Ta La La

Yesterday, after finishing all my work in the office, I immediately went downstairs to hit my bed. I opened my laptop and started surfing the net. Then suddenly,  I received a text message from one of my friends. "Hey Kevin, where you at? Care to join the fun tonight?" It was eleven o'clock in the evening and that's the time that I started to receive some hang-out invitations. At first, I didn't really wanna go out. All I wanted was to relax and listen to Adele's songs. However, after 20 minutes, there I was, tossing some beer bottles with my close friends.

After two hours of liquor intoxication, we started to talk of life's blessings. One of my friends told us that she was already hired as a nurse in a hospital in Manila. One told us that they started building their house. And the other told us that she just had the best vacation ever. Oh well, I just remained silent. I kept on listening to what they were talking about.I didn't have something to brag. But the smile on my face was constant. While my friends were talking about how extravagant their lives were, I was also busy thinking of the free things that made my life happy and contented.

I listed some of the best things that I considered free.

1. Hugs. A hug is a physical intimacy that involves wrapping your arms around somebody's neck or waist. A hug is one way to express how you love and appreciate a person. And yes, it's free. But why do we hug? For various reasons, we hug because we love who we hug; we hug because we need comfort; we hug because we need to be understood; we hug for protection; we hug to ease the pain inside us, we hug to show how sorry we are; we hug to start an acquaintance and we hug to end everything.

2. Smiles. A smile is a facial expression formed by flexing the muscles found at both ends of the mouth. People buy expensive things to make their faces beautiful but they don't realize that a smile is an inexpensive way to change their looks. People worry about wrinkles but they don't realize that wrinkles should merely indicate where smiles have been. We smile because it makes us attractive, it relieves stress, it boosts our immune system, it lifts the face and it will make us younger, it helps us stay positive, it changes our mood, and it is contagious.

3. Friends. Someone reiterated that a real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out. A friend is a person attached to another by feelings of affection or personal regard. Yes, friends are free. They do not require monetary unit for them to stay by your side. Some friends will eventually leave you but some will remain.  A friend who helps out when we are in trouble is a true friend—unlike others who disappear when trouble arises. Friends are one of the most important things in our lives. Unfortunately we have a few real friends. I have a lot of friends- girls and boys. It doesn't matter what they are. They have to be my real friends. He or she has to be good and reliable. It doesn't matter how he or she looks like. He or she has to be responsible and helpful. I think these people are one of the best people in the world. But we have to be good with our friends who haven't got character like this. Every man has features which he doesn't like. We shouldn't forget that we are people, too. I'm sure that if we are good with people we will have more and better friends.

4. Kisses. A kiss is the act of pressing one's lips against the lips or other body parts of another or of an object. Depending on the culture and context, a kiss can express sentiments of love, passion, affection, respect, greeting, friendship, and good luck, among many others. There are some reasons why people kiss and here are some. Kissing removes stress, it fights against tooth decay, it burns calories, it tones facial muscles, it enhances the immune system, it boosts our morale, it is a form of meditation and it induces emotional bonding.

5. Family. Exactly,  family is the first thing we have - and it's free. According to a saying that I read, "A family is a haven in a heartless world". Family is a place where you can be yourself. It is a place where you are accepted for what you are. This is where you are completely tension free and everyone is there to help you. Family encourages you when you are surrounded by problems. It helps you survive through tough times and bring joy and happiness into life. Family is very important part of our everyday life. It helps us in improving our personality. It also helps us in shaping our life. It teaches us the value of love, affection, care, truthfulness and self-confidence and provides us tools and suggestions which are necessary to get success in life.

6. Sleep. This is a free way to get total rest and relaxation. If you can't afford a complete Thai massage, just go to bed, relax, then sleep (totally free, I tell you). What are the benefits of sleeping? Sleeping helps repair our body by producing extra protein molecules. Also, sleeping relieves stress by lowering the blood pressure and elevated  levels of stress hormones. Next, sleeping improves our memory by letting the brain organizing and correlating memories. Another is that sleeping helps control body weight issues by regulating the hormones that affect and control our appetite.

7. Love. Love is an emotion of strong affection and personal attachment. It is also a virtue representing all human kindness, compassion and affection. Love is vague. It conquers all. It defines everything. I wouldn't make this part long because we all know it's nature and definition.

