When I was in High School I got involved with CAT (Citizens Army Training), a school activity that teaches Basic Military. I was then called C/Capt Valbuena P.R. Co. B Cmndr., and I was good at it, so good that I was awarded as the Best Officer. I was even assigned to Platoons for field competitions and end up winning it. I can say that those days are one of the best days of my life, and that had inspired me the idea of joining the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines). Unfortunately, my Mom didn’t like the idea. So now I’m just following my dreams thru the internet checking their websites and even watching videos on YouTube. It’s nice to see how many people take part and show the world that we still got the edge minus the technology.

Earlier I was browsing on thePhilippine Army website, I was searching for a story which was posted their before. It was about the “Pata Massacre”. No one knew about this incident, as far as what I’ve read. Unfortunately, I could not find it anymore on the site, it was even in their home page before, and I could not even find it in their archives as well. The story about “Pata Massacre” never left my mind, ever since I’ve read it. I would like to read the story once again to refresh on the details, I can still remember when I was reading it I was brought back in time seeing the actual events how it happened. The story is all about ending a conflict between a Rebel Group and the Philippine Army in Mindanao(Southern island of the Philippines). However, everything did not happen as planned favorable to the PA’s side. Unaware that everything was just a show, scripted by the rebel group. When the rebels are about to lay their arms, the rebel leader gave the order of annihilating the unprepared and out numbered company of PA stationed on that camp. The PA were unmatched and taken by surprised. The incident caused adevastating blow, which killed almost every personnel within the camp. Thed etails are inhumanely horrifying described by few survivors. That time felt their tremendous pains and sorrow, which raised question in my mind like; why does these things happens?

As I was browsing on the site, I ran across with a site link for the CMOB (Civil Military Operations Battalion). CMOB site is made by the PA to show their civic activities. I clicked on a link on their article titled as “Unknown Soldiers…Unknown Heroes…” and it was written by Mr. Cito Beltran (Journalist).The messages of his every line are strikingly patriotic. I admire his sense of being, giving credits to our fallen Brothers and Sisters of the Armed Forces.  What he wrote is true, recognitions are only given to selected few.  How come, other people could create an insensible issue that ends up with warm public attention and media frenzy? Why couldn’t a soldier who died defending our country and constitution get the same attention? They only get noticed in a small column of news papers, with pictures of them lying dead on the ground covered by banana leaves or even worst doing crimes. Why can we waste a time or even a film to show and recognize their bravery? We might think that it is no big deal, they volunteered and acted on the duty they sworn to. Yes they do, but didn’t we realize that they did this because you and I can’t to it; they have sacrificed their personal lives to serve and protect all of us. Recognizing their bravery could be the greatest compensation that we could give them, especially for those whom they have left behind.

Anyway, Mr. Beltran had ended his article inviting every Filipino. So, I will be inviting you as well to do your part, lets revive their glory, pride, and dignity….”See you at the parade”.

For those who know anything about  "Pata Massacre", please send me a some details. It will be appreciated.

To read the full article “Unknown Soldiers…Unknown Heroes…” click on the link: http://www.cmobn.com/articles/cito_beltran.html

I've been working abroad since 2005 and the last time that I went for a vacation was last 2008 when I got married. It’s almost 2 years and I’ve been missing my family and my hometown so much. There are so much things that I would like to do back home that I have not done last time, because we are so preoccupied on attending my wife’s grandfather’s wake, organizing our wedding and get married all in a month. By the time were free, were almost out of budget, so we just stayed at home and spend our remaining days with the family.

But now, in times that I’ve been thinking of home, I use the internet to instantly teleport me back there.  Just by googling “Marikina City” you will be given with informative links, like the marikina.gov.ph (Markina City Hall official website), riverbankscenter.com even  to personal blog sites created by local residents tackling events and happenings around the town, such as; marikinalife.com, marikienya.com, and more… I prefer browsing on personal blogs, because it gives me the sense of like being there.

Marikina has been tagged for negative issues along the way, but all in all, these are just negative publicities. Lot of things has changed and the town has been marked as one of the cleanliest city in the Philippines. I will give that credit to the “Bayani’s” for making the town what it is now.

There is so much to see in Marikina, regardless of its land area of 21.5 square kilometers. Places where you can see its history and things that made the town recognizable in the face of the earth. One is the largest pair of shoe ever made certified by the Guinness Book of Records and the town even got a shoe museum where lies a huge collection of shoes, including shoes from well known personalities, not to mention Mrs. Imelda Marcos (former First Lady). Well Marikina City is named as Shoe Capital of the Philippines for nothing.

This October 2010, I and my Wife are planning to take our vacation; hopefully we can get to do a lot of thing back there, for we got only a month to spend it. I will worry about that later; in the meantime, I will just plan ahead and try to make my things to do list, so I won’t miss a thing, I wish.

Just incase, you get to read this and wanna try on visiting our town especially around October to December, try dropping by at the river side for the night market, promise its worth the stay.

Marikina prepare your self…I’m coming!

Last night I’ve dreamt of my Mom (my Mom passed away 14 yrs ago from breast cancer). I saw her sitting on the chair I’ve made for her, she is talking to my older sister who’s asking permission to go out. I came forward and asked the same thing and told her that I’m just gonna visit a friend of mine. She then told me, Why? I replied, I won’t take a while and besides I’ve told you where I am going, but my sister didn’t tell you so. I’ve said it in a caressing way like a little boy. Then I leaned forward and kissed her…just cant remember where…in the cheek or in the forehead. I can feel her skin touches my lips as if it was real. I stood up, bid farewell, walked away while looking at her. By the time I reached the door, I woke up realizing that everything was just a dream.

My Mom visits me in my dream once in a while. I just cant figure why…guess she just misses me too. Its been a long time and I missed everything about her, what she does around the house, her hugs and kisses, and most especially her sweet lovely face.

Well, I know that she is looking over us all up in heaven and I do hope to see her more.

Mom, could you not forget to beat the crap out of me if I did something wrong…love and miss you Mom!

Last April 18, 2010 is our second wedding anniversary and for the second time I failed to make the special day very unusual. Well, the day started waking up and prepped my self for work. Afterwards, I woke up my wife with a kiss and closely whispering her "Happy Anniversary...wake up. you’re next" (she's going to work that day as well). I left the house while she is still in the bathroom and went on to work. The day at the office was a typical one, until the time reached 5 and time to go home. I rode the service bus and called in my wife to let her know that I am about to go home. I reached home and she came later an hour and half. We took our dinner (nothing extravagant), watched a movie, and later prepped for bed. As we lay down in bed I told her again "Happy Anniversary" and thanking her for being a wonderful wife, for her understanding and support. I wanted to tell her how sorry I am for not making an effort of making day extra special. I can see it in her eyes that she understands, maybe because she knows we are financially incapable of doing so. Nevertheless, she replied, thank you also for loving me.

I was really hoping that I could have given her something, unlike last year. Honestly, I feel bad about it. But come to think of it, there's always next year, and besides we got everyday to make up with. I think the important thing is we have a healthy married relationship. I do hope that we can still spend this special occasion for the next 50 yrs or so.

Hmmm...already looking forward for next year?