Baybayin version 2.0: Modernization of the Almost forgotten Ancient Philippine’ Handwriting System

(Based on my article published at: https://www.rappler.com/views/imho/207073-baybayin-modernization-philippine-handwriting-system)

On April 23, 2018, the National Writing System Act (House Bill 1022), a bill filed by Rep. Leopoldo Bataoil (2nd District, Pangasinan), supported by the Department of Education (DepEd), the National Commission for Culture and Arts (NCCA), and Baybayin Buhayin Movement, was approved by House Committee on Basic Education and Culture. The bill aims to use Baybayin script as the country’s national writing system.

Despite this wonderful news, we have a question to ponder: are we ready for the enormous changes Baybayin may bring in our culture and daily living? Will Baybayin be suitable for the modernized lifestyle of the Filipinos? (READ: [OPINION] Can you read Baybayin?)

There are some rules to follow when we are writing the Baybayin. The letters ‘e’ and ‘i’ are written in the same format. The same goes with ‘o’ and ‘u’ where they are written in the similar way. There is no distinction between these letters especially when we are writing the vowels with the consonants. In order to distinguish the ‘e/i’ and ‘o/u’, a kudlit (usually a dot or a comma or a small line) is placed at the top of the Baybayin for the letter ‘e/i', while it is drawn at the bottom for ‘o/u’. Before the Spanish era, the last letter was not written, but it was changed by an Augustinian Priest, Francisco Lopez, when he decided to put ‘+’ or ‘x’ at the bottom of the Baybayin scripts. This means that the vowel of the Baybayin is not read. Thus, the last letter can be written and read also. 

The Philippines is said to be the melting pot of the cultures in South East Asia, with more prominent cultural influences from Europe and America. One of these influences is language. We acquired new letters such as ‘c’, ‘f’, ‘ñ’, ‘j’, ‘q’, ‘v’, ‘x’, and ‘z’, which are not originally included in the Baybayin. There are some adjustments that we are doing to fill up these inadequacies. For example, in writing the word Philippines or Filipino in Baybayin, instead of using the letter/s ‘f’ or ‘ph’, we alter the letter with ‘p’ which has almost similar sound. This is also applicable with the letters ‘v’, ‘x’, and ‘z’ which sound-like ‘b’ and ‘s’. There are letters like ‘ñ’, and ‘j’, that when we add vowel ‘a’ are read as ‘nya’, and ‘dya’. These letters are also written in two syllables or Baybayin scripts. The letter ‘c’ is a little bit special since there are words where we can pronounce it as ‘k’ e.g. calling card; and sometimes in ‘s’ like in center, and cellphone. The last letter ‘q’, when added with letter ‘a’, is sounds-like ‘ka’, but when added by dipthongs ‘ua’, it is read as ‘kwa’. Thus, it will be written to two Baybayin as well.

As the new generations of Filipino come, the languages that we have also evolve and develop. Through simply hearing these languages, we can guess the generation on which they are born. Aside from local language evolution, new discoveries, or inventions around the world have their own nomenclature and adapted or assimilated by the Filipinos in our daily life usage. Examples of these are refrigerator, computer, jeep, and so on. We are writing them in Filipino according on how we pronounce them.

Personally, I support the use of the Baybayin as our national handwriting system, but due to its character insufficiencies, I believe that modernizing or revising the rules of Baybayin before passing it as a law will make it more efficient and adaptable to the world mainstream. Furthermore, as far as I know, there are no additional suggested rules for writing Baybayin after the addition of ‘+’ or ‘x’ during the Spanish era.

Taking note of the aesthetic and the norms of Baybayin, I propose the following amendments to the rules as a guide to modernize the old handwriting system.

1. All of the Baybayin scripts will be written as it is. However, there are some exemptions that will be discussed on the latter rules.

