Shainne Hostalero

I wouldn't end the year without thanking 2013 for all the happiness, joy, blessings and bullshit. Indeed, a blast! Every year, I thank the Lord above for the year that was given. 2013 is such a good year though; classy to say and honestly saying that it didn't come easy as the previous years I had in my entire life, but then again there's always something to brag about the year that has been - I survived. We all are. We all deserve a tap on the back. Peace be with you. Another year has gone and lessons are all with us to serve as an inspiration and motivation to be better and to let go of the things that had happened and consumed our positive outlook in life. Whatever happens in 2013, stays in 2013. Hopefully. I'm really praying that this could be possible; let's not dig the past back and get moving to all of our remaining tomorrows no matter how unsure they are.  I grew tired of worrying and horrifying myself with things that I don't have any contro...

I could still remember being half asleep as a kid when the clock strikes 12 midnight. It was time to eat and of course, greet the whole family a Merry Christmas. Spaghetti, ham, fruit salads and lots of presents are waiting; the Christmas tree was then always full, colorful as it was with ornaments and all, the Christmas lights are dancing, singing different Christmas songs. Morning will come and we're all going to wear our new clothes for the Christmas day. It was time for our ninongs and ninangs  to give pamasko  - either a thing wrapped up with Christmas ribbon on it or a red envelope of such monetary-valued-gift; we open it with smile on our faces. I have all my wonderful memories of Christmas as a kid. Now that I've grown, I've realized its true spirit. I may not have the words to elaborate what it really is, but I know you know what I'm trying to say. And I believe that your Christmas memories when you were younger are fun and wonderful, too. We believed in ...

It might sound funny but it is (really) not funny at all. Two throwing words at each other, selected people doing the same thing as if we're watching a movie or a telenovela of sort. The alleged Pork Barrel scam twists this country around; billion of pesos for the Filipinos went to whom we are not sure of, just yet. Senate minority leader Juan Ponce Enrile could be one of those; that this issue is so loud and the people can't barely hear truth nor get the slightest real idea from that end. Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago aimed to put a period to this tragic sentence and by that, she desired to avail the truth from a party that they all cannot count how good the music could be. They can dance with it but they will definitely not be pleased. It was entertaining if the basis is the movie board. It was amusing. Such a boisterous phase we all watching and hearing. It was then these two senators were exchanging words through their privilege speeches. Privilege. Such a big word...

Derrick Rose Photo from the web (imageevent.com) At the age of 25, he already has an established image in the NBA (National Basketball Association), he was selected first overall at the 2008 NBA Draft Pick by the Chicago Bulls and he was named the Rookie of the Year - well-played tough games and created his own statement. He received the NBA Most Valuable Player Award in 2011, the youngest player to ever win the award at age 22. He was quite Michael Jordan in the making, who was known to get the same award. And yes, he is Derrick Rose or D Rose as we call him. We all know that the 6'3" player of Chicago Bulls was outside the court for the 2012-2013 season due to his left knee injury. He was then missed playing in the court, shooting, running, dribbling and his follow-throughs. Training took place, practice will definitely make it perfect and he was finally back. D Rose risen up, as expected, as we all waited, he's definitely back on track. It was ON! The season ...

Also published in NewsGraph 's RiskTalkers page:   http://www.newsgra.ph/1714/bangon-pilipinas/ ------------------------------------------------------------- Typhoon Yolanda (Typhoon Haiyan) smashed the whole Visayas region and left almost nothing to our kababayans . It is indeed devastating to see that our fellow countrymen don't have anything to eat, anywhere to live in and worse, lost everything, including their loved ones. Personally, I can't endure the amount of bad news I'm seeing - photos from the internet, TV reports, write-ups and the like. It stings. It breaks my heart. With the simple help that I made possible, I'm wishing that we could all recover from this challenge. Indeed, God gives his hardest test to the strongest people; and that's us, Filipinos.  We all know that we're moving too slow. We all know that this government can't do more about it and that's the thing we need to accept and face; instead of us ranting about the ...

