The World of Second Chances

The Dream

July 22, 2026

Life & Love

Last night, I had a dream that left me with an unsettling feeling long after I woke up.

I found myself surrounded by people from different chapters of my life. What struck me was that I was my present age, but they remained frozen in the age when I had last known them.

Princess, my friend from my second company, was there. She told me she was leaving for a new company. I smiled and replied that I already knew she had moved on from the company where we once worked together. I told her how much I missed the days when we used to hang out after work.

She didn’t respond. Her face was blank, devoid of emotion. Then she simply walked away, disappearing among a pile of junked cars. The surroundings looked post-apocalyptic—desolate, eerie, and abandoned. Watching her vanish filled me with an inexplicable sense of loss.

Then Didith, my grade school classmate, appeared. We were never particularly close, which made her presence in my dream all the more puzzling. She stood silently, gazing at us with her big, expressive eyes. In my dream, she was still the twelve-year-old girl I had known decades ago.

A moment later, Elizabeth appeared, wearing our high school uniform. In my dream, I remember thinking, How could she be here when she had already passed away?

She pointed toward a swing and quietly told me that she used to sit there and spend hours swinging as a child. The scene shifted, and I saw her sitting on the swing, gently moving back and forth with a peaceful smile on her face.

Then I woke up.

There was a quiet heaviness in my heart.

Perhaps it was because these three women each represented a different season of my life—my childhood, my teenage years, and my early adulthood. They reminded me that life keeps moving forward. Some people leave, some drift away, and some leave this world altogether.

What stayed with me most was this: in my dream, I had grown older, but they had not. They remained exactly as I remembered them. It made me realize that memories have a way of preserving people, keeping them forever in the version we last knew.

Time is fleeting. People move on for reasons we may never fully understand. Yet somewhere in our memories, they remain unchanged, quietly waiting to visit us again—sometimes in a dream, reminding us of the lives we once shared.

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The Tragedy of Rene Baterbonia

July 21, 2026

Filipino Culture, Life & Love

The tragedy of Rene Baterbonia resonated with so many people not only because of the way he died, but because of the life he lived.

Born into a poor family in Talacogon, Agusan del Sur, Rene had already established himself as one of Mindanao’s most promising young basketball players before deciding to pursue a bigger dream in Manila by joining Ateneo de Manila University’s UAAP basketball program.

His accomplishments at such a young age spoke for themselves. He was named Most Valuable Player at the 2025 Palarong Pambansa, represented the Philippines at the 2025 ASEAN School Games in Brunei where the national team won the gold medal, and earned a spot in the Mythical Five at the 2026 Palarong Pambansa held in Agusan del Sur. By every measure, Rene was a rising star with a bright future ahead of him.

Yet what endeared him to so many people went far beyond his talent on the basketball court. Friends, coaches, and those who knew him remembered him as humble, respectful, and deeply devoted to his family. Like many young Filipinos from disadvantaged backgrounds, he dreamed of using his God-given talent to lift his family out of poverty. His story inspired people because it represented hope—the belief that hard work, discipline, and perseverance could change one’s life.

That is why his death feels like such a profound loss.

Rene and fellow Ateneo athlete Divine Adili lost their lives after drowning during a team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora. Based on what has been reported, the tragedy raises difficult questions about whether the accident could have been prevented. It is also worth asking whether the university had adequately assessed the risks involved in an activity that had reportedly been conducted for years.

Beyond the accident itself, Ateneo has also faced criticism over how the tragedy was handled. In Rene’s case, his family reportedly was not given a clear account of what had happened before they saw his body. According to reports, he was still wearing his wet swimming shorts when they viewed him—an image that no grieving parent should ever have to carry for the rest of their lives. No apology can erase the pain of that final memory.

As for the speculation circulating online that Rene may have died because he was beaten by teammates, I do not subscribe to that theory unless credible evidence emerges to support it. Suspicion alone is not proof. Competition, jealousy, and insecurity can exist in any sports team, but those emotions do not automatically lead to violence.

In fact, one of the videos taken during the team’s trip to Aurora showed Rene happily singing, laughing, and playfully teasing Divine on the bus. To me, it did not appear that he was isolated or unwelcome among his teammates. While appearances can never tell the whole story, they are also not consistent with claims that he was being ostracized by the team.

Until the facts are fully established, I believe the focus should remain where it belongs: on finding the truth, learning from this tragedy, and ensuring that no family has to endure the same unimaginable loss again.

