Slow Progress is Still Progress.


I have read at least two good news today.

First Good News

First is the news that MILF agrees to pull out fighters in North Cotabato. And they agreed on it hours ahead of today’s 10am deadline — which, by the way, tempts me to think that the MILF are not that tough after all. But, well, of course, we know better. If they weren’t that tough, we wouldn’t have this peace process in the first place, right? Or does the MILF appear tougher than they actually are because the government is being too lenient with them? Either way, anything that results to halting of violence and chaos is good news and therefore it behooves us to appreciate and laud both sides. Peace, after all is an effort — and an affort from both parties. So, let’s give them that.

I appreciate the government’s firm resolve on this issue despite the mounting pressure brought about by TRO, the MILF, the local government of North Cotabato and even the media and the Filipino people in general.

I also appreciate the MILF‘s (little) way of acting in good faith by heeding the government’s call for implementation of the law. Although they keep on calling such a move as “repositioning” and claiming it as a “normal operation during wars“, right now, I just don’t mind what they call it. It’s just wordplay ( thank you, Jason Mraz!). I understand that many will disagree with me on this because people will always deduce a “conspiracy” of sorts from these events. There are just too many smart people out there. I don’t blame any of them, though. And I sincerely respect their opinions. But with regards to the “conspiracy theory“,  there’s no telling if there actually is — at least at this time of the peace process. But if there were any, I don’t think it can remain hidden forever. It has to show up sometime. A plan as evil as that (if there is any) is just too difficult to cover-up, you know.

So, in the meantime, I will keep my fingers crossed and my senses vigilant to succeeding events.This, while constantly praying that everything work out for the best.

Second Good News

Second, is the confirmation that oil firms has cut fuel prices. Eastern Petroleum is the first to announce of such of a rollback of 1 peso per liter on gasoline. This took effect this 6am today. Also, a 50 centavos rollback on diesel and kerosene took effect. Small players started this while major players Petron, Shell and Caltex implements this 12noon today.

It seems that we are seeing progress. Slow. But progress just the same. And come on, that isn’t so bad.

I welcome news of this sort with open arms and an ear-to-ear smile. Nothing better than a cup of coffee sprinkled with news of progress — political, social or economic. These are undoubtedly inextricably linked with each other. We know how these three go together like the Three Stooges — only that there’s nothing funny about it. But that’s diverting to an entirely new topic altogether.

So, with that. I end this post and relish this moment of happiness. Something in my gut is howling at me, repeating Yoda-ish words like “all is not what it seems“, “dark is the path that we take” while my son seemingly reminds me to be wary as he sings “transformers…more than meets the eye..” but I won’t entertain it, for now. Maybe later, what do you think? :)

