Heaven Sent

"In the End, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends."

Martin Luther King, Jr.

After a conversation with a friend that has been long overdue, I was reminded of several exchange of txt messages that I have had with some people last week. Among a few of the ones that I remembered went as follows:

Mr. C: " Bok, Ms. A has abandoned me...= /

Ms. A:" Hay naku Bok, this is something that I really don't want to talk about right now, but I appreciate your concern."

Ms. A: " Sad ako, tinxt ko siya pero parang casual lang and its like never the same again..."

Ms. L: " Look Bok, Alam mo na ang laki ng tampo ko. I thought we are those few people whose friendship will remain strong... Magmula ng magkaayos sila ni Mr. J, he has ignored me..."

( Not exactly the txt messages ayt. But its the best that I can remeber as I have to clear my phone with the millions of txt messages that I recieve everyday.)

What caught me was the common theme that all of these messages contain. They are all about friends and how things did not exactly went right in the proper course of their respective relationships. My melodramatic personality just can't simply resist the effect of these things to my vulnerable, fragile and emotional chemistry. Why not? These people are close and special to me. They told me these qualms in confidence and I cannot do anything less in emphatizing with them. I feel their sadness and frustrations. Even if some of their problems doesn't concern me, I feel how it is to be in their shoes as I have had my own share of misunderstandings with friends. Some of these friendships, well, I was able to salvage and are still alive even if it took us forever to reconcile, the others are jettisoned not because I chose it as an option but due to some other circumstances. They are now vivid parts of memory lane that I still hold as they were agents of my growth.

It really hurts me when things go wrong with friends. I consider these people as God's angels to witness my life while I spoil it on earth. They help you heal when you are hurt and they guide you to be safe. They do not leave you even if they are not physically felt. They are strongholds next to God against a bad love life, misunderstanding parents, failing grades and more. Your bonds with them keep you young. Friendship is about the meaningful moments shared worth keeping and coming back to and not the frequency of meeting. Good friends are hard to find, harder to leave and impossible to forget.

To Mr. C and Ms. A, I hope you salvage your friendship. You are obviously in a conundrum that I know will make you stronger persons as friends. Put the puzzle pieces together and I hope you see how special you are to each other- as if your messages to me is not enough apparent reality that proves it. Stop missing each other and enough with the deafening silence and enigmatic stares. It only makes me miss the two of you more.Hehehehe

To Ms. L, I am here and you know that. Friendships should makes us stronger individually as we cannot always be present for each other. Be courageous to face your problems and stop hiding behind your excuses. Abandoning you is the last thing that I will ever do to you. My silence is deep but there you will find me. I am your angel.

Aging Younger

I have always been considered mature than most of my age. I don't know if this is something that is inherent from my birth. One is quite certain. I am a product of my environment and whatever inherent capabilities that people find unique in me, these are by products of the world that I live in. A perfect symbiosis of variables to create the ideal person with whom people relate with as Voltaire.

My idealism is a result of a lot of things that I have endured and surpassed. As I grew older, I realize the potential that is given to me- to see things more than what they are. Henceforth, I am the Voltaire that my school, family and community have. This is premised with what Karl Marx said about history. Our history is a history of struggle. Our lives therefore is all about struggle and it is a cycle that is undeniable. Problems arise and as humans we live up to being cerebral managing to conquer odds that were once unconquerable. The geniusness that is humanity always persists both to its own advantage and disadvantage. I live in constant struggle and so does everyone else. What makes me unique is the resolve to challenge and simply not be victimized by the untowardness of this cycle. To remain moot.

But despite this personal resolve, I can't deny that reality is far too harsh than what my idealism can sustain. I feel alone and sad that more people like myself, young and august, are slowly being eaten up by this monstrosity. I surely cannot blame them. When the clarion's call for the game of survival begins, all wants to be in the safer side. This is not at all cowardice. While most of them stand to fight, some are just to tired to continue on.Is this the right instinct if we are already talking of one's survival?Can people not manage to become bigger than this odd?

After the dusk has settled I know that there is still hope and this is what I am holding on. I hope to be able to live my dream and I am going to take risks. This hope is always worth fighting for. This is the hope that more people like me still exists. This is the hope that younger people like myself will not give up in building a society where we can all live in harmony and prosperity. This is the hope that we will not stop in becoming vigilant and wise in our times. This is the hope that people will not loose that idealism which makes us all young. This is the hope that someday I will realize my dreams and emancipate myself with the person that I love.

