Rethinking about PBBM

Unexpected Twists: Reexamining Bongbong Marcos in an Evolving Political Scenario

Three years prior, talking positively about President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. would have seemed unthinkable. His last name is synonymous with one of the darkest moments in Philippine history—martial law, dictatorship, and plunder for many. But politics, as life, is not often black and white. And recently, Bongbong Marcos has been doing something nobody anticipated—steering away from the inheritance that propelled him to power and forging a new path that, though flawed, indicates a different trajectory.

The Son, Not the Father

Regardless of how much one dislikes his pedigree, it is instructive to observe a deep truth: people are not their parents. A verse from Ezekiel 18:20 is a timeless reminder: "The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father." History will judge the father. But the son? The son must be held accountable for his own deeds.

That change of heart has become particularly significant now that the new administration is starting to exhibit signs of reform, pragmatism, and—even more astoundingly—principled leadership.

From Symbolism to Substance

Unlike the strongman populism of the last few years, Marcos Jr. has made decisions that subtly but meaningfully depart from his father's shadow of authoritarianism and his predecessor's blood-stained playbook.

Let's consider what's been transpiring:

✅ Professional, non-partisan hires for high-level positions like PNP Chief Gen. Nicholas Torre, a reform symbol in a historically militarized organization.

✅ Putting an end to the phony drug war: No more extrajudicial "tokhang" murders. The President has set aside Duterte's deadly record in favor of due process and human rights.

✅ Stopping wasteful expenditures, including rejecting billions in questionable "confidential funds" that are linked to the Vice President.

✅ Defending Philippine sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea by reclaiming the 2016 UN arbitral win, a foreign policy position long neglected or bargained away.

✅ Shunning Beijing's influence, including reversing the enigmatic "Gentleman's Agreement" supposedly created under Duterte's regime.

✅ Reinvigorating friendships with the West, and not as an act of submission, but as a diplomatic realignment.

✅ Ordering the pursuit of justice against criminal religious cult leader Apollo Quiboloy, who for years walked with impunity.

✅ Demonstrating political will by standing up against the Duterte faction, keeping them in check for abuses previously thought unassailable.

These are not symbolic acts. These are indicative of a measured, de-Marcosian method to leadership—a move no one was really anticipating.

When the Opposition Joins the Table

The political aftershocks of Senators Bam Aquino and Kiko Pangilinan joining the Senate majority raised more eyebrows than cheers. To many from the liberal-progressive clan, it was betrayal. But is it?

If their membership in the Education and Agriculture committees translates to real, tangible improvements, then perhaps it's not a loss—but a calculated comeback. Even Senator Risa Hontiveros, who campaigned for their return, hasn't sounded the alarm.

Reformers sometimes have to work through the system to transform it. And maybe Marcos Jr., unexpectedly, is keeping the possibility of such an alliance open.

It's Not Love—It's Clarity

Let's be clear: this isn't a glowing review of Bongbong Marcos as a visionary. It's not about erasing the past. It's about facing current realities. He's not perfect—but he's not Duterte. And he's definitely not his father.

There’s power in saying: “I’ve changed my mind because I’ve seen evidence.” And that’s what this is. A personal evolution born from observing a different kind of leadership than what was expected.

And if that opinion alienates others? So be it.

No Apologies for Seeing Change

This blog does not exist to parrot echo chambers or gratify tribal allegiances. It exists in order to question, judge, and think critically—even if that means diverging from ideological purists or the perpetually outraged.

If you've read this far and feel driven to unfollow, unsubscribe, or cancel—go for it. This place isn't for outrage-as-performance. It's for painful truths, considered nuance, and yes, hope that even in politics, people can surprise us.

Because if we can't accommodate growth—not only in leaders, but in ourselves—then we've learned nothing at all.

Let's continue to watch. Let's continue to question. Let's continue to hold them accountable. But let's not be so blinded by the past that we cannot observe history-in-the-making.

Blanking my Facebook profile

Why Everyone Should Go Blank on Facebook

A world, where innocently creeping into our daily lives now abounds in social media platforms, actually extends the individual unto those digital societies like Facebook. From reporting life events such as getting married, giving birth, and so much more, to those sharing their opinions on every current affairs, the social media mirrors the thought and experiences of millions, if not billions. There is then a new movement campaigning for going "blank" on Facebook, a stop or reduction of content sharing. While paradoxical in a hyper-connected world, there are strong reasons why everyone should be contemplating this measure.