On second thought, can’t we just call on the Autobots to “wage their battle to destroy the evil forces of … the Decepticons“. Wishful thinking. Besides, right now, “Decepticons” and “Autobots” are relative. It’s a matter of perspective — depends on which s<p style=”text-align: left;” mce_style=”text-align: left;”>I have read at least two good news today.</p> <p style=”text-align: left;” mce_style=”text-align: left;”><b>First Good News</b></p> <p style=”text-align: left;” mce_style=”text-align: left;”>First is the news that <span class=”fontheadline”><a href=”http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20080807-153314/MILF-agrees-to-pull-out-fighters-in-North-Cotabato&#8221; mce_href=”http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20080807-153314/MILF-agrees-to-pull-out-fighters-in-North-Cotabato&#8221; target=”_blank”><b>MILF agrees to pull out fighters in North Cotabato</b></a>. And they agreed on it hours ahead of <b>today’s 10am deadline</b> — which, by the way, tempts me to think that the MILF are not that tough after all. But, well, of course, we know better. If they weren’t that tough, we wouldn’t have this peace process in the first place, right? Or does the <b>MILF</b> appear tougher than they actually are because the government is being too lenient with them? Either way, anything that results to halting of violence and chaos is good news and therefore it behooves us to appreciate and laud both sides. Peace, after all is an effort — and an affort from both parties. So, let’s give them that. </span><img src=”http://adayinthelifeofrj.com/wp-includes/js/tinymce/plugins/wordpress/img/trans.gif&#8221; mce_src=”http://adayinthelifeofrj.com/wp-includes/js/tinymce/plugins/wordpress/img/trans.gif&#8221; alt=”” class=”mceWPmore mceItemNoResize” title=”More…” /></p> <p style=”text-align: left;” mce_style=”text-align: left;”><span class=”fontheadline”>I appreciate the government’s firm resolve on this issue despite the mounting pressure brought about by<b> TRO</b>, the<b> MILF</b>, the local government of <b>North Cotabato</b> and even the media and the Filipino people in general.</span></p> <p style=”text-align: left;” mce_style=”text-align: left;”>I also appreciate the <b>MILF</b>’s (little) way of acting in good faith by heeding the government’s call for implementation of the law. Although they keep on calling such a move as “<b>repositioning</b>” and claiming it as a “<a href=”http://www.inquirer.net/specialfeatures/mindanaopeaceprocess/view.php?db=1&article=20080808-153375&#8243; mce_href=”http://www.inquirer.net/specialfeatures/mindanaopeaceprocess/view.php?db=1&article=20080808-153375&#8243; target=”_blank”><b>normal operation</b> <b>during wars</b></a>”, right now, I just don’t mind what they call it. It’s just wordplay ( thank you, Jason Mraz!). I understand that many will disagree with me on this because people will always deduce a “<b>conspiracy</b>” of sorts from these events. There are just too many smart people out there. I don’t blame any of them, though. And I sincerely respect their opinions. But with regards to the “<a href=”http://www.inquirer.net/specialfeatures/mindanaopeaceprocess/view.php?db=1&article=20080808-153336&#8243; mce_href=”http://www.inquirer.net/specialfeatures/mindanaopeaceprocess/view.php?db=1&article=20080808-153336&#8243; target=”_blank”><b>conspiracy theory</b></a>”,  there’s no telling if there actually is — at least at this time of the peace process. But if there were any, I don’t think it can remain hidden forever. It has to show up sometime. A plan as evil as that (if there is any) is just too difficult to cover-up, you know.</p> <p style=”text-align: left;” mce_style=”text-align: left;”>So, in the meantime, I will keep my fingers crossed and my senses vigilant to succeeding events.This, while constantly praying that everything work out for the best.</p> <p style=”text-align: left;” mce_style=”text-align: left;”> <p style=”text-align: left;” mce_style=”text-align: left;”><b>Second Good News</b></p> <p style=”text-align: left;” mce_style=”text-align: left;”>Second, is the confirmation that <a href=”http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20080808-153328/Oil-firms-cut-fuel-prices&#8221; mce_href=”http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20080808-153328/Oil-firms-cut-fuel-prices&#8221; target=”_blank”><b>oil firms has cut fuel prices</b></a>. <a href=”http://adayinthelifeofrj.com/2008/08/of-bje-moa-ad-armm-polls-and-oil-price-updates/&#8221; mce_href=”http://adayinthelifeofrj.com/2008/08/of-bje-moa-ad-armm-polls-and-oil-price-updates/&#8221; target=”_self”><b>Eastern Petroleum is the first to announce of such of a rollback of 1 peso per liter on gasoline</b></a>. This took effect this <b>6am</b> today. Also, a <b>50 centavos rollback on diesel</b> <b>and kerosene</b> took effect. Small players started this while major players <b>Petron</b>, <b>Shell</b> and <b>Caltex</b> implements this 12noon today.</p> <p style=”text-align: left;” mce_style=”text-align: left;”>It seems that we are seeing progress. Slow. But progress just the same. And come on, that isn’t so bad.</p> <p style=”text-align: left;” mce_style=”text-align: left;”>I welcome news of this sort with open arms and an ear-to-ear smile. Nothing better than a cup of coffee sprinkled with news of progress — political, social or economic. These are undoubtedly inextricably linked with each other. We know how these three go together like the Three Stooges — only that there’s nothing funny about it. But that’s diverting to an entirely new topic altogether.</p> <p style=”text-align: left;” mce_style=”text-align: left;”>So, with that. I end this post and relish this moment of happiness. Something in my gut is howling at me, repeating <b>Yoda-ish</b> words like “<b>all is not what it seems</b>”, “<b>dark is the path that we take</b>” while my son seemingly reminds me to be wary as he sings “transformers…<b>more than meets the eye</b>..” but I won’t entertain it, for now. Maybe later, what do you think? :)</p> <p style=”text-align: left;” mce_style=”text-align: left;”>On second thought, can’t we just call on the <b>Autobots</b> to “<b>wage their battle to destroy the evil forces of … the Decepticons</b>”. Wishful thinking. Besides, right now, “<b>Decepticons</b>” and “<b>Autobots</b>” are relative. It’s a matter of perspective — depends on which side of the fence you’re on.</p> <p style=”text-align: left;” mce_style=”text-align: left;”> <p><img class=”alignleft” src=”http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85704/rjmarmol/sig_1217605896.jpg&#8221; mce_src=”http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85704/rjmarmol/sig_1217605896.jpg&#8221; border=”0″ alt=”” width=”181″ height=”38″ /></p>

