... and other thoughts about the AB graduate as a teacher.
Just this night I was able to read Fr. Horacio de la Costa's article and message to the A.B. graduates of Ateneo's batch 1933 (by the way, you can read the full text here). While reading this, it made me ponder on my status as a teacher who graduated with loads of Humanities subjects that do not promise any specialization which could land one a high-income position at corporations.
After graduating, I tried to find a place where I can work, and, believe it or not, despite being an anti-corporate advocate of social justice, I considered working for corporate firms as an option. After going through interviews and stuff, I kind of realized that I really don't belong in that world where too much business and moneymaking is placed at the forefront. Besides not being able to know anything, I see myself as someone who is not willing to sacrifice values and principles just for the sake of earning profit and earning money to live.
Eventually, I found a job in the form of a high school teacher, teaching Christian Life Education, which is something that a Pre-Divinity major is expected to execute quite well. But then, as soon as I entered the life of a teacher and hence the classroom, I found out that there were still a lot of things that I needed to learn. For one, I didn't know anything about the "mumbo-jumbo" (as I initially called it) related to teaching high school kids, such as classroom management, dynamics, and that "Understanding by Design" that requires strict systematization in designing the learning experience for students. In that aspect, I felt that I was way way behind all the other teachers who not only spent four years of preparing for the teaching service, but also majored in the particular subject that they are teaching. In other words, they came prepared. Very prepared.
That is why I was led to even think. Am I really in the job that I want? My inquiry got deeper when I was able to see how my other friends outside the circle of the Humanities graduates are doing fine as well in their fields. Did I even take the right course in the first place?
And I believe that after looking at the way I was prepared by the Ateneo as an A.B. graduate to face this world and live life, I think that graduating with a degree in Bachelor of Arts might not only be the best thing to happen, but also the best way of preparing to enter any kind of job and, ultimately, living life.
Sure, it is true that we did not have anything that will prepare us for a spot in the world of jobs, either in the corporate world or in the field of education that I and a few of my fellow A.B. graduates are right now. We did not have any technical terms, concepts, and subjects that teach us in specifically dealing with the jobs that we are in right now. It is true that we did not have anything that we corresponds to those subjects like marketing, or accounting, or Understanding by Design, or those "technical" or "work-related" subjects that we are going to use in the future.
But then, we have the vast world of philosophy, literature, ethics, and critical theory, that we have loved and developed a passion for. Our A.B. courses taught us wisdom not in the level of computations, table interpretations, and scientific experiments, but a kind of wisdom that allows us to define our values and principles that become our guides and foundations. More importantly, we have been taught the discipline of reading through the texts, spending hours and hours making notes out of them, rereading and highlighting them, and coming up with our own interpretations, understandings, and reflections about them. We have been taught the discipline of sticking to what we believe in and fighting for it through different projects and drives which show us that fighting for these values and principles are ultimately worth it. We might not be promised with a big executive position in companies and a major position in academic institutions, but we are promised with a way of finding ourselves in our world, not being swayed by outside forces that tend to destroy us from within and without.
We might not know the way to market a particular product, or treat a particular disease, or compute for our losses and gains when entering into a business. But through the way we read Kant and Heidegger, explored the various ways of interpreting different poems and novels, seeing them through the eyes of Fraud, Saussiere, Baudrillard, and other critical theorists, we for a certain discipline, a certain way of life that allows us to see what should be pursued in life, what good should be done, and what purpose should we serve. In the end, I agree with what Fr. de la Costa said, that we are not trained towards life-work, but towards life itself. And isn't that a noble thing to study for, to pursue, more nobler than just getting a job and earning a lot of money?
That is why as a teacher, I never regretted being an A.B. graduate in a school that gives emphasis on the Humanities, Philosophy, and Literature, and I find it perhaps more helpful than just having an Education degree from somewhere. Through the training that I received as an A.B. graduate, I was able to teach my students in what I believe would inspire them to find who they are and what they want in this life. I may have failed in terms of technicalities and conceptual applications that those who are specialized in the field are very familiar with, but I can say that in so far as letting my students determine and realize the values that they need to live in life, I have, in one way or another, be able to do it. I may not have used or applied all those things I have learned in my Classroom Dynamics class, but I believe I've had enough time to discuss what my subject means and how it allows them to live a happier and more fulfilled life.
And I believe that in the end, in a world where people need to realize that life is more than just finding a job, it is but fitting to have an A.B. graduates who are prepared to stand up for what really matters. It is fitting for us to enter the world as people who will enlighten others and help them realize the beauty and the wonder of life. It is just fitting for us to prepare others to live life the way we are raised to be as an A.B. graduate.
And doing this, I can say that I am a proud A.B. graduate.
Postscript: Read the last three paragraphs. I believe that they are the best and most striking lines said by Fr. de la Costa.
Unfortunately, because all of us have succumbed to the whims and desires of the consumerist society, it will be torn down, only to be replaced by something that the listeners of NU 107 would be hardly displeased.
And for me, it is travesty. It is a desecration. It is a destruction of a home. For me, it was the blasphemy of all blasphemies, like tearing a church apart just to build a whorehouse specifically catering lowlifes.
NU has been the home of those who wish to deviate, to separate themselves from the blind crowd and decide to be authentic, to be different, and to be someone who can say that they proudly pursue what they love. It has been a home for their ears, for their music, for their culture, for their lives, for their future, and for their life.
Not only has this been a home, but also this has been a part of the story of their lives. This was the one station on the airwaves that catered to the different, to the separated, even to the ideological and the avant garde. Not only that, it has also been a refuge even for those who would want to just swing life away, who separate themselves momentarily from work and relax, chill, and enjoy rock music at its finest.
I, for one, was among those who benefitted from NU, to the point that my life really did a one-eighty because of it.
I discovered NU when I was in the late second year of my high school, searching for something new in my life after being tired of listening to pop and search for something more satisfying in terms of music. Back then, I was listening only to one station, the now-defunct Campus Radio LSFM which also featured more than just your typical pop-rock (unfortunately, it suffered the fate as NU will suffer in the next months). One of my classmates, after inviting me to play drums in a band that he is planning to form, suggested that I listen to a lot of different rock styles so as to come up with a default genre for our band. And he recommended NU.
And it was then that I opened the box.
It was there where I discovered about punk, progressive rock, (later on) electronic, britrock, and many other styles that drew me, attracted me to pursue greater things.
It was there where I discovered the emerging post-Eraserheads local acts that are worth listening to. Listening to NU led me to Sandwich, Sugarfree, the revamped Rivermaya, the revived The Dawn, Bamboo, and later on, to the Ambassadors, Urbandub, Pedicab, Itchyworms, and many other bands that formed authentic pinoy music.
