What Peace Helped Me to Learn

What Peace Helped Me to Learn
by Neo Macatangay

The year 2012 opened a great year for me. I was able to finish my sophomore year of college, as well as, end my term as an assistant treasurer of my organization with happiness and contentment. As my summer comes by, I asked myself, "what to do now?” Then I received a memo from the Office for Student Affairs of my university. It was a lot of papers so I just scan them down, then I stumble on this invitation to apply to a program called "National Youth Ambassador Program for Peace (NYAPP) 2012". In that situation, a break shot came to me and lead to the opening of a new chapter of my life, actually a life changing chapter of my life.

The application process started and with only a few days before the deadline, I got busy with it. As people see me tapping on my laptop keyboards editing my application form, they ask me, "don't you get tired?" or "why are applying for that?” I had an answer to those questions, "As I grew up in this world, I was opened to the words 'selfless' and 'service'. Those were the words that became my adrenaline to apply to different programs, organization, etc." After so, I just remain quiet and continue with what I am doing. Weeks passed by, then I realized, I am at the boarding gate about to on-board a plane bound to Cagayan De Oro (CDO), my first trip to Mindanao.

The signage that welcomed me at CDO

When I arrived at Cagayan De Oro, I thanked God for the opportunity. Why? Because of factors that almost hindered me to come to this place. I came from the busy city of Manila and grew up as a Christian. When people knew I was going to Cagayan De Oro, they asked me "Are you serious? You might get kidnapped or get hit by a bomb". Those made my parents get a little bit concerned. Another factor that almost stopped me was that my parent's 25th wedding anniversary party that was scheduled on May 9. The formation seminar of NYAPP was on the 8th to the 12th of May. But with God's help, everything went to its place. I was allowed to go back to Manila on May 9 and be back at CDO on May 10. At that point, I learned that good motives are challenged, not to stop it, but test if it is genuine and true.

My roommates

We reached CDO at lunch time. I was blown away by its beauty; the venue of our seminar had an access to a beach. At that moment, I realized people back home picture Mindanao using the news and not by the way I am seeing it right now. We were all called to the function hall and the Vice Mayor of CDO welcomed us through a speech. It was short and simple, but his words that struck me the most were that “in CDO there are no Christians, there are no Muslims, but there are Filipinos”. I was overwhelmed by that equality and unity of the people, disregarding their religions and respecting it. How I wish it could be for the whole Philippines. I myself think it is possible, but it will take some time. Room assignments were given to us, where each room has a mix of culture. A roommate of mine asked me, "what is the image of Mindanao to you guys back in Manila?” I told him and the rest of my roommates the truth of what our perception to Mindanao. I was shocked because I realized that they are affected by the negative connotation. I can't fully blame the media, but all I wish was they also show the positive side of Mindanao and its cities.

A shot of my plane at NAIA 3 from CDO-Manila trip

The second day early morning I had to fly back to Manila for awhile for my parents' wedding anniversary party. There was still no sun, but I was able to prove something. CDO taxi drivers are friendlier than Manila taxi drivers. How did I say that? You see when I was on my way to the airport our taxi broke down, but the drivers did not tell me and my Kuya Frosk what happened. He only told us the situation when he found us a replacement taxi. He did not let us stand outside and wait for a new taxi on our own. Surely, it was a friendly gesture I will never forget. At the party, I was able to share a little of what I have learned so far in NYAPP. One of the reasons why my tiring trip going back to Manila was worth it was because I was able to influence some people to the advocacy of PeaceTech Inc. My tita, who is my mom’s closed friend, approached me and congratulated me for my achievement in being part of NYAPP. She told me she wants to learn more about PeaceTech Inc. when I get back. Her son was also eager to apply and join NYAPP next year. Influencing others in these kinds of programs is truly heart-warming. Even I felt tired and sleepy; it was all worth it, knowing that you influenced other to join you in your advocacy.

