A Decade of Witchcraft and Wizardry


I was in high school when the Harry Potter phenomenon started. Everyone went crazy about the series after the first book was launched. There were lots of people into Harry Potter but there were also critics of the book saying that being based on witchcraft and wizardry, the story of the boy-who-lived was essentially unacceptable and insulting to the religious faith of readers. There were parents who despised the book who actively protested against its distribution especially among school children. However, these negative publicities did not last too long though it helped make the book more attractive and intriguing to curious bibliophiles. Honestly, I was not one of the early fans of the series because as a junior in high school, I really did not have extra time to read books outside of our curriculum. It was only after high school graduation that I had the will to actually start reading book one of the series. Thanks to the gift cheque that I got as a graduation present I was able to buy the Philosopher's Stone and Chamber of Secrets. As Harry Potter was introduced in the first few pages of book one, I realized that I was off to a magical journey that unknown to us then would last more than a decade.

I was lucky to have peers that are into HP as well. I remember one of my friends, Kai, who would always be first in line to get the latest of the series. We painstakingly waited year after year for the next book to come out. Aside from the book, we also had the movies to watch out for. The farther into the series we got, the more intense the feeling of wanting to have more becomes. Every year, a book was released and so was a movie counterpart. It was already past our college graduation that the final book was released. The Deathly Hallows was the only book in the series that I bought in hard bound because I could not wait for the paperback issue anymore as the suspense of the ending was killing me already. It took a year before the paperback issue came about so it was not really a waste of money and time buying the more expensive copy.

Reading HP is exhilarating, thrilling and very fulfilling. I read the first 2 books in one sitting since they were merely an inch thick. As the series progressed, the pages of the book increased as well, adding more depth in the story and making you imagine more what it is like to be one of the magical folks. J.K. Rowling did a fantastic job with the intricate details of the story as well how the characters of the book are developed and become intertwined to produce one great story. The details were so believable that it felt like you are going through a real history book of magic. How the spells were constructed as well as how the potions were designed reflected the hard work of JKR. Indeed, her imagination is so vast that I feel no other author can ever be at par to what she had done with the HP series.
When the creation of HP movies started, the experience of reading the books became better because the existence of the actors and actresses gave the reader an idea what the character is like, giving more space for imagination. We all saw how Harry, Ron and Hermione grew up in the person of Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson. The fame of being in a blockbuster production brought about a big fortune to the long-standing cast members of the series. Imagine being assured of 8 epic movies by being one of the major casts in the film! If I was part of the cast, I would rather not be sick or killed or have my name tainted with malicious intrigues in between series if I want to have a continuity to my already great career. Well, there were bad publicity about Radcliffe posing nude which lingered for a while but it was not really a big blow to his role being Harry Potter. (Like hello?! Harry has to grow up normally too don't you think?).

The seventh film was for me the best of all as it was the most faithful to the book. Though I felt that it should have been longer, the essence of the story was still upheld. I loved Professor McGonagall's feat in protecting Harry Potter after he revealed himself to Snape in the great hall. I also would like to take note of her line: I've always wanted to use that spell! (after chanting "Piertotum Locomotor" which deployed the sentinels which should help protect Hogwarts). I also loved the part where the revelation about Snape was shown. I really felt that he really loved Lily Potter and was also concerned for Harry though he cannot show it. It was cruel enough for Dumbledore to outrightly say that Harry should die and Snape tried to endure that fact as much as he can. I was touched by the scene where Snape was hugging Lily tightly after Voldermort attacked her. I'm now wondering whether Snape is the real father of Harry since he brought up the similarities of their and her mother's patronuses. It was just a shame that there was not a great celebration after Voldemort vanished. Everyone was so depressed with the deaths of their folks but should they not be thankful that Harry lived and Voldemort is forever gone? Anyway, the ending was great still, seeing Harry and Ginny together with their kids as well as Ron's and Hermione's. Draco Malfoy was also shown with his son and wife. I loved it when Harry told his son that he was named after two great Hogwarts headmasters so it doesn't really matter whether he goes into Gryffindor or Slytherin...anyway the Sorting hat always considers your choice.

                It has finally come to an end. Thank you Harry Potter for the wonderful journey!