It was there where, during my youth, I discovered early emotional hardcore rock, indie, and other genres I have never heard before. It was also there where I loved punk rock and its various forms and subgenres, allowing me to discover those less known bands, such as (during that time) My Chemical Romance, Fall Out Boy, Placebo, and the likes of them.
It was there where I, together with the band that we formed, planned to pursue our musical dreams by sending a mixtape to them (unfortunately, we were not able to push through).
It was there where I also discovered a lot of bands, both local and foreign, which pleased my ears and ushered a new life of tunes.
It was there where I was led to appreciate Pinoy Rock through the Rock Awards, telling myself that the Filipino, in spite of the wave of jologs music, still has some spunk left in him to be rightfully called artistic.
Later on, it was there where I could, through Halikinu Radio, get updates and comments from the teams and tunes of the school that has been my home as well. Add to that the fact that I was greeted on air every weekend, thanks to a close friend who had a stint at Halikinu.
It was there where my life of rock was founded upon and ushered new possibilities, new dreams, and new choices for me when it comes to music. Thanks to NU, I already have a whole lot of CDs and mp3s that shaped my life and partly made me who I am now.
NU 107 has been a comfort zone, a home of sorts, a refuge, a formation house for me. And now they are going to tear it down and replace it with things that the music community might not even call decent music. Tearing it down would be, for our generation, tearing apart our stories, our historicities, our culture, which we made an essential part of our life.
Goodbye NU 107, you could have formed a lot of minds and hearts which could serve as the foundation for the arts of the future Filipino, but this society doesn't have the right mind and heart to be with you and all those who listen to you. Rest assured, you will remain in our hearts, and we promise to keep the flame of passion to rock out alive and burning. It is in us where the Home of New Rock will continue to thrive and remain a real home.
I think there is nothing more to say except repeat the things that were said after the Ateneo Blue Eagles received their third championship trophy in men's basketball. As everyone said, it was so far the hardest yet most wonderful ride that the Blue Squad has taken so far.
And I, for one, found it as such, but perhaps not as passionate, not as emotion-filled compared to those who spent their Ateneo days basking in the glory of winning the basketball title and having the bragging rights starting their freshman year.
What the Ateneo Blue Eagles have gone through this year came close to that one way back in 2006, where, as a freshman, I was able to experience the greatest sports heartbreak I ever experienced. During that year, the Blue Eagles failed to secure a championship that could have been theirs to take if not for bad decisions and grisly circumstances. Instead, the UST Growling Tigers took a hold of it.
The following year, as we were waiting for someone to step up and take on the role of the leader for the team, was more of a transitional one, a time to hang on and, in a way, let others still feel the presence of the Eagles as a competitive force in the UAAP. Yes, we managed to defeat La Salle during the eliminations, but we lost the most important battles which could have put us a notch above them during that season. Later on, it was La Salle who got the championship after getting two Finals wins against the 14-0 UE Warriors.
And for those who watched these games, who followed the Blue Squad through and through, those were heartbreaking experience. Those were losses that seemed to be never forgotten, as they were opportunities that slipped from us, that could have been earlier moments of victory.
Out of these painful experiences, we learned to treasure wins and leads the hard way.
Maybe that's why our lot would want so much wins during the next three years. Perhaps that's what fueled us to get out, watch, cheer, and expect for the win. And finally, I believe, it was what made us savor and make the most out of these last three years of watching and appreciating basketball.
Out first two years of college taught us a lesson, and if there is something to be learned in these last three years of cheering for the Blue, it was the value of presence, of being there, in joys and pains, in losses and gains.
This might be the most obvious thing that Team Ateneo has, although the message is clearer and more internalized for us than most, who were just there because of the fact that Ateneo is a winning team these past three seasons. It resounds in every game, and each and every one of it reminds us of what we have to risk, gain, and lose in each and every game.
But right now, we won, and we have the right to celebrate. Maybe, it will be different next year, as the Blue Eagles will eventually get better and, rest assured, own the UAAP season. But for us who have gone through everything just to get over the past and work our way towards the win, what gets to stay is our passion, our presence, our determination to unite as one.
Now, why am I not writing about the joys and sorrows of being a high school teacher?
It's because I'm too busy. Too busy with checking papers. Too busy preparing lesson plans. Too busy coming up with creative ideas for their performance tasks and other assessments. Too busy with making powerpoints. Too busy joining them in their various activities, like working as baggers in SM.
Whereas if I taught philosophy in college, I think I would have the luxury of time to blog a lot, to write about basketball, to even continue my musings on key existential ideas. I should have chose that because I was well-trained for it, because that has been my passion since the time I entered college and understood the meaning of the word "philosophy."
But certain events in my life led me to this decision, and at this point in time, I can say that due to the things that I have experienced, I don't regret choosing to teach in high school.
Is it because of the pay? Not even. If it's because of money, then I could have left the vocation of teaching and instead entered a company or a big newspaper firm and wrote lots of articles for them. It's part of the things that I can and love to do, anyway.
Is it because of lighter intellectual work? Far from it. In fact, teaching high school seems to be more difficult than teaching philosophy. I even had to do what I'm not really accustomed to doing: planning and preparing for things that I have to teach, coming up with different creative and engaging activities that deviate from the usual conventional styles, and even organizing the way I would have to deliver the important concepts in and out of class (which includes accompanying them in different school activities).
Is it because of a lighter form of work? Definitely not. Teacher life is not cloud-hopping all day long. Most of the time you go home with a lot of academic load at your back. You have to check those papers and design activities within a given time. When you go home, routines are still present, and it might be possible that you're going to miss the latest episode of "Chuck" or postpone watching Japanese films and save them for the weekend. In fact, work load is so much heavier compared to that in college, and there's a great deal of adjustment involve in terms of living my life and coping up with work.
And sometimes it brings you down. It comes with a lot of stress that you just want to eat and eat while doing these in your workroom or at home. It makes you think, raises questions, as to why you are still in this job, or, most appropriately, why you pursued this particular vocation.
But despite those things, I say that I'm happy with it.
I'm happy whenever my students were able to understand what I'm teaching. I'm happy whenever they come up with their deep, moving, and insightful class prayer services which would really surprise any Chrristian Life Education teacher who have seen these. I'm happy with the way students get along with me and ask me various questions about what I teach. I'm happy with how they get along with me and talk not just about religion but also basketball fantasy leagues, their plans for college, as well as their sentiments about the things that they have experienced during the past days. It might be true that the teacher would invest all of his time and effort to the students just for a relatively low salary compared to that of business employees. But then, where else could you find such sense of fulfillment? Where else could you be able to serve and actually take care of other people who are just like you? Nothing, except in the school, where everyone grows and becomes actually human both inside and outside the classrooms and the workrooms.
