Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa

I always adore Andres Bonifacio for his courage in forming the Katipunan and starting the Philippine Revolution against Spain in 1896. Some sectors claimed he was not educated and was betrayed by fellow revolutionaries because of that lack. However, as some historians proved, Andres Bonifacio was a good writer (hence this poem) and was even able to translate Rizal's Mi Ultimo Adios to Tagalog.

Today in 1863, the Great Plebeian was born in Tondo, Manila. As my tribute to him, I am quoting in full his own poem I copied from Ating Alamin.

Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa

ni Andres Bonifacio

Aling pag-ibig pa ang hihigit kaya

sa pagka-dalisay at pagka-dakila

gaya ng pag-ibig sa tinubuang lupa?

Alin pag-ibig pa? Wala na nga, wala.

Ulit-ulitin mang basahin ng isip

at isa-isahing talastasing pilit

ang salita’t buhay na limbag at titik

ng isang katauhan ito’y namamasid.

Banal na pag-ibig pag ikaw ang nukal

sa tapat na puso ng sino’t alinman,

imbit taong gubat, maralita’t mangmang

nagiging dakila at iginagalang.

Pagpuring lubos ang nagiging hangad

sa bayan ng taong may dangal na ingat,

umawit, tumula, kumatha’t sumulat,

kalakhan din nila’y isinisiwalat.

Walang mahalagang hindi inihandog

ng pusong mahal sa Bayang nagkupkop,

dugo, yaman, dunong, tiisa’t pagod,

buhay ma’y abuting magkalagot-lagot.

Bakit? Ano itong sakdal nang laki

na hinahandugan ng buong pag kasi

na sa lalong mahal kapangyayari

at ginugugulan ng buhay na iwi.

Ay! Ito’y ang Inang Bayang tinubuan,

siya’y ina’t tangi na kinamulatan

ng kawili-wiling liwanag ng araw

na nagbibigay init sa lunong katawan.

Sa kanya’y utang ang unang pagtanggol

ng simoy ng hanging nagbigay lunas,

sa inis na puso na sisinghap-singhap,

sa balong malalim ng siphayo’t hirap.

Kalakip din nito’y pag-ibig sa Bayan

ang lahat ng lalong sa gunita’y mahal

mula sa masaya’t gasong kasanggulan.

hanggang sa katawan ay mapasa-libingan.

Ang na nga kapanahon ng aliw,

ang inaasahang araw na darating

ng pagka-timawa ng mga alipin,

liban pa ba sa bayan tatanghalin?

At ang balang kahoy at ang balang sanga

na parang niya’t gubat na kaaya-aya

sukat ang makita’t sasa-ala-ala

ang ina’t ang giliw lampas sa saya.

Tubig niyang malinaw sa anak’y bulog

bukal sa batisang nagkalat sa bundok

malambot na huni ng matuling agos

na nakaa-aliw sa pusong may lungkot.

Sa kaba ng abang mawalay sa Bayan!

gunita ma’y laging sakbibi ng lumbay

walang ala-ala’t inaasam-asam

kundi ang makita’ng lupang tinubuan.

Pati na’ng magdusa’t sampung kamatayan

waring masarap kung dahil sa Bayan

at lalong maghirap, O! himalang bagay,

lalong pag-irog pa ang sa kanya’y alay.

Kung ang bayang ito’y nasa panganib

at siya ay dapat na ipagtangkilik

ang anak, asawa, magulang, kapatid

isang tawag niya’y tatalikdang pilit.

Datapwa kung bayan ng ka-Tagalogan

ay nilalapastangan at niyuyurakan

katwiran, puri niya’t kamahalan

ng sama ng lilong ibang bayan.

Di gaano kaya ang paghinagpis

ng pusong Tagalog sa puring nalait

at aling kaluoban na lalong tahimik

ang di pupukawin sa paghihimagsik?

