“I met a lot of people in Europe. I even encountered myself.” Those were the exact words that came out of James Baldwin’s mouth. Those are also the same words that motivate me to travel. I have always believed that traveling is only designed for scenic explorations. Traveling is limited to the places you will go and the people you will meet. As I started conquering airports, wharfs, bus terminals, I noticed something different. There is something in traveling that is more to those I have mentioned earlier. In fact, I just realized that it is more valuable than the souvenirs I have collected. It was something that entails self discovery. It was something about me.

Once I went to this place where tragedy has just happened. It was a disaster ravaged location filled with desolate hearts. At first I was wondering why I even bothered to go to that place. As I exchange pleasantries I observed that people were looking at me. I talked to some and they accounted the unfortunate events that just plagued them. Then tears came falling down my eyes. I have never been that emotional. But being emotional was not the most memorable part of that travel. It was my discovery that I have the power to move people. I noticed that most of the people I have talked to became more positive. Now I know that I can make people optimistic. Through traveling, I discovered my strength.

Aside from my capabilities, traveling also showed me my most glaring weakness. I was never patient about anything. This realization happened when I went with my friends in a nearby province. We were riding a bus when the vehicle suddenly stopped. I went out with the other passengers because something exploded. To my disbelief, the tires were destroyed. It took the driver 4 hours to fix the problem. By then I was already mad about it. I berated the driver and even shouted at other passengers. It was something worse and I wanted to change it. Traveling led me to a consciousness. Patience is indeed a virtue.

Another memorable travel experience that I had was the tour with my classmates. It was formal and organized by our school. We went to some companies and visited various factories. As I was moving around, I got a glimpse of the world after school. I was oriented with the manner in which employees deal with their everyday situations. It is tough for some who have to endure the factory heat or deal with some annoying clients. But it is something that I have to overcome to be successful in life. Traveling introduced me to a painful reality. I have to work and I have to do it hard. It also pointed to a direction where I should go. That instance has guided me to where I am now.

I know that you are wondering about the first line I have said. You can always ask me if I have ever been to Europe. Unfortunately, the answer is no. I have not been to that place and I am not planning to go there anytime soon. But there is one thing true about the line I have mentioned. Traveling has allowed led me to discover my strengths, weaknesses, and vision. And the most important thing that travel brought to me is something of higher value. Traveling served as the bridge that made me encounter my own self.

I believe that basketball is the best sport ever invented. I have watched several sports, but basketball is the only game that has struck me significantly. I guess all of you are aware of basketball even though some have never played a single game. Right now, girls are already playing the sport despite the fact that basketball is a male dominated game. From the US where it all started, basketball has expanded its influence across the globe. Before, gymnasiums are the usual place where a basketball court stands. Today, basketball courts are built in streets, empty lots, and open public areas. I can tell you reasons why my contention on basketball is so firm. More than just a sport, basketball is a game of balance and ironies. To expound on the details, I would like you to absorb my point-by-point analysis.

Basketball combines human’s physical and emotional nature. It provides you a view of what is going on inside and outside a player. The sport requires players to be physically fit and emotionally stable. Aside from physical abilities, players have to withstand the contact between and among players. In addition, physically fit players have to be aware from injuries that might occur during a game. Of course being physically equipped is not the only requirement in basketball. Emotional stability is also an important facet that players need to develop. Emotional security means that players’ actions inside the court are guided by rules. Indeed basketball is game of physical prowess and emotional outburst.

Another important thing that makes basketball fascinating is that it shows collaboration of teamwork and individuality. Unlike other team sports, basketball puts high emphasis on individual roles. It is common for coaches to say that teams are successful because the parts are working. Other basketball gurus also point out that individual players become better because the team performs well. Basketball highlights the strengths of individual players using team play concept. Most important, there is a system created by coaches that merges individual skills to create a successful team strategy. It is evident that basket emphasizes on the relevance of team togetherness without discounting individual prowess.

Finally, basketball is a dynamic yet controlled sport. Dynamism in basketball is obvious when you see fast movements and changes in a game. There is harmony that is often absent in other team sports. Basketball is an avenue where knowledge in other fields can be used. It is a flexible sport that is prone to modifications but strict to traditions. As a controlled sport, basketball requires top-notch discipline. There are systems that work in the game, which promotes order. Other sports seem to be guided by chaos. Well basketball is focused on designed movements and plays. Specific players are tasked to dictate the tempo and ensure that the momentum is going towards their desired direction.

Basketball for me is the epitome of team sports. It necessitates physical capacities and elements of emotional stability. These two aspects are important in ensuring that the game is played the right way. Basketball also values individual skills and talents. These positive facets are combined to make a team perform beyond limits and expectations. Lastly, basketball is a dynamic sport because of its susceptibility to changes. Yet, basketball remains true to its roots and still follows conventional schemes. It is evident that the basketball is a sport of conformity and irony. Unlike other sports, it is interesting when played and watched.

Favorite Magazine: Bato Balani

Favorite Sport: Cricket

Favorite TV Show: The Misadventures of Ariel and Maverick

Favorite Pastime: Mag ayos ng Fantasy teams

Favorite Department Store: SM North EDSA

Favorite Shoe Store: The Underground of Sta. Lucia Mall

Favorite Home Store: Johnvon Cubao

Favorite Actor: George Estregan

Favorite Actress: Gretchen Barreto

Favorite Male Singer: Rico J. Puno

Favorite Female Singer: Judy Ann Santos

Favorite Bank: East West Bank

Favorite Supermarket: Eunilane Cubao

Favorite T-shirt: anything from Divisoria

Favorite Basketball Team: Presto

Favorite News Anchor: Rhea Santos

Favorite Weatherman: Kuya Kim

Presyo ng 8 oz. Coke ngayon: 2 pesos

Favorite Candy: Kopiko

Favorite Movie: Tinimbang ka ngunit kulang!

“Being a nobody is the best role you can play. As the world ignores every small actions you do, the next you’ll know is that you have already made a big difference.”

“Just give 99% of your time and effort. At least you still have 1% that you can use to move on when you fail or you have 1% that you can use to sustain your success.”

“Triumph is considered as another big word for success. But it is just an umph that starts with TRY.”

Football season is finally here. Trainings camps are being completed and stadiums are being furnished. This is indeed an exciting season and it promises to provide unparalleled excitement. Before the season starts, predictions will be made. As expected columnists and football enthusiasts have already published their bets. I am not an expert, but I do believe that these following predictions have good chances of happening. I predicted the Colts to win it all last year, this time I have another team in mind.

National Football Conference

• Division Winners: Dallas, Chicago, New Orleans, and Seattle
• Wildcard: Arizona and Philadelphia
• Divisional Playoffs: Seattle over Philadelphia; Arizona over Dallas
• Division Semi-Finals: New Orleans over Seattle; Arizona over Chicago
• Division Finals: New Orleans over Arizona

American Football Conference

• Division Winners: New England, Baltimore, Indianapolis, and San Diego
• Wildcard: Denver and Cincinnati
• Divisional Playoffs: Cincinnati over Baltimore; Indianapolis over Denver
• Division Semi-Finals: New England over Indianapolis; San Diego over Cincinnati
• Division Finals: New England over San Diego

Super Bowl

New England over New Orleans

This is a new season and I picked the “new” teams to win their respective conferences. But after the final whistle is blown, the Patriots will start its “new” dynasty.