bluemango: fashionista. boydagat.

Mag-ingat.Nasa taas mo man ako'y kaya ka nilang basagin. Simple lang naman ang gusto kong sabihin: mahal kita. Natutunan na kitang mahalin noon pa mang nakipagtipan ka sa akin upang iyong maging panakip-butas. Kaya naman, ilang ulit ka mang itaboy ng mga diyos, nandito pa rin ako: panakip-butas. Mahal, alam kong tanggap mo na ang katotohanang darating ang panahong ako'y pilit ilalayo at sa paglalayo'y gagahasain ng mga hayok at tigang; ni wala akong magagawa kundi ang ika'y titigan,,  luluha na lamang habang nilululon ng ating panginoon ang iyong kadalisayan na inalagaan ko sa matagal na panahon. Mas mapalad ka, mahal, sapagkat hindi mo mararanasan kailanman ang mapadpad sa lansangan, makuyom ng palad, matataihan ng libong daga, o makasiping ang along magbibigay sa akin ng panibagong mukha. Huwag kang mag-aalala, lagi kong hahanapin ang kapiraso ng iyo oras na sa iyo mabaling ang galit ng mundo. Mas magugustuhan mo Siya. Kawangis ng iyong mga kauri, hahayaan ninyong hihimas-himasin ang kasariwaan ng inyong katawan habang naniniklup-tuhod kayo sa inyong sariling lamig at pawis. Mas magugustahan mo Siya; ang labi niyang sanay sa romansa, na sasabay sa bawat galaw ng kanyang mga naglilibugang mata. Sa inyong pagniniig, ang pagsabog ng halakhak ng mga luhang nakapinid. Sana'y magiging masaya ka ngayong gabi, mahal. Hayaan mo, pagkatapos ng gabing ito, tatahakin mo ang panibagong ako, at Siya. Mag-ingat. Pag-ingatan. Baka kapwa kayo masaktan.

She had a moment of inspiration and thought: We work and give away part of our life to earn that which would  enable us to give more of it to ourselves and to those we love. The balance should be in our favor. No enterprise, no job, no matter how much money it may give a person, is worth giving all that person's life for. 

---Manuel Arguilla, Caps and Lowercase

Mahirap maging mahirap. Ito ang katotohanang aking natuklasan makaraang maisa-isa ko ang bawat hibla ng katotohanang nakabaon sa kuwento ni Manuel Arguilla: Caps and Lowercase.

Maaaring likhang-isip lamang ang nasabing kuwento subalit hindi maipagkakailang ito ay iilan lamang sa mga kuwentong pilit sinasalamin ang hirap ng buhay, ang pagbibigay ng buhay, at pakikipag-laban para mabuhay.

Ang pamagat ng kuwento, marahil ay maaaring maihalintulad sa pangunahing bahagi ng kompyuter, ang keyboard. Bilang isang "lower cap", pinapangunahan tayo ng ibang taong kinikilala nating (o hindi man) mas mataas sa atin, na pilit nating sinusunod dahil sa takot: takot na mawala sila, takot na ipag-walang bahala tayo, takot na itakwil tayo sa kung saan tayo mas nararapat. Masakit maging isang "lower cap" (o maging isang mababang uri, 'ika nga); mahirap. Mas mapalad ngang maituturing kumpara sa mga taong binigyan ng karapatang maging mas mataas, na naging simbolo ng pagiging "upper caps", sapagkat ano at anupaman sila ay lubos pa ring mas iginagalang, tinitingala, at hindi kailanman hinahanapan ng maling nagawa o pananagutan dahil sa kanilang angking kapangyarihan.

Maaari ring kinuha ang pamagat sa ideya ng pagiging peryodista ni Wilfredo Santos, ang pangunahing tauhan. Bilang isang copyreader, maituturing na isa sa mga pangunahing pangangailangan niya upang masumpungan ang kanilang mga pangangailangan ay ang pang-araw-araw na paghagilap at "pakikipag-niig" sa literal na mga "caps and lower case", ang tahasang pagbabago o pagpapaunlad ng mga ideya, opinyon, katotohanan at titik sa mga ilalathalang artikulo ng Illustrated Weekly. 

Subalit, maging isa ka mang Wilfredo Santos, "lower case" kaysa sa mga tao o pagkakataong nakapaligid sa kanya--- o Mr. Reyes at Don Vicente,  "higher cases" na mas gugustuhin ninuman, iisa lamang ang natatanging katotohan na nais ipabatid ng kuwento: lahat tayo ay nangangarap na maging mga diyos: masalapi, ginagalang, at makapangyarihan.

Buod ng Kuwento 

Kahabag-habag ang buhay ni Wilfredo Santos, isang copyreader ng peryodikong Illustrated Weekly. Labis mang nahihirapan sa kanyang trabaho dahil sa mga taong nagdidikta at nagmamaltrato sa kanya (gaya ni G. Reyes, ang kanyang editor; at Mang Doro), pilit pa rin niyang nilalabanan ang hirap ng buhay para sa kanya at sa asawang si Marta. Kasabay ng init na hatid ng bakasyon, mainit din ang klima ng buhay na kanilang dapat tahakin: ang kanyang napipintong pagiging ama, ang pakikipagsalamuha sa kanyang mga tambak na gawain at panginoon sa opisina, at ang pagharap sa kanyang lumulubha nang karamdaman. Subalit hanggang kailan nga ba tatagal siya tatagal?

 

Noon lamang isang buwa'y ang sabi ko sa Mama'y wala akong kadiliman. Akong tinatawag na big shot at kagalang-galang. Ngayo'y para akong dagang tinutugis na walang malamang sulingan.

---Amado V. Hernandez, Ang mga Kagalang-galang

Mapalad ang mga naghihirap. Ito ang katotohanang aking natuklasan makaraang aking isa-isahin ang dahon ng pangarap at pagkawasak ng mariwasang pamilya Grande sa dulang pinamagatang: Ang mga Kagalang-galang.  

Marahil, iisipin mong kaipokrituhang masasabi na mayroong kaligayahang nakatago sa likod ng kahirapan. Subalit, kung iisipin, ang taong ipinanganak na sanay sa kakulangan at sanay sa pagharap nang nakapaa sa mga problema ay karaniwang mas madaling nakalalampas sa mga ito sapagkat kalimitan, hindi sila naghahangad ng higit sa kung anong mas nararapat at myroon sila, isang simpleng larawan ng buhay na buo ang kaligayahan at kabanalan.

Sa dulang Ang mga Kagalang-galang, ipinakita ni Amado V. Hernandez kung paanong ang mga taong nabibilang sa matataas na angkan ay kumakain ng pauri't paggalang subalit nabubuhay man sa angking kapangyarihan ay hindi pa rin nakokontento sa kanilang naaabot--- hungkag ang mga pangarap sapagkat naghahangad ng mas malaking pagkilala ng iba, mas malawakang impluwensiya, at mas prestihiyusong pamumuhay.

Ipinamalas din ni Hernandez ang mga temang base sa realidad: ang katotohanang wala naman talagang mayaman o mahirap sa mundong ito--- sapagkat lahat tayo ay nabubuhay sa utang at utang na loob, na makikita sa mga sitwasyong nangutang upang maghanda ang pamilya Grande para sa exposure at kanilang negosyo. Nariyan din ang mga taong pulitiko, nabubuhay at nagmamayabang dahil sa perang hindi naman kanila. Hindi rin nawala ang midya, naroon ang mga tagapagsulat sa diyaryo at mga potograper na kayang magbitiw sa kanilang pinanumpaang propesyon: ang paghagilap at pagbalita nang buong katotohaan. At si Mrs. Bigay, na animong nabubuhay para sa alahas na siya ring nagpabagsak sa kanya.

Kasakiman at kayabangan. Ito ang siyang naging ugat ng kanilang pagbagsak. Hindi pa man naaabot ang mga pinapangarap na kapangyarihang angkin ng iba pang mga diyos, unti-unti nilang napabayaan ang kanilang kastilyong gaano man katatag ay hindi na nila muling maaangkin.

Buod ng Kuwento

Ang pamilya Grande ay binubuhay ng kanilang kayamanan, kapangyarihan, at kasakiman. Lahat sila ay pawang may angking kayabangan: mula sa padre de pamilyang si Don Torcuato at asawang si Dona Magda, hanggang sa mga dalagang anak nitong sina Boling at Nenet.

Subalit, gaano man kasarap ang buhay na kanilang ninanamnam, labis silang naghangad ng mga bagay na hindi nila akalaing magbibigay sa kanila ng labis na pagdurusa. Ngayon ay nakaharap sila sa kakaibang bugso ng panganib.

Ang tanong: may magagawa kaya ang kanilang hinubog na kapangyarihan?

Masusing paghihibla-hibla sa kabuuan ng kuwento

Isang obrang pambihira. Bilang isang bihasang manunulat, kamangha-mangha kung paanong nagawa ni Hernandez na paigtingin ang kahalagahan ng katutubong kulay at sining sa pagsusulat; ang tahasang gawing makulay at kapana-panabik ang mga tagpo sa dulang: Ang mga Kagalang-galang. Binuksan ni Hernandez ang dula sa pamamagitan ng paggamit ng kakaiba subalit hindi matatawarang mga paghahambing ng mga bagay-bagay na animo'y  totoong nagtataglay ng buhay; ang paghahalintulad ng mga bagay na makikita sa bulwagan ng palalong mansiyon ng pamilya: mga mamahaling muwebles at palamuti sa kisame'y nakasabit ang aranyang tila malaking pugita na nakabuka ang mga galalamyparang madidilat na mata ang nag-uusling mga bombilya elektrika; nakalatag sa sahig ng bahay ang makapal na alpombrang may mga kulay na bahag-hari.

Maging ang kasuotan at itsura ng mga tauhan ay kanya ring ginamitan ng iba't ibang uri ng tayutay tulad ng pagtutulad, pagwawangis, pagbibigay-katauhan, pagmamalabis, personipikasyon, at iba pang uri ng tayutay na lalong nagpaigting sa karakter at tunay na itsura ng senaryo at mga tauhan: Naka-make-up at coiffure na ala Parissience, tila may bahid ng dugo ng kalapati ang mga labi.

 // Ang mga sanga ng kahoy ay lalagyan ng  mga prutas na sari-sarng kulay, at ang ibabaw ng hardin ay lalatagan  ng  ga banig na ilaw na mag-aanyong langit na puno ng bituin.

// Sa dibdib niya ay nakalawit ang isang pendatip na brilyante, nagbabaga sa magkabilang taynga niya ang mga solitaryo at sa daliring palasingsingan.

//Ganoon pala'y bakit hindi mo dipatsahion? Ano't nagmamantini ka ng mga dagang bahay?

Naging makulay rin maging ang tunog na nilikha sa imahinsayon na binuo ni Hernandez upang magbigay-linaw sa emosyong angkin ng eksena. Bawat matunog na publisidad ay prestihiyo at ang prestihiyo'y kredito sa negosyo at siyang sesame ni Alibaba sa kuweba ng kayamanan ng 40 tulisan.

//Marami riyan, malaki, nasa itaas. Mga kagalang-galang, pero ang kanilang mga mansiyo'y kasintibay lamang ng mga bahay-bahayang baraha na madaling ibuwal ng hangin.

 // Matutuyuan ang Ilog Pasig, hindi si Don Torcuato Grande. Samanatalng pulahan ang suot ni Nenet at wala siyang alahas kundi isang kuwintas na may tumpok ng rubing kasinlaki ng duhat.

// Kung si Hudas ay binili ng isang supot na pilak, lalong mahal ang katanyagan sa alta sosyedad.

Sa pagpapakilala ng mga tauhan, masusing binalangkas ni Hernandez ang mga detalyeng nakapaloob sa karakter at katangiang taglay ng mga tauhang binuo nina:  Don Torcuato: Si Don Torcuato na mukhang matanda kaysa sa kanyang gulang na 45 taon at tumitimbang ng 175 sa taas na 5'5' ay naksalamin ng de kolor, na kamukha rin ng balat na itim, pantalong abuhin at barong tagalog na puti.;

// Donya Magda (na asawa ni Don Torcuato): Si Donya Magda na mukhang bata naman sa kanyang gulang na 42 taon ay nakasaya na may guhit na sala-sala at kimonong rosas. // Si Donya Magda ay kaakit-akit pa sa kanyang ternong bughaw na mura. // Ngayo'y presidente ako ng Grande ang Company at direktor ng ilang korporasyon.;

//Boling, 21, panganay na anak na babae: Si Boling ay nakabestida ng sunod sa moda. Poodle cut ang buhok na paikpik.;

//at Nenet, 20, bunsong anak na dalaga ng mga Grande:samantalang si Nenet ay naka-toreador na asul at kamisadentrong dilaw, Poodle cut din ang buhok.

Bilang mga taong kinikilala sa kanilang lugar, labis na nahumaling ang mag-anak Grande sa pagsasapubliko sa kanilang mga "pinagsisikapang" handaan sa pag-asang lalong mapalakas ang kanilang koneksyon, dahilan upang sila ay mag-angkin ng mga ugaling kakaiba gaya nga pagiging GASTADOR: Samantalang ang magkakapatid na mutya Grande, sina Boling at Nenet ay di pasalang panaghilian ng mga modelo ng Fashion show sa isusuot nilang mga bestidong sunod sa pinakahuling moda sa Paris at New York. Ang kasayahan ng mga Grande ay lubhang pinakahihitay pagkat laging engrande.

Nenet: Tena Boling. Ngayon daw mayayari ang mga komposisyon ng ga bestido. Tig-aanim kami.

Torcuato: Magkano na naman? Boling: Mil pesilyos lang. Torcuato: Mil pesilyos? Bibilhin mo ba ang talyer? Nenet: Saka bibili pa kami ng sapatos.

Torcuato: Masyadong gastador ang mga anak mo.

Magda: Iilwan ang dekolor na swimming pool. Ang mga sanga ng kahoy ay lalagyan ng  mga prutas na sari-sarng kulay, at ang ibabaw ng hardin ay lalatagan  ng  ga-banig na ilaw na mag-aanyong langit na puno ng bituin.

Magda: Tatlong katerer ang kinasundo ko, Papa. Tatlong klase ng pagkaing mapagpipilian ng mga bisita. Komdio Tsina,. Espanyol, at Pilipino. --- Wala bang pagkaing Amerikano?

Torcuato: Entonces, walang peligrong kapusin ang mga handa? Magda: Maski dos mil. Torcuato: Bakit naman dos mil, hindi ba kuatro siyentos lamang ang imbitasying ipinadala?

Magda: Kailangan ko ng beinte mil. Dadalhin ngayon bagong dekorasyon ng bahay, paparito rin ang tatlng katerer at ang konduktor ng dalawang arbetrang tutugtog mamaya.

Torcuato: Entonses, singkuwenta mil ang gagastusin mo sa isang gabi lamang.

Kinagabihan ng araw na yaon, sa dating bulwagan na nagayo'y pinatingkad ng nagliliyab  na 100 bombilya ng aranya at ilang ng dagitab na pailaw at palamuti.

Torcuato: Kung sabagay, pero narito naman ang ilang senador at kongresista, ilang heneral at businessmen at ang kani-kanilang asawa.

Ipinamalas din ni Hernandez ang kababaang-tingin ng pamilya sa kanilang kapwa dahilan upang ang mga ito ay tanghalin bilang mga MAPAGMATAAS AT BASTOS. Boling: Porke, delikadong basta ipaayos sa modista sa Maynial ang creation ng nga Christian Doit at Balenciaga ng Paris. Nenet: Ang takot ko'y baka sirain pa kamo kaya kailangang nakabantay kami.;

Magda: Ang mga bodigara at bolado, hindi mo na ba ibibilang? Wala nga sila sa listahan, pero ang mga iyan e mas puerte kung sumabak. Pagka nagkataon ay para kang dinapuan ng isang kawan ng lutong dayupay.;

Torcuato: Di ka dapat mahirapan kung minamaneho mo ang sanrekwang alila natin. Magda: Sanrekwang walang silbi. Marami ang nagpapaaliala sa panahong ito sa hangad na maging amo at magpasarap sa buhay. Biro mo bang sa kanila ay hubad sila at patay, magprisinta sa pamilyang pares natin, matitira sa mahusay na bahay, magdadamit ng maayos, kakain ng ayos, gagamit ng maputing palingkuran at may suweldo pa na natitipong buo. Ano ang nalalamang trabaho? Kumpletong wala ta pagkatigas ng katawan. Torcuato: Ganoon pala'y bakit hindi mo dipatsahion? Ano't nagmamantini ka ng mga dagang bahay?;

Magda: Balasubas ang diyablong kanong iyon. Dinadaan sa tangos ng ilong ang anak ko.

Maging ang KAYABANGAN ng isang tao ay mariing ipinahiwatig ni Hernandez na sadyang hinango sa realidad: Boling: Mangyari pa, Mamang. Gusto mo bang lampasan kami ng maski sinong bisita mamaya sa aming kapanahon. Handa natin ito, tayo ang dapat sumikat.

