aniesparadies

[aniesparadies]

Breaking Chains of Poverty

Tondo Manila’s poorest neighborhood, the landfill site along Manila Bay is home to a thousand families. People have been living on garbage in this part of the Philippine capital for about five decades. Now, the area known as “Smokey Mountain” is open to tourists But in this neighborhood, everyone, including small children, has a role in the grueling and often dangerous trash-scavenging operation. Trash collectors are exposed to broken glass, sharp objects, endless dirt of flies, waste, oozing methane, and other health hazards, often in oppressive heat or under torrential rains. They are among the more than three million people in Metro Manila who do not have an official residency.

One of our close family friends was Mang Etong, He's the oldest among all of us. Now and again, He guides us through where it's safe and where it's not. One thing Mang Etong always say

"Minsa'y pahirapan maghanap ng bakal at plastik na mabebenta kaya't tiyagaan lang din talaga. Sa hirap ng buhay kung minsa'y 'di kana magiinarteng kumain ng pagpag na pagkain hangga't wala pang dumadapong bulate, pwede pa."

How tough life could be living in a pile of trash. I said

The magnificence of Smokey Mountain is a tragic one, born of the solidity and spirit of its people. Amidst the mountains of trash, children play and laugh, seemingly oblivious to the dangers around them. Women, barefoot and ragged, sift through the trash, looking for anything of value they can sell. Men, their faces covered in rags, picking through the garbage with long metal hooks, searching for scraps of metal they can turn into cash. It is a place of hustle and survival, where every day is a struggle. But amidst the struggle, there is also a sense of community. Despite the poverty and the squalor, people here look out for one another. Neighbors share what little they have, and children play together in the streets. It is a place of warmth and hospitality, where visitors are welcomed with open arms, and no one is a stranger for long.

[aniesparadies]

River of Tears

"Dapat kasi sumusunod ka na lang sa gusto ng magulang mo" they said. A Lot of people tell me that I am stubborn. Yes I'm stubborn because I want to be the one who follows everything.I firmly believe that as long as I am content with my actions and not causing harm to others, the opinions of others hold no weight. It is like a bird soaring through the sky, unaffected by the opinions of those on the ground. Similarly, my happiness is like a flame that burns bright, illuminating my path and guiding me towards my goals. Until something unexpected happened. I would never take back what has been done, but I need to weight my choices or should I or not continue.

"Ano itong ginawa ko , nag dala ako ng kahihiyan sa pamilya ko. Paano na lang ang kina bukasan ko?, Hindi ko naisip yung mga posibleng mangyayare sakin. Pinag sisihan ko ito pero wala na akong magagawa kundi tanggapin na lang at harapin " I said to myself crying in front of massive mirror.

Becoming a teen mom was a rollercoaster of emotions, the moment I saw those two pink lines on the test, my world literally stopped. It was like a dream, an illusion of happiness. The news was like a bolt out of the blue, my life became a jigsaw puzzle with pieces that were nowhere in sight. As I started to pick and place the pieces of my puzzle, I was hit with an overwhelming feeling of loneliness and guilt. When I discovered that I was carrying a child, I wasn't overjoyed. However, I knew that I had to see it through, and that someone would be there to guide us. It's unfortunate that I made the wrong choices in life, but I am determined to stand on my own two feet. I must demonstrate to the world that I can succeed, despite the obstacles I face. Like a seedling pushing through the soil towards the sun, I will persevere. My life may be a bumpy road, but like a river carving its way through the mountains, I will find my way.

I felt like an island shrouded in darkness and fear. Anxiety raced through my veins as I faced the reality of becoming a teen mom. Words cannot express how difficult this journey has been so far, but I must stay strong for my little one. I had to dig deep within myself to find courage and remind myself that everything is going to be alright. Like a phoenix emerging from the ashes, I slowly rose up and embraced the beautiful blessing of motherhood. Being a young mother while still studying is undoubtedly challenging. Looking back, I realise that I made mistakes that I wish I could correct. I acknowledge that my parents' advice is valuable, and I should have listened to them. They have my best interests at heart, and no parent wants their child to be harmed. However, I chose to follow my own desires instead of heeding their guidance. As the saying goes, not everything that brings happiness is the right thing to do. I must learn to recognize when I'm doing too much and know when to stop. To put it simply, being a young mother is like walking a tightrope, and not listening to your parents is like jumping off the tightrope without a safety net.

