FRIENDSHIP: BY MY DEFINITION.

It is not uncommon these days to say that a person has a lot of friends, while what he really has is a lot of acquaintances. Take Friendster for an example, when you want someone to be your "friend," you just have to know either his whole name or his e-mail address to be his "friend." That is how time has trifled the value of a true friend. Knowing someone's name or/and his e-mail address barely scratches the surface or even gets near the true implications of a friend. Nowadays, friends have also been seen as just people we hang out with or go out with. Somehow, if it is comfortable or happy for us to be with someone, we may immediately conclude that this person is our friend.

That is what is frightening in our world today. Friendship is no longer treasured for what is really worth, causing innumerable pretensious and half-hearted "friendships" that fail to live up even to the shadow of true friendship.

Contrary to popular belief, friendship is not a relationship wherein two people share the same interests and believe in the same ideals and principles. True friendship is beyond that. It is being there for one another just like a husband is there for his wife, for friendship and marriage are binded by the same string which is love. Even the famous vow in weddings apply to friendship, friendship is beyond riches, capabilities and similarities. It is a bond shared by two individuals that can withstand any tempest that the world can offer. It is being there for each other no matter what. Of course, friendship cannot be perfect, and there would be times when friendship fails, but in the end, if it is true, even failure could not come between them, for they must also as friends consider that they are both human and are imperfect in many ways.

Frienship is also a process of falling, standing and fighting for that relationship, a cycle that also holds true to life.