Saan magbubuhat ang paghihinay

sa paghihiganti’t gumugol ng buhay

kung wala ring ibang kasasadlakan

kundi ang lugami sa ka-alipinan?

Kung ang pagka-baon niya’t pagka-busabos

sa lusak ng daya’t tunay na pag-ayop

supil ng pang-hampas tanikalang gapos

at luha na lamang ang pinaa-agos

Sa kanyang anyo’y sino ang tutunghay

na di-aakayin sa gawang magdamdam

pusong naglilipak sa pagka-sukaban

na hindi gumagalang dugo at buhay.

Mangyari kayang ito’y masulyap

ng mga Tagalog at hindi lumingap

sa naghihingalong Inang nasa yapak

ng kasuklam-suklam na Castilang hamak.

Nasaan ang dangal ng mga Tagalog,

nasaan ang dugong dapat na ibuhos?

bayan ay inaapi, bakit di kumikilos?

at natitilihang ito’y mapanuod.

Hayo na nga kayo, kayong ngang buhay

sa pag-asang lubos na kaginhawahan

at walang tinamo kundi kapaitan,

kaya nga’t ibigin ang naaabang bayan.

Kayong antayan na sa kapapasakit

ng dakilang hangad sa batis ng dibdib

muling pabalungit tunay na pag-ibig

kusang ibulalas sa bayang piniit.

Kayong nalagasan ng bunga’t bulaklak

kahoy niyaring buhay na nilant sukat

ng bala-balakit makapal na hirap

muling manariwa’t sa baya’y lumiyag.

Kayong mga pusong kusang (pugal)

ng dagat at bagsik ng ganid na asal,

ngayon magbangon’t baya’y itanghal

agawin sa kuko ng mga sukaban.

Kayong mga dukhang walang tanging (lasap)

kundi ang mabuhay sa dalita’t hirap,

ampunin ang bayan kung nasa ay lunas

sapagkat ang ginhawa niya ay sa lahat.

Ipaghandog-handog ang buong pag-ibig

hanggang sa mga dugo’y ubusang itigis

kung sa pagtatanggol, buhay ay (mailit)

ito’y kapalaran at tunay na langit.

Go like the wind

"A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving." -- Lao Tzu

I am literally packing my bag for a short trip to Samar, that place I mostly abhor but despite that I am almost always drawn to it like a magnet. What ambivalence. If I have a genie in a bottle by now, I would still be confused, to say the least, if I will ask him to make Samar a nice place or bring me instead to Europe. I wish it is that easy.

Lately, my wish is to go somewhere where no one knows me and stay there and be part of the community. Someone recommended that I volunteer with VSO Bahaginan where I could travel and share my knowledge to certain communities. The lazy part of filling up forms and exhuming my relevant documents produced nothing, of course.

But honestly, I am wishing to travel again, without consideration to time and money. And the effort.

Among the places I have been to (and would like to go again!)-

Bohol. Yes. No matter how pure blooded Boholano I am, I would still love to go and explore my home province again and again. I am tired of those places you saw in promo collaterals. Some of them were glamorized to the max. Believe me, I have made several campaign collaterals for Bohol already. But people do not know there are unknown and outside of the tourist track places in Bohol where you can still enjoy a much appreciated quiet beauty. No noisy and nosy tourists and tour guides. Just you and nature alone. Like lovers staring into oblivion.

Bangkok. There is something in that place that I love to visit again. Not the bargains stuff or the sex things. No. I love Bangkok for its natural calmness despite the fast-paced life. No blowing of horns despite the traffic. Almost all places I’ve been to are literally clean. Even highways traversed by a lot of traffic. And the food. Wow. Just writing this article makes my mouth water.

Zamboanga. I think Zamboanga suffered from some degree of evasion by prospective tourists due to its proximity to Basilan, that place known for kidnappings and bombings. In fact, Zamboanga has also its threats years ago. But my recent visit, my second actually, Zamboanga is still the perfect city I wish I could go back from time to time. The city has a sense of maturity despite the fact they are trying to compete with the urban status others have imposed to cities. You know- the malls, transportation, call centers, etc. This is the city I would like to walk from the hotel and around.

