Monthly Reflection Closing August 2010

In preparation for September, a monthly assessment is but naturally imperative.

Ang buwan nga ng Agosto ang pinaka favorite na month ko. Dahil sa naggagandahang music na lumalabas sa tuwing sasapit ang buwang ito at mga katakut takot na feasts and celebrations.

Sa month na ito kasi naganap ang pinakmaraming milestones sa buhay ko.

I just want to look back now sa kung paano na-spent ang buwang ito for this year.

First, noong August 7, Saturday unang confirmations para sa piyesta 2010. Marami ang naging activities before August 15. Dumating sila Kaira at Sharmaine sa bahay kasama si Ate Oyie. Saya kaya.

Downloading videos became instantly accessible nitong mga nakaraang araw. Ang pagppunat ko siguro sa Manila noong August 19 is actually a prelude sa mga magagnda pang mangyayari. Na-enjoy ko ang trip at ang mga new adventures.

Siguro masasabi ko na unlike last year na nagculminate ang August sa August 30 after the Liliw town fiesta, ang August 24-25 naman ang siyang main event ng August 2010.

Sa nagdaang piyesta, naganap ang pagbibinyag kay Jewel Keshia. Ito rin ang engrandeng celebration sa bahay na dinaluhan ng halos lahat ng pinaka malapit na kaibigan ko ngayon with matching two new visitors na kasama ni je at ni Jophet.

August 25, swimming namin sa RGO Resort. Isa sa pinakama gandang bonding activity ng buong barkada at getting to know na rin.

I think with these, I am ready to begin a new month and a new journey na rin.

Holiday After Holiday Situation

From Feasts to Commemoration

Sa date na ito, dapat lang talaga na mag-Holiday ang buong mundo. I've learned na kung ang isang empleyado ay puamsok sa araw na ito kahit Holiday, meron siyang 200% sa regular na kita. Kung ang suweldo niya ay nagkakahalaga ng Php 420, nangangahulugang may suweldo siya ngayon na Php840. Kung lumampas pa siya sa oras, halimbawa 8 hours lang ang pasok niya at naging 9 hours, meron siyang additional 30%. Ang tindi ano. Ngayon, kung hindi nga siya nag over time pero day off niya ngayon at nagkataong Holiday rin, at pumasok siya, babayaran siya ng kumpanya o ng ahensiya ng ganoon ring amount. 200% plus 30% ang total niya.

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Nasabi ko na dapat lang talaga kasi, bitin pa ang mga taga-Liliw sa piyesta na naganap kahapon. Bakit nga ba kapag mismong Linggo nagagannap ang mga event, tamad pang pumasok ang tao kapag Lunes. Kaya nga tunay na nakakabilib ang mga tao or empleyado na sa kabila ng pagiging Holiday ng araw na ito ay nagawa pa ring magtrabaho.

Sa araw na ito ipinagdiriwang ko rin ang double memorable events sa aking High school at love life. Noon kasing fourth year highschool ako, sa ganitong date namin ginanap ang culmination ng Linggo ng WIka at second kami sa nagkamit ng award sa Modnik, of course ang nanalo ng first prize ay ang pilot section. Ang saya ng victory party na ginawa namin sa Gregoria Resort.

Sa araw na ito ko rin nakita last year sa may simbahan si Lara Faye after almost months. Ang hirap matulog na alam mong aabot ang isang taon na di siya nakikita. Kaya sobrang saya ko noong makita ko siya sa 5pm mass noon. Hay... alam ko ganoon pa rin siya kaganda.

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Mamaya magsisimula ang pinakabagong palabas sa TV ni Richard Gutierrez, ang Survivor Celebrity Showdown. Marami ang magaabang dito at titingnan kung ano ang bagong pakulo ng GMA with this season lalo pa't actors na ang sasalang sa reality show.

Kahapon, natapos ang programa nila Ai Ai de las Alas at Kim Chiu. Pinanood ko talaga no. Kais nga sobrang seksi ng mukha ni Kim, hindi ko maiwasan magkaroon ng erection kapag nakikita ko siya. Ang ganda niya. Hindi ito nag sentro sa love story ni Kim kaya sa ending hindi malinaw kung sino ang pinili ng character niya. Nakasentro ito sa pag destroy ng image of materialistic ambitions. Ang importansiya ng isang payak na pamumuhay na hindi matutumbasan ng halaga ng kayamanan at marangyang buhay. Mahalaga pa rin ay ang peace of mind at ang matulog sa gabi na walang inaagrabyadong tao o nasasaktan.

Sa ginawa ng mga kandidata ng Miss Universe na napanuod ko kagabi habang lasing ang mga taga-Liliw, massasabi ko na matatalino ang mga nakalaban ng Miss Philippines. Maayos nilang nasagot ang mga tanong hindi gaya ng ating pambato. Mostly focused sa mga policy ng government ang topic ng questions. May question about internet use, mayroon ring about capital punishment at meron din about clothing and fashion designs. Ang ganda ni Jesinta Campbel na naging Miss Congeniality.

Hindi ko rin maiwasang mapansin at i-commend ang maganda short clip video ng party Pilipinas kung saan guamnap sa puppy love story sila Julie Ann San Jose at si Elmo Magalona na anak ng pumanaw na si Francis M. Ang ganda ng cinematography at ng sublimity. Ang ganda ng contours of story at ng musical scoring in all fairness. Sana lalo pang galingan ni Elmo kasi tunay namang mana siya sa lahi ng ama.

Only Humility Begets Generosity

It is in the family, first and foremost, where humility is learned and cultivated. Our family, for example, being a traditional Filipino family follows the practice of patriarchal culture. We have a designated chair for the father as head of the family in our dining room.

It is very encouraging when even youngest members of the family exemplifies the teachings of the family My cousin's daughters are living examples of our traditional virtue. Considering the case of theirs being wealthy, they still embrace the standard of living enjoyed by their relatives. Or is it perhaps because of their age that they still don't have a sense of who is rich and impoverished.

Another friend of mine who comes to mind when talking about humility is Rizzel. She regardless of their financial capacity, chose to live in very simple lifestyle. Although we were only given one year of bonding and laughters together, she remained a very good friend all these years. I admire the fact that she is contented and does not desire things that are extra high. her father and mother too, simple as they are always present in the Eucharistic Chapel offering their prayers as form of generosity, generosity of time.

Last night I was watching a Survivor Philippine special with Jessica Soho. An interview with the new host, who is also a favorite actor of mine, Richard Gutierrez arrested my attention. The crews of the survivor production team gave testimonies about how Richard as a host is. They said they never experienced any headache with Richard. he is cooperative, prepared, obedient and most of all simple in many ways. The actor never acted as a brat nor a royalty and I think it is because Richard is happy with who he is inside out. he doesn't have to brag of his persona just to lift himself. It is the people around who puts him paramount to everyone. And I think that is the reward of being humble.

Another humble person is Saint John the Baptist. Imagine being beheaded because of his righteous living and condemnation of incest. He is a person who is willing to give up life. And that is in itself a form of humility. A humble person is willing to forego his pride and other luxuries, but a more humble person is willing to give up his own life for the sake of Christian morality. Very timely, the gospel is read during the Feast of Saint John's Beheading. A reminder that all of us should be humble. Remember what he said when he saw Jesus, that he is not worthy to untie the thongs of his sandals.

But there is no other humble person who can surpass a humble God. A god who in his humility embraced the humanity remaining still as god and then accepted even death on a cross. This humility is the HUMILITY of all humilities. Jesus is practically teaching us to seat not on the throne but to serve without something in return to wait. Jesus is telling us that when we wait for recognition then the recognition prepared in heaven will not be given. DO not brag about redemption through religion, once you may find out one day on the judgment day that you are not saved. Instead be generous and humble. Generosity can only happen when one is truly humble. You cannot invite the poor if you think you are rich. Jesus told the host, invite the lame, the cripples, the blind because all of us are imperfect and in the Last Day the Lord will be doing the same. We are unworthy to be invited but the Lord invites us in heaven. There is a deep eschatological implication with that statement and we are not here to discuss that. Jesus wants us to practice humility by a visible generosity. That is why the Church being His body, is a Church for The Poor.

The Church herself is immersed in the quadrant of understanding and protecting the rights of the poor. More than that, I am to add that the Church is dedicating her very self in uplifting the status of living of every impoverished individuals not only financially but holistically. The Church should learn more from the poor and form the differently abled. There alone can humility prosper.

Natinal Heroes Enriching History

In the course of national history one person totally inspired most of us. I am for Apolinario Mabini as national hero.

Here are some info about Apolinario Mabini courtesy of
http://philippine-revolution.110mb.com/mabini_detailed.htm

Apolinario Mabini was born on July 23, 1864 in the village of Talaga in Tanauan, Batangas. He was the second of eight children of Dionisia Maranan, a vendor in the Tanauan market and a daughter of the village schoolteacher, and Inocencio Mabini, an unlettered peasant. A show of uncommon intelligence while tagging along with an elder brother to his grandfather's classes brought him to a regular school.

