There are many instances in our lives that we are forced to move forward. Learn from our mistakes and forget what happened. Blah blah blah and move on. But was it really the right move? Did you ever at one time make the same mistakes again? Or did it ever occur to you that you should have moved back instead?
In so many cases in our lives in the heat of the moment, we tend to lean to the all or nothing type of perspective. Whether it is right or wrong, love or hate, take it or leave it kind. Has it ever occurred to anyone that the situation still deserves a second chance? That maybe, this moment of crisis deserves not leaving and forgetting but rather a step back to gain a sense of the bigger picture?
So many of the life decisions we make has always been accompanied with regret. Resigning from a lucrative career when we should have taken a step back to get our mojo going or giving up a good relationship when all we need to do is rekindle a flame is just the surface of the cesspool in our lives when we gave up something in our unending quest for the complete extreme. So much heartache and regret for something that can be simply decided if we have just taken a break and thought things over.
On the other hand, I can’t blame others who have already thought it over and decided that they cannot live with half of something or settled for something less than what they think they deserve. To all those individuals, I salute you. For it is an enviable trait to know what you want and hold on to it. However, to those of us who are on the brink of a life decision it is not as simple as it should be. So many factors play a part in our decisions that we have to think not only with our minds but also with our hearts.
I have always believed that life is journey. There are times that we get too focused in our destinations that we forget to slow down and appreciate the scenery that surrounds us. Like the runner who does not gain momentum, or a car that is trying to go uphill. Their commonality lies in that both need to reach a certain momentum which can only be achieved by slowing down or shifting to a lower gear. Taking a step back can mean slowing down or sometimes even coming to a complete halt to find the impetus it needs to go further.
Certainly it is a valuable human trait to rethink and review all the things we do and re-evaluate the mistakes and the actions we should have done. But then again, re-experiencing the same hurts and rethinking the same mistakes over and over keep us mired in our own misery. Sometimes though, a golden opportunity arises and we are given a second chance to rewind and play a tune differently.
Sometimes, to move forward, all we really need to do is take a step back and redo a few things.
I am really not a fan of golf, but i like Tiger Woods. He is like Pacquaio of Boxing and Michael Jordan of Basketball. They all excel in their sports and reaps a lot of money by just wearing a Nike shirt.
As my friend Cois puts it – “Whatever scandal the guy’s involved in right now, it still doesn’t change the fact that he’s the best damn golfer in the whole world. Same reason why I don’t care much about the affairs and the gambling that Manny Pacquiao’s supposedly involved in. He’s still the best boxer in the planet right now.” – I agree
I never liked listening to politicians rendering their speeches. It’s very seldom I hear something the audience doesn’t expect to hear. It’s almost always a cliché.
Not BF though. He makes you understand and think. There’s always logic behind his one-liners and you have to stay glued to understand. You have to wait to believe. It is him – no shortcuts.
In chess, my father told me to think at least 4 moves ahead. It’s not that easy because I also have to think of my opponents’ possible move against my every move. So I can be thinking of 4 to the nth possible exchanges. I can only simulate 3 moves ahead until now – if Bayani plays chess, I think he can perk it up to 8 moves. I am a witness on how he transformed Marikina into what it is right now – a very progressive city. It was not easy for him at first. He received a lot of opposition from political adversaries and City residents as well. They didn’t understand BF. But he pursued his vision nonetheless. After the 3 year transformation of Marikina, the same Marikina residents who hated him calmly voted for him again – and again. Moreover, his exemplary leadership and discipline became the pillars of this small progressive city. His Marikina constituents so believed in his vision that they wanted someone who will continue his vision. As proof of this, his wife went on to become the City Mayor for nine years.
I am also a witness of how BF made MMDA affect people. In fact, I only had a vague notion on what the MMDA’s task is all about until he became the chairman. He made changes quickly and the results were felt immediately.
I once heard him say in one of his talks – “I don’t want people going to my office lining up and asking for help” – We said “what?” Then he explained – “If people keep going to my office asking for my help, it just means that my departments are not doing their jobs. ” – We said “ahhh!”
If he says he can transform the Philippines to a better country, he will. Because I believe that he is 8 moves ahead of us. And always will be.
It should have been called the “Practice Day” rather than ‘The Event”. If only they could have known, no one would buy tickets worth 500 up for such a boring boxing match. Anyway, i was one of the hundreds and thousands of Filipinos who watched it for free, sponsored by mostly politicians and local authorities for the voting public of course.
I was at Marikina Freedom Park, going in and out of the city hall, looking for a better view. I decided it’s better to watch it outside. I came at around 9:30 am and reserved two good seats for me and my brother. It was under the shade and just about 25-foot away from the LED van – then I ate my breakfast.
As the match between Soto-Diaz nears its end, I decided to take pictures of the seemingly impatient crowd. When i was finished, i can no longer go back to my seat. People just sat everywhere blocking all paths unmindful of the heat and their impending starvation.
So i ended up watching at the Shoe Hall – supposed to be a secret viewing place for special guests – lucky me!
- City Hall – Jampacked!
- Mobile Wide Screed LED
- Pacman Crowd outside
- Crowd at the Freedom Park
Special thanks to the local officials who made this event possible. This was sponsored by Vice Mayor Marion Andres. Also seen on the event was Mayor Marides Fernando, Councilor Donn Favis, Councilor Frankie Ayuson and other candidates for the coming election.
So was this somehow politically motivated? Of course it is – but no one is complaining, it’s all for Pacman.
The recently concluded welterweight boxing championship match between Pacquaio and Clottey was a drag. I was right, it was insipid. I felt even
worse because I felt I was cheated. I knew it was going to be offense versus defense, I knew it was going to be dull, but I never anticipated it to be a con.
Although Clottey endured 232 power punches and 14 jabs from Pacman, he didn’t fight to win. 50,994 watched it live in dismay and millions on PPV most probably felt bored as they watch Clottey stood there and acted like a punching bag. He was just avoiding to be knocked out, literally.
Every athlete must play to win; this is a sport. And in a match as huge as this, you can not just stand there and don’t give it your best shot.
There are lots of speculations as to why Clottey fought that way, but for me he just doesn’t have the heart of a champion and never again he’ll get the chance to prove he has one.




