PRIVILEDGE SPEECH (January 8, 2014)

BAGONG TAONG 2014

Tulad ng dati, tuwing darating ang Bagong Taon,  pag-asa at tuwa ang inaasam ng mga kababayan natin. Una sa lahat, ang hiling ay pagbabago sa pananaw, sa sarili, sa mamamayan at bayan . Bawat isa sa atin ay naghahangad ng progresibo at maayos na pamumuhay .

Tuwing Bagong Taon, halos lahat tayo ay gumagawa ng pangako sa sarili sa pamamagitan ng “New Year’s’ resolution. Ang tanong: May natupad ba tayo sa ating mga ginawang  pansariling resolusyong? At sa loob ng mahabang taon ng iyong ginagawa ang New Year’s resolution, ilan ang natupad?

Samakatuwid, tayo mismo ang simula. Nasa ating mga kamay ang tunay na pagbabago na hinahangad natin para sa ating bayan. Ito ay panahon ng pagkakataon para sa ating lahat upang ilagay sa tamang landas ang sarili at bayan.  Napakahalaga ng papel natin sa ating bayan dahil sa pamamagitan ng tamang pamumuno at pagbalangkas ng bago at nararapat na batas ay kasabay din ang tunay at epektibong pagbibigay solusyon sa isyu ng korapsiyon, kahirapan, kaunlaran, kaayusan at kapayapaan.

Kung sa gayon ay kailangan tayong maging aktibo sa pakikilahok para sa pagkamit ng tunay na pagbabago para sa ating bayan.

Totoo: kapos ang pagsisikap na baguhin ang mga istrukturang panlipunan kung hindi babaguhin ang indibidwal, kagawian o kultura. Pero kung hindi hahantong sa nauna, kapos din ang ikalawa – magpapanatili sa mapagsamantalang kaayusan at magbibigay lang dito ng makataong itsura.

Kung tutuusin, kung palalalimin sa mga istrukturang pang-ekonomiya’t pampulitika ang mga suliranin ng bayan. Malamlam man sa pandinig subalit nararapat lamang na pagtuunan ng pansin ang mga serbisyong tunay na kailangan ng ating mamamayan: Pagkain, malinis na tubig, trabaho, gamut at serbisyong medical, malinis at tahimik na kapaligiran, karapatang pantao at kalidad na edukasyon.

Samakatuwid ay malaki ang gagampanan nating papel para sa pagkamit ng pagbabago sa ating bayan. Kaalinsabay ng mandatong ipinagkaloob sa atin ay kailangan nating iparating sa mas nakatataas at aksyunan ang tunay ang hinaing ng maliliit na mamamayan at nilalaman ng ating mga puso at isipan, hindi puro pangako at salita lamang. Manapa’t kailangan nating makialam upang siguraduhin na ang interes ng mamamayan ang isusulong ng mga taong nakaupo sa Barangay, Munisipyo, Kapitolyo, Kongreso at Senado at hindi ang interes ng kung sino man ang gusto umupo at manungkulan.

Sama-sama nating harapin ang bagong taon taglay ang pusong hangad ay tunay at makabuluhang pagbabago para sa sarili at para sa bayan.

Maraming Salamat po. Maligayang Bagong Taon

Hon. SHERNAN F. GAMOL, RN

Municipal Councilor

Mansalay, Or. Mindoro

Servant or Leader?

“Servant Leaders bring in the best talent in the business in order to accomplish their goal, even when that means they may be upstaged.” (russcanto)

As humans, we naturally organize people into two categories: servants and masters, or leaders and followers. But there is a third category that Jesus asks us to participate in… many knows it as the “servant leader”.

I’ve had small bits of leadership during my life, and this is never something that I’ve thought deeply about. Servant leading? Yeah, okay, totally. I’ve heard that term since I was a kid, in Sunday school and on mission trips.

But in the recent future I’ve suddenly begun to have real leadership positions… I have people working under me, and I have to lead WELL… and I’m glad that there is a learning curve, because I have a lot of work to do! I like to lead, but I’m not always necessarily GOOD at leading, I’ve found.