8. Laughter. They say that laughter is the best medicine. Laughter is not an over-the-counter drug nor a doctor prescribed one. Laughter is recommended by everyone to momentarily forget the bitterness of life or to celebrate what life has given us. We laugh because someone cracked a joke. We laugh because we perceive something funny. Whether it's the giggling of your child or the enthusiastic hollers of a talk show's studio audience, we hear laughter every day. Nothing could be more common. But just because it's common doesn't make laughter any less strange. The bottomline is, we laugh not because we respond to something funny but because we are simply happy.

9. Good memories. These are the treasures that no one can take away from you. They are called treasures but they are priceless. Barbara Streisand in one of her songs had this lyrics: "Memories, light the corners of my mind." Everytime we think of our good memories, we can't help but to smile and tell yourself how wonderful life is. Our memories is a way of holding onto the things you love, the things you are and things you don't wanna lose. And remember, we do not remember days, we remember moments.

After a quite time thinking of those best things in life, my cousin suddenly held my shoulders and shrugged them. "Hey cuz, what about you? What makes you happy right now?" I gave a simple smile and said, "All the best things in the world of course. I haven't spent any single cent but I have them all." I grabbed my bag and headed towards home.#

http://EzineArticles.com/2330415

http://www.better-sleep-better-life.com/benefits-of-sleep.html

http://men.webmd.com/features/why-we-laugh

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"There is a word, my son, a very little word, in the English language, the right use of which it is all-important that you should learn," said Mr. Howland to his son Thomas, who was about leaving the paternal roof for a residence in a distant city; never again, perchance, to make one of the little circle that had so long gathered in the family homestead. 

"What word is that, father?" asked Thomas. 

"It is the little word No, my son." 

"And why does so much importance attach to that word, father?" 

"Perhaps I can make you understand the reason much better if I relate an incident that occurred when I was a boy. I remember it as distinctly as if it had taken place but yesterday, although thirty years have since passed. There was a neighbour of my father's, who was very fond of gunning and fishing. On several occasions I had accompanied him, and liked it very much. One day my father said,-- 

"'William, I do not wish you to go into the woods or on the water again with Mr. Jones."

"'Why not, father?' I asked, for I had become so fond of going with him, that to be denied the pleasure was a real privation. 

"'I have good reasons for not wishing you to go, William,' my father replied, 'but do not want to give them now. I hope it is all-sufficient for you that your father desires you not to accompany Mr. Jones again.' 

"I could not understand why my father laid upon me this prohibition; and, as I desired much to go, I did not feel satisfied in my obedience. On the next day, as I was walking in the fields, I met Mr. Jones with his fishing-rod on his shoulder and his basket in hand. 

"'Ah, William! you are the very one that I wish to see,' said Mr. Jones, smiling. 'I am going out this morning, and want company. We shall have a beautiful day.'

"'But my father told me yesterday,' I replied, 'that he did not wish me to go out with you.' 

"'And why not, pray?' asked Mr. Jones. 

"'I am sure that I do not know,' I said; 'but, indeed, I should like to go very much.' 

"'Oh, never mind; come along,' he said. 'Your father will never know it.' 

"'Yes, but I am afraid that he will,' I replied, thinking more of my father's displeasure than of the evil of disobedience. 

"'There is no danger at all of that. We will be home again long before dinner-time.' 

"I hesitated, and he urged; and finally, I moved the way that he was going, and had proceeded a few hundred yards, when I stopped, and said,-- 

"'I don't like to go, Mr. Jones.' 

"'Nonsense, William! There is no harm in fishing, I am sure. I have often been out with your father myself.' 

"Much as I felt inclined to go, still I hesitated; for I could not fully make up my mind to disobey my father. At length he said,-- 

"'I can't wait here for you, William. Come along, or go back. Say Yes, or No.' 

"This was the decisive moment. I was to make up my mind, and fix my determination in one way or the other. I was to say Yes or No. 

"'Come, I can't stay here all day,' Mr. Jones remarked rather harshly, seeing that I hesitated. At the same moment, the image of my father rose distinctly before my mind, and I saw his eye fixed steadily and reprovingly upon me. With one desperate resolution, I uttered the word 'No!' and then turning, I ran away as fast as my feet would carry me. I cannot tell you how much relieved I felt when I was far beyond the reach of temptation. 