It was then my dark days that I couldn't think of anything but the hard game of life that I was into. I came from a tough round, almost every year, but I know it won't last and I won't cling to it like what I always do. What day I was referring to? I couldn't fully remember though it's ok for me to think about what had happened - but I just couldn't remember when and even how. I thank the Heavens for whatever it was. Happy times, rough times and even dull ones - that I couldn't barely get on the road and staying in one place where I wasn't even sure if that place would love me after all was the answer to whatever I was feeling way back then; even if I had opt to extend my stay and like the feeling that I was feeling. No, it didn't like me back because the place wanted to me to move to another place and get on the road which was the real plan of this life for me. People came then left, other have stayed and I thank them for that. Weird that I was ...

Love is about staying, never letting go and never leaving for another place, for another feel, or for another whatever you may think of. But this love we feel right now should not be consumed by ambitions, by another feel, by another phase or by another motion that will set the one thing we aim to have in our entire life for long apart; and it is love. I've learned it the hard way. Nothing did come easy. I'm a believer of this shit, and I think I will always be one. Believer that I was before, there are conditions apply for me to believe. And then I have learned that conditions should and must not be applied nor exist. Then,  "If it isn't love, it's  a little more like it." There were times I was petrified, but that won't count for too long; for I don't just believe but I do have my faith as well, and never will I get loose of it. Never. There are lessons I've learned and there are things also that a man should take into good consideration, t...

In the middle of the night, the tree is swaying, clocks are ticking and the clouds are frantic with worry. A tree that is moving back and forth through a great feeling of the  air in the middle of a misty night, was the same tree that is moving back and forth through the same great feeling a long time ago.  It was once gloomy, once bright, once hasty and always stiff. The tree is happy while clocks are ticking though the clouds are frantic with worry. The tree will eventually change its way; might be happier with itself without the greatness of air. But how can it live thee without the presence of air in its atmosphere? How can it sway thee? How can it dance thee? One tree in the middle of the night - wanting to be noticed, wanting to be wanted, was on the verge of converting itself to a different thing. It is impossible for sure by cause that a tree will always be a tree. It can't be moved to a place or another. It will always be just there, just a tree.  Th...

Every concern citizen in this country is already pissed-off and wishing that this fragmented reality does not exist. By Monday, we will be facing another irrational belief that everything is going to change by cause of a new Barangay Officers will be proclaimed as winners and would start something new in the start of everything, the run-down of places in the big city. Coherent, it will never be. This Republic, we consider it sold. It was sold to the plunderers, scammers and corrupt politicians who promised us the sun, moon and stars for a vote, that according to them will change our lives. They were right. The vote changed our lives. Life that has become awful and frustrating. I'm sitting here, writing these words, thinking about life, my bank account, work and how it will be for the next days. As it goes by in my half-filled brain, I'm starting to feel a little bit sluggish. We are not deserving of this fiasco. In this world where everything will be left undone and unsaid,...

October 7, 2012, we've lost you. You were considered as the most intelligent child in the family. You were five then, three girls and two boys. Now, your parents got only four. It saddened us. We all know that our way would be there, death. But nobody ever wanted for it to happen so soon. Pretty sure that we wanted you to rest and be free. Free from this world of uncertainties, sickness and from the battle of life that was once wonderful. You fought, we know. You were strong and you didn't let stroke consume you, even for the nth time. But then again, you're only human; you got limitation and you need to have a way with comfort. I was crying. I didn't know where to place the sadness and the sudden turn of pages. We weren't expecting it because we all know was you can still survive. You didn't give up, I know. The world gave up on you, perhaps. We're living in discomfort, in a place where a lot of things aren't sure. In a way, you wanted another chanc...

One definition of Politics from the Merriam-Webster dictionary: the work and job of people (such as elected officials) who are part of a government. A work and a job. A position that depicts honest actions. Sad to say, honesty and the true responsibilities of government officials became invisible. From graft and corruption, plunder, scam to the 'worse' ones that the country, nevertheless, couldn't get one more grip of. In real politics' general philosophy, "If we ignore it, it doesn't exist." is the usual habit and behavior that this Republic is experiencing. This is the reason behind unfulfilled projects and unfinished or pending cases. Maybe I'm wrong or in a way I'm making a point, but the true reason is that they (politicians) ignore cases and issues because their names are on the line - the more they put good fragrance there and cling to have a good image, the more blockbuster and award-winning their lives and careers would be. Reality. ...