My newfound strength and determination drove me to take on new responsibilities and face my adversities. The day I held my bundle of joy in my arms was a day nothing could ever replace. With those cherub cheeks and twinkling eyes, my heart overflowed with true love and infinite happiness.Throughout this experience, I have learnt to be patient, kind and loving to myself. I realised that no matter how hard the journey may be, no mountain is high enough to stop me to change myself to become a better person.I am determined to show the world my progress. Despite my past mistakes, I am not a bad person. I am currently studying to change my future for myself and my daughter. I aspire to make amends with my parents and earn their pride, despite my shortcomings. It's not too late for me to turn things around. I am like a caterpillar transforming into a butterfly, shedding my old ways and emerging as a new and improved version of myself.

[aniesparadies]

The Curves of Zamboanga Sibugay

Have you ever been to a place where you land your feet and feel you are special to them? Zamboanga Sibugay , a province in Mindanao, was the perfect destination for our Family reunion. The language used in Zamboanga Sibugay ipil , is a mix of tagalog , cebuano and also chavacano , parents used to teach me their language which added to cultural experience. Zamboanga Sibugay is located in the Zamboanga Peninsula region in Mindanao and also the weather there is good. Zamboanga Sibugay is known for white sand beaches, caves and waterfalls. The province boasts of it's stunning beaches and also the river and its breathtaking landscape. As we land in the place we were greeted by our relatives with open arms shimmering like diamonds under the blazing sun.

"Ang ganda naman dito ma , ang tahimik at ang peaceful ng place " i said to my mom.

" Oo naman maganda dito anak mababait ang mga tao " my mom said back to me

"Oo naman safe yan kumapit ka maige baka maka bitaw ka " my mom said

Their typical ride is habal habal which contains with 5 people , it was a great experience to the tourist like me

"Ma nakakatakot naman sumakay dito safe ba ito papunta satin?" I said to my mom while looking at my sister

At first it was really scary to ride but then it was fun at the same time . The sun kissed beaches with crystal water were a sight to behold , we had a lot of fun with the beaches. The salty sea breeze and the sounds of waves crashing on the shore were music to our ears. The lush green forest and the curves of the mountains were a feast for our eyes. It was huge and fun to hike. My aunt and uncle were great cooks , the food they made was gastronomic delight , with its unique blend of flavours and spice. I forgot the food. The experience was truly unforgettable , a perfect mix of adventure and relaxation. And also there is a city of ghost town. We went there before going back to Manila and the people there are quite scary and quiet. They have guns in their house for protection and they believe that bullets can drive away bad elements. Zamboanga Sibugay Ipil is a must visit destination for anyone seeking a unique and memorable travel experience.

[aniesparadies]

My Black Out Poetry ❤️

[aniesparadies]

Memoir

"High School is what kind of grows you into the person you are. I have the fondest memories, good and bad some learning experience and some that I'll take with me for the rest my life"

-Gian Carlo Stantan

Junior High School! All I felt was being in a carnival. Exploring things that make me feel alive, not taking life seriously. I didn't do my activities , I didn't participate in class, I didn't worry about failing even though I was graduating. At that time, riding on a roller coaster was what I focused on. I was flying like a bird trying to escape always in the cage. Following my heart. Doing whatever I want even my parents has nothing to do with my behaviour like an animal that has escaped its own prison.Recklessness ruins life in several ways. Till I met the one who radically altered my life.

Throughout my life I was like a child lost in the middle of nowhere. I don't see any specific direction that I must take. Most people say that I think differently my vision is different that the usual kids my age. It all boils down to me when I was High School when having no specific vision in life completely wasted time of my years. During High School in the first month of the year a friend of mine invited me over to their place.

" Anie punta ka Birthday ko ngayon" He said and I replied

" Sure punta ako mamaya "

The place was like a piccadilly circus. It was so busy and crowded. I was stuck and suddenly someone tapped in the back. It was friend Dred. He pulled me over and I sat down in a rustic chair and we started drinking like a fish. Time passed by like wind, maybe because I was euphoric like it was like cloudnine I did not notice that it's already late at night, so I decided to go back to my prison like home. When I dove into my pouch to check for my belongings, suddenly I noticed that my charger was missing. I panicked, my heart stopped for a second. I decided to go back to the place. When I arrived I had my charger right away. I took a little shot of alcohol and decided to leave but then someone saw me and stopped me from leaving.