"On the next morning, when I came down to breakfast, I was startled and surprised to learn that Mr. Jones had been drowned on the day before. Instead of returning in a few hours, as he had stated to me that he would, he remained out all the day. A sudden storm arose; his boat was capsized, and he drowned. I shuddered when I heard this sad and fatal accident related. That little word NO had, in all probability, saved my life. 

"'I will now tell you, William,' my father said, turning to me, 'why I did not wish you to go with Mr. Jones. Of late, he had taken to drinking; and I had learned, within a few days, that whenever he went out on a fishing or gunning excursion, he took his bottle of spirits with him, and usually returned a good deal intoxicated. I could not trust you with such a man. I did not think it necessary to state this to you, for I was sure that I had only to express my wish that you would not accompany him, to insure your implicit obedience.' 

"I felt keenly rebuked at this; and resolved never again to permit even the thought of disobedience to find a place in my mind. From that time, I have felt the value of the word NO; and have generally, ever since, been able to use it on all right occasions. It has saved me from many troubles. Often and often in life have I been urged to do things that my judgment told me were wrong: on such occasions, I always remembered my first temptation, and resolutely said--'No!' 

"And now, my son," continued Mr. Howland, "do you understand the importance of the word No?" 

"I think I do, father," replied Thomas. "But is there not danger of my using it too often, and thus becoming selfish in all my feelings, and consequently unwilling to render benefits to others?" 

"Certainly there is, Thomas. The legitimate use of this word is to resist evil. To refuse to do a good action is wrong." 

"If any one asks me, then, to do him a favour or kindness, I should not, on any account, say no." 

"That will depend, Thomas, in what manner you are to render him a kindness. If you can do so without really injuring yourself or others, then it is a duty which you owe to all men, to be kind, and render favours. You know, also, the precept, 'Whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, do ye so to them.'" 

"But the difficulty, I feel, will be for me to discriminate. When I am urged to do something by one whom I esteem, my regard for him, or my desire to render him a kindness, will be so strong as to obscure my judgment." 

"A consciousness of this weakness in your character, Thomas, should put you upon your guard." 

"That is very true, father. But I cannot help fearing for myself. Still, I shall never forget what you have said, and will try my best to act from a conviction of right." 

"Do so, my son. And ever remember that a wrong action is always followed by pain of mind, and too frequently by evil consequences. If you would avoid these, ever act from a consciousness that you are doing right, without regard to others. If another asks you, from a selfish desire to benefit or gratify himself, to do that which your judgment tells you is wrong, surely you should have no hesitation in refusing." 

The precept of his father, enforced when they were about parting, and at a time when his affections for that father were active and intense, lingered in the mind of Thomas Howland. He saw and felt its force, and resolved to act in obedience to it, if ever tempted to do wrong. 

On leaving the paternal roof, he went to a distant town, and entered the store of a merchant, where were several young men nearly of his own age--that is, between eighteen and twenty. With one of these, named Boyd, he soon formed an intimate acquaintance. But, unfortunately, the moral character of this young man was far from being pure, or his principles from resting upon the firm basis of truth and honour. 

Associated with him at the same desk day after day, his growing influence over Thomas Howland soon became apparent in inducing him to stay away from church on the Sabbath-day, and pass the time that had heretofore been spent in a place of worship in roaming about the wharves of the city, or in excursions into the country. This influence was slightly resisted; but Thomas felt ashamed or reluctant to use the word "No," on what seemed to all the young men around him a matter of so little importance. Still, his own heart condemned him, for he felt that it would pain his father and mother exceedingly if they knew that he neglected to attend church at least once on the Sabbath-day; and he was, besides, self-convicted of wrong in what seemed to him a violation of the command, "Remember the Sabbath-day," as he had been taught to regard that precept. But once having given way, he felt almost powerless to resist the influence that now bore upon him.

The next violation of what seemed to him a right course for a young man to pursue, was in suffering himself to be persuaded to visit frequently the theatre; although his father had expressly desired that he would avoid a place where lurked, for the young and inexperienced, so many dangers. He was next easily persuaded to visit a favourite eating-house, in which many hours were spent during the evenings of each week, with Boyd and others, in eating, drinking, and smoking. Sometimes dominoes and back-gammon were introduced, and at length were played for a slight stake. To participate in this, Thomas refused, on the plea that he did not know enough of the games to risk anything. He had not the moral courage to declare that he considered it wrong to gamble. 

