Why I'm "Deadma"

From Stephen Kappe:

Let's say that someone says something critical or harsh about you and you feel bad because of it. Or maybe you get angry. You then make the arrangement to face them and correct the situation. And if a simple discussion with them rectifies the situation, all well and good. But maybe you want to do more than this. Maybe you even take them to court if it is serious enough. Once you do this and if you win, you feel vindicated, having protected your honor. Maybe the person does indeed deserve a lesson. However, if you know yourself truly, that is more important than to care how others see you. When you are established in your true inner identity and connected to your real Self, you will care little about defending your honor or how others perceive you or what they may say. You will go on with your life, content with who you are and will care little about how others understand you, especially if they do not care enough to really get to know you anyway. Thus, you won't lose your state of happiness just because someone else has said something bad about you. This is the importance of being connected with your true identity and inner Self. This is what we need to do.

Today, I found a thin package on my office desk and then another one on our dining table when I got home. Gifts! From my boss, an elegant silk batik scarf from Malaysia in colors befitting my mourning season. From a dearest friend, a shawl in a color and an understated design reminiscent of peacock feathers. When beauty and thoughtfulness come together, what a delight!

"Where God is"

"God is manifest in the ordinary, in the actual, in the daily, in the now, in the concrete incarnations of life."

... — from Things Hidden: Scripture as Spirituality

        During Mass yesterday, feeling absolutely low, some kids from Catechism class were asked to sit with me. The tears just had to stop. At the end of the mass, one 5-year-old even managed to kick my little toe. Aaaw! Bleeding, how could I not concentrate on my physical pain instead of the one in my heart? Strange ways God picks to make one forget desperation, even for a while!

Again, my favorite little boy

... and his ignored parents! Hehehe!

We love Music Bank

Secret Gardens

AS 101 works and plays!

Time out... sleep over

Casita at Moon Garden, Tagaytay

The pool is my best friend these days because swimming chases my blues away!

The Family that PPCRVs together, stays together

That can be said for both my family and the Holy Family Parish!

Masarap Maging Nanay!

Maybe the title of this album should be "Masarap kumain kapag Araw ng mga Nanay!" We celebrated Mothers' Day with buffet at Heat Restaurant! Of course, it wouldn't be a celebration for this family if it didn't involve food.

Bracing myself for a week of writing, writing, writing to meet a May 15 deadline! Lord (and coffee), help me!

The Only Way To Love The Moon

For too long
The Moon offered laughter… and More to the Star.
That is, when he chose to reveal his elusive light
When flimsy clouds of uncertainty were cast aside
When he could leave the comfort of safe shadows.

The Star - basking, delirious in the Moon’s glow
Believed that her place was also in the sky
Because it was the only way to love the Moon
Enduring his waning and waxing
Igniting her body, searing her soul
Embracing a lunacy found only in his arms.

Now, the Star knows that it was all a delusion
There is no room in the Moon’s sky for her
He tried... but didn't know
How to love her back
He only knew how to be the Moon.

Bone-weary from trying to be
the Star that she was not
Shedding her luster,
Limp spirit caressing the ground
The coldness of his secrets seeping in
Eyes still awash with cruel realizations

The dark yields no answers
Except to whisper that
The Moon wants only to be beheld from afar.

5/7/2010

4:37 AM

Someone espied me walking along the AS Lobby and remarked that I looked placid for a college secretary. Hmmm, he probably thinks that the frazzled look is the default mode in my kind of business. Maybe so but I like placid better! Haven't been described that way in a long time.

Statement of the PAP

STATEMENT OF THE PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION

OF THE PHILIPPINES (PAP) ON THE (MIS)USE OF PSYCHOLOGY

IN THE CURRENT ELECTORAL CAMPAIGN

 

The Psychological Association of the Philippines (PAP)* considers some recent occurrences in the current electoral campaigns as an affront to psychologists and to psychology as a discipline and profession. In particular, partisan individuals and media practitioners have not only presented to the public fraudulent psychological reports, but have also made inaccurate statements about different aspects of the practice of psychology and the nature of psychological functioning. These irresponsible actuations have dangerous long-term effects on efforts of Filipino psychologists and other mental health professionals to address the psychological wellbeing of Filipinos. In this regard, the PAP would like to respond to and clarify some of the issues raised as a result of these political events.    

 

First, the PAP denounces the release of the results of psychological tests or assessment to media and the public at large. In accordance with the PAP Code of Ethics, the results of psychological tests or assessment cannot be released to the media or the public or to any person other than the client. Any reputable individual psychologist or psychological organization ensures the practice of confidentiality and that the results of psychological tests or assessment are only shared with the client.  Psychologists take reasonable steps to ensure that information to be disclosed will not be misused, misunderstood or misinterpreted to infringe on human rights, whether intentionally or unintentionally. 

 

Second, the PAP denounces the suggestions made by politicians, media practitioners, and others to force political candidates to take psychological tests or assessment. In accordance with the PAP Code of Ethics, individuals cannot be subjected to psychological tests or assessment without their informed consent. Any reputable individual psychologist or psychological organization ensures that informed consent is acquired from the client before conducting psychological tests.  

 

Third, the PAP denounces the insinuation that people who see a psychologist or any mental health professional is “abnormal” or “permanently debilitated”. The PAP condemns the insinuation that depression is a permanent disability; and the use of words like “abnoy” , "sira ang ulo"and “may diperensiya sa utak” to label individuals. These irresponsible statements and similar acts perpetuate a profound lack of understanding of psychological concepts, of the nature of psychological problems and dysfunctions, and of the nature of psychological health and wellbeing.

 

The PAP would like to stress to politicians, to media practitioners, and to the public at large that seeing a psychologist or any mental health professional does not make a person “abnormal”. Seeing a psychologist means ensuring our mental health and psychological wellbeing.

 

 Board of Directors

Psychological Association of the Philippines (PAP)

1 May 2010

 

*Note: The Psychological Association of the Philippines (PAP), a professional organization of psychologists founded in 1962, is committed to the promotion of excellence in the teaching, research, and practice of psychology. It is a non-stock, non-profit corporation whose national membership includes teachers, researchers, and practitioners of psychology. Its members adhere to the Universal Declaration of Ethical Principles for Psychologists which recognizes that “ethics is at the core of every discipline."