Wattpad Works: Grand Finale of Seven Minutes In Heaven

On September 6, 2016, I began publishing Seven Minutes in Heaven on my Wattpad account. This story is a spin-off from The Set-Up Wedding which narrates the love story of Jude Castillo's younger brother, Efren and his college sweetheart, Matilda.

I started off by launching a little Seven Minutes In Heaven Teaser Video .

After all the cute lovey-dovey but wild scenes during their college days, to the intense passionate adulthood and return of the long lost and gone, Matti, the story is finally coming to its end this Saturday night.

First Wattpad book cover of Seven Minutes in Heaven.
Photos used are from www.wallcoo.com, the rest of the editing/changes are made via Wattpad Covers app.

I would like to thank God, first and always, because even if I am currently in a sort-of a problematic career situation, He made this situation a way for me to write a new story that will put tears in people's eyes, make them want to strangle a guy (Efren), gasp in the intense passionate scene, and make them fall in love. (I am not sure though if these are the effects of #7MinutesInHeaven to my readers, but I am hoping, as always!)

And of course, I am thankful to my family, because they have always been supportive with my writing adventures (ever since I was a kid), and I feel sorry sometimes because they experience my crankiness at times when my flow in writing is disturbed... (I am really sorry, it's just part of the process *sobs*).

I am also thankful to have the love of my life who is also supportive with my writing ventures. He is the one who taught me to look at writing in different angles (that it is not just an art but something more), and I know I still have a lot to learn. If I dedicate The Set-Up Wedding to my parents and grandparents, I dedicate Seven Minutes in Heaven to him.

The second and final book cover for Seven Minutes in Heaven. The photo used is taken from Google Images, the rest of the editing/changes are made via Wattpad Covers app.

I will miss writing Efren and Matilda's love story. At first, it was hard for me to start the story, I always feel like something was missing... or Effy and Matti lacked something to make me write more about them. But like what the couple wanted to teach everyone, I learned to sacrifice some things in order for my relationship with Efren and Matilda to work. And it did, I finally got to know who Efren and Matilda are, and how to tell my readers who Efren and Matti are. (Why not? Efren's apparition always bugged me at night! Lol. Just trying to be funny.)

So, tonight is going to be the grand finale. You might ask, what should you expect from the ending of their love story? There will be a never-ending Author's Note and a list of songs that made it to my playlist when I wrote the novel. There will be abs and reconciliations and some partying and surprises and confettis. It will be fun, it will be nostalgic, it will make you feel like, I should have written more chapters because that's how I sincerely felt when I finished the story last night, that's why I had a lot of editing done with it... because I feel like I should write more...

What happens next after Efren and Matilda's heavenly story? I am planning to write about another Castillo (guess who?) but I want to prioritize some suspense-detective-teen fiction for a change because I have been writing so much romance these past 15 years (Yes, fifteen years!)

But I always tend to change my mind, so let's see!

And don't worry, the story will stay available and free to be read on Wattpad, unless my publisher gives me an assurance or approval that they will publish #7MinutesInHeaven. I will announce that, if ever.

Wattpad Works: Seven Minutes In Heaven 2

Hello, guys :)

I already made a blog last month about Seven Minutes in Heaven and from that blog post I mentioned that 10 chapters are available... now, there's 40+ (to be accurate 45 chapters) so, I am glad (and proud) to announce that Efren and Matilda's story is going to come to an end soon :'( (Okay, now I am not so sure if I should be glad or sad...)

So before everything ends, catch up with the story :) Read. And be one of the 1000 people who did just that. Thank youuuuu <3

(P.S. And gimme some iced coffee, please.)

Featured: From Eroica With Love

A picture of the manga that I posted on my IG & FB account :)

So here we go again with the "Featured" posts from yours truly. And in this post, it will be all about From Eroica with Love by Aoike Yasuko.

From Eroica with Love is a manga that I label as yaoi, comedy, crime and investigation type of story. (Sorry, I am not an otaku so I don't know how you define this thing, guys, hahaha!)