"Uuwi na ako at medyo gumagabi na hinahanap ako na ako ng parents ko" I said to them

" Mamaya kana umuwi maaga pa naman " they said

They asked me if I am gonna stay a little bit longer and I agreed. It doesn't look like I have an option so I sat down again and now I am in front of guys introducing themselves like a politician campaigning for votes. Except for one guy he didn't give a damn about my number but then he offered me a ride home. He stated that he will just finish one more bottle of alcohol before he drives me home. I was like waiting for ages but then he never finished so I decided to call it a day and leave all by myself.

Some people just meant to be part of our life. After that night, our communication continued. We both fell in love with each other. It felt like everything was like I'm in the stars. We see each other daily and get accustomed to each other. He's like a drug. I got addicted to him as he is to me and all of the sudden unexpected and unplanned things happened boom!.

" Paano na lang ako nito, paano na lang ako kapag nalaman nila ito? Paano na lang ang pag aaral ko? Ano na lang ang sasabihin ng ibang tao sa akin? Ano na lang iisipin sakin ng mga relatives ko. Sana nakinig na lang ako sa magulang ko. Sana nakinig na lang ako sa kanila para hindi nangyari sakin to." I said to myself

I was drowning in tears thinking about the disappointment I had caused to myself and my family. I fear what the people will say. I am officially the kid who is lost in the middle of nowhere. I sob in pain with my thoughts but I found a light and hope knowing that my partner loves me and knowing that he will be in euphoric if he find out. I swallowed my fear and shrugged the thought away. I moved on with my life and accepted that teenage life was over. I see it like a sight of paper burning in a fire slowly fading together with the memories of my younger years.

Being pregnant I have to let go a lot of things. One thing I have to let go is what they called a key to success which my education. Eventhough i stoped my education I was still able to march for my grade 10th moving up. But afterwards I have to completely let go of studies because i need to look after my little one. I pretty much spend of my time to take care of my family and part of a house as a light I devoted my self in myfamily. I'm the mother hen who had the roost. But I enden up being cheated on , I was angry as scorching as fire that rages. I realized how much time I wasted spending with the wrong person. I must face this storm on my own , even tnough I'll be diving into a deep sea of unknown. I've made the decision to set sail and chart a new course , with my daughter as my first mate to a new home.

Life is a delicate balancing ino effect , one wrong decision can bring down everything I've built. I should always heed the advice of others who have gone before me, even if it doesn't seem to matter in the moment. That way I can make sure not to repeat the same mistake twice.

[aniesparadies]

Simile Metaphor

Way back 2020 the Quarantine has started. Quarantine is hell. We have nothing to eat and one of my family member lost his job. Quarantine is hell as flame , Im burning myself inside our home, I can't go anywhere. Covid 19 is sick but grateful that I am safe sound and good.

[aniesparadies]

Here comes the rain

Words have meanings, but names have power.

Many people would always give me nicknames: Ge, Reayan, Nielle, and Anie. Because they couldn't pronounce my name, they would always ask me how I spelled it. Ge     Reanielle, that's my name. It's okay to call me nicknames, but I would appreciate it if people called me by my real name.

Back when my mother was still bearing me in her womb, she and my father had lots of thoughts on what they should name me. "Ge" was a gift that my mother had given me, which was also part of her name. 

As a child, I didn't really like my name because it sounded masculine, but as I grew up, I was able to accept it. I asked my mother, "Why did you give me a name for a boy?" And she replied, "You'll like it anyway."

Just like who I am in real life, my character, "Reanielle," presents herself as a brave person with a good heart and full of hope. I'm that kind of person who faces her life challenges with courage and will never lose hope. 

I'm that kind of person who faces her life challenges with courage and will never lose hope. Reanielle.  I'm a person with a good heart.

I've been searching on the Internet about the meanings of my name, and based on them, I have the power and potential to achieve great things. I tend to be competitive and will not stop until I accomplish my task.

I asked my father what he would name me if given the chance, and he said "Alfreda Gumamela," which made us both laugh even until we went home.

Among my siblings, I have the most unique name. Ge Reanielle.  I'll carry my name with me until I grow old or until I die, because who am I without my name? I learned that I should value my name because that's what I was known for.