Now the difficult task is where to go next. So many places to explore, so little money to spend. Or nothing at all. But who knows some readers here may bring me along with them for free. I wish!

Israel. Since I was young, I have wanted to go to Israel. The stories I heard and read about (the Bible, the Holocaust, the religions there, the tea, etc.) act like a magnet to me. Something is drawing me to that place. That’s beside the fact that my name is Hebrew. If I only have the money now, I would be there in no time.

Prague. UNESCO won’t be wrong if they named Prague a heritage place. I have never been there, and can’t even pinpoint it on the map, but its history is tempting enough for me to wish to go there. Culture, culture, culture. Prague is all about culture.

Anywhere in Africa. The dangers of Africa is embedded in me. Later when I grow older, I realized (based on my readings) that we all came from that place. That God-forsaken place media has shown the world- AIDS, famine, death, rogue tribes, cannibalism and District 9. I want to have my own perspective of that place.

Some places I would also like to visit- South America! (Imagine tango, virgin forests, Indians, and beauty contestants who always have a place in all beauty pageants around the world.); Australia (Ayers Rock, Sydney, Bondi Beach, Great Barrier Reef. Ahhhh!); the rest of Canada (I have only been to Alberta areas and Canada seems a great place to explore. And the people there are more friendly and warm.)

Meanwhile, I will go back now to packing my bag and prepare my trip to Samar.

Lovely and Crazy

We all love Queen. We love Bohemian Rhapsody. We love The Muppets. I am sure you will love this too.

Andres

I am no historian so I won't dwell so much on who Andres Bonifacio was or what did he do to deserve such accolade in the annals of Philippine history.

But many years back (in 1996 I think), I watched a play of Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) on the Philippine Revolution titled 1896 and was terribly touched by the scene where Gregoria de Jesus (Bonifacio's wife) was looking for him and wondering if Bonifacio was safe. I was actually crying with her (Oryang's character) knowing that the scene before, Andres was already murdered.

Ignorant of the works of historical people, I never knew Oryang was actually singing a poem originally written by the real Gregoria de Jesus.

And so to commemorate my favorite hero's day, Andres Bonifacio, I am quoting here in full the poem of his wife. I copied the text from Kite on her Multiply account.

Magmula, Giliw, nang ikaw ay Pumanaw

Gregoria de Jesus

Magmula, giliw, nang ikaw ay pumanaw,

Katawan at puso ko’y walang paglagyan;

Lakad ng dugo sa ugat ay madalang,

Lalo’t magunita ang iyong palayaw.

Lubhang malabis ang aking pagdaramdam

Sa biglang paggayak mo’t ako’y panawan,

Alaala ako sa iyong pagdaraanan,

At gayundin naman sa iyong katawan.

Na baka sakaling ikaw ay kapusin,

Lumipas sa iyo oras ng pagkain;

Sakit na mabigat baka ka sumpungin

Na lagi mo na lamang sa aki’y daing.

Saan patutungo yaring kalagayan,

Dalamhating lubos liit ng katawan,

Magsaya’t kumain hindi mapalagay,

Maupo’t tumindig, alaala’y ikaw.

Kalakip ang wikang "magtiis, katawan",

Di pa nalulubos sa iyo ang layaw,

Bagong lalaganapang kaginhawaan

Ay biglang nag-isip na ikaw ay iwan.

At kung gumabi na, banig ay ihihiga,

Matang nag-aantok pipikit na bigla,

Sa pagkahimbing panaginip ka, sinta

Sabay ang balong ng di mapigil na luha.

Sa pagka-umaga, marahang titindig,

Tutop ng kamay yaring pusong masakit,

Tuloy na dungawan, kasabay ang silip,

Sa paroroonan mong hirap ay mahigpit.