And then today I stumble upon John 13. (Well it wasn’t too much of a stumble, really - since I’m reading through John)

This is the chapter of the Bible where Jesus washes his disciples’ feet. Wow. It’s kind of crazy. He is the leader of ALL, and yet he’s stooping to do something dirty and menial, but he’s doing it FOR THEM. He isn’t too much of a leader to serve. Because the right kind of leader is one who serves. Yes, a leader is needed to stand up and give instructions and organize and hold people to deadlines and all that… but there’s also this part of being a leader - a very important part - that included being willing to SERVE those who are following you. To be willing to do their jobs, or even jobs below what they do, in order to help them or care for them.

I think the idea of a servant leader is nice and idealistic, but it’s not often seen. Sure, there is the perfect model that Christ gave us, but where else do we see this being carried out?

The modern business world often promotes an, “ahead at any/all costs” mentality. The modern world of church leadership often values flash, numbers, and giving rather than substance, service, and sacrifice. Don’t even get me started on the modeling that occurs within Hollywood and those of fame and status.

When you become a leader, you get a whole lot more responsibility. You become partially responsible for those who are following you, or working for you. It’s easy to just get caught up with finishing your task, and forget about serving those you are working with. (Courtesy: Natalie of http://coffeetimewithgod.tumblr.com/)

And I’m determined to learn how to NOT do that. Like Jesus.

“Whenever we have an opportunity or responsibility to influence the thinking, behavior, or development of others, the first choice we are called to make is whether to see the moment through the eyes of self-interest or for the benefit of those we are leading.”

—           Ken Blanchard

Through the Rain

        The unusual non-stop heavy rains that hit the Philippines since last Tuesday has transformed Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, and other provinces into Water World. It isn’t about just the rain or the floods. These past few days, many parts of the Philippines have been suffering from floods because of continuous heavy rain that the Southwest monsoon brought. It’s only a monsoon which made a whole lot of disaster so what about the storms that may follow? It’s about the infrastructure and the means of livelihood that get washed away. It’s about the homes that will probably never get rebuilt. It’s about the next time a heavy downpour happens and you start thinking, “Oh no. not again.”

Aerial view of the affected areas

        What I like about this country is the people’s undying spirit of optimism. Despite the rains and floods we’ve been experiencing for the past two weeks, we Filipinos have a way to turn a bad situation into something that’s worth a smile.

         Feeling proud for actually buying boxes of food and toiletries today to donate to evacuees. It was an even greater feeling to see the supermarkets full of people with the same good intentions. Everyone just wanted to play their part to help. The Filipino Bayanihan spirit thrives. After donating and volunteering for several days, I realized how helping really brings joy to your heart. Despite, the heavy rains, and the floods, we were successfully able to fill boxes with food, water, clothes, etc.

Volunteers from UP - Diliman

         A collection of photos surfaced the different social media sites showing how Filipinos dealt with the catastrophe that fell upon the country. Thus, this event marked the birth of ‘The Filipino Spirit is Waterproof’ campaign. Still, in the end, it’s a clear manifestation of God’s love for us. No matter what happens, we’ll be safe in His arms. We just have to pray hard and have faith in Him and everything will be fine again. Thank you, Lord! It’s more fun in the Philippines, indeed.

        You can also help. Volunteer and donate canned goods, cooked food, noodles, biscuits,bread, milk, bottled water, medicine, blankets, clothes, towels, reusable containers, toothbrushes, toothpastes, etc. Peso and Dollar cash donations can also be made. The link below has the most updated list of media outlets, government and non-government organizations, churches, businesses and overseas efforts that are accepting donations and volunteers.

        Here’s a website that has a comprehensive list of places to donate to, what to donate, evacuation centers, etc. Visit www.reliefph.com

#PrayForThePhilippines

Forgive.

        Forgiveness is a term that has become so foreign to us. In our daily interactions with various human beings, we consistently err due to our many imperfections. We hurt each other intentionally or unintentionally in all directions because of our misconduct. If we each contemplated on just how many people we have hurt and how much we are in need of their forgiveness, we would not be as stingy in forgiving all those who have wronged us.

      We like judging others and their faults, while remaining blind to our own shortcomings. We rack our memories for the one time we helped a fellow human being, but easily forget how many times we have wronged them. A true believers mind should be humbled and occupied with trying to fix their own deficiencies to the point that they do not have the time to raise their head to focus on the faults of others.

