Prex J.D.V. Ybasco's Blog, page 14
December 17, 2018
Passion vs. Strength, The Magnet Theory
Where lies your passion, you may find your strength.
How do I identify the difference between these two?
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Strength for me is a product of consistent practice. It’s an overt behavior and in a way it means people compliment you for it without you needing them to or without you knowing why. To exemplify, one of my colleagues told me he admired how I could always set time to focus on work-related things and still keep up with my personal stuff. For me who has functioned like this for as long as I could remember, it was but natural. Did I need him to tell me it was my strength? Not really. I love the feeling I can be very productive in a day and if focus enables me to that, then I consider it my strength.
Passion is what drives you even when nobody is around. It is something that keeps you up at night for wanting to do it. Once again, I’m setting myself as an example. Yes, I keep a blog. Yes, I have published my book. Those make the small tip of the iceberg. Underneath that, the submerged part people don’t see, that I don’t think they need to see, nor I need to show, are the number of times I tossed and turned ideas over, the number of sleepless nights, the frustration that a sentence couldn’t envelop the swirling thought that kept me awake and all I could do was write.
Do I believe that one’s Passion and Strength may be the same? Let’s say, singing is both your passion and your strength. Yes. However, I also consider that you may have more strengths but only be passionate about just one thing.
[image error]I love stars so don’t judge me.
There will always be challenges when your passion and strength are opposite directions of a pole. To make the linear imagery more chaotic, imagine having a powerful magnet, your job, pulling you, the metal star pin, toward your strength.
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Having the same passion and strength isn’t easy either. The magnet (job, business) is still there, setting expectations of how far you need to go, what things you have to do to improve your craft and the most irksome responsibilities you have to make people happy — Didn’t you even start this whole thing to make yourself happy?
For me, your passion juxtaposed to your strength is the perfect arrangement. “What the hell!” you say, “It’s like being in the middle of a crossroad.”
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Exactly, when you’re in the middle of the crossroad, you have the freedom to choose which direction you want to go to. But what about your magnet, pulling you to one direction? Your passion will still move along with your strength depending on your job and its requirements. Your passion and strength are connected but restrictions are not as strong as, say, having them in parallel lines. You will never feel disconnected from what you truly love to do. What about when you feel the gap between these two lines is getting wider? Crosscut. And that’s the beauty of it.
This blogpost has been heavily inspired by Jonar Johnson. Passion does not need any excuse.
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December 2, 2018
Vivi Presents: Ang Officemate mong Andres Bonifacio
Vibal Group released another video, their own fresh take on #BonifacioDay. Can relate to the video? Like, share, comment and tag your friends.
November 30, 2018
Parallelisms: Harry Potter and Credence
I’m pretty sure I am not the first one to write about it but I want my own version for content purposes. Upon you reading this, I will have finished reading the screenplay of Fantastic Beasts: the Crimes of Grindelwald and will have mulled over the movie several weeks after its release. I hereby present to you parallelisms between Harry Potter and Credence:
Cruel foster parent, Horrible relatives
Both Harry and Credence had the misfortune of meeting bad people early in their lives. Credence was raised by Mrs. Barebone, his cruel stepmother who generously used the stick for discipline. Harry, on the other hand, well we already know what happened to him and if you don’t, then stop reading this blog and grab a copy of the Harry Potter and the Philosophers’ Stone.
Dark energy
[Spoiler alert:] We know by now that Harry Potter was an unintended vessel for Voldemort’s soul and the very reason why he possessed the knack for disregard of certain rules and Parseltongue (I know, just in case you’re thinking I’m Voldy’s missing Horcrux, let me burst your bubble–I’m not. I just disregard rules that don’t make sense). Credence was an obscurial. He had that pent up dark energy for being persecuted by the woman who had raised him.
Prophecy
“Neither can live while the other survives.”One of the few real prophecies Sybill Trelawney had had was what drove Voldemort to try and kill Harry Potter in the first place. Now, in Fantastic Beasts installment, we get another prophecy, this time about Credence… or was it really about him after all?
Close to Dumbledore… in a way.