So I did blank my personal Facebook profile except for my Facebook page. And here are my reasons why:

1. Safety for Mental Health

Incessant demands to keep posting, commenting, and sharing can feed stress, anxiety, and even depression. To go blank on Facebook would give users the respite needed from constant comparisons and noise online. Digital clutter, so often cleared by people, often brings more mental clarity and peace into one's life.

2. Protection of Privacy

It is an unprecedented milestone for people to share the information in a social net such as Facebook. Data is increased proportionally; therefore, chances of abuse through a privacy breach increase. Minimizing chances of misuse with personal data through no sharing and limiting access greatly reduces probabilities of misuse such as identity theft.

Private messages can also be vulnerable, as they may be screenshotted and exposed on other platforms without consent—a situation experienced by Maris Racal in 2024. Keeping your Facebook profile minimal or blank reduces the likelihood of exposure and potential blackmail.

Privacy matters! The Data Privacy Act of 2012 and similar laws in other jurisdictions serve as vital defenses, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding our personal information.

3. Exposing Authentic Relationships

Social media was invented as a means of keeping in touch, but it is perhaps now most useful for shallow engagements. The nudging to simplify your online life fosters deeper, in-person interactions. Meaningful discussions and quality time spent with those closest to you only truly strengthen relationships, far beyond what any digital engagement might do.

4. Reclaiming Time and Productivity

An average user spends hours scrolling through Facebook daily, which is the habit that easily distracts from productivity. A blank screen will help people get back their time so that they can concentrate much more clearly on work, hobbies, or self-development. Rather than meaningless and mindless scrolling, people can invest in activities that really satisfy them.

5. Online Drama and Conflict Mitigation

Social media and Facebook, at times, tend to inflate tensions and misunderstandings. Whether it is a debate over political issues, a controversy that goes viral, or any form of conflict, these situations can easily get out of hand in the blink of an eye, bringing undue stress. Mute goes a long way in reducing exposure to these kinds of online dramas for a more harmonious day-to-day life.

6. Preserving Self-Worth and Confidence

It becomes fairly straightforward to build a self-concept based on likes, shares, or comments on a social network. This measures do distort reality in the perception of achievement or happiness. Limiting activities on Facebook may help untangle social media validation from intrinsic success in life.

7. Developing Actual Physical Presence

Going blank encourages a person to live in the moment. It means not framing every experience in terms of "How will this look on Facebook?" People learn to enjoy events and milestones without having to broadcast them. This shift fosters mindfulness and a more profound appreciation for life's real moments.

8. How to Go Blank and Still Stay Connected

Go blank does not mean get rid of Facebook entirely; it means redefine your relationship with the same. Here's how:

1. Limit Your Posts: Just publish what is actually important rather than keeping everything updated.
2. Turn Off Notifications: Thus, you will be not distracted all the time and controlling when you really want to log into the platform.
3. Facebook for Specific Purpose: Use Facebook for groups, events, or any vital communication without getting sucked into the feed.
4. Prioritize Direct Communication: Reach out to friends and family through calls or personal messages rather than public posts.

Final Thoughts

Going blank on Facebook is a conscious decision that reflects a desire to achieve balance in such an ever-connected world. This is an invitation to find inner mental peace, reclaim privacy, and foster real-world connections. In a digital landscape where sharing has become tantamount to living, it could be the healthiest choice of them all to step back. Come and breathe into the blank space, discover life on your terms—unfiltered and authentically yours.

Friends fade, here's why

Is It Odd How Friends Fade? From Nocturnal Conversations to Silent Nights

Friendships are like living things-they grow, undergo evolution and sometimes fade away. It is one of those phenomena that many have gone through, yet are still unable to describe: that feeling when late-night conversations that seemed endless start happening less often, replaced by sporadic messages and occasional check-ins. As the days turn into months and the months turn into years, you begin to wonder: Is it strange how friends fade, and why does that happen?