The lead character is Earl Dorian who is an aristocrat art thief who believes that he gets whatever he wants. And his nemesis in the story is Iron Klaus or Major Klaus Eberbach who is initially after Earl/Eroica until his missions were diverted with other crimes BUT by the twists of fate, they still cross each other's paths. So that's where the adventure begins.

My Comment: I really love this story. Period. I just can't help laughing on most of the parts. I learn some stuff about art. It is said that some of the characters in this story resemble the members of the band Led Zeppelin, but as much as I want to research who's-who, I decided not to because, I am more absorbed with the story than with what inspired it. The story is never boring, it is fun to read.

At first, I am uncomfortable with the concept of yaoi. I have nothing against the third gender, I am just not comfortable seeing them in the way the manga has conceptualized them (e.g. Earl and Caesar's scenes where they keep on chasing each other around and seducing.) But I got used to it anyways, hahaha! :)

I like the way Earl and Klaus think. They are really smart people in the story. Earl is strategic, at the same time he knows how to use people (his people) to get what he wants (e.g. James) and Klaus is smart as well and he knows how to foresee events without any kind of telepathic powers of some sort. Klaus also knows how to use people, he uses threat or blackmail to get what he wants (e.g. Sending anyone who doesn't follow his orders to Alaska). They have different set of values (as Earl said in the manga) but both have beautiful perspectives about art.

My favorite character is James. (I sound so biased because that is also my boyfriend's name, hahaha!)

So anyways, yes, he is my favorite character. Period. He makes me laugh everytime his part comes in the manga.

Currently, I am still on volume 2, chapter 5. I have to tell myself to stop reading this manga for a while because I have stories to write and a blog to update and this day is my only day off for this week.

I recommend this story for anyone who likes a light read, but also a challenging one. :)

Love,

AnanymouslyInLove <3

Point-Of-View: Love and Differences

It was hard to imagine watching two people so into each other. You could see them happy together, their tastes matched with each other and their differences only made them more interested with each other.

But these were only the disillusions of love. Sometimes, we would always find our partner's difference as something unique about him or her. We would start to love that about them, because it was a sign of their individuality. Their difference made them want them more for we believed that we are in love when we accept them for their difference, for who they are.

Source: Decohubs.com

Of course, that is what really love is, but how long could your relationship flow smoothly with your differences?

Small differences are no big deal. It would not matter if he likes the color blue and you like orange, if he is too tall or too short for you, if she is too ugly or too pretty for you, if she is smarter in Physics than you.

What about the big differences? What if the guy is a Born-Again and the girl is a Catholic? What if she wanted financial stability at the age of 35 before getting married and he wanted to get married at the age of 25? What if he wanted to live in their own home, far from relatives while the girl wants to live in a compound close to her parents' house once they get married? What if she wanted to work abroad and he didn't want her to? What if he wanted to put up a business managed by him and his future wife and she just wanted to stay employed?

Source: Suitcasestories.com

You may have different religions or beliefs, difference attitudes or personalities, but there will come a point that both of you have to compromise. And when we compromise, it would be either one would sacrifice their own belief for the other, or both would not do what they plan to do so that it would not make one of them sacrifice their own belief.

But there will come a time when one of them should sacrifice and give up their beliefs, their personalities, their principles just to make the relationship work.

Would you do that for love?

Could you give up your religion? Your beliefs? All the little pieces of your puzzle that makes you whole when they are put together?

Could you? Would you?

And would you still love a person when they could not give you what you wanted? If they could not do what you want them to do? Would you still love them if they refused to adapt to what you believe in? To what your principles are?

Could you? Would you?

For how long? To what extent?

(c) OriginalAS/Anamarie Soya

Point-Of-View: A Graduate's Love Blues

College-- during the final stage of completing your education attainment goals, there are more advantages than disadvantages: higher allowance, more freedom to make your own decisions, open opportunities to work or meet new people, parties, enjoyable school's educational activities, being to different places and an acceptable reason to be in a relationship.