About Me
Cecilia Regina Aquino Blanquera Marmol aka RJ Marmol profile picture

I’m RJ Marmol — writer, musician, and independent creator based in Manila.

I write songs, essays, and books about the messy overlap between money, overwhelm, creativity, identity, and rebuilding. Much of my work circles around what happens when life stops feeling manageable — and how we try to think clearly, make decisions, and keep moving anyway.

I’m also the author of Rebuilding Under Debt: Thinking Clearly When Everything Is a Blur, a nonfiction book published under Steady Hand Press. The paperback edition is listed under my full publishing name, Cecilia Regina Aquino Blanquera.

On the music side, I release work as HeyRJ. On the writing side, this site is where I gather my books, essays, notes, and whatever I’m building next.

Music

HeyRJ is my sonic soul project. I create raw, minimalist-style and deeply personal music interpretations that feel like a late-night conversation with your truest self.

By blending lo-fi acoustic textures with poetic honesty, my work explores love, loss, grief, healing, and the quiet in-betweens of life. Each song is a letter — a journal entry — a gentle companion for when the world feels too loud or too quiet.

While my catalogue began with intimate cover renditions, my work is increasingly being shaped by original writing, drawing from years of poems, lived questions, and emotional survival.

“Stuck Home Syndrome” released on March 20, 2026 is my first original 20-track album written during a period when time felt compressed and days began to blur into each other. The songs came from sitting with thoughts that had nowhere else to go — unfiltered, repetitive, and sometimes uncomfortable. It’s a concept album that isn’t built around singles or polish. It’s closer to a continuous inner monologue, recorded with minimal production and very little ornamentation and meant to be listened to as one cohesive body of work. The goal wasn’t to resolve anything, only to document how it felt while it was happening.

On May 29, 2026 I released new original singles – “Rapturous”, “Uh Huh”, “Look At You”, “All That” and “Blew Print”. I continue to release both original and cover songs and intend to so for as long as I can so check back every once in a while — you might. just find something you’ll like.

For business inquiries relating to music, email me at: heyrjmusic[at]gmail[dot]com or my personal email at: rjmarmol[at]gmail[dot]com.

Books

Rebuilding Under Debt: Thinking Clearly When Everything Is a Blur

A nonfiction book about what debt does to the mind — and how to begin functioning again when financial stress has made everything feel blurred, urgent, and overwhelming.

Rather than treating debt only as a financial math problem, the book explores the emotional and cognitive realities of financial distress: shame, decision fatigue, avoidance, panic, relationship strain, and the difficulty of making sound decisions while mentally depleted.

Published under Steady Hand Press. It’s available worldwide in ebook and paperback formats on Amazon. Bookstores and libraries can also be order it wholesale via Ingram.

Contact

For book-related inquiries, media requests, bookstore questions, or discussion-group invitations, you can reach me through the contact page on this site or send me an email to rjmarmol[at]gmail[dot]com or hello[at]steadyhandpress.com