        It is even more fascinating how we fool ourselves into thinking we are gracious and forgiving. We say by our tongue that we forgive a person, yet we act contrary to this. We start talking behind that person’s back and ruin their reputation. I’ve seen horrific examples in our communities where one family has some conflicts with another family, resulting in bad mouthing and back-biting for years. You could live thousands of miles away from either family, and are still bound to hear something negative about one family or the other. It is so upsetting and disturbing how we let our tongues loose, and not realise how much we hurt people by it. We might even be a step higher in our act of forgiveness that we do not mention a person’s faults to others, but we still choose to distance ourselves from them. This is wrong as well. How would we feel if God distanced Himself from us for every sin we committed?

       

Forgive. Don’t retaliate. Let God do His work.

Nahum 1:2-3

     God is jealous, and the Lord revengeth; the Lord revengeth, and is furious; the Lord will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies. The Lord is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the Lord hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.

         Then, don’t hold back the love you have received, beloved. Don’t hold back that forgiveness. It was meant to be released. Open your heart to Jesus, and let Him move freely in you. Allow the changes He is making in your heart. There are major renovations. He is taking away the anger, sweeping out the guilt, and driving out the fear. I know that you may not be used to these being absent, but you’re better off without them, beloved. God is replacing them with hope, love, compassion, kindness and faith.

       Forgive, beloved, because you were not designed to keep that resentment inside of you. It has never been in your nature to keep those feelings too long inside. It only makes things harder. You know what, since the day you accepted Christ, you are being transformed to be more and more like Him. Thus, forgiveness comes out naturally from you. Love comes out naturally from you. These are not born out of our efforts, though. They are fruits, because we abide in Christ.

        Forgive, beloved. Not because it is an obligation, but because it is a necessity. This great love that you have received from Jesus can never be caged inside. It won’t be stuck inside you, just for you. It has to come out. You are not just a storage, you are also a channel. Don’t miss the privilege. Let love out.

“Forgiveness will not be possible until compassion is born in our heart. Even if you want to forgive, you cannot forgive. In order to be compassionate, you have to understand why the other person has done that to you and your people. You have to see that they are victims of their own confusion, their own worldview, their own grieving, their own discrimination, their own lack of understanding and compassion.”

—           Thich Nhat Hanh

Forgiveness will bring you happiness.

-godsradicaldaughter.tumblr.com

What I've learned so far in life

These are the good ol' days.

There's a little exercise I love to do, especially when I'm frustrated and wondering what the heck life is all about....

I close my eyes and imagine that I'm 95 years old now. I really feeeel it. My life has gone by and it's almost over; a photo album, some stories, memories, accomplishments, loved ones. I've gotten used to feeling achy and tired. I spend much of my day just getting up and around. My kids are all grown and aged themselves. Most of my lifetime friends are gone. My parents are dead.

And here I am, looking back, thinking how wonderful it would be if I could go back in time and taste some of it again; maybe do things differently. To be young again, to be healthy and strong again, to have a lifetime of opportunity before me again, to play with my kids or grandkids again while they were still children. To hug my parents and friends again. To say thank you again. To help. To appreciate. To love. What a gift it would be to relive part of my past. I really feel what it's like to be 95 years old now.

And then I say, "Please, God, let me go back in time. Let me be young again and appreciate all I had. Please." And then, when I'm really longing for it and feeling like that life is a dream that will never really come true, and my life is really almost over... I open my eyes.

Try it some time. If you're like me, you'll experience the total blessing of being here, right now.

Ever notice that the good ol' days of our lives are somehow always in the past? I try to remember, despite whatever challenges are facing me, whatever better future is eluding me, that these are probably the times I'll look back on - even if they're hard times - and say, "Wow, what an amazing time that was."

I've also come to believe that the worst and hardest times are often the times of greatest transformation and learning. And when plans don't unfold the way we imagined, when things go terribly wrong, the universe is simply realigning our course. I try to practice acceptance and have faith that it will all turn out somehow.

And when I look back on the worst times and tragedies of my life, I can't help but notice all the blessings that logically resulted, and that things never turn out nearly as badly as I had feared.

So I remind myself never to worry about things I can't control. To worry is to suffer by living in the future. And the future is unpredictable.