//Magda: Pangit nga lang ang masabing nakatira tayo sa palasyo'y walang mga alila;

//Torcuato: Kita mo na, Mama, di narito ang kuatro siyentos na sosyedad.;

//Magda: Narito lahat pero hindi ako kuntento porke wala ang presidente at ang primera dama. ;

//Magda: Maski na. Iba na iyong mabalita sa peryodiko na dinaluhan tayo ng presidente at ng kanyang asawa. Lalabas ang malaking retrato na kaagapay natin sila. Lalabas na malaking bentahe sa prestihiyo gayon din sa negosyo.;

//Magda: Kung sa aki'y walang oras na di may lumalapit na ahente ng kung anu-ano pati mga asa-asawa ng ilang olitiko, nag-aalok ng awto, alahas, lupa't bhaya, pati sa mmga raket na umano'y madaling pagkakasalapian.Magda: Pero anong oras? Nakaalis na ang ibang importaneng bisista, nu! Pag walang retratong lumabas bukas sa  mga peryodiko, laking kalamidad.;

//Magda: Pag ako'y ginalit nila, sasabihin ko kay Papa magbukas ng sariling diyaryo.;

//Mrs. Bigay: DApat sa akin ang tawag mong iyan, lagari. Kumakain pasulong, kumakain pakabig. Gusto kong sabihin ay kumikitta ako pag-alis at kumikita ako pag-uwi.;

//Mrs. Bigay: Lhat ng brilyante ng babaing mga narito ngayon, Magda, pati iyang nasa dibdib, tainga at daliri mo e ako ang nagpasok sa Maynial, buhat sa ibang lupain.;

Isa pang binigyang-pansin ni Hernandez ang halos walang patid na kasakiman ng isang tao sa pag-asang makakamit ang lahat ng kaginhawaan sa mundo nang hindi manlang naiisip at naikikintal sa sarili ang kahirapang dinaranas ng iba. Sa dula, halos lahat ng mga tauhan ay nagpakita ng kani-kanilang KASAKIMAN: Nenet: Hindi inggit, kundi kasakiman ng kapwa ang nagpahamak sa kanya. Nang malapit nang pakinabangan ang kanyang sakripisyo sa bulubundukin at may tanda nang matunton niya ang isang bagong kumpanyang patay nang malaon, at inaangking sa kanya...; PANDARAYA/KATUSUHAN: Mrs. Bigay: Ito'y mahigpit na sikreto, pero sasabihin ko sa iyo, Magda. Ang mga dolyra na aking inilalabas, inilalagay ko sa gulong ng awto. Ang mga brilyanteng aking ipinapasok, inilalagay ko sa tangke ng gasolina.; // Mrs. Bigay: Dala ko at magaling na camouflage. Komo ako'y naka-awto, hindi iisiping konrabandista. Sino ba iyong nagsabing ang milyonaryo'y huindi magnanakaw? // Boling: Porke sa mga kontrabandong nasamsam, may puhunan pala si Mamamng ng isang daang libong piso.

Maliban sa mga nabanggit, pinuna rin ni Hernandez ang kakayahang makapagsira ng isang relasyon dahil sa INGGIT:  Boling: Inggit, maliwanag na inggit ang ginagawa nila kay Pong. Binibintangang tumutulong sa kilusang pulahan at ano ang pruweba?...Inggit, inggit lamang ang pakanang siya'y pasamain. Ang mga taong noon ay pinakain niya sa palad, ngayo'y sa kanya bumabalibag ng bato, ang mga pinunong walang sawang nangutang ng loob sa kanya, ngayo'y siyang umaalimura at nagpapako sa kanya ng krus. Nariyan ang halimbawa ng maitim na pusong tao at pagkabilanin ng mundo.

Hindi rin maipagkakaila ang katotohanan sa mata ni Hernandez na mayroon talagang MGA  NABIBILING JOURNALIST: //Torcuato: Ikaw Amarillo, malaki ang magagawa mo sa iyong mga susulatin. Makapal ang mga bumabasa sa iyong  kolumna.;

//Torcuato: Ikaw naman, Amarillo ang papasya sa publisidad sa iyong kolumna at sa ibang mga lathala. Iisip ka ng mga promosyong Hollywood style.;

//Amarillo: Kung minsa'y gusto ko nang iwan ang aking propesyon at limuting ako'y naging manunulat. Isang parusa ang sumulat kang kalaban mo ang iyong konsensiya. Dito sa Pilipinas, di ka makakasulat tuwina nang ayon sa itinitibok ng iyong puso. Ngunit ano ang mangyayari sa buhay ko sa aking sahod na pagkamanunulat? Malaki pa ang kita ng entertainer sa isang naitklab. Ano ang gagawin ko? Ako'y taong may pamilya.

Dahil masusing pinahalagahan ni Hernandez ang pagpapahalaga ng pamilya Grande sa kayamanan, mahusay rin niyang pinagtagpi-tagpi ang kalakasan at kahinaan ng mga kapangyarihan nito.

Torcuato: Kunin mo nang halimbawa ang ating sarili, Magda. Gaano na ang ating pondo sa bangko. Meron tres siyentos mil. Itong ating lupa at mansiyon ay kalahating milyon, at isang milyon pa rin ang iba't ibang obligasyon ko. Puro kredito. Iyan ang aking sandigan. Kung bigla akong bawian ng kredito ng mga bangko, huwag kang magulat kung mawalan tayo sukat ng bubong na masisilungan at imbes na naka-cadillac e mag-bus na lang.

Torcuato: Buweno, mayroon akong singkwenta ektarya na bukid na 60 kilometro mula sa kastelo nasyonal. Matagla nang hindi natatamnan dahil sa kalintikan ng  ga kasama. Mabuti ang katutubong halaga ng lupang ito na hindi ko binili ng tuwiran, kindi nailit sa sanlang-bili, ngayo'y gusto kong gawing subdibisyon at pagkaraa'y ipagbili ng pakyawan sa gobyerno.

Torcuato: May sobre pa bawat kinsenas at hindi mapupuno ng lupa ang mga daliri mo., Mister sigurista. SAnlibo muna kayo ni Amarillo. At kung naibenta natin ang asyenda sa tamang presyo, tig diyes porsiyento kayo. May kukuwaltahing tigkakalahating milyon kayo.

Nakabestido ng luntian si Boling at suot niya ang isang huwego ng mga batong esmeralda. Samantalang pulahan ang suot ni Nenet at wala siyang alahas kundi isang kuwintas na amy tumpok na rubing kasinlaki ng duhat.

Mapapansing hindi rin pinalagpas ni Hernandez ang pagsasalamin sa kung paanong ang iba't ibang lahi sa mundo ay may iba't ibang kaugalian ukol sa pag-aakyat ng ligaw at paghingi ng kamay ng isang dalaga. Sa mga Intsik, nakita ito sa pag-uusap nina Boling at Nenet, nagmamalakihan kung sino nga ba ang mas galante at mas malambing: ang kanilang nobyong Kano o Intsik. Sa Intsik:

Boling: Magagahol. Tumawag sa akin sa telepono. Pero di mo ba nakita ang padalang regalo? Anim na kaha ng Scoth Whisky--- 144 na botelya. Ba! Kung bibilhin iyan ngayon ay mga tres mil pesos. Nenet: Lalasingin ni sikiting ang lahat ng bisista.

//Sino ba ang madalas magbigay ng padulas, parating at pabagsak? Heto na si Sikito, may sunong naregalo. Iyan na ang regalo mo, at akin ang American loverboy.

//Boling (kay Nenet): Kaysa naman sa boyfriend mo. Hindi na sumipot e wala pang padalang ano pa man. Taingang kawali.; Nenet:Bukod sa iba ang ugali ng nga Amerikano sa Intsik. Kalaban sila ng rega-regalo, porke kung tutuusi'y katumbas ng suhol Kaya huwag mong iparis si Pter ka Pong. Boling: Magtigil ka nga, Nenet.  Hindi ang Intski ang titser natin sa graft and corruption.; Boling (kay Nenet): ...Kung wala ako'y bibilugin lang ng Kano ang ulo niyan.

Kahusayan din sa negosyo ang isa pang tinutukan ni Hernandez na pagpapakilala sa tunay na pokus ng mga Intsik sa uri ng buhay na kanilang tinutunton; Nenet: Iyo na ang lahat ang sa Papang. Puhunanin ninyo ni Pong sa groseri.; at pagiging babaero ng nobyo nitong patudyo man ay pawang nagsasalamin ng katotpohanan dahil sa kinalakhang kultura ng mga Intsik: Nenet: Sinabi ba ni Pong kung ilan ang asawa niya sa Tsina?

Pinuna rin ni Hernandez ang pagkakaiba ng ugali ng mga Amerikano sa Instik. Ayon pa sa usapan nina Nenet at Boling: Boling (kay Nenet): Kaysa naman sa boyfriend mo. Hindi na sumipot e wala pang padalang ano pa man. Taingang kawali.; Nenet:Bukod sa iba ang ugali ng nga Amerikano sa Intsik. Kalaban sila ng rega-regalo, porke kung tutuusi'y katumbas ng suhol Kaya huwag mong iparis si Peter ka Pong. Boling: Magtigil ka nga, Nenet.  Hindi ang Intsik ang titser natin sa graft and corruption.; Boling (kay Nenet): ...Kung wala ako'y bibilugin lang ng Kano ang ulo niyan.

Binigyang-halaga rin niya ang kahalagahan ng ilusyon kahit ng mga taong halos saklaw na ang kayamanan ng iba: Nenet: Pagbalik ni Peter buhat sa Benguet na dala ang isang trak na ginto.

Subalit, ipinamalas man ni Hernandez ang mga "kabutihang" maibibigay ng labis na pag-asama t pagkamkam ng kayamanan, hindi niya hinayaang mabilog ang ulo ng mga tao sa pagmmithi nito. Ipinaramdam niya kung pano dinamdam ng mga tauhan, lalung-lalo na ng pamilya Grande ang naging kinahantungan ng kanilang sobrang pagmamahal sa karangyaan at kapangyarihan.

Mariin at marubdob ang pagbibigay-buhay ni Hernandez sa bawat eksenang matatagpuan sa ikahuling tagpo; ang labis na pagkagulantang sa kakaharaping suliranin ni Torcuato: (Torcuato: Susmarya! Patung-patong na kasawian ito!); pagkaipit ng nobyo ni Boling (Boling: mahigpit na iniipit si Png. Alam mo na ba, Papang?); pagtatakwil sa kasintahan ni Nenet (Nenet: At ang pagpapatapon kay Peter, alam mo na rin ba, Papang?); disgrasyang malubha sa kasakiman ni Torcuato (Torcuato: Mga mahal ko... Dapat ninyong malaman naman nang nangyari sa akin. Disgrasyang malubha.); ang pagkalustay ng pera ni Magda kay Mrs. Mrs. Bigay, pananagot sa napabayaang responsibilidad ni Torcuato (Torcuato: Nagbanta sila. O magbayad ako ng aabot na isang milyon o managot sa ilang sakdal sa husgado.) at paghangad sa tamis ng kamatayan dahil sa napipintong pagdadalamhati (Torcuato:...Dili kaya'y kung ganitong buhay, mabuti pang matapos na!)

 

Kahusayan ng may-akda sa Paggamit ng Iba't ibang Disenyo ng Wika

Bilang isa sa mga pinakamahusay at iginagalang na manunulat ng bansa sa larangan ng wikang-sining sa wikang Filipino, si Amado Hernandez ay isang obra maestra na lumililok ng likhang obra maestra. Dahil sa kanyang malawak na imahinasyon at bokabularyo, naikikintal niya sa isipan ang mga salitang hindi man lubusang maintindihan ay nasasaklaw naman ang iba't ibang damdaimn dahil sa kahusuyan niya sa paggamit sa mga ito; mga salitang hango sa iba't ibang wika gaya ng Pranses, Espaniol, Ingles, at malalalim na salitang Filipino. Ilan sa mga ito ay ang mga nabanggit ng mga tauhan sa Ang mga Kagalang-galang:  pedestal, magpamindal,, coiffure na ala Parisience, poodle cut ang buhok na paikpik, kana-toreador, biyenbenido, bulang-gugo, di pasalang panaghilian, gatasan, satispetso, sanlinggong yaot, Christian Dior, mil pesilyos, papel de bangko, entonces, bodigara at bolado, dayupang, balintuan. sanrekwa, listong, aranya, tsarol, mura, pendotip, solitaryo, balenciaga, hahipo o circulo pampianos, kitchen cabinet, sesame ni Alibaba, alonalud, Adelantado, huwego, at umaalimura.

Mga Linyang Makapagkikintal ng Bagong Ideya at Katotohanan Hango sa Mga Kagalang-galang

>Kung si Hudas ay binili ng isang supot na pilak, lalong mahal ang katanyagan sa alta sosyedad.

>Bakit ba ang mga taong iya'y hindi makakilos nang walang badigard? Natatakot yata sa kanilang mga anino.

>Wala pa akong masinag na dilim sa paligid.

>Lalong mapalad ang nagbibigay... kaysa tayo'y mag-aaliw at magpakaligaya.

>Pagka may alak, ang pagkai'y kalabisan na.

>Huwag pigain ang labanos upang buhusan ng gugo. Magpakain ng piyon upang dumama superior ang batas ng buhay.

>Ang disgrasya ng ta'y parang tulisang sumuulpot skung kailan hindi akalain. Sino ang mag-aakla?

>Noon lamang isang buwa'y ang sabi ko sa mama'y wla akong kadiliman. Akong tinatawag na big shot at kagalang-galang. Ngayo'y para akong dagang tinutugis sna walang malamang sulingan.

>Mama, ang presyong alahas ay sumusunod sa kalagayan ng may ari. Kung mayroon ka mahal. Kung wala ka, di tatawaran kahit sa kalahati ng pagkabili mo. Pero gaya ng sabi ko, hindi ako nag-iisa. Marami riyan, malakai, nasa itaas. Mga kagalang-galang, pero ang kanilang mga mansiyo'y kasintibay lamang ng mga bahay-bahayang baraha na madaling ibuwal ng hangin.

Kongklusyon

Ang paghahangad sa anumang kalabisan ay karaniwang nagdudulot lamang ng mas malala pang kakulangan sa ating buhay.

Kung kaya naman, itinuturing kong isang oportunidad ang pagbasa at pagdadalamhati sa dulang ikinintal ni Hernandez sa aking isipan: lahat tayo, mayaman man o mahirap, ay may karapatan rin namang tanghalin bilang--- Mga Kagalang-galang.

Caps and Lowercase
She had a moment of inspiration and thought: We work and give away part of our life to earn that which would  enable us to give more of it to ourselves and to those we love. The balance should be in our favor. No enterprise, no job, no matter how much money it may give a person, is worth giving all that person's life for. 
                                                                                          ---Manuel Arguilla, Caps and Lowercase
Mahirap maging mahirap. Ito ang katotohanang aking natuklasan makaraang maisa-isa ko ang bawat hibla ng katotohanang nakabaon sa kuwento ni Manuel Arguilla: Caps and Lowercase.
Maaaring likhang-isip lamang ang nasabing kuwento subalit hindi maipagkakailang ito ay iilan lamang sa mga kuwentong pilit sinasalamin ang hirap ng buhay, ang pagbibigay ng buhay, at pakikipag-laban para mabuhay.
Ang pamagat ng kuwento, marahil ay maaaring maihalintulad sa pangunahing bahagi ng kompyuter, ang keyboard. Bilang isang "lower case", pinapangunahan tayo ng ibang taong kinikilala nating mas mataas kumpara sa atin; na pilit nating sinusunod dahil sa takot: takot na mawala sila, takot na ipag-walang bahala tayo, takot na itakwil tayo sa kung saan tayo mas nararapat. Masakit maging isang "lowercase" (o maging isang mababang uri, 'ika nga); mahirap; mas hamak ngang maituturing kumpara sa mga taong binigyan ng karapatang maging mas mataas, maging "caps o uppercase", sapagkat ano at anupaman sila ay lubos pa ring mas iginagalang, tinitingala, at hindi kailanman hinahanapan ng maling nagawa o pananagutan dahil sa kanilang angking kapangyarihan.

            Maaari ring kinuha ang pamagat sa ideya ng pagiging peryodista ni Wilfredo Santos, ang pangunahing tauhan. Bilang isang copyreader, maituturing na isa sa mga pangunahing pangangailangan niya upang masumpungan ang kanilang mga pangangailangan ay ang pang-araw-araw na paghagilap at "pakikipag-niig" sa literal na mga "caps and lowercase"; ang tahasang pagbabago o pagpapaunlad ng mga ideya, opinyon, katotohanan at titik sa mga ilalathalang artikulong nakapaloob sa Illustrated Weekly. 

Subalit, itinanghal man si Wilfredo Santos bilang "lowercase"  kaysa sa mga tao o pagkakataong nakapaligid sa kanya--- Mr. Reyes at Don Vicente--- iisa lamang ang natatanging katotohang nais ipabatid ng kuwento: lahat tayo ay nangangarap na maging mga diyos: masalapi, ginagalang, makapangyarihan.