And I guess I'm satisfied with that. These reasons might not be clear and intelligible enough to serve as explanations. But after a few months of teaching, together with the little successes and failures that come with it, one thing is clear for the person who once saw himself as a philosopher: that the philosophy that he has learned should be exigent. It should get out of itself and encounter the daily lives and struggles of the people around the thinker. It has to serve as a foundation for living, to ground everything in it, to apply it and impart the lessons that it teaches in particular contexts, in particular subjects, in particular classes. And for me, it is in forming these young men, in being with them, in teaching and guiding them, that the philosophy that I have learned in college is enfleshed. It becomes truly alive, truly lived.
It might be busy. It might take most of my time. It might leave me with no free time at all. But who cares, as long as you're growing to be happy and fulfilled with it?
Oh it is love from the first / Time I set my lips against yours / Thinking, "Oh, is it love?" -Hellogoodbye
Making sense of human existence unavoidably includes the search for the meaning of the experience of love. There is this wanting to understand what love is and, most importantly for some, what makes it special, distinct from other experiences. Perhaps one of the questions that experience continually bothers us is "how do I know that I love someone?"
The moment when we ask this question awakens us to the fact that love is a very unique experience in our lives. It is something that draws us, attracts us, and pleases us in life, that which makes us feel relieved in the midst of the absurdities and incongruencies that life has dawned upon us. However, it also reminds us that love is a responsible offering of oneself to that which gives you happiness. In asking this question, you go deeper and dwell into its authenticity, trying to know in what ways can we know that we are loving someone. It is an attempt to look through one's actions and then conclude whether one is loving or not towards another.
Are our sweet nothings and little moments enough to be called love already? Does my deep longing for that person already love? With all the things that we have been doing, is this love? When asking these questions, we put the starting point on our own experience s and deeds, actions which, when proven true, would lead us to conclude whether it is love or not.
But would it be right to start with these actions? Do we really have to start with these "proofs" and "evidences" so that we can conclude that it is love? Is love really the end of this equation?
I believe that we have to turn everything around. It is not the case that we should start with our perception of our actions as "proofs." If we start with those things, we will only see a shallow aspect of love, one that is manifested by concrete actions and thoughts. In the end, we will not be able to see love in its truest form.
The experience of love will only truly make sense if we place it as the starting point of our understanding. Love should be first and foremost primarily understood as a movement of the will. The decision to love is to take a leap towards greater meaning in our lives. It is only in the will to love, to offer oneself for the other by seeking her and seeking her happiness as well, that we come to understand everything. Yes, love might entail knowing someone and being on a certain level of intimacy; however, they could never become indicators of love. At the most, they are mere body contacts that do not really mean anything. All of these things make sense when we decide to love the other.
We say that love indeed makes the ride worthwhile. However, as seen previously, we can't even ask if we can make the ride or if its trips will be meaningful for it to be considered a good ride. It is only in riding and going for the trip, that we will be able to make every twist and turn of the vehicle worthwhile.
And thus, when we discard the question and instead put the will to love as a starting point, everything not only becomes different but also makes more sense. When a person primarily wills to love the other and makes it the center of things, then experiences will have a new meaning to reveal and a new light to shed in our minds and hearts. Each sign, symbol, and expression to communicate one's presence to the other are not just meaningless movements, because for the person who loves and is loved, they are acts which manifest love as an act of will. With the will to love, human existence is given a new direction and a meaningful purpose. Everything now is oriented towards achieving happiness by accepting the other as she is. With love, there is fullness of life. With love, there is meaning. With love, there goes the meaning of human existence.
But unless we decide to love, to take the leap and risk everything that we have for the other, nothing makes any real sense at all.
-Part of the rebuilding process is the need for experimentation, and coach Norman Black did just that during this game. He experimented with various lineups to catch up with the Phoenix Suns-like play of DLSU.
-A closer. That is what we need. Perhaps this would be the worst game where Ateneo had the chance to win the game through a comforting 9-point lead. Someone has to step up and play both offense and defense. Besides the game being against La Salle, this was the most heartbreaking because the blue team never expected that the squad will lose.
-Kirk Long was the factor. A pump three, behind the back layup, and five fouls.
-Sam Marata took the opportunity to bring the lead to DLSU when Ateneo played sloppily.
-I think the 6th Men got used to winning too much. We have to cheer harder even in the midst of difficulties.
Quarter scores
DLSU 66 – Webb 12, Marata 12, Atkins 9, Tampus 6, Andrada 6, de la Paz 5, Tolentino 5, Mendoza 5, Vosotros 3, Villanueva 2, Ferdinand 1, Paredes 0.
Ateneo 63 – Chua 16, Monfort 11, Long 9, Buenafe 7, Salamat 6, Salva 5, Golla 3, Escueta 2, dela Cruz 2, Austria 2, Tiongson 0, Gonzaga 0.
Make: -Eric Salamat's health and, therefore, his effectivity in his game counts. Coming off the bench with a knee contrusion, there is no guarantee that he can play a hundred percent and therefore get his game back. -It's still defense. La Salle's games against UE and UP made all their shooters look really good from the outside , while their match against NU proved that with good defense, everyone in the Green Squad will falter. A more efficient zone defense which could also give way for bodies to be placed on their shooters.
Break: -Too much shooting from beyond the arc. It would be better for them to choose their shots well, with most of their attempts from the paint and trying to force fouls. -Filling in the point guard spot. Coach Norman Black should perhaps work out an effective 8-10 man rotation which would allow their combo guard and forward players to find their spots.
De La Salle University Green Archers (2-1)
Make: -Wingmen efficiency. They were able to beat UP and UE with their mid- and long-range effectivity, coming from their experienced back court composed of Tolentino, Atkins, and Marata. Making those long jumpers would eventually force Ateneo to stretch their defense, therefore allowing more opportunities inside the paint. -Two players off the bench would be quite crucial in bringing La Salle to their first ever victory against the Eagles in two years: Almond Vosotros and Yutien Andrada. While Andrada can shut down almost every member of the Blue frontcourt, Vosotros can outrun anyone and destroy the rhythm of Ateneo defense. Ateneo has to have someone who can check him
Break: -The tiring full court press seems to not work with Ateneo anymore. However, if they continue to employ this defensive play, they are in danger of racking up too many fouls. Previously, UE was able to capitalize on the early penalty and calls toward the charity stripe. With quicker players who can bring the ball on both sides of the court, Ateneo might just seize that opportunity as well. -The Archers have a tendency to play hit-or-miss and will gamble on wild out-of-this-world jumpers (among those who do these is forward Joshua Webb). Once they start to panic and lose the determination to bring the ball inside, then the game should finish early in the second half.
This just shows how great can Christopher Nolan be, and guys like these are those that we really need in this generation of shallow people who are too immersed in simplistic pleasures and thoughts.
However, I would not say that it raises deep philosophical questions. Like "The Matrix," it stands on an already misunderstood notion of the human mind - the Cartesian idea that the starting point of knowledge (and hence the idea of truth and meaning) is founded on the individual thinking being, the cogito, all alone and separated from the supposed "reality" that he is in. This cogito is therefore stuck with itself, unable to get out and encounter reality except through his own mental constructs and projections.
