to acknowledge change. As much as the people, things, and feelings change, I also do. It makes me sad sometimes how I’m no longer the version of myself that I used to be, but I’d rather change than stay the same.

7.     Rejection is redirection.

People see rejection as a bitter pill, but I realized that it saves you from something (or someone lol) that isn’t meant for you. It sucks to be rejected but if anything, it leaves an open space in your life which you to acquire something. So pick yourself up and move forward.

8.     Jumping into conclusion is a bad habit.

I know it’s easier to just analyze things in your head but if you can, communicate. Scratch that, you MUST communicate. Don’t let your thoughts cloud your judgment on a person or a situation just because there isn’t an explanation for it yet. Clarify, then comprehend.

9.     Being busy is different from productivity.

Productivity means achieving the things that you have to do and being able to rest deliberately. If you’re just working all the time and have a lot of things on your plate, then you probably are just busy. Use your time well and work smart. Avoid spreading yourself too thinly and maintain your focus.

10.     Overthinking is a waste of time.

Oh, I can’t stress this enough. I am NOT an overthinker, but I’ve met some people who are. Thus, I’ve also seen how it takes up much of their time. Sometimes, your biggest enemy is your own mind. Stop overthinking, let it go, and give yourself peace. Pray about it and trust the process.

11.     People change and so do relationships.

It saddens me how I’m no longer friends with some people I once considered my “best friends.” People grow, and sometimes, we grow in opposite directions. I know I have my fair share of faults, but I choose not to blame anyone anymore. Perhaps, things are better off this way– distant, but at peace.

12.     Waiting seasons are not wasted seasons.

Finishing college, getting a job, earning my license– these are just some of the things I achieved last year. Trust me, I spent countless days and nights just waiting for these things to happen, and while I was waiting, I focused on the things I can do. The longer the wait, the sweeter the victory will be.

13.     Supporting others will not invalidate your success.

Support other people on their winning seasons because you don’t have an idea what they lost during their losing season. It’s all a matter of timing. If other people seem to be winning, clap for them. You’ll have your time soon, and when it happens, your success will be magnified.

14.     The biggest pains can come from our pleasures.

“If it feels too good, question it.” This is a quote I got form one of my favorite podcasts. Sometimes, we find delight in things without seeing through them. Watch out for the things that seem to be perfect. I’m not telling you to be suspicious. What I’m trying to say is that you should guard your heart. *winks*

15.     Baby steps are still progress.

Taking small steps towards the right direction is better than running fast heading to the wrong direction. Need I say more? Value your small efforts. Take it one day at a time. The rate that other people are operating at should not dictate your pace as long as you have your eye on the road.

16.     What others think of you is none of your business.

Whether you do good or bad, “some people” will always have something to say. I guess it’s just engraved in their identity to criticize and find faults. We may feel the need for validation to come from others, but if there is someone who knows you more than anyone, it’s you. Keep doing you!

17.     Save money wisely.

Adulting is not complete without money matters. In your 20s is the best time for you to save money wisely and by wisely, I mean: a) cut down unnecessary expenses; b) invest on the things that you can use repeatedly; and c) don’t put all your eggs in one basket– have various savings for different purposes.

18.     Don’t operate on high emotions.

Growing old teaches me not to be a slave to my emotions. I’m more of a rational person than an emotional one, but there are STILL times when my emotions take a hold on me, and when I do, I tend to say things that hurt people. Let your emotions die down before you say/do anything.

19.     There is a time to give up.

At some point, you will realize that some things aren’t mean for you and it’s totally fine. By holding on to ~those things~, you might be wasting more time. It’s about accepting the things that you can’t control, the things that aren’t for you, and the things that you can pursue. *fist bump*

20.     Growth can be painful.

When it’s scary is the best time to jump. Taking risks is just a constant part of adulthood. Going out of my comfort zone is one of the best decisions I have made. You’ll grow even more when you are in unfamiliar places and new environment. Have it in you the courage to take that leap of faith!