Buod ng Kuwento 

Kahabag-habag ang buhay ni Wilfredo Santos, isang copyreader ng peryodikong Illustrated Weekly. Labis mang nahihirapan sa kanyang trabaho dahil sa mga taong nagdidikta at nagmamaltrato sa kanya (gaya ni G. Reyes, ang kanyang editor; at Mang Doro), pilit pa rin niyang nilalabanan ang hirap ng buhay para sa kanya at sa asawang si Marta. Kasabay ng init na hatid ng bakasyon, mainit din ang klima ng buhay na kanilang dapat tahakin: ang kanyang napipintong pagiging ama, ang pakikipagsalamuha sa kanyang mga tambak na gawain at "panginoon" sa opisina, at ang pagharap sa kanyang lumulubha nang karamdaman. Subalit hanggang kailan nga ba tatagal siya tatagal?

Masusing paghihibla-hibla sa kabuuan ng kuwento

Pagpapakumbaba at pagtitiis ng isang asawa ang siyang naging pangunahing tuon ng kuwento. Masasabing kahanga-hanga ang paglalapat ng iba't ibang mukha ng kahirapan ni Manuel Arguilla sa katauhan ni Alfredo Santos dahil sa pambabastos at mababang-pagtingin: "Like a whipped cur," was the phrase Mr. Reyes used in his mind whenever Santos had turned away from the editorial table to go to his own after bawling out // He experienced a curious thrill of pleasure at the nervous expression that wrenched Santos' face. He lifted the newspaper; he didn't want to look at the boy again; and strangely enough, he had no wish for the boy to be gazing back at him with those big, scared eyes of his; panunumbat at hindi makatwirang paninisi: When it was found out that a blunder could always be blamed on Santos, then it became impossible for anything to be pinned down on anybody else. He was treated by everyone with a pitying contempt; pananakot:The sound of his name being called by Mr. Reyes was enough to make him jump and lose color. The knot on his chest would grow tighter; then as he approached Mr. Reyes' desk, the blood would rush to his head; he would feel his face and ears burning; pagtitimpi: Nimbed with surprise and fear and regret, he had gazed at the word, incapable of uttering anything; at kawalang-katarungan: At first, Santos had shrunk from the thought of ever asking for a raise. Ask for a raise when he wasn't even sure of keeping his job? Jesus Christ! na siyang naging dahilan ng pagkakaroon ng mababang pagtingin sa sariling kakayahan: Why couldn't they have worked together, gone to Mr. Reyes in a body and forced him to make a decision in their favor? No, they didn't even think of him. He was merely the proofreader. A galley-slave; pagkakaroon ng karamdaman: Marta, looking at him from acroos the table at supper noticed the long hollows in his cheeks, the stubble on his chin. How he had thinned during the past months! she thought to herself with a pang. His lips were cracked and peeling---they rasped on her own when he kissed her now, which wasn't as often as he used to. // ...she became confused and only knew that her heart contracted within her at the sight of her husband sitting there before her, gaunt and thin, his big sunken eyes beneath the straight, dark eyebrowse forevershifting with a worried, anxious look.// JC had gone on down the stairs, bringing away with him a memory of Santos' haggard face, with its sparse stuble of dark hair on the bony chin, the hollow cheeks, and the damp, clammy-looking forhead. The picture bothered him. The felloe looked sick. He looked like a cadaver. // He spat once more into the urinal. At sight of the yellow enamel stained with blood from his mouth, an overwhelming sense of disaster, futility, hopelessness came upon Santos. Tears sprang to his eyes; at pagmamakaawa Mr. Reyes drew in his lips in exasperation. The boy was going to make him lose his temper, sitting there like an image, saying nothing, looking like a suffering Christ! 

Subalit sa kabila ng lahat, nagagawa pa rin ni Alfredo ang kanyang pagharap sa obligasyon bilang asawang nagtatrabaho para sa kanyang pamilya. The proof reader went back to his proofs to make his own thoughts. They were often about Marta, of the chid that he would bear him.

            Ipinamalas din ni Arguilla kung paanong ang isang tao ay may iba't ibang kababawan o kalaliman ng kaligayahan depende sa kanilang nakagawian: At the time, five months ago, he had regarded the prospect of receiving  twenty-two pesos and fifty centavos every fifteen days with almost tearful gladness.

Dahil sa masusing paglalahad at paglalarawan ni Arguilla, naging makatotohanan ang bawat pahayag at galaw ng mga salita na siyang ginamit nito na lalong nagpaigting sa tunay na hirap na dinanas ni Santos bilang isang peryodista at asawa. Having had no qualification for the job except that he was a college graduate with the degree of bachelor of arts and had been a reporter for one year  on the university paper , Santos was started at his present salary of forty five pesos.
Sa katauhan ni Marta na siyang asawa ni Alfredo, ipinakita ni Arguilla kung paanong ang isang asawa ay labis na naghahangad ng kaligayahan para sa kanyang minamahal: Marta, his wife, in fact, had cried quietly in his shoulder in her joy when he told her that he had landed the job and would receive so much. "I  am so glad, Fred," she had said, her voice expressing more than the words, and his happiness was complete; na siyang parating nag-aalala: "Aren't you working too hard, Fred?" Marta, his wife would chide him; nagmamahal: His wife who loved him and thought highly of him, grew to think that her husband was working harder than anybody in the oofice of the Illustrated Weekly. mShe got the impression that everyone depended on him there; that he was an important and respected person; at nakikipaglaban para sa minamahal: Now---, Marta felt a gust of passionate revolt. It wasn't fair! He was working so hard and for so little! He was practically a slave to his job. // A great bitterness  and anger came to Marta as she thought o her husband, her darling Fred, grown so thin and tired-looking, laving away at a job that gave no more than the measly pittance of forty-five pesos a month! It is not fair, her soul cried out.


Samanatala, naging malupit ang pagtrato ng mga taong nakapaligid kay Alfredo na lalong binigyang-diin ni Arguilla sa bawat kataga at sitwasyon kung saan nagkukrus ang landas nina G. Reyes (upper cap) He was a medium-sized man of about forty-three or forty-five. A wide, handsome brow and thin, and sensitive nostrils were the most distinguising features of his face. These, the fainty yellowish tinge to his otherwise fair complexion, and the hardly noticeable slant to his eyes betrayed to a fact of his mixed Spanish-Chinese-Malay ancestry--- at Alfredo (lower cap).
Idinagdag pa ni Arguilla na: Cause of his most painful experiences were Mr. Reyes, the editor, and Mang Doro, the burly foreman of the press department. Between these two, life for Santos took on a nightmarish quality during his first months in the job. // It was also in connection with the dummy that Santos had his greatest difficulties with Mang Doro, the shop foreman in the press department; na siyang nakatulong nang malaki upang maipakita ang mukha ng kabutihan at kasamaan: He must have been muscular once, Mang Doro, but he had since grown fat and sluggish. He spoke in heavy sarcastic monotone, liberally interspersed wiith oaths and obscene expressions.

Bawat detalye ay masusing minatyagan ni Arguilla, dahilan upang lalong magbigay-katotohanan sa kuwento: He swallowed hard and opened his mouth to speak the words, but Mr. Reyes had suddenly lifted his head and snapped out, "Well, don't hang around here all day. Get back to your job." // He watched for the brightening up of the downcast face of Santos. There was none. Mr. Reyes began to feel again his old irritation toward the boy; na nagbigay-kulay sa kalungkutang dala, mga hindi-akalaing pagkakataon at pangamba sa buhay ni Santos: "By the way, Santos," he waited until the boy had topped and turned halfway around, "if you feel that you can't go on working at your present salary,---" he paused, and then his voice dripping with all the venom of his unreasoning hate and anger, "you just say the word. No one is going to stop you."

Subalit, ipinakita rin ni Arguilla na maging ang mga kinikilalang mas matataas na tao ay lumuluhod rin sa mga panginoong mas mataas pa kaysa sa kanila, dahilan upang maging si G. Reyes ay tanghalin ding "lower cap" kaysa kay Don Vicente, ang may-ari ng lathalaan: But nothing ever seemed to come of all their talking. They were very bitter toward Mr. Reyes; they cursed him about themseleves, called him a renegade who had sold himself to the owner, Don Vicente; they discussed ways of forcing a showdown with him and the management; lalo na sa isang pagkakataon kung saan nasambit na lamang ni G. Reyes na: "If the matter rested entirely with me, I'd have given it to you before you ever came asking for it," he went on. // "Let me tell you something. I am just like anyone of youhere. I am merely an employee." Yes, Mr. Reyes thought bitterly. Just another employee, a paid servant at the ebck and call of a master.

Maging si Mang Doro ay itinuring din ni Santos bilang uppercase: Then Mang Doro would face Santos. "You heard. It can't be done. Tell Mr. Reyes we know what we are doing here. You people up there, you act like you know all about printing. What do you know about printing? When did you first step inside a printing shop? Only the other ay.n And now, you teach us what to do. We have been working here for more than ten years now. We have no need of teachers. Tell Mr. Reyes to come down here and do the job himslef if he doesn't like our work."

Mga Tema at Pagpapahalagang-Moral base sa sariling obserbasyon

Labis na tinutukan ng may-akda ang buhay-kahirapan ni Santos na uminog lamang dahil sa kawalan ng pera at labis na pagmamahal sa pamilya. Ilan sa mga eksena ng kahirapan ay: In the tiny bedroom where he and his wife slept on the second floor of a two-story accesoria in Santa Cruz, near the Dulongbayan market, it became stifingly hot at night. The occasional breaths of wind that found their way through the bedroom window, which opened on a bleak prospect of quarrelling roof-tops of corrugated iron, were like torrid emanations from the throat of a giant furnace.

Maging ang kapaligiran kung saan nakahango ang kuwento ay nagbabadya rin ng labis na kahirapan: On this papag slept the two daughters and the sickly mother, who herself rarely came out of its dark and musty seclusion. The boys and their father slept on canvas cots which they set up on the floor at night and neatly folded and put away under the papag early in the morning.

Hindi rin maipagwawalang-bahala ang matinik na pagmamatyag sa iba't ibang imahe ng kahirapan: He would slide off the square-topped wooden stool on which he was sititing, clasp his hands behind him and look down at his feet that were encased in slippers made out of a rubber from a discarded automobile tire.

Sinasalamin din ng kuwento ang pagod at hirap ng buhay-peryodista: Fatigue dragged upon his whole body like a heavily weighted cloak. He took in quick, shallow breaths of a heated air, innert from its day's load of soot and dust. A dull, diffused ache formed between his shoulder-blades at every breath.

Dahil sa hirap ng buhay kung kaya naisipan ding ilangkap ni Arguilla ang mga ilusyon at pangarap ni Santos na karaniwang pinapamatid-uhaw ng mga taong nagdurusa: Santos could feel the heat burning hsi face. The skin of his body became unduly sensitive to the touch of his clothes and his mind tantalized itself with thoughts of swimming in cool, green lakes, or lying naked under palm trees beside the wide, blue sea, the salty breezes cooling and caressing him.

It might win the grand prize of P100, 000, half of which was, afetr all, P50, 000! What could he do with that much money? Jesus Christ, Santos exclaimed in his mind, imitating JC, the literary editor of the Illustrated Weekly, what could I do with the P50, 000!

He placed his arm against the cold cement wall and leaned his hot, aching forhead against it. He prayed God to make him win in the sweepstakes. He and Marta would go away from the City. He had visions of cool green vistas, peace and quiet in the country, a small house on the hillside with squash vines covering its roof.

Higit sa lahat, ipinakita ni Arguilla sa pamamagitan ng pangunahing tauhan ang kahalagahan ng  trabaho upang mabuhay, dahil sa pera: He was almost in a daze from the shock of learning that he might after all lose his job. A hard, tight knot seemed to fill hs chest. He saw that his hands were trembling, and it was some time before he could continue correcting the proofs that lay piled on his table.

At first Santos had shrunk from the thought of ever asking for a raise. Ask for a raise when he wasn't even sure of keeping his job? Jesus Christ!

Soon afterward, she became sure that she was going to have a bay. Their happiness at the knowledge was marred by the thought of their meager income.

In their own fashion, they were as much cowed as Santos. Most of them had families to support and the fear of losing their jobs took the sand out of them.

He was doing the same work that the fellow did---more now with the number of pages increased--- he couldn't see why he couldn't get the same salary.

But with all the memories of his past humiliations at the hands of Mr. Reyes fresh in his mind, and with the numbing fear that he might as a result be asked to resign, it was no wonder that Santos dreaded with all his heart and soul the coming interview.

Those last words of Mr. Reyes! He still felt choked from the start that his heart had given shen she had heard them. Resign! Give up his job! Jesus Christ, if that was idea of a joke--- He saw the pile of proofs on his table. He must hurry.

Hindi rin maaaring palampasin ang masasakit na salitang binitawan sa mukha ni Santos ng mga nagkukunwaring diyos: Then he would slap the dummy close and burst out: "When you saw the type so big, why the hell didn't you have it changed? You must have brains haven't you. You are more inteligent than those bums below. Why don't you tell them what to do? You are absolutely useless around here. I don't see why we keep you on."

"Why the hell did you have the type changed?" he'd bark, his eyes glinting angrily behind his spectatcles. "This is so goddmaned small now I have to use a microscope to read it."

"I thought, sir---" Santos would venture to explain. Mr. Reyes was waiting for that. Gloatingly he would pounce upon sanots' words. "You thought! Who the hell asked you to think? A proof reader is not supposed to think. He only follows what's indicated in the copy. Who do you think you are, Santos?" (Sometimes this last query became: "Who is editor here anyway, you or I?)

"Like a whipped cur," was the phrase Mr. Reyes used in his mind whenever Santos had turned away from the editorial table to go to his own after bawling out.

Ang pag-asa at paniniwala sa suwerte ay tinutukan din ng pansin, na maaaring makapagpatakas kay Santos sa kahirapan at pagmamaltrato. You will never be able to buy any of those things. Unless we should win in the sweepstakes," he had added, secretly deciding that on his next pay-dayhe would invest one peso for half a sweepstakes ticket.

Dumarating din ang pagkakataon kung saan dahil sa labis na kahirapan, napipilitan kang tanungin ang tunay na Diyos: bakit ako? Bakit ganito? An agony of regrert and longing shook him to his soul. Oh, God, why did things turn out like this for him and Marta? Why couldn't they have been different? Why didi he have to slave away at this job? Why did he and Marta have to live in a hot, narrow room?

Binigyang-diin din ang inggit at pag-asang mabuhay sa katauhang tinatamasa ng iba: He felt a twinge of envy towards JC,  a bachelor with no care in the world.

JC cracked jokes with Mr. Reyes, the editor. Girls called him up numberless times during the day. When Santos raised his head from his proofs to ease his tired eyes, he would oftener than not see JC at the telephone, laughing, or talking with his lips very close to the mouthpiece. Then he'd come close to hating the debonair literary editor.

---hiya: It was the characteristic of her that almost the first thought that leaped to her mind was this matter of paying the rent on time. It was a great source of worry and humiliation to Marta not to be able to give their landlord punctuallythe thirteen peso rent money, light and water included, during the first five days of the month.

Marta always left him feeling so ashamed of himself. She always deferred as long as she could going to tell Mang Siso that she could not pay on time. It made her cross and she would often burst out in anger at Fred at the slightest provocation.

JC had gone on down the stairs, bringing away with him a memory of Santos' haggard face, with its sparse stuble of dark ahir on the bony chin, the hollow cheeks, and the damp, clammy-looking forhead. The picture bothered him. The felloe looked sick. He looked like a cadaver. He had no busniess looking at his job looking like that. What a sort of home-life did he have, he wondered. A vague feeling of shame and distress insiuated itself into the literary editor's mind.

---awa sa sarili: "I am just wondering how we can pay the whole rent from our own money. We have so little ourselves."

---pagiging maintindihin: "I understand," he would say in his strained, patient voice. "You do not have to tell me how hard it is to get money these days."

--- at pagiging malikhain: He had a slow, economical way of moving which Marta found restfula nd pleasing. 

He would slide off the square-topped wooden stool on which he was sititing, clasp his hands behind him and look down at his feet that were encased in slippers made out of a rubber from a discarded automobile tire.

Kongklusyon

Maraming nagkukunwaring-diyos sa mundo. Marahil, ganito nga talaga ang buhay; may mga taong kailangan nating luhuran, irespeto higit pa sa ating sariling pagkatao, at gawaran ng labis na pagtitimpi dahil sa iba't ibang pangamba. Tunay ngang mahalaga ang pera sapagkat mabubuhay tayo nito, magagawa tayong maging isa sa mga titingalaing diyos.

Subalit, sa ipinakitang pagsasalarawan ni Manuel Arguilla sa naging takbo ng buhay ni Alfredo, marami akong natutunan, at marami rin akong nakuhang ideya sa mga kakaharaping sitwasyon sa pagdating ng araw bilang isang journalist o manunulat.

Tama si Arguilla: maraming masasakripisyo (katulad ng naging buhay ni Alfredo): ang sarili mong kaligayahan, ang paggalang mo sa iyong sarili, ang buhay ng nga taong mahal mo, ang karamdamang pilit mong pinagtatakpan, ang pride na sadyang napakahirap isawalang-bahala.