All these departures from what he had been taught by his father to consider a right course, were attended by much uneasiness and pain of mind. But he had yielded to the tempter, and he could not now find the power within him to resist his influence successfully. 

It happened, about six months after his introduction to such an entirely new course of life, that he was invited one evening by his companion Boyd to call on a friend with him. He had, on that day, received from his father five pounds, with which to buy himself a new suit of clothes, and a few other necessary articles. He went, of course, and was introduced to a very affable, gentlemanly young man, in his room, at one of the hotels. In a few minutes, wine and cigars were ordered, and the three spent an hour or so in drinking, smoking, and chit-chat of no very elevating or refined character. 

"Come, let us have a game of cards," at last remarked Boyd's friend, during a pause in the conversation; at the same time going to his trunk, and producing a pack of cards. 

"No objection," responded Boyd. 

"You will take a hand, of course?" said the new friend, looking at Thomas Howland. 

But Thomas said that he knew nothing of cards. 

"Oh, that's no matter! You can learn in two minutes," responded the friend of Boyd. 

Young Howland felt reluctant; but he could not resist the influence that was around him, and so he consented to finger the cards with the rest. As they gathered around the table, a shilling was laid down by each of the young men, who looked towards Thomas as they did so. 

"I cannot play for money," said Howland, colouring; for he felt really ashamed to acknowledge his scruples. 

"And why not?" asked the friend of Boyd, looking him steadily in the face.

"Because I think it wrong," stammered out Howland, colouring still more deeply. 

"Nonsense! Is not your money your own? What harm, then, is there in your doing with your own as you please?" urged the tempter. 

"But I do not know enough of the game to risk my money." 

"You don't think we would take advantage of your ignorance?" said Boyd. "The stake is only to give interest to the game. I would not give a copper for a game of cards without a stake. Come, put down your shilling; and we will promise to pay you back all you lose, if you wish it, until you acquire some skill." 

But Thomas felt reluctant, and hesitated. Nevertheless, he was debating the matter in his mind seriously, and every moment that reluctance was growing weaker. 

"Will you play?" asked Boyd in a decided tone, breaking in upon his debate. 

"I had rather not," replied Thomas, trying to smile, so as to conciliate his false friends. 

"You are afraid of your money," said Boyd, in a half-sneering tone. 

"It is not that, Boyd." 

"Then what is it, pray?" 

"I am afraid that it is not right." 

This was answered by a loud laugh from his two companions, which touched Thomas a good deal, and made him feel more ashamed of the scruples that held him back from entering into the temptation. 

"Come, down with your stake, Howland!" said Boyd, after he had finished his laugh. 

The hand of Thomas was in his pocket, and his fingers had grasped the silver coin, yet still he hesitated. 

"Will you play, or not?" asked Boyd's friend, with something of impatience in his tone. "Say yes, or no." 

For a moment the mind of Thomas became confused; then the perception came upon him as clear as a sunbeam, that it was wrong to gamble. He remembered, too, vividly, his father's parting injunction.

"No!" he said, firmly and decidedly. 

Both of his companions looked disappointed and angry. 

"What did you bring him here for?" he heard Boyd's companion say to him in an undertone, while a frown darkened upon his brow. 

The reply did not reach his ear; but he felt that his company was no longer pleasant, and rising, he bade them a formal good-evening, and hurriedly retired. That little word no had saved him. The scheme was, to win from him his five pounds, and then involve him in "debts of honour," as they are falsely called, which would compel him to draw upon his father for more money, or abstract it from his employer, a system which had been pursued by Boyd, and which was discovered only a week subsequent, when the young man was discharged in disgrace. It then came out that he had been for months in secret association with a gambler, and that the two shared together their spoils and peculations. 

This incident roused Thomas Howland to a distinct consciousness of the danger that lurked in his path, as a young man, in a large city. He felt, as he had not felt while simply listening to his father's precept, the value of the word no; and resolved that hereafter he would utter that little word--and that, too, decidedly--whenever urged to do what his judgment did not approve. 

"I will be free!" he said, pacing his chamber backward and forward. "I will be free hereafter! No one shall persuade me or drive me to do what I feel to be wrong." 

That resolution was his safeguard ever after. When tempted--and he was tempted frequently--his "No" decided the matter at once. There was a power in it that was all-sufficient in resisting evil.#

Then there came the motion pictures. People who anticipated it flooded the cinemas. I admit, I was one of them. I endured waiting for me to reach the ticket booth just to grab a ticket. And that continued for three years. Now that the last part of the saga is about to be released, people start to think of how it would be made in films. Though many have already read the books, they still want to witness the love story of Bella and Edward on big screen.