While studying at a school owned by Simplicio Avelino, he worked as a houseboy for a tailor in exchange for free board and lodging. He later transferred to the school of Fr. Valerio Malabanan, a famous educator in Tanauan who is mentioned in Jose Rizal's novel El Filibusterismo.

Mabini then went to the Colegio de San Juan de Letran in Manila in 1881 as a scholar. It was there where he amazed a professor who thought of picking on him because of his bad clothes - as if poverty gave him any other choice. He was asked a series of very difficult questions, which he all answered excellently.

While studying at Letran, he earned money for his board and lodging by teaching children. Because of a chronic lack of funds, his studies in Manila went on and off.

In 1887, he completed his Bachilles en Artes with highest honors. The next year, he enrolled in law at the University of Santo Tomas. He completed his course in 1894.

Mabini, probably as a result of his wide readings, had begun to develop egalitarian ideas of sorts while a student at Letran. On one of his trips to Tanauan, he met a priest on the road. Following the custom then, the priest extended his hand to Mabini, expecting the young man to kiss it. Mabini shook the priest's hand instead, explaining to his brother afterwards that only parents' hands should be kissed. He began to take an active part in politics while studying law.

It is believed that at the University of Santo Tomas – considered Asia’s oldest university - he came into contact with fellow students who had links with the Reform Movement. He would later be given the task of corresponding regularly with Marcelo del Pilar, who was then agitating for reforms in Madrid through the paper La Solidaridad. His job was to inform del Pilar of the situation on the home front and explain what reforms were needed. He did this task assiduously even while practicing his profession.
When the revolution led by Andres Bonifacio broke out in 1896, Mabini did not immediately support it. He believed that the Reform Movement had not yet been given a full chance.

It was also in that year that he contracted a disease which paralyzed him from the waist down. He had to be confined at the San Juan de Dios Hospital.

His involvement in the Reform Movement had made him suspect in the eyes of the Spanish authorities, but his condition saved him from Bagumbayan - where a number of his friends were executed.

Apolinario Mabini
The execution of Rizal in December 1896 signified to Mabini the death of the Reform Movement. At this point he transferred his whole support to the Revolution. He wrote the pamphlets "El Verdadero Decalogo" and "Ordenanzas de la Revolucion," which were intended to inspire the revolutionaries in the fields and guide them in their conduct of the struggle; and a constitutional program for the Philippine government.

In 1898, Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo invited Mabini to work in the Revolutionary Government. He helped in organizing it and wrote laws and decrees. He was appointed President of the Cabinet - a position equivalent to today's Executive Secretary, which is now manned by Alberto Romulo.

Unlike Aguinaldo, Mabini was suspicious of the Americans - who presented themselves purportedly to help the Filipinos secure liberty from Spain - early on. He was in fact against the declaration of independence on June 12, 1898; he thought it premature, as it revealed to the Americans the real objectives of the Filipinos, while the intentions of the supposed allies were unknown. But other forces within the Revolutionary Government had prevailed at that time.

Later developments would prove Mabini right. In December 1898, unknown to the Filipinos, the United States obtained the Philippines from Spain for $20 million. In February 1899, the United States launched its war of conquest against the Philippines.

Mabini would become a leading luminary of the resistance against the U.S. occupation of the Philippines. He wrote articles and pamphlets urging his compatriots to continue the struggle for freedom and condemning American military atrocities against the Philippine populace.

He also disputed U.S. propaganda which described the occupation as intending to train the Filipinos in the art of self-government: he would argue that self-government is learned by experience, as proven by the American people themselves, and that Filipinos would never learn self-government while under foreign control - and this would give the Americans "justification" for staying in the country indefinitely.

He also junked the U.S. line that the occupation of the Philippines would serve to make the country prosperous, arguing that any "prosperity" that would be derived from the American occupation would benefit the Americans and not the Filipinos.

MY CONTENTION FOR NATIONAL HERO

Ito naman ang masasabi ko sa pagiging national hero ni Mabini;

Walang kinalaman si Jose Mercado Rizal sa Araw ng Kalayaan. Sa totoo lang, tutol siya sa pagaaklas ng mga katipunero. Kung siya ang masusunod, nais niyang maging pansamantalang lalawigan ng Espanya ang Pilipinas at magpatatag ng kabuhayan at sandatahan bago tuluyang humiwalay. Ang plano niyang ito ay aabutin ng ilang taon at kung natupad, maaaring nakalaya ang Pilipinas sa taong 1917. Nangangahulugan, hindi bahagi si Rizal ng pagtatagumpay noong ika 12 ng Hunyo 1898 at dalawang taon na siyang patay. Papaano nga ba naging pambansang bayani si Jose Mercado? Siya nga ba ang nagiisang karapatdapat na Pilipino na kakatawan sa natatanging kadakilaan ng ating lahi?

Pinili si Rizal bilang pambansang bayani hindi ng mga Pilipino kung hindi ng isang sangguniang itinatag ng mga Amerikano. Pinili siya gamit ang pamantayang mula sa mga dayuhan. Kung ihahambing kay Andres Bonifacio, si Rizal ang pipiliin ng mga Amerikano. Siya ay nakapagaral sa isang pamantasang Espanyol at marunong ring magsalita ng bahagyang Ingles. Nanggaling sa nakaririwasang maganak at nakapagsuot ng mga kasuotang may hawig sa mga banyaga. Lamang ang katangian ni Rizal kay Bonifacio. Sa madaling salita, hindi naging patas ang laban sa pagitan ni Rizal at ng ibang mga bayani. At kung hindi si Rizal ang dapat maging pambansang bayani, si Bonifacio ba ang tunay na anino ng kagitingan ng kabihasnang Pilipino?

Bagama't itinuturing bilang pambansang bayani ng Hukbong Katihan si Andres Bonifacio at ako naman ay awang awa sa lahat ng sinapit niya, hindi ko rin maipaglalabang si Bonifacio na nga ang marapat sa turing ng pambansang bayani. Una, hindi mapagtitibay na dakila ang kanyang katapangan sanhi na rin ng wala sa lugar niyang pagpapasimula ng pagaaklas. Hindi naman talaga dahas ang sagot sa mapaniil na pananakop ng Espanya. patunay sa wala sa lugar niyang katapangan ang tala ng sigalot sa loob mismo ng Katipunan. Hindi maitatatwang hindi naging mabuti ang pakikitungo niya sa ilang kasama at pinatunayan ito sa isang pagpupulong na ginanap sa Tejeros. Ni isang mataas na puwesto ay hindi napanalunan ni Bonifacio. Hindi siya tunay na kinilalang ama ng buong katipunan. Pangalawa, alinsunod sa nabanggit na katayuan niya sa katipunan, hindi banyaga ang kumitil ng kanyang buhay kung hindi kapwa rin niya Pilipino. Malaking tanong kung taal ba ang pagiging martir niya. Pangatlo, hindi dahilan ang pagkamaralita niya upang maging pangunahing bayani sapagkat hindi naman lahat ng PIlipino ay maralita. Magiging dahilan ito upang ang mga nasadlak sa karukhaan ay manatili at hindi na lumaban pa paaahon mula sa kahirapan kung ang pambansang bayani nga ay nanatiling aba hanggang sa mamatay.

Hostage Crisis; My Closer Look

"If Gordon is president, this will never happen."

Too late for that statement. Ngayon pa. Ang nakakainis ay ang sobra sobrang pambabastos ng pamahalaan ni Aquino sa mga taga-HongKong. Una ang hindi pagsagot sa tawag ng Chief Executive. Second ang hindi talaga nila pakikipag coordinate sa Hong Kong Government during that 11 hours of hostage drama. Third, Ang paglalagay ng watawat sa kabaong ng hostage taker. Fourth ang hindi agad agad na paghingi ng dispensa ng pangulo at lalo kong ikinaiinis ay ang pagpapalayas sa mga forensic experts sa lugar kung saan naroon ang bus habang suot na nila ang costume nila.

Ano ba naman yung sila na muna ang paunahin dahil siguradong mas maayos ang gagawin nila. After all that transpired sa tingin nila may tiwala pa ang marami sa gagawin ng SOCO?

Malaki ang naging epekto ng insidenteng yaon sa imahe ng mga Pilipino. Mayroon ngang Pilipino sa Hong Kong na kailangan pang sabihing Indonesian siya para lang hindi saktan ng mga galit na galit na Hong Kong citizens.

Bakit walang nagawa ang Pilipinas? Alam ko mayroon dapat nagawa. Hindi ba dapat rin talgang humingi ng sorry ang pangulo hindi lang sa mga taga Hong Kong kundi pati na sa lahat ng Pilipino dahil pumalpak ang mga tao niya?

Kung si Gordon ang nasa posisyon niya, malayong mangyari yun. Ito ang malaking kaibahan ni Gordon kay Noynoy. Wala siya nung EXPERIENCE. Lahat ng yan nadaanan na ni Gordon. Alam na niya ang makipagareglo sa mga Abu Sayaff, sa mga rebelde, sa mga nasa kaliwa. Puno siya ng experience. Unang unang gagawin ni Gordon, kakausapin niya agad ang Chiref Executive ng Hong Kong taliwas sa nangyari na hindi makontak si Noynoy.