Matapos sumilip, pagdaka’y lalabas,

Sa dulang kakanan agad haharap;

Ang iyong luklukan kung aking mamalas,

Dibdib ko’y puputok, paghinga’y banayad.

Sama ng loob ko’y sa aking mag-isa,

Di maipahayag sa mga kasama;

Puso ko ay lubos na pinagdurusa,

Tamis na bilin mo’y “magtiis ka, sinta."

Sa akin ay mahigpit mong tagubilin,

Saya’y hanapin at ang puso’y aliwin;

Naganap sumandali'y biglang titigil,

Alaala ka kung ano ang narating.

Mukha’y itutungo, luha’y papatak,

Katawan pipihit, lakad ay banayad;

Pagpasok sa silid, marahang igagayak

Damit na gagamitin sa aking paglakad.

Lilimutin mo yaring kahabag-habag,

Puhunang buhay tatawirin ang dagat;

Pag-alis ay sakit, paroroonan ay hirap,

Masayang palad mo sa huli ang sikat.

Ako’y lalakad, usok ang katulad;

Pagtaas ng puti, agiw ang katulad;

Ang bilin ko lamang, tandaan mo, liyag,

Kalihiman natin huwag ihahayag.

Paalam sa iyo, masarap magmahal,

May-ari ng puso ko’t kabiyak na katawan;

Paalam, giliw ko, sa iyo’y paalam.

Masayang sa iyo’y aking isasangla

Ang sulam pamahid sa mata ng luha,

Kung kapusin palad, buhay mawala,

Bangkay man ako, haharap sa iyong kusa.

Tikman nyo si Mark Angeles

Mark Angeles is a virgin. (I think.) :p

Maybe that was why he chose the title of his book as PATIKIM, literally meaning to taste, and with a tempting red hot chili on the cover. Cheesy with a double punch. Virgin na maniac. LOL.

I have heard of Mark, also known as Makoydakoykoy, and his beautiful prose but I never saw any of his works. Some said his works were printed in magazines and books and literary students discussed them in school.

Well- I never really have time to read literary mags except mags that relate to design and photography. Mark's works were not published there, of course.

But I discovered him through my Multiply account and we became instant friends. We actually have common similarities that made friendships click. Me a reader, and he a writer. Similar, right?

So when I finally had my copy of Patikim (it arrived today, signed of course), I quickly browsed through it and indeed, the book is hot!

Nilaplap na siya ng iba, tulad ng paglaplap ko sa kanya. Who can resist that?

I will be spending my weekend with Mark and taste him. No, his book I mean. I think I need a beer to go with his hot poems.

(Mark says there are only a few copies of Patikim, about 200 and part of the sales will go to KARAPATAN. His blogs can also be browsed at his Multiply and Blogspot accounts.)

Horrible! Terribly horrible!

The pictures offer confirmation; that is why it was important to publish them, in their gory detail. They shock us into realization: The men who did the killing, and the men who ordered it, could only have been either beasts or gods. The utter mercilessness of the mass murder, the gross shamelessness of it, is the mark of an unreasoning animal or a conscienceless being—an untouchable, a warlord or his son or his supporter perhaps, who can break human laws because he is a law unto himself. - Horror, Inquirer Editorial

Pictures from english.cri.cn, thepinoy.net, airamerica.com

Bloody, bloody, bloody!

It is our blood being spilled, our people who are dying. (Close Encounters of the Third Kind, 1977)

I was planning to write about some nice pizza a relative made us to taste. But every time I saw the hot sauce, it reminded me of blood and what was happening in Maguindanao. No, what already happened in Maguindanao.

I was asking myself what is there, in Maguindanao, that they have to kill?

Maguindanao. Ahhh that place where President Arroyo's opponent in the previous election got ZERO, NADA, NONE, WALA votes. Imagine that? I can't.