But with how it was mixed up with psychology and our notion of drawing the line between what is real and what is not effectively disturbed us and once again ask either Lao Tzu's question of the dream, or Descartes' second question in his method of arriving towards the cogito.
The question: am I real? Is everything real? Or are these merely states of mind implanted in my head and I'm sleeping somewhere, in eternal slumber?
Interesting as to how existentialists can answer this.
But when we talk about the explosion of passion in the game, there's certainly one guy who can do the job better than the Boston Celtics' "Shrek," it's Ateneo's reserve big man, Jumbo Escueta.
In him is passion personified.
Better look out for him. He's got all the potential to be the next Blue Monster.
-First things first: Justin Chua. With his advantage over the UST frontcourt guys combined, he was able to score off kickouts and even drove down the lane for a weird layup. He really was someone we need in times like these. Beef up like Jumbo, and you'll be a formidable big man. -Norman Black's frontcourt combo seemed unusual for the spectator. However, it has proved to be useful, considering that it responded to the need to neutralize UST undersized big men. -Emman Monfort, after becoming the unlikely hero against the Falcons, slightly turned the tables after doing a "Vujacic." The Eagles should have pulled away early if not for that. -For this season, digging deep into the bench and tapping all those the Eagles really need in particular situations would prove helpful not just this season, but in the future as well. Perhaps a way of building the next "power team"? Maybe. -Eric Salamat ought to rest and play limited minutes. His injury restricted him to play his game, as he was left limping after breaks. Good job with his swipes, though. -This is the game that the Season 72 fans miss. We have to accept that we got too used to winning by a blowout. Let this be a message that it can still happen. But then, discipline is what we need.
Ateneo 68 - Chua 17, Salva 14, Monfort 8, Salamat 7, Golla 7, dela Cruz 5, Long 2, Austria 2, Buenafe 0, Tiongson 0 UST 56 - Bautista 11, Teng 10, Camus 8, Mariano 7, Fortuna 7, Pe 4, Afuang 4, Marata 2, Aytona 2, Daquioag 1, Wong 0, Tinte 0, Mamaril 0, Lo 0
-a Twiterrific view of the game (thanks to a few reliable sources) was not great. Mostly not great if this is your team's first win. (From this point on, just append the phrases I heard/They said, etc.) But then, a win's worthy of writing about, no matter how "blurred" one's vision is, isn't it? -Eric Salamat's "knee contrusion" started to bother him once again. I hope that it will turn out just fine. We still have 12 more games to play. Nico Salva added his own pains as well. -I agree with my brother. Expect that Ateneo games will cause various strokes and nervous breakdowns. I'm guessing there will be no blow out victories for this season… even until the championship match (I'm already assuming here). -a good potential blow-out game, but too bad Adamson got too hot and got close during the fourth quarter. I know the nickname "Pocket Rocket" isn't much of a catch, thank you nevertheless, Emman Monfort. -believe me, there are Sixth Men who can do the job even better while they are concentrating on their jobs. -The same things that will keep us alive: momentum and discipline. We were nearly beat there. Good thing we've got some of these two to keep us alive. I expect more of these things in the next games.
Ateneo 69 – Long 12, Salva 10, Salamat 10, Buenafe 10, Monfort 8, Escueta 7, dela Cruz 3, Golla 3, Erram 2, Tiongson 2, Austria 2, Gonzaga 0.
-Perhaps just a case of bad decision-making during the last stretch. In the end, it was only by a stroke of luck (or is it? RR Garcia, hmm) that Ateneo got a chance to tie the game and force overtime. Unfortunately, Nico Salva opted to go for a reverse layup instead of the usual.
-Roose Garcia scoring 25 points is a huge factor on both sides. While FEU proved that there can be quite a good few who can step up, they have reason enough to fear a rebuilding Ateneo team who locked down JR Cawaling and Aldrech Ramos down the stretch. But Exciminiano with 2 points and 10 boards? Oh, c'mon.
-Arthur dela Cruz is a surprise. He just needs to be more creative with his shots, as FEU got him during the second half.
-Erram and Escueta, given enough playing time and opportunities to step up, could turn out to be formidable big men after 13 more games. Let's see how they get into the Black rhythm.
-Removing the pressure off Emman Monfort and giving Juami Tiongson playing time might help. However, size problems could make that improbable.
-The Sixth Men were too silent and passive during first game. I know that FEU hogged the tickets, but that's no reason to not cheer our hearts out.
*This is a rough draft of an article supposedly co-written with my brother as well as some of his friends. For the final version, I will announce the definite name of the website and the URL of this co-authored blog. But for now, enjoy.
Redemption is the name of the game.
The 2010 NBA Finals ended in a much sweeter and glorious note compared to that of last year, as the Los Angeles Lakers took their second straight title after defeating historic rivals the Boston Celtics. And for everyone in the purple and gold, especially those who were part of those who lost last 2008 to this same Green Team, all was more hard fought.
For Kobe Bryant and the rest of the '08 Lakers, this is not just any back-to-back title. It is a symbol of their revenge, their way of getting back at the Celtics for bullying them two years ago. It stands proof that Kobe Bryant fully cemented his legacy as one of the greatest Lakers ever who had the chance to beat the Boston Celtics - a position he shares with Magic Johnson, avoiding what has happened to Laker legend Jerry West. For Lamar Odom and Pau Gasol, it is a symbol of the toughness and passion that they have grown into, and for the rest, a chance to get back at the mistakes of the last two years.
But surprisingly, they were not the ones whose celebrations stood out and became real and live expressions of emotions.
It was nothing more real, more emotional, more victorious, than Ron Artest's, and for him, this is more than a title, heck more than a salvation of one's legacy or basketball career in hopes of becoming a legend someday.
The Larry O'Brien trophy brought him back his sense of self, both as a basketball player and as a person.
The Ron Artest Way
When the Lakers signed Ron Artest for a five-year deal, there were two points raised by sports critics and analysts about his integration into the Lakers team.
The first was the way he would adjust to the Lakers team defense (which, obviously he would provide a big boost to) and the famous triangle offense. But that was the least of their concerns. Rather, what they were worried about was Ron Artest's on- and off-court behavior, which could affect the overall discipline, image, and gameplay of the team.
Anyone who has watched the NBA at least for the last five or six years has heard of Ron Artest's significant attitude and swagger. Despite being regarded as one of the top defensive men of the decade, he also got the "rough bad boy" image, being strongly associated with his acts of defiance and, for lack of a better and more accurate word, "violence."
And we can count various demerits, starting with the famous (and the biggest and most violent) brawl way back 2004, when, back as an Indiana Pacer, his foul on the Detroit Piston's center Ben Wallace ended up with him throwing a punch at a fan and eventually being suspended for the regular season.