Ito po yung hindi naisip ng botante natin noong eleksiyon. Sino yung talagang handa para maging pangulo. Buong buhay ni Gordon ay paghahanda sa pagiging pangulo. Of course, second only to Ninoy. Kaso patay na si Ninoy eh. Hindi handa para maging pangulo si Noynoy dahil namatay lang ang nanay niya kaya siya ginawang standard bearer ng Liberal.

Hindi ko kayang sikmuarain na ang pangulo natin ay magaling lang sa ideya. Puro ideya lang kasi ang kinakain kapag eleksiyon, hindi nila nakita yung mga sinasabi ni Gordon noong kampanya na puro praktikal na bagay. Gaya na lamang nung sinabi niya na kapag naging pangulo siya alam ng lahat ang cellphone number niya. Ngayon nakita natin tama pala yun. Dapat pala alam ng lahat. Ngayon alam natin na hilaw ang naging pangulo at hindi puwede na magaling lang sa salita at puro ideya. Dapt ang pangulo ay sobrang talino. I think si Gordon yun. Dapat may EXPERIENCE.

Whence All Music Uprgraded

About August and All Concerts

Matatpos na ang buwan ng Agosto at masasabi ko na napakaraming mga naganap na maganda lalo na sa music arena. Una na ang mga concerts na ginawa sa Pilipinas at ibang bansa.

Sa Pilipinas, isa sa mga nagpabilib sa marami ay ang naganap na concert ng Madz sa AFP Theater noong August 18, at 19. Ang naturang concert ay pinamagatang MADZ GOES JESUITS kung saan kinanta ng Philippine Madrigal Singers ang mga awiting pinasikat ng Bukas Palad album na nilikha lahat ng bantog na musikerong heswita na si Manoling Francisco. Thumbs up ang nakararaming musicians sa ginawa ng Madz.

Sa kanyang facebook account isinulat ng tanyag na kompositor at arranger na si John August Pamintuan ang mga sumusunod

" The Madz is a choir of angels. That's all I can say. I may have a new choir of dazzling talents, but I bow to the Madz. They have been, are, and will forever be."

Nangangahulugan lamang ito na napakagaling ng ginawa ng Madz sa nakaraan nitong concert.

Gayundin naman ang ginanap na concert ng Filharmonika at Aiza Seguerra sa Greenbelt Makati noong August 21, Sabado ay umani ng palakpakan at paghanga mula sa mga tagahanga ng musikang classico. Ang concert ay pinamagatang LOVE LIFE Concert. Isa si Raymond Sajor sa mga special guest at marami ang namangha sa ipinakita niyang kahusayan. Sinasabayan ng malamig na boses ni Aiza ang bawat hila ng bow sa mga cellos. Lalong naging romantic ang gabi sa magandang lights design ng stage. Ok na ok ito at masarap ulitin.

Nakakatuwang isipin na magkasunod na gabi lamang ang concert na ito ng Filharmonika at ang huling pagtatanghal ng CATS kung saan naroon ang kapatid ni Gerard na si Leah Salonga. Walang kupas ang pagawit ni Lea ng "Memory" na isa sa pinakakilalang piyesa ng pagtatanghal.

Bukod sa mga nabanggit, napakarami pang inhandang musical at concerts sa buwang ito. Bukod pa rito ang mga awiting inirelease na ng mga recording companies for the month of August na sisikat pa lamang sa susunod na mga buwan.

Nawa'y mahigitan pa sa katapusan ng taon ang lahat ng mga hakbanging ito.

Making Celebrations More Exciting

Each year has its own surprises. Nobody can tell what's gonna happen.

Though malungkot ang bisperas ng piyesta dahil sa hostage taking noong Monday na ipinagluksa hindi lang ng Pilipinas pati na ng mga bansang gaya ng Hong Kong, naging maayos pa rin ang piyesta sa Nagcarlan. Dahil na rin siguro sa nakuha ng Miss Universe ang atensiyon ng tao. Nakakuha kasi ng place ang kandidata ng Pilipinas na si Venus Raj sa kabila ng nangyari.

Ako naman kahit hindi ko napanuod ang Miss Universe, napakasaya ng umaga ko after attending the Pontifical Mass nang 9:30, diretso na kami sa binyagan. That time bininyagan ang anak ni Pareng Alot. Second time ko maging ninong sa anak rin ng high school friend. Una kasi kay Joannica Colleen na anak ni Pareng Kevin.

Sa bahay nag lunch si Tita Paring. Siya lang ang umuwi sa partido ni Mama. Wala ang iba kasi may pasok. Hindi naman national holiday ang piyesta. Sa side ni Papa, si Tito Alex at Kuya Jojo ang dumating. Kasama si Ate Vilma ni Kuya Jojo. Masaya kasi dumating si Pareng Je-r. Pinakilala na niya sa amin nang personal si Cath. Dumating din sila Isaac at Jopet kasama si Joseph, kaibigan niya from Antique. Noong gabi, mahabang inuman ang naganap at dumating sila Gerome at Alger. Masaya talaga ang piyesta kahit naulan.

Ngayon, heto nag swimming kami sa RGO Resort. Napakasaya ng swimming. Bukod sa maraming dalang chicha, may videoke. Mya red wine na inihalo sa The Bar at naroon ang pamilya ni Je. Last bonding time namin bago umuwi sa Manila at sa Iloilo ang mga kaibigan ko.

Ang daming plans for next year. It always turned out kasi na mas masaya lagi ang present year kaysa sa nangyari last years. Pataas ng pataas ang level ng gimmicks. Saan kaya next year. Kailangan ma-surpass niya yung nangyari ngayon.

Ang saya...!!! Pero masakit yata sa katawan pag inom at swimming.

Ang sarap mahiga all day tomorrow.

Queenship From Narrow Gates

Thinking of what to write, I was reminded of the many portals available for clicking in the World Wide Web. The word “enter” has become a very part of every internet user’s daily lives. Today’s Gospel invites us to glance and contemplate a portal which is often neglected due to the variety of gates aspired to be entered by most people.



First Reading Isaiah 66: 18 - 21

18 "For I know their works and their thoughts, and I am coming to gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come and shall see my glory,
19 and I will set a sign among them. And from them I will send survivors to the nations, to Tarshish, Put, and Lud, who draw the bow, to Tubal and Javan, to the coastlands afar off, that have not heard my fame or seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the nations.
20 And they shall bring all your brethren from all the nations as an offering to the LORD, upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters, and upon mules, and upon dromedaries, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, says the LORD, just as the Israelites bring their cereal offering in a clean vessel to the house of the LORD.
21 And some of them also I will take for priests and for Levites, says the LORD.

Second Reading Hebrews 12: 5 - 7, 11 - 13

5 And have you forgotten the exhortation which addresses you as sons? -- "My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor lose courage when you are punished by him.
6 For the Lord disciplines him whom he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives."
7 It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline?
11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant; later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
12 Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees,
13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.


Gospel Reading Luke 13: 22 - 30

22 He went on his way through towns and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem.
23 And some one said to him, "Lord, will those who are saved be few?" And he said to them,
24 "Strive to enter by the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.
25 When once the householder has risen up and shut the door, you will begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, `Lord, open to us.' He will answer you, `I do not know where you come from.'
26 Then you will begin to say, `We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.'
27 But he will say, `I tell you, I do not know where you come from; depart from me, all you workers of iniquity!'
28 There you will weep and gnash your teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God and you yourselves thrust out.
29 And men will come from east and west, and from north and south, and sit at table in the kingdom of God.
30 And behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last."

Commentary

Just this afternoon, my friends and I went to a river to go swimming. It was a consensus brought by severe longing to be with each other after almost six months being away. I am talking here particularly about Joseph. He is working in another region for months now. Being seas apart from each other, we totally missed him. He just arrived yesterday and this morning fetched a friend from the airport. It so happens that his friend is of the same name also, Joseph from Iloilo.

There is a challenge we always dare ourselves to do every time we are in that place where we swim and bond. We have to enter a tunnel. Dark. Frightening. The tunnel has a very very small opening hole enough for a person to enter and crawl because the waters flowing to the river will pull you back. No one in his right mind will enter it alone. Only with friends and those of company will dare to perform the test.

Very appropriately this Sunday, the Lord talks about entering the narrow gates going to heaven, which like the tunnel my friends and I would like to enter is dark, long, and constricted. Many of us are attracted by the wider gates because there are lights, beauty and luxury. That is the way to deceive humans. Our nature is to select where pleasure is. We think and feel we are bound to follow our appetites. Our low resistance to pain makes it horrifying to enter a gate that is narrow, dark, uncertain and ugly. But there is only one path to holiness. And we only need to believe we can. We only need to try. Just like my friends and I, we thought we cannot go to the end of the tunnel. We were wrong and we cannot prove we can unless we try.

Jesus is not condemning by teaching us about the slim gate. Jesus is encouraging. The second reading proves it by giving details on the hardships of being a Christian. But by focusing on Jesus, we can be able to pass. Walking in the tunnel, I just focused on the light, the small light before me. As I move forward, the light is becoming larger and larger. Jesus is encouraging.