I am not saying that having relationships in high school is illegal, but of course, during those years, parents are more protective of you and on the other hand, you are younger and have little rational knowing on how to make a relationship work. While in college, of course, your parents may consider to let you have a boyfriend or girlfriend because you are older or of legal age (18 and above) which means you are more capable of making wise decisions regarding the relationship you are putting yourself into, although they are also expecting that you'll reach out to them somehow if ever there is more that you need to understand about relationships.

So, that's what exactly happened to me and believe me, I managed making my relationships known by my parents, although I have a feeling that this is a lot more serious than the earlier ones.

Everything worked so well, starting from courtship to dating and finally, meeting each other's parents.



Every relationship is smooth sailing at times, sometimes, experiencing storms or rocked by some corals; but then, two sailors working hand in hand can get through those.

Until that day came, when they announced about it. I never saw it coming.
No, actually, I saw it coming-- we expected it, we worked for it, we yearned for it.
Yes, I am talking about the announcement of our graduation day.

Of course, we want it. We built a lot of dreams for ourselves, for each other and for our own families that graduating can give.

But just thinking about after the graduation makes me worry sometimes

Of course, after collecting all your documents, you will have to find a job, you will have to go to interviews, and if you did not pass, go and hunt for jobs again.

If you pass? Of course, you will have to work according to the schedule they will give you (obviously) and sometimes, overtime is inevitable which might drive you crazy thinking, What? Let's just go out next week? Why can't we just have a date tonight?

Let's add meeting new workmates, getting along with them, going out with them for fun because you have to maintain a good relationship with people you work with. Oh no, how if he/she likes someone new?

After your working hours, finally, time to go home, but uh-oh! You might encounter a looong line of vehicles, a heavy traffic that may eat a lot of hours. Phew!

Then, at the end of the day, you will have to take care of yourself-- do the laundry, eat, clean the house or at least, help your parents with it. How many hours are left for you to have even a little chat or meet-up with your sweetheart?

A rational mind will tell that it is not impossible to handle a relationship while working; while a crazy-in-love heart will just groan in a corner and ask, "How are you going to handle this now? I have such an insatiable hunger for love nothings and stuff like that."

Maybe, the best reply to it is, "Behave, Heart. Behave. Your relationship will be safe with just the right adjustment. Priorities first."

(c) OriginalAs/March21,2015

Point-Of-View: Fifty Shades of Grey Movie

Since I started blogging, I only made reviews about three movies-- A Fistful of Dollars, A Few Dollars More and The Good, The Bad and The Ugly-- all that came from The Dollars Trilogy. So now,  the fourth movie on the list is Fifty Shades of Grey.

As a reader of this book trilogy, I became interested when I heard it will be coming out in cinemas I wondered how the movie will be different from the book, or will it have any difference with what's in the book?

Unfortunately, I did not memorize stories that I read, therefore, I cannot state any observation whether there are changes in some details or dialogues in the movie as compared to what is written in the book (although I already read blogs that confirm there have been changes like the scene where Anastasia used "Stop" instead of "Red".)

So there, me and my boyfriend watched the movie together. Both of us stared seriously on the screen, sometimes we poke at each other, laugh at each other when the steamy scenes are on and we will awkwardly look away from  it (but only for a few seconds). As for me, the sexual detail of the film doesn't matter too much but the over-all output of it. But yes, I admit, the execution of the sexual scenes are steamy.

Our opinion varied. I focused on the cinematography, the execution of the scenes or the movie being a movie, since I already know the story while my boyfriend seemed to focus on the characters.

The first thing I noticed was how the scenes were cut. I frankly told him I don't like how the scenes were cut, I feel like there are parts of the book that are being taken away or not included. My guy just said that maybe they are trying to fit in all the scenes in the book in standard movie duration (from one to two hours), so some of the scenes had to be cut out to maximize the time. I just agreed on that. Maybe I felt like that since I read the whole book.

About the characters, not all of them or their characteristics seemed to be emphasized or given emphasis in the film. Of course, they shouldn't steal the spotlight from the lead characters but supporting characters just like Taylor are lovable in the books of E.L. James.