Maguindanao. A place obviously out of touch from the outside world because certain people wanted its citizens there not to know what is law and freedom. A land of savages. Or a place ruled by savages? Ruled by a greedy clan who wanted all of the wealth and power for themselves. They have to kill or else their wealth would be exposed. Kill! Kill! Kill!

Animals! And people were killed just like animals. The killers were a shame even to animals of the lowest level. But still they were animals who can only think of money, greed, politics and killing people so they could rule a place called Maguindanao.

Is this what the Muslims wanted? A separate state so they could kill everyone they do not like? What would be the future of an independent Mindanao? Bangsamoro my ass.

Evidence pointed to SOMEBODY in the government but even the national government was asking the suspects to surrender. Is this a show of desperation? A pathetic plea? O my.

What is happening to this country?

Black Today

Let us show support and concern for the victims of the Maguindanao Massacre. This senseless deaths due to POLITICS must stop! Let us wear black. Let them know we know. And we won't let them stop us from caring for life.

Between boxing and educating the poor

Efren [Peñaflorida] is the true hero and worthy of emulation by all. I believe he is better than Pacman [Manny Pacquiao] because he does not need to break a face just to be a hero. -Rep Eduardo Nonato Joson, Nueva Ecija

Picture from kevinraychua.com

Rain Song

With a drip, drip, drip,
And a drop, drop, drop,
See the rain on the pane;
Will it stop, stop, stop?

With a wink, wink, wink,
And a blink, blink, blink,
Will we see sun again,
Do you think, think, think?


Abbie Farwell Brown

Adik!

I am currently reading Dot in the Universe by Lucy Ellmann and find the book outrageous! There are funny instances and mostly weird stuff she wrote. I am even wondering if she was rather high on something when she wrote Dot in the Universe or she is just a plain crazy woman.

And I love it!

Some snippets from the book-

Love, like defecation, is never a settled matter. It forms and re-forms itself, makes itself felt, makes itself a NUISANCE. Merely a vehicle for physical exchange with another- illogical to place so much importance on it.

Like all gourmands, Dot and her hubby used food as a substitute for sex. But maybe sex is a substitute for FOOD. Food is essential, sex a LUXURY. Why else would it be so easily SUPPLANTED by shopping, gardening, cooking or watching TV (all unconscious FOOD-GATHERING activities- you may think you're not accomplishing much by watching TV for nine hours but you're actually accumulating DATA that might some day help in the search for FOOD: like a leopard up a tree, you're gaining perspective?)

The world is not a unified and harmonious structure. From the baby's desertion of the womb to the clear demarcations between land and sea, night and day, oil and vinegar, chalk and cheese, inside and out, substances see SEPARATION. For every pull towards union there's equal or greater pressure to DIVIDE, disperse, disentangle, disintegrate. You never fully merge with anyone, you never fully UNDERSTAND anyone, including yourself. You come out of nothing, come out with nothing. It would be insulting to MISREPRESENT this, to suggest there could ever be togetherness that made up for how lonely we are.

Ah, but near-perfection's not better! The haphazard, the untried. There is no FUTURE in perfection, nowhere left to go. There's no LIFE in it. You stop loving, stop trying, when everything is perfect.

You'd think that by now the world would be overrun with ghosts- so MANY dead!- ghosts everywhere, YOUR ghosts getting mixed up with MY ghosts, a hundred to every house, confusing everybody with their thumps and whispers and dropped crockery and eerie trails of smoke. Ghosts in grey, ghosts in green.

But they didn't die of ANOREXIA as everyone supposes. They died of BRONZING TREATMENTS, VITALITY DETOXES, MOTHERS-TO-BE SERENITY FACIALS, COLONIC IRRIGATION, BIKINI WAXES and RADIANCE. That ain't no colonic irrigation, honey, that ain't no BIKINI WAX. That's having the SHIT sucked out of you and the PUSSY ripped off you! And a mother-to-be serenity facial just means you get MUD slapped on your face because you got KNOCKED UP.

They died of EUPHEMISM. It would kill an OX.