I like to suppose that it is because of that encouraging person of His that Jesus did not directly answer the question. He didn’t say how many souls will be saved but His is an open invitation. Try your best to enter the narrow gate. We will remember in here the conflict of redemptive works and pre destination. There is already a definite list of who will be saved because the book of life is finished so how can one be sure of redemption? Here is my answer; nobody knows who is written in the book of life, just believe you are one. Besides, Jesus’ answer is clear. His grace and our efforts will make it to pass the narrow gate. There is no exact name mentioned but Jesus said “Whoever believes in me…” and the pronoun used is whoever. It can be you and I provided we believe and do our duties as Christians.

Will it be enough to believe? No. faith is always accompanied by actions. There is no use if you study all political theories and yet do not make laws and ordinances to apply them. That is the same with faith. There is no use attending mass every Sunday and memorize readings and homilies but not applying it to life. Praxis is a manifestation of how deep your religiosity is. Jesus said that in the Last Days there will be people who will shout and say “… we ate and drank with you” and we know He is pertaining to people who receive communions every Sundays of their lives but Jesus will tell them he does not know them. He will disown the people who are present to mass but are not practicing the teachings in their daily living. Our faith is not only about receiving redemption, it is also about extending the Kingdom of God. Today as we celebrate the Queenship of Mary let her be our example of a person who entered the narrow gate amidst the hardships of life and of being a mother of Christ.

Application

What are the examples we can learn from Mary as we take the narrow path to heaven? If going to mass is not enough for Jesus to own us in the Last Day, what else do a Christian needs to do? I would like to suggest ways on how to pass the gate from how Mary herself did it.

1. Grow in prayer life—Mary is a common example of a faith that is very susceptible to God’s call. Hers is “thy will be done” method. When the Lord asks her to do the mission, she just say yes. And that can only happen if there is a deep precision about the will of God. I do not say one has to know what the will of God exactly is, but discernment and disposition to God and to God’s work is enough for us to convict ourselves in saying yes always to God. Prayer is very important. Many people attend mass for the sake of being present but are they really praying? Are we really praying? We need to pray with the community and personally during mass. Do not leave the Church empty. Leave the prayers in there.

2. Fellowship—Mary did not bear the trials alone. She consoled her cousin. She shared the confusion of pregnancy with another confused soon-to-be-mother. Mary is a person of compassion. And to be compassionate, one needs to feel exactly how other persons feel. It is not good to attend the mass and after that go to your house and spend time alone until next Sunday.

3. Grow in Ministry—We can only extend the Kingdom of God if we do our mission. To win souls for Christ. To bring new converts to Him. We are invited and tasked to use our God-given skills and knowledge so we can please the Lord. What is your share in the building of the Kingdom?

Saturday Remembering Our Hero

Malacanang has declared August 21 2010 as a non-working holiday to commemorate the death of the late Senator Benigno S. Aquino Jr. The said declaration, however, created mixed reactions due to advance plans of many Filipinos. Are you also affected by the sudden change of the schedule in commemorating Ninoy Aquino Day?

In 2009, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo issued a proclamation declaring August 23 2010 as a special holiday in line with RA 9492 or the holiday economics law that requires that most holidays, except those with religious significance, be shifted to the nearest Monday. However, President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III used the same provisions from Republic Act 9492 in modifying the Ninoy Aquino Day and changed it to August 21.

“The purpose for observing Ninoy Aquino Day on August 21 instead of August 23 is to avoid the imposition of unnecessary financial burden upon the employers, ensure the continuity of government, business, and commercial transaction, promote productivity, while at the same time preserve the solemnity of the observance,” read a statement from the Palace.

In his cell he wrote;

There is no one to keep me company

in this lonely cell, in this compound

Where simple, honest men turn to beast

unmoved by pity, untouched by conscience.





I eat alone what food I’m thrown

In unclean metal plates licked by dogs

I pray, I jog, I tire myself, I sleep

Desperately hoping to dream joys I once knew.





Imprisoned in a sweat-box

With knobless door, windows barred,

Walls painted monotonously drab!

Sleeping on concrete “bed”

feasted on by every hungry insect.

Deafened by the silent ticking

of each second in this man-made womb

This, my living tomb.





I barely see the sun

Feel its soothing rays.

I have not seen a single star

for many, many months.

I have forgotten the image

Of a laughing child, a smile

I miss the laughter and songs

of my daughters, greeting of a friend.





I have been exiled to a land

Where time has been suspended

And men’s heartless coldness burns

And death. The only sure relief!

Where even saints are forced to cry

Because angels grow horns, wallowing in sin

Having traded their wings for tails

Their harps and lyres for pitchforks.





In the eerie silence of my tomb

a little mouse appear, nervous, afraid

Retreats to a corner, watch me weep and pray

Returning every night to keep me company.

Later, he shares my meager food, plays to amuse me

Helping me waste the precious, priceless hours.

How strange: I have found friendship with a rodent

I could not find among captors, my countrymen!





I scratch the wall to mark the passage of each day

A day lost forever never to return wasted, gone!

I watch the marching, lengthening column of my days

Passing me by in mournful cadence to their death

Like dripping drops of water from life’s vessels

Drip, drip, drip, the leather jug will soon be dry

Empty like a body with no more blood and tears to shed

and then: Good-bye!

To you our dear hero... may the heaven celebrate. May all children remember. May all athletes dedicate a game. May all citizen be disciplined. May all heroes acquire the courage to stand. May all teachers be inspired. May all foreign lands respect.

From the bottom of my heart I thank you for this freedom I have to write in this page. If not for democracy you fought for... My ideas are nothing.

Bring Some Holiday Spirit

Truly August 24 is teh most beautiful day in the universe.

Sa araw na iyon gaganapin ang Miss Universe at nakita ko sa net na magaganda talaga ang mga contestant.

Ang araw na iyon din ang piyesta ng nagcarlan kaya siguradong masaya yun.

I feel it is the only time I am hooked up sa isang series sa TV because oif an undeniable chemistry between the love team.
Magnda ang Illumina at bagay nga ang dalawang lead characters.

Tomorrow, a Saturday going to Aug 24... parang walang gustong pumasok for a 23.

Hope everything will be great. Je just texted me na uuwi siya sa 24.

HAPPY!

Destiny Cries When Worlds Collide

I had one of the longest day.

Ang dami pa ng mga dapat matutunan ng tao in his lifetime. I think that makes it more exciting to live.

At 3am gising na ako para magagahan.I have to go earlier para makaabot sa Mass sa San Pablo. I did. I rode the bus exactly 6:28 am. Sa aga ng alis ko at dahil na rin sa kawalan ng traffic dulot ng Holiday sa Quezon City, ang aga ko ring nakarating sa Manila.

8:36am nasa Mandaluyong na ako. I have to be in Paragon Plaza ng mas maaga because I am not sure kung diretso interview na. Ang ganda ng pakiramdam to be in the 9th floor of Paragon Plaza once again. Seeing it, I feel like I am really a part of it. Parang office ko nga iyon. It's been two years since I was there. Paano na kaya yung application ko sa Center for Pop? Hindi ko alam kung tuloy pa rin ako dun. Ang mahalaga lang sa akin ngayon makaipon para sa Berklee. Kung magaling lang ako sa French eh disin sana'y sa Conservatoire National Superieur de Musique de Paris na ako papasok. Pero sa tingin ko mas mahal dun at mas mahihirapan ako.

By 10am kanina nag internet ako sa malapit sa FEU siyempre at after that dun na rin ako kumain sa McDo along Espana going to Lerma. Ang saya. Pero as usual hindi ko pa rin natiyempuhan si Faye. Sayang. Hindi pa nagyayari na makita ko siya sa Manila wearing her FEU uniform. Sana kahit saglit manyari naman yun. Hirap na hirap na ako paghihintay at pagod na pagod na. Siguro dahil kay Ronel kaya nararamdaman ko ang pagod. Siguro dahil sa nangyari noong June. Hindi ko alam.

It is my first time to see Plaza Miranda na malapitan. Ano ang ginagawa ko dun? Hindi ko alam. Bakit sa likod ng Quiapo ay ganun. Napakaingay pala. Kanya kanya silang speakers na pinatutugtog. Sa banda ng Sta. Cruz Manila ang maiingay na videoke na itinitinda. Hindi sila masisisi kasi yun ang tinda nila. Ang mga nagpe-play ng video kasi tinda nila ang pirated DVDs. Ang lakas! Sari saring music at kung ano ano pang ingay ula sa mga nagtitinda sa Quiapo. Then sa Carriedo Center. Ang Sta Cruz Food Express na kulay pula. Ang mga pampadulas ng kapit, pampalaglag at anting anting. Lahat malapitan sa mata ko ngayon. Papahuli din ba ang nagaayos ng cellphones, nagtitinda ng mga second hand na gadget at halos lahat na yata ng klase ng komersiyo at kalakal... lahat dumadagdag sa ingay ng Quiapo. Ang mga sasakyan pa.