The trade which sent him to the Sacramento Kings for year-long stint did not do any kind of damage control in his image. He never did get worse, but there were still traces of the Ron Artest of the brawl, with technical fouls and occasional ejections every now and then. But looking on the bright side of his career, he provided the energy that the withered Kings needed just to hang on. Along with the young, blooming Kevin Martin, Artest carried the load of the Kings on both ends of the court until the first round of the playoffs, where the San Antonio Spurs eliminated them in six games.
Afterwards, a trade brought him to the Houston Rockets, which promised a new era not only for himself, in the course of his attempt to show that he is still worthy of respect, but also for the Rockets as a team. Together with Yao Ming, Tracy McGrady, and Shane Battier, Artest shaped Houston into a Western Conference contender, cementing a smooth road to the playoffs, albeit a rough and violent one.
The Lakers fans won't even forget their woes against Ron Artest in the course of the seven-game battle between L.A. and Houston. Before the regular season ends, Kobe Bryant and Ron Artest were charged with technical fouls each for badmouthing each other near the end of the game. During Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals, he was ejected when he showed antagonism over Bryant after a contested call. He faced another ejection in Game 3 when he put up his arms on the face of a driving Pau Gasol.
Eventually, the series ended with the Lakers winning, as Kobe Bryant and Ron Artest shared congratulatory remarks and words of encouragement after game seven, putting behind everything that happened between them during those momentous playoff series. And during that time, nobody ever thought of a partnership between them.
Wearing That Lakers Jersey
The 2009 Los Angeles Lakers, after winning the championship against the Orlando Magic, find themselves still intact as a team, save for one - Trevor Ariza. For the team, he is as valuable as every teammate, most especially during the course of the playoffs where he showed what he can really do - make the necessary stops, run for fastbreak points, and even hit crucial threes and perimeters if not cutting and dunking. As soon as his contract expired, the Lakers were already determined to sign him in for five more years.
However, things didn't turn out as it was planned, as Ariza's agent turned down the Lakers' offer which covers the mid-level exception, the only available offer for the Lakers so as to avoid overspending, being way above the lowered salary cap. Because of that, Ariza's management agreed with the other contesting offer, that of the Houston Rockets.
In spite of Artest's performance, the Rockets did not want him back, becoming satisfied with Ariza. It was then that the Lakers, in a way, chased after him. They offered him the MLE contract, which he immediately accepted. He wore the number 37, the number of weeks that the late Michael Jackson's album, "Thriller," stayed on the number one Billboard Chart.
For Artest, being in L.A. was a very special opportunity for him. It is a gift, a positive reinforcer which suited his needs for fame and respect. From the most hated by the Staples crowd, he was warmly accepted by Tinseltown. He grew instant fame not just with his offseason modeling sideline across different L.A. independent labels, but also his gimmicks which he frequently tweeted (and constantly retweeted) in his "TruWarier" account. With these perks, it seems that the Lakers will keep him behaved for at least five years.
The regular season began without even a harsh comment pointed against Artest. There was no major news of misbehavior, even gaining the love of the L.A. crowd while playing great team defense alongside Kobe Bryant and the purple and gold. It seems that everyone realized that a little change might provide them a boost, with greater hopes of defending the title and repeating their 2009 performance.
But everything was not all good between Artest and the Lakers. At times, it was evident that he was not like Ariza who could fit into the triangle perfectly, primarily because of their differences in speed and offense. While half of the Lakers analysts were praising Ron Artest for becoming a defensive boost in the Lakers, the other half was complaining about his offensive inefficiency, as he was characterized with poor perimeter shooting and slow cutting which disrupted the speed of the execution of the triangle. Add to that the fact that Artest was absent when the Lakers needed him most during the Christmas season, when he said he fell down the stairs while bringing gifts back home and was sidelined with a mild injury.
And during the course of the regular season, Laker fans worried about not only the looming injuries of Lakers stars, most especially Kobe Bryant and Andrew Bynum, but also the effectiveness of Ron Artest as a replacement to Ariza.
The Transfiguration: The NBA Playoffs
These doubts and criticisms continued to surface even until the NBA playoffs. Albeit finishing with a decent 57-25 record in the West, the Lakers are still facing a tough road ahead, as they were set to fight a battle within the team (their injuries and efficiency) and without.
During the first round, the Purple and Gold were put against eighth seeded Oklahoma Thunder, which boasts of a high-octane offense led by the young rising star Kevin Durant. Artest was once again given a chance to prove himself a true Laker warrior when he was assigned to put the shackles on KD and prevent him from having big games.
And defended he did. Laker fans were once again comforted by the fact that Artest was there, as he never left Durant on his own throughout the six-game battle. He always had his body to put against Durant's, and a hand raised not only on his shot but also in his face. As the Lakers pulled away to win and advance to the next round, KD35, the 2010 scoring champion, was effectively limited to below 35 points, not allowing the Thunder to greatly pull away and the Lakers to close them out.
From there, Artest would have his own up and down performances, putting the Lakers on several high and low moments. His offensive efficiency against Utah, in the course of also taking the responsibility to defend the wingmen of the Jazz, was also questioned; however, he proved that he can contribute as well, finding his shooting spots, and even running up to get the offensive board, run back down to the three point line, and make the trey. In sweeping the series, Artest has proven himself quite helpful.
But not as much during the Western Conference Finals against the Phoenix Suns. He went well with the Lakers team defense when they put the Suns away during the first two games. But in the two consecutive losses against the Suns in their home court, it was Artest who destroyed two opportunities of the Lakers offense to put them away. He was known to have hurried the offense with his quick but contested three-pointers, missing most of them. During times when he was supposed to step up and be the man, he failed to do so, even causing problems with turnovers and transition defense. During the course of the series, he was as random as a quantum particle, doing good and bad at times, coming out big in one moment, and not being helpful in another. The way he becomes a teammate to the Lakers became a major concern for the rest of their playoff games. Most of the Lakers fans even wished Ariza was there to play this game for them.
Come Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals, where the Lakers sense the need to win to break the tie and gain the momentum before heading to Phoenix for Game 6. During the dying minutes of the game, Phoenix rallied from an 18 point deficit to tie the game101. As a last resort, the Lakers got the ball to Kobe Bryant as he struggled to shoot the ball from the right arc. His shot did not even touch the rim, but Artest cut into the paint, grabbed the ball and immediately put up a difficult last-minute shot to end the game in favor of the Lakers, 103-101. For some, it was his first act of redemption, as that last minute shot has proved that he is a valuable teammate, and for him, this shot gave him back the confidence that he was supposed to have as a Laker playing alongside the 2009 World Champions.