Are you hurt now? Have you lost your life savings now? Are you alone now? Or are you perfectly safe, warm, and healthy, imagining a bad thing that might happen tomorrow?

If the bad thing doesn't happen, you will have tormented yourself in vain. And if it does, worrying could not have prevented it anyway. And right now, whatever may be going on, it's all happening in the good ol' days.

Shared by: Chris Balthasar, a financial advisor and consultant.

"Kung Bakit Espesyal si Tatay"

      Whenever I would come home every vacation from Manila, I would always find my father waiting at the bus terminal to pick me up; ready to bring me home. He would always extend his warm regards with his hands. Most of the time, however, his efforts went unnoticed.

           I grew up in a remote area in Mindoro. When I was a kid, there was no electricity except the generator that worked for three hours every night. Fresh clean air, blue skies, clothes drying in the sunshine, peace and quiet, seclusion away from the hurried "what can we go buy at the mall?"-type of life.  Not the life for everyone. But it was for us and all our critters. I wouldn't want to miss a single day of it. During weekends or harvesting time, me and my siblings were going to the farm riding our Carabao and "karusa" (cart) to help my father and play in the haystack afterwards.    If someone were to ask me what experience has shaped my life and personality the most, I would say, without hesitation, growing up on a farm. 

           They said I was one of his favorite sons, because he's always talking about my achievements, but I was never close to him. I spent most of my childhood days without him at my side. I was a little bit uncomfortable whenever he was around. He was also a silent-type but disciplinarian.  I have experience a lot – physically and emotionally, whenever I would commit mistakes or silly things that made him mad.  I never heard him saying a lot of words, as my mother always do. He’d rather sit at the corner and calculate on papers or fix something with his machinery tools. 

       When I was in High School, I never told him how I did in my academics, the name of my teachers nor my classmates, nor my crushes and love interests. I thought they would not interest him at all. That was what I thought then. I never tried reaching to him because I feel awkward to do so. Those were the days before I realized his sacrifices and hard-works.

(Farming with SUKOB, my father's beloved Carabao)

(My Father with his brothers and friends during one of their typical drinking sessions in the province)

       One afternoon, when my father became drunk after an occasional drinking session with his fellow farmers after his usual rice field routines, I heard him telling his friends how proud he was to have a son like me. He almost narrated all my academic and extra-curricular achievements. I heard all those stories directly from his mouth. From that day, my perception about my father started to change.

(The usual weekend with my siblings back when I was a child)

        

        No other experiences this world can offer even come close to watching the sun set over the mountains while carrying harvested coconuts with my father, smelling blooms as they drift up from the dike bottom or saving a baby goat from sure death. These are things you can't appreciate until you've experienced them. These are the things life on a farm with my father is made of.

(Our Backyard Rice field)

       One day, while watching TV show about farming. I urged to ask him about the show, which I think he knew a lot. He eagerly and earnestly shared what he knows. Each time I ask him questions, he never failed to satisfy my curiosity. His eager countenance changes as he briefly recounted his experience in farming. That afternoon talk made a vivid impact in my memory.

(My father's Hand Tractor)

(My father)

      As years passed, my father exerted silent effort to prove his being father to us. He was both a quite ordinary and yet, remarkable man, hard-working father who spent so much time in farming to provide us with foods and other necessities. I commit mistakes or do bad thing sometimes, but I never heard anything from him, not an angry look or a harsh word. His understanding and acceptance mean a lot to me.

        Before I graduated college, I finally realized how much my father means to me. I was a Sunday service – a father’s day special. That day I learned that he was suffering from hyperthermic attack for several days. I was anxious of his condition because I knew how much he worked hard in the farm every day. I was afraid because I knew I had never done any significant thing for him. I never fully expressed my appreciation and love for him. On that moment, I promised myself to give my best effort in showing how much I owe him. I made a phone call for him for the first time and asked about how he was doing and his condition. From that day, I always bring something for my father; material things or anything that would make him feel valuable. Last Barangay election, despite my loaded work schedule I chose to go home to support my father’s candidacy. Thank God he won.