I am back to Laguna. Now it is silence all around. Habang dumidilim ang gabi lalong tumatahimik. Hindi ko maiwasang tanungin ang sarili. Hanggang ngayon kaya tuloy pa rin ang ingay sa Sta Cruz Manila? Yung mga nakita kong tulog sa kalsada ng Roxas going to Traders Hotel, dun pa rin sila?

A musician is here to assault noise pollution. How can we be able to raise the Filipinos and prepare them for being cultured kung ganito kaingay ang paligid. Sabi nga sa news kanina, naaamoy na ni Pres. Noynoy ang baho ng Pasig river pero dahil malayo siya, naririnig kaya niya ang ingay ng Manila? May iba pang pollution. The Philippines is already in the state of musical impurity. Now I know kung bakt ganoon ka class ang music ng France. Because it is not tainted with wasteful noise. All they have is cleanliness of aural milieu.

There is a need of Filipino musical redemption. Malabo ang concept na ito pero I wish I can still expound on it next time. As of now, it is not my dream to go back to a noisy place where there is music unrest.

A world free from noise pollution. Can that be possible?

Bright Nights Awake Midnight

OF HEROES AND GLADIATORS

Ang ganda ng palabas kanina… yung Gladiator. Palabas sa 5 Max Movies kanina. Story of a boxer and a user. Gusto ko yung portrayal ng mga actors although hindi ko panahon. I think 80’s yun kasi gawa ng scoring halata.

Inisip ko tuloy kung lahat ba ng boxer tunay na lalaki? Minsan kasi may nagtanong sa akin kung lahat daw ba ng nasa PMA tunay na lalaki. Ang sagot ko, hindi natin mahuhusgahan. Maaaringmatapang sila sa ring pero siguro may mga kahinaan sila pero hindi ibig sabihin nun bakla sila. Hindi rin ibig sabihin a mabangis sila habang lumalaban ay tunay na silang lalaki. Maaaring mayroon ring boxer na nagnanasa sa kapwa niya boxer o sa kasama niya sa training camp. May kadete nga kayang bakla? Sabi ni kuya Jojo dati sa akin magingat daw ako sa paglalakad magisa… pag napagtripan daw ako ng adik saksak ang aabutin ko at kapag bakla ang nagtrip wala daw akong kawala sa payat kong ito. Ang lakas dawn g mga bakla kapag gusto talaga nila ang lalaki. Nakakatakot di ba?

Iniisip ko, bakit nga kaya dumami ang bakla. Bakit sa pagdaan ng panahon unti unti nang lumitaw ang mga yan na parang lamok na may dengue? Sa palagay ko dahil yan sa liberal na nating pananaw tungkol sa ginagawa ng babae. Noon kasi klaro ang boundary ng lalaki at babae. Lahat ng trabaho sa labas ng bahay affairs yun ng mga lalaki. Ang babae pang bahay lang. Pero noong unti unti nating tinanggap ang katotohanan na kaya ng mga babae ang ginagawa ng lalaki. Nagkaroon ng social identity crisis ang kalalakihan. Ano pa ngayon ang distinction? Paano mo masasabi na iba ang lalaki?

Palagi kong sinasabi na kahit sobrang baba ng boses ko, hindi dun nasusukat ang pagkalalaki ng isang tao. Saan nga ba? Puwedeng tumayong tatay ang isang babae. Puwede silang mamuno sa bansa. Nagawa na. Puwede silang sundalo. Ano ang hindi nila kaya.

Palagi nilang sinasabi na hindi kabawasan sa lalaki ang mag sorry, hindi rin kabawasan ang lumuha at sumigaw kung natatakot. Lumuhod, magmakaawa. Ang galling! Saan nga ba lulugar ang lalaki? Ito siguro ang mga dahilan kaya may bakla. Siguro sinabi ng ilan na kung kaya ng babae ang gawa ng lalaki eh di kaya rin ng lalaki ang ginagawa ng babae. Dito nga ba patungo ang lahat? Bakit hindi nangyayari ang gulong ito sa mga rabit? Sa mga kalabaw? Wala akong nabalitaang baklang kalabaw! Pero meron akong nabalitaang batang lalaki na at the early age ay nagpapakita na ng mga sintomas ng kabaklaan. Sabi nga minsan masahol pa ang tao sa hayop. Kasi ang hayop nga hindi naman nag oorgy pero ang tao hay naku…

Pero siguro kung may free will ang hayop, they’ll end up the same. Kasi nga animal sila eh. Pero ok na rin na sumusunod sila sa Law of Nature kasi nagiging example sila sa tao. Kaya nga may fable eh. Isipin mo ang langgam, sila ang example ng good citizenship. Hindi nagbe-break ng line. Pero ang mga motorista sa kalsada, hanggat may malulusutan eh tataliwas. Ang mga penguins. Dakilang magulang ang mga ito. Ang daddy penguins at mommy penguins. Wala na yata tatalo sa mga ito. Minsan sila pa ang halimbawa. At ang katotohanan na wala ka ni isang baboy na makikitang dadamba sa kapwa barakong baboy is a proof na taliwas sa universal order ang kabaklaan. Yet we allow these things.
We allow things like euthanasia. We allow unethical laws. There are congressmen na nagpu-push na isulong ang contraceptives. Eh kahit nga coitus interuptus bawal eh. May narinig din ako na pagde-debatihan n anag divorce. Wow! Anong susunod, Abortion? Baka mamaya magulat na lang tayo na legal na ang gay marriage.

I believe being a man is being able to stand in a principle. Sabi nga ni Ryan Philippe, “Being sexy is not about being erotically attractive but it is how you show your self as a man. How you are able to let your right gender float with the way you act.”

Sexiness is the quality of a person to bring out all the masculinity or femininity in him/her. That makes a hero sexy. A man to be truly a man is to be a hero inside out. That is what Benigno Aquino Sr. proved to all decades ago. As we commemorate his death, dapat maisip natin ang virtue of man. Sinabi ko na noon na heroism is in itself a reward. I enjoyed watching last night sa TV about Ninoy’s life. He is a hero. He is a Filipino. He is a MAN.

Day To Remember August Fun

Last August 6 was the Feast of Transfiguration. That is the fourth luminous mystery of the rosary. This Sunday by the way, August 15, 2010, is the Solemnity of Our Lady of Assumption. That is the fourth glorious mystery of the rosary. That also means a dogma of the Catholic Church.



On my way to the Church to attend the Mass, I was already thinking of what to write for my Sunday entry. It should be about Mary. It should be about heaven. Must it be about me?



The most heart capturing and invincible testimonies about heaven and about holiness are those which comes from our very own story. But what story can I share about heaven? About being assumed? I just know the fact that I am assuming. That I am always making assumptions about people every now and then.



I only have story about today and that happened eight years ago when the Our Lady of Assumption class [to where I belong] celebrated this day in Bukid Garden , San Pablo City , Laguna. We are so young and cheerful. Optimistic in all our ways.



I think it is only about being happy all the way because one day we will be happy with God as Saint Paul said in the second reading.



To all my co- OLAs when I was in third year high school. Happy Feast Day once again.



I am totally missing every bits and pieces of our camaraderie.



This day for me is only about you!



I miss you all sincerely.

Design New Policies Yourselves

I hate seeing the Philippines like this.

Akala mo noong nanalo si Noynoy, tgaumpay ang bawat Pilipino. Pero matapos ang ilang buwan siya na ang laman ng mga paninira at tinitira na rinsiya na parang hindi siya ang ibnoto ng mga tao.

Kasalanan niyo yan panindigan niyo na yan. Yan ang motto ko.

Andiyan na yan eh. Siya na ang nanalo. SUportahan na lang.

Hindi siya ang binoto ko pero ako willing sumunod at siya ang pangulo ko. Meron pa bang ibang nanalo? Wala naman diba? Sundin na lang siya.

Inis na inis sila bakit daw naninigarilyo. In the first place, alam niyo na na naninigarilyo yan before election. Sana kasi di na binoto. Pero binoto pa rin. Ang gulo! Ayaw niyo pala ng naninigarilyo na pangulo eh bakit ibinoto?

Ngayon ayaw nila s adesisyon tungkol sa Ninoy Aquino day. Paano ba yan? Eh ayaw niyo rin kay Gloria na mahilig sa holiday. Ano ba yan? Suportahan na lang. Yun ang mainam. May mga gusto siyang gawin ata patunayan. Hindi niya yun magagawa kung hindi siya tutulungan ng taong bayan.

If Rivers Will Continue Flowing

I have a grasp of fresh air near the river.
There are wide spaces between trees.
They allow me to walk and feel the dews coming from the grass.

It is a form of conditioning for me.
Away from the city which gives me reasons to close my ears.
Because of noises.
Because of murmurs maybe.
Because of battling voices here and there.
All reasons why I hate irregularity of notes.

It is a form of conditioning for me.
Getting ready for another battle.
A battle of love and emotion with music as my weapon.
It is the only way to recollect organic sounds.
In a world where everything you hear is artificially decoded.
In a time when life is overloaded with digital sounds.
Being in a place sorrounded by indeginous materials,
will certainly awaken the nostalgia of original music auralization.

