Photo by valor kopeny

     Being raised in a family where one core parent leaves is difficult, but such a difficulty is multiplied when the other must work so much more as a single parent to make ends meet. My grandmother filled in that missing place throughout my life; helping my mother through this misfortune. Whatever there was that she learned in her earlier years or even in current times was taught to me; the good or the bad so that I may learn and work towards being a well rounded individual. She knew that a father is what will bring out those characteristics in me; characteristics of a man. So, she tried her best to be that person for my brother and I. However, throughout our lives, there was this word she always called us whenever the aspects of what she wanted us to become shine through. Whether those characteristics were large or miniscule, that special word that has been of great importance to me for quite some time. That word is “Manong”.

    “Manong Coby” she commented. Practicing a manner appropriately? Wearing some nice attire for a special occasion? Being able to accomplish a difficult task? “Manong”. The word comes from one of the ethnicities that seems to be the most dominant within our family--Filipino. More specifically, Tagalog, though it is said the same in Ilokano--two dialects in the language. It means to be the first-born male in a family, but according to my grandmother, she will mainly associated it with being the big brother--or a man. I really thought this meant that (being a young boy with a maturity level appropriate to that) I look like my grandfather Typically, I would have thought this meant “old” in this type of joking manner, but she said such a word is like a compliment.

    The definition of the word/phrase really stuck with me around the time after going to perform for May Day--otherwise known as Lei Day, a tradition my elementary school regularly practiced at the end of each school year. It was vibrant; each grade performed their own dances taught by their two mentors. The beauty of the ceremony was topped off with the court; a group of selected students from the 6th grade. In my final year at Red Hill though, I was lucky enough to be selected as King for May Day. It was quite memorable after the ceremony occurred as well as before the event, for my grandmother would repeat that word over and over, never noticing how often she used it in her sentences. “Oh, Manong Coby! Look at how far you’ve come!” is just one of the many things she’d say post-ceremony. I felt great in that moment, for I kept thinking to myself that her repeating it was like congratulating someone in a hundred different ways. Though, in this case, meaning can be felt in every syllable.

    The same phrase would be said over and over at significant ceremonies and graduation events such as those after elementary and middle school--significant peaks in my educational life or just life in general. Though that significant effect subsided from the awe that Lei day had since then, the word still brings back those various memories. It’s true--one should not worry about being the most serious individual at times and especially for a person my age, one should try their best to experience as much as they can before they actually become “Manong”, but I feel that there is always this lingering need to be a serious, mature, and calm individual wherever appropriate. It’s why it is so special and why I care so much about this word; it can mean so much at it’s maximum but can also seem like a simple compliment at it’s minimum. Whenever I feel out of place or made a hiccup in life, I remind myself to be a “Manong” and make the best of the situation at hand and move forward.

    To say that I appreciate the lessons that were taught to me is an understatement. Becoming a “Manong” (as of course, I am still in that development stage) means more than just the usual attributes to a well man--so much so that it is difficult to put into words. The immense number of lessons my grandmother has taught me when raising my and my brother can only be learned if raised in the type of environment I experience. But really, all I need to know that I am doing something right and well if “Manong” is the word I hear from her.