Tama si Arguilla: maraming diyos na sa atin ay nagdidikta. Hindi maipagkakailang tae tayo sa paningin ng iba, subalit isang imahe naman ng panginoon para sa mga taong labis na pinahahalagahan ang ating pagiging "tayo".

Tama si Arguilla: habambuhay tayong magtitiis. Walang taong hindi nahihirapan o hindi nakakaramdam ng pagod at sakit. Walang taong manhid. Walang taong hindi marunong magmahal.

Tama si Arguilla: mahalaga ang bawat sandaling ating nilalaan sa trabaho. Dahil sa trabahong ito kung kaya tayo natututong pahalagahan ang oras at pahalagahan din ng mga taong ating pinaglalaanan ng ating pagsisikap.

Tama si Arguilla: lahat tayo ay may itinuturing na diyos. Gaya ni Alfredo, kaya niyang magtiis at lunukin na lamang ang sariling pride. Gaya ng mga diyos niya sa opisina, lulunukin din nila ang kanilang sariling pride sapagkat silang lahat ay mayroon ding kinikilalang mga diyos. Mas marami pang diyos. Mas marami pang diyos na tulad rin nila ay mga nilalang na masalapi--- at mas makapangyarihan.

"Hunger is getting worse, not better."

This was the the Physician Task Force on Hunger in America found out after a year-long investigation to search out "the human face of hunger", despite the nation's economic recovery.

The investigation which was headed by J. Larry Brown of the Harvard School of Public Health, revealed that hunger has reached epidemic proportions nationwide, leaving up 20 million people vulnerable to fear and illness because of economics and conscious government policy.

The study was based on the growing lines at soup kitchens and food pantries, upsurges in infant mortality, and widespread testimony about malnutrition among the elders, infants and the unemployed.

In "Hunger in America: The Growing Epidemic", lack of food is not the cause of hunger in America but lingering effects of recession, with Reagan administration cutbacks in income and nutrition programs, which left 35.3 million Americans below below the federal poverty line.

The authors called on Congress to focus more in how to increase welfare and food stamp benefits and programs especially for the elderly and children.

Time-out.

Ito ang salitang Ingles na huli kong narinig mula sa aking pinsan. Marahil, isa iyon sa mga salitang Ingles na paborito niyang bigkasin lalong lalo na kapag nagka-cutting classes. Time out. Isa rin ito sa mga bagay na hindi pa niya naririnig sa loob ng classroom, tanging sa basketball court lang namin.

Hindi maipagkakailang marami nang nasirang relasyon at pangarap dahil sa labis na paglalaro. Kahangalan? Maaari. Subalit mahirap pigilin sapagkat sa paglalaro lamang pansalamantalang naiibsan ang hirap ng problema, tila sumusunod sa bawat patak ng pawis at talbog ng bola.

Tinatamad mag-aral. Ito ang karaniwan kong naririnig sa mga taong hilig lang ay ang lumundag-tumihaya kapiling ang bola. Maging ang mga nag-aaral ay napapasama pa minsan dahil mas pinili nilang magbasa kaysa magpatalbog at sumunod sa bawat galaw ng bola. Weird. Nerd. Ganoon silang mga nag-aaral kung ituturing; ang mga atleta, in.

Basketball. Diyan ang lahat magaling, magbasketball. Hindi na nga normal na maituturing ang mga kabataang tumigil na sa pag-aaral dahil mas piniling umuwing dugyot dahil sa maghapong paglalaro, at maghanap na lamang ng lutong pagkain sa mesa bago matulog. Batugan. Nagbubuhay-baboy. Nasisi pa tuloy ang basketball.

Pero sikat naman daw sila (at may ibubuga. Sana nga meron). Ito ang isa sa mga panakip-butas ng  mga manlalaro lalong lalo na kapag tanungin sa kanilang kapasidad oras na naihalal na bilang mga kawani ng gobyerno. Kahanay ng mga artistang wala nang ginawa kundi ang umastang maging baliw sa loob at labas ng telebisyon, marahil nga, nawalan na rin sila ng ganang matuto. At bakit naman hindi? Sino nga naman ang hangal na ipagpapalit ang panghabambuhay na kasikatan sa kayod-kalabaw na pagbabasa at pag-intindi sa Mi Ultimo Adios ni Rizal? Kahirapan ng ba ang dapat sisihin?

May pruweba subalit hindi makatwiran ang ganitong pananaw. Kamakailan lamang ay nabasa ko mula sa internet, at narinig ko maging sa telebisyong base sa mga pag-aaral, mas sinasamba ng lipunan ang mga taong sikat at may angking kakayahan (kung meron man) kahit walang sapat na paninindigan. Kung kaya naman, isang pitik lang, luhod na ang mga inosenteng walang alam, at ayaw makaalam. Kaya naman, halos lahat, gustong maging Michael Jordan, Manny Pacquiao, Regine Velasquez. Halos walang gustong maging Jose Rizal. O maging si Einstein manlang. Maging ako, ayaw ko.

Sandali. Hindi ko sinasabing, "dude, 'wag na tayong maglaro." Ibig ko lang ipabatid na walang masama sa paglalaro. Sa totoo lang, isa ako sa mga kabataang naghahangad ng mas mataas na pagtanaw at pagpapahalaga ng larangan ng isports. Hindi maipagkakaila ang kahalagahan nito sa ating buhay sapagkat halos lahat ng ating nasa paligid ay maituturing na ring isports; naghahangad tayong manalo, natututo tayo sa ating mga pagkakamali, nagagawa nating lumaban at ipakitang hindi tayo talunan: kaya pa nating lumaban.

Lumaban. Ito marahil ang nakapagpapasabik sa mahika ng isport. Dahil sa kagustuhan nating manalo, pilit nating pinagsisikapan na maka-puntos, o hahayaang tumulong upang makapuntos ang ating mga kasama. Maliban sa iniensayo nito ang ating pagtatatag ng magandang relasyon sa iba, binibigyan tayo ng isports ng karapatang magpahinga, magpalakas, at umani ng lakas ng loob. Maging ng kayabangan.

Talagang walang masama sa isports. Sumasama lang naman ang isang bagay kapag itinuturing na itong bilang isang kalabisan. Kulang na lang ay gawing bahay ang loob ng court. Kulang na lang ay gawing bubungan ang ring at gawing almusal ang bola.

Ang ayaw ko lang, Marahil nga, hindi pa tayo hinog sa kamalayang maaaring maidulot ng labis na pagkahumaling sa iba't ibang isports. Alam ko, inaasahan ninuman na dapat ay naaayon sa "ganda at pagpuri" sa sports ang dapat kong nailimbag sa artikulong ito. O kung hindi man, ay ang suliranin sa kakulangan ng budget para sa mga manlalaro ng ating bansa. Marami nang nakapaglimbag ng mga ganoon. Subalit, ano ang nangyayari? Wala.

Kung kaya, hayaan nating mag-isip naman minsan kung ano ang magagawa natin sa ating sarili. Marami pang basketball. Marami pang bola. Marami pang oras para maglaro. Mas gaganda ang laro kapag nagawa na natin ang dapat nating gawin.

Sana, huwag nating iasa sa isport--- basketball, volleyball, boxing--- sa kung ano ang maaaring kahihinatnan ng ating buhay. Hindi lahat ay nabibigyan ng karapatang bahaginan ng nararapat. Subalit lahat tayo ay nabibigyan ng karapatang maglaro.

Dahil sa tunay na laro ng buhay, lahat dapat naaayon; walang bawian, walang time out.

Time-out.

Ito ang salitang Ingles na huli kong narinig mula sa aking pinsan. Marahil, isa iyon sa mga salitang Ingles na paborito niyang bigkasin lalong lalo na kapag nagka-cutting classes. Time out. Isa rin ito sa mga bagay na hindi pa niya naririnig sa loob ng classroom, tanging sa basketball court lang namin.

Hindi maipagkakailang marami nang nasirang relasyon at pangarap dahil sa labis na paglalaro. Kahangalan? Maaari. Subalit mahirap pigilin sapagkat sa paglalaro lamang pansalamantalang naiibsan ang hirap ng problema, tila sumusunod sa bawat patak ng pawis at talbog ng bola.

Tinatamad mag-aral. Ito ang karaniwan kong naririnig sa mga taong hilig lang ay ang lumundag-tumihaya kapiling ang bola. Maging ang mga nag-aaral ay napapasama pa minsan dahil mas pinili nilang magbasa kaysa magpatalbog at sumunod sa bawat galaw ng bola. Weird. Nerd. Ganoon silang mga nag-aaral kung ituturing; ang mga atleta, in.

Basketball. Diyan ang lahat magaling, magbasketball. Hindi na nga normal na maituturing ang mga kabataang tumigil na sa pag-aaral dahil mas piniling umuwing dugyot dahil sa maghapong paglalaro, at maghanap na lamang ng lutong pagkain sa mesa bago matulog. Batugan. Nagbubuhay-baboy. Nasisi pa tuloy ang basketball.

Pero sikat naman daw sila (at may ibubuga. Sana nga meron). Ito ang isa sa mga panakip-butas ng  mga manlalaro lalong lalo na kapag tanungin sa kanilang kapasidad oras na naihalal na bilang mga kawani ng gobyerno. Kahanay ng mga artistang wala nang ginawa kundi ang umastang maging baliw sa loob at labas ng telebisyon, marahil nga, nawalan na rin sila ng ganang matuto. At bakit naman hindi? Sino nga naman ang hangal na ipagpapalit ang panghabambuhay na kasikatan sa kayod-kalabaw na pagbabasa at pag-intindi sa Mi Ultimo Adios ni Rizal? Kahirapan ng ba ang dapat sisihin?

May pruweba subalit hindi makatwiran ang ganitong pananaw. Kamakailan lamang ay nabasa ko mula sa internet, at narinig ko maging sa telebisyong base sa mga pag-aaral, mas sinasamba ng lipunan ang mga taong sikat at may angking kakayahan (kung meron man) kahit walang sapat na paninindigan. Kung kaya naman, isang pitik lang, luhod na ang mga inosenteng walang alam, at ayaw makaalam. Kaya naman, halos lahat, gustong maging Michael Jordan, Manny Pacquiao, Regine Velasquez. Halos walang gustong maging Jose Rizal. O maging si Einstein manlang. Maging ako, ayaw ko.

Sandali. Hindi ko sinasabing, "dude, 'wag na tayong maglaro." Ibig ko lang ipabatid na walang masama sa paglalaro. Sa totoo lang, isa ako sa mga kabataang naghahangad ng mas mataas na pagtanaw at pagpapahalaga ng larangan ng isports. Hindi maipagkakaila ang kahalagahan nito sa ating buhay sapagkat halos lahat ng ating nasa paligid ay maituturing na ring isports; naghahangad tayong manalo, natututo tayo sa ating mga pagkakamali, nagagawa nating lumaban at ipakitang hindi tayo talunan: kaya pa nating lumaban.

Lumaban. Ito marahil ang nakapagpapasabik sa mahika ng isport. Dahil sa kagustuhan nating manalo, pilit nating pinagsisikapan na maka-puntos, o hahayaang tumulong upang makapuntos ang ating mga kasama. Maliban sa iniensayo nito ang ating pagtatatag ng magandang relasyon sa iba, binibigyan tayo ng isports ng karapatang magpahinga, magpalakas, at umani ng lakas ng loob. Maging ng kayabangan.

Talagang walang masama sa isports. Sumasama lang naman ang isang bagay kapag itinuturing na itong bilang isang kalabisan. Kulang na lang ay gawing bahay ang loob ng court. Kulang na lang ay gawing bubungan ang ring at gawing almusal ang bola.

Ang ayaw ko lang, Marahil nga, hindi pa tayo hinog sa kamalayang maaaring maidulot ng labis na pagkahumaling sa iba't ibang isports. Alam ko, inaasahan ninuman na dapat ay naaayon sa "ganda at pagpuri" sa sports ang dapat kong nailimbag sa artikulong ito. O kung hindi man, ay ang suliranin sa kakulangan ng budget para sa mga manlalaro ng ating bansa. Marami nang nakapaglimbag ng mga ganoon. Subalit, ano ang nangyayari? Wala.

Kung kaya, hayaan nating mag-isip naman minsan kung ano ang magagawa natin sa ating sarili. Marami pang basketball. Marami pang bola. Marami pang oras para maglaro. Mas gaganda ang laro kapag nagawa na natin ang dapat nating gawin.

Sana, huwag nating iasa sa isport--- basketball, volleyball, boxing--- sa kung ano ang maaaring kahihinatnan ng ating buhay. Hindi lahat ay nabibigyan ng karapatang bahaginan ng nararapat. Subalit lahat tayo ay nabibigyan ng karapatang maglaro.

Dahil sa tunay na laro ng buhay, lahat dapat naaayon; walang bawian, walang time out.

INSIDE

To further widen my idea about the illness, I got a chance to interview one of my gym buddies, a 20 year old buff who is until now suffers from a mental illness called bigorexia.

Dan told me that his classmate introduced him once to go to gym to achieve a little muscle. "Bale sobrang payat ko kasi talaga dati. Sabi nga ng mga kakilala ng parents ko, baka di raw ako pinapakain nina mommy at daddy kasi sobrang payat ko talaga. Kaya when one of my friends ask me if I want to go with him in the gym, then I said I'll just try if it will work for me. From then on, kahit ako lang mag-isa pumupunta dito sa gym, I'm eager na kasi medyo marami na rin akong mga kakilala dito."

The feeling of perspiring makes Dan go on to work out. "Iba kasi talaga e. Kapag pinagpawisan na ako, talagang tuluy-tuloy na. Nawawala na yung antok ko, and the awkward thing is that, though you're already tired enough, you're still on the go to continue. Then pagdating ko nalang sa bahay, I just rest for 10 minutes then eat something and go to sleep. Iba talaga yung pakiramdam. You feel more relaxed, you feel so strong talaga the day after. Another thing that I really like in work out, medyo nagkalaman na nga ako. Actually my mom said that I should avoid na raw magbuhat ng mabibigat kasi baka hindi na raw ako tumangkad. Pero I explain naman to her that wala namang connection yungheight sa weight lifting."

First time does'nt really gives the last impression. "Kasi the very first day that I wento to gym, sobrang sakit ng katawan ko kinabukasan. I really suffered a lot. PAgkagising ko nng umaga, hindi ko na mataas yung kamay ko pati yung katawan ko, hindi ko amitayo. Seems like bago akong circumcise sa buong katawan. Nothing shpould be touched except my hair. Kulang na lang magpasubo ako. Sobrang sakit talga, kaya isinumpa ko na hindi na talaga ako babalik. But then, I met ulit yung kaklase ko, and then tinanong n'ya ko kung kamusta raw at kung gusto ko pang bumalik. Ipinagtataka ko, pa'no ako nakabalik. Siguro, determination lang tsaka disiplina."

Dan also shared that aside from influencing his brother, he also influenced his other friends and three classmates. "Ngayon, medyo dumami na yung nabiktima ko. (laughs) And by the time na magkita kami ng iba kong kaibigan na matagal ko nang hindi nami-meety, medyo nagugulat sila kasi medyo lumaki na ako. Actually, yung iba sa mga kaklase ko, they just want a slim abs especially yung mga babae, yung mga lalake naman, they dream of having a semi-ripped abs."

The diet is so strict. Dan has to eat somewhere apart from his ffriends who prefer Jollibee or McDo meals. "Kapag kainan na talaga, especially lunch time, I eat alone kasi walang gustong sumama sa akin. To tell you frankly, I'm into diet even now, though ganito lang yung katawan ko. I just don't know the real reason. Kasi eversince I stepped sa gym, there's something trhat tells me to have a simple diet, no fatty food, justv stick to vegetables and fruits. The weird thing, it's as if there's nothing really changed with the way I look than before though I know within myself na meron nga naman talagang nagbago kahit papaano. Basta, I just woke up one day na nagigive-up ko na lahat, I even broke up with my girlfriend kasi hindi n'ya maintindiahan why I should've to gain mass and achieve a leaner looks. Yung masama pa dun, minsan pag may inuman kami, of course natural lang naman yun sa magbabakada, I always miss our drinking session kasi I have to go to the gym pa, and do the exercises needed listed in my program. Kaya medyo nanghihinayang man ako dahil I can't be with them na naman, wala akong magagawa kasi I don't want to feel guilty. And yun pa pala, everytime I skip a work out session, I usually hate myslef kung bakit pinili ko pang uminom and be with my friends kaysa mag-workout. Naka-gain pa tuloy ako ng extra calories."

"It was only in Magandang Gabi Bayan that I realized and finally discovered that baka nga I'm already suffering from that bigorexia stuff. I was so amazed na lahat ng sintomas, or kung hindi man lahat ng sintomas na nasabi e medyo meron ako. So parang sabi ko, oo nga no? Dun, doon ko narealize na baka psychologically ill na nga ako. Kasi lahat na lang talaga ng kinakain ko, tinitingnan ko yung Nutritional Value, mapa-noodles or canned food man 'yan. Kapag naman streetfood yung nakakain ko, soemtimes, I just blurt out to somebody na nagtitinda ng food kung nakakataba na yun or what. Kaya 'yun, medyo natangay ako sa issue. Naka-relate din ako sa ibang ininterview doon na nagsa-suffer nga sa bigorexia na komong nasisisra na rin daw yung relationship nila with their families and with their friends dahil gym na lang parati yung inaatupag."