1. The Truth of Life's Shifting Priorities

We all change as we get older; so do our priorities. We have careers, families, personal goals, and more life-changing events fighting for our time and attention. It is not always indicative of neglect or disregard; it is just the reality that we only have so much emotional and physical bandwidth. Perhaps they have found themselves in entirely different chapters of life, raising families, moving cities, or chasing ambitious career paths. The relentless demands of adult life can make sustaining close, regular connections challenging.

2. Distance Doesn't Always Make the Heart Grow Fonder

For the most part, distance is an important factor in the dissipation of friendship ties. It could be a job or family-related relocation. This breakup from physical space alters the dynamic that once had a past of in-person daily interactions to scheduled visits or virtual conversations. Spontaneity would dissipate over a long time coupled with best of intentions but oftentimes foiled by the different sides of the globe and schedules that go across them.


It's not that people do not care anymore; it's that proximity breeds familiarity, and when that proximity is gone, the relationship takes on a new challenge. In fact, some friendships thrive even at distance, and some slowly dwindle as life moves forward.

3. The Organic Gradual Process of Separation

People grow, and not always in the same direction. Personal growth may mean one thing to one person, and a completely different thing to another. It might change the way you relate to people who were once very close to you. Interests change, worldviews evolve, and sometimes, friends might find themselves opposed on significant life decisions. Where once you connected over shared hobbies or dreams, you find that there's not much else that lets you have a conversation that goes beyond the surface.


This is not necessarily a bad thing. People grow apart just like they grow together. It means you and your friend have gone through the passage of life on different roads. Most of these relationships fade silently, without bitterness; it is just a silent acknowledgment that the road taken is no longer on the same path with you.

4. Technology: A Blessing and a Curse

We're so hyper-connected that we talk to everybody through social media and instant messaging. This, however, can sometimes create an illusion of closeness that isn't really there. A "like" on a photo or a quick comment on one's status update can feel like maintaining a relationship, but it is not at all the same as deep conversations or shared experiences. Meaningful interactions reduce and give way to gestures and actions that may be comforting but have little in substance.


Ironically, it is that technology meant to connect which often prevents people from befriending real people. Why bother calling a friend or fix up a visit when one can just watch their life through posts and stories? It fades out with time as friendships are forgotten - without even realizing it.

5. The Pain of Realizing a Friendship Has Failed

It's a sad moment when that relationship, so valued before, becomes a memory. It comes with a feeling of nostalgia for the hours-long late-night conversations, the laughter-filled hours within shared spaces. There's also the discomfort in knowing that someone who means much to you lately feels very far away.


Guilt often accompanies the end of a friendship: "Why did I not make more of it?" or "Why not me reaching out more?" But one thing to remember about friendships is that they really do require two people to keep going. Sometimes, it's okay to let them go if they are over. Be careful, however-remember number one, above. Yes, sometimes it's also enough to feel drained by a friendship and not know why.

6. How to Keep Friendships Alive

While it's normal for some friendships to fade, there are many ways you can fight to keep meaningful connections alive.


Be intentional. Being a good friend takes conscious effort. Schedule a call or set up a coffee date. Just send a quick text to check in. Any little acts of intention can go a long way in letting someone feel valued.


Change is a part of life. How things have been before changes between friends. The character of your relationship might change, but this does not mean that the relationship should come to an end. It only requires adjusting expectations and how you reach out.


Communicate Honestly: When you feel a friendship is fading away but wish you could save it, be honest about the situation. Sometimes an honest heartfelt conversation can do all the magic to restore the smile and bring that closeness back.


Accept the Natural Fade: Not every friendship will last for eternity and that's okay. Try to preserve the memories and experiences from friendships past without bitterness.

7. Finding Comfort in the Silence

There's strength in knowing that, though they might fade away, the impact they made through your lives is forever. People come into your life for reasons, and their presence changes you in so many ways. The late-night conversations, the shared laughter, and the silent support during hard times all contribute to the person you are today.


Acceptance of ebbs and flows of friendships means that you understand that sometimes silence isn't the end; it is just a transition. Some friends who drift apart come back into your life when the time is right, while some you keep as cherished memories. In either way, learning to find peace within this cycle marks emotional growth.

Final Thoughts: The Unchanging Value of Connection

While the truth of decaying friendships is bittersweet, pursuing or nourishing connections remains to be done. Whether through new relationships or sometimes rekindling old ones, there will always be value in making efforts to connect. While those late-night conversations become occasional messages, shared laughter becomes less frequent, it remains to be known that the essence of those moments stays with you. At one point, you might find yourself picking up where you left off in a conversation. It's like no time has passed at all.