When everything is hard to picture.
When a conductor is bombarded with too much electronics and Grunge.
When life feels so uneasy because the original is covered by too many deodorants.
It is hightime to be sensitive to the real smell of music.
I just cannot go far from what nature has given me.

I can conceptualize new experiments for the ensemble.
Using organic sounds perhaps.
Clapping of their hands.
Shouts coming from their throats and ignoring for the mean time
the instruments they hold.

There it is. A stone being thrown in a river.
Buoyancy makes a sound.
It is really hard to explain it in numeric formula.
However in the world of sounds, one can simply identify it.
The streams are avenues of water flowing to the ocean.

Ocean. Ocean. Is that how vast the world of music is?
Only because I love trance and progressive so much that I tend to forget
A classical music enjoyed by my great great grand grand parents long before
I was born crying out music from my mother's womb.

In time, I will be in Berklee or in France Conservatory of Music.
A dream from the roots will be coming to reality.
To realize what my great great grand parents hoped but did not do.
That is something I will surely brag about when I die seeing them in heaven.
I am the fruit of what a long generation passed by dreamt of.
Forming one's own orchestra is not easy.
I was almost deceived by modernity.
Thinking that my calling is to be the greatest trance-lator the world could ever have.

But the trees yelled unto me.
Loading this burden upon me.
Which the history of clans decided a long time ago.
That there be one conductor in a family.
That to perpetuate organic classical music in a time when digitalization is creaming the crop.

It is my calling to let the waters of the river flow into the ocean.

Long Month Over Celebration

The month of August being my favorite month of the year, gives me a lot of comfortable ambiance. It is a month of celebrations. Birthdays, fiests, commemorations and many others; all for the month of August. Example na lang diyan ang birthdays nina Kevin [Aug 10], Arvyn [11], Dianne Carlen [27], at Mary Rose [28]. Sa fiestas naman siyempre ang fiesta ng Nagcaarlan at ng Liliw, occasions naman ang Month of the National Language at ang pag alala sa pagkamatay ni Ninoy Aquino [21]. Isama mo pa jan ang mga religious solemnities at fiests tuwing August 15, 22, and the like.

Yesterday is Kevin’s birthday. Naalala ko noong first year highschool, noon yung first na birthday ni Kevin na magkasama kami. Kumain kami sa kanila pagkaawas noong hapon at kasama naming sila Marvin, Jerome at Patrick yata. Mula noon lahat ng yun na kasama niya ay nagging matalik na niyang kaibigan. Kahit na hindi ko naging close yung iba, Masaya ako na lahat ng yun nagging kaibigan ni Kevin at wala ni isa doon ang umiwan sa kanya. Actually halos lahat yun nagging ninong ng anak niya. Si Ton Ton, Si Marvin, at ako lahat naghawak sa binyag ni Coleen. Belated Happy Birthday Kevin!



Ngayon naman birthday ni Arvyn Monteagudo, isa sa pinakamabait na taong nakilala ko sa mundo. Ang sarap na imaging kaibigan niya. Ikino-concsider kong lucky sinoman ang kaibigan niya dahil walang ka ere ere sa pagkatao niya si Avyn. Sobrang appreciative, helpful, benevolent, at sensitive niya sa lahat ng tao sa paligid niya. Sana hindi siya nagbago at hindi magbago. Kung meron man siyang babaguhin siguro yun ay ang mas i-improve pa niya ang positive traits niya. Hindi mo nga daw pagsisisihan ang maging kaibigan ni Arvyn. Happy Birthday Arvyn!

Marami pang na set up ngayong August. Hindi natin inaasahan na ganito parang magiging maganda ang lahat at sana magkaroon nga ng mini reunion ang mga kaibigan ko noong high school. Sa fiesta na darating at sa mga susunod pa, hindi malabo kasi nga napakabilis na mag organize ng reunion thru facebook.

Sino ba naman yung hindi gusting madagdagan ang mga alalala sa nakaraang celebrations? Puro mga nakalipas na birthday parties na lang ang naaalala ko. Simula kasi noong maka graduate kami sa high school eh hindi na nasundan yung mga birthday parties na magkakasama kami. Hope there is more to come. Pero kahit hindi kami nagkakasama, ang pinakamaganda pa rin ay yung naise-celebrate ko sa puso ko yung mga special days na ito. Ako mismo ipinagdiriwang ko ang mga kapanganakan nila sa puso ko kasabay nila. Alam ko isang araw sa mga susunod na taon, magagawa ulit namin lahat nang yun. Mag cecelebrate ulit kami ng birthday ni Kevin at ni Arvyn nang kumpleto at walang inaalala.

To all August Celebrants,

HAPPY BIRTH MONTH!

Heaven Starts With Commitment

GOSPEL READING Luke 12: 32 - 48

32 "Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
33 Sell your possessions, and give alms; provide yourselves with purses that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys.
34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
35 "Let your loins be girded and your lamps burning,
36 and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the marriage feast, so that they may open to him at once when he comes and knocks.
37 Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes; truly, I say to you, he will gird himself and have them sit at table, and he will come and serve them.
38 If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them so, blessed are those servants!
39 But know this, that if the householder had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into.
40 You also must be ready; for the Son of man is coming at an unexpected hour."
41 Peter said, "Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for all?"
42 And the Lord said, "Who then is the faithful and wise steward, whom his master will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the proper time?
43 Blessed is that servant whom his master when he comes will find so doing.
44 Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions.
45 But if that servant says to himself, `My master is delayed in coming,' and begins to beat the menservants and the maidservants, and to eat and drink and get drunk,
46 the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will punish him, and put him with the unfaithful.
47 And that servant who knew his master's will, but did not make ready or act according to his will, shall receive a severe beating.
48 But he who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, shall receive a light beating. Every one to whom much is given, of him will much be required; and of him to whom men commit much they will demand the more.

Commentary

There was a grade four girl student named Sharmaine. Her story is quite a simple one. One day the teacher said she will be checking the top of their desks and whoever she finds to have the cleanest desk will receive a gift at the end of the quarter. Sharmaine promised everybody that she will win the contest. “I will be hailed as the one with the cleanest table at the end of the quarter”. “That can’t be” said her classmates “You have the dirtiest and disarranged study table in all this class.” Sharmaine answered “Then I will clean it the day before the checking.”
“What if the teacher inspect the day before?”
“Then I will clean it two days before.”
“What if two days before?”
“Then I will clean it three days before the inspection.”
“What if four days before?”
“Then I’ll clean it everyday.”

From that day on Sharmaine made a commitment to keep the table ready for the inspection day. At the end, Sharmaine won the prize. Commitment is a product of uncertainty. We are uncertain of how everything will end. My father’s commitment to my Mom is a good example of how uncertainty of future preceded the virtue. Asked why he did leave my Mom for 20 years he said “It’s simple, I just say ‘just for today I will not leave you dear’ because we can never know what will happen tomorrow but today you can decide what will happen and for 20 years of saying ‘just for today…, just for today’ I did not even noticed we are twenty years now.”

What if you know already the ending of a TV show or a reality show. You will not watch the daily episodes anymore. Tomorrow the season finale of Lost will be aired in AXN. No one knows the ending so any of the fans will still watch everything. If I knew that James Reid is gonna win the PBB Teen Clash, I don’t think I will still be faithful in watching it. I will never regret missing a day because I already know what the end’s gonna be like. We were never thought to read the story books at the back because there will be no more excitement and less excitement brings less commitment. Commitment makes a healthy steward. Commitment makes a faithful Christian.

Jesus in today’s Gospel taught us that those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes are truly blessed. We have to be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the marriage feast, so that they may open to him at once when he comes and knocks. If we know the exact date of the second coming then there will be no commitment to do good works because like Sharmaine we will only clean ourselves the day before. Everyone will go to confession just the day before, we will all remember to do good works the day before. But Jesus would like to know who are the faithful stewards. He did not tell us the exact hour, He just told us to be vigilant every single moment of our lives. If there is certainty of the second coming then there is no regret but just the same, there will be no commitment too.

I heard of a man who never spent enough time with his wife. He never knew that his wife has terminal illness already. She died without him. He is in a corporate meeting during that time. When he went to the burial all he has is regret. He just wish he could have spent more time. If he only knew. But nobody knows when we will die. It is really saddening that many of us doesn’t even know the exact date of birth. If many doesn’t even know the very thing every individual should know about them then how much more is the date of death?

Jesus said “provide yourselves with purses that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys.” We may regret that one day we just labored for something that is not necessary when we die or when Jesus come again. When the Lehman Brothers were bankrupted September 15 of 2008, there were people who almost get into insanity. There was massive shockwaves and panic buying in all of America. Why? Because a lot of people depended on treasures that can be destroyed and pleasures that can turn into old. Commitment to faithfulness is a heavenly treasure that does not fail. You know what? There is about zillion of cells in our body. Every human physique is made up of cells. Heaven is made up of faith. Faith is the single fundamental building block of heaven. It is not money. It is not fame. It is not bank account. Faith can only happen if a person commit to it. When there is uncertainty of what is to come he can only depend on his faith. The second reading enumerated the stories of patriarchs to faith.