Other than that, the visual presentation gave me less amour from Christian Grey than the way I used to like him while reading the books. Jamie Dornan portrayed a very cold man in the movie and not how vulnerable Christian Grey have always been in my imaginations. I can't tell if he executed the character right or wrong; but he did a good job on the film (in my opinion). Dakota did a good job as well, in fact, she displayed more emotions into the film. She was good at delivery of Anastasia's emotions even through her facial expressions.

And yes, my admiration for Love Me Like You Do never changed. I really loved that scene when they were in Charlie Tango and that epic song played. I love the mixing of the song in that scene and the wonderful bird's eye-view shot as well over the bright city lights.

What about my boyfriend's point-of-view?

He haven't read the trilogy yet when we watched. He was quiet on the first parts of the film. On the Clayton's hardware store scene, he started commenting that Christian seemed to be stalking Anastasia, (so to those who have comments like this, you are not alone) then we proceeded into watching. Sometimes, he would ask me questions if this or that scene in the movie was in the book.

Then, when the bar scene came on, he just said, "Look at what alcohol do to people."

The next comment he gave was when Christian Grey showed Anastasia his Red Room of Pain. He laughed at the scene commenting that he's too expensive when it comes to making love. (Oh yes, his financial practicality never fades); it was as if he was trying to tell me "Did he have to buy all that to be able to make love?" He even asked me if Christian will murder Anastasia in the end. I said no. I also remember when he asked me on some part of the film that if Christian will not murder Anastasia, will she kill Christian Grey instead? I gave him a spoiler which did not discouraged him to watch further though.

And on the restaurant scene where Anastasia drinks with her mother, Christian Grey appears again, making my boyfriend murmur that he's really stalking Anastasia.

Until the film progressed and we reached the final scene of love making and Anastasia's confrontation with Christian; which resulted to letting Christian hit her six times.

We asked for each other's point of view and I just ended up saying, "Men shouldn't be sadists."
While he in return said, "Women shouldn't let men do sadist things to them."

Respecting each other's point of views, we played some arcade games before we went home happily.

Note: Edited for additional review/point-of-view

(c) OriginalAS/march152015
Copyrights for the images used belongs to their respective owners

Point-Of-View: Love and Material Things

Seen this picture on Facebook? It was posted by Virgin Radio Lebanon page and I was a little blown away by the comments I have read. Well, of course, my little devilish side always crave on slapping people back to their senses.

But instead of joining the argument, I just shared the picture and there is where I put my comments about it that goes like this:

There is something trivial about love such as the relation of material things in it. Well, we obviously knew that not a material thing can equalize love, nor money can buy love. And of course, these do not guarantee that anyone who gives you an ice cream, flowers, necklaces or rings. But then, for all the true lovers out there, we tend to provide the people we love with these material things (or any other things) not to buy their love or blind them with money you've got or you can afford, but it is simply because you want to make them happy through these. Maybe it seems too shallow, but what we always target is the pleasant surprise in their eyes or the smile on their faces- that is how much we love them. We don't have to play saints, we have to admit that we live in this world and that somehow we also want a solid, material evidence of our love for them or a material thing that expresses our feelings, just like why wedding rings are made of, or necklaces or friendship bracelets. It does not equalize the love we feel, but at least, these makes our loved ones happy and feel appreciated, we want to make them feel that we don't regret and we are willing to spend money on them and these things become a solid representation of it, of our love, something that whenever we cannot express love due to distance or our absence, looking at these things will always remind them of our love.  

[I really have to make a long comment like this due to the comments in this picture. I don't know why people have to be so negative just to show off how smart they are when it is already the obvious that no material thing can equalize or guarantee love.  ]

(c)OriginalAS/Anamarie Soya

Featured: Man's Best Friend

A dog is a man's best friend.

These lines are way too common you probably thought you are having ear worm for hearing this a couple of times especially coming from dog lovers. It is hard to explain the special connection that links dogs to humans; how these animals could love their human friends a whole lot more than themselves, and how humans can love them almost as equally as they do.

We heard stories about this kind of relationships between men and dogs, stories of their amazing friendship, how each become a part of each other's families and lives, as well, stories of how the other rescued the other from either accident or loneliness... such special things.