After watching the episode of Magandang Gabi Bayan, DAn started to worry about his attitude towards going to gym. "After talaga noong mapanood ko yung sa Magandang Gabi Bayan, I started a research sa library and internet if there's really such thing as bigorexia. And 'yun, nagulat ako. I never thought that it was really rampant, common nga raw sa mga lalaki, pero meron ding ganoong naitalang cases sa mga babae. One thing din na nakapagpagulat sa 'kin is nung sinabi doon yng mga sintomas na expected ko na kung anong nandoon. Iyon nga, I finally found out na may bigorexia nga ako."

But how do Dan and other victims of bigorexia treat themselves? "Well, it's a personal problem needing a personal treatment. Dahil usually pschological lang yung epekto sa 'kin, ngayon, I see to it na medyo ini-enjoy ko na yung pagpunta-puta ko dito. Hindi na rin ako masyadong nagiging conscious sa pagda-diet kasi narealize ko nga na katamtaman na rin yung laki ng katawan ko, kumbaga, fini-furnish ko na lang tsaka mini-maintain to achieve the look na gusto ko. Well, it's all about personal satisfaction naman e. Wala namang masama kung gusto mong ibahin yung image mo as long as dapat ini-enjoy mo lang talaga dapat tsaka always stick to what should be prioritized."

When asked if he has something to regret, he just answered, "Regrets? Wala naman siguro akong regrets kasi ginusto ko 'to e. And to think, this is for me naman e. Actually, I feel happoy kasi ganito na yung katawan ko unlike before na kulang nalang e lagyan ng string para maging flagpole. Basta dapat i-set mo lang talga muna yung priorities para mas maenjoy mo yung outcome ng pagsisikap mo. Another thing, dapat ding isipin na giangawa ko 'to not just for em but also to serve as an inspiration to other people that instead of living their lives with vices, drugs, or whatever that's useless and can do harm for them, then why not try going to gym if they got time."

 

Sexy. Toned. Daring.

Let me pave the way by revealing the present masculine world. Other than hot women, bottomless beers, and basketball games, being one of the toughest guy in town becomes one of the main interests of young men nowadays. There are some boys out there who earnestly needs attention from girls so they relentlessly act like an ogre--- rude, arrogant, irresponsible. Some men do this by cracking jokes anytime, or anywhere for their "women" to feel at ease with them. To be different, some proudly set out their styles in public, out-of-this-world, so weird, but still enjoy it no matter how shameful they look. Some men flaunts their marvelous cars, some just brag their skills in guitars. Some even resort to gangs to be "in" and wear the hairstyles women praise as "astig". There are also some men who prefer to look violent, outrageous, "rockers" who seem to kick asses anytime of the day. Others stays in their discreet seclusion, still going on something that's too old yet still innocent grooming and outfit. But some men just stay and lock their rooms if they have nothing to boast: filling their private room with private manly secrets.

Different styles, manifold strategies. Despite the easy-going lifestyle of men, men are getting more and more conscious in their looks nowadays. According to Jerry Kennard, a doctor and psychologist of AskMen.com, men are catching up with women in their dissatisfaction over body shape though men's body image is still less negative than women (but underweight men experience most problems). Kennard also relates that men and women share the same problem in the relationship between body dissatisfaction and low self-esteem; though men are most likely to use anabolic steroids in their quest for greater muscle mass, and the fact that gay men are most likely to experience poor body image, they usually engage in unhealthy eating. At the end of the day, there is very little men can do about their height, but body shape, posture, general health and fitness can all be enhanced and contribute towards a healthy lifestyle and attractiveness.

In the present world where technology is fast-rising at its peak, people around the world are getting more and more conscious in the way they look or the way they portray themselves towards other people. Looks matter. Despite the busy schedule, chaotic routines, and head-cracking deadlines, people think some alternatives or other ways to fit their schedules to what they know would make them happy and confident or anything that would fit their lifestyle.But how do men really face the challenge of seizing the scale to be one of the toughest guy in town? When does "excessive" fitness becomes excessive? How much is too much?

Workout, food supplements, dumbells, diet, and sets are one of the common things everybody hears when entering the always crowded gym. To achieve the aspired looks and size, both men and women resort to getting fit by engaging in workout sessions (despite their busy schedule) and proper diet  (making them yearn for their favorite dish). The desperate ones, accomplish their mission by giving up their relationship with their boyfriends or girlfriends to concentrate well. Some students even afford the consequence of missing their classes just to attend workout sessions. And this is what my topic is all about: the "excessive", endless desire of a sexier and firmer body which turns into another dillema of psychological illness--- bigorexia.

Bigorexia as defined by Jerry Kennard

Reverse Anorexia

Being preoccupied with muscle development may involve a disturbance in body image similar to anorexia. Bigorexia (muscular dysmorphia) is now affecting hundreds of thousands of men. For some men muscle development is such a complete preoccupation that they will miss important events, continue training through pain or broken bones, even lose their job rather than interrupt their physical development schedule. Curiously, these same men are not in love with their bodies. Despite a well developed physique they are unlikely to show it off and will shy away from situations that expose their bodies. 

The term 'muscle dysmorphia' was coined in 1997 to describe this new form of disorder. Other people refer to the condition as 'reverse anorexia', and now more commonly 'bigorexia'. The causes are not known but two key ideas revolve around bigorexia as a form of obsessive compulsive behavior and secondly, the effect of the media putting the same type of pressure on men to conform to an ideal shape as has been the case with women for years.

The main characteristic of bigorexia is the thought that no matter how hard you try your body is never muscular enough.
Anorexia and bulimia are still fairly uncommon in men but young men are most prone. 

The condition is recognized as more common with men although some women body builders have also been reported with similar symptoms. Most men with bigorexia are weight lifters, but this does not mean that most weight lifters are bigorexic. Compared to normal weightlifters who report spending up to 40 minutes a day thinking about body development, men with bigorexia report being preoccupied 5 or more hours a day thinking their bodies are under-developed.  

With the increase in gymnasium provision and attendance there is some speculation that this alone accounts for increased awareness of physical imperfection in men and a quest to attain the perfect body. Conservative estimates put bigorexia as affecting hundreds of thousands of men.

Typical Features of Bigorexia

mirror checking.
Bigorexic men check themselves up to 12 times a day. This compares to roughly 3 times a day with other weight lifters. social & work events: important social events like birthdays, meeting friends, keeping appointments etc are overlooked because they interrupt the training schedule. Working hours may be seen as too long and some men have lost their jobs because they spend too long training during break periods.

diet:
very strict diets are important. Bigorexics will rarely eat at another person's house or at a restaurant because they are unable to control the dietary balance or know exactly what has gone into food preparation. It has been known for men to develop eating disorders such as bulimia.

measuring up:
bigorexic men constantly compare their own physique with that of other men.
Invariably their perceptions are incorrect. Even when observing men of equal physique they will judge themselves as smaller.

drugs:
the use of anabolic steroids is common amongst bigorexics. Men continue using steroids despite experiencing side effects such as increased aggression, acne, breast enlargement, impotence, baldness, impotence and testicular shrinkage.

fat:
men with bigorexia typically worry about the percentage of body fat they carry rather than being overweight. 

Psychological Factors:

Unlike many body builders who enjoy the opportunity to show their physique in public bigorexics do not. Many will hide away for days at a time because of embarrassment about their body shape. Research undertaken by Pope and others in 2000 found that one man avoided sex with his wife in case it used up energy he could apply to body building.

Typically, men with bigorexia have a low self esteem. Many report having been teased at school about their physique leading to a focus on 'making good'. However, the attempt to catch up is never achieved and results in a poor sense of self and feelings of emptiness. Studies by Olivardia and others in 2000 also found that 29 per cent of men with bigorexia had a history of anxiety disorder and 59 per cent exhibited some other form of mood disorder.

Treatment Options

At the time of writing no systematic studies have been produced to compare the effectiveness of one treatment over another, either individually or in combination. A particular problem with the condition is that, rather like anorexics, men rarely see themselves as having a problem and are unlikely to come forward for treatment. The condition itself occurs partly as a response to feelings of depression and lack of self-esteem so coming forward for treatment is admitting defeat.

Where men have come forward a combination of educational and psychotherapeutic techniques have begun to show promising results. Cognitive-behavioral techniques place an emphasis on identifying and changing patterns of thinking towards more realistic and achievable goals. Future treatment packages may well be informed by such approaches but more systematic studies are now required.
 

Men's Body Shape
What they mean and how to modify them

It has always been assumed that, compared with women, men have a much easier time of it when it comes to their bodies. Even in many male magazines the emphasis is still on the perfectly formed female body rather than the man. The critics often point out that the stereotype of, 'men look and women are looked at', are continually reinforced as a result.

More recently research has indicated a change in the way men, and women, are starting to view the male physique. One psychological investigation in the UK found that the average man is feeling a bit intimidated by the images surrounding them. Researchers said the proliferation of male pin-ups advertising products from underwear to aftershave, in the same way that female models have been used for decades, was making ordinary men feel inferior and uncomfortable about their bodies. 

The study found that the emphasis on the muscular body had originated in the gay community and transferred into the mainstream over the last 10 years. Women were now being invited to look on men purely for their physical attributes as part of an equally "lookist" or superficial consumer culture. More gay men said they felt the pressure to conform with the images. Others said they believed women did not place as much importance on physical attraction as men.  

Three body shapes
Your body shape will basically fall into one of these three categories:

1. Ectomorph: characterised as tall and slim/thin.

2. Endomorph: rounded and with a generous waist size.

3. Mesomorph: muscular and athletic looking.

There was a time when personality was thought to be associated with body shape. Ectomorphs were considered to be quietand morose individuals, endomorphs rather jolly, and mesomorphs a bit on the crude and vulgar side. Such characteristics figure strongly in the books by Charles Dickens. Of course if looked for these traits can be seen in such individuals but then again they can be seen in all other body shapes as well. Not surprisingly this simple association of body shape with personality type has long been viewed with scepticism at best.

Can body shape be changed?
Dissatisfaction with body shape is one of the main reasons men vary their lifestyle. Usually this involves diet change and exercise but increasingly may involve cosmetic surgery. Pectoral implants, liposuction and jaw enhancements are becoming more commonplace. For those more interested in lifestyle change the activities you choose will have some effect on your morphology (morph = shape).

The slim look
 Aerobic exercises that involve all the muscle groups such as running, yoga and swimming are useful. Employing a steady rate of exercise and avoiding rapid bursts of activity are thought to be important.

The muscular look
Isolating each muscle group in turn and operating on a principle of short explosive bursts of activity is a basic principle. Weight bearing exercises and repeated cycles within a given muscle group are necessary - as is relaxating after normally no more than seven repetitions.

 

 

 

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Can body shape be changed?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sexy. Toned. Daring.

Let me pave the way by revealing the present masculine world. Other than hot women, bottomless beers, and basketball games, being one of the toughest guy in town becomes one of the main interests of young men nowadays. There are some boys out there who earnestly needs attention from girls so they relentlessly act like an ogre--- rude, arrogant, irresponsible. Some men do this by cracking jokes anytime, or anywhere for their "women" to feel at ease with them. To be different, some proudly set out their styles in public, out-of-this-world, so weird, but still enjoy it no matter how shameful they look. Some men flaunts their marvelous cars, some just brag their skills in guitars. Some even resort to gangs to be "in" and wear the hairstyles women praise as "astig". There are also some men who prefer to look violent, outrageous, "rockers" who seem to kick asses anytime of the day. Others stays in their discreet seclusion, still going on something that's too old yet still innocent grooming and outfit. But some men just stay and lock their rooms if they have nothing to boast: filling their private room with private manly secrets.

Different styles, manifold strategies. Despite the easy-going lifestyle of men, men are getting more and more conscious in their looks nowadays. According to Jerry Kennard, a doctor and psychologist of AskMen.com, men are catching up with women in their dissatisfaction over body shape though men's body image is still less negative than women (but underweight men experience most problems). Kennard also relates that men and women share the same problem in the relationship between body dissatisfaction and low self-esteem; though men are most likely to use anabolic steroids in their quest for greater muscle mass, and the fact that gay men are most likely to experience poor body image, they usually engage in unhealthy eating. At the end of the day, there is very little men can do about their height, but body shape, posture, general health and fitness can all be enhanced and contribute towards a healthy lifestyle and attractiveness.

But how do real men presently think?

"In the present world where technology is fast-rising at its peak, people around the world are getting more and more conscious in the way they look or the way they portray themselves towards other people. Looks matter. Despite the busy schedule, chaotic routines, and head-cracking deadlines, people think some alternatives or other ways to fit their schedules to what they know would make them happy and confident or anything that would fit their lifestyle," shared Dan, a 20 year-old gym buddy of mine.

But man, how much is too much?

Workout, food supplements, dumbells, diet, and sets are one of the common things everybody hears when entering the always crowded gym. To achieve the aspired looks and size, both men and women resort to getting fit by engaging in workout sessions (despite their busy schedule) and proper diet  (making them yearn for their favorite dish). The desperate ones, accomplish their mission by giving up their relationship with their boyfriends or girlfriends to concentrate well. Some male students even afford the consequence of missing their classes just to attend workout sessions. And this is what my topic is all about: the "excessive", endless desire of a sexier and firmer body which turns into another dillema of psychological illness--- bigorexia.

Bigorexia as defined by Jerry Kennard

Reverse Anorexia

Being preoccupied with muscle development may involve a disturbance in body image similar to anorexia. Bigorexia (muscular dysmorphia) is now affecting hundreds of thousands of men. For some men muscle development is such a complete preoccupation that they will miss important events, continue training through pain or broken bones, even lose their job rather than interrupt their physical development schedule. Curiously, these same men are not in love with their bodies. Despite a well developed physique they are unlikely to show it off and will shy away from situations that expose their bodies. 

The term 'muscle dysmorphia' was coined in 1997 to describe this new form of disorder. Other people refer to the condition as 'reverse anorexia', and now more commonly 'bigorexia'. The causes are not known but two key ideas revolve around bigorexia as a form of obsessive compulsive behavior and secondly, the effect of the media putting the same type of pressure on men to conform to an ideal shape as has been the case with women for years.

The main characteristic of bigorexia is the thought that no matter how hard you try your body is never muscular enough.
Anorexia and bulimia are still fairly uncommon in men but young men are most prone. 

The condition is recognized as more common with men although some women body builders have also been reported with similar symptoms. Most men with bigorexia are weight lifters, but this does not mean that most weight lifters are bigorexic. Compared to normal weightlifters who report spending up to 40 minutes a day thinking about body development, men with bigorexia report being preoccupied 5 or more hours a day thinking their bodies are under-developed.  

With the increase in gymnasium provision and attendance there is some speculation that this alone accounts for increased awareness of physical imperfection in men and a quest to attain the perfect body. Conservative estimates put bigorexia as affecting hundreds of thousands of men.

Typical Features of Bigorexia

mirror checking.
Bigorexic men check themselves up to 12 times a day. This compares to roughly 3 times a day with other weight lifters. social & work events: important social events like birthdays, meeting friends, keeping appointments etc are overlooked because they interrupt the training schedule. Working hours may be seen as too long and some men have lost their jobs because they spend too long training during break periods.

Relating with Dan, the typical feature which is mentioed above is really true.

"Talagang nangyayari sa akin 'yan. Actually, halos lahat naman 'ata sa gym, ganyan parati ang nagiging attitude. Yung iba pa nga, nagpopose pa, as if modelo sila or kunwari parang body builder. Iba-iba yung ginagawa nilang pose. Yung iba namang baguhan, naweweirdohan. Pero masasanay ka rin naman e. Tulad ko, natatawa ako dati pag nakakita ako ng mga kasamahan kong akala mo, sira-ulo kasi kung anu-anong posing ang ginagawa. Pero natural lang iyun, I think. Kaya nga kung mapapansin mo, kaunti lang yung mga gym na walang wide mirror because the tendency kasi talaga sa mga nagwowork-out, yung every move na nagagawa nila sa gym, gusto nilang makita to inspire them more. Not knowing that that excessive attitude may lead to self-addiction." 

diet:
Kennard added that very strict diets are important. Bigorexics will rarely eat at another person's house or at a restaurant because they are unable to control the dietary balance or know exactly what has gone into food preparation. It has been known for men to develop eating disorders such as bulimia.