Photo by valor kopeny

Photo by Jacob Valerio

     The two Koreas and their recent conflict, like many before, are acts of aggression whose repercussion brings forth yet even more heated tensions between the two in which must be solved before such heated tensions harms too many. Recently, two South Korean soldiers patrolling the border suffered severe injuries as a result of landmine blasts near the zone. The south accuses the north, tensions rise and fall, and the semi-war state North Korea announced has been lifted. (Summary of paragraph 1-3) Something happens again and the other takes no responsibility for or denies it happened, tensions rise, and fall; it’s the same process over and over. Sure--so far, there has been no war since their separation by the demilitarized zone (DMZ). But the two Koreas see each other as rivals and would likely obliterate each other if left without intervention from the United States. This shouldn’t be the case. It is indeed important for the two Koreas to resolve the current problems at hand such as the one in which involved the U.S. to immediately review their plans to defend South Korea were there to be a war at hand. However, the main problem that lies between the North and the South has been so severe and has lingered for so long to the point where, as executive director Philip Yun of a nuclear disarmament advocate group states, "In the next 10 years, we have the threat of North Korea with a substantial nuclear arsenal -- if we don't figure out a way to dreal with them -- and a leader we don't know a lot about." (Mullen 1) By saying this, he implies that North Korea can be seen as a threat, which is what they obviously make themselves out to be. But why make so many threats and yet not act upon it? Why not simply carry out their threats? Simple; North Korea does not want to fight a war with a U.S.-backed South Korea. Tensions must be resolved in the near future; otherwise, the Korean crisis can grow to be much worse than simply trading fire, for that fire may ignite something neither side will enjoy as an outcome.


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Photo by Jacob Valerio

Photo by Pineapple

    Being raised in a family where one core parent leaves is difficult, but such a difficulty is multiplied when the other must work extra hard to make ends meet. My grandmother filled in that missing place throughout my life. It’s no doubt that “father figure” is still missing to guide me, but she certainly assisted my mother in shaping me to the person I have become. Whatever there was that she learned in her earlier years or even in the current times was taught to me; the good or the bad so that I may learn and work to being a well rounded individual. Pairing this with an immense amount of discipline (even on the little mistakes me and my brother sometimes make), came out “Manong” as she said.


    “Manong Coby” she commented. Practicing a manner appropriately? Wearing some nice attire for a special occasion? Being able to accomplish a difficult task? “Manong”. The word comes from one of the ethnicities that seems to be the most dominant within our family--Filipino. More specifically, Tagalog, though it is said the same in Ilokano--two dialects in the language. It means to be the first-born male in a family, but according to my grandmother, she will mainly associated it with being the big brother--or a man. I really thought this meant that (being a young boy with a maturity level appropriate to that) I look like my grandfather. Typically, I would have thought this meant “old” in this type of joking manner, but she said such a word is like a compliment.


    The definition of the word/phrase really stuck with me around the time after going to perform for May day--otherwise known as Lei Day, a tradition my elementary school regularly practiced at the end of each school year. It was vibrant; each grade performed their own dances taught by their two mentors. Kapalama Elementary School and Red Hill Elementary School both followed this tradition, like many schools. What was most significant about the event was the court; the group of people that sat on their own special spots in front of the audience--the parents. Grade after grade, it became more and more beautiful. Flowers, dresses, dances--they all contributed to the exciting experience. However, once I reached 6th grade, it was my time to possibly be selected for the court. And I was. I didn’t think much of it, for I probably would end up as simply one of the barriers or at best, a prince of one of the islands. I certainly did not expect the real outcome; to be given the position of King for May day. I had been close enough to the court in my previous years at the school to be able to see what they do, but experiencing it is certainly something else. After months of practicing after school with my fellow court, came the day, and boy was it an amazing experience. My grandmother, after assisting me with searching for the right white collared shirt and pants, commented on the final product; a fully dressed with the striking yellow and red ali’i cape “Manong”. Hearing the word after the fantastic ceremony was truly something. Something that would forever hold. “Look at how fast you’ve grown!” she would say.


    The same phrase would be said over and over at significant ceremonies and graduation events such as those after elementary and middle school--significant peaks in my educational life or just life in general. Though that significant effect subsided from the awe that Lei day had since then, the word still brings back those various memories. It’s true--one should not worry about being the most serious individual at times and especially for a person my age, one should try their best to experience as much as they can before they actually become “Manong”, but I feel that there is always this lingering need to be a serious, mature, and calm individual wherever appropriate. It is sometimes apparent that my inner self outshines that other “Manong” personality I usually show, but my grandmother doesn’t make any harsh reactions to any jokes I may make or silly things I may do. Besides; a Manong needs some humor in their life to lighten up.