2. When writing the Baybayin vowels, there are no distinction between the ‘e’ and ‘i', and ‘o’ and ‘u’. Thus, to differentiate them to each other, the sign (-) is being recommended to be placed above and below the Baybayin scripts ‘i' and ‘u’, respectively.

3. The Baybayin scripts are all written on its based form: consonant plus the vowel ‘a’. There are symbols written above and below the Baybayin script to replace ‘a’ with the other vowels or to remove it. First, the ( . ) and ( - ) are being placed above the Baybayin script to produce a consonant with ‘e/i’ e.g. ‘be’/‘bi’, and below for consonant with ‘o/u’, e.g. ‘bo’/‘bu’. Moreover, the ‘+’ or ‘x’ sign is being placed below the Baybayin which omits the vowel ‘a’ so that only the consonant remains.

Since there is no distinction between ‘be/bi’ and ‘bo/bu’, the sign ( . ) and ( - ) are suggested to be placed on the top of Baybayin script for ‘be’ and ‘bi’, and to be written below for ‘bo’ and ‘bu’, respectively.

4. The letters ‘f’ or ‘ph’, ‘v’, and ‘z’ which were adopted from other countries have no equivalent Baybayin script. These are being written based on how we pronounced them. In order to use these letters, the symbol ( - ) are being suggested to be written on the side of the Baybayin script. When we pronounce ‘th’, we are blowing out air outside our mouth like when we are pronouncing ‘ph’ or ‘f’. Thus, the same rule is being recommended in writing words/sounds that have ‘th’.

5. The letter ‘ñ’ can be read as ‘ny’ or ‘nya’ when added by the vowel ‘a’. This letter ‘ñ’ or the ‘ny’ with other vowels is very common in the Filipino vocabulary. Examples of these are kanya, pinya, ninyo, Niña, Niño etc. In Baybayin, this single letter is written in two Baybayin scripts. Because of this, it is being proposed to put (~) at the top of the Baybayin script to produce one syllable only. (See the picture below rule #6.)

6. Other than consonant letter ‘n’, there are other letters like ‘b’, ‘d’, ‘p’, ’r’, ‘s’, ‘t’, etc. that are being put together with letter ‘y’ and a vowel to form a part of a word in Filipino. Examples are pasya, nasyonalismo, oryentasyon, palya, tuwalya, batya, kompyuter, etc. Based on the rule #5, the symbol (~) will be placed above the Baybayin script. The rule #3 will always be observed also in case it is being written with the vowels ‘e, i, o, u’.

Moreover, because the word ‘sya’ is homophonous with ‘sha’ while the word ‘tya’ is homophonous with ‘tsa’ and ‘cha’ , therefore the Baybayin script of ‘sya’ for the words with ‘sh’, e.g. Shiela, Shaw Boulevard, fishbol, goldfish, etc. and ‘tya’ for the words with ‘cha’ and ‘tsa’ e.g. tsaa, chico, tsuper, sandwich etc. are being recommended to be used.

7. The letter ‘j’ or ‘dyey’ in Filipino should be written according also to rule #5.

8. The da and ra are both being represented with a single Baybayin script. Because of this, the symbol ( / ) is being suggested to be put below the Baybayin script ‘da’, forming an ‘x’, to create the Baybayin ‘ra’.

9. The letters ‘C’, ‘Q’, and ‘X’ will be written based on how we pronounce or on how we adopt the words in Filipino.

10. There are times when letter ‘Q’ is being translated as ‘kw’ in Filipino. There are also some consonants that are being written with ‘w’. Examples are kwadro, kwarto, kwatro, itatwa, pwede, lenggwahe, karwahe etc. Thus, the letter ‘Q’ and all the consonants that will be written in Filipino as consonant plus ‘w’ will be represented by drawing a second vertical line on the first vertical line of the Baybayin script.

