The Dilemma On Work

Within the past couple of weeks, I have had a number of realizations. However, the most impacting one is regarding the employment condition in the country at the present time. More and more graduates, less and less jobs available for them to get into. In the long run, I think the value of quality education decreases to a level where it becomes completely unnecessary, not because it is unreliable or lacking but more because it is generally useless. There is no arena available for the said knowledge to be practiced in. There are no opportunities available for graduates of today and the near future.

I cannot go further to determine the cause of this dilemma since I believe it is a function of varied factors that are beyond my personal knowledge. However, I believe that there is an ultimate solution to every problem. In this case, it might take a complete reconstruction of the system (which involves a good enough of corruption to blow the entire universe to smaller pieces) and the wise distribution of the natural assets that our dearly beloved archipelago has been bestowed with. Whatever it takes, it can be done. The only thing lacking is the desire to make it happen, enough desire to power the nation and its constituents to take action and put things in the right perspective.

I really wish for the desire to be born at the soonest possible time. In fact, that would be on top of my Christmas wish list this year. Oh please dear Santa, hear me out!:)

Feeling the holiday cheer???!!!

"Joy to the World
The Lord has come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And Heaven and nature sing!"

I used to sing this with so much candor and a building excitement within me as I await the Christmas season. That was years ago when things were simpler in my eyes. Of course, who wouldn't look forward to a season of so much happiness and cheer. It is the only part of the year when our ninongs and ninangs are obliged to wrap up something nice for us to be awed at. Whether it is a very plain dress or a simple toy, the thought of receiving a gift brings so much joy to my young and innocent heart. In addition to that, Christmas is the only time of the year when everything my tastebuds have been craving for all year are present right there on our dining table. Christmas was definitely a season to look forward to.

That was then. I'm not saying Christmas is hideous for me now. I'm not saying I don't look forward to it. But, things are a little different. The world is bigger, and responsibilities are wider.

Christmas is still the season of love and giving, but this time, it is my turn to give. It is not that I hate giving. The chance to give something to someone is heartwarming for me. It does not matter what that something is as long as I am pretty sure that the person I'm giving it to will find use of it, I feel a sense of fulfillment.

What I don't like about gift-giving during Christmas is how it tends to become a duty and a responsibility that has to be carried out. Instead of being an innate desire to share, it has become an output of the desire to please and act out of what is expected. I am a ninang to five kids, four of whom I have actually carried and prayed for during their baptism. With the other one, my name was just included in the list of godparents without my knowledge since I was not able to attend the ceremony. Now that the holidays are fast approaching, I am constantly bothered by the responsibility to give them something wrapped for Christmas. I just feel bad that instead of feeling the desire to give and share, I am wrapped in a sense of responsibility that I need to give.


Genuine giving is with open hands, arms and hearts and not an act of duty one has to perform to please someone else.

Despite all that;

Merry Christmas, everyone!