21.     It’s not your job to fix people.

Even if you give them all the love in the world, people will still remain the same if they refuse to be helped. They will keep doing the same things and acting the same way despite your best efforts. Hence, you can only be there for them and teach them how to heal themselves.

22.     Put yourself first.

Last but definitely not the least, prioritize yourself. This is one lesson I learned the hard way as I constantly put other people before me. While I still struggle with this, I now take self-love more seriously and value my mental health above anything. You have to save yourself because everyone is busy saving themselves. #harshtruth

And that wraps up the 22 Things I Learned by 22! Again, I’m not an expert and I’m just a mere young adult wading my way through this crazy world. I just hope these things made sense to you as much as it did to me. There are still a lot of things that I want to include but I only wrote the ones that resonated well with me– think I can reserve them for another blog entry. What else do you want to see here on my blog? Let me know by sending me a message and I’ll try my best to post more entries.

Don’t forget to check out my social media pages!

Till the next entry!

Bry. x 102420

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if you want me.

if you want to win me, choose me it should be easy if you allow it let down your guards and be real until i no longer have to doubt it if you want to have me, you will just as long as your eyes are all on me but let me warn you to stay still hands to yourself or you'll lose me if you want to be with me, as you please stop wishing that i was him you don't have to beg on your knees we could be on each other's team if you want to love me, be better shallow your pride, lay down your cards throw your old ways to the corner and i'll give you my whole heart

BRY

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If Dr. Jose Rizal is still alive, what would he do?

At present, our country is facing a myriad of issues such as territorial conflicts, inflation, drug war, human rights abuse and injustice. But the real battle lies not in these national conflicts but deep within us. Now, more than ever, the nation is undivided. Filipinos against Filipinos. Our country is losing its direction.

Remember how out of a hundred heroes who shed blood, one stood out– not with a sword but with a pen? Remember how his words sparked the nationalism and ignited a rebellion that yielded the freedom we so dearly enjoy?

If Dr. Jose Rizal is still alive, what would he do?

Jose Rizal is our national hero and he is still in that pedestal – honored, celebrated and respected. But how much of him is left in our nation’s blood and veins? How much of his work and ideals inspire us?

Dr. Jose Rizal, rise from the ashes. We need your words to sew the country that’s ripping itself apart. We need your ideals to breathe life into the dying sense of nationality among us.

If Dr. Jose Rizal is still alive, I know what he would do.

He would publish another novel in the ranks of Noli Me Tangere or El Filibusterismo, He would fight this war in a non-violent manner. He would stand up against the system that has imprisoned us and he would be the key towards greater societal awareness.

It’s a curse that he could no longer be here– that he could not serve the country he’s beyond willing to die for.

And there lies our purpose, when he declared the youth as the hope of the Motherland. He did not savor the independence he fought so hard for. He needed new heroes to rise up.

Are you one of them? Are you one of them?

If you are, I salute you. But if you are not, I am challenging you. Rise above the temptation of living a shallow life. Instead of pointing fingers at the government, why don’t we face the mirror to find out who is behind all of this? Let’s move and work altogether as an army that will stand up for peace, prosperity, freedom, and nationalism. The government and its people working as one, making change for the next generation of Filipinos.

Even if Dr, Jose Rizal isn’t here, I will do what he would do.

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beginning.

When a relationship ends, it's not the ending really— it's only the beginning. The storm will pass and the rain won't last. Brighter days will come— a time to begin again: You begin to realize your worth. You begin to make wiser choices. You begin to stand up for yourself. You begin to seek happiness in other places. You begin to prioritize the things that count. You begin to pick the people you can rely on. You begin to let go of the past and step forward. You begin to find your old self, the old self that you miss. You begin to see that there is life outside that relationship. You begin to learn that love comes in other forms aside from the romantic one. You begin to discern what the right kind of love is, and what it can do to a person. You begin to reflect on the things that went wrong, and look beyond the times when you could have done better. You begin to accept that some things fall apart because better things are meant to come together; you now have something to look forward to. You begin to believe that love will soon come again. And when that love comes, you are a better person already. Your heart is ready. Your soul is steady. You will begin again because you deserve to be happy. BRY

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