Using an enhanced version of Baybayin (see the baybayin script below) will really help our beloved country to gain much further cultural identity. Despite the fact that this will be a very sensitive issue since amending it will transcend some field of studies like History, Linguistics, Anthropology, Sociology etc., having additional rules, before it is being implemented in the Philippines, is the only way that the Baybayin script will be of use easily in the Filipinos’ daily life. Imagine other Asian countries like Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Chinese, Korea, Japan, etc., that have preserved their handwriting system up to this day. Their own handwriting system does not impede their growth as a country. Instead, it becomes one of the reasons why they have a very rich culture.

The proposed new rules aim to preserve and enrich our culture, and introduce to the whole world that the Philippines are not just a melting pot of cultures but it has its own existing culture before it adapted to the modern world. For me, modernizing the Baybayin script will not signify the end for our handwriting system. Instead, it could mean a stepping stone for progress.

Mabuhay ang Pilipinas! – Rappler.com

The author is a PhD candidate under the program of Biotechnology in the Jeju National University, Jeju City South Korea. This opinion is written to create more public awareness about the Baybayin bill. This is to call the attention of the common people, advocates, and experts; whether Baybayin should be preserved as it is, or improved so we can write it with less difficulty. The author hopes that this will be a guide or start of a more intellectual discussion, (not hate and dispute from the Filipinos) to save the almost forgotten treasure of the older generation of our country. All of the proposed additional rules have been created without the knowledge of other existing proposal, if there will be, for the amendment of Baybayin. Moreover, all of the Baybayin scripts, which are used on this article, were edited from the scripts taken here.

The author would like to thank the following persons for giving their insights and advises about his opinion on the modernization of Baybayin script: Prof. Inero Ancho, Prof. Ron Laranjo, Ms. Ayesha Sayseng, Mr. Joseph Basconcillo and Mr. Aris Rosaga.

x

Pahimakas sa Pag-ibig kong Wagas

I

Noong isang araw, 

Habang binabagtas ko ang daan patungo sa aking laboratoryo, 

Bigla akong napatigil sa paglalakad kahit sobrang tindi na ng aking kalamigan,

Alam mo ba ang dahilan?

May nakita akong isang napakagandang paru-paro sa gitna ng snow!

Paru-paro sa gitna ng snow! 

Wow! Ang una kong nasabe.

Manghang-mangha ako, dahil napakaimpossible. 

Batid naman nating lahat, 

Na ang paru-paro'y t'wing tagsibol at tag-init lang nagkalat.

Kung mangyari man ito, 

Karaniwan ay tagsibol na ng marso.

Pero ngayon pa lang ay Pebrero,

Kasagsagan pa ng walang tigil na pagbagsak ng snow. 

O anong rikit nitong aking natunghayan,

Tila isang painting sa gitna ng nakaframe na puting larawan.

Sobrang galak na galak ako, halos matimang sa aking nasaksihan.

Di iniinda ang labis na tindi ng yaring kaginawan.

Sa aking kahangalan, ay di ko napigilan. 

Paru-paro'y aking tuluyang hinawakan.

Biglang bumalik ako sa aking katinuan.

Paru-paro pala'y sa mundo na'y lumisan. 

Mula ngayon, aking patuloy aalahanin,

Na minsan sa isang taglamig, ako'y di sinasadyang umibig.

Tulad nitong paru-parong impossibleng maangkin.

Pero mapusok ko pa ring kinabig.

Paru-parong giliw, anong nangyari? 

II

Patawad kung ang iniisip mo ay inibig kita dahil sa'yong career, 

Patawad kung para sa iyo lahat ito'y mali

Ako ay nagmahal hindi dahil sa propesyon mo,

Ito ay dahil sa una pa lang ako ay nabihag mo. 

Patawad sa kapusukan,

Patawad sa katangahan,

Patawad sa kahangalan,

Puso ko'y tunay na umibig sayo hirang.

Patawad sa mga tahimik na sandali, 

Patawad kung pangako ay nabali,

Patawad sa mga masasakit kong nasabi,

Patawad sa damdaming di ko nakubli. 