In the case of Dan, the diet is so strict. Dan has to eat somewhere apart from his ffriends who prefer Jollibee or McDo meals. "Kapag kainan na talaga, especially lunch time, I eat alone kasi walang gustong sumama sa akin. To tell you frankly, I'm into diet even now, though ganito lang yung katawan ko. I just don't know the real reason. Kasi eversince I stepped sa gym, there's something trhat tells me to have a simple diet, no fatty food, justv stick to vegetables and fruits. The weird thing, it's as if there's nothing really changed with the way I look than before though I know within myself na meron nga naman talagang nagbago kahit papaano. Basta, I just woke up one day na nagigive-up ko na lahat, I even broke up with my girlfriend kasi hindi n'ya maintindiahan why I should've to gain mass and achieve a leaner looks. Yung masama pa dun, minsan pag may inuman kami, of course natural lang naman yun sa magbabakada, I always miss our drinking session kasi I have to go to the gym pa, and do the exercises needed listed in my program. Kaya medyo nanghihinayang man ako dahil I can't be with them na naman, wala akong magagawa kasi I don't want to feel guilty. And yun pa pala, everytime I skip a work out session, I usually hate myslef kung bakit pinili ko pang uminom and be with my friends kaysa mag-workout. Naka-gain pa tuloy ako ng extra calories."

measuring up:
bigorexic men constantly compare their own physique with that of other men.
Invariably their perceptions are incorrect. Even when observing men of equal physique they will judge themselves as smaller.

"Wala ring oras na hindi ko nakukumpara yung sarili ko sa iba. Siguro nga, it's just one of the manifestations of insecurity. Kapag nanonood naman ako ng television, nagtataka na yung nanay ko kung bakit lagi nalang dieting programs yung napapanood ko.  Every morning din, especially when I skipped a meal before that day, I never forget to measure how much fatty skins in my belly was lost."

drugs:
the use of anabolic steroids is common amongst bigorexics. Men continue using steroids despite experiencing side effects such as increased aggression, acne, breast enlargement, impotence, baldness, impotence and testicular shrinkage.

Dan even confessed that using drugs or steroid somehow comes to his mind but he never tried it because he can no longer afford the price. "I think, isang turok ata nun, P800-1, 500, depende. Yung iba naman, hindi naman talga habol yung paglaki ng katawan nila by just using it. Sopme expert kasi nagsasabi na it can also stimulate your mind and physical capacities especially yung endurance mo, halimbawa, sasalin ka sa paligsahan, marathon. Kahit pa'no raw, nakakatulong din 'yun para nga mas tatagal ka especially kapag pangmalayuan yung laban."

"But if given the chance na makabili nga nun, siguro, ita-try ko lang once para lang ma-fulfill yung curiosity ko about that steroid stuff. Okey lang naman daw yun basta hindi ka lanmg masobrahan e. Pero siyempre, testing lang. Mahirap na baka kung ano na mangyari sa akin e."

fat:
men with bigorexia typically worry about the percentage of body fat they carry rather than being overweight. 

"There's no doubt na hindi 'to talaga nangyayari. Kapag nasa gym ka kasi, although nag-eenjoy ka sa ginagawa mo, siyempre, nahihirapan ka rin tsaka ang dami mo ring nasasacrifice talga kaya everytime na kumakain ka ng halimbawa, cake, hindi talaga pupwedeng hindi mo alamin kung ano or ilan yung calories or fat ng kinakain mo. Mas nagiging open ka sa nutritional value pero yun nga lang, nagiging addictive ka na sa ganung attitude na at first iisipin mong okey lang, but then, hindi na pala kasi nadedeprive mo na yung sarili mo sa enjoyment na maibibigay ng kinakain mo."

Psychological Factors:

Unlike many body builders who enjoy the opportunity to show their physique in public bigorexics do not. Many will hide away for days at a time because of embarrassment about their body shape. Research undertaken by Pope and others in 2000 found that one man avoided sex with his wife in case it used up energy he could apply to body building.

Typically, men with bigorexia have a low self esteem. Many report having been teased at school about their physique leading to a focus on 'making good'. However, the attempt to catch up is never achieved and results in a poor sense of self and feelings of emptiness. Studies by Olivardia and others in 2000 also found that 29 per cent of men with bigorexia had a history of anxiety disorder and 59 per cent exhibited some other form of mood disorder.

Treatment Options

At the time of writing no systematic studies have been produced to compare the effectiveness of one treatment over another, either individually or in combination. A particular problem with the condition is that, rather like anorexics, men rarely see themselves as having a problem and are unlikely to come forward for treatment. The condition itself occurs partly as a response to feelings of depression and lack of self-esteem so coming forward for treatment is admitting defeat.

Where men have come forward a combination of educational and psychotherapeutic techniques have begun to show promising results. Cognitive-behavioral techniques place an emphasis on identifying and changing patterns of thinking towards more realistic and achievable goals. Future treatment packages may well be informed by such approaches but more systematic studies are now required.
 

Men's Body Shape
What they mean and how to modify them

It has always been assumed that, compared with women, men have a much easier time of it when it comes to their bodies. Even in many male magazines the emphasis is still on the perfectly formed female body rather than the man. The critics often point out that the stereotype of, 'men look and women are looked at', are continually reinforced as a result.

More recently research has indicated a change in the way men, and women, are starting to view the male physique. One psychological investigation in the UK found that the average man is feeling a bit intimidated by the images surrounding them. Researchers said the proliferation of male pin-ups advertising products from underwear to aftershave, in the same way that female models have been used for decades, was making ordinary men feel inferior and uncomfortable about their bodies. 

The study found that the emphasis on the muscular body had originated in the gay community and transferred into the mainstream over the last 10 years. Women were now being invited to look on men purely for their physical attributes as part of an equally "lookist" or superficial consumer culture. More gay men said they felt the pressure to conform with the images. Others said they believed women did not place as much importance on physical attraction as men.  

Three body shapes
Your body shape will basically fall into one of these three categories:

1. Ectomorph: characterised as tall and slim/thin.

2. Endomorph: rounded and with a generous waist size.

3. Mesomorph: muscular and athletic looking.



There was a time when personality was thought to be associated with body shape. Ectomorphs were considered to be quietand morose individuals, endomorphs rather jolly, and mesomorphs a bit on the crude and vulgar side. Such characteristics figure strongly in the books by Charles Dickens. Of course if looked for these traits can be seen in such individuals but then again they can be seen in all other body shapes as well. Not surprisingly this simple association of body shape with personality type has long been viewed with scepticism at best.

Can body shape be changed?
Dissatisfaction with body shape is one of the main reasons men vary their lifestyle. Usually this involves diet change and exercise but increasingly may involve cosmetic surgery. Pectoral implants, liposuction and jaw enhancements are becoming more commonplace. For those more interested in lifestyle change the activities you choose will have some effect on your morphology (morph = shape).

The slim look
 Aerobic exercises that involve all the muscle groups such as running, yoga and swimming are useful. Employing a steady rate of exercise and avoiding rapid bursts of activity are thought to be important.

The muscular look
Isolating each muscle group in turn and operating on a principle of short explosive bursts of activity is a basic principle. Weight bearing exercises and repeated cycles within a given muscle group are necessary - as is relaxating after normally no more than seven repetitions.

Sexy. Toned. Daring.

Let me pave the way by revealing the present masculine world. Other than hot women, bottomless beers, and basketball games, being one of the toughest guy in town becomes one of the main interests of young men nowadays. There are some boys out there who earnestly needs attention from girls so they relentlessly act like an ogre--- rude, arrogant, irresponsible. Some men do this by cracking jokes anytime, or anywhere for their "women" to feel at ease with them. To be different, some proudly set out their styles in public, out-of-this-world, so weird, but still enjoy it no matter how shameful they look. Some men flaunts their marvelous cars, some just brag their skills in guitars. Some even resort to gangs to be "in" and wear the hairstyles women praise as "astig". There are also some men who prefer to look violent, outrageous, "rockers" who seem to kick asses anytime of the day. Others stays in their discreet seclusion, still going on something that's too old yet still innocent grooming and outfit. But some men just stay and lock their rooms if they have nothing to boast: filling their private room with private manly secrets.

Different styles, manifold strategies. Despite the easy-going lifestyle of men, men are getting more and more conscious in their looks nowadays. According to Jerry Kennard, a doctor and psychologist of AskMen.com, men are catching up with women in their dissatisfaction over body shape though men's body image is still less negative than women (but underweight men experience most problems). Kennard also relates that men and women share the same problem in the relationship between body dissatisfaction and low self-esteem; though men are most likely to use anabolic steroids in their quest for greater muscle mass, and the fact that gay men are most likely to experience poor body image, they usually engage in unhealthy eating. At the end of the day, there is very little men can do about their height, but body shape, posture, general health and fitness can all be enhanced and contribute towards a healthy lifestyle and attractiveness.

But how do real men presently think?

"In the present world where technology is fast-rising at its peak, people around the world are getting more and more conscious in the way they look or the way they portray themselves towards other people. Looks matter. Despite the busy schedule, chaotic routines, and head-cracking deadlines, people think some alternatives or other ways to fit their schedules to what they know would make them happy and confident or anything that would fit their lifestyle," shared Dan, a 20 year-old gym buddy of mine.

But man, how much is too much?

Workout, food supplements, dumbells, diet, and sets are one of the common things everybody hears when entering the always crowded gym. To achieve the aspired looks and size, both men and women resort to getting fit by engaging in workout sessions (despite their busy schedule) and proper diet  (making them yearn for their favorite dish). The desperate ones, accomplish their mission by giving up their relationship with their boyfriends or girlfriends to concentrate well. Some male students even afford the consequence of missing their classes just to attend workout sessions. And this is what my topic is all about: the "excessive", endless desire of a sexier and firmer body which turns into another dillema of psychological illness--- bigorexia.

Bigorexia as defined by Jerry Kennard

Reverse Anorexia

Being preoccupied with muscle development may involve a disturbance in body image similar to anorexia. Bigorexia (muscular dysmorphia) is now affecting hundreds of thousands of men. For some men muscle development is such a complete preoccupation that they will miss important events, continue training through pain or broken bones, even lose their job rather than interrupt their physical development schedule. Curiously, these same men are not in love with their bodies. Despite a well developed physique they are unlikely to show it off and will shy away from situations that expose their bodies. 

The term 'muscle dysmorphia' was coined in 1997 to describe this new form of disorder. Other people refer to the condition as 'reverse anorexia', and now more commonly 'bigorexia'. The causes are not known but two key ideas revolve around bigorexia as a form of obsessive compulsive behavior and secondly, the effect of the media putting the same type of pressure on men to conform to an ideal shape as has been the case with women for years.

The main characteristic of bigorexia is the thought that no matter how hard you try your body is never muscular enough.
Anorexia and bulimia are still fairly uncommon in men but young men are most prone. 

The condition is recognized as more common with men although some women body builders have also been reported with similar symptoms. Most men with bigorexia are weight lifters, but this does not mean that most weight lifters are bigorexic. Compared to normal weightlifters who report spending up to 40 minutes a day thinking about body development, men with bigorexia report being preoccupied 5 or more hours a day thinking their bodies are under-developed.  

With the increase in gymnasium provision and attendance there is some speculation that this alone accounts for increased awareness of physical imperfection in men and a quest to attain the perfect body. Conservative estimates put bigorexia as affecting hundreds of thousands of men.

Typical Features of Bigorexia

mirror checking.
Bigorexic men check themselves up to 12 times a day. This compares to roughly 3 times a day with other weight lifters. social & work events: important social events like birthdays, meeting friends, keeping appointments etc are overlooked because they interrupt the training schedule. Working hours may be seen as too long and some men have lost their jobs because they spend too long training during break periods.

Relating with Dan, the typical feature which is mentioed above is really true.

"Talagang nangyayari sa akin 'yan. Actually, halos lahat naman 'ata sa gym, ganyan parati ang nagiging attitude. Yung iba pa nga, nagpopose pa, as if modelo sila or kunwari parang body builder. Iba-iba yung ginagawa nilang pose. Yung iba namang baguhan, naweweirdohan. Pero masasanay ka rin naman e. Tulad ko, natatawa ako dati pag nakakita ako ng mga kasamahan kong akala mo, sira-ulo kasi kung anu-anong posing ang ginagawa. Pero natural lang iyun, I think. Kaya nga kung mapapansin mo, kaunti lang yung mga gym na walang wide mirror because the tendency kasi talaga sa mga nagwowork-out, yung every move na nagagawa nila sa gym, gusto nilang makita to inspire them more. Not knowing that that excessive attitude may lead to self-addiction." 

diet:
Kennard added that very strict diets are important. Bigorexics will rarely eat at another person's house or at a restaurant because they are unable to control the dietary balance or know exactly what has gone into food preparation. It has been known for men to develop eating disorders such as bulimia.

In the case of Dan, the diet is so strict. Dan has to eat somewhere apart from his ffriends who prefer Jollibee or McDo meals. "Kapag kainan na talaga, especially lunch time, I eat alone kasi walang gustong sumama sa akin. To tell you frankly, I'm into diet even now, though ganito lang yung katawan ko. I just don't know the real reason. Kasi eversince I stepped sa gym, there's something trhat tells me to have a simple diet, no fatty food, justv stick to vegetables and fruits. The weird thing, it's as if there's nothing really changed with the way I look than before though I know within myself na meron nga naman talagang nagbago kahit papaano. Basta, I just woke up one day na nagigive-up ko na lahat, I even broke up with my girlfriend kasi hindi n'ya maintindiahan why I should've to gain mass and achieve a leaner looks. Yung masama pa dun, minsan pag may inuman kami, of course natural lang naman yun sa magbabakada, I always miss our drinking session kasi I have to go to the gym pa, and do the exercises needed listed in my program. Kaya medyo nanghihinayang man ako dahil I can't be with them na naman, wala akong magagawa kasi I don't want to feel guilty. And yun pa pala, everytime I skip a work out session, I usually hate myslef kung bakit pinili ko pang uminom and be with my friends kaysa mag-workout. Naka-gain pa tuloy ako ng extra calories."

measuring up:
bigorexic men constantly compare their own physique with that of other men.
Invariably their perceptions are incorrect. Even when observing men of equal physique they will judge themselves as smaller.

"Wala ring oras na hindi ko nakukumpara yung sarili ko sa iba. Siguro nga, it's just one of the manifestations of insecurity. Kapag nanonood naman ako ng television, nagtataka na yung nanay ko kung bakit lagi nalang dieting programs yung napapanood ko.  Every morning din, especially when I skipped a meal before that day, I never forget to measure how much fatty skins in my belly was lost."

drugs:
the use of anabolic steroids is common amongst bigorexics. Men continue using steroids despite experiencing side effects such as increased aggression, acne, breast enlargement, impotence, baldness, impotence and testicular shrinkage.

Dan even confessed that using drugs or steroid somehow comes to his mind but he never tried it because he can no longer afford the price. "I think, isang turok ata nun, P800-1, 500, depende. Yung iba naman, hindi naman talga habol yung paglaki ng katawan nila by just using it. Sopme expert kasi nagsasabi na it can also stimulate your mind and physical capacities especially yung endurance mo, halimbawa, sasalin ka sa paligsahan, marathon. Kahit pa'no raw, nakakatulong din 'yun para nga mas tatagal ka especially kapag pangmalayuan yung laban."

"But if given the chance na makabili nga nun, siguro, ita-try ko lang once para lang ma-fulfill yung curiosity ko about that steroid stuff. Okey lang naman daw yun basta hindi ka lanmg masobrahan e. Pero siyempre, testing lang. Mahirap na baka kung ano na mangyari sa akin e."

fat:
men with bigorexia typically worry about the percentage of body fat they carry rather than being overweight. 

"There's no doubt na hindi 'to talaga nangyayari. Kapag nasa gym ka kasi, although nag-eenjoy ka sa ginagawa mo, siyempre, nahihirapan ka rin tsaka ang dami mo ring nasasacrifice talga kaya everytime na kumakain ka ng halimbawa, cake, hindi talaga pupwedeng hindi mo alamin kung ano or ilan yung calories or fat ng kinakain mo. Mas nagiging open ka sa nutritional value pero yun nga lang, nagiging addictive ka na sa ganung attitude na at first iisipin mong okey lang, but then, hindi na pala kasi nadedeprive mo na yung sarili mo sa enjoyment na maibibigay ng kinakain mo."

Psychological Factors:

Unlike many body builders who enjoy the opportunity to show their physique in public bigorexics do not. Many will hide away for days at a time because of embarrassment about their body shape. Research undertaken by Pope and others in 2000 found that one man avoided sex with his wife in case it used up energy he could apply to body building.

Typically, men with bigorexia have a low self esteem. Many report having been teased at school about their physique leading to a focus on 'making good'. However, the attempt to catch up is never achieved and results in a poor sense of self and feelings of emptiness. Studies by Olivardia and others in 2000 also found that 29 per cent of men with bigorexia had a history of anxiety disorder and 59 per cent exhibited some other form of mood disorder.

Treatment Options

At the time of writing no systematic studies have been produced to compare the effectiveness of one treatment over another, either individually or in combination. A particular problem with the condition is that, rather like anorexics, men rarely see themselves as having a problem and are unlikely to come forward for treatment. The condition itself occurs partly as a response to feelings of depression and lack of self-esteem so coming forward for treatment is admitting defeat.

Where men have come forward a combination of educational and psychotherapeutic techniques have begun to show promising results. Cognitive-behavioral techniques place an emphasis on identifying and changing patterns of thinking towards more realistic and achievable goals. Future treatment packages may well be informed by such approaches but more systematic studies are now required.
 