Artest's randomness (as well as the critics' doubts) didn't diminish even during the NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics. He was a very important defensive element in Game 1, always playing the D against the Celtics' best scorer and team leader, Paul Pierce. However, he once again destroyed the team offense in Game 2 with their only home loss in the playoffs, hitting too many three pointers and not making a single one of them. Though insignificant in the next games (save for his defense on Paul Pierce), his biggest playoff mistake was not getting the last two Laker free throws in Game 5, eventually failing to make it a one-possession game and letting the Celtics get away and head to the Staples Center with a 3-2 series lead.
His great moment came in at Game Seven, when, after the Lakers massacred the Celtics in Game Six, everyone is expected to be at their best. Apparently, it was quite the contrary, as the Lakers found themselves digging a very deep hole, with Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol going cold and inefficient. With the Lakers struggling, there has to be someone who has to step up and lead the team to a surge that could bring them to the win. Fortunately, they have the quantum particle, the one who is least expected to step up in the final game, where the pressure is greater than one expects.
It was Ron Artest who became the overnight hero, leading the Lakers to their biggest comeback in 2010. He started a 9-0 surge early in the second half to put the Lakers back on track, and made a cut sometime in the second half and scored a three-point play to once again keep L.A. afloat after being down by double digits. However, what made him special in Game 7 was the way he put a dagger in the heart of the Mean Green Team, making the trey after receiving a pass from Bryant and putting the Lakers ahead by six in the final minutes. In the end, he stepped up when no one did, made noise when everyone was quiet, pushed when no one can barely move and make a change in the game, and became a killer when no one could not be. He truly became the man of the game, the one everyone counted on when no one would dare do so in the most crucial of all games.
Getting Back Up
This single game seven, everything was redeemed. Sure, we can't throw away the swagger that Ron Artest has been. We can even say a lot of things about his problematic behavior which we can trace way back in Chicago (with the Hennessy in the locker room), Indiana, Sacramento, and Houston. But then, this outstanding performance is enough to bring back the respect that he ought to get - a kind of respect towards the way he played the game. His highlight performance was able to save his dignity as a real star in the realm of professional basketball, one that has to be taken seriously in all aspects of the game. For once, he was the man who cannot be denied on both ends of the court.
Playing alongside Kobe and filling in the shoes left by wingman Trevor Ariza, not only did Ron Artest save the Lakers from another loss against the Celtics. He also saved his own infamous legacy, making one of the most memorable, zero-to-hero performances in NBA history.
And even the postgame interviews, press conference, and his post-Finals appearances can attest to that. Ron Artest, so far, has been the greatest Cinderella story ever, and I do believe that no one could forget this man who rose, fell, and rose back up again with a glorious finish.
I do not have any clear picture of what is going to happen during the first day of my classes. I spent the weekend preparing for this: designing my blueprint for class order and discipline, laying out the requirements, making my powerpoint presentation that comes with images and icons that should be interesting for third and fourth year high school students, and psyching myself up and making the mental preparations necessary.
But Wednesday will be the first day that I face a real classroom situation, my encounter with my actual students who will be with me for one year. I will be there, facing them, giving them instructions, telling me what to do not only in my subject, but in their life during the next months. I will be there directing their future, forming their values while building a good relationship with them. I will be there not just to teach my Christian Living Education, but also, more importantly, to teach them that life is worth living, that the future is worth looking forward, that everything in this life has a reason.
Shorthanded may I be (I know everyone is), I am ready to present myself and be there for them. And perhaps, in the end, I might say that I chose the right path.
But right now, I feel that it is the right one for me. Onwards to the first day of school.
I officially trashed my non-biased analysis which appears to be biased after all. Before the Conference Finals even ended, I have already made my analysis of the upcoming Lakers-Celtics battle, thinking that with the performance of both teams against the Phoenix Suns and the Orlando Magic respectively, it was already a sealed match. I have broken down the seven-game series into five aspects of the game, and looked at who gets the advantage in each aspect.
1. On the offensive side, it seems that the Lakers will take it. They have the best scorer (and playmaker during the recent games, mind you) in Kobe Bryant. Plus, they have the bigs (and Ron Artest) who could go on the paint and score easy lay-ups. Boston, on the other hand, mostly gamble on long range shots with the exception of a few, like Rajon Rondo and Tony Allen. 2.However, the Celtics will have the advantage in D. To admit, the Purple and Gold have just let the Phoenix grab three-digit scores in the course of the whole Western Conference Finals. Gasol went soft during the last four games, allowing Stoudemire to posterize him and Robin Lopez to play like him. The team also drew a lot of fouls in the process, giving the Suns easy scores from the charity stripe. The Celtics, on the other hand, brought their best out and returned with their famous team defense. Rajon Rondo led the way in defense during the Eastern Conference Finals, and the team, even those on the bench, followed suit. With that, the Lakers might find themselves in a difficult situation in forcing the ball inside. 3.The bench could be the turning point and the deciding factor during the Finals. While the Lakers backups were mercurial (remember that it was Shannon Brown and Jordan Farmar who brought the Lakers down, scoring 1 out of 12 field goals in Game 4), the Celtics bench have been too active and unstoppable at times. Glen Davis hustled and scored from the outside. Kryptonate did his job in scoring 13 points through perimeter jumpers, and Rasheed Wallace emerged as a top performer. 4.I have to give the backcourt advantage to the Lakers because of Kobe Bryant, the frontcourt has to be taken by the Celtics because of Kevin Garnett. We could put the "unstoppable" stamp for both of them, simply because of their great performance and leadership during the playoffs. 'Nuff said.
I was not able to finish this one. But then, had I been able to, there would be two conclusions:
1.That the Lakers will win if they were able to break through the Celtics defense and have Kobe and Gasol take over both from outside and inside. 2.That the Celtics will win if they were able to hold the Lakers offense and keep the bench at a mercurial level.
I'm trashing all this in place of two things: first, the drama that exist within the Lakers' story, and second, the problems that they are facing. I have read several analysis, and these "non-objective," unbiased stats won't be able to say anything about the real battle within. Even most of the Lakers and Celtics fans have already resigned to the fact that this will be a perfectly equal match up.
But then, I disagree, as I was able to see the cracks and crevices which could emerge and altogether let the perfect plane of equality fall. And I believe that those who were really good at watching over the Lakers and the Celtics have seen these too.
For two years, this is what Kobe Bryant and the rest of the '08 team have been waiting for. Remember that the Lakers suffered the biggest losses of their lives during 2008, when they blew that 24-point lead to put up Celtics 3-1 in game 4 of the series, completely turning the tables to Boston, and the 39-point massacre that the Big Three did to Kobe, Pau Gasol, and Lamar Odom. This was probably the largest swords which stabbed the heart of the Lakers, and this is the largest and most painful wound, so large that not even the 2009 championship completely cured it.