    To say that I appreciate the lessons that were taught to me is an understatement. Becoming a “Manong” (as of course, I am still in that development stage) means more than just the usual attributes to a well man--so much so that it is difficult to put into words. The immense number of lessons my grandmother has taught me when raising my and my brother can only be learned if raised in the environment I experience. But really, all I need to know that I am doing something right and well if “Manong” is the comment that is made by my grandmother.

Photo by Pineapple

    "Death before defeat". It is the original phrase in which I based this website off of. It is similar to the mentality where one would rather die trying than to accept loss. To die a hero rather than living long enough to become an evil.

    Though I personally am not an individual who has an immense amount of "up-front intelligence" (knowing something or being able to comprehend a concept the fastest), I have the advantage of being able to craft pieces of writings together to create an even more powerful form of intelligence; one that has been revised over and over. One that has been given its effort and time. See; voices can echo far down into generations of the future through word of mouth and sure; it may survive. But writing something is almost like an immortal form of communication.

   Writers die. Poets die. We all will suffer the same consequence as it is unavoidable. But that type of defeat is something in which many, like myself, will certainly not embrace. So instead of embracing that death; that defeat, I'll write before defeat.

"Scourge" by Justin Maller

In general, this blog is a personal and educational-related blog, wherein various writing assignments will be posted here along with other personal things that I have created or I fancy.

"Lux" by Justin Maller

    "Death before defeat". It is the original phrase in which I based this blog off of. It is similar to the mentality where one would rather die trying than to accept loss. To die a hero rather than living long enough to become an evil. Though I personally am not an individual who has an immense amount of "up-front intelligence" (knowing something or being able to comprehend a concept the fastest), I have the advantage of being able to craft pieces of writings together to create an even more powerful form of intelligence; one that has been revised over and over. One that has been given its effort and time. See; voices can echo far down into generations of the future through word of mouth and sure; it may survive. But writing something is almost like an immortal form of communication. Writers die. Poets die. We all will suffer the same consequence as it is unavoidable. But that type of defeat is something in which many, like myself, will certainly not embrace. So instead of embracing that death; that defeat, I'll write before defeat.

    When I designed this blog or design in general, I try to express something simple that the viewer will only be able to comprehend were they to think for themselves what message the design is trying to convey (and in a blog's case, to read on). Thus, I went with a minimalist-esque look. Words that usually come to mind are usually simple, elegant, neat, and efficient. There isn't too much detail really in the blog, but it is enough to lure the reader into reading on. It is something I think is best for my blog and really, blogs in general.

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    The world I come from is one filled with a fair mix of positivity and negativity. One may feel unfortunate for using such words to describe myself. However, from my perspective, it's great to experience hardship and pleasure. Not to their extremes, but to a good enough extent where lessons can be learned. The main concept in which my mother and grandmother always strive to instill into me is that you can become or acquire what you desire if you set your mind to it and execute it properly. Responsibility, respect, knowledge; this and more contribute to that effort. Whatever that effort may be.

    One may ask of the desires or feats I wish to fulfill. In general, I look to become a storyteller through media production. Whether it be through photos or videos (and perhaps even music), I want to be able to tell great stories in a more visual way that enables people who view them to "ascend to a greater level" with the bits of knowledge they acquire from these artistic pieces. Artists such as Justin Maller (who created the piece above), film producers such as Casey Neistat and their artistic pieces are the embodiments of what I strive to become. Aspired, I started off with what I can do and utilize whatever I can to achieve their level of greatness. Though I have not been able to learn everything there is to learn about media production, I have been able to create a variety of pieces. I continue to do this. Though the process I take to create them is a long one, it is one that will constantly be tried and improved. Though, that is the essential aspect to greatness, like Neistat and Maller. To keep on improving.
"Lux" by Justin Maller