“We’re closer than brothers.”Before your mind runs amok toward the lemon area of the web, Harry Potter was Dumbledore’s pet. There, I said it. The book told us so, it appeared so, and there’s no use denying it. Dumbledore himself said that he protected Harry because of love. He had entrusted several difficult tasks to Harry that could definitely earn him the title of an Auror without even taking the test. At this point of the story, Credence unfortunately did not have the chance to have an intimate tete-a-tete with Dumbledore in his study. In fact, he appeared to be Grindelwald’s star [ENOUGH WITH THE SPOILERS!!]. The development of his character and what was revealed at the end of the movie were definite clues.
I think I have written more than enough and by now, I may be led by overreading. These are just some thoughts I’m turning over and over in my mind which you are free to contradict and discuss with me.
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November 29, 2018
November 2018 Articles
A moment of silence for the genius, Stan Lee.
He obviously had his. Now the world is one less entertaining person and that affects me to a certain degree–remember Steve Jobs?
In this post, I am going to honor Stan Lee’s comic genius so if you’re bothered by the gifs, scram.
Five Inventions You won’t Believe Exist
I know someone who could use that Google-patented Single Seesaw, and a number of people who deserved that butt-kicker. Then again, Marvel’s Avengers look cooler kicking asses.
In Praise of Mediocrity (The New York Times)
Tim Wu explores the idea that forsaking the simple delight of leisurely playing one’s guitar over the dream of being a successful guitarist ‘has corrupted’ the world of hobbies. There are several paradoxes in the article — I mean, it was in the opinion section –, but one thing remains true for me: the pursuit of excellence is a choice, and by choice, there is freedom. Everyone can be lulled into the world of mediocrity but not everyone decides to pursue the challenge of being good at a particular craft.
How video games turn players into storytellers (TED)
“We as individuals are defined by choices we make,” said David Cage and I couldn’t agree more. I know, it is not exactly an article but it’s another medium for people to learn.
Two New Books Confront Nietzsche and his Ideas
A few days ago, I made a grand announcement that I like Nietzsche- a rather sudden proclamation from someone who has not even finished reading his works. “To thine own self be true,” Shakespeare once said and yes, I love that.
Sprezzatura: The Art of Making Difficult Things Look Simple
From the title, I thought I would be learning something new apart from the word “sprezzatura.” It still is nice to confirm things that have been swirling inside your head for so long though that I can’t complain…that much. Could I quantify being called beautiful without even brushing my hair as a sign of practicing it?
November is that month that reminds me how fast time can fly– any month can do that tbh but for 2017-2018, it’s that month. Only last year, the same time, I was considering changing careers and even underwent a series of interviews only to land a job somewhere else. It’s entertaining imagining what 2019’s November would be like.
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November 26, 2018
Starbucks 2019 Planner
It’s with pleasure that I share with you the newest addition to my collection of dusty planners.
StarbucksPh practically made the collection of stickers quite easy for me since finally, finally, I didn’t have to force myself to drink their Christmas beverage–I don’t really have a sweet tooth, you see.
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Php 2610 is such a hefty price for a planner but I am a big fan of coffee (though it sucks that they still spell my name JAYMEE, JD, JV) and eighteen cups is just a small amount in a month.
[image error]More washi tapes!
SB Planners rarely need to be adorned with stickers and all but for my sanity, I still want to use these washi tapes. In my defense, I could have gotten a simpler planner for a more affordable price without even collecting stickers and use the very same washi tapes but I didn’t really care. I’m A like that.
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November 23, 2018
Presidential Announcement: I got hitched.
This story, by the way, is meant for my future child’s consumption and for my own amusement when in the future I need to look back and not exactly for the public eye (which doesn’t explain why I have posted it here in the first place).
Due to an unexpected event, I haven’t gotten around to thanking our #PerfectDay sponsors yet. Our gratitude goes out not only to our amazing families, Adriano-Ybasco, our principal and secondary sponsors, relatives and friends, but also to those who put their sincerest efforts in celebrating our very special day the way we wanted it to be remembered, the way we truly deserved.
Syme Gozun – for hosting the event
Tina Tindugan @artsyfancy -for our personalised guestbook
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Joie @posturafilipina– for my hair and makeup/styling
Mary Salamat Ybasco @fatmaria – for our cupcake souvenirs
Pia Salamat @shadesofsolstice – for our liptints which *drumroll* I’m selling through SIRIUS RJ+ more on that later.