Me and my fellow participants in one of our sessions

The wedding anniversary party of my parents ended at 12 midnight. I only slept an hour and went to the airport already for my 4:15 am flight back to CDO. Even I was tired or sleepy, I was still eager to go back, for unknown reason. I just felt that I was missing half of my life if I will not get there fast. I was also praying that my flight won't get delayed. Again with God's help, I was able to make it during the morning exercise and joined them. Another lesson came up to me, one's commitment to a motive is again tested. I said to myself that if you aim for something never let go, problems and challenges are just tests by God to see how dedicated and committed you are. God wants to know if you’re doing it for real or just to show off. That is the question behind that situation of one's life. And I felt happy I surpassed that. Day three was awesome; I was able to find real friends that I shall forever treasure. Knowing what they feel about the issues between the Muslims and Non-Muslims became my wake up call to act. Innocent people are involved and affected in physical and verbal wars, affecting them and leaving marks on their pasts, haunting their present. Negative stereotyping, discrimination and unjust judgment cannot be applied to all; there are people who do not deserve it. I met great people, even better people than I am, who inspired me. I realized what I am doing now, is not yet enough, unlike the people I met there who have done a lot and made a difference earlier in their lives. I will take this chance to thank my fellow NYAPP 2012 participants, thank you for inspiring me. I salute you all! Thank you to PeaceTech Inc. as well.

My fellow participants in their Cultural Costumes

My respect for the culture of the people of Cebu city, Cotabato city Marawi city, Zamboanga city, and Iligan city grew more during the fourth day. They value their tradition and culture so much. I was very much impressed by their dances, and I felt the difficulty to learn them, starting off with the posture and all. With that, I realized that the Philippine culture and tradition should also be valued like that, for our youth are losing interest to it. That is why I was influenced by my fellow participants, from the cities I enumerated, to be an example in patronizing what is truly Filipino.

As the last day came, sadness prevailed amongst us, knowing that we don't know when we will see each other again. Genuine friendship is hard to find, that is why I learned that friendships must be treasured, because we will never know when we will find another one like it. It was raining when we board our plane going back to manila, as if the heavens feel our sadness. Upon arriving back to Manila, I was still in denial that the formation seminar was already over. I really missed everyone, but my parents told me to stay positive. We will never know, only time can tell, when we will see each other again. Just hope that it will be soon. To be honest, the distance between each and every one of us even made our friendship stronger. We truly became a family, a proof that the Philippines, from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, can be united peacefully. That is why I hope in the near future, it really happens for the whole country, not just in us at NYAPP.

The NYAPP 2012 Family

This experience is truly life changing to me. A lot of doors opened to me that I embrace now. Now, I not only advocate for peace but also for human dignity, because of all the people I met and influenced me.

Always believe that you can do something for our country, for the world. You are not alone; there are a lot of us taking a step for the betterment of the future. Do not let your low self-esteem put you down. Let us join our efforts together, because together we can make peace and change happen.

No March entry! So Sorry World!

Hey Guys finally got away from School Stress!
Because of school stress. I totally forgot to make any March 2012 entry!
Oh well!
I really sorry guys!

But here is the highlight of my March 2012!

I was again given a chance to serve the UST Department of Medical Technology!
I am not the Internal Vice President of the UST Medical Technology Society!

My campaign poster

 I run under the political banner PLEXUS!
If last year, as the Assistant Treasurer, I a-blazed for reliability.
Now, I jived for SUPPORT!
Supporting the organization, my president and the student body...
To boost their MedTech Pride!

It is a humbling oppurtuinity!
And I will not get tired of serving the students for,
I LOVE THIS JOB! hahaha

That's for now!
See Yah!

Bringing Pride to my School and Department

Last January 2012,
My Organization (Medical Technology Society) at UST joined a congress by PHISMETS.
It is a nation wide organization of Medical technology students in the Philippines.

One of the contest was a shirt design contest.
With that, I represented my School UST in the said contest.
And out of my Surprise, I won second place out of 10+ designers from different schools.

My plaque for 2nd place in shirt design contest.

Even it was just for 2nd place, it is a great achievement for me.
Bringing honor and pride to my school and department.
I look forward in defending such place and going for the 1st place.

My models Henrick and Shanna!