Sa Pagpatak ng Bawat Segundo

Sa mga oras na ito, mayroong taong pinagmamalaki ka.. May taong nag-iisip sa'yo. May taong pinahahalagahan ka ng todo.. May nakakamiss sa'yo.. May gustong kumausap sa'yo.. May gustong makasama ka.. May nagdadasal para hindi ka mapahamak.. May gustong humawak ng iyong mga kamay.. May gustong maging masaya ka para sa sarili mo.. May nagpapasalamat dahil isa kang biyaya mula sa Maykapal.. May gusto yumakap sa'yo.. May nagmamahal sa'yo ng lubusan.. May tumitingala sa lakas at galing mong taglay.. May nagiisip sa'yo at nakangiti siya habang laman ka ng isip nya.. Maging sandalan tuwing ika'y may problema.. May umiikot ang mundo ng dahil sa'yo. May gustong protektahan ka.. Gagawin ang lahat para sa'yo.. May gustong patawarin ka.. May gustong ring patawarin mo.. Nagpapasalamat sa pag-intindi mo.. Gustong pagtawanan ang nakaraan.. May nakakaalala sa'yo ngayon at gusto kang makasama.. Gustong malaman na walang pagiimbot ang iyong pagmamahal.. May gustong magsabi kung gaano ka nila kinakalinga.. May gustong ibahagi ang mga hangarin sa'yo.. May gustong manatili sa iyong kanlungan.. Pinapahalagahan ang iyong pagkatao.. Minamahal ka kung sino ka.. Gusto kang makasama sa araw araw.. Naalala ka sa tuwing naririnig sa radyo ang kanta.. Nagpapasalamat dahil parte ka ng buhay nya.. May nagpupuyat at iniisip ka buong magdamag.. May rason na para mabuhay.. May naniniwala na ikaw ang tinadhanang makasama.. May nakakaalala ng iyong patnubay at pagpapayo.. May nagtitiwala sa'yo..  May nangangailangan ng iyong pagtangkilik at suporta.. May nangangailangan ng iyong pananalig.. May pwedeng maiyak o matuwa sa makababasa nito.. Ganun ang buhay.. Mga oras na pinagsamahan at mga oras na winalang bahala.. Mga oras na nasayang.. Mga oras na nag-away at nagkabat.i. Tungkol ito sa kulay ng ulap.. Ang bughaw na bughaw na ulap.. Sa bulong ng hangin at ibon na sinasabi sa akin ang  awit ng iyong puso.. Sa pagpatak ng ulan.. Sa pagtatapos ng bagyo.. At sa pagsikat muli ng araw.. Sa nasaktan.. Lahat tayo ay nasasaktan.. Lahat tayo'y nasusugatan.. Ngunit kaakibat nito ay ang pangakong maari tayong bumangong muli.. Sa pagpatak ng segundo, pag-asa ang dating nito.. 

Ikaw Lang Ang Mundo Ko

Antagal ko na rin palang hindi nagsusulat ng mga bagay na tungkol sa iyo, na tungkol sa atin. Iniisip ko nga dahil siguro lahat ay nasabi ko na, masaya man o masakit na minsan ay nakakaumay na pag magsasabi pa ako ng mga bagay na alam mo naman.

Halos dalawang taon na tayong nagbobolahan, sa panahong iyon hindi lahat masaya, minsan malungkot, minsan para akong walang nararamdaman at minsan iniisip ko kung normal pa ba yun. Pero sa mga panahong iyon ikaw palagi ang nasa isip ko.Sapat na sakin ang makita kang nakangiti para mapanatag ako at isiping masaya ka pa rin sa piling ko.

Sa matagal na panahong nakasama kita ay naramdaman kong espesyal ako, na may kakayahan ako. At sa tuwing pinanghihinaan ako ng loob, palagi kang andyan para suportahan ako. Hindi ka kailanman pumalya na mapasaya ako sa mga oras na halos wala na akong pag-asa. 

Marami mang pagsubok tayong pagdaanan alam kong kakayanin natin itong lagpasan, Sa bawat unos na dumaan, andito pa din tayo handang lumaban.Hindi ko kailanman naisip na isuko ka dahil sa iyo pa lang naging kumpleto na ang buhay ko.

Pasensya na, sa mga panahong hindi kita maintindihan, sa mga panahong hindi kita mapasaya, sa mga panahong nakakalimot akong pasalamatan ka, sa mga panahong hindi kita pinapakinggan ngunit palagi ka pa ring andyan. Sana tandaan mo na kahit hindi ko man maiparamdam sa iyo ng madalas ay wala pa ring nagbabago. Kung pano ko pinangarap na makasama ka ay ganun pa rin ang hinihiling ng puso ko. Sana ang pagmamahal ko ay sapat na para mapatunayan kong kailanman ikaw lang ang gusto ko. Na kailanman man ay hindi kita iiwan at "ikaw lang ang mundo ko."