After reading the books and in my own opinion, there are certain lessons, good and bad that we can learn from Twilight Saga. And here are some:


1. Dont be Ageist. Everyone knows that we are not in the right position to prejudge a person based on skin color, race, religion or belief. Sometimes, whether we admit it or not, we do that. One common thing we do is to make assumptions based on a person's age. We tend to talk to people of our age or younger, than to talk with older people. We assume that being with people in our own age means a more romantic scenario. In Twilight, Bella assumed that Edward was a normal peer dude of her age. But when she learned that he was a century older than her, she didn't show any regret of befriending him and she even developed a relationship with him. In real life, let us not reject anyone because of his/her age.


2. We are our own worst critic. This explains Bella in Twilight. She saw herself as a shallow, clumsy, and an average looking girl. However, Edward saw her as a pretty and intelligent gal. Edward didn't see Bella's negative outlook in life but he saw her inner potentials. In real life, sometimes, we often look ourselves as busted. We pick only the wrong deeds that we've done and not recognizing the good things we have. So, let us cherish every moment our life and exude a positive outlook.


3. Good things come to those who wait. Though Edward was not totally human, he still honored the sacredness of marriage and waited it before having sex. In real life, a lot would engage themselves to premarital sex to justify the love a man and woman have. Why not wait? In the long run, the time you spend together before marriage will give you enough time to prepare and get ready for a new chapter. What if Bella got pregnant before marriage? Disaster! How would Charlie react if he saw Bella with a lump in stomach plus the bruises? Therefore, patience is a virtue! Everything happens for a reason. 


4. It hurts to lose someone. In New Moon, when Edward left Bella, the latter's world was devastated. Meyer described her life as blank pages. Yeah, Jacob was there but Bella's life revolved around Edward. Her life was empty without Edward. Although life goes on when we lose someone, and Bella found a way to move forward, her life was not the same when Edward was still around. In real life, we must remember that loved ones will eventually leave us for various reasons. So we must remember that while our loved ones are still with us, let us love and cherish every moment, and don't take our loved ones for granted.


5. Love has no prejudice. When you're really in love, you can see past all the outward differences between two people, even when those differences are of a human and a vampire. Moreover, like the cliche goes, "Love conquers all", Bella and Edward surpassed all the challenges that went their way to prove their love. In real life, let us not set boundaries. We need to express our love without hesitation and with total acceptance. #

WHO CAN TELL OF THE RAIN

The train station was filled with faces of anxiety and excitement while his was inexpressive. As he sat silently on the bench, a loud scream echoed and there was catastrophe. People gathered around the corner beside him. Men just uttered silent words while women burst into cries of fear. But he just sat there and noticed instead, a man in white tuxedo heading towards him with a sweet smile. He stretched out his hand and said

"Leo, come with me. Your time has arrived."

"But sir, I don't know you." he replied.

"That doesn't matter. You have a lot of explanations to do."

The young man kept on talking but he could not comprehend his every word. He started to feel cold when the young man held his palm. Suddenly, everything went mute, and then total silence and peace enveloped him. He felt that he was levitating and he wanted to shout but he couldn't.  He and the man were heading to some very bright tunnel. Then there was a loud banging at the door.

"Leo! Leo! It's already 8 o'clock in the morning and yet you are still in bed."

He immediately got up from his bed and let out loud and fast breaths. Drops of sweat fell from his forehead. "What was that?"  he asked himself. He had the dream again. In fact, he has been dreaming it for four years now and he does not know why he keeps on dreaming the same dream.

Fortunately, Ms. Lydia has come again to his rescue when she banged his room to wake him up. Ms. Lydia became his guardian when his parents decided to migrate to the United States. The physical absence of his parents took a toll on him. He became astray and rebellious. His parents stopped sending him money the moment they knew his vices - drugs and alcohol. Ms. Lydia could not fathom what he had become.

Later that day, Leo went into his usual rendezvous. While walking along the cold pavement of Santo Tomas, a little boy caught his sight. The cold wind that swept the dried leaves on the street and the flickering light of the street lamp posts gave him a cold chill. But the boy stood still under the tree and was sharply staring at him. Curiously, he went near the boy and slowly asked,

"What's wrong little boy? Are you lost?"