Voltaire of France has done well in holding on to this hope- giving impetus to the French Revolution and liberated the estates from the monarchy. I am not in anyways comparable to him except for the name that we both have, an accident cause by my parents naming me after him. However existence is not an accident. I am blessed with so many things - this is not chance alone. Hope is what keeps me alive and so shall it remain until I breath no more.

A new Candide at hand.

To whom much is given, much is expected in return.

Sally

I am not perfect myself and when it comes to becoming a friend, I can suck at it big time. And for my shortcomings I am sorry.

You have considered me as a mentor and once called me kuya. I was proud to have a sister in your person. I always believed that there is a great force that makes things happen and meeting you is by no means an acident. It was already written before us- all that we need to do is to decide and choose. I relate to our kinships since we are so similar in so many ways. Most important of which is our lack of attention as we know that we deserve so much from the world that is both cruel and uncouth.

Sheer admiration turned into more than what was called for. Before we knew it we were caugth up in a chase like cat and mouse. You are simply a fighter and I admire you for being so empowered. However, not all things are meant to be more than what they already are. My heart can't simply be the one that will compliment the huge emptiness that you have. Nonetheless, we are glad to have met and we became friends and I am happy with that.

I apologize for not having the courage to say out what I truly felt. All that I know is that we needed each other as that is what friends are for. I understand and I exhausted all of myself to emphatize with you in your lowest. Despite all of my efforts, I guess everything is futile since most decisions should me made alone. I understood you very well and yet you doubted my friendship. This made my patience grow weak as I myself is in need of understanding- especially from you who almost thought knew me well. I was there tolerating you at your most untolerable and I will still be there- just don't know when again.

You are still my friend- but I guess we need more space to breathe and grow up alone. The force that made us meet will once again make our paths cross someday- this I believe. I have faith that I have mentored you enough and that ours is a strong bond that transcends time and distance.

I am sorry for sucking big time. I hope you can forgive me.

Walls of Memories and Meaning

"It’s an invariable reminder that there is life among the ancient memories of home and no matter how life and fate decides for us- ours is the freedom to find meaning and worth in places both old and new."

My earliest memories of Plaza Lawton are of endless lines of busses in an empty murky lot beside the long century old walls and the sight of ubiquitous commuters- waiting anxiously for their turn to hop in the bus that will take them to their home towns. My family and I were among those seas of people under the scorching heat of the April sun. On board the buses are endless exchanges of salutations and pleasantries among the town folks eager to find even the slimmest chance of being related with each other- an old maid aunt who owns a hectare of land where they all played or even the demonized principal of the Provincial National High School were they all attended. Amidst the loud rows of seated people are vendors making its way to the bus’s narrow aisle made even narrower with the sorties of bags and loots that line the pathway. Name it, the vendors have it- from DC apples from the States to the daily and the meager priced comics that is sold by the lot, to medicines, quail eggs, canned biscuits and medicines.

But my mind was fixated not on the journey that will take forever to complete or the chaotic scene. Outside the window, I am marveling at the sight of the wall that seems to keep us out from what is behind it. Its rough pavement and unequal fixings speaks of decades that it has endured. Even longer than the forever that my young mind had imagined our trip would take.

Intramuros. I would later find out about the majestic wall in my History subjects, fieldtrips and fun walks during my scouting days. More majestic are the structures and buildings of this city, concealed behind the ever imposing walls. They brought me back in time and I was ever vicarious in learning and understanding about my past and how my present is an amalgam of stories made real because of this city behind this fortifications. Occasional visits made me appreciate it more. Although I’ve grown to have this interest in all things that are old, I will not frequent the place since it’s quite far from where I live. Not until today.

Having relocated to a new residence in downtown Manila, I became more avid in appreciating Intramuros and its walls. And so did my friends who accompany me during the most flicking moments of living in the overwhelming reality that life has brought us. There is more to Intramuros than the strong walls that have survived centuries. Beneath it and in every corner of the walls breathes life and colorful idiosyncrasies that you’ll learn to appreciate and eventually love with every visit that you make.