"Can I forget you? Your memory has always kept me company; it has saved me from dangers along the way; it has been my comfort in the solitude of my soul in foreign countries; your memories has negated the effect of the European lotus for forgetfulness, which effaces from remembrance of many of our countrymen the hopes and the sorrows of the Motherland." - Crisostomo Ibarra to Maria Clara, Noli Me Tangere 

Few years ago, about two or three, she was having a conversation with a friend in UP. ***  After her 6:00PM class, he picked her up in Manila where her university resides. They went straight to UP Diliman to see people jogging, training and walking even late at night; grabbed something to eat, sat down and talked. Life was crucial for her during those times. School papers were there yelling at her to finish them and get a grade of flat one (1.00) to cling and to get on the stereotype phase that the basis of one's intelligence and success in life are the grades they designed their transcript of records. She was then pressured. She haven't had enough sleep and she didn't even know how she really looked like - she was once a student leader; not that she was complaining, she was (and still she is) happy, grateful and blessed... that if she had the chance to go back to those days (college days) again, she would definitely dive in, and perhaps think whether if she still ...

Nature, Quezon City Philippines (c) Shainne Hostalero All There Was My greatest lesson learnt,  you were mine until you weren't. It was you who taught me so, the grace in letting go. The time we had was all -- there was not a moment more. - Lang Leav From my Tumblr Archive: November 25, 2011 at 7:48PM Friday Staying at home alone on a Friday, flat on the floor looking back... On old love or lack thereof. - John Mayer, A Love Song For No One

While I was checking my archives, I found this. Written for about three years ago; perhaps about a guy who came and saved me for a little while or an insert to a written story way back then. Whoever it was, I couldn't remember. I can't seem to recall and brood over who I was referring to. I can't forget things and people but there are some I choose to. Maybe he was one of those, I'm not sure.  But for those who are having the same emotions as mine while I wrote down these words years ago, you'll get through it. Just keep on moving.  May 16th, 2010 at 11:04AM TIME If I do have the powers to turn back time, I will surely do it. I will forget about the world just for now and think of you solemnly and reminisce those short good memories. If I do have the powers to have the love I want and turn the wrong to right, to switch the off to on and to make the truth from the lies.... I will. I miss you, I so much miss you. I miss your voice, I miss those topic...

Way back in time, women are viewed and perceived as property of men. Hence, they constitute to consider and oblige to take on words/actions from their husbands, coherent that they are deliberate and designed as men's possession. Later on, equality and fairness took place and promoted. Gender wise, stability, ethnic race or group, intelligence, market placement and value, so on and so forth. Concentrating now on gender equality, referring from past facts ventures, women get the same as men - no higher entities, no more stronger and weaker. In a nutshell, fair. To consitute... (1) According to UN Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women of 1993, it states that: "Violence against women is a manifestation of historically unequal power relations between men and women, which had led to domination over and discrimination against women by men and to prevention of the full advancement of women, and that violence against women is one of the crucial social mechanism...

A gallery of things, people and places that I have captured; random clippings of art from anywhere. Battlestar Gallactica, Universal Studios Singapore The best 'roller coaster' feeling ever. Yellow Vintage Car, Universal Studios Singapore Yes, I can hear The Beatles singing the song Drive My Car Vintage Car, Universal Studios Friendly Orangutans and their Caretaker, Singapore Zoo Talented Elephants doing the tricks, Singapore Zoo Talented Elephants, Singapore Zoo Talented Elephants, Singapore Zoo Empty, Valenzuela City EKstreme, Enchanted Kingdom, Laguna Philippines Space Shuttle, Enchanted Kingdom Laguna, Philippines One of my favorite amusement rides - gives me the best stress feeling ever Grand Central Station Replica, Enchanted Kingdom Laguna, Philippines Flying Fiesta, Enchanted Kingdom Laguna, Philippines Flying Fiesta, Enchanted Kingdom Laguna, Philippines Rio Grande Rapids, Enchant...