jastensimbul-blog

[jastensimbul-blog]

“A Walk Over the Bridge”

“Can you please give me my passport?” said Miguel to Austin. Austin handed it over and Miguel thanked him. Overlooking the hotel window, Miguel noticed how beautiful the view of Canada and United States was. The two best friends were in a US hotel in Niagara Falls, NY. “Hey Austin, do you want to go out for a walk?” said Miguel. To which Austin replied with, “no thanks, I’m going to rest so I can wake up early tomorrow”. Miguel went out to walk. Austin turned on the television and watched the NBA Finals. The players of Golden State Warriors were competing against his favorite Miami Heat. Austin’s favorite player is Kevin Love. Austin opened a pack of popcorn and heat it up in the microwave. Miguel saw a To Canada sign near the Niagara Falls. Being an adventurous and curious person, he walked and followed the sign. He saw another one stating “Immigration of Canada. Do not enter without permission”. Miguel got excited because he was supposed to visit Canada 5 days later but now he got a chance to be 5 days earlier. He walked the Rainbow Bridge to cross the border. In the middle there were two flags, one for the USA and one for Canada. It was a long walk, around 20 minutes, but with the view of Niagara Falls from both countries, it was bearable and even magnificent. The immigration officer of Canada checked Miguel’s passport and stamped its entry. He went to the Hard Rock Café and took a picture. Miguel found a KFC but it was closed. There were lots of casinos and things to do around but he didn’t want to be out so late. So, he decided to enter Hershey’s Factory and then go back to the hotel. There were lots of candies and free chocolates to taste, Miguel ate a lot of it. Who would turn down free chocolates? He didn’t buy anything. After all, he got full of all the free candies. Miguel entered the border to the United States. He was asked to pay $50 cents. To his surprise, he only had bills. Miguel was trying not to panic but thankfully, he found two quarters. It was another 20 minutes’ walk with a view of Niagara Falls. He can’t help but appreciate about how beautiful life is. In spite of all the failures in school, broken relationships, miseries, and unforeseen circumstances, life was indeed beautiful. It was like that one song played by One Republic, “we’ve all got stories, but what’s there to complain about?”. Miguel entered the United States again and he was only asked one question. The question was what he did in Canada, and to which he replied with “I was looking for a good place to eat at”. The immigration officer let him enter to the United States. Austin was already sleeping when he got in. Before shutting his eyes, Miguel looked out the window and thank God of the beauty he has seen that night. The beauty of God’s creation laid out before Miguel’s eyes. It was a blessing. In fact, denial of such blessing is absolute ignorance. Life is not about the journey or the destination, it is about the person we make of ourselves in those journeys. We always make the choices, and it is very much important to love that choice even when it’s right or wrong.

[jastensimbul-blog]

“Liga”

“Basti, handa ka na ba para sa laro mamaya?” sabi ni Zandro. Nag mamadali naman umalis si Basti mula sa bahay ni Zandro dahil hindi pa sya handa. Nag bihis ng pang liga at nadala ng tubig at twalya si Basti. Agad agad naman itong bumalik kila Zandro. Tatlong bahay lang ang pagitan ng dalawa ngunit halos nakatira na si Basti kila Zandro. “Pare, handa na ako. Tara na at manalo para sa barangay natin”. Tumawa si Zandro at sabay sagot ng “napakaseryoso mo naming tao”. Nag lakad na ang dalawa papunta sa liga ni mayor. Ang mananalong barangay ay magkakaroon ng libreng kuryente na hanggang tatlong libo sa isang bwan bawat bahay, at makakatanggap ng sampong libo ang mga nag laro. Handang handa na si Basti. Handog nitong manalo ang kanilang barangay. Makakapaglaro na sya ng dota ng mag damagan nang hindi nagagalit ang kanyang nanay dahil libre na ang kuryente. Huling laban na ng barangay 520 at barangay 505. Kung sino manalo sa gabing iyon ay syang makakatanggap ng premyo. Handa na ang lahat nang maglalaro. Napakaraming tao sa paligid. Halos lahat ng tiga barangay 505 at 520 ay manonood. Sino nga ba ang ayaw ng libreng kuryente? O ng sampong libo na pang kain ng maglalaro? Higit pa sa mga iyon, may medal pa ang bawat membro ng maglalaro. Palakpakan ang mga nanood nang mag simula na ang laro. Sigradong mainit and labanan. Walang groupo ang gustong umuwi ng limang libo lamang para sa 2nd prize. Nang matapos ang second quarter ng laro, 49 at 51 lamang ng barangay 520, mas ginanahan si Basti makahabol. Sumigaw ito ng “kaya natin ito barangay 505!”. Marami ang nakisigaw kay basti ng “505, 505, 505”. Nanonood rin si mayor kasama ang kanyang mga kaibigan at asawa. Nag simula na uli ang laro at ganadong ganado na si Basti. Sa 4th quarter nang huling 20 secundo, 80-80 na ang score ng parehong barangay. Ang bola ay nasa 520. Kabado na ang lahat. Naagaw ni Basti ang bola, naipasok nya ang bola at nanalo ang barangay 505 ng tatlong puntos. Sigawan ang mga manonood sa saya at tuwang tuwa ang mga naglaro. “Mag damagan na ako mag aairkon”, sigaw ni Aling Tonya. “Ano pare, sabi ko naman sayo mananalo tayo” toon ni Basti kay Zandro. “Tara, dota paguwi natin” sagot ni Zandro. Matapos mag palitrato ang mga naglaro kay Mayor nagsiuwian na ang mga ito at naglaro na ng dota.

[jastensimbul-blog]

“Her”

I saw her last night 

She was at the other side of the river crying

I didn’t know what to do

She was beautiful

Every time I see her 

 She gives me butterflies in my stomach

I wanted to leave 

I didn’t care about her

I hate her

But half of me wanted to help

Half of me Cared

Half of me still loves her

But she left me without telling me why 

I had lots of questions

She left me hanging

It wasn’t right to go back

Everything changed don’t be stupid

Maybe I was just in love with the feeling

She saw me 

So I stood up 

And turned around

[jastensimbul-blog]

"Salamat”

Tinuruan mag mahal...

Tinuruan mag patawad...

Marami ako natutunan sa’yo 

Madalas nag aaway pero

Hindi mawawala ang pagmamahal sa’yo

Ikaw ang nagpalaki sa akin

nasa tabi ko pag may sakit

nasa tabi ko sa kasiyahan at kalungkutan

Hindi mawawala sa mga mahahalagang kaarawan

Nabigay niyo ang mga kailangan 

Isang magandang paaralan

Pagmamahal niyo sa akin

Salamat...