We enjoy the abundance of street foods sold in kiosks that are everywhere like mushrooms sprouting amidst the Spanish inspired concrete homes. Foods that is good yet cheap- affordable to the whims of youngsters that frequent the place. We enjoy feasting over sorts of delicacies such as kikiam, fishballs, green mangoes with bagoong, fried siomai, the perennial taho and soft drinks. Unorthodox is our pairing of these foods over a serving of chilled latte sold at the more posh coffee shops in the area. What makes the dinning special is not the charm of it being pedestrian. On top of the wide ledges of the wall, we sit in circles and exchange pleasantries- enjoying the comfort that the bulwarks offer. We are not alone of course. There are the ever romantic lovers, the other group of students from the nearby schools and some soul searchers who simply stare at the vast trimmed carpet Bermuda where golfers tee. Along the dark corners are etched markings and writings of obscure characters and features. Some are poetry of lovers, immortalizing their hidden romance. Others are simply nuisances of people taking advantage of the wide wall as if it’s a gigantic life size canvass where they find attention while concealing their identities.

All of these and the rustic appeal of Intramuros have made us love the place. These are my new memories of the plaza. Not only does its fame makes it a place to visit. It’s an invariable reminder that there is life among the ancient memories of home and no matter how life and fate decide for us- ours is the freedom to find meaning and worth in places both old and new.

El Colegio De San Beda! Tiene Que Ganar!

It's NCAA Season once again and like any Bedan regardless of generation I am one with the Sanbedistas in forever giving pride and support to our beloved Alma Mater- El Colegio de San Beda!! As one Bedan luminary said: " Bring out the challenges and we'll win them all, fear neither fire nor blood. Bedans will answer the clarion's call, for San Beda, our country and God!!"( Raul Roco)

We are the red army and we bear the monicker of the Red Lions- the proud king of the jungle. Subtle and strong. Brave and wise. We are guided by the the our maxim " Ora et Labora"- Prayer and Work. We toil hard and we pray harder, putting the omnipotent above all and so in every prayer we say- " Ut Im Omnibus Gloricifectur Deus" (That in All Things God May Be Glorified)

Behold and wonder at the pride!! Herald the Bedans coming our fellowship shall never cease!!
El Colegio De San Beda! Tiene Que Ganar! Animo San Beda!

Another Starfish

I am flattered to be invited once again to facilitate the Leadership and Teambuilding Seminar of the Junior Beda Law Circle- the organization that I have loved so much as it meant almost three fourths of my extra curricular life in College. I was president of the organization for a year, and I served as its internal vice president twice. I can say that I am proud to what the organization has become. Its members are more eager to serve their immediate community.

Being Legal Management majors we carry the motto " We are slaves of the law so that we may be free!"- and in every single endeavor we carry this in our hearts and the tradition lives. As long as there is an activity bannered by the group, it will all be for this noble cause; guided by the school's thrust of producing competent individuals who are fully human, wholly Christian, truly Filipino and globally competetive.

Another humble cause realized. Another starfish thrown back into the ocean!!!

Jake

My clothes are soaking in blood- and the pungent stench lingers on...

Involuntarty contractions has made me vommit blood from the deepest
abyss of my organs- orchestrated to make me weaker and idle until my death.
This is nature and none can ever stop it from wrecking havoc until my body
gives up to the sickle that shall smite me- Pluto's will at hand momentarily

Lines for YOU...

19 June 2008

The squal has blinded my view of the vast horizon,

But i can see through it not only with my eyes but

with love that endures time and distance.

20 June 2008

My twilight abode is pulling every sense of conciousness

I afford to make.

Made more difficult to resist is the bask ambiance of this

poorly lit room. Gathering erstwhile thoughts I resume

back to life eager to realize what present there is to unfold-

hope, trust, faith and love.

I live another day because of such presents and such remain

true because I live.

O.S.B. ( Old School Beda)

The good thing about working in an international school is the fact that you get to have so many rest periods during vacations and holidays. Having been left idle with nothing to do as it was summer break, I got the chance to resume to the routine that I so much enjoyed doing when I was still in college- staying up late and watch dvd as long as I want, read books by authors I so much admired, sleep without ever thinking of the next thing to do and go anywhere my feet take me.

During this past two weeks, I frequented my alma mater to catch up with friends ( most of them are in law school) and follow up a certificate from my college office. Despite the stories that I have heard about the changes in my school- nothing has really prepared me in seeing them first hand. I was happy and both sad as I marveled at what is San Beda today and what it has become.