Kalendaryo Lang..


Kalendaryo, ano nga ba ito para sa iyo? Maaaring simple lang sya kung titingnan mo, pero may malalim na dahilan kung bakit siya inimbento. Napakahusay at saludo ako sa taong nakaisip na gumawa ng kalendaryo. Alam nyo kung bakit? Ito ang mga dahilan :
  • Hindi mo malilimutan ang kailangan mong gawin
  • Nakikita mo ang mga araw na lumipas
  • Nakikita mo ang mga buwan na ang lumipas
  • Nakikita mo ang mga taon na lumipas
  • Nagkaroon kayo ng anniversary ng mahal mo
  • Kung walang kalendaryo, walang pagdiriwang sa mundong ibabaw
  • At higit sa lahat, nagkaroon ka ng kaarawan
Maaaring tulad sya ng isang orasan. Inimbento sya at ginawa ng may dahilan. Tulad ng orasan, kaya sya nagawa at naimbento dahil may gustong iparating na mensahe ito para sa atin. Na ang bawat pagpatak ng segundo ay mahalaga, ginto. Kapares din ng kalendaryo. Nagawa upang ipaalala satin na bawat araw ay mahalaga. Na bawat araw sa mundong ito ay kailangan mong punuin ng pagmamahal ang puso mo at magpasaya ng ibang tao. Ipinapaalala ng kalendaryo na sa bawat araw, buwan, taon na lumilipas ay hindi mo pwedeng sayangin. Kung napapansin nyo ang bilis ng panahon ngayon. Hindi katulad dati na parang napakabagal at ang dami nating nagagawa sa isang araw. Hindi ko alam pero parang ganito ang pakiramdam ko. 
Sulitin ang bawat pagkakataon sa buhay na darating. Maikli lang ang buhay.

Naranasan Mo Na Bang...

magimagine ng kung ano anong images sa gulo gulong patterns ng tiles sa banyo?

magkunwaring di alam na may pila at nambox-out ng iba para mauna?

kutkutin ang kalyo mo sa paa gamit ang mga kuko mo sa kamay?

magbalik ng nahulog na hotdog sa sahig saka niluto ulet?

magwalis at itago yung dumi sa ilalim ng sofa?

maihi sa katatawa?

tumanga sa langit at maghintay ng bulalakaw?

makipagtitigan sa araw?

makaapak ng tae at ideny na ikaw yon?

testingin kung meron kang ka-telepathy sa mga kasakay mo sa jeep.

umarteng isa kang kung sinong successful na nagspeespeech?

lumayas ng madaling araw habang naka pyjama?

bumagsak sa isang subject kasi wala kang Bible?

magago at manggago ng dahil sa pag-ibig?

mag-isip ng masamang pangyayari sa buhay ng kaibigan?

magroundtrip sa LRT kasi punuan sabay pagbalik mo sa pinanggalingan mong station wala ng tao?

magpilay-pilayan sa LRT parin para makasakay sa first coach ng train?

gumawa ng sarili mong talk show?

humiga sa kalye habang umuulan?

umiyak sa gitna ng ulan para hindi mahalata ang luha?

mangakong titigil ng gumimiki kung makakarating ka lang sa tuktok ng nilalakad mong bundok?

masabihang "We cannot cross the line. Ayokong masira yung pagkakaibigan natin" bullshit?

mapanaginipang nakikipagsex sa crush mong celebrity?

maramdamang wala ka sa kung nasaan ka at hindi nagreregister sayo yung paligid?

magsinungaling at maniwala sa kasinungalingang ginawa mo?

maamaze sa crayon blowing?

umihi habang kinakawkaw yung tubig sa pool?

magmahal ng totoo? Yung walang pagsisisi, walang alinlangan, walang selfishness?





Lahat yan naranasan ko na.. Maliban sa isa.. :P

An Open Letter To My Son Julian Franco

Dear Julian Franco,

As of the time of writing this letter, you are 7-day old. You are the most beautiful thing I have ever seen in my life. I did not know that something could be so small, fragile and precious. There is not a day that I do not look at your wonderful face.

I get to see you play,drink milk and smile while you were sleeping. I hear you cry everytime you need something. In some instances too I've seen you get angry and frustrated.  You’re so much like me.

I love your smell. Your papa can tell you how much I like to smell him all day, even after being under the sun for a while. He has the most adorable smell. And you too.

I love you.

You are a ball of energy. You are the cutest thing.