Reading this certain blog on Robyn Arouty tugged my heartstrings. Not in a way that because it is really dramatic or too tragic or effectively written and photographed (but maybe that helped to overflow my emotions), but simply because it gave me an insight on what there is in a dog's mind before he actually dies.

You can see it for yourselves in this link: http://www.robynarouty.com/i-died-today

It made me miss my boy a lot more. He just died three days ago, but oh, how I miss his barking. Some people may think that this kind of binding between a dog and a human is too exaggerated. I even react like that sometimes when I watch people on TV who spend too much money for sending their dogs on spas or buying them some cute outfits, but then, I simply understand the feeling to be so attached to these pets, treating them a part of your family, like a brother or your own baby.... That feeling that shall remain all along with the memories you shared together.

Point-Of-View: Happy 15th

Today isn't really the typical thing to do when celebrating. Instead of a planned stroll, worry-less chatting, getting that bunny and playing House of the Dead, we found ourselves feet-soaked on mud, squeezed on by loads of people under the rain and sleepy on the rides. Nevertheless, this feels more than the best from what we planned, isn't it? #Happy15th

Featured: What Makes a Relationship Strong?

Matters about love has been a universal part of conversations worldwide, starting from guiding teenagers how to face it into sharing a love advice or an experience about it.

I may include myself among those people who looked up to love with such respect and expectations too but not totally a hopeless romantic. It must be in a romance writer's blood too, to hunger for love, write down her aspirations of what a perfect relationship should be.

Well, that is until I have to stop writing romance stories because yes, I fell into a deep hole called love. And I don't know. That should have inspired me more to write romantic stuff but it didn't. Maybe it's because how I experience love is different from imagining a love story.

And every part of a love story is how the couple maintains it, keeps the relationship going strong.

Giving our loved one's happiness is based on loving them for who they are.

That's what caught my attention last night when I read this tabloid article. This will take a long while to read so, please bear with me. I am also telling you that this will be worth your while to read. Here's what the article says:

Madali lang suwertehin sa love life. Unang-una, hanapin mo ang isang taong ka-compatible mo at pangalawa, isipin mo at piliting ibigay ang mga bagay na magpapaligaya sa iyong kasuyo. Sa ganyang paraan sa love life at sa pakikipagrelasyon, susuwertehin ka.

 It is easy to be fortunate in terms of love life. First of all, look for a person you are compatible with and second, think and work hard to give all the things that will make your lover happy. In this way, you will be lucky with your love life and relationships.

'Yung unang pormula, madali lang masunod 'yan... Pero 'yung pangalawang pormula ang mahirap gawin, mahirap gawin dahil ang tao kapag umiibig at nagmamahal, sa umpisa lang marunong magparaya at magsakripisyo alang-alang sa kanyang kasuyo.

The first formula is easy to follow... But the second formula is hard to do, hard to do because when a person loves, they only know how to give way and sacrifice at the start.

Sa halip, kadalasan sa bandang huli, imbes na ang isipin ay ang ikaliligaya ng kanyang kapareha, ang mas pinahahalagahan niya ay ang ikaliligaya ng sarili niya.

Instead, in the end, instead of giving a thought of their partner's happiness, they give more importance on their own happiness.

'Ika nga, nangyayaring gan'un dahil likas na possessive o makasarili ang isang tao. Dahil dito, dahil kusang nawala ang pagmamahal sa kapwa, sa halip, ang pumapalit ay ang pagmamahal sa sarili na kung tawagin ay "possessive love", roon din sa puntong 'yun, unti-unting gumuguho ang dating masaya pa naman sanang relasyon hanggang sa tuluyang mauwi sa paghihiwalay at pagluha.

As it was said, that happens because humans are naturally possessive or selfish. Because of this, because their love fades, instead it was replaced by self-love that is called "possessive love", and at that point, what used to be a happy relationship shatters until it leads to separation and tears.