"Leo, do you know where you are going?" asked the boy.

"How come you know my name, little boy?" he uttered in surprise.

"It's my duty to look over you Leo. Again, do you know where you are going?"

"Of course! I'm heading home!"

"No Leo, you are not heading home, you are going the wrong way!"

"Oh! Dear boy. I have been walking this street for 20 years."

"I know, and for 5 years, you have been wasting your life."

"Hey! Who are you to tell me I'm wasted? Get lost, kid!"  

And he started to walk away but the boy held his right arm and said,

"Leo, you are really heading the wrong way.

"Listen..."

But the boy was gone. Leo was stunned. He pinched himself to wake up from what he thought was a dream. But he felt his hard pinch. Everything was real; the boy, the sharp eyes, the lamp posts, the dried leaves and the flickering light. He ran as fast as he could until he reached his friend's house. His panting was heavy and his cheeks red, when Alfonso, his friend, opened the door. He noticed Leo's face and asked,

"Hey Leo, what's wrong with you? It seems like you've seen a ghost."

"I did, Alfonso. I saw a ghost!" He stuttered, still panting.

"Oh you freak! Stop fooling around. Why don't you buy us beer and let's start the session?"

"Good idea Alfonso. Where is Trixie? I need my shot!"

Trixie, his ecstacy dealer, came down from the stairs with bags of ecstacy in her hand.

"Guess who's gonna on high tonight". She teased as she sat beside Alfonso in the sofa. Meanwhile, Alfonso went outside to buy bottles of beer and a bottle of vodka.

Six minutes later and Leo, Alfonso and Trixie were feeling high already. They intoxicated themselves with beer, vodka, took some pills, danced wildly with the loud rock music playing over the radio, screamed and shouted at the top of their lungs, unmindful of the neighbors.

Eventually, Leo got up from his seat and went into the  dark alley between the houses to pee. When he was about finished, a little girl passed by and said in low voice,

"Time is running out, Leo!"

Leo turned his head but the little girl was gone already. He swiftly zipped his pants and ran towards Alfonso. He sat on his chair and gulped his 9th bottle of beer. He held the bottle of vodka and he half-emptied it.

"Hey man, slowly!" said Alfonso.

But Leo did not listen. What was important to him at that fleeting time was to be drunk then sleep.

Then his phone beeped. He read his text message and it read,

"Please meet me at the train station. I need to talk to you. Please come as soon as possible."

Leo ignored the text message. He thought that it was stupid to entertain a message from a stranger. Instead, he took his third pill of ecstacy and drank the last bottle of beer.

Ten minutes passed and his cellphone beeped again. It contained the same text message. Leo ignored it completely. He kept on going wild. He again requested Trixie to give him his last pill of ecstacy. After Leo took in the pill, he drank the remaining vodka from the bottle. Then his phone rang loudly. Leo picked up his phone and answered.

"Hello. Who's on the line?"

"Leo, stop what you are doing and meet me at the train station."

Leo was mesmerized. The voice he heard from the phone was subtle and refreshing. It was a man's voice but it was cool to the ears. He unconsciously put on his shoes and coat and drove Trixie's car to the train station.

Finally, Leo was at the train station. The place was crowded with people. How could he possibly know the person who called him from this throng of people. He decided to sit on the nearest bench and lit a cigarette. 

Suddenly, a woman screamed. There was horror in her face. Then the woman was crowded with curious onlookers. There were loud murmurings but Leo ignored them. Then he heard the same subtle voice from behind.

"Your time has arrived Leo. You have a lot of explanations to do."

The young man held out his hand and everything turned silent. Leo was so confused because he was compelled to take the hand of the mysterious man in white tuxedo suit. Without a word, together they headed to the bright tunnel. They rose higher and higher to the bright space. When Leo looked down, he saw the crowd below. When he got a peek at what the crowd circled, he saw a man lying on the floor, lifeless, with a stick of cigarette still stuck between his fingers. He recognized the gothic letters tattooed on the man's arm.

It read, LEO CAMTAL.

When I was in high school, my classmates would suddenly disappear from our dozy subject - Filipino. My not-so-aware teacher would begin his class not noticing that the seats were half empty. We, the diligent students would sometimes bow down our heads, pretending to be listening though we were actually sleeping. Meanwhile, my classmates or should I say, "cutting-classmates" would be enjoying their fleeting time playing Dota in the nearby computer shops. While we, inside the classroom, would be talking about Pantinig, Pandiwa etc., my classmates outside would be busy shouting, "FIRST BLOOD" then "DOUBLE KILL" or even "GODLIKE". 