        

      Now, whenever I would come home, I would find myself holding something for my father as he looks out at the bus terminal to pick me up - things that cannot be replaced by any possessions or riches in this world. More than the material things I have for him, the love and the warm embrace are worthless expression of how much I love and appreciate him. Perhaps, the wall between us is completely torn down, and I can finally say to ORIE FADRI GAMOL, “I Love You, Pa”. You are my hero and my secure foundation. Happy Father's Day.

(ORIE FADRI GAMOL, my beloved father)

  

 
Tatay 

I look Forward to Summer

Puerto Galera, Philippines

Summertime in the Province

The warm breeze that remains until dusk. The sunsets that steal your breath and never give it back. The way her eyes sparkle from the rays of light peeking over your back and stealing a moment to gaze into them. The overall happiness, laughter, and exchange of love. 

Puerto Galera

Snorkeling 

The way jealous grains of sand seem to cling to the whole world as you know it. The fresh feeling of being awakened by excited flashes of sunrise through your blinds. 

Deira, Dubai

Fish Sanctuary, Romblon

 The wonderful exposure of skin. The cool forests and refreshing, nude afternoons in the creek. The sun-kissed noses. The way our palms get sweaty after our fingers have been intertwined for solely a minute. 

Baguio City

Romblon

The callouses on your feet due to the vow of leaving your shoes for good. The aura of the stress-free environment to meditate in. The inspiration. The falling asleep on the burning hoods of cars with shirts over your face. The beautiful people. Ohhh, all the beautiful people.  -refillingholes

Batangas

Mansalay, Oriental Mindoro

Institutions, Power, and the Ego

An institution’s sole existence is power. All functions of an institution aim at providing more power to the adhering individuals. Institutions serve no other purpose. While the benefits might seem obvious the disadvantages of institutions are not. One clear and apparent result of the information age is true power created by the lack of structure and institution.

Old institutions warp your mind. it plagues one with the perception of comfort and stability. Time tested results with statistically proven methods. An institution can take the creative mind and lock it to an eternity of structure and repetition.  Yet there are always new methods being developed by those who play outside the boundaries of institution. More efficient methods that do not adhere to the previously proven laws. The natural transfer of power and evolution of thought. The structure of nature.

The ego repels the natural progression of change. Change implies lack of control, uncertainty, doubt, and fear. One must ask: fear of what?! The irrational extent in which the ego will manipulate situations in order to keep power is worrisome at best. Distressful. In the face of a truly superior model turn cheek and return to the safety of certainty. Risk is solely for those worthy of reward. Institutions will fall.

To truly unlock the potential of human development and ability we must remove our institution and rely on a more concrete idea: constant change.

A quote from Circles by Ralph Waldo Emerson:

There are no fixtures in nature. The universe is fluid and volatile. Permanence is but a word of degrees. Our globe seen by God is a transparent law, not a mass of facts. The law dissolves the fact and holds it fluid. Our culture is the predominance of an idea which draws after it this train of cities and institutions. Let us rise into another idea: they will disappear. The Greek sculpture is all melted away, as if it had been statues of ice; here and there a solitary figure or fragment remaining, as we see flecks and scraps of snow left in cold dells and mountain clefts, in June and July. For the genius that created it creates now somewhat else. The Greek letters last a little longer, but are already passing under the same sentence, and tumbling into the inevitable pit which the creation of new thought opens for all that is old. The new continents are built out of the ruins of an old planet; the new races fed out of the decomposition of the foregoing. New arts destroy the old. See the investment of capital in aqueducts made useless by hydraulics; fortifications, by gunpowder; roads and canals, by railways; sails, by steam; steam by electricity.

 Courtesyhttp://omnivorousego.tumblr.com/

Where Were You?

Sec. Edwin Lacierda recounting what it was like to be at EDSA People Power 1. Another memory - a fierce commitment to stay on that stretch of road and its environs, because to leave the area, even for a while, felt like you were turning your back on your country. A nice recollection of those vanished days.

       20 years ago, when we were still law students, we felt a breath of fresh air stirring in our midst when Cardinal Sin called out the people to protect the soldiers.

     To us, we wondered what all that meant. At that time, we just finished studying the 1973 Constitution or the Marcos Constitution and I recall that not even the commentaries of Fr. Bernas spoke negatively of that charter, al least not as openly as he does now in his Inquirer columns.