Hinihigpitan mo kasi ang iyong kasuyo at gusto mong laging sumunod sa lahat ng nais mo. Nawala ang "pagkatao ng iyong kasuyo at tuluyang nabura" dahil sobrang makasarili ang pagmamahal mo, sa iyong girlfriend, sa iyong boyfriend o sa iyong asawa. "Bakit mo iniwan ang mister mo?" Ang tanong ng tsismosang kapitbahay sa kanyang kumare. "Paano lasenggo siya," ang sagot ng kausap.

Because you are being too strict with your lover and you want to be always obeyed on whatever you want. Your love has lost their identity and completely erased it because your love towards your girlfriend, your boyfriend or your spouse is too selfish. "Why did you leave your husband?" a gossip neighbor asks her friend. "He's an alcoholic," was the reply.

Tama nga naman, ano naman ang mahihita mo sa isang lasenggong mister? Nakita mo, kaya iniwan nitong si misis ang kanyang mister dahil lasenggo, nasaan ang pagmamahal diyan, hindi ba't wala? Sa halip, ang mahal pala nitong si misis ay ang matitino at mabubuting pagkatao ng kanyang asawa pero kapag ang kanyang asawa ay sumama o pumangit na ang dating magandang ugali sa pagtikular at naging lasenggo na, wala na siyang mahihita sa pakikisama sa taong ito, iietsapuwera at iiwan na siya? Sa simpleng lohika tama, bakit ka magtitiis sa isang lasenggong asawa?

It's right, what will you get from an alcoholic husband? You see, that's why this wife left her husband because he is alcoholic, where is the love in that, there's none, right? Instead, this wife only loves the good and sane personalities of her spouse but when he turns bad or there is something wrong with what used to be his good characteristics, in particular, becomes an alcoholic, she won't get anything from getting along with this person, would she just dump and leave him? In a simple logic this is right, why would you endure being with an alcoholic spouse?

Pero sa malalim na katuturan ng salitang "pag-ibig", lumalabas na ang mahal mo ay ang sarili mo dahil kapag mabait, mabuti, mahusay at matinong mister ang asawa mo, sino ba naman ang makikinabang sa ganitong mga positibong pag-uugali ng isang tao? Eh, 'di ikaw din.

But in a deep meaning of the word "love", it appears that you just love yourself because if a good, kind, great and sane man becomes your husband, who benefits from these positive traits of a person? Of course, you.

Tama ang sinasabi nating, dahil nakikinabang ka sa relasyon ninyo ng mahal mo, ang karelasyon mo ay mahal mo, pero kapag wala ka nang pakinabang sa isang relasyon, hindi mo na mahal ang karelasyon mo. Sino ngayon ang niloloko mo?

It is right what we are trying to say that because you benefit from your relationship with your loved one, you love who you are in a relationship with, but when you do not benefit from a relationship, you don't love who you are in a relationship with anymore. Who  are you trying to fool now?

Sarili mo. Kasi nagmamahal ka lang sa "pakinabang at mapapala" pero hindi mo kayang magmahal kapag wala ng pakinabang at wala ka ng mapapala. Nasaan ang tunay na pag-ibig sa ganu'ng sitwasyon? Ganu'n ba ang sinasabi ninyong pagmamahal? Nagmamahal lang kayo dahil pinakikinabangan ninyo ang isang tao, ngunit, kapag ang isang tao ay wala nang pakinabang, hindi n'yo na rin ito mahal?

Yourself. Because you only love for "benefit and what you'll get" but you can't love when you don't get any benefit or anything from it. Where is true love in that situation? Is that the love you are talking about? You only love for what benefit you'll get from the person, but, when that person becomes useless, you don't love them anymore?

Sa matuling salita, hindi 'yung taong 'yun ang mahal ninyo kundi ang sarili ninyo. Dahil 'yung boyfriend mo, 'yung girlfriend mo o 'yung asawa mo, ginawa mo lang na parang "bagay", kapag may pakinabang, iniingatan, kapag 'yung "bagay" na 'yun ay nawalan na ng pakinabang, itatapon na siya sa basurahan. Wala na kasi siyang kuwenta.

In short, you don't love that person but yourself. Because your boyfriend, your girlfriend or spouse, you treated them like an "object", when useful, you take care of it, when that "object" becomes useless, throw it in the trash. Because it is already worthless.