Patawad kong di ako ang yong naging lakas,

Sa gitna ng lahat ng surilanin mong namamalas,

Patawad kung pinilit kong maging iyong kalasag,

Kahit na ang totoo, loob ko'y lasog at lasag.

Patawad kung ang mga payo kong nagmukhang drama 

Patawad kung ito'y parang ingay sa iyong tenga

Patawad kung ako sayo'y naging pasakit at abala,

Patawad kung sa problema mo, ako'y nagpalala. 

Patawad kung sa loob ng mahabang panahon,

Di tayo pinagtagpo ng panahon,

Kahit ang puso natin ay pinagbigyang saglit,

Para kakaibang pag-ibig ay masulit.

Patawad muli. 

III 

Salamat sa sandaling kasiyahan, 

Ako ngayo'y walang pinagsisisihan.

Sa tagal ng puso kong nalumbay at nahibang,

Sa isang taglamig at pasko, ako'y nabuhayan. 

Salamat sa kilig na talaga namang ako'y napapangiti.

Sa mga nagdaang umaga't gabi 

talagang tinig mula sa iyong labi

Ang aking walang ibang minimithi.

Salamat sa pagbibigay pag-asa, 

Nung ako ay halos lumung-lumo, dumating ka sinta,

Salamat sa pagtanggap sa akin,

Sa kabila nitong sumpang sakit na suliranin. 

Salamat sa matatamis na salita,

Sa mga lihim at paniniwala,

Salamat sa plano at pangarap

Pakiramdam ko noon ako ay nasa alapaap.

Salamat sa pagbabahagi ng oras at sarili, 

Salamat sa mabubuting bagay na di ko man masabi,

Salamat sa mga exciting na movie scripts at walang katumbas na moba natin,

Salamat sa pag-ibig na sana ay habang buhay ng naging akin. 

Salamat ng walang kapantay.

IV

Sadyang lahat ng bagay ay may hangganan,

Nagtatapos din ng di mo inaasahan.

Tulad ng paru-paro sa puting puting nyebe,

Ang magtagal ay talagang impossible.

Walang araw kitang di iniisip, ano nga ba dapat kong gawin, 

Ano nga ba ang dapat kong sabihin para loob mo'y palakasin,

Ngunit sa di inaasahang tadhanang aking sasapitin,

Sa pandinig at paningin mo, ako'y naging ingay at balakid din. 

Sa isang matinding problemang sa ati'y sumubok lamang,

Sa isang iglap, nawala ako sayong kamalayan.

Parang ang pag-iral ko ay naging isang kasinungalingan.

Kathang isip mo lamang.

Ngayon, hayaan mo muna ang puso kong nabigo, 

Hayaan mo muna akong mangarap muli ng buo.

Hayaan mong matanggap na minsan ikaw ay naging akin,

Ngunit di na talaga yata makakapiling. 

Hindi mo alam kung gaano kasakit sa akin ito.

Pero sa tingin ko ito ang makakabuti sa atin, lalo na sayo.

Bawas abala at alalahanin.

Para ang sakit sa isip at puso ay di na iindahin.

Ayaw kong madinig mula sa bibig mo ang sorry o paumanhin! 

Ayaw kong dahilan mo, sa akin ay bibigkasin!

Sapat na sa akin na sa kabila ng kalusugan at kalagayan ko,

May isang taong naniwala, at minsan ay tinanggap ako. 

Pakatatag kang parati.

V 

Kung sakaling aksideteng sa hinaharap tayo ay magkita,

Ngiti mo sa akin ay wag mong ipagkait sinta.

Wag kang umiwas o mahiya sana,

Sa kwentuhan natin ikaw ay maging natural at masigla.