But while the atmosphere of martial law prevailed in those days, pre-EDSA circa 1985-86 was a joy in law school. While our classes were held in the evenings, we full time law students would join the rallies in Makati in the afternoon and stormed Security Bank which when they saw the rallyists would immediately roll down their steel doors.

We would walk the length and breadth of Ayala Avenue to the cheering Makati office personnel who would open their windows from buildings high up and rain down their yellow confetti, presumably shredded from the PLDT yellow pages, cheering us on. We would sing Bayan Ko, listen to speeches, both fiery and hilarious, interspersed with chanting and sloganeering but all the same, critical of Marcos and his cronies.

     In law school, there were a handful of Marcos loyalists holdouts and among them were the daughter of then Defense Secretary Juan Ponce Enrile, the youngest son of a former Minister of Justice and whose other famous brother is a lawyer turned news personality and a wine connoisseur, the son of a former PBA commissioner, the brother of a TV female news personality, and the sister of a famous fashion designer. And to their credit, they did not shirk from their belief that Marcos was their man. Before the snap elections, they would wear Marcos red t-shirts while most of us would wear Ninoy or Cory yellow. While the battle for the hearts and minds was fought in the streets, the law school was not immune from occasional outbursts of “Cory”"Cory" "Cory" and “Marcos pa rin”. It was simply unacceptable to fence sit during those heady days.

     When the snap election was held, we were taking up Election Law and our professor, Atty. Rogelio Nicandro, suggested to us that those who volunteered in any form or manner during the snap elections would get credit. Immediately, droves applied as NAMFREL volunteers and I was assigned to Xavier school to monitor the elections in San Juan. Even FPJ’s daughter was a NAMFREL volunteer in San Juan.

       In one instance, there were Marcos volunteers who entered the Xavier precinct wearing Marcos red and they were told it was prohibited by law and was asked to leave. Of course, being Marcos country, they haughtily refused and even shouted “Marcos pa rin”. We retorted and chanted back “Cory” “Cory” drowning their arrogance till they decided to leave the election premises. And naturally, all those who volunteered got a grade of 90 in Election Law.

      When Cardinal Sin called out the people to support the RAM boys, some of us were set to attend the ordination rites of Fr. Louie David in Ateneo Loyola. Some of us never made it to the ordination because we got detoured at EDSA and just about decided to stay on not knowing where this would lead to.

      I remember at one point standing at the foot of the stage at Camp Crame where Fidel Ramos, Juan Ponce Enrile, Mel Lopez and some other political personalities were giving out their pep talk. This was the time when Ramos was jumping and telling us that it will be over soon. We were cheering them on and so hopeful that the dictator would be gone. It turned out that he was giving us a pep talk because they heard rumors that Marcos was going to send out his troops and tanks for the last time to quell the revolt.

       My memory may not be so clear at this point but that scene where Ramos was jumping on the stage and my face was clearly evident among the throng was immortalized in Mr. Arillo’s book. Unfortunately, having no sense of history and no regard for posterity at that time, I failed to get hold of his book and have not seen a copy since.

        We stayed and slept in EDSA. We faced the tanks and soldiers. We befriended nameless people. We shared food and drinks as though we were long lost confreres. More than a rally, all of us came to EDSA to break bread and fellowship with all who were willing to stand in the line of fire and take the bullet, as it were, for freedom and change of government. Like the namesake of the street, it was truly an epiphany of saints, men and women of goodwill who believed that corruption and bad government should not last a day longer.

       It was 20 years ago. Many of us have become disillusioned and some like Ignacio Bunye have the temerity to say EDSA is no longer relevant. 20 years ago, I was willing to die for my country. I have no reason to depart from that belief 20 years hence, present leadership notwithstanding and apathy being the new social cancer.

       Like Leah Navarro when interviewed by Newsbreak Magazine, I want my country back too.

57 Things That Girls Should Know About Guys

1. When a guy looks at you, either he's amazed of you or he's criticizing you 

2. Guys don’t like to be used as pawns in trying to make your friends jealous.

3. Guys tend to get serious with their relationship and become too possessive. Better watch out girls.

4. The biggest turn off for guys is to see girls smoking.

5. The biggest turn on for guys are the girls who workout.

6. When a guy really likes you, he'll disregard all your bad characteristics. Guys go crazy over a girl's smile.

7. Ending a heated conversation with “Fine” or “Whatever” isn’t considered acceptable. 

8.If you have a boyfriend, and your boy best friend always glances at you and it obviously shows that he is jealous whenever you're with your boyfriend, all I can say is your boy best friend loves you more than your boyfriend does.