Madaling magmahal ng mister na laging nagbibigay ng intrega, siyempre, maraming pera si misis.

It is easy to love a husband who always give their salary, of course, the wife will have a lot of money.

Madaling magmahal ng mister na kung umuwi ay sa tamang oras at may pasalubong siyempre, mamayang gabi ay maligaya silang dalawa sa kama at masaya silang magkakainan ng pasalubong ni mister.

It is easy to love a husband who comes home on time with goods or treats of course, [then] later in the night, they will be happy in bed and will happily eat the treats or goods that the husband brought home.

Pero kapag wala ng maibigay si mister na salapi dahil kulang na sa kanya ang kanyang buwanang suweldo, mamahalin pa kaya si mister? Kapag si mister ay gabi na kung umuwi at halos wala na ring pasalubong, ano sa palagay mo, karapat-dapat pa bang mahalin ang ganyang klase ng asawa?

But if the husband has no money to give because he is too short with his monthly salary, will he still be loved? If the husband came home late without any goods or treats, what do you think, is that kind of spouse still deserving to be loved?

Ako na ang sasagot, mukhang hindi na, kasi nga wala na tayong pakinabang sa taong 'yun? Gan'un ba ang sinasabi ninyong pagmamahal?

I will answer, I think not anymore, because we won't get any benefit from that person? Is that what you call love?

Sa maikling salita, huwag kang magtataka kung bakit lubhang kakaunti lamang ang bilang ng mga taong pinapalad sa love  life, lalo na sa pag-aasawa dahil ang totoong dahilan niyan, kakaunti lang talaga ang mga taong marunong magmahal.

In short, don't be surprised why there is only very few who are lucky in their love life, especially in marital relationships because the real reason is there is only very few who really knows how to love.

Sila ang mga tao na may busilak na puso na may kakayahang magpadama ng isang dalisay at wagas na pag-ibig sa kanilang kapwa ng walang hinihintay na kapalit.

These are the people with kind hearts with the ability to make their fellow feel a pure and true love without asking for anything in return.

Sabi nga ng isang Russian proverb, "Love me black as I am, when I am white everyone will love me."

As a Russian proverb says, "Love me black as I am, when I am white everyone will love me."

Nagmamahal ka ng mabuti at mabait na tao, anong kuwentang pagmamahal 'yun, samantalang napakaraming nagmamahal sa gan'ung uri ng tao?

You are loving a good and kind person, what use is that kind of love, there are so many who loves that kind of person too?

Ang tunay at wagas na pagmamahal ay mahalin mo ang mga masasama at mga pangit, walang nagmamahal sa kanila, ikaw lang. 'Yun ang tunay at wagas na pag-ibig.

A true love is when you love the evil and the ugly, no one loves them, only you. That is true love.

May pakinabang ka man o wala sa iyong kasuyo, sa iyong boyfriend, sa iyong girlfriend o sa iyong asawa, dapat mahalin mo, anuman ang uri ng pagkatao niya., dapat mahalin mo pa rin, masama man ang ugali niya, mahalin mo pa rin dahil sa ganu'ng uri ng pag-ibig magbubunyi ang mga anghel sa langit, mananatiling buo ang mag-anak at tunay na magiging maligaya ang pamilya.

Whether you benefit or not from your lover, your boyfriend, your girlfriend or your spouse, love them, whatever kind of personality they have, you should still love them, even if they have bad characteristics, love them still because the angels in heaven rejoice in that kind of love, the clan stays together and the family will be truly happy.

At ikaw namang walang kuwentang tao, magpasalamat ka at magpakatino na dahil sa kabila ng kawalanghiyaan mo, mahal ka pa rin ng girlfriend mo,  mahal ka pa rin ng boyfriend mo, mahal ka pa rin ng asawa mo.

And you worthless person, be thankful and be good because in spite of your evilness, your girlfriend still loves you, your boyfriend still loves you, your spouse still loves you.

Ito marahil ang tamang oras upang magbago ka at mahalin ng lubos ang iyong asawa at iyong pamilya.

This must be the right time for you to change and truly love your spouse and family.