Kahit sa kaliit liitang pagkakataon, kung ako ma'y iyong habulin, 

Malaman mong nagkamali ka at manghinayang ka sa relasyon natin,

Teka lang ha, illusyon ko lang to kc impossible yata talaga tonng mangyari, 

Kasi kaligayahan mo ay aking nadadama kahit wala ako sayong piling. 

Nawa ang naging relasyon natin ay wag mahaluan ng pintas at kasamaan,

Siguro, maaring temporary na kapaitan,

Pero sana ay iyong maintindihan.

Pasenya na di ko kayang sayo ngayon ay makipagkaibigan.

Nais kong mabatid mo, 

Noong panahon na naging tayo,

Ako ay naging tunay, totoong totoo.

Walang iba kundi ikaw ang laman ng puso at isipan ko. 

Dinggin mo nawa sana itong munting pakiusap ko.

Sa susunod kang pumasok sa relasyon kahit kanino,

Maging seryoso ka, tapat, at sincero.

Wag mo ng hayaang muli, tadhana natin ay masapit din nyo.

Ito nawa'y wag mo na sanang sagutin, 

Para ang sugatang damdamin ko'y wag mo ng dagdagang pakirutin.

Ako'y mabilis mong malilimot din. 

Tutal tayo'y nasa magkalayong lupain. 

Mula noon, ngayon at magpakailanman, hangad ko at panalangin, 

O Diyos nawa'y ikaw lubos pang pagpalain,

Manatili kang matatag sa lahat ng suliranin,

Kalusugan at career ay patuloy pagyabungin.

Kaya mula ngayon, habang kaya ko pa at ako ay nasa katinuan, 

Desisyon ko nawa ay igalang,

Mahal na mahal kita.

Kahit ang sakit-sakit na. 

Malaya ka na irog ko!

Paalam.

*All pictures are ctto.

Paalam 'toy

When people ask me about my family, I always answer that I have a very big family. I have 1 mother, 2 fathers, 4 brothers and 1 sister. I always include Papa Louie and the members of Nineveh Artspace family. It’s so complicated for other people but for me it’s not. Because of them, I always believe that family is not only by being related by blood, but also through your emotions, acceptance, and love to each other. I never thought that I will have a real brother from different mother, and this is what I’m always grateful of.

I remember when I became part of the Nineveh Family last August 2005, we (I and Victor) were so cold to each other. We were just exchanging “Hi”, and cut the conversations immediately. I thought you (Victor) were so mad at me when I used most of your clothes in the house. :P After a year, we started talking to each other. Our conversation got often when you gave me my first musical score “Canon in D”. I was studying piano on my own, and you were giving me tips, although I don’t even get close to your skills. We conversed often. You became so talkative! lol We talked about papa, kuya vien, loloy, piolo, carlo, karsten, the sevilla’s, law school, politics, religion, music, arts, literally, anything under the sun.

On the 24th of December 2008, I remember it clearly. We had a heart to heart talk in San Pablo. That was the first time you opened up yourself to me. You opened up our family situation, about Kuya Jonas. You asked me if I could be your real brother (although we are not legally brothers). The brother that you will always run to, since kuya Jonas was gone. Then, the next scene was so silly when you asked who should be called “kuya”. Since I am older than 4 months old, you call me kuya. When you are calling me with my name, I know you are pissed off or angry with me. Then for the next years, it’s so strange that even though we are apart from each other, we never lose our bond. From that time on, we know that we are brothers.

When I decided to study here in Korea, you always call or message me. You are one of the few people who always ask how I am. You always have these crispy and juicy stories about your work, your studies, about our family. I remember that there were some months in 2014 that you didn’t talk to me because I didn’t give the name of the person I was dating. You felt that you were so untrustworthy. Then, we finally made up on the Christmas Eve. I know that our bond as brothers got stronger because of that. We got closer. We had our stories, dramas, and petty fights. There were times that you were asking me to introduce to some people because of your work. I got mad and shouted you on phone because you said “Ipakilala kitang parang kapatid” (to introduce you that we are like brothers) just to avoid further explanations. You know that I will never ever see you as “parang kapatid”, because we are brothers.

