"The law of nature to survive is greater than all the laws of men put together."

"In a bloody struggle, sanity, rights, and the golden rule are all consumed by the flaming rage of hate as if all hellfire had engulfed the entire world."

The above quotations are from The Original Writings of Philip Vera Cruz, a collection of manuscripts from Vera Cruz and commentary by the author, Sid Valledor and another professor, E. San Juan. The book is such a strong piece or work considering the manuscripts alone. They are a perfect window viewing the life of a farm worker, a labor leader, and a scholar that never really finished what is considered formal training. However, that last point does not take away from the brilliance of the individual. The context and commentary that Valledor adds are also insightful, but there are some editorial mistakes that take away from the totality of the publication. San Juan's afterword is pure academia, difficult for me to penetrate without reviewing the text over and over. Vera Cruz, however, is clear and resonant. Amazing pieces of work. I think I can learn a lot from the man, even posthumously.

Vera Cruz is a hero. More than ever before, it is clearer in my mind what kind of stance and sacrifice he made for the sake of labor equity. This echoes in my heart because there are struggles for equity even today. Equity in education, in homeownership, in enterprise, in business, and in one area very near and dear to me, Filipino World War II veterans equity. I hear that The Filipino Veterans Equity Act is going to the Congressional Floor for a vote for the first time ever. However, it is not a sure thing. We have to do more. I have to do more.

A friend from college sent me a message heaping me with a lot of praise. I sincerely appreciate it. It made me feel very good. At the same time, I am just not sure if I really have earned it. She said something that struck a chord with me, about being happy, but still feeling like she could do more. I can certainly relate, because it is a feeling that I constantly have. It is probably a feeling that many overachievers have, one that does not allow them to sit for too long and acknowledge and bask in the glory of their good work. A person could go insane if they did not enjoy the bounty of their spoils. As with everything, it seems that balance is key. If I continue to strive for it, maybe one day I'll reach that equilibrium.

I'm transitioning into a new phase where I can be more forward in my planning, as I have spent a lot of time reflecting on myself and my situation. Hopefully I can come up with some resulutions and stick to them. Most people made resolutions at the beginning of the year. I had some in mind, but I've forgetten them now. I wonder how others are doing on theirs.

This weekend, I demonstrated a more domesticated side of me and gave my lola a manicure and pedicure. I am fortunate enough to have the equipment from when my mom was in cosmetology school. She taught me how to massage, soak and scrib, push back and trim cuticles, the proper way to trim, file, and buff nails, applying polish, and moisturizing. I think my lola felt pampered, and she said something like "maging-awa," the meaning of which I'm not entirely sure. It's amazing what a smile can do for a person.

As I was carrying out the procedure, my lola told me more about her childhood, working on the farm and shelling rice with a mortar and pistle. She talked about Lola Apit, her oldest sister, and Lolo Casio, her oldest brother. It was such a therapeutic time. When we slow things down for a moment and live in the moment, we can appreciate life that much more.

I am so lucky to still have my lola. At times, I worry myself sick. Other times, I could not be more caught up in the moment with her. It is certain, however, that the good times outnumber the bad.

Another show that I believe is going to perpetuate the myths of being in a fraternity or sorority. On July 9, 2007, a show called "Greek" is going to premiere on ABC. The poster shows a crushed red Dixie cup. Sure, it's just a cup, but the connotation is that these Dixie cups are used for alcohol at parties. A preview goes on to show a guy who is a "Kappa Tau" walking around in just his boxer shorts and a hat in public and a girl that, reading in between the lines, is going to engage in eating disorder behavior because of an upcoming Rush. There is even a reference to the fraternity comedy "Old School."

This however, begs the question whether or not television mimics reality, or if it is just pure entertainment? Personally, I do not believe there is such a thing. I cannot help but look at a piece of media and see what images and connotations it creates, fosters, or perpetuates. It is my opinion that there is always a deeper meaning, a deeper reasoning that just what is on the surface. Not in a long while have I seen a movie or a show for pure entertainment. Maybe it is my curse. I find more entertainment in my friends and colleagues, and having conversation and sharing memories with them. For example, to hear about my friend's trip to the Philippines for a cultural immersion study. She told me how she stayed with a Kalinga tribe and conversed with them about philosophical theories and realities. She took me there. I enjoyed that.

On another note, I believe that the show is going to thrive off of stereotypes of fraternities and sororities. Here is a reality. One of my fraternity brothers lost his father around the time of a large event called Friendship Games. One by one, as brothers were going down to this event, they showed up at his doorstep, to pay their respects to the man who raised our brother and shaped him to be the amazing individual he was. That's what our brotherhood is all about. It's easy for friends to be around when times are good. True brothers and family will stay by your side even when times are bad.

I find the latest political movement by the Hmong community amazing. It's beautiful. What a wonderful opportunity for us to learn more about the Hmong culture and all the different cultures that now make up America. Our interest lies in our ability as people to teach one another how to express our opinions in positive ways, such as encouraging open discussion and debate. Let's not waste the potential of this learning event.

In my desire to be more precise in my use of the English language, I often criticize the trite phrases that people use on one another. For example, I am critical of the term "potential" when it is utilized to describe a person. Usually, it is used as, "(Insert name here) has so much potential." Personally, I believe that everyone has the potential. Everyone has the potential to be good or bad. Everyone has the potential to do anything that they want. It takes one person or one decision to unlock that potential and turn it into a more kinetic energy.

The cream of the intelligentsia from the wealthy and middle classes with connections attended the colegios San Jose Seminary, the Dominicans' Colegio de San Juan Letran and Colegio de Santo Tomas, and the Jesuits' Ateneo Municipal. Emilio Aguinaldo y Famy had attended Letran; Gregorio del Pilar went to Ateneo, Jose Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso and Epifanio de los Santos attended Ateneo and Santo Tomas. Jose Burgos, Mariano Gomez, Jacinto Zamora, Apolinario Mabini, and Marcelo Hilario Pilar also went to Santo Tomas. Many of the leaders of the reformists and revolutionists came from the middle class, of mixed heritage, well educated, and staunch proponents of foreign thining, namely, the Enlightenment and Liberalism. It was so even in the case of the less fortunate Andres Bonifacio with America.

Andres Bonifacio, born in 1864, had organized the Katipunan on July 7, 1892. The objective was the separation of the Philippines from Spain, but only as a last resort, if the friars were not expelled and political rights not granted to the Filipinos by the Spanish government. The revelation of the subversive secret society led to round-ups, tortures, and even massacres.

On August 16, 1896, in the "Cry of Balintawak," Bonifacio called for independence and to rise in arms; four days later the katipuneros attacked the Spanish garrison at San Juan del Monte. The battle for freedom had begun and with it the casualties of war. Taken from Fort Santiago where he was held a prisoner, Rizal, at the age of thirty-five, was executed by a Spanish firing squad on December 30 at Bagumbayan. The spirit of nationalism, now a revolution, was the first of its kind in Asia. Three months later the Katipunan (Kataastasang Kagalanggalangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan) developed into the revolutionary government headed by Emilio Aguinaldo. On June 12, 1898, Aguinaldo declared the independence of the Philippines.