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One Day at a Time

June 23, 2026

Life & Love

Sometimes, life has a way of catching you off guard. Just when you think things are finally settling into place and moving in the direction you hoped for, something changes. Plans shift, relationships become complicated, and situations you thought were resolved suddenly leave you questioning yourself.

What makes it difficult is not always the challenge itself but the uncertainty that comes with it. There are moments when you feel hurt and confused, yet you cannot fully understand why things unfolded the way they did. You replay conversations, revisit decisions, and search for answers that never seem to come.

Over the years, I have learned that everyone carries burdens that are invisible to others. Behind smiles, routines, and everyday conversations are struggles that rarely make it into public view. Some burdens are easier to understand because they have clear causes. Others are much heavier because they are rooted in misunderstandings, assumptions, and the feeling that no matter how much you give, someone will always think it is not enough.

When life becomes overwhelming, I try to take things one day at a time. I remind myself that I do not have to explain every decision or defend myself against every accusation. The truth has a way of revealing itself, even if it takes time. Not everyone will understand my intentions, and I have come to accept that.

There are days when life feels unfair, especially when all you want is a little peace. Yet I have also discovered that some of the most difficult seasons become opportunities for reflection. Pain has a way of teaching lessons that comfort never could. While I would never choose many of the challenges I have faced, they have helped me understand myself better, strengthen my faith, and appreciate the quiet victories that often go unnoticed.

For now, I continue moving forward the only way I know how—one day at a time.

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Michael Jackson

June 21, 2026

That’s Entertainment

I grew up in the 1980s, when Michael Jackson was already an international superstar. I had heard of his song Thriller, but I never actually saw the iconic MTV video or his groundbreaking choreography during my childhood. Back then, I only had a child’s impression of him. I even found his fashion choices amusing—those glittery, sequined jackets, cropped pants that showed his ankles, and white socks that stood out so much on stage.

I was aware of his involvement in “We Are the World,” the charity single created to raise funds for famine relief in Africa, but he still felt distant to me at that time—more of a global figure than someone I truly understood.

Years later, when I was in high school, I saw him again in interviews, but he looked different by then—lighter in appearance, which I later learned was due to vitiligo. This was around the era of his Black or White album. I remember him speaking about his condition, and even then, I believed him, despite not being a fan yet. In that same interview, he also mentioned his admiration for Brooke Shields, which was widely discussed at the time.

When allegations of child abuse surfaced in later years, I found myself unconvinced. My impression of him was shaped more by the idea of a misunderstood artist than by the controversies surrounding him. My mother shared a similar view, often saying that his lack of a normal childhood may have shaped a “Peter Pan” kind of personality that never fully grew into adulthood in a traditional sense.

Now, as an adult, my perspective has shifted again—this time into deep admiration. I’ve become genuinely fascinated with Michael Jackson as a performer. The recent film Michael helped reintroduce his legacy, especially to younger audiences, and reminded many of why he is often considered one of the greatest entertainers of all time. It also reminded me of how I once became obsessed with The Beatles in high school, even though they were already legends long before I was born.

Watching Michael Jackson’s old performances now leaves me in awe. His voice carried both power and emotion, and his dance movements were precise yet effortlessly graceful. Beyond his talent, I also find him strikingly charismatic across every era of his career. There was a magnetic quality to him that went beyond performance—it drew people in.

With a more mature perspective, I now understand the purpose behind his signature style—the sequined jackets, the cropped pants, and the white socks were not just fashion choices, but intentional elements that enhanced his movement on stage and made every gesture more visually powerful.

It is a pity that the film Michael did not receive stronger recognition in the Philippines. It had limited theater screenings and was barely visible in local media or social platforms, despite its importance in reintroducing his story to a new generation.

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Home Along Da Riles Reunion: More Than Just a Movie

June 18, 2026

That’s Entertainment, Uncategorized

When Home Along Da Riles premiered in 1992, it introduced viewers to the Cosme family, an ordinary Filipino household living beside the railway tracks. Led by Kevin Cosme, played by Dolphy, the sitcom revolved around a widowed father doing his best to raise his children while facing life’s everyday challenges.

The show also strengthened the onscreen partnership of Dolphy and Nova Villa, who became beloved by audiences despite being more closely associated with other screen partners in previous projects.