(Artwork by: tito nuki)

Last December 9 morning when I opened my eyes, I couldn’t believe what happened. At first, I didn’t know how to feel after reading the news in FB. I couldn’t even think properly. I called papa to confirm it. I messaged Carlo. Looked for kuya vien’s account. I still can’t believe it. I’m so shocked. We were just chatting last Thursday, telling me that there’s a new road to hasten our next trip to Baguio. We were just planning of your visit here in Korea with Papa some months ago. When I’m down because of my lab, you were always sending me message like “kaya yan! Kapit lang!” showing your deep support and faith that I can graduate next year. I was hoping that I can at least give you something for your studies. We were planning to save money for our family travels. We were just discussing how difficult being a student. We were just discussing about you and kring, your plans of settling with her. We were just talking about your office, law school, and my PhD life. You were just teasing me of my foolishness. We were… Vic. What happened?

After barely recovering for the last loss I had in my life, here it comes a new one…. But I know you, my dear brother, will be in Heaven. You will now see kuya Jonas often. You can play together again. Thank you for treating and accepting me as your brother, and as a member of the Family. Thank you for the joy, consoling, tears, quarrels, and love. I’m sorry if I can’t go home because of my passport problems. I wish I can see you. I wish you can play piano again while I’m singing in the house. I wish…. haaaays

Sa ika-siyam na araw ng iyong pagpanaw, paalam mahal kong kapatid. Sana alam mo kung gaano kahirap para sa akin ang hindi ka man lang masilayan bago ka ihatid sa iyong huling hantungan. Haaaays pero alam kong masaya ka na dyan sa langit. Siguro masaya ka na dyan kasi marami ng pwedeng kainin. wala ng bawal. hehehe. kaso wala ng alak jan. hahaha  Ikamusta mo ako kay Kuya Jonas at Tem. Hindi mo man marinig ang mga katagang ito, batid mo naman na mahal na mahal kita. Hanggang sa muling pagkikita. 

10 Payong Kaibigan kung Paano mo Dapat Tratuhin ang iyong mga Manliligaw

    Sa loob ng ilang taon, alam mo ba na mayroong humigit kumulang na 1578157615375981836187619861761872 na tao na brokenhearted. Syempre gago lang ang maniniwala dyan. Hindi tunay yang statistics na yan. hahaha Pero alam mo ba kung bakit maraming single. Tumpak! Kasi dahil sa mga nililigawan na sobrang magpahirap at napaka-paasa. Nagkakaroon naman ng isang relasyon kapag sinagot ng nililigawan ang nanliligaw. Pero dahil sa mga pahirap at kalabuang dinadanas ng mga lalaki, Marami ang natatakot o natotorpe o ayaw ng manligaw. Hindi naman sa lahat, pero karamihan ay nagiging ganito na beyond pakipot. Kelangan niyo kaming tratuhin ng maayus dahil hindi naman kami basta naghahayag ng damdamin kung kani-kanino. So mga kapatid eto yung payo ko sa inyo. 

       Oo nga pala. Yung mga sumusunod na bilang pagkatapos ng #1 eh para lang kung may nararamdaman ka or kapag confused ka pa sa nararamdaman mo para sa kanya. Kung wala kang nararamdaman, tapusin mo na kaagad ang paghihirap nung manliligaw mo. Wag mo ng ituloy basahin.

1. Be honest with your feeling. 

         Wag kang pahopya! Masarap ang hopya pero hindi sa lahat ng pagkakataon. If ayaw mo sa kanya, sabihin mo kaagad. If may nararamdaman ka naman, sabihin mo right away, pero tell him/her your conditions. And tell him or her to wait. Bigyan mo ng something concrete, kasi sabi ko sayo mahirap tumulay ng nakapiring sa bangin ng walang kasiguruhan. Wag mong landiin ang tubig sa ilog kung hindi ka naman lulusong! Tandaan mo, sya yung magiging future mong karelasyon. So part ng process yung mag kaintindihan kayo. kaya linawin mo na kaagad habang maaga. 