9.  Girls are allowed to touch boys' things. Not their hair!

10. A guy who likes you wants to be the only guy you talk to.

11. A guy would sacrifice his money for lunch just to get you a couple of roses.

12. Guys need to be reassured often that they’re still loved.

13. Guys don’t care about how gorgeous you are, it’s goodbye, adios, and sayonara if you’re being a bitch.

14. All guys are kinky and willing to try anything that you may enjoy, just let them know.

15. Guys are more emotional than you think. If they loved you at one point, it’ll take them a lot longer than you think to let you go, and it hurts every second that they try.

16. Guys like girls who are like their moms. No kidding!

17. A guy would do just about anything to get you to notice him. 

18. When a girl makes the boy suffer during courtship, it would be hard for him to let go of that girl.

19. Guys do not look into minute detailing. So, if you gave up a quarter of an inch from your 20 inches long hair, don’t expect your guy to know that instantly.

20. When four or more men get together, they talk about sports. When four or more women get together, they talk about men.

21. Cooking makes a girl all the more attractive. 

22. You can’t get mad if your guy refuses to hook up your “ugly friend” with one of his good-looking friends.

23. Nothing you will ever do will entitle you to operate the remote control, unless operating means handing it to him.

24. Video games have helped men develop awesome skills that only encourage them to play more often.

25. Critiquing a man’s driving is outright unacceptable.

26. Guys’ night outs are sacred events. If you ask any question about it, you’ll be castigated.

27. Believe it or not, 99.5% of the time men honestly don’t mean to hurt you. 

28. Guys may be flirting around all day but before they go to sleep, they always think about the girl they truly care about.

29. Guys hate it when you talk about your ex-boyfriend or ex love-interest. 

30. If a guy tells you about his problems, he just needs someone to listen to him. You don’t need to give advice.

31. Don’t hold it against your guy if he starts to cry after a good sports movie, and was laughing outrageously last night when the two of you were watching an emotional drama saga.

32. Leaving a message like “You know what?! Mmm… Never mind…” would make a guy hanging on to that thought all day long and reach a conclusion that is far from what you are thinking. Don’t ever do that!

33. A usual act that proves that the guy likes you is when he teases you.

34. Guys love you more than you love them.

35. No matter how much guys talk about hotness or sex appeal, personality is key.

36. When a guy says he is going crazy about the girl, he really is. Guys rarely say that. 

37. If a guy starts to talk seriously, listen to him. It doesn’t happen that often, so when it does, you know something’s up.

38. A guy has more problems than you can see with your naked eyes. 

39. Guys talk about girls more than girls talk about guys.

40. You like when your guy calls and asks you out for dinner and pays for you, right? Well yeah, guys like it once in a while too.

41. It’s natural for a guy’s eyes to wander.

42. It’s not that guys don’t want to make their girlfriends happy; it’s just that sometimes, they don’t know how.

43. A guy would give his right arm to be able to read a girl’s mind for a day.

44. Not all guys are jerks. Just because one is a jackass doesn’t mean he represents all of them.

45. When a guy sacrifices his sleep and health just to be with you. It means he likes you more than you can imagine.

46. Even if you dumped a guy months ago and he loved you, he probably still does and if he had one wish it would be to have you back in his life.

47. Guys love girls with brains more than girls in miniskirts.

48. A guy would waste his time over video games and football, the way a girl would do over novels and make-ups.

49. Girls' height doesn't really matter to a guy but her weight does!

50. Guys cry!!!!!!!!

51. Guys go crazy when girls touch their hands.

52. When a girl says "no", a guy hears it as "try again tomorrow."

53. You have to tell a guy what you really want before he gets the message clearly.

54. Guys love their moms.

55. A guy often thinks about the girl who likes him. But this doesn't mean that the guy likes her.

56. You can never understand him unless you listen to him.

57. No guy is bad when he is courting.