Souvenirs Giveaways Philippines – for our black and white salt and pepper shaker
MK Gali Fashion Boutique – for my lovely beaded gown
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Tita Mommy Marie and friends – for our loose petals
Ptr. Ian Romero and Rev. Ptr. Bernardino for officiating
My parents Don Jorge and Doña Hannie for my gown and other expenses
His parents Tito Daddy Noel and Tita Mommy Marie for the rings and financial support
And to him, my sun and stars, for his invitation designs, for his initiative in buying our souvenirs, his immense patience and respect for me…and the smile he gave me once he saw me clad in a sparkly beaded gown, walking down the aisle.
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November 22, 2018
ON SHELF: J.K. Rowling’s The Crimes of Grindelwald, the original screenplay
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When you are surrounded by beasts and they aren’t nearly as fantastic, grab this book and apparate.
November 6, 2018
October 2018 Articles
October has been a big month for my career and personal life. It’s amazing how I can still catch up on my reading–that makes me amazing then. LOL
I finished Filed Under: 13 Suspicious Incidents and The Buried Giant, two of the books I had bought in MIBF (woaaah, I am reminded of how time can fly), but I still can’t get around writing a decent review. All I know is I had the time of my life reading Snicket and I wish I could prolong reading Ishiguro’s work. Damn.
Putting Time in Perspective (Wait but Why)
For those who remember, I got fixated in the context of time a couple of years ago, without knowing-or even considering- that in the same period, someone else was also thinking about the same thing.
100 Blocks a Day (Wait but Why)
Continuing the concept of time, because I don’t see why not, I also read this interesting article on how blocks can be used to determine how much time we devote to particular activities. My mind is continuously being tickled by this site and I am so happy to be able to include an article from a different source apart from BrainPickings.Org and BBC.
Sartre vs. Nietzsche: Will To Power, Platonism, and Pessimism
from Pinterest
I have been reading a number or Nietzsche’s works and his ideas resound so strongly in my head. My only concern is the threat of over-reading things and I don’t want to sound like I only concluded he was my favorite philosopher because I didn’t read other philosophers’ works.
From Ayn Rand to Nietzsche to Kant to Sartre…
To be Continued, by Prex J.D. V Ybasco, A Review
Once again, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Austin from Writings by Ender for giving my work a shot.
I am aware that I am posting this list seven days late but I can break my own rules, can’t I? lol
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October 17, 2018
To Be Continued by Prex J.D. V Ybasco, A Book Review — Writings By Ender
To Be Continued is a YA coming of age tale about a college student named Azalea Anthony and her loves of writing, basketball, and coffee. Through this work we get a feel for the often turbulent love connections among Azalea and her friends, and through this lens we get a depiction of what Prex J.D. V […]
via To Be Continued by Prex J.D. V Ybasco, A Book Review — Writings By Ender
September 29, 2018
SEPTEMBER 2018 Articles
Hello. This post was created by a person who is by now sooooo baffled by the intricate connections of the Enneagram, Big 5, and MBTI. Also, please forgive her crazy posts about her involvement–or not- in the Manila International Book Fair.
An alternative perspective to one’s present is perhaps the closest thing to an alternative reality. Perhaps that is why I read, not because I am discontented with my present but because there exists other paths, then why not take them?
I was in elementary when I first heard about him. I remembered reading this thick book about chess and powerful opening moves.
… is an interesting read. Once in Twitter, I posted this:
In seeking for truth, I always come across INTJ wannabes who use their MBTI type as a reason to be a douchebag. Man, you’ve got to read more.
— prexjdvybasco (@PrexYbasco) August 28, 2018
And it makes me wonder why some people don’t contest things that they read online. Of course, everybody is encouraged to accept information but since critical thinking is a 21st century skill, it has become necessary to filter information and analyze.
This version of love echoes my selfish need to be both independent and tied down. And I quite agree with the last part: loving someone is the biggest challenge out of all the tasks we have.
Kaizen (continuous improvement)
Thank you once again, Von, for giving me an article to think about. I confessed to her that I found #1, 4, 8 principles baffling…and challenging.
Does Teacher Diversity Matter in Student Learning?
An interesting article, an idea from a different perspective– I used to think that in my country, it’s only a matter of gender. Coming from a university for teachers, I observed that women outnumbered men in the academe. This article made me reexamine diversity in teaching, not only dictated by gender nor teaching strategies but also cultural background and ethnicity.
Apart from these articles I read, you might want to check out the ones I wrote (MIBF Book Haul). I consider September as my very productive month.
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