2. Be reasonable. 

         Ipaliwanag mo ng maayus kung bakit mo ginagawa yung mga bagay-bagay. Kung mahal ka talaga nung tao, mauunawaan nya yun kahit gaano kahirap at kumplikado yung mga bagay bagay. Wag ka lang magsasabi ng "basta, tse, ewan ko sayo at bahala ka." Eh anu naman kung matagal kang karelasyon or bago ka sa ganitong relasyon. Hindi naman dahil nagkaroon na dati ay bihasa ka na. Sa bawat relasyon na sinisimulan mo, sumisibol ang bagong pag-ibig at pakikipagsapalaran ninyong 2 sa buhay. Ndi naman mauulit yung memories kasi magkaibang tao naman kayo at yung mga naging katipan niyo.

3. Communicate. 

         Ang relasyon ay kelangan patuloy na pagkakailanlan ng dalawang tao. Hindi lang yung isang side ang nakikinig. Give and take yan. Baka wala ng laway yung isa kakasalita, or naubusan na ng kwento, tse lang ang nasabi mo. Kung ayaw mo naman sya kausap dahil busy ka, sabihin mo. Wag mo din siyang i-seen. Masakit yung nag-aantay ka sa wala. Sabihin mo ng maayus na busy ka. Makakaunawa yun. Ndi naman kelangan maya’t maya kayo magkausap eh. Gusto lang nung malaman kung anu na ng aba ang nangyari sayo.

4. Give some effort. 

         Ito ay kailangang kailangan lalo na kung malayo kayo sa isa’t-isa. May mga bagay na kelangan niyong isakripisyo. Pagod, puyat, pera, tulog, at oras kung gusto niyo talagang maging kayo o ituloy kung anong meron kayo. Kung panay ang tanggi mo sa mga paanyaya niya tulad ng paglabas niyo, magkikita kayo, o kahit yung simpleng tawag, Mahirap yan! Kelangan magbigay ka ng effort para ipakita mo na mahalaga din siya. 

5. Be considerate. 

         Minsan kasi kahit di mo sabihin pero pag nakita mo, parang ang dami mo ng nasabi. Marami ng nangyari. Yung Makita ka lang nya, seryoso yun. Heaven ang pakiramdam! Korni na kung korni. Pero talagang may mga tao na kapag nakita mo nagbabago ang ihip ng hangin. Nakakagaan at nakakapawi ng pagod yun lalo na kung litong-lito na sya sa buhay nya. 

         Ipadama mo na gusto mo ring maging parte sya ng buhay mo or ikaw ng buhay nya. Kapag may mga pangarap o lugar syang gustong marating sa buhay subukan mong sumama or kahit tagpuin mo lang kung around the area ka. Gusto niyang gumawa ng masasarap na ala-ala. Masabi niya sa sarili niya na magkasama naming tong narating, o dun kami nagpanagpo at kumain. Hindi matutumbasan ng pera at ng kahiht anong bagay pa sa mundo ang totoong saya na dulot ng matamis na ala-ala. Lalo na kung ang ala-ala niyo ay kayong dalawang magkasama.

6. Be a good listener. 

         Wag kang magalit kung may mga rants at problema syang ibinabahagi sayo. It means malaki ang tiwala nya at respeto sayo. Nahinga lang sya or nahingi ng payo dahil kinikilala nya ang pang-unawa mo. Ndi lang yan basta drama. Humahagilap din naman sya ng lakas ng loob at kapal ng mukha para ipakita sayo ang kahinaan nya sa buhay.