I would like to thank my Models Henrick Ryan Fong and Shanna Calupitan.
They brought my design alive in the ruway.
I congratulate them for winning 2nd as well in the model search, since it is a three way entry.
It is because, what ever the place the shirt gets, that is the same place of the model, because they contributed to the totality of the design!

I am Happy to make my school and department proud.
I love my school!
GO USTe!

well thats for now!

Peace out! =3

My Valenties day

For Valentines day,
My friends and i exchanged gifts for this day.
since most of us are single.

What I got was a Pizza Bianca from Shakey's.
It was given to me by my yaya Kim Victorio!
She was so sweet!
Pizza Bianca is my favorite pizza in Shakey's that i recommend so much!
Please Try it!
It is heaven! hahaha

Pizza Bianca by Shakey's

What I gave myself for this day, is a treat from Joe Monkey!
A cocoa moustache drink!
It is another must try when your around UST!
I recommend also their Strawberry frostbite with coconut jelly!
Both are worth the money, worth the craving!
Both drinks make me keep coming back to this place!
It is a must try guys!

Joe Monkey (Manila) Logo

Thats for my Valenties day!
Hope you guys had a blast with yours!

Thats for now!

My chinese New year

hello everyone!
Sorry for the late update.
Too busy in school!

Just wanna make a late post about my Chinese New Year last January 23, 2012!

I spent it at Makati Shangrila,
after my tito ferdie's 50th birhtday party at TGIF in Glorietta.

At TGIF for My Tito Ferdie's 50th party

 Food was so good! plus since his theme was Chinese new year, Tikoy was used as a give away.
There was also a sketch maker who made a sketch of me wearing a Chinese costume! Sorry I will try to post the sketch soon!

A Dragon in Makati Shangrila made out of fresh flowers!

 In Makati Shangrila, this dragon out of flowers took my attention. I was so awesome!
The celebration was starten by the Lion and Dragon dance.
Then they entered the Hotel Lobby, and the administration scattered coins for us to catch and get
It is a Chinese tradition to do that.
Then there was another performance by the couple Lions, offering the head manager of makati Shangrila gifts for a great year.

Couple lions (Lion Dance)

Dragon used

Before we left, I had a picture with the dragon used, It was said that we should hold the ball (seen above) that is chased by the dragon for good luck.

All in all, my chinese new year was great!
My dad plans next year to check in at Makati Shangrila!

Well thats for now!
Bye!

2012: Year of the Water Dragon

water dragon

So 2012 is the year of the WATER DRAGON!
I have to admit I am a Chinese wanna be!
I admire and love the Chinese community and I wish I have Chinese blood!

In general, they say the year of the water dragon is a time for change.
I got this information from a TV show (Kris TV) and in the News (Bandila) here in the Philippines.

I am a Rooster for everyones knowledge.
So the fung shui expert said that

• Roosters are the STAR OF THE YEAR!
• It is a very good year for us roosters
• our assets of wealth will expand
• though or relationships are conflicts and aggravation
• wealth luck is excellent
• health luck has big improvement
• it is a year of petty conflicts for us roosters
• we have strong life force this year
• Best month for us are October and December
• Bad month for us are April and January 2013

Water Rooster

Those information are in general for all roosters.

So I googled my self and I found out I am a Water Rooster!

I laughed because before I joke around that I am a Son of Poseidon.

And upon knowing this information that I am a water element rooster.