One's miliue is defined by the generation that molds it. Like the changing palatives after every elections in the country, the campus embraced every single transfomation that its new administration installed as if its impetus was to subtly erase things that reminded the community of how things were during the erstwhile generation.

Like any imposition in a support based unit, the initial reaction to these changes was resentment. This is expected in campus as the bureaucracy is quite central to the wisdom of the elite few chosen by the abbott-a trait that has endured any Benedictine institutions for hundreds of years. While change is inevitable because of this- there are so many things that are left unclinched and unfathomable no matter how an average reasonable stakeholder like myself put it. Or even, are these changes really necessary for the greater majority or is there an intention to malign certain sensitivities for the long term survival of the school as based from the exalted wisdom of a few?

The students rallied, members of the community did their own form of protest(ever wonder why processing things are slow?) as it was witnessed and felt by the world within and outside Mendiola. The point is nothing can ever make the decision makers ever bow down to the whim of a voiceless majority. Not only will it hurt their ego, but it is a poor management style to retract decisions previously made. Even before San Beda is your's and my school- it soley belongs to them and they can do whatever they want in this side of the universe.

Yes they can do whatever they want. Armed with their legion of sentinels of the law in their side so as to make everything well grounded. They can impose lousy unattractive uniform for the students; they can remove the publication fee to marginalize the school newspaper; they can fire staff members under the cloak of insubordination; they can abolish departments and remove the most intelligent, wise and brave of faculty members; they can repaint the campus red and make it look like Sogo; they can install new departments no matter how impractical and unecessary; they can cut funds of organizations; they can be practical and have the canteen consigned to outside entities to earn more profit; they can deliberately increase tuition fees even if the economy is failing; they can control student rights and the list goes on and on.

I can only hope for the best as I am now outside the school. I could have braved the odds in my own way should these things happened during my generation. But I can only do so much. I am only an alumni who once passed this institution and has yet to prove anything worthy like the one's in the walls of our alumni office. My one peso worth of advice or word will only be left unheard and unnoticed. Whatever happens, the present generation of Bedans are in the most convenient and proper foot to creatively do something. This is their milieu and they decide what their generation will do.

I miss old school San Beda. The school that I will always be proud of. No matter where life takes me- I owe so much to this school that has molded me academically for more than a decade. I miss the brotherhood, the academic environment and the people. I am both happy and sad. I am sad because things will never be the same and what is left in my school are the shadows of what it was during my stay. I am happy, because somehow there is change no matter how uncalled for and unexpected they maybe. Change signifies life and so does it go on.

Bujoy and Toni

Some of the greatest love stories would not have been complete without the protagonist who bridged the gap between the two lovers separated by untoward instances. Their roles in movies and in books are less appreciated but to my mind they bear the most cumbersome of roles. They stand witness to the most romantic of love stories, filling their hearts with all empathy and making real the moments that were once held by the flicking negativity of the plot.

Things are easily said than done. I have to confess that I have my own- "Bujoy" in my own love story. She is the most understanding of all people that stand witness to the love that I share with my special someone. If mine was a part of a movie tandem, she would be my number one fan- updated about any premiere that I am to make. Likewise, she is the accomplice in my efforts to make my love felt as it will be close to impossible for me to act in wanted proximity to my lover. The theatrical production is fully orchestrated by her for our play to begin, signalling music to queue and for each curtain to rise- and at the middle are the stars. Indeed, it is my love story. While me and my lover are elated to nirvana she is left to the mundane-unnoticed.

Although this is her role, the Bujoy of my story- definitely is not less appreciated. I owe her my happiness and the success of every premiere that I make. If all that I have is a blessing in having to love and be loved in return- I wish all that I cherish be blessed with the same bounty. I refuse to call her" Bujoy" but I'd prefer her to be called "Toni". I know you are capable of believing in the magic of cupid, his bow and arrow.

To Bujoy/ Tony- you deserve to have your own happines and love. Never shy away from love when it knocks unto your door. To experience it all is worth every ounce of whatver sacrifice you bear. To love is only for the strong and so be brave- for the weak can only do so much when they fall inthe pitfall of insanity after not being able to climb back to reality after any broken love. It is fatalism. Invest to trust not only based on your own benevolence but also on your own conviction of capability. Eventually make such transcend to faith. This makes any love story eternal- as romances only last a lifetime, the spirit of their romance is forever.