I had a professor when I was in college whose name is Dra. Evelyn Ascunsion. She and her husband own a school, they are good people, they are happy, they are wealthy. One day they were robbed. Instead of getting so upset and say “WHY ME, WE ARE UPRIGHT!” She just told us in class that “You know class, that is life. You can never be sure.” Coming from a person who was robbed just two hours ago before she went to our class. She have all the rights to complain that they don’t deserve that kind of experience but no. She still smiled. Because she made a commitment to store up treasures in heaven and those she stored cannot be stolen from her.

More Reasons Give Special Energy

I can count a lot of reasons why I am eager for the SM San Pablo Opening.

Sino ba naman ang hindi maghihintay ng pagbubukas ng SM San Pablo kung….

1. Malapit na matupad ang pangarap kong magkaroon ng laptop with built in wi-fi connection. Oo, last time piangusapan na namin ang posibleng pagkakaroon nko ng isang laptop na may wi fi na. Pero papakabitan pa rin namin ng router sa bahay kasi ok lang din naman dahil free installation na ang DSL. May two months free utilization pa. That means gagamit kami ng walang patumangga at hindi magbabayad. Naks ok yun ah. Ang pinaka the best, ay ang pagtambay sa SM habang sinisinghap ang libreng aircon at kumakain, nagrerelax at nagiinternet doon dala ang laptop. Isnag pangarap na matutupad kung mabubuksan ang SM sa wakas.

2. Hindi ko na rin kailangang lumuwas ng Manila just to watch a film. Narito na kasi ang SM Cinema, may SM ba nawalang cinema? Kasi kung ang SM San Pablo ay walang cinema, the default ang reason number 2. Ang dmai na ngang movies na dumaan na hindi ko napanuod dahil nasa Laguna ako.

3. Mall Shows, Mall Tours and special presentations of celebrities can easily be accessed if there is a nearby SM Mall in this place. Puwede ko madala ang mga bata at mabilis din makakapagdecide ang barkada rito for some gigs. Maraming ma mimeet na tao at dating kakilala. I am sure shopping will be easier with SM around. Karamihan kasi sa mga basic wala pa eh gaya ng Red Ribbon wala pa nun sa San Pablo or if meron hindi ko pa makita, likewise wala pa ring Yellow Cab ditto so it really bore me to death.


The only problem is kung soon sa Manila na ako mag stay. Napkahirap kasi hindi lahat ng itro ay mangyayri. Ang maganda lang anytime na I am in Laguna there will be a closer place o buy whatever we need and venue to celebrate family reunions at maipapasyal ko agad ang family. If ever [may if ever ha], mukhang papangarapin ko ngang sa Laguna na pumasok sila Leuthor at Lianne Riz dahil first gusto ko talaga sa St Mary’s sila because their Dad is an SMA alumnus, and dahil mabilis na rin naman dahil makakagisnan na nila ang SM ditto by the day they grow up. Ang problema na lang kailangang dumating na sa buhay ko ang Mommy nila.

Once My Messy Day,Twice My Happiness Now

I can’t forget what happened on this day last year. Nagbiyahe kasi ako kahit na gabi dahil sa inis. Ayoko talagang maalala kung bakit ako umalis sa bahay noon. When everything is fine, suddenly masisira pala ang araw ko. Favorite ko pa naman ang August 6 because of the fiest celebrated. Ewan ko ba. Nananahimik na nga lang ako sa bahay pero dumadating pa rin ang gulo. Anyway pass na yun. Hindi ko tuloy na panuod yung second to the last episode sa TV nung Love or Bread.


Kasi nga naman ang saya na eh unexpectedly mapapaailis ako. Ayoko ng mga bagay na wala sa plano. Ayoko talaga ng biglaan. Sa pagkakataong yun inis talaga ako. Pero sabi nga hindi dapat palaging ganoon. Meron at meron talagang taon na kahit yung pinakamasasayang araw dapat ay napupurnada. Before mag six pm umalis ako ng house t sumakay sa jeep. Noon ko pa nakasakay si Daddy Ronald. Ayun hindi ko tuloy na maximize yung dapat ay nagging bonding time naming dahil sa init ng ulo ko. Masaya pa rin dahil nakasama ko isya pero naiinis ako na isiping hindi naman dapat yun ang araw na magkikita kami. Ang pangarap ko sana isang araw na maiti-treat ko siya. Yung mailalabas ko siya magbobonding kami kahit sa Robinsons Lipa lang. Yung makakapaglaro kami sa Time Zone paramihan ng bola na maishu-shoot sa kakaunting oras. Kakain kami, manunuod ng sine na worthwhile, magkukuwentuhan, magkasamang mag lolog-in sa Netopia, at sasakay sa isang SUV na ako ang nagmamaneho at pagaari ko o kung hindi man eh pagamit ng kumpanya. Hindi ba lahat ng anak ganun ang gusto. ANg mailabas ang mga tatay nila. Makapagbonding sila. Hindi lang isang father figure si Sir Tubana sa akin, siya rin ang mentor ko at inspiration to be a better man. Siya lang kasi ang nakita kong deserving sa admiration ng isang gentleman. Sabi nga makikilala mo ang class na lalaki sa kung sino ang ina-idolize niya. Ang galling naman talaga ni sir. Halos napalawig na niya ang kakayahan at kaalaman niya for the past four decades of his life. Sa music, hindi siya matatawaran. A bass soloist, a guitarist… grabe siya mag guitar. In broadcast, yun ang first love niya maging radio host. Sa religious life, wala kang hahanapin sa kanya, his a great man. At imagine he is into taekwondo pa. Sana nga siya talaga ang Daddy ko!


Habang nasa bus ako sa San Pablo iniisip ko kung bakit nagkaganun lahat sa buhay ko. Hindi ko magawa yung pinangarap ko nung fourth year ako para kay sir. Akala ko kailangan ko lang maka graduate para magawa lahat ng yun. Hindi pala. Nakatigil ang bus sa tapat ng San Pablo Medical at dumidilim na nun. May napatak na manaka nakang ulan. At noong nasa Calmba na nga ako, bumuhos na ang nakakakilabot na ulan. Guess what may nameet nanaman ako nang dumating na ako sa Pala Pala. Si Sir Artin Umali, ano ba yan? Bakit? Napahiya nanaman ako kasi nga lahat ng iyon wala naman sa inasahan ko sa raw na iyon. Basang basa ako nang makarating ako sa bahay ni Tita.


Nung sandaling yun, exactly 10:19pm alam ko nakita ko kung sino na yung papawi ng lahat ng kamalasan sa araw na yun. Ang pamangkin ko—si Shaira Mae.

They Don't Need To Be Idols

"Fame without even joining the American Idol"

Noong July 17, Nagsimula na ang auditions para sa American Idol 2011. Actually nasa kalagitnaan na ang Audition for this month. May mga rumors, hindi ko alam kung confirmed na na si J. Lo ang isa sa mga bagong judges ng AI. So Steven Tyler, isa rin sa pinagpipilian. Si Harry C. Jr. mukhang papalitan niya yata si Simon Cowell. I don't know pero mukhang mas magiging exciting ang 2011 season matapos makatanggap ng negative ratings ang nakaraang AI Season.

Here are the people who rose to fame without joining the American Idol experience.

JUSTIN BIEBER



Nadiscover ni Scooter Braun si Bieber sa You Tube at siyang naging daan upang magkita sila ni Usher sa Atlanta and later on signed a contract with Island Records. Siya na rin ang naging manager ni Justin which I don't know kung siya pa rin hanggang ngayon.

Sa galing ni Justin Bieber talgang hindi na niya kailangan ang sumali sa AI ano...

JASON DERULO



At the age pa lang of 16 nasulat na ng kanta para sa ilang sikat na Pop singers si Jason. Gusto talaga niya maging isang soloist. Ngayon may single na siyang Ridin Solo. Isa na siya sa tinitilian ng mga kababaihan at ginagaya ng mga negro boys sa America.

Sayaw, kanta, performance, at siguro maging hosting lahat ay kakayanin ni Derulo. Ang ganda ng mixing ng mga kanta niya. He got his own stylings at malayo ang mararating niya sa music world.

KATY PERRY



Ang pagkanta kanta sa simbahan at Christian events ni Katy Perry o Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson sa tunay na buhay ang nagdala sa kanya sa Hollywood. Isinilang noong Oktubre 25 1984, lumaki si Katy sa piling ng pastorna mga magulang at doon niya natutunan ang pagkanta ng mga gospel music.

Sa ngayon ikakasal na si Katy Perry sa isang artista na si Russel Brand. So soon she will be addressed as Mrs. Brand. Nakakatawa na magiging ganyan ka sexy ang image ni Katy knowing na ganoon nga ang family lineage niya. Sabi nga ng mga bakla, Nakakaloka!

Anyway, suwerte na rin dahil hinayaan ni Katy ang mga kalalakihan na mapagpiyestahan ang di maikakailang maganda naman niyang katawan. Pero bukod sa katawan niya bilib ako sa musical talents niya. Ang music niya is hindi masyadong distinct kasi nakakahawig ng mga contemporaries niya pero yung boses niya, shit so beautiful.