Here is the description on the water rooster based from metaphysicalzone.com

Hardworking, resourceful, courageous and talented, Roosters are self-assured people. They possess powerful personalities and are notoriously dominant. In groups they are vivacious, amusing and popular. But Roosters can be conceited creatures, vain and boastful, with a strong egotistical need to constantly be the center of attention. Excellent at small talk, they can be the life of any party. Roosters are talkative types, outspoken, frank, open, honest -- but a little too blunt at times. A polished debater and able to cogently refute any opinion, the Rooster is a talented polemicist, and could be an excellent journalist or writer. With the Rooster's dedication to work well done, he or she would also make a good economist or a gifted administrator.
These people are born organizers, refined and elegant. They are tidy-minded and like to keep everything neat and shipshape. Their affairs will be all in order, accounts up to the minute and documents systematically filed away. They function best in an environment where everything is organized and their schedules programmed. When it comes to making decisions of any kind, Roosters prefer to carefully consider all sides of a situation before coming to a conclusion. In conflicts, Roosters will push to the extreme but flee before open hostilities break out. Their reflective and analytical abilities sometimes get the better of them. They must constantly question their point of view to ascertain its validity.
The management of finances is perhaps their strength, both on a private and professional level. When it comes to money, Roosters are prudent and careful. They are brilliant managers of other people's money; financial advisers, bank managers, and accountants would all do well to be born in the Year of the Rooster. The Rooster has the reputation of finding money in the most unlikely places, like drawing blood from a stone. In Vietnam they say that, thanks to the strength of his beak and claws, the Rooster can find a worm in a desert. This metaphor goes a long way to explain the continual and restless activity that characterizes him.
The Rooster man likes to be in the company of women, among whom he can show off, shine, swagger and generally demonstrate what a clever fellow he is. However, he rarely goes out for a night with the boys; men bore him to extinction. His Hen counterpart also likes the company of other women -- that's not to say that men bore her! -- and she chooses those professions which keep her constantly in touch with them.
The Rooster will touch the heights and depths during the three phases of his life, business-wise as well as romantically. He will go from poverty to riches, from ideal love to the most sordid of emotional entanglements. The Rooster's old age will be happy, however.
Legend has it in the East that two Roosters under the same roof make life intolerable for everyone else.
Under the influence of the element of Water, he is an intellectual type who enjoys cultural pursuits. He has tremendous energy and initiative at his disposal and seeks to use his resources to speed up progress.He is given to clear thinking and practicality and can be reasoned into compliance when faced with insurmountable obstacles. A commanding speaker, proficient in the written word, he can sway that masses and incite willing action from others. He has strong scientific leanings and his mind functions with computer-like efficiency, overlooking the main issues when he over stresses details.

So hope I have interested you guys to search for your elements as well!
Remember that there is nothing wrong in Feng Sui.
It is just a form of guidance and science.

Prayer and Doing good things can also be good Feng Sui!

January 23 is the Chinese New Year!
Wear something red!

Peace out! xoxo 

2012... Another year!

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!
So hello 2012... and nice knowing you 2011...

It's January 3 2012, my first blog for the year.

So let me share to you what I have realized as the countdown for 2012 was on...

I realized that alot of changes will come my way.
Changes that are very important for sure.

I realized that I still have 3 months for school and I will be a junior.
And when I become a junior in June 2012, it will only be few more months and I will be graduating soon.
Time flies so fast thought it feels so slow.
For my career, my goal for now is just to finish college on time without any problems.
Take the board exam for MT, take the NMAT and go to med school.

Another realization I had was, I will turn 19 in 4 months.
When that comes, I only have one more year to be really a teenager.
Because after that, I am 20. And it would be so awkward then.

Maturity came to my mind as well.
It was not totally there yet but it was there.
I realized that my thoughts and ideas even opinions about the world around me is mature enough.
Like on my way awhile ago from my province to manila, I thought of adopting a child.
Being a father and stuff.
I have no plans to be a young dad yet.
But I was like so curious at the topic.

I just laughed to myself.
Knowing that "hey, that's new to me!"

I know that its quite corny but hey, there will come a point in your life when you will stop and think.
As you do so, you form goals, dreams and aspiration.
Then persistence and dedication will come.
And the rest will follow.

Dreaming for things and Planning for them are a must for life.
You can't just say "I don't know" or like as we in Filipino say it "Bahala na".

So to my young readers put there!
(If I do have readers! hahaha!)
Make everything in your life count.
Do not waste time, energy and chances.
You will never know if they will come back again.
Planning ain't boring, it is a must and fun.
It is for you own good.

Well that's my advice to you guys and a sharing what i have realize.
It is important to pause for awhile in life.
Take a deep breath, then Reflect and Think.
TRY IT!
don't worry its for free!

Peace out! xoxox