This came from Maestro Honorio Ong's "Kapalaran Ayon Sa Inyong Numero" (Destiny Based on Your Number) column in Bulgar tabloid newspaper entitled "Para sa medyo inaalat ang buhay pag-ibig: Sikreto ng Matatag na Pagsasama ng mga Nagmamahalan" (For those who are unfortunate with their love life: Secret to a Strong Relationship of Lovers)

This article is actually a respond to one of their texter's messages asking for an advice on how to have a happy relationship as she gives her birthdate (the numbers that will be used by the author as a basis on giving his predictions.)

I wasn't exactly a believer of fortunetellers or their predictions, although the Zodiac Signs interest me somehow (anyway, that's a different story) and so, I am just hooked on reading a lot until the title caught my interest. I started wondering what will this author say, what advice did he give for a long-lasting, strong relationship?

And from what I have read, I found myself agreeing to it.

That is true love in a real sense. You are not in a true-love-established relationship if you are only there for the benefit you'll get from it. You are not in love with the person in that case but only with yourself. You only think about yourself, of what will be good for you, even if that puts your lover on the line.

Those who truly love and knows how to love realizes that. Maybe what I read from the Daily Bread published (way back 2010 or 2009?) is right: Those who love are losers.

Because you do not love to get something, to win something that will benefit you.

Sources:
Google Images
Ong, Maestro Honorio, Para sa medyo inaalat ang buhay-pag-ibig: Sikreto ng Matatag na Pagsasama ng mga Nagmamahalan, Kapalaran Ayon sa Inyong Numero, Bulgar, Year 22, No. 326, October 27, 2014

Point-Of-View: Rhapsody

This is one of my original poems-- Rhapsody. It is the happiest poem I've written so it's been a favorite since I mostly write about blunt honesty and heartaches.

In this poem, I am trying to make a statement of how love feels like in aspects mostly positive but also seems some negative side of it which just sounds a positive sign of being in love. (Well, you decide if I delivered it right.)

RHAPSODY

rhap·so·dy ˈrapsədē/ noun   1. an effusively enthusiastic or ecstatic expression of feeling.

No rhyming, no same syllables at the end
Just an enthusiastic feeling wanting to be freed
And the butterflies just fluttered
Cannot lift me but they lingered. 

And the little voices are mute
Oh and do I find it cute?
If the dark skies glitter with raindrops
And there is scarcity in teardrops. 

Cute is not the word
May I ask the world?
Bet their answer
Differ from one another. 

Do they feel the warmth that night
Defeat the chill being hugged tight?
Do they feel the smooth slide
Against the friction, oh, it's been a while. 

And do they feel the wanting
To turn around, go dancing?
Do they feel the tears attempting
To fall out of the overwhelming feeling? 

Do they feel the jump in every threat
And so blessed in every breath?
Do they feel happy in isolation
reminiscing memories that one cannot mention. 

Do they feel the rush in every meeting
And the blush in every feeling
And the crush in every departing
And the freedom of loving
And the gift of choosing? 

Do they feel the day, embrace the sunlight
Grab the day with a smile so bright?
In sickness and in health
None to make the feelings melt. 

And if it does, it just flows
Through the veins, who know?
To the heart it goes
And all around all the time, after glow. 

No music to relate but to match
The feelings overflowing so much
Can't express in any other way
But so rhapsodic to show anyway. 

I gave my strength and weakness
Enveloped myself in sadness
Revealed myself in gladness
No contentment beyond the stress. 

Too inflated to compress
So my hands can't find her peace
And my mind wants to impress
You, disturb your peace. 

And this will take a long while to finish
So rhapsodic but to finish
This is what all of it brings me
The feeling of rhapsody.

(c)  OriginalAS / (c) AnamarieSoya
Source of Picture: Google Images

Wattpad Work: To Love, To Write

First of all, I am so thankful to unknown9701 for making this cover.
The cover really satisfied me for it is almost exactly what I was looking for my Wattpad work: To Love, To Write-- a compilation of free verse poems that I've written.

You may check it out here: To Love, ToWrite