Night with the Saturday Group

It is nice to meet new acquaintance once in awhile especially on a lazy Saturday. With a long weekend coming in, everything seems to stand still even though the spirit of the city seems to maintain its fast paced run in catching up with reality.

I ended up calling a friend. I asked him if I can drop by to catch up. I needed the break and his presence. I also felt that he needed the company. He has been long overdue in looking for a job and is desperate to have company. Yes, I took advantage of his need of a companion. I really cannot tell who needs it more between the two of us. But it doesn't really matter. I went to his apartment building and later on invited some of his other friends that I befriended just a month ago.

Although road tripping is the usual itinerary of their Saturdays, the group was into something that is quite unorthodox to their usual turf. I was in for a surprise. Before I knew it I was collecting every single penny that I have in my wallet that has seen better days. Tonight is Bingo night! Yes B.I.N.G.O- Bingo!!! The game is usually seen played on the streets, in the malls and during charity events. A game for the old and the ones who simply want to kill time for whatever cause they have in mind.

We started taking turns in rolling the wheel as the Bingo set that we have has its own wheel and cage. Everybody started laughing and was at the same time were anxious and excited to know who won in each round as if the prize at stake was really worth a fortune to begin with- eager to be their turn to shout" BINGO!" and win. With enough pizzas and stories to share and go around, we enjoyed each others company in what was supposed to be a common boring Saturday for city dwellers like us.

In the end, I did enjoy myself. Life in the city can be very routinely and one really has to sort out ways to creatively make things enjoyable and fun. All of us in that apartment that day had one goal in mind and we were able to convince ourselves that life is never about a game of chance like Bingo. Life is what we make of it. Chance makes life more challenging and like Bingo it is also worth it to take risks- only if you know what you are risking and you know what the consequences of you actions can bring.

The afternoon frolicking stretched till the night. We could have left the turn out of our weekend to chance and be bored. Some lose and some went home a little richer that night. But we were all happy- controlling a part of our lives to make sure we had fun and we played risk with a little game of chance. This and more can also be said true when we turn to the other chapters of our lives- relationships, family and career. To love is a choice, and it is a choice of being open to a lot of risks and vulnerabilities. Family is not choice.It is an inherent part of one's self- to deny it or be open to being independent and free thinking is the choice of taking risk against what your family believes in as it is a unit existing based on mutual support. Your career is risk based on making informed choices and decisions.

What's in for us next Saturday or the Saturday after that? It' s too early to tell what will be the next convention is. We might again gamble, go on a road trip or maybe just slack in a coffee shop while we exchange stories about how life in the city has made us love life more. There is only one thing sure. We will do ourselves justice and make the most of what life has to offer- never becoming victims of situations and leaving certain things to chance if we can afford it and if stakes are worth it. Losing and winning are not legitimate options. The options lies with the choice of succumbing to taking risks and not completely leaving anything to chance.

SnapShots of APEC 2006

VIETNAM FULLY INDUSTRIALIZED BY THE YEAR 2020

Interview with Vice Minister Do Huu Hao

Ministry of Industry
Socialist Republic of Vietnam

Do Huu Hao is the vice-minister of the Industry of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. During the past decade the ministry has been deeply committed to international integration and the market-oriented economy. The ministry espouses the goal of industrialization and modernization that should be achieved through improved competitiveness of the national economy.

After becoming the newest member of the world economic table by joining the World Trade Organization (WTO) on November 7, 2006, Vietnam prepares its economic framework for becoming fully industrialized by the year 2020. Vice Minister Do Huu Hao stressed this point during his speech at the Students’ Gala Dinner for the Voices of the Future Program held at the Hanoi University Guesthouse courtyard on November 16, 2006. Speaking in front of different international students and educators from APEC member countries, Mr. Do Huu Hao believes that conditions such as economic and political stability, sufficient government support, and the creation of friendly diplomatic policies are vital for the success of Vietnam. Given the previous conditions, the Ministry of Industry is set to implement the strategies that will springboard the country’s industrialization pace.