Your papa is second only to you.

I want to tell you how much I love both of you. I’d love to show you how much I care.

I had to have him the first time I saw him. I was standing in front of the house where I stayed for awhile when I saw your papa for the first time. The first time I remember at least. 

It was sunny. 

He was sitting infront of his cousin’s house which was just few steps away from where I stayed. He had white shirt on and was just sitting alone. He didn’t see me. He didn’t even know I was staring… I was 18 that time.

Meeting him was one thing. Asking for his number is another. Our situation is quite complicated but it didn’t faze me.

It took about 6 years before we have the chance to talk and meet. 

The first time we met for a date,June 28, 2009, he showed up. Haha. Well, I was few minutes late, and your father, being the the man that he is, would have none of that.

We continued our communication. I was 23 then.

But things didn't turned out well at first. Some issues came out and it irritates me all the time.  Better not  enumerate the details.

"Some good things never last."

There are some people who will always turn you down when they see you happy. 

They threw words against your father.

But it never disappoint me. I still love him.

We had a lot of fun together.

I would accompany him anywhere he went. Your papa is a very busy person.

I surprised him with a party on his 30th birthday. I invited his friends and classmates. We held it at Videoke Bar. His friends helped me keep it a secret. There were balloons and decorations. 

We both loved to dine out and walk on seaside. We love beaches and I learned to love mountains because of him. We enjoyed nature. Your papa was the first to climb mountains. He tried to encourage me a lot of times, but I guess I was too stubborn.

I always enjoyed whatever we were doing. As long as your papa and I were together.

I wouldn't last a day without seeing him. I mean that.

I didn’t just love your papa.

I was crazy about him.

I was so crazy about him even it took 6 years to know him.

I was so crazy about him I traveled from Cavite to Taguig just to meet him on time on our first date.

I was so crazy about him I cried every night when I learned he's talking to some other girls.

I was crazy about him it cost me every peso of my income just to go to Taguig and back. And I’m there almost everyday. I used to live in Cavite.

I was so crazy about him I told him I’d believe anything he said even if i just found out first hand he was lying to me.

I was so crazy about him I kissed him. I wanted everyone to know he was mine. Only mine.

I was so crazy about him I didn't want him leaving the house if I’m not with him. 

I was so crazy about him I could not keep track of how many times I was jealous. All because I’ve been unreasonable.

I was so crazy about him I give back my full trust in him.

You’re papa had to put up with a lot of things when we were together.

In time, you’re gonna learn how naughty your papa is:) But we both love him, yes?

I have very bad mood swings. 

You’re papa loves you very much. More than you can imagine.

He was willing to put up with me if it meant you growing up with a mother.

He’s willing to live the rest of his life with someone as paranoid as me, so that you would have a family.

God knows I’d kill myself now if it will give your papa a better life. I would in a heartbeat. Believe me, I would. 

I wouldn't want you to see us fight over the smallest things.

I wouldn’t let you see me embarrass your papa in front of everyone when I’m upset with him.

I wouldn’t let you watch me criticize your papa with everything he does.

I love you. That’s why I want him to stay.

That’s why your papa is here with us.

You could forget everything I’ve said, but believe this: Your papa and I love you so much we talked about having you so many times.

We were the happiest person when we found out that we will going to have you.

He took care of me so much while you're still in my womb, I have nothing to ask for.

I believed in my heart your papa and I could make the smartest, most wonderful person in the world. And I was right.

You are the most wonderful thing in the world, Julian Franco. You are. Believe me.

You have your father’s smile. You are just as adorable.

We want the best for you.

We want to be a good example to you.

We're doing our best to be able to give you whatever you will need in the future.

You are loved. And by so many people you haven’t even met.

Know that,someone kisses your face before she goes to sleep.

Know that someone is moved to tears just hearing you cry.

Know that someone prays day and night to the Lord Almighty to protect you.

Know that someone has made a pact with Him, that she will change her ways in exchange for keeping you safe.

I know no other person better to take care of you than God and God alone. 

All I can tell you is that I love you. In my own twisted way… I do.

I hope that matters to you.

May you learn to love God Almighty with all of your heart. Read your Bible.

Listen to Him carefully..

Yes, I love your father.

I love you.

You were conceived in love, and more.

I hope by the time you can read this, I am already a better parent and wife to you and to your father.

The Lord Almighty’s promises will be proven to be true.Your papa and  I will be with you always. 

Until then I promise to do the best I can to be a better woman.


With all the love in the world,
Mama