7. Matuto kang magpahalaga. 

         Kapag nagregalo sya, wag mo naman basta tatanggihan lalo na kapag halos ang tagal ninyong pinalano. Sabihin mo na kaagad na wag kung ayaw mo or di mo kayang tanggapin. Kapag may ibinabahagi sya katulad ng mga sulat, tula, kwento, kanta, give time para pakinggan o basahin ito. Sobra-sobrang puspos siya ng kung kaninumang espiritu yun para makagawa ng isang obra at maihandog sayo. Pinagpawisan at binuhos niya din ang emosyon nya para matapos yun. 

8. Wag mo siyang sabihan ng "Kaibigan" mo lang siya. 

        Dapat maging specific kayo lalo na kung ligawan stage pa lang. Mahirap kasing magselos, umasa, magalit, atbp kung wala ka sa lugar. Kung wala kang karapatan. Ok lang naman maging magkaibigan ang turing niyo pero ndi ang nararamdaman ninyo.

9. Learn how to share. 

         Wag na wag kang maging selfish tungkol sa sarili mo. Halos naikwento na nung nanliligaw sayo yung tungkol sa sarili niya, pamilya niya, X, mga kaibigan, kaaway, nakasalubong na tao, panaginip, history ng mundo at Pilipinas, kung paano gumawa ng sinigang at adobo, kung paano tumubo ang munggo sa ilalim ng puno ng manggang kalabaw, kung paano umiikot ang pluto sa araw, kung bakit kailangan mong mag-statistic analyses sa bawat experiments mo, kung bakit matamis ang asukal, kung ano ang kinalaman ng hydrogen bonding sa pag-ibig niya para sayo, atbp. Pero siya walang alam sayo kundi trabaho mo, saan ka nagpunta, anong kinain mo. Dahil sa tipid mong magsalita o reply (kung text), hindi niya nga alam ang paborito mong kulay, paborito mong pagkain, lugar, pagkain at kung anu-ano pa. Ni hindi niya rin alam kung sino sino yung mga taong importante sayo, kung anong pangalan ng magulang, kapatid, at aso mo. Hoooooooy! Ang hirap kayang magsalita mag-isa. Try mong humarap sa pader tapos dun ka magkwento. Tingnan mo kung ano ang pakiramdam.

         Ang ligawan ay panahon upang makilala ninyo ang isa’t isa. Panahon kung saan niyo pinapanday ang tiwala sa isa't-isa. Hindi ito panahon ng makilala mo lang siya.

10. Wag kang matakot na magsabi ng “mahal kita” o aminin mo sa isang tao na mahal mo siya. 

        

         Hindi nakakabawas yun ng pagkatao. Sabihin mo yun habang may-oras pa. Base na rin sa sarili kong karanasan. Ayaw ko ng mangyari yung mga ganung bagay. Malay mo kasi kinabukasan, Huli na. wala na sya sa buhay mo or pag-aari nap ala sya ng iba. Hindi natin alam kung ano mangyayari sa atin kinabukasan. Baka puro pagsisisi lang ang magkakaroon tayo at nakakapanlumong panghihinayang. Tandaan mo din na hindi dahil sinabi mong mahal mo yung isang tao ay kayo na, sapagkat ang relasyon ay dapat isang pagkakaintindihan ng dalawang pusong nag-iibigan. So basically, kelangan mo syang sagutin. Note: wag mong sasabihin ang salitang ito lalo n akung awa lang ang nadarama mo para dun sa tao. It will be more disastrous. So balik ulit sa number 1 – Be honest with your feelings.

Kung may nanliligaw sayo ngayon, Umayos ka kaibigan. :)

(Dahil nabuburyong ako dito sa dami ng babasahin at trabaho sa akin lab, binisita kong muli itong aking blog para magbasa-basa. At dahil sa labis na katuwaan na nabibigkas ko ng malakas ang wikang tagalog, aksidente kong naisulat ang mga katagang naririto. Sana ay nagustuhan niyo. Oo nga pala. ***Pictures at video: ctto)