Over the years, Home Along Da Riles became more than just a sitcom. It produced two movies and remained on air until 2003. For many Filipinos, it wasn’t merely a television show—it was part of growing up.

Perhaps that’s why the reunion movie hits differently.

The opening theme song alone is enough to transport viewers back to a simpler time. But beyond the nostalgia, what makes the film emotional is seeing familiar faces again while being reminded of those who are no longer with us.

Dolphy, who brought Kevin Cosme to life, is gone. So is Bernardo Bernardo, who played Steve. Babalu and Carding Castro, remembered as Richie and Elvis, have also left us. Their absence is felt throughout the reunion, serving as a reminder that time moves on whether we’re ready or not.

Seeing the surviving cast members evokes a different kind of nostalgia.

We remember a young Claudine Barretto before she became one of Philippine television’s biggest drama stars. We witnessed her rise, followed her personal struggles, and celebrated her triumphs. Seeing her again feels like reconnecting with someone whose journey unfolded before the public eye.

We remember Cita Astals as the kind-hearted Hillary, long before life took her through political service and personal challenges. Despite everything, audiences still associate her with that warm and memorable character.

We watched Maybelyn dela Cruz and Vandolph grow up on screen. We remember them as child stars, and now we see them as adults carrying decades of memories behind them. For some viewers, memories of Vandolph’s 2001 car accident in Pangasinan also come rushing back—a moment when fans prayed alongside his family.

Smokey Manaloto’s presence brings another realization. The actor who once seemed destined to play the funny, carefree bachelor is now a father himself. Like the rest of us, he has grown older and entered a different stage of life.

Then there is Nova Villa. In several scenes, there is a quiet sadness behind her smile. Perhaps it is impossible to gather everyone together again without thinking about the friends and colleagues who should have been there.

In the end, the reunion movie is not just about revisiting a beloved sitcom. It is about revisiting a part of ourselves. The cast aged, changed, succeeded, struggled, and endured; just as the audience did.

More than anything, Home Along Da Riles reminds us that while people come and go, the memories they leave behind remain. And for a couple of hours, those memories allow us to return to the good old days.

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Survival

June 13, 2026

Life & Love

Just a thought, I often wonder why some people criticize poor parents for hoping that one of their children will eventually lift the family out of poverty, when wealthy families place similar hopes on their children as well.

Of course, I am not referring to parents who are overly controlling or who force their children to work relentlessly from a very young age. What I mean are poor parents who simply hope that one of their children will achieve success and help improve the family’s circumstances. In my view, there is nothing inherently wrong with that hope, provided that no abuse or exploitation is involved.

After all, wealthy families do something similar. Throughout history, many affluent families have arranged marriages for their children, expecting emotional bonds to develop later, because preserving or expanding family wealth often takes precedence over personal preference. Their goal is to consolidate resources and strengthen their position rather than allow wealth and influence to disperse elsewhere.

At its core, this is a matter of survival.

For the poor, it is basic survival, the hope of escaping hardship and securing a better future. For the wealthy, it is business survival, the effort to preserve, protect, and expand what they already have.

The methods may differ, but the underlying instinct is remarkably similar: families, regardless of social class, often look to the next generation as part of their long-term survival strategy.

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Silent Signals

May 5, 2026

Life & Love

Last week, my sleep was unusually light; restless in a way I couldn’t quite explain. I’ve always believed I have a certain sensitivity to people, an almost instinctive awareness when someone is thinking about me or quietly calling me to mind. It’s the reason my messages or check-ins can seem random to others. But more often than not, when I reach out, it’s because something in me senses that someone, somewhere, might need it.

That week, though, the feeling was different. Persistent. Unsettling.

I couldn’t shake the sense that it was tied to someone from my past—a friend I no longer speak to because of unresolved issues. Night after night, they appeared in my dreams. Not once, not twice, but every single night. It wasn’t something I welcomed. Dreams, after all, don’t ask for permission. They arrive uninvited, stirring memories you thought had long settled.

Some might say it was simply my subconscious at work; that perhaps, deep down, I had been thinking about this person. But the truth is, I can’t even remember the last time they crossed my mind while I was awake.

So I’m left wondering.

Was it one-sided? Was it just me, caught in the quiet echoes of something unfinished? Or could it be that somewhere, in ways we can’t fully explain, they were thinking of me too?

Still, in a world where reaching out is as simple as making a call, silence feels like a choice. And perhaps that silence says more than any dream ever could.

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