But now, the Lakers have the chance to avenge their 2008 humiliation. They were like former school nerds trying to play the game on the bullies of the past, using stilts to reach them and school supplies to hit them. Kobe and his squad has been waiting for this for two long years. The Lakers now come in with a slightly different roster and a greatly higher level of maturity and gameplay. Three of the best teams of the West - the Thunder, the Jazz, and the Suns respectively - have gotten every bit of Laker gameplay: Ron Artest's tough D, the bigs' post presence, Elmo's pullups from beyond the arc, and Kobe's clutch plays. So far, the Lakers have played pretty tough team games down the stretch, and it is only then that they were able to secure good wins this summer.
But will this revived Lakers squad, who struggled with various injuries and made several mistakes on both ends, work against the Boston Celtics? All two seasons long, the Celtics have been criticized for being too rusty. The Big Three are set to retire or decline (in terms of gameplay) for the next five years or so. Though packed with a lot of stars and former stars, they just managed to end fourth seed in the East. However, come playoffs and we see a different Boston Celtics, now a team playing defense as if the Big Three came back from the past.
Boston's team defense stole the show which was supposed to star the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Orlando Magic. They ripped both of these teams in six games. Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, and Paul Pierce showed that they are a team that should be taken seriously, that each grunt, shot, post move, and tweet should be feared. During the span of the playoffs, they showed that they are real championship contenders. They showed that they are the real beasts of the East.
The Lakers now have to play the role of the dragon slayers. They have been consistently good, but the Celtics, in twelve quick games, went way above L.A.'s level of play. So the Lakers have to do their job here. Either they reduce the monster to individual parts, which means breaking the Celtics defense with strategic offensive plays, or be eaten alive. However, the slaying will be complete if they will play Boston's game, which means they have to defend their basket as a team. They should learn to utilize their default strong side zone, while learning to adjust and find solutions on the weak side. They should learn to shut the Celtics' potent scorers down while forcing turnovers and initiating fast break plays. And from here, we talk about the problems haunting the purple and gold.
It might be easy to say and think of that as the Lakers really doing it perfectly, but it would be hard to, because the Lakers have a few imperfections which necessarily have to be tweaked, for in their weaknesses and errors lie the strengths and perfections of the Celtics.
The backup players of each squad will be important, when the matchups within the first five will "cancel" themselves out in tough game situations. While Lamar Odom remains to be the X-factor, the Lakers, for the past games, had a bench that was mercurial, with no one really stepping up and forcing the ball inside. If this non-existence continues, then the Lakers will be facing matchup problems, and hence, problems managing player consistency. It would be fine for Kobe and Pau to play 40 to 45 minutes per game, but once they get their rest, it would be important to keep everything afloat and alright, and that is what the bench players need to handle. If the Lakers can cause problem to the Celtics' big backups , namely Glen Davis, Rasheed Wallace, Nate Robinson, and the rest of the guys sitting out there, then they might as well have given the trophy to the Celtics.
And of course, we never leave this topic without physicality. The aging Celtics ironically got tougher and tougher as games progressed. They never settled for outside shots unless those who shoot are really sure of draining it. Their hard knock defense and hustle play made thin paper out of Dwight Howard and Shaq during the earlier matches. The bigs were forcing the ball inside as much as possible, while trying to grab each and every rebound from missed baskets. If there is a team that wants the ball so bad that they would bully their opponents, it will be the Celtics.
These two might be small factors, but they are so crucial that they could turn the tables around and force fate to favor the Mean Green Squad. And because these are the things that the Lakers need great improvement, I was led to think that they are facing an uphill battle. Yes, it is an uphill battle with problems to find solutions to, but once they do, they get to win the series.
The Celtics undoubtedly have the mental advantage over the Lakers, and they can use their memories of obliterating L.A. to pressure them. The Lakers' D during the past games have been really scattered, allowing Phoenix open shots from both inside and outside, an opportunity that Boston could seize during their offensive runs. The point guard position hasn't been totally filled up, and Rajon Rondo could own Derek Fisher, Jordan Farmar, or Shannon Brown anytime during the game. Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom have been branded as soft defenders during the Finals series. When the match-ups cancel each other out, the Celtics still have the advantage because their bench have the potential to explode anytime.
But then, when we talk about the Lakers, we see a team that really knows how to fight and put their poker faces on until the clock runs out. The purple and gold can prove that they have really grown stronger on both ends, with Kobe and Pau still leading the way. They can play team defense better than the Celtics do, using the combination of Bryant, Artest, Gasol, and Bynum to stop them from scoring in the paint and escaping with open perimeters. Derek Fisher could be, as we ironically expect it, a great surprise. The three to five players coming off the bench could do their job and provide genuine assistance (N.B., Vujacic could explode). And Pau Gasol? Last time everyone heard of him about his Finals performance was that he acted like a real Kryptonite who stopped Superman. Perhaps he could tear down the Big Ticket and totally stop him from becoming a nuisance. Lamar Odom, now with less of the pressure and more of the talent, could become the key to the four greatest Laker wins in postseason history.
Los Angeles now moves through a tunnel with flashing lights, a continuous play of light and darkness towards the exit. It's either they take advantage of the light and find their way, meaning solving their problems, leveling the gameplay of the exploding Celtics, or completely succumbing to their weaknesses and becoming lost in figuring out how to break the Green Team. It will take a lot of effort and patience to get there, and will involve several ups and downs that need to be dealt with. And when I say a lot, I mean seven games, forty-eight minutes long of
And I believe that they can get there, that they can redeem themselves and get that back-to-back crown, successfully closing the NBA Season with their glorious title defense. They can give Kobe the fifth ring and move him a step closer to legendary (and probably a new shoe line). They can shut Paul Pierce's mouth off and force him into silence after all those ego-trips he made. They can close the decade with perhaps the greatest win they can have since 2002.
And though it might be hard for me to say it, taking into account the pressure put upon the million true Lakers fans around the globe, I am going to say it.
The East teams are proof that the playoffs are way different compared to the regular season. Most importantly, this will be the time that teams have to prove something. It will be their opportunity to make a statement and show the world that they are strong and worthy to grab the trophy. With impressive playoff performances, both the guys of the Boston Celtics and the Orlando Magic are out to exactly instill respect and fear among their opponents. But the Question: who will emerge victorious?
ORLANDO MAGIC (2)
The Magic In: Four and four was what Dwight Howard and his team have delivered into the playoffs so far. After crushing Gerald Wallace and the Charlotte Bobcats, they put to shame the Atlanta Hawks through tough defense. The backcourt combination of Jameer Nelson and Vince Carter froze Joe Johnson and Jamal Crawford, the two top scorers of the Hawks, while Howard and Rashard Lewis took care of Josh Smith and Al Horford. But the Magic is not just about defense; it's about efficient inside and outside scoring as well. The Superman has always been a man of the paint, while Lewis and Carter can provide the treys given the opportunities. Making their shots would then entail a big win for them.
