The Iwas Sawi Project is a collaboration of Marcelo Santos III and Rhadson Mendoza. It is my first book from Santos and probably the second book from Mendoza. Written in Taglish, the book caters to the interest of young people, adolescents, or teenagers, and maybe also to everyone who loved and was loved.  

It contains tips and account of their personal experiences about heartbreaks, specifically in the area of romantic relationship. Some of the contents reminded me of the encounter I had with a guy online. It was an unpleasant experience in general. I thought it was all bliss but I was heading in the wrong direction. I was led and willingly complied with whatever happened in the conversation between us. I even wrote poems about him. I am regretting it a little as days pass by after that encounter. I thought I would definitely have pleasant memories about him or the experience, but no, it wasn't.

I was blinded by my selfish desire and almost trudged on the path of no return. Almost. Just almost. I was happy, but whenever I look back on the memories all I can sense is a dark cloud that covered me from the light. Like I got almost separated from the light of the lamp which serves as the navigator of my life. I almost got lost again. 

But I will always be grateful for the light, to the only true light.

The lies and deception of a person even in a virtual setup do not minimize the gravity of its negative impact on the person being lied to or even to the liar himself. It will have its consequences one way or another. It will come after you and no one can stop it. Forgiveness is the only way to move forward while trusting the process.

I learn to forgive myself and others from the One who forgave and redeemed me from everything that dragged me down.  

And now, I am still single at the age of 31 and I am loving it. I am more joyful about the fact that I am single and that can never be rooted alone in my own effort, rather there is great satisfaction coming from the One who can only fill the void inside me. I never thought I could ever be this joyful in this season of my life even if everything isn't perfect or the way I wanted it before because in the first place nothing is ever perfect in this world we live in. 

Sword of Destiny is the only book I finished for November and this is just my second blog post for this month. Things happened and I lost the momentum and now I am trying to get back on track before the year ends. It is only one month to go until the year 2022. Time flies fast, so, so fast. 

Well, I bought this book from the NBS 99 Sale just this year. The book cover got me, the lady with the sword impressed upon me that there was a high possibility to encounter a strong female character in the book and I was never wrong. I did meet not just one, but a few of them matter-of-factly, and I am satisfied.

The story revolves around the hidden Green Destiny Sword of China. This magnificent sword possesses power and strength that would be unbearable to handle even by the strongest warrior ever since the death of its original keeper. It is untamed and has been passed down from generation to generation of warriors. It could be a gift or a curse to anyone who desires to take a hold of it.  

Becoming a warrior entails honor, power, and strength. Through the life of the Iron Way, one can begin the journey of becoming a warrior. It is a difficult path to take, but few prefer to trudge on that road. Men are the ones to walk on this path of becoming a warrior and it is seldom that women choose the Iron Way but even if they do, they are forbidden or judged by their loved ones, the people around them, or just by the mere bystanders, which is something that we can expect by the setting of the story. 

It felt like I was watching a martial arts movie as I read the book. Regret is nowhere to be found after enjoying this book that I picked randomly because of a book sale. Again, satisfied!

You can definitely breathe into the world of ancient China where warriors exist for honor and justice alone. Sword of Destiny is a book for all the martial arts fanatics out there. It is a vivid telling of an adventure only for the brave ones. Meet the warriors that will blow your mind and touch your heart with their gentle strength and prowess. 

I read it here, you can too. Enjoy!

Music is a companion we all can run to in times of sorrow, victory, joy, and a lot more emotions we can attach to any of our favorite songs. In my song list, the month of July of this year began with songs sang by Moira Dela Torre and some of them were written by her as well. I first heard her from the famous OPM song "Titibo-tibo". I liked the song and still do. It even won the Himig Handog 2017. 

She faded away from my radar when she released songs I couldn't even relate with, songs about love and broken hearts from a romantic relationship. I believed I was not the least interested in those types of genres. The message was just too heavy for me and I lack empathy with the songs since I have never been in a relationship, more like I can sympathize, but empathize, I have to be honest I had not yet reached that level during those days.

Fast forward to 2021, I met Moira Dela Torre for the second time and it was through the song "Paubaya" that was released in early 2020. My workmates had mentioned the song in one of our conversations and how it was so hurtful or mapanakit as they termed it. I brushed off their comment I was not still the least interested in Moira's songs.

Again July came and the "Paubaya" song crushed my heart. I even attempted to make a reaction video and all I did was cry and cry.  I posted the video reaction but decided to remove it right away. haha. I couldn't bear my reaction and how I cried so much. I sobbed. I wept. I even wailed. What a rage of emotions I had that moment!

The music video of the song got me thinking what if I was one of the main characters, either Julia or Josh. Would I be able to handle and process properly the sorrow and grief that are about to take me given the situation? Would I be able to let go of someone I loved so much? Would I surrender so the one I love can be free and happy with some other person? Would I choose a sane decision of letting go of the love I have for him? Would I make it out alive after experiencing such loss?

I was dwelling on those unanswered questions for the first few days of streaming the song. The trilogy, Patawad paalam, Paalam & Patawad featuring I Belong to the Zoo and Ben&Ben also hit me right where it was needed. They were hurtful, like salt put on an open wound. It felt painful. 

The realization that came upon me after the repetitive streaming of the song "Paubaya" is that a person does not surrender the one they love to the other person, instead it is an act of surrendering to the One who knows it all, who is in control of everything. That in one's loss, he or she can gain a lot through God. There is a lot of wisdom to be learned in Moira Dela Torre's songs. 

Her songs seem hurtful because sometimes the truth can cause us pain, so much hurt that sometimes we thought it was something that we can no longer bear. Maybe that is God's way of calling our attention and telling us that now is the time to surrender, to let go and let Him carry the weight for you and me.