This is why ghosts are seen wafting around their old homes: they're looking for their FUCKING BIRTH CERTIFICATE, the original not a photocopy. It's surprising that seances aren't jammed with spirits asking, 'What the hell did you do with my HANDBAG/ BRIEFCASE/ WALLET/ DRIVER'S LICENCE/ EXAM RESULTS?'

People act like their child is their own personal DESIGN for the perfect person, but actually they have little control over what the kid becomes.

People take you up, embrace you, welcome you, DROWN you in their own particular brand of BARBECUE SAUCE and then they drop you, no explanation offered!

Dot's humiliation seemed complete, but wasn't! New facts emerged during the abortion, of physiological, gynaecological, ILLOGICAL nature: Dot had two vaginas and two wombs.

In all the sickening concentration on CHILDREN (really a form of paedophilia) and CHILDHOOD (so beloved of psychoanalysts), all this IDEALISATION of children - their needs, their desires, their EQUIPMENT - what about US, what about the middle-aged? WE'RE the ones who are scared and alone.

Even God suffers the crunch

One of my favorite blog site, Dear God, a site for those who wanted to share their hopes and fears, suddenly stops posting questions and prayers asked to God. The reason- they do not have enough funds to run the site, hence, they are selling God now.

I am quite affected.

The site is literally an eye candy, a visual feast aside from the fact that it is also a prayer outlet! The pics posted there are dramatic and unique, to say the least. And the questions asked by its readers are sometimes distracting or disturbing- from commiting suicide to suggesting how God should run his affairs.

I am sad they are now selling it.

Disturbing but very artistic pics from that site:

Lazy Saturday

8.00 AM - Coffee.

9.50 AM - Read.

11.55 AM- Brunch.

12.30 NN - Read.

Well-spent day in bed!

The COMELEC of the Republic of the Philippines

"It is no surprise when weak political institutions like the Comelec ally themselves with powerful religious orthodoxies. That is the way of bullies, typical of the authoritarian impulse to kowtow before the powerful while riding roughshod over the weak. The “kiss-ass, kick-ass” syndrome is especially ridiculous here since the only behind the Comelec must cover is its own."

Raul Pangalangan, Passion for Reason

Inquirer.net 11/19/2009

If there are many gays and lesbians in our midst, fine! We should respect their rights.

But they should not also go around town proclaiming their preferences as if it was a badge of honor.

There is nothing honorable or normal about same-sex marriage or union, which Ang Ladlad is trying to promote.

Gays and lesbians should be happy society tolerates them. They should not abuse society’s doting attitude towards them.

Mon Tulfo, On Target
Inquirer.net 11/19/2009

Bothered and Bewildered: Sex Tourism in the Philippines?

WARNING: I HAVE UPLOADED HERE A PICTURE CIRCULATING AT FACEBOOK THAT MAY OFFEND SOME SECTORS.

I have no problem with people luring tourists to this country, the Philippines. I am even glad we have been recognized by entities like National Geographic for our diverse culture and unique tourist spots.

What I don't like is the way some people "promote" this country as a sex-tourism destination. One proof is the circulation of this picture in Facebook and I am offended by it. (I actually saw two, this one is tamer and the other more XXX.)

I wonder what the Filipinos and other concerned groups like Gabriela were doing on this matter. (Gabriela is a group promoting the rights of women and children and has been recognized by the Philippine government as a partylist, so they now have a seat in Philippine Congress.)  In this time when you can access the internet from the remotest islands, I don't believe they have not seen this pic and some others, I assume. Unless of course, if they have remained blind and deaf on matters like these.

I visited the website printed on the picture GO2PHIL.COM A GENTLEMEN'S GUIDE TO THE PHILIPPINES and was shocked that the site is supported (or owned?) by the Angeles Clarkfield Tourist Association or ACTA. (As of this writing, those links are still accessible.) They claimed the group is registered with SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission?) and recognized by City Hall officials (wherever this city hall is. Pampanga?).

