Pounding The Keyboard

Less than a month from now, on May 9, the Filipino people will once again march to polling precincts and elect a new headach—, er, a new president. Running for the presidency are Vice President Jojo Binay, Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, Senator Grace Poe and DILG Secretary Mar Roxas. Only less than a month to go and I am still undecided (like many Pinoys) on who to vote—it’s not because these candidates are all stellar; it is because we don’t see in them the qualifications we are looking for in a president. But still, we Pinoys need to choose—and we need to choose carefully. Our country's future here is at stake. Here are some (not so profound) reasons why you should vote for one of them: REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD VOTE FOR MAR ROXAS: You like how the present administration is running the government, and if Roxas wins, he’ll definitely just continue it, there’ll be no changes in major government policies, you might even see...

“And when you write a poem I know the words, I know the sounds Before you write it down…”                                 Vito’s Ordination Song by Sufjan Stevens        I once read an article about Sufjan Stevens, (an artist unfamiliar to me then), went to YouTube and listened to some of his songs—and I was instantly blown away. Now, for the past few weeks, I listen to nothing but his music.        Sufjan, with his soft, gentle, beautiful   voice, poignantly sings about his mother ( Should Have Known Better ), Jesus Christ ( To Be Alone With You ), his faith ( Seven Swans ), the Bible ( The Transfiguration ), his fondness for a girl and how he sees a future with her ( The Dress Looks Nice on You ), thinking of committing suicide ( The Only Thi...