Still, the challenge remains. Can they go for another four wins, now that their opponent is not like the Bobcats and the Hawks? Everyone knows that this stronger Magic team would like to put it even against the Lakers, or possibly own Steve Nash's team. Whether they would battle the Lakers or the Magic, they still have to get past the Boston Celtics to actually be able to battle.
BOSTON CELTICS (3)
The Celtics In: Perhaps Bston's owning of the Cavaliers in six games would soon become a major turning point in the history of the NBA of this decade. The winning trio of Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, and Paul Pierce, was able to defeat LeBron James and Shaquille O'Neal's squad, who was able to grab the top spot in the Eastern Conference. Those six games became possible also through the help of the supporting cast, which includes Kendrick Perkins, Glen Davis, Rasheed Wallace, and the significant Rajon Rondo, who delivered his best and got a triple-double during their game four win.
But certainly, Orlando is no Cleveland. While LeBron James was the only problem with the Cavaliers, the greens have to deal not only with Howard, but their excellent teamplay and playmaking. Add to that the nagging need to be consistent despite injuries and age wearing them down. Could they get up and do their best to get another four wins, prepared for any contingent plans just in case this series stretches?
What Could Be: As age and energy becomes a problem for the Boston trio, the youth and finesse of Dwight Howard and Jameer Nelson will wear them down and could even beat them to a pulp. Magic in 7.
Starting this Monday, NBA will turn from sports entertainment to a two-week soap opera. The games in the West wouldn't just be about games. In fact, it would be more of bringing together the stories of these teams and the emotions that come with them. Eventually, this fight between the Lakers and the Suns will get more and more intense as the series progress.
LOS ANGELES LAKERS (1)
The Lakers In: Could it be true that the Kobe Bryant of last year has been unleashed and is ready to once again lead the team to another championship? It is, perhaps. Bryant has regained his form despite his finger injury and a few more on the knee, ankle, and the back. He has been an efficient offensive weapon, scoring for more than 30 points on 35 shots or less. Add to that the strong effort of his assisting pilot, Pau Gasol, who, after the game-saving putback against the Thunder, exploded and learned to use his size and jump shooting ability against Utah's big men.
However, teamwork is composed of more than two players, and many of those in Purple and Gold have to really step up. Andrew Bynum, whose knee injury worsened and is now recovering, should learn to deal with pain and play defense. Efficiency and shot selections should be considered for Ron Artest and Shannon Brown, both of them having to go inside to score. Lamar Odom and Derek Fisher has to provide all the assistance that Kobe and Pau needed, most especially in clutch situations. With all these in check, maybe another championship ring won't be too far.
PHOENIX SUNS (3)
The Suns In: Even though that it is obvious that it's possible, everyone was taken aback when the Suns swept the playoff-experienced San Antonio Spurs in four straight games. And mind you, all four games are not just about run-and-gun. Credit must be given to the Suns first five for holding back the Spurs' big three - Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, and Tony Parker - and reducing their performance at minimum. Nash was able to create more scoring opportunities for Grant Hill and Jason Richardson, while Amare Stoudemire literally worked his way in and go over Duncan.
Surprisingly, it was the bench was able to provide additional firepower and helped seal the wins for good. Channing Frye, as always, was given the chances to hit shots from beyond the arc and also contributing to the help defense inside. And who would forget Goran Dragic and his four-point play? He was the one who stole game three away from the Spurs through outside scoring, stretching their defense and allowing the post players to penetrate. With these two and the rest of the backups playing alongside their stars, Phoenix could get a shot at owning the Lakers for the third time this decade.
What Could Be: Obviously, the Lakers will still have the natural advantage over the Suns: height. Pau and 'Drew could put a stop on all the Phoenix bigs, while the backcourt combination of Bryant and Artest could lock Nash, Hill, and Richardson down. Phoenix could win through open looks, but the Lakers most probably wouldn't allow that. Lakers in 6.
To talk about election after having indelible ink on my right forefinger seems to be useless for others. However, I think that writing about it after the experience of choosing our leaders would help us to reflect upon what we have done this day, after all the lining up, waiting, marking, and inserting our ballots into the PCOS machine, waiting for the "Congratulations" image to appear on the LCD.
So, how did we choose at all? I believe that most of us, especially those who were yuppies like me, took our first (or second, for some) election seriously. We took our pick from top to bottom thinking of the future of a possibly new face of the Filipino society. We chose the people whom we think could bring change, who would learn to move on and work for progress, and would try to work out the mistakes already committed for several years, pushing for the moral and structural reorganization and reorientation that we look forward to.
For those who did not waste your right to vote and thought about things well, then congratulations. You have just taken one of the first small steps toward working for change. A good job, I would say, to you who grew patient enough to wait for hours in the line just to get a few minutes of voting, and a few more hours to wait for the PCOS machine to get to work again.
With this, I hope that the one vote that we have was worth it. I hope that we have looked at the bigger picture before shading the ovals. I hope that we were able to choose someone who knows to provide a direction for the country: a person who would be willing to sacrifice everything, including his very self, for the good of the Filipino people. I hope that we chose someone who is proud enough to lead and initiate, yet humble enough to accept that he also has to listen to those whom he serves. I hope that we chose someone who knows how to both instruct and learn, talk and listen, believe and doubt, question and answer, and, most importantly, lead and serve the best way possible.
On the practical side, I hope we never voted for someone just because our city will benefit for it, or because our family will land a job in the government, or because we can get away with anything that is illegal. I hope we never voted out of fame, influence, or comfort.
I hope that we have chosen the leader who can envision and bring us to what is beyond the horizon.
And from here onwards, it will be our responsibility as members of the Filipino society. Those guys have done mapping out the way they carry our responsibility, and it's about time to execute ours, and it will be possible only if we support them and stand out for them. Our candidate may or may not win, but what makes the difference (and what could make us genuinely democratic) would be our efforts to help our leader. If we learn to stand with him and against him, for him and not for him, for the good and the bad of him, then we can say that we really are Filipinos. Perhaps it is true that in our case, the downfall of our leader is a downfall of the voice of the masses as well, a failure to support and speak out for our leaders. In the end, I hope that we all carry this responsibility well, as genuine Filipino people who know what it means to be accountable to something or somebody.
In the next few days, even weeks, the numbers will decide. So all I ask of you now is to pray that everything will go on as planned, and to dispose ourselves towards openness, acceptance, and cooperation, which would help us develop strong relationships and intellectual dialogues with our present leaders.
The only mask he wears is that of riddles, creative analogies, and metaphors. The rest are open for public viewing.
A miles ecclesiae, wide reader, and a number 3 on the enneagram, he never (or at times) fails to express things noteworthy. He was editor-in-chief and a layout artist for some minor publications and yearbooks. As of now, he writes anything for anyone. Just tell him.