Solo living

Who Will Care for the Single Elderly? Navigating the Future of Independent Living

Aging is a universal experience, but it poses special challenges for never-married adults like me. Comparing their situation to that of others, it appears that people likely to care for them as they grow old may be scarce for this group. The question is who will care for the single elderly when they become old? Answering this question calls for wise planning, citizen's participation, and understanding of the changing social contexts. In this blog, we examine how singles can be better prepared for aging, develop supportive networks, and live whole and safe lives in later life.

1. Understanding the Growing Demographic of Singles

Globally, more and more people are choosing to stay single or childless. The case in the Philippines is no different. Modern lifestyles, professional aspirations, changing personal values, and shifting cultural standards all influence this trend. For many people, independence is a self-fulfilling decision. Another critical aspect, though, is long-term care.

2. Aging Single Reality

Over time, physical and cognitive impairments can be more pronounced. Even such mundane chores as grocery shopping, driving to work, or home maintenance can become difficult to achieve. The absence of a partner or close family to help ease the burden makes this much more challenging for singles.

3. Effective Support Network

While individuals who are not married do not have a spouse or possibly children, they may build a support network of trusted friends, extended family members, and community resources such as:

• Friends as Family: Meaningful friendships can offer people a surrogate family for companionship, emotional support, and practical assistance. Investment and cultivation in these types of relationships over a lifetime is potentially invaluable.
• Community Involvement: Joining a local organizations, interest groups, or volunteering can establish connections and belonging. Communities typically rally to support each member, most especially those who are single or aging alone.
• Professional Help: Outsourcing services like cleaning up the house, providing transportation, or health-related services may be considered. One should budget for these services to be available when needed.

4. Preparing Financially Is Paramount

There is also a safeguarding consideration to ensure that singles save well for their old age, especially considering the less protection available financially in case of emergencies when one does not have another person to rely upon. The sooner one begins saving and also investing wisely, the better:

• Retirement Funds: This commonly entails retirement plans such as personal investment portfolios to ensure a stream of income later in life.
• Insurance: Health insurance, long-term care insurance, and life insurance can protect against emergency medical costs and provide the means to pay for quality care.
• Estate Planning: Having a will, executing power of attorney, and drafting a healthcare proxy can ensure that your wishes are respected and managed appropriately.
• Maintain Regular Exercise: Being active promotes overall fitness and wards off chronic conditions.
• Healthy Diet: A well-planned diet curtails the potential onset of most old age diseases.
• Mental Stimulation: Enjoy hobbies, learn new skills, or join clubs to keep your brain alert and intact.

5. Learning about Assisted Living and Retirement Communities

Evidently, assisted living and retirement communities especially planned for singles have become more and more in demand. These communities ensure one lives with independence with built-in support systems and the widest array of social activities to keep loneliness at bay. Choosing a community that suits your interests and lifestyle can make aging enjoyable.

6. The Impact of Technology

Technology has transformed the old age care scenario, making it easier ever to age independently for singles:

• Health Monitoring Devices: Smartwatches and home devices can monitor your vital signs and alert emergency services if needed.
• Virtual Companionship: Video calls and social media platforms enable regular contact with friends and family.
• Online Services: Platforms for grocery delivery, telemedicine, and home repair services provide convenience and safety.

7. The Cultural Perspective on Aging and Singleness

In most societies, aging singles become victims of social ostracism and exclusion. The shift of a paradigm in the conversation to independence and strength may make the society embrace singleness as neutral rather than liability. Aging can easily be redefined for singleness through shared community values and support.

Conclusion: Plan Today for a Safe Tomorrow

Being single doesn't mean finishing life alone; rather it can be enjoyed in old age if singles plan deliberately, nourish relationships, and avail themselves of modern resources. All this requires is recognizing that preparation for this stage in life is important and needs to be begun as early as possible. Adequate support network, security factor, and initiatives ensure that the best aspects of aging life are met with dignity in the face of singles.

This is a world that, increasingly, has come to embrace and thrive from diverse life choices; it's possible to find comfort, connection, and care regardless of one's relationship status.