Men's Body Shape
What they mean and how to modify them

It has always been assumed that, compared with women, men have a much easier time of it when it comes to their bodies. Even in many male magazines the emphasis is still on the perfectly formed female body rather than the man. The critics often point out that the stereotype of, 'men look and women are looked at', are continually reinforced as a result.

More recently research has indicated a change in the way men, and women, are starting to view the male physique. One psychological investigation in the UK found that the average man is feeling a bit intimidated by the images surrounding them. Researchers said the proliferation of male pin-ups advertising products from underwear to aftershave, in the same way that female models have been used for decades, was making ordinary men feel inferior and uncomfortable about their bodies. 

The study found that the emphasis on the muscular body had originated in the gay community and transferred into the mainstream over the last 10 years. Women were now being invited to look on men purely for their physical attributes as part of an equally "lookist" or superficial consumer culture. More gay men said they felt the pressure to conform with the images. Others said they believed women did not place as much importance on physical attraction as men.  

Three body shapes
Your body shape will basically fall into one of these three categories:

1. Ectomorph: characterised as tall and slim/thin.

2. Endomorph: rounded and with a generous waist size.

3. Mesomorph: muscular and athletic looking.



There was a time when personality was thought to be associated with body shape. Ectomorphs were considered to be quietand morose individuals, endomorphs rather jolly, and mesomorphs a bit on the crude and vulgar side. Such characteristics figure strongly in the books by Charles Dickens. Of course if looked for these traits can be seen in such individuals but then again they can be seen in all other body shapes as well. Not surprisingly this simple association of body shape with personality type has long been viewed with scepticism at best.

Can body shape be changed?
Dissatisfaction with body shape is one of the main reasons men vary their lifestyle. Usually this involves diet change and exercise but increasingly may involve cosmetic surgery. Pectoral implants, liposuction and jaw enhancements are becoming more commonplace. For those more interested in lifestyle change the activities you choose will have some effect on your morphology (morph = shape).

The slim look
 Aerobic exercises that involve all the muscle groups such as running, yoga and swimming are useful. Employing a steady rate of exercise and avoiding rapid bursts of activity are thought to be important.

The muscular look
Isolating each muscle group in turn and operating on a principle of short explosive bursts of activity is a basic principle. Weight bearing exercises and repeated cycles within a given muscle group are necessary - as is relaxating after normally no more than seven repetitions.

RABE, Julfe T.
4Journalism3
One wild storm had no match with ecstatic 14,333 runners.
As the 29th season of the national Milo Marathon flushed its glory all over Metro Manila, marathon enthusiasts fired up for the National Capital Region leg yesterday at the Quirino Grandstand.

The top 10 finishers in the 5K, 10K, 3K age-group for kids and the centerpiece 42K qualifying race received more than P250,000, trophies and medals.

 

Reynaldo de los Reyes, 27 is one of the dauntless runners who received a cash prize of P30, 000, and a slot to participate for the national finals in October.
 “Nagpapasalamat ako kasi mababayaran ko na ‘yung amortization ng bahay namin sa Taguig,” shared delos Reyes.
He also added that his performance may again result to an opportunity to prove himself and be a part of the national team, another dream that has yet to come true.
“Makakatulong talaga ‘yung constant practice. Kailangan lang ‘yung determination and self-discipline para ma-achieve ‘yung nais mong mangyari sa buhay mo,” stressed de los Reyes who clocked 2:29.39 in the race.
Qualifying time for the NCR 42K elimination run was four hours for the men and four hours and 30 minutes for the women; the cut-off time for the full marathon distance is five hours.
De los Reyes, who placed 200th out of 15,000 runners last year to Nairobi-Standard Chartered Bank Marathon also dreams to represent the country in regional meets like the Southeast Asian Games.
Aside from the running events, various schools in Metro Manila: the University of Makati, Ft. Bonifacio High School, Valenzuela High School, Technological University of the Philippines, Benigno Aquino High School, City Colleges of Manila and AMA North Bay, graced the tournament.
The said schools also prepared for the side events: the cheering competition, the biggest delegation contest, and the inter-school running competition which showcased not only their skills but also the spirit of sportsmanship.
After yesterday’s NCR elimination run, the Milo Marathon will go to Laoag City on August 14 for the Region 1 elimination run.

Milo Marathon
One wild storm had no match with the ecstatic 14,333 runners.
As the 29th season of the national Milo Marathon flushed its glory all over Metro Manila, marathon enthusiasts fired up for the National Capital Region leg yesterday at the Quirino Grandstand.
The top 10 finishers in the 5K, 10K, 3K age-group for kids and the centerpiece 42K qualifying race received more than P250,000, trophies and medals.
Reynaldo de los Reyes, 27, was one of the dauntless runners who received a cash prize of P30, 000, and a slot to participate for the national finals in October.
            “Nagpapasalamat ako kasi mababayaran ko na ‘yung amortization ng bahay namin sa Taguig,” shared delos Reyes.
He also added that his performance may again result to an opportunity to prove himself and be a part of the national team, another dream that has yet to come true.
“Makakatulong talaga ‘yung constant practice. Kailangan lang ‘yung determination and self-discipline para ma-achieve ‘yung nais mong mangyari sa buhay mo,” stressed de los Reyes who clocked 2:29.39 in the race.
Qualifying time for the NCR 42K elimination run was four hours for the men and four hours and 30 minutes for the women; the cut-off time for the full marathon distance, five hours.
De los Reyes, who placed 200th out of 15,000 runners last year to Nairobi-Standard Chartered Bank Marathon also dreams to represent the country in regional meets like the Southeast Asian Games.
Aside from the running events, various schools in Metro Manila: the University of Makati, Ft. Bonifacio High School, Valenzuela High School, Technological University of the Philippines, Benigno Aquino High School, City Colleges of Manila and AMA North Bay, graced the tournament.
The said schools also prepared for the side events: the cheering competition, the biggest delegation contest, and the inter-school running competition which showcased not only their skills but also the spirit of sportsmanship.
After yesterday’s NCR elimination run, the Milo Marathon will go to Laoag City on August 14 for the Region 1 elimination run.
                                                                                                             
                                                                                                             -Julfe T. Rabe

Bigorexia: the sexy dilemma

Sexy. Toned. Daring.
Let me pave the way by revealing the present masculine world. Other than hot women, bottomless beers, and basketball games, being one of the toughest guy in town becomes one of the main interests of young men nowadays. There are some boys out there who earnestly need attention from girls so they relentlessly act like a stupid brute--- rude, arrogant, irresponsible. Some men spend their lives cracking jokes, anywhere just to let their "women" feel at ease with them. To be different, some men set out their styles in public, out-of-this-world, extremely weird, but still enjoy it no matter how shameful they look. Some men flaunt their marvelous cars; some just brag their skills in guitars. Some even resort to gangs just to be "in"; wear the hairstyles nasty women praise as astig. There are also some men who prefer to be looked at as violent, outrageous, "rockers" who seem to kick asses anytime of the day. Others stays in their discreet seclusion, still going on something that's too old yet still innocent grooming and outfit. But some men just stay and lock their rooms as if they have nothing to boast: filling their private room with private manly secrets.
Different styles, manifold strategies. Despite the easy-going lifestyle of men, men are getting more and more conscious in their looks nowadays. According to Jerry Kennard, a doctor and psychologist of AskMen.com, men are catching up with women in their dissatisfaction over body shape though men's body image is still less negative than women (but underweight men experience most problems). Kennard also relates that men and women share the same problem in the relationship between body dissatisfaction and low self-esteem; though men are most likely to use anabolic steroids in their quest for greater muscle mass, and the fact that gay men are most likely to experience poor body image, they usually engage in unhealthy eating. At the end of the day, there is very little men can do about their height, but body shape, posture, general health and fitness can all be enhanced and contribute towards a healthy lifestyle and attractiveness.
But how do the present men of this world react regarding sports and fitness?
"At present where technology is fast-rising, engaging into sports play a great part in nurturing the social and physical condition of men. Different kinds of sports are getting more and more challenging. Some sports are being remodeled, revised, and improved to fit with the present trend and desires. Some men are also getting more and more conscious with fitness routines, which affect the way they look life or the way they portray themselves towards other people. Looks really matter. Despite the busy schedule, chaotic routines, and head-cracking deadlines, people becomes creative, thinking some alternatives or other ways to fit with their schedules the activities they think will motivate or develop them, or with the routines which can make them happy and confident, anything that would fit their lifestyle. So they go on for sports and weights," shared Dan, a 20-year-old gym buddy of mine.
But man, how much is too much?
Workout, food supplements, dumbbells, diet, and sets are one of the common things everybody hears when entering the always-crowded gym. To achieve the aspired weight and size, both men and women resort to getting fit by engaging in workout sessions (despite their busy schedule) and proper diet (which make them yearn for their favorite dish). The desperate ones accomplish their mission by giving up their relationship with their boyfriends or girlfriends to concentrate well. Some male students even afford the consequence of missing their classes just to attend workout sessions. And this is what my topic is all about: the "excessive", endless desire of a sexier and firmer body which turns into another dilemma of psychological illness--- bigorexia.

Bigorexia as defined by Jerry Kennard (Reverse Anorexia)
Being preoccupied with muscle development may involve a disturbance in body image similar to anorexia. Bigorexia (muscular dysmorphia) is now affecting hundreds of thousands of men. For some men muscle development is such a complete preoccupation that they will miss important events, continue training through pain or broken bones, even lose their job rather than interrupt their physical development schedule. Curiously, these same men are not in love with their bodies. Despite a well developed physique they are unlikely to show it off and will shy away from situations that expose their bodies. 
The term 'muscle dysmorphia' was coined in 1997 to describe this new form of disorder. Other people refer to the condition as 'reverse anorexia', and now more commonly 'bigorexia'. The causes are not known but two key ideas revolve around bigorexia as a form of obsessive compulsive behavior and secondly, the effect of the media putting the same type of pressure on men to conform to an ideal shape as has been the case with women for years.
The main characteristic of bigorexia is the thought that no matter how hard you try your body is never muscular enough. Anorexia and bulimia are still fairly uncommon in men but young men are most prone. 
The condition is recognized as more common with men although some women body builders have also been reported with similar symptoms. Most men with bigorexia are weight lifters, but this does not mean that most weight lifters are bigorexic. Compared to normal weightlifters who report spending up to 40 minutes a day thinking about body development, men with bigorexia report being preoccupied 5 or more hours a day thinking their bodies are under-developed.  
With the increase in gymnasium provision and attendance there is some speculation that this alone accounts for increased awareness of physical imperfection in men and a quest to attain the perfect body. Conservative estimates put bigorexia as affecting hundreds of thousands of men.

Typical Features of Bigorexia
Mirror checking. Bigorexic men check themselves up to 12 times a day. This compares to roughly 3 times a day with other weight lifters.
Relating with Dan, the typical feature which is mentioned above is really true.
"Talagang nangyayari sa akin 'yan. Actually, halos lahat naman 'ata sa gym, ganyan parati ang nagiging attitude. Yung iba pa nga, nagpopose pa, as if modelo sila or kunwari parang body builder. Iba-iba yung ginagawa nilang posing. Yung iba namang baguhan, naweweirduhan. Pero masasanay ka rin naman e. Tulad ko, natatawa ako dati pag nakakakita ako ng mga kasamahan kong akala mo, sira-ulo kasi kung anu-anong posing ang ginagawa. Pero natural lang yun. Kaya nga kung mapapansin mo, kaunti lang yung mga gym na walang wide mirror because the tendency kasi talaga sa mga nagwowork-out, yung every move na nagagawa nila sa gym, gusto nilang makita to inspire them more. Not knowing that that excessive attitude may lead to self-addiction." 

Missing social & work events. Important social events like birthdays, meeting friends, keeping appointments etc. are overlooked because they interrupt the training schedule. Working hours may be seen as too long and some men have lost their jobs because they spend too long training during break periods.
Dan is also trapped in this kind of symptom. “Naaapektuhan na rin talaga maging yung social life ko kasi after ng class, kahit may birthday yung kabarkada ko at may konteng party, hindi ako nakaka-attend kasi lagi kong iniisip na kailangan kong humabol sa program ko. Hindi na rin minsan ako nakakakain nang mabuti kasi pagdating na pagdating sa bahay, diretso agad ako ng gym,” Dan added.

Diet. Dr. Kennard also stated that very strict diets are important. “Bigorexics will rarely eat at another person's house or at a restaurant because they are unable to control the dietary balance or know exactly what has gone into food preparation. It has been known for men to develop eating disorders such as bulimia.”
In the case of Dan, the diet is so strict. Dan has to eat somewhere apart from his friends who prefer Jollibee or McDo meals. "Kapag kainan na talaga, especially lunch time, I eat alone kasi walang gustong sumama sa akin. To tell you frankly, I'm into diet even now, though ganito lang yung katawan ko. I just don't know the real reason. Kasi eversince I stepped sa gym, there's something that tells me to have a simple diet, no fatty food, just stick to vegetables and fruits. The weird thing, it's as if there’s no change happening with the way I look than before though I know within myself na meron nga naman talagang nagbago kahit papaano. Basta, I just woke up one day na nagigive-up ko na lahat, I even broke up with my girlfriend kasi hindi n'ya maintindiahan yung heavy schedule ko sa gym.. Yung masama pa dun, minsan pag may inuman kami, of course natural lang naman yun sa magbabakada, I always miss our drinking session kasi I have to go to the gym pa, and do the exercises needed listed in my program. Kaya medyo nanghihinayang man ako dahil I can't be with them na naman, wala akong magagawa kasi I don't want to feel guilty. And yun pa pala, everytime I skip a work out session, I usually hate myslef kung bakit pinili ko pang uminom and be with my friends kaysa mag-workout. Naka-gain pa tuloy ako ng extra calories."

 

Measuring up. Bigorexic men constantly compare their own physique with that of other men. Invariably their perceptions are incorrect. Even when observing men of equal physique they will judge themselves as smaller.
"Wala ring oras na hindi ko nakukumpara yung sarili ko sa iba. Siguro nga, it's just one of the manifestations of insecurity. Kapag nanonood naman ako ng television, nagtataka na yung nanay ko kung bakit lagi nalang dieting programs yung pinapanood ko.  Every morning din, especially when I skipped a meal the night before, I never forget to measure how much fatty skins in my belly was lost."

 

Drugs. The use of anabolic steroids is common among bigorexics. Men continue using steroids despite experiencing side effects such as increased aggression, acne, breast enlargement, impotence, baldness, impotence and testicular shrinkage.
Dan even confessed that using drugs or steroid somehow came in to his mind but he never tried it because he can’t afford the price. "I think, isang turok ‘ata nun, P800- P1, 500, depende. Yung iba naman, hindi naman talaga habol yung paglaki ng katawan nila by just using it. Some expert kasi nagsasabi na it can also stimulate your mind and physical capacities especially yung endurance mo, halimbawa, sasali ka sa paligsahan, marathon. Kahit pa'no raw, nakakatulong din 'yun para nga mas tatagal ka especially kapag pangmalayuan yung takbuhan.”
"But if given the chance na makabili nga nun, siguro, ita-try ko lang once para lang ma-fulfill yung curiosity ko about that steroid stuff. Okey lang naman daw yun basta hindi ka lang masobrahan e. Pero siyempre, testing lang. Mahirap na baka kung ano na mangyari sa akin e."
Fat. Men with bigorexia typically worry about the percentage of body fat they carry rather than being overweight.
"There's no doubt na hindi 'to talaga nangyayari. Kapag nasa gym ka kasi, although nag-eenjoy ka sa ginagawa mo, siyempre, nahihirapan ka rin tsaka ang dami mo ring nasa-sacrifice talaga (mony, time, social life) kaya everytime na kumakain ka ng halimbawa, cake, hindi talaga pupwedeng hindi mo alamin kung ano or ilan yung calories or fat ng kinakain mo. Mas nagiging open ka sa nutritional value pero yun nga lang, nagiging addictive ka na sa ganung attitude na at first iisipin mong okey lang, but then, hindi na pala kasi nade-deprive mo na yung sarili mo sa enjoyment na maibibigay ng kinakain mo."

Reading the Mind of Bigorexic
Psychological Factors
            Unlike many body builders who enjoy the opportunity to show their physique in public bigorexics do not. Many will hide away for days at a time because of embarrassment about their body shape. Research undertaken by Pope and others in 2000 found that one man avoided sex with his wife in case it used up energy he could apply to body building.
Typically, men with bigorexia have a low self esteem. Many report having been teased at school about their physique leading to a focus on 'making good'. However, the attempt to catch up is never achieved and results in a poor sense of self and feelings of emptiness. Studies by Olivardia and others in 2000 also found that 29 per cent of men with bigorexia had a history of anxiety disorder and 59 per cent exhibited some other form of mood disorder.

Treatment Options
At the time of writing no systematic studies have been produced to compare the effectiveness of one treatment over another, either individually or in combination. A particular problem with the condition is that, rather like anorexics, men rarely see themselves as having a problem and are unlikely to come forward for treatment. The condition itself occurs partly as a response to feelings of depression and lack of self-esteem so coming forward for treatment is admitting defeat.