I didn't understand why these people would waste their time, playing this self-tagged "stupid game". Why didn't they spend their time reading a novel, or play the scrabble? My dilemma continued. I entered college and that word which rang my ears when I was in high school became louder and it was even deafening. I thought, only teen-age people were the only ones who were hooked up with this game. But I was completely wrong. Even adults played Dota. What the hell was happening? Did those people think of their education, more importantly, their future?

Years passed. I continued the journey of my life not hearing the word, Dota. I thought I totally moved on but again, I was wrong. As I was surfing the net and busy liking some of the posts on Facebook, my eyes were caught by an image which charmed a lot of people. That image had 143 likes and an oozing 1,211 comments. I was intrigued so I immediately clicked on the image and voila - there came to me, a photo of a lovely lady with a title, "DoTa ba o Ako?"
 I was a little disturbed! Why would a such pretty gal  ask someone, - "Dota ba o Ako?". Since I was curious, I planned to have a drinking spree with my old acquaintances - who happened to be my earliest known "Dota Addicts" in history. At first, I was hesitant to ask that quandary. I waited for them to talk about Dota. My agony was killing me. No one was talking about that effin game. Two hours passed and they were still talking about basketball and boxing. So, I gathered up my strength and asked, "Hey guys, are you still playing Dota?" Everything went mute. They all stared at me. Then there was a burst of loud laughter. They couldn't stop laughing so I mustered, "Am I funny tonight?" One answered, "Are you okay? Did you just say Dota?" I gave him a sharp look and answered, "Yes, I did. I just need your opinions on this phrase, 'Dota ba o Ako?'" After I said those lines, they all became silent again. And they all looked at Richard. I was really confused. Did Richard make that line? Oh c'mmon! I needed answers.

Richard gave a loud sigh then started, "Actually, my girlfriend and I broke up a couple of weeks ago. She decided to end our relationship because according to her, I didn't know anything except Dota. Yeah, I admit, sometimes, I forget that she is my girlfriend...Oh, WAS, I'm sorry. Instead of staying by her side when she needed me the most, I was not there but I was with Krobelus - my hero. Instead of buying her things that will make her proud of me, I was in Dota world, busy crafting items for my death prophet. Instead of defending her when she feels frightened, I was not. I was busy making my hero strong so that it can defend the Scourge        iced tower. So, she decided to leave me. Arggh! This is shameful."

What the! Richard was epic. He was an epic fail. Who was Krobelus? What was crafting? What was iced tower. Sweet Jesus. Was it the alcohol or was it just me? I was really baffled. Richard's gf as I knew it was really pretty and gorgeous. How would a man left her just because of Dota? I felt how Richard fingered that evening. A tear almost fell from his eyes but he managed us not to notice it. My eyes almost welled up when he said in a low voice, "I really miss her. But it's too late."


After many days of pondering on that matter, I decided to take a glimpse on the internet. I tried my luck to find any discussion about a battle between Dota and a Girlfriend. Luckily, I found one. And here what it said.

*Dota has only one world while a gf has a lot.
*Gf will eventually leave you; Dota won't.
*Gf gets angry when you play Dota; Dota doesn't get angry when you have a girlfriend.
*You just need 20 pesos to play Dota -> Happiness.
*You need more or less 200 pesos to please your girlfriend.
*In Dota, when you look for another hero, nobody gets angry. When you're with your girlfriend and when you look at somebody, she automatically reacts and gets angry.
* When you leave your girlfriend, you will have a hard time getting her back. But in Dota, when you leave your game, you can always go back.


And here's more:

GF: Hey, come to think of it. Can DOTA satisfy your sexual needs?
DOTA: Can a GF give you triple pleasure when you have triple kill?
GF: Can Dota complete a man's life?
DOTA: Can a GF make a man GODLIKE?

After a long debate, they still have one thing in common:

That is, they are both there when you are feeling down and when you are in your worst. A girlfriend is at your side when you lose your bet in Dota. And who will be there when you and your girlfriend went nuts? It's Dota, right?




Whatever you choose, it is you who can tell what you really deserve. That's your life. Live it.