ACTA's vision for Angeles Clarkfield is "a mini-Las Vegas scenario." Whatever that means. Furthermore, their website claims a very noble deed, mostly beautification of that place. Indeed. But visit their website and all you see are butts and boobs and a nearly nude Filipinas holding a pole but not for a healthier pole-dance.

The [ACTA's] objectives... will lay the groundwork but the development of the entertainment belt will take years, not months. We are looking at beautification, cleaning up, upgrading the image, lifting the level of entertainment, upscale gaming, more restaurants, and a crime free environment. There will be increased prosperity for the City Government, investors and all business owners in the entertainment belt. We will develop individual pride in all participants, from the flower ladies, tricycle drivers, vendors to each and every business owner. It will take hard work, it will take money, it will need 100% membership in ACTA and it will take 100% support from the City and barrio administrations.

But still, enticing foreigners (I believe they cater foreign clients mostly) with nearly naked women posing in rivers is truly disgusting and questionable. Even if you are promoting a river. 


I once approached a politician on this matter but he said it's way beyond his means because of territorial local government units (LGUs). Now the question is in the hands of our social welfare and concerned groups of national stature. 


What have happened to women's rights? What have happened to gender equality? What have become of the Family Code of the Philippines? What have been done by the DSWD? 


What have we done?

AY BAHALA NA ANG PURI NG MGA FILIPINA BASTA MAY PERA TAYO PARA SA IKAGAGANDA NG ANGELES AT CLARK! Very noble indeed.

Am I a hypocrite?



It's more fun in the Philippines?

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On the other hand, Researchers have discovered that women who bare 40% of their body are the most effective at attracting males. 

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Kids' ideas on Love and Marriage

"If falling in love is anything like learning how to spell, I don't want to do it. It takes too long." -Glenn, age 7

"Love is like an avalanche where you have to run for your life." -John, age 9

"I think you're supposed to get shot with an arrow or something, but the rest of it isn't supposed to be so painful." -Manuel, age 8

"No one is sure why it happens, but I heard it has something to do with how you smell. That's why perfume and deodorant are so popular." -Mae, age 9

"Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good too." -Greg, age 8

"Once I'm done with kindergarten, I'm going to find me a wife." -Tom, age 5

"On the first date, they just tell each other lies, and that usually gets them interested enough to go for a second date." -Mike, 10

"I'm in favor of love as long as it doesn't happen when Dinosaurs is on television." -Jill, age 6

"One of the people has freckles, and so he finds somebody else who has freckles too." -Andrew, age 6

"My mother says to look for a man who is kind. That's what I'll do. I'll find somebody who's kinda tall and handsome." -Carolyn, age 8

"It gives me a headache to think about that stuff. I'm just a kid. I don't need that kind of trouble." -Kenny, age 7

"One of you should know how to write a check. Because, even if you have tons of love, there is still going to be a lot of bills." -Ava, age 8

"When somebody's been dating for a while, the boy might propose to the girl. He says to her, 'I'll take you for a whole life, or at least until we have kids and get divorced.'" -Anita, 9

"I'm not rushing into being in love. I'm finding fourth grade hard enough." -Regina, age 10

"Most men are brainless, so you might have to try more than once to find a live one." -Angie, age 10

"A man and a woman promise to go through sickness and illness and diseases together." -Marlon, age 10

"[Being] single is better . . . for the simple reason that I wouldn't want to change no diapers. Of course, if I did get married, I'd figure something out. I'd just phone my mother and have her come over for some coffee and diaper-changing." -Kirsten, age 10

"Love is foolish...but I still might try it sometime." -Floyd, age 9

"Love will find you, even if you are trying to hide from it. I been trying to hide from it since I was five, but the girls keep finding me." -Dave, age 8

from Things People Said

Beads

Yes, there is a consequence

I said it was coming
And it would mean parting.

Hope Sabanpan-Yu, Beads