The Programmer
By Roberto Consul

I have lived for many years now
But still, I am seemed to be misunderstood in some ways, somehow.
My existence is always felt, appreciated
But also always cursed, maltreated.

If ever you forgot, I am a man.
Still, I produce numerous errors in every program I run.
You see, I am not that perfect at all.
Beyond my intentions are those I’d done that caused others to fall.

I’ve spent so many sleepless nights,
Thinking of ways and algorithms that for you would be right.
Then suddenly, something bad comes along the way.
Then what do I get? Criticisms, the blame, all those damn they could say.

I have dedicated my life for the improvement of society’s living.
I could not ask for more than its better living.
Everything I develop, please use them well,
For a peaceful and innovative community where we’ll always dwell.

You can call me whatever you want,
Take me for granted or either put me in front.
But I’ll just always be that someone who wants to take a step further.
I am that one person, I am the programmer.

Editorial

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below is my editorial contribution on our ethics newsletter passed last week.. actually, i'm also a frustrated writer. haha!
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Cool. When I first saw those new cell phone models with cameras and video players stuff, I thought, technology has really gone far. First, it was just plain texts then now, we can see real time videos on our small, handy cell phones.

But like any other technology, that new innovation on our cell phones has this bad side also. Recently, video clips containing sex scandals of personalities such as Anne Curtis, Karel Marquez, and Ethel Booba, are the talk of the town. Those videos are easily seen, copied, and distributed using the said cell phone models that have these video player technologies.

What is the issue in here? I heard from a debate TV show that there are those who blame the said cell phone technology. They are against the innovation because they believe that it is the root of all these scandals. For them, without the said technology, there would be no problem like this in the first place.

Yeah, I know they have a point. Really, those sex video clips are so easy to be accessed, produced, copied, distributed, and spread through those new cell phones. But for me, this case is rooted from one of the major issues involve in today’s era: Is technology good or bad?

In my own view, technology can be either good or bad, depending on how people will use it. Let's take a knife for a simple example. We all know that it’s a good kitchen utensil. It helps us in so many ways. But it could also be bad when it would be used to kill someone.

So like in this sex videos issue in cell phones, the problem is the people who use that cell phone feature to promote pornography, certainly not the innovation itself.

Sundays

no problems,

no pressures,

just playing music in the church,

hanging out with my youth friends,

I just wished it was always Sunday..

but it isn't.

Not My World

Last night, i was contemplating on how am i doing in my school life right now.

After learning yesterday that our thesis defense schedule (which was supposed to be ending next week..) was extended 'til the 1st week of march to accomodate more graduating students, i did'nt know what to feel. Some new source of hope.. maybe. happy? quite.. but i know one thing's for sure.. that this isn't my world..

Back when i was about to enter college, my motivation and considerations when i chose computer science were primarily because of money matters.. "andon ang pera eh.." i didn't went to the road i want, instead i chose the road where i felt i should be. and now, i'm dearly paying the price. it's not that my college life was a big failure. in fact, i'm one of those few comsci students at UST who have no PC but had never failed in any subject.. but that's not the point. i'm not enjoying where i am and what i'm doing at school right now.. but i've got no choice. i have to finish this crap.. we've got to make those computer agents communicate.. or else, i'll be in this hell longer than i thought.
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"A single grain of rice can tip the scale."
-The Emperor in the movie Mulan

...

..i don't know what will happen. no one actually knows.

this might be my first biggest failure..

..not graduating on time.

thesis.
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"The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all."
-The Emperor in the movie Mulan

Wednesdays with Vannie

it's been 3 weeks since i regularly meet her every wednesday at Shangrila Foodcourt.. wala lang.. just spending time with each other.. my friends always tease me saying that we're dating or some sort of those stuff but i know, it's not.. basically, her school sked during that day is only 'till noon so when she have nothing else to do at school, she waits for her dad to pick her up there at shangrila mall.. and coincidentally, i have no class during wednesdays and i'm also in that area 'coz i have that regular wednesday meeting with the youth ministry core leaders during evening..

after meeting her yesterday, i remembered "Tuesdays with Morrie" . yeah, i think Mitch Albom (the author of the book) and i are quite the same (not that she is already dying!).. every wednesday i spend with her is like a class for me. the course is all about life. many subjects are covered such as people, issues, dreams, fears, problems, hope, love, and God. our classroom is the shangrila foodcourt.. for my requirements as of now, i just have to be open with her, to respond honestly to every question, and to just be myself.

this is just one of those classes i have to learn from during my stay here in this world.. there's nothing extraordinary about it.. but what makes it so special for me than the other classes i'm taking up right now is the fact that she is my teacher. amidst of my hectic and tight schedule at school and my commitments in our church, i always find a place where my mind and heart are refreshed, where my soul finds rest.. while at the same time, where i learn and discover many things i have yet to know and experience..

she is the oasis of my desert.

she's my angel.