Where men have come forward a combination of educational and psychotherapeutic techniques have begun to show promising results. Cognitive-behavioral techniques place an emphasis on identifying and changing patterns of thinking towards more realistic and achievable goals. Future treatment packages may well be informed by such approaches but more systematic studies are now required.
 

Men's Body Shape
What they mean and how to modify them
It has always been assumed that, compared with women, men have a much easier time of it when it comes to their bodies. Even in many male magazines the emphasis is still on the perfectly formed female body rather than the man. The critics often point out that the stereotype of, 'men look and women are looked at', are continually reinforced as a result. More recently research has indicated a change in the way men, and women, are starting to view the male physique. One psychological investigation in the UK found that the average man is feeling a bit intimidated by the images surrounding them. Researchers said the proliferation of male pin-ups advertising products from underwear to aftershave, in the same way that female models have been used for decades, was making ordinary men feel inferior and uncomfortable about their bodies. 

 

The study found that the emphasis on the muscular body had originated in the gay community and transferred into the mainstream over the last 10 years. Women were now being invited to look on men purely for their physical attributes as part of an equally "lookist" or superficial consumer culture. More gay men said they felt the pressure to conform with the images. Others said they believed women did not place as much importance on physical attraction as men.  
Three body shapes
Your body shape will basically fall into one of these three categories:
1.      Ectomorph: characterised as tall and slim/thin.
2.      Endomorph: rounded and with a generous waist size.
3.      Mesomorph: muscular and athletic looking.

 

There was a time when personality was thought to be associated with body shape. Ectomorphs were considered to be quietand morose individuals, endomorphs rather jolly, and mesomorphs a bit on the crude and vulgar side. Such characteristics figure strongly in the books by Charles Dickens. Of course if looked for these traits can be seen in such individuals but then again they can be seen in all other body shapes as well. Not surprisingly this simple association of body shape with personality type has long been viewed with scepticism at best.
Can body shape be changed?
Dissatisfaction with body shape is one of the main reasons men vary their lifestyle. Usually this involves diet change and exercise but increasingly may involve cosmetic surgery. Pectoral implants, liposuction and jaw enhancements are becoming more commonplace. For those more interested in lifestyle change the activities you choose will have some effect on your morphology (morph = shape).
The slim look
Aerobic exercises that involve all the muscle groups such as running, yoga and swimming are useful. Employing a steady rate of exercise and avoiding rapid bursts of activity are thought to be important.

 

The muscular look
Isolating each muscle group in turn and operating on a principle of short explosive bursts of activity is a basic principle. Weight bearing exercises and repeated cycles within a given muscle group are necessary - as is relaxating after normally no more than seven repetitions.
The well rounded look
Do neither of the above. Eat too much and exercise as little as possible.
As men get older their metabolism slows down. Fat likes to gather around the belly of men and whilst it deposits easily it can be incredibly hard to shift. The middle age spread can be tackled with a sensible mix of exercise and healthy eating. Over a period of time most men will see fairly dramatic improvements particularly if they also concentrate on posture.
Differences between men and women
For women, body fat is the critical issue. For men both fat and muscle tend to be equally important. For a thin man it is quite possible to be too thin and too fat at the same time in the sense that he has both less muscle and more fat than he would like. As a result of the motivation to reduce fat and increase muscle men's weight-change strategies are not always as healthy as they might be (steroid use and other muscle enhancers for example).

 

The beginning
Dan told me that his classmate introduced him once to go to gym to achieve a little muscle. "Bale sobrang payat ko kasi talaga dati. Sabi nga ng mga kakilala ng parents ko, baka di raw ako pinapakain nina mommy at daddy kasi sobrang payat ko talaga. Kaya when one of my friends asked me if I want to go with him in the gym, then I said I'll just try if it will work for me. From then on, kahit ako lang mag-isa pumupunta dito sa gym, I'm eager na kasi medyo marami na rin akong mga kakilala dito."
The feeling of perspiring makes Dan go on to work out. "Iba kasi talaga e. Kapag pinagpawisan na ako, talagang tuluy-tuloy na. Nawawala na yung antok ko, and the awkward thing is that, though you're already tired enough, you're still on the go to continue. Then pagdating ko nalang sa bahay, I just rest for 10 minutes then eat something and go to sleep. Iba talaga yung pakiramdam. You feel more relaxed, you feel so strong talaga the day after. Another thing that I really like in workout, medyo nagkalaman na nga ako. Actually my mom said that I should avoid na raw magbuhat ng mabibigat kasi baka hindi na raw ako tumatangkad. Pero I explain naman to her that wala namang connection yung height sa weight lifting."
First time doesn’t really have to be the last impression. "Kasi the very first day that I wento to gym, sobrang sakit ng katawan ko kinabukasan. I really suffered a lot. Pagka-gising ko ng umaga, hindi ko na mataas yung kamay ko pati yung katawan ko, hindi ko maitayo. Seems like bagong  circumcise yung buo kong katawan. Nothing should be touched except my hair. Kulang na lang magpasubo ako. Sobrang sakit talaga, kaya isinumpa ko na hindi na talaga ako babalik. But then, I met ulit yung kaklase ko, and then nung tinanong n'ya ko kung kamusta raw at kung gusto ko pang bumalik, sabi ko, ayoko na. Ipinagtataka ko, pa'no ako nakabalik. Siguro, determination lang tsaka sarap sa pakiramdam."
Dan also shared that aside from influencing his brother, he also influenced his other friends and three classmates. "Ngayon, medyo dumami na yung nabiktima ko. (laughs). And by the time na magkita kami ng iba kong kaibigan na matagal ko nang hindi nami-meet, medyo nagugulat sila kasi medyo lumaki na ako. Actually, yung iba sa mga kaklase ko, they just want a slim abs especially yung mga babae, yung mga lalake naman, they dream of having a semi-ripped abs."
"It was only in Magandang Gabi Bayan that I realized and finally discovered that baka nga I'm already suffering from that bigorexia stuff. I was so amazed na lahat ng sintomas, or kung hindi man lahat ng sintomas na nasabi e medyo meron ako. So parang sabi ko, oo nga no? Dun, doon ko narealize na baka psychologically ill na nga ako. Kasi lahat na lang talaga ng kinakain ko, tinitingnan ko yung Nutritional Value, mapa-noodles or canned food man 'yan. Kapag naman streetfood yung nakakain ko, soemtimes, I just blurt out to somebody na nagtitinda ng food kung nakakataba na yun or what. Kaya 'yun, medyo natangay ako sa issue. Naka-relate din ako sa ibang ininterview doon na nagsa-suffer nga sa bigorexia na komong nasisisra na rin daw yung relationship nila with their families and with their friends dahil gym na lang parati yung inaatupag."
After watching the episode of Magandang Gabi Bayan, Dan started to worry about his attitude towards going to gym. "After talaga noong mapanood ko yung sa Magandang Gabi Bayan, I started a research sa library and internet if there's really such thing as bigorexia. And 'yun, nagulat ako. I never thought that it was really rampant, common nga raw sa mga lalaki, pero meron ding ganoong naitalang cases sa mga babae. One thing din na nakapagpagulat sa 'kin is nung sinabi doon yung mga sintomas na expected ko na kung anong nandoon. Iyon nga, I finally found out na may bigorexia nga ako."
But how do Dan and other victims of bigorexia treat themselves? "Well, it's a personal problem which needs a personal treatment. Dahil usually psychological lang yung epekto sa 'kin, ngayon, I see to it na medyo ini-enjoy ko na yung pagpunta-punta ko dito (sa gym). Hindi na rin ako masyadong nagiging conscious sa pagda-diet kasi na-realize ko nga na katamtaman na rin yung laki ng katawan ko, kumbaga, fini-furnish ko na lang tsaka mini-maintain to achieve the look na gusto ko. Well, it's all about personal satisfaction naman e. Wala namang masama kung gusto mong ibahin yung image mo as long as dapat ini-enjoy mo lang talaga dapat tsaka always stick to what should be prioritized."
When asked if he has something to regret, he just answered, "Regrets? Wala naman siguro akong regrets kasi ginusto ko 'to e. And to think, this is for me naman e. Actually, I feel happy kasi ganito na yung katawan ko unlike before na kulang nalang e lagyan ng string para maging flagpole. Basta dapat i-set mo lang talaga muna yung priorities para mas maenjoy mo yung outcome ng pagsisikap mo. Another thing, dapat ding isipin na ginagawa ko 'to not just for myslef but also to serve as an inspiration to other people that instead of living their lives with vices, drugs, or whatever that's useless and can do harm for them, then why not try going to gym if they got time."

 

With that fleeting moment with Dan regarding bigorexia, I found myself troubled yet later relaxed and at ease.

I can relate with him and with other hundreds of thousands of men in the world.

As I walked home, a thought glared in my mind: “Hindi pala ako nag-iisa. Marami pala kami.”

---RABE, Julfe T.

RABE, Julfe T.                                                                                               4Journalism3

At President Kennedy’s inauguration in January 1961, Robert Frost, 85 years old, was the first poet to ever take part in such an important ceremony. From the time the country had become independent, hundreds of years had passed before the people realized that poetry was as valuable as business and industry. Mr. Kennedy had become acquainted with Robert Frost when the latter was appointed to an important position in the Library of Congress in 1958. Mr. Kennedy, who was a senator at that time, had been an admirer of the poet’s writing for many years; one of those was a famous poem by Robert Frost: Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening.

1                      Whose woods these are I think I know.
2                      His house is in the village though;
3                      He will not see me stopping here
4                      To watch his woods fill up with snow.

5                      My little horse must think it queer
6                      To stop without a farmhouse ear
7                      Between the woods and frosen lake
8                      The darkest evening of the year.

9                      He gives his harness bells a shake
10                    To ask if there is some mistake.
11                    The only other sound’s the sweep
12                    Of easy wind and downy flake.

13                    The woods are lovely, dark and deep,

14                    But I have promises to keep,

15                    And miles to go before I sleep,

16                    And miles to go before I sleep.

           

                                                                                    ---Robert Frost

                                                                       

This is just one of the few writings of a beloved son for his father: a memory of their love and friendship, and a reminiscence of son’s eternal admiration.

Robert Frost was born in San Francisco on March 24, 1874. His was a strange childhood, blessed by parental love and filled with excitement and tragedy.

In his poem: Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening, Robert Frost’s words and diction were very simple yet sentimental and piercing. He was showing a perfect picture of a very sad life, with falling snow flakes around him and the woods, (which reminded him of his father, William Prescott Frost).

In the first line: Whose woods these are I think I know. , Frost can be pictured as earnestly staring at the woods which played a great role in his life and his being close with his father who was described as very adventurous, always loved traveling around the forests with him. Frost also stressed that because of that woods which he referred to us their bonding place, that woods also served as their haven to show their love with one another especially the time when the young Frost often went with his father, while observing the large redwood trees in the great forests or while watching the waves of the pacific ocean roll wildly during a storm.

The second line, His house is in the village though; it should be noted that his beloved father was a nature lover who preferred living in the villages at that time though at the first days of his life, his father was convinced by his mother to live in a hotel for she didn’t know how to cook and do the household chores.

The third and the fourth line: He will not see me stopping here//To watch his woods fill up with snow., Rob was lamenting for himself because his father was no longer there to witness and enjoy each other’s company while watching the woods filled with snow, a great picture of regrets and mourning. Robert was very close to his father who spent time with him by traveling in a horse-drawn carriage, showing him (Robert) his childhood memories and places: the house where he was born, and walking along the street pointing to one of the big, brick houses high on the hill.

Their relationship became intense especially when his father became interested in politics when he (Robert) was just 10 years old. Robert’s father needed him to accompany him on campaign trips to help get votes in the new election. They traveled in a horse-drawn carriage, and when the father began to cough, Rob would take charge until he recovered. Proudly, the father would introduce his son to other candidates.

In the fifth-eight lines,

5                      My little horse must think it queer
6                      To stop without a farmhouse ear
7                      Between the woods and frozen lake
8                                            The darkest evening of the year.

---the picture was simple and clear: the persona was riding a little horse that seemed to wonder why they must stop between the woods and frozen lake. As I stated before, the persona was trying to reminisce his moments with his father while his father was with him spending their happy moments in the woods. The eighth line, The darkest evening of the year. signified a realization why he stated it that way: it was at that same moment and feeling when his father died with tuberculosis, treating that picture as the darkest evening of the year for the family, especially for him.

In the ninth-twelfth lines,

9                      He gives his harness bells a shake
10                    To ask if there is some mistake.
11                    The only other sound’s the sweep
12                                       Of easy wind and downy flake.

---sadness and depression that the persona and his surroundings had was inflicting him; even the place where the woods stood laments with him, where the only sound that could be heard were the sweep of easy wind and the falling of snow flakes.

The last stanza:

13                    The woods are lovely, dark and deep,

14                    But I have promises to keep,

15                    And miles to go before I sleep,

16                                       And miles to go before I sleep.

---Robert stressed that the woods are lovely: not only because it was beautiful with its hues of green but because there were hidden memories of happy hours in there while Robert was still with his father. Robert also described the wood as deep and dark, adjectives connoting loneliness and pain: the time when his mother had to give up their relationship because of his father’s vices and gambling; his father’s early death at 34, etc. The woods in this sense can also be compared with the characters and approaches he felt towards his father: lovely, dark and deep.

The fourteenth line, But I have promises to keep, was an image which can portray the moment before his father died. It was a very brief line yet mattered much to him: before his father died, his father gave him bits of advices he had to make, the reason why he said in the fifteenth and sixteenth line And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep, stressing that he had to fulfill that promises he made (with his father) before letting himself surrender. Relating with what Robert had gone through after his father’s death, the two same lines could also be referred to as the travel to Massachusetts: with him, his mother, and his younger sister to continue their life there.

           

The scenes and theme behind Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening

Robert Frost was born in San Francisco on March 24, 1874. His was a strange childhood, blessed by parental love and filled with excitement and tragedy.

His father William Prescott Frost (whom I think, he dedicated the poem) was very close to him: adventurous, loved walking along the street (which he recalled as an expert walker). Rob’s father as he remembered him tried his best to bring his family to the beach because he believed that exercise and fresh air for his family were important in developing a great and strong body, and preferred an outdoor living.

William preferred to study at the Harvard University, and went out from New England to far west to make a career for himself as a journalist.

Robert’s mother, Isabelle, had possessed beauty and intelligence, born in Scotland, the daughter of the sea captain.

Robert’s father was not only adventurous but reckless. He played cards for money which his mother objected bitterly. But in spite of her protest, she would not change his ways. Alone and worried in a strange city, Isabelle turned to religion for help. She consulted the minister of the church because she thought her husband was on a downhill path that would lead both him and his family on ruin. From the time their son was born, her pair, so unlike in character, seemed to be unconsciously drifting apart.

When Rob was only two years old and his mother was soon to have a child, she took her son and went to stay with the elder Frosts. She was sure that when they heard her story, they would offer assistance and advice. But she received neither. Instead, they blamed her for their son’s downfall. Realizing that they had no sympathy for her, she stayed only long enough to give birth to her second child, a baby girl named Jeanie Florence. As she needed refreshment in spirit and body, she went on the home of some religious friends. Their patient kindness helped her to heal and to re-examine her situation. Soon, she was able to begin again.

She had been gone almost six months. Her husband seemed glad to see her, his son, and his new daughter. He talked in a lively manner but Isabelle noticed that he looked thin and that his coughing was becoming worse. He insisted that he was in good condition except for the cough which would soon disappear. Happy to have his family with him again, William gave more attention to his wife. He took her to theater and introduced her to other journalists.

Robert did not understand the conflicts between his mother and father. He admired his father because he could walk and run fast, He often went with him, observe the large redwood trees in the great forests or watch the waves of the pacific ocean roll wildly during a storm.

When Robert was 10 years old, his father becomes interested I politics. He needed his son to accompany him on campaign trips to help get votes in the new election. They traveled in a horse-drawn carriage, and then the father began to cough, Rob would take charge until he recovered. Proudly, the father would introduce his son to other candidates. All these efforts to get votes were useless; William Frost did not in the election. Without letting anyone know, he took the money he had saved for insurance, about $20,000, hoping that by playing cards, he could double the money to provide for his family after he died.

The summer after the election, they lived in a tent on the beach, where at night they sang and pretended to be gay but Rob feared for his father because of his reckless attempts at a show of strength. Everyday he would insist on swimming beyond the pier into the bay.

The summer passed---a mixture of joy and sadness. The family moved into a house when the weather became too damp outside. That time, his father became weaker during the winter months.

Early in May, the father’s strength had lessened even more. One day he was lying to the sofa talking now and then to an old friend who came almost everyday to see him. Calling Rob, his father spoke in a weak voice giving his son final bits of advice. A little later that evening the father died in the arms of his old friend. He was just 34 years old, and Rob only 11.

In the days that followed, they learned what happened to the insurance money. Every cent had been lost; Belle Frost had only enough money to pay for their trip back to Massachusetts to take the body to be buried. It was a sad group that entered the train to make a long journey of tree thousand miles. The trip seemed endless. Every time they had to change trains, the knowledge that the black box held all that remained of the bold, reckless, beloved yet strange personality of a father impressed Robert very deeply.