PAKATAS

Finally my project is finished and here it is - the PAKATAS.

For something that may look so simple, it still took me over a year to turn this idea into a reality.

The Pakatas is really just a simple coffee filter holding device to make drip coffee on demand. For some people, the pakatas may seem just like a piece of twisted metal, but for me, they are objets d'art. There was sacrifice, pain, frustration in its pursuit but there was also great delight and joy in its achievement that made all the effort and trouble encountered well worth it.

Through the pakatas, I learned many things. Not just about coffee and its paraphernalia but also about the nature and true color of people.

The Pakatas. Bow.

Passing of a Hero

Former President Cory Aquino was the hero and face of the 1986 People Power uprising that toppled the ruthless Marcos dictatorship and who restored constitutional democracy in the country. For these alone, Filipinos owe her eternal gratitude and the love they demonstrate for her while she was still alive and now that she has passed away is well deserved.

But in mourning the passing of a beloved President, we must not lose sight of the never ending task of nationbuilding that calls for the engagement of all of us. And we still have a lot of work to do - the flame of our democracy has been reduced to a flicker, inequality mocks our nationhood and our people still cry for social justice.

President Cory may be gone, but let us take courage and inspiration in what she stood for that we may continue to carry the torch she carried to bring light and hope to our country and people.

President Cory is dead. Long live President Cory.