the boys

Some of these pictures were taken from our last overnight activity with Mcoy and the Cugman boys last month. Some of the guys were actually close, very close to us.

Like Mcoy, I’m glad I got to know them and had shared precious time with them. Be part of their day and their family as well.

They’re in their late teens and some just hitched 20’s already yet we still fondly call them boys.

Why? We first met them almost 2 years ago and they were still very much teenagers at that time, being boys.

Through time, they’ve changed and become more matured and guided. They’ve also become more motivated and sure of what they want in their life. Thus, the boys moniker is no longer befitting to them. But its nice to remind them once in a while how far they’ve gone since we first met them.

Music bonded me to them and it has been an instrument to our continued friendship as well as my tool in getting to know them well, aside from the lakwatsas that we go.

wanna know what i did yesterday?

After teaching hand mime to 8 students with special needs for their presentation on our school’s xmas party, I headed to MPSC to add another master’s program subject. It was kinda late already so I didn’t expect offices to be open since its a Saturday and enrollment is a week over for the masters. I was only planning to add a subject that I feel is applicable to my program. Anyway, I was glad they’d still accept adding/changing/dropping of subjects for the master’s program. So I hurriedly got a form and went to our department’s office, it was only around 20 minutes before the offices close. I was set on adding that subject when upon writing the subject name and all the details in the form, I decided to not pursue with my plans. Haha.. Why? I’m sure it’ll took a lot of my time since it is scheduled on selected Saturdays, 8am – 5pm. And I just feel lazy going to class of that schedules nowadays. Hhmmm.. Justifiable? Hehe.. I don’t think so, but it is for me. And I’m sure I won’t regret it. My Saturdays have other worthwhile activities anyway. So I threw the form and texted Rhiane who was also bored and had nothing to do. And so he arrived at our school and we decided to roam around and try to explore the campus a little, as if there’s something to explore. Hehe.. And that we did, from the rooms to the cafeteria where we bought fruit shake, sipping it while making sensible and silly comments on the people playing volleyball not far from us. Next destination was the building at the far back. It was not so old though as it houses their library which I haven’t gone to except for clearance signing and other enrollment related agenda. My name wasn’t even entered in their database before I got my clearance signed last semester. Hehe.. Call it a non-library-user student. In front of the building was a barbeque station. And of course, having a food-lover as a company, we ordered 2-sticks each of the yummy barbeque over chit-chat about anything. Then Ketkai was our next destination. Just roaming around, window shopping as we were waiting for a text from another friend before we went to Divisoria as there’s Night Cafe and Market. Then went home, ending our 4 hours of roaming around and not giving our feet some rest.

Yesterday may be tedious and just another ordinary day. But somehow, I enjoyed it. Not because we met other people, giving silly and sensible comments to almost everything we saw and passed by. Yesterday was another happy day for me. Spending time with the people I value and learning about their life. That is what makes me happy. Its doing things I love to do, spending worthwhile time with the Cugman boys, getting to know them and being part of their day’s activities, teaching and exchanging smiles and giggles with my students, simple things that cannot be bought with money. Its the happinesss that paints smiles on my face and makes me feel good, like a kid devouring an ice cream in his hand.

he gave me a week-long smile with what he did..

This happened last Sunday yet it still didn’t fail to gave me a smile. Just a little act that could be judge as just fancy little thing. But for me, it was already a feat and a stepping stone for some more of those someday, hopefully. It may be a very small and unimportant act for some, but for me, it was by far the best for my week.

You see, when I first met him over a year now, he was still very silent guy in the corner. Only nods his head, shrugs his shoulders and looks at me as a reply to my statement. Seldom speaks a word and when he does the few words can be counted out with the fingers. Though he is dependable with the guitars and drums as well, as they are. Through time, he would talk to me, exchange thoughts we didn’t do before, ask me questions, open up, even go with me for walks at times with others. And I started to hear his voice over the microphone as well during practices, when before, no voice could be heard over the speaker when he’s given the microphone. And last Sunday, he sang over the microphone while strumming the guitar in a crowd of almost 20. He’s a self-proclaimed shy guy, and he really is. Wheeew!! It may just be a passing fancy for others, but not for me. Being a witness to who he is right now, who he has become and what characteristics he possess. I wouldn’t be surprise if he has more talents up his sleeve that I didn’t know of yet. As for now, I’m happy with what he has become and hope he’ll keep on, continue on with his journey, for the better.

thank you guys =)

Ever experienced being in an uncomfortable situation?

Last week, had an assignment to lead a crowd of about 200 in singing. Though I may be a singing enthusiast but being in front of the crowd and had to say some lines really makes me nervous. I may stumble upon some words and it may sound inaudible. Or worse, no words would come out of my mouth. I would want to stay in the corner and hide. But could not do so and had to face the challenge. It was indeed another experience for me that really needs a lot of my courage and support from others as well.

I am very grateful indeed with the team. We had made it through. Encouraging each other. Supporting one another. Even a single, simple pat on our shoulders helped lighten up our anxiety and nervousness. Its a different feeling when you’re not comfortable with the situation and the crowd (its definitely a big crowd). Though they were as nervous as I was yet they still pushed on. We had practiced our songs weeks before and had memorized it by heart, it cannot be denied that we were still nervous and lacked confidence. If we could only run and hide, we could have done so. Oh well..

It was not only last week that they proved their worth but countless times already in different occassions and circumstances. They never failed to watch my back and give me support. Kudos to these guys. I’m proud of you.

By the way, they’re also my bass guitar mentors. Woohoo..

an inspiration

Just got home from music practice. I was glad Macky was there and is feeling well again. He texted me out of the blue late afternoon yesterday informing that he had fever. I went to their place last night but he was already fast asleep, clad in jogging pants and sweatshirt, and wrapped in a blanket. So didn’t got the chance to talk to him.

This afternoon, he excitedly texted that he was already well. When I saw him playing the bass guitar while jiving with the music tonight, I was thankful that he was back to his old self again.

Macky is only 17 years old yet he inspires me endlessly. By doing what he knew he SHOULD do, he pushes me to do the same thing I had promised myself to do. I might get tired and feel down at times, yet he always gives me fresh air and rejuvenates my spirit. He also has his perks, like he doesn’t have enough courage to face a large crowd (like me) yet he overcame it and shared to them what he had and is able to. Looking at him, he may not be the person you expect him to be. But Macky has a willing heart for service, more knowledge and deeper understanding.

He is only 17, yet he inspires people older than him. He inspires me.