LADY GAGA





I don't wanna talk more about Lady Gaga. Alam na natin na aprang sa ibang planeta nanggaling ang nilalang na ito. So pwerful voice, sexy appeal at very inspiring and dancable influence of music. Minsan iniisip ko kung lahat ng kanta na ginawa niya galing lang sa isip niya o pinarinig sa kanya ng anghel. Kasi naman talagang nakakainggit ang galing ni Gaga. Ang galing pa niya mag piano ha, hindi biro.

Siya ang ina idolize ni Greysan Chance eh. Gusti ko ang music niya at tinitingala siya maging ng mga sumali sa American Idol. Kapag nakakaharap siya ng mga ito feeling nila kalevel na ni Gaga sila Madonna sa galing nito.

HEYLEY WILLIAMS



Si Stephanie Meyer ang among all the rest, nagpasikat di hamak kay Heyley Williams. Ilang taon na ring nagpe perform ang Parmore na banda ni Heyley at walang ibang naging daan sa mainstream not until the Twilight Saga came to our consciousness. Ibang klase ang naging pagsikat ng Paramore at front woman nito dahil sa Decode na unang kanta nilang nakilala world wide. Mula noon di na maawat ang pagakyat sa paramount ng industriya ang pangalan ni Heyley

Ngayon nasangkot kamakailan sa isang scandal sa twitter si Heyley na lalong naging daan ng pagsikat nito. I am not anymore interested to see how it looks like. Alam ko typical size lang ang meron siya. What so exciting about that photo is that she is Heyley Williams but other than that, katulad lang iyon ng itsura ng kahit sinong ordinary American gurl of her age and size. Higit na na expose ang galing at flexibility niya sa mga ginawang collaborations lalo na sa "Airplanes" kung saan nakasama niya sa single si B.O.B. at Marshall Matters o Slim Shady. Lumawak na ang market ni Heyley ngayon dahil sa mga updates na ito.

OWL CITY




Si Adam Young ang isa sa mga sensation na gaya i Bieber ay hindi maikakailang proof ng technology and social networking discovery. Matapos niyang ilagay sa My Space ang kanta niya unti unting nakilala si Adam Young at tinaguriang Owl City. Trance at Dance music ang kinahihiligan niya pero lalong lumawak ang audience rate niya sa My Space dahil na rin sa ganda ng mga kanta at viral fame nito sa internet nagawa niyang makakuha at maka sign ng contract with Universal Republic noong 2007. Noon ngang 2009, sumabog na ang kasikatan ni Owl City at kinilala siya bilang one of the wonders of the new decade.

Synthesis

Ano kayang ibig iparating ng mga testimonial ng mga taong ito at buhay nila?

Na ang pagsikat sa American Music scene ay hindi dependent sa pagsali sa American Idol. It is still raw talent that prevails then and now. Nasaan ka man hindi dapat mawalan ng pagasa ang isang musician to be the best that he can be. American Idol is only one avenue. Contacts, gigs, friendship and viewership are also other means. lalo na kung pursigido ka at may galing talaga. Welcome!

Far Away But Beautiful Land

"Have you ever been in a strange place and suddenly you feel you are home?"



Napaka suwerte ko na dahil sa may kaibigan ako sa facebook na from another country, nagagawa ko na ring ma karating sa ibang lugar na gusto ko talaga marating. I like Joanna Kacpererek's photos shared in fb.

These you can also find in her profile

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/photo.php?pid=30731883&id=1404107099&ref=album&fbid=1253361419854


















Ganito pala sa Norway. Ang ganda!!!!

Sobra!!!!

I wanna be here one day!!!1

New Start With August

Last two months, May at June, gumawa ako ng mga summary bilang closing ng buwan.
Nireview ko yung mga nangyari at nilagay ang mga refelctions at learning ko about the month.

Naisip ko para yatang negative na sa huli ang title palagi is ending my ang umpisa.

That is why naisip ko na iincorporate na lang sa start ng month yung mga learnings ko sa nakalipas na buwan.

Ok naman ako for teh rest of July.

Masaya kasi nabili ko na si Lorraine. Nagkaroon ako ng baton.

Next thing is naka pagpa picture ako kasama si Lorraine.
profile photo ko na ngayon ang pix na yun.

Nagkaroon din ng mga activities for July na masaya. Mga napanuod na maganda.

Nagbirthdya si Mama

Umuwi sila Kuya Kenneth kasama sila Lizzeth at Lester.

Ang saya nga eh kung tutuusin.

Sana mas masaya ang entrie fo August!

We can only dream but not until we try to.

Hope all is well.

Heavenly Treasures Of Heavenly Stewards

Bombarded we are of things and aspirations thata re fo this world. What is Jesus telling us today?




GOSPEL READING Luke 12: 13 - 21

13 One of the multitude said to him, "Teacher, bid my brother divide the inheritance with me."
14 But he said to him, "Man, who made me a judge or divider over you?"
15 And he said to them, "Take heed, and beware of all covetousness; for a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."
16 And he told them a parable, saying, "The land of a rich man brought forth plentifully;
17 and he thought to himself, `What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?'
18 And he said, `I will do this: I will pull down my barns, and build larger ones; and there I will store all my grain and my goods.
19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; take your ease, eat, drink, be merry.'
20 But God said to him, `Fool! This night your soul is required of you; and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?'
21 So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."

Commentary

Last Sunday, the Gospel Reading is about Jesus teaching us to communicate to God who is in heaven. “Our Father, who art in heaven…” this clearly suggests that God is in heaven and we too are aiming to be there at the right time. And so Jesus prepares us to be there. While on earth, Saint Paul said, we have to think of heavenly thing already. We have to condition our mind and spirit of things that are above.

Digital camera, a laptop, a unit in Globe Asiatique, a fine dining everyday, more friends, more accomplishments such as trophies and plaques, all these cannot compare to the glory which Christ is to be revealed when we are already transformed into our heavenly bodies.

In the first reading, Qoheleth wrote that everything is meaningless. Because as a philosopher he only looked on what is below. He only sees the world. He noticed that everything we are toiling will be left when we die and death is a human reality. What is the use and essence of working so hard to attain money? What is the point of working so hard to know everything? What is the point of everything when all the end prepared for is to die.

The Gospel completes the thesis of Qoheleth. It is very clear then that during the time of Qoheleth there was still no sound doctrine that teaches about the afterlife. Perhaps the writer is trained in a Sadducee manner. Sadducees did not believe the resurrection. The book of Ecclesiastes was written during the time when Greek thinkers are prevalent in the Mediterranean region. More than that the lesson about the book is that during these times Jesus was not yet born. It is tantamount to saying that without Jesus everything could be meaningless. That is why the writer of Ecclesiastes resorted to a very lousy solution to all problem of worthlessness—to eat, drink, and be merry. Enjoy life while you can. It also a positive reminder to all of us who are tirelessly working for nothing. Enjoy the fruits of your labor.

But Saint Paul transcends this drastically. It is not only about living a life for worldly enjoyment. Now that Christ already paid for your sins, you must be celebrating in a Christly manner. What else is Christly but the heavenly rewards? Saint Paul wants us Christians to turn away from the pleasure that is offered in this world but worthless in heaven. So enjoy life on earth while enjoying also for things that are to come.

Jesus in the Gospel transcends all of this. It is not only for ego satisfaction that we are living here in this world. Yes it id good to be merry and enjoy life and the fruits of your toil. It is also good to enjoy the merits that are to come when the Second Coming is fulfilled. However, life is not to be enjoyed only by myself, yourself, or alone. Life and its happiness are to be shared. That is the greatest point. If your goal is to enjoy life by yourself, what can it give you in return? Why were other beings created. Goodness cannot be consumed by only one person. Its nature is to bounce. God cannot content goodness all to himself. He has to share it. That is the reason He created other beings so that they can also enjoy his benevolence. And if you are rich in heavenly wealth then there should be a tendency in you and in me to let goodness spread out and run off. Greed has no room in heaven. It is a form of fleshly desire as Saint Paul enumerated in the second reading.

Now in the Gospel, Jesus is confronted with a man who is requesting for his portion in wealth properties. But Jesus can see the real intentions. Jesus saw that the man is full of greedy intentions. He did not give into the request because malice is intolerable. Instead, Jesus made an avenue to convert the man. He said, “Be careful against all forms of greed…” as a reminder not only to the person but also to all the crowds. It is a reminder that while we are storing up treasures for ourselves here in this life, we have to make sure that we also store up treasures in heaven. What will it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his own soul in the process? These are words coming from Jesus himself. Qoheleth already proved that wealth, prestige, and wisdom are all worthless and it is only Jesus according to Saint Paul who can give this things eternal meaning. With Jesus, learning is wonderful, work is dignified, and all forms of material wealth are precious offerings for the Lord.

Application

Avoid being greedy and be concern with the poorest of the poor by

-giving donations
-taking some time to help another individual in all their undertakings
-be prayerful for others.