The economic growth rate is expected to increase from 33% in 2005, to 38% in 2010, and to 40% by the year 2020. This will be realized through proper emphasis on developing high technology and labor intensive industries, socio-economic development, and infrastructure. Streamlined implementing guidelines to actualize this vision include proper market orientation, technology transfer from other economies, and the creation of strategic financial center in different key areas of Vietnam. In this manner, the economy can focus on its competitive advantage and fix its human resource strategy, an area that a lot of economic experts and investors are concerned about.

Mr. Do Huu Ho explained that by moving some industries (textile and shoes) from the urban to the rural areas, this will help the Vietnamese people who live in the rural areas, because they will not have to expend much money on transportation and accommodation. Vietnam is working with other economies such as the ASEAN countries, the US, Japan, and the UK, who will help Vietnam realize its goal to industrialize the country. When asked about the foreign direct investment opportunities in Vietnam, he said that there are various kinds of opportunities in different sectors from the service sectors of hotel and restaurant services to the heavy and high-tech sectors of steel and computer production.

As a result of our interview, we felt it is important to address these issues because the lives of the Vietnamese people are affected by the expansion of Vietnam’s economic system. In today’s era of globalization it is important for Vietnam to cooperate with other economies in exchanging information, goods and services to make the lives of the Vietnamese people better and by making Vietnam a player in the world’s economy.

Written By: ( November 2006, Hanoi Vietnam)
Luis Voltaire D. Formilleza- Philippines (Left)
Ak Abdul Ba’asit Pg Hj Yahya- Brunei Darussalam (Right)

Red Starfish

As an alumnus of the Ayala Young Leaders Congress, I have always admired the analogy of what I can do as a person to initiate change with the starfish story that was told to every single alumni of the congress year after year. The story is about a man who was walking by the sea seeing a strange figure by a far doing something. As he went nearer to the figure, he saw a person, patiently picking up the starfishes washed ashore by the waves. To his curiosity the man asked the person, “What are you doing?” The person replied, I am throwing back the starfishes to the ocean or else they will die. Surprised by the answer that he received, the man replied,” well, you can’t possibly make any difference. There are thousands of starfishes in this coast extending over a mile”. But the person simply smiled at the weary man, picked up another starfish, threw it back to the ocean and said, “I made a difference with that one!”

Over the years, the credo of the AYLC is to enable the empowered youth of today to make a difference in their respective communities. It was in this light that I realized the potential that I have to share my skills and talents to my immediate community and the country as a whole with the hope that in my small act, I am able to make a difference and inspire others to do the same. It was with utmost humility that I share this personal pride to my school. Making it to the short listed 79 students to attend the congress in 2006 out of hundreds of nominations from all over the country was an astronomical feat that is not easy to reach. More than my personal achievement I also share this feat to my program (The Legal Management Program) which was then tagged as the department whose students were devoid of values. I went to the congress in representation of the many Legal Management majors like myself, who never had the opportunity like mine but nonetheless are playing a vital cog in the community in the field of music, social advocacy, sports, writing, leadership, organizational development, and social legislation. As the pioneer batch of Legal Management students, we etched our own mark in school and we are all eager to do something to initiate change for our country.

Two years has passed after the congress and I continually encourage and give hope to students to live up to their vision of change and join the congress like I did. It was not to be treated as a prize or as special credential that you can brag in your resume. It was an impetus to live a life of service, humility and nobility. It was a sad reality on my part to hear that my very own school has hindered some of its promising students to join this year’s congress because, there grades was simply not good enough to make the cut off. This is tantamount to saying that they lacked the qualities to become the epitome of a true Bedan student leader. I never thought before this that one’s character and capabilities can be translated into numerical averages that can be calculated and ranked. Of course, as a proprietary institution, our school sets standards for itself. After all, we are mere stakeholders of the school and we are only carrying its name wherever we go. Call it a classic case of tokenism this time, but as far as I can recall, most of the significant students from the school who made it to the congress were not Latin honors or recipient of coveted school accolades. In fact, most of them are student leaders, who does well in academics (not complete scholarly sycophants) but are excellent movers of communities because of what they can do while being plain students. They are risk takers, sacrificing points of whatever grade they lose in every absences they make in lieu of heeding to the call of service. In the end, my article won’t make so huge a change for the community to whom I dedicate this article. But just like the man who threw starfishes back to the ocean, I am hoping that I can make a difference. To my fellow student leaders, keep the fires of idealism burning in all of us. It’s what makes us who we are. Let not the day